Each week we gather news stories, notable pieces, and other important items for Christian leaders today. As always, listening broadly draws together differing perspectives from which we can learn but may not concur.

This week and next week, I’m sharing just five things as I join my high schooler on mission and also reconnect with some best friends. Here are five things to which you might enjoy listening as we shake up the routine a bit. I’ll be back to the list of 10 soon!

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1. In “Moments of Shared Witnessing,” Hanif Abdurraqib and Pádraig Ó Tuama open the listener to a vigorous dialog full of metaphor for which poetry and music bridge the gaps where language fails life and faith. Abdurraqib is a poet and cultural critic; Ó Tuama, also a poet, hosts the Poetry Unbound podcast and guest-hosts this episode of On Being.

2. Grace Ji-Sun Kim joins Essential Conversations podcast host Rabbi Rami to discuss her recent article, “Body Prayer for Every Day,” and her book, The Grace of Sophia: A Korean North American Women's Christology. This deep but relatively brief conversation on “Body Prayer and Divine Feminine” provides day-long food for thought on the importance of interfaith dialog and the perceptions we hold about God based upon our own cultural experiences in the world. Ji-Sun Kim is a theology professor, author, Spirituality & Health contributor, and host of the podcast Madang.

3. Everyone I know who listened to Brené Brown’s interview with Priya Parker, author of The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters, bought the book that has continued to revolutionize meetings with purpose, maximizing even informal meetups with best friends. Brown, on her Dare to Lead podcast, has invited Parker back for a two-fer discussing our walks down awkward paths toward our re-gatherings following the pandemic’s prevention. In part 1, “How We Return and Why It Matters,” they talk candidly about naming our discomforts, about balancing the needs of one in relation to those of a larger group, and other nuances new to this meeting-moment. Then in part 2, “A Meeting Makeover,” Brown vulnerably submits an actual meeting scenario to the wise and generous mechanic – Parker – who breaks it down and builds it back with honoring suggestions. There’s some learning here for anyone who’s ever hosted or attended a meeting. Plenty of listening for a half-day drive! (But no note-taking while driving … from one who knows).

4. With the capital of knowledge expended in digital society today, it can be difficult for young leaders to develop authentic maturity. Because of the knowledge they possess, they often appear more mature than their authentic experiences alongside trusted adults have had time and opportunity to develop. In “How SEL Can Accelerate Maturity in Students,” Leading the Next Generation podcast host Tim Elmore, along with Andrew McPeak, discusses the importance of bringing social and emotional learning up to the speed of knowledge and offers resources for working with young people.

5. And from a family who’s fallen in love with worship all over again this summer, turn it up!