Shifting Culture

It’s a privilege to be in conversation with Diane Langberg today, a psychologist who has spent over 50 years working with victims of abuse, particularly within the church. Langberg has seen firsthand the devastating impact when the very institutions meant to protect and nurture God's people end up harming them instead. Diane believes that the solution lies not in better policies or procedures...

In our conversation today we talk about some of the deepest challenges facing the church today. Our guest is Mike Cosper, author of the new book 'The Church in Dark Times,' and he's bringing this incredible framework from the philosopher Hannah Arendt to help us understand the dynamics at play. What Cosper lays out is how the church, much like broader society, has become susceptible...

In this conversation we get to the heart of the divisions and fractures we're seeing in our society and in the church. Heather Gorman and Mark Nelson, the authors of the book "Lunchroom Theology," paint a vivid picture of the polarization all around us - the way we sort ourselves into different tables and groups, often suspicious or distrustful of those who aren't like us. But...

Today we have a fascinating conversation with Christian ethicist David Gushee about the moral teachings of Jesus. Gushee has spent decades wrestling with how to faithfully apply Jesus' radical vision for the kingdom of God in our modern context. What struck me most in our discussion was Gushee's insistence that Jesus' ethics are not merely aspirational, but profoundly subversive to...

The conversation today gets at the heart of our modern mental health crisis. Richard Beck, author of the new book 'The Shape of Joy,' takes us into how our cultural obsession with introspection and the pursuit of self-esteem has undermined our wellbeing. He traces this back to key philosophical and psychological figures like Descartes and Freud, who ushered in this inward turn. He shows...

In this episode, Stephanie Duncan Smith takes us on a profound journey through grief, loss, and the resilience required to open ourselves up to love again. She beautifully weaves together themes of time, the liturgical calendar, and the radical empathy of a God who meets us in every moment - whether joyful or sorrowful. Stephanie shares her own experiences with pregnancy loss, and how she grappled...

Today, we have a fantastic conversation with Hal Donaldson, the founder and president of Convoy of Hope, a global humanitarian organization that has helped over 200 million people in need. Hal has an incredible personal story - growing up in poverty after his father was tragically killed, experiencing the kindness of strangers, and then feeling called to dedicate his life to serving the poor and m...

Today, we have a fascinating conversation about a figure who has long been misunderstood and overlooked in the Christian tradition - Mary Magdalene. Our guest is Jennifer Powell McNutt, a scholar of church history and theology who has dedicated years to uncovering the true story of this remarkable woman. As Jennifer explains, Mary Magdalene was not a penitent prostitute, as she's often been p...

In this conversation, Russ Ramsey talks about the power of art, beauty, and storytelling - and how they can help us make sense of the brokenness in our world. Russ is the author of books like "Rembrandt is in the Wind" and "Van Gogh Has a Broken Heart," where he dives into the lives and works of these iconic artists. And what he uncovers is so much more than just the paintings...

In this conversation, Scot McKnight explores the deconstruction movement happening in the church today. Scot argues that this deconstruction is a prophetic work of the Spirit, calling the church back to a more faithful following of Jesus. Scot shares his own personal journey of shedding aspects of his fundamentalist upbringing to find a more Jesus-centered faith. He unpacks how the "I Am&quot...

In this captivating conversation, we dive deep into the intersection of bread, theology, and community with guest Kendall Vanderslice. Kendall shares her lifelong love of baking, which began as a way to process emotions and eventually blossomed into a vocational calling. But her journey took an unexpected turn when she discovered the rich theological and cultural dimensions of food, particularly b...

In this episode, Chad Veach dives deep into the critical topic of humility versus pride - a battle that every leader and believer must wrestle with. He unpacks how pride can so easily creep into our lives and relationships, while true humility unlocks the best version of ourselves and our communities. We explore Chad's own journey of learning humility, from his upbringing to his time as a you...

This conversation with Gareth Higgins is an exploration of how storytelling, empathy, and a commitment to love can transform even the most entrenched conflicts. Gareth shares his personal journey growing up in Northern Ireland, where the dominant narrative was one of division, fear, and violence. But through the transformative power of films like 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest,' G...

Randy & Edith Woodley have a radically different perspective on what it means to live a fulfilling life. As Native American authors and educators, they challenge the Western notion of pursuing individual happiness, arguing that true well-being comes from living in harmony with our broader community and the natural world. In this conversation, Randy and Edith share their personal stories of ove...

In this episode, Chuck DeGroat dives into the wounds we all carry and the journey of healing what's within. Chuck shares his own story of disconnection and isolation, and how he learned to pay attention to the dashboard of his thoughts, emotions, body, behaviors, and relationships to uncover the deeper wounds beneath the surface. He unpacks the power of secure attachment and how we can find o...

In this episode, Steve Bezner wrestles deeply with how to faithfully follow Jesus in the 21st century American context, and shares some profound insights about the kingdom of God and how it contrasts with the dominant cultural forces in our country. We discuss the powerful cultural influences that can push us away from living out true kingdom values, as well as practical ways that churches and ind...

In this episode, Strahan Coleman dives deep into the longing of the human heart and the even greater longing of God. He takes us on a personal journey of wrestling with desire, thirst, and the ache to be fully satisfied. Strahan shares how his move to a remote town in New Zealand stripped away the distractions, revealing a profound spiritual hunger within. As he grappled with this, he discovered t...

In this episode, Mandy Smith shares a ancient vision for pastoral leadership - one that acknowledges human weakness and relies on God's strength. Mandy unpacks the problems with the Western, secular approach to ministry that has crept into the church and she proposes a reorientation towards confession, lament, and trusting in the work of the Holy Spirit, rather than relying on our own efforts...

In this conversation, Kristin Kobes Du Mez dives deep into the hidden crisis of abuse and cover-ups within the church. She pulls back the curtain on the disturbing patterns she's uncovered - where abusers are often quickly forgiven and restored, while victims are shamed and silenced. Kristin shares how her research for the acclaimed book "Jesus and John Wayne" led her to uncover the...

Brad Brisco and I have a fascinating conversation about the future of church planting in North America. Brad shares his personal journey from the restaurant business to seminary and church planting, and how that led him to rethink the entire approach to planting new churches. He argues that we need to shift our mindset - from seeing the church as a vendor of religious goods and services, to unders...

In this episode, Aundi Kolber takes us on a deep dive into the interplay between trauma, attachment, and the wisdom of the body. We explore the crucial distinction between healthy hard work and trauma-driven overwork, and how to discern the difference. Aundi shares powerful insights on the concept of the "window of tolerance" - how trauma can shrink it, and the process of expanding it to...

We are marked for kingdom transformation. But how do we actually get there? In this episode, Rich Robinson returns to share insights from his new book "All Change" - a roadmap for unlocking kingdom potential in a rapidly changing world. Rich has spent decades coaching leaders and organizations through disruptive seasons of change. He unpacks a powerful framework of dream, discover, desig...

Today, we're diving into the powerful intersection of justice, faith, and women's issues with Tiffany Bluhm. As the new director of Made for PAX and the author of the devotional "The Women We've Been Waiting For," Tiffany has dedicated her life's work to empowering marginalized voices and reimagining what flourishing looks like for women. In our conversation, Tiffany...

In this episode, Christine Westhoff shares about reframing our understanding of the prophetic. Christine has been on a 30-year journey exploring the beautiful and dreadful aspects of the prophetic movement, and she's here to share some crucial insights. We dive into the common misuses of prophecy that we've seen, especially in the political landscape. But more importantly, Christine unpa...

In this episode, Chris Lee shares his own journey of discovering the deep, unconditional love of God, and how that truth can transform our lives and culture, even in the midst of anxiety, fear, and division. Chris reminds us that at the core of the gospel is the simple yet profound message that we are loved by God. He encourages us to stop, be still, and receive that love - not through our own eff...