Episode 269: Brother Arnold

 

1 of 3 remaining Shakers in the U.S.

            Brother Arnold sat down with me to discuss the Shaker faith, how he came to embrace the Shaker worldview, and his life in the last active Shaker community in New Gloucester, Maine. 

            Please enjoy the 269th episode of Lament of Hope highlighting Brother Arnold. Brother Arnold, thank you so much for this conversation. I really enjoyed it, and I am grateful for the time you took to answer my many questions. 

          Want to listen to the audio version of this interview? Click here to check out my podcast format and give it a listen.

Episode 268: Archie Yates

 

Actor 

             Archie Yates will forever be fixed in my mind as an actor who gave me one of my most beloved characters in film: Yorki in JoJo Rabbit. Archie sat down with me to talk about his passion for storytelling, moving into the filmmaking world, and his thoughts on compelling moral dilemmas in film.

            Please enjoy the 268th episode of Lament of Hope highlighting Archie Yates. Archie, thank you for talking with me about your passion for storytelling. Excited to see what projects come your way in the future!

          Want to listen to the audio version of this interview? Click here to check out my podcast format and give it a listen.

Episode 267: A Personal Story

 

There and back again

             Well friends, I interrupt your regular scheduled programming to bring you a short, personal story. Still processing it but thought it might be worth sharing with you. 

          Want to listen to the audio version of this interview? Click here to check out my podcast format and give it a listen.

Episode 266: Elahe Hessamfar

 

Author and speaker

             Elahe Hessamfar came on the podcast to share the moving testimony of her daughter's life plagued by mental madness.

            Please enjoy the 266th episode of Lament of Hope highlighting Elahe Hessamfar. Elahe, it was a gift to hear your daughter's story and its impact upon your life and faith. 

          Want to listen to the audio version of this interview? Click here to check out my podcast format and give it a listen.

Episode 265: Jason Arkles (Part 2)

 

Sculptor and art educator

            Please enjoy the 265th episode of Lament of Hope highlighting the second part of my interview with Jason Arkles. Make sure to listen to part 1 if you are jumping in! 

          Want to listen to the audio version of this interview? Click here to check out my podcast format and give it a listen.

Episode 264: Jason Arkles (Part 1)

 

Sculptor and art educator

           Jason Arkles is an American sculptor and art educator who is based in Florence, Italy. Talking with him felt like stepping into the past and getting a taste of the art world of old. He sat down with me twice to talk about his fascinating journey to becoming a sculptor, techniques used in sculpting, one of his favorite commissions, and his thoughts on the sacred.  

            Please enjoy the 264th episode of Lament of Hope highlighting Jason Arkles. Jason, thank you for taking the time to talk with me about your passion for art and its history. Our conversations will be in my tops list for this podcast.

          Want to listen to the audio version of this interview? Click here to check out my podcast format and give it a listen.

Episode 263: Joy Villa

 

Singer and songwriter

            Joy Villa is a singer, songwriter, actress, and author who appeared at the 2026 Grammys in a bold, handmade outfit with the slogans "Scientology Kills" and "Jesus Heals" displayed on the front and back. Joy sat down with me a few days before the Grammys to talk about the division created by political identity, the darkness of scientology and why she chose to leave it.

            Please enjoy the 263rd episode of Lament of Hope highlighting Joy Villa. Joy, thank you for sharing your story with me and my audience. It was a gift to talk with you.  

          Want to listen to the audio version of this interview? Click here to check out my podcast format and give it a listen.