Zac Hicks is the author of the newly released book The Worship Pastor. He is Canon for Worship and Liturgy at Cathedral Church of the Advent (Birmingham, AL) and writes regularly at zachicks.com. You can find out more about the book (along with a free excerpt) at: http://www.theworshippastorbook.com/
This episode features rare interviews from Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy taken from the Presidential Profiles record series. In preparation for the 2016 election it is time to start considering politics at a deeper level. These speech excerpts and brief bios offer insights into the actions and lives of our presidents and in so doing act as a somewhat sober counter to our currently manic political culture. Also, there is still time to support the Kickstarter campaign for the book "Why Every President Sucked" (You can listen to my interview with the book's author in the previous episode). Follow these links to find out more:
http://www.whyeverypresidentsucked.com/
or
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1929635985/why-every-president-sucked-hardcover-book
Eric Olsen is the author of Why Every President Sucked, and is putting on a Kickstarter campaign until the end of August in order to get the book published. In our conversation we talk about looking at America's presidents with fresh eyes, even the ones we love the most. The book isn't as negative as it sounds, but is an attempt open us up to the simple idea that our presidents were people too and they all made mistakes. To find out more and to support the Kickstarter campaign please visit: http://www.whyeverypresidentsucked.com/
or
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1929635985/why-every-president-sucked-hardcover-book
Joe Johnson writes reviews on Bible and theology books at https://tabletalktheology.com/ and http://www.theologues.net/. Our conversation focuses on the importance for "normal churchgoers" to read theological texts and scholarly books on the Bible, as well as which books are good entry level texts to start off with.
Blair Jeffers is a Peoria area artist who is having a showing ("Comic Panels and Literals") at The Art Garage for the month of August. You can view some of her work at her blog: https://blairjeffers.wordpress.com/. Blair also juried the "Unseen Voices" exhibit which will be on display at the Foster Gallery of art during August as well. If you live close to Peoria come out to First Friday or find a time this month to visit some of the many galleries in the city (for locations visit: http://ciaopeoria.com/about-us or http://artspartners.net/).
Carol McPherson is the Director of Discipleship and Fine Arts Ministries at First United Methodist Church in Peoria, Illinois. She is also the director of the Foster Gallery for Christianity and the Fine Arts, which runs out of First United. In our interview we talk about how the Church can be a patron for the arts, about what it means to bring true justice and acceptance to people, and about her former life as a country and western singer. Carol also has a PhD. in liturgical studies from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary. Through the month of August 2016 the exhibit "Unseen Voices" is on display at the Foster Gallery, located at 116 Perry Ave., Peoria.
This podcast episode is different from the norm for PostConsumer Reports. It features a talk Chris Marchand (host and writer for PCR) gave on Classical Education. Chris is the headmaster at Aletheia Christian School in Peoria, Illinois (www.peoriaclassical.org). Chris goes into the philosophy behind Classical Education, how we give our kids the "lost tools of learning", and how we hope to create lifelong lovers of learning. Welcome to the Great Conversation!
Joe Cook is the station manager for three stations in the Western Indian Radio Network (http://www.westernindian.net/) in New Mexico and Arizona. He and his family moved out west a few years ago to do ministry among the Navajo nation and its people. Joe is also the operator of the Ragamuffin Archive, which features numerous Rich Mullins, interviews, live shows, and song rarities (https://www.youtube.com/user/theentrtnr). In our interview we chat about his ministry and the strange story of receiving a box (or boxes) full of all but unheard Rich Mullins material. You can find Joe's family's blog at: https://cookfamilywim.wordpress.com/
Fr. Nathan Carr is our guest today. He is the headmaster at The Academy of Classical Christian studies and vicar of St. James' Episcopal Church, both in Oklahoma City. We discuss the tensions of leadership, building wonder into a preschool program, and how to get 3 year olds to walk in line. We did our interview after a workshop he had just given at the Association of Classical & Christian Schools annual conference.
Douglas Wilson is a pastor, theologian, and proponent of Classical Education. He has authored numerous books on various subjects pertaining to matters of the Christian faith, education, and history. Visit Canon Press for a listing of many of his books or visit his blog, which he updates frequently. I spoke with Wilson last week from the Association of Classical and Christian Schools annual conference.