Podcaster In My Own …Mind: The Wolves Podcast

Dacari J, Nikki Tolly, and I I (Eric Brown), decided to create a podcast. Of course we would decide to do it at a time where everyone is trying to come into the podcast game. We did not know this at the time, but we are not afraid of a challenge. I think I read in an article that by next year, the podcast industry’s worth is calculated around $210 Million. Now I will not say that is not a good motivation point, but that is not the reason we are two episodes into our podcast.

The one reason we all get along so well is because we understand that faith leaders, pastors, preachers, ministers, or whatever else you want to call them, can be full of shit. But to add another factor, each one of us are ministers. For me, I am a fourth generation minister in my family. Nikki is a few generations in herself, and Dacari may have ministers in his family, but is a first generation minister. Why does this matter? This matters because none of us feel that comfortable in wearing this identity in the same matter it presented itself to us. To this day, I hate ministry and have an “It depends on the day” mentality to the church. Even though I say that, it’s still a relationship in my life that I want to see work. Each one of us have saw something within ministry or the church that hit us the wrong way, and the only way we feel we can solve the problem, is by continuing to fix the problem from the inside. There are many factors we discuss like, Identity. We know so many preachers who do not present themselves the same way they act publicly. Now, before we call this fake, even though there are some that are, we know that regardless of any industry a person is in, there is a such thing as a public life and a private life. Politicians speak from subjects in a way that will earn them votes for office. Some of the issues they agree or disagree on, are not always discussed in the same way because people can hear what they want switch campaign camps based on if you a person says yes or no. This does not matter if you are a lawyer, doctor, preacher, businessperson, or teacher. To advance in an industry a person is only allowed to show apart of who they are for success.

It sounds so horrible saying that out loud. It actually feel just as bad. Unfortunately, at the end of the day. Perception is reality. People must feed their families. Many want to be liked and will sacrifice the fullness of their identity for the security of their life and household.

This is the story of my life. Being an 18-year-old kid from Tennessee, who at every corner is told to be a certain way that you forget who you are. It was no different with Dacari, or with Nikki. We felt held back about making real connections with hurting people because we were told to be bind to the secret rituals of the clergy fraternity. Yes, I said fraternity. Even for Nikki, she is expected to uphold the principles, teachings, and values of a society that doesn’t respect her for being a woman called by God. Whew! That was a lot to say and I still have more.

Even though it is bad enough we are showed that our identity is sacrificed for what we are told is the Gospel, (I say this because one thing that I know for myself is if we are made in the image of God, identity is always important in who is target for a mission or purpose), it also limits us in how people are transformed by God’s call on us or transform us to perform better in the call. If you expect that a person is to do the work of God and be naive of the culture they are immersed in, then no wonder people feel no connection to clergy. We all know the person that loves to have fun, but when the “great preacher” comes along, they become paralyzed in who they are because some person says they are an authority of God. Does that aroma of authority hinder relationships or help relationships? You be the judge of that, but for me, it was not the person I wanted to be. This also was not true for Nikki or Dacari.

The same way I try to live my life is the same thing I wanted to make sure is implemented in the Wolves Podcast? How do we created a show where we can show the fullness of who we are, make authentic relationships on mutual respect from a progressive minister’s perspective? I believe ministers do not have to be serious, closed-minded people who are always fire and brimstone people. They can show the other emotions and personalities of themselves that doesn’t come off as corny or a fake-Christian-cool. This is that way of saying how we feel that connects to a group of people who feel awkward and outcasted for how they feel and believe. Hence, The Wolves Podcast emerged from these thoughts.

If you want to know how we came up with the name, watch this video: How The Wolves Saved Yellowstone Park

With that said, this podcast is for talking about the underside of conversations that doesn’t stereotype or fragment a person, but brings the fullness of people and topics. THE WOLVES PODCAST is created to bring life to podcast discussion without the pigeon-hole. If you feel like this article speaks to you, I’m sure the podcast will too. Subscribe to The Wolves Podcast on Apple Podcast, Google Play, Stitcher Radio, or SoundCloud.

It’s time to speak your truth. People will always have an opinion. Speak, regardless.

  • Eric Brown, The Wolves Podcast
The Eric Brown Venture

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Writer. Thinker. Strategic. Doer. Honest. Fearful. Unapologetic.

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