listen to the beautiful pursuit here
Is there anything more beautiful than the pursuit of Love?
Hosted by Ant McDonald, The Beautiful Pursuit is a podcast for the passionate ones. The ones who feel a fire in their bones, and the ones who wish they did. Originally dreamt up as a worship podcast (for worship leaders and musicians), The Beautiful Pursuit is more like a falling into the deep well of worship and never climbing out. To live encouraged. Inspired. And built up in Love.
For Ant, The Beautiful Pursuit has been the pursuit of God in it all. Not only God in church, but God in everything. In family, in friendships, in waking and sleeping, in highs and lows, in disappointments and dreams. We either see Him in anything or miss Him in everything.
Ant spent years working for record label Integrity Media Africa, interviewing artists from all over the world - legends like Michael W. Smith, Lenny le Blanc, Martin Smith, Jeremy Riddle, Kari Jobe - to mention a few. She would unpack and understand their processes; explore their unique personalities and listen to the stories that shaped their art and expression. What she found was powerful, beautiful stories from ordinary people behind some extraordinary songs. Songs that often started out as scribbles in journals or awkward voice notes - and evolved into anthems that have touched the furthest corners of the globe and championed people's hearts and lives.
Inspired by those early conversations, Ant has created this podcast to give some of those stories wings, and bring them into people's homes and hearts.
Launched in December 2017, The Beautiful Pursuit has featured artists and worshippers, spiritual leaders and wisdom teachers - their journeys and the sounds and rhythms of their hearts.
Ant McDonald | host & producer
Having lived in Johannesburg, South Africa for 17 years, Ant has relocated from the big city with her family to the small town of Nottingham Road in KwaZulu-Natal. She’s worked in journalism, producing television, photographing and interviewing artists for almost two decades.
She is married to her best friend Rowan. They have a big couch where you are welcome anytime. They love God passionately and love people as a result. They are so grateful to God for leaving his fingerprints of love all over their lives – so much so that they can’t help but sing. And write. And create. And build. These dreamers are caught up in the songs of life and love and have given themselves to creating spaces where others can hear the music too. A life lived from the heart is the only life they have decided to live. Deeply connected to God, to themselves and to others.
They have been married since 2006 and have two beautiful, great little ones – Samuel (10) and Ruby (7). These two kiddos are the extravagant gifts they enjoy unwrapping everyday!
Row runs a corporate finance advisory business. Ant also runs journalling workshops - you can click on the link below for more info.
To book Ant for corporate workshops or as a speaker, click here for more info
PODCAST
01 martin smith
Former Delirious frontman, incredible songwriter and musician, husband and father Martin Smith launched The Beautiful Pursuit podcast in December 2017. The man is a deep well - rooted and grounded in His identity - and living life and creating out of that place. In this interview he talks about about his high value for family and marriage. Listen in iTunes here: https://itunes.apple.com/za/podcast/the-beautiful-pursuit/id1317009676?mt=2
02 & 03 jonathan & melissa helser
Dropping on 22 January 2018,, the amazing Helsers will be on The Beautiful Pursuit. This is a special one for me as these two are more than heroes in the faith - they are dear friends. We've spent time with them as a family in South Africa, and had the life-changing privilege of visiting them at their home and ministry base - A Place For The Heart in North Carolina. This interview has two parts - Part 1: Building Family & Ministry; and Part 2: Thriving In Every Season
05 john mark mcmillan
Coming in July 2018, platinum-selling songwriter John Mark McMillan is featured on The Beautiful Pursuit. He'll challenge your religion with disarming humility. I've heard someone call him a man of weighty lightness. It's a interesting and apt description. Always in dialogue with the heart - whether he's talking about the highs and lows of tour bus living, or the depths of Jesus's humanity. I was moved to tears hearing John Mark weap when describing that which what sets Jesus apart from any other god.
06 DR CAROLINE LEAF
This September I welcome cognitive neuroscientist Dr Caroline Leaf to The Beautiful Pursuit. Dr. Leaf holds a Ph.D. in communication pathology from the University of Pretoria, South Africa. Since 1981 she has researched the science of thought as it relates to thinking, learning, renewing the mind, gifting and potential. We spoke about her latest work, THINK LEARN SUCCEED while she was in South Africa promoting the book.
04 William Paul young
Coming to The Beautiful Pursuit in May 2018, international bestselling author, William Paul Young. Young’s book The Shack has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide and been translated into more than 40 different languages. In this interivew we speak about The Shack and its success, as well as looking into his latest book, Lies We Believe About God. Part 1 of our discussion – can we live a life without fear drops mid-May.
07 KIRSTIN MAUD
Kirstin Maud is the first of many incredible home-grown interviewees. Together with her husband Rob she founded Motherland Coffee Company - one of SA’s most exciting coffee brands. The Mauds also lead the thriving committee that is The Collective Church in Johannesburg. In this podcast Kirstin speaks about vision . You’ll be inspired and encouraged to dust off dreams in this episode.
music by sean williams
Love the music you heard on The Beautiful Pursuit? Sound designer and producer Sean Williams composed these original tracks. You can buy his music on iTunes or visit his website for more.