Our guest is Anjuli Paschall, author of the new book "Feel: A Collection of Liturgies Offering Hope for Every Complicated Emotion." We have a conversation about the power and importance of our emotions, and how to engage with them in a healthy, transformative way. Anjuli has such an insightful and nuanced perspective on this topic. She talks about how she grew up in a Christian culture that often viewed certain emotions as "bad" or something to be suppressed. But she's come to see how crucial it...
Nov 29, 2024•55 min•Season 1Ep. 246
In this conversation, we dive into how Jesus read and engaged with scripture - and how that should inform how we, as his followers, approach the Bible today. It’s not something I’ve thought about explicitly. This is a much needed conversation. My guest is Michael Pahl, author of the book "The Word Fulfilled," and he brings a really thoughtful, nuanced perspective on this topic. One of the key things that emerges is how Jesus didn't just see scripture as a flat, equal text, but rather prioritized...
Nov 26, 2024•58 min•Season 1Ep. 245
It’s a privilege to be in conversation with Diane Langberg today, a psychologist who has spent over 50 years working with victims of abuse, particularly within the church. Langberg has seen firsthand the devastating impact when the very institutions meant to protect and nurture God's people end up harming them instead. Diane believes that the solution lies not in better policies or procedures, but in a deeper reorientation towards Christ-likeness - a radical commitment to love, truth, and obedie...
Nov 22, 2024•55 min•Season 1Ep. 244
In our conversation today we talk about some of the deepest challenges facing the church today. Our guest is Mike Cosper, author of the new book 'The Church in Dark Times,' and he's bringing this incredible framework from the philosopher Hannah Arendt to help us understand the dynamics at play. What Cosper lays out is how the church, much like broader society, has become susceptible to the lure of ideology - these seductive stories that promise meaning and purpose, but ultimately lead us astray....
Nov 19, 2024•56 min•Season 1Ep. 243
In this conversation we get to the heart of the divisions and fractures we're seeing in our society and in the church. Heather Gorman and Mark Nelson, the authors of the book "Lunchroom Theology," paint a vivid picture of the polarization all around us - the way we sort ourselves into different tables and groups, often suspicious or distrustful of those who aren't like us. But what's so compelling is how Heather and Mark point us back to the radical, subversive vision of Jesus - the way he broke...
Nov 15, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 242
Today we have a fascinating conversation with Christian ethicist David Gushee about the moral teachings of Jesus. Gushee has spent decades wrestling with how to faithfully apply Jesus' radical vision for the kingdom of God in our modern context. What struck me most in our discussion was Gushee's insistence that Jesus' ethics are not merely aspirational, but profoundly subversive to the status quo. Jesus challenges our assumptions about power, wealth, tradition, and social status - calling us to ...
Nov 12, 2024•51 min•Season 1Ep. 241
The conversation today gets at the heart of our modern mental health crisis. Richard Beck, author of the new book 'The Shape of Joy,' takes us into how our cultural obsession with introspection and the pursuit of self-esteem has undermined our wellbeing. He traces this back to key philosophical and psychological figures like Descartes and Freud, who ushered in this inward turn. He shows how this has led to excessive rumination, a fragile sense of self-worth tied to external achievements, and an ...
Nov 08, 2024•55 min•Season 1Ep. 240
In this episode, Stephanie Duncan Smith takes us on a profound journey through grief, loss, and the resilience required to open ourselves up to love again. She beautifully weaves together themes of time, the liturgical calendar, and the radical empathy of a God who meets us in every moment - whether joyful or sorrowful. Stephanie shares her own experiences with pregnancy loss, and how she grappled with the dissonance of everyday life and the world's expectations in the midst of her grief. She re...
Nov 05, 2024•50 min•Season 1Ep. 239
Today, we have a fantastic conversation with Hal Donaldson, the founder and president of Convoy of Hope, a global humanitarian organization that has helped over 200 million people in need. Hal has an incredible personal story - growing up in poverty after his father was tragically killed, experiencing the kindness of strangers, and then feeling called to dedicate his life to serving the poor and marginalized. What I found so compelling about this conversation is how Hal has wrestled with the ten...
Nov 01, 2024•54 min•Season 1Ep. 238
Today, we have a fascinating conversation about a figure who has long been misunderstood and overlooked in the Christian tradition - Mary Magdalene. Our guest is Jennifer Powell McNutt, a scholar of church history and theology who has dedicated years to uncovering the true story of this remarkable woman. As Jennifer explains, Mary Magdalene was not a penitent prostitute, as she's often been portrayed incorrectly, but a devoted disciple of Jesus, one of the women who traveled with him and financi...
Oct 29, 2024•53 min•Season 1Ep. 237
In this conversation, Russ Ramsey talks about the power of art, beauty, and storytelling - and how they can help us make sense of the brokenness in our world. Russ is the author of books like "Rembrandt is in the Wind" and "Van Gogh Has a Broken Heart," where he dives into the lives and works of these iconic artists. And what he uncovers is so much more than just the paintings themselves. It's about the human experience - the joy, the suffering, the hope that these artists poured into their art....
Oct 25, 2024•57 min•Season 1Ep. 236
In this conversation, Scot McKnight explores the deconstruction movement happening in the church today. Scot argues that this deconstruction is a prophetic work of the Spirit, calling the church back to a more faithful following of Jesus. Scot shares his own personal journey of shedding aspects of his fundamentalist upbringing to find a more Jesus-centered faith. He unpacks how the "I Am" statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John are key for deconstructors who are seeking to rediscover the true ...
Oct 22, 2024•57 min•Season 1Ep. 235
In this captivating conversation, we dive deep into the intersection of bread, theology, and community with guest Kendall Vanderslice. Kendall shares her lifelong love of baking, which began as a way to process emotions and eventually blossomed into a vocational calling. But her journey took an unexpected turn when she discovered the rich theological and cultural dimensions of food, particularly bread. As Kendall studied the anthropology of food and explored biblical narratives around sustenance...
Oct 18, 2024•53 min•Season 1Ep. 234
In this episode, Chad Veach dives deep into the critical topic of humility versus pride - a battle that every leader and believer must wrestle with. He unpacks how pride can so easily creep into our lives and relationships, while true humility unlocks the best version of ourselves and our communities. We explore Chad's own journey of learning humility, from his upbringing to his time as a youth pastor. He shares how finding safe, accountable friendships was key, as well as the daily discipline o...
Oct 15, 2024•52 min•Season 1Ep. 233
This conversation with Gareth Higgins is an exploration of how storytelling, empathy, and a commitment to love can transform even the most entrenched conflicts. Gareth shares his personal journey growing up in Northern Ireland, where the dominant narrative was one of division, fear, and violence. But through the transformative power of films like 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest,' Gareth discovered the importance of seeing the humanity in those we might otherwise label as 'other.' He realized th...
Oct 11, 2024•59 min•Season 1Ep. 232
Randy & Edith Woodley have a radically different perspective on what it means to live a fulfilling life. As Native American authors and educators, they challenge the Western notion of pursuing individual happiness, arguing that true well-being comes from living in harmony with our broader community and the natural world. In this conversation, Randy and Edith share their personal stories of overcoming intergenerational trauma and discovering the wisdom of indigenous worldviews. They contrast ...
Oct 08, 2024•55 min•Season 1Ep. 231
In this episode, Chuck DeGroat dives into the wounds we all carry and the journey of healing what's within. Chuck shares his own story of disconnection and isolation, and how he learned to pay attention to the dashboard of his thoughts, emotions, body, behaviors, and relationships to uncover the deeper wounds beneath the surface. He unpacks the power of secure attachment and how we can find our way back to that sense of belonging, worth, and purpose - not just in our minds, but in our very bodie...
Oct 07, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 230
In this episode, Steve Bezner wrestles deeply with how to faithfully follow Jesus in the 21st century American context, and shares some profound insights about the kingdom of God and how it contrasts with the dominant cultural forces in our country. We discuss the powerful cultural influences that can push us away from living out true kingdom values, as well as practical ways that churches and individual believers can embrace a more holistic, biblical vision for life in the reign of God. It's a ...
Oct 04, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 229
In this episode, Strahan Coleman dives deep into the longing of the human heart and the even greater longing of God. He takes us on a personal journey of wrestling with desire, thirst, and the ache to be fully satisfied. Strahan shares how his move to a remote town in New Zealand stripped away the distractions, revealing a profound spiritual hunger within. As he grappled with this, he discovered that our deepest longings can only be met by union and intimacy with the divine. He challenges us to ...
Oct 01, 2024•57 min•Season 1Ep. 228
In this episode, Mandy Smith shares a ancient vision for pastoral leadership - one that acknowledges human weakness and relies on God's strength. Mandy unpacks the problems with the Western, secular approach to ministry that has crept into the church and she proposes a reorientation towards confession, lament, and trusting in the work of the Holy Spirit, rather than relying on our own efforts and strategies. Mandy vulnerably shares personal stories of feeling overwhelmed in ministry, and how the...
Sep 27, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 227
In this conversation, Kristin Kobes Du Mez dives deep into the hidden crisis of abuse and cover-ups within the church. She pulls back the curtain on the disturbing patterns she's uncovered - where abusers are often quickly forgiven and restored, while victims are shamed and silenced. Kristin shares how her research for the acclaimed book "Jesus and John Wayne" led her to uncover these systemic issues, and how she felt compelled to give a platform to the brave women who have come forward with the...
Sep 26, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 226
Brad Brisco and I have a fascinating conversation about the future of church planting in North America. Brad shares his personal journey from the restaurant business to seminary and church planting, and how that led him to rethink the entire approach to planting new churches. He argues that we need to shift our mindset - from seeing the church as a vendor of religious goods and services, to understanding the church as a sent missionary people. This is a crucial distinction, because it changes ev...
Sep 24, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 225
In this episode, Aundi Kolber takes us on a deep dive into the interplay between trauma, attachment, and the wisdom of the body. We explore the crucial distinction between healthy hard work and trauma-driven overwork, and how to discern the difference. Aundi shares powerful insights on the concept of the "window of tolerance" - how trauma can shrink it, and the process of expanding it to allow us to fully feel our emotions. We also discuss the role of the church in becoming more trauma-informed,...
Sep 20, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 224
We are marked for kingdom transformation. But how do we actually get there? In this episode, Rich Robinson returns to share insights from his new book "All Change" - a roadmap for unlocking kingdom potential in a rapidly changing world. Rich has spent decades coaching leaders and organizations through disruptive seasons of change. He unpacks a powerful framework of dream, discover, design, and deploy that mirrors the journey Jesus took with his disciples. Rich shares how to cultivate childlike c...
Sep 17, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 223
Today, we're diving into the powerful intersection of justice, faith, and women's issues with Tiffany Bluhm. As the new director of Made for PAX and the author of the devotional "The Women We've Been Waiting For," Tiffany has dedicated her life's work to empowering marginalized voices and reimagining what flourishing looks like for women. In our conversation, Tiffany unpacks the vital role of self-care, contemplation, and holy imagination in the lives of women - especially those facing injustice...
Sep 16, 2024•59 min•Season 1Ep. 222
In this episode, Christine Westhoff shares about reframing our understanding of the prophetic. Christine has been on a 30-year journey exploring the beautiful and dreadful aspects of the prophetic movement, and she's here to share some crucial insights. We dive into the common misuses of prophecy that we've seen, especially in the political landscape. But more importantly, Christine unpacks the true purpose of the prophetic - to align people back to the covenant and the eternal purposes of Chris...
Sep 13, 2024•1 hr•Season 1Ep. 221
In this episode, Chris Lee shares his own journey of discovering the deep, unconditional love of God, and how that truth can transform our lives and culture, even in the midst of anxiety, fear, and division. Chris reminds us that at the core of the gospel is the simple yet profound message that we are loved by God. He encourages us to stop, be still, and receive that love - not through our own efforts or worthiness, but simply by acknowledging who God is. As we navigate challenging cultural wate...
Sep 10, 2024•57 min•Season 1Ep. 220
In this episode, Shannon K. Evans takes us on a fascinating journey through the lives and teachings of radical female mystics from history, and explores how their wisdom and practices can speak powerfully to our lives and faith today. We'll dive into topics like the importance of art and creativity, caring for the environment, mental health, and finding balance between action and contemplation. So join us as we listen to what the mystics of the past have to say to us. Shannon K. Evans is the aut...
Sep 09, 2024•56 min•Season 1Ep. 219
In this episode, Natalie Runion shares her vision for rebuilding the church on the solid foundation of Jesus, moving past the deconstruction and hurt many have experienced. We discuss the blueprint found in the book of Acts for a Spirit-led, missional, and unified church that loves God and loves people. Natalie provides practical insights on cultivating a culture of prayer, developing true shepherds, and keeping our identity rooted in Christ rather than performance or platform. This is a hopeful...
Sep 06, 2024•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 218
In this episode, Jemar Tisby takes us through the rich history of Black Christians fighting for justice in America. From Phillis Wheatley's powerful poetry to the legal strategy that toppled Jim Crow, Tisby highlights how the "spirit of justice" has driven Black Christians to resist oppression and work towards greater freedom. He emphasizes the crucial distinction between "slaveholder Christianity" and the true Christianity of Christ, which compels us to love our neighbor. Tisby stresses the imp...
Sep 03, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 217
