Voices In My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast)

 
Episode 548: Know Your S.T.U.F.
Voices In My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast)
PLUS SOME MUSIC NEWS
On July 12th, I'll release a brand new track titled "Up on the Mountain."
It would help me out a lot if you could follow this link and Pre-Save it on Spotify.
Spotify Pre-Save · https://show.co/V1WCBm6
We will be filming a music video for the song this weekend. The world premiere will air exclusively on the Catholic Faith Network on July 11th.
Get ready to join me on this journey Up on the Mountain!
Don't forget to swing by Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, or your favorite streaming platform and hit those follow buttons! By hitting the follow button, you'll stay updated on my latest releases and show your support for my music! I can’t wait to meet you Up on the Mountain on July 12th.
Blessings,
Rick Lee James

Voices In My Head (the Rick Lee James Podcast)
 
 
Christmaker: A Life of John the Baptist with Author James F. McGrath
Coming June 11, 2024
 
Book Description:
For many, John the Baptist is a footnote in the gospels—Jesus’s unkempt forerunner. But if we look closer, John emerges as a fascinating and influential religious leader in his own right. 
 
Esteemed New Testament scholar James F. McGrath turns his critical eye to overlooked details in Scripture and long-neglected sources to discover who John the Baptist really was. McGrath covers the well-known events of John’s life, from his miraculous conception to his execution at the hands of Herod Antipas. Along the way, he introduces key context about John’s social and religious world that fleshes out John’s character. John becomes a rebel son of a priest. An innovator of ritual. A mentor of Jesus.  
 
McGrath also explores John’s far-reaching impact on the history of religion. Aside from his influence on Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, John is also revered by the Mandaeans, the last extant gnostic sect, who consider themselves John’s faithful disciples. This fresh look at the life of John the Baptist will fascinate any reader interested in John, Jesus, and their dynamic world. 
 
​​Editorial Reviews 
Review
“Essential reading for all interested in Jesus’s spiritual formation as well as the later ‘parting of the ways’ between John’s teachings and Jesus’s, this highly accessible work walks us through a little-known story of a relationship that no one previously has brought to light with such clarity and insight.”
—Nicola Denzey Lewis, Claremont Graduate University 
 
“Thanks to a fresh approach and many hypotheses for ancient questions, this book, which is readable like a novel, will create large—and lasting—ripples in scholarship as well as in the thinking and lives of its readers.”
—Edmondo Lupieri, Loyola University
 
“This is a creative, wide-ranging exploration that weaves together the Gospels and later writings to present a fresh view of John the Baptist. McGrath takes the reader on a journey to re-imagine a man who was not only the ‘Christmaker’ but also an influential prophet in his own right.”
—Joan Taylor, professor of Christian origins and Second Temple Judaism, King’s College, London
 
About the Author
James F. McGrath is Clarence L. Goodwin Chair in New Testament Language and Literature at Butler University.
 
 
Get the Book: https://amzn.to/44Rotxp
 
 

Voices In My Head (the Rick Lee James Podcast)
Episode 546: Plan Toys VP Rudy Valenta
 
 
About PLAN TOYS:
 
 
Plan Toys Is More ThanJust A Toys Manufacturer.
Back in 1981, seven university graduates came together with a shared mission of infusing the world with positivity. Vitool Viraponsavan , one of the strongest voices of the group, went on to establish PlanToys and has been inspiring children and families worldwide ever since. Today, PlanToys has branched out to Asia, America, Europe and Australia – bringing optimism, creativity and a passion for sustainability to communities all over. The fusion of these three things is also known as our “Sustainable Way,” which further includes our use of sustainable materials, manufacturing methods and mindset.
Child Development is Our Focus.
Enhance development for children.
At PlanToys, sustainability and child development are our top priorities. By focusing on child safety and age milestones during design and production, our wooden toys enhance both physical and cognitive development.
 
Green BusinessPractices areOur Forte.
" We use leftover sawdust tocreate a new materialcalled PlanWood ”
 
Sustainable world
With a strong mission to create a sustainable world, PlanToys intentionally considers every single step of production in order to minimize environmental impact. This mission is implemented through the three pillars of PlanToys business, also known as our “Sustainable Way.” This includes Sustainable Material, Sustainable Manufacturing and Sustainable Mind.
We are Passionate About Bettering Our Communities and Children.
Nearly four decades of mindful business practices and close attention to product design makes PlanToys an unrivaled manufacturer of developmental toys. It is our hope that your little one not only grows in their ability to imagine and create with our wooden toys, but that they also grow closer to nature, better understand the importance of a green lifestyle and successfully develop along the way.
 
Learn more at https://www.plantoys.com
 
 

Voices In My Head (the Rick Lee James Podcast)
Episode 545: Mark D. Conklin
THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK BRINGSSCRIPTURE TO LIFE WITH MUSIC’S TOP NAMESGloria Gaynor, Rita Wilson, The Fisk Jubilee Singers, Rhonda Vincent and Ernie Haase & Signature Sound Among Star-Studded Guests
 Uniting a veritable who’s who of Gospel, soul and country music luminaries for a uniquely inspired collection of song and spoken word, The Gospel According to Mark is set for release May 17 from StowTown Records. Created by and featuring acclaimed singer/songwriter Mark D. Conklin, the project’s 12 standout musical collaborations are interwoven with 12 Scripture vignettes voiced by iconic songstress Gloria Gaynor.   Produced by Conklin who also wrote or co-penned each musical selection and GRAMMY winner Mark Prentice, the project offers fresh perspective on the New Testament book of Mark, chronologically conveying the account of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. With Gaynor’s narrations anchoring every song, The Gospel According to Mark showcases musical contributions from renowned actress and singer Rita Wilson; internationally revered collegiate ensemble The Fisk Jubilee Singers; Gospel trailblazers The Fairfield Four; the “Queen of Bluegrass” Rhonda Vincent; Southern Gospel leaders Ernie Haase & Signature Sound; GRAMMY-winning recording artist John Berry; and ‘80s country hitmaker T. Graham Brown, among many others.   “While serving as the director of the GRAMMY Museum Experience at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, I had the privilege of sitting down with the legendary recording artist Gloria Gaynor in 2020,” Conklin recalls. “After spending time with her album and speaking with her about her unwavering dedication to the Lord, an awakening occurred within me. It ignited a long-dormant desire to embark on my own worship project dream I had put off for years.” “Later, as I edited the audio of my interview with Gloria for a podcast, it hit me like a bolt of lightning,” he adds. “I knew THAT voice, HER voice, was the one! To my great delight and surprise, she graciously agreed to join me on my musical journey, and I will be forever grateful.”  “I’m so honored to have been asked to narrate The Gospel According to Mark and lend my voice to such an uplifting project that Mark D. Conklin has brought to life,” Gaynor shares. “To be part of such an amazing gathering of talent to share the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is truly a blessing for me.” The Gospel According to Mark is highlighted by lead single “The Greatest is Love,” which is now available on digital platforms. Featuring acclaimed recording artist Wendy Moten, a runner-up on NBC’s “The Voice," the retro rock 'n soul track embodies the nostalgic sounds of Memphis and Muscle Shoals.  Additional album standouts include the Rita Wilson spotlight “Through the Storm”; “Oh, Lonely Day,” a stirring Good Friday anthem with vocal contributions from John Berry and Rhonda Vincent; and the soulful “Take This Cup” with The Fairfield Four, an emotive musical rendering of Jesus’ struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane. Conklin has also authored an exclusive devotional companion for The Gospel According to Mark. Unpacking scripturally-rooted insight behind each of the album’s 12 songs, the devotions present encouragement for daily living, reflective questions and directed prayers.  ABOUT MARK D. CONKLINA genre-spanning music executive, recording artist, songwriter and producer, Mark D. Conklin’s music has appeared on Billboard’s country, blues and bluegrass charts, as well as on such hit TV shows as “Grey’s Anatomy” and in various national advertising campaigns. He served as host of the GRAMMY Museum Experience Prudential Center's three online conversation series: "Off the Record,” “Behind the Songs” and “Mini Masterclass." In this role, Conklin interviewed more than 200 artists, including Mary Wilson of the Supremes; Earth, Wind & Fire’s Philip Bailey; DJ Khaled; BTS; Ellie Goulding; Luke Combs; and Kane Brown. Returning to his first love as a singer/songwriter, the New Jersey native released his roots-country EP, Starting Over, in 2020. ABOUT STOWTOWN RECORDSStowTown Records was founded in 2011 by Ernie Haase and Wayne Haun and welcomed partners Landon Beene and Nate Goble in 2014. A powerhouse independent Gospel music label, StowTown is home to renowned pop/Inspirational artists David Phelps, Charles Billingsley, Cana's Voice, TaRanda Greene, Jody McBrayer and Tiffany Coburn, as well as acclaimed comedian Tim Lovelace, and some of Southern Gospel's biggest names, including Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Booth Brothers, Triumphant Quartet, Doug Anderson, The Browns, The Erwins, Legacy Five, The Kramers, Sunday Drive, The Perrys, The Steeles, The Taylors, and Zane & Donna King. Distributed worldwide via Provident/Sony Distribution, StowTown Records artists have garnered GRAMMY® nominations, multiple GMA Dove Awards and chart-topping releases. A burgeoning leader in multi-genre entertainment, the company’s StowTown Worship imprint serves the Church with a diverse range of music and resources and features renowned genre pioneer The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir as its flagship artist. For further information visit: markdconklin.com, stowtownrecords.com, turningpointpr.com.Follow Conklin on Instagram and Facebook.  
 

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

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 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
 

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!
 
 

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!
 
 

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!