Stories and Stuff With John

Story: A team that's a bit too small. Some awkward and messy relationship dynamics, including an ex-girlfriend and a confused mom. All that...and God is still merciful at Edinburgh Castle.

Stuff: I talk to Ira, by far the prettiest guest I've had on the show so far (no offense, Aric), to talk about her art and to hear a story about a time God spoke to her through a song that wasn't even in her language -- also involving awkward dating conversations.  Plus your feedback on desert island movies.

The Question of the Week: Have you ever had an awkward encounter with an ex that you can laugh about now? Share your funny stories at [email protected]

No, not an episode about the crummy Tommy Wiseau film, and not a "story" either, but instead a "stuff" -- my musings about a mysterious place called "The Room" that everyone who has lived overseas has had to visit at one time or another.

But before that, we are joined by our guest Aric, who carries across around Texas, the US, and the world and tells another story involving Tom Petty! Go Tom Petty! Aric has a new book out called "Jesus Is Real" that you can buy here: https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Real-Encountering-Love-God-ebook/dp/B09N5SGKGR/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1643306370&sr=8-3

Plus, we have exciting new about this podcast, a question of the week about desert island movies, and a new track from the podcast's resident composer Joshua. So much to enjoy in eighteen minutes. Go for it!

Two stories foundational to my understanding of the world: A tiring trip across the border into Mexico, a lazy post-work afternoon in front of the TV, and the voice of God speaking through unexpected voices...

Question of the Week: Have you ever had a divine encounter in an unexpected place or with an unexpected voice? Tell us the story!

Write to [email protected] with your feedback and stories.

Thanks for listening!

Yes, it's a very special episode of Stories and Stuff with John -- not the kind of special episode where we learn a lesson about drug abuse or kidnapping, but the kind of special where it's more "stuff" than "story", as we go into a deep dive analysis of the chorus of the single worst popular Christmas song ever written.

That plus your feedback, the worst dad joke you'll have heard in a long time, and a new question of the week: what is your favourite cover song? All that and more. 

(To give feedback, email [email protected])

When I was twenty, I was rebuilding my faith and was put in a service position for the summer that I maybe wasn't mature enough for. A weird conversation with the local handyman planted some serious doubts in my mind. And what happened next...was unexpected.

This is episode four. Hence the title. Today's guest is Adam, who lives in Mauritius, and I talk about my year in music as well as the slightly eerie tale from my summer in northern California.  

Enjoy! Email your feedback or the answer to this week's question to [email protected]

Of all the people I've met in my life who are crazy, an unusually high percentage of them seem to be college professors. Whether it be supernatural yet dull poetry or insane anger directed at old people at a football game, many of my professors demonstrated top level kookiness. Also: did you ever think about how weird a Bachelor's Degree is? This, plus your feedback, an interview with Luke, and a question of the week -- all this and more on episode three!

Show notes:

Here is the clean stand-up playlist recommended by Cara: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/67BOraSKeUCbyzcn4cikxB?si=jk0jzElhRAyEh7jDthsIXw

Music in this episode is "Dad's theme" by my son Joshua. 

Send your feedback to [email protected]  Feedback ratings help too!  Thanks.

An episode in which I wrestle with feeling like I'm missing some key component of being an adult, and tell a tale of meeting a man in a foreign country with an unusual physical problem...

In the first episode of our short-form podcast series, we introduce the format and tell a story about universal humour involving a Turkish dentist with an interesting hobby. 

Along with that, the question of the week is simple: What has been making you laugh recently? A joke, a clip you keep coming back to, a scene from a movie? Let us know at [email protected]

Next week: Earlobe Ponytail