The human condition is fallible. You didn’t need me to tell you that, but sometimes it’s helpful to remember that and consciously exercise ourselves against the brokenness permeating our world.
When we see greatness, it is easy to lapse into jealousy. It is much simpler to wonder why you were not endowed with the talent of another instead of appreciating their excellence. But let us take a moment here to tip our caps and give a hearty applause to eight people who are very talented at what they do and bless us with their talent every day.
1. Matt Doyle
MLS Soccer’s "Armchair Analyst" is the best soccer columnist in North America. There are many good soccer analysts out there and most have a very deep knowledge of the beautiful game. What sets Doyle apart is the breadth of knowledge he pairs with the depth of his insight. Take his MLS Week 3 recap, for example. He presents data algebraically and visually and combines it with game footage to draw poignant insights about teams’ characters. And he does all this while remaining pithy, humorous and approachable in his writing.
2. Ben Rector
He might have the best lyrics in the world. In the same album, he can make you cry, laugh and dream. His music is entertaining, but his songwriting wit steals the show. His songs overflow with insight about the deepest themes of life and inspire listeners to live fully.
3. Fratelli Ristorante
This mom-and-pop Italian restaurant is the best you will find in the Mountain West. Prices are reasonable, service is friendly and you are guaranteed to meet the down-the-earth owners during your meal. The food is delicious, authentic and creative. You can’t go once without promising to return.
4. Brant Hansen
Best radio DJ of all time, hands down. He’s the kind of personality that makes you wish the radio wouldn’t play music so you could continue to listen to him instead.Thankfully, he now does his own podcast, and it’s music free! And in the midst of Brant and “Producer Sheri’s” hilarious antics, they still manage to speak to relevant cultural themes.
5. NPR’s Planet Money
An economic reporting podcast sounds like something that would have everyone but the most boring people asleep in seconds. Planet Money, however, deftly pulls economics out of every corner of life – from dating to Nigerian kidnapping to Mexican alcohol production. They shrewdly use economic theory to explain the way people live their lives and teach us to consider the bigger picture.
6. The Kendrick Brothers
Facing the Giants launched this pair from obscurity to stardom overnight. Their movie-making excellence did not stop with that film, however. Instead, they have continued producing uplifting, intriguing, and profound movies. This group is one of the few that creatively kneads Christian virtue into modern media without abandoning quality.
7. The Tallest Man on Earth
A fantastic, but not ubiquitous, indie singer. His music is simple but lyrically rich and oddly comforting. He will hook you with the first song and keep you listening for more.
8. Martin Chambi
One of the greatest photographers of the 20th Century. He is probably most famous for taking the picture of Machu Picchu – the one we always see on postcards and in Peruvian travel books. But his art goes beyond simple beauty. Inspired by his childhood, Chambi used his talent to tell the stories of illiterate and socially-exiled indigenous people in Latin America to show the world the bounty of indigenous culture.
Who’d I miss? Let me know in the comments section!
