Needed Time

This week’s Needed Time episode marks the half-way point in our Lenten podcast as we’re  joined by our friend Scott Richardson. Scott shares his journey, one that landed him in Northfield, Minnesota and all manner of professional and community involvement, a reflection of his deep sense of place and a what a long term commitment to a community looks like. Once again we’ll be featuring terrific music by the Needed Time House Band along with the occasionally charming banter of our hosts, Will Healy and Rob Ryden. Thanks for joining us! 

Our Lenten journey continues with an exploration of personal journeys—lessons and truths experienced by our guests as they welcome us in. This week, Will and Rob interview the Honorable Mark Vandelist, Judge in Minnesota’s First Judicial District. Mark’s amazing journey has taken him through major health challenges, a long career in the legal profession, and then to answering a calling to serve as a judge, one that has allowed him to make a positive difference in the lives of many (including the founding the first Drug Court in Le Sueur County). We’ll also once again feature the musical artistry of the Needed Time House Band, including musicians Mike Hildebrandt and Craig Wasner. Welcome!

He's Got the Whole World In His Hands (1927)  African-American Spiritual
Mike Hildebrandt - Fiddle, Mandolin
Rob Ryden - Vocals, Bass
Terry Vandewalker - Drums
Craig Wasner - Guitar
Sam Ryden - Guitar

Travelin' Blues (2018) - Songwriter: Charley Crockett
Craig Wasner - Guitar, Keyboard
Sam Ryden - Guitar
Rob Ryden - Vocals, Bass
Terry Vandewalker - Drums

This week’s episode continues our Lenten exploration of personal journeys and the lessons and truths experienced by our guests as Will and Rob interview Paul Healy, co-founder of the Cebu Shelter for Children, an orphanage that grew to become one of the largest and most respected in the Philippines. Paul’s remarkable journey covered some 43 years of caring for abandoned, neglected and abused children in Cebu City, a place of both beauty and desperate poverty. We’ll also feature the music of the Needed Time House Band featuring Terry Vandewalker and Charlotte Devries. Welcome!

I Am A Pilgrim:
Terry Vandewalker - Vocals
Craig Wasner - Guitar
Sam Ryden - Guitar
Mike Hildebrandt - Fiddle
Rob Ryden - Bass, Percussion, Vocals

Wayfaring Stranger:
Charlotte Devries - Vocals
Craig Wasner - Keyboard, Guitar
Sam Ryden - Guitar
Terry Vandewalker - Drums
Rob Ryden - Bass

Welcome to Year 2, Episode 1 of Needed Time! This year explores the subject of personal journeys and the lessons and truths they've revealed. Here in week 1 Will and Rob interview Minnesota Gopher basketball legend and Minneapolis community activist and leader Al Nuness. Al's fascinating insights on living a meaning-filled life are accompanied by age-old musical faves from T-Bone Walker and Son House -- served up with much love by the Needed Time House Band! Come join us on this much-needed trek through the season of Lent as we gather around compelling stories, beautiful pieces of writing, and stirring music...

Here is a preview for season two of the Lenten podcast Needed Time with hosts Will Healy and Rob Ryden.  Needed time refers to that sense of our needing God to come into whatever circumstances we are experiencing. Join Will and Rob as they ponder the meaning of this season, share songs to guide us in this journey, and  interview guests to provide  their unique experiences and perspectives on Needed Time with God. 

After a much-needed season of Lent, the podcast celebrates a much-needed Easter morning! The program unpacks mysteries around Easter sunrise services, youth group egg bakes and bunny-inspired marshmallow treats and Will shares some personal insights on resurrection. And this week's music takes no prisoners with hand-clapping, gospel shouts from Robert Robinson, Southern Gospel Revival, Daisy May, and a knockout collaboration from Herbie Hancock, Joss Stone and Johnny Lang. It's Easter - turn up the volume and whoop it up with Needed Time!!

Needed Time marks the most solemn day of the season with its Good Friday program. The heaviness of the occasion is played out beautifully with music from The Oh Hello's, Gregory Porter, Crooked Still, Common Hymnal and Red Mountain Church. Prayers from Laura Truman and Thomas Turner and a poem from Lucy Shaw complete the journey through this sobering Holy Friday. 

As we near the last week of Lent, educator, naturalist and maple-mustering mando maven Craig Johnson joins Will and Rob to share some brilliant takes on the natural world and the lessons available for our inspiration and instruction. The eclectic musical lineup includes whiz kid Jacob Collier, Patti Griffin, Rivers & Robots and some mando-ing from Peter Ostroushko and the terrifyingly faast Johnny Staats. On the other side of the speediness divide, we slow down with poetry from Wendell Berry and Mary Oliver. Come along, it's a Needed Time...

The Rev. Cynthia Williams visits Needed Time and shares her delightful and honest take on art, beauty and real life. Music from the Birds of Chicago, Common Hymnal and Rev. Cynthia's favorites Rachel Okerlund and Martial Besombes sandwich a dissection of Lenten lint and the long-awaited answer to pesky questions about the appropriateness of Hosanna-ing during the Lenten season. Needed Time has the Good News!!

This week features a far ranging interview with Quillan Roe, the co-founder of the award-winning bluegrass group The Roe Family Singers. Delightful and funny, honest and thoughtful, Quillan and our hosts invite you to stop, breathe deep and consider just why we're stopping and breathing deeply. Ah yes, Lent. Musical offerings from Chris Smither, Rhiannon Giddens and The Roe Family Singers, along with a verse from the astounding Mary Oliver round out week #4 of Needed Time.