TEXT AND ROCK

Send us a textMark and Eric kick around the idea of awareness as a philosophical pillar for meaning, life, and even divinity, before performing an original poem entitled "Awareness." We hope you love it!Here is a link to all our socials and our digital press... we have been quietly busy. Boom boom.https://www.https://linktr.ee/txtandrckAnd below is the poem in this episode...Heart, Mark and EricAWARENESS.Awareness is the first and greatest gift of God. Look, traveller:in an age that worships intellectual knowing,be mindful of the primal gift of awareness, constantly observing the empirical evidencein the first place. What is the I that thinks and feels?You can thank Rene Descartes, for the idea's first expression.Or think of Yahweh's words to Moshe, or recall Jesus' allusion to that same theophany—all are naming existence before any other discernible fact.Awareness is the means you have for observing.No experiment is possible without the observing eye;no observation of tree line or big sky comeswithout center of self and mystic intuition under the mind.All this is theoretical and heady, but think of the implicationswhen you actually taste the spaghetti:Who says you are old or young?Who says you've been here only this long?Who says when you leave you are really ever gone?Who says where awareness goes when the body expires?Who says you have this short time—so make the best of it?Who says there is no such thing as a silver thread?God says the answers to all these questions,but is not interested to spoil the surprise.Instead, God provides and sustains your awarenessso you can marvel, wonder, and take in the dawn.If you are an enlightened one,you have realized the absurdity of assumed finality.You wonder how you came to the House of the World, and how many times, and where you might go next.Now when you read, “in the beginning”you ask with the rabbis, “which beginning?” and laugh.Your cosmology and individuality dances with the idea,that awareness is the first heavenly light: A star factory divided into a billion souls across the ages.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com. You can find all of social handles here: TEXT AND ROCK SOCIALS.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy one of our books or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Send us a textMark and Eric talk about how to have peace in a world of uncertainty. We hope you LOVE it!Here is a link to all our socials and our digital press... we have been quietly busy. Boom boom.https://www.https://linktr.ee/txtandrckAnd below is the poem in this episode...Heart, Mark and Eric...PEACE...Peace comes when you are ready,and she is not all that heady—just quietly turns off the newsbecause you'll hear about it later,and besides, nothing can surprise you, at least not at this point.She gives you wealth from your own account: maxims and mantrasfrom the wisdom you collectedreading books and watching films,learning from the older ones, and experiences—especially the times you tried and failed. She loves blue dawn and amber duskbecause the horizon is clearestand the impossible things that are possibleand nearest to your minds-eye.I found that Lady Peace was elusivefor almost every mile of my youth,but now I never walk alone,and she reminds me that we don't do drama.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com. You can find all of social handles here: TEXT AND ROCK SOCIALS.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy one of our books or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Mark and Eric talk about how the animals can teach us wisdom if we have eyes to see. Along with it, we chat about how to move and breathe in a culture addicted to fast wealth and fame (which the vast majority of us never actually achieve). We hope you love it!For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com. You can find all of social handles here: TEXT AND ROCK SOCIALS.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy one of our books or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Mark and Eric set up a street performance in front of the "Together We Rise" mural in Cedar Rapids, IA. The mural is a bunch of hands stacked up to the Cedar Rapids skyline, representing the need to work together to rise as a society. We did a live set of four poems, and the connection between them is doing the intellectual and moral work on yourself so that you can forgive and live graciously... as opposed to judging culture, opposite political parties, or individuals who have hurt you in the past. We hope you love it!For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com. You can find all of social handles here: TEXT AND ROCK SOCIALS.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy one of our books or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Mark and Eric kick talk about consumerist culture and how to cultivate a life that does more good than harm. We also speculate about space archaeologists in 10,000 years, building altars in the back yard, imaginary friends, and why we'd rather be eaten in two-three T-REX chomps than mauled by giant centipedes.We hope you love it! Be good to each other!Heart, Mark and EricFor Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Mark and Eric kick around the theory of rituals in religious traditions, and try to help you focus on the posture of the heart that actually helps. They also introduce their new book HOLY ROLLER and pop a recent live set on the back end. We hope you love it! Be good to each other!Heart, Mark and EricJoin the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Mark and Eric talk about the upside-downside, good/evil encompassing nature of divinity and how to keep faith while being in on the joke. This one is all about why it is okay to admit you cannot know everything and are free to hold life with levity.We hope you love it! Be good to each other!Heart, Mark and EricJoin the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Mark and Eric talk about how to think about fast changing times and cultural systems which often feel out of our control. We hope you love it!Join the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.Join the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Mark and Eric talk about how to parent kids towards their natural gifting and talents and away from cultural pressure. We hope you love it!Join the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Mark and Eric talk about how religion has changed in human intellectual evolution and what kind of mythology has its place in the post-modern world. So small potatoes...We hope you love it!Mark and EricJoin the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Mark and Eric chat about a quote by Joseph Campbell, one of the first to popularize comparative mythology, and introduce a new poem called FOLLOW YOUR BLISS (you can read it at www.textandrock.com/poetry). We talk about how many people feel caught between their passion and just trying to make it...and how to hold it all at once. We hope you love it!Text and Rock On.Be good to each other, Mark Shaffer and Eric MadisonJoin the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Mark and Eric talk about how having an internal authority and a righteous mind means having inner peace no matter what life throws at you. We hope you love it!Text and Rock On.Be good to each other, Mark Shaffer and Eric MadisonJoin the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Mark and Eric talk about the worrisome trends of western production and consumption, and introduce the poem Corporate Future. This is the second of two episodes we filmed at the Dubuque Street skate park in Iowa City. We hope you love it!Text and Rock On.Be good to each other, Mark Shaffer and Eric MadisonJoin the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Mark and Eric jam on the power of peace in an age of un-creative violence, asking whether we gave everything around us its living essence, and whether or not we have any right to take it away. This episode suggest the most powerful peace is capable or violence and retaliation, but makes a choice to stand down.Text and Rock On.Be good to each other, Mark Shaffer and Eric MadisonJoin the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Mark and Eric talk about the how to pursue cooperation towards moral right in a world of divisive politics and "us and them."Text and Rock On.Be good to each other, Mark Shaffer and Eric MadisonJoin the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Mark and Eric talk about the how religion in the west is evolving and how you can get a Masters in Library Science without knowing anything that really matters. En Garde!Text and Rock On.Be good to each other, Mark Shaffer and Eric MadisonJoin the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Mark and Eric talk about the how to pursue joy first and foremost, and how more people need to be okay with questioning corporate slogans, intentions, and groupthink ideas. This one is filmed in front of the skatepark on Dubuque Street in Iowa City, one of the places we like to... show up. Ha!Text and Rock On.Be good to each other, Mark Shaffer and Eric MadisonJoin the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Mark and Eric talk about the how to take the voices that play in the back of your head like tapes and changed them out, and how it is normal for creative people to have anxiety, elevated highs, and deeper lows.Text and Rock On.Be good to each other, Mark Shaffer and Eric MadisonJoin the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Mark and Eric kick around a new poem about how to treat people well so they grow to their full potential-- it only takes a little hope for people to make great strides forward.We also talk about how to take a day off as a pirate, Hillel and Shammai, and Socrates' sage advice: "Be who you pretend to be." שלם and enjoy!Text and Rock On.Be good to each other, Mark Shaffer and Eric MadisonJoin the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Mark and Eric talk about the difference between passion and occupation, what to do when something lights you up, and how to do what you love no matter the cost.Text and Rock On.Be good to each other, Mark Shaffer and Eric MadisonJoin the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Mark and Eric talk about the beauty of everyday kindness and respect for others, and introduce the making of "Beautiful Choices." They humbly suggest that mundane moments are sacred moments when you recognize the divinity and goodness in others. We hope you love it.Text and Rock On.Be good to each other, Mark Shaffer and Eric MadisonJoin the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Mark and Eric talk about the frustration of environmental danger and capitalist corruption while unveiling the making of "On My Way to Hell." The silver lining is that 1) this world truly matters and 2 ) so does your life. Along the way, we talk about the responsibility we all have to innocent and joyful children. Most of all, we explore how faith is not about eliminating chaos and suffering, it is about how to endure suffering with grit and determination, even when things feel like a lost cause.We love you TEXT AND ROCKERS!Be good to each other, Mark Shaffer and Eric MadisonJoin the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Mark and Eric talk about the importance of great friends and worthy challenges. The big idea is that the human soul travels the best 1) with other people 2) who are headed in our direction, 3) taking on a mission that matters. Along the way, we talk about quality friends over quantity, and the kind of goals worthy of you. Best of all, we let you listen in on the making of this poem in a mini-set. We hope you love it!We love you TEXT AND ROCKERS!Be good to each other, Mark Shaffer and Eric MadisonJoin the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Mark and Eric suffer through a coffee order fiasco (Scooter's Kris Krossed their drinks...which would never have happened at Cappana.. insider baseball for eastern Iowans there...). Because of the mishap and the immense pain it causes, they kick around the TEXT AND ROCK poem entitled, 10TH MUSE. Along the way, we examine how the best literature and art comes from suffering. This means as human beings we will indeed go through pain, but she can be your creative Muse.We love you TEXT AND ROCKERS!Be good to each other, Mark Shaffer and Eric MadisonJoin the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Mark and Eric discuss the need to invest in your soul. They talk about the theme of self-care and others care over and against consumption of marketing in the TEXT AND ROCK poem entitled, SPACE THEY CAN'T TOUCH. On the backend we revisit  conflict managers from Mark's elementary years. He might have had a lotta chats with them. ...he might have had a lot of conflict. We love you TEXT AND ROCKERS!Be good to each other, Mark Shaffer and Eric MadisonJoin the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Mark and Eric discuss the kinds of mistakes that make you grow. They talk about the central imagery of redemption  in the TEXT AND ROCK poem entitled, JOSHUA TREE, and Mark fills you in on Eric's ex-girlfriend situation. Otto takes you home by drumming to Susie Q. This one's got it all, and this trip is a disaster.We love you TEXT AND ROCKERS!Be good to each other, Mark Shaffer and Eric MadisonJoin the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Mark and Eric talk about the fear and scrutiny that simply come with making stuff you believe in. They kick around the connection between gladiators and artists as the central image  in the TEXT AND ROCK poem entitled, ARENA, and Eric encourages Mark not to give up on trying to dunk a basketball. ...Mark is like 5'2". It's not gonna happen. Hehe...We love you TEXT AND ROCKERS!Be good to each other, Mark Shaffer and Eric MadisonJoin the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Mark and Eric drown your sorrows like Atreyu's horse... did you swing at that change up? Ha! They present the thing behind the thing in the TEXT AND ROCK poem entitled, ATREYU, talk about cyclical nihilism in human intellectual history, and present Xenophon's idea of the soul as the part of you that participates in the divine. After the heavy stuff, Mark tells of his childhood foray into professional wrestling and reflects on the genius of one Christ Schwartz, founder of the Wrestling Federation of Champions. Saddle up Artax, this one is hilarious and hopeful.We love you TEXT AND ROCKERS!Be good to each other, Mark Shaffer and Eric MadisonJoin the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Mark and Eric present the ideas and beats behind TRIPLE RIPPLE  (including more cowbell) and talk about how human names for God are inevitably changing in light of human discovery and internal evolution. On the road, Eric brings up an interesting idea about God by Hegel the philosopher, and Mark makes playful yet seriously damaging fun of the creation museum in Dumbkentuckistan. Have fun with this one, treat it as a mental map or mind experiment more so than a precise direction forward.We love you TEXT AND ROCKERS!Be good to each other, Mark Shaffer and Eric MadisonJoin the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Mark and Eric present the spoken word and rhythmic strategy of ISHTAR, and talk about the dangers of unchecked marketing and consumerism in western economics. So light stuff. Ha! Along the way, Eric compares an ex-girlfriend to Ishtar, goddess of everything terrifying and Mark challenges you to enter a discussion about defining the dangers of empire and leaving in ways that matter. We love you TEXT AND ROCKERS!Be good to each other, Mark Shaffer and Eric MadisonJoin the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Mark and Eric talk about what it is to grow as a person and a creator, the dream to combine poetry, rhythm, and performance, and some sick things coming your way. We love you TEXT AND ROCKERS!Be good to each other, Mark Shaffer and Eric Madison☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️☠️Join the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Hey Text and Rockers!This is the last part  of a discussion with "the Negro Artist," Caleb Rainey. It is some of our best work in the earlier rendition of the Text and Rock Show, and so I wanted to replay it headed into Black History Month. We hope these episodes make you think, but more importantly, make you actively listen, understand, make friends you might not have, and see the immense worth of people you might not understand until you have shared stories together.To get started with Caleb's work, visit www.thenegroartist.com or pick up one of his book Look, Black Boy, by clicking Here. You can contact Mark and Eric at www.textandrock.com or email mark@textandrock.com.___________________________________________But once again, all he ever wanted to doWas spread a message of equalityFor every man, woman, and childRegardless of race, religion, color, creed, and sexual orientation--Logic, Way Back

Hey Text and Rockers!This is part seven of a discussion with "the Negro Artist," Caleb Rainey. It is some of our best work in the earlier rendition of the Text and Rock Show, and so I wanted to replay it headed into Black History Month. We hope these episodes make you think, but more importantly, make you actively listen, understand, make friends you might not have, and see the immense worth of people you might not understand until you have shared stories together.To get started with Caleb's work, visit www.thenegroartist.com or pick up one of his book Look, Black Boy, by clicking Here. You can contact Mark and Eric at www.textandrock.com or email mark@textandrock.com.___________________________________________But once again, all he ever wanted to doWas spread a message of equalityFor every man, woman, and childRegardless of race, religion, color, creed, and sexual orientation--Logic, Way Back

Hey Text and Rockers!This is part six of a discussion with "the Negro Artist," Caleb Rainey. It is some of our best work in the earlier rendition of the Text and Rock Show, and so I wanted to replay it headed into Black History Month. We hope these episodes make you think, but more importantly, make you actively listen, understand, make friends you might not have, and see the immense worth of people you might not understand until you have shared stories together.To get started with Caleb's work, visit www.thenegroartist.com or pick up one of his book Look, Black Boy, by clicking Here. You can contact Mark and Eric at www.textandrock.com or email mark@textandrock.com.___________________________________________But once again, all he ever wanted to doWas spread a message of equalityFor every man, woman, and childRegardless of race, religion, color, creed, and sexual orientation--Logic, Way Back

Hey Text and Rockers!This is part four of a discussion with "the Negro Artist," Caleb Rainey. It is some of our best work in the earlier rendition of the Text and Rock Show, and so I wanted to replay it headed into Black History Month. We hope these episodes make you think, but more importantly, make you actively listen, understand, make friends you might not have, and see the immense worth of people you might not understand until you have shared stories together.To get started with Caleb's work, visit www.thenegroartist.com or pick up one of his book Look, Black Boy, by clicking Here. You can contact Mark and Eric at www.textandrock.com or email mark@textandrock.com.___________________________________________But once again, all he ever wanted to doWas spread a message of equalityFor every man, woman, and childRegardless of race, religion, color, creed, and sexual orientation--Logic, Way Back

Hey Text and Rockers!This is part four of a discussion with "the Negro Artist," Caleb Rainey. It is some of our best work in the earlier rendition of the Text and Rock Show, and so I wanted to replay it headed into Black History Month. We hope these episodes make you think, but more importantly, make you actively listen, understand, make friends you might not have, and see the immense worth of people you might not understand until you have shared stories together.To get started with Caleb's work, visit www.thenegroartist.com or pick up one of his book Look, Black Boy, by clicking Here. You can contact Mark and Eric at www.textandrock.com or email mark@textandrock.com.___________________________________________But once again, all he ever wanted to doWas spread a message of equalityFor every man, woman, and childRegardless of race, religion, color, creed, and sexual orientation--Logic, Way Back

Hey Text and Rockers!This is part three of a discussion with "the Negro Artist," Caleb Rainey. It is some of our best work in the earlier rendition of the Text and Rock Show, and so I wanted to replay it headed into Black History Month. We hope these episodes make you think, but more importantly, make you actively listen, understand, make friends you might not have, and see the immense worth of people you might not understand until you have shared stories together.To get started with Caleb's work, visit www.thenegroartist.com or pick up one of his book Look, Black Boy, by clicking Here. You can contact Mark and Eric at www.textandrock.com or email mark@textandrock.com.___________________________________________But once again, all he ever wanted to doWas spread a message of equalityFor every man, woman, and childRegardless of race, religion, color, creed, and sexual orientation--Logic, Way Back

Hey Text and Rockers!This is part two of a discussion with "the Negro Artist," Caleb Rainey. It is some of our best work in the earlier rendition of the Text and Rock Show, and so I wanted to replay it headed into Black History Month. We hope these episodes make you think, but more importantly, make you actively listen, understand, make friends you might not have, and see the immense worth of people you might not understand until you have shared stories together.To get started with Caleb's work, visit www.thenegroartist.com or pick up one of his book Look, Black Boy, by clicking Here. You can contact Mark and Eric at www.textandrock.com or email mark@textandrock.com.___________________________________________But once again, all he ever wanted to doWas spread a message of equalityFor every man, woman, and childRegardless of race, religion, color, creed, and sexual orientation--Logic, Way Back

Hey Text and Rockers!This is part one of a discussion with "the Negro Artist," Caleb Rainey. It is some of our best work in the earlier rendition of the Text and Rock Show, and so I wanted to replay it headed into Black History Month. We hope these episodes make you think, but more importantly, make you actively listen, understand, make friends you might not have, and see the immense worth of people you might not understand until you have shared stories together.To get started with Caleb's work, visit www.thenegroartist.com or pick up one of his book Look, Black Boy, by clicking Here. You can contact Mark and Eric at www.textandrock.com or email mark@textandrock.com.___________________________________________But once again, all he ever wanted to doWas spread a message of equalityFor every man, woman, and childRegardless of race, religion, color, creed, and sexual orientation--Logic, Way Back

Hey Text and Rockers!This one is an original poem about following the Jesus way.What is an ethical Christian versus a magic/theological idea of Jesus?How the teaching of Jesus best is summarized in one double-love command.Love God. Love people. That simple.  We love you, TXT and RKRS.You can contact Mark and Eric at www.textandrock.com or email mark@textandrock.com.___________________________________________Check out our new YouTube Channel and Click Subscribe.To support the work and world of Text and Rock, pick up your copy of WARRIOR: A TEXT AND ROCK POETRY COLLECTION ON ART. HEART. AND THE WARRIOR ETHOS. by clicking HERE.Join the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Hey Text and Rockers!This one has a special announcement and a spoken word poem re-thinking the baby Jesus story.Enjoy friends and family this holiday season!We love you, TXT and RKRS.You can contact Mark and Eric at www.textandrock.com or email mark@textandrock.com.___________________________________________Check out our new YouTube Channel and Click Subscribe.To support the work and world of Text and Rock, pick up your copy of WARRIOR: A TEXT AND ROCK POETRY COLLECTION ON ART. HEART. AND THE WARRIOR ETHOS. by clicking HERE.Join the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Hey Text and Rockers!This one's all about how we need to keep moving forward in naming God for human thriving to take permanent root.Join us to talk abouthow humanity names divinity at every stage of cultural evolution...an original Text and Rock poem about the Battle of Jericho.what does it mean that the commander of God's armies doesn't pick a side?what is a theophany?the concept of counter-testimony in composite literature.a counter-testimony to violence then and now.We love you, TXT and RKRS!You can contact Mark and Eric at www.textandrock.com or email mark@textandrock.com.___________________________________________A purpose is neededbefore you know that you knowto never wonder what you areand not forget where you come from...--Foster the People, The Truth

Hey Text and Rockers!This one's all about how humanity creates an ideal in divinity and then lives it out, not necessarily the other way around.Join us to talk abouthow humanity names divinity at every stage of cultural evolution...and then that idea pulls us forward morally and intellectually. what is an ancient idol, and how it informs a lot of texts and artifacts.journey back to grad school with swift-footed Markilles and talk to Dana.how we all have a heart language... and a holy language.We love you, TXT and RKRS!You can contact Mark and Eric at www.textandrock.com or email mark@textandrock.com.___________________________________________When times are difficultWe're gonna need a miracleWhen things are criticalWe're gonna need a miracleThe world's in troubleCover it in MarigoldsCities in rubbleWe all need a miracle--M.I.A.

Hey Text and Rockers!This one's all about how humanity creates an ideal in divinity and then lives it out, not necessarily the other way around.Join us to talk abouthow two stories get drawn in to make political point in sacred texts.another combat myth if you're down to clown. the unification of Egypt as the thing behind the thing.what is the Axial Age and how did humanity come to long for justice?how we create our gods and then our gods create us.Mark takes you through the evolution of divinity in a minute and a half.Otto considers giving his baby sis up for adoption... Send your emails to Eric this week. JK! We love you, TXT and RKRS!You can contact Mark and Eric at www.textandrock.com or email mark@textandrock.com.___________________________________________Age 14 at midnight I hear voices from the kitchenI let my feet follow the sound as I let my ears listenI walk upstairs and at the kitchen table I can seeThat God is sitting with the Devil, sharing drinks and old stories...--Ritt Momney, (If) the Book Doesn't Sell.

Hey Text and Rockers!This one's all about what happens when you combine religion and politics, in the ancient world and today. Journey back to ancient Egypt with Mark and Eric once again to explore the lore of the Memphis Creation Story.Join us to talk abouthow the thing behind the thing in sacred texts can oftentimes be very political.why there is always a danger in invoking God in politics.how Shabaka started an imperial cult, and how the Bible has a gnarly parallel.all about King Josiah's reform in 722 and centralizing cult for political gain.Eric can't resist a Star Wars Joke.Boom Shabaka-Laka-Laka. KK that's what we've got. We love you, TXT and RKRS!You can contact Mark and Eric at www.textandrock.com or email mark@textandrock.com.___________________________________________Suicide is easy.What happened to the revolution?--Black Rebel Motorcycle Club☠️☠️☠️☠️___________________________________________Be good to each other!Mark and EricHey Text and Rockers! To support the work and world of Text and Rock, pick up your copy of WARRIOR: A TEXT AND ROCK POETRY COLLECTION ON ART. HEART. AND THE WARRIOR ETHOS. by clicking HERE.Join the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Hey Text and Rockers!Here's a quick special announcement about the cool things we are making at the Text and Rock Digital Press. Visit us there to support our work and go farther faster with making your ancient story into a better tomorrow.Here's the quick link:www.textandrock.com/pressBe good to each other!Mark and EricJoin the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Hey Text and Rockers!Here's the concluding episode on God and gender.Join us to talk aboutwhy it makes so many of us nervous to describe God as a He/Him.how viewing your sacred text as part of an ongoing discussion can set you free from frozen ideas about divinity.the movement from space in the Judeo-Christian tradition of naming God.what most moderns are actually talking about when they talk about God.a bit of speculation on what taking "biblical" gender and sexuality would actually mean... buckle up.That's what we've got. much love TXT and ROCKERS!You can contact Mark and Eric at www.textandrock.com or email mark@textandrock.com.___________________________________________The magic is here for us all to feelnaming it isn't what makes it realrushing around for us all to knownoticing isn't what makes it so.--the Avett Brothers

Hey Text and Rockers!This one is a quick break from Egyptian lore to talk about God and gender...again. Join us to talk abouthow if you back up a thousand years Iron Age sacred texts may have had a divine feminine instead of a male storm god.how the conception of the male storm god shifts to a loving father of the house by the time of Jesus... but it is trackable.whether we can conceive of a mother-goddess being in the primary text and rippling through interpretation in the same way...  had the sacred text of the Hebrew Bible been written earlier. I know, big waves.mother goddess figurine in the ancient Near Eastern Bronze Age  I-III.here comes the curve ball........... next week. ha!That's what we've got. much love TXT and ROCKERS!You can contact Mark and Eric at www.textandrock.com or email mark@textandrock.com.___________________________________________I hate to interrupt while you're takin' it easyHave you had a chance to look outside? (Take a look outside)There's a fight going out on the lawnAnd we wanna know whose side you're on--Bad Cop/Bad Cop☠️☠️☠️___________________________________________Be good to each other!Mark and EricJoin the TEXT AND ROCK FACEBOOK GROUP by clicking HERE. For a limited time, join our community and get a free digital press item as a free gift.For Text and Rock Poetry, Podcasts, and Video Content or to contact Mark and Eric, visit us at www.textandrock.com.Want to support the show, experience our best creative work, buy merchandise or give an uncommonly better gift or art and heart? Ha! Head to the TEXT AND ROCK DIGITAL PRESS.

Hey Text and Rockers!This one is a quick break from Egyptian lore to talk about God and genderJoin us to talk aboutwhy God is male in the Hebrew Bible and howthat gets interpreted all the way through the Bible, Talmud, and Quran.whether we should actually think of God as male part one. the Canaanite storm-god combat myth behind the text of the Bible.That's what we've got. much love TXT and ROCKERS!You can contact Mark and Eric at www.textandrock.com or email mark@textandrock.com.___________________________________________And even God herself has fewer plans than me. But she never helps me out when my scan's for free, though. She grabs a stick and then she pokes it at me.When I say nothing. I say everything.--Jack White

Hey Text and Rockers!This one is a quick break from Egyptian lore to talk about holding your life and tradition with joy rather than suffering.Join us to talk aboutwhy so many people take their religion so seriously that joy disappears.whether or not following God is supposed to be about suffering.the mystery of sacred moments that are the opposite of progress.Torah embodiment and first century, Galilean sages.could you embody your tradition with joy?puppy Moses sidetracks the show right on cue. Ha!That's what we've got. much love TXT and ROCKERS!You can contact Mark and Eric at www.textandrock.com or email mark@textandrock.com.___________________________________________Only love is real. Only love is real.I crush everything else based in ignorance and fear.--MC Yogi

Hey Text and Rockers!This one is part two of two on the SO WHAT of an old creation story like ATUM RE.Big idea is this: You might be rejecting a very old, Iron Age conception of God.Join us to talk aboutwhat God's ultimate goal for your life is probably not, and what it might be.how some conceptions of God need to be left in the dirt.why you have to take ancient stories about the gods one at a time.how to ask whether it is a click forward in the human evolution of divinity...or a step backward.Mark's adamant rejection of Sky Grandpas.the divine conceptions that really, profoundly help.That's what we've got. much love TXT and ROCKERS!You can contact Mark and Eric at www.textandrock.com or email mark@textandrock.com.___________________________________________The waters are are a-risingthe old ship's going down.--the Dropkick Murpheys⚓️