ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Rick Lee James is a singer-songwriter, author, hospital chaplain, and host of the Voices in My Head podcast. For decades, he has been creating music and conversations that explore faith, culture, and the human experience through the lens of grace and redemption.
Drawing from influences such as folk, Americana, hymnody, and singer-songwriter traditions, James writes songs that invite listeners into honest reflection about hope, suffering, mercy, and belonging. His recordings include Thunder, Basement Psalms, and Hymns, Prayers, and Invitations, earning him recognition for thoughtful songwriting and spiritually rich storytelling. His latest single, “Heaven Is Full of Criminals,” featuring legendary guitarist Phil Keaggy, continues his exploration of God’s surprising mercy and the possibility of redemption for all who need grace.
Beyond his solo work, James recently contributed electric guitar to “Guitar Tree” from Antonio Vergara’s Grammy-nominated album The Fury. As the host of Voices in My Head, he has interviewed numerous musicians, authors, and cultural voices, creating meaningful conversations at the intersection of faith and creativity. James also serves as a full-time hospital chaplain at Springfield Regional Medical Center in Springfield, Ohio.
Our conversation with Rick moved from his upbringing as the son of a pastor to the early influence of music on his life and faith. We touch on some of his songwriting influences and practices and the role of the musician as a kind of “conduit” for story, melody, and image. Rick also discusses how his work as a hospital chaplain complements and informs his songwriting, and why the art of attentive listening is so vital to both vocations.
See also:
The official website of Rick Lee James
Out of the Depths: A Songwriter’s Journey Through the Psalms by Rick Lee James
Voices in My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast)
Edoardo Giribaldi, “Pope: Like a Stream Leading to Its Source, Music Leads Us to God,” Vatican News, July 29, 2026
Daniel J. Levitin, I Heard There Was a Secret Chord (W. W. Norton, 2024)
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