Ellen Clune is the Director of Recruitment for Templeton. She recommends…The Hillbilly Thomists.
Like any bluegrass band worth its salt, The Hillbilly Thomists have played at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry. Unlike any bluegrass band, The Hillbilly Thomists wear identical white habits, pray a twenty-decade rosary every day, and have the same initials after their names: O.P. Yes folks, this is a bluegrass band of Dominican friars.
The setting of Dominican preaching in bluegrass music works surprisingly well. Each song is like a well-crafted sermon that is more poetic than preachy. I have been moved to laughter and to tears by the Thomists’ clever, edifying lyrics, which are full of Biblical allusions and Flannery O’Conner references. Their tunes are catchy and cover a wide range of styles in the country/bluegrass family. Even if you don’t like bluegrass (sorry for your loss), you’ll still find a few songs to appreciate.
Their most recent album is Marigold, which debuted at #2 on the Billboard bluegrass chart. My favorite tracks are on their 2022 album Holy Ghost Power. To get started with the Thomists, I recommend the title track “Holy Ghost Power,” the upbeat homage to Julian of Norwich “New City,” and “Veronica,” a tender meditation on the imago dei in each person. These and other Hillbilly Thomist songs take up a lot of real estate on my “Twangy and Philosophical” playlist.
Ella Curcuruto is the Templeton Intern for Recruitment and Communications. She recommends…Ologies with Alie Ward
Squirrel meal plans. Snail art in medieval manuscripts. The perfect cup of coffee. These are just a few of the gems to be found in the soundwaves of Ologies, my favorite podcast. Ologies is hosted by the incredible queen of sci-comm, Alie Ward. Each episode focuses on a different ‘ology,’ or subject of study. From decluttering, puffins, and human anatomy to neuroscience, cheese, and cabins, Ologies has it all.
I first found Ologies through their episode on bryology, the study of moss, featuring Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer. The show is informative, fun, and makes learning about the world incredibly accessible. Ward is an engaging and lovable host, who truly cares about her audience and their interests.
Though it may sound a tad dramatic, listening to Ologies and learning about the world routinely gives me a deeper appreciation for God’s incredible creation. The intricate details by which the world functions show me proof of a detailed Creator. To learn about bugs, plants, and animals, and about human behavior, all packaged in a carefully researched podcast, is a true joy.