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In this episode I begin the first of what will be a series of conversations with Steady State economists. Steady State Economics is an alternative to both Neoclassical free-market capitalism and socialism, which, if I understand Steady State economists correctly, they classify as being growth-oriented economies. I have been persuaded by Steady State economists description of the limitations of existing approaches to the economy, particularly in light of climate change, pollution, and global poverty, and by what they have to offer as solutions. Many people do not know of this alternative, so I hope to help bring about greater awareness of this type of economy through an on-going dialogue over time with various Steady State economists and advocates.

My guest is Rob Dietz, who was the Executive Director for Center for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy (CASSE) and is presently Program Director at Post Carbon Institute. You can learn more about CASSE at steadystate.org and Post Carbon Institute at postcarbon.org.

I am interviewing Rob about the book he co-authored with Dan O’Neill called Enough Is Enough: Building a Sustainable Economy in a World of Finite Resources.

The music for this episode is from a clip of a song called ‘Father Let Your Kingdom Come’ which is found on The Porter’s Gate Worship Project Work Songs album and is used by permission by The Porter’s Gate Worship Project. You can learn more about the album and the Worship Project at theportersgate.com.

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In this episode, my guest, Donna Marie Todd, treats us to the wonderful art form of storytelling. Donna Marie calls herself a singer of stories. Stories are one of the most ancient forms of entertainment, education, and insight. The International Storytelling Festival held in Jonesboro, Tennessee each year celebrates this art form.

In this episode, Donna Marie introduces us to a particular kind of storytelling called Biblical storytelling. Jewish and Christian scripture, referred to by Christians as the Bible, is full of stories and the overall arch of Jewish and Christian scripture is that of story. Christian hymns such as ‘I Love to Tell the Story,’ ‘Tell Me the Story of Jesus,’ and ‘I Will Sing the Wondrous Story’ make reference to that overarching story.

Jewish Rabbis use story extensively as commentary on the Torah and as a tool for moral instruction. Rabbi Jesus followed that tradition in his use of parables.

In Biblical storytelling, the storyteller uses a passage of scripture as the basis for the story. Sometimes the passage is quoted verbatim with vocal and bodily dramatic emphases. Sometimes the scripture passage is blended with creative additions or paraphrased in creative ways. In all of its forms, Biblical storytelling brings insight out of the passage that causes ‘Ah!’ and ‘A-ha!’ moments.

In this episode, Donna Marie tells us the story of David, Bathsheba, and Uriah.

You can learn more about Donna Marie on her website at donnamarietodd.com

Donna Marie is also the editor of The Biblical Storyteller.

You can learn more about Network of Biblical Storytellers International and get a subscription to The Biblical Storyteller on their website: nbsint.org 

The music from this episode comes from the CD, Faith of Our Fathers: An Acoustic Celebration of Old Hymns which Donna Marie made in partnership with Will Straughan and Chris Rosser, and is used by permission.