Special Guests

  • Cheryl Ladd — So Much More Than Charlie's Angel!
    Evangelist Billy Graham is one of the few personalities who could unite 101 individuals from different faiths, cultures and political ideologies. For the first time in its 20-year history, Chicken Soup For The Soul is releasing a one-of-a-kind tribute book composed of stories and recollections honoring a single individual. All 101 contributors to Chicken Soup For The Soul: Billy Graham & Me recognize Mr. Graham’s unique ability to inspire leaders from diverse disciplines and faiths, all sharing their respect and appreciation for the evangelist’s extraordinary influence over the last six decades. In addition to stories from every living U.S. President and many other influential world leaders, the book contains tributes from artists and athletes such as Wynonna Judd, Charlie Daniels, Dan Rather, Larry King, Kathie Lee Gifford, actors Cheryl Ladd and Kevin Sorbo, and model turned entrepreneur Kathy Ireland. Last week, Larry King and Kevin Sorbo (Hercules) joined us to talk about Billy. This week we're joined by one of Charlie's Angels, Cheryl Ladd.
    www.chickensoup.com

  • Preetam Sengupta — Singer/Songwriter
    Preetam Sengupta came onto the Canadian singer/songwriter scene through the side door, having first dedicated his energy to helping artists make a living through their music through his management/record company, Letting Artists Make Art www.lamavision.com Through LAMA, he began building relationships within the music industry and hosted performances to showcase the artists he worked with. Occasionally, with hopes of maximizing income for the artists, he'd volunteer to play as the opener, digging back into a repertoire of cover songs from artists like Pearl Jam, Van Morrison, Bob Marley, U2, and the Beatles. He slowly started bringing some of his original music into the fold. (hopeFull) is a melancholic album with a glint of hope, or a hopeful album with a touch of melancholy. Either way, this raw and honest roots recording features the songs at their core, with Preetam singing and playing guitar, and musician friends breathing subtle life into them. www.preetam.ca

    AND

    Ambre McLean — Singer/Songwriter
    Ambre sings the kind of songs that make you remember lost loves and abandoned dreams. She comes by her musical gifts honestly. Both her parents were professional musicians when she was a child, and they commenced her formal musical training at the age of three. As the years progressed, her musical education included piano, guitar and vocal training. After nearly twenty years of writing and performing, it was only recently that Ambre decided to step into the limelight full time. By car and by train (by way of Via Rail’s Musician on Board Program), she has been zigzagging across the country. Promoting not only her newest album “Murder at the Smokehouse” but also touring in support of a re-released “I Wonder If”, her haunting piano-based album. A regular on the Canadian music festival circuit, Ambre has played Halifax's In The Dead Of Winter Festival, Guelph's Hillside Festival, Tilsonburg Festival, The Marmora Jamboree as well as the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival. She won the prestigious 2010 Ontario Council of Folk Festival’s "Songs From The Heart Award" for her song “Me, My Heart And The Moon”. She's also won Guelph’s inaugural Songwriting Competition in 2009, and is a two time "ECHO People’s Choice" for Best Female Singer/Songwriter.

  • Jay Bakker — Son of TV Evangelists Jim & Tammy Faye Bakker, Author, Pastor
    Jay Bakker is co-pastor of Revolution NYC. He's a gay rights activist and winner of the 2012 PFLAG Straight for Equality In Faith Communities award. He is a grace enthusiast, a dyslexic-introverted- pessimist, and a prisoner of hope. Jay's previous books include Son of a Preacher Man and Fall to Grace: A Revolution of God, Self, and Society. His latest book is called Faith, Doubt, And Other Lines I've Crossed: Walking with the Unknown God. Jay lives in Brooklyn, yo!

  • Lorna Dueck — Host and Executive Producer of Context with Lorna Dueck, Globe & Mail Columnist

    AND
    Justin Trottier — Centre for Inquiry Canada's Chief Spokesperson, Canadian Secular Alliance Board Member
    This week, in her Globe & Mail column, Lorna Dueck praised the Harper government for "finally" allocating $5 Million towards the new Office Of Religious Freedom initiative, whose mandate it is to help victims of horrendous acts of religious persecution, around the world. BUT Justin Trottier doubts the sincerity of the government's commitment to help atheists being persecuted because of their non-belief. (As in the case of an Indonesian man jailed for over 2 years for writing "There is no god" on Facebook.) As well, some members of the media have expressed their disgust at the Canadian government "wasting" $5 Million on what some would call an historically "unsolvable issue" in other parts of the world, especially when our national debt has never been higher!
    www.contextwithlornadueck.com

  • THE DATING GAME - on TDMS!
    Today we'll check in with our contestant, Danielle, and find out how the search for Mr. Right is going! Last week, Danielle visited us in the studio and created her ChristianMingle profile, while 'Tim The Tool' and Drew chirped in her ear the entire time! (We're sure the boys were a big help!)

    (Danielle has won a FREE 1 year subscription to ChristianMingle AND… after Drew helps her find the best possible match, ChristianMingle will not only give the lucky guy a FREE 1 year subscription to ChristianMingle, but they'll also pick up the tab for an exquisite night out on the town with Danielle and HOPEFULLY that special someone, and dinner at one of the GTA’s most exclusive restaurants!!)

    INTERESTED IN BECOMING OUR NEXT DATING GAME CONTESTANT?
    Are you single and looking? (Yes there’s a difference!) If so, then Drew wants to help you find that special someone! If you’re up for a bit of fun – we’ll pick up the tab – while you look for love!
    TO BECOME A CONTESTANT: Send us (mingle@drewmarshall.ca)
    1/Your contact details 2/Your picture 3/As much information about you as possible, including why YOU would make the best choice as a contestant on THE DATING GAME!
    **Contestants must be over 21 and live in the Greater Toronto Area.

God Blogger

  • Lauren Dubinsky — Editor of goodwomenproject.com
    We exist for the 15-25(ish) year old girl who is trying to figure out how to be a woman.
    We exist to be a big sister or a mom that you never had.
    We exist to help women love themselves and others.
    We exist for the girl who isn’t finding all her answers in a church building.
    We exist for the girl who isn’t doesn’t like or believe in church or God, too.
    We exist to encourage women to grow into themselves, not into someone’s expectation.
    We exist to create best-friend conversations between single women and married women.
    We exist to share stories without judgment and questions without embarrassment.

    AND her own blog www.laurennicolelove.com/blog
    this blog = words that make me feel. documentation of what i create. nature. traveling. my new heart. lessons i'm learning about sex + love, pain + grief, & the jesus i thought i knew but didn't. also, unsolicited advice on blog design.

Talkback, etc.

  • The Counsel of Many
    This week on the Counsel Of Many: A man is bothered by the fact that a friend of his is the leader of a ministry and drives a Mercedes and lives in a mansion. He wants to know if others think that there's a certain lifestyle Christians should be living. He also wants to know if he should confront his friend about his opulence or just leave it alone.

    I've been friends with a guy who leads a big ministry, for a few years now. We're not super close – just guy close. Even though we're friends, I've never actually been to his house before. This past Christmas he invited my wife and I to his place for a big party. And when I say big – I mean BIG! There were well over 100 people there. Of course to hold a party like that, you have to have a massive place. And he does. Seriously, it's gotta be worth at least a few million. Before going to his place I figured he must have been doing alright because he drives a Mercedes. And as I think back on it, the fact that he drove a luxury car and is also the head of a big ministry (which I won't name) bothered me right from the start. But I guess I just let it go. Heck, I've got too many of my own issues to deal with before I start confronting a guy about the car he drives. However, now that I've seen the way he lives – in a stinkin mansion – it makes my blood boil. Of course, that got me thinking about how Christians should actually live. What should our lifestyle LOOK like. I don't think there's anything wrong with having some good investments and savings, but shouldn't we always think through our purchases, even more than others? Especially if we are leading a charity or ministry? After all, what's ours is not ours – it's God's. How can he not see that others probably look at his mansion and Mercedes and wonder about the integrity of the charity or ministry – never mind people doing the math and coming to the conclusion that this “Christian” could be using more of his money for others instead of opulence? Hey, the people I know who wouldn't set foot inside a church still get the WWJD concept! Am I alone on this or am I just being too judgey? I'm also wondering if I should sit down and have a chat with the guy. I know... it's probably none of my business what he spends his money on. But it frustrates me when I think about how many people might be laughing at Jesus – or his ministry – because of my buddy's lifestyle! What should I do?

  • God & Stuff
    Join Drew & Tim The Tool as they catch up on current events and the week's happenings in the world of Religion & Faith & Cults – Oh My! Today's God & Stuff Guest: Eric Marrapodi - CNN Sr. Producer & CNN Belief Blog Co-Editor