And Sons

We all love a good story. But rarely do we see our lives as a story. In this episode from 2017, Sam and Blaine discuss the DNA of creativity and story with Allen Arnold from the Wild at Heart team. Allen is an author and—in his former life—the publisher of more than 500 novels. Along the way, he's discovered what makes a really good story...and how we can enter into our own story with more passion and purpose once we begin to see it as a journey of discovery.

Find Blaine's latest writing at blaineeldredge.com.
Learn more about Sam's latest project at nobleworkshops.com.

It’s rankled the And Sons team a while: it seems like VR presents a real threat of escaping reality, in a negative sense, but haven’t folks found ways to escape reality anyway? Sports, books, hobbies, films, dirt bikes, all that? The question is, is there a difference between escaping from reality and escaping into reality, that is, allowing a larger reality to frame your experience? You talk about these things on a Monday morning so we sat down for a realtime conversation on the topic. We’re supposed to live in such a way that we’re not fried, not on empty, not always reaching for last-minute soul-caffeination. We’re supposed to escape. And we do. But is it working? When you ask your friends how they’re doing, do you know anybody who rarely says “Tired”? So. Let’s evaluate practices of medication and soul care. In brief: we’ve got to return to human nature, to fortifying out understanding of what people are for, generally, and how they thrive, usually. And we have to have a good understanding of our season. And we’ve got to ask God - What practice, rhythm, routine would you like me to take up? This isn’t a buzz kill. You’ll like what God’s calling you to. Pardon the obvious but really. You’ll like the life God is leading you into. Because we’re already escaping. But are we escaping in the right way, at the right times, often enough, getting the results we need? Are we experiencing goodness in our lives more often? Also in this conversation: the staging of the Old Testament, the reader’s imagination, uncovering addiction, and some thoughts on the fact everybody medicates. It’s the soul, so it’s a wandering conversation.

Find Blaine's latest writing at blaineeldredge.com.
Learn more about Sam's latest project at nobleworkshops.com.

What do you do in seasons where the things that once brought great joy no longer seem possible? The desire is still there, but the time or perhaps the money isn't. Through the doorway of sailing and yeah, even squirrels, Sam and Blaine offer a message of serious hope. Don't ever stop pursuing what brings you joy. Even when the epic seems out of reach, there are small things you can do to turn your daydreams of the past into fuel for the future reality you desire. Show Notes: Find the four-part Wild at Heart Envy podcast series here: https://wildatheart.org/rhplay/series/podcast/envy

Find Blaine's latest writing at blaineeldredge.com.
Learn more about Sam's latest project at nobleworkshops.com.

Whether written, visual, oral, or music, stories serve as mini periscopes that reveal the world around us—and within us. The best movies, novels, and television shows are more like smelling salts than sermons, awakening us to the truer version of who we are...and more importantly, who we can be. Discover both the helpful and harmful ways stories shape us...and why that matters far more than most realize.

Find Blaine's latest writing at blaineeldredge.com.
Learn more about Sam's latest project at nobleworkshops.com.

We want a life of ease and comfort. We need the pain and discomfort of running toward the very things that make us feel incompetent or uncomfortable. Sam and Blaine address this topic through the lens of fatherhood, sharing how they're being shaped in this season of low sleep and high demand. Pressing into what feels like too much is messy. But the greater danger is succeeding at a life of ease where you never risk offering beyond your comfort zone. Change starts by inviting God into these areas of your soul that need tending—and a willingness to stop hiding and start saying "yes" to the impossible.

Find Blaine's latest writing at blaineeldredge.com.
Learn more about Sam's latest project at nobleworkshops.com.