Faith Unfiltered Podcast

Balancing family life and church responsibilities can be difficult anytime. Add in a a faith crisis and, well, you can imagine how difficult that might be. Blake is back with Jeff Toone for part two of his story, and things only get worse before they get better. Jeff's faith crisis intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a significant shift in his beliefs. He and his family found...

The journey is different for everyone. In this episode of Fair Trade, guest Jeff Tune shares his faith journey, starting from his upbringing in the LDS church in Utah. He describes his teenage rebellion, his decision to join the Coast Guard instead of going on a mission, and his experiences in nature that have changed his understanding of the importance of the environment. Jeff recounts his reconn...

How do we use our skills and resources for "Kingdom purposes?" This week on "Coffee to Go," we're talking about money, blessing, and the political implications of the Gospel with two challenging parables from the book of Luke. The discussion centers on the themes of financial stewardship, social justice, and radical discipleship. Blake and Karin question the notion that fi...

A life of trauma experienced in one’s faith journey is not easy to overcome.  It takes a loving community that is willing to walk along with the individual ... allowing time and space for healing to take place and trust to be rebuilt. Patience and unconditional love are essential. Fortunately, that’s what Jennifer and her family have found in Community of Christ. Join host Blake Smith for part two...

Sometimes things don’t work out the way you’ve been told they’re supposed to ... or how they seem to be turning out for others.  No matter how well you follow the rules.  No matter how faithful you are, sometimes life just happens, and you have to figure out how to make sense of it all. In this Fair Trade episode (Part 1 of 2), Jennifer Toone shares her faith journey, starting from her childhood i...

Celebrating is always fun, but it’s even better when shared with family and friends. In today’s passage from the Gospel of Luke, Jesus intervenes amidst criticism from religious leaders for dining with sinners and tax collectors, whom society considered traitors. Through parables of a shepherd finding his lost sheep and a woman recovering a lost coin, Jesus illustrates the joy in Heaven over one s...

Graceland is back in session, and Coffee in the Swarm is now broadcasting from KBUZ. Join campus minister, Mike Hoffman, and his new co-host, Maddie Byrne, for a sit down with this year’s Council of House Chaplain’s president, Caitlyn Grover to hear her thoughts on growing up in the church, and life at Graceland, as well as her hopes for the Community of Christ and her plans for her own future.  O...

Carrie may not survive a Zombie Apocalypse, but there is so much that she can do and loves to do. Join Say What hosts, Kassie and Mary Anne, for a behind the scenes look at the life of newly ordained apostle, Carrie Welch. Find out what brings Carrie joy and what she’s been learning about herself and her new colleagues as she lives into her new role. From music to books to travel, Carrie shares a...

It’s not uncommon to sing songs or participate in activities in which we talk about laying down our burdens.  And yet, Jesus says, “take up your cross and follow me.” What’s it going to be... or is it a little of both? Well, in this week’s Gospel passage from the 14th chapter of the Gospel of Luke, it seems that the cross wins. No one ever said being a disciple was going to be easy, but Jesus did...

The phrase “inclusive and genuine faith community” ought to be synonymous with church.  It ought to be a given.  However, as MaryAnn Scott shares with host, Robin Linkhart, in this Fair Trade episode, that is not always the case. Here, MaryAnn shares her faith transition story, detailing her upbringing in a large LDS family, her struggles with balancing faith and personal identity, and her eventua...

Take a couple of minutes out of your day to breathe, rest, and reflect. Focus on the positive things around you and the hope that lies before you. God’s spirit is always with us, but sometimes hard to sense until we take the time to slow down and listen with intention. Awaken to God’s Presence provides you that opportunity through guided reflections and spiritual practices allow you to be still. S...

The “H” words of the day and not honor or homage, but rather, humility and hospitality.  Of such is the upside-down Kingdom of God.  Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a conversation on the passage from Luke 14 that challenges social norms by inviting diverse individuals to meals and encourages us to consider our personal social obligations. Grab a seat ... just be careful which one you ch...

Most guests on Chai Can’t Even who come to tell the stories of why they stay in Community of Christ are young adults, but imagine how many stories someone who has been in the church for over 80 years has to share. Well, this is part two, and if we had let him, Eldred Spain could have filled many more episodes. Join host Blake Smith in listening to more of Eldred’s stories of faith, family, and fri...

From the time he was two years old, Eldred Spain knew he wanted to be one of “them” ... a minister who helped people. 89 years later, Eldred is still learning and still finding ways to minister to people. In this special episode of Chai Can’t Even, host Blake Smith sits down with Eldred, a lifelong member of the Community of Christ and former employee of the church, to hear his stories. We bet you...

Laws have their place, but when it comes to following a law ... especially “God’s law” ... at the expense of someone’s dignity, we may need to look deeper into the intent of the law.  In today’s text from the Gospel of Luke, Jesus pushes the religious leaders to think carefully about the true meaning of Sabbath, and to consider how a legalistic view can actually cause harm which is never God’s int...

Faith transitions are often not a singular event.  Rather, they are an ongoing journey.  In this Fair Trade episode, host Robin Linkhart circles back to sit down with Michelle Phillips, to hear how her journey has continued – what she’s learned, what advice she has for others, and where she finds herself in ministry now and the days ahead. In Michelle’s continuing story, you’ll hear a deep sense o...

The journey continues ... Matt Robertson’s journey, that is! In this episode of the Project Zion podcast, host Robin Linkhart continues her conversation with Matt Robertson about his journey from atheism to finding a new faith in Community of Christ. Matt shares his transition from a business career to teaching, influenced by his wife Heather. He describes his experiences with various religious co...

Sometimes the Gospel writers don’t catch Jesus at his most pastoral moments. Sometimes Jesus just needs to get straight to the point. This week’s passage from the Gospel of Luke is one of those not so “happy Jesus” passages. Hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith explore the context of Jesus' teachings amidst poverty and oppression, emphasizing the need for discipleship and standing against unjust...

Community of Christ Doctrine and Covenants 161:3d reminds us that “the road to transformation travels both inward and outward.” In this episode of Fair Trade, Robin Linkhart sits down with Matt Robertson for part one of a two-part interview in which Matt describes his chaotic childhood home life, his deep religious commitment, and his eventual deconstruction of faith. He also shares how his fear o...

Settle in for another captivating story of faith transition as host Robin Linkhart sits down with Miranda Giles in this latest episode of Fair Trade. Raised in a strong Mormon family, Miranda felt a special calling but struggled with the church's conservative views, particularly on gender roles and LGBTQ+ issues. Listen in as Miranda shares the struggles and the newfound joys of her faith jou...

It’s important to remember that we are always being sent as empowered disciples to live Jesus' ministry and message. The focus of this week’s Coffee to Go episode is Luke 12:32-40, which urges believers to prepare for God's Kingdom by focusing on the present and always being ready for God's purposes. Jesus' audience in the midst of a kingdom, and so do we ... though we don’t ca...

Our faith journeys can be filled with ups and downs as well as drastic turns and re-turns. Host Robin Linkhart sits down with Jason Smith, a 48-year-old IT professional from Duncan, Oklahoma, who shares his faith journey from Southern Baptist to Community of Christ. Having become fascinated with Mormonism at 15, Jason tells of his engagement in anti-Mormon evangelism out of a love for the people r...

Susan Oxley and Dr. Corinne Unger are back again to discuss the implementation of the three climate resolutions passed at the 2025 Community of Christ World Conference. Dr. Unger, an expert in earth science and associated risk management strategies, highlights the importance of local environmental actions and the need for global coordination. She suggests a collaborative approach, involving bi-ann...

Greed and the accumulation of material possessions are encouraged in our North American context, but they’re not something we like to talk a lot about.  Could it be that’s because it sometimes touches a little close to home? Hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith reflect on a parable where a rich man builds larger barns, only to be reminded of his mortality. The conversation touches on the cultural shi...

In this episode of Climate Brewing, host Susan Oxley speaks with Dr. Corrine Unger, an earth scientist and research fellow at the University of Queensland, about the critical and often overlooked issue of mine closures. Dr. Unger, with extensive experience in the mining industry and government, sheds light on the evolving approach to mine rehabilitation and the significant challenges Australia fac...