Author

About the Author
Co-creator of Revealing Voices and resident spiritual poet for the podcast, Eric advocates for the development of better mental health through art and environmental stewardship.

A Timeless MLK Eulogy from 57 years ago

June 18, 2020 Eric Riddle Podcast Episodes, Season 3 9:44 Comments Off on A Timeless MLK Eulogy from 57 years ago

From pandemic to protest. 2020 has been a difficult year. We seek spiritual leadership. During this time, Tony and I look to the healing words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

This eulogy was given in 1963 following a bombing at 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama. “They were discussing the eternal meaning of love”, he says, reflecting on the girls last moments within the walls of the church.

A timeline of the events leading up the event was summarized in a 2019 in a CNN article:

September 15, 1963 – A bomb blast at the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, kills four African-American girls during church services. At least 14 others are injured in the explosion, including Sarah Collins, the 12-year-old sister of victim Addie Mae Collins, who loses an eye.Three former Ku Klux Klan members are eventually convicted of murder for the bombing.

Victims:
Addie Mae Collins, 14
Denise McNair, 11
Carole Robertson, 14
Cynthia Wesley, 14


September 15, 1963 – 
– Riots break out, and two African-American boys, Virgil Ware, 13, and Johnny Robinson, 16, are also killed. In all, at least 20 people are injured from the initial bombing and the ensuing riots.
– Alabama Governor George Wallace sends 500 National Guardsmen and 300 state troopers to the city. The next day, they are joined by 500 police officers and 150 sheriffs’ deputies.

September 16, 1963 – President John F. Kennedy responds by saying, “If these cruel and tragic events can only awaken that city and state – if they can only awaken this entire nation to a realization of the folly of racial injustice and hatred and violence, then it is not too late for all concerned to unite in steps toward peaceful progress before more lives are lost.”

—

The hope embodied in this eulogy must remain in our national aspirations. We pray that we are striving to become a more just and equitable society – a core part of King’s dream. It pains us that George Floyd’s death is not an outlier, but only another death of people of color at the hands of the police.

A BBC article lists a timeline of deaths since Eric Garner’s death by choke hold in 2014. Say their names in your thoughts and prayers, but more importantly, proactively work on behalf of those most oppressed who live in a nation desperately needing healing.

Episode 38 – The Heart of Advocacy

May 22, 2020 Eric Riddle Podcast Episodes, Season 3 50:21 Comments Off on Episode 38 – The Heart of Advocacy

Leslie Carpenter is a serious brain disorders advocate who is working to improve quality of care for people with brain disorders all along the continuum of care locally, in the state of Iowa and in the country.  She also teaches NAMI Family to Family & NAMI Provider training and is an active member of her local NAMI Johnson County Board of Directors in Iowa City, Iowa.  

She and her husband, Scott, have been advocating for improvements in reimbursement rates for mental health professionals, treatment facilities, supportive community housing and ending the IMD exclusion.  They have 2 children, one of whom has a Schizoaffective Disorder combined with Anosognosia.  

They have witnessed just how traumatic it can be for someone with a serious brain disorder to get medical treatment, and want to work for improved collaboration between the patients and providers, and amongst the people involved at all levels of treatment.  

—

Leslie’s Famous Snickerdoodle Recipe!!!!

3 3/4 Cups All-Purpose Baking Flour

1/2 Teaspoon Baking Soda

1/2 Teaspoon Cream of Tartar

1/2 Teaspoon Salt

1 cup softened butter

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1/4 cup milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

Oven 375 degrees. Grease a cookie sheet. Stir together flour, soda, cream of tartar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Beat butter for 30 seconds; add the 2 cups of sugar and beat till fluffy. Add eggs, milk, and vanilla; beat well. Add dry ingredients to mixture, beating well till well combined. Form dough into 1″ balls; roll in a mixture of the 3 teaspoons sugar and cinnamon. Place balls 2″ apart on a cookie sheet; flatten slightly. Bake in a 375 degree oven about 8 minutes or till light golden. Makes about 60!

—

Topics Include:

Why use the term “Brain Disorder”?

What personal interactions has she had with presidential candidates in Iowa?

How can the court system support those with who struggle with their diagnosis?

What does healing mean to you?

Shownotes:

“Crazy: A Father’s Search Through America’s Mental Health Madness” by Pete Earley

“I’m Not Sick, I Don’t Need Help” by Dr. Xavier Amador

NAMI – National Alliance on Mental Illness. There are also links to state-specific NAMI sites

Joe Biden Mental Health Platform

Next Episode:

Parenting During a Pandemic

Les Rust

Episode 37 – Pastoring in the Pandemic

April 26, 2020 Eric Riddle Podcast Episodes, Season 3 21:34 Comments Off on Episode 37 – Pastoring in the Pandemic

As we press forward in these difficult days, we want to feature voices from a variety of perspectives whose life and work has been strongly impacted by this crisis. On this episode, Les Rust talks about how the virus and ensuing quarantine is impacting the ministry of faith communities.

Leslie D. Rust is a Presbyterian pastor, writer, and blogger who has a keen interest in liturgy, monastic spirituality and the mysteries of faith. Having grown up in the mountains of east Tennessee he is an avid hiker, camper, and makes and hangs out in hammocks of his own creation. He is fond of music, mirth, and at least a little bit of mayhem. He can be found blogging at characterinthemaking.com .

Easter Weekend

Episode 36 – Pain in the Pandemic

April 12, 2020 Eric Riddle Podcast Episodes, Season 3 35:21 Comments Off on Episode 36 – Pain in the Pandemic

On this day before Easter, Tony and Eric want to acknowledge the pain experienced across the globe during this Lent season. On Ash Wednesday (February 26), social distancing and quarantines were not yet being discussed in America. Over the 40 days of Lent, we have gained more empathy for the physical, economic, social, and psychological pain created by the coronavirus.

Shownotes:

Tony pays homage to his favorite singer-song writer, John Prine, who died earlier this week.

To follow Eric’s 100 Day Project on Instagram, search “#100plantproject”. It’s the 50th Anniversary of Earth Day on April 22!

Spouse Takeover!

Episode 35 – Spouse Takeover!

April 2, 2020 Eric Riddle Podcast Episodes, Season 3 47:32 1 Comment

Jen Riddle and Susan Lockwood-Roberts are guest hosts on this very special episode of Revealing Voices. Be prepared to have a different side of Tony and Eric “revealed” by their beautiful wives…..

Prayer in Isolation

Episode 34 – Praying Through A Pandemic

March 30, 2020 Eric Riddle Podcast Episodes, Season 3 0:27:41 Comments Off on Episode 34 – Praying Through A Pandemic

“The function of prayer is not to influence God, but rather to change the nature of the one who prays.” ― Soren Kierkegaard

Prayer is not a business transaction between a dispassionate producer and a pleading consumer. Prayer is a conversation within a relationship of love.

A prayer of St. Francis of Assisi and the Jewish Shema bookend this episode on prayer. Praying in silence, with song, in nature, with groans, in anxiety, and for others are all discussed.

Episode 33 – Passing Peace in a Pandemic

March 23, 2020 Eric Riddle Podcast Episodes, Season 3 32:22 1 Comment

Our response to the coronavirus is to create more episodes related to the intersection of faith and mental health. As we all seek out new ways to connect with each other, Tony and Eric will continue to pursue intimate, relevant conversation.

On this episode listen for:

How to prepare and not panic?

How do we take care of our mental health with additional stress related to coronavirus?

How do we reach out to others despite our physical isolation?

How do we worship when not going to a physical location?

3 Ways to Respond – Create, Consume, Connect

—

Tony reads a portion of this poem at the end of the podcast. It touches on the zeitgeist at this moment in world history.

Lockdown by Brother Richard Hendrick: 

Yes there is fear.

Yes there is isolation.

Yes there is panic buying.

Yes there is sickness.

Yes there is even death.

But,

They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise

You can hear the birds again.

They say that after just a few weeks of quiet

The sky is no longer thick with fumes

But blue and grey and clear.

They say that in the streets of Assisi

People are singing to each other

across the empty squares,

keeping their windows open

so that those who are alone

may hear the sounds of family around them.

They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland

Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.

Today a young woman I know

is busy spreading fliers with her number

through the neighbourhood

So that the elders may have someone to call on.

Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples

are preparing to welcome

and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary

All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting

All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way

All over the world people are waking up to a new reality

To how big we really are.

To how little control we really have.

To what really matters.

To Love.

So we pray and we remember that

Yes there is fear.

But there does not have to be hate.

Yes there is isolation.

But there does not have to be loneliness.

Yes there is panic buying.

But there does not have to be meanness.

Yes there is sickness.

But there does not have to be disease of the soul

Yes there is even death.

But there can always be a rebirth of love.

Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.

Today, breathe.

Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic

The birds are singing again

The sky is clearing,

Spring is coming,

And we are always encompassed by Love.

Open the windows of your soul

And though you may not be able

to touch across the empty square,

Sing

Ray Lay, NAMI Hall of Famer

Episode 32 – Ray Lay, Hall of Famer

March 5, 2020 Eric Riddle Podcast Episodes, Season 3 0:51:59 Comments Off on Episode 32 – Ray Lay, Hall of Famer

Ray Lay is a US Marine and person living with a dual diagnosis and is a member of three statewide boards. NAMI Indiana, Indiana Balance of State and Indiana Mental Illness Advisor Council. He is married and an Indiana Certified Specialist and VA Peer Support Specialist

Ray Lay is the first peer recovery specialist that we have interviewed. He shares a vast depth of lived experience that he utilizes in both one-on-one coaching and many public speaking engagements.

Ray Lay and Tony originally met during an “In Our On Voices” NAMI presentation.

Topics Include:

What is your role with NAMI?

As a Marine veteran, what experience has he had with the VA hospital system?

How did you transition out of homelessness?

What is Whole Health Action Management (WHAM)?

What does healing mean to you?

Shownotes:

Martin Luther King Jr Memphis Speech – “I’ve Been to the Mountaintop”

Coronavirus Tracker through Johns Hopkins Hospital – Prayers for China and all who are affected

Derek Henderson Obituary – Tony and Eric discuss the local tragedy involving in Columbus, IN.

NAMI Indiana Staff and Board of Directors – Ray Lay is on the Board

Next Episode:

Our wives, Susan Lockwood-Roberts and Jen Riddle, do a podcast takeover!

Season 3 starts on March 5!

January 28, 2020 Eric Riddle Behind the Scenes Comments Off on Season 3 starts on March 5!

It has been over a year since I’ve written a blog post. Tony and I are committed to being more intentional with out “Behind the Scenes” posts this year.

We had a very productive Sunday afternoon yesterday. Before recording, we had a brainstorming session about knowing our listeners better.

What we do know is that we’ve had 3275 downloads as of tonight (100 from the great state of Alabama, coming in #5 overall)! We want to get to 10,000 in 2020. It will take a listenership base that encourages others to listen to the show to reach that ambitious number.

Tony will be sending out a survey this week to subscribers of his Delight in Disorder blog. With that feedback, we will be able to ask questions that our audience finds more relevant.

Please contact us if you would like to take our survey and contribute to the ongoing dialogue of faith and mental health.

Thank you for taking the time to visit our website. We do value your voice and are honored that you take time to value ours.

Season 3 Trailer

January 27, 2020 Eric Riddle Podcast Episodes, Season 3 11:00 1 Comment

After a productive brainstorm on a cold January afternoon, Tony and Eric share updates about the upcoming season.

In the next month, we plan to gather listener feedback to choose relevant topics and help us craft questions for our guests.

For Tony’s Delight in Disorder subscribers, we are excited for you to hear the voice of the man whose writing you have grown to appreciate.

First episode will release on Thursday, March 5.