Shift Happens

This week, Joe talks to the host of Talking Politics and Religion, Corey Nathan. Corey's podcast is focused on building bridges and having the hard conversations that many are not willing to.  Joe and Corey talk about how honest, good faith conversations is not only a way to resist dehumanization but might just be the actual way forward.  To learn more about Corey Nathan and the Democracy Gro...

We have another amazing bonus episode for you today. We talk with author and theologian Keith Giles. Joe talks to Keith about his newest book "The Quantum Sayings of Jesus: Decoding the Lost Gospel of Thomas". They talk about how non-duality is a form of resistance to the fundamentalism and white Christian nationalism we see so much today.  To find more books by Keith and to follow him,...

Today, Joe talks with Open & Relational theologian and author Dr. Jonathan Foster. Joe and Dr. Foster talk about his book The Theology of Consent and how the idea of an all good and all powerful God doesn't align with what we see in the world.  To learn more about Dr. Foster's work and his writings, please click HERE . Things mention in the episode: Open & Relational Theology , P...

Today we talk to Gracepointe Pastor Josh Scott. The author of several books talking about what the Bible actually is, dives into the weaponization of Scripture. Is it a weapon of oppression or a tool of liberation? To follow Josh, his work and to find out more about his ministry, please click HERE . In the episode: Brian McClaren , Borg & Crosson , Pete Enns , Mitzi J. Smith To help support th...

Today, we talk to our friend The Unconventional Pastor Paul Swearengin. We talk to Paul about how living fully is a resistance in and of itself and that doing so is not for anyone else.  To follow Paul, their work or to inquire about coaching, please click HERE. Things mentioned in the episode: Evangelicalish Podcast: Learning from the Aramaic Jesus , Revelations of the Aramaic Jesus , Paul's...

Today we talk to Zack Hunt about his book Unraptured and how the rapture is a driving force behind much of white, Christian nationalism. To follow Zack, his writing and his work, please click HERE. Mentioned in this episode: The Bible for Normal People , Pablo Richard , The Rapture Exposed , A Pocket Guide to the Apocalypse , Dan McClellan , Bart Ehrman To help support the ongoing work of Shift Ha...

Today Joe talks with The Naked Pastor, David Hayward. We're sure that you're all familiar with David and if not, then you are in for a real treat. Joe talks to David about how he became "The Naked Pastor", how he traded his pulpit for an art studio and how he sees his art as a way of resisting the cruelty of White, Christian Nationalism. To follow David or to explore more of hi...

For today's bonus episode, we talk to Molly Downs-Stoller.  Molly is a licensed marriage and family therapist that specializes with the LGBTQ+ community. Molly is a regular guest on the podcast and you can listen to her deconstruction story HERE .  Molly walks us through how our nervous systems protect us (even when we don't want them to sometimes). She also talks to us about how the ans...

This week, we talk to the Lead Pastor of Restore Austin, Zack Lambert.  We talk to Zack about what radicalized him early on, how those experiences shaped his view of God/the Church and how he approaches the sacred responsibility of the "pulpit".  To order Zack's new book, "Better Ways to Read the Bible", click HERE . To listen to Zack's first episode, click HERE . To...

In this episode, Joe talks with Dr. Amber Jones. Dr Jones is a pastor, podcast host, speaker, author, spiritual director and mother.  Dr. Jones shares with us her experiences as a female pastor in a world which has been historically dominated by men. She talks about how God expresses Godself as feminine many times in scripture and that this view of God has been held by even the earliest church lea...

This week, Joe talks to the executive director of Florida's largest LGBTQ human rights organization; Nadine Smith. Nadine comes from a long line of people fighting for human rights and she takes the legacy seriously.  Nadine is an award winning journalist, named to Time's 100 most influential people in the world and sat with President Bill Clinton in the first meeting between a sitting p...

Joe talks to one of our favorite podcasters for another special Sunday bonus episode: Esther Joy Goetz. You probably know her best as one of the Deconstructing Mamas or The Dolly Mama.  Joe and Esther talk about Carl Jung, Richard Rohr, Celtic theology, the shadow self and how non-dual thinking is a key to moving beyond the cruelty of our age.  If you're not already following Esther and would...

This week, Joe talks with Rev. Dr. Angela Parker. Dr. Parker is an associate professor of New Testament and Greek at Mercer University School of Theology. Among her published works is the excellent book "If God Still Breathes, Why Can't I".  Joe and Dr. Parker talk about how our view of God and how we are taught to interpret the Bible either brings freedom and liberation or how it s...

In this episode, Joe talks with New York Times best selling author Jemar Tisby. Jemar is also a theologian, speaker, teacher and leader.  Joe and Jemar talk about his newest book "The Spirit of Justice" and how the stories can provide a blueprint for our current season of resistance. They talk about the state of the church in the United States and how it has added and abetted white Chris...

In today's episode, Joe talks with New York Times Best Selling author Matthew Paul Turner. Whether you know Matthew from his books or his social media, you know that he is full of light and love. Matthew talks about why he got into writing and specifically writing children's books. He and Joe talk about the power of story and why it's important that we keep telling our stories. The...

In our first bonus episode, Joe talks with Florida House Representative Anna Eskamini. Rep. Eskamani is the representative for District 42, which covers most of Orlando. She is the first Iranian American elected to public office in the state and recently announced her campaign for the Mayorship of Orlando. Anna is a fierce advocate and that exact kind of person we need fighting for justice in seat...

This week Joe talks the author and illustrator of The Book of Belonging, Mariko Clark and Rachel Eleanor.   Mariko Clark is a Japanese American author, mother, and storyteller on a mission to help kids embrace diversity and wonder. Her time as an editor with National Geographic Learning sharpened her ability to make complex topics accessible and engaging. She equips kids and caregivers with spirit...

Today Joe talks with Billie Hoard. Billie is a teacher, theologian, YouTube Podcaster, writer and soon to be author. Billie walks us through a theory she's calling Eucontamination. We won't try to describe it here and let her explain it all. But you will soon see how disgust plays a part in it. To follow Billie's writing and all the things she's up to, please click HERE .  To h...

We kick off season 3 with a BANG! Joining us today are Ashe Van Steenwyk and Kalie May Hargrove from The Center for Prophetic Imagination. Ashe is the Exec. Director for The Center and Kalie is the Digital Outreach Coordinator. Joe talks with them about how there is an authoritarian bent in American evangelicalism and how we confront that. This conversation is as challenging as it is empowering. Y...

Today our host, Joe Smith, talks about why Shift Happens started, some changes being made to the podcast and why the focus on resistance for the upcoming season. We are super excited about the upcoming changes and all the amazing guests we have lined up for the new season. Each week you will be empower, encouraged and inspired to resist the onslaught of dehumanization we are experiencing in our cu...

Joe talks to Dana Hicks, author of The Quest for Thin Places: How to Find Spirituality after Deconstruction. This isn't like any book on deconstruction that you've ever read. Dana does an amazing job walking us through his story and showing how spirituality doesn't have to be the narrow fundamentalism that many of us grew up with. In fact, his book and this interview speaks to the d...

Today, Joe talks with Joylyn Weikum. Joylyn is the founder and director of LGBT Christian Resources. An online one stop shop for all things LGBT & Christian. Joylyn talks about her upbringing in the Seventh Day Adventist church and her journey to an inclusive faith. She founded LGBT Christian Resources as a way to help other people wrestle with their faith and give them a soft landing to do so...

This week, Joe talk to Alyssa Aviles. You might know her better on social media as The Lovely Lyss. Alyssa specializes in website funnels, Canva and marketing some of the more popular brands in the United States. But she is also a deconstructed, exvangelical. Alyssa talks about her upbringing in the conservative church and how circumstances forced her to confront much of what she believed. Her sto...

This week, we talk to Hannah Siegmund, the lead pastor of Different Church. Hannah talks about her journey growing up in the charismatic church, how she came to embrace affirming theology and the work she is part of here in FL through Different Church. To connect with Hannah and Different Church, please click the link HERE .  To help support the ongoing work of Shift Happens, click HERE. Wild Goos...

Today, Joe speaks with Tik Tok and social media influencer Holly Tidwell (Hope with Holly). They have a fascinating and incredibly encouraging conversation about her life in the evangelical church, one of her children coming out and the important work that she does now. If you are not following Holly and would like to, please click HERE .  Please rate and share this episode as it helps with the pl...