Red Letter Christians Podcast

We speak with longtime Red Letter Christian supporter and author Terry Webb about her 94 years of life, how she's grown her faith, and her new book, "Christian Citizenship Endangered in America.” A response to Trumpism and the rise of Christian nationalism shaping U.S. policy. Connect with Terry Terry’s site Terry’s Substack Terry on Facebook Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redl...

Originally recorded and published on the RLC Blog on July 3, 2021. One-hundred and seventy-four years ago, abolitionist, writer, and statesman Frederick Douglass gave a speech to the 600 members of the Rochester Ladies Anti-Slavery Society entitled “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” On July 3, 2021, Christian leaders from around the country gathered virtually with Red Letter Christians to...

In this solo show, Shane Claiborne marks Gun Violence Awareness Month by highlighting Raw Tools' unique mission to transform surrendered weapons into art and garden tools. Specifically, he focuses on their June blacksmith marathon—a powerful initiative memorializing the 40,000 American lives lost annually to gun violence while calling for urgent, commonsense gun reform. Connect with RLC Help susta...

This week, we chat with Brad Jersak, from Saint Stephen's University, about living a nonviolent, justice-seeking Christianity that resists the “takeover mentality.” Instead, it acts as the church’s prophetic conscience, echoing Dr. King’s view of laws and heart-change as parallel tracks. More about Brad Brad's site Saint Stephen's Brad on IG Brad on Substack Connect with RLC Help sustain the work...

This week, we revisit the archive with Doug Pagitt of Vote Common Good. We discuss the major deployment of masked federal ICE agents to Minneapolis, amid the city’s post–George Floyd organizing. We hear about the continual need for citizen action, growing clergy solidarity, and sustaining “joy” through music and art as a humanizing response. More about Doug Vote Common Good Common Good Podcast VCG...

We talk with Dr. James Bigham about moral courage and practical responses to U.S. gun violence, now described as the leading cause of death for ages 1–19, with over 100 deaths daily. He describes collaborations with gun shops and training healthcare professionals, ​pastors, and other caregivers to address the epidemic. More about James Dr. Bigham's initiative: Firearm Injury Prevention: Dr. James...

This week, we talk with political scientist and civil resistance scholar, Dr. Maria J. Stephan, co-author of Why Civil Resistance Works. We discuss how she was shaped by early community and faith organizing in Vermont, and later by the documentary A Force More Powerful and global nonviolent struggles. Stephan explains research on preventing democratic backsliding and the need for sustained engagem...

We chat with Tim Shriver—Special Olympics leader, disability rights advocate, and author—who explains how decades with Special Olympics athletes taught him to see people “from the inside out” and recognize dignity as universal, inherent, and not earned. Connect with Tim Website: Tim Shriver Instagram: @ timothyshriver The Dignity Index: The Dignity Index Need A Lift? Podcast: Need A Lift? with Tim...

On this episode, Shane sits down with Kat Armas to talk about how we meet this moment as followers of Jesus, the role of prayer and liturgy, and her new book, Liturgies for Resisting Empire. Connect with Kat Website: Kat Armas Instagram: @ katarmas Substack: Some Things Abuelita | Kat Armas | Substack Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  To check out...

Shane is joined by Pastor Carl Ruby and Viles Dorsainvil from Springfield, OH.  They have been leading the way in advocating for Haitian families facing the possibility of deportation, and now have a case before the Supreme Court.  Socials: Carl Ruby (@carlrubygoblue) Viles Dorsainvil on Instagram Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  To check out what...

Jim Murphy Shane speaks with longtime friend Jim Murphy, author of the viral bestseller Inner Excellence and newly republished The Best Possible Life. They discuss the importance of viewing Christianity as transformative rather than escapist, and the value of countercultural, gospel-centered living. Connect with Jim Website: Inner Excellence | By Jim Murphy Instagram: Jim Murphy (@innerexcellencej...

Shane talks with Terri Hord Owens, General Minister and President of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ in the US and Canada. She is the first Black woman to lead a mainline denomination as Chief Executive, and is a prominent, prophetic voice in the US and beyond. Connect with Terri Terri Hord Owens Facebook Disciples of Christ Facebook Instagram Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Terri'...

Shane talks with Peter Pedemonti, one of the leaders and founders of the New Sanctuary Movement in Philadelphia, and a passionate, faith-rooted organizer working to protect immigrant families. Connect with Peter New Sanctuary Movement Philadelphia Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us www.redletterchristi...

Shane is joined by Rev. Cody Deese, a courageous pastor in Georgia.  Recent clips of his sermons have gone viral as he seeks to address the current spiritual crisis in America and pastor a congregation through these turbulent times. Connect with Cody • @codydeese • Cody's website • Vining Lakes Church   Connect with RLC • Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  • To chec...

Shane Claiborne sits down with Marvin Rees, former Bristol mayor and new UK House of Lords member, to discuss how local leaders are tackling global crises like climate change and systemic inequality amidst failing national institutions. Connect with Marvin @marvinjrees Connect with RLC • Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  • To check out what RLC is up to, please vis...

Shane speaks with Abeer Shehadeh Nasser, a Palestinian Christian citizen of Israel from Nazareth and co-host of the podcast Across the Divide. She shares how separation among Palestinians fuels identity crises and recounts an early encounter with Christian Zionism that pushed her to connect faith with political reality. Connect with Abeer • Across The Divide podcast Connect with RLC • Help sustain...

Shane issues a raw plea to protect hope through resilient faith and community. Drawing a direct line from the 1991 Al-Amiriyah shelter bombing to recent strikes on a primary school in Tehran, he discusses the devastating human cost of U.S.-backed violence and reads the names of over 60 children lost to the machinery of war. He challenges the "apocalyptic theologies" that justify mass death, and ca...

Shane welcomes Rev. Gerlyn Henry, an Anglican priest. They discuss differences, her formation away from “Not of This World” individualism toward neighbor-centered faith, and her deepening solidarity with Palestinians through learning about the Nakba, meeting Palestinians, and traveling in the West Bank and Jerusalem. Connect with Gerlyn @rev.gerlynhenry @gerlynhenry Connect with RLC • Help sustain...

Shane talks with Canadian author and speaker Sarah Bessey. They discuss their friendship with Rachel Held Evans, and a new book Sarah curated to honor Rachel's life: Braving the Truth: Essential Essays for Reckoning with and Reimagining Faith. They also talk about the importance of Canada's sovereignty... and origami. Connect with Sarah Sarah's site @sarahbessey Braving the Truth Field Notes subst...

This week we talk about matriarchy, equality, and communal flourishing with author and leader, Tiffany Bluhm. Connect with Tiffany • Made For PAX: Made For PAX • Tiffany's personal site: tiffanybluhm.com • Tiffany on Instagram: @tiffanybluhm • Made For PAX on Instagram: @madeforpax Connect with RLC • Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  • To check out what RLC is up t...

In this special episode, we discuss The Two Prophets with author Jeff Fulmer, learning how his evangelical upbringing in Nashville and his long “journey of faith” shaped his turn toward prophetic, dystopian political fiction. Connect with Jeff Jeff’s website His latest book, The Two Prophets Facebook Instagram Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  To c...

This week, we talk to Ben Norquist and discuss the ongoing global atrocities and Christian activism, focusing on ICE raids, Gaza, and the work of the Red Letter Christians movement. They explore the Bethlehem Institute for Peace and Justice and emphasize the importance of learning from Palestinian theologians and engaging directly with those affected by state repression in the U.S. and Palestine....

Shane talks with his friend, the ice-cream-man, Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream, about their common vision for a sweeter world -- a world with less violence and more ice cream. Connect with Ben @yobencohen Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us  www.redletterchristians.org   Follow us on...

We talk with Jonathan "Pastah J” Brooks from Lawndale Community Church in Chicago. J shares the strategies and motivations behind the Faith Over Fear movement, which aims to support and protect vulnerable migrants in the city. Connect with Pastah J Website Lawndale Community Church Lawnsdale Instagram Pastah J on Instagram “ Chicago Made Me ” by Corey Mix featuring Pastah J, and Presyce, produced...

Shane does a little looking back at 2025 and looking forward to 2026.  Connect with RLC Help sustain the work of RLC: www.redletterchristians.org/donate/  To check out what RLC is up to, please visit us  www.redletterchristians.org   Follow us on Twitter:  @RedLetterXians  Instagram:  @RedLetterXians  Follow Shane on Instagram:  @shane.claiborne  Twitter:  @ShaneClaiborne