In this episode, Jesse and Leah Roberts, the creative duo behind Poor Bishop Hooper, share with Pastor Paul Brandes their journey as artists, songwriters, and founders of a nonprofit ministry dedicated to Scripture-based music. They candidly discuss their calling, how their ministry evolved step-by-step, and give insights into their projects like Golgotha and Every Psalm.

3 Main Takeaways:

1. 
   Faithfulness in Small Steps Leads to Impactful Ministry:

Jesse and Leah emphasize that their journey as musicians and ministry leaders was not the result of a grand, predetermined plan, but rather a series of faithful steps. By being obedient to God’s leading one step at a time, their work grew organically—from local church worship to founding a nonprofit, creating widely-used resources like Golgotha, and serving diverse communities, including prisons.

1. 
   Truth and Beauty Powerfully Transcend Contexts:

The experience of bringing the Golgotha project into prisons was transformative, both for the artists and the inmates. Leah shared how presenting something rooted in both truth and beauty had a profound gospel impact in places marked by pain and deprivation, proving that spiritual art remains powerful regardless of environment—whether in a cathedral or a maximum security prison.

1. 
   Christ Meets Us in Our Suffering and Darkness:

Drawing from their time immersed in the story of Christ’s suffering (through Golgotha) and their own personal hardships, Jesse and Leah encourage listeners that Jesus deeply understands our darkest, “Holy Saturday” seasons. The incarnation and crucifixion mean that Christ has entered into human suffering, providing comfort and solidarity for anyone experiencing pain, uncertainty, or waiting.

Resources:

Poor Bishop Hooper (Band/Ministry): https://www.poorbishophooper.com

Golgotha Project: https://www.poorbishophooper.com/golgotha

Every Psalm Project: https://www.poorbishophooper.com/everypsalm

Author William Quayle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Alfred_Quayle

Timestamps:

00:18 – Bill Gorman introduces the theme of following God in seasons of darkness and grief, previewing the depth of the episode.

02:49 – Paul Brandes asks Leah and Jesse to share how their calling as artists and creators developed, setting the stage for their story.

03:32 – Leah describes seeking God’s guidance after college, revealing her sense of vocation and trust in God’s provision.

06:13 – The origin story of Golgotha: how a pastor’s request and a 3-day retreat turned into writing all 14 songs for a Stations of the Cross musical experience.

08:18 – Jesse describes how Golgotha began spreading to different churches and communities, moving beyond its initial setting.

11:04 – Leah shares the pivotal moment when they decided to formalize their ministry as a nonprofit, focusing on underserved and unreached communities.

14:01 – Discussion about the heavy, contemplative nature of Golgotha and its focus on the “minor key” of Jesus’s suffering during Holy Week.

18:00 – The first time Golgotha was brought into a maximum-security prison, describing a powerful and unexpected response from inmates.

22:06 – Leah recounts how inmates donated to their ministry, powerfully illustrating the unity and generosity within the body of Christ.

27:26 – The hosts discuss being with God in “Holy Saturday” moments—suffering, waiting, and not yet seeing resurrection—and Leah shares a personal journey through family suffering and the presence of Christ in it.

Hosts Bill Gorman and Paul Brandes are joined by special guest Jeremy Mann, founder and head of The Field School, a diverse classical Christian school on the west side of Chicago. Together, they dive into what it means to cultivate wisdom and virtue in the next generation—not just through academics, but by shaping the whole person.

Jeremy Mann shares his journey from public school teacher to leader of a unique educational community that reserves half its seats for low-income families, embracing a mission shaped by faith and holistic classical learning. Drawing inspiration from Scripture—especially the Shema from Deuteronomy 6—the conversation explores how families, educators, and communities can weave meaningful spiritual practices into daily routines, both at school and at home.

Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, teacher, or simply passionate about passing on virtue to the future, this inspiring episode offers practical ideas, ancient wisdom, and encouragement for anyone seeking to nurture children in today’s world. Get ready for a dialogue about education, faith, and intentional living—right here on theFormed.life.

3 Main Takeaways:

1. Classical Education Is About Forming Wisdom and Virtue, Not Just Knowledge.
   Jeremy Mann explains that the mission of the Field School is to cultivate wisdom and virtue in every child. This goes beyond just academic achievement or standardized test scores. Classical education is about developing the whole person, focusing on character, critical thinking, mastery of the fundamentals, and an enduring love of learning and curiosity.
2. Educational Models Are Important, But Parents Remain the Primary Disciplers.
   The conversation made it clear that, regardless of whether kids are in public, private, classical, or homeschool settings, parents have a unique and irreplaceable role in shaping their children’s hearts and minds. Spiritual formation and character development happen best at home in daily rhythms, not just through institutional programs; when families are intentional about weaving biblical truth and spiritual practices into everyday life.
3. The Biblical Vision of Education Is Holistic and Community-Oriented.
   Grounded in Deuteronomy 6, the discussion revolves around the idea of loving God with all our heart, soul, and strength—and passing that faith on to the next generation. Jeremy Mann shares practical examples from both the Field School and his own family: daily Scripture reading, memorization, prayer, music, and habits that create a shared, spiritual culture. The episode encourages listeners to build similar rhythms, with kids or in their own lives, and to see education as a community endeavor, not just the work of schools.

Resources:

• Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass: https://a.co/d/07KUyIQL
• A Philosophy of Education by Charlotte Mason: https://www.livingbookpress.com/product/a-philosophy-of-education/?srsltid=AfmBOoqx0zOQAB0bsGErnc8GhtQkqOeUuCKj0ZcNKXQLfQCbqxoHhmGt
• New City Catechism – Timothy Keller: https://a.co/d/09C5NmGv
• Apostles’ Creed – Historic Christian Creed
• Athanasian Creed – Historic Christian Creed
• A Student’s Prayer by St. Thomas Aquinas: https://mycatholicprayers.com/prayers/a-students-prayer-by-st-thomas-aquinas/

Timestamps:

00:00 Classical Education for All

04:14 "High Expectations, High Support"

07:59 "Classical Education: Old School Revival"

13:29 "Parent-Led Education and Choices"

15:59 Cultivating Wisdom Through Scripture

20:19 Holistic Faith in School Life

23:02 "Faith Lived Through Rhythms"

27:54 Faith through Community and Music

30:41 Family Bonding Over Simple Meals

33:08 Cabin Dreams & Entrepreneurial Passion

35:03 "Field School Insights Shared"

Hosts Bill Gorman and Paul Brandes are joined by author, coach, and consultant J.R. Briggs for a thought-provoking conversation on the art of crafting questions. Drawing from his new book and years of research, Briggs helps us explore the life-giving power of questions—not just as a way to learn, but as a path to deeper connection with God, greater self-understanding, and more authentic relationships with others.

Briggs shares personal stories of his father modeling curiosity and the impact it had on his own spiritual journey, and considers the hundreds of questions Jesus asked as relayed in the gospels. The author invites us to see questioning as central to faith, including a fascinating Jewish tradition in which questions about Scripture take precedence over finding answers. Whether you're a church leader, a parent, or simply someone seeking to better love your neighbor, this episode will encourage you to embrace curiosity and thoughtful inquiry as a vital spiritual practice.

Stay tuned for practical tips on building your own “back pocket” questions, and insights into the possibility that better questions can foster genuine hospitality and relational connection in today’s world.

3 Main Takeaways:

1. The Transformative Power of Questions
   Asking good questions—of God, ourselves, and others—has a profound impact on the quality of our lives. Briggs suggests that questions are not just tools for gathering information, but actually transformative, helping us to reflect, connect, and grow. He traces the influence of his father’s question-asking, and points to Jesus as a continual question-asker.
2. Questions Foster Relationships and Hospitality
   Especially when asked with the right motive and at the right time, questions can be an act of hospitality and love.They create space for relational intimacy, make people feel seen and valued, and can be healing in a world marked by loneliness and division. Briggs underscores that questions are often a greater gift than answers, and essential for loving our neighbors well.
3. We Learn Best in Community and Through Wrestling with Scripture
   The Jewish practice of “havruta” (studying Scripture through questions in a communal setting) is introduced, showing how generating questions together deepens engagement and learning. Wrestling with passages through curiosity rather than rushing to answers can unlock new perspectives and foster spiritual growth.

Resources:

• The Art of Better Questions - J.R. Briggs: https://a.co/d/0bcUwPQQ
• Together - Vivek Murthy: https://a.co/d/0dhyHKhe
• Emotionally Healthy Spirituality - Peter Scazzero: https://a.co/d/02A89zeE
• Havruta (Jewish Practice of Communal Question Asking)
• The Sabbath - Abraham Joshua Heschel: https://a.co/d/0iAPfIXy
• God in Search of Man: A Philosophy of Judaism - Abraham Joshua Heschel: https://a.co/d/07VTnR3J

Timestamps:

00:00 "The Power of Better Questions"

03:23 "The Gift of Asking Questions"

07:47 "God: The Ultimate Question Asker"

11:02 "Havruta: Learning Through Questions"

13:47 "Fascinating Questions on Isaac"

18:16 "Who Do You Say I Am?"

20:36 "Equipping for Monday Mission"

23:01 "The Power of Good Questions"

27:10 Spiritual and Emotional Maturity Journey

32:28 "Questions That Spark Deep Insight

33:35 "Deep Questions for Connection"

36:57 "Window Washing"