CommunionArts

In episode 19, Blake sits down with Eric Schumacher, shepherd, songwriter, and storyteller to discuss songwriting, ministry, and his new book with Elyse Fitzpatrick, Worthy: Celebrating the Value of Women. To learn more about Eric, you can visit his website and explore some of the hymns he is working on at Hymnicity. THE GUEST SUGGESTS: Johnny Cash: The Life

In episode 18 I sit down with battle rapper and international recording artist LOSO. We discuss his journey to rap, his creative process, and how his faith influences his art. To explore more LOSO's work you can visit EverythingLoso.com. THE GUEST SUGGESTS: LOSO vs. B Dot FilmsJoker For more content and resources or to make a tax deductible donation visit CommunionArts.org

In episode 17 I sit down with Daniel Emery Price who is a writer, podcaster, speaker, and the Director of Christ Hold Fast and his frequent collaborator, author, podcaster, and speaker Pastor Erick Sorensen. We discuss their collaborative process, their most recent book Scandalous Stories: A Sort of Commentary on Parables and their forthcoming book, Miracles: A Sort of Commentary on Miracles. To explore more of Dan and Erick’s work, you can listen to their podcast, 30 Minutes in the New Testament, visit them on the Christ Hold Fast facebook page or follow them on twitter @pastorerick and @danemeryprice. THE GUEST SUGGESTS: BooksThe Genius of Luther’s Theology: A Wittenberg Way of Thinking for the Contemporary ChurchInexpressible: Hesed and the Mystery of God’s Loving Kindness MusicBorn to Quit by the Smoking Popes FilmsSilenceCalvary TelevisonBetter Call Saul   For more content and resources or to make a tax deductible donation visit CommunionArts.org

In episode 16 I sit down with former worship leader and podcast host Debi Winrich. We discuss her transition from worship leader at a non denominational church into a liturgical Lutheran church, her podcast the Soul of Christianity, and the concept of vocation. To learn more about Debi’s podcast, The Soul of Christianity, you can follow along on twitter or instagram. MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Reforming Worship from White Horse Inn 1517. Podcast Network THE GUEST SUGGESTS: Virgil Wander by Leif Enger Music in this episode is composed by Kelly Winrich for the Soul of Christianity podcast. Visit CommunionArts.org for more resources or to make a tax deductible donation.

In Episode 15 I sit down with author and speaker, David Zahl. We discuss his new book Seculosity: How Career, Parenting, Technology, Food, Politics, And Romance Became Our New Religion And What To Do About It, his writing process, and his ministry with Mockingbird. To learn more about David and the work the work he is involved with you can follow Mockingbird on twitter, facebook, or instagram, or join him on the Seculosity Tour. THE GUEST SUGGESTS A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole ”Triptych” by Roxy Music ALSO REFERENCEDLaw & Gospel: A Theology for Sinners (and Saints)”Workism is Making Americans Miserable” by Derek Thompson Music in this episode is by The Orange Effect.

In Episode 14 I sit down with theologian, author, and speaker Chad Bird. We discuss the writing process, routines that have helped him foster his writing skills, the importance of creating honest art, and his new book Upside-Down Spirituality: The Nine Essential Failures of a Faithful Life. To learn more about Chad and his work you can visit him at ChadBird.com, follow him on twitter, or explore some of his work on the Old Testament through the podcast 40 Minutes in the Old Testament and The Old Testament Unveiled videos. THE GUEST SUGGESTS The Temple and the Church’s Mission: A Biblical Theology of the Dwelling Place of God by G.K. Beale  

In episode 13 I sit down with two members of the Storymakers team: Mel Smith, creative director and founder and Karen Weber, art director and designer. We discuss, the journey to the creation of Storymakers, the design process and art that inspires. If you’d like to learn more about Storymakers or explore one of the Sparks, visit them at StorymakersNYC.com and follow them on Instagram. Storytellers that have inspired:Roald Dahl Salvador Dali The Guest Suggests:Frida Kahlo exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum Take a class, try something new, explore the old and new, Go Play! Also mentioned during this podcast:Little Joy NYC Mockingbird Music in this episode is from Matt Veligdan, composed for Creative Arts Camp.   To learn more about CommunionArts or to support us with a tax deductible donation, visit CommunionArts.org

In episode 12 I sit down with gallery director, photographer, art educator and curator Sherri Littlefield. We discuss the process of curation and how that might be applied to the preparation of a worship service. If you’d like to learn more about Sherri and her work, you can visit SherriLittlefield.com. You can also see the work from Treat Gallery’s, Treat American Project at two separate exhibitions in New York City featuring work from Brenton Little, Bubblegum & Whiskey, and 48 other fantastic artists. January 9th - January 13th Foley Gallery, 59 Orchard Street NYCopening reception January 9th at 6pm. February 8th - February 17thOSNY Project Space, 417 W. 57th Street NYCopening reception February 8th at 7pm. The Guest Suggests: The Office WWE The Jealous Curator Podcast Art galleries: ClampArt & The Border American Society of Media Photographers

Episode 11 with David Gungor by CommunionArts

In episode 10 I sit down with writer, historian, and storyteller Dr. Dan van Voorhis. We discuss his books Monsters and Johann Arndt: A Prophet of Lutheran Pietism as well as his creative process. If you want to learn more about Dan you can visit his website DanvanVoorhis.com, 1517legacy.com, follow him on twitter @dan_vanvoorhis , or tune into his podcast Virtue in the Wasteland.

Episode 9 with Kip Fox by CommunionArts

Episode 8 with Doug and Kelsi Klembara by CommunionArts

In episode 7 I sit down with hip hop, blues and spoken word artist, Micah Bournes. We talk about his creative influences, his process and his journey as an artist across genres. Micah's art will challenge, encourage, and inspire you. To learn more about Micah visit his website MicahBournes.com. The Guest Suggests: Humans of New York Mortified Nation The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander Da Poetry Lounge

In episode 6 I sit down with Ed Gungor as we speak about his journey through ministry and his re-discovery of liturgy and how it can be applied to the church of today. Ed has walked through this discovery with several other church leaders through an annual gathering called PRAXIS, and joined together with other church leaders and those desiring to explore the monastic life, forming the Order of St. Anthony. Ed is one of the most thoughtful people I know, and I think you will find the conversation thought provoking and perhaps challenging. Enjoy! Music on this episode from "We All Dance" and "We All Yell" by The Orange Effect.

Episode 5 with Raleigh Sadler by CommunionArts

In episode 4 I sit down with songwriter, worship leader and curator of The Calendar Years, Ben Grace. We talk songwriting, liturgy and the role the church calendar plays on the music he makes. To hear music from Ben and The Calendar Years, visit TheCalendarYears.com. You can also support their forthcoming Epiphany release on Kickstarter and help them keep making great music! If you're interested in Ben's Book Recommendation, the book is Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World by Adam Grant. To subscribe to further episodes, please visit our page on iTunes, and while you're there, we'd love to hear you enjoy about the show and have you rate it. Thanks for listening!

In episode 3 I speak with author, speaker and liturgist Heather Choate Davis. We chat about rest, creative process and spiritual practices.

In this episode, I sit down with Eric Marshall, frontman of Young Oceans and The Last Royals. We talk songwriting, liturgy and literature.

In our first CommunionArts podcast we sit down with Josh Woodrow to talk liturgy, racial reconciliation and his use of rap music in worship.