Faith Unfiltered Podcast

It doesn’t get any more real ... and welcoming... than a church where kids are included, bathrooms are available to the general public, music comes from a boombox, and the podium is made out of a cardboard box found out behind the building.  Welcome to East Brewton, AL, a congregation that started as a house church with two people and now finds itself engaging in new expressions of church and fait...

Everybody loves camp. It’s the highlight of the summer. But, not too many fill a car with school friends they’ve invited to join in on the fun. In this episode of Steamers and Sodas, host Blake Smith sits down with Levi Blakesley, a very avid inviter when it comes to camping. Blake and Levi discuss the importance of camp experiences for youth, with Levi sharing his personal story of inviting frien...

This week on "Coffee to Go," Blake Smith and Karin Peter explore the theme of faith in the face of life's storms, drawing from the Gospel of Mark where Jesus calms a raging sea. The hosts discuss the misconceptions surrounding faith and challenge the idea that it should be used to compare oneself to others or as a measure of personal strength. They emphasize that true faith is about...

In this episode of the Project Zion Podcast, host Robin Linkhart sits down with Andrew Webber, a member of the Community of Christ congregation in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Andrew shares his personal journey from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) to his current faith home in the Community of Christ. He discusses the challenges and reflections that led him to question his beliefs, the...

“Well ... if nobody else is going to ... I will.” This was Rod Downing's response to a lack of conversation in the church (specifically in the Herald) about environmental issues. Rather than complain, he started doing something about it.  In this episode of Climate Brewing, host Susan Oxley pushes environmental and climate advocate Rod Downing to share how he brought his passion for the envir...

Holy Invasion... doesn’t that sound intriguing? Perhaps a bit scary or creepy rather. In this episode of Coffee to Go, we find Jesus speaking in parables. Hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith consider the importance of approaching those parables as a heart project versus a head project. Like poetry, sometimes it’s good to just “experience” the parables ... rest in them ... allow that to which they po...

Which campfire songs are your favorite... your least favorite? In this episode of What’s Brewing, we’ve cross-posted an episode from Ministry for Dummies in which Humberto and Jacob are stirring up controversy... but it’s all in fun. Listen in as Humberto and Jacob offer their very humble opinions about some classics, some all-time favorites, and even a few you may never have heard before. You may...

For over 40 years, Rod Downing has been on the front lines (literally) of the struggle for environmental and climate justice.  Listen in as host Susan Oxley and Rod sit down for a chat about how he got started, what he has done and seen, and how activism has changed over the years. Perhaps you’ll come away inspired to join in the struggle with this “vintage” climate advocate.  Hear more from the C...

Turn down the noise! (After you listen to this episode of Coffee to Go, of course). Sometimes the chaos that results from large gatherings can get a bit overwhelming... and Jesus did not get a “pass” when it came to crowds.  Add to that the cacophony of questions, challenges of authority, and requests for healing, and, well... no wonder Jesus enjoyed a little time alone on the mountain with God. J...

Jason and Robin are back for part 2 of Jason’s Fair Trade Story.  In this episode, Robin zeroes in on Jason’s leadership roles since joining Community of Christ. Find out how true hospitality played a significant role in Jason’s move into this faith community as well as how that same deep hospitality continues to be foundational to his ministry as he engages with those whom God is calling he and h...

In 1964, Julie Andrews, playing the role of Mary Poppins sang the song “My Favorite Things.” In today’s episode of Awaken to God’s Presence, host and spiritual director Tyler Marz focuses the listener’s attention on wonderful things. Using Howard Thurman’s poem How Wonderful as a starting point, Tyler encourages us to celebrate the wonderful things found in life ... including our LGBTQIA+ family,...

Take a break. Put your feet up. Grab some coffee. Whatever it is you do to rest.  Just don’t confuse that kind of rest with Sabbath. In this episode of Coffee to Go, we find Jesus and his disciples clashing with the religious leaders over the issue of Sabbath.  Join co-hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a discussion on the concept of rest in the Christian tradition, emphasizing its importance i...

Since joining Community of Christ in 2017, Jason Eyre has jumped in with reckless abandon....finding new ways to express his ministry and leadership giftedness. Jason first shared his faith transition story back in 2017, but has come back to tell of the things that he’s learned, and how he’s found his place in this sacred community.  The story is so good that we had to split it up into two episode...

Healing spaces, educational opportunities, community connections ... who knew all this (and more) could be found in a scripture garden? Join host Blake Smith for this episode of What’s Brewing where he sits down with Forest Hills Scripture Garden co-founder, Joyce Blair, and leader of the new “Friends of the Garden” leadership team, Blake Rosbury, for a fascinating look at what can come out of the...

What’s more confusing than the old, “Who’s on First?” Abbot and Costello routine? If you have no idea what ... or who ... we’re talking about ... Google it! Then, grab your coffee and your thinking cap because today is Trinity Sunday, and little in this world is more confusing than the Trinity. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith, along with Nicodemus as they journey with Jesus into the “comple...

Fair Trade is back, and this episode is full of deep insights resulting from our guest’s transparent sharing of his spiritual journey beginning in early childhood and spanning across multiple continents and faith traditions ... all of which ultimately led him and his husband to Community of Christ. You might need a large mug of coffee for this one! Join host Robin Linkhart as she “walks” beside An...

What do food trucks and children’s books have in common?  They are both interests, and potential career choices, for the latest guest on Coffee in the Swarm, Talina Sepulveda.  Hailing from Colorado and experiencing her first semester at Graceland, Talina agreed to sit down with hosts Aliyah Farrell, Christian Biwott, and Mike Hoffman to talk about her experience at Graceland as well as her hopes...

Goodness, gracious, great tongues of fire! It’s Pentecost, and anything is possible when the Holy Spirit is on the loose and seeking to infiltrate your heart. By the way, if the thought of people from all over the world speaking in their own language and you understanding without a translator being present is confusing, intriguing and maybe even a little frightening ... fear not ... you’re not alo...

The Road to Welcoming and Affirming is a long and winding road, but the travel is well worth it. Just ask our panelists: Nancy McClellan, Matt Bryant, and Humberto Tinsman. In this episode which originally aired as a live event on May 6, 2024, they sit down with co-hosts Linda Stanbridge and Blake Smith to talk about their journey. The lessons they learned ... the roadblocks they encountered ... a...

In this episode of Coffee Connect, Linda Booth shares a personal experience where a scripture story about Mary Magdalene's journey to the tomb on Easter morning came alive for her during the preparation of an Easter sermon. Join Linda as she reflects on the transformative power of scripture and personal experiences, emphasizing the profound impact of dwelling in God's Word. Download Tran...

Wait. Rest. Bless. Repeat. What if Ascension Sunday was about more than Jesus leaving to be with God? What if the disciples just needed a break ... a time to rest ... a time to make space for the coming of the Holy Spirit? Imagine how exhausted the disciples must have been, physically and emotionally following what we call Holy Week. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a conversation about...

This episode of What’s Brewing finds us out in Runnells, IA for “a party at the pantry.” In April 2021, Tami Enos-Borg and Bob Borg responded to God’s call in their lives by starting the 3G Food Pantry in Runnells, IA and they’ve never looked back. Join host, Blake Smith, as he sits down with Bob and Tami for an enthusiastic conversation about what they do and why they do it. Don’t worry, you don’...

In this episode of "Awaken to God's Presence," host Blake Smith guides listeners through a spiritual practice in honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The episode features a poem entitled "Communi-tea: Our Stories" by Prasanta Verma, which celebrates the diversity and unity within the Asian American community. It encourages solidarity, inclusion, and...

Live, eat, breathe, speak, act in love toward one another ... even those who seem unlovable.  That’s a tall order, but that is what is expected of one who “journeys with Jesus.” Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for another week of “abiding.” Be prepared for a week of deep and abiding love. We’ve said it before and it bears saying again... “nobody said being a disciple would be easy.”  But do...

Jacob and Humberto are back and they’re keepin’ it real, in this cross-post from their new podcast, Ministry for Dummies. Jacob and Humberto joined Robin Linkhart in February 2024 to talk about the podcast and we promised to air some of the episodes here at PZP. And we’re nothing if not true to our word, so... grab your favorite cuppa joe and settle in for a conversation on camping between two goo...