That Makes Total Sense!

I am so stoked to welcome Drew Jackson back to the podcast! His first book, and this volume two are some of my favorite books of poetry. What Drew has done by putting the Gospel of Luke in conversation with his own context is theological art at its finest. The problem is, this kind of … Continue reading Episode 184 – Drew Jackson

Bekah and I had a fabulous conversation (she’s hilarious, btw!) about her book Bringing Up Kids When the Church Lets You Down. But trust me, if you’re not a parent….don’t flip to the next episode in your queue just yet! This conversation is for anyone whose life and faith have been impacted by the church, … Continue reading Episode 183 – Bekah McNeel

This conversation with Jenny Booth Potter was so rich and full! Jenny’s story is particular to her own experiences and circumstances and familiar to many of us at the same time, especially if we grew up inside white, American evangelicalism. She brings to light the reality that racism, as Beverly Tatum states, is a moving … Continue reading Episode 182 – Jenny Booth Potter

Craig Greenfield joins me on the podcast to talk about something I’ve been processing lately – missions. Specifically, Craig has written a book called Subversive Mission on how to serve well as outsiders. In the history of Christianity, Western missionary work has often equaled colonialism, and we need to be aware of how we still … Continue reading Episode 181 – Craig Green...

The story Sara Billups shares in Orphaned Believers is her own and in a way, it’s mine too. It might also be yours if you were a child of the 1980’s and 1990’s growing up anywhere near white American evangelicalism. She writes (and we chat) about how she was shaped by teachings on the end … Continue reading Episode 180 – Sara Billups

This episode originally aired on July 20, 2020, and trust me when I say it is just as timely and relevant today, in January of 2023, as it was then. Pastor and author Ashlee Eiland and her husband, Delwin, are both on staff at Mars Hill Bible Church in Grand Rapids, MI where Delwin leads worship and … Continue reading Episode 179 – Ashlee Eiland (re-release!)

It’s not every day that so much wisdom and experience is found in one place, but today is that day! Beth Birmingham and Eeva Sallinen Simard have decades of combined experience in working in and with faith-based organizations. It is because of their commitment in these spaces that they are doing everything they can to … Continue reading Episode 178 – Beth Birmingham & Eeva S...

We’re back with a brand-new episode to begin the new year! Michelle Ferrigno Warren has been involved in justice work for decades and her wisdom is priceless. In her newest book, Join the Resistance, she speaks to those of us who are interested in becoming more involved, but may not know exactly where to start. … Continue reading Episode 177 – Michelle Ferrigno Warren

On this day after Christmas, I am so excited to bring you this re-release from December 20, 2021. This beautiful conversation with Sarah Quezada reminds us of the many ways we live in the tension of the now and not yet as citizens of God’s kingdom. Sarah Quezada, author of Love Undocumented joins me on … Continue reading Episode 176 – Sarah Quezada (re-release!)

This episode originally aired on October 19, 2020. (This statement is as true in 2022 as it was in 2020!) Advent couldn’t come soon enough for me this year; and I don’t think I’m alone! Scott Erickson (known to many of us as Scott the Painter) helps bring the season a little closer to home … Continue reading Episode 175 – Scott Erickson (re-release!)

This advent book (and conversation!) is not just for the Christmas season. I promise you will be blessed by Kelley Nikondeha‘s words all year long! Her new book, The First Advent in Palestine tells of some of the forgotten stories surrounding Jesus’ birth. We know he was born in first century occupied Palestine, but what … Continue reading Episode 174 – Kelley Nikondeha

Generally speaking, I am *not* a novel-reading, fiction-loving kind of girl, but….I loved Kelly Flanagan’s new release The Unhiding of Elijah Campbell! And, I am so thrilled to welcome Kelly back to the podcast. He first came on to speak about his book, True Companions which was a game-changer for me as well. Kelly is … Continue reading Episode 173 – Kelly Flanagan

Three words at the top of Marlena Grave‘s website sum it up: Jesus. Formation. Justice. These are the foci of what she does as a writer, professor, thinker, mother, wife, community activist, advocate, speaker, and so much more. She and her husband, Shawn, have co-edited a book along those lines called The Gospel of Peace … Continue reading Episode 172 – Marlena Graves

Josh Buck is back on the podcast! The last time Josh joined me, he shared about his dissertation research into the Charleston Massacre. He also let us know he had a book set to release and now it’s here! When I began reading Everyday Activism, I surprised myself at how many dog-eared pages and underlined … Continue reading Episode 171 – Josh Buck

Blaine Hogan writes, acts, directs, and was formerly on staff at a megachurch. He has also honored us in writing a book holding his deepest, darkest secrets and allowing us to learn from his experiences and reflections. In this conversation, we talk about the hard work of healing, recovery, and ministry in the midst of … Continue reading Episode 170 – Blaine Hogan

Soong-Chan Rah is a professor at Fuller Theological Seminary (I took a course with him and it was a total blast!). He has also served in ministry as a pastor and studied American Evangelicalism. One of the topics Soong-Chan is known for is the church and social justice. In Return to Justice, he explores the … Continue reading Episode 169 – Soong-Chan Rah

If you’ve read anything from the Religion News Service, chances are you’ve already been introduced to Bob Smietana. Bob is a journalist and author of the book Reorganized Religion. Politics, demographics, and lifestyle are all affecting our churches and how they look and feel in America. In this episode, we talk about organized religion, American … Continue reading Episode 168 &#...

The one and only Jim Wallis is on the podcast! Most recently Jim came on as the director of the Center on Faith + Justice at Georgetown University. He and I met over the summer when the Center hosted its inaugural summer academy and I was blessed enough to attend. For those who may not … Continue reading Episode 167 – Jim Wallis

It was only a few years ago that I was introduced to breath prayers. In the beginning of the pandemic, Osheta Moore, spiritual director and pastor, hosted morning times of Scripture-reading and breath prayers and these practices were so much of what kept me during those times. Now, we have another resource to encourage us … Continue reading Episode 166 – Jennifer Tucker

Jasmin Shupper is the founder and president of Greenline Housing Foundation. Educated in business and a licensed realtor, Jasmin has always been fascinated by and drawn to homes. She is aware though, that due to our country’s intentional legislation and policies, people of color have consistently and systemically been denied the opportunity to participate in … Continue reading Episode...

Don Shoendorfer is a biomedical engineer with a PhD from MIT and the founder of Free Wheelchair Mission. Part of what I *love* about Don’s story is that he utilized the skills God had already given him to help people with a profound problem – immobility caused by disability. As you’ll hear, Don didn’t set … Continue reading Episode 164 – Don Schoendorfer

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we are re-playing this amazing episode with Kat Armas. Enjoy! Kat Armas, author of Abuelita Faith: What Women on the Margins Teach Us about Wisdom, Persistence, and Strength, is on the podcast this week! Kat is a Fuller grad, on her way to Vanderbilt Divinity School, and is a wrestler in the faith. … Continue reading Episode 163 &#8211...

I am so delighted to welcome Karen González back on the podcast! Her new book, Beyond Welcome, is a beautiful combination of biblical investigation, personal narrative, and the edification we need, especially in the United States, today. We hit the current news right away, with talk of Florida and Texas governors flying and bussing immigrants … Continue reading Episode 162 – Karen Gonz...

My friend Phil is back! Phil Allen has written a second book and it is incredible! The Prophetic Lens takes us back in history to the infamous racist film shown at the White House all the way through the Civil Rights movement of the 1960’s to Darnell Frazier’s courageous capturing and posting of George Floyd’s … Continue reading Episode 161 – Phil Allen, Jr.