Confessions of an Unemployed
Minister - Part Five: Podcasts
Besides listening to audio books and talking to neighbours, I have
also been listening to many podcasts while walking. I have several that I regularly
enjoy, including Timothy Keller’s sermons, ‘Serial’ and ‘On Being’. Of course
my favorite is my own ‘GodPod’. It can be found on iTunes. When I was first unemployed, a friend suggested we start a company that
would (among other things) provide short, recorded conversations that we would
produce as podcasts to equip, encourage and entertain Christian people. We
stared deiyo.com and I have now recorded well over 400
conversations. These are dialogues with Christian people who are engaged in all
kinds of life and faith concerns, both locally and around the world. It is such
a thrill to meet (usually over Skype) with fellow followers of Christ who are
passionate about such a variety of topics.
Originally I would not re-listen to any of the recordings, as,
like most people, I can’t stand the sound of my own voice. But, because of the
nature of these honest conversations, something magical gets captured. When
strangers meet and find affinity over shared interests, a sense of deep
communion can happen instantly and spontaneously. I am a genuinely curious and
empathetic person. I love to engage with people and listen to their stories.
And these recordings are beautiful meetings of minds and hearts that I have
truly enjoyed.
So, lately I’ve been listening more and more to these discussions
I’ve recorded over the last two years. I often forget that it’s me, and I
simply hear two people chatting about a topic, or a personal life journey, and
I’m carried away on the wave of warm conversation. People often ask me if one
can make money at this. I don’t know about that. But I do know that I am having
such a great time meeting and conversing and communing with brothers and
sisters who have inspired me with their wide range of amazing stories.
