Listen, Watch, Read, Think!

1 April 2021
Image: Shutterstock

 

Listen In

A long Easter road trip gives plenty of time for podcasts. There’s an abundance of topics to explore. Here’s some to try:

  • On Being by Krista Tippett (soundcloud.com)

Former American President Barack Obama awarded Krista Tippett the National Humanities Medal for “thoughtfully delving into the mysteries of human existence.” Her podcast, On Being, features people of all backgrounds as she delves into what it means to be human and how we want to live. It has been named best podcast by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Guardian.

  • Short and Curly (ABC Listen App)

This family podcast examines ethical questions confronting children like “Is it fair when a whole class is punished when one person did the wrong thing?” A great one to generate family discussion on what’s right and wrong.

  • Journey Catholic Radio (soundcloud.com, Apple podcasts and on Pulse 94.1FM Wollongong)

A weekly show developed by the Catholic Diocese of Wollongong containing Gospel readings and discussions about faith, hope, love, and life.

  • Figuring Out Families – Majellan Media (Apple/Spotify/Google and more)

Majellan Media have provided advice for families for over 70 years through their publications. In this podcast, they speak to family and relationship specialists on topics such as “Win Win Parenting”; “Dealing with difficult family members”; “Faith and spirituality in families’; and “Problems and relationship repair”.

  • The Bible in a Year (with Fr Mike Schmitz) – Ascension Catholic Faith Formation (Apple/Spotify)

Fr Mike Schmitz walks you through the entire Bible in 365 episodes, providing commentary, reflection and prayer along the way.

 

Tune It

Music can remind us of what Easter is about. Here’s some songs to look up on YouTube or your music streaming service for your own Easter reflection.

Diocese of Wollongong duo Gus & Iggy perform during LIFTED Live. Image: Mary Brazell/Diocese of Parramatta.

 

Read It

“Read something worthwhile” has made it to many new year’s resolution lists. If it’s on yours, take a look at Pope Francis’ new book Let Us Dream: The Path to a Better Future. Here’s what you’ll find:

  • Image: Supplied

    At 160 pages and with a down-to-earth tone, it’s an easy read for busy people. Alternatively, it’s on Audible, so you can listen on the go.

  • You’ll probably view the world a lot more hopefully after you finish. Pope Francis genuinely cares about people, the world and our children’s future.
  • He draws on the wisdom of modern thinkers such as forward-thinking economists and aligns them with teachings of the Church.
  • Women will be particularly encouraged by his recognition of their management talents.
  • He explains how we can open up to the good things around us.
  • It’s clear we really do rely on each other when the going gets tough.
  • The book awakens us to the need to ‘dream big’, and how times like right now are a chance to change things for the better.
  • After a compelling case for change, Pope Francis helpfully suggests the first step we can take as an individual – contact a service you think might need your help and say to them that you would like to be part of a different world, and “this might be a good place to start”.

Let Us Dream: The Path to a Better Future

By Pope Francis and Austen Ivereigh

ISBN: 13 9781398502208

Published by Simon and Schuster Ltd

 

Watch It

Soul – Classified PG

Image: Disney

The Disney movie Soul hit the screens in October 2020 and can now be streamed on Disney+.

As its name suggests, it’s a story about life before and after death and deals with the big questions about the meaning of life.

Reviews have been mixed. It doesn’t strictly follow Catholic beliefs that souls exist before conception. Some reviewers say this doesn’t mean it doesn’t have great messages for our young people.

The storyline follows the journey of a music teacher (voiced by Jamie Foxx) whose soul ends up in the afterlife after an accident. He becomes a mentor to an impatient younger soul (voiced by Tina Fey). Together they go on a journey, ending up at a place of self-discovery and an examination of the purpose of life – even if it’s not what they originally planned.

Soul is an opportunity for parents to talk to their children about life after death. The Australian Council on Children and the Media also suggests that it gives parents the opportunity to discuss attitudes, and real-life behaviours with their children such as “What happens when people lose sight of the true meaning of life?”, and “negative self-talk” and how it can be overcome.

The Australian Council on Children and the Media suggests Soul may be too mature and contain scary scenes for children aged under eight years.

 

This article was originally featured in the Lent and Easter/Autumn 2021 Edition of the Catholic Outlook Magazine.

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