Reader, Author, Thinker, and Teacher Karen Swallow Prior joins Michael for a discussion of her book, The Evangelical Imagination, and particularly, how the ideas of that book apply to the arts. In their wide-ranging conversation, they touch on metaphor, language, fact and fiction, redemption stories, the connection between sentimentality and power, and much more. Stay tuned at the end of the episode to listen to “Don’t I Know?” by Physick, from their record, All the Days.
Show Notes:
Poet, Author, and Editor Paul J. Pastor joins Michael for a conversation on poetry. From a more general discussion of the uses and benefits of poetry to a more specific exploration of some of Pastor’s favorite poetry, get inspired to explore poetry more deeply.
Check out Paul’s work at his website.
For this episode, Michael is joined by Brian Brown, founder and executive director of the Anselm Society, about the importance of the arts in the practice of communal meaning-making. Along the way, they discuss the work and vision of the Anselm Society, the difference between communal and individual experiences of the arts, why art is not gratuitous to human flourishing, what each of us can do to participate in our communities through the arts, and much more.
Stay tuned at the end to hear the studio version of our new theme song, “Humble & Lowly,” by Civilized Creature, off of the recently released LP, Earthen Vessel.
In the episode, Michael goes solo to discuss why Christians should develop better taste. Then he goes on to discuss some practical ways that can be achieved. This episode was inspired by an insightful comment from Lisa Hood on episode 49 (“Do Poor People Make Poor Patrons?”). Stay tuned at the end for “Infinite Rail,” the first single off of Make Sure’s recently released June, available through Tooth & Nail Records and used with permission.
You might also be interested in reading “We Sin Because We Have Bad Taste,” which explores the connection between moral judgment and material discernment.
Michael is looking forward and looking back with Renew the Arts’ former president and current chairman of the board Justus Stout and current president Katy Martin to talk about Justus’ ten-year tenure as president and the challenges and opportunities awaiting Katy in the next season of renewing the arts and liberating Christian creativity. Arts organizations seem to be in a crisis of support. How will Renew the Arts fare differently?
Stay tuned at the end of the episode to hear a previously unreleased track from Physick, “The Ballad of the Steady Man,” which celebrates the consistent faithfulness of those who “move mountains one quiet shovel at a time.”