Best Rudy Gray Podcasts (2025)

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Episode 353: Jarvis Givens Reframes Myth of Education Historically for Blacks and Native Americans 35:27

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5d ago35:27

35:27

In this episode of Diverse Voices Book Review, host Hopeton Hay interviewed Jarvis R. Givens, author of AMERICAN GRAMMAR: Race, Education, and the Building of a Nation. Jarvis reframes the origin story of U.S. education by centering Black and Native experiences. He explains how early schooling was directly tied to land dispossession, slavery, and l…

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Episode 352: Marc Egnal Challenges Comforting American Historical Narratives 44:31

12d ago44:31

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Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviews history professor Marc Egnal about his book CHALLENGING THE MYTHS OF US HISTORY: Seven Short Essays on the Past and the Present. In this conversation, Egnal challenges the idea that American history is driven by lofty ideals. Instead, he argues that the demands of the upper class for growth and…

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Should We Sing That in Church? 25:26

11d ago25:26

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Send us a text How do songs shape what we believe? In this episode, we explore how theologically-rich, Christ-centered songs form Scripture, strengthen faith, and guide churches toward gospel-centered worship. From Holy, Holy, Holy to A Mighty Fortress Is Our God, we unpack why certain hymns endure and how they disciple believers long after Sunday …

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Episode 351: Amran Gowani’s Novel Leverage Uses Satire to Expose the Dark Side of Finance 57:47

22d ago57:47

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Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviews Amran Gowani, author of the financial thriller and satire LEVERAGE. Gowani, a former organic chemist and financial analyst, draws from his personal experiences to create a social satire set in high finance. The protagonist, Ali “Al” Jafar is a rising star at notorious hedge fund Prism Capital, …

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Episode 350: Justice in the Shadows: Aaron Philip Clark on Malibu, Memory, and The Bluest Night 46:51

22d ago46:51

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In this episode of Diverse Voices Book Review, Hopeton Hay welcomes back Aaron Philip Clark to discuss THE BLUEST NIGHT, the third installment in his Trevor Finnegan crime series. Set in the seemingly idyllic yet shadowy enclave of Malibu, the novel explores themes of justice, race, and fractured family ties as Trevor and his estranged father, Sean…

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Deacons, Done Right 34:34

28d ago34:34

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Send us a text A lot of churches have deacons. Far fewer have a clear, biblical vision for what deacons actually do. We sit down with Dr. Tony Wolfe—Executive Director-Treasurer for the South Carolina Baptist Convention and first author in our Courier Publishing 1821 line—to reframe the deacon’s office around four essentials that change how a churc…

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Episode 349: Family History Inspires Historical Novel Set in Post World War 2 Paris 36:41

1M ago36:41

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Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed David Wright Faladé, author of the novel, THE NEW INTERNATIONALS. Set in post–World War II Paris, Faladé’s novel explores a love triangle between Cécile, a young French Jewish woman; Seb, an ambitious Black student from a French West African colony; and Mack, an African American GI navigating …

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Between Obergefell and the Flag 31:59

2M ago31:59

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Send us a text A lot of people feel the cultural ground shifting and want a faster fix. We explore a different path with Dr. Hunter Baker—one rooted in Baptist history, biblical ecclesiology, and a hard-won vision of religious liberty that helped shape the American constitutional order. We talk candidly about why Christian nationalism is attracting…

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Elders, Deacons, and the Net 32:05

2M ago32:05

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Send us a text What if the strain so many churches feel isn’t from weak people but from worn-out structures? We sit down with Phil Newton and Rich Shadden, co-authors of Mending the Net: Rethinking Church Leadership, to explore how biblical polity—rooted in a plurality of elders and distinct deacon service—repairs the holes that exhaust pastors, co…

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Episode 348: From Trail of Tears to School Lunch: Andrea Freeman on the Politics of Food 29:48

2M ago29:48

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Diverse Voices Book Review contributor Amanda Moore interviewed Southwestern Law School professor Andrea Freeman about her book, RUIN THEIR CROPS ON THE GROUND: The Politics of Food in the United States, from the Trail of Tears to School Lunch. With thoughtful analysis and a careful examination of historical events, Professor Freeman reveals how th…

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Mormonism, Clearly Explained 34:01

2M ago34:01

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Send us a text A wave of headlines brought Mormonism back into the spotlight, so we pressed pause on our usual format and sat down with Travis Kearns to map the LDS system from the ground up. We start where everything begins for Latter-day Saints—authority—noting how the King James Bible sits alongside the Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, Pe…

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Forgiving When It Hurts 22:52

2M ago22:52

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Send us a text A moment of public forgiveness stunned millions and reminded us of something ancient: grace is not cheap, sentimental, or soft on justice. We sat down to unpack why forgiveness sits at the heart of the Christian gospel, how Scripture frames it, and what it demands of us when wounds feel unhealable. From 1 Corinthians 15 to Matthew 18…

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Mending the Nets: Biblical Leadership for Today's Church 31:46

3M ago31:46

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Send us a text What does biblical church leadership look like? In this thought-provoking episode of Courier Conversations, host Jeff Robinson sits down with veteran pastors Phil Newton and Rich Shadden to discuss their new book "Mending the Nets: Rethinking Church Leadership" published by Courier Publishing. The conversation dives deep into the bib…

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Episode 347: The Mexican American Roots in the Novels of Rudy Ruiz 40:47

3M ago40:47

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In this episode of Diverse Voices Book Review, host Hopeton Hay welcomes back Rudy Ruiz, the author of THE BORDER BETWEEN US, which was just released in paperback. In the interview, Ruiz delves into his Mexican American roots and how they have profoundly influenced his writing. He discusses how his personal experiences growing up on the U.S.-Mexico…

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Episode 346: Easy Rawlins Returns: Walter Mosley Insights on His Latest Novel, Gray Dawn 43:09

3M ago43:09

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In this episode of Diverse Voices Book Review, host Hopeton Hay welcomes back the acclaimed author Walter Mosley for an insightful discussion about his latest novel, GRAY DAWN, the 17th installment in the Easy Rawlins series. In the interview, Walter Mosley discusses the origins and development of his character Easy Rawlins, emphasizing the importa…

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Episode 345: The 2025 Texas Book Festival Author Lineup 26:30

3M ago26:30

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On the latest episode of Diverse Voices Book Review, host Hopeton Hay welcomed Texas Book Festival’s Literary Director Hannah Gabel and Chief Operations Officer Dalia Azim for an inside look at the upcoming festival, set to take place November 8–9 in downtown Austin. With more than 300 authors slated to appear, the Texas Book Festival 2025 Authors …

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Episode 344: Exploring East Texas: Joe Lansdale on Writing, Inspiration, and the Hap and Leonard Series 37:00

3M ago37:00

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Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Joe Lansdale, author of HATCHET GIRLS, his 14th Hap and Leonard mystery novel. In this podcast episode, Joe Lansdale discusses his prolific writing career, the inspiration behind the Hap and Leonard series, and how his personal experiences and the unique setting of East Texas shape his storyte…

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Episode 343: Black Existential Freedom: A Conversation with Nathalie Etoke 1:03:21

3M ago1:03:21

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Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Nathalie Etoke, author of BLACK EXISTENTIAL FREEDOM. Published in 2022, BLACK EXISTENTIAL FREEDOM explores how Black freedom transcends political and economic success and lies in affirming one's humanity in the face of systemic dehumanization. Etoke draws on historical experiences, Black cultu…

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Baptists and the Bible: Dr. Tom Nettles on Faith, History, and Children's Education 40:03

3M ago40:03

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Send us a text Baptist historian Dr. Tom Nettles joins Courier Conversations to share the story behind his newest book, "Baptist History for Kids" – a beautifully illustrated journey through Baptist heritage designed to help children understand their theological roots. Drawing from over four decades of experience teaching at institutions like South…

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Episode 342: Robert Justice Novel Addresses Wrongful Convictions 32:46

3M ago32:46

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Diverse Voices Book Review host interviewed Robert Justice, author of the novel A DREAM IN THE DARK. Published in 2024, A DREAM IN THE DARK is his second novel in a planned trilogy focused on wrongful convictions. Justice shared how his novel incorporates themes of deferred dreams, systemic injustice, and jazz motifs, drawing on real-life wrongful …

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Episode 341: 1968: A Tumultuous Year in the LBJ Presidency 26:42

3M ago26:42

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In October 2018, Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Kyle Longley, author of LBJ's 1968: Power, Politics, and the Presidency in America's Year of Upheaval. 1968 was an unprecedented year in terms of upheaval on numerous scales: political, military, economic, social, cultural. In the United States, perhaps no one was more undone …

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Episode 340: Fast Food and the Black Community 47:58

3M ago47:58

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Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Naa Oyo Kwate, author of WHITE BURGERS, BLACK CASH: Food from Black Exclusion to Exploitation. In the interview, they discussed the fast-food industry and its impact on health disparities in the Black community. They also explored the complex relationship between Black communities and fast foo…

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Baptist Convictions: Identity in an Age of Division 32:45

4M ago32:45

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Send us a text What does it mean to be Baptist in today's polarized religious landscape? Can strong theological convictions coexist with genuine kindness toward those who disagree? Nate Akin believes they not only can but must go together. In this thought-provoking conversation, Nate unpacks the framework of his book "Convictional, Confessional, Ch…

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Episode 339: Best Of: Manisha Sinha's Expansive View of the History of Reconstruction 49:39

4M ago49:39

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In May of 2024, Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed historian Manisha Sinha, author of THE RISE AND FALL OF THE SECOND AMERICAN REPUBLIC: Reconstruction, 1860-1920. In the interview, Manisha explained her idea that Reconstruction is a defining moment in the history of American democracy. She also asserts that Reconstruction was …

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Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson 1:26:27

4M ago1:26:27

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Drummer, DJ, producer, Oscar-winning documentary director, composer and musical director Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson joins SCORE from John Mayer’s private writing room at Henson Recording Studios! Ahmir discusses the absolutely bonkers music mashup from 50 years of Saturday Night Live, featured in his Emmy-nominated documentary LADIES & GENTLEMEN: 5…

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Episode 338: Carrie Moore Writes Stories Centered in the Black South 44:07

4M ago44:07

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Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Carrie R. Moore, author of the story collection MAKE YOUR WAY HOME. In the interview, Moore explained that her story collection pays "homage to the diversity of the Black South...There are mountains, there are beaches, there are cities, there are small towns, and I really just wanted to write …

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Why I'm Baptist: Beyond Tradition 24:32

4M ago24:32

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Send us a text What makes someone truly Baptist? Is it simply family tradition, or are there deeper theological convictions at play? In this thought-provoking episode, Jeff Robinson and Travis Kearns dive into the heart of Baptist identity, challenging the common notion that most people identify as Baptist merely because "that's how I was raised." …

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Episode 337: Tochi Onyebuchi's Harmattan Season Is Hard-Boiled Fantasy Noir Novel 38:26

4M ago38:26

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Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Tochi Onyebuchi, author of the novel HARMATTAN SEASON. Set in a dust-choked West African city, tensions rise between French occupiers and indigenous factions. The protagonist, private eye Bouba, caught between two cultures, uncovers secrets that challenge his identity and past. Blending noir g…

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John Murphy & David Fleming (Superman) 1:12:03

4M ago1:12:03

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Superstar composers John Murphy and David Fleming finally enter the same room (you read that correctly) after an unusual but groundbreaking experience co-composing the score for James Gunn’s SUPERMAN. How John’s electric guitar-focused approach (he writes themes on a zany guitar he named Ned Flanders) harnessed the majesty of John Williams’ iconic …

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Episode 336: Madeliene Thien's Young Protagonist Explores the Lives and Ideas of Timeless Thinkers 44:28

4M ago44:28

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Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Madeleine Thien, author of the novel THE BOOK OF RECORDS. The novel tells a time-bending, seven-year philosophical journey of a young girl named Lina, who is taught by her father and neighbors about the lives of three historical figures. They live in a surreal enclave, where Lina and her fathe…

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Faith, Politics, and NYC's Future 21:32

5M ago21:32

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Send us a text What happens when religious faith directly impacts political governance? In our latest deep dive, we examine the surprising rise of Zoran Mamdani, the 33-year-old Democrat who openly identifies as both socialist and communist while now standing as the nominee for mayor of America's financial capital. Our co-host Travis Kearns brings …

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Episode 335: Denise Mina Thriller Explores Forensic Scientist Choices 27:36

5M ago27:36

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Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Denise Mina, author of THE GOOD LIAR. The story follows a blood spatter expert who faces ethical dilemmas similar to historical cases where discredited forensic techniques led to wrongful convictions. THE GOOD LIAR publishes on Tuesday, July 29, 2025. Denise Mina is the author of twenty novels…

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Remembering John MacArthur: A Legacy of Bold Exposition 23:26

5M ago23:26

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Send us a text The recent passing of John MacArthur, one of evangelical Christianity's most influential voices, has left a profound void in pastoral leadership. Over 50 years of faithful ministry at Grace Community Church in Southern California, MacArthur revolutionized expository preaching for an entire generation of pastors. In this heartfelt con…

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Episode 334: Paul Thomas Chamberlin Peels Back Mythology Around World War II 52:51

5M ago52:51

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Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed historian Paul Thomas Chamberlin, author of SCORCHED EARTH: A Global History of World War II. In the interview, we discussed how World War II fits into a larger story of the rise and fall of empires, the creation and destruction of colonial systems, and the reconfiguration of imperial power. T…

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Episode 333: Rachel Howzell Hall Thriller Fog and Fury 29:26

5M ago29:26

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Diverse Voices Book Review host interviewed Rachel Howzell Hall, author of the new thriller FOG AND FURY. Set in northern California, FOG AND FURY features a disgraced former Los Angeles police detective, Alyson "Sonny" Rush, whose first case with her godfather's private detective agency throws her personal life into turmoil. Her life is further co…

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Episode 332: Ivy Pochoda's Novel Ecstasy Tackles Female Oppression and Marital Patriarchy 38:38

5M ago38:38

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Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Ivy Pochoda, author of ECSTASY. Based on a Greek tragedy by Euripides, Pochoda explained how she wanted to address difficult truths about female oppression and marital patriarchy. As described on her website, "Ecstasy is a riveting, darkly poetic, one-sitting read about empowerment, desire, an…

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Episode 331: Dana Williams Recounts Impact of Toni Morrison on Black Writers As Editor 39:41

5M ago39:41

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Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Dana A. Williams, author of TONI AT RANDOM: The Iconic Writer's Legendary Editorship. In the interview, Dr. Williams discussed Toni Morrison's path to becoming a book editor, some of the Black writers she edited at Random House including Angela Davis and Toni Cade Bambara, and what inspired he…

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Faith, Flag, and Freedom: Navigating Christian Patriotism 22:05

6M ago22:05

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Send us a text As Independence Day approaches, Christians face the perennial question: How should we navigate the relationship between our faith and our national identity? In this thought-provoking conversation, we explore the biblical foundations for a Christian's responsibility toward the state, beginning with the nuanced understanding of Romans …

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Episode 330: Naomi Xu Elegant Debut Novel Gingko Seaso 37:12

6M ago37:12

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Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Naomi Xu Elegant, author of the debut novel GINGKO SEASON. Set in Philadelphia, Elegant examines the friendships and the love life of a neurotic young woman in her 20s. The novel also is a homage to Philadelphia, where the author lived while attending the University of Pennsylvania. In the int…

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Episode 329: Peniel Joseph Relates How 1963 Transformed America's Civil Rights Revolution 33:02

6M ago33:02

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Diverse Voices Book Review contributor Amanda Moore interviewed Dr. Peniel Joseph about his new book, FREEDOM SEASON: How 1963 Transformed America’s Civil Rights Revolution. Through a captivating study of leading activists during the Civil Rights movement, Joseph creates an authentic narrative about individuals who endeavored to change a nation and…

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Reading as Spiritual Discipline 23:27

6M ago23:27

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Send us a text The written word has shaped Christian formation since the church began, and in this revealing conversation, Jeff Robinson and Travis Kearns explore how reading remains essential for spiritual growth today. "Of making many books there is no end," wrote Solomon in Ecclesiastes – not as a criticism of reading itself, but as a caution ag…

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Episode 328: Rickey Fayne's Debut Novel Weaves a Multigeneration Tale from Slave Ship to Contemporary Times 59:28

6M ago59:28

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Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Rickey Fayne about his debut novel, THE DEVIL THREE TIMES. Covering eight generations of a Black family in West Tennessee, from the slave ship to contemporary times, Fayne creates a narrative rich with historical context, emotional depth, and Black folklore. In the interview, he talked about h…

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Finneas O’Connell (Disclaimer) 1:10:26

6M ago1:10:26

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Oscar and Grammy-winning songwriter and composer Finneas O’Connell breaks down his journey into film composing and working with Oscar winning director Alfonso Cuarón on the hit miniseries DISCLAIMER. Finneas dives into his work with Billie Eilish and how it led to meeting Cuarón, the frightening first steps and self doubt of getting started (VENGEA…

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Episode 327: Abigail Leonard Examines the First Year of Parenthood 35:48

6M ago35:48

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Diverse Voices Book Review contributor Amanda Moore interviews international reporter and news producer Abigail Leonard about her new book, “Four Mothers, An Intimate Journey through the First Year of Parenthood in Four Countries.” With a close examination of the lives of women in Japan, Finland, Kenya and the United States, Leonard writes an insig…

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Women Pastors: A Debate on Scripture's Authority 22:29

6M ago22:29

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Send us a text A thought-provoking examination of biblical authority versus cultural accommodation unfolds as we dive into the New Yorker's recent mini-documentary questioning whether the Southern Baptist Convention can survive without women pastors. We analyze how the video juxtaposes compassionate female leadership against supposedly rigid tradit…

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The Pope's Chair: An Evangelical Perspective 22:25

7M ago22:25

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Send us a text The selection of Pope Leo XIV has captured global attention, prompting three Southern Baptist leaders to examine what this means for evangelicals in this thoughtful episode of Courier Conversations. Jeff Robinson hosts Dr. Travis Kearns and Dr. Walter Johnson for a candid discussion about the theological implications of papal authori…

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Episode 326: Twain Scholar Shelley Fisher Fishkin Explores Huckleberry Finn’s Character Jim 39:40

7M ago39:40

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Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Shelley Fisher Fishkin, author of JIM: The Life and Afterlives of Huckleberry Finn's Comrade. In the interview she highlights the irony in Twain's portrayal of Jim, contrasting Huck's limited understanding with Twain's deeper critique of society. Fishkin emphasizes the need for teachers to be …

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Episode 325: Jesse Q. Sutanto's Latest Cozy Mystery Featuring Vera Wong 29:34

7M ago29:34

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Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Jesse Q. Sutanto, author of the mystery novel VERA WONG'S GUIDE TO SNOOPING (on a DEAD MAN). This is the second book in the series featuring Vera Wong, a 61-year-old tea shop owner in San Francisco. Vera, based on Sutanto's mother, investigates a murder involving a missing person social media …

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Episode 324: Preston Lauterbach Explores Black Musicians Who Made Elvis Presley 39:22

7M ago39:22

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Diverse Voices Book Review host Hopeton Hay interviewed Preston Lauterbach, author of BEFORE ELVIS: The African American Musicians Who Made the King. In the interview Lauterbach highlighted the influence of African American musicians on Elvis Presley. He noted that Elvis's first hit, "That's All Right," was originally recorded by Arthur Crudup, and…

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Son Lux (Thunderbolts*) 1:14:43

7M ago1:14:43

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Oscar-nominated experimental band/composing trio Son Lux joins Score after their breakout success on EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE, and as their latest film, Marvel’s THUNDERBOLTS*, releases in theaters. How the solo project from Ryan Lott led to working as a trio with Rafiq Bhatia, Ian Chang — incorporating unique electronic instrumentation wi…