Twice-a-Week Episodes in HGS Season 7

Here's a preview of what's to come and when...

Hello! Hope you’re well. Here’s the latest:

The End of The Happiest Saddest People

Well, the series finale of The Happiest Saddest People drops tomorrow. Hopefully you’ve been listening along the way—this is an unspeakably beautiful, powerfully told story and listening is an unforgettable sojourn with a God whose faithfulness and presence are bedrock solid.

I will say it’s quite a personal story and the privacy-loving part of me bristles from time to time as my wife so generously shares a great deal of our family’s sacred memories (some precious, some painful). But our stories are not really our own, are they?

I’ve had the privilege to work on the sound design for this series with our collaborator John Rhodes, and I’m deeply grateful for what we’ve been able to create. If you haven’t checked it out yet, now’s a great time—you can binge as much of the 17-chapter story as you like.

Thanks to all of you who donate to Hazefire Studios—this kind of work exists thanks to your support. We’re serious about stories that blossom into worship, and we’re grateful for your partnership.

I hope The Happiest Saddest People blesses you. If you have a favorite episode, I’d love to hear what it is. Mine might be Chapter 11 or Chapter 14. Or 17? It’s tough.

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Holy Ghost Stories is Nigh

Great news! Season 7 of Holy Ghost Stories (which, I suppose, according to Biblical numerology, is the perfect season) premieres less than one week from today: Tuesday May 12.

Cue the baloon drop.

I am thrilled to bring you Season 7—it has all of what you’ve come to love about Holy Ghost Stories (some Old Testament classics alongside some lesser-known deep cuts), but also: you’ll be experiencing something new.

This season will begin with the Creation story told in a 12-part series of shorter episodes released twice a week.

That’s right—no waiting two weeks for another episode. During the Creation series, episodes (about 7-8 minutes in length) will release every Monday and Thursday. (Starting in July, we’ll slide back into our usual rhythm of ~30-minute episodes every two weeks.)

Why this change, you ask? Great question. For the answer, you’ll want to listen to a quick bonus episode that dropped in the Holy Ghost Stories feed yesterday. Consider it a Season 7 primer—a bit of the What, Why, and How of this Creation series (which had its beginnings in Ireland, as you might have suspected if you’ve been following along with our recent voyaging).

If you’d rather watch this conversation, here’s the video. And no, that’s not a green screen. It’s just green. :)

Suffice it to say, I cannot wait for Season 7 to begin. It’s been a long time in the making. The fun begins May 12, so now’s the time to make sure you’re subscribed.

If you’d like to contribute financially to the creation of this season, here’s the link.

A Great Conversation

I really enjoyed talking to Jeff Tharp of ElijahFire about Biblical narrative and Samson and, most of all, the God who’s still writing stories. You can watch here or listen here.

(The screenshot below is where the host was wiping tears from his eyes after listening to the scene from S6E7 after Samson has died—this was a first during an interview and it was a really beautiful moment. I love people whose hearts are moved by Yahweh’s stories.)

3 Cool Things

Nice Ink - These early-1900s posters for Queen City Printing Ink Company are great.

St Patrick - I know it’s not March anymore, but this is a great piece from Paul Kingsnorth telling a bit of Patrick’s incredible story. Kingsnorth, by the way, is a (somewhat) recent convert to Christianity and is a voice I appreciate.

Jawbone - “The Trouble With Beauty” - Speaking of voices I appreciate, here’s another: Martin Shaw is a British thinker and storyteller who’s got some great things to say in this video about beauty. I’m always delighted by people who sound like this as they think out loud:

“This is beauty as eruption from the interior, not an outer set of visual conditions. This is beauty of beauty in all its unexpected, diverse and quixotic manifestations.

And I mean, who knows? Maybe it's Isolde’s harp playing that makes her so beguiling. Maybe it is the gurgling brook of her laughter. Maybe it's Dermot's skill with a story that makes him so attractive. We leave their company blessed. We leave their company changed in a way.”

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That’s the latest! If you’ve been blessed by The Happiest Saddest People, do let us know—it’s such an encouragement to hear from you. And here’s to the imminent beginning of Holy Ghost Stories Season 7! 🥂