And Sons

We tend to go bad directions when we're isolated. That's because we're meant to live in community rather than as castaways on our own private islands. God designed us to be relational in all areas of life...including in the things that bring us joy. Sam and Blaine offer some ways to find the communal / relational space for the craft you long to pursue with people who will protect and celebrate your passions—as well as how you can be that person for others. Because what brings you joy was never meant just for you...but for this world we're creating together.

In the January 26th podcast, Sam and Blaine invited everyone to join them for a radical experiment in joy. If you missed it, go back and listen before jumping into this one. The challenge? Commit to some daily practice for the month of February. Not out of duty—but to awaken your senses and heart. How'd those 28 days go? Sam and Blaine share their results and discuss with others how their time went pushing themselves physically, playing instruments, waking two hours earlier, taking night walks and more. What they accomplished was awesome. What they discovered about themselves and God...even more incredible.

Why is our culture so intent on wiping some words out of existence while bending the meaning of others beyond recognition? Language control is a strategy of power that tries to change the shape of reality without changing the human heart. It's an attempt to reshape the world...through words. In this MetaDragon episode (see show notes), we explore the eternal power of words, what's lost when certain words are outlawed, and what it means to "sever the word bridge".

Show Notes: AndSons MetaDragon Episode

Our team has begun calling these sorts of episodes “MetaDragon” due to their meta-focus, their intensity, and because we misunderstood something our sound engineer said one day. Esoteric? A little. But now you know about it, so welcome to the MetaDragon.

Our 200th podcast is one of our most uniquely profound episodes yet. It's a fusion of story and song; loss and lament. Sarah Bianchi is an incredibly creative poet, photographer, songwriter, and singer who has experienced tremendous loss. As part of her grieving process, she has created beautifully personal songs that wrestle with unanswerable questions in ways words alone can't. In her brave conversation with Sam, and Blaine she isn't afraid to linger with lament...or shy away from the unexpected intimacy she's found with God in the midst of suffering.

Show Notes: Listen to Sarah's album of songs at andsonsmagazine.com/sarahbianchi. You can also find Sarah's collection of visual art, modern psalms and poetry, and contemplative prayer liturgies at https://www.artbysarahkay.com/

We all need adventure. Something that puts us into a setting that both inspires and tests us. But in the past year, when travel has been so restricted, going and doing almost anything active has been a challenge. As winter gives way to spring, Luke Eldredge and Luke Tilden join Sam and Blaine to talk about their recent adventure biking the Copper Triangle—a loop that ascends and descends three passes in the high country of the Rockies. The joy of entering into adventure together is an essential part of the masculine journey. Their story is an invitation for you to find your new adventure...and say yes to it.

Almost all men in their twenties and thirties long for a sage or two to help with the hard questions and new seasons of life. But where are these older men who have learned the secret to true courage, strength, vulnerability, and purpose? Morgan Snyder spent two decades on this quest and discovered the treasures of wholehearted masculinity from the lives of more than seventy-five sages who have gone before us. He has found the most important thing. And in this conversation with Sam and Blaine...he shares it with you.

Message andsons-podcast

One of the best parts of parenting is being a friend to our kids. Yet we can sometimes get so focused on correcting them about everything, we miss the chance to connect with them about anything. Amy Dale joins Sam and Blaine to share what it looks like to be a safe place for our kids, to be fully present when they're ready to talk, and to speak life by saying "Here's what I see in you that's true" when they lose sight of who they really are.

Does the pursuit of your dreams feel like the "forever project"—one you can't quit thinking about but never quite happens? Wild at Heart team member Allen Arnold understands how we get stuck in these areas...and the ways to break free. He's spent more than two decades working with people in the area of story, dreams, and creativity. Along the way, he's discovered the exponential power of concentrated periods of creativity over what most of us do...which is spend micro moments as time permits and wonder why we never get to the finish line. Your passion project may be closer to reality than you imagine...once you know how to approach it.

SHOW NOTE: Check out www.withallen.com for ways to pursue your creativity with God.

Have you gotten into a rut with your close friends? Do you tend to just watch sports together, go to the same hang-outs, or re-tell the same high school or college stories? If you want your friendships to last, you'll have to master some more difficult relational skills. Such as refusing to talk about people not in the room as well as practicing vulnerability, unselfishness, and reconciliation. It isn't hard, but it does take intention.

What one practice stirs your heart...yet you're not currently doing it? Maybe you've never believed you had time or the courage to try it. Now, imagine joining a group of like-minded people all committed to doing their "one thing" during the same window of time. That's the February Experiment for the AndSons community. Here's how it works:

1) Choose a practice that you want to try for the month of February (hey, that's only 28 days!).

2) Pick a buddy to do it with you.

3) Make it real by emailing [email protected] to commit to your one thing. Do so by February 1st.

We'll regroup in a March podcast to see how it went. This isn't a performance-driven, self-betterment resolution. It's an invitation into 28 days of self-discovery, life, and joy. Are you in?

SESSION NOTE: Email [email protected] to name your February Experiment commitment.