#Interview with @sbpodcast

“Something Beautiful Podcast” is a “weekly experiment in podcasting’, which is dedicated to telling “stories worth talking about.” We talk to Thomas Mathie and Johnny Laird, two of the podcast hosts.

We’ve briefly outlined SB Podcast above. What else do we need to know about it, and how/when did it all start?

(TM) The podcast started in May 2008 when Jonathan Blundell and I decided to make something happen. We had discussed it and wanted to do something different. We wanted to celebrate the ordinary Joes of the church… not just authors but the activists and ordinary radicals being Jesus in their communities. We also saw and continue to see the podcast as a reaction against the polarization of faith arguments – too many people pick on the minutia of theology and use it to divide rather than celebrating the rich heritage that unites us. Folks who play the role of “Heresy Hunter” will happily argue about theological understandings. We found that whilst you can argue about theology, you can’t argue about experience. No one can say “that didn’t happen” or “that isn’t real for you” and so this is the way we went… to explore the stories that define and shape us as individuals… made in the image of God.

There’s a number of you involved (Jonathan Blundell, Stewart Cutler, Johnny Laird, Travis Mamone, and Thomas Mathie). How did each of you get involved, and do you all have different roles?

(TM) Jonathan and I kicked it off. We then recruited our dear friend Stewart Cutler (Youth & Families Minister for the United Reformed Church) to bring a fresh perspective and new voice. Travis then signed up… he was running his own podcast and brought his experience and rather extensive connections to the party… a party that was completed when Johnny came on board with his infectious enthusiasm.

(JL) I was just a fan, really. I loved what the guys were doing so much that I became a bit of a champion for them – shooting tweets out to let people know how much I enjoyed the stories. They probably ended up feeling sorry for me, and got me on as a guest, then I sort of stumbled in from there, and I’m stoked to be involved.

It’s probably worth pointing out, too, that Something Beautiful is a transatlantic operation, with Jonathon in Texas, Travis in Maryland, Thomas & Stewart in Scotland, and I’m down in Surrey in England.

(TM) As for roles… Jonathan handles the production as well as conducting interviews or providing commentary in the wraps we do. He also produces some neat mixes. He has a voice for radio and is very professional in what he does. I think he deserves a career in radio. He also handles the website.

Stewart helps Jonathan with production and also contributes with interviews and commentary.

Johnny and Travis contribute with interviews and commentary, as do I… albeit my interviews tend to be more like blethers with old friends. I just love talking with folks.

What digital media tools do you use?  Obviously the podcasts are central to your mission, but what other digital tools do you find useful (and where can we find you online?)

(TM) I was pretty early on Twitter and we maintain an active account on there. We also have our website (www.somethingbeautifulpodcast.com) and seek to maintain our community there and on Facebook, where we have a presence too.

To be honest, we find word of mouth to work really well. We have a number of regular listeners who evangelise on our behalf… and all the co-hosts have Twitter/Facebook accounts and spread the word through their communities too.

We also find the folks who we interview spread the word too… which helps and lends an authenticity. We’re not big on trying to “sell” what we do.

(JL)  Having said that, there are days when I go on a mad Tweeting binge when a story or a guest has really grabbed my imagination, and I can’t resist spreading the word!

One of the most exciting things for me is when the online relationships that have been fostered on Something Beautiful have gone offline as well; when one or two of us have managed to hook up face to face. I think there’s an important new kind of space developing where you meet someone in the flesh for the first time, but you actually kind of know them pretty well already. It’s a joy when you finally meet up in the same room, and I think most of us on the podcast have experienced that along the way

(TM) Other tools include Skype – we are what we do because of Skype and the wee add-ons we have on our PCs & Macs (we are a broad church) that enable recording of conversations. We coordinate our efforts using tools like Yammer (a form of private Twitter) and Google Docs. We are a low cost operation and do it for the love of it, not for profit.

We see that you’’re interviewing Jon Birch from AsboJesus this week, what other podcasts are particular highlights/would you direct people to in the first instance?

(TM) First up, big thanks to Will for hooking us up with Jon. Will (Taylor – @bigdaddywhale) is actually conducting the interview as he spends time with Jon & his family… grateful for their help and participation. I don’t have a link as yet but will let you know when its live in a few weeks.

(JL)  I’m super excited about this one too – Will’s a good friend, and there are plenty of folks who really appreciate the AsboJesus stuff . In fact, I was stoked to see - having finally grabbed a copy of Al & Deb Hirsch’s excellent UNTAMED book over Christmas - that Jon provided some of his fab pics for that too.

(TM) The podcast isn’t about the “big names” of the emerging church… (JL) (You’re a big name, Thomas!) even though we have Shane Claiborne or Andrew Jones (Tall Skinny Kiwi) on there and are hoping to get Brian McLaren on soon. Its about the ordinary folks doing extraordinary things… like Jonathan’s dad, “Trucker” Frank Schutzwohl or Adele Sakler. Individually, we have our favourites but its not really about that. We don’t want to contribute to the cult of personality that exists within the present movements of the church.

(JL) Oh, I don’t know. I could quite easily foresee a line of Headphonaught merchandise I know you like a nice Tee, Bex!

(TM) Each interview (and story) has special nuggets of truth weaved throughout them. Just don’t listen to the first episode… its bad… and not in a good way.

What are you particularly interested in finding out from people who contribute to your podcasts, and how much expertise and theological knowledge do people have to have?

(TM) The podcast is about ordinary people doing extraordinary things in their spaces and places… its not about the Seminary Kids or should I say not “just” about them. The point is to understand the journey a person has been and is currently on. There isn’t a right or wrong experience here and we are inclusive in our approach.

(JL) I just love listening to people’s stories – and everybody has one. People are just endlessly fascinating, and often its the little curveballs and surprises that make a guest’s story so captivating.

(TM) Only Stewart has any official “church” credentials… the rest of us are amateur “loyal radicals”… people on the edges seeking to connect with like-minded folks, regardless of their denominational backgrounds or theological outlooks.

What advice would you give people who wished to have a go at podcasting, and which tools would you recommend?

(TM) Go for it. All you need is a mic, a website, some online storage space… and an interesting spin on things. In fact, I think Posterous takes care of the website and the storage for you… and hooks you straight into iTunes.

We’ve become more conscious of our sound and some of us have invested in pro USB mics (Blue Snowballs and Snowflakes are recommended) but the editing is done using Audacity (a freeware app) or GarageBand (which part of the Mac bundle).

The big thing is Skype, which again is free. The recorder apps are really cheap to get – I use ecamm’s “Call Recorder” for Mac which is $20.

Of course we’re coming to you from @bigbible, part of the 2011 Biblefresh initiative, so we’re particularly interested in what you think can be achieved with regards to making material (especially Biblically related material) available online.

(TM) For me… the podcast is about the application of the Bible… how people are discovering and living out the stories and guidance contained therein. Its about the folks doing their bit and encouraging others to do their bit.  We have lots of theory — we need more application. Its good to quote a verse but its better to live that verse out… physically and online. To paraphrase Matthew Paul Turner (who we’d love to come on the podcast) we believe Jesus needs new PR and we’re doing our bit by trying to represent followers of Jesus in a positive and empowering light.

What final thought would you like to leave us with, from the early days of 2011?

(TM) You can’t argue with someone’s experience. Its theirs and its a gift from God. All we are doing on the something beautiful podcast is helping folks share this gift.

(JL) Keep walking the Way of Jesus…

(TM) Now… when are you coming on the podcast, Bex? Let’s get you and Johnny on Skype ASAP.

(JL) Yeah, Bex!