Observer, Foundation partner for podcast

Whenever someone asks me what I consider to be our company’s main competitor, they’re expecting me to cite another newspaper, magazine or website. They’re thinking in terms of Coke vs. Pepsi, McDonalds vs. Burger King, PC vs. Mac.

However, I’ve long considered our main competitor to be anything that is vying for our readers’ free time. And most often, it’s that small, battery-powered rectangle in your pocket or purse. 

So, with everything we do — be it our weekly newspapers (one of which turns 120 years old in September!), magazines, website, social media, email newsletters, etc., we aim to make the time you spend with us worthwhile. Perhaps you learned something new, or a story tugged at your heartstrings. Perhaps we helped you make plans for the weekend or connected you with your new favorite restaurant. Regardless of the outcome, we want you to come away from any interaction with our offerings feeling like it was time well spent.

It’s in that spirit that I am thrilled to announce a new podcast, presented in partnership with our friends at Foundation Academy. Called “Between Faith and Reason,” this podcast is a platform designed to enhance, challenge and inspire your journey as individuals, with your families and in your community.

This podcast is the result of nearly a year of mulling, planning and collaboration. We’ve long desired to return to the audio space — in a format that would give our listeners content that would enrich their lives in new ways.

Then, after mentioning our desire to Foundation Marketing Director Joe Cioffi and Director of Spiritual Development Jeff Lawrence, it was clear: We found our perfect partners.

Lawrence will serve as podcast host. A Central Florida native, he holds degrees in pharmacology and music from Mississippi College; and a master’s degree of divinity in Old Testament and Hebrew from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He currently is pursuing a doctoral degree in apologetics and theology from Liberty University’s Rawlings School of Divinity. 

Lawrence has performed at Walt Disney World and hosted Disney’s Super Star Television Show. He also has served in churches across Atlanta, Orlando and Tennessee. Notably, he directed Orlando’s renowned Singing Christmas Trees for 11 years, gaining national attention from ABC’s “Good Morning America,” The Wall Street Journal and USA Today. 

Perhaps even more important than those incredible credentials, Lawrence shares our desire to make our community a better place. And through this podcast, he’ll tackle topics such as grief, anger, loneliness and depression. And through myriad podcast guests, listeners will enjoy thoughtful dialogue with leaders, educators and community members dedicated to integrating faith and logic in today’s world. 

This podcast seeks to encourage critical thinking, provide fresh perspectives and highlight the compelling case for faith in an age of skepticism. And to be clear: This podcast isn’t intended only for regular church-goers. We will strive to provide a platform to deepen your understanding of how faith and reason complement each other. Here, you will discover stories of resilience, learn strategies for fostering strong family bonds, and gain fresh perspectives on how these guiding pillars can influence education, leadership and community development.

And even more exciting: Through the Observer, we hope to shepherd a dialogue between our community and the podcast. We’ll be able to respond, in real time, to news and events that might upend our local community. What’s more, if you have questions or topics you would like to submit, you can do so by emailing me at meng@orangeobserver.com. Please put “Between Faith and Reason Podcast” in the subject line.

Thanks for your time, and we certainly hope you give “Between Faith and Reason” a listen.