Something new for something beautiful

something beautiful

We’re trying something new over at the something beautiful podcast.

Yes, it is indeed an experiment in podcasting.

We’re trying a new shorter and concise format with the podcast, with a goal of keeping each episode between five to 10 minutes max.

Along with the shorter episodes, we’re changing up the style and the focus of each podcast.

Rather than drilling down into a guest’s entire story – we’re shifting our focus to what inspires them.

Our first guest is Kevin Hendricks – a good friend of the podcast and the author of several books, including his latest, 137 Books in One Year.

Whether your a long time listener of the podcast or you’ve never even visited the site, I hope you’ll take a few minutes and give the new format a listen and let us know what you think.

something beautiful advent christmas extravaganza

You’ve mailed all your Christmas cards, you’re wrapping the last of the gifts and you’re tired of all the Christmas re-runs on TV?

Well have no fear, the something beautiful podcast advent christmas extravaganza is here!

The podcast went live mid-day today (half a day early) and already it’s had 44 downloads! It may be a record setter. We also posted a special “bonus” episode for material that didn’t quite fit with the rest of the extravaganza (23 downloads of that episode already – totaling 67 downloads in one day – I KNOW that’s a record).

Anyways, head on over to the something beautiful podcast and download the Christmas joy. And have yourself a Merry little Advent and Christmas.

Some Beautiful updates

I don’t normally plug our podcast here too much (at least I don’t think so) but thought I’d give you a heads up on some great interviews we’ve had recently and a few that are upcoming.

Be sure and check out somethingbeautifulpodcast.com to listen to all our past, present and future shows.

This week on the show we have the first part of my interview with Greg Garrett. Garrett’s an English professor at Baylor University and also a lay-pastor at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Austin, Texas. He recently wrote a great book – “Stories from the Edge A Theology of Grief” based on the summer he spent as a chaplain in Austin, Texas. I talked to Greg about how he dealt with his own personal “demons” and how he was led into the chaplaincy and some of what he learned in the process. Great stuff.

Also, last week we talked with Mark Batterson, pastor of National Community Church in Washington DC. Batterson recently released his second book, “Wild Goose Chase” and we talked about the book, the adventure of chasing the Holy Spirit and how Batterson has seen it play out in his own life.

Coming up we have the second half of my interview with Greg Garrett, as well as an interview with Frank Viola and a two part interview with Trucker Frank (aka Frank Schutzwhol).

I think they’re all stories worth talking about (whether you agree or disagree with the particular story) so be sure and check them out and let us know what you think.

Also, if you have a story, poem, or message that you think our listeners would love to hear — send it to us. You can send it as text only or if you’d like to record it in your own words you can send an mp3. Send all your submissions to :: somethingbeautifulpodcast (at) gmail (dot) com.

www.somethingbeautifulpodcast.com

Duncan McFadzean talks about micro-financing

I’m editing and listening to the next Something Beautiful Podcast – version 1.10!

Version 1.10 is a great interview that Thomas did with Duncan McFadzean who’s wrapping up his career in the secular finance world to head a start-up ministry – Seven Men. The ministry is based around micro-financing and supporting the marginalized.

From the Seven Men site:

Seven Men Limited is a new vehicle created to launch, invest in, and nurture small businesses for the purpose of bringing freedom, justice and restoration to the city of Edinburgh and around the world.

By launching a series of businesses across a range of sectors, Seven Men Limited will seek to create a sustainable flow of profits that can be used for good.

Great stuff! Thanks to Thomas for getting the interview and sharing Duncan’s story with us.

While surfing Duncan’s site I was also intrigued by his page “Understandings.” Probably the best way to describe the page is a “statement of faith.” Looking over the page I love the ways hes worded his beliefs and written them in a great manor. I may have to sit down and write a similar page…

Today actually marks Duncan’s last day at the Bank of Scottland – so have a listen to the podcast and then drop by his site and wish him luck on his new ministry and outreach.

Interesting too that this podcast will go live the same day I twittered this:

related ::
something beautiful podcast
duncan mcfadzean’s blog
seven men
wikipedia :: microfinance
my twitter feed