Ed Cyzewski and Ron Hunter (Attention to Detail)
Attention to Detail
This series collects off-stage, behind-the-scenes recommendations from authors, bloggers and other influencers.
So far, we heard from Brad Lomenick (of Catalyst) and Tim Soerens (of Inhabit), blogger Ron Edmondson and notable writer Cathleen Falsani, writer Jonathan Merritt and church leader exec Jenni Catron, conference and media influencer Scott McClellan and writer and blogger Doug Pagitt, and theologian Scot McKnight and author Rebekah Lyons.
Today, D6 Ceo Ron Hunter and writer Ed Cyzewski join us.
[line]Ron Hunter
Sarah: Thanks for taking the time to do this, Ron. What are you reading?
Ron: I am in a PhD program on Leadership and the better question is what am I not reading? Some of my favorites from recent readings are Diffusion of Innovations by Everett Rogers
Humble Orthodoxy: Holding the Truth High Without Putting People Down by Joshua Harris, Thomas Jefferson by Jon Meacham and Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Sanders.
A classic – The Training of the Twelve by A. B. Bruce
Sarah: Thanks. Diffusion of Innovations sounds really interesting. I might have to take you up on that recommendation. Next up, what are you listening to?
Ron: Enya is my study music but I also love listening to Matt Redman, Mike’s Chair, and Need to Breathe.
Sarah: What about TV? Movies? What are you watching?
Ron: Not much – Shark Tank, Gold Rush and my wife and I watch Duck Dynasty together.
Sarah: I have to admit to indulging in a little Shark Tank here and there myself. How about this one–where are you going?
Ron: My wife and I are headed to Europe for about three weeks. I have classes at Oxford for my program and then my wife and I are visiting some other historical and fun places in Italy and France. It is a rare for us to get this much time away together.
Sarah: And who would I be most likely to find you with?
Ron: My wife. She is my rock and encourager – we just entered empty nest season and this season is VERY NICE!
Sarah: You’re talking to someone with a 9 month old so it’s hard to imagine a day with no diapers, let alone with no live-in kids. Enjoy! What about cooking? Do you cook?
Ron: I do all the cooking in our home. I grill a mean Teriyaki chicken and accompany it with fresh stir fry vegetables. But our dining room table is always covered with textbooks and whatever research project I am working on at the time. (Thankful for my wife’s patience).
Ron is the D6 Conference director and CEO of Randall House who hosts the conference each year. D6 is short for Deuteronomy 6 and deals with generational discipleship and family ministry. You can view the speaker lineup for D6 Dallas and D6 Louisville at D6conference.com. He is the author of Toy Box Leadership published by Thomas Nelson. He and his wife will celebrate 26 years of marriage this June and they have two kids in college.
Ed Cyzewski
Sarah: Ed! Thanks for coming by my little spot in the blogosphere. Good to have you! Tell me, what are you reading these days?
Ed: I wish I had more time to read blogs and magazines, but I at least find some time each night to read a book. I’m currently reading Simply Jesus by NT Wright and Inspiration and Incarnation by Pete Enns. However, I recently finished The Power of Habit, which was my favorite book so far this year.
Sarah: Ooooh. I’ve heard good things about the Power of Habit. What are you listening to?
Ed: I’m not the most diverse person with my musical taste. I’ve been into some live Josh Ritter albums, Mumford and Sons, and a playlist I put together on Spotify that I optimistically titled “Worship Songs that Aren’t Terrible.”
Sarah: Why do I feel like you’re going to have a more diverse range of TV shows to put out there though?
Ed: My wife and I are avid fans of Parks and Recreation and Mad Men, but we recently discovered Battlestar Gallactica. I have a love/hate relationship with Once Upon A Time. However, I don’t see any of those TV shows as a “must watch” during hockey season. I’ll watch plenty of playoff hockey between now and June, especially if the Columbus Blue Jackets make it into the playoffs.
Sarah: Who are the Columbus Blue Jackets? Just kidding. I feel like because I live in Michigan I’m not supposed to acknowledge any hockey team outside of Detroit. But the truth is, I don’t watch much hockey so may the best team win. What about where are you going?
Ed: Watervliet, MI for the Renew & Refine Retreat for Writers that I’m co-leading May 24-26. I’m teaming up with a friend who is a professional freelance writer and another friend who is a spiritual director to provide a weekend away that provides practical writing career advice, creative space, and spiritual guidance.
Sarah: That means you’re in Michigan the day this will go live! That’s about two hours from me. Pretend I’m waving as you drive by. What else? Oh, who would I typically find you with?
Ed: I spend a good part of most days with my son Ethan who either rolls around on the floor, throws food from his high chair, or wiggles his way over to my sandals—which he would chew all day if I let him. He’s a happy kid and it’s always fun to get him laughing. I used to worry about how I’d handle being a father, but I always look forward to spending my day with Ethan after I write for a few hours.
Sarah: Awww. You know I know that drill. Okay, last question, other than baby food, what kind of food do you find yourself preparing?
Ed: My current Sunday morning ritual is cooking waffles, the more the better. I’ll eat them hot off the waffle iron and then bag the rest for us to eat during the week. Ethan often sits across from me, staring at the steam as the waffles cook. It’s also essential that I use real maple syrup on my waffles. The fake syrup is like pouring glue on a work of art.
Sarah: Ha. You’ve got some opinions about those waffles. But I have to admit, I just bought two jars of home grown Amish maple syrup a few weeks back myself. There IS a difference. I’ll give you that.
Ed Cyzewski is the author of Coffeehouse Theology, Hazardous: Committing to the Cost of Following Jesus, and Creating Space: The Case for Everyday Creativity. He blogs about imperfectly following Jesus with a sarcastic edge at www.inamirrordimly.com.