The Listening Porch

Starting from a passage in Ray’s book 107 Things I Forgot to Say, Ray and Eric explore how music becomes the language of those who laugh, live, long, and love. The conversation moves from laughter as warfare and healing, to music as the breath of life, to songs that hold the ache of longing, to melodies born of love itself.

This episode touches everything from Psalm 2’s laughter of God, to the cry in Appalachian bluegrass, to Korea...

In this first episode of The Listening Porch with Ray Hughes, we explore a question that has echoed through history: If the church changes the way it understands music and worship, can it change the world?

From Luther’s hymns to the songs of the Wesley brothers, every reformation has carried a sound. Ray unpacks how music, creativity, and worship not only shape the church but ripple outward into culture itself. Join us on the porch...

Storytellers are the guardians of memories, Ray tells us.

In this episode, Ray shares some of the memories of his early years and how the stories of our lives give shape to the people we become. 

These formative memories of family history encourage us that our memories, even the darker, painful ones can become a wellspring of hope and redemption for generations to come.

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The Places we love have a profound ability to awaken wonder in our hearts and fill us with a sense of purpose and destiny. 

In this episode, Ray shares about his love of Wales, Scotland and Ireland a how a prophetic encounter set him on a lifelong course of discovering how deeply these lands were woven into his heart. 

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In this episode, Ray Hughes shares from his lifelong study of King David and shows how this misfit shepherd boy’s unwavering pursuit of God's presence shaped his legacy as a poet, worship leader, and king.

Ray emphasizes the timeless relevance of David's story, highlighting how his longing for God expressed through music continues to inspire generations and shape the language of worship today.

If you'd like to dive deeper into Ra...

In today's conversation, Ray shares about the generational power of storytelling. This episode spans everything from the importance of paying attention to learning the difference between a distraction and a daydream. 

Visit The Listening Porch online for more inspiring episodes. You can help support the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/rayhughes or sign up for one of my online cou...

In this conversation,Stephen and Ray are continuing the discussion on fascination imagination and wonder, adding to it a bit about storytelling, songwriting, and how dialect impacts destiny.

Visit The Listening Porch online for more inspiring episodes. You can help support the show by becoming a Patron at patreon.com/rayhughes or sign up for one of my online courses at www.rayhughes.org  Also, check ou...

In this opening conversation, Ray Hughes shares his timeless wisdom on the topics of fascination, imagination and wonder. As creatives and followers of Jesus, nurturing these expressions of faith are vital to living a full and vibrant life.  Tune in to hear Ray share insights on how we can move beyond dull obligation to a religious life and maintain a sense of wonder for the long haul. 

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Hello Everybody. 

I am thrilled to announce a new series of conversations here on The Listening Porch.

Each week, starting Friday, February 2nd, (that's Groundhog Day in case you were wondering,) my good friend Stephen Roach will be joining me for a series of talks about life, faith and the creative journey I've traveled. 

We’re calling these talks Deep Roots and Tangled Limbs. I believe these candid conversations wil...