Episodes
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Make Your Life a Praise | The Listening Porch w/Ray Hughes | Episode 15
The Psalms don’t just tell stories of victory, they carry the long memory of God’s faithfulness. In this episode of Listening Porch, Ray Hughes and Eric explore what it really means to be a psalmist. Not just a songwriter, but a person whose life becomes praise. From David’s victories and…
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Be a Psalmist | The Listening Porch w/Ray Hughes | Episode 14
What does it actually mean to be a psalmist? In this Listening Porch conversation, Eric and Ray reflect on #44 from 107 Things I Forgot to Say the Last Time I Talked About Worship, Creativity, and Music. Together, they explore how the psalms are more than songs. They are stories of real lives…
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Walking While Waiting | The Listening Porch w/Ray Hughes | Episode 13
On a cold November porch in Alabama, we talk about deserts, waiting, creativity, and why God often speaks beyond the narrow parameters of thought. A conversation about stillness, listening, and finding beauty where we least expect it. -- Join Selah Creatives: Get access to all of Ray’s online...
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Fitting In vs. Belonging | The Listening Porch w/Ray Hughes | Episode 12
In this episode of The Listening Porch, Ray Hughes reflects on the difference between fitting in and belonging, and why so many gifted, creative, Spirit-filled people feel misaligned in the places they’re trying to serve. Drawing from the life of David, Ray explores how the Holy Spirit expresses...
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Misfits, Makers, and the Presence of God | The Listening Porch w/Ray Hughes | Episode 11
In this episode of The Listening Porch, Ray and Eric sit down to talk about something so many creatives quietly carry: the feeling of not fitting in. Drawing from the life of King David, they explore why so many musicians, poets, worship leaders, storytellers, and dreamers walk through seasons of...
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Incubating the Unseen | The Listening Porch w/Ray Hughes | Episode 10
There are plenty of good ideas floating around. But God ideas… those are the ones that ask us to slow down. To listen. To partner. Thoughts are like diamonds in the dark. They do not shine until someone turns on the light. Sometimes that light is attention. Sometimes it is patience. Sometimes it…
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Walking Through the Forest Looking for the Sea | The Listening Porch w/Ray Hughes | Episode 9
In this episode of The Listening Porch, we explore a beautiful metaphor: Writing feels like walking through a forest, looking for the sea. Ray and Eric talk about: - How writing, creativity, and spiritual life mirror a long forest journey - Why wonder is essential, especially in the “ordinary”...
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Wonder & Mystery | The Listening Porch w/ Ray Hughes | Ep. 8
In this episode of The Listening Porch, we’re literally on a porch outside, surrounded by dogs barking, cars passing, and creation doing what it does. And in that setting, Ray shares one of the themes that has shaped his entire life: wonder. We talk about the “mystery of Christ,” not as something...
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How Architecture Shapes Our Art and Worship Expressions | The Listening Porch with Ray Hughes | Episode 7
In this conversation, we explore how worship, music, and even church architecture influence the way we encounter God. From the awe of ancient cathedrals to the simplicity of a living room or open field, we talk about how real worship isn’t confined to walls or production — it’s born in moments...
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What Is It About Porches? | The Listening Porch with Ray Hughes | Episode 6
In this episode of The Listening Porch, Ray Hughes shares the heart behind the name itself — why porches once mattered so much, how storytelling shaped families and cultures, and what we lose when we trade real connection for technology. From Irish legends to front porch memories, this…
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Paint Your Words with Music | The Listening Porch with Ray Hughes | Episode 5
In this episode of The Listening Porch, Ray Hughes and Eric Yun dive into the beauty of creative freedom — how every artist, poet, and musician carries the potential for a new revolution when they stop trying to fit in. They discuss how styles evolve, how comparison can kill creativity, and how…
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Music Before It Was An Industry | The Listening Porch with Ray Hughes | Episode 4
In this episode of The Listening Porch, Ray Hughes explores what happens when music moves from being lived to being consumed. Drawing from his book 107 Things I Forgot to Say About Worship, Creativity, and Music, Ray unpacks how the invention of technology—from the microphone to the radio—shifted...
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Write a Song Only God Will Hear | The Listening Porch with Ray Hughes | Episode 3
In this episode of The Listening Porch, Ray and Eric talk about the kind of creativity that no one else will ever see — songs, poems, prayers, and moments meant only for God. They start with one of the short reflections from 107 Things I Forgot to Say — “Write a song today that you don’t want...
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Music: The Universal Language | The Listening Porch with Ray Hughes | Episode 2
Starting from a passage in Ray’s book 107 Things I Forgot to Say, Ray and Eric explore how music becomes the language of those who laugh, live, long, and love. The conversation moves from laughter as warfare and healing, to music as the breath of life, to songs that hold the ache of longing, to...
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Songs that Changed History | The Listening Porch with Ray Hughes | Episode 1
In this first episode of The Listening Porch with Ray Hughes, we explore a question that has echoed through history: If the church changes the way it understands music and worship, can it change the world? From Luther’s hymns to the songs of the Wesley brothers, every reformation has carried a...
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Deep Roots & Tangled Limbs P6: Heirlooms and Inheritance
Storytellers are the guardians of memories, Ray tells us. In this episode, Ray shares some of the memories of his early years and how the stories of our lives give shape to the people we become. These formative memories of family history encourage us that our memories, even the darker, painful…
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Deep Roots & Tangled Limbs P5: Places of Encounter
The Places we love have a profound ability to awaken wonder in our hearts and fill us with a sense of purpose and destiny. In this episode, Ray shares about his love of Wales, Scotland and Ireland a how a prophetic encounter set him on a lifelong course of discovering how deeply these lands were...
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Deep Roots & Tangled Limbs P4: Music, Misfits & The Life of King David
In this episode, Ray Hughes shares from his lifelong study of King David and shows how this misfit shepherd boy’s unwavering pursuit of God's presence shaped his legacy as a poet, worship leader, and king. Ray emphasizes the timeless relevance of David's story, highlighting how his longing for…
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Deep Roots & Tangled Limbs P3: The Generational Power of Storytelling
In today's conversation, Ray shares about the generational power of storytelling. This episode spans everything from the importance of paying attention to learning the difference between a distraction and a daydream. Visit The Listening Porch online for more inspiring episodes. You can help…
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Deep Roots & Tangled Limbs P2: Dialect and Destiny
In this conversation,Stephen and Ray are continuing the discussion on fascination imagination and wonder, adding to it a bit about storytelling, songwriting, and how dialect impacts destiny. Visit The Listening Porch online for more inspiring episodes. You can help support the show by becoming a...
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Deep Roots & Tangled Limbs P1: Fascination, Imagination & Wonder
In this opening conversation, Ray Hughes shares his timeless wisdom on the topics of fascination, imagination and wonder. As creatives and followers of Jesus, nurturing these expressions of faith are vital to living a full and vibrant life. Tune in to hear Ray share insights on how we can move...
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Introducing Deep Roots and Tangled Limbs: A Series of Talks on Life, Faith and The Creative Journey
Hello Everybody. I am thrilled to announce a new series of conversations here on The Listening Porch. Each week, starting Friday, February 2nd, (that's Groundhog Day in case you were wondering,) my good friend Stephen Roach will be joining me for a series of talks about life, faith and the…
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Happy New Year
I'd like to wish you a Happy New Year! Visit The Listening Porch online! You can view a video version of this episode and help support the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/rayhughes. You can also sign up for one of my online courses at www.rayhughes.org or check out my beautiful, handmade...
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What is Beauty?
Somebody asked me, "What is Beauty"? Here's what I told them. Visit The Listening Porch online! You can view a video version of this episode and help support the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/rayhughes. You can also sign up for one of my online courses at www.rayhughes.org or check out...
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Ever Speaking
Today I'd like to tell you about my new book. Visit The Listening Porch online! You can view a video version of this episode and help support the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/rayhughes. You can also sign up for one of my online courses at www.rayhughes.org or check out my beautiful,...
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Thank God and Horace Kephart
I'd like to tell you about the man who saved the Smoky Mountains, Horace Kephart. Visit The Listening Porch online! You can view a video version of this episode and help support the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/rayhughes. You can also sign up for one of my online courses at...
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Sauntering and Meditation
Join me for a little porch chat about prayer and meditation Visit The Listening Porch online! You can view a video version of this episode and help support the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/rayhughes. You can also sign up for one of my online courses at selahministries.com or check out...
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Hill of Beans/Bogey and Patty Duffer
I'd like to tell you about the smartest man from the Hill of Beans, Bogey Duffer. Visit The Listening Porch online! You can view a video version of this episode and help support the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/rayhughes. You can also sign up for one of my online courses at...
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Today
I'd like to share a poem with you today. Visit The Listening Porch online! You can view a video version of this episode and help support the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/rayhughes. You can also sign up for one of my online courses at selahministries.com or check out my beautiful,...
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Unnecessary Urges
Let's talk about creativity and noise. Visit The Listening Porch online! You can view a video version of this episode and help support the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/rayhughes. You can also sign up for one of my online courses at selahministries.com or check out my beautiful…
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God’s Love
I've been reading the past couple of days about the greatness of God's love. Visit The Listening Porch online! You can view a video version of this episode and help support the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/rayhughes. You can also sign up for one of my online courses at...
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Chatting About Spurgeon
Let's chat about Charles Spurgeon. Visit The Listening Porch online! You can view a video version of this episode and help support the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/rayhughes. You can also sign up for one of my online courses at selahministries.com or check out my beautiful, handmade…
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Storytelling
The Bible tells us thousands of stories that consist of real people experiencing God in real ways. Visit The Listening Porch online! You can view a video version of this episode and help support the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/rayhughes. You can also sign up for one of my online...
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Mountain Talk
Join me today for some Mountain Talk. Visit The Listening Porch online! You can view a video version of this episode and help support the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/rayhughes. You can also sign up for one of my online courses at selahministries.com or check out my beautiful…
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Man From A Hill Of Beans
I grew up six miles from the hill of beans. Visit The Listening Porch online! You can view a video version of this episode and help support the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/rayhughes. You can also sign up for one of my online courses at selahministries.com or check out my beautiful,...
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Honor
Of mockingbirds and men. Visit The Listening Porch online! You can view a video version of this episode and help support the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/rayhughes. You can also sign up for one of my online courses at selahministries.com or check out my beautiful, handmade ink pens at...
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Wonder-full Imagination
A wonder-filled imagination is a wonder-full thing. Visit The Listening Porch online! You can view a video version of this episode and help support the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/rayhughes. You can also sign up for one of my online courses at selahministries.com or check out my...
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A Right To Choose
Quiet is not the absence of sound. It is an invitation to listen and to hear life. The good news is that you get to choose what you listen to. Choose life today. Visit The Listening Porch online! You can view a video version of this episode and help support the show by becoming a Patron at...
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Horizons
When you can’t see a horizon in your life you can start to feel disconnected to your own future. It’s easy to feel that way in these times of turmoil. Visit The Listening Porch online! You can view a video version of this episode and help support the show by becoming a Patron at...
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Season 2 Trailer
Well as you may know I have been focused on my health the last couple of years. I've been taking walks and jotting down things that come to me in between the notes of the bird’s songs. These walks have been important to me but I’m back now, sitting on the porch. Let's chat!… Visit The Listening...
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A Walk In New Orleans
A pair of poems inspired by one of my favorite places... Visit The Listening Porch online! You can view a video version of this episode and help support the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/rayhughes. You can also sign up for one of my online courses at selahministries.com or check out my...
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Poet and Old Ghosts
Sacred seeds are the words of truth that awaken hope in a longing heart when a soul is broken and only listens to old ghosts... Visit The Listening Porch online! You can view a video version of this episode and help support the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/rayhughes. You can also sign...
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Today Feels Write
I want to encourage you today to take up pen and paper and process your life with the written word... Visit The Listening Porch online! You can view a video version of this episode and help support the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/rayhughes. You can also sign up for one of my online...
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Gipsy Girl
Sometimes I like to get up in the morning and go on walks fully intending on paying attention to the things that inspire... Visit The Listening Porch online! You can view a video version of this episode and help support the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/rayhughes. You can also sign up...
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Dublin Morning
An original poem, "Dublin Morning," and the story behind it... Visit The Listening Porch online! You can view a video version of this episode and help support the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/rayhughes. You can also sign up for one of my online courses at selahministries.com or check...
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I‘m From Kentucky
Today I'm going to give you a little piece of poetry that kind of speaks to the world that I came from... Visit The Listening Porch online! You can view a video version of this episode and help support the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/rayhughes. You can also sign up for one of my…
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Solitude
There's a difference between isolation and solitude... Visit The Listening Porch online! You can view a video version of this episode and help support the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/rayhughes. You can also sign up for one of my online courses at selahministries.com or check out my...
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Dressed In Dust
I was digging in the garden today and had a few thoughts about dust and dirt... Visit The Listening Porch online! You can view a video version of this episode and help support the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/rayhughes. You can also sign up for one of my online courses at...
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Thing 1
Today on the podcast I talk about Thing 1 from my book "107 Things I Forgot To Say the Last Time I Talked About Worship, Creativity, and Music." You can find the book on Amazon or order it from Bethel Media... Visit The Listening Porch online! You can view a video version of this episode and help...
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Rewrite Your Past
Some people say you can't change the past, but I say its all in how you write it... Visit The Listening Porch online! You can view a video version of this episode and help support the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/rayhughes. You can also sign up for one of my online courses at...
About this show
The Listening Porch is a podcast from Ray Hughes. Connect with Ray and support the show at: patreon.com/rayhughes
Hosted by
Ray Hughes
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