Shirley Mullen talks about the work of intentional engagement in our polarized contexts and advocates for actively bridging divides in our society. Shirley Mullen is president emerita of Houghton College, where she served for 15 years, and author of Claiming the Courageous Middle: Daring to Live and Work Together for a More Hopeful Future.  

W. Thomas Boyce discusses new research on sensitivity and resilience in childhood development and talks about how learning to see our children well helps them flourish and thrive. W. Thomas Boyce is a pediatrician, professor emeritus of pediatrics and psychiatry at UC San Francisco, and author of The Orchid and the Dandelion: Why Some Children Struggle and How All Can Thrive.  

Liz Jacobsen shares about teaching theater to high schoolers and about the power of art and storytelling to transform us. Liz Jacobsen is a theater teacher, currently teaching at Stadium High School in Tacoma, Washington.  

Jennifer Wiseman shares about the journey of her finding a career in science, the interactions and connections between science and faith, and the upcoming solar eclipse. Jennifer Wiseman is an astrophysicist, author, and speaker, and she is director emeritus of the program of Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion (DoSER) for the American Association for the Advancement of Science.  

Michael Wear talks about the state of politics in the United States and the ways our faith is interwoven with public life. Michael Wear is founder, president, and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life.  

Esau McCaulley, discussing his new memoir, reflects on the way we tell Black stories and how we make sense of our narratives for the glory of God. Esau McCalley is assistant professor of New Testament at Wheaton College and the author of Reading While Black and How Far to the Promised Land, among other works.

Nikki Toyama-Szeto shares about her work leading Christians for Social Action, the organization’s commitment to cultivating faithful engagement with issues of justice, and her experience as a Japanese American woman in leadership. Nikki Toyama-Szeto is executive director of Christians for Social Action.  

Tim Alberta takes a deep dive into the contemporary state of American Evangelicalism in a time of extremism. Tim Alberta is a journalist, author, and staff writer for The Atlantic.

Caleb Maskell discusses the beginnings of Vineyard USA, which is celebrating its 50th year, and the hopeful future ahead. Caleb Maskell is the associate national director of theology and education for Vineyard USA.  

Pamela Ebstyne King discusses her research and work on the topic of thriving, as well as her new podcast, With & For. Pamela Ebstyne King is Peter L. Benson Professor of Applied Developmental Science and executive director of the Thrive Center for Human Development.  

Andrew Hanauer describes the work of bridging the deep divides in American politics, the church, and faith communities more broadly. Andrew Hanauer is the president and CEO of the One America Movement. We invite you to take a brief listener survey at fuller.edu/survey in order to help the Conversing team guide the future of the show.

Stephen Newby reflects on the ability of Gospel music to invite all people in and what that means for today’s world and church. Stephen Michael Newby is the inaugural holder of The Lev H. Prichard III Endowed Chair in the Study of Black Worship and also serves as Professor of Music and Ambassador for The Black Gospel Music Preservation Program at Baylor University.

Jemar Tisby reflects on Tom Skinner’s impactful speech “Racism and World Evangelism,” delivered at the 1970 Urbana Missions Conference, and considers the ways it resonates with the reality of the American church today. Tom Skinner’s speech can be listened to here. Jemar Tisby is the author of The Color of Compromise, How to Fight Racism, and, most recently, How to Fight Racism: Young Reader’s Edition.

Luann Pannell discusses mental health and training in law enforcement and shares about her two decades of work with the Los Angeles Police Department. Luann Pannell is a Fuller alum, CEO of Exceptional Edge Consulting, and was director of police training and education at the LAPD for 18 years.  

Ben McBride talks with Mark about his new book, Troubling the Water: The Urgent Work of Radical Belonging, which outlines his journey and work in the “kill zone” in Oakland, CA. Ben McBride is a visionary leader of radical belonging. The co-founder of the Empower Initiative, a capacity-building firm devoted to empowering organizations and communities, he is a leading expert in fostering belonging and public safety reform.

Chris Henry talks about the importance of rhythm in the church year and about leadership in a post-pandemic world. Chris Henry is senior pastor of Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana.  

David Brenner describes the mission of the organization AI and Faith, which works to direct artificial intelligence research and technology towards human flourishing, with an eye towards ethics and a grounding in multiple faith traditions. This is the fourth in a series on artificial intelligence, based in part on the work of AI and Faith, an organization which seeks to engage the world in the moral and ethical issues around artificial intelligence. Learn more at AIandfaith.org. David...

Phil Chen talks about the development of AI and the ethics of sourcing material for large language models like ChatGPT. This is the third in a series on artificial intelligence, based in part on the work of AI and Faith, an organization which seeks to engage the world in the moral and ethical issues around artificial intelligence. Learn more at AIandfaith.org. Phil Chen is an investor, a serial entrepreneur, and a senior advisor at Race Capital.  

Guy Kawasaki discusses some of the possible positive impacts of artificial intelligence for creativity, productivity, and society at large. This is the second in a series on artificial intelligence, based in part on the work of AI and Faith, an organization which seeks to engage the world in the moral and ethical issues around artificial intelligence. Learn more at AIandfaith.org. Guy Kawasaki is the chief evangelist of Canva and the creator of Guy Kawasaki’s Remarkable People podcast.  

Mark Graves discusses the intersections of AI, technology, ethics, faith, and philosophy. This is the first in a series on artificial intelligence, based in part on the work of AI and Faith, an organization which seeks to engage the world in the moral and ethical issues around artificial intelligence. Learn more at AIandfaith.org. Mark Graves is a research fellow and director at AI and Faith and is a research associate professor of psychology at Fuller Seminary.

Rick Warren shares about his many years of ministry—from the beginnings of Saddleback Church to his current work of participating in the Great Commission—and about what he’s learned of leadership, church, and God along the way. Rick Warren is a pastor, an author, and the founder of Saddleback Church. He is also executive director of Finishing the Task.  

Cherie Harder discusses the state of political discourse in the United States and the task of helping leaders to more effectively cultivate ideas and Christian thought amidst today’s wider conversations. Cherie Harder is president of the Trinity Forum and formerly served in the White House as special assistant to the president and director of policy and projects for First Lady Laura Bush.  

Daniel Whitehead describes the work of integrating mental health services into the community offerings of the church, sharing particularly about the efforts of Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries. Daniel is the CEO of Sanctuary Mental Health Ministries, equipping churches to support mental health and wellbeing in their community. Learn more at sanctuarymentalhealth.org.  

Jeanelle Austin discusses her work at the George Floyd Global Memorial and her push for “people over property” in both preservation and activism. Jeanelle Austin is the creator of the Racial Agency Initiative and the lead caretaker of the George Floyd Global Memorial.  

Tara Beth Leach talks about her experiences as a woman in ministry and her new role as senior pastor of Good Shepherd Church in Naperville, Illinois. Tara Beth Leach is a preacher, writer, and the senior pastor of Good Shepherd Church in Naperville, Illinois.