The Happy Rant

Latest Episodes:

Episode #74 - Cam Newton, Super Bowl Spectacle, and Think Pieces Feb 06, 2016

Show notes

In this episode of the Happy Rant podcast Ted Kluck, Ronnie Martin, and Barnabas Piper discuss the following:
Why is Cam Newton such a controversial figure? Ted find him insufferable, and Barnabas thinks he's awesome. A debate ensues.
The Super Bowl is a football game, but it's much more - it's a spectacle. What are we gaining and what are we losing because it get's bigger and shinier every year?
"Think piece" is a pejorative term for an opinion article, and the hosts discuss the good, the bad, the ugly, and the ridiculous of think pieces.

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Episode #73 - Why Comedies Don't Win Oscars, Advice for our Younger Selves, and Churches Using Business Principles Feb 01, 2016

Show notes

Comedies are often the most memorable movies. People love them. So why don't they ever win Oscars?
If we could go back in time and talk to our 20-year-old selves what advice would we give? And would we even listen to that advice?
Churches are not businesses, so how should they use business principles? Or should they at all?

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Episode #72 - Books that Need to Be Movies, Helicopter Parents, and Charity Businesses Jan 25, 2016

Show notes

In this episode you'll notice something new. That intro, so hot right now. We also rant about a few things.
What books would be awesome if they were made into movies? And which ones might be . . . not awesome?
What effect is all this helicopter parenting having on kids? Will they be productive members of society? Will they be any earthly good?
What's the deal with charities functioning as business? Or is it businesses using charity to market? Why can't charities just be charities?

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Episode #71 - An Epic Game of "Would You Rather" Jan 18, 2016

Show notes

Ted, Ronnie, and Barnabas take on listener-submitted "would you rather questions such as the following:
Would you rather talk predestination with a college undergrad or a Kindergartener?
Would you rather only be able to wear 90's Christian t-shirts or have to sport a man bun?
Would you rather have sat courtside to see Michael Jordan or have been in the front row for Michael Jackson?
These are just a sampling, so tune in for the full, tense, agonizing discussion.

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Episode #70 - An Emergent Update: Rob Bell, Mark Driscoll, Brian McLaren, and More Jan 11, 2016

Show notes

In this episode we try something a little different. Since Ted co-authored a book several years ago called "Why We're Not Emergent" and since the key players in the Emergent movement keep rearing their heads we figured we'd do a "where are they now?" episode.
We follow up on Rob Bell, Mark Driscoll, Doug Pagitt, Dan Kimball, and Brian McLaren to see what they're doing now, what are they teaching now, and what their current hair styles might be.
We also get an important update from Ronnie on when the heck we'll get a new intro some we can lay the current one to rest with proper honors.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Episode #69 - Ugly People Can Sing Too, Pastor Self Promo, and Year-End Book Lists Jan 06, 2016

Show notes

- Why are all the Christian singers good looking? Can't ugly people sing too? And what does this tell people about what it takes to be a successful Christian?
- At what point does a pastor's social media posts about his ministry excitement become overkill?
- A discussion of the proliferation of year-end book lists on blogs - helpful, braggy, or something else?

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Episode #68 - Post Christmas Depression (PCD), When Stars should Retire, and New Year's Resolutions Dec 28, 2015

Show notes

- Ronnie opens up about his post Christmas depression (PCD)
- When should star athletes or performers retire - Peyton Manning, Kobe Bryant, Bono, Paul McCartney, etc.?
- What do we think about New Year's resolutions and if we make any, what are they?

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Episode #67 - Star Wars, Gluttons, and Crazy Christian Leaders Dec 21, 2015

Show notes

- A brief argument about the merits of cats and dogs
- Will our hosts participate in the Star Wars hubbub? Is the hubbub worth all the trouble?
- What are we to do when guys like Jerry Falwell Jr. or Franklin Graham make outlandish statements in response to Muslim extremists?
- Why is gluttony an acceptable sin for Christians, or at least one that never gets discussed?

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Episode #66 - Ronnie's Secret Sports Addiction, Advent vs. Lent, and Guilty Pleasures Dec 13, 2015

Show notes

- Ronnie may not be a "sports fan" but he does have one secret sports love
- Why do evangelical Christians feel so comfortable with Advent and celebrate it so much but kind of weird out about Lent?
- What's the deal with guilty pleasures? Why should anyone feel guilty about enjoying music or movies just because someone in skinny jeans says so?
- A little bonus chat about who would win the Heisman. Did Ted and Barnabas guess correctly?

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Episode #65 - Happy Rant Holiday Extravaganza Dec 07, 2015

Show notes

- Get Calvinist swag for Christmas
- The best (and worst) Christmas movies
- Holiday nostalgia
- Strange and wonderful Christmas traditions (especially at the Piper house)

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

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