The Intersection with Dr. J + Friends

In a moment marked by declining church attendance and religious affiliation, competing truth claims, and growing scepticism toward institutions, Dr. J chats with Luke Cawley to explore a pressing question: How should Christians think about evangelism and apologetics in a post-Christian world? Far from merely winning arguments or using urgent emotional appeals, this conversation examines the deeper...

In a political culture overflowing with opinions but often lacking deeper reflection, Dr. J sits down with Dr. Michael Giles to explore a deceptively simple question: What is political theology, and why does it matter? Far more than partisan preferences or ideological instincts, political theology asks how our understanding of God, human nature, authority, and the common good shapes the way we thi...

Dr. J sits down with Karen Swallow Prior for an incisive conversation about the evangelical imagination. In a moment where many seem more discipled by the trappings of a subculture and internet tribalism than by wisdom, beauty, or truth, Karen argues that the crisis facing evangelicalism is not merely theological or political, but imaginative. Drawing from history, literature, theology, and cultur...

Dr. J chats with seminarian and writer Jamie Carlson for a candid and humanized conversation about the state of evangelical gender discourse—and why so much of it feels simultaneously overheated and unserious. In a cultural moment shaped by tribalism, suspicion, and outrage, Jamie argues that many Christian conversations about gender have become less about seeking truth together and more about pro...

Justin talks with author and cultural sage Nicholas McDonald for a theologically rich and aesthetically grounded conversation about what it looks like to create—and engage—art that tells the truth. Rather than treating art as a delivery system for simplistic messages, Nicholas resists the impulse to reduce creativity to propaganda. From the failures of Christian film to what he provocatively calls...

Justin sits down with his co-pastor (and relational strategist) Tony Pyle for a conversation that is deeply theological and disarmingly practical: what does it actually mean to be a neighbor in an age of distraction and relational drift? Rather than treating “neighbor” as a noun or static label, Tony reframes it as a verb—something lived out. Drawing from data, best practices, and the Parable of t...

Justin chops it up with entrepreneur and technologist John Knox about faith, technology, and the rapidly changing digital frontier. From AI to blockchain to the emerging world of Web3, the discussion explores what it might mean for Christians to cultivate a faithful presence in spaces that shape how information is disseminated, how authority is distributed, and how influence flows. Rather than tre...

Dr. J talks with Rachel Smith for a biblically grounded, historically rich, and honest conversation about the Black Church, the Civil Rights Movement, and the long shadow cast over American life. This is not nostalgia or a highlight reel of famous speeches; it’s grappling with how faith formed communities, confronted injustice, and generated real social and economic opportunity. Beginning with the...

Dr. J chats with Dr. Andrew Root for a searching conversation about secularism, belief, and what it means to live faithfully in what we often (too imprecisely) call a “secular age.” Rather than treating secularism as a settled idea or a simple threat to faith, the conversation probes its complexity—how it emerged, how it affects us, and how it quietly reshapes our understanding of meaning, identit...

In this episode of The Intersection , Dr. J is joined by Dr. Rob Joustra—political theorist, scholar, and thoughtful guide through the thicket of modern public life—for a wide-ranging conversation at the crossroads of Christian faith, tribal narratives, and political theology. It seeks to untangle cluttered half-truths, moral panic, and the temptation to reduce complex issues to simple talking poi...

In this episode of The Intersection, Dr. J is joined by Dr. Lee C. Camp—author of Scandalous Witness: A Little Political Manifesto for Christians , professor, speaker, and host of the No Small Endeavor podcast—for an honest conversation at the crossroads of Christian faith, nationalism, and public life—a crossroads often crowded with slogans, pride, and selective memory. Rather than treating Chris...

In this episode of The Intersection, Dr. J talks with Dr. Michael Shi, a Silicon Valley AI researcher, for a clear-eyed conversation at the crossroads of artificial intelligence, faith, and human responsibility—a crossroads typically crowded with hype, fear, and hot air. Rather than treating AI as either savior or saboteur, the conversation frames it as a powerful tool that inevitably reflects the...

In this episode of The Intersection, Dr. J sits down with Colleen Davenport for a thoughtful, clear-eyed conversation at the crossroads of Christianity, culture, and power—an intersection often cluttered with bad history, louder opinions, and the assumption that faith is most faithful when it’s in charge. Together, they bring historical depth and wisdom to a topic many Christians lean on confident...

In this episode of The Intersection, Dr. J chats with microbiologist and educator Dr. Rachel Morris for a rich conversation at the crossroads of science and faith; two worlds people often pit against each other, usually because they’re too busy doomscrolling culture-war headlines. Rachel brings both expertise and empathy as the two explore how socialisation shapes our understanding of complex issu...

In this episode of The Intersection, Dr. J sits talks with Steve Sommerlot, one of the original planters of Riverview Church back in 1977 (and one of Dr. J’s personal Yodas), for a deep dive into identity, grace, and what it actually means to live from your position in Christ. Drawing from the roots of the Jesus Movement and the early days of Riv, Steve reflects on a cultural moment that impacted...

In this episode of The Intersection , Dr. J sits down with Alex Stoehr of Oregon Humanities for a thoughtful and creative exploration of what it means to live out faith in public life. Drawing from her work fostering community through conversation, Alex reflects on how art, poetry, and storytelling can become bridges of understanding in an increasingly divided culture. Together, they unpack the un...

In this episode of The Intersection , Dr. J sits interviews Paul Taylor, Director of Unify at TBC and Co-Founder of the Bay Area Center for Faith, Work & Tech, for a wide-ranging conversation on what it means to follow Jesus at the crossroads of faith, work, and technology in Silicon Valley and beyond. Together, they explore how the post-COVID landscape has created surprising openness to Chris...

In this episode of The Intersection, Dr. J talks with Dr. Jared Huntsinger, lead pastor of Discovery Christian Community Church in Salt Lake City, Utah, for a candid conversation on the legacy of Christendom, the church’s posture in society, and evangelism in a post-Christian world. Together, they trace the movement from Christendom’s cultural dominance to today’s pluralistic landscape, unpacking...

In this episode of The Intersection , Dr. J welcomes back sociologist Dr. Brad Vermurlen for an insightful and discerning conversation at the crossroads of faith, culture, and secular life. Together, they trace the historical and philosophical currents that shaped secularism, unpack its defining features, and confront the forces (re)shaping belief today—from the rise of doubt and indifference to t...

In this episode, Dr. J sits down with Brad Kidder—pastor, comic, church planter, and deeply unserious person (in the best possible way)—to talk about something the church doesn’t always know what to do with: humor. Specifically, how it works, why it matters, and what it’s doing in public, our pews, pulpits, and, yes, even in our hearts. Together, they explore how absurdity shows up not just in com...

In this episode, Dr. J talks with Dr. Michael Wittmer—pastor, professor of theology, and professional taker-of-fun-seriously—about the big question few Christians say out loud: Can I serve Jesus and still enjoy my life? (Spoiler: Yes. And you should.) Pulling from his book Becoming Worldly Saints , Wittmer challenges the tired assumption that “holy” and “enjoyment” are mutually exclusive. Together...

In this episode, Dr. J sits talks with Christine Kite—counselor, trauma specialist, and thoughtful guide at the crossroads of faith and psychology—for a compassionate and eye-opening conversation on mental health and the church. With vulnerability and clarity, Christine unpacks the weight of trauma, the realities of PTSD, and the healing power of being seen, known, and supported. Together, Christi...

In this episode, Dr. J dialogues with Jahshua Smith—educator, leader, and hip hop sage—for a wide-ranging and layered conversation at the crossroads of Jesus and justice. With wisdom, candor, and insight, Jahshua helps unpack the historical and spiritual significance of Juneteenth, not just as a commemorative event, but as an invitation to deeper discipleship and authentic community. From the powe...

In this episode of The Intersection , Dr. J chats with Adsum Try Ravenhill for a rich and down-to-earth conversation about the role of theology in the everyday life of faith. Together, they explore three major types of theology—biblical, systematic, and historical—and why understanding them matters not just for scholars, but for everyday believers seeking to grow in wisdom, worship, and wonder. Wi...

In this episode of The Intersection, Dr. J speaks with sociologist Dr. Brad Vermurlen for a wide-ranging conversation at the crossroads of faith, culture, and political life. Together, they unpack the historical roots and consider/contested features of evangelicalism, examine current trends within the church and society, and explore how sociological patterns shape—and are shaped by—religious ident...