The Happy Rant

In this episode of The Happy Rant Ted takes his turn sharing stories. Barnabas interviews him about his life and becoming a writer and teacher. Some of the highlights and topics they hit on include: Sports biographies and George Plimpton Accidentally finding his way to writing Poetry performances by a woman in a red dress Being a junk mail copy writer Sports writing for ESPN Mike Tyson and Evander...

In this episode of The Happy Rant Ronnie interviews Barnabas about being John Piper's son and what some of the challenges of being a ministry kid in the spotlight are. They cover the following: When was it obvious that dad was famous? Famous theologians over for dinner Weird experiences with weird fans Pressures PKs face Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertisi...

In this episode of The Happy Rant Barnabas sits down with Ronnie, he of Joy Electric fame, to talk about life as a CCM artist. They cover tons of ground, including the following. How Ronnie started The business of CCM Dropping Names including Audio Adrenaline, Petra, and Stryper Crazy Fans (including a spitting incident) Playing Festivals Playing Youth Groups Being divas Discover more Christian po...

In this episode of the Happy Rant Ted, Ronnie, and Barnabas discuss the following: Tim Keller's INSANE sermon notes Should adults have "best" friends? What does "best friend" even mean? That weird pressure to have the perfect summer Our sponsor this week is Missional Wear, the provider of all of The Happy Rant's awesome swag - coffee tumblers, pint glasses, t-shirts, coffee mugs, moleskin notebook...

In this episode of the Happy Rant Ted, Ronnie and Barnabas actually explore some rather unhappy topics. The rising trend of college students walking out of their own commencement. When America is as healthy and wealthy as it has ever been why are there SO many books and messages being offered about fighting dissatisfaction? What are people so dissatisfied with? What's with the rising trend of peop...

In this episode of The Happy Rant Ted, Ronnie, and Barnabas discuss the following: Negative reviews left on iTunes - apparently we are arrogant, dismissive, left-leaning, nominal Christians. And we discuss things that don't matter. Barnabas Recaps the Boyce College commencement If one gets invited to speak at a Commencement does that mean he has arrived? We share books, music, movies, and TV shows...

In this episode of The Happy Rant Ted, Barnabas, and Ronnie take on some tricky topics and some nostalgic ones too. How does one talk circumcision with kids when reading the Bible? Ronnie tells of his epic childhood vacations to the Astro motel. Barnabas taks about family vacations to denominational meetings and to visit amily Another round of What Are People Even Doing? Discover more Christian po...

In this episode of The Happy Rant podcast Ted, Barnabas, and Ronnie respond to some listener feedback and answer a couple pressing questions. Are we simply "mean girls, except reformed guys" as one disgruntled former listener said? Why do people feel compelled to announce their departure from a free source of entertainment? What does "calling mean" and why do people use it so frequently? Tim Tebow...

In this episode of The Happy Rant Podcast Ted, Ronnie, and Barnabas do what they do - rant about a couple things that only sort of matter and a few things that do too. What is it that drives us to unfollow people online? When can people leave church? Why do pastors get called to larger, better churches but congregants can't? A really poor choice in photographs by some seminary professors This week...

In this special bonus episode of The Happy Rant Ted and Barnabas break down the NFL draft and give their impressions of the NBA playoffs thus far.  Top draft prospects at each position Mock draft of the top 10 NBA playoff thoughts NBA MVP thoughts This episode also highlights a film Ted wrote and co-produced, Silverdome. They are raising funds for post-production costs. You can donate HERE if you...

In this episode of The Happy Rant Ted and Barnabas tackle a number of the most pressing topics in the news and on their minds. Ronnie was called away (seriously) moments before the show to attend to a pastoral matter, so he was unable to join them in their lively ranting.  Should Christians try to build a platform? If so how can we do this well? Bill O’Reilly’s firing and how some evangelicals def...

In this week's episode of The Happy Rant Ted, Barnabas, and Ronnie touch on the most pressing and contentious issues of the week. They even battle through bad hotel wi-fi connections because Ted is big time and traveling to exotic places, like Ohio.  United Airline's treatment of passengers, particularly their unique way of "reaccommodating" passengers forcefully  Our worst travel experiences Why...

In this episode of The Happy Rant Podcast Ted quizzes Barnabas and Ronnie about The Gospel Coalition's 2017 National conference which both of them attended. Subjects discussed include: How TGC is like summer camp for grown ups Everyone is weird Amazing fan interactions Barnabas and Ronnie's first ever in-person meeting The best and worst speakers Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com a...

In this episode of The Happy Rant Podcast Ted Kluck and Barnabas Piper discuss a range of topics from the news to their travels to the world of professional sports. Ronnie sat this one out due to a particularly pastoral week. Here's what he missed Coffee talk Ted asks Barnabas about his recent trip to Israel - the good, the bad, and the NFL opera singer The recent hubbub about "The Billy Graham Ru...

In this episode of The Happy Rant Podcast Ted, Ronnie, and Barnabas discuss one of the most pressing issues facing the church: the awkwardness of pastors in restaurants. Calling servers by name Asking how to pray for servers Praying endlessly Which famous pastor would be the most likely to be this way? Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at...

Yes, we know the first two rounds of the NCAA tournament are over, but don't you wish you knew how Ronnie picked games? This is how, this entire episode. Just as importantly we have an important announcement about our partnership with laggers Roasters.  Ronnie hates sports Ronnie picks games Ted and Barnabas give commentary and some guidance Bison burgers are delicious Ronnie trolls Ohio WE HAVE C...

In this episode of The Happy Rant Podcast Ted, Ronnie, and Barnabas hit on their subjects - Evangelical controversies and conferences. Barnabas gives a recap of two of the weirdest Christian conferences Why do Christians insist on being the best marketing vehicle for things they hate . . . like The Shack? Is it really a big deal that there is, apparently, a gay character in the new Beauty and the...

In this episode of The Happy Rant podcast Ted, Ronnie, and Barnabas are back to their usual rantiness. All is well again and the evangelical world has delivered subjects on a sterling silver platter. Who is Michael Gungor and why is everyone so enraged at his tweets? We will indeed be offering Happy Rant Coffee in the near future The spectacle of The Oscars and why anyone should care Can evangelic...

In a departure from the norm, this episode is not all three hosts ranting about whatever they dang well please. Instead you will get to hear a free chapter from Barnabas Piper's new book, The Curious Christian: How Discovering Wonder Enriches Every Part of Life. Barnabas did the reading himself, and while he's no Jon Hamm or Morgan Freeman he did ok.    Christian Audio, who produced the audiobook,...

In this episode of The Happy Rant podcast Ted, Ronnie, and Barnabas try something a little different with, um, indeterminate results. In honor of Stephen Altrogge's latest podcast they set out to do an episode of "only the better stuff" exceot that Ted's bad day gets in the way. In the end they discuss the following. Creative funks NBA Trade Deadline and NFL Draft Live music Books we like Starting...

In this week's Happy Rant Podcast Ted, Ronnie, and Barnabas riff on the following: Thoughts on the Grammys and how they stack up to other awards shows Why the Grammys are actually fun Chance the Rapper's Christian (??) performance Why white evangelicals all claim rap and love it so much now Since we don't have a real sponsor in this episode Barnabas takes the chance to highlight his forthcoming bo...

In this episode of The Happy Rant Ted, Ronnie, and Barnabas rant about two very pressing topics (along with their usual tangents) What does "redemptive" mean when people use it in talking about art? Has "redemptive"  achieved the same level as "gospel" in terms of religious terms without meaning? Would Spurgeon have been a famous preacher without his beard? Discover more Christian podcasts at life...

In today's Happy Rant Ted, Ronnie, and Barnabas break down the Super Bowl. Well, they break down the spectacle of the Super Bowl. Lady Gaga's half time performance Political commercials Terrible commercials A big comeback Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us .

In this episode of The Happy Rant Ted and Barnabas (sans world traveler Ronnie) discuss the following. Signing copies of our books at bookstores and leaving them on the shelf Signing other people's books Celebrity man crushes in movies, music, and sports Postulation about Ronnie's celebrity man crushes Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at...

In this special, mid-week release, Ted and Barnabas are sans Ronnie since he abhors sports. In this episode they discuss the upcoming Super Bowl with an emphasis on the following: Barnabas's tortured history with the Atlanta Falcons Favorite players on each team to watch, non-star edition Why people do, but shouldn't, hate the Patriots Coaching matchups - Shanahan's offensive genius vs. Belichick'...