We speak with philosopher James (Jamie) K.A. Smith about his new book How to Inhabit Time: Understanding the Past, Facing the Future, Living Faithfully Now. It's a contemplative exploration of what it means to be a temporal creature, a being constituted by a past and oriented toward a future. If that sounds heady, it's honestly one of the most spiritual and restful books we've featured on the show, and it's also philosophically informed and beautifully written. Jamie also loves music, and certain songs are featured prominently in the book, and there's a Spotify playlist that accompanies it which we'll link here when it's released. The books, articles, songs, and films mentioned in the conversation are:Gilead - Marilynne RobinsonImage JournalThe Brothers Karamazov - Fyodor DostoevskyLetter from Birmingham Jail - Martin Luther King, Jr.The Maternal Eye of Sally Mann - Sarah BoxerEvery Time I Hear That Song - Brandi CarlileWe Americans - The Avett BrothersIf We Were Vampires - Jason IsbellI'm Not My Season - Fleet FoxesWading in Waist-High Water: The Lyrics of Fleet FoxesAbout TimeThe beverage we tasted is Elijah Craig Toasted Barrel bourbon.The beverage tasting is at 4:10. To skip to the interview, go to 7:10.Content note: this episode contains some mild profanity.Support the show