The Blue Room with MaryAnn McKibben Dana

Thank you Michael Moore , Marion Hardwick , Capitol Jill , and many others for tuning into our latest episode! Our lists of favorite pastor portrayals (and two dishonorable mentions) ran the gamut from cozy book series to acerbic satire and everything in between. Join us Wednesday 12/31 at 11 a.m. for a discussion of the movie that inspired today’s conversation: Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Myst...

Hello, Blue Roomies! Today, a sermon based on Matthew 1:18-25 , Joseph’s dream. “Poor Joseph. It’s only once every three years, when we’re in the book of Matthew, that we even hear anything about Jesus’ earthly father. Every other year, Joseph is basically a donkey jockey and a travel agent. And it’s the final Sunday in Advent when this story appears, when Christmas is so close we can taste the eg...

Oh what fun! Thanks everyone for tuning into this latest episode with Edward Goode , where we took up six holiday classics and tried to wrestle some deeper meaning from them. Some were definitely easier than others! The complete list of candidates is below, so you can play your own game of Will It Preach. Here’s the link to the Christmas Carol article Ed mentioned: The Heresy of a God Who Hates Em...

Thanks to all who tuned into the latest episode with Edward Goode ! We talked about this most iconic of holiday specials, celebrating its 60th birthday this year. Those little kids look great for their age. We discuss commercialism, Christmas melancholy, tradition v. traditionalism, and more. A few references from the episode: Advent for the Troubled Soul , Winn Collier Why ‘A Charlie Brown Christ...

Hello Blue Roomies! Sneaking this in before Advent officially begins—one last moment with Christ the King Sunday. Here’s last Sunday’s sermon preached at Trinity Presbyterian, Herndon VA. Scripture text was Luke 23:33-43. Podcast listeners: would love the quick favor of a share, rating or review on the app of your choice! It helps others find the Blue Room pod. Steady on. This is a public episode....

Hello and gobble gobble! “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” doesn’t loom as large as some of the other Peanuts holiday specials. But Edward Goode and I found a lot to say about authenticity, tradition, and expectation, and the dangers of triangulation. Plus: Franklin’s amazing ‘fit. A few items we mentioned during the episode: ‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’ marks its 50th anniversary — how has it held...

Hello to our little Soda Pops! Substack Live was being a huge pain, so I recorded this from my iPad, hence the strange framing of my Very Large Head. Today we talked KPop Demon Hunters! We cover shame, original sin and original blessing. The healing that comes through authentic relationship. Workaholics and “hustling for worthiness.” Why the song “Takedown” didn’t stop the demons, but “Golden” did...

Happy Halloween week! I promise Ed did not wear his costume for the whole hour… (Vader is looking quite comfy in that crew neck) We use this 1966 children’s classic to talk about faith, imagination, and the push and pull of sincerity v. cringe. Also, what *are* we to make of Lucy as a character? As you listen, relish these beautiful images from the wordless interlude of the episode in which the Wo...

What fun! Music is a powerful creator of community, which we discuss in our kickoff to the conversation, followed by answers to four prompts: * If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life * Song that unlocks tears/emotion * Song that saved your life * Last song you shared with someone else Troy Bronsink is a wonderful musician in his own right, and a deep and good human. And it’...

Hi folks, here’s last Sunday’s sermon, a riff on one of my favorite Old Testament passages, in which Jeremiah makes an audacious real-estate purchase. I’ve preached on this text before, but always love revisiting it. Steady on. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit maryannmckibbendana.substack.com/subscribe

Thank you Nathan Webb , Emily Dunevant , Elizabeth Nordquist , Capitol Jill , Charlotte , and many others for tuning into our latest Pop Culture Pastors Hour with Edward Goode and our wonderful guest, Frances Wattman Rosenau ! I encourage you to follow/subscribe to these great writers and thinkers. This was a great conversation—very excited by these recommendations from my fellow pastors. I’ve got...

Thank you to everyone who tuned into today’s live video! Spoilers for Battlestar Galactica (miniseries, plus a little bit of the show as a whole), in which we talk AI, the true meaning of apocalypse, the role of religion, and the power and frailty of ordinary people. And will we ever get over 9/11? Bonus nightmare: Roko’s Basilisk , a philosophical concept about AI that gives some people anxiety a...

Today’s podcast offering is my sermon from yesterday, part of our congregation’s worship series, Brave: Faithful Living in Turbulent Times. Focus, faithfulness, and weak foolish kings. And a man in his early 30s, with a wife and young children, who lost his life to political violence… but probably not the one you think. The entire scripture text is here —this recording only includes the second par...

It’s good to be back in the saddle! Thanks Edward Goode , I looooove this show and I loved this conversation about the power of story, beauty as a means of survival, and other favorite topics. A few additional links. Here’s the scene where the characters dance as one of them raps a Tribe Called Quest song, and here’s the link to a very silly, extremely white ladypastor (cough) doing the same in a...

“Let justice roll down like water, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” Here’s a reflection on that famous verse, invoked so faithfully by MLK and others in the civil rights movement. Originally preached at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Herndon on September 7, 2025. Big credit to Rebecca Solnit and her article on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. If this message speaks to you, p...

This sermon from last Sunday hit a nerve for a bunch of folks, and my husband said “this is one that more people need to hear.” So, in hopes that it speaks to you, here’s a reflection on Hebrews 11 that attempts to speak to our current moment. Originally preached at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Herndon on August 10, 2025. Credit to Austin Kleon and his book Keep Going, which is the source for the...

Thank you Edward Goode for the great conversation, but also for recommending this charming film! Eager to watch it again, and also to read the Stephen King novella one of these days. The Life of Chuck is available to rent or purchase on streaming platforms and features a wonderful cast that includes Chiwetel Ejiofor, Karen Gillan, Mark Hamill, Nick Offerman, Mia Sara, and The Hiddleston, who dance...

I’ve heard “take up your cross and follow me” my whole life. These days I hear it somewhat differently. Here’s the video that kicked it off… This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit maryannmckibbendana.substack.com/subscribe

What an absolute joy this conversation was! Edward Goode and I were so thrilled to be joined by writer, theologian, and artist Phuc Luu, Ph. D. for this episode, in which we talked immigration, identity, family, and cultural legacies. In addition, Phuc wrote a great post this morning about the movie: Learn more about Phuc’s books, coaching work, and more here . (Ed gives high praise to his first b...

After a delayed start due to technical difficulties, Ed and I had a great chat about the 2006 film Stranger Than Fiction , a favorite of both of us. The movie stars Will Ferrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Emma Thompson, Queen Latifah, and Dustin Hoffman, and has a lot to say about free will, sacrifice, and the power of story. The Blue Room with MaryAnn McKibben Dana is a reader-supported publication. To...

It’s summer and it’s HOT. We all need things to look forward to, eh? Today Edward Goode and I check in, share what we’re reading/watching, and preview what’s to come this summer. First, we’ll be talking about the 2006 film Stranger Than Fiction next Wednesday July 2 at 1 p.m. EDT, giving you more than a week to watch this deep and delightful movie starring Will Ferrell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Emma Tho...

And that’s a wrap! After doing a review of Rogue One in light of what we experienced with Andor, we celebrate the conclusion of a majestic TV series with some hall of fame categories. GOAT of the Rebellion? Most entertaining dinner party guests? Ed and MaryAnn get into all of that and more, including our ideas for best Andor tattoo. Spoilers for all of Andor, Rogue One, and Star Wars: A New Hope....

Thanks to everyone who joined Edward Goode and me for our fourth conversation about Andor. We talked about the power and perils of a human-driven movement; disease, disgust and the rhetoric of dehumanization; the fate of our heroes; and the impact of one small word: TRY . Spoilers for all of Andor, Rogue One, and The Last Jedi. Follow Ed at Imago Scriptura . Here’s the article I mentioned from Soj...

Thanks to everyone who joined Edward Goode and me for our third conversation about Andor. We drew some historical and scriptural parallels to the show, talked about the communal nature of calling, explored the power of prophetic speech, and lifted up the nature of resistance, full of small moves and tag-team efforts. And much more! This was a meaty episode—fitting for some of the best television w...

Thanks to everyone who joined Edward Goode and me for our second conversation about Andor. We talked about the benefits and pitfalls of episodic storytelling, the strength and frailty of human beings, the perils of building a movement, and more. Spoilers for all of Andor season 1, plus season 2 episodes 1-6, the movie Rogue One, and The Last Jedi. Here’s the book I mentioned: Preaching in Hitler’s...