Best Deeply Unusual Podcasts (2024)

Since the show is "finished" (for now), the Patreon site is no longer active. However, there are still hosting costs, and I still have expenses! If you would like to show gratitude with a small donation in a very easy way, you can do so at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/crttc. No account creation required! Support the show…

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In conclusion... (chapter 81) 46:02

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2y ago46:02

46:02

After two and a half years, we've reached the very last episode of the Tao te Ching! I'm not sure what's next for me, but at least for now, I'll stop regular posting here as I focus on some other pressing things in life and brainstorm possible future ideas. This chapter is a nice summary of three of the key themes of the Tao te Ching that we've foc…

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Minimalism and the Taoist utopia (chapter 80) 37:52

2y ago37:52

37:52

Chapter 80 presents Lao Tzu's vision of the ideal society, the "Taoist utopia". Although it is not a "realistic" picture at first glance, writing it off would be a big mistake. The chapter not only praises minimalism and simple living, but also contains a thinly veiled but cutting cultural critique that is just as relevant today as it was 2600 year…

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Peace is worth the risk (chapter 79) 25:55

2y ago25:55

25:55

We're skipping chapter 78 since we looked at it all the way back in episode 6! Chapter 79 is focused on the complex repercussions of human conflict. This is a shorter episode, and I'll split it into just two pieces: 1. "Just let it go" - conflict resolution the Taoist way 2. Peace is worth the risk - Christ as the ultimate example See more at www.c…

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The "Robin Hood" Tao 41:30

2y ago41:30

41:30

Chapter 77 describes the Tao as being like the drawing of a bow, where the top is brought down and the bottom is brought up. It is a cultural critique about how the way of man tends to upset the natural balance of things. The episode will have three general thematic movements: 1. Equilibrium and balance in the universe and in our lives 2. The "Robi…

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The meek shall inherit the Earth 42:23

2+ y ago42:23

42:23

Chapter 76 takes us back to the familiar territory of "weakness" that is actually strength. Living things are soft, supple, flexible, and "weak". Dead things are hard, brittle, rigid, and "strong". I'll start this episode by sharing about one of the most influential - and meek - men I've ever known. Then we'll break it up into two basic sections: 1…

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Greed - the "uniquely human problem" 29:55

2+ y ago29:55

29:55

In this episode, we look at chapter 75, which critiques the greedy leadership of Lao Tzu's China or any government in general. I'll start with reading from Jesus's parable of the foolish rich man as well as his famous words on "where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." The rest of the episode is pretty simply divided into two parts: 1…

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Interview with author Doruk Cansev 54:19

2+ y ago54:19

54:19

Doruk Cansev is a life coach and author of the book Balanced: Unleashing the Power of your Personality, which I used as the inspiration for the structure of episode 59. I also covered my notes on his book much more in-depth on the most recent Patreon members exclusive episode. Today we discuss Taoism a bit, but we dive deep into his books and discu…

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Judgment and the death penalty (chapter 74) 36:22

2+ y ago36:22

36:22

In this episode, we look at chapter 74, which is a bit different in tone and content than other chapters around it. The central focus is the fear of death, and the central metaphor is the "Master Executioner" - whose job we should not try to take. We'll look at a literal interpretation first, followed by a more spiritualized/metaphorical one. 1. Th…

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The seven spectra of a balanced life 43:02

2+ y ago43:02

43:02

Here's an outline to help follow this complex episode! Today we'll look at chapter 73, which seems a bit disconnected and confusing at first (which is why it took me two extra weeks to prepare). We'll touch on a few side topics, then we'll spend the majority of the book relating this chapter's idea of perfect wu wei to the seven areas of balance id…

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"Fear not" - the danger of fear as a motivator 40:26

2+ y ago40:26

40:26

Chapter 72 doesn't really offer an obvious interpretation at the first reading. The variations between translations and the disjunctions between the sections makes it a bit complex. Fortunately, there is a common theme that the most traditional interpretations tend to agree on, and then as always we will take a bit of liberty and move in a more cre…

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Know that you don't know! / Ecclesiastes as Taoist confession (chapter 71) 37:58

2+ y ago37:58

37:58

Chapter 71 is cryptic, obscure, and one of my absolute favorites. This chapter continues the theme on knowledge from the previous chapter, but focuses especially on ignorance - the fact that we are all ignorant in so many ways, and that not knowing that we don't really know is not just bad, it's a spiritual sickness. I open with a confession of my …

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Too smart to understand (chapter 70) 40:11

2+ y ago40:11

40:11

In this episode, we look at chapter 70, which is one of the most depressing and least didactic/informative chapters in the Tao te Ching (which is why it took me an extra week to prepare this). Here we have Lao Tzu break into a quasi-lament on how no one understands him or follows his teachings, despite how simple they are to understand. With some c…

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Lao Tzu's war advice - and honoring the image of God in others (chapter 69) 35:08

2+ y ago35:08

35:08

In this episode, we look at chapter 69, which is incredibly tough to deal with since it is primarily focused on giving advice to military generals. As a Jesus-follower committed to nonviolence, I didn't know what to do with it at first, but with some clever maneuvering and use of paraphrases, I was able to bring it around to something more Christli…

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Compassion conquers all (chapter 67) 32:54

2+ y ago32:54

32:54

In this episode, we look at the famous chapter 67, where Lao Tzu presents the "Three Jewels" - the entire Taoist ethics summed up in three words: compassion, moderation, and humility. I'll start by sharing about how Christ's compassion demonstrates the compassion that God built into the way the universe works and the way people work. Then we'll loo…

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Leading from behind (chapters 66 and 68) 37:54

2+ y ago37:54

37:54

In this episode, we look at chapters 66 and 68, which continue the train of thought of non-contention and wu wei that we started last week, but this time in relation to leadership. I'll start with talking about the characteristics of servant leadership, then focus on the chapters one by one: 1. Chapter 66 - the best leaders take the attitudes of se…

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I was sick! Back to normal next week 2:00

3y ago2:00

2:00

Sorry for no episode this week. I was down for the count with the flu last week. (Not COVID!) Head on over and subscribe at the Patreon page to get early access to the next episode. :) Support the showBy Corey Farr

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The path of least resistance - the "great secret" to an effective life 41:30

3y ago41:30

41:30

In this episode, we look at chapter 63, which is all about tasks and problems. I'll start by talking about how learning how to break big tasks into small pieces has radically transformed my life, then we'll break down the chapter into two main sections: 1. A "mini-sermon" on wu wei (action without action) through a series of paradoxes 2. The active…

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The good, the bad, and the sinful (chapter 62) 34:29

3y ago34:29

34:29

In this episode, we look at chapter 62, which is one of the only chapters where Lao Tzu compares good and bad people and the ONLY chapter where he uses a word often translated as "sin". I'll start by talking about how radically countercultural and even offensive Jesus's teachings of enemy-love are in the Middle Eastern culture I work in, then we'll…

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Getting back to normal this week! 1:06

3y ago1:06

1:06

Support the showBy Corey Farr

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Exclusive: What is the ultimate question? The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, Buddha, and the Cross 38:33

3y ago38:33

38:33

As I'm away for the summer, I'll be sharing some episodes from my Patreon exclusive feed, which are available to all subscribers at the $5/month level or higher. Here are the original show notes: A wild journey prompted by a ridiculous plot line from one of my favorite book series of all time. How much divine revelation is embedded in creation? Is …

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LESSONS TO BE LEARNED FROM THE FATHER AND THE (YOUNGEST) SON!

3y ago

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By New Hope Church Media Team

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Exclusive: Compare and contrast - the empty bowl/childlike faith in the TTC and the Gospels 33:08

3y ago33:08

33:08

As I'm away for the summer, I'll be sharing some episodes from my Patreon exclusive feed, which are available to all subscribers at the $5/month level or higher. This was the very first ever exclusive, and I hope you enjoy! Here are the original show notes: Thanks Bob (not Brian like I said in the episode!) for this profound insight. Both the Tao t…

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Deep Sea Mining 50:30

3y ago50:30

50:30

This is the final episode of this season of Catch Our Drift and it’s all about the deep ocean, and whether we should be mining it? Not so long ago, people genuinely thought the deep ocean was a vast void space empty of life. But as scientists have explored deeper, it’s become clear that there’s life all the way down to the very greatest depths many…

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Exclusive: The (misguided) pursuit of happiness 33:59

3y ago33:59

33:59

As I'm away for the summer, I'll be sharing some episodes from my Patreon exclusive feed, which are available to all subscribers at the $5/month level or higher. This was the very first ever exclusive, and I hope you enjoy! Here are the original show notes: It's finally here! The first Patreon exclusive episode will continue to dig into the theme o…

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do the unusual!

3y ago

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By New Hope Church Media Team

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Summer update 5:07

3y ago5:07

5:07

I'm flying home to the US for the next eight weeks! I most likely won't be able to continue putting out regular episodes, but I will share some of the past exclusive episodes I've done for Patreon subscribers. If you aren't a subscriber and you like what you hear, head on over to the Patreon page to get access for only $5/month. Support the show…

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"Educated" or life-long learner? (chapter 65) 37:10

3y ago37:10

37:10

In this episode, we look at chapter 65, which is yet another "political" chapter. I'll start with sharing a little of my journey from deciding to go to seminary to wrestling with the idea of what it means to "do theology". Then we'll look at the chapter from two very different angles: 1. Avoiding "cleverness" - simplicity and integrity in leadershi…

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Getting in touch with our "masculine" side (chapter 64) 42:24

3y ago42:24

42:24

This is, of course, the followup to last week's episode on our "feminine" side. Today, we'll look at the masculine - the yang to match last week's yin. Keep in mind these have almost nothing to do with normative gender roles. Today we'll follow last week's structure by looking at three sets of virtue characteristics aiming towards three goals/ideal…

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Literature 48:37

3y ago48:37

48:37

This week we’re diving into the language, words and stories of the seas. Since time immemorial, people have been inspired by the ocean, to imagine and understand what lies beneath the waves, and to build connections to this vital place by finding words and stories that speak of the ocean and why it all matters; with special guests Manchán Magan, Mo…

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Getting in touch with our "feminine" side (chapter 61) 39:43

3y ago39:43

39:43

Episode 5 was called "Getting in touch with God's feminine side" and it has been a really popular episode. Today, we'll do the first of two episodes on our "feminine" and "masculine" sides, or our yin and yang virtues. Keep in mind these have almost nothing to do with normative gender roles. Lao Tzu shows us quite clearly that all people need a bal…

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Space 45:49

3y ago45:49

45:49

This week on Catch Our Drift, we are exploring the parallel realms of Outer Space and Inner Space as we gaze at the stars and also turn our eyes downwards to contemplate the vast ocean depths. We’re delighted to be joined by astronaut and aquanaut Kathy Sullivan – the only woman to have walked both in space and descend to the ocean’s greatest depth…

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Christian Anarchism (chapter 61) 36:20

3y ago36:20

36:20

As Monty Python would say, "And now for something completely different!" This week I'll give some insight and explanation into what is, next to Taoism, probably the most important and influential foundational belief system in my life: Christian Anarchism. It sounds a lot more edgy than it is in some ways, though. Christian Anarchism is not about tr…

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Music 46:20

3y ago46:20

46:20

Our ocean is the largest biome on earth making up over 95% of the space for life on the planet. And where there is life there is sound. This week on Catch Our Drift we are talking about the sound of the ocean, listening to music inspired by the ocean and asking what musicians can be doing to highlight the plight of our ocean. We’ll be hearing from …

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A Taoist Fish Fry - and the nature of good, evil, and the “ghosts” of our past that haunt us (chapter 60) 36:27

3y ago36:27

36:27

In this episode, we look at chapter 60, which has several very different ideas all smashed into one. I'll start with a meditation on the nature of our relationship to the "ghosts" in our lives - the people who try to bring us down. The rest of the episode is divided into a few parts: 1. "Ruling a nation is like cooking a small fish" - the importanc…

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Seaspiracy and Eating Fish? 58:09

3y ago58:09

58:09

Have you watched Seaspiracy on Netflix? Love it or loathe it, it has certainly got people talking about the issue of overfishing…. Many have now pledged to give up eating fish, others are outraged by what they see as inaccuracies and misrepresentation of the issues around fishing and sustainability. So of course, we have to talk about it on a longe…

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The myth of scarcity and the liturgy of abundance (chapters 58-59) 38:19

3y ago38:19

38:19

In this episode, we look at chapters 58-59, which (in my estimation) offer two very different narratives for approaching life and leadership, with two very different results. I'll bring in two core concepts from theologian Walter Brueggemann (link below) to flesh out the discussion. I start with a meditation on Ecclesiastes 11 and the nature of int…

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Health 39:13

3+ y ago39:13

39:13

This week it’s all about the ocean and health and we have three incredible guests joining us. We’re talking mental health with Jason Fox - former UK Special Forces Marine Commando and now TV presenter and mental health campaigner. Bhakti Sharma from Rajasthan in India has swum in all five oceans and eight seas and holds the world record for the lon…

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