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Podcast: Christian Chronicle CEO invites himself to ‘Sunday Lunch’
Erik Tryggestad discusses stories of faith from around the world — and the time he got a coffee can stuck on his sister's head.
‘When is The Christian Chronicle going to do a podcast?”
I get that question every once in a while. We’re considering it. It’s tough to find the time as we produce our monthly print edition, manage our website and gear up for our forthcoming mobile app.
So, in the meantime, let me invite you to “Sunday Lunch” (available through this link or wherever you get your podcasts).
That’s the name of a podcast launched by three members of the Brentwood Hills Church of Christ in Nashville, Tenn. (They’re quick — very quick — to say that the podcast has no official ties to the congregation, for some reason.) The hosts are Katie Culberson, Kerry Stiles and Amy Bowman, who happens to be my sister. So I had no problem inviting myself on the podcast when I was in the Nashville area recently for the Renew Gathering.
On the podcast (which is about 50 percent interview and 50 percent laughter) the hosts have spoken with a number of folks from our fellowship. There’s an interview with Albert Thweatt, a member of the Crieve Hall Church of Christ in Nashville, about his book “Disney Devotionals” (just in time for Christmas, I might add — don’t forget to select “Christian Chronicle Corporation” on Amazon Smile).
There’s also a great interview with my friend Brent High on faith and sports.
My personal favorite is their emotional interview with Hayley Waldron, who’s husband, Harrison, was paralyzed in an ATV accident shortly after they were married. You might remember Bobby Ross’ interview with Hayley. Harrison’s parents, by the way, are the founders of the Mission UpReach ministry in Honduras. I met them while covering a story at the Baxter Institute in Tegucigalpa.
During my time with the “Sunday Lunch” bunch, I talk about moving from Georgia to Oklahoma and my changing views on what it means to do “Christian journalism.” (Here are some additional thoughts on that.) I also talk about stories that inspired me, including meeting refugees from Pakistan living in Bangkok and seeing the need for clean water in South Sudan.
Refugees from Pakistan living in Bangkok, Thailand, prepare tea for visitors. The family of Christians was forced to flee due to persecution by Muslims. The young girl in the photo was shot but survived.
Amy and I also discuss “roast and rice and gravy” (our family’s traditional Sunday lunch) and Disney World (her favorite subject). We also reminisce about the time I tried to make her a soldier by sticking a coffee can on her head (it did not go well) and what it was like when we lost our mom to pancreatic cancer.
I’m always thankful for the opportunity to speak about what God is doing — at home and around the world. And I’m thankful for “Sunday Lunch.”
