Podcasts We Love
By Nancy Lewis, Creation Care Team
While it would be a good thing if more of us unplugged our phones to live more in the moment, we can certainly learn and grow from the right kinds of social media. In this post, three of us Creation Care Team members at Bellingham Covenant Church share our favorite podcasts relating to creation care topics.
Mike Merchant, BCC member and retired entomologist, enjoys the ‘Language of God’ podcast. This podcast is produced by BioLogos, an organization of Christians who are also scientists wanting to explore scripture and science together towards an authentic faith. Dr. Frances Collins, former Director of the National Institute of Health as well as the Human Genome Project, is the founder of BioLogos Foundation and a frequent guest of Language of God. The podcast covers a dizzying array of topics such as extinction, mental health, medicine and bioethics, neuroscience, education, evolution, and play. Similarly, the guests are a wide range of well-known and up-and-coming scientists, thinkers, and theologians, from Jane Goodall to Tim Keller, Monica Guzman to Andy Crouch.
Language of God is not just for scientists or “experts,” but also for anyone interested in seeing the science world more clearly through the lens of the Christian faith. Himself a parent and scientist, Merchant knows how much Christian parents want their kids to have a good science education as well as a good biblical education. He points out that as parents we may not always know how to skillfully navigate the topics of science and faith, but the Biologos website is another excellent resource. The site includes links to past podcasts and resources for Christian seekers, educators, small group leaders, and homeschoolers.
Doreen Olson, Creation Care member and Chair of the BCC Lead Team, is enthusiastic about the Birdnote Daily radio program. You may have heard this less-than-2-minute program on your local NPR station; but you may not know you can also subscribe to receive a new broadcast every day on your phone or computer.
There are so many ways this brief podcast is a reminder that brings joy and hope to my days, Olson said. I love being reminded of how our Creator calls us into community and gives each member of the creation community a way to connect with others. Including birds.
Whether to invite another into one’s space, to warn of danger, or simply for the joy of joining in song through a call and response, birds teach me to value community and its place in our spiritual growth.
The very reminder of the carefree way birds live engenders a holy trust in the God who created us all.
She reminds us of Jesus’ words in Matthew 6:26 (NIV): “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?”
A personal favorite of mine is ‘Earthkeepers’. The Earthkeepers podcast connects people from around the world who believe caring for the Earth is integral to our spiritual life. The podcast is produced by Circlewood, a Camano Island-based “community of people committed to cultivating an ecologically-conscious faith” (Earthkeepers Executive Director and Covenant Pastor James Amadon is a friend of Bellingham Covenant).
Earthkeepers conversations range across topics like ecology, climate change, social enterprise, theology, gardening, environmental justice, outdoor recreation, conservation and daily household practices. The podcast aims to inspire ordinary "earthkeepers" (like you and me) to help see and heal the world wherever we are planted.
My favorite episodes include one about a social entrepreneur coffee roaster whose business supports ethical farming practices and fair trade pricing (Episode 96). In Episode 89, the DeJong family was a catalyst to engage neighborhoods in the work of reviving and repairing the forested, 43-acre Cheasty Green Space in Seattle. Episode 49 is one of many featuring guests from other parts of the world. In this episode a Malawian journalist speaks of how he and colleagues are dedicated to bringing attention to serious environmental concerns, uncovering systemic corruption, and advocating for more just policies in his country. At the same time, he points out that the struggle for environmental justice is global, and he challenges the global North to share responsibility. And how can you not love Episode 73, telling of the regenerative farming experience (think worms!) woven into Princeton’s seminary curriculum? Here is composting and worm theology at its best!