We have reached a milestone with the Faith Today Podcast. Episode 200 is now live. It seems remarkable to our (very) small team, that we have been a part of so many interviews and dialogues over these past few years.
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We’ve learned a lot, not only about how to do a podcast – and we’re always trying to get better at that – but also about the value of these portable audio shows we can listen to while we walk, drive, garden or – if you’re like me – while we wash dishes or sweep the floor.
As the usual host, I’ve had such fun interviewing a wide swath of guests. I’m thankful to everyone who has trusted us enough to let us record unguarded conversations.
Whenever I interview someone, I’m reminded of the value of being curious. That’s what I talk about during episode 200, which marks the first time in the history of the show that listeners will hear mostly the host speaking (although we do bring in some of our favourite clips). Those clips are of some of our guests who are also speaking to this theme of being curious, asking questions and learning to listen.
You’ve probably heard this Dietrich Bonhoeffer before: “The first service that one owes to others in the fellowship consists in listening to them. Just as love to God begins with listening to His Word, so the beginning of love for the brethren is learning to listen to them.” (It’s from his beautiful book Life Together.)
Bonhoeffer calls it the “obligation of listening.”
Listening is one of the ways we can love one another well and be in community together. I really believe that.
I also think mutual curiosity and respectful listening – especially to those with whom we might not agree – have been in short supply recently.
An interesting summer project could be to think of one person in our lives with whom we have had a philosophical or theological disagreement recently and return to them and say something like, “I really want to understand. I’m coming back to our conversation committed to listening to you better.” Wouldn’t that be cool?
If you do that, let us know how it turns out. We’d love to hear. After all, we are deeply, constantly curious.