Irenicast - A Progressive Christian Podcast

In this interview, Mona talks to Nathan, who self-identifies as a gay, queer, Catholic divinity student. Nathan shares their story about being a part of the community of genderqueer people of faith and not fitting into a gender binary - including gender performance, coming out, internalized homophobia, and what faith and the belief in the Image of God has meant for their life. They discuss ways to...

Kicking off a four part series on gender and sexuality, the team begins with an in-depth discussion on gender roles and binaries, and sexism in the church and society. They talk about why we might need to revise our thinking on legacies, and maybe, just maybe, why we might need to move past the binary view of gender altogether. They conclude the episode with a ridiculous game of Would You Rather t...

Entering their tenth episode, the Irenicast team celebrates with a not-so-rapid-fire round of listener generated topics. They talk about everything from hell, virginity, and tithing, to breakfast cereals, music, and toiletries. Following their responses to listener feedback they oblige the call for more IreniHacks!   Host Check In ( 00:23 ) Listener Feedback ( 06:33 ) IreniHacks! Returns ( 1:00:03...

To break up the pattern of heavier topics, this week Jeff, Mona & Allen have a discussion on mindfulness. The team shares their experiences and frustrations with trying to remain present in the midst of loaded schedules, unlimited distractions and nagging insecurities. The conversation is followed by a game of 20… uh, 10 Questions.   Host Check In ( 00:25 ) Conversation on Mindfulness ( 07:48 ) Qu...

In this bonus episode we continue the conversation on racism and dialogue. Mona interviews Mariama White-Hammond, a community organizer and minister in Boston. Mariama shares insights from her personal experiences and her understandings on issues of racism in context of greater US society and civil rights history. Mona and Mariama engage in a heartfelt conversation about what it might mean to live...

Never ones to shy away from a difficult topic, this week the hosts enter into an important discussion on racism and dialogue used in conversations about race. The conversation opens up into an honest look at the history and realities of racism, and ways in which we are all complicit in systems of inequality.  After exploring such complexities, Jeff, Mona and Allen shift into a lighter conversation...

Do humans have souls?  Getting meta this week, the team talks about the nature of human nature, whether we have free will, how to think about souls, and how religion, philosophy and science can shape our understandings of these mysteries. Hilarity ensues when Jeff, Mona and Allen play a game called Judging A Book By Its Cover.   Host Check In ( 00:24 ) Discussion On the Soul ( 06:49 ) Judging A Bo...

Jeff, Mona, & Allen tackle all things religious and free. This week, that happens to be Indiana's widely disputed SB 101 Religious Freedom Restoration Act. They follow up the discussion with Say What?!, a segment involving speaking before thinking… as if their podcast didn't have enough of that already.   Host Check In ( 00:22 ) Religious Freedom Discussion ( 06:30 ) Say What?! ( 48:07 )   RELEVAN...

This week on Irenicast Jeff, Mona & Allen discuss the good, bad, and ugly about living in a consumer culture. Then, like good little consumers, they weigh in on favorite movies, what their celebrity couple name would be, and the meaning of the word "awesomeful."   Host Check-In ( 00:22 ) Consumerism Discussion ( 05:21 ) Getting to Know Your Hosts ( 48:47 )   RELEVANT LINKS What If Shopping Malls A...

Hipsters, the Bible and Batman this week on Irenicast. The team gets into a deep discussion of the nature of Biblical texts, what interpretation means, and how to treat ancient sacred texts with respect. Also, Mona and Allen play a round of Missing Link, while Jeff plays an entirely different game.   Host Check-In ( 00:22 ) Biblical Texts Discussion ( 08:10 ) Missing Link ( 50:54 )   RELEVANT LINK...

How do we go about reconciling scripture with science?  This week Jeff, Mona & Allen scratch the surface of the issues around Evolution versus Creationism, from ancient times to present.  Bookending their conversation they reflect on some moments from their history in youth groups and play a particularly scandalous round of Jesus Juke.   Host Check in ( 00:29) Conversation on Evolution and Creatio...

Between discussing candy bars and playing a game of Famous Christians for 100, Jeff, Mona and Allen have a serious conversation about the curious relationship between Christianity and militarism.  What should be a Christian response to war?  In attempt to answer this question they explore visions for just religious responses to violence.   Host Check In ( 00:22 ) Conversation on a Christian Respon...

In this Leaving Evangelicalism bonus episode, Mona takes on the quest of answering the following question: where did Evangelicalism come from? What is it, exactly, and how did it become the multi-faceted movement it is today? Along with her guest and co-host Allen, the two trace the family tree of Christianity through looking at church history, from ancient to modern times. This is a fun conversat...

In the inaugural episode of Irenicast, Jeff, Mona & Allen discuss their journeys leaving Evangelicalism.  Plus they will play a little game they like to call Jesus or Jay-Z.   Host Check In ( 00:20 ) Jesus or Jay-Z ( 11:28 ) Conversation on Leaving Evangelicalism ( 18:53 )   THANK YOU A big thank you to  Mike Golin  for our intro and outro music.  Check out his band  Soulwise .   WE WANT TO HEAR F...

An Irenicon  is very excited to introduce Irenicast, our new weekly podcast dedicated to conversations on faith and culture. Our first official episode will be posted on Tuesday, 3/10/15. Join hosts, Jeff, Mona & Allen as they explore various topics from pop culture to more serious issues impacting religion, society, and day-to-day life.   THANK YOU A big thank you to  Mike Golin  for our intro an...