Best John Rector Podcasts (2025)

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#94. Listen First, Speak Second: David Frank's Mission to Heal Political Divides 53:36

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1d ago53:36

53:36

Send us a text Ever wonder how we might bridge the seemingly unbridgeable divides in our society? David Frank's journey from East Coast political science graduate to Humboldt County media advocate offers a roadmap worth exploring. Growing up in a household where defending your opinions and understanding opposing perspectives was expected at the din…

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Faith and the Land, Part One: Winter is Coming 48:31

4d ago48:31

48:31

Rector’s Cupboard in Alberta, Canada. We set out on a road trip to visit some regenerative farmers we first met three years ago. In this episode, Todd and Allison and Amanda speak about the trip and about a visit to the Pine Haven Hutterite colony. It is the season of harvest, the autumn. Winter is coming. Looking at the skies and reading the news …

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More Russian Psychopaths 1:05:41

7d ago1:05:41

1:05:41

Even more guys who put Putin to shame. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Morgan Rector & Glassbox Media

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#93. The Outlaw Country of Humboldt: Brett McFarland's Journey 1:06:37

8d ago1:06:37

1:06:37

Send us a text Step into the extraordinary life journey of Brett McFarland, a musician whose path from Midwest farming to Humboldt County outlaw country is nothing short of cinematic. This deeply moving conversation reveals how Brett's search for a fresh start brought him to Northern California's emerald triangle, where he established himself as an…

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#92. Michael Keleman on Healthcare in Humboldt: How Providence is Serving a Rural Community 59:35

16d ago59:35

59:35

Send us a text Forget everything you thought you knew about rural healthcare. In this eye-opening conversation, Michael Keleman, CEO of Providence Health Serving Humboldt, shatters the "medical desert" stereotype by revealing how metropolitan-level medical care exists in this coastal Northern California community. Having worked for healthcare giant…

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Charismatic Christianity and American Politics with Dr. André Gagné 1:27:11

18d ago1:27:11

1:27:11

Welcome to season 7 of Rector’s Cupboard! Do you sometimes feel like all we do is talk about America? While many Canadians would see Canada as distinct from the States, we are influenced by our neighbours to the south. In Alberta, the provincial government is supporting the banning of books. Some of the political and religious currents in Canada lo…

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Child Abuse Part 42: Veronika Gasparyan’s Story 1:29:16

21d ago1:29:16

1:29:16

And you thought Dickens characters suffered. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Morgan Rector & Glassbox Media

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#91. Building Homes and Lives: Tom Rector's Journey 53:56

23d ago53:56

53:56

Send us a text What if the parenting strategies that worked perfectly for one child completely fail with another? In this illuminating conversation, Tom Rector reveals why understanding a child's unique genetic makeup and personal memories is crucial for effective communication and connection. Tom shares his remarkable journey from a 22-year-old co…

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7 Russian Psychopaths 56:23

28d ago56:23

56:23

And you thought Putin was bad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Morgan Rector & Glassbox Media

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#90. From Humanitarian to Hostage: Jeff Woodke's Remarkable Journey 1:00:00

1M ago1:00:00

1:00:00

Send us a text How do you survive when your captors view you as nothing more than a commodity? Jeff Woodke's answer is both heartbreaking and inspiring. After dedicating 27 years to humanitarian work among nomadic tribes in Niger, Jeff was violently abducted by terrorists in 2016. For six and a half years, he endured unimaginable conditions – kept …

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Serial Killer Glen Edward Rogers 1:18:24

1M ago1:18:24

1:18:24

Deadly and Dumb. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Morgan Rector & Glassbox Media

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True Crime News 1:22:07

2M ago1:22:07

1:22:07

With new co-host Bonnie Lee, host of the Writing About Crime podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Morgan Rector & Glassbox Media

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Pedophile, Murderer and Rapist Angus Sinclair 55:28

2M ago55:28

55:28

Supercreep. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Morgan Rector & Glassbox Media

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#89. Lynette Mullen : The Red Light District That Built a City--Exploring Humboldt's Forgotten Women 59:39

2M ago59:39

59:39

Send us a text Behind the ornate Victorian facades of Old Town Eureka lies a shadow world of untold stories—tales of remarkable women who wielded significant economic power yet remain absent from our history books. Local historian Lynette Mullen stumbled upon this hidden narrative during the pandemic while researching an empty parking lot on Eureka…

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Serial Killer Marvin Gayle Gray 1:00:38

2M ago1:00:38

1:00:38

A menace on the streets and between the sheets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Morgan Rector & Glassbox Media

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Activist Lucinda Pennington 1:38:29

2M ago1:38:29

1:38:29

What she has gleaned from the foster care system, both as a child victim and as an advocate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Morgan Rector & Glassbox Media

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New Zealand Spotlight 1:05:10

2M ago1:05:10

1:05:10

Not everything in New Zealand is as sweet as a kiwi fruit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Morgan Rector & Glassbox Media

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#88. From Queens to Humboldt: Larry Goldberg's Journey 58:45

2M ago58:45

58:45

Send us a text Larry Goldberg's life story reads like an adventure novel, spanning from protest movements in 1970s New York to pioneering renewable energy and internet infrastructure in Humboldt County. This wide-ranging conversation reveals how a philosophy major from Queens found himself sailing a square-rigger through the Caribbean, studying at …

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#87. Fatherhood's Frontline: Navigating Life with Grit with Pete Ciotti and Scott Hammond 1:05:15

2M ago1:05:15

1:05:15

Send us a text What if the secret to fatherhood isn't found in parenting books but in knowing who you are and what you truly value? Scott Hammond, author of "Everyday Dad," joins Pete Ciotti on The Grit Podcast to explore how intentional parenting transforms both fathers and children. This candid conversation cuts through parenting platitudes to ad…

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The Devil Made Them Do It: Crimes Inspired By The Occult 1:07:15

3M ago1:07:15

1:07:15

Hail Satan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Morgan Rector & Glassbox Media

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Fillicide 1:10:55

3M ago1:10:55

1:10:55

Family values? Not so much. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Morgan Rector & Glassbox Media

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#86. From Naval Photographer to Architect: John Ash's Remarkable Path 1:00:33

3M ago1:00:33

1:00:33

Send us a text John Ash's remarkable journey unfolds like a masterclass in reinvention. Born in Vallejo during WWII while his father served overseas, John's early years in Detroit's golden era—when Motown was thriving and the city bustled with over two million people—laid the foundation for his adaptable spirit. When directionless after high school…

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Domestic Terrorism In The United States 1:22:51

3M ago1:22:51

1:22:51

Let's prevent the nascent civil war, shall we? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Morgan Rector & Glassbox Media

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#85. Jim Campbell-Spickler: Climbing Trees, Studying Wildlife, and Leading the Sequoia Park Zoo 57:36

3M ago57:36

57:36

Send us a text From climbing rocks in the Mojave Desert to studying salamanders 300 feet up in redwood canopies, Jim Campbell-Spickler's journey as a wildlife biologist reads like an adventure novel come to life. After moving from Barstow to Humboldt in 1994 to pursue his wildlife degree, he found himself captivated by the rainforest environment th…

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Blessed are the Undone with Angela Reitsma Bick 55:59

3M ago55:59

55:59

In our final episode of season 6, we are pleased to speak with Angela Reitsma Bick, editor of Christian Courier and co-author of the newly released book Blessed Are the Undone, which explores faith deconstruction in the Canadian context. Angela joined us while in Vancouver on the national tour for the book, and we talked about why so many people in…

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Jeffrey Epstein II 1:35:57

3M ago1:35:57

1:35:57

More about Prince Andrew's role. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Morgan Rector & Glassbox Media

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#84. Capturing Humboldt: Jose Quesada's Journey Behind the Lens 52:43

3M ago52:43

52:43

Send us a text What does it mean to truly see a place? To capture its essence through a lens while maintaining the human connection behind the camera? In this heartfelt conversation with Jose Quesada, we explore the remarkable journey of Humboldt County's most dedicated visual documentarian. Born to Guatemalan parents (the first "gringo" in his fam…

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Jeffrey Epstein Part I 1:06:35

4M ago1:06:35

1:06:35

Gives whole new definition to "filthy stinking rich". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Morgan Rector & Glassbox Media

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#83. The Musical Life of Elle Penner: How Elle found her voice in Humboldt County 54:18

4M ago54:18

54:18

Send us a text From the scorching heat of Red Bluff to the cool, misty forests of Humboldt County, Elle Penner's life journey unfolds like a well-composed jazz standard—full of unexpected turns yet beautifully cohesive. As she sits across from Scott Hammond in her tie-dye dress shirt, Elle radiates the kind of authentic warmth that defines both her…

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Hope Instead of Fundamentalism with David Goa, Part 3 39:32

4M ago39:32

39:32

This is our third and final instalment of our series with Orthodox theologian and friend of the Cupboard, David Goa. This series has focused on the topic of fundamentalism, how it is expressed within the church, from several sides. If you haven’t listened to the first two episodes in this series, we’d encourage you to go back and take a listen to t…

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False Imprisonment 57:44

4M ago57:44

57:44

Among the worst of indignities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Morgan Rector & Glassbox Media

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#82. Dr. Join Luh--Zapping Tumors & Breaking Barriers: A Doctor's Tale 56:25

4M ago56:25

56:25

Send us a text The journey from trailer park to radiation oncology doesn't follow a conventional path, but Dr. Join Luh's remarkable story proves that passion and perseverance can lead to extraordinary destinations. Born in California but raised primarily in Galveston, Texas after his parents' separation, Dr. Luh shares how his early experiences—in…

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Hope Instead of Fundamentalism with David Goa, Part 2 1:14:00

4M ago1:14:00

1:14:00

This is the second of three conversations we had with friend of the Cupboard, David Goa, on the topic of fundamentalism. If you haven’t listened to part one, we’d encourage you to do so before diving into this conversation. In this conversation, Todd and David consider the question, If not fundamentalism, than what? David observes that our capacity…

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True Crime News 1:08:01

4M ago1:08:01

1:08:01

The kind of newscast only humo can give you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Morgan Rector & Glassbox Media

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#81. Mark Ritz: Grinding It Out: How a Coffee Roaster Found Home in Humboldt 1:00:08

4M ago1:00:08

1:00:08

Send us a text "The people here are real," explains Mark Ritz when asked why he chose to make Humboldt County his home over two decades ago. This authenticity—coupled with breathtaking forests just a quarter-mile from his doorstep—reflects the heart of what keeps entrepreneurs like Mark deeply rooted in this community behind the Redwood Curtain. Ma…

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Hope Instead of Fundamentalism with David Goa, Part 1 59:10

4M ago59:10

59:10

You have likely heard, and perhaps said, that we live in a world that is very polarized. Too often, communities of faith have contributed to this polarization rather than offered help or healing to a divided world. David Goa has been, and continues to be, a formational voice for Rector’s Cupboard and for the work of Reflector Project. David has bee…

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Hate Crimes (Featuring Kady Grass) 1:08:38

4M ago1:08:38

1:08:38

Some things never change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Morgan Rector & Glassbox Media

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#80. Thomas Nicholson Stratton: Future of Humboldt Belongs to Those Who Dream Big 1:00:01

5M ago1:00:01

1:00:01

Send us a text Thomas Nicholson Stratton embodies the spirit of agricultural innovation in Humboldt County, transforming traditional farming into a showcase of collaborative community building. From his roots in Northeast Oregon to becoming an integral part of Humboldt's food landscape, Thomas shares the remarkable journey that led to Jersey Scoops…

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Psychobitch Hall of Shame 56:30

5M ago56:30

56:30

To quote Rick James, they're not the type of girls you take home to Mama. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Morgan Rector & Glassbox Media

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#79. From Dairy Farm to Music Store: Anthony Mantova's Humboldt Journey 1:01:24

5M ago1:01:24

1:01:24

Send us a text What happens when you mix musical passion, Italian cuisine, and small-town entrepreneurship? Anthony Mantova, co-owner of Mantova's Two Street Music in Old Town Eureka, embodies this unexpected blend as he shares his journey from dairy farm days to running one of Humboldt County's most beloved music stores. In this fascinating conver…

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Preaching In a New Key, a Conversation with Mark Glanville 1:10:38

5M ago1:10:38

1:10:38

Those in Christian circles have likely spent many a Sunday morning sitting in a pew (or, perhaps, a more comfortable seat) listening to someone preach. While the length of sermon or its place in a service may vary from denomination to denomination, or pastor to pastor, the act of hearing the Word of God preached regularly is part of the Christian t…

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Child Abuse Part 42: The Kidwelly Sex Cult Part 2 1:00:50

5M ago1:00:50

1:00:50

Plus, one woman's experience with the NXIVM cult. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Morgan Rector & Glassbox Media

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#78. Banking on Community: Fred Moore's Five-Generation Humboldt Journey 1:00:10

5M ago1:00:10

1:00:10

Send us a text Fred Moore embodies what it means to be "100% Humboldt." As the President and CEO of Coast Central Credit Union, Fred brings a unique perspective shaped by five generations of family history in the region. His father's 52-year political career—including 35 years as Humboldt County Clerk and 12 years as Mayor of Eureka—instilled in Fr…

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Child Abuse Part 42: The Kidwelly Sex Cult Part 1 1:09:12

5M ago1:09:12

1:09:12

What is it with cults and perverts? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Morgan Rector & Glassbox Media

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British Hall of Shame 58:23

5M ago58:23

58:23

And you thought the soccer hooligans were bad. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Morgan Rector & Glassbox Media

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Good Friday 2025 22:41

6M ago22:41

22:41

Today is Good Friday. In Christian faith, today and Easter Sunday are two of the most important days of observation. We often, on Rector’s Cupboard, refer to what is happening in the world, the news, politics, culture. In Christian faith, Good Friday is always more than news of the week. It is at the heart of the faith. With that in mind, we offer …

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#77. The Boys and Girls Club of the Redwoods: Transforming Youth Through Mentorship 59:54

6M ago59:54

59:54

Send us a text Monica Rose has spent 23 years witnessing transformations at the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Redwoods, where every day, over 300 kids find more than just a safe space—they discover possibilities they might never have imagined otherwise. Alongside board president Jessie James, who was once a club member herself, they reveal the profou…

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Female Trouble: Sante Kimes, Julie Dixon, Teresa Perez and Ann Browning. 58:00

6M ago58:00

58:00

The "fairer" sex? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Morgan Rector & Glassbox Media

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#76. From Pizza Shop to Marathon Runner: How Pete Ciotti Reset His Life at 45 1:00:16

6M ago1:00:16

1:00:16

Send us a text Could the best years of your life still be ahead of you? That's the question Pete Ciotti asked himself at age 45 after running several businesses, touring with a rock band, and starting a family. His answer led to a complete transformation that he's now sharing through what he calls "The Five Fs" - a framework for becoming an expansi…

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Live Recording: An Evening of Conversation and Music with John Swinton 53:26

6M ago53:26

53:26

A special episode. Recorded live at the Rector’s Cupboard studio. John Swinton is Professor of Practical Theology at the University of Aberdeen. Before becoming a mental health professional and then a writer (of at least four books) on faith and mental health, John wanted to be a rock star. He brought together his interests in recording an album ca…