Radical Love Live

This description will be used on YouTube and all podcast platforms this episode is uploaded to. Have you been left behind and don't know what to do? Look no further than "The Tribulation Survival Guide"--the snarkiest post-Rapture field guide you didn't know you needed until it was too late. This week we talk with Stuart Delony, the author of this serious-toned satire about the end-times, and we c...

Have you been left behind and don't know what to do? Look no further than "The Tribulation Survival Guide"--the snarkiest post-Rapture field guide you didn't know you needed until it was too late. This week we talk with Stuart Delony, the author of this serious-toned satire about the end-times, and we cover topics such as the relatively recent origins of modern apocalyptic rhetoric, the commercial...

In this episode, Kelly talks with Dr. Robert K.C. Forman, author of “Christianity Imagined,” about how Christianity drew him in, what’s meaningful to him about Christian practice, and what many modern Christians miss about Jesus’ message. Dr. Forman shares his journey through various spiritual practices, describes the church experience that changed everything for him, and defines the distinction b...

In this episode, Kelly talks with Dr. Robert K.C. Forman, author of “Christianity Imagined,” about how Christianity drew him in, what’s meaningful to him about Christian practice, and what many modern Christians miss about Jesus’ message. Dr. Forman shares his journey through various spiritual practices, describes the church experience that changed everything for him, and defines the distinction b...

John Suarez, author of The Outsider’s Banquet (Quoir Publishing) is a sweet, beautiful soul with a wildly creative imagination. Through his semi-autobiographical novel that walks the line between fantasy and philosophy, Suarez takes us on a dreamlike odyssey into his understanding of God’s love. We are so grateful for the chance to meet and talk with Suarez, who shares with us about his very real...

John Suarez, author of The Outsider’s Banquet (Quoir Publishing) is a sweet, beautiful soul with a wildly creative imagination. Through his semi-autobiographical novel that walks the line between fantasy and philosophy, Suarez takes us on a dreamlike odyssey into his understanding of God’s love. We are so grateful for the chance to meet and talk with Suarez, who shares with us about his very real...

In a candid and self-revelatory conversation, Mark and Kelly reveal their own unique stories of spiritual awakening as a result of choosing the path of sobriety. While our journeys have been different, we share our genuine experiences with gratitude, community, acceptance, balancing joy and anger, and the challenging but rewarding work of coping with a constant barrage of thoughts from our wild hu...

What are we talking about when we talk about Radical Love? Are we talking about the unconditional love of the Prodigal Son’s father, who rejoices to have his child back, no matter what he’s done? Or are we talking about love that condemns and restrains others’ behavior, to protect them from ultimate Divine Judgment? In this episode, we explore the ideological divide in Christianity between love an...

What does it mean to be a man? The eye-opening second half of this animated three-way conversation with Mark, Kelly, and our returning guest Jon Carl Lewis, talking about spirituality, sexuality, and the embodiment of masculinity—whether straight, queer, or trans. We explore the paradox of being simultaneously men of the world and “children of God,” balancing trusting God to help with our troubles...

What does it mean to be a man? This is a lively and revealing three-way conversation with Mark, Kelly, and our returning guest Jon Carl Lewis (and our first episode in a long time in which we’ve had the pleasure of a guest in-studio with us!) that spans a wide range of topics related to the spirituality and embodiment of masculinity—whether straight, queer, or trans.   Using as our jumping-off poi...

Kelly and Mark sit down to discuss Unrepentant: Our Manifesto of Queer Divinity and Sacred Justice — a revolutionary text calling faith communities to end religious abuse and bring accountability into the Church. Mark opens up about the creative process, the vision behind the manifesto, and the courage required to confront systems that wound. Hear excerpts from the Witnesses — poetic proclamations...

In this era when politics and Christian identity are so tightly wrapped around one another, it’s common to see people arguing that the people across the aisle aren’t “real” Christians—because of what or who they support or defend. But is this division between Christians helpful, or even true? What if they ARE real Christians—and they are our responsibility? Launching points for this discussion inc...

John Fugelsang is a fierce advocate for the “separation of church and hate.” This week, the irreverent host of Sirius XM’s “Tell Me Everything” takes on Christianity in the US, which he says has been hijacked by those who misunderstand or misuse the Bible in ways that are controlling, oppressive, and destructive. With sharp humor and intellect, Fugelsang argues for the love, mercy, and service tha...

In this two-part adventure, Mark talks with Brian E. Pearson, priest, musician, and author, for a deep and wide-ranging conversation about vocation, soul, and joy. Brian reflects on his years of ministry in the Anglican Church of Canada, including his time as rector of St. Stephen’s in Calgary—and the moment that nearly cost him his calling when he was warned by his bishop, “Do this again and you...

In this two-part adventure, Mark talks with Brian E. Pearson, priest, musician, and author, for a deep and wide-ranging conversation about vocation, soul, and joy. Brian reflects on his years of ministry in the Anglican Church of Canada, including his time as rector of St. Stephen’s in Calgary—and the moment that nearly cost him his calling when he was warned by his bishop, “Do this again and you...

What should “family” look like within the context of Christianity? How could a godly parent reject their own child for not meeting their community’s standard of “goodness?" Mark and Kelly reflect on their own enriching experiences with inclusive Christian communities—the "family of God," so to speak—but also comment on the devastating legacy of the late James Dobson and his restrictive teachings a...

How many times has somebody's “BUT” gotten in the way of God’s love? "God loves us BUT”…He is also Just. But we can’t affirm that behavior. But we can't just accept that sinner. What if...God's love is "BUT"-less? Kelly talks with author/teacher Bradley Jersak about a love that is not the opposite of mercy, a love that is not retributive, a love that frees rather than enforces. We discuss how proj...

Who or what is God? When one says “Oh, my God” in awe, or mutters “Jesus…” in a moment of trouble, what power are they invoking? Is it a curse, a prayer, an invitation to co-create with the divine? This week, Mark and Kelly examine what we are talking about when we talk about God. Is God close or distant? Powerful or codependent? Intelligent or intuitive? Ineffable or quite effable? The embodiment...

What is “Grace,” and can we humans offer it to one another in a divided, cutthroat world? Can we love those of whose behavior we do not agree or approve? Can we love without agreement or approval? Mark and Kelly delve into the multifaceted concept of grace, exploring its definitions, implications in personal growth, and its role in navigating social and political divides. We share our personal exp...

CONTENT Alert: Explicit talk about sex. What are churches saying about robust, spirit-led erotic love and sexual flourishing? (If they talk about it at all.) Beyond talk of sexual purity versus fornication or enforcing heteronormativity versus embracing queerness, Queer/Liberative theologian Jon Carl Lewis opens the door to grander conversations to be had about the complexity of human sexuality—in...

What are churches saying about robust, spirit-led erotic love and sexual flourishing? (If they talk about it at all.) Beyond talk of sexual purity versus fornication or enforcing heteronormativity versus embracing queerness, Queer/Liberative theologian Jon Carl Lewis opens the door to grander conversations to be had about the complexity of human sexuality—including what a Christ-centered sexual et...

Kelly gets a chance to talk with Josh Patterson, host of the "[Re] Thinking Faith" podcast and scholar of Process/Relational Theology about a whole range of topics about how theology and belief intersect with this current moment. In Part 1, we focus on division--how ideas about theology and politics drive a wedge between us, and ways we can intentionally break out of that binary to connect with ot...

Kelly gets a chance to talk with Josh Patterson, host of the "[Re] Thinking Faith" podcast and scholar of Process/Relational Theology about a whole range of topics about how theology and belief intersect with this current moment. In Part 1, we focus on division--how ideas about theology and politics drive a wedge between us, and ways we can intentionally break out of that binary to connect with ot...

Is there a good kind of contamination? The energy and emotion get turned up in this 2nd part of our conversation with teacher and author Bille Hoard about disgust and "eucontamination.". This week we also introduce our new "Bible Moment" segment with Bible Teacher Amanda Pence, MA, who provides valuable context, history, and insight into how passages from the Hebrew Bible and Christian New Testame...

Disgust is powerful. If our body believes something we ingest is contaminated, we will throw it up before our mind even knows what happened. But is there a good kind of contamination? Teacher and author Bille Hoard makes the case that disgust can make us reject “euconaminants,” too—the people and qualities that can “infect” us with goodness. Billie Hoard is "a trans woman, teacher, author, and som...