Episodes
7 days ago
7 days ago
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
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Wednesday Mar 06, 2024
Episode 541 - Praying with Patrick - Matt Mikalatos and Aaron Burns
Wednesday Mar 06, 2024
Wednesday Mar 06, 2024
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!
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
Episode 540 - Brian Zahnd - Voices In My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast)
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
Wednesday Feb 28, 2024
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
https://show.co/Lz0h35H
https://show.co/Lz0h35H
Thank you for listening!
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024
Wednesday Feb 21, 2024
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!
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
Voices In My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast) - Episode 538 - Benjamin Cremer
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
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!
Wednesday Feb 07, 2024
Jason Gray Returns - Voices In My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast) - Episode 537
Wednesday Feb 07, 2024
Wednesday Feb 07, 2024
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!
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
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
Wednesday Jan 10, 2024
Wednesday Jan 10, 2024
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!
Wednesday Dec 20, 2023
Wednesday Dec 20, 2023
Voices In My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast) - Episode 534 - Born In A Barn? - James F. McGrath’s The A to Z of the New Testament: Things Experts Know That Everyone Else Should Too
With permission from the author, I am sharing a segment from the book, The A to Z of the New Testament: things Experts Know That Everyone Else Should Too” by by James F. McGrath.
The Segment comes from Chapter B: Born In A Barn?
Publisher’s Description:
So you think you know the New Testament? Did you know that Jesus made puns? Did you know that Paul never calls himself or the churches he writes to “Christian”? Did you know that we don’t know who wrote the Letter to the Hebrews, or if it’s even really a letter? James F. McGrath sheds light on these and many other surprising facts in The A to Z of the New Testament. Cutting through common myths and misunderstandings of problematic Bible passages, McGrath opens up expert knowledge to laypeople in his friendly introduction to New Testament studies. Each chapter in this fresh, accessible volume begins with a provocative anecdote or fact and then pulls back the curtain to inform curious readers about how scholars approach the issue. Along the way, McGrath explains unfamiliar terminology and methodology to nonspecialists with humor and clarity. You’ve graduated from Sunday School. Ask the hard questions. Take Scripture on its own terms. Invigorate your Bible study with The A to Z of the New Testament as your guide.
Get The Book:
https://a.co/d/8jmM2rM
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!
Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
Episode 533 - Karen Kingsbury
Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
Wednesday Nov 15, 2023
Voices In My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast) - Episode 533 - Karen Kingsbury
"In a novel that is part romance, part historical text, and part Christian fiction, Kingsbury tells the story of two average people from Bloomington, Indiana, who do extraordinary things together and apart during an extraordinary time, supported by their families and their faith throughout their entire lives." —Booklist
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR KAREN KINGSBURY - JUST ONCE
A Novel
In her new book, Just Once, #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury brings a sweeping and unforgettable World War II love story about a young female spy torn between two brothers. In 1941, beautiful Irvel Holland is too focused on her secret to take much notice of the war raging overseas.
She's dating Sam but in love with his younger brother, Hank—her longtime best friend—and Irvel has no idea how to break the news.
Then, the unthinkable happens—Pearl Harbor is attacked. With their lives turned upside down overnight, Sam is drafted, and Hank wants to enlist. But Sam insists Hank stay home, where he and Irvel take up the battle on the home front.
While Sam fights in Europe, an undeniable chemistry builds between Irvel and Hank, but neither would dare cross that line.
Then two military leaders pay Irvel a visit to the classroom where she teaches. The men have plans for her, plans that will take her into the spy world of World War II. One catch. She can tell no one.
Then a telegram comes, and the news is devastating. Hank enlists the next day and just two weeks remain until he and Irvel ship out. Will any of them make it home alive? Or will Irvel lose everything? And can love find a way, even from the ashes of the greatest heartbreak?
The newest inspirational story from one of America's most beloved authors of life-changing fiction, JUST ONCE is a redemptive, breathtaking World War Il love story, timed to the anniversary of Pearl Harbor and perfect for longtime readers as well as fans of Jodi Picoult and Kristen Harmel.
Karen Kingsbury, #1 New York Times bestselling novelist, is America's favorite inspirational storyteller, with more than twenty-five million copies of her award-winning books in print. Her last dozen titles have topped bestseller lists and many of her novels are under development as major motion pictures.
Her Baxter Family books were developed into a TV series. Karen is also an adjunct professor of writing at Liberty University. She and her husband, Donald, live in Tennessee near their children and grandchildren. In 2022, she founded a production company called Karen Kingsbury Productions.
JUST ONCE: A Novel by Karen Kingsbury
November 14, 2023 • Atria Books • Hardcover • $27.99 • 978-1-9821-0444-3
https://www.karenkingsbury.com/my-story
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Karen Kingsbury, “known for her deeply heartfelt novels” (Woman’s World), comes JUST ONCE (Atria; Nov. 14), a sweeping, redemptive, unforgettable World War II love story about a woman torn between two brothers—timed to the anniversary of Pearl Harbor and perfect for longtime readers of Karen’s inspirational stories.
Watch the moving, poignant book trailer here!
Someone Like You(Movie Trailer)
* Someone Like You - Movie based on her novel, Someone Like You - In theaters Nationwide, April 2, 2024
People.com exclusively revealed the movie trailer!
https://youtu.be/wie1GDo7jbg?feature=shared
More Voices In My Head
If you like this podcast, check out the other podcasts from Rick Lee James like Welcome To The Neighborhood: A Mister Rogers Tribute Podcast.
https://anchor.fm/dashboard/episodes