Constant Wonder
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© 2025 BYU Broadcasting
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Stay in tune with our phenomenal world. Join us for explorations of science, art, history, and more. We're on a quest to find awe and wonder in all nature—human or wild, vast or small. Encounters that move us beyond words. Hosted by Marcus Smith, Constant Wonder is a production of BYUradio.
1620 Episodes
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Marcus shares an original Christmas message.
Forests planted around churches in the Ethiopian desert nurture soul and body.
Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words.
Guest: Philippe Lazaro, Communications Manager and Storyteller at Plant With Purpose
Learn more about Plant With Purpose here: https://plantwithpurpose.org/
The ties that bind us—family or community—may sometimes feel restrictive, but they actually hold us safe and keep us calm, like swaddling bands, according to Hannah Anderson.
Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words.
Guest: Hannah Anderson, author of "Heaven and Nature Sing: 25 Advent Reflections to Bring Joy to the World"
Joseph was put in a bind when Mary conceived. We can learn from the angelic visitations he received—and from his responses.
Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words.
Guest: Lynne Hilton Wilson, co-host at Scripture Central
"When Joseph Went to Bethlehem" © Intellectual Reserve, Inc.
The human need for light and warmth are miraculously met by our planet and solar system. Ben Abbott compares these earthly systems to Christ's divine mission.
Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words.
Guest: Ben Abbott, professor of Plant and Wildlife Sciences at BYU
Author Philip Yancey learned a surprisingly poignant lesson about Christ while taking care of the fish in his aquarium.
Guest: Philip Yancey, author of "Vanishing Grace"
Originating in Mexico over 400 years ago, Las Posadas is now an Advent tradition through much of Latin America. Neighborhood bands of "pilgrims" representing Joseph and Mary knock on doors looking for shelter, face rejection, and then ultimately are taken in by generous hosts.
Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words.
Guests: Fernanda Romero, of El Salvador, former President of the Newman Club for Catholic Students at BYU (current Vice-President); Bryan Barba Salazar, of Nicaragua, BYU student and associate producer of Constant Wonder
When Mary and Joseph present the infant Jesus at the temple, they are honoring the human bodies of both mother and child.
Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words.
Guest: Hannah Anderson, author of "Heaven and Nature Sing: 25 Advent Reflections to Bring Joy to the World"
She may have started life as a "nowhere person in a nowhere place," but Mary's devotion has inspired generations.
Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words.
Guest: Gaye Strathearn, professor of Ancient Scripture and Ancient Near East Studies at Brigham Young University
Excerpts from “My Soul Doth Magnify the Lord” from The Redeemer by Robert Cundick performed by the BYU Singers. Used by permission from the Heritage Series on Tantara Records and the estate of Robert Cundick. © 1996 Tantara Records. All Rights Reserved.
Astronomers and historians have long debated whether the Star of Bethlehem was really a star at all.
Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words.
Guest: Deb Haarsma, astrophysicist and President of BioLogos
With grace, the hilarious Kevin Kling has overcome trauma and learned to live with disability. You may recognize your own spiritual journey in his humorous "Three Phases of Prayer" story.
Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words.
Guest: Kevin Kling, author, playwright, and storyteller
When Gayle Boss stumbled on a passel of river otters on her 66th birthday, she learned from them that you're never too old to be playful. She agrees with Job that it's important "to ask the animals" for insight.
Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words.
Guest: Gayle Boss, author of "All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of ?New Beginnings"
Even when Dr. Francis Collins wasn't a believer, music moved his soul.
Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words.
Guest: Francis Collins, former director of both the NIH and the Human Genome Project
After artist Jenedy Paige discovered that many popular depictions of Christ's nativity scene are historically inaccurate, she set out to create a painting of her own—which unexpectedly brought her a deeper understand of God's love.
Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent tradition with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words.
Guest: Jenedy Paige, oil painter
Lessons on stillness from a cold-blooded creature that has mastered the art of not breathing to survive a frozen winter.
Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words.
Guest: Gayle Boss, author of "All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings"
A bird laid an egg in the hand of the Celtic Saint Kevin, and, as the story goes, he held that egg steady until the chick hatched and flew away. Learn from stories of waiting to bring more peace into your holidays.
Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent tradition with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words.
Guest: Christine Sine, gardener and author of "The Gift of Wonder: Creative Practices For Delighting in God"
Amateur astronomers tracking Jupiter dance and laugh about a discovery, leading to a reflection on what makes a miracle.
Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words.
Guest: Brother Guy J. Consolmagno, President of the Vatican Observatory Foundation
When an angel shows up in scripture, its first words are often "be not afraid." Who are these creatures, and what role do they play in Christian doctrine and tradition?
Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words.
Guest: Ed Simon, author of "Elysium: A Visual History of Angelology"
Generosity is contagious . . . and sometimes competitive—in the best way possible! Stories from a Salvation Army bell-ringer.
Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent tradition with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words.
Guest: David Hudson, former National Commander of The Salvation Army officer
How children can learn from the Creation story to love Advent.
Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words.
Guest: Kelli Ann Wilson, blogger at "Around the Year: A Journey Through the Seasons of Nature and the Christian Year"
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The first comment of 2023. Keep on. Awesome podcast.
Great podcast. Really interesting topics.