Holy Fools and the Soul of Craftwork

Holy Fools and the Soul of Craftwork

Join PhD and professional juggler Jesse Joyner, and PhD and minister Stephen Grosz as they interview people in diverse crafts and trades (from beekeepers to song writers to sword swallowers). Through a discussion of relevant learning research and Scripture, the Holy Fools consider how integrating one’s faith and work, as a craft, might serve to feed and form the soul.

Episodes

January 7, 2026 31 mins

From Tree to Table—join Holy Fools (Jesse Joyner, PhD. and Stephen Grosz, PhD.) as they interview Virginia-based furniture maker Sallie Plumley. To check out Sallie's work go to sallieplumleystudio.com. 

 

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The Trees Have It! Join Holy Fools (Jesse Joyner, PhD. and Stephen Grosz, PhD.) as they interview nationally ranked tree climber & arborist Chris Depriest. In the episode Chris shares how trees speak to us of the glory of God.

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Join Holy Fools (Jesse Joyner, PhD. and Stephen Grosz, PhD.) as they interview veteran radio broadcaster and bay area pastor René Schlaepfer. In the episode René reveals how a well crafted voice can speak to the glory of God. 

 

To learn more about Annie Joyner's medical journey please go to her CaringBridge page: https://www.caringbridge.org/site/4eb465d8-eb04-11ef-b7f4-519b90d7f68d?utm_source=website_share&utm_medium=share_bu...

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December 5, 2024 43 mins

Join Holy Fools (Jesse Joyner, PhD. and Stephen Grosz, PhD.) as they get festive with professional Santa Clause, Rich Patsios, and consider how spreading Christmas cheer can be high level craftwork and a calling.   

More information on the work Rich does can be found at:

https://www.baptistpress.com/resource-library/news/pastors-working-as-santas-bring-joy-extend-ministry-to-others-during-holidays/

 

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November 26, 2024 23 mins

Join the Holy Fools (Jesse Joyner, PhD. and Stephen Grosz, PhD.) as they weigh what breakthroughs are possible when we learn to hold our work lightly. What happens when concepts such as emergent design theory are mashed up against the playful doodling of a daydreamer? 

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

Sigart, Miguel. 2014. Play Matters.

Sjöberg, Barbro. 2009. Design Theory and Design Practice within Sloyd Education. Internationa...

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November 12, 2024 41 mins

Join Holy Fools (Jesse Joyner, PhD. and Stephen Grosz, PhD.) as they explore the beautiful mess of visual art with Richmond based artist Sara Tuttle.

To get an eyeful of Sara's work, her current exhibit can be found at the Shockoe Artspace in Richmond, Virginia. For more information go to: https://shockoeartspace.com/project/in-the-thick-of-it  or https://www.saraptuttle.com/ 

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October 15, 2024 35 mins

Join Holy Fools (Jesse Joyner, PhD. and Stephen Grosz, PhD.) as they launch into season 2 and explore the calling of professional racing with driver Sting Ray Robb. The episode includes a discussion of craftwork curiosities such as:

- How to capture learning while failing at high speeds

- How to promote your work without feeling like a shady mercenary.

To learn more about Sting Ray and his work: www.stingrayrobb.com

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June 20, 2024 24 mins

Join Holy Fools (Jesse Joyner, PhD. and Stephen Grosz, PhD.) as they conclude season 1 with a look toward faith and work in the future. 

For listener feedback/questions please reach out at JoynerJuggling@gmail.com

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May 27, 2024 27 mins

Join Holy Fools (Jesse Joyner, PhD. and Stephen Grosz, PhD.) as they interview professional photographer Tracey Riggs Frontz — and learn how we can all develop an trained eye for viewing God's creation.   

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Join Holy Fools (Jesse Joyner, PhD. and Stephen Grosz, PhD.) as they consider how a  pre-work routine of spiritual stretching might transform your workday.

 

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

Feiler, Bruce. 2023. The Search: Finding Meaningful Work in a Post-Career World.

Martin, Tom. 2021. Craft Learning as Perceptual Transformation: Getting ‘the Feel’ in the Wooden Boat Workshop.

Daniels, Denise. 2019. Working in the Presence o...

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March 19, 2024 30 mins

Join Holy Fools (Jesse Joyner, PhD. and Stephen Grosz, PhD.) as they interview veteran public school teacher and craftsman, Jake Bates — and consider how teaching and learning in any vocation can be a divine encounter. 

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What can we learn about faith + work from a 4th generation mom and pop Candy Shop?

Join Holy Fools (Jesse Joyner, PhD. and Stephen Grosz, PhD.) as they consider the value of soulful work done at a small scale. 

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

Crawford, Matthew. 2010. Shop Class as Soulcraft: An Inquiry into the Value of Work

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February 21, 2024 39 mins

Join Holy Fools (Jesse Joyner, PhD. and Stephen Grosz, PhD.) as they interview professional writer Ben Palpant—author of a new book on the craft of writing— and discuss how the we can all work faithfully in obscurity. 

 

https://www.amazon.com/Letters-Mountain-Ben-Palpant

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Join Holy Fools (Jesse Joyner, PhD. and Stephen Grosz, PhD.) as they consider the value of getting thicker skin and a wiser head by joining a community of practice. 

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

Ogilvie, Sheilagh. 2019. The European Guilds.(Princeton University Press).

De Munck. 2007. Technologies of Learning: Apprenticeship in Antwerp Guilds from the 15th Century to the End of the Ancien Regime. (Turnhout: Brepols).

 

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Join Holy Fools (Jesse Joyner, PhD. and Stephen Grosz, PhD.) as they interview professional farrier/blacksmith Bear Reed, and consider what can be learned about soul work by being kicked in the gut!

 

 

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Join Holy Fools (Jesse Joyner, PhD. and Stephen Grosz, PhD.) as they recall performing in an Israeli/Palestinian warzone, and consider how having a fool's identity at work can serve God and others. 

 

Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

"The Juggler of Notre Dame" -Tomie dePaola 

"Educating Deliberate Professionals: Beyond Reflective and Deliberative Practitioners"  -Celina McEwen & Franziska Trede 

"The Fool as a Social Type" ...

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December 5, 2023 33 mins

Join Holy Fools (Jesse Joyner, PhD. and Stephen Grosz, PhD.) as they interview 16 time World Champion and holder of multiple Guinness World Records, David Cain, and consider what can be learned about soul work by juggling sharps!

 

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Join the Holy Fools (Jesse Joyner, PhD. and Stephen Grosz, PhD.) as they consider what beekeeping can teach us about slowing down and tasting the sweeter life. 

 

The Burgundy Castle Project

(https://www.npr.org/2023/10/01/1200546214/france-medieval-guedelon-castle-burgundy)

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November 12, 2023 23 mins

Join PhD and professional juggler Jesse Joyner, and PhD and minister Stephen Grosz as they interview master beekeeper Paul Knight, and consider what can be learned about spiritual formation by tending bees. 

 

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November 7, 2023 8 mins

Join PhD and professional juggler Jesse Joyner, and PhD and minister Stephen Grosz as they interview people in diverse crafts and trades (from beekeepers to song writers to sword swallowers). Through a discussion of relevant learning research and Scripture, the Holy Fools consider how integrating one’s faith and work, as a craft, might serve to feed and form the soul..

Listen
Mark as Played

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