Podcasts about Sho Baraka

Myths and storytelling have been a part of human culture since ancient times. From the oral traditions of indigenous peoples to the epic tales of gods and heroes, stories have shaped our understanding of the world, our place in it, and our deepest desires.For artists, these narratives offer more than a glimpse into the past—they are a source of guidance, inspiration, and meaning. In this final conversation of our ‘Reclaiming Wonder' series, I am joined by renowned storyteller, mythologist and Christian thinker Martin Shaw.In our conversation, Martin and I discuss the profound relationship between storytelling and the arts. Martin shares the importance of allowing stories to remain wild, to breathe, and not become domesticated by rushing to interpretation. We discuss the concept of being 'wedded to the wild' and the role of artists in re-wilding faith.You can learn more about Martin's work hereYou can explore our library of over 300 episodes with artists, mystics, theologians, and creative thinkers at http://www.makersandmystics.comThank you to everyone who has followed along in this series of conversations. I'd love to hear from you. Which conversations inspired you most? Which ones did you wrestle with or skip over? Send me a line, and if you want to go deeper into these conversations, please consider joining our creative collective at http://www.patreon.com/makersandmysticsWe'd love to have you with us. I hope to meet you all at The Breath and The Clay event March 21-23, in Winston Salem, NC.When you see me, come say hi. You'll be in good company with other artists and creative seekers such as John Mark McMillan, Amanda Cook, Sho Baraka, Joshua Luke Smith, Kendra Apache, Elissa Weichbrodt and many others.

Sho Baraka beautifully captures the essence of this moment: “There's something sacred about pausing at the threshold of a new year—acknowledging where you've been, mourning what you've lost, and standing in hope for what's ahead.” As we gather on this first Sunday of 2025, we have a unique opportunity to reflect on the past year and set our expectations on God for the coming year. Through prayer, we can sharpen our focus, experience God's grace, and align our hearts with His purposes. Join us in this exhortation as we embrace the new year with hope and purpose.

Wesley Vander Lugt is a pastor, theologian, writer, and arts advocate. He teaches theology and directs the Leighton Ford Center for Theology, the Arts and Gospel Witness at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Charlotte North Carolina. Wes holds a PhD in Theology, Imagination and the Arts from the University of St Andrews, and his latest books are Beauty is Oxygen: Finding a Faith that Breathes and the forthcoming A Prophet in the Darkness: Exploring Theology in the Art of Georges Rouault.In my conversation with Wes, we discuss his latest book Beauty Is Oxygen and the role beauty plays in our experiences of wonder. This episode is sponsored by The Breath and The Clay Creative Arts Organization, exploring the intersections of art, faith and culture. Our next gathering is March 21-23 in Winston Salem, NC. and features a diverse roster of presenters and performers, including Sho Baraka, Amanda Cook, John Mark McMillan, and many others. Tickets are on sale now at thebreathandtheclay.com

Unto us a son is given. Find us on Youtube. On this very special episode of The Bulletin, we welcome Nicole Martin, David French, David Zahl, and Sho Baraka for poetry, scripture readings, and prayers to celebrate the birth of Christ.  GO DEEPER WITH THE BULLETIN: The opening and closing music is used with permission from the Porter's Gate album, Advent Songs  Grab some Bulletin merch in our holiday store! Follow the show in your podcast app of choice. Find us on YouTube. Rate and review the show in your podcast app of choice. Leave a comment in Spotify with your feedback on the discussion—we may even respond! ABOUT THE BULLETIN: The Bulletin is a weekly (and sometimes more!) current events show from Christianity Today hosted and moderated by Clarissa Moll, with senior commentary from Russell Moore (Christianity Today's editor in chief) and Mike Cosper (director, CT Media). Each week, the show explores current events and breaking news and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world. We also offer special one-on-one conversations with writers, artists, and thought leaders whose impact on the world brings important significance to a Christian worldview, like Bono, Sharon McMahon, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Breath and The Clay is returning to Winston Salem, NC!! Join us March 21-23rd, 2025, for our annual creative arts gathering!This event will feature musical performances, an immersive art gallery, keynote talks, various workshops, and community discussions. Participating artists include Sho Baraka, Kendra Adachi, John Mark McMillan, Molly Parden, Justin McRoberts, and many, many others. You can find out more about the event and reserve your spot today at thebreathandtheclay.com. Visual Artists and Film-makers! Submit your works for inclusion in our immersive art gallery here. Follow the event on Instagram for regular updates @thebreathandtheclay

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Christmas Vocations Part IIIDevotional: 1 of 4And you, my child…will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him. (Luke 1:76)Today we're starting a new series here on The Word Before Work—a third installment of my semi-annual Christmas Vocations series where we explore the jobs of some of the characters of the Christmas narrative and what they can teach us about our own work today.We begin with John the Baptist whose role was to “prepare the way” for Christ as we see in today's passage—an excerpt from Zecharaiah's prayer after John's birth. Right from the get go, John was told he would never be top dog. His purpose in life was to play the proverbial second fiddle to his cousin Jesus. And all throughout the gospels, we see John joyfully embracing his secondary role. Referring to Jesus, John famously said, “He must become greater; I must become less” (John 3:30).John knew his place in God's cosmic drama. The question is do we? Sure we do intellectually. But functionally, I think many of us spend an ungodly amount of energy clamoring to be center stage. As Christian rapper Sho Baraka says, “we find ourselves feeling like extras on the set of life, trying desperately to write a meaningful part for ourselves.”How does this restless search for a “more meaningful part” in God's story show up? It looks like obsessing over “winning” and “being the best” at work, rather than leading and serving others well. Or believing the lie that you must do something extraordinary for your life to matter rather than basing your significance on Christ's extraordinary work of adopting you into God's family. Or fixating on having “more impact for the kingdom” instead of wholeheartedly working on what God has already entrusted to you.If you can relate to what I'm talking about, please hear this: Ironically, it is only once we embrace our role as “extras on the set of life” and Jesus as the star that we can be truly “successful.” Because then success is secure regardless of the part you play. It is based on the fact that God has given you an irrevocable invitation to enjoy and participate in the only eternal production there is. And once you grasp that, you are free. If you struggle embracing your role in the proverbial supporting cast of God's kingdom, consider these three practices.#1: Start every day on your knees in prayer, physically signifying your submission to Christ.#2: Write John 3:30 and post it near your desk (“He must become greater; I must become less.”)#3: Fast from social media for at least a week as these apps subtly (and not so subtly) try to convince us that we, rather than Christ, are the center of the story of life.Now, go fade into the background behind Christ as you work today!

I became disabled in an instant, but my husband Jay did not become a caregiver in that same instant. No one, like, gave him a pamphlet or anything! He had to learn by trial and error, and the stakes were high. Many of you, dear friends, are in a marriage with a caregiver or care-receiver and you're navigating what it looks like to uphold a version of your vows you didn't see coming. I am the first person to affirm what a complex position you are in. After nearly 17 years of this caregiving-in-marriage deal, we've learned a few things about healthy conflict, surrendering control, and releasing old dreams. We've also made all the mistakes. So Jay and I want to share a little wisdom—and a LOT of encouragement. Here's what you can expect from our time together on The GoodHard Story podcast this week: The #1 way we “beat the odds” of divorce after a traumatic brain injury What's worked for us (and what hasn't worked) in conflict resolution Leaning into non-traditional gender roles in our marriage Deciding to dream new dreams for our lives How I stopped feeling like a burden in my marriage If you're longing to feel seen and supported in a caregiving marriage, this episode is for you. Show Notes: The Meaning of Marriage by Tim Keller - https://a.co/d/9P0hVVF Stanley Hauerwas - https://stanleyhauerwas.org/ Hope Heals Camp - https://hopeheals.com/camp Ep. 76 - 5 Ways to Start Believing You Are Worthy of Care - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-76-solo-5-ways-to-start-believing-you-are-worthy/id1496882479?i=1000676043943 Ep. 74 - Unspoken Demands for a Perfect Life with Sho Baraka - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-74-unspoken-demands-for-a-perfect-life-with/id1496882479?i=1000674277593 Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/good-hard-story-podcast/id1496882479 Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/0OYz6G9Q2tNNVOX9YSdmFb?si=043bd6b10a664beb Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, our twice-a-month digest of only the good stuff, like reflections from Katherine and a curated digest of the Internet's most redemptive content: https://hopeheals.com/hopenote Get to know us: ⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/ ⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠: https://hopeheals.com/camp ⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠: https://www.mendcoffee.org/ Instagram⁠: https://www.instagram.com/hopeheals/

An Identity Shaped by Christ - Jackie Hill Perry, Sho Baraka, Shepherd by Ebenezer Endiryas

Grief, then gratitude. The longer I live and the more pain I encounter, I'm further convinced that this is the healthy cycle of suffering: grief then gratitude. Mourn the life you thought you'd have, then give thanks for the one right in front of you. Because if we're honest, most of us have some deep-down assumptions about what our lives should look like. For me, that assumption didn't include a massive stroke or disabilities. And for my friend Sho Baraka, his perfect life plan didn't involve raising sons with autism. Sho is living out his good/hard story in that grief-and-gratitude rhythm, and he shared all about how he got to that place. Today, Sho is receiving his family—and his life—as an “abstract masterpiece of what the Master did.” Whew, how good is that? If you join us in this conversation, here's what you'll take away: Encouragement for when we don't get the miracles we hope for How to see suffering as an opportunity rather than a punishment A new way to respond to uninvited prayers for healing Insight for grieving the loss of the lives we thought we'd have Advice for married people raising kids with disabilities If you need to release your demands for a perfect life and open your hands to the gifts of the life you actually have, this episode is for you. Show Notes: Sho Baraka on Instagram And Campaign He Saw That It Was Good: Reimagining Your Creative Life to Repair a Broken World by Sho Baraka The Big Tent Initiative from Christianity Today A Prayer for Parenting a Child with Special Needs  Every Moment Holy Volume 3 “Words, 2006” Spectacular Bond: Reaching the Child with Autism by Miriam Blank ASD Reading *** There's so much more to the story:⁠ Click here⁠⁠ for more messages of hope, free resources, and opportunities to connect with me! Follow me in Instagram: ⁠⁠@hopeheals⁠⁠ Subscribe to The GoodHard Story Podcast! ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠Spotify⁠ Want a little hope in your inbox? ⁠⁠Sign up for the Hope Note⁠⁠, my monthly digest of only the good stuff, like short reflections from me and a curated roundup of the Internet's most redemptive content. Subscribe here. Get to know us: ⁠⁠Hope Heals⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Hope Heals Camp⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Mend Coffee⁠⁠

The Houthi attack, the Black vote, and Kmart's closing. Find us on Youtube. This week, we discuss the breaking news that US B-2 bombers attacked the Houthis in Yemen. Then, we welcome Christianity Today's Big Tent editorial director, Sho Baraka, to talk about the presidential candidates and their appeal to Black male voters. Finally, the closure of the last Kmart invites conversation on the community implications of retail closures and why nostalgia holds such power.    GO DEEPER WITH THE BULLETIN: Email us with your favorite segment from today's show at podcasts@christianitytoday.com. Follow the show in your podcast app of choice. Find us on YouTube. Rate and review the show in your podcast app of choice. Leave a comment in Spotify with your feedback on the discussion—we may even respond! ABOUT THE GUEST:  Sho Baraka is a globally recognized recording artist, performer, culture curator, activist, and writer. Baraka's work combines his artistic platform with his academic history to contribute a unique perspective, elevating the contemporary conversation on faith, art, and culture. An alumnus of Tuskegee University and the University of North Texas, Baraka is a cofounder of Forth District and the And Campaign, and he has served as an adjunct professor at Wake Forest University School of Divinity. He was also an original member of influential hip-hop consortium 116 Clique, recording with Reach Records. In 2024, Baraka became the Big Tent editorial director for Christianity Today.  ABOUT THE BULLETIN: The Bulletin is a weekly (and sometimes more!) current events show from Christianity Today hosted and moderated by Clarissa Moll, with senior commentary from Russell Moore (Christianity Today's editor in chief) and Mike Cosper (director, CT Media). Each week, the show explores current events and breaking news and shares a Christian perspective on issues that are shaping our world. We also offer special one-on-one conversations with writers, artists, and thought leaders whose impact on the world brings important significance to a Christian worldview, like Bono, Sharon McMahon, Harrison Scott Key, Frank Bruni, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this reissue episode, Sho and Brian dig into theology and tech. AI is booming and we're on the verge of significant integration between our bodies and our technology (read: Neuralink). In response to this new era of consciousness, it's time for Christians to revisit the eternal values and principles found in scripture and allow our reactions to be shaped by the things that do not change.Dr. Brian Doak is an Old Testament scholar and professor.Sho Baraka is a polymath writer and hip hop artist.If you enjoy listening to the George Fox Talks podcast and would like to watch, too, check out our channel on YouTube! We also have a web page that features all of our podcasts, a sign-up for our weekly email update, and publications from the George Fox University community.

Today's episode features Jonathan and Sy talking with Pastor Rasool Berry. They discuss:-        The importance of acknowledging and understanding your own and your community's power-        The social and spiritual forces behind the opposition to CRT or DEI (or whatever they're calling it today)-        Pastor Berry's incredible documentary about Juneteenth and Christian faith-        When to leave communities that push back against racial justice-        And after the interview, Sy and Jonathan reflect on the work it takes to pass on a tradition like Juneteenth well, and the truly, literally unbelievable levels of ignorance whiteness creates in people-        Plus, they discuss the Daniel Perry pardon, and the threads that connect it to the Donald Trump convictionsMentioned in the Episode-        Our anthology - Keeping the Faith: Reflections on Politics and Christianity in the era of Trump and Beyond-        An abridged version of Pastor Berry's article from the anthology.-        His subsequent article, “Uncritical Race Theory”-        The documentary Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom-        Resources for screening Juneteenth and inviting speakers involved with the film-        The soundtrack for Juneteenth-        Pastor Berry's podcast, Where Ya From?-        The article on Daniel Perry Sy put in our newsletter-        The Texas Monthly article about how legally unusual Perry's pardon wasCredits-        Follow KTF Press on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Subscribe to get our bonus episodes and other benefits at KTFPress.com.-        Follow host Jonathan Walton on Facebook Instagram, and Threads.-        Follow host Sy Hoekstra on Mastodon.-        Our theme song is “Citizens” by Jon Guerra – listen to the whole song on Spotify.-        Our podcast art is by Robyn Burgess – follow her and see her other work on Instagram.-        Transcripts by Joyce Ambale and Sy Hoekstra.-        Production by Sy Hoekstra and our incredible subscribersTranscript[An acoustic guitar softly plays six notes, the first three ascending and the last three descending – F#, B#, E, D#, B – with a keyboard pad playing the note B in the background. Both fade out as Jonathan Walton says “This is a KTF Press podcast.”]Rasool Berry: There was a lot of nicknames and still are for Juneteenth. One was Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, but Jubilee Day. And when I discovered that, that's when I said we got to get involved in this process. Because you mean to tell me that these formerly enslaved people at a time when it was illegal to read, that they understood enough of the story that they picked out this festival, that it was this reordering of society, the kingdom of heaven coming back to earth. And in the context of this, of their faith, they saw God doing a jubilee in their lives?[The song “Citizens” by Jon Guerra fades in. Lyrics: “I need to know there is justice/ That it will roll in abundance/ And that you're building a city/ Where we arrive as immigrants/ And you call us citizens/ And you welcome us as children home.” The song fades out.]IntroductionSy Hoekstra: Welcome to Shake the Dust, seeking Jesus, confronting injustice. I'm Sy Hoekstra.Jonathan Walton: And I'm Jonathan Walton. Today, hear us talk to Pastor Rasool Berry about his thoughts on the movement against CRT, or DEI, or whatever the term for the moment is right now when you listen to this. We're also [laughs] going to talk about his incredible feature length documentary called Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom, which is available for free on YouTube right now. And then after the interview, hear our thoughts on the pardon of Daniel Perry and the conviction of Donald Trump in our segment, Which Tab Is Still Open?Sy Hoekstra: The 34 convictions of Donald Trump.Jonathan Walton: All of them.Sy Hoekstra: All of them [laughs]. We're going to talk about each one individually…Jonathan Walton: Exactly.Sy Hoekstra: …the specific business record that he destroyed, whatever.Jonathan Walton: [laughs].Sy Hoekstra: Don't be afraid, we're not going to do that. By the way, I said at the end of last week that the guest this week was going to be Brandi Miller, and then we realized that we had to do the episode that was about Juneteenth before Juneteenth. So Brandi Miller's going to be in two weeks from now. And this time [laughs], it's Pastor Rasool Berry.Before we get to that, just a reminder, we need your subscriptions. Please go to ktfpress.com and become a paid subscriber on our Substack. Your support sustains what we do, and we need that support from you right now. We've been doing this as a side project for a long time, and like we've been saying, if we want this show to continue past this season, we need to get a lot more subscribers so that we can keep doing this work, but not for free as much as we've been doing it.So go and subscribe. That gets you all the bonus episodes of this show, which there are many, many of at this point. And then it also gets you access to our new monthly subscriber conversations that we're doing. Jonathan and I will be having video chats with you to talk about all the different kinds of things that we talk about on this show, answer some questions, just have a good time. And if you cannot afford a subscription, if money's the only obstacle, just write to us at info@ktfpress.com. We will give you a free or discounted subscription, no questions asked. But if you can afford it, please, ktfpress.com. Become a paid subscriber. We need your support now.Jonathan Walton: Pastor Rasool Berry serves as teaching pastor at The Bridge Church in Brooklyn, New York. He's also the director of partnerships and content development with Our Daily Bread Ministries. Pastor Berry graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor's degree in Africana Studies and Sociology. He's also the host of the Where Ya From? podcast sponsored by Christianity Today, and the writer, producer and host of Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom. Let's get to it. Here's the interview.[the intro piano music from “Citizens” by Jon Guerra plays briefly and then fades out.]Sy Hoekstra: Pastor, thank you so much for joining us on Shake the Dust today.Rasool Berry: Oh, well, I'm glad to be here with you all, back at it again, Keeping the Faith.Sy Hoekstra: Yeah. Yes, exactly [laughter].Jonathan Walton: Amen. Amen.The Importance of “Mapping” PowerSy Hoekstra: So, you wrote this fantastic essay for… so, well, actually, it was originally for your blog, I think, and then we kind of took it and adapted it for the anthology. And it was about critical race theory, and you broke down a lot of the history and sort of the complex intellectual background of it and everything. But you talked specifically about something that you said, critical race theory and the Bible and the Black Christian tradition in the US all help us do something really important, and that thing is mapping power. Can you talk to us a little bit about what power mapping is and what the importance of it is?Rasool Berry: Yeah. I first kind of got wind of that framework when we were launching a justice ministry at our church. And two friends Gabby, Dr. Gabby Cudjoe Wilkes and her husband, Dr. Andrew Wilkes, who do a lot of great work with justice, actually walked our church through thinking about mapping power in our church as a way of evaluating what types of justice initiatives did it make sense for us to engage in, in light of what we had in the room. And so for instance, when I was in my church in Indiana, a lot of the parishioners worked at Lilly who's headquarters is in Indiana. And so when they decided to do something for the community, they ended up opening up a clinic in the church building, which still exists and serves the local community, because they all had medical backgrounds.So when they do mission work, they do mission work with a medical component, because that's a effective way of mapping power. Where our church in Brooklyn average age is about 28, 29 and they're more artsy. So we're not opening up clinics, you know what I mean? But what we can do is events that help inspire and help engage with people. And then eventually with our pastor's leadership started something called Pray March Act, which looks to be a place to mobilize churches around issues of justice in New York City. So what is oftentimes overlooked in Christian spaces, and I really am indebted to Andy Crouch and his book, Playing God: Redeeming the Gift of Power, for really surfacing the need for us to have a theology of power.That this is something that oftentimes especially evangelical churches, or more kind of Bible oriented or people kind of churches, there's a sense in which we don't know how to think about power. And I believe, I suspect this is one of the reasons why the church has been so susceptible to issues like sexual abuse, to egregious theft in money, is because we are not really conditioned to think about power, which is really ironic because the scriptures really do point to… I mean, we literally have two books, First and Second Kings, and those books are pointing to you have the king, this king was a good king, and it impacted the kingdom of Israel this way. This king was a bad king, and then this is what happened.And so it's wired in the text, right? Amy Sherman in her book, Kingdom Calling, Dr. Amy Sherman points to this when she points to the proverb that says, “when the righteous prosper, the city rejoices.” And it's this idea, when she says righteous, she's not thinking about it in the kind of traditional pietistic aspect of righteousness, but she's talking about “tzedakah” in the Hebrew, which has this connotation of justice. Because when people who are put in positions of power and influence, when they do right by the people underneath them when they do right, that people celebrate. Versus when there's somebody who's a tyrant that's in office, the people groan because there's that sense of they recognize we've mapped power dynamics, and somebody who's going to do ill is going to have a disproportionate impact on all of us.And so power mapping is bringing to surface the awareness of what is it that we have in the room. And it's also a very humbling way of being aware of our own power, right? Like how do I show up as a man in a space, in certain things? Like I know if I get up and I'm about to preach that there's some different dynamics depending on who I'm talking to in a room. Like if I'm in a predominantly Black context that's younger, then the locks might actually kind of give me some street cred. Like, oh, that's kind of cool. But if I'm in a older, traditional space, looking younger is going to be more of a uphill climb to say, okay, what's this guy coming at? And if I'm in a White space, versus but I also recognize that when our sisters come up, that there's a whole different type of power mapping situation.And so all of these things are helpful in being aware of how we show up and how that matters. And Andy's kind of thesis is that unlike the kind of post Nietzschean postmodern suspicion and critical view of power that only sees it as a negative, that God has actually given us and ordained us to exert influence and power in redemptive ways. But we can only do that if we map it, if we're aware of it, and if we use it in a way that's not just for our own self or comfort or glory, but for those who we're called to serve.Sy Hoekstra: Can I ask, just for some like to get specific on one thing, because I'm not sure this would be intuitive to everyone. You said if we map power, then we might not end up in the same situations that we are with, like abuse scandals in the church?Rasool Berry: Yeah. Yep.Sy Hoekstra: And I think I… where my mind goes is I think we would react differently to the abuse scandal. I don't know if the abuse scandals themselves would… those happen unfortunately. But I think where the power mapping might come in, is where so many people are then just deferring to whatever the person in, the pastor's narrative is. Is that kind of what you're talking about, like the reaction?Rasool Berry: I think it's on both sides.Sy Hoekstra: You do? Okay.Rasool Berry: Yeah, because for instance, if I am aware, very aware of power dynamics with children and adults, I would see the value in a practice of not leaving an adult in a space with a child by themselves.Sy Hoekstra: Oh, I see. You might put systems in place ahead of time. Yeah, yeah.Rasool Berry: Right. So there's the sense in which we can put policies in place that recognize… it's the same thing why we put the labeling system on kids when they check into childcare, right? Like you put the little label so that some random person can't just come and pick them up because a kid can't defend themselves. Or they may not have the capacity to understand what's going on if somebody just random comes up and says, “Hey, your mom and your dad told me to come get you,” and then they believe that. And so we have systems that we put in place to recognize those power dynamics. And I think unfortunately, that in a lot of our church context and culture there's an overly naive sense of, and really sometimes idolatrous view of pastors and leaders that essentially say, well, they're good and they're godly people, so there isn't a need for accountability, or there isn't a need for, you know…And so no, it's like, well, in the same way that we have trustees in certain churches, or there's a elders board, depending on what your church polity is, that polity should reflect a sense of accountability and transparency so that there is an awareness on the front end as well as on the backend that when it does come to bring people into account, that there's also an awareness of a power dynamic at play there too.Jonathan Walton: Yeah, that makes a lot of sense especially when [laughs] we throw those things out, all we have are the systems of hierarchy and social dominance that exist to define what power is, right?Rasool Berry: Right.Jonathan Walton: So the train just keeps going.The Social and Spiritual Forces behind the Fight against CRT/DEIJonathan Walton: So leaning into that a little bit, you wrote an essay focusing on CRT power mapping and things like that. But it feels like nobody in the Trump camp really had an idea of what CRT was, and it didn't even really matter to them what it was.Rasool Berry: Right.Jonathan Walton: So what do you think is at the core of what's going on with White people when they reject CRT or DEI or whatever the—conscious—whatever the term would be?Rasool Berry: Yeah.Jonathan Walton: What do you think the underlying concern is?Rasool Berry: Well, you know, after… and it's so funny because when I wrote that first piece, I wrote it as a way… [laughs] I wrote it just to get it off my chest. And in my mind, almost nobody was going to read it because it was like a 20-something minute read, and I just didn't care because I was just like, “I'm getting this off my chest,” and this is the last I'm going to say about it. Like I thought that was going to be just this thing, just so I can point people to, if anybody asks. I did not intend, nor did I think that it was only going to kind of position me as this person that people were listening to and reading and resonating with about it. So that was funny. But then what ended up happening, and especially after I was on the unbelievable? podcast with Justin Brierley, kind of in this debate format with Neil Shenvi, who's kind of been one of the most outspoken evangelical Christian critics of critical race theory. Critics is probably too mild of a term, kind of a…Jonathan Walton: Antagonist.Rasool Berry: Antagonist, even stronger. Like this doomsday prophet who says that, who's warning against the complete erosion of biblical norms because of the Trojan Horse, in his mind, of critical race theory. In the midst of that conversation, that kind of elevated, it was one of their top 10 episodes of the entire year, and it just kind of got me into these spaces where I was engaging more and more. And I kind of sat back and reflected, and I had a few more interactions with Neil on Twitter. And I ended up writing a separate piece called “Uncritical Race Theory.” And the reason why I did that, is I went back and I was curious about what kind of insights I could get from previous instances of the way that there were being controversies surrounding race in America in the church, and how the church talked about those debates.So I went back and I read The Civil War as a Theological Crisis by Mark Noll, who looked at and examined the actual debates during the time of the antebellum period of pro-slavery Christians and anti-slavery Christians, and he analyzed that. Then I went back and I read The Color of Compromise by Jemar Tisby, who looked at the pro-integrationist and segregationist arguments in the church. And what I found was that there was incredible symmetry between what was argued in each of those instances, going all the way back to the 1800s, to the 1960s, to now, and there were two things that emerged. The first was that the primary response from those who were supportive of slavery in the 1800s, or those who were supportive of segregation in the 1960s was to claim first of all, that the opposing view were not biblically faithful, or were not even concerned about biblical fidelity.So this is different than other types of discussions where we could say, even going back to the councils, right? Like when there's some type of, like during the Nicaean Council or something like that, they're debating about how they're understanding the text about certain things. Whereas is Jesus fully God, is he man, is he both? But there's a basic premise that they're both coming at it from different aspects of scriptures. What I noticed in the American context is that there was a denial that the side that was kind of having a more progressive view was even biblically faithful at all.Jonathan Walton: Yeah. Christian.Rasool Berry: The second part is related to the first, is that there was this allegation that there was outside philosophies that was actually shaping this impetus because it wasn't clearly the Bible. So in the 1800s that was the claim, “Oh, you're being influenced by these post-enlightenment ideas.” In the 1960s it was straight up Marxism, communism. You see the signs. “Integration is communism.” Like you see the people protesting with that, and of course the new version of that is kind of the remix of cultural Marxism, or these type of things. And so what I acknowledged in each of those scenarios is that part of the problem is that there is such an uncritical understanding of race that it causes, I think especially those in a dominant culture or those who've been susceptible to the ideologies of White supremacy, which can be White or Black or other, There's a tendency to see any claim that race is a problem as the problem itself because there's an underlying denial of the reality of racial stratification in our society, and the what Bryan Stevenson refers to as the narrative of racial difference or what is more commonly known as White supremacy. So when your default position is that you are introducing a foreign concept into the conversation when you talk about the relevance of race in a scenario, then it causes… that sense of uncritical nature of the reality of race causes you to then look upon with suspicion any claim that there's some type of racial based situation happening. And that is what I call, it is really ironically uncritical race theory. It's the exact opposite of what critical race theory is trying to do.And so I think that that's my take on what's happening. And then I think that's more of the scientific sociological, but then there's also a spiritual. I am a pastor [laughter]. And I have to end with this. I have to end with this, because in some ways I was naively optimistic that there was, if you just reasoned and show people the right analogies or perspectives, then they would, they could be persuaded. But what I have since realized and discovered is that there is a idolatrous synchronization of what we now know of different aspects of White Christian nationalism that is a competing theological position and belief system that is forming these doctrinal positions of what we now kind of look at as American exceptionalism, what we look at as this sense of the status quo being… all the things that are moving toward an authoritarian regime and away from democracy, that that is all solidifying itself as an alternative gospel.And I think that at the end of the day, I'm looking at and grieving about mass apostasy that I'm seeing happening in the church as a result of an unholy alliance of political ideology and Christian symbols, language, and values expressed in this kind of mixed way. And that's what is really being allowed to happen with this unmapped power dynamic, is that people don't even realize that they're now exerting their power to kind of be in this defensive posture to hold up a vision of society that is actually not Christian at all, but that is very much bathed in Christian terms.Jonathan Walton: I want to say a lot back, but we got to keep going, but that was good.Sy Hoekstra: We got to… [laughs]. Yeah. I mean, we could talk forever about what you just said, but we could also talk forever about your documentary. So let's transition to that.Rasool Berry: [laughter] You all are like exercising restraint.Sy Hoekstra: Yes.Jonathan Walton: I am.Rasool Berry: Like, “oh, I want to go there.” I just threw steak in front of the lions [laughter].Why Pastor Berry Made a Documentary about JuneteenthSy Hoekstra: But it's because, I mean, the documentary's interesting in a way... It's sort of like, okay, you've seen this movement of mass apostasy and everything, and you've had all these people tell you you're not faithful. And with this documentary in some ways, you're just sprinting on down the road that you're on. You know what I mean? It's like sort of [laughs], you're just going straightforward like we need to remember our past. We need to learn about power dynamics in American history. So you wrote this—[realizing mistake] wrote— you were involved in, you're the kind of narrator, the interviewer of this documentary Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom. And you went to Galveston and you went to Houston, Texas to learn more about the history of Juneteenth and the communities and the people that shaped the celebration and everything.And I guess I just want to know how this got started and why it was so important for you to engage in what was a very significant project…Rasool Berry: Yeah.Sy Hoekstra: …to teach people about this kind of history that I think the movement against CRT or DEI or whatever is quite actively trying to suppress.Rasool Berry: And these two stories are very much intertwined…Sy Hoekstra: Yeah.Jonathan Walton: Absolutely.Rasool Berry: …in ways that I didn't even fully anticipate in some ways. In some ways I knew, in some ways I didn't. But I grew up in Philly, where there was not growing up a significant Juneteenth awareness or celebration or anything like that. So I had heard about it though when I was very young, the concept of it. I had a classmate whose middle name was Galveston, and I was like, “That's a weird name. Why is your middle name Galveston?” [laughter] He told me that it's because his mom had told him about this situation where there were Black people that didn't know they were free for two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. I was like eight years old when I first heard that, but filed that away.It wasn't really until more recent years with the, just massive racial justice movement spurred on by the murders of Tamir Rice and George Floyd and others, Sandra Bland. And so, as that movement started to gin up, conversations about race that I was kind of plugged into, I heard about this 90-something year old woman that was appearing before Congress…Sy Hoekstra: Yeah.Rasool Berry: …and challenging them to make Juneteenth a national holiday.Sy Hoekstra: I can't believe you got to interview her. She was amazing.Rasool Berry: Yeah. And I was like, why would a 90-something plus year old woman be like this committed to this? So I started looking into it and realizing, I think both spiritually and socially, that there was incredible potency and opportunity in the recognition, the widespread recognition of Juneteenth. I'll go socially first. Socially, the reality has been the United States has never had a moment where we collectively reflect on the legacy of slavery in our country. And if you do the math, from the first enslaved people that we have documented coming into the States in 1619 until if even if you go to the abolition of slavery in 1865 or 1866 with the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment, that's about 244 years.If you go from 1865 to now, it's like 159 or so years. So we still have way more time in our society that has been shaped by this most intense version of a caste system and brutal slavery that had global, it literally reshaped the globe. And sometimes we forget. I live in Brooklyn where most of the Black folk are Afro-Caribbean. When you think of Jamaica, you think of Usain Bolt or Bob Marley. Do you realize that all of those people are from Africa, like our African descent people. That like the native people of Jamaica would've been Native Americans. So the legacy of slavery and colonialism has literally reshaped population centers in our world. That's how significant it was.And so to not have a moment to reflect on all of it, the implications of how the legacy still shapes us, but also the progress of what we've seen happen and how we are not in that same place is a missed opportunity. But on the contrary, to put that in place is an opportunity for reflection that I think could really help ground us toward being a more perfect union, toward us being a unified people. Because we're basing it on the same story and information, which increasingly in the age of misinformation and disinformation, that the erosion of us having a shared narrative is really upon us. So I think it's interesting and important from that standpoint. Spiritually, it was even more dynamic because one of the… so there was a lot of nicknames and still are for Juneteenth. One was Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, but Jubilee Day.And when I discovered that, that's when I said, “Okay, Our Daily Bread, we got to get involved in this process.” Because you mean to tell me that these formerly enslaved people at a time when it was illegal to read, primarily because they didn't want people to read the Bible, that they understood enough of the story of the Old Testament, that they picked out this festival in Leviticus 25, this ordinance that God had put in place, that on the Jubilee year, the Sabbath of all Sabbaths, I call it the Super Bowl of Sabbaths [Sy laughs]. Seven years times seven, forty nine years plus one, fifty. That on that day that it was this reordering of society, the kingdom of heaven coming back to earth, which simultaneously anticipates the wickedness and the brokenness of human systems in power, but also projects and casts vision about the kingdom of heaven, which would allow for equity and equality to take place. So debts were forgiven, lands were returned, and people who were in bondage primarily because of debt, that was the main reason back then, they would be set free. And in the context of their faith, they saw God doing the jubilee in their lives. So what that gave was the opportunity for us to talk about and reintroduce in many faith traditions the relationship between spiritual and physical freedom, and see that in the Bible story those things were wedded.What's the major account in the Old Testament is the Exodus account. Like it was both physical and spiritual freedom. And in the same way we see that is why Jesus, when he reveals himself and says, “The kingdom of God is at hand,” notice when John the Baptist starts to waver because he's expecting this conquering king. He's still in prison and he says, “Hey, are you the one or we should expect another?” Jesus points to physical and spiritual aspects of liberation in his response. “Tell John what you see. The blind receive sight. The sick are healed. The gospel is preached. Blessed is the one who is not ashamed of me.” So in the sense of that, what we see elements of the kind of seeds of in the gospel is this aspect of the physical and spiritual liberation being tied together.And that is what Jubilee gives us opportunity to explore and investigate. And I think lastly, seeing the role of the Black church in bringing out that insight, I think is particularly valuable in a time where oftentimes those contributions are overlooked and ignored.Jonathan Walton: Yeah, absolutely. I think being able to watch the documentary was transformative for me. Mainly because I'm 38 years old and it's being produced by people who look and sound and act like me. It's interviewing the people who came before us, trying to speak to the folks that are younger than us. And each generation I think has this, this go around where we have to own our little piece of what and how we're going to take the work forward. You know what I mean?Discerning Whether to Leave Communities that Push back on Discussions about RaceYou interviewed Lecrae in the documentary and he's taken that work forward, right? And you both say that you've had the experiences of believing you are loved and accepted in these White evangelical spaces until you started talking about racial justice issues.And so I feel like there's these moments where we want to take the work forward, and then we're like, “All right, well, this is our moment.” Like Opal was like, “Hey, I'm going to do Juneteenth.” Where now you're like, “I'm going to do something.” [laughs] So I wonder, like for you, when you have to make decisions about how to stay, not to stay or just leave. What is the effect of constantly engaging in that calculus for you?Rasool Berry: Oh, man! It's exhausting to do it. And I think it is valuable to count the cost and realize that sometimes you're best suited to reposition yourself and to find other ways to express that faithfulness. At other times, God is causing you to be a change agent where you are. And I think how to navigate through that is complicated, and I think it's complicated for all of us, for our allies who see the value of racial justice as well as for those of us who are marginalized and experience, not just conceptually or ideologically the need for justice, but experientially all of the things through macro and microaggressions that come up, that weigh and weather us and our psyche, our emotions, our bodies.And I think that it's important to be very spiritually attuned and to practice healthy emotional spirituality as well as, best practices, spiritual disciplines, all the things that have come alongside of what does it mean to follow Jesus. I was recently reflecting on the fact that in the height of Jesus' ministry, when it was on and popping, he's growing, the crowds are growing in number, it says that he went away regularly and left the crowds to be with God. And then the verse right after that, it's in Luke, I can't remember which chapters, I know the verse is 16 and 17. And then it talks about how he had power as a result of going away to do more. And there's this relationship between our needing to rest and to find recovery in the secret place in the quiet place with God in order to have the energy to do more of the work.And that's a lot to hold together, but it's really important because otherwise you can end up being like Moses, who was trying to do justice, but in his own strength at first when he kills the Egyptian, and then he tried to go to his people being like, “Yo, I'm down!” And they're like, “You killed somebody. We don't want to hear from you.”Jonathan Walton: [laughs] Right.Rasool Berry: And then he flees. Because he tried to do it in his own strength. And then when God reveals himself at the bush, now he's totally broken and not even confident at all in himself. And God has to say, “No, the difference is going to be I'm with you.” So I think in my own journey, I've been one of many people who've had to evaluate and calculate where I've been in order to kind of see where there are opportunities to move forward. For instance, I was on staff with Cru for 20 years and then as the opportunities to work with Our Daily Bread, and I remember specifically the podcast Where Ya From?, that we launched and then Christianity Today got connected to it.They were eagerly looking, or at least supporting the idea of us having conversations about faith and culture and race and all these things. Whereas in my previous environment, I felt like that was not something… I didn't even feel like it, I experienced the pullback of talking about those things. So it has actually, by repositioning myself to kind of be able to be in spaces where I can tell these stories and advocate in these ways, it has been a better use of my energy and my time. Now, even in that other space, everything isn't perfect. It's still the same type of challenges that exist anywhere you go in the world where you're a minority in race and racial difference is prominent, but at least it's a opportunity to still do more than I could do maybe in a previous position. And all of us have to make those type of calculations.And I think it's best to do those things in the context of community, not just by yourself, and also with a sense of sobriety of encountering and experiencing God himself. Because at the end of the day, sometimes, I'm going to just say this, sometimes the answer is leave immediately. Get out of there. At other times, God is calling you to stay at least in the short term time. And it's important to be discerning and not just reactive to when is the right situation presenting itself. And the only way I know to do that is by doing it in community, doing it with a sense of healthy rhythms and time to actually hear the still small voice of God.Sy Hoekstra: Amen.Jonathan Walton: Amen.Sy Hoekstra: Because you really can err in either direction. Like some people, “I'm getting out of here right away,” without thinking. Meaning, when you're being reactive, when you're not being discerning…Rasool Berry: Right.Sy Hoekstra: …you can get out right away or you can have the instinct, “No, I'm going to stick it out forever,” even if it's bad for you, and it's not going to accomplish anything.Rasool Berry: Yup, yeah.Jonathan Walton: Yeah. Which I think leans into jumping all the way back the critical versus uncritical.Sy Hoekstra: Yeah [laughs]. There you go.Jonathan Walton: Like if we're not willing to lean into the radical interrogation of the systems and structures around us that inform our decisions each day, we will submit to them unconsciously, whether that be running when we should resist or whether that be resisting where we actually should flee. So yeah, thanks for all that.Where you can Find Pastor Berry's workSy Hoekstra: Yeah. Thank you. Thank you so much. And so we will have links to both of the articles, to the documentary, which is entirely free on YouTube.Jonathan Walton: Yes.Sy Hoekstra: So you're just wasting your life if you're not watching it, really [laughter]. And a couple other things you talked about, we'll have links. But is there anywhere that you want people to go to either follow you or your work online?Rasool Berry: Yeah. So the other thing that what we did with the Juneteenth documentary, because the response was so strong and overwhelming, really, people wanted to host screenings locally. And so we did a few things to make that more possible. So you can actually go on our website experiencevoices.org/Juneteenth. And you can fill out like a form to actually host a screening locally. And we have designed social media so you can market it, posters that you could print out, even discussion questions that you can use to host discussions. And sometimes people invite some of us from the production on site. So I've gone and done, I've been at screenings all the way from California to Texas to Wisconsin and here in New York.So you can reach out to us on that website as well if you're interested in hosting a screening with the director or one of the producers or myself, and we can kind of facilitate that. Also be looking at your local PBS stations. We partnered with PBS to air screenings so far over a hundred local channels.Sy Hoekstra: Oh, wow.Rasool Berry: And have aired it. Now, the PBS version is slightly different because we had to edit it down to fit their hour long format. And so the biggest version is the PBS version doesn't have Lecrae in it [laughs].Sy Hoekstra: Oh no [laughs].Rasool Berry: We had to cut out the four-time Grammy winner. Sorry Lecrae [laughter].Jonathan Walton: Yeah.Rasool Berry: You know what I mean? But it just so happened that way it, that it was the best way to edit it down.Jonathan Walton: You had to keep Opal.Rasool Berry: Had to keep Opal, had to keep Opal [laughter].Sy Hoekstra: I feel like Lecrae would understand that, honestly.Rasool Berry: Yeah, yeah, yeah. He was so gracious. And actually, the other thing that Lecrae did, I had told him that we were working with Sho Baraka, a mutual friend of ours, to do the music. And he said, “Yeah, I heard something about that.” He's like, “I have a song I was going to put on Church Clothes 4, but I feel like it would be a better fit for this. If you're interested, let me know and I can send it to you.” I'm like, “If I'm interested? Yes, I'm interested.” [laughter] Yes. I'll accept this sight unseen. And so he sent us this incredible song that features, well actually is listed as Propaganda's song, but it features Lecrae and Sho Baraka. And you can get the entire Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom soundtrack 13 tracks, poetry, hip hop, gospel, rnb, all on one thing. And wherever you listen to your music, Spotify, Apple Music, anywhere, you can, listen to it, stream it, buy it, and support this movement and this narrative. So yeah. And then personally, just @rasoolb on Instagram, @rasoolberry on, I still call it Twitter [Sy laughs]. So, and we're on Facebook as well. That's where folks can follow me, at rasoolberry.com, website. So thanks for having me.Sy Hoekstra: Yeah, pastor, thank you so much for being here. We really appreciate it.Jonathan Walton: Thanks so much, man.[the intro piano music from “Citizens” by Jon Guerra plays briefly and then fades out.]Reflecting on the InterviewSy Hoekstra: Hey, Jonathan, you know what's really useful, is when in the middle of an interview with one of our guests, we say, “Oh no, we don't have time. We'd really like to get into this, so we have to move on to another subject.” It's really useful when we have these little times that we're doing now after the interview to talk more about the subjects than we did with the guests [laughter]. This works out well for us.Jonathan Walton: Yes.Sy Hoekstra: Why don't you tell everybody what you're thinking after the interview with Pastor Berry?Passing on a Tradition Well Takes Significant WorkJonathan Walton: Yeah. I think the biggest thing for me that I took away among a lot of the nuggets that he… nuggets and like big things that got dropped on me while we were listening, was like the amount of work that he went through to make this film. Like traveling to Galveston. There's a lot in the documentary that reminds me of how much it costs us personally to create things that are moving. To be able to have these conversations, sit down with these people, smell the smells of these folks' homes. That's just a big thing, particularly for me, like not having… I grew up with the Juneteenth story and needing to think through my own traditions and what I'm going to pass to my kids and stuff like that.It's just I'm challenged to do that work so that I have something substantial to pass on to Maya and Everest. And to the folks who listen to the preaching that I give or the stories I write, or the books I'm going to write, just so I can communicate with the same amount of intimacy that he did. So, Sy how about you? What stood out for you?The Literally Unbelievable Racial Ignorance of WhitenessSy Hoekstra: I think what stood out for me was actually right at that point where we said we really wanted to talk more about something, I really did have more thoughts [laughs]. When he was talking about the thing that underlies the fight against CRT and DEI and all that sort of thing. Being just a straight up denial of any sort of racial caste system or racial stratification in our country, I think that point is extremely important. That so much of our disagreements about racial injustice, at least on the intellectual level, not on the emotional and all that kind of thing, the intellectual level that come down to a difference in beliefs about the facts of reality in America. It is literally just do you think racism is happening or not? Because if you do think that it's happening, then everything has to change [laughs].Jonathan Walton: Yes.Sy Hoekstra: And there's not a lot of room… you'll have to do a lot more like kind of active denial. A lot more having a very active lack of integrity [laughs] to continue in the way that you're thinking when you believe that there is no racism in America if you find out that there is. Which kind of explains why there's so much resistance to it. But I think one story that sort of illustrates how this dynamic works a little bit that just, this is something that happened to me that this reminded me of. I was an intern right after college at International Justice Mission, and I read Gary Haugen's book, The Good News About Injustice, where the intro to this book is about his childhood growing up in kind of suburban, I think he's outside of Seattle, somewhere in Washington. A suburban Christian home, things were pretty nice and easy and he just did not know anything about injustice or anything in the world. Like oppression, racism, he did not know anything about it. And then the book takes you through how he discovered it and then his theology of what God wants to do about it and what the organization does and all that kind of thing. But just that intro, I remember talking to one of the other interns who was at IJM m when I was there, who was a Black woman who was ordained in the Black Baptist Church and had grown up relatively low income. And I was talking to her about this book because I read that intro and I was like, “yes, I totally resonate with this. This is how I grew up, check, check. That makes sense. I understand all of it.”And it makes sense to a lot of the people who support IJM, which are a lot of suburban White evangelicals. She told me, she read the intro to the book and her immediate reaction was how, there is no way that anyone could possibly be this ignorant. It is not possible [laughs]. And I was like, [pretending to be hurt] “but I was” [laughter]. And there's this wrench in the gear of our conversations about justice where there's a large spectrum of White people who are, some engaging in actual innocent good faith about how much nonsense there is, like how much racism there is in America, and people who are engaging in complete bad faith and have ignored all the things that have been put right in front of them clearly.And it is just very difficult for a lot of people who are not White to understand [laughs] that there are actually… the level of ignorance of a lot of White people is unbelievable, by which I mean it literally cannot be believed by a lot of people. And I don't know, that's just, it is a complication in our conversations about race that doesn't really change what you have to tell people or how seriously you should take your conversations or whatever. It's just a note about what you might need to do to bring people kind of into the fold, by which I mean the fold of the truth [laughs].Jonathan Walton: Yes. This is true of like a lot of White people. And the sad part is that it can also be true of a lot of people of color…Sy Hoekstra: Well, yeah.Jonathan Walton: …who say, “I'm just going to deny, because I haven't experienced.” Or, “We have opted into the system of ignorance and don't want to engage.” And so I'll tell a story. Priscilla was at the airport this week.Sy Hoekstra: Your wife.Jonathan Walton: My wife Priscilla, was at the airport, not a random woman [laughter], was at the airport this week. And someone said, “Yeah, everyone who came to this country, like we're all immigrants.” And Priscilla said, “Actually some people came here as slaves.” Then the person says, “No, that's not true.” And it's like, what do you say to that? When someone just says slavery doesn't exist? And that's literally why we celebrate Juneteenth. So I don't know what this person's going to do on Juneteenth, but when there's a collective narrative and acknowledgement that this happened, and then there's a large group, James Baldwin would say, ignorance plus power is very dangerous.If there's a large group that's ignorant and or like intentionally not engaging, but also has power and privilege and all the things, the benefits of racial stratification without the acknowledgement of the reality of it, which is just a dangerous combination.Sy Hoekstra: So when somebody says something like that, like that didn't happen, people didn't come over here as slaves, I think it is possible that they legitimately don't know that I suppose [laughs], or that they think it's a conspiracy theory or whatever. My guess is, tell me what you think about this. What I would imagine happened there was, “Oh, I never thought about the fact that Black people are not immigrants. And so I'm just going to say no.” Do you know what I mean?Jonathan Walton: Oh yeah. Well, I agree. I think some people even, so let's say like, I write about this in 12 Lies. Ben Carson says that we all came here as immigrants, even if it was in the bottom of a ship. He says that. And I think that is a, to be kind, a gross misrepresentation of the middle passage [laughs], but I see what he's trying to do. He's trying to put Black folks in a narrative that fits in the American narrative so people can, so he's not othered. Because what happens when you acknowledge enslavement is that you have to acknowledge all that. They all come with each other. It's like being at a buffet and there is literally no other menu. Like once you say, once you go in, you can't order one plate. If you talk about slavery, you're opening up all the things and some people just don't want to do that. And that sucks.Sy Hoekstra: Yeah.Which Tab Is Still Open: Daniel PerryJonathan Walton: It's true. And [laughs], I think this feeds into a little bit of this segment [laughs] that we have aptly called Which Tab is Still Open. Because out of all the things in our newsletter and our podcast, there's stuff that comes up for us and it's just still hanging on our desktops, we still talk about it offline. So for Sy, like for you, which one, which tab is still open?Sy Hoekstra: Yeah. We're going to talk about Daniel Perry and Donald Trump today.Jonathan Walton: Fun times.Sy Hoekstra: So I recently had an article in the newsletter that I highlighted as one of my resources, that is about the case of Daniel Perry, which I think kind of flew a little bit under the radar in the fervor of 2020. But he was a known racist, meaning we have now seen truckloads of social media posts and text messages and everything revealing his out and out racism, his fantasies about killing Black Lives Matter protesters, all these kinds of things. Who in the summer of 2020, during those protests, drove his car through a red light into a crowd of protesters. And he did not at that moment hurt anyone, but another, an Air Force vet, Daniel Perry's also a vet, but another Air Force vet named Garrett Foster, walked up to him carrying, openly carrying his, in Texas, legal assault rifle.He didn't point it at Daniel Perry, but he was carrying it. And he knocked on the window and motioned for Perry to roll his window down, and Perry shot him through the window five times and killed him. He was convicted of murder in 2023 by a jury. And the day after he was convicted, governor Greg Abbott republican governor of Texas said that he wanted his case to be reviewed for a full pardon, so that the pardons board could send him a recommendation to do it, which is the legal way that a governor can make a pardon in Texas. And that happened a couple weeks ago. Daniel Perry walked free with all of his civil rights restored, including his right to own firearms.Texas Monthly did some really good reporting on how completely bizarre this pardon is under Texas law, meaning they very clear, they kind of laid out how these pardons typically go. And the law very clearly says that a pardon is not to be considered for anyone who is still in prison, like hasn't finished their sentence, except under very exceptional circumstances, which are usually that like some new evidence of innocence has come to light.Jonathan Walton: Right.Sy Hoekstra: And the actual materials that the board reviewed were basically just his defense case where like him arguing that he was doing what he did out of self-defense. He was standing his ground, and that he was afraid of Foster and therefore allowed to use deadly force. In any other case, the remedy for that, if you think that's your defense and you were wrongly denied your defense by the jury is to appeal. Is to go through the appeals to which you have a right as a criminal defendant. And in this case, he became a bit of a conservative cult hero and the governor stepped in to get him out of jail. It was so bizarre. So the weird thing here is, for me at least, for these cases, for the cases surrounding like where someone has been killed either by the police or by an individual, it has always been pretty clear to me which way the case is going.Like if you're someone who's actually taken a, like me, gone to law school, taken a criminal law class, you've studied murder and then like the right to stand your ground and the right to self-defense, and when you can use deadly force, most of these cases are pretty predictable. I knew that the killers of Ahmaud Arbery and Walter Scott and Jordan Davis were going down. I knew that people were going to get off when they got off. Like those were not confusing. And that isn't because the law isn't racist or whatever, it's just the law doesn't take race into account at all. It just completely ignores, it has nothing to do with the cases, according to the law. So it's like this one was stunning.Jonathan Walton: Yes.Sy Hoekstra: Because if it had gone to the appellate judges, the judges who actually are thinking about like the whole system and the precedents that they're setting would say, “Hey, in an open carry state like Texas, we do not want to set a precedent where if someone who is legally, openly carrying a gun walks up to you, you can kill them.” That is not a precedent that they want to set. But this is not an appellate case, so we're not setting that precedent, we're just letting this racist murderer go. That's it.Jonathan Walton: Yes.Sy Hoekstra: And that is like what effectively Greg Abbott and the Board of Pardons in Texas have conspired to do. And I didn't know this was coming actually. I hadn't heard the news that he was calling for the pardon when it happened, but it's wild. And I just kind of wanted to give that additional context and hear what you're thinking about it, Jonathan, and then we'll get into Donald Trump a little bit.Normalizing Punishing Protestors and Lionizing MurderersJonathan Walton: Yeah, I mean, I think first thing for me is like this is a PG podcast. I won't use all the expletives that I would like to use. The reality of like Kyle Rittenhouse lives in Texas now. George Zimmerman, after he killed Trayvon Martin, he was in other altercations with people with guns. So this is not a person or a scenario that is new, which is sad and disappointing. But the reality of an institution stepping into enforce its institutionalized racism, is something that feels new to me in the environment that we're in. And what I mean by that is like, I think we now live in a society that desires for protestors and folks who are resistant to the system that oppresses and marginalizes people, if you believe that is happening.There are individuals and institutions that desire to punish that group of people. It is now normed that that group of people can be punished by anybody.Sy Hoekstra: If you're in the right state.Jonathan Walton: Well, I won't even say the right state, but I almost think if you can get caught in the zeitgeist of a certain media attention, then you will be lauded as someone who did the right thing.Sy Hoekstra: Oh yeah. Even if you might still end up in jail.Jonathan Walton: Even if you might still end up in jail, like you'll become a hero. And so the circumstances have been created where protesters can be punished by regular members of society, and then their quote- unquote punishment could be pardoned in the court of public opinion, and so much so you could end up being pardoned by the institution. There are going to be more protests on campus. There are going to be more protests in light of Trump's conviction and potential election. The chances of political violence and protests are very high, highly probable there're going to be thunderstorms. And what we're saying is like, let's give everybody lightning bolts [Sy laughs]. And we all know if this is a racially stratified society, which it is, if it's a class stratified society, which it is, then we will end up with things like Donald Trump getting convicted and becoming president.Sy Hoekstra: And the racial stratification is important to remember because people have pointed out, if there had been a Trump rally and someone had been killed, that like, not a chance that Greg Abbott does any of this, right?Jonathan Walton: The hallmark of White American folk religion is hypocrisy. If this were a person of color, there's no way that they would've got pardoned for shooting someone at a protest.The Criminal Legal System was Exceptionally Kind to Donald TrumpSy Hoekstra: And this is the connection to the Donald Trump case [laughs].Jonathan Walton: Right.Sy Hoekstra: Because despite the fact that he was convicted, he has been treated throughout this process in a way that no poor or BIPOC would, like no poor person or any BIPOC would ever be treated by the New York State courts. I can tell you that from experience [laughter] as an actual attorney in New York state. Donald Trump had 10 separate violations of a gag order, like he was held in contempt by the court and required to pay some money, which is significant, but nobody does that and doesn't spend some time in jail unless they are rich and famous and White. It was shocking to watch the amount of dancing around him and his comfort that the system does. And this is, pastor Berry mentioned Bryan Stevenson, another Bryan Stevenson quote.I've mentioned, we've mentioned Brian Stevenson so many times on this show [laughter]. But it's true. One of the things he says all the time is that the system treats you better if you're rich and White and guilty than if you're poor and BIPOC and innocent.Jonathan Walton: Yeah.Sy Hoekstra: And, that's the demonstration. So the Trump indictments happened when we're recording this yesterday. Or the convictions, I mean. And in terms of what it'll do to the election, probably not much. In terms of what it'll like [laughs], like Jonathan was just saying, like this is the situation that we're in here. We don't have a lot of political analysis to bring you about this case because I don't think there's much political analysis to do except to continue to point out over and over again that this is not the way that people are treated by the criminal justice system. This is an exception to what is otherwise the rule.Outro and OuttakeOkay. I think we're going to end there. Thank you all so much for joining us today. Our theme song, as always is “Citizens” by John Guerra. Our podcast Art is by Robyn Burgess. Transcripts by Joyce Ambale. And thank you all so much for joining us. Jonathan, thanks for being here. We will see you all again in two weeks.[The song “Citizens” by Jon Guerra fades in. Lyrics: “I need to know there is justice/ That it will roll in abundance/ And that you're building a city/ Where we arrive as immigrants/ And you call us citizens/ And you welcome us as children home.” The song fades out.]Jonathan Walton: Yeah, I think the biggest thing for me was like the amount of work that he went through to make this film. I'm challenged to do that work so that I have something substantial to pass on to Maya and Everest, just so I can communicate with the same amount of intimacy that he did.Sy Hoekstra: So now you're going to go make a documentary about Juneteenth, is what you're saying?Jonathan Walton: [deep exhale, and Sy laughs] At least a reel [laughter].Sy Hoekstra: A reel… yeah, those are pretty much the same I'd say. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.ktfpress.com/subscribe

Today's show I sit down and talk to Rapper DaMAC, Resurrection Record's new artist.  Who is Damac?  The ministry began in 2007 after Michael Lacoste accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord & Savior. It happened in his dorm room at the University of Missouri – Columbia.  With a newfound faith, and a passion for youth, his mission became clear:  create art that magnifies Jesus and influences the youth.  How would he accomplish this?  By breaking boundaries and blending different genres of music.  In other words, he wanted to make Deeply Anointed Music About Christ (Damac).  His first concerts were in front of small groups of students, usually at local youth centers and retreats.  The size of the crowd did not matter at all; it was all about sharing Jesus. Since then, Damac has gone on to do great things in Christian music.  Damac has released seven albums (Immaculate, Climactic, Supremacy, Journey, The Elephant in the Room, Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil, and For Mama Mac) selling over 10,000 copies independently.  In 2011, he was the New Band Showcase Winner at Cornerstone Christian Music Festival.  In 2011 & 2012, he was a part of The Extreme Tour, a national Christian music tour.  Also in 2011 & 2012, Damac was co-headliner/co-organizer of The Hipster-Hop Tour, a 20 city stop tour.  In 2013, Damac signed a recording contract with Rottweiler Records, an independent music label.  In 2014, he organized The Supremacy Tour, a 20 city stop tour.  In 2015, Damac opened for Red Jumpsuit Apparatus and American Idol Season 11 Finalist, Colton Dixon.  In 2016, Damac was co-headliner/co-organizer of The Make Jesus Famous Tour, an 8 city stop tour.   Damac has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in Christian music today, such as David Crowder,  NF, Sidewalk Prophets, Micah Tyler, Jordan Felix, KB, Cory Asbury, Sho Baraka, Canon, Britt Nicole, Seventh Day Slumber, Building 429, FF5, Tenth Avenue North, Trip Lee, Derek Minor, We Are Messengers, Plumb, Gungor, Propaganda, and Lecrae. Since 2016, Damac  has worked with 2x - Grammy and Dove Award nominated producer, Jonny Grande, to produce his albums “Journey”, "The Elephant in the Room", "Hear no Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil," and "For Mama Mac." Jonny Grande has produced for artists such as Jason Derulo, Ty Dolla $ign, George Clinton, Ke$ha, Zauntee, Toby Mac, Steven Malcolm (Word Records), and Tony Tillman (RMG). In 2024, Damac signed a recording contract with Resurrection Records. A decade & 500 shows later, with thousands of people reached, the mission has not changed:  make music that glorifies Jesus and reaches people.  Damac says, “I'm just trying to be obedient to my calling and see lives changed through the power of the Gospel.”  Some things will never change  

Join in for a deeply honest and candid conversation with recording artist, speaker, professor, and writer, Sho Baraka. We waste no time, diving quickly into personal discussions about emotional wellness and mental health. We consider ways to normalize mental health conversations to positively impact our lives and society. Intertwined with these topics, we consider the … Read More Read More

With passionate honesty, Sho Baraka discusses the importance of authenticity and reconciliation within communities, emphasizing the need for hard conversations and introspection. Drawing from personal experiences and biblical principles, Sho highlights the transformative power of love and justice in building bridges and fostering genuine relationships.Don't miss out on this enlightening message that celebrates the beauty and strength of communities while challenging us to confront the realities of injustice and strive for meaningful reconciliation. Watch now and join the conversation on dignity, love, and reconciliation in our neighborhoods and beyond.If you enjoy listening to the George Fox Talks podcast and would like to watch, too, check out our channel on YouTube! We also have a web page that features all of our podcasts, a sign-up for our weekly email update, and publications from the George Fox University community.

Join Dr. Brian Doak and Sho Baraka as they engage in a deep exploration of the theological implications of integrating technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), into our lives and society. From the perspective of Christian faith, they delve into the concept of living incarnationally, drawing parallels between technology and alchemy, and reflecting on the theological implications of being made in the image of God. Throughout the conversation, they address pressing questions such as the potential convergence of human evolution and technology, the ethical considerations surrounding AI consciousness and rights, and the importance of engaging in meaningful theological discourse within Christian communities.Join us as we navigate the complex intersections of theology, technology, and ethics in our rapidly evolving world. Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more insightful discussions on faith, culture, and technology!If you enjoy listening to the George Fox Talks podcast and would like to watch, too, check out our channel on YouTube! We also have a web page that features all of our podcasts, a sign-up for our weekly email update, and publications from the George Fox University community.

This week we're bringing you new bangers from Rik Montero, Reece Lache & Mission, 1K Phew, Xay Hill and Tommy Zuko! Our Back in the Day segment gives Valentine's Day love vibes with Sho Baraka, B.B. Jay and LP! We check out new tracks from Brvndon P, NK4 and Marqus Anthony! Plus International Love with new heat from Lyrical_Levite, Da'ville and A-Buck! Elevate Your Music & Elevate Your Mind!

Join us for a transformative journey with Sho Baraka as he delivers a captivating chapel sermon at George Fox University. In this enlightening talk, Sho Baraka shares humorous anecdotes, biblical insights, and profound reflections on encountering Jesus Christ.Beginning with a humorous anecdote about an argument over God's alma mater, Sho Baraka sets the stage for a deeper exploration of understanding God's identity. Drawing inspiration from the parable of the blind men and the elephant, he highlights the importance of recognizing Jesus' true identity and surrendering personal assumptions to follow Him faithfully.Throughout the sermon, Sho Baraka weaves together biblical references and real-life examples to illustrate the transformative power of embracing Jesus as Lord in every aspect of life. He challenges misconceptions and urges listeners to avoid creating God in their own image.Exploring the relevance of the gospel message to contemporary issues such as politics, social justice, and personal identity, Sho Baraka encourages believers to actively participate in the growth and transformation of the Kingdom of God.The sermon concludes with a heartfelt prayer, inviting viewers to reflect on their relationship with Jesus and embrace His lordship in their lives.Subscribe to George Fox Talks for more inspiring content and join us in deepening our understanding of faith and encountering Jesus in new and profound ways.If you enjoy listening to the George Fox Talks podcast and would like to watch, too, check out our channel on YouTube! We also have a web page that features all of our podcasts, a sign-up for our weekly email update, and publications from the George Fox University community.

Amisho “Sho” Baraka joins Nate for a fascinating conversation about George Washington Carver — a man whose faith directed his genius toward the good of others.ResourcesThe Man Who Talks with the Flowers: The Intimate Life Story of Dr. George Washington Carver, by Glenn Clark Essential Writings of the American Black Church, by John HuntTuskegee UniversityHe Saw That It Was Good, by Sho BarakaAlbum: ​“The Narrative,” Sho Baraka, 2016“Bravery to Faithfully Create,” article by Sho Baraka on renovare.orgOther episodes with this guestEpisode 234 : Sho Baraka — He Saw That It Was Good

Dive into a thought-provoking conversation with Sho Baraka and Dr. Joel Mayward, Assistant Professor of Christian Ministry, Theology, and the Arts. In this captivating discussion, explore the intriguing intersection of theology and film, unraveling the impact movies have on identity, morality, and spiritual experiences. From the question of good versus bad art to the subtle power of storytelling, this episode delves into the profound ways cinema shapes our worldview. Join us in uncovering the deep connections between faith, film, and personal revelation.If you enjoy listening to the George Fox Talks podcast and would like to watch, too, check out our channel on YouTube! We also have a web page that features all of our podcasts, a sign-up for our weekly email update, and publications from the George Fox University community.

The concept of struggle is an essential element for personal growth and the development of character. In this video, Dr. Ellis emphasizes the role of discomfort in fostering resilience and the richness that comes from facing challenges. Discover why, in a culture that prioritizes comfort, the ability to embrace struggle becomes a crucial factor in building a healthier and more empowered society.Check out Sho Baraka on YouTube. Learn more about Dr. Carilyn Ellis.If you enjoy listening to the George Fox Talks podcast and would like to watch, too, check out our channel on YouTube! We also have a web page that features all of our podcasts, a sign-up for our weekly email update, and publications from the George Fox University community.

This week we're bringing you bangers from Trizzy Tre, Dee Black, Marc Stevens and Kirk Franklin ft. Lil Baby! Our Back in the Day segment features Trip Lee, Shai Linne and Sho Baraka! Plus International Love from Jamaica with Wingy Danejah! Elevate Your Music & Elevate Your Mind!

Daphne and Andrew talk about his journey with Generation 2 generation, being raised traveling the world, lessons learned along the way, and Andrew leaves Daphne with a surprise.- www.G2gMandate.orgYouTube Version: www.youtube.com/RadicalLifestyle- Radical Lifestyle Instagram Click Here- Telegram channel and discussion: Click HereYou can also follow Andrew and Daphne on their social media platforms:Andrew Kirk: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | ParlerDaphne Kirk: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | ParlerTo support the channel: Click Here- UK only Donations here: Click Here

This week on the Tastemakers Pod! The team gives a lesson to new artist. Talks about Elon officially taking over twitter and what's possibly to come. Ask should you listen to gospel music during sex. Speak on Takeoff and violence in hip hop. Fresh Grown Black Christian. The Tastemakers Pod! Where Quote, Trisha, Corey and Brina give you a taste of the culture. Make sure to Like & Subscribe! Outro song is "Classic" by theBeatbreaker ft/ Sho Baraka @tastemakerspod on all socials! Check out the audio podcast or support The Tastemakers Pod at www.thetastemakerspod.com Listen to the best in Christian Hip Hop, Pop and R&B on Apple Music and Spotify: http://hyperurl.co/7gbf2z #CHH #CHHMedia #Culture #Tastemakers #newartist #elonmusk #elon #twitter #bluecheck #Gospelduringsex #gospel #sex #takeoff #migos #quavo --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/tastemakerspod/support

This week on the Tastemakers Pod! The crew talks about Sarah Jakes Roberts comments concerning bypassing the church to get to God. Should Trans people let you know before a relationship starts. The gift that keeps on giving..Ye. What is our thoughts concerning blacks and jews. Fresh Grown Black Christian. The Tastemakers Pod! Where Quote, Trisha, Corey and Brina give you a taste of the culture. Make sure to Like & Subscribe! Outro song is "Classic" by theBeatbreaker ft/ Sho Baraka @tastemakerspod on all socials! Check out the audio podcast or support The Tastemakers Pod at www.thetastemakerspod.com Listen to the best in Christian Hip Hop, Pop and R&B on Apple Music and Spotify: http://hyperurl.co/7gbf2z #CHH #CHHMedia #Culture #Tastemakers #kanye #ye #kanyewest #jews #antisemitic #antisémitisme #church #transexual #trans #downlow #sarahjakesroberts #sarahjakes --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/tastemakerspod/support

This week on the Tastemakers Pod! The crew talks about our real jobs, Ruslan's constant hate towards Furtick , 1Kphews new album and Kanye or Ye whatever you want to call him. Fresh Grown Black Christian. The Tastemakers Pod! Where Quote, Trisha, Corey and Brina give you a taste of the culture. Make sure to Like & Subscribe! Outro song is "Classic" by theBeatbreaker ft/ Sho Baraka @tastemakerspod on all socials! Check out the audio podcast or support The Tastemakers Pod at www.thetastemakerspod.com Listen to the best in Christian Hip Hop, Pop and R&B on Apple Music and Spotify: http://hyperurl.co/7gbf2z #CHH #CHHMedia #Culture #Tastemakers #jobs #Ruslan #stevenfurtick #1kphew #kanye #ye #kanyewest --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/tastemakerspod/support

This week on the Tastemakers Pod! The gang is all here asking which little Debbie snacks are must haves, discussing Quotes trip to Flavor Fest, Ask is Reach Records still the destination label for CHH artist, and oddly enough get into CHH history and CHH Hurt? Are.our older artist justified in their complaints? Fresh Grown Black Christian. The Tastemakers Pod! Where Quote, Trisha, Corey and Brina give you a taste of the culture. Make sure to Like & Subscribe! Outro song is "Classic" by theBeatbreaker ft/ Sho Baraka @tastemakerspod on all socials! Check out the audio podcast or support The Tastemakers Pod at www.thetastemakerspod.com Listen to the best in Christian Hip Hop, Pop and R&B on Apple Music and Spotify: http://hyperurl.co/7gbf2z #CHH #CHHMedia #Culture #Tastemakers #littledebbie #FlavorFest #reachrecords #CHHHurt #Artisthurt #industryhurt --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/tastemakerspod/support

This week on the Tastemakers Pod... The gang ask is marriage over spiritualized? Share their thoughts about WHATUPRG's New Hollywood. Wonders was Kirk Franklin on the BET Cypha a good look? Lastly, we talk about Ye and his White Lives Matter T-Shirts.. Enjoy Fresh Grown Black Christian. The Tastemakers Pod! Where Quote, Trisha, Corey and Brina give you a taste of the culture. Make sure to Like & Subscribe! Outro song is "Classic" by theBeatbreaker ft/ Sho Baraka @tastemakerspod on all socials! Check out the audio podcast or support The Tastemakers Pod at www.thetastemakerspod.com Listen to the best in Christian Hip Hop, Pop and R&B on Apple Music and Spotify: http://hyperurl.co/7gbf2z #CHH #CHHMedia #Culture #Tastemakers #marriage #newhollywood #whatuprg #kirkfranklin #betcypher #bet #cypha #cypher #ye #kanye #kanyewest #whitelivesmatter --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/tastemakerspod/support

This week on the Tastemakers Pod... The original crew is back together discussing the new Tobe Nwigwe, Foggieraw visual, the Ye interview, the Celtics, Ime Udoka and Malika Andrews trend and lastly the drama with Maverick City and Dante Bowe... Enjoy Fresh Grown Black Christian. The Tastemakers Pod! Where Quote, Trisha, Corey and Brina give you a taste of the culture. Make sure to Like & Subscribe! Outro song is "Classic" by theBeatbreaker ft/ Sho Baraka @tastemakerspod on all socials! Check out the audio podcast or support The Tastemakers Pod at www.thetastemakerspod.com Listen to the best in Christian Hip Hop, Pop and R&B on Apple Music and Spotify: http://hyperurl.co/7gbf2z #CHH #CHHMedia #Culture #Tastemakers #tobenwigwe #foggieraw #Ye #Kanye #Celtics #ImeUdoka #MelikaAndrews #MaverickCity #DanteBowe --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/tastemakerspod/support

This week on the Tastemakers Pod... the gang talks about the latest Bishop Whitehead incident, NyQuil chicken, the Brett Favre scandal and Juanita Bynum's prayer institute. Yeah, a lot of nonsense! Fresh Grown Black Christian. The Tastemakers Pod! Where Quote, Trisha, Corey and Brina give you a taste of the culture. Make sure to Like & Subscribe! Outro song is "Classic" by theBeatbreaker ft/ Sho Baraka @tastemakerspod on all socials! Check out the audio podcast or support The Tastemakers Pod at www.thetastemakerspod.com Listen to the best in Christian Hip Hop, Pop and R&B on Apple Music and Spotify: http://hyperurl.co/7gbf2z #CHH #CHHMedia #Culture #Tastemakers #bishopwhitehead #NyquilChicken #Nyquil #brettfavre #Juanitabynum --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/tastemakerspod/support

This week on the Tastemakers Pod....The crew talks about things going on in the world of Christian Hip Hop, the death of the Queen, rappers dying and people's reaction to Halle Bailey playing Ariel. Enjoy! Fresh Grown Black Christian. The Tastemakers Pod! Where Quote, Trisha, Corey and Brina give you a taste of the culture. Make sure to Like & Subscribe! Outro song is "Classic" by theBeatbreaker ft/ Sho Baraka @tastemakerspod on all socials! Check out the audio podcast or support The Tastemakers Pod at www.thetastemakerspod.com Listen to the best in Christian Hip Hop, Pop and R&B on Apple Music and Spotify: http://hyperurl.co/7gbf2z #CHH #CHHMedia #Culture #Tastemakers #queenelizabeth #empirerecordlabel #Ariel #hallebailey --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/tastemakerspod/support

Its our Anniversary!!! The Tastemakers Pod is officially 1 year old and in the episode we celebrate and reflect. We also talk about the Apple Event, Foggieraws recent viral music video and Honk for Jesus. Fresh Grown Black Christian. The Tastemakers Pod! Where Quote, Trisha, Corey and Brina give you a taste of the culture. Make sure to Like & Subscribe! Outro song is "Classic" by theBeatbreaker ft/ Sho Baraka @tastemakerspod on all socials! Check out the audio podcast or support The Tastemakers Pod at www.thetastemakerspod.com Listen to the best in Christian Hip Hop, Pop and R&B on Apple Music and Spotify: http://hyperurl.co/7gbf2z #CHH #CHHMedia #Culture #Tastemakers #apple #appleevent #Foggieraw #honkforjesus #anniversary --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/tastemakerspod/support

The Tastemakers had a lot to discuss this week! Bishop George Bloomer said wives need to step their game up. Ebonee Davis lost a five figure deal due to an Instagram post. Teyana Taylor & Jidenna had a discussion about polyamory (to which we reacted!!). Also, Did Matt Chandler do anything wrong? Fresh Grown Black Christian. The Tastemakers Pod! Where Quote, Trisha, Corey and Brina give you a taste of the culture. Make sure to Like & Subscribe! Outro song is "Classic" by theBeatbreaker ft/ Sho Baraka @tastemakerspod on all socials! Check out the audio podcast or support The Tastemakers Pod at www.thetastemakerspod.com Listen to the best in Christian Hip Hop, Pop and R&B on Apple Music and Spotify: http://hyperurl.co/7gbf2z #CHH #CHHMedia #Culture #Tastemakers #mattchandler #matt #chandler #polyamory #bishopbloomer #Eboneedavis #teyanataylor #jidenna #joeybadass --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/tastemakerspod/support

Deep down, we all crave to be our truest selves. But what if we're afraid that our culture has no place in Christian spaces? Recording artist, author, and academic Sho Baraka argues that our faith doesn't have to exist separate from the rest of the world. On this episode of VOICES's Where Ya From? podcast, Sho joins host Rasool Berry to discuss his book He Saw That It Was Good and his walk with Jesus so far. Guest Bio: After attending Tuskegee University and the University of North Texas, where he studied Television/Film, Anthropology, and Public Administration, Sho Baraka has spent the last fourteen years traveling the world as a recording artist, performer, and culture curator. His overseas work has ranged from leading seminars about race relations in South Africa to establishing artist hubs in Indonesia. Sho is also co-founder of The And Campaign and currently serves as Adjunct Professor at Warner Pacific University. His first book, He Saw That It Was Good (2021), was nominated for an Audie Award. Sho lives in Atlanta, GA with Patreece, his wife of eighteen years, and their three children; one daughter and two sons. Notes & Quotes: “. . . Why don't we call Frederick Douglass and Tubman a theologian? Why don't we see them as people who are worthy of being read and talked about in the pulpit?” “If God cares about our physical being, He also cares about our physical liberation, our physical freedom, our ability to move.” “I feel like a lot of evangelical history has not really been honest about their heroes.” “. . . God is a God of grace and forgiveness. And that our enemies are not too far gone, that they're beyond redemption. And that we're not as righteous as we think we are.” Links Mentioned: Order Sho's book. Learn more about Sho on his website. Listen to Sho's music on the Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom soundtrack. Visit our website to sign up for emails. Get new episodes sent straight to your email.  Tell us how much you love Where Ya From? by rating us five stars and leaving us a review.  Check out our VOICES Collection from Our Daily Bread Ministries Follow Where Ya From? on Instagram. Follow VOICES on Instagram. Verses Mentioned: Ephesians 2 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On this weeks show....the Tastemakers talk about Joe Biden canceling 10K of student loans. They discuss FN Meka getting signed by Capital and Dropped a week later. The ask is there grace for the pulpit? Lastly, they wonder is R&B dead and if so who killed it. Fresh Grown Black Christian. The Tastemakers Pod! Where Quote, Trisha, Corey and Brina give you a taste of the culture. Make sure to Like & Subscribe! Outro song is "Classic" by theBeatbreaker ft/ Sho Baraka @tastemakerspod on all socials! Check out the audio podcast or support The Tastemakers Pod at www.thetastemakerspod.com Listen to the best in Christian Hip Hop, Pop and R&B on Apple Music and Spotify: http://hyperurl.co/7gbf2z #CHH #CHHMedia #Culture #Tastemakers #joebiden #loanforgiveness #fnmeka #capitalrecords #Grace #pulpit #diddy #randbmusic #randb --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/tastemakerspod/support

This week on the Tastemakers Pod... The team responds to the pastor who went crazy on his congregation in KC. Discusses the christian divide over Beyonce. Dissect Da Truths comments on Ravi Zacharias. Lastly, play with the topic of why women don't want to cook and clean. Enjoy! Fresh Grown Black Christian. The Tastemakers Pod! Where Quote, Trisha, Corey and Brina give you a taste of the culture. Make sure to Like & Subscribe! Outro song is "Classic" by theBeatbreaker ft/ Sho Baraka @tastemakerspod on all socials! Check out the audio podcast or support The Tastemakers Pod at www.thetastemakerspod.com Listen to the best in Christian Hip Hop, Pop and R&B on Apple Music and Spotify: http://hyperurl.co/7gbf2z #CHH #CHHMedia #Culture #Tastemakers #pastors #beyonce #church #christians #datruth #ravizacharias #marrige #roles #marriageroles #wealthgap #blackchurch --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/tastemakerspod/support

Welcome to week 1 of Amen & Amen: A Journey Through the Psalms. Raechel and Amanda kick off this new series with artist and author Sho Baraka. Together they set up the framework for studying the book of Psalms, offering helpful context and details along the way. As the trio moves from psalm to psalm, they identify the range of deep emotions expressed by the psalmists as they pour out their hearts to God. We can come to God in the same way, with the assurance that He hears us and that He will respond to our prayers. Tune into the conversation!Read with Us: This episode corresponds to Week 1 of the She Reads Truth Amen & Amen: A Journey Through the Psalms reading plan found on the She Reads Truth app and SheReadsTruth.com. Shop the Amen & Amen: A Journey Through the Psalms collection at ShopSheReadsTruth.com. Show notes can be found at shereadstruth.com/podcast/amen-amen-week-1-with-sho-baraka

This week on the Tastemakers Pod... The crew talks about Earnest Pugh's comments about this years Stellar Awards. Discuss if christians accept Ye more than Mase. Ponder about the future of the Breakfast Club. Wonders why twitter was in an uproar over the way a couple got together. Lastly, ask do hoes win and good girls lose? Fresh Grown Black Christian. The Tastemakers Pod! Where Quote, Trisha, Corey and Brina give you a taste of the culture. Make sure to Like & Subscribe! Outro song is "Classic" by theBeatbreaker ft/ Sho Baraka @tastemakerspod on all socials! Check out the audio podcast or support The Tastemakers Pod at www.thetastemakerspod.com Listen to the best in Christian Hip Hop, Pop and R&B on Apple Music and Spotify: http://hyperurl.co/7gbf2z #CHH #CHHMedia #Culture #Tastemakers #Earnestpugh #stellarawards #mase #kanyewest #ye #kanye #thebreakfastclub #angelayee #dating #marriage --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/tastemakerspod/support

Parenting their sons' autism, Sho Baraka and his wife Patreece felt blindsided—including a loss of dreams & sense of failure. On FamilyLife Today, Dave and Ann Wilson talk with the Barakas about how God met them in their shame. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about a Weekend To Remember. Marriage is a lifelong adventure of growing together through every age and stage of life. Resource Sale: Resources on FamilyLife Today. Checkout this week's donation offer Find resources from this podcast at shop.familylife.com. Find more content and resources on the FamilyLife's app! Help others find FamilyLife. Leave a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify. Check out all the FamilyLife podcasts on the FamilyLife Podcast Network

Parenting their sons' autism, Sho Baraka and his wife Patreece felt blindsided—including a loss of dreams & sense of failure. But God met them in their shame. Show Notes and Resources Learn more about a Weekend To Remember. Marriage is a lifelong adventure of growing together through every age and stage of life. Resource Sale: Resources on FamilyLife Today. Checkout this week's donation offer Find resources from this podcast at shop.familylife.com. Find more content and resources on the FamilyLife's app! Help others find FamilyLife. Leave a review on Apple Podcast or Spotify. Check out all the FamilyLife podcasts on the FamilyLife Podcast Network

This week on the Tastemakers Pod...The gang tells what they would do if they hit the megamillions, what they think about Will Smith's latest apology. They also discuss Kevin Hart's recent comments about black people and Ego. The question is asked...do white people have culture? Lastly, they review Beyonce's new album Renaissance and talk all the drama surrounding the project this week. Fresh Grown Black Christian. The Tastemakers Pod! Where Quote, Trisha, Corey and Brina give you a taste of the culture. Make sure to Like & Subscribe! Outro song is "Classic" by theBeatbreaker ft/ Sho Baraka @tastemakerspod on all socials! Check out the audio podcast or support The Tastemakers Pod at www.thetastemakerspod.com Listen to the best in Christian Hip Hop, Pop and R&B on Apple Music and Spotify: http://hyperurl.co/7gbf2z #CHH #CHHMedia #Culture #Tastemakers #megamillions #willsmith #kevinhart #ego #beyonce #renaissance #kelis --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/tastemakerspod/support

Powered by tbk247.com,  Welcome back to episode 25 of the “Mitch Darrell” show, with special guest JusRzd.In the 25th episode, Mitch Darrell sits down with JusRzd and they discuss the name change and how Ruslan helped with it. JusRzd also adds a funny story of what influenced the name change as well. Also in the interview, JusRzd shared an amazing story about going to the Trip Lee “Good Life Tour” concert which included artists like Swoope, Sho Baraka, & Andy Mineo. The story was about how Andy Mineo had a conversation with his homeboy after the concert about doing secular hip hop.Stay tuned because it's another great interview with your favorite artist and your favorite host, Mitch Darrell.Don't forget, if you really want to help us grow, smash the like button, subscribe to the channel, and hit the alert button to be notified of the dopest show in Hip Hop; the Mitch Darrell Show!Thank you, @JusRzd for taking the time out of your schedule!Shoutout To  @B Plus Music  1. B Plus: BrvndonP drops Borderline, Outtaline, My Lifeline & The Bottom Line in 1 Year!:Follow @MitchDarrell_ :Website:Facebook: Twitter: Instagram:  Mitch Darrell & Kris Noel - Stayin' Inside [Official Music Video]:Follow @JusRzd:Memoirs of an Elevated Soul: The Late Nite:Facebook:Instagram:Twitter:Spotify:Connect with Us “tBK247 Media:Visit Us:YouTube:Email Us:Submit Audio & Video Here:Services:If you would like to bless this ministry here is a PayPal Link:#CHH #Christianhiphop #christianrap #tBK247 #Interview #hiphopSupport the show

Sho Baraka is a globally recognized recording artist, performer, culture curator, activist, and writer. His work combines his artistic platform with his academic history to contribute a unique perspective, elevating the contemporary conversation on faith, art, and culture. In this episode I talk with Sho about his book, He Saw That It Was Good: Reimagining Your Creative Life to Repair a Broken WorldWe discuss how art and imagination address the issues we face in today's society in ways other forms of communication cannot. Patrons of the podcast can enjoy an additional interview segment with Sho Baraka as well as other guests of the podcastBrightbell Creative: Meaningful Marketing for The Creative Artist

Justin Giboney is co-founder of The And Campaign, an Atlanta-based advocacy and political training organization launched in 2015, with artist Sho Baraka and Rev. Angel Maldonado.Giboney has conservative views on abortion, but also is critical of the way Republicans have often focused only on making sure women give birth, without much regard for what government can do to help avoid unwanted pregnancies in the first place and to alleviate poverty and improve women's healthcare and resources for poor families.A lot of our conversation is about Giboney's view that American Christians on the right and left have allowed political parties and tribalism to shape their political choices, rather than applying their faith to the issues.Giboney grew up Colorado and got his his start in politics working for former Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed. He's co-author of the 2020 book, "Compassion (&) Conviction: The AND Campaign's Guide to Faithful Civic Engagement."Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/thelonggame. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hip hop artist and author, Sho Baraka, joins Nate to talk about refreshing our theology of work, strengthening the relationship between creatives and the Church, and adding variety to the genres and voices we turn to for spiritual nurture.[2:08] Could you tell us a little about your book (its creation)?[6:47] Could you say a little about help for creatives and what you hope to see?[8:33] One of the things I noticed throughout your book is a concern with the devaluing of the oral tradition and folk stories in Christianity. Could you say a little about that?[11:20] I'm wondering if there's a connection [between devaluing oral stories] and losing some of the creativity in Christian life, church life.[14:55] Your work in hip hop, is that carrying on the oral tradition? [21:03] Have you been to the African American Smithsonian?[21:54] There is such a robust history and wisdom in the historical Black church that I feel is often lost on White America. Are there pieces of that tradition that you wish people knew or that you think would be helpful?[25:11] Could you unpack the term “evangelical edit?”[26:25] In your book you talk about a conversation you had with your daughter when she was seven, where she came and talked to you about her skin color and hair. Can you tell that story?[29:51] What do you hope people will take from your book?Resources He Saw That It Was Good, by Sho Baraka Album: “The Narrative,” Sho Baraka, 2016

I talk to hip hop artist Sho Baraka on how his sympathies shifted from the revolutionary Du Bois to the more conservative Washington. Also discussed: Ralph Ellison. Lecrae. Should we defund the police? Support the show at https://patreon.com/changedmymind Email us at changedmymindpod@gmail.com Subscribe to my Substack at https://luketharrington.substack.com Visit Sho at https://www.barakaology.com

It's been almost 15 years since the book Culture Making released. In this interview with Andy Crouch and Sho Baraka, hosted by Grant Skeldon, they talk about what it looks like to create culture. Do the same rules still apply? How can we create in a way that keeps us relevant? Andy and Sho answer these questions in this week's episode.  Want to hear more talks like these? Join us in Nashville or virtually for The Culture Summit, April 28-29. Find out more at qideas.org/2022.

This is Toby Sumpter with your CrossPolitic Daily News Brief for Tuesday, August 18, 2020. Today you will hear about Trump going postal, dead people are voting again, Fortnite goes to war with Apple and Google, Facebook sometimes sends Democrats to timeout, and Ted Cruise has thoughts about US dealings with Iran.  DNC Goes Virtual The Democratic National Convention started Monday, packed full of disgruntled Republicans, or at least John Kasich.  The originally scheduled Milwaukee convention has been transformed into a virtual convention, with speeches being delivered from various locations across the country. In addition to former Republican Presidential candidate John Kasich, Michelle Obama and Former Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders had the microphone Monday night.  Has Trump Gone Postal? You might be wondering what all the fuss in the news about the US Postal Service is about. Former President Barack Obama recently accused President Trump of trying to “actively kneecap” the Postal service in an effort to suppress mail-in voting. For some reason many democrats have been particularly giddy about the idea of mass mail-in voting. And please note, this is not the same thing as absentee voting, where you request a ballot, it is sent to you, and then you send it in. That sort of thing has been done routinely for many years. But the idea that every eligible voter might receive a ballot to mail in, is quite different and raises a number of legitimate questions. Like, for example, how do we know if the ballot returned was returned by the right person? How do we know that person has not moved, voted twice, or maybe even died?  Meanwhile, the US Postal Service has lost 78 Billion since 2007. It is not exactly in tip-top shape. Since the advent of email, the need for letters has dropped dramatically. And then comes the Coronapanic. In the 2 Trillion dollar CARES Act, congress gave the Postal Service permission to borrow up to 10 Billion. Completely separately, 400 million was included in for the Election Assistance Commission.  Later, the House barely based another Coronavirus bill called HEROES Act which has not yet seen the light of day in the Senate. That bill earmarked 25 Billion as a full bailout gift to the Postal Service. Likewise, in the HEROES Act a few million was also earmarked for more Election Assistance. But again, the HEROES Act got stuck after the House passed it.  But the US Postmaster has been busy doing his job. His name is Louis DeJoy (a major Republican donor and Trump supporter), but he started implementing changes to help the ailing postal service, including two particular pilot programs: the first is to implement an Expedited Street/Afternoon Sortation in order to cut down on overtime hours being paid. The second is the removal under utilized collection boxes and letter sorter machines. With the decline in sending letters, the collection boxes and letter sorter machines just aren't being used as much. They cost money to maintain and sorter machines take up a lot of space.  Well, all of this is the backstory on the giddy Democrats wanting universal mail-in voting for the Presidential election while Trump and other Republicans have raised doubts and concerns. And then there's the Post Master doing his job and a stimulous bill held up in congress. Oh, and one more thing, in a couple of interviews Trump has apparently conflated all the money in the stimulus bills as related to funding mail in voting. Thus, adding to the blood in the water for the democrats. Trump is removing letter collection boxes, letter sorter machines, and won't approve the stimulus money for the Post Office. Clearly, he is preparing to destroy the ability of people to vote by mail.  Well, he might be bungling some of the questions, and at points seems to be conflating universal voting with absentee voting, but the Post Office has delivered hundreds of millions of piece of mail every year and despite the random mistakes that are made from time to time, this looks like a lefty conspiracy theory this time.  White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows said on CNN Sunday that the removals of the collection boxes and letter sorting machines would be halted until after the election just so everybody can stop hyperventilating. He also clarified that the President doesn't have a problem with anybody voting by mail with an absentee ballot, but he opposes universal mail in ballots.” More from Byron York on this here: https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/byron-yorks-daily-memo-whats-really-going-on-with-trump-and-the-post-office Meanwhile, Michigan has announced that 10,694 of the state's 1.6 million absentee ballots for their August 4th primary have been rejected.  https://disrn.com/news/michigan-rejects-846-mail-in-ballots-because-the-voter-was-dead/ Many thousands were rejected for arriving late or without signatures, but 846 of the ballots received were rejected because the voter was dead.  Dead people and pets were among the nearly 500,000 rejected absentee ballots in Virgiania, while another quarter of a million met the same fate in Nevada's June primary.  However, Kanye West's lawyer is going on the offensive saying that Democrats will have to prove that the Micky Mouse and Bernie Sanders signatures on his Wisconsin ballot petition are not real.  This is why we need Weapons for this War. Which is why we want to invite you to our first annual Fight Laugh Feast Conference in Nashville October 1-3. We've put together a package that is full of feasting and psalm singing, hearty fellowship, and a line up of speakers committed to showing you how God's Word applies to politics, economics, business, education, creativity, marriage and family, and much more. We aren't abolishing history. We're going to dig deep. So please join us this October 1st through the 3rd as we build a rowdy Christian culture for God's glory and our good. Go to Fightlaughfeast dot com and register today. Fortnite in Battle Royal with Apple & Google Apple and Google both booted the blockbuster video game “fortnite” from their app stores last Thursday, after its mother company Epic Games, launched a new in-game payment system that bypassed both app stores' payment rules. The company's founder, Tim Sweeny, has been complaining about the 30% commissions charged by the app stores for years, and quickly filed two lawsuits in federal courts following the ejection from the app stores – accusing both platforms of monopolistic behavior – charging such high commissions that makes it difficult for competitors to emerge. Apple CEO was questioned last month during congressional anti-trust hearings about whether the company treats app developers equally, citing some lower commissions for app store sales from Amazon.com for example.  Facebook Sometimes Disciplines Democrats The Washington State Democratic Party Facebook Page got the temporary church discipline ban for about a month during June, the Wall Street Journal reports. Facebook has apparently crafted its' on policy for political ads, independent of the state's own ad disclosure rules. And as usual, the social media giant refused to answer questions about what part of the policy the Washington Democrats had violated. The gods do not answer direct questions like that. After a number of days, the gods did condescend to give two examples of ads that were considered violations.  Ted Cruise Raise Alarms Over Obama-Era Nuclear Deal Ted Cruise writes in Newsweek that perhaps the most pernicious part of the Obama-Biden Nuclear Deal with Iran was the provision that would allow Iran to begin purchasing billions of dollars of conventional weapons from countries like China and Russia. Senator Cruise writes to raise the alarm that it turns out those deals are already in motion.  https://www.newsweek.com/we-need-invoke-un-snapback-iranbefore-its-too-late-opinion-1525424 This is Toby Sumpter with Crosspolitic News. You can find this and all of our shows at Crosspolitic.com or on our app, which you can download at your favorite app store, just search “Fight Laugh Feast”. Our app is the only way to get In the Bullpen with Mark Dewey. Support Rowdy Christian media, and become a Fight Laugh Feast Club Member, and for a limited time you can get your very own Fight Laugh Feast t-shirt and access to tons of extended discussions with Sho Baraka, David French, Erick Erickson, Maj Toure, Biblical Parenting with Doug and Nancy Wilson, God and Government and End Times Eschatology with Gary Demar, Pastors and Politics with George Grant and C.R. Wiley and more, Proverbs with Me, and our very own Worldview Shotgun Series. You also get $100 off your registration for our first annual Fight Laugh Feast Conference, where we hope to meet many of you in Nashville, TN October 1st through the 3rd. Go to fightlaughfeast.com to register now. Have a great day. https://flfnetwork.com/coming-soon/  

Sho Baraka is a globally recognized recording artist, performer, culture curator, activist, and writer. His work combines his artistic platform with his academic history to contribute a unique perspective, elevating the contemporary conversation on faith, art, and culture. His new book, He Saw That It Was Good, examines important historic movements and engages the reader with art, justice, and history. Sho and Eddie talk about all of this - and much more. Links from the Interview - For more on Sho Baraka: https://www.barakaology.com/ - For all things Propaganda, head to: https://www.prophiphop.com/ -  The New Activist is presented by IJM: https://www.ijm.org/ The New Activist Social T - https://twitter.com/NewActivistIs FB - https://www.facebook.com/newactivistis/ IG - https://www.instagram.com/newactivistis/ web - http://www.newactivist.is Eddie Kaufholz, Host - https://twitter.com/edwardoreddie