Voices In My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast)

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode #296: Still Slaves - The West African Slave Trade Then and Now

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode #296: Still Slaves - The West African Slave Trade Then and Now
 
https://www.stillslavesfilm.com
THROUGH THE LENS OF ANCIENT SLAVERY IN WEST AFRICA, The New Documentary, STILL SLAVES EXPLORES THE RAMPANT SLAVERY, KNOWN TO MOST AS HUMAN TRAFFICKING, THAT CONTINUES TO THRIVE ALONG THIS NOTORIOUS COASTLINE. THE FILM JOURNEYS FROM THE VIBRANT CITY OF LAGOS IN NIGERIA ON NORTH TO THE DESERTS OF MAURITANIA AND UNEARTHS THE SLAVERY THAT CONTINUES TO HAUNT SEVEN COUNTRIES IN-BETWEEN.
Ann Margret Nielsen, who directed the film, is our guest this week.

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode #295: Todd H. Green - Presumed Guilty (Why We Shouldn't Ask Muslims To Condemn Terrorism)

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode #295: Todd H. Green - Presumed Guilty (Why We Shouldn't Ask Muslims To Condemn Terrorism)
 
Todd Green is Associate Professor of Religion at Luther College. A nationally recognized expert on Islamophobia, Green served as a Franklin Fellow at the U.S. State Department in 2016-17, where he analyzed and assessed the impact of anti-Muslim prejudice in Europe on countering violent extremism initiatives, refugee and migrant policies, and human rights. He has also given lectures on Islamophobia to other federal agencies, including the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security.
Green's most recent book is Presumed Guilty: Why We Shouldn't Ask Muslims to Condemn Terrorism (Fortress Press, 2018). This book argues that asking Muslims to condemn terrorist attacks is a distraction that prevents majority populations in the US and Europe both from facing their own violent histories and from asking critical questions about how their countries' national security initiatives and foreign policies contribute to a violent world order. The book proposes healthier ways for majority populations to engage Muslim communities other than through the prisms of violence and counter-terrorism.
More about Todd Green Here: https://www.luther.edu/greeto02/ 
Buy a copy of  Presumed Guilty Here: https://www.amazon.com/Presumed-Guilty-Shouldnt-Muslims-Terrorism/dp/1506420591/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode #294: Mike Harland and his new book Worship Essentials

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode #294: Mike Harland and his new book Worship Essentials
My guest this week on Voices In My Head is Mike Harland. For most of his life, Mike has led churches in worship leadership roles. Since 2005, Mike has served as the Director of Worship at LifeWay Christian Resources. He is a published author, Dove Award winning songwriter, and a worship leader who sings and speaks nationally and internationally. His blog and podcast, "WorshipLife" is followed by pastors, worship leaders, and church musicians around the world.
 
Mike Harland's latest book, Worship Essentials, released on November 1st.

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode #293: 'Courage, Dear Heart' Author, Rebecca K. Reynolds

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode #293: 'Courage, Dear Heart' Author, Rebecca K. Reynolds
Rebecca Reynolds is a humanities instructor in a classical Christian school. Rebecca is the lyricist for Ron Block of Alison Krauss and Union Station. She also writes for award-winning music artist Andrew Peterson's website, The Rabbit Room and sister website Story Warren. She has been a featured speaker at their annual national gatherings Hutchmoot and Inkwell. Her new book is "Courage, Dear Heart: Letters To A Weary World".

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode #292: A Purposed Heart with Dr. Craig Gilbert

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode #292: A Purposed Heart with Dr. Craig Gilbert
 
Craig Gilbert is a life-long Christian and musician. He first sang in church at the age of 4 with his family and has been playing music in church ever since. He also benefits from a prolific career singing and playing outside of the church in classical music ensembles and choirs as well as singing, arranging, and playing multiple instruments in bands of a variety of styles. Craig is passionate about bringing the arts before God in worship in a way that allows congregations to not only participate, but to also engage with God in worship through the arts. Craig is not a musician who happens to play in church but a true worship pastor who uses the arts to reach others for Christ. 
Dr. Gilbert is an expert in worship design and in leading worship in multi style churches of all sizes. He specializes in teaching congregations about worship and training leaders how to design and lead worship that is congregation friendly. After serving in worship and arts leadership in five churches of different congregational sizes with over seven different senior pastors, eight associate pastors (including a time as an assistant pastor himself), various worship styles and formats, time constraints, etc. Dr. Gilbert is well versed in the problems and issues with worship in today’s church. 
His professional training includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education, a Master’s Degree in Conducting, and a Doctorate in Worship Studies. He has provided professional consulting services in music team development, worship design, and congregational participation for several churches and conferences.
 
To find out more about Craig Gilbert and the services he can offer your local church visit these links:
www.purposedheartministries.com
 
www.theworshipdoctor.com

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode #291: Greg LaFollette and Songs of Common Prayer

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode #291: Greg LaFollette and Songs of Common Prayer
Greg Lafollette has been involved in over 100 records in his career. Between the studio and touring, he has worked with Andrew Peterson, Audrey Assad, Waterdeep, Sara Groves, Matthew Perryman Jones, Erin McCarley, Katie Herzig, Andrew Belle and many others. He has had multiple placements in international advertising campaigns with his band Trouvere, and has written and co-written many songs that have appeared on others’ records.
His latest project, Songs of Common Prayer, an album whose lyrics are taken from (or inspired by) the Book of Common Prayer.
Greg LaFollette's Web Site: https://greglafollette.com/music
Greg LaFollette on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/0QqdRkCRdePCFggzWYvCuT

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode #290: Tripp Fuller and the Road To Edmond

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode #290: Tripp Fuller and the Road To Edmond
This week we welcome guest Tripp Fuller to Voices In My Head.
Tripp the founder and host of the #1 theology podcast, Homebrewed Christianity. As an author, speaker, podcaster, and professional theologian he is committed to bringing the best resources from the academy to the church so we can brew a more robust faith today. Tripp is also the star and co-writer of the new film, The Road To Edmond. (http://theroadtoedmond.com/)
 
The following is a Synopsis of The Road To Edmond from IMDB.com
Cleo loves his life as a youth pastor in suburban Denver, but his genuine support for a teenage girl has put his job in jeopardy. When the church's Elder Board becomes aware of the situation, he's asked to take two weeks off to consider his actions and the impact on his role in ministry. Distraught by the arrival of this news via email, Cleo grabs a backpack and bike to hit the road and figure out what's really true. His journey takes a turn toward Edmond, Oklahoma, when he hitches a ride from a mysterious traveler named Larry and his dead father. Larry's intense skepticism along with a string of peculiar signs causes Cleo to question more than his relationship with the teen...he questions the very existence of Love.

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode #289: The Gospel According To Superman with Rev. John T. Galloway

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode #289: The Gospel According To Superman with Rev. John T. Galloway
 
My guest on this episode of Voices In My Head is Reverend John T. Galloway.
45 years ago this year, Reverend Galloway published a book called The Gospel According to Superman, a book which brings the true message of Christ back into focus by contrasting the humanity and vulnerability of Jesus with the invulnerable embodiment of our own fantasies and man-made gods, embodied in the book by the character of Superman. The Gospel According to Superman is more theology that Comic Book and having recently read it myself and I can attest, like all good theology, that it holds up very well.

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode #288: Jessica Crawford - Honestly

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode #288: Jessica Crawford - Honestly
 
Jessica was born into a family of deep faith and of rich musical history. Every Sunday morning, this great granddaughter of a fiery Pentecostal minister would watch from the pews as her mother would direct the church choir. In addition to church music, she also grew up inspired by her Granddaddy's play-by-ear instrumental talents and his Southern Gospel vocals that echoed the sound of her mother's childhood.  On her father's side, her paternal grandmother and great-grandmother were classically trained pianists and vocalists.  Despite her family's encouragement, Jessica struggled to see that the musical legacy from both sides of her family was establishing a future for her in music.  
After a painful relationship left her seeking true purpose, Jessica finally surrendered to what can only be described as a persistent "call" to music. After a year well spent in seminary she stepped out in faith and left the comfort of her small hometown, Bridgewater, VA, in 2011 and hit the road to Nashville.  Her years in Music City were formative for both in ministry and in songwriting.  A new dependence on God, 
involvement with an inner city missions base, and growing favor with songwriters and accomplished producers would all help Jessica find her voice as an artist and worship leader.
In 2017, Jessica would leave Nashville with a 5 song independently released EP under her belt, multiple regional tours and invaluable industry and ministry experiences to become the Worship Arts Director for Fountain of Life Church in Burlington, NJ where she currently lives and serves.
On September 14 Jessica will release "Honestly", a four song EP she describes as “a collection of vulnerable songs that do not shy away from the reality of my hardest life experiences while celebrating the hope I found in Jesus through it all.”   The “Honestly” EP was written with the group the Brothers McClurg during a writing retreat in early 2017.  It was produced by Chris Hoisington and recorded at Old Bear Studios in Batavia, NY.
https://jessicacrawfordmusic.org/
 
RickLeeJames.com 
Blessings,
Rick Lee James
www.RickLeeJames.com
 

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode #287: Guest Francois Clemmons (Officer Clemmons) from Mister Rogers Neighborhood

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode #287: Guest Francois Clemmons (Officer Clemmons) from Mister Rogers Neighborhood 
  
On this episode of Voices In My Head we welcome Dr. Francois Clemmons.
 
Dr. François Scarborough Clemmons is an Afro-American singer, actor, playwright and university lecturer. He is perhaps best known for his appearances as Officer Clemmons on the PBS television series Mister Rogers' Neighborhood from 1968 to 1993.
In 1968, Clemmons won the Metropolitan Opera auditions in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He went on to Cleveland, Ohio, where he won a position in the Metropolitan Opera Studio. He sang there professionally for seven seasons, performing over 70 roles with companies including The New York City Opera, Los Angeles Civic Light Opera, and Washington Civic Opera.
Clemmons sang with numerous orchestras, including the Cleveland Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. In 1973, he won a Grammy Award for a recording of Porgy and Bess; he performed the role of "Sportin' Life" in that musical over 100 times.
For 25 years, Clemmons performed the role of Officer Clemmons, a friendly neighborhood policeman, in the "Neighborhood of Make-Believe" on the children's television show Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. In the neighborhood itself, Clemmons ran a singing and dance studio located in the building diagonally across from Mr. Rogers' house. As "Officer Clemmons", he became one of the first African Americans to have a recurring role on a kids' TV series. 
Clemmons actively writes across genres for a variety of age groups. Currently, he is writing his autobiography entitled DivaMan: My Life in Song, a children's story entitled ButterCup and the Majic Cane, and a volume of poetry entitled A Place Of My Own. Some of his published works include a volume of spirituals named Songs for Today and a stage musical called My Name Is Hayes based on the life of Roland Hayes. He also commissioned a choral work composed of spirituals entitled Changed My Name, arranged by Linda Twine.
From 1997 until his retirement in 2013, Clemmons was the Alexander Twilight Artist in Residence and director of the Martin Luther King Spiritual Choir at Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont. He “played the role of professor, choirmaster, resident vocal soloist, advisor, confidant, and community cheerleader”. He is also well known in the Middlebury community for his superb rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner", which he sings at the Middlebury College men's basketball games.
Clemmons lives and works in Middlebury, Vermont, where he is the Emeritus Artist in Residence of Middlebury College. He is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, the national fraternity for men in music.
 
 
 
Blessings,
Rick Lee James
www.RickLeeJames.com