Beyond The Pale

Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and didgeridoo player Scott Darlow uses his music to advocate for First Nations Aboriginal community in Australia.  On today's episode he shares about the opportunities he has had to perform in schools, prisons, and concert venues across the world bringing a message of Hope to combat the cynicism and tribalism of today's society.  Along the way he shares how his messa...

Author and documentarian Alan O'Hashi shares with Steve & Tammy highlights from his book  Beyond Heart Mountain  including the impact the internment of Japanese - Americans during WW2 had on his family and the Japanese community in the American West.  Along the way, we discuss Alan's experiences living in an intentional community and the advantages and challenges that come from that. Go Beyond the...

Author & speaker Keith Giles returns to discuss with Steve & Tammy his new book Sola Mysterium: Celebrating the Beautiful Uncertainty of Everything.  If God is a Being that transcends imagination, how we can learn to embrace mystery of Christ.  Along the way, Keith shares how Charismatics can understand their experiences, re-wiring your mind for "gratitude", and why it's often scientists, and not...

Keith Giles returns to the podcast to discuss with Steve & Tammy his final book in the seven part "un" series Jesus Unarmed: How the Prince of Peace Disarms our Violence.   Along the way Keith also explains where American Christians get their fascination with "redemptive violence", why Evangelicals should re-think their "End Times" theology, and what God really meant when he said we should "be Hol...

Brian Zahnd returns to Beyond the Pale to discuss his new book When Everything Is On Fire and how despite a season of doubt and deconstruction a stronger, more confident faith is possible when it is grounded in the beauty of Christ. Along the way Brian discusses pilgrimage, contemplation,  and how his journey on the Camino de Santiago inspired the book. Go Beyond the Pale with Brian Zahnd Episode...

Simon Rammaci has been active in sharing with Christians that to follow Christ is to be a peacemaker.  He discusses with Beyond the Pale his work with various groups including the Christian Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament to help promote non-violent alternatives in today's increasingly volatile world. Along the way Simon shares a bit of his faith journey which led him from his homeland of Italy t...

Simon Rammaci has been active in sharing with Christians that to follow Christ is to be a peacemaker.  He discusses with Beyond the Pale his work with various groups including the Christian Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament to help promote non-violent alternatives in today's increasingly volatile world. Along the way Simon shares a bit of his faith journey which led him from his homeland of Italy t...

University Professor and former bassist for the Christian punk band "Undercover" Ojo Taylor returns to discuss a recent blog post he wrote as he turned 65. Getting older ain't easy but Ojo reflects on the benefits that ageing brings including wisdom, perspective, and an understanding of what's really important in life. And of course with his very public transition from Christian musician to atheis...

Hannah Land is an Occupational Therapist and administrator for the online community Progressing Church.  She joins Beyond the Pale to discuss the how theology can be employed to address the personal suffering and trauma experienced by many.  Along the way she opens up about her own experience with sexual abuse as well as sharing some of the life giving understanding of Christ that have helped her...

The release of Denis Villeneuve's much anticipated adaption of Frank Herbert's "Dune" has drawn the inevitable comparisons to the David Lynch's 1984 adaption. On today's special episode I sit down with movie critic James Marsh to do a deep dive into who really did it better; Dune 1984 or Dune 2021 Episode Index 3:20 - Paul Atreides (Kyle Maclachlan vs. Timothy Chalamet) 8:24- Do we have a bias for...

Steve Barker joined us back in Episode 41 to talk about Re-Thinking Church and now comes to my rescue to help spare me of the boredom of a mandated 14 days isolation in a Hong Kong hotel room.  Along the way we discuss the COVID situation, my confirmation in the Anglican church, and making the Christian faith practical in the world around us. Go Beyond the Pale with Steve Barker! Episode Index 1:2...

Our Camino Tales series continues as we sit down with our pilgrim friend Diarmuid O'Reiley to discuss some of our shared adventures together on the Camino de Santiago.  Along the way Diarmuid shares a bit of his faith journey, the Lord's Prayer in Gaelic, as well as some political thoughts including an Irish perspective on America's fascination with Donald Trump.  My son Gabriel who walked our 201...

Keith Giles returns to Beyond the Pale to discuss his new book Jesus Unforsaken in which he argues the real Good News of Jesus has been replaced in much of today's church with a toxic message originating with John Calvin in the 1500s.  Keith explains why its crucial to return to the historic Christ-centered view of the cross that sets people free from sin and unveils a God of love who would rather...

South China Morning Post and RTHK Radio 3 movie critic James Marsh sits down with Steve for their annual Academy Awards predictions.  Along the way we discuss the the nominees in the major categories, who we think WILL win vs. who SHOULD win, and why Brian Cox played a better Hannibal Lector than Anthony Hopkins. Go Beyond the Pale with James Marsh!   Episode Index: 1:13- Steve's Intro 4:28- Inter...

On today's episode Steve sits down with two of his good friends who are nominal Trump voters to help better understand why Christians seem fascinated with conspiracy theories and why they tend to fuel them rather than extinguish them.  Along the way we discuss Donald Trump, the Epoch Times, and how Christians can be conditioned into toxic patterns. Episode Index: 2:17- Intro with Steve 12:16- Was...

David Morgan joins us to discuss University of Chicago Political Science professor Eric Oliver's new book "Enchanted America: How Intuition & Reason Divide Our Politics".   Along the way David helps explain why many Americans are increasingly embracing bizarre conspiracy theories in an attempt to make sense of a complicated and changing world. Go Beyond the Pale with David Morgan! Episode Index: 1...

Filmmakers David & Kathi Peters sit down with Steve & Tammy to discuss their new documentary Postcards from Babylon which takes aim at the growing Christian Nationalism within American Evangelicalism.   Along the way they share about the impact of Donald Trump on the church, filming Brian & Peri Zahnd while on the Camino de Santiago , and the film's timely message of the Hope still to be found in...

Pilgrim Bruce Ayling sits down with Steve to chat about their 2015 journey on the Camino de Santiago.  Along the way Bruce shares how his pilgrimage in Spain helped him to understand his Christian faith in a deeper way. Go Beyond the Pale with Bruce Ayling!  Episode index 1:40- Intro with Steve & Tammy 7:40- Conversation with Bruce begins 13:33- Learning to see God as a Father 26:44 - Doing the Ca...

Author Paul Ellis returns to talk about his new book "The Silent Queen" and why the church needs women to find their voice.   Along the way Paul shares historically how we got to this place of sanctioned gender discrimination in the church and what God's original plan was and can still be. Go Beyond the Pale with Paul Ellis Episode Index: 1:14 - Intro with Steve & Tammy 10:30 - Discussion with Pau...

On today's episode Steve has a conversation an old friend, Steve Bowens, on issues surrounding race issues in America and specifically the Black Lives Matter movement   Along the way Steve, who is an African-American educator from Colorado, also shares how his Christian faith has shaped him not only in his approach to race relations but in all areas of his life's journey. Go Beyond the Pale with S...

Dave Griffiths and Rob Grayson return to Beyond the Pale to discuss what a healthy deconstruction and eventual reconstruction in faith might look like.   Along the way we discuss Creeds, politics, racism, gender inequality, and why Christianity seems the one area where its OK to NOT grow up! Get Ready to Go Beyond the Pale with Rob Grayson & Dave Griffiths! Episode Index: 1:20-   Introduction with...

My brother Andrew returns during a hot elections season to talk about the two subjects you aren't suppose to talk about in polite conversation; politics and religion.   Along the way we discuss abortion, nationalism, and spell Trump holds over many American Christians. Get Ready To Go Beyond The Pale with Andrew Hackman!

Steve was interviewed on Hong Kong's Radio 3 "Morning Brew" show to discuss his 1,100 mile  Via Francigena  pilgrimage and the upcoming memoir chronicling the journey!  

Actor Jason Tobin who stars in the hit TV show Warrior sits down with Steve & Tammy to share his acting journey; the highs, the lows, the frustrations, the lucky breaks, and the perseverance that helped get him to where he is now. Along the way Jason shares what it was like to grow up in Hong Kong, the power of a teacher to inspire, his love of Story, and even our mutual desire to see Hong Kong's...

Long time friend Kit Tso shares a meal with Steve & Tammy and with the help of a little Scotch and Irish whiskey discuss faith, humanity, God, and the advantages of bringing "reason" into one's spiritual journey. Along the way Kit shares some funny anecdotes of riding a motorcycle from London to Belfast! Go Beyond the Pale with Kit Tso! Episode Index: 3:40 Conversation with Kit starts 11:32   Driv...