Faithful Discourse with Chris Henry

Indianapolis City-County Council President Vop Osili shares his unique story and how his faith shapes his character, informs his actions, and reinvigorates his path. He and Chris discuss faith community and government collaboration, calls to collective action, and the role of listening in rebuilding trust in institutions.

From individual carts of groceries to macro solutions to the world’s biggest challenges, congregations play key roles in giving and advocacy. David King, the Karen Lake Buttrey Director of the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, joins Chris to discuss the shifting trends in generosity and giving, the powerful overlap between nonprofit, business, and government sectors, and how we can be philanth...

Bishop Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis, summarizes the work of the Church in this way: “There is a need. We want to meet it.” She brings her persistent lens of hopefulness to this discussion, sharing how we can leverage the resonant language of faith to dismantle oppressive systems and bring about transformative change.

Tony Mason, President and CEO of the Indianapolis Urban League, joins Chris for a candid conversation about our shared humanity, the rifts that threaten to divide us, and the power of building coalitions of servant leaders to address our neighbors’ needs.  “All of this comes down to us taking ownership, leaning on our faith, and working toward solutions.”

Innovation. Education. Conservation. Attorneys Anne Nobles and David Johnson have invested their lives in the City of Indianapolis since their days as a young married couple. Their careers have taken them into different but complementary worlds while drawing on their shared faith, interests, and convictions. The common thread through their extensive list of leadership roles has been their desire t...

Join us for this treasure trove of stories from a prolific life. Jim Morris, current Vice Chairman of Pacers Sports and Entertainment, has served in local, national, and global leadership roles, his path crossing with some of the most well-known world-changers of the 20th and 21st centuries. In this episode, he shares what he has learned, and what he hopes to pass down, from these profound friends...

Compassion is the substance of Dr. Anita Joshi’s leadership. Her calling to a life of care and compassion led her to practicing pediatric medicine and serving her community through nonprofits and public office. Listen in as she and Chris discuss the imago dei, what it means to be a servant to the public, and the tribalism that holds us back from good conversations and good ideas.

Tikkun olam—repairing of the world. Rev. Chris Henry and Rabbi Brett Krichiver are friends and colleagues, leading congregations just over one mile apart. In this episode, they discuss the place where faith and works are woven together, generosity that moves us toward justice, and the restorative power of Sabbath. “Care for the soul leads us to care for society.”

A special Holy Week episode with Rev. Chris Henry

Joy in learning begins with joy in relationship. In this episode, Chris and The Oaks Academy CEO Andrew Hart discuss transformational learning in the context of relationships—both interpersonal relationships and relationship with ideas and knowledge—and the intentionality behind forming diverse learning communities, practicing habits, and fostering joy.

From pastor’s kid to national leader, Dr. Karissa Niehoff shares her stories of faith and her wisdom stemming from decades of leadership in scholastic athletics and activities. She and Chris discuss the shift from a formative to a performative approach within institutions like athletics, the impact this trend has on kids and entire communities, and what we can do to encourage joy, wellness, civili...

In this episode of Faithful Discourse with Chris Henry, Wheeler Mission President and CEO Perry Hines shares his story of becoming the self-described “most unlikely leader” for a faith-based social services organization and addresses several myths about emergency shelter services and the people experiencing homelessness in Indianapolis and beyond.

What defines a good community? How can we develop rich, mutually transformative relationships with our neighbors? This episode delves into these questions as Chris Henry and Amar Patel discuss collective community responsibility, equitable access to excellent education, and sufficiency and sustainability as basic building blocks for a better future.

“The way things are is not the way things have to be.” Rev. Dr. Leah Gunning Francis, Senior Vice President and Chief Mission and Values Officer of Indiana University Health, joins Chris to discuss holistic health—the integration of mind, body, and spirit—and why equity and community are essential components of true wellness. This episode was recorded in October 2023 and includes references to pas...

Local and global leader George Srour brings his characteristic humility, depth, and wit to this conversation about vocation and the power of community. George is the Chief Dreamer at Building Tomorrow, “a community-powered organization that harnesses the potential of local change-makers to connect learners across rural Uganda with transformational education programs.” He discusses gratitude, the i...

The world is weary. We are desperate for genuine joy. Too often, the things that drag us down seem so much more powerful than what holds us up. And then, Christmas comes. We are told that there is good news at the very center of reality because of a baby born in a borrowed room. In this episode, Chris speaks with his sons (Sam age 10; Ben age 6) about the story of Christ’s birth and what it means...

Judge Sarah Evans Barker, the first woman in several prominent roles in the state of Indiana—including US Attorney, Federal Judge, and Chief Judge—shares stories from her distinguished career in the law and how the foundation of faith inspires her work. Judge Barker’s persistent sense of hopefulness is evident as she describes the leaders we must seek and be. “We’ve got to find people who understa...

In this Faithful Discourse episode, respected scholar and Professor of Sociology Andrew Whitehead, author of American Idolatry: How Christian Nationalism Betrays the Gospel and Threatens the Church, joins Chris to discuss the impact of Christian Nationalism and some faithful responses to it. Conversations at the intersection of religious faith and public life—like this one—can be uncomfortable and...

In this episode, Chris sits down with his friend and colleague, Rev. Dr. Winterbourne Harrison-Jones, pastor of the historic Witherspoon Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, to discuss their common call to public ministry, the necessity of friendship, and the life of congregations.

In this conversation: Rev. Gracie Payne. Gracie, an ordained Presbyterian pastor who serves as the Director of Young Adult Engagement at Second Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, shares insights into the spiritual lives of young adults and a vision for a compelling and faithful future.