The Looney Sessions Transistor (https://transistor.fm) https://feeds.transistor.fm/the-looney-sessions What can nearly seven decades of ministry teach us about living a faithful—and joyful—life? In The Looney Sessions, 92-year-old retired United Methodist Bishop Richard Looney sits down with pastors, bishops and friends whose lives and ministries have intersected with his own. Together, they swap stories, share plenty of laughter and explore some of the lessons Looney has learned across a lifetime of ministry. Over six episodes, the conversations explore why joy matters, the power of a good story, the moments that change the direction of our lives, finding God in the ordinary, figuring out what actually matters, and even preparing for death. It’s part storytelling, part conversation and part reflection on a life spent serving the church—and on what the rest of us might learn from it. Episodes will be released every Saturday for six weeks beginning Sept. 12, 2026. The Looney Sessions are funded by an award from the permanent endowment of the First Centenary United Methodist Church in Chattanooga. © 2026 92b31f7b-3b5f-5d43-9dd9-be916e44b4d9 yes The Looney Sessions - Trailer en Sat, 10 Oct 2026 05:00:13 -0400 Sat, 10 Oct 2026 05:02:22 -0400 https://looneysessions.com https://img.transistorcdn.com/0AIm6khBnqXp__E-n0SmA1Y8U1dKKCVwZGOIJHWIVN4/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:1400/h:1400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS84NTA2/N2YzZDQ5YjJjNGMw/MmVjNzk4ZWEyYzg5/Y2RlNS5qcGc.jpg The Looney Sessions https://looneysessions.com episodic Andy Johns What can nearly seven decades of ministry teach us about living a faithful—and joyful—life? In The Looney Sessions, 92-year-old retired United Methodist Bishop Richard Looney sits down with pastors, bishops and friends whose lives and ministries have intersected with his own. Together, they swap stories, share plenty of laughter and explore some of the lessons Looney has learned across a lifetime of ministry. Over six episodes, the conversations explore why joy matters, the power of a good story, the moments that change the direction of our lives, finding God in the ordinary, figuring out what actually matters, and even preparing for death. It’s part storytelling, part conversation and part reflection on a life spent serving the church—and on what the rest of us might learn from it. Episodes will be released every Saturday for six weeks beginning Sept. 12, 2026. The Looney Sessions are funded by an award from the permanent endowment of the First Centenary United Methodist Church in Chattanooga. What can nearly seven decades of ministry teach us about living a faithful—and joyful—life. Andy Johns hello@looneysessions.com No No Episode 5 — What Actually Matters 5 5 Episode 5 — What Actually Matters full e4706f46-cbf6-430f-aa37-6cdae0e281b8 https://share.transistor.fm/s/d52743c9 After nearly seven decades in ministry, Bishop Richard Looney has had plenty of time to decide what matters—and what really doesn’t. With Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett and Rev. Will Lauderback, he talks about loving God, loving other people, learning to love ourselves and letting go of some things we thought were important. It’s a conversation about priorities, imperfect people, grace and what makes a life truly abundant.

]]> After nearly seven decades in ministry, Bishop Richard Looney has had plenty of time to decide what matters—and what really doesn’t. With Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett and Rev. Will Lauderback, he talks about loving God, loving other people, learning to love ourselves and letting go of some things we thought were important. It’s a conversation about priorities, imperfect people, grace and what makes a life truly abundant.

]]> Sat, 10 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0400 Andy Johns Andy Johns 4306 After nearly seven decades in ministry, Bishop Richard Looney has had plenty of time to decide what matters—and what really doesn’t. With Bishop Debra Wallace-Padgett and Rev. Will Lauderback, he talks about loving God, loving other people, learning to love ourselves and letting go of some things we thought were important. It’s a conversation about priorities, imperfect people, grace and what makes a life truly abundant.

]]> No Episode 4 — God in the Ordinary 4 4 Episode 4 — God in the Ordinary full 0579a5c6-d083-4f27-b9cd-b8f2206b7022 https://share.transistor.fm/s/ef73e4c2 What if some of the holiest moments of your life happen nowhere near a church? With Rev. Barry Kidwell and Rev. Kim Goddard, Bishop Richard Looney looks for God in workplaces, neighborhoods, relationships and the routines we usually overlook. They explore what it means to follow Jesus beyond Sunday—and discover that ordinary life may not be quite so ordinary after all.

]]> What if some of the holiest moments of your life happen nowhere near a church? With Rev. Barry Kidwell and Rev. Kim Goddard, Bishop Richard Looney looks for God in workplaces, neighborhoods, relationships and the routines we usually overlook. They explore what it means to follow Jesus beyond Sunday—and discover that ordinary life may not be quite so ordinary after all.

]]> Sat, 03 Oct 2026 05:00:00 -0400 Andy Johns Andy Johns 3886 What if some of the holiest moments of your life happen nowhere near a church? With Rev. Barry Kidwell and Rev. Kim Goddard, Bishop Richard Looney looks for God in workplaces, neighborhoods, relationships and the routines we usually overlook. They explore what it means to follow Jesus beyond Sunday—and discover that ordinary life may not be quite so ordinary after all.

]]> No Episode 3 — Moments That Change You 3 3 Episode 3 — Moments That Change You full 1fb77ed8-4eb8-4470-84fc-d6c8da550871 https://share.transistor.fm/s/c551a013 Sometimes a life changes slowly. Sometimes it takes one conversation, one calling or one encounter you never saw coming. With Rev. Jonathan Jonas and Bishop James Swanson, Bishop Richard Looney shares stories of the people and moments that changed their direction, challenged their assumptions and helped them see where God might be leading next.

]]> Sometimes a life changes slowly. Sometimes it takes one conversation, one calling or one encounter you never saw coming. With Rev. Jonathan Jonas and Bishop James Swanson, Bishop Richard Looney shares stories of the people and moments that changed their direction, challenged their assumptions and helped them see where God might be leading next.

]]> Sat, 26 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400 Andy Johns Andy Johns 4443 Sometimes a life changes slowly. Sometimes it takes one conversation, one calling or one encounter you never saw coming. With Rev. Jonathan Jonas and Bishop James Swanson, Bishop Richard Looney shares stories of the people and moments that changed their direction, challenged their assumptions and helped them see where God might be leading next.

]]> No Episode 2 - Stories That Preach 2 2 Episode 2 - Stories That Preach full df16fcf9-b9f5-4104-9831-9b5a7b408b70 https://share.transistor.fm/s/de204168 Jesus rarely settled for simply making a point when he could tell a good story instead. With Rev. Charles Maynard and Rev. Angela Akers, Bishop Richard Looney swaps stories and explores why the ones we remember can reveal truth better than any lecture. From Jesus’ parables to stories gathered over a lifetime of ministry, they consider how our own experiences can help people recognize themselves—and God—in the telling.

]]> Jesus rarely settled for simply making a point when he could tell a good story instead. With Rev. Charles Maynard and Rev. Angela Akers, Bishop Richard Looney swaps stories and explores why the ones we remember can reveal truth better than any lecture. From Jesus’ parables to stories gathered over a lifetime of ministry, they consider how our own experiences can help people recognize themselves—and God—in the telling.

]]> Sat, 19 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400 Andy Johns Andy Johns 3948 Jesus rarely settled for simply making a point when he could tell a good story instead. With Rev. Charles Maynard and Rev. Angela Akers, Bishop Richard Looney swaps stories and explores why the ones we remember can reveal truth better than any lecture. From Jesus’ parables to stories gathered over a lifetime of ministry, they consider how our own experiences can help people recognize themselves—and God—in the telling.

]]> No Episode 1 — Why Joy Matters 1 1 Episode 1 — Why Joy Matters full 6d08fd80-8ba3-4403-ad44-772d187cd153 https://share.transistor.fm/s/032178a2 Why does faith sometimes feel so heavy when the angels announced “good news of great joy?” With Rev. Sarah Varnell and Rev. Will Shelton, Bishop Richard Looney talks about the God who doesn’t “zap” us, why Jesus may have laughed more than we imagine, and how joy survives even the hardest seasons of life. It’s a conversation about grace, humor and learning to enjoy the abundant life God has already given us.

]]> Why does faith sometimes feel so heavy when the angels announced “good news of great joy?” With Rev. Sarah Varnell and Rev. Will Shelton, Bishop Richard Looney talks about the God who doesn’t “zap” us, why Jesus may have laughed more than we imagine, and how joy survives even the hardest seasons of life. It’s a conversation about grace, humor and learning to enjoy the abundant life God has already given us.

]]> Sat, 12 Sep 2026 05:00:00 -0400 Andy Johns Andy Johns 3861 Why does faith sometimes feel so heavy when the angels announced “good news of great joy?” With Rev. Sarah Varnell and Rev. Will Shelton, Bishop Richard Looney talks about the God who doesn’t “zap” us, why Jesus may have laughed more than we imagine, and how joy survives even the hardest seasons of life. It’s a conversation about grace, humor and learning to enjoy the abundant life God has already given us.

]]> No The Looney Sessions - Trailer The Looney Sessions - Trailer trailer 47f5bcff-f4b6-4106-b1a5-ed7347fb1997 https://share.transistor.fm/s/bb49d8c6 What can nearly seven decades of ministry teach us about living a faithful—and joyful—life?

In The Looney Sessions, 92-year-old retired United Methodist Bishop Richard Looney sits down with pastors, bishops and friends whose lives and ministries have intersected with his own. Together, they swap stories, share plenty of laughter and explore some of the lessons Looney has learned across a lifetime of ministry.

Over six episodes, the conversations explore why joy matters, the power of a good story, the moments that change the direction of our lives, finding God in the ordinary, figuring out what actually matters, and even preparing for death.

It’s part storytelling, part conversation and part reflection on a life spent serving the church—and on what the rest of us might learn from it.

Episodes will be released every Saturday for six weeks beginning Sept. 12, 2026.

The Looney Sessions are funded by an award from the permanent endowment of the First Centenary United Methodist Church in Chattanooga.

]]> What can nearly seven decades of ministry teach us about living a faithful—and joyful—life?

In The Looney Sessions, 92-year-old retired United Methodist Bishop Richard Looney sits down with pastors, bishops and friends whose lives and ministries have intersected with his own. Together, they swap stories, share plenty of laughter and explore some of the lessons Looney has learned across a lifetime of ministry.

Over six episodes, the conversations explore why joy matters, the power of a good story, the moments that change the direction of our lives, finding God in the ordinary, figuring out what actually matters, and even preparing for death.

It’s part storytelling, part conversation and part reflection on a life spent serving the church—and on what the rest of us might learn from it.

Episodes will be released every Saturday for six weeks beginning Sept. 12, 2026.

The Looney Sessions are funded by an award from the permanent endowment of the First Centenary United Methodist Church in Chattanooga.

]]> Sun, 30 Aug 2026 19:23:13 -0400 Andy Johns Andy Johns 155 What can nearly seven decades of ministry teach us about living a faithful—and joyful—life?

In The Looney Sessions, 92-year-old retired United Methodist Bishop Richard Looney sits down with pastors, bishops and friends whose lives and ministries have intersected with his own. Together, they swap stories, share plenty of laughter and explore some of the lessons Looney has learned across a lifetime of ministry.

Over six episodes, the conversations explore why joy matters, the power of a good story, the moments that change the direction of our lives, finding God in the ordinary, figuring out what actually matters, and even preparing for death.

It’s part storytelling, part conversation and part reflection on a life spent serving the church—and on what the rest of us might learn from it.

Episodes will be released every Saturday for six weeks beginning Sept. 12, 2026.

The Looney Sessions are funded by an award from the permanent endowment of the First Centenary United Methodist Church in Chattanooga.

]]> Christianity, Religion, Storytelling, United Methodist, No