The Crack of Dawn Podcast

Fr. Jason strongly recommends this album because the authenticity and honesty of Johnny Cash's voice combined with the raw emotions of the song breaks down all our barriers and emotional masks we wear.  In this state of vulnerability we find restoration and renewal because we can reconnect with the creation.

Fr. Jason suggests the classic album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill for your hump day listening.  The album recently went Diamond which is a certification of selling over 10 Million copies in the US.  It's a feat rarely reached.  

For season four of the Crack of Dawn Podcast, Father Jason is going to make album recommendations.  It's Monday so we an album that will get us up and get us moving.  Dua Lipa's Future Nostalgia fits the bill.  Check it out wherever you get music.  

Father commemorates the passing of Jazz Giant Chick Corea.  His endless exploration, his persistent practice of discovery was his key to music and to life.  It is a lesson we should all learn from him.  Go listen to a lot of Chick Corea music today and then go make some music of your own. He would want that.

Fr. Jason recommends Stevie Wonder's double album Songs in the Key of Life for your hump day listening.  It's a classic album of fantastic songwriting, composition, and technological advancement.  

Fr. Jason explores the fact that the "world as it is, is not as it has to be" and how this fact inspires hope and motivates us to make the world a better place.

Fr. Jason recommends Rachel Maddow's book Blowout for an interesting weekend read.  

In a delicious juxtaposition of driving rhythm and floating melodies, Miles Davis gives us a soundtrack not only for hump day, but also a persistent commentary on our time and culture.

Fr. Jason explores the difference between applying GRIT. vs. toiling through the GRIND. He offers an acronym for G.R.I.T.--Goals, Repetition, Intensity, and Tenacity--as a way to develop grit to overcome the grind.

Fr. Jason recommends for your weekend reading Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman the unofficial chaplain of the civil rights movement.  

Fr. Jason suggests Miles Davis' album Porgy and Bess for your hump day listening.  This album might be the pinnacle of the so-called "cool jazz" movement and the gentle tempos and lush arrangements are a great contrast to intense Wednesdays of January so far.  However, the album is not escapism.  Miles' sound captures the tension, edge, and pathos of life in contrast to Gil Evans' rich tapestry of arrangements.

We need music, especially today.  Today we need music to exorcise the past four years and to help celebrate the potential of the next four years.  Fr. Jason shares two playlists today: one for before the inauguration and one for after.  Links to the playlists are below.  Fr. Jason also reminds us that if we are to ever be a great nation, if we are to ever form a more perfect union, then it is up to us, all of us, to enact policies that foster equality.  It is up to us to broaden the voter pool, to in the spirit of small 'd' democracy increase access to the vote.

Fr. Jason suggests the Enola Holmes mystery series by Nancy Springer because it just fun.  It's a fun read yet not mindless and it is a welcome break from worrying if democracy in the US will survive.

Fr. Jason offers up a couple of suggestions to celebrate MLK day in a deep way.  Then he discusses the importance of developing humility and integrity as leadership skills.

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Fr. Jason discusses the method of Bullet Journaling to improve productivity.  Having a productive day, a productive week is motivating, and Bullet Journaling helps us to focus on what most needs done.  Thus, we avoid being busy just to be busy and actually be productive toward our goals.

Wednesdays are for MUSIC!!!!  Fr. Jason offers up a morning coffee-sized exploration of Miles Davis' album Sketches of Spain to help get you through hump day.  

Fr. Jason discusses Sting's Christmas Album, "If On a Winter's Night".  Link to the album on Spotify below:

Fr. Jason shares his second favorite Christmas album: Boston Brass with the Brass All-stars Big Band present the Stan Kenton Christmas Carols.  It's the closest thing to a Drum Corps Christmas album that you will find.  Links, where you can find and/or stream the album, are below:

Chance the Rapper's song "Sunday Candy" is an expression of love for his Grandmother.  He captures and highlights how grandmothers often exemplify characteristics of God: strength, authority, hospitality, and righteousness. 

Father Jason has another song stuck in his head: JU$T by the rap duo Run the Jewels.  RTJ is Killer Mike and EL-P's band.  Links to the track and their website are below.

Fr. Jason is up with a cup of coffee in his hand and a song stuck in his head.  Listen as he breaks down one of the best new songs he's heard this year: Holy by the independent artist Dresage.  Links to Dresage, the track Holy, and to Andrew Huang's "4 Producers 1 Sample" episode the song was written for are below.