Voices In My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast)

Episode 544: Chris Wall - Wingfeather Saga Show Runner and Executive Producer

Voices In My Head (the Rick Lee James Podcast)
Episode 544: Chris Wall - Wingfeather Saga Show Runner and Executive Producer
 
CHRIS WALL BIO:
Chris is an influential creator of kids-and-family, redemptive content. He is Executive Producer and Showrunner of The Wingfeather Saga Animated Series. Before creating Shining Isle Productions in 2016 to develop and produce family content with an entertainment first strategy, Chris spent over a decade collaborating with industry leaders at Dreamworks Animation and Big Idea producing the direct-to-video VeggieTales CG animated movies. That included the wildly successful “Wonderful Wizard of Ha’s,” “Saint Nicholas,” “Noah’s Ark” and 13 other productions. He is also creator of the acclaimed “Slugs & Bugs Show” with Brentwood Studios and RightNow Media. Chris is passionate about creating stories that will serve families with stories of truth and beauty. He lives in Franklin, TN with his wife Heather and their six children.
Series Synopsis:
The Wingfeather Saga chronicles the adventures and transformations of the Igiby family as they discover secrets of their family history, flee the evil Fangs of Dang, seek their place in the world, and make a stand against the mysterious ruler, Gnag the Nameless. They will need their special gifts and all the love of their noble mother and ex-pirate grandfather to survive the venomous Fangs, sea dragons, flabbits, and (gulp) toothy cows!
 
 
Fast Facts:
The Wingfeather Saga is the largest crowdfunded animated family series of all time with over $7M raised from fans
Producers J. Chris Wall and Andrew Peterson met while Chris was working with VeggieTales and Andrew was contracted to write Silly Songs!
The Wingfeather Saga books have sold over 1.5 million copies
Jodi Benson, the voice of Nia Wingfeather, is the original Ariel in The Little Mermaid
Kevin McNally, the voice of the ex-pirate Podo Helmer, also played the pirate Gibbs in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies
The Wingfeather Saga's animation studio has developed a complete production pipeline with proprietary tools allowing this animated series to be created with cutting edge game-engine technology from Unreal Engine, while still delivering a rich and authentic “paint-motion” experience.
 
Social Media Accounts:
FB: @WingfeatherSagaIG: wingfeathersagaYT: @WingfeatherSagaTikTok: wingfeathersagaTwitter: @wingfeathersaga

Episode 543: Brad Meltzer - Voices in my Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast)

Welcome To The Neighborhood with Brad Meltzer
 
 
 
 
“Ordinary People Change The World” is the friendly, fun biography series written by Brad Meltzer that inspired the PBS Kids TV show Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum. One great role model at a time, these books encourage kids to dream big. 
In the new book, “I Am Mister Rogers,” the beloved children’s television host becomes the 31st hero in the New York Times bestselling picture book biography series for ages 5 to 9.
The book’s author, Brad Meltzer, has stopped by for a podcast visit to tell us all about this neighborly new addition to the “Ordinary People Change The World” series, and I could not be happier about that.
Get The Book:
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/711629/i-am-mister-rogers-by-brad-meltzer-illustrated-by-christopher-eliopoulos/
 
Thank you for joining us here this week in the neighborhood.
Music featured on the podcast was “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” by Rick Lee James Special Thanks to The @MisterRogersSay Community on Twitter.
Our Substack page is https://rickleejames.substack.com/s/welcome-to-the-neighborhood-a-mister.
Our Instagram page is https://www.instagram.com/misterrogerssay/
I’m your host, Rick Lee James. My Twitter account is @RickLeeJames, my website is RickLeeJames.com, My other Podcast is Voices In My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast), and I look forward to being with you again next time.
Until Then, You make each day a special day. You know how? By just your being you. There's only one person in this whole world like you. And people can like you exactly as you are.
Support This Show On PATREON
 
 

Episode 542 - Nancy French

Episode 542 - Nancy A. French - Ghosted
Voices In My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast)
 
 
Bestselling Author Pens Compelling Memoir of a Life of Poverty, Success and the Rise and Fall of Political Influence in ‘Ghosted’
Nancy French chronicles her journey from the foothills of
Appalachia to the Halls of the White House
Five-time New York Times bestselling ghostwriter Nancy French crafts the story of a journey of hardship,heartbreak and healing in Ghosted: An American Story, releasing April 16, 2024.
Nancy’s family was born in the foothills of Appalachia into a life dominated by coal mining, violence, and poverty. Some of her family were proud members of the Ku Klux Klan who lived on the mountain.
“The mountain was a playground of mischief, with its coal mines, ubiquitous guns, and plentiful dynamite. My dad described his twenty-five cousins as ‘rednecks, rough and ready,’ and they drank, fought, and stole their way honestly onto wanted posters,” writes Nancy. “Compared to how my parents grew up, we were wealthy beyond our wildest imaginations … as far as I was concerned, we were living the American dream.”
Growing up in the church, Nancy’s childhood was full of innocence and a strong faith in God until betrayal of a trusted young preacher forced her to carry a dark secret of sexual abuse, which would one day spur her to advocate for herself and other survivors. It wasn’t until her path crossed with a young Harvard Law School student named David that her faith and emotional well being was restored.
Nancy left her college career, married and settled in New York City. Feeling she had escaped the mountain, she could have never imagined the twists and turns her life would take. She supported David as he was deployed to war and became friends with Ann Romney, who asked Nancy to write her memoir at the height of her husband’s presidential campaign.
Her writing journey led her to sitting in the home of the Palin family drafting Bristol Palin’s book, which became a New York Times bestseller and set Nancy on a track of being one of the most-sought-after ghostwriters in conservative circles.
“I’d had the ‘conservative talking points’ down to a science,” Nancy writes. “I could write about American military strength, ‘family values,’ and personal responsibility and know exactly how it would be received among other
Conservatives.”
Yet, Nancy went from conservative darling to suspected traitor when she stood her ground and refused to endorse an unsuitable president. She found herself isolated in a sea of political confusion and occupational uncertainty.
“Politics felt like a battleground—where political barbs were warranted, expected, and part of the fun. Though I eschewed my family of origin’s pugilism and violence on the mountain, combativeness was in my blood. I was prone to feistiness in my approach to politics because the stakes always seemed high. I wasn’t about to let my deeply held beliefs be watered down by civility.”
Facing ridicule from Republicans, targeting from white nationalists, and alienation from her church community, Nancy weathered threats, humiliation and ostracization to discover the power of her own voice and the unlikely allies hidden among perceived enemies.
“The ‘religious right,’ which I’d defended my whole life, had abandoned the posture of ‘family values’ when they had the chance to gain a seat at the table,” writes Nancy. “It confused me to hear the values preached from the podium but ignored in real life. It was all a life, and so was the ‘lesser of two evils’ myth.”
Ghosted is not just a memoir; it’s a poignant American narrative of transformation, resilience, and the enduring pursuit of love, blending humor and personal insights into an engrossing tale of change and loss.
“Throughout my life, I desperately wanted to identify the ‘good’ people and the ‘bad’ people, so I could walk more confidently among them—befriending the good ones, avoiding the bad ones. I’d categorized people into tribes according to their political views, their church attendance, and their voting patterns. But this line was fuzzier than I’d originally believed,” writes Nancy. “Though I fiercely wanted people to be one thing and not two for simplicity’s sake, people—as Walt Whitman wrote—contain multitudes. Me included.”
The book releases from Zondervan on April 16, 2024.
 
 
GET CONNECTED
www.nancyfrench.com  
https://www.facebook.com/NancyAndersonFrench 
https://www.instagram.com/nancyjanefrench 
https://twitter.com/nancyafrench 
http://zondervan.com/p/ghosted
 

Episode 541 - Praying with Patrick - Matt Mikalatos and Aaron Burns

Voices In My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast) - Episode 541
Praying with Patrick - Matt Mikalatos and Aaron Burns 
 
 
 
Learn to pray with Saint Patrick of Ireland―and to find your story in his own
One of Ireland’s most beloved figures, St. Patrick was a man who lived a life soaked in prayer. A risk-taker in the service of others―particularly women, slaves, and the poor―Patrick spent years enslaved, in which he found himself praying all the time―praying for freedom, for a warm place to sleep, or to return home. He never stopped. It was something he did with great intentionality, but also in the breath between one task and the next.
Praying with Saint Patrick takes us on a journey through Patrick's life, allowing us to pray alongside him using his story and his actual prayers to deepen and enrich our own prayer lives. Each reading features a quote from Patrick, a scripture, a devotion, and a prayer such as:
A Prayer for Times of Trouble
A Prayer for When We Feel Helpless
A Prayer for Hope
A Prayer for Freedom
A Prayer for When You Don’t Fit In
A Prayer for the Presence of Christ
A Prayer for God’s Salvation
A Prayer in Times of Grief
A perfect gift for anyone who is fascinated by Ireland, the heroes of the faith, or prayer, Praying with Saint Patrick will draw you deeper into conversation with a God who cares deeply about you and your needs, concerns, and worries. Just as Patrick experienced God’s presence in the rugged wilds of Ireland, may you experience God’s presence in a powerful and vibrant way.
Get the Book: https://amzn.to/49V2A1J 
About the authors
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations. 
 
Matt Mikalatos
Matt Mikalatos is an author and screenwriter who lives near Portland, Oregon, with his wife, three daughters, and a giant rabbit named Bruce.
You can also follow him on 
Twitter (www.twitter.com/mattmikalatos), 
Facebook (www.facebook.com/mikalatosbooks ) or check out 
The Fascinating Podcast (http://www.norvillerogers.com/podcast/fascinating/ )
Matt's website ( http://www.mikalatos.com ).
 
 
Aaron Burns
Aaron Burns is a film producer, director, and writer with a passion for timeless storytelling. He recently directed Birthright: Outlaw and Legacy Peak for Sony Affirm. His producing credits include the record-setting Beyond the Mask and the number one box office hit War Room. Aaron lives in Michigan with his wife, Andrea, and their children.
Find out more about Aaron Burns at http://burnsandco.productions
Christian Worldview Film Festival
Christian Worldview Film Festival Facebook Page
Get the Book: 
https://amzn.to/3UYlxfJ
 
VINYL SALE
THUNDER by Rick Lee James
ONLY $9.99. (Plus, you get a free digital download of the album)
 
 
“KEEP WATCH, DEAR LORD” BY RICK LEE JAMES 🎸🎹
Available On ALL STREAMING PLATFORMS
https://show.co/Lz0h35H
 
https://show.co/Lz0h35H
 
 
Thank you for listening!
 
 

Episode 540 - Brian Zahnd - Voices In My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast)

Voices In My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast) - Episode 540
Brian Zahnd: The Wood Between the Worlds  
 
Everything about the gospel message leads to the cross, and proceeds from the cross. In fact, within the narrative of Scripture, the crucifixion of Jesus is literally the crux of the story―the axis upon which the biblical story turns. But it would be a mistake to think we could sum up the significance of the crucifixion in a tidy sentence or two. That kind of thinking only insulates us from the magnificence of what God has done. In our ongoing quest to make meaning of the cross, we need to recognize that this conversation will never conclude―that there is always something more to be said.
Brian Zahnd reminds us that the meaning of the cross is multifaceted and should touch every aspect of our lives. Just as gazing through the eyepiece of a kaleidoscope reveals a new geometric image with every turn, Zahnd helps us see that there are infinite ways to behold the cross of Christ as the beautiful form that saves the world. The Wood Between the Worlds is an invitation to encounter the cross of Christ anew.
 
Get the Book: 
https://amzn.to/3TanXX6
VINYL SALE
THUNDER by Rick Lee James
ONLY $9.99. (Plus, you get a free digital download of the album)
 
 
“KEEP WATCH, DEAR LORD” BY RICK LEE JAMES 🎸🎹
Available On ALL STREAMING PLATFORMS
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https://show.co/Lz0h35H
 
 
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God Gave Rock and Roll to You - Dr. Leah Payne Voices In My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast) - Episode 539

Voices In My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast) - Episode 539
God Gave Rock and Roll to You - Dr. Leah Payne  
 
https://global.oup.com/academic/product/god-gave-rock-and-roll-to-you-9780197555248?cc=us&lang=en
Leah Payne is Associate Professor of American Religious History at Portland Seminary and a 2023–2024 Public Fellow at the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI). She holds a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University and her research explores the intersection of religion, politics, and popular culture. Payne is author of God Gave Rock & Roll to You: a History of Contemporary Christian Music (Oxford University Press, 2024), and co-host of Rock That Doesn’t Roll, a Public Radio Exchange (PRX) podcast about Christian rock and its listeners and Weird Religion, a religion and pop culture podcast. Her writing and research has appeared in The Washington Post, NBC News, Religion News Service, and Christianity Today.
Web Site:
https://www.drleahpayne.com/
VINYL SALE
THUNDER by Rick Lee James
ONLY $9.99. (Plus you get a free digital download of the album)
 
 
“KEEP WATCH, DEAR LORD” BY RICK LEE JAMES 🎸🎹
Available On ALL STREAMING PLATFORMS
https://show.co/Lz0h35H
 
https://show.co/Lz0h35H
 
 
Thank you for listening!
 
 

Voices In My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast) - Episode 538 - Benjamin Cremer

Voices In My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast) - Episode 538 -
Benjamin Cremer
Bio:
Benjamin Cremer has worked as a pastor since 2005. His academic work is in the fields of theology, church history, and spiritual formation. He is deeply passionate about writing and creating space for others to process difficult theological and political questions in today's world. He lives in Boise, Idaho, with his wife and son. They are expecting a baby girl at the end of March.  
Find Ben's new Lenten Devotional Here: https://benjamin-cremer.ck.page/products/when-love-gets-the-last-word-a-lent-devo 
NOT JUST A BLACK FRIDAY SALE
THUNDER by Rick Lee James on VINYL
ONLY $9.99. (Plus you get a free digital download of the album)
 
 
“KEEP WATCH, DEAR LORD” BY RICK LEE JAMES 🎸🎹
Available On ALL STREAMING PLATFORMS
https://show.co/Lz0h35H
 
https://show.co/Lz0h35H
 
 
Thank you for listening!
 
 

Jason Gray Returns - Voices In My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast) - Episode 537

Voices In My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast) - Episode 537 -
Jason Gray Returns
This week we welcome Jason Gray back to the Podcast.
Known in the CCM community for his ability to craft thoughtful lyrics of praise with rhythmic pop melodies, Jason Gray has been providing listeners with inspiring and uplifting music for over a decade. Through his willingness to offer compassionate honesty and authenticity, Grayhas produced compelling songs that have climbed the charts and impacted global audiences.
 He has toured with Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Third Day, TobyMac, and numerous others, in addition to headlining tours of his own. Audiences are able to experience not only Gray’s musical talent, but the heartfelt way he shares his gifts to support others.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
Centricity Music recording artist
4 ASCAP Performance Awards for songs, "More Like Falling In Love", "Remind Me Who I Am", "Every Act of Love", and "Good To Be Alive"
Five Top 5 radio singles
Single "With Every Act of Love" was a #1 AC radio hit and reached Top 10 on Billboard's Christian Airplay chart
Single "Nothing Is Wasted" reached #1 for nine weeks
Has collaborated with all-star producers such as Jason Ingram (Chris Tomlin), Ben Glover (MercyMe), and Colby Wedgeworth (Jordan Feliz), among others
You can stream Jason’s latest music at this link:
https://fanlink.to/landoftheliving
More info: https://centricitymusic.com/artists/jason-gray/ 
 
 
NOT JUST A BLACK FRIDAY SALE
THUNDER by Rick Lee James on VINYL
ONLY $9.99. (Plus you get a free digital download of the album)
 
 
“KEEP WATCH, DEAR LORD” BY RICK LEE JAMES 🎸🎹
Available On ALL STREAMING PLATFORMS
https://show.co/Lz0h35H
 
https://show.co/Lz0h35H
 
 
Thank you for listening!
 
 

Songwriting and the Ministry of Presence - Voices In My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast) - Episode 536

Listen to an insightful conversation with Rick Lee James in the latest episode of 'Voices in My Head.' A renowned singer, songwriter, and worship leader, James shares profound insights drawn from his work as a full-time hospital chaplain. Join him as he investigates the influence of spirituality on songwriting, the creation of connections through music, and the importance of being truly present.
He navigates key aspects of spirituality, sharing his practical experience of the profound role emotions play in our interactions and spiritual journey. Embark on an exploration of personal insecurities and cultural understanding, all aimed at helping creators and spiritual seekers.
Get inspired as James emphasizes the importance of authenticity in songwriting and encourages musicians to use their unique voice to touch hearts. From exploring the mechanics of a well-rounded song to shining a light on the intimate journey of a chaplain, this episode is a treasure trove for anyone interested in the complex and rewarding process of spiritual songwriting.
 
www.RickLeeJames.com

Voices In My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast) - Episode 535 -with Hank Spaulding - Iconoclastic Sex: Christian Sexual Ethics and Human Trafficking

Voices In My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast) - Episode 535 -
Iconoclastic Sex:  Christian Sexual Ethics and Human Trafficking  
Guest: Henry Walter Spaulding III
 
Christian sexual ethics operates from a place of privilege when it does not consider those impacted by its moral prescriptions. A large majority of publications on Christian sexual ethics consider choices and images abstracted from lived conditions of the people called to make these decisions. As such, it leaves out many for whom sex is neither welcome nor a choice. As such, these same texts present images of sexual subjects that marginalize those that do not fit. As the book presents, sexuality, both Christian and otherwise, prioritizes a language of purity that strangles the life of those imaged impure. The present book remedies this emphasis through the language of iconoclasm that blasphemes these images and opens theological reflection beyond the boundary of image-based approaches. Utilizing a qualitative study of survivors of trafficking and those who grew up under evangelical purity teachings, Spaulding narrates sexual ethics in light of their testimonies and the theological resources of iconoclasm to articulate a more just and loving sexuality. The new emphasis on sexual ethics not only resists the prescriptions that create the conditions of sex trafficking but the creation of new communities capable of solidarity and mutuality with those caught in the web of trafficking.
Get The Book:
https://wipfandstock.com/9781725287204/iconoclastic-sex/
About the Author:
 
Henry Walter Spaulding III is an adjunct professor of Christian ethics at Ashland University, Ashland Theological Seminary, and George Fox University. He is the author of The Just and Loving Gaze of God with Us: Paul's Apocalyptic Political Theology (Cascade, 2019).
 
 
NOT JUST A BLACK FRIDAY SALE
THUNDER by Rick Lee James on VINYL
ONLY $9.99. (Plus you get a free digital download of the album)
 
 
“KEEP WATCH, DEAR LORD” BY RICK LEE JAMES 🎸🎹
Available On ALL STREAMING PLATFORMS
https://show.co/Lz0h35H
 
https://show.co/Lz0h35H
 
 
Thank you for listening!