We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rod Butler. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rod below.

Rod, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

I’d grown up watching cartoons and TV shows and trying to imitate the voices and personalities. My older brother and I would turn down the volume on Bugs Bunny cartoons, do the voices, and try to make them funnier than they already were. If one of us fell off the couch laughing, we were successful! Years down the road, in college, in a chapel service, a student brought the message. A few minutes into it, Kevin ducked down behind the pulpit and two Muppet-type puppets came up to finish the sermon, singing a song from Fiddler on the Roof. Many people were probably confused–but I was smitten. He soon taught me how to move the puppets, and our first puppet show was at the Children’s Hospital of Orange County, in the cancer ward. I didn’t expect to be performing there. All of this points to this truth: puppetry is a valid art form, can be very engaging and funny, but can also impart inspirational messages, perhaps in places where a preacher wouldn’t go.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My dad wrote detective stories and movies back in the 30s, 40s and 50s. Because him, John K. Butler, I was bitten by the writing bug, and I’ve been a writer all of my life. That life has included being a youth pastor, radio personality, puppet performer, script writer and self-published author. So when someone comes to me and says, “I’ve got this idea for a book. I’ve always wanted to write it. I get started but then I get stuck. Will you help me finish my book?”, I seem to be able to step in and help them move forward. Or even help them see the book project through to completion. I believe all people are gifted. If I can help a child build a puppet, or a young writer to take new steps, or a frustrated author see their book finished, I’ll feel that I’ve done part of what I believe I’m called to do. And that’s to be an inspiration.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

My most rewarding moments are hearing back from readers, listeners, or kids at puppet shows. “That was so funny!” “Your poem touched my heart.” “I made two puppets and my parents were really laughing.” Those kinds of comments make things worthwhile.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

All my life I’ve struggled with confidence. I’d look at the accomplishments of others and feel I’d never approach anything like what they’ve done. I’d see my work as inferior, commonplace, or repetitive. But I had to treat those feelings like old pieces of paper: crumpling them up and throwing them away. I had to believe that God was in control of my life, and had given me a purpose on this planet, and I needed to march forward, confidently. Not looking at what I can’t do. Or how much something costs. Or how much time it will take. Or what will happen if it doesn’t work out like I’d hoped. Gotta cast all those doubts aside, and like Peter in the Gospel, step out of the boat and walk through the storm toward Jesus.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://filamentcity.com
• Facebook: Rod Butler
• Youtube: Rod The Puppet Guy