Cultivated: A podcast about faith and work

When Mars Hill Church was planted in Seattle in 1996, few would have imagined where it would lead. But in the next 18 years, it would become one of the largest, fastest-growing, and most influential churches in the United States. Controversy plagued the church, though, due in no small part to the lightning-rod personality at its helm: Mark Driscoll. By 2014, the church had grown to 15,000 people in 15 locations. But before the year was over, the church collapsed. On January 1, 2015, Mars Hill was gone. Produced by Cultivated host Mike Cosper, The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill explores the inside story of this church, its charismatic leader, and the conflicts and troubles that brought about its end. You'll hear from insiders and experts, tracing the threads of this story to so many others that shape the church today. Listen to the trailer and subscribe today. The full series launches on June 22.

Jen Pollock Michel is a writer based in Toronto, CA. She’s the author of several books, including  Surprised by Paradox and A Habit Called Faith, which is releasing this week. On the podcast, she describes the road that led her to writing, the relationship between her vocations as a writer and a mother, and the place women writers occupy in Christian publishing. She also talks about A Habit Called Faith, a book that invites seekers, skeptics, and Christians alike to explore a deeper experience of Christianity through a 40-day experience in the book of John and the book of Deuteronomy. If you have feedback for us, you can email us at podcasts@christianitytoday.com Subscribe to our show, and if you can – leave us a rating and review in iTunes. Cultivated is produced and hosted by Mike Cosper It’s edited by Mark Owens Our music is by Dan Phelps Our theme song is “Eden Was A Garden” by Roman Candle.

Doug Logan was running a barbershop in Patterson, New Jersey when he met Jesus. Doug, who is black, quickly married his girlfriend Angel, who is white. Within days, he was preaching on the streets to the homeless. In the twenty-five years since, their interracial marriage has been a kind of proving ground for the experience of racial tensions that have come along with being black and Reformed, both in majority white and in majority non-white contexts. That included serving at a historic, majority-white Presbyterian church in Philadelphia and planting a church in Camden, New Jersey. Now, Doug serves as the Associate Director of Acts 29 and the president of Grimké Seminary, where he hopes to equip more pastors like him to bring new expressions of Reformed theology to the urban context. Listen in as he shares his story, his passion for the gospel, and his vision for racial reconciliation at the foot of the cross. Produced by Mike Cosper Edited by Mark Owens Theme Song “Eden Was a Garden” by Roman Candle Music by Roman Candle and Dan Phelps

We’re often unprepared or unwilling to face experiences of loss and suffering. But in fact, they are opportunities for deep encounters with the presence and mercy of God. Tish Harrison Warren is a writer and a priest in the Anglican Church in North America. Her book Liturgy of the Ordinary was Christianity Today’s 2018 book of the year, and she just released Prayer in the Night: For Those Who Work or Watch or Weep a few weeks ago. This episode ends up being a deep-dive into the subject of suffering, grief, and lament, exploring the various ways North American culture both inside and outside the church have taught us to avoid them. And while the conversation is weighty, it’s not without hope. At its heart, the Christian faith has its roots in the knowledge that our God not only meets us in suffering, but as Tish puts it, he got there first. His presence with us is our hope for both life and death. Cultivated is a production of Christianity Today. It was produced by Mike Cosper. It was edited by Mark Owens. Our theme song is “Eden Was A Garden” by Roman Candle.

Makoto Fujimura is a painter and the author of several books on the intersection of faith, culture, and the arts. Most recently he’s published Art and Faith: A Theology of Making. In this episode, Mako describes his calling as an artist and how living three blocks from the World Trade Center transformed his painting. He also describes his work in kintsugi – the Japanese art of mending broken ceramics by pouring gold between the shattered pieces. The medium itself is a vision of grace: taking something that appears ruined and making it more beautiful and more valuable than the original. It’s a conversation about vocation, creativity, the abundance of God’s love, and the importance of culture making as vision of the new creation. Produced by Mike Cosper Edited by Mark Owens Music by Dan Phelps Theme Song “Eden Was a Garden” by Roman Candle

Timothy Dalrymple is the President and CEO of Christianity Today. His road to CT is marked by a number of surprise turns, the first being a significant, career-ending injury as an elite gymnast. In the years that followed, he pursued a sense of calling through a variety of ministries, ivy league schools, and the tech industry. This episode explores that story, how it led him to Christianity Today, and the vision he has for CT’s future work, including podcasts like this one. You can listen his work on The Jerusalem Podcast here. Produced by Mike Cosper Edited by Mark Owens Music by Dan Phelps Theme Song “Eden Was a Garden” by Roman Candle

Aundi Kolber is a therapist and the author of Try Softer: A Fresh Approach to Move Us out of Anxiety, Stress, and Survival Mode--and into a Life of Connection and Joy. On this episode of the podcast, Aundi and Mike talk about the impact of complex trauma on the body and soul, and how Aundi’s own experiences of trauma led her into the work she does as a therapist. They also talk about how Christian faith shapes our perspective on trauma, the relationship between what the head knows and what the body knows, and how Jesus’ own embodiment points the way to our own healing. Produced by Mike Cosper Edited by Mark Owens Theme Song “Eden Was a Garden” by Roman Candle

Cultivated veteran Latifah Alattas returns to the podcast this week to talk about life, faith, and creative work after divorce. When her marriage ended in 2017, it derailed a host of dreams and left her asking hard questions about forgiveness, healing, and relationships. Her work in churches was almost entirely halted, and for months she had to attend to her own body and soul to begin healing from the trauma. A year later, she released "Divorce," an album of raw songs exploring the painful emotions and aftermath of that experience. Host Mike Cosper and Latifah discuss the record, the events leading up to and since, and how creative life goes on after loss. Plus: Another Cultivated veteran, Melanie Penn, stops by to share about her release "More Alive Vol. 1", a collection of hope-filled songs written in quarantine and COVID. Cultivated is a production of Christianity Today. This episode was produced by Mike Cosper. It was edited by Mark Owens Our theme song is “Eden was a Garden” by Roman Candle. Music in this episode was by Moda Spira, Page CXVI, and Melanie Penn.

Ross Mason’s work has spanned crossed the country and crossed the globe, from Moscow to Silicon Valley, and back to Georgia, where he’s from originally. A lifelong adventurer, he loved climbing, diving, competing in triathlons, and was even certified as a NASCAR driver. In 2007, even after he suffered a C6 spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed from the neck down, that adventurous spirit wasn’t hindered by his paralysis. If anything, it propelled him to look more determinedly for ways to express that spirit for his own good, and for the good of the world. In the years since, he’s been part of healthcare innovations that are revolutionizing care for people – like his own injury – often find themselves staring at a broken healthcare system and looking for help. Cultivated is a production of Christianity Today. If you like the show, leave us a rating and review wherever you’re listening. It helps other people find the show. This episode was produced by Mike Cosper It was edited by Mark Owens Our music is by Dan Phelps and Roman Candle. Our theme song is “Eden was a Garden” by Roman Candle.

Dominic “Dom” D’Agostino is an Associate Professor at the University of South Florida, where he teaches at the Morsani College of Medicine and the Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology. He’s also a Research Scientist at the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) where he leads research efforts to optimize the health and performance of astronauts and warfighters, including working with Navy Seals. But for many people, Dom is known for his groundbreaking research into the ketogenic diet and it’s benefits for everything from athletic performance to cancer to epilepsy. Behind his work is a deep curiosity that led him to not only into the sciences, but on a search for truth that eventually led him Jesus. Dom shares that story on this episode, and shares how it changed the way he thought about his work, leading him to the very research that has been his hallmark ever since. Cultivated is a production of Christianity Today. This episode was produced and edited by Mike Cosper Our theme song is “Eden Was a Garden” by Roman Candle.

Cultivated features the stories and ideas of Christians from a wide variety of perspectives. Their opinions do not necessarily reflect those of Christianity Today. From the time he was a teenager, Rich Lowry aspired to write for National Review. In 1992, that dream came true and by 1997, he became the editor of the magazine. You’ve likely seen Rich regularly on cable news and Sunday roundtables, and his influence spreads far and wide inside the conservative movement. On this episode of Cultivated, we talk about the roots of his fait and the state of the conservative movement. We also talk about how he and other have tried to thread the needle between supporting and opposing a president whose morals and character seem diametrically opposed to their own. And we explore what might come next for evangelicals and conservatism in a post-Trump world.  This Episode was Produced by Mike Cosper Our Theme Song is by Roman Candle

Miroslav Volf’s writing is considered some of the most significant theological work of the last century. He was born into a family of Pentecostal Christians in Croatia, under oppressive Communist rule, and a “minority of a minority” (as he would later describe it). For almost four decades, his writing has been a testament to the power of the gospel for reunification and healing in the aftermath of war and political turmoil, as well as a vision for human flourishing in an experience of Trinitarian love. On this episode, we talk about his emergence as a theologian, the development of his work, and his perspective on the turbulent times we’re experiencing today. Cultivated is a production of Christianity Today. This episode was produced by Mike Cosper It was edited by Mark Owens. Theme song is by Roman Candle Music is by Dan Phelps and Roman Candle

This special episode of Cultivated is brought to you by CT Creative Studio in partnership with American Awakening, an ambitious multi-platform effort that embodies a campaign for the soul of America in an effort to slay the giants of death and despair in this American moment. Go to AmericanAwakening.us to learn more. John Kingston is a social entrepreneur engaged in a variety of aspects of culture, politics, and the arts. After decades in the corporate world, he has spent the last five years – first with Better for America and now with American Awakening and Christians Against Trumpism – working to bring about renewal of American Christians’ commitments to virtue, character, and first principles in public life and witness. On this episode, John talks to Mike Cosper about where he came from, the origins of his activism, and his hopes for the future of the church. You can learn more about John’s work at AmericanAwakening.us and https://christiansagainsttrumpism.com/ Cultivated is a production of Christianity Today If you like the show, make sure and subscribe, and if you can, leave us a rating or review wherever you’re listening. This episode was produced and edited by me. Our theme song is by Roman Candle Our music is by Dan Phelps.

Beth Moore has a passion for the scriptures that has guided her ministry for decades. On this episode, she recounts her story and some of the figures – like John Bisagno – who helped her along the way. She also revisits the moment in 2016 when, to her own shock and disappointment, she knew that she’d have to stand up to her own tribe. This episode was produced and edited by Mike Cosper Music by Dan Phelps Theme Song by Roman Candle

David French's story takes him from rural Alabama and Kentucky to Harvard law school. Afterwards, he found himself fighting for religious liberty and free speech throughout America's court system, and literally fighting for liberty in the surge in Iraq. In 2015, he turned to writing full-time, just about a month before Donald Trump descended an elevator in New York to announce his candidacy for President. In the years since he almost ran for president and has been a vocal critic of the President on a variety of issues. David's new book is "Divided We Fall: America's Secession Threat and How to Heal Our Nation". You can read his regular columns at The Dispatch, where he serves as Senior Editor. Cultivated is a production of Christianity Today. It was hosted, produced, and edited by Mike Cosper It was mixed by Mark Owens. Our theme song is by Roman Candle. Music by Dan Phelps and Roman Candle

CONTENT WARNING: Not suitable for children Adult Language On this episode of Cultivated, Mike sits down with Obstetrician and friend Dr. Heather Lewis. Wildly funny, smart, and confident, Heather talks about the challenges of practicing medicine, caring for and loving her patients. Growing up with a loving and devoted mother, whom she blames for her own strength and self-assuredness, Heather speaks candidly about her mom’s background and shares stories she heard growing up about her mom joining several cults before she was born and how her own childhood has directly shaped her as the doctor and the woman she is today. Credits: Mike Cosper edited and mixed this episode Our theme song is by Roman Candle. You can support this podcast over on Patreon. Head over to www.patreon.com/join/cultivated and chip in a few bucks. We’re planning on having some bonus content over there soon. Cultivated is produced by the Narrativo Group. We make podcasts at Narrativo. Head over to www.narrativogroup.com to learn more.  

Jeremy Casella has been a singer songwriter and performing artist for nearly twenty years. He’s performed and collaborated with people like Andrew Peterson, Phil Keaggy, and the Blind Boys of Alabama. Casella has released 6 full-length albums and an EP. He’s also been an integral part of the influential hymn collective Indelible Grace Music whose songs are sung in churches all over the United States.   On this episode, we talk about his journey as an artist, about the Christian Music industry’s rise and fall, and about his personal story – how the end of his marriage led to a deeper sense of God’s presence and kindness.   You can learn more about Jeremy at www.jeremycasella.com   Cultivated is Produced by Narrativo Group It’s hosted by Mike Cosper Our theme song is by Roman Candle

James K.A. Smith is a professor of Philosophy at Calvin College, an author with a wide range of books (most recently, On the Road with St. Augustine) a public intellectual, and the editor of Image Journal. On this episode of Cultivated, Dr. Smith talks with Mike Cosper about a wide range of subjects, including fatherlessness, emotional health, how he came to love phenomenology, and the power of cultural and Christian liturgies. 

David Zahl is the founder and director of Mockingbird Ministries and cohost of The Mockingcast. He and He also serves on the staff of Christ Episcopal Church. Zahl is the author of A Mess of Help: From the Crucified Soul of Rock N' Roll and coauthor of Law and Gospel: A Theology for Sinners (and Saints), and most recently, Seculosity: How Career, Parenting, Technology, Food, Politics, and Romance Became Our New Religion and What to Do about It On this episode, Mike Cosper and David talk about his story, why he came to start Mockingbird, and what their mission is all about. They also talk faith and pop culture, secular religions, and how coping with life really does demand that we get serious about faith in a crucified and resurrected savior. You can support this podcast over on Patreon. Head over to www.patreon.com/join/cultivated  and chip in a few bucks. We’re planning on having some bonus content over there soon. Cultivated is produced by the Narrativo Group. We make podcasts at Narrativo. Head over to www.narrativogroup.com to learn more. You can learn more about Mockingbird at https://mbird.com/ Mike Cosper edited and mixed this episode Our theme song is by Roman Candle.

Ashley Hales holds a PhD in English from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. She’s a writer, speaker, and hosts The Finding Holy Podcast. Ashley’s married to a church planter in the southern California suburbs and the mother to 4. Her writing has been featured in such places as The Gospel Coalition, Books & Culture, and Christianity Today. Her first book is Finding Holy in the Suburbs: Living Faithfully in the Land of Too Much (IVP). Connect with Ashley at aahales.com or on Instagram and Twitter at @aahales. We’ll talk about the contrasts of cities and suburbs, about her multi-layered sense of vocation, and about the power of place. Credits:   This show is a production of Harbormedia and Narrativo. We make podcasts at Narrativo – you can learn more about that at www.narrativogroup.com.   This episode was edited and mixed by  Mike Cosper Our theme song is by Roman Candle Our music is by Roman Candle and Dan Phelps.

On this episode, we'll hear Chuck DeGroat's story – one that's full of surprising turns and surprising transitions. We'll talk about contemplative spirituality, the church's struggle with narcissism, and the resources available to us in church history for those seeking wholeness and spiritual vitality. 

Kyle Idleman grew up the son of a seminary president, and though he grew up in a healthy home and loved his involvement in his local church, the expectations of becoming a pastor caused teenaged Kyle to claim he’d never be a pastor. God had other plans. After taking a preaching gig in college solely for the fifty bucks it paid for each sermon, by the time Kyle had preached for six weeks, he felt God’s call, and what’s more, he loved preaching. He likes to joke that God “tricked” him into this calling. On this episode, Mike Cosper sits down with Kyle to discuss his career as a church planter, his role as senior pastor of a 20,000+ member megachurch, and his evolution as an author. It’s an encouraging conversation. Cultivated is a production of Harbor Media and Narrativo Group. This episode was produced by Mike Cosper, edited by Quinnette Connor, and recorded and mixed by TJ Hester. Our theme song is by Roman Candle, with additional music by Dan Phelps and Roman Candle. Special thanks to Don Gates and Cary Meyer for making this interview happen.

Daniel Baltzer is a New York artist—that is, he’s a visual artist who works and lives in New York City. As he says in his conversation with Mike, “if you want to swim with the big dogs, you have to go to New York.” Having grown up in Ohio and attended Taylor University in Indiana, Daniel has succeeded in carving out a niche for himself in a hyper-competitive endeavor that he says is ripe for renewal. Along the way, he’s managed to raise a family and live out his faith, serving in a local congregation for many years. Our conversation with Daniel is a fascinating look at the grind of being what he calls a blue-collar artist. Along the way, Daniel offers a vision for how the church can and should embrace beauty and art for the sake of the common good. To do this would, in his opinion, trigger a modern Renaissance. Cultivated is a production of Harbor Media and Narrativo Group. This episode was produced and mixed by Mike Cosper and edited by Quinnette Connor and TJ Hester. Special thanks to John Starke for making this interview happen. Our theme song is by Roman Candle, with additional music by Dan Phelps and Roman Candle.

On this episode, Mike Cosper talks to Christine Caine, founder of A21, whose mission is to end slavery around the world. Cultivated is a production of Harbor Media and Narrativo Group. This episode was produced by Mike Cosper, recorded and edited by TJ Hester, and mixed by Mark Owens. Music by Dan Phelps and Roman Candle, with theme music by Roman Candle.

Mike Cosper sat down with hip hop recording artist Lecrae to discuss his life and work, and how he has come to terms with the idea that his career is an anomaly. Cultivated is a production of Harbor Media and Narrativo Group. This episode was produced and recorded by Mike Cosper, edited by Quinnette Connor, and mixed by Mark Owens. Music by Lecrae, with theme music by Roman Candle.

Sebastian Traeger is an author, entrepreneur and executive vice president of the International Mission Board (IMB). On this week’s episode, we hear his story, and how his career has been spent sorting through the tension of faith and work, a wrestling that resulted in his book, The Gospel at Work. Cultivated is a production of Harbor Media and Narrativo Group. This episode was produced and mixed by Mike Cosper and edited by Quinnette Connor. Special thanks to Lukas Naugle for making this interview happen. Our music is by Roman Candle, with additional music by Dan Phelps.

Russ Moore felt God’s call to ministry at the age of 12, but by the time he was 15, he faced a crisis of faith. As he studied the spiritual landscape around him, taking the measure of how church leaders performed, he concluded that “this isn’t New Testament Christianity.” Rather than walk away from the faith, as many young people do, Moore decided to “go into ministry and show up as myself and see what happens.” Despite his commitment to the church, Moore always seemed to end up in politics and spent time in Washington working for a Democratic Congressman from his home state of Mississippi. Russ Moore’s career straddles the line between faith and politics and faith and culture, and in his role as President of the ERLC, he is often called upon to speak to both Christians and the world at large about the implications of everything from the Trump phenomenon to the corrosive effects of technology on families. We are grateful to have had the opportunity to sit with Russ and draw warmth from the glow of his optimism about the church, despite a rising tide of secularism and apathy in the general culture. Cultivated is a production of Harbor Media and Narrativo Group. This episode was produced by Mike Cosper, recorded by Eddie Morris, Edited and Mixed by Mark Owens. Music for this episode is from Dan Phelps, with our theme song by Roman Candle.

Last week, Mike kicked off our two-part interview with Phil Keaggy by surveying the early part of his career with Glass Harp, as well as his conversion to Christianity and his early years as a solo artist. This week, they dig deeper by talking about Keaggy’s faith and how it has shaped his life and music, especially as an instrumentalist. Along the way, Keaggy shares the story of how he came to jam with Paul McCartney at a wedding. Cultivated is a production of Harbor Media and Narrativo Group. This episode was produced by Mike Cosper, recorded by Eddie Morris, Edited by Quinnette Connor and Mixed by Mark Owens. Music for this episode is from Glass Harp and Phil Keaggy, with our theme song by Roman Candle. Special thanks for Jeremy Kinsella for making this episode possible.

There’s a story that’s been passed around that dates back to the late 60s or early 70s where a guitar legend like Jimmy Hendrix is asked what it’s like to be the best guitar player in the world. Hendrix (or any number of other guitar titans of the era) is reported to have quipped, “I don’t know. You should ask Phil Keaggy.” That’s the mantle Keaggy carried as his band Glass Harp gained the respect of the bands they opened for in countless gigs. That is until Keaggy put down the electric guitar for a time and took up the acoustic guitar shortly after answering the call to follow Jesus. This week is the first of a two-part interview, and in this installment, Keaggy walks Mike through his fascinating career gently and unpretentiously dropping some pretty big names along the way. Cultivated is a production of Harbor Media and Narrativo Group. This episode was produced by Mike Cosper, recorded by Eddie Morris, Edited by Quinnette Connor and Mixed by Mark Owens. Music for this episode is from Glass Harp and Phil Keaggy, with our theme song by Roman Candle. Special thanks to Jeremy Kinsella for making this episode possible.

This week, Mike sits down with Justin Forsett, retired NFL running back and entrepreneur. Forsett’s story, where he was always deemed too small or too slow, is a study in faith and perseverance. Cultivated is a production of Harbor Media and Narrativo Group. This episode was produced by Mike Cosper and recorded, edited and mixed by Mark Owens. Our theme song is by Roman Candle, and our music is by Dan Phelps and Roman Candle.

Mike is joined by his two best friends, Sarah Cosper (who also happens to be Mike's wife) and Lachlan Coffey, to talk about their favorite moments from the last three seasons of Cultivated. This episode was recorded and mixed by Mike Cosper. Music by Dan Phelps, and our theme song by Roman Candle.   

This week, we visited with Alison Whitehurst in New York, where she’s been working up a storm in productions like the first National tour of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical; The Fortress of Solitude, at The Public Theatre, Off-Broadway; and the world premiere of Born For This, a musical celebrating the incredible true story of Bebe Winans. She opened up about the pressures of life in The Theatre and charted her life from Texas to New York and the central role her faith plays in guiding her life. Cultivated is a production of Harbor Media and Narrativo Group. This episode was produced and mixed by Mike Cosper and edited by TJ Hester. Our theme song is by Roman Candle. Music by Roman Candle and Dan Phelps.

This week, Esteban Shedd stopped by to talk to Mike about the music he makes with Alert312 and how hip-hop culture shaped faith and led him to launch Streetlights Bible, an audio version infused with hip-hop rhythms to engage folks who might otherwise not read the Bible. Cultivated is a production of Harbor Media and Narrativo Group. This episode was produced and edited by Mike Cosper and mixed by Mark Owens. Our theme music is by Roman Candle, with additional music by Alert312.

Rachelle Starr, Founder and Executive Director of Scarlet Hope, describes her journey of sharing the love of Christ with women in the adult entertainment industry.  Cultivated is a production of Harbor Media and Narrativo Group. This episode was produced by Mike Cosper, recorded and edited by TJ Hester and mixed by Mark Owens. Our theme music is by Roman Candle and Dan Phelps.    

We kick-off Season 3 of Cultivated with Dr. Gregory Alan Thornbury, who stopped by to talk about his new book Why Should The Devil Have All the Good Music? a biography of singer/songwriter Larry Norman and exploration of the origins of Christian rock music. It’s a fascinating story that raises questions about both the role of the artist and the dangers of the Christian subculture. Cultivated is a production of Harbor Media and Narrativo Group. This episode was produced and mixed by Mike Cosper and edited by TJ Hester. Our theme music is by Roman Candle, and other music was by Larry Norman himself. 

Brian Koppelman, along with his creative partner David Levien, is the creator of the Showtime series Billions and writer of the film Ocean's Thirteen. Brian also hosts Mike's favorite podcast, The Moment, which you can check out here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-moment-with-brian-koppelman/id814550071?mt=2 Today's conversation focuses on the need for meaningful work and meaningful living. Cultivated is a production of Harbor Media and The Narrativo Group Produced by Mike Cosper Edited by TJ Hester Mixed by Mark Owens Music by Dan Phelps and Roman Candle

This week, Mike talks with Skip and Timshel Matheny from Roman Candle. Conversation includes what it's like being husband and wife in a band, why so much of Christian music sucks, and how their faith has changed and shifted over the years. Check out Roman Candle's website here http://www.romancandlemusic.com/ And check out Skip and Timshel's podcast "Drinks With" here https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/drinks-with/id1101368209?mt=2 Cultivated is a production of the Narrativo Group and Harbor Media Produced by Mike Cosper Edited by TJ Hester Mixed by Mark Owens Our music on this episode is by Roman Candle Our theme song is also by Roman Candle

Vito Aiuto is one half of the indie band Welcome Wagon, along with his wife Monique. He’s also the pastor of a church in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. On this episode, we talk about the parallel journeys he’s taken as an artist and a pastor, about working with Sufjan Stevens, and about a variety of challenges that pastors and Christians face in our world today. Cultivated is a production of the Narrativo Group and Harbor Media Produced by Mike Cosper Edited by TJ Hester Mixed by Mark Owens Our music on this episode is by Welcome Wagon Our theme song is by Roman Candle

Jonathan Seale is a record producer and the co-founder of Mason Jar Music. He’s worked with Feist, Fleet Foxes, Josh Garrells, and many more. On this episode we talk about making records, about Mason Jar’s “analog” approach to music, about living in community, and about how his faith informs his the way he works. Learn more at: www.MasonJarMusic.com Produced by Mike Cosper Edited by TJ Hester Mixed by Mark Owens Our Theme Song is by Roman Candle Our music today is by Roman Candle and Dan Phelps Special thanks to Isaac Wardell

A live panel discussion between Mike Cosper, David Taylor, Karen Swallow Prior, and Brett McCracken on being a redemptive and faithful presence in communities. They also talk about the time David met Bono. Cultivated is a production of Harbor Media and the Narrativo Group This live episode was edited by Mike Cosper Recorded by TJ Hester Mixed by Mark Owens

Dustin Kensrue founded and fronts the post-hardcore band Thrice. He's also an accomplished solo act. We talk about being a Christian on tour with bands like NOFX, about his time at Mars Hill, about making music, and about finding your calling and sticking to it even when pressures would call you other places. Cultivated is a production of Harbor Media and the Narrativo Group This episode was produced by Mike Cosper It was edited by TJ Hester It was mixed by Mark Owens The music on this episode is by Dustin Kensrue Our theme song is by Roman Candle Learn more at: https://www.cultivatedpodcast.com/

John Raymond is a jazz trumpet player. He’s worked with some of the world’s most respected names including Billy Hart, Orrin Evans, Kurt Rosenwinkle, Linda Oh, and more. His albums have received glowing reviews in The New York Times and Downbeat Magazine – where he was also voted as a rising star in their critics poll. http://www.johnraymondmusic.net/ John's next album "Joy Ride" is due out in February 2018 on Sunnyside Records. For updates on the new album as well as tour dates, visit www.johnraymondmusic.net Minor Silverstein - https://youtu.be/QIV1t70Gek8 Amazing Grace - https://youtu.be/ojr8__Vy9LI Hymn - https://youtu.be/wJqDnOe_Wyk Cultivated is a production of Harbor Media and the Narrativo Group. This episode was produced and edited by me. It was engineered and mixed by Mark Owens. Our music today was by John Raymond, and by John Raymond and Real Feels. Our theme song is by Roman Candle If you like our show, leave us a review in iTunes and help us spread the word online. Every little bit helps. Thanks for listening.

Sho Baraka is a rapper and an activist. Over the last decade, he’s released several records and mixtapes, launched the “And” campaign – an effort to bring together people who care about social justice, urban poverty, the unborn, and family values – spoken out about Donald Trump, and had albums banned from at least two Christian bookstore chains. On today’s show, we hear his story, how he’s navigated the controversies, and how he came back to music when he almost left it for good. Check out Sho’s music at: https://humblebeast.com/artists/sho-baraka/ Check out the And Campaign at: http://theandcampaign.com/ Check out the Terminus Collective at: http://terminuscollective.org/ Follow Sho on twitter at: https://twitter.com/AmIshoBaraka Cultivated is a production of Harbor Media and the Narrativo Group This episode was produced by Mike Cosper It was edited by TJ Hester It was mixed by Mark Owens The music on this episode is by Sho Baraka Our theme song is by Roman Candle Learn more at: https://www.cultivatedpodcast.com/

Melanie Penn’s career has led her from Classical music to Broadway to her current work as a singer songwriter. We talk about what it’s like to make a pivot in your career, about making art as an adult, and about how 9/11 and Tim Keller led her back to Jesus. Follow Melanie on Instagram for updates about her new record and meditations on the Christmas story at https://www.instagram.com/melaniepenn/?hl=en This episode was produced by Mike Cosper It was edited by TJ Hester It was mixed by Mark Owens Our music today is by Melanie Penn. Our Theme Song is by Roman Candle. Special thanks to John and Jenna Starke for letting me turn their kitchen into a recording studio.

Alberto Gonzales has served as a justice on Texas’ Supreme Court, as Chief White House Counsel, and as the Attorney General of the United States. On today’s show we talk about working in the White House, about 9/11 and the war on terror, and about faith. public service and religious liberty. This episode was produced by Mike Cosper It was edited by TJ Hester and Mike Cosper It was mixed by Mark Owens Our theme song is by Roman Candle Our soundtrack is by Dan Phelps Special Thanks to Rob Waite and Kevin Jamison

Rod Dreher is a columnist for The American Conservative and the author of several books, most recently The Benedict Option. On this episode of Cultivated, we talk about the precarious place Christians hold in contemporary American society, about the Benedict Option – a strategy for navigating that society, and about the crucial importance of beauty and goodness for the Church’s witness. It’s a conversation that ranges from A Confederacy of Dunces to Dante to Terrence Malick. You can read Rod’s column here: http://www.theamericanconservative.com/dreher/ This episode was produced and edited by Mike Cosper with additional editing by TJ Hester. It was mixed by Mark Owens Our music is by Dan Phelps and Mark Owens Our theme song by Roman Candle Learn more about Cultivated at http://www.cultivatedpodcast.com

On today’s episode, singer, songwriter, and speaker Audrey Assad talks about her life as a singer-songwriter, her long journey of overcoming fundamentalism, the winding path of her musical career, and how she held on to faith in the darkest season of her life. Audrey has a Pledgemusic Campaign right now. You can take part at audreyassad.com Cultivated is a production of Harbor Media and the Narrativo Group. This episode was produced by Mike Cosper It was edited by Mike Cosper and TJ Hester It was mixed by Mark Owens Our music today was by Audrey Assad Our theme song is by Roman Candle Special Thanks to Dan Darling and Jason Thacker

On today’s episode, we continue our conversation with musician and filmmaker Steve Taylor, talking about making movies with Michael W. Smith, developing the Blue Like Jazz movie, returning to music after a 20-year “sabbatical”, and even a little bit about Donald Trump. Learn more about Blue Like Jazz here. You can find Steve’s Kickstarter video and his new music here. This episode produced by Mike Cosper Editing by Mike Cosper and TJ Hester Mixed by Mark Owens Music by Steve Taylor, Steve Taylor and the Danielson Foil, and Steve Taylor and the Perfect Foil Theme Song by Roman Candle Graphic Design by Chris Bennett learn more at cultivatedpodcast.com

Steve Taylor is a musician, a record producer, and a filmmaker. Over the years he's courted controversy with songs like "I Blew Up the Clinic Real Good" and "I Manipulate" – songs that criticize Christian culture from within. He's also produced great records for The Newsboys, Sixpence None The Richer, Chevelle, and more. He's the writer director of Second Chance and Blue Like Jazz, and recently returned to making music after a twenty year hiatus. On our show, we talk about his journey as an artist, about the controversies he weathered, about the kickstarter that funded Blue LIke Jazz, and much, much more. This episode was produced by Mike Cosper It was edited by TJ Hester and Mike Cosper It was mixed by Mark Owens Our music today is by Steve Taylor Our Theme Song is by Roman Candle Special Thanks to Dan Darling and Jason Thacker

On this episode, we continue our conversation with Andy Crouch. We talk leadership, vulnerability, honesty, and the way these categories challenge Christians individually and as a Church. Andy is the author of several books, including Culture Making, Playing God, and most recently, Strong and Weak. He is a thought leader amongst Christians trying to understand the intersection of faith and culture. Today's show was written, produced, and edited by Mike Cosper Additional editing to Tj Hester It was mixed by Mark Owens at resonaterecordings.com Thanks to Lachlan Coffey and Scott Slucher Our theme song is by Roman Candle Today's soundtrack was by Dan Phelps and Roman Candle Daniela Rueda is our administrator Chris Bennet designed our logos If you like what we're doing at Harbor Media, please consider visiting harbormedia.com/donate and donating!

Andy Crouch is the author of several books including "Culture Making", "Playing God", and most recently, "Strong and Weak". He is a thought leader amongst Christians trying to understand the intersection of faith and culture. On today's show, we cover a lot of ground, including Andy's story, empathy and the imagination, emotions and embodiment, and much, much more. Plus... this is just part one of two! We'll be back with more of Andy next week. Today's show was written, produced, and edited by Mike Cosper Additional editing to TJ Hester It was mixed by Mark Owens at resonaterecordings.com Thanks to Lachlan Coffey and Scott Slucher Our theme song is by Roman Candle Today's soundtrack was by Dan Phelps and Roman Candle Daniela Rueda is our administrator Chris Bennet designed our logos If you like what we're doing at Habor Media, please consider visiting harbormedia.com/donate and donating!