The Jesuit Media Lab was founded to help people navigate the intersection of creativity and spirituality. We know there are so many people out there who are creative—who want to make art and write poems and sing new songs—and who also draw their creativity from their faith lives, their own spiritual journeys. We know, too—from our own lived experience as well as from conversations with people all over the world—that Ignatian spirituality fosters the creative spirit alive within us. These things naturally go together. And so the Jesuit Media Lab exists to gather, form and unleash these folks back into the world to share the beauty that God has put within them.

One of those people happens to live right down the road from my house. His name is Brody Bond—a great guy. I’ve known him for a number of years now and whenever we’re together, our conversation is just so rich. Brody is a deep guy, very thoughtful, forever learning and seeking and trying to give new words to his own lived experience. And he’s a creative guy—both in his professional life, but also in his personal life. He’s a musician, a singer songwriter who has been hustling to share his music all over the country. It’s a vocation for him, to be sure, and one he’s been discovering in new and deepening ways these last few years.

In one of our conversations, I learned that Brody teaches classes in songwriting. He was telling me a little about his approach, how he asks people questions about their deepest desires, their understanding of life’s purpose. “Sounds more like a course in spirituality,” I said, “then a songwriting class.”

Brody’s response? These things are inseparable. I should’ve known; I’ve been to his shows. They’re spiritual experiences, opportunities to reflect in community while listening to some really good music.

So, I invited him to teach that course for the Jesuit Media Lab. And it was a big hit. But Brody is just such an engaging speaker, someone who just naturally gets this intersection of creativity and spirituality, that I wanted to get him back. I wanted to share with all of you a taste of the kinds of conversations he and I have about these topics.

If you’re someone who is interested in this intersection of creativity and spirituality, this conversation is for you. And so is the Jesuit Media Lab. So, stay tuned and listen up. And then head over to JesuitMediaLab.org to learn more.

And while you’re at it, check out Brody’s stuff. His website is https://brodybond.com/. And it’s entirely possible he’s playing a show near you.