For weeks, it seemed that everywhere I looked, I was seeing something about Isaac Villegas’s new book, Migrant God. I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it, and I was not disappointed once I did! With everything happening in the U.S. right now surrounding immigration, this text and conversation are right on time. Don’t … Continue reading Episode 308 – Isaac Villegas
This conversation with Aimee Byrd was personal and powerful for me. Even though it has not been easy, I am so grateful to Aimee for sharing her story of the abuse she suffered in the church circles she was a part of. Her newest book, Saving Face, is a beautiful reflection not only on what … Continue reading Episode 307 – Aimee Byrd
Maybe because my life is currently in flux (and has been that way for a hot minute), I was honestly a bit hesitant to read my friend Michael O’Donnell‘s new book. I’m not exactly sure why I was nervous, but it did sit on my shelf for weeks (okay, maybe even months) before I finally … Continue reading Episode 306 – Michaela O’Donnell
“We are all chasing relief.” I hadn’t really thought about it in quite the same way until I read David Zahl’s The Big Relief, but then I couldn’t unsee it. Around the same time, a friend sent me an Instagram reel of a woman just breathing in and telling herself to release her shoulders. Whatever … Continue reading Episode 305 – David Zahl
Cristina Rathbone, an American Episcopal priest from a family with immigration journeys of their own, spent time at the border between the U.S. and Mexico to learn from and minister to those who were waiting to cross. A former journalist, Cristina shares about her experiences on the border as she met and interacted with individuals … Continue reading Episode 304 – Cristina Rathbone
Destiny Magnett is part of a wonderful team at one of my favorite organizations, Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP). Destiny has travelled extensively to the Middle East and has been personally impacted by her education and experiences with people living in the land as they are impacted by the conflict, policies, wars, and politics. … Continue reading Episode 303 – Destiny Magnett
Hosting a return guest is one of my favorite things to do (maybe especially when that guest is seated next to his piano…)! Mark Glanville is a pastor in what he names as a post-Christian context. And even though this conversation is based on his book about writing sermons, it is truly for anyone who … Continue reading Episode 302 – Mark Glanville
Welcome, Cara Meredith, back to the podcast! Cara was so kind to join me waaay back in the early months of the podcast and now she’s been brave enough to do it again! The topic in this conversation is one that is near and dear (and complicated) to both of our hearts, and maybe yours … Continue reading Episode 301 – Cara Meredith
Eek! THIS MARKS 300 EPISODES!!! First of all, THANK YOU for listening to That Makes Total Sense! It really is one of the most fun things I get to do and I am *thrilled* to share it with each of you! Second, for this conversation, I got to interview my best friend, husband, editor, and … Continue reading Episode 300 – Alexis & Seth
We’ve got something a little different (and super fun!) with this episode. Philip Marinello of The Substance invited me back on his podcast and we had a blast catching up and talking about all things faith, politics, and of course generosity and justice! Philip loves chatting about many of the same topics as me and … Continue reading Episode 299 – Philip Marinello
My kids tell me I’m a Hufflepuff. I don’t exactly deny it and encounters like the one Angela and I had might just add evidence to their label, lol! One minute we found ourselves sitting at dinner together, each invited by friends to a table where we didn’t know most of the diners, and the … Continue reading Episode 298 – Angela Williams Gorrell
A short reflection on the day after Easter…and doubt. Mentioned in this episode: Matthew 28 You might also enjoy: Ep. 191 with Alexis Busetti Ep. 150 with Jason Porterfield Ep. 140 with Alexis Busetti
A note from the producer: “I normally try to get the podcasts done over the weekend so they can release Sunday night or Monday morning. This weekend however, I was off climbing on rocks and doing professional work – noting my usual day job is not a producer. Anyways, I hope listeners don’t mind that … Continue reading Episode 296 – Young-Sam Won (replay!)
The current job situation in the U.S. right now is hard to navigate, to say the least. Whether it’s layoffs for federal employees, toxic bosses and cultures, or burnout, our work lives involve so much more than just the actual work. Thankfully, people like Meryl Herr are paying attention. Her new book, When Work Hurts … Continue reading Episode 295 – Meryl Herr
Drs. Lisa Stephenson and Ruthie Wienk are professors of systematic theology and sociology, respectively, and they have teamed up to write a wonderful, textual guide on service in the Christian community. Historically, and even now, the evangelical community in the U.S. has gone through different phases and stances on service or what some may call … Continue reading Episode 294 – Lisa Stephenson & Ruthie Wienk...
Lately, the psychology section on my bookshelf has increased by a few titles, and while I have zero background in the field (except seeing a therapist, hallelujah!), it is increasingly more fascinating to me. This conversation with Todd Hall, professor of psychology, was a great addition to my novice study (though it would also be … Continue reading Episode 293 – Todd Hall
This conversation with Dr. Erin Devers was so much fun! We discussed some of the concepts from her new book, The Unbiased Self, and I found it to be fascinating. As a psychology professor, Erin brings so much insight into the world of bias, how we all operate with it, and what we can do … Continue reading Episode 292 – Erin Devers
Producer’s pick in honor of Women’s History Month! Reading Caryn Reeder‘s new book had me feeling mad, relieved, curious, and hopeful. She explores one of my all-time favorite stories in the Gospels – The Samaritan Woman in John 4. Caryn reminds readers and listeners of the classic interpretation of the story, which has remained much the same throughout … Continue reading Episode 291 – Caryn Reeder (re-release!)...
I experienced so many emotions reading Andrew Bauman‘s new book, Safe Church. Among them, was the feeling of being seen. In his research, Andrew, who is a professional counselor, surveyed and interviewed women who have spent various amounts of time in evangelical churches and ministry environments in the U.S. These women reported experiences of sexism … Continue reading Episode 290 – Andrew Bauman
As you can see from the search below, Christian nationalism has been a common topic on the podcast. Professor Michael W. Austin has written a short book called simply, American Christian Nationalism, and our conversation on that text is one I am happy to have as an addition to the list. Mike gives us a … Continue reading Episode 289 – Mike Austin
As you’ll hear throughout this conversation, concepts within the field of disability theology are ones that I have struggled and wrestled with for years (even before I knew how to label them). This book, Disabling Leadership, by Andrew Draper and his co-authors is unique in that it covers, not only aspects of disability theology, but … Continue reading Episode 288 – Andrew Draper
Joel Edward Goza joined me on the podcast to talk about his newest book, Rebirth of a Nation: Reparations and Remaking America. You might recognize in the title, a take on another title, The Birth of a Nation, an incredibly harmful and racist film shown at the White House in 1915 by president Woodrow Wilson. … Continue reading Episode 287 – Joel Edward Goza
When I first started reading Heather Matthews’ new book, Confronting Sexism in the Church, I was struck (yet again) by how familiar her story is. Over and over again, I have come to realize that I’m not the only one. So many other women have been told they are less than, that they couldn’t have … Continue reading Episode 286 – Heather Matthews
The wise and hilarious Erin Hicks Moon joined me for this episode and I am thrilled to share it with you! She has written a book on deconstruction called, I’ve Got Questions, and reading it felt like collecting little pieces of home over a cup of coffee with a friend who understood right where I … Continue reading Episode 285 – Erin Hicks Moon
That Makes Total Sense! regular, the Rev. Dr. Malcolm Foley, is back on the podcast and I could not be more psyched! His new book, The Anti-Greed Gospel releases next month and I cannot wait for it to hit the shelves. If you’re as intrigued as I was, even by the title and sub-title alone, … Continue reading Episode 284 – Malcolm Foley
What a joy to host Liz Charlotte Grant (and read her book)! One of the things I have enjoyed so much in studying the bible is taking in different interpretive perspectives. Liz is a creative writer and someone who became curious about biblical interpretations from theologians she had not read or studied early in her … Continue reading Episode 283 – Liz Charlotte Grant
Phew! Hold on to your hats! We’ve got an incredible discussion for you today with Dr. Andrew Rillera, New Testament scholar. His newest book, Lamb of the Free, tackles not only the sacrifice of Jesus, but does so as part of the whole sacrificial system we see in the Bible. We start by naming a … Continue reading Episode 282 – Andrew Rillera
When Jennifer McNutt’s newest book arrived in the mail, I instantly started flipping through it (and immediately texted a friend)! What I held in my hands, was a beautiful, thoughtful, and thorough look at the person and character of Mary Magdelene and as a female theologian, it felt like a real gift. The Mary We … Continue reading Episode 281 – Jennifer McNutt
This was a wonderful conversation on church, health, justice, and community with Pricelis! Her unique perspective as someone with a background in social work and someone who has worked on staff in church settings brings something insightful and beautiful to this larger discussion around church life. For more on this topic, be sure to check … Continue reading Episode 279 – Pricelis Perreaux-Dominguez
This conversation with Lore was recorded barely a week after the presidential election. Truthfully, I was still pretty raw coming into our talk and that morning was a particularly rough one in my grieving process. What Lore’s beautiful book and our interview reminded me of in the midst of my feelings of sadness, disbelief, and … Continue reading Episode 278 – Lore Ferguson Wilbert
