Whistle the Feast

Responding to a quilt made by Nancy Sponholz, Bethany student Annika Doberenz uses some of the context she acquired to write a prose piece in response. Annika was the dramaturg for Bethany Lutheran College's 2025 Fall Production of Little Women, and learned about pioneer time habits of those in America, such as quilting bees. Reminisce or take in the gallery reception here Learn more about Qu...

Departing from our regularly scheduled programming is this episode ran by the students of Whistle the Feast. Norah Kratz, Silas Gawrisch, Claire Marcus, and Jaksyn Graham discuss what brought them to the podcast, ownership, and random philosophical rabbit holes and ketamine roller coasters! Happy 2026 from the Whistle the Feast team! Helpful Links to References in the Episode: Fun words in this ep...

Whistle the Feast co-host Silas Gawrisch reads one of the Louis Sullivan quotes that became the creed of the Bethany Lutheran College arts program. Among the definition "form follows function", this quote takes a look at the different levels of the creative process. Learn more about Louis Sullivan Host - Jason Jaspersen Co-hosts - Norah Kratz, Claire Marcus, Silas Gawrisch Producer - Jak...

A passage from the John Mark Comer book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry , read by Whistle the Feast producer, Jaksyn . As Christians we must remember through all the pressures and craziness of the world that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. Don't focus to much on earthly emotions, for heavenly emotions are on the horizon. If the book interests you; learn more here ! Host -...

The atmosphere of Bethany Lutheran College has this indescribable quality to it. This course of the feast is our best attempt at describing the indescribable. Jason Jaspersen sits down with Evangelical Lutheran Synod President, Glenn Obenberger, Bethany Lutheran College Chaplain, Don Moldstad, and current Bethany student, Brian Herscovici to discuss the inner workings of the Bethany environment, a...

Bethany Lutheran College music professor and chamber orchestra conductor, Benjamin Faugstad, arranged this rendition of Joy to the World for the 2025 Christmas at Bethany concert. Watch Christmas at Bethany Host - Jason Jaspersen Co-hosts - Norah Kratz, Claire Marcus, Silas Gawrisch Producer - Jaksyn Graham Music Provided By: Renee Geving If you have any feedback for the show, or have any question...

A quote brought to us from Bethany Lutheran College chaplain, Don Moldstad. This quote was from his grandfather and is a message to pastors everywhere. Host - Jason Jaspersen Co-hosts - Norah Kratz, Claire Marcus, Silas Gawrisch Producer - Jaksyn Graham Music Provided By: Renee Geving If you have any feedback for the show, or have any questions you can reach the podcast at feastreaders@gmail.com W...

Evangelical Lutheran Synod President Glenn Obenberger reads a prayer of Martin Luther's dating back to 1516. This prayer was sent by Luther to George Spalatin about one year before he nailed his reformation theses to the church door. Host - Jason Jaspersen Co-hosts - Norah Kratz, Claire Marcus, Silas Gawrisch Producer - Jaksyn Graham Music Provided By: Renee Geving If you have any feedback fo...

Winter is a featured season from the Benji Inniger nature documentary: Bold North. Recorded by a mixture of Inniger himself, the Mankato Symphony Orchestra, and the Budapest Scoring Orchestra in Hungary, enjoy the backing track to the awe inspiring nature documentary! It's good to be back! Helpful Links for References in the Episode: Watch the full Bold North documentary Humans Don't Exi...

Friend of the show, Matt Moberg, returns to talk with current Bethany Lutheran College student, Natalie Hennig. In this host-less episode, the two have a peaceful talk about what inspires their music, their music experience, and how music makes them feel. Plus! A bonus feature of their majestic singing voices to serenade all of you readers out there! Helpful Links to References in the Episode: Che...

Molasses Love - Original Song Written, Sung, Performed by Natalie Hennig Host - Jason Jaspersen Co-hosts - Norah Kratz, Claire Marcus, Silas Gawrisch Producer - Jaksyn Graham Music Provided By: Renee Geving If you have any feedback for the show, or have any questions you can reach the podcast at feastreaders@gmail.com Whistle the Feast is recorded on the campus of Bethany Lutheran College in assoc...

Something amazing is going to happen today! While in Mankato for his art gallery reception, Minneapolis based artist, Matt Moberg, was able to sit down with host Jason Jaspersen and co-host Norah Kratz to have a wonderful discussion. Moberg is a recovered addict who uses the medicinal properties of art, song writing and many other pass times as he navigates fatherhood, his many eclectic jobs, and...

This quote by Marcus Aurelius, read by Jason Jaspersen, perfectly encapsulates the viewpoints of our next round table guest! Let's see who can guess who it is! Host - Jason Jaspersen Co-hosts - Norah Kratz, Claire Marcus, Silas Gawrisch Producer - Jaksyn Graham Music Provided By: Renee Geving If you have any feedback for the show, or have any questions you can reach the podcast at feastreader...

Silas Gawrisch joins Jason Jaspersen for his co-host initiation with Martin Luther College Professor Mark Paustian, and Friends Network director Aaron Wakeman. The table is full of trying to formulate the right things to say in response to various topics, but the journey is incredibly worthwhile. Helpful Links to References in the Episode: Prof. Mark Paustian Like what he has to say? He has a podc...

Whistle the Feast welcomes Martin Luther College Professor, Mark Paustian to read an excerpt from Mortal Lessons: Notes on the Art of Surgery by Richard Selzer. Helpful Links to References in the Episode: Mark Paustian - MLC Directory Richard Selzer Mortal Lessons Host - Jason Jaspersen Co-hosts - Norah Kratz, Claire Marcus, Silas Gawrisch Producer - Jaksyn Graham Music Provided By: Renee Geving I...

Enjoy 'Swaddled' an original song by Bethany's own Natalie Hennig. This song was written in response to a quilt on display at the Bethany Lutheran College November art show 'Sit With A Story'. View the quilt here .           Natalie Hennig (left) and quilter Eunice Woodberry (right) Watch the Art Show Reception Host - Jason Jaspersen Co-hosts - Norah Kratz, Claire Marcus,...

In this episode Jason Jaspersen and co-host Claire Marcus, sit down with Bethany Alum and former student Leah Matzke, and current Bethany student Annika Doberenz to discuss life on Leah's farm. The conversation shifts to discussing how farm life is similar to other situations in life and the driving forces that connect them all. Laugh along with us in this one, there's plenty of opportun...

Whistle the Feast welcomes Leah Matzke who has chosen to read the text to the hymn  God's Word Is Our Great Heritage .  Follow Along with the Words Listen to the Hymn Host - Jason Jaspersen Co-hosts - Norah Kratz, Claire Marcus, Silas Gawrisch Producer - Jaksyn Graham Music Provided By: Renee Geving If you have any feedback for the show, or have any questions you can reach the podcast at feas...

Whistle the Feast welcomes Bethany Student, Annika Doberenz, who has chosen to read the lyrics to Child Again by NeedtoBreathe. Follow Along with the Lyrics Listen to the Song Learn More About NeedtoBreathe Host - Jason Jaspersen Co-hosts - Norah Kratz, Claire Marcus, Silas Gawrisch Producer - Jaksyn Graham Music Provided By: Renee Geving If you have any feedback for the show, or have any question...

Jason Jaspersen and brand new co-host, Claire Marcus, sit down with Silas Gawrisch and Lauryn Messner to discuss the process one goes through when transferring schools, studying abroad, finding their why and so much more! The unexpected nature of influence for Whistle the Feast continues. Enjoy! Helpful Links for References in the Episode: As You Like It - Bethany Lutheran College As You Like It -...

Whistle the Feast welcomes current student at Martin Luther College, Silas Gawrisch, to read a prayer for resiliency and perspective. Take a few moments from your day of tasks, work, or scrolling and pray along with Silas.  Get used to Silas's voice, you'll be hearing more of it in the future. Host - Jason Jaspersen Co-hosts - Norah Kratz, Claire Marcus, Silas Gawrisch Producer - Jaksyn...

Whistle the Feast welcomes their guests this season to bring a verse, poem, or passage that speaks to them to share with the Feast Reader community. This week, listen as Lauryn Messner reads from chapter 41 of the book of Isaiah. Follow Along with Lauryn Host - Jason Jaspersen Co-hosts - Norah Kratz, Claire Marcus, Silas Gawrisch Producer - Jaksyn Graham Music Provided By: Renee Geving If you have...

Composed by Benjamin Faugstad and finalized in early 2025, Octavius debuted at the 2025 band tour concert of Bethany Lutheran College's concert band (joined by members of the Mt. Olive Lutheran Church and School Middle School band). Stripped down to a piano track, Faugstad wrote the piece at a median level for both the students of the college and the middle school to learn for the first time....

Seated at the Grand Piano in the Bethany Lutheran College choir room, Professor Benjamin Faugstad takes Whistle the Feast host, Jason Jaspersen, through his history with music, and the origins of some of his works. The main focus being his 2025 composition 'Octavius'.  Helpful Links to References in the Episode: Victor Wooten Commencement Address Christmas at Bethany 2024 (Orchestra Sect...

Composed by Benjamin Faugstad and finalized in early 2025, Octavius debuted at the 2025 band tour concert of Bethany Lutheran College's concert band (joined by members of the Mt. Olive Lutheran Church and School Middle School band). Stripped down to a piano track, Faugstad wrote the piece at a median level for both the students of the college and the middle school to learn for the first time....