Brian Zahnd is the founder and lead pastor of Word of Life Church in St. Joseph, Missouri. Brian is a passionate reader of theology and philosophy, an avid hiker and mountain climber, and an authority on all things Bob Dylan. Brian is the author of several books, including Beauty Will Save the World, A Farewell To Mars, Water To Wine, Sinners In The Hands Of A Loving God, Postcards From Babylon, and When Everything's On Fire and his most recent THE WOOD BETWEEN THE WORLDS. This podcast was...

TW // This episode contains conversations about sexual assault, gender-based violence, rape culture, and/or other violence that can be emotionally triggering to some individuals. Danielle Tumminio-Hansen is a writer, three-time Ivy League graduate, theologian, and faith leader with twenty years of experience as a public intellectual.  She routinely provides commentary and insight into contemporary issues in the American spiritual landscape.  Her areas of expertise include trauma-informed...

Ally Henny is the author of I Won’t Shut Up: Finding Your Voice When the World Tries to Silence You. She is a writer, speaker, advocate-minister, and vice president of The Witness: A Black Christian Collective–an organization committed to encouraging, engaging, and empowering Black Christians toward liberation from racism. Ally completed her Master of Divinity from Fuller Seminary with an emphasis in race, cultural identity, and reconciliation, and she hopes to lead a church someday. Since...

This week we welcome Dr Jonathan C Augustine. Dr Augustine serves as senior pastor of St. Joseph AME Church, in Durham, NC. He is an accomplished author, respected academic leader, and nationally recognized social justice advocate who speaks for the equality of all human beings. Dr Augustine’s most recent books are  When Prophets Preach: Leadership and the Politics of the Pulpit and  Called to Reconciliation: How the Church Can Model Justice, Diversity and Inclusion  This podcast was...

we are excited to welcome spiritual director, retreat leader, and internationally known speaker and teacher on mystical spirituality and contemplative living — CARL MCCOLMAN He is the author of many books, including The New Big Book of Christian Mysticism, Eternal Heart: The Mystical Path to a Joyful Life, and Unteachable Lessons: Why Wisdom Can’t Be Taught and Why That’s Okay. Carl McColman's approach to contemplation and mysticism is inclusive and expansive;  he is dedicated to exploring...

today we are excited to welcome one of the preeminent Theologians of our time - KWOK PUI-LAN  Dr Kwok Pui Lan is the Dean’s Professor of Systematic Theology at Candler School of Theology. Has taught at Episcopal Divinity School, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Auburn Theological Seminary, Union Theological Seminary, and Yale Divinity School. Her research focuses on Asian feminist theology and postcolonial theology. She has written or edited 23 books in English and Chinese. Her current...

Today we are excited to welcome Matthew Thiessen to the podcast - Matthew is an associate professor of religious studies at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. He is the award-winning author of numerous books, including  - Paul and the Gentile Problem - Jesus and the Forces of Death - Contesting Conversion: Genealogy, Circumcision, and Identity in Ancient Judaism and Christianity AND MOST RECENTLY, - A Jewish Paul: The Messiah's Herald to the Gentiles

Andrew Whitehead is an Associate Professor of Sociology and Director of the Association of Religion Data Archives at the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture. Andrew Whitehead is one of the foremost scholars of Christian nationalism in the United States. He is the lead author of  Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States —along with Samuel Perry—which won the 2021 Distinguished Book Award from the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion. His...

Jonathan Eig is the bestselling author of six books. His most recent King: A Life, was An Instant New York Times Bestseller, A Barack Obama Summer 2023 Read and was Hailed by The New York Times as "the definitive" account of MLK's life   Jonathan's previous book, Ali: A Life, won a 2018 PEN America Literary Award and was a finalist for the Mark Lynton History Prize. His works have been translated into more than a dozen languages.   He served as consulting producer for the PBS series "Muhammad...

Dr. Sarah Jean Barton is a theologian and occupational therapist with a Doctor of Theology degree from Duke Divinity School. She completed her occupational therapy training at Boston University. Her research interests include theology and disability, research in collaboration with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, bioethics, liturgy, and occupational engagement in religious activities. She has published and presented in a variety of interdisciplinary contexts on issues...

We kick off season 9 by welcoming back Philip Yancey.  Having authored over 25 books, in which he has wrestled with God, with the Church, and with fellow believers, Philip Yancey has sold more than 17 million copies in English, and his books have been translated into 40 languages worldwide. Philip’s bestselling titles include:  - What’s So Amazing About Grace?  -  The Jesus I Never Knew.  - where the light fell  With a journalistic, story-telling style, he invites readers to accompany him...

On this episode, we welcome back retired priest and author John Marsh. On his third visit, we discuss his book STRANGERS AT THE DOOR: PERHAPS THE REIGN OF GOD.  https://www.amazon.com/Strangers-At-Door-Perhaps-reign/dp/B0BFVCNJHT  This podcast was recorded on March 31st, 2023.

On this episode, we welcome Patty Krawec. Patty is an Anishinaabe and Ukrainian writer from Lac Seul First Nation. She is the cohost of the Medicine for the Resistance podcast and cofounder of the Nii’kinaaganaa Foundation, which collects funds and disperses them to Indigenous people and organizations. Her work has been published in Sojourners and Canadian Living. She is active with the Fort Erie Native Friendship Center and the Strong Water Singers. Krawec is a member of Chippawa...

In this episode, we welcome back speaker, writer, public theologian, and immigrant advocate, Karen González. Karen immigrated to the US from Guatemala as a child. She knows all too well what newcomers to a country face. When she was last with us we talked about her book -The God Who Sees -which chronicled her experience as an immigrant.  Karen’s second book which was recently released is titled - Beyond Welcome: Centering Immigrants in Our Christian Response to Immigration. This book seeks...

Sumaiya Matin is a writer, part-time social worker/psychotherapist, and strategic advisor for the Ontario government, working on a wide range of public policy files, including anti-racism. She lives in Toronto. Her book the Shaytān Bride is the true coming-of-age story of a girl navigating desire and faith. Through her journey into adulthood, she battles herself and her circumstances to differentiate between destiny and free will. Sumaiya Matin’s life in love and violence is a testament to...

Today we welcome Lerita Coleman Brown. Lerita is a spiritual director/companion, author, retreat leader, and speaker. She promotes contemplative spirituality, the living wisdom of Howard Thurman, and uncovering the peace and joy in one’s heart on her website, leritacolemanbrown.com and other social media platforms. Her newest book is What Makes You Come Alive—A Spiritual Walk with Howard Thurman. We’ll chat about the book and much more. This podcast was recorded on Tuesday February 28th, 2023.

On this episode, we welcome Lisa Deam - an author and speaker who uses art of the Christian past to illuminate modern faith. A former professor, she has a Ph.D. in medieval art history from the University of Chicago and was a Fulbright Fellow to Belgium. Lisa believes that medieval art has something to say to Christians in the 21st century and loves leading spiritual formation workshops on the Christian Middle Ages. Her writing won a "Best of the Christian Press" award from the Associated...

Cecily Alexander is a dietician, a teacher, and a writer in London, Ontario. Her recently published memoir Immigration, Race and Survival: From Trinidad to Canada: Living in Parallel Worlds will help you to understand racism as you journey with her through her many experiences.  Cecily has had a career as a dietitian for over forty years. She has a master’s in business administration specializing in organizational behaviour and her nutrition degree from the University of Guelph. She has...

We are excited to welcome back Dr. Randy Woodley. Randy’s work addresses a variety of issues concerning American culture, faith, justice, race, our relationship with the earth, and Indigenous realities. He currently serves as Distinguished Professor of Faith and Culture at Portland Seminary, Portland Oregon. His expertise has been sought in national venues as diverse as Time Magazine, Christianity Today, The Huffington Post, and Planet Drum: A Voice for Bioregional, Sustainability, Education,...

This week we welcome Marjorie J. Thompson. Marjorie is an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church.  She has served as director of the Pathways Center for Spiritual Leadership and as spiritual director of Companions in Christ, a program outgrowth of the Pathways initiative of Upper Room Ministries. Marjorie has exercised a ministry of teaching, writing and spiritual guidance for many years.  Marjorie joins us to discuss her newest book: Courage for Caregivers: Sustenance for the Journey...

Today we welcome Jonathan Merritt - one of America’s most popular writers on issues of faith and culture. He is the author of several critically-acclaimed books, including Learning to Speak God from Scratch: Why Sacred Words are Vanishing – and How We Can Revive Them, named “Book of the Year” by the Englewood Review of Books.  Jonathan is an award-winning contributor for The Atlantic, a contributing editor for The Week, and a regular columnist for Religion News Service. He has published more...

Dr. Karen Swallow Prior, is a Research Professor of English, Christianity and Culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is the author of Booked: Literature in the Soul of Me, and On Reading Well: Finding the Good Life through Great Books. She has contributed to numerous other books. She is a host of the popular podcast Jane and Jesus. She has a monthly column for Religion News Service. Karen’s writing has appeared in Christianity Today, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and...

Bob Smietana is an award-winning religion reporter and editor who has spent two decades producing breaking news, data journalism, investigative reporting, profiles, and features for magazines, newspapers, trade publications, and websites. Most notably, he has served as a senior writer for Facts & Trends, senior editor of Christianity Today, religion writer at The Tennessean, correspondent for Religion News Service, and contributor to OnFaith, USA TODAY, and The Washington Post.He is best...

In this episode, we welcome The Reverend Dr. William H. Willimon. Dr. Willimon is a Professor of the Practice of Christian Ministry at the Divinity School, Duke University. He served eight years as Bishop of the North Alabama Conference of The United Methodist Church, For twenty years prior to the episcopacy, he was Dean of the Chapel and Professor of Christian Ministry at Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. He is the author of roughly one hundred books. Thousands of pastors in the USA,...