Best Rick Baldwin Podcasts (2025)

1
The Lies We Love: A Community of Overcomers 36:58

3d ago36:58

36:58

We say we want deep relationships but often settle for surface-level convenience. In this heartfelt and vulnerable message by Director of Student Ministry Justin Ruszkiewicz, we confront the lie that we can do life alone. Through the story of personal loss, biblical truth, and honest reflection, this sermon unpacks how Christ calls us to be "A Comm…

1
Fathers and Sons: an anti-celebration 39:37

6d ago39:37

39:37

Tonight I’ll read my anti-celebration of Father’s Day, a text I’ve compiled over many years that was inspired by the late works of novelist David Markson. “Fathers and Sons” presents fathers and fatherhood at their worst. I realize, of course, that not all fathers are execrable and a precious few are exemplary if not even virtuous. I am blessed to …

1
The Lies We Love: I Don't Care What People Think 31:01

10d ago31:01

31:01

“I don’t care what people think.” It sounds bold, even freeing—but is it true? In Part 2 of The Lies We Love, Discipleship Pastor Ryan Akers exposes this common phrase for what it really is: a mask for our deep desire to be liked, accepted, and approved. This message dives into how people-pleasing can trap us, distort our purpose, and become a subt…

1
101. From Purpose to Possibility: Gigi Khonyongwa-Fernandez on Living Intentionally Through Life's Transitions 47:34

14d ago47:34

47:34

In this episode of What’s the Point?, host Bill Ellis sits down with Gigi Khonyongwa-Fernandez—a certified transition and executive coach, podcaster, and founder of Confidently You. Gigi shares her compelling personal story of navigating significant life transitions across continents, careers, and identities, and how these experiences led her to a …

1
127: Break 12:00

16d ago12:00

12:00

We're moving into summer. Keep it hot, y'all.By Rick Baldwin

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The Lies We Love: I'm Fine 32:56

17d ago32:56

32:56

“I’m fine.” How often do we say it when the truth is—we’re anything but? In this powerful kickoff to The Lies We Love series, Discipleship Pastor Ryan Akers unpacks the subtle, soul-draining lie we tell ourselves and others when we’re really overwhelmed, burned out, or just trying to hold it all together. Through the lives of Moses, Mary, and Marth…

1
Quentin Crisp's "Manners from Heaven" 39:19

18d ago39:19

39:19

To celebrate Pride month worldwide, tonight I’ll read two short essays by Quentin Crisp from his 1984 book “Manners from Heaven.” I had dinner once with Mr. Crisp many years ago, so I can attest that he was as well-mannered in life as he still is in print. I recall him asking few, if any, questions and listening attentively while focusing on the me…

1
126: Tribute 31:16

19d ago31:16

31:16

This week I've been clicking off chores and breaking eggs. Not necessarily on the same list, mind you. Have you noticed you listen to music differently as you age? In fact, your entire relationship with music changes as you get older. But that doesnt stop tribute bands. They're showing up by the dozens. I wonder if they get tribute groupies. I'll b…

1
Blah, Blah, Blah 37:01

24d ago37:01

37:01

Do you know what the three most heard words in the English language are? Not the three most spoken words but rather the three most heard words. In this stand-alone message, Executive Pastor Dana Aaronson tells us that he thinks they are, "BLAH, BLAH, BLAH.” We might admit that we often reach a point of saturation when people are trying to communica…

1
100. Shattering the Big Delusion: Harold Long on Addiction, Recovery, and the Power of Honest Transformation 52:26

28d ago52:26

52:26

A Radical Rethink on Addiction and Healing In this episode of What’s the Point?, Bill Ellis is joined by Harold Long, a theologian, recovery coach, and author of The Big Delusion: Shattering the Delusions of Alcoholism and Addiction. With over 40 years of experience in recovery, Harold brings a deeply compassionate and honest perspective on what re…

1
The Widower: an unfinished novel about Hart Crane 47:18

29d ago47:18

47:18

Tonight I’ll read “The Widower,” my own unfinished novel about the American poet Hart Crane. It is narrated by an imagined character who purports to have been Hart Crane’s lover in the months just before Crane’s death in 1932. So I invite you now to lie down and close your eyes, calm yourself down, relax completely, and let yourself by taken off to…

1
Hope Beyond The End: Save the Date 30:21

1M ago30:21

30:21

Jesus is coming back for His bride—the Church. In this powerful message, "Save the Date", Pastor Jeff Maness unpacks what Jesus is preparing for us in the new Heaven and new Earth. One truth stands above it all: none of it matters if Jesus isn’t there. Don’t miss this hope-filled conclusion to our Hope Beyond The End series! Message Notes: https://…

1
125: One Dope Pope 18:02

1M ago18:02

18:02

In this week's show I confront the absence of wifi and the presence of a new Pope. This is the kind of week I've had. Hope yours is great! See you soon.By Rick Baldwin

1
John Ashbery's FLOW CHART: an excerpt 46:13

1M ago46:13

46:13

Tonight I’ll read an excerpt from the late John Ashbery’s book-length poem FLOW CHART, one of the great monuments of late-20th-century poetry. If you’re unfamiliar with Ashery’s poem, you’re in for a unique experience. It will certainly not bore you, but it might exhaust you with its unrelenting expression so that before long you’ll want to be lyin…

1
Hope Beyond The End: Hurry Up and Wait 33:00

1M ago33:00

33:00

Sometimes it feels like the end of the world and Jesus' return may never come, and sometimes it feels like it could be today or tomorrow – and if the Lord does return tomorrow, praise God – Come, Lord Jesus! But either way, because He will return, the way we live because of it should change today. So how should we live while we wait for Christ’s re…

1
99. Young Salt at 60: Deborah Hammett on Reinvention, Resilience, and the Freedom of the Sea 45:35

1M ago45:35

45:35

Redefining Retirement, One Wave at a Time In this episode of What’s the Point?, Bill Ellis welcomes Deborah Hammett, retired educator turned solo sailor and author of Young Salt at 60. After a 30+ year career as an elementary school teacher and principal on Martha’s Vineyard, Deborah did something few would expect—she learned to sail at age 60 and …

1
Cheryl Mendelson's "Home Comforts" Part One 51:01

1M ago51:01

51:01

Tonight I’ll read (with the author's permission) the first part of Cheryl Mendelson’s “Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House” published in 1999. I had heard long ago that “Home Comforts” was the only modern literary book about housekeeping that was not only useful but beautiful. Friends urged me to read it. I’m ashamed to say that I d…

1
Hope Beyond The End: Don't Worry, Be Ready 31:16

2M ago31:16

31:16

Jesus told us to be always ready for His return. In the last message, "It's The End of the World as We Know It", we saw how Jesus said, “I’ve told you everything ahead of time.” Everything we need to know, He has told us to prepare us. So – it’s not our responsibility to know all the details about the end and His return, but it is our responsibilit…

1
Natalia Ginzburg's "Human Relations" 39:01

2M ago39:01

39:01

This podcast is intended to help you fall asleep. Do not listen to it while driving. It’s best to listen while lying in bed, as comfortable as you can get, and without the likelihood of being interrupted until it’s time to wake up. I’m Rick Whitaker, and this is Literate Sleep. Tonight, I’ll read “Human Relations,” an essay by the great Italian wri…

1
124: Beat It, Kid 38:05

2M ago38:05

38:05

Welcome to episode 124 and welcome to May! It's all going by so fast! This week I ponder moving to Tampa Bay in order to save my life. Also, I remember back to the days when I sat in the office of a retired professor who told me I should self-pleasure myself. Ah, memories. The Outta Toon Tune Up this week challenges you to get outside your box and,…

1
Two Stories in the Style of W.G. Sebald: "The Keeper of Light" and "The Archive of Sand" 37:28

2M ago37:28

37:28

Tonight I’ll read two tales created with assistance from Claude Sonnet 3.7, the AI chatbot from Anthropic. The stories were composed with minimal prompting: Please write a story that would be ideal for my new podcast called Literate Sleep, in which I read literary texts aloud to help listeners fall asleep. It shouldn’t be boring but also shouldn’t …

1
Hope Beyond The End: The End of the World as We Know It 35:55

2M ago35:55

35:55

The end of the world is coming, but there’s no need to panic. Jesus may not give us all the details about the end and His return that we desire – but He does give us everything we need to know. While we may not know the day or hour, our response to the signs of the times can transform how we live today. Join us as we uncover how to live with hope a…

1
98. The Generous Leader: Joe Davis on Leading with Care, Driving Results, and Leaving a Legacy 43:47

2M ago43:47

43:47

Reimagining Leadership Through Generosity In this episode of What’s the Point?, Bill Ellis is joined by Joe Davis—retired Managing Director and Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group (BCG), author of The Generous Leader, and lifelong connector. Joe spent 37 years with BCG, co-founding the DC office, launching its North American public sector bus…

1
123: Books and Birthdays 30:11

2M ago30:11

30:11

This week we discuss more about the things that make creativity difficult and why it's so hard being an artistic person. We all know about these things, right? I hope it's not just me. This is my birthday week so come on over for some cake and beer. In the meantime, let's chat again next week when I'm much older and wiser. Unless you don't show up …

1
Edmund White's The Loves of My Life: A Sex Memoir 38:33

2M ago38:33

38:33

Tonight I’ll read an excerpt from Edmund White’s recently published The Loves of My Life: A Sex Memoir. Edmund is a close friend of mine, and my favorite page in this book is the dedication page, which reads: To Rick Whitaker. Be advised that you will hear some vivid descriptions of gay sex, so if you wish not to fall asleep with such stuff in your…

1
Hope Beyond The End: Are We There Yet? 29:55

2M ago29:55

29:55

If you have kids or you've ever been a kid, you know what it's like during a long car ride, the constant questions, "Are we there yet?" "How much longer?" "Why is it taking so long?" That’s pretty much the same question followers of Jesus have been asking since He rose from the dead and promised that He would one day return to make every wrong righ…

1
The Best Poems of Emily Dickinson 48:05

2M ago48:05

48:05

This podcast is intended to help you fall asleep. Do not listen to it while driving. It’s best to listen while lying in bed, as comfortable as you can get, and without the likelihood of being interrupted until it’s time to wake up. I’m Rick Whitaker, and this is Literate Sleep, where I read from literary texts that I hope you will enjoy hearing wit…

1
122: Big, Burly Dudes 29:44

2M ago29:44

29:44

On this episode I give a salute, shout out and a round of appreciation to big, burly dudes. Hey, can't a man give another man some attention without being... Oh, shut up. This week I've been a bachelor and have completely ruined the bachelor life for bachelors everywhere. Sorry, guys. There's other stuff here if you want to get into it. Try it out.…

1
Battle Ready: The Forgotten Weapon 34:22

2M ago34:22

34:22

In our series Battle Ready, we've talked about each part of the armor of God. We learned we have to put on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes — we must put on peace, which comes from the Good News. We take up the shield of faith by which we quench the fiery arrows of the enemy. Lastly, we put on salvation as a he…

1
97. Midlife Career Change with Purpose: Scott Doyne on Identity, Transition, & Finding Your Next Chapter 45:00

2M ago45:00

45:00

In this enlightening episode of What’s the Point?, Bill Ellis welcomes Scott Doyne—a former sports executive, keynote speaker, professional coach, and author of Exploring the Midlife Career Crisis: A Guide to Navigating the Four Stages of Career Transition. After two decades leading strategy and analytics at Turner Sports, Scott made a dramatic shi…

1
Enough and other stories by Samuel Beckett 26:18

2M ago26:18

26:18

Tonight’s reading is devoted to the great comic writer Samuel Beckett, who was born April 13, 1906. I’ll read three of his short stories, starting with the longest of them, a story called “Enough.” Now I invite you to close your eyes, calm yourself down, relax completely, and let yourself be taken away while I read to you for a peaceful night of re…

1
121: Falling Wood 27:15

2M ago27:15

27:15

I've been sheltered in place, writing a play. More about that later. But I've also been watching trees fall which is kinda fun. If you aren't watching "The Americas" narrated by Tom Hanks, its quite enjoyable. Give it a spin. Other than that, I've been listening to new music and turning down young women begging me for sex. So what's new with you? S…

1
Battle Ready: Ready to Fight 33:14

2M ago33:14

33:14

Before Jesus ever performed a miracle, God declared His identity—and that same truth applies to us today. Discover how your identity in Christ, your access to spiritual authority, and the Word of God can equip you to stand firm in the face of the enemy’s lies. Don’t miss this encouraging and practical message on the helmet of salvation and the swor…

1
The Poetry of Maya Angelou 36:11

2M ago36:11

36:11

Tonight’s reading is devoted to the American poet Maya Angelou (1928-2014). First I’ll read a selection of her poems, then an interview she gave in 2013. After reading the interview, I’ll read a biographical note about Dr. Angelou. But I expect you’ll be sound asleep by then. Literate sleep. uJcvTuN98fcN5IcP8vD2…

1
Battle Ready: Shield of Faith 37:24

3M ago37:24

37:24

Have you ever thought about how many safety precautions we take so that we are prepared to deal with dangers that may never happen? For example, we have airbags, seatbelts, smoke detectors, security systems, emergency contacts, and insurance policies that we will hopefully never need. We have them because we know it’s better to have it and not need…

1
"Kleist in Thun" by Robert Walser (1878-1956) about the self-tormented poet Heinrich von Kleist 29:24

3M ago29:24

29:24

This podcast is intended to help you fall asleep. Do not listen to it while driving. It’s best to listen while lying in bed, as comfortable as you can get, and without the likelihood of being interrupted until it’s time to wake up. This is the first episode of Literate Sleep. I’ll read from literary texts that I hope you will enjoy hearing without …

1
96. From Diagnosis to Empowerment: Deb Krier on Living Fully, Leading Boldly, and Building a Legacy 45:39

3M ago45:39

45:39

An Honest Conversation About Life, Illness, and the Power of Perspective In this powerful episode of What’s the Point?, Bill Ellis sits down with Deb Krier—a seasoned marketing and communications expert, longtime business podcaster, and three-time cancer survivor—who has turned unimaginable adversity into a purposeful mission to help others live wi…

1
Battle Ready: Shoes of Peace 35:14

3M ago35:14

35:14

Peace is something everyone wants, but true peace is not something we can earn. It’s not something you can attain after many years of hard work. True peace isn’t found in a peace treaty between nations. It’s not found when you get the house you always wanted, or you have the money you need to retire, or your kids are perfect. Those things might bri…

1
Battle Ready: The Battle of the Fruit Flies 38:13

3M ago38:13

38:13

Whether we're aware of it or not, we are creating an environment for ourselves in the way we live our lives. And the kind of environment we create for ourselves, for our marriages, for families, and for our relationship with Jesus, matter because we are at war. In this message, Director of Student Ministry Justin Ruszkiewicz highlights the profound…

1
95. Stress-Free Book Marketing: Rick Lite on Self-Publishing, Promotion, and Author Success 41:02

3M ago41:02

41:02

The Road to Successful Book Publishing In this episode of What’s the Point?, Bill Ellis sits down with Rick Lite, the founder of Stress Free Book Marketing, to discuss the ins and outs of self-publishing, book promotion, and long-term success as an independent author. With decades of experience helping authors launch and market their books, Rick sh…

1
120: Lighting Up 36:37

3M ago36:37

36:37

This week I'm battling the urge to smoke. Why? Someone get me a therapist and we'll all know. Today we discover the worst states to have a baby and the things you can't eat in other countries. Sorry, folks, this is the podcast. Finally, I plead for you to recognize that you aren't special. This is why no one wants to listen to this podcast. Oh well…

1
Battle Ready: Armor Up! 35:02

3M ago35:02

35:02

Life isn’t just a series of occasional struggles—it’s a constant battlefield—and the stakes could not be higher. Too often, we are only equipped to fight on Sunday or when we are surrounded by the comfort of our church community—but the battle rages on every moment of every day—and our enemy is relentless. But God has already given us the tools for…

1
Exposed: Family 32:28

4M ago32:28

32:28

Family can be both a blessing and a challenge, but God calls us to love them—even when it’s hard. In this message, Discipleship Pastor Ryan Akers explores how patience, perseverance, and humility (the opposite of pride, if you are a fan of alliteration) can transform our relationships, reflecting the unconditional love God shows us. Whether you’re …

1
119: Booze Sniffer 29:59

4M ago29:59

29:59

What's the deal with the reality show The Baldwins? Are people watching this? Is anyone waiting to find out what secrets are being hidden in Alec Baldwin's immediate family? I have to admit, as a Baldwin, even I really couldn't care less. St. Patrick's Day is happening very soon and it's a great time to sniff a variety of booze. Shall we? You know …

1
94. Mastering Mindset and Performance: Dre Baldwin on Discipline, Confidence, and Success 48:22

4M ago48:22

48:22

In this episode of What’s the Point?, Bill Ellis sits down with Dre Baldwin, the CEO and Founder of Work On Your Game Inc. Dre’s journey from a late-blooming high school athlete to a professional basketball player spanning nine years and eight countries is nothing short of remarkable. Now, with over 103 million content views, 35 books, and 3,200+ e…

1
Exposed: The Right Perspective Of Dating 35:13

4M ago35:13

35:13

The concept of dating only began in the early 1900s. But as author Jonathan Pokluda said in his book, Outdated: “Just because modern dating wasn’t really around when the Bible was written doesn’t mean the Bible doesn’t have anything relevant to say about the subject.” And if you are not in that part of life where you are interested in dating, this …

1
118: Not Funny 32:51

4M ago32:51

32:51

This week I ponder whether things get less funnier as you get older (not talking about this podcast). I try to get into the SNL 50th Anniversary and I wonder if we resist things like spirituality and politics if the ideas dont reinforce what we already think we know. Thanks for dropping by. I'll be back next week.…

1
Exposed: The Purpose of Sex 38:40

4M ago38:40

38:40

Genesis 1:28a says, "Then God blessed them and said, 'Be fruitful and multiply.'" Now God could have thought up a million different ways to procreate—but He blessed us with the gift of sex, a gift designed not only to reproduce, but to bring pleasure. And these are pretty much the only two things we ever think about when it comes to sex, making bab…

1
117: Funeral For A Friend 32:36

4M ago32:36

32:36

This week, my friends, I say good bye to a long time friend and hello to a short time family member. Life is full of surprises. Hope all is well with you. See you soon.By Rick Baldwin

1
93. No Sweat Public Speaking: Fred E. Miller on Overcoming Fear and Mastering the Art of Communication 41:13

4M ago41:13

41:13

The Power of Public Speaking In this episode of What’s the Point?, Bill Ellis sits down with Fred E. Miller, an internationally recognized speaker, best-selling author, and public speaking coach. Fred has spent years helping people overcome their fear of speaking, improve their networking skills, and deliver presentations with confidence. His books…

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