Faith Unfiltered Podcast

The climate emergency is not going away and neither are host Susan Oxley and guest Bill McClain. In this episode of Climate Brewing , Susan and Bill McClain explore how smart climate policy can drive both environmental and economic progress. From electric school buses and wildfire mitigation to salmon restoration and EV infrastructure, the conversation highlights how climate action is already impr...

Christians always have to look out for the welfare of others, but they don’t always have to be sweet.  According to the Bible, being “salty” is actually a good thing...especially when it adds “flavor!” After all, no one likes a “tasteless” Christian. You can take that for what it’s worth. And, while you're at it, don’t forget to shine a little light along the way... on others so that their va...

Capitalism is in the spotlight again! In this follow up to Part 1 of Climate Brewing: On the Road to a Sustainable Capitalism , host Susan Oxley continues her conversation with Bill McClain, exploring how capitalism might evolve into a more just and sustainable system. Through discussions of the “triple bottom line,” stakeholder capitalism, waste and circular economies, and the limits of short-ter...

February is a month that has been established as Black History Month. Wouldn’t it be great if we didn’t need a month dedicated to persons and voices that have not otherwise been acknowledged for their incredible contributions to our shared history? Join host Blake Smith for this time of meditation meant to focus our attention on the forgotten and/or silenced voices that are equally important in th...

You are blessed... and you are blessed, but thoughts, prayers and blessings may not be enough.  At least not for the poor and the marginalized and the outcast ... and, well you get the idea. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a walk through the beatitudes found in the fifth chapter of Matthew. Pay close attention to whom Jesus says is blessed, and why. We’ll give you a hint ... he’s not ta...

Is capitalism driving the climate crisis—or could it help save us? In this episode of Climate Brewing , host Susan Oxley talks with Bill McClain, University of Washington instructor, about why business may hold the greatest power for real climate action. Together, they challenge common assumptions about profit, corporate ownership, and the so-called “free market.” Bill introduces the idea of shift...

What are you willing to risk for the mission of Christ? The price was pretty high for John the Baptist, the disciples, and especially for Jesus himself. Going against the grain is rarely easy. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a conversation that touches on the counter-cultural nature of Jesus' Kingdom, the marginalized status of the first disciples, and the urgency of taking risks f...

It’s time to meet the rest of the panel for the new Brewed Awakenings panel series. From extroverts with lots to say to introverts trying to find a voice and fill up space, there is room for everyone at this table. Join host Blake Smith in a sit-down with the other half of the panel, Nick Keehler, Mary Cusack, and Linda Stanbridge, who will be bringing hard conversations about important topics to...

If we could learn one thing from John the Baptist, it ought to be that being a disciple means pointing others toward Jesus ... with our actions, with our words, and with the way we treat others. It’s not about drawing the attention of others toward us. In this episode of Coffee to Go, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith focus on how John points toward Jesus ... the one who takes away the sin of the...

Ever wished the church would talk about a topic that mattered to you, but didn’t because it was too edgy or too politically charged or just not “appropriate” to discuss in public? You are not alone. In this new series, Brewed Awakenings, you're sure to hear conversations that will get you thinking. In this introductory episode, you’ll meet and hear from some of the panelists who are passionat...

Walk towards the light!!  Don’t worry, not “that” light... the star in the East.  Join Karin Peter, Blake Smith, and the Magi on a trip to see the one who has been promised. On this Sunday of Epiphany we walk toward the light that is Jesus ... a light that is for all people and draws them to follow on a journey that symbolizes seeking and honoring God. Once you’ve made this trip, you’ll likely go...

Robin Linkhart is back with Nancy Ross and Larissa Kanno Kindred for part two of their conversation about their book, Mormon Garments: Sacred and Secret . We often take for granted the clothes that we and others wear, but when what one wears is closely tied to their experience of religion and belief, it can be either comforting or deeply destructive.  In this No Filter episode (Rated PG; may not b...

Once again, host Robin Linkhart leads a meditation session encouraging listeners to connect with the divine amidst life's challenges. This session emphasizes the importance of noticing subtle signs of wisdom and meaning, as exemplified by the Magi's journey to find a sacred light in a humble setting. Here, you’ll be invited to reflect on your own "star," the guiding force in yo...

In the beginning was the Word ... and the Word was God.  He was most definitely not a book. The book didn’t come until much later!  We all know that words have the power to lift up and to tear down. Jesus was fully human and fully divine, but we are only human. We are not the Word, and yet our words hold power too. Listen in as Karin and Blake talk about the importance of making your words a light...

When what one wears is closely tied to their experience of religion and belief, it can be either comforting or deeply destructive.  In this No Filter episode (Rated PG; may not be suitable for all audiences), host Robin Linkhart sits down Nancy Ross and Larissa Kanno-Kindred to talk about their new book, Mormon Garments: Sacred and Secret, in which they explore the impact of Mormon garments on bel...

Merry Christmas again!  That’s right, it’s still the Christmas season. And, in the passage for this episode of Coffee to Go, we find Mary and Joseph on the move... fleeing an oppressive empire for safety’s sake. The story for those who remain is gruesome, but such is often the case when those in power will do anything to maintain their power. In this case, we find Herod slaughtering all infants wh...

Merry Christmas! After a brief hiatus through Advent, Karin and Blake are back in the host seat with a new episode of Coffee to Go ... just in time for Christmas. Join Karin and Blake and all of the familiar characters of the very familiar Christmas story.  Rejoice with the angels and the shepherds... for unto YOU is born this day ... a savior.     Listen to more episodes in the Coffee to Go serie...

Somebody’s got some explaining to do.  Mary may not doubt like Zechariah, but she’s not taking this without a little pushback. A baby. Are you kidding me?  Well, in fact, Gabriel wasn’t kidding. Join Coffee to Go co-hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a look into Mary’s angel encounter and what that meant for her, and for us. It could be that there is more going on here than what you find in a P...

Maybe you’ve been told to put your money where your mouth is, but have you ever been told to put your money where your values are? In this What’s Brewing episode, we take a step away from doing mission to exploring a new way to make mission possible. Blake Smith hosts Karsten Kaczmar, founder of Real Hope Advisors, to discuss values-based financial management. Karsten emphasizes that everyone has...

On this third Sunday of Advent, we find ourselves journeying with someone other than Jesus.  Instead, we’re hanging out with the camel hair-wearing, locust-eating John the Baptist. It seems that Jesus wasn’t the only one the religious leaders were willing to interrogate. Join hosts, Karin Peter and Blake Smith as they wander with John … clearly NOT Jesus, but rather the one that points to him. Per...

Here we are at the end of the second week of Advent, but it’s never too late to start a new spiritual practice. This bonus episode from Common Grounds is all about Advent as a spiritual practice. Host Karin Peter joins Katie Harmon McLaughlin as they explore the invitation of Advent to slow down and intentionally wait in the tension that the season brings. This episode first aired on December 1, 2...

Are you ready to be fully immersed in something new? Put on your seatbelts and hold on to your hats.  Today’s lectionary passage comes from Mark and he doesn’t waste any time with a beautiful birth narrative or an account of divine lineage.  It’s straight to the business of preparing the way for the one greater than I/us. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a closer look at the task given t...

In this Extra Shot episode, originally posted in December of 2016, author and former pastor, Debbie Blue, shares a sermon on “Mary the Magnificat.” Debbie is the author of Magnificat: A God Who Never Stopped Considering Women. Grab a cup of your favorite brew and listen in as Debbie shakes things up a little.  It’s a perfect way to start the Advent season.  Listen to other episodes in the Extra Sh...

We often need to be reminded to slow down ... especially as things seem to speed up in anticipation of the Christmas season. In this episode of Awaken to God’s presence, host Robin Linkhart encourages listeners to find peace, hope, and joy amidst life's challenges. She emphasizes the importance of slowing down and embracing the season's holy waiting, and describes Advent hope as a trust...

It may be the beginning of a season of waiting, but not here at Project Zion! Co-hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith jump right into the new Lectionary year … journeying with Jesus through the gospel narratives.  That’s right, we’re journeying with Jesus and waiting for him to be born. The important thing is that, on this First Sunday of Advent, as the world around us seems to be awash in darkness,...