Forecast is co-hosted by Josh Seligman (based in the UK) and Will Shine (based in the US).
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We publish a new episode every other week.
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​You can see our episodes below. You can also find us on the following podcast websites: Spotify, Apple, Google, Podomatic, Player FM and Deezer. 

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Click or tap a tab below to open the contents for that season.

Season 2: Called Forth: Vocation and Faith

Keeping in Tune: Vocation and Piano Tuning (Or 'From Jarel to Jesus')
Episode 28 (May 2022)

Piano technician Jarel Paguio speaks with Will and Josh about tuning pianos and being a new dad. For Jarel, piano tuning is about more than just the piano, as central as that is; it's about the quality of his relationships and interactions with his clients. In the words of his mentor, 'It's all relational.' Just as Jarel and his wife seek to create a harmonious home for their newborn, to a smaller degree Jarel seeks to establish an atmosphere of trust and harmony with his clients.

Because God First Loved Us:
Thomas Merton and the Vocation of Writing (Part 4)
Episode 27 (May 2022)

In Chapter 4 of Echoing Silence: Thomas Merton on the Vocation of Writing edited by Robert Inchausti, Thomas Merton reflects on the work of contemporary writers. For him, a mark of good writing is having something worth saying, which comes from writing for God. One aspect of this approach is being inwardly transformed so that we write out of our experience of the life God gives us. At the heart, the Christian who writes must first know that they are loved by God. This episode includes a poem written and read by Foreshadow contributor Matthew J. Andrews. 

Cosmos Out of Chaos:
Vocation and Teaching Music
Episode 26 (April 2022)

Jon Seligman speaks with Josh about how teaching primary/elementary music, at its best, brings 'cosmos out of chaos', to quote author Madeleine L'Engle. Jon finds purpose and hope in helping students to find their voices and become self-confident through music. Jon's Christian faith and work are inseparable. He also explains how other areas of his life, such as volunteer worship leading and taking photographs as a hobby, can similarly bring cosmos out of chaos. 

Episode 25: Right Beside You
April 2022

Ryan Weiss speaks with Will about how he prioritises his responsibilities and callings, whether as a professor, a parent, a husband, a musician, a worship leader or a researcher. Each of his roles gives him the opportunity to connect with and nurture others. Looking back on his life, he observes how openings have forced him to ask who he really is and what he really wants to do, forming a path that has become his identity. He also describes how his faith in God and his work in science complement each other. This episode features music by Ryan's former band Tularosa.

Episode 24: Vocation as a Gift
March 2022

Author and speaker Alina Sayre speaks with Josh about the intersection between her Christian faith and her writing. Although at one point, she wondered if creative writing distracted her from pursuing God, she now believes that God has given it to her as a gift to use and develop in various forms. Alina also describes her experience as a theopoetics student and then reads and discusses her new poem 'Sleepwalker', which is forthcoming on Foreshadow. 

Episode 23: Muscle Memory
March 2022

Musician and vocational mentor Julius Obregon, Jr., speaks with Will about parallels between musicianship and the spiritual journey. For Julius, vocation involves all of our lives and is driven by love. Just because one is called doesn't mean automatic arrival at one's destination; excellence requires discipline and learning from others. Our longings shape us, Julius says, and we are called to conform our longings to their divine source. This episode includes a clip of Julius' music.

Episode 22: Called by Name
February 2022

Josh and Will introduce the theme of Forecast Season 2, 'Called Forth: Vocation and Faith'. They describe how their experiences have shaped their understanding of vocation, and they discuss the key terms of 'vocation', 'calling', 'discernment' and 'ministry'. Then they give a brief forecast (outline) of the year to come (sunny with a chance of rain?). 

Season 1: Glimpses of the Kingdom of God (Eps 1​–21)

Episode 21: Thomas Merton (Part 3): The Contemplative Poet
December 2021

In the third chapter of Thomas Merton on the Vocation of Writing​, 'On Poetry', Merton describes the need for Christian poets to have both writing skills and a contemplative orientation. Such contemplation is illustrated by what pastor Eugene Peterson calls the 'middle voice', synthesising personal initiative and receptivity to the divine. Merton also describes the nature of poetry and its dependence on and renewal of meaningful symbols.

Episode 20: Thomas Merton and the Vocation of Writing (Part 2)
November 2021

Continuing from last time, Josh discusses the second chapter of Thomas Merton on the Vocation of Writing​. For Merton, the Christian writer must maintain integrity in prophetically witnessing to the truth and to the life of the age to come. In so doing, the writer also restores language, freeing people from false depictions of reality. At its heart, Merton writes, communication is a path to communion. 

Episode 19: Thomas Merton and the Vocation of Writing (Part 1)
November 2021

Thomas Merton was a writer and a Trappist monk. In today's Forecast, Josh goes through the first chapter of Thomas Merton on the Vocation of Writing​, ​edited by Robert Inchausti, identifying and commenting on Merton's writing about vocation and the ministry of writing. Ultimately, Merton says we are all called to become new creations in Christ and participate in Christ's work of making all things new, and writing is one of the ways we can do that. Merton also points out limits of language and tensions between seeking union with God and writing about that experience. 

Episode 18: Vocation and the Ministry of Writing
November 2021

This Forecast explores the vocation of writing and the Christian vocation more generally through a short personal essay and clips from guests discussing their vocations in various capacities. Whether writers or not, whether single or married, whether ordained or lay,  through whatever situation we find ourselves in, God calls all of us to be transformed in the likeness of Christ. Will we follow? Host: Josh Seligman

Episode 17: Songs of Zion
October 2021

This Forecast is a mixtape of music by the podcast's co-hosts, some of which has been featured in clips in previous episodes, and some of which is new.  

Episode 16: Looking Backwards and Forwards
October 2021

Co-hosts Josh and Will look back over this past (and first) season of Forecast. After briefly reviewing each of the episodes thus far, they share their highlights and challenges as well as emerging themes for future episodes, especially concerning Christian worship.

Episode 15: We Become Who (or What) We Worship
September 2021

Through conversations, non-fiction, poetry and music, this Forecast explores various dimensions of Christian worship. The main part of the episode is an interview with Will Shine about his studying worship, theology and the arts at Fuller Theological Seminary, California. Host: Josh Seligman

Episode 14: Spoilers Ahead
September 2021

Josh explores eschatology in the films Tenet and Interstellar and how the films point to the Christian hope of God's future breaking into the present. This is followed by an opinion article about climate change, an instrumental piece by Scott Stevens and two poems by Rosemary Power and Gerard Manley Hopkins that cherish the natural world.

Episode 13: Singing Tomorrow's Song
August 2021

Josh Seligman and Jon Seligman discuss singer/songwriter Jon Foreman's newest album, Departures. Going through the songs one by one, they focus on the album's theme of seeking Heaven on earth and the tension between despair and hope.

Episode 12: The Physician's Role Is to Care
August 2021

Anaesthetist and intensive care doctor Matt Jackson shares insights from his medical work and his Christian faith. Whereas he once thought a doctor's role was to heal people, his experience and reflections have taught him that instead, his role is to care for people in difficult situations. He describes moments of fulfilment supporting his patients and their families in COVID-19 times. Host: Josh Seligman

Episode 11: No Job Is Too Small
July 2021

Greg Jordan describes the diverse experiences that playing the guitar has given him, from gigging in clubs in Oxford and London, England, to touring internationally with a US military band, to playing in a worship band in Florida, where he now lives -- and even to connecting with people to whom he gives COVID-19 jabs. Host: Will Shine

Episode 10: The Strength of Gentleness
July 2021

Jesus said, 'Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.' But in a culture that prizes strength and often overlooks meekness (or gentleness), what is the value of gentleness? This Forecast is an arrangement of writing, music and conversation, some of which have been published on Foreshadow and some elsewhere, connected by their witness to the strength of gentleness. Host: Josh Seligman

Episode 9: A Writer Is Always at Work (Part 2 of 2)
June 2021

Poet and writing teacher Carl Winderl shares one of his newest poems and the relationship between his faith and writing. Then Josh gives a brief update on the emerging identity of Foreshadow​. This is the second part of two episodes, the first of which you can find here. Host: Josh Seligman

Episode 8: Singing the Same Songs Together
June 2021

Seth Little, director of worship arts at All Angels' Episcopal Church in New York City, describes how worship music can unite people of diverse backgrounds. He witnesses to the presence of mystery in worship and both the challenges and joys of his ministry amid the US racial reckoning and a global pandemic. Host: Will Shine

Episode 7: A Writer Is Always at Work (Part 1 of 2)
May 2021

Poet and writing teacher Carl Winderl discusses his writing disciplines and the inspiration behind his work. After reading and exploring two poems from his recent book The Gospel According . . . to Mary, he describes his ministry work in Kiev, Ukraine. This is part one of two episodes, the second of which is scheduled to go live next month. Host: Josh Seligman

Episode 6: I Take Christ with Me
May 2021

Ken Deeks, an active therapist and the leader of a folk group, describes the importance of treating people not foremost as clients or numbers but as humans, people whose names and lives are remembered and cherished. For him, being a Christian involves having this attitude and taking Christ with him wherever he goes. Ken also performs the Scottish folk song 'Black is the Colour of My True Love's Hair'. Host: Josh Seligman.​

Episode 5: Repurposing Work for God
May 2021

Pastor and DJ Isaac Ikeda speaks about how both of his occupations can either point to the Kingdom of God or do the opposite, depending on his approach. For him, integrating the 'sacred' and 'secular' involves continually dedicating whatever work he is doing to God. Host: Will Shine.​

Episode 4: Listening Inwardly
April 2021

Composer Scott Stevens describes his practice of listening inwardly while composing music -- listening to his own hunches, to the wisdom of other people and for the still, small voice of God. He explains how this practice shaped the music he recently composed for the film Sometimes I Shake, about the life and death of jazz musician and teacher Dan Nelson. The conversation includes some of Scott's music. Host: Josh Seligman.​

Episode 3: Peacemaking through Song
April 2021

September Penn describes the founding of the Power of Song Inc., an organisation that educates young people about civil rights and justice through song, theatre and art. She also explains how music can be an instrument for healing and how she has encountered the peace and presence of God among communities despite the challenges of the pandemic. The conversation includes some of September's music. Host: Will Shine.​

Episode 2: Blessed Are Those Who Mourn
March 2021

Not long ago, music teacher Jon Seligman used music to help his school grieve the loss of a beloved teacher. Josh spoke with Jon about this experience and asked if he found Jesus' words to be true: 'Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.' The conversation includes a recording of the school choir singing the song 'Saturn' by Sleeping at Last. Host: Josh Seligman.

Episode 1: Love Is Where We Belong 
​March 2021

This first episode introduces Will Shine, a co-host of Forecast. The conversation discusses Will's music and worship leading, and then goes deeper to explore what it means to belong to a place and to other people. It also includes clips of some of Will's music. Host: Josh Seligman.