Listen on:
Episodes
Monday Nov 07, 2016
Monday Nov 07, 2016
My dear friend Nish Weiseth returns to James Talks today, in a special episode to discuss the imminent US Presidential election. Nish and I are both passionate about politics, and it's role in the world - and the US election result affects us all, which is why we decided to do this special episode.
Nish & I explore in more detail about the potential implications of a Trump Presidency, both for Nishs' own state of Utah, the US and potentially the world too, and we talk about what the implications of Trumps' campaign - whether ultimately successful or not - says about American culture, American politics, the evangelical church, and what the future might hold.
This was recorded just after the first Presidential debate, before the controversies on both sides which have arisen since - but is still a fascinating discussion on what's a really important topic. Not just the election, but culture, and the church, are all impacted by this election. Nish has such wisdom and passion, and it's definitely worth a listen.
Wednesday Nov 02, 2016
Wednesday Nov 02, 2016
Today Sarah Simmons, writer & blogger, shares her own powerful testimony. It's a story of suffering, lost dreams, but also one of hope, restoration and grace which is truly inspiring. Sarah shares about how we can find grace even in the midst of our own imperfect lives, and how that brings us hope.
*****
In our conversation we discuss questions like:
- How did Sarah learn to find joy in the mess, what does that look like for her, and how can we all find joy in our own messes?
- How do we find hope and contentment in that space between the 'what is' and 'what should be'?
- How Sarah's experiences have shaped her creative journey, and how has creativity been a help to Sarah along the way?
****
Sarah is an amazing writer, good friend & real woman of God, and a real inspiration, I know you're going to be so blessed by her story & wisdom.
Wednesday Oct 26, 2016
Wednesday Oct 26, 2016
Kyle Strobel, teacher, writer and preacher, joins me today. He is the assistant professor of Spiritual Theology and Formation at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, and helped start Metamorpha Ministries. He's also author of several books, including 'Beloved Dust'.
Kyle & discuss his own journey of faith, the 'Bevloved Dust' book and the inner spiritual journey to discovering your own identity & and deepening relationship with God, both through prayer, scripture and other routes/practices.
We discuss questions like:
- How do you balance the reverence and sacredness of our relationship with God, with the need to have a real, honest relationship, rather than simply a formal one?
- How we can look to the Bible, the Holy Spirit, and community as “informers” used by Christ to grow, mould, and form us into his image
- The best bit of wisdom Kyle's ever received
- A brief introduction to the spirituality of Harry Potter.
Kyle has such wisdom, humility and insight, and speaks in a way which is easy to understand but is challenging and inspiring - this is definitely worth a listen!
Wednesday Oct 19, 2016
Wednesday Oct 19, 2016
Author Pamela Hodges returns to the podcast today, and we have a lot of fun talking about creativity, identity, authenticity, being a creative entrepreneur - but above all, how to be a cat.
Pamela talks about her late cat Pooh Hodges, who was an author she transcribed for and has published the book 'How To Be A Cat', transcribed and illustrated by Pamela, and before his death completed a memoir with Pamela's help. Pamela talks about that creative process, how she's explored her creativity in different and imaginative ways, and the journey which has led her into self-publishing - and writing on behalf of cats.
It's a fun discussion and you'll learn so much about creativity and expressing your imagination - take a listen!
Tuesday Oct 11, 2016
Tuesday Oct 11, 2016
Neuroscientist Dr Kate Hendricks Thomas returns to James Talks today, and with her is Sarah Plummer Taylor, who is a Denver-based holistic health and wellness wellness counsellor. As a mental health professional, Sarah mentors people and organisations to help them find clarity and discover how to live happier, healthier lives.
Following on from my chat with Mike McHargue about science & faith last week, Kate, Sarah and I have a discussion of Kate's neuroscience work and it's overlaps with Sarah's work on holistic health and wellness. We examine in detail the links between physical and mental health, and their ties to Christian spirituality. We also discuss yoga, it's history, and why it's beneficial to our spiritual, mental and physical well-being.
We examine together what a holistic, integrated spirituality involving the physical, mental, emotional and supernatural can look like and how it can have a positive impact on our lives. Then we discuss some spiritual practices which might be helpful in integrating this into our daily lives.
This was hugely insightful and eye-opening chat, and I know you'll learn a lot from both Kate & Sarah.
Tuesday Oct 04, 2016
Tuesday Oct 04, 2016
'Science Mike' McHargue is back on James Talks this week, to discuss his new book, 'Finding God In The Waves' & answer some searching questions about science, and how it connects with our spirituality.
Mike talks about how he lived anonymously as an atheist for two years, being in leadership in his local church & even leading his own daughter to Christ whilst being an atheist. Mike shares the conflicts, the challenges, the emotions which he experienced during that time, and what his faith looks like now, having come back to Jesus through science.
I then ask Mike some science/faith questions (which you kinda have to do when you've got Science Mike on your show), like these:
- Do you think there's an element of the supernatural in the scientific, and what do you believe about the links between them?
- One thing which is argued by Christians is the idea we're all born fundamentally flawed - what's your perspective on that, and scientifically what does that look like in terms of how the brain works and it's desires, it's needs?
- What's your thoughts on the idea, suggested by some experts, that this universe might be simulated, and what’s your definition of what's real, and what isn't real?
- Do you think science will ever get to the point where we agree, without necessarily 100% proof, that there is an external intelligence, or intelligent design behind the universe, and the argument may well become who that is, and what it looks like, rather than whether it exists?
Mike finishes with a message of hope for all struggling with faith, doubt sharing from his own experience. This was one of my fave shows to do, and can't wait for you to take a listen.
And remember to check out Mike's new book 'Finding God In The Waves' - it's truly inspiring & mind blowing, and it's available to order on Amazon right now!
Tuesday Sep 27, 2016
Tuesday Sep 27, 2016
James Talks turns 1 year old this week! And to celebrate, today we have a very special edition - Chloe & Taylor Turner, AKA Chasing Lovely, who were my first guests on James Talks, are interviewing me, James Prescott! And it's a combination of a total roasting, and some deep discussion on spirituality, creativity, calling and the issues I'm passionate about.
There's some fun questions like random facts about me, embarrassing stories, celebrity crushes, my soul animal, and who I'd interview if I could interview anyone in history.
Then we move on to some more serious questions, about grace, how we find our calling & identity, habits of creativity, how I found my voice, and exploring who I think Jesus is, what I think about the Bible & what I think it means to live a life in tune with the divine. Plus there's some exclusive info about my first book, and the book I'm currently writing!
Chloe, Taylor & I had so much fun recording this and I'm so excited for you to hear it. Here's to many more James Talks episodes to come!
Wednesday Sep 21, 2016
Wednesday Sep 21, 2016
Today Kathy Escobar & Karl Wheeler of the Faith Curcus podcast join me to share their powerful, unique & inspiring story. They share about the challenges of starting a new type of faith community, dealing with issues of theological difference & the issues which confront the modern church today.
Kathy & Karl talk about how their conversations and story evolved into a podcast called Faith Circus, a discussion on church & the modern Christian faith, and some new challenges they face as they move into a new season.
Kathy & Karl are great fun, honest & have a lot of wisdom on modern faith & the church - take a listen, then go subscribe to Faith Circus to hear more of them.
Tuesday Sep 13, 2016
Tuesday Sep 13, 2016
David Mike, author & former solider, joins me today to share his challenging and inspiring story. David was a solider who became a drug addict and dealer, resulting in a term in prison. But whilst in prison he experienced the transforming love and grace of both family, and God,
Today David shares how he came to be in prison, and the conflicts, challenges and emotions he experienced there. And he tells the incredible story of how a letter, and an experience of grace transformed his life - and how he discovered writing as a way to use his story to encourage others, and move forward into his calling
*****
David's first book, 'Dishonor' is out now.
Tuesday Sep 06, 2016
Tuesday Sep 06, 2016
I'm delighted to welcome Glennon Doyle Melton - AKA Momastery - onto James Talks today. Glennon shares her powerful and challenging story of alcoholism, her struggles with established church, and working through a difficult marriage.
Glennon shares honestly about the importance of confronting our pain and walking through it, rather than avoiding it, and talks about the transforming power of grace. She shares passionately about how damaging church can be and what she believes healthy church should look like.
Glennon also talks about what she learned about what healthy relationships and marriages are meant to look like, how one person cannot save a marriage and why some relationships - even marriages, including her own - come to a healthy, complete ending with mutual love and respect remaining.
Here's some quotes:
“My whole writing career has been about trying to find a place I can be as honest as in AA”
"Whatever happens in the personal, happens in the universal"
"Every time we get evicted from our life, we’re invited into a new life"
"The only thing I use to define myself now is child of God..it's the only thing no one can take from you"
"When everything's falling apart, that's when you need to start paying attention, that's when the change is coming"
"I'm running towards my pain every single day and it's changing everything"
This is one of the most inspiring, honest, and powerful interviews I've ever done, and it will challenge you, inspire you, and give you hope you didn't know existed. Take a listen, then go buy Glennon's new book Love Warrior today!
*****
www.Momastery.com
www.LoveWarriorBook.com
@Momastery