For The Rest Of Us with the Reverend Canon Megan Castellan

In this episode, Megan and Adam take on the often uncomfortable topic of evangelism in the Episcopal Church. They talk about why the word makes so many Episcopalians squirm, explore its historical baggage, and reimagine what it could look like when approached with authenticity and love. Megan and Adam also discuss how sharing faith isn’t about coercion or conversion—it’s about embodying the good n...

What’s really happening when someone is baptized? In this episode, Canon Megan and Adam take a deep dive into one of the most central sacraments of the Christian faith: baptism. They explore where baptism comes from—starting with Jewish purification rituals—and how it grew into a practice that marks new life, identity, and belonging in Christ. Along the way, they unpack the baptismal covenant, the...

In this episode of For the Rest of Us , Canon Megan and Adam take a good, hard look at one of the most complicated and misunderstood figures of the New Testament: Saint Paul. Paul is often remembered as the author of verses that have been used to prop up conservative Christianity—“wives obey your husbands,” “slaves obey your masters,” and “women be silent in church.” But who was Paul really? What...

This episode, Canon Megan and Adam tackle a topic that’s equal parts fascinating and misunderstood: exorcisms. From the ministry of Jesus to modern-day Episcopal practice, they explore where exorcisms come from, what they mean, and—maybe most importantly—what they are not. Along the way, they unpack cultural perspectives, biblical roots, and the ways ritual and truth-telling can be part of real he...

Links Mentioned This Episode: Lent Madness: https://www.lentmadness.org/ DIO CNY Podcast Network: https://cnyepiscopal.org/dio-cny-podcasts/ This time, Canon Megan leads the way as she and Adam dive into the remarkable life of Maria Skobtsova—a Russian Orthodox nun, poet, and activist who lived out her theology in radical and courageous ways during the occupation of Paris. From her early years as...

This episode, Canon Megan and Adam tackle a big, thorny question: Can there ever be such a thing as a “just” war? They dig into the history of Just War Theory, how it emerged from Christian thought, and what it says about ethics, responsibility, and the real human cost of conflict. From ancient philosophy to the realities of modern military technology, this episode explores how faith and morality...

This episode, Canon Megan and Adam get into the movement of worship—literally. From crossing yourself to bowing to sharing the peace, they explore all the little physical gestures you see (and maybe wonder about) during Episcopal services. They break down where these traditions come from, what they mean, and why they matter—not as rigid rules, but as opportunities for personal expression, reverenc...

Canon Megan and Adam are back for round two of one of the hardest questions in the Christian life: Why do bad things happen to good people?   This time, they turn to the Book of Job—not for easy answers, but for real, pastoral wisdom. Together, they unpack what Job’s story teaches us about presence, suffering, and what not to say when someone’s in pain. They reflect on how faith doesn’t always mea...

This episode, Canon Megan leads the charge into one of the oldest and hardest questions out there: If God is good, why do bad things happen to good people? Adam’s along for the ride as they unpack what philosophy, theology, and real life have to say about suffering. They explore different ways Christians have tried to make sense of evil, from the ancient to the modern—and why those answers often f...

In this episode, Canon Megan and Adam take on one of the trickiest theological questions out there: What does it really mean to say that God is sovereign? They dive into the influence of Arthur Pink’s writing and it's influence modern Reformed theology, the challenges of hyper-Calvinism, and how different traditions—including Episcopalians (and Anglicanism) —understand God’s power, justice, an...

(aka There's Something About… well, you get it) Canon Megan and Adam take on one of the most iconic—and sometimes misunderstood—figures in Christianity: the Virgin Mary. They explore how Mary has been seen over the centuries, from quiet mother to bold revolutionary. Whether it’s the Magnificat turning the world upside down, or the many cultural depictions of Mary through time, this conversatio...

In this episode, Canon Megan and Adam shine a spotlight on someone you really ought to know—Frances Perkins. She was the first woman to serve in a U.S. presidential cabinet, a driving force behind the New Deal, and an Episcopalian whose faith shaped her fierce commitment to justice. They dig into her early life, her time as a labor activist, and how a moment in a New York church changed everything...

In this episode, Canon Megan and Adam wade into one of the church’s most misunderstood—and most loaded—topics: original sin. Where did it come from? What does it actually mean? And is it really as bad as it sounds? From Augustine’s personal baggage to Calvin’s famously gloomy outlook, they explore how different Christian traditions have understood sin, human nature, and our relationship with God....

In this episode, Canon Megan and Adam dive into one of the biggest theological questions out there: *what actually happens when we die?* And yes—we go there about pets, too. From ancient Christian beliefs to how the plague reshaped everyone’s ideas about heaven and hell, we trace how our understanding of the afterlife got so complicated. Along the way, we talk about purgatory, limbo, grace, and ho...

This week, Megan and Adam are cracking open one of the big questions of Episcopal/Anglican church life: what even is the Anglican Communion, and how does it work? Spoiler alert: it’s kind of like a big family reunion where no one can tell you what to do, but everyone has strong opinions anyway. We’re talking ancient history (hello, Church of England), global growth (shoutout to indigenous clergy m...

Summary This week on For the Rest of Us, Canon Megan and Adam take us through the life of Dietrich Bonhoeffer—a man who went from quiet German theologian to full-blown resistance fighter plotting against Hitler. Yes, you read that right. They get into all the twists and turns: his early church days, the unexpected soul-shaking experience he had in a Harlem church, and how he helped lead a group of...

Content Warning: some of the topics discussed in this episode mention of America's history of race-based violence and may be considered graphic to some listeners. Please practice caution, especially with younger audie nces. Summary In this episode, Megan and Adam explore the complex topic of atonement theory within Christianity, discussing various interpretations from historical figures like Ansel...

Link to "To Set Our Hope On Christ": https://cnyepiscopal.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/to-set-our-hope-on-christ.pdf Summary In this episode, Megan and Adam continue their discussion on gay marriage within the context of the Episcopal Church. They explore biblical examples of same-sex relationships, the importance of lived experiences in shaping church perspectives, and the intersectio...

Summary In this episode of 'For the Rest of Us', Megan Castellan and Adam delve into the complex topic of gay marriage within the Episcopal Church. They explore the historical and theological perspectives surrounding marriage, particularly focusing on the interpretation of scripture, including the controversial 'clobber verses' often cited against LGBTQ inclusion. The conversation...

Summary In this episode, Megan and Adam explore the life and significance of Cyrus the Persian and his role in biblical history. They discuss Cyrus's reforms, including his promotion of religious tolerance and diversity, and how he is viewed as a messianic figure in the Hebrew Bible. The conversation also touches on the modern political implications of Cyrus's legacy, particularly in relat...

Summary This episode, we explore the life and legacy of Pauli Murray, a pioneering figure in civil rights and gender equality. Canon Megan and Adam discuss Pauli's early life, educational challenges, activism, and significant contributions to the legal field, particularly in intersectionality and women's rights. They also reflect on the importance of faith in Murray's activism and the...

Summary In this episode, Canon Megan Castellan and Adam explore the intersection of Lent and the historical context of Christian antisemitism. They discuss the dangers of anti-Semitic sentiments during Holy Week, as well as some problematic influences in early to mid 20th century Christian practices. The conversation also addresses the misrepresentation of the Pharisees and the importance of under...

Summary In this episode, Canon Megan and Adam explore the approach Episcopalians take towards the Bible. They discuss the importance of context in scripture interpretation, the role of community in understanding biblical texts, and the significance of reading the Bible together. The conversation emphasizes that the Bible is a complex and multifaceted text that should be engaged with critically and...

Summary In this episode, Canon Megan and Adam delve into the significance of the Eucharist within the Episcopal Church and its broader Christian context. They explore the definition of sacraments, the historical evolution of the Eucharist, and various theological perspectives, including those from the Reformation. The discussion emphasizes the importance of the Eucharist as a foundational ritual i...

Summary This episode, Canon Megan and Adam explore the concept of sainthood within the Episcopal Church, focusing on the life and legacy of Oscar Romero, an influential figure in the fight for justice in El Salvador. The conversation covers the differences between the Catholic and Episcopal views on saints, the significance of Romero's martyrdom, and the lessons his life offers for contemporar...