The Beautiful Kingdom Builders Podcast

Wendy McCaig returned to the podcast to have a conversation with The Beautiful Kingdom Builders host, Rev. Ruth Perry about what surprised her and stood out in Season 1, what themes emerged, and what Perry plans to do with the podcast in the future. Thanks to everyone who has listened to this inaugural season and sent encouraging messages along the way! May God bless you, and stay tuned for more!...

Welcome to The Beautiful Kingdom Builders podcast, your place for redemptive conversations about gender, justice, abuse and healing in the Christian faith. This episode features Dr. Bethany Hunter, Executive Director of HerMission, discussing women's and the church's empowerment in mission work. We explore how equipping the church is essential for fostering a more inclusive and equitable C...

Welcome to The Beautiful Kingdom Builders Podcast, your place for redemptive conversations about gender, justice, abuse, and healing in the Christian faith. In this insightful discussion, Rev. Ruth Perry and guest Jenna Dunn from Ezer Bible explore seven Scripture passages that show complementarianism is wrong. God does not require male authority in the Church and home! Visit ezerbible.com and fin...

Welcome to The Beautiful Kingdom Builders Podcast! In this episode, Rev. Ruth Perry hosts satirical religious writer Becky Garrison to discuss her book, "Gaslighting for God." The conversation explores narcissism within Christianity, offering insights into spiritual abuse, how to identify it and promoting spiritual growth through satirical commentary. This conversation highlights critica...

From s1e19 of The Beautiful Kingdom Builders podcast, with my guest Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson, Bishop of the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church. In this episode, we discussed Bishop Sue's background, spiritual practices, and experiences as a woman in ministry. And we focused on the topic of leading through conflict, as the UMC went through a season of disaffiliation and ultima...

Welcome to The Beautiful Kingdom Builders Podcast, a dedicated space for redemptive conversations about gender, justice, abuse, and healing within the Christian faith. In this episode, host Rev. Ruth Perry is joined by her VAUMC candidacy mentor, Rev. Dr. Margaret Kutz, to discuss her writing about clergywomen overcoming barriers to ministry in the Virginia Methodist Church, from her own story to...

In this insightful interview, Jenai Auman discusses her book 'Othered: Finding belonging with the God who pursues the hurt, harmed, and marginalized.' She shares her personal journey as the daughter of an immigrant and surviving an abusive pastor as a church staff person. She explores the impact of trauma, and offers a trauma-informed perspective on healing, belonging, and systemic change...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Reverend Dr. Lisa Corry as she shares her journey through faith, ministry, and personal growth. Discover insights on spiritual development, leadership, and the importance of grace-filled mentorship. Lisa mentored myself and my brother Matthew McNutt when we were students at Gordon College, and we had the best time reconnecting and reminiscing with Lisa ab...

In this episode, my friend Tracy Downing shares her profoundly painful journey through narcissistic abuse in her marriage and divorce with Progressive Christian writer and speaker, Benjamin L. Corey. Post-separation litigation and parental alienation have been especially devastating for Tracy. I believe sharing stories like Tracy's is very important, because abuse is rampant in patriarchal chu...

In this conversation, we dive deep into the inspiring journey of Wendy McCaig. Wendy is the founder and Executive Director of Embrace Communities, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening neighborhoods through community development. Wendy shares her story, from her infertility bargain with God to her path to ministry, and her unique experiences in ministry as a community developer. She describes the...

In this conversation, Dr. Anthony Neely discusses his excellent, timely book: Scales Off: Finding Jesus Beyond the Noise of Politics and Coercive Religion. Dr. Neely shares his journey of faith, exploring the impact of coercive religion and Christian nationalism on personal beliefs. He discusses the emotional experiences of recognition and reorientation, emphasizing the importance of re-centering...

My guest this week is my friend and former pastor, Lisa Wells! In this beautiful and vulnerable conversation, we explored Lisa's journey through ministry, the challenges she faced, and her growth as a leader. We discussed the impact of complementarianism in her life, the importance of community, and the healing that comes from navigating difficult experiences. It was a painful season that led...

In a world where faith often faces unprecedented challenges, Kathy Escobar's book "Faith Shift" offers a lifeline to those navigating their spiritual journeys. In this podcast conversation with Ruth Perry, Escobar shares her insights on faith evolution, personal experiences, and the importance of finding community support during times of spiritual uncertainty. You can find the show n...

I was joined by Reverend Carlos Malavé for this important conversation about immigration enforcement and mass deportation, and what the realities of these are for our Latino neighbors. This conversation explores the intersection of immigration and spirituality, emphasizing the need for compassion and understanding towards immigrants. Rev. Malavé shares personal stories and insights on the contribu...

In this conversation, Bob Edwards explains the processes of socialization, discussing how societal norms are internalized and how they shape our perception of the world. This impacts our faith as we bring cultural biases to our Bible reading, especially in regards to gender. As GI Joe famously said, "Knowing is half the battle." Once we understand how powerful conditioning is, we can beg...

In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt discusses her insights on Mary Magdalene from her book, The Mary We Forgot . Dr. McNutt describes her own faith journey leading her to the dual ministry of Church historian and minister, and then delves into the historical mischaracterization of Mary Magdalene, and what "the apostle to the apostles" can teach us today. Dr. McNutt and her husban...

In this episode of the Beautiful Kingdom Builders podcast, Rev. Ruth Perry interviews Marg Mowczko, a prominent voice in the conversation about women in ministry and biblical interpretation. They discuss Marg's faith journey, the complexities of understanding scripture, and the impact of patriarchy on faith. Marg shares insights on key biblical passages from the Apostle Paul on men and women,...

In this conversation, Ruth Perry and her brother Matthew McNutt discuss their experiences as missionary kids in a boarding school in South America, focusing on the rampant abuse that occurred and the institutional failures to protect vulnerable children. They explore the long-lasting effects of these experiences, the importance of believing victims, and the need for accountability within church or...

My guest this week is my former seminary professor, Dr. Roy Ciampa, whose transformative class, Ephesians in Depth, has stayed with me over the years as my faith has grown and changed. In this conversation, we discuss the theological implications of Paul's writings, the cultural context of the Greco-Roman world, and the significance of mutual submission in relationships. Dr. Ciampa shares insi...

Audio Episode published December 31, 2025. In this conversation, Scott Harris shares his journey of faith, discussing his upbringing in a mainline Protestant church, his college experiences, and his perspective on the challenges faced by the church today after 42 years in parachurch ministry. He emphasizes the importance of following Jesus and articulating the gospel in a way that resonates with c...

Audio Episode was posted December 24, 2025. In this episode, Jenna Dunn, writer and theologian at Ezer Bible, describes her personal journey out of complementarian theology and the toll that patriarchal bible interpretation and church culture took on her faith and marriage. Check out ⁠ezerbible.com⁠ and find Ezer Bible on your favorite social media sites: ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ and more! Tell your...

Audio Episode published December 17, 2025. In this conversation, Amber Braddy Jones shares her experiences growing up in evangelical Christianity, from the impact of purity culture to the challenges faced due to complementarian beliefs. She discusses her journey of leaving the church and to healing, and the need for empathy and understanding within faith communities. Find Amber's book Sacred o...

Audio Episode was posted December 10, 2025. In this conversation, Ruth Perry and Becky Buck explore their personal journeys of faith, the challenges of deconstructing traditional beliefs, and the importance of love and community in spiritual growth. They discuss the impact of religious trauma, the complexities of gender roles within faith, and the need for critical thinking in understanding one&#3...

In this conversation, Scott Harris shares his journey of faith, discussing his upbringing in a mainline Protestant church, his college experiences, and his perspective on the challenges faced by the church today after 42 years in parachurch ministry. He emphasizes the importance of following Jesus and articulating the gospel in a way that resonates with contemporary issues. The discussion also tou...

In this episode, Jenna Dunn, writer and theologian at Ezer Bible, describes her personal journey out of complementarian theology and the toll that patriarchal bible interpretation and church culture took on her faith and marriage. Check out ezerbible.com and find Ezer Bible on your favorite social media sites: Facebook Instagram and more! Tell your friends about TBKB Pod! If you loved this episode...