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.
In our second Dialogue With Brandon we discuss the question "How Big Is Your Soul?" Are you a small-souled person? Most people wouldn't want to think so, but it's a question worth pursuing the answer to. Brandon and I discuss the thoughts of Douglas Hofstadter and his book I Am Strange Loop and I end up getting more confused and frustrated by the end then when I started. Maybe that means I'm small-souled after all.
Our fifteenth episode features Mike Foster who is known mostly for his knowledge of J.R.R. Tolkien and Middle Earth (because of a famed Illinois Central College literature class and numerous essays and interviews on the subject), but who has also been a hardworking writer and journalist for over 50 years. While the questions eventually always wind their way back to hobbits and strange elvish (or is it elven?) names, Mike also has lots to share about teaching, music, and writing a good obituary. Shaped by a lifetime of reading and intensive study Mike speaks with a gentle eloquence always tinged with the wonder of faerie. This is our longest episode yet, but stick around to hear some great stories about the people he has met and dialogued with in the Tolkien Universe.
Radiohead released their new album A Moon Shaped Pool this week. Pastor and author Ryan Hansen joins the podcast to discuss what exactly Radiohead fans expect from Thom Yorke and company every time the iconic and enigmatic band release a new set of songs. We talk about the self-seriousness of Radiohead fans (us included), as well as how their lyrics and music have changed over the years. Do they make protest music or music full of existential despair? We don't exactly get to the answers but it was a fun talk.
Episode 13 of the PostConsumer Reports Podcast features a conversation with Jessica Ball, Peoria area artist and owner of The Art Garage. Jessica shares her journey as an artist and through it I get to ask about her views on abstract art, the monetary value of works of art, and where the art community is headed in Peoria. Check below for examples of her work (which we also discuss in the interview). Make sure to check The Art Garage page for class times and upcoming exhibits: http://art-garage-studio.com/
Every month (or so) I'll be putting up a new dialogue with my friend Brandon Lulay. Instead of an interview it's mutual conversation. Today we talk about my difficulties with the animated show Archer as well as our thoughts on the season 6 finale of The Walking Dead (yeah, THAT one).
Episode 11 of the PostConsumer Reports Podcast features Thom Blair, editor and translator of the Hebrew English Interlinear English Standard Version (ESV) of the Old Testament. Thom also works for Faithlife and Logos Bible Software. His Hebrew-English version of the ESV is quite frankly amazing. Essentially it features a line of the Hebrew text with another line of the exact English words directly underneath. Thom is a friend of mine and I am honored and astonished to know someone who has accomplished a project such as this. Thom has also been developing Bible study courses and video talks from prominent Bible Scholars that correspond with the different seasons of the church calendar.