Welcome to Episode 302 of The Thinklings Podcast!

This week the Thinklings begin with some podcast updates, discuss the new Thinklings Diner Mugs, debate which season of hobbit life best fits each person, and enjoy a conversation about C.S. Lewis before turning to a discussion of pastoral qualifications and the importance of guarding sound doctrine in the local church.

⏱️ Chapters

0:00 — Welcome & Introduction

1:55 — Thinklings Diner Mug Giveaway

2:53 — Coffee, Diner Mugs & Hobbit Seasons

9:32 — Books & Business

19:50 — Final Meditation

📚 Books & Business

Thinkling LittleThat Hideous Strength — C.S. Lewis

Tim shares thoughts after revisiting Lewis’s final Ransom Trilogy novel, leading to a conversation about modernity, technology, imagination, and some of Lewis’s recurring themes throughout his fiction.

🌿 Final Meditation

Andy reflects on pastoral qualifications from 1 Timothy and Titus, discussing the responsibility pastors have to guard sound doctrine, teach faithfully, and shepherd God’s people according to Scripture.

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The Thinklings Podcast — Episode 301

Hobbit Types, Diner Mugs, and Wholehearted Love for the Lord

Welcome to Episode 301 of The Thinklings Podcast!

This episode begins with the Thinklings choosing what kind of hobbit they would be: cozy hobbit, seven-meals-a-day hobbit, gardening hobbit, adventure hobbit, or party hobbit. After that, there’s a quick reminder about the Thinklings Diner Mug giveaway, a Books & Business discussion, and a final meditation from God’s Word.

⏱️ Timestamps

6:43 — Thinklings Diner Mug Giveaway

Want to win a Thinklings Diner Mug?

Take a picture of yourself with a regular, non-Thinklings mug while looking appropriately sad that it isn’t a Thinklings Diner Mug.

Post it on Facebook and/or Instagram by July 4.

Tag The Thinklings Podcast.

Wait in eager anticipation.

(Two posts = two entries.)

7:32 — Books & Business📚 This Is Happiness — Niall Williams

Charlie discusses This Is Happiness, a slow and thoughtful novel about a young man returning home to a small town as electricity arrives. The conversation touches on happiness, beauty, friendship, life, and the way good stories can awaken us to what is true and meaningful.

20:33 — Final Meditation🌿 Loving the Lord Above All Else

Tim reflects on passages from Deuteronomy, Exodus, Zechariah, and the teaching of Jesus to emphasize that love for God must be supreme over every other love. The meditation calls listeners to examine their hearts, repent where needed, and cultivate a wholehearted devotion to the Lord.

🎧 Listen & Subscribe

Follow The Thinklings Podcast on Substack, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

Subscribe on Substack for show notes, updates, and future Thinklings content.

The Thinklings Podcast — Episode 300

Wow, 300!

Welcome to Episode 300 of The Thinklings Podcast!

Three hundred episodes later, the Thinklings are still gathering around microphones to talk about books, ideas, theology, and the Christian life. In this milestone episode, the conversation begins with some classic Thinklings banter before turning to reflections on reaching 300 episodes and what the podcast has meant over the years.

And because 300 episodes deserves a celebration, the Thinklings are giving away some Thinklings Diner Mugs!

☕ Thinklings Diner Mug Giveaway

Want a chance to win a Thinklings Diner Mug?

Here’s what you do:

* Take a picture of yourself with a regular, non-Thinklings mug while looking absolutely dejected that you don’t own a Thinklings Diner Mug.

* Post the picture on Facebook and/or Instagram by July 4. (Two posts = two entries!)

* Tag The Thinklings Podcast in your post.

* Wait in eager anticipation to discover whether you’ve won a mug!

🎙️ Episode Highlights

* Opening banter and summer conversation

* Reflections on 300 episodes of The Thinklings Podcast

* Favorite memories, lessons learned, and gratitude for listeners who have joined the journey along the way

📚 Books & Business

Thinkling Stearns

* A Place at the Table

🌿 Final Meditation

A closing meditation from Colossians 1, reflecting on the supremacy of Christ, His work of reconciliation, and the hope believers have in Him.

🎧 Listen & Subscribe

Follow The Thinklings Podcast for weekly conversations on books, theology, education, and the Christian life. Thanks for joining us for 300 episodes—and here’s to the next 300! 🎉

The Thinklings Podcast — Episode 299Summer Episode

Welcome to Episode 299 of The Thinklings Podcast!

This is another special summer episode of the podcast, which means a shorter format and a relaxed conversation. The Thinklings begin with some random banter, including a discussion about the pronunciation of Hebrew when reading Scripture in church and a fun summer prompt before moving into Books & Business and a final meditation.

Thanks for tuning in to this summer conversation!

📚 Books & Business

Reading the Old Testament: Method and Study — Thinkling Little

🌿 Final Meditation

A closing meditation from Proverbs 7, offered by Thinkling Stearns, encouraging listeners to pursue wisdom and avoid the paths of folly.

🎧 Listen & Subscribe:

Follow The Thinklings Podcast for weekly conversations on books, theology, and the Christian life!

Welcome to Episode 299 of The Thinklings Podcast!

This is another special summer episode of the podcast, which means a shorter format and a relaxed conversation. The Thinklings begin with some random banter, including a discussion about the pronunciation of Hebrew when reading Scripture in church and a fun summer prompt before moving into Books & Business and a final meditation.

Thanks for tuning in to this summer conversation!

A closing meditation from Proverbs 7, offered by Thinkling Stearns, encouraging listeners to pursue wisdom and avoid the paths of folly.

🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Follow The Thinklings Podcast for weekly conversations on books, theology, and the Christian life!

The Thinklings Podcast — Episode 298Summer Episode

Welcome to Episode 298 of The Thinklings Podcast!

This is a special summer episode of the podcast, which means it is a truncated format. In this summer edition, the Thinklings keep things simple with just one Books & Business selection followed by a final meditation to encourage listeners for the week.

Thanks for tuning in to this summer conversation!

📚 Books & Business

Only the Lover Sings — Thinkling Carter

🌿 Final Meditation

A closing meditation from Ecclesiastes 12, offered by Thinkling Little, calling listeners to remember their Creator with reverence, humility, and wisdom.

🎧 Listen & Subscribe:

Follow The Thinklings Podcast for weekly conversations on books, theology, and the Christian life!

Welcome to Episode 298 of The Thinklings Podcast!

This is a special summer episode of the podcast, which means it is a truncated format. In this summer edition, the Thinklings keep things simple with just one Books & Business selection followed by a final meditation to encourage listeners for the week.

Thanks for tuning in to this summer conversation!

A closing meditation from Ecclesiastes 12, offered by Thinkling Little, calling listeners to remember their Creator with reverence, humility, and wisdom.

🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Follow The Thinklings Podcast for weekly conversations on books, theology, and the Christian life!

The Thinklings Podcast — Episode 297Semester Reflections & Summer Business

Welcome to Episode 297 of The Thinklings Podcast!

In this episode, the Thinklings take time to reflect on the past semester, looking back on memorable moments, lessons learned, classroom experiences, and the books and ideas that shaped the school year. The conversation then turns toward summer plans — including reading lists, vacations, projects, and what each Thinkling is looking forward to in the months ahead.

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s conversation!

Main Content

* Semester reflections and thoughts from the past school year

* Summer plans, vacations, projects, and upcoming reading

* Books the Thinklings hope to tackle over the summer

* Conversations about rest, growth, and preparing for the next season

Final Meditation

A closing meditation from Scripture, encouraging listeners to reflect with gratitude and look ahead with wisdom and hope.

Listen & Subscribe

Follow The Thinklings Podcast for weekly conversations on books, theology, and the Christian life!

Welcome to Episode 297 of The Thinklings Podcast!

In this episode, the Thinklings take time to reflect on the past semester, looking back on memorable moments, lessons learned, classroom experiences, and the books and ideas that shaped the school year. The conversation then turns toward summer plans, including reading lists, vacations, projects, and what each Thinkling is looking forward to in the months ahead.

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s conversation!

A closing meditation from Scripture, encouraging listeners to reflect with gratitude and look ahead with wisdom and hope.

🎧 Listen & Subscribe: Follow The Thinklings Podcast for weekly conversations on books, theology, and the Christian life!

The Thinklings Podcast — Episode 296Just a Dash of Basil

Welcome to Episode 296 of The Thinklings Podcast!

In this episode, the Thinklings spend time discussing Basil the Great, reflecting on memorable quotes, theological insights, and practical wisdom from one of the early church fathers.

Thanks for tuning in to this week’s conversation!

Books & Business

A History of the Catechumenate — Thinkling Carter

Sex, Dating, and Relationships — Thinkling Little

The Autobiography of George Mueller — Thinkling Boyd

“I Prepare Sermons 4 Weeks in Advance” (Article) — Thinkling Stearns

Main Content

A discussion of Basil the Great, including quotes, reflections, and thoughts on his life and theology.

Final Meditation

A closing meditation from Joshua 24.

Listen & Subscribe

Follow The Thinklings Podcast for weekly conversations on books, theology, and the Christian life!