The Radical Middle

Should Christians identify as Republican or Democrat? Or is there a better way? In this episode of The Radical Middle, Tommy Nixon tackles one of the most controversial questions in modern Christianity: How would Jesus vote? Rather than placing Jesus inside today's political parties, Tommy explores how the teachings of Jesus transcend partisan politics while still calling believers to engage...

Have you ever sat in church and wondered, Do we actually believe what we say we believe? In this episode of The Radical Middle, Tommy Nixon shares a personal story from his early years in ministry that forced him to confront one of the hardest realities of faith: Christian hypocrisy. Wrestling with the disconnect between worship culture and the suffering happening just miles away, Tommy explores t...

In this episode of The Radical Middle, we confront a growing problem shaping our homes, churches, and public life. We are losing the ability to truly engage with one another. Tommy Nixon breaks down three major forces driving this breakdown: the tribal pull that shapes identity and belonging, the collapse of meaningful dialogue in a social media driven world, and the tension between belonging and...

What can a parking dispute teach us about politics, tribalism, and the teachings of Jesus? Quite a lot. When a frustrated neighbor begins leaving bags of dog poop on his truck over a partially blocked sidewalk, Tommy Nixon finds himself face-to-face with the same reactive instincts shaping so much of modern culture: fighting, fleeing, freezing, or fawning. In this episode of The Radical Middle, To...

In Part 2 of this series on the Jesus Way, Tommy Nixon confronts one of the biggest tensions in modern culture: everyone wants Jesus on their side, but Jesus refuses to fit neatly into political, cultural, or ideological boxes. This episode explores how both conservatives and progressives often reshape Jesus into the image of their own agendas while avoiding the harder truths of His teachings. Tom...

Why does Jesus refuse to fit into modern political and cultural categories? In this episode of The Radical Middle , Tommy Nixon unpacks the tension at the center of faith today. Both conservatives and progressives claim Jesus, yet neither fully captures who He is. So what do we do when Jesus challenges both sides? This episode explores why Jesus is often reduced to political ideology, how that dis...

Why do so many people want to make a difference but stay stuck, angry, numb, or disconnected? In this episode of The Radical Middle, Tommy Nixon explores the hidden trauma responses that keep us from changing the world: fight, flight, freeze, and fawn. Tommy unpacks how collective trauma, political division, church hurt, broken systems, and personal pain can shape the way we respond to today’s wor...

In this episode of The Radical Middle , Tommy Nixon dives into the tension many people feel when they begin to see the world for what it really is, broken, complicated, and deeply human. What happens when you realize that institutions, leaders, and systems you once trusted are flawed? And more importantly, how do you respond without becoming cynical, bitter, or disengaged? This conversation explor...

In this deeply personal episode of The Radical Middle, Tommy Nixon shares the story of his mother and the powerful life lesson she gave him that still shapes his faith today: “Be Better.” After losing his mom suddenly, Tommy reflects on her life as an educator, leader, and follower of Jesus. Through grief, memories, and faith, he explores what it really means to grow spiritually without falling in...

What happens when faith collides with church hurt, political division, and real life in broken communities? In this episode of The Radical Middle Podcast, host Tommy Nixon shares the origin story behind the Radical Middle and the personal journey that shaped this movement. Growing up between different cultures, political perspectives, and church environments, Tommy wrestled with the tension betwee...

In this relaunch episode, Tommy Nixon reintroduces the framework behind the Radical Middle and why it matters right now. In a culture shaped by political tribalism, church hypocrisy, deconstruction, and rising disillusionment, many Christians feel politically homeless and spiritually exhausted. This episode offers a different way forward. Tommy shares the origin story of the Radical Middle, from w...

In this final episode of The Radical Middle Podcast , hosts Tommy Nixon and Lenmarie Pascal take a heartfelt look back at their journey over 50 episodes, reflecting on the podcast’s origins and the purpose that shaped it. Created to foster conversations around complex social and church issues, the podcast sought to promote dialogue and mutual understanding across diverse perspectives. Now, as they...

In this episode of The Radical Middle Podcast , hosts Tommy Nixon and Lenmarie Pascal dive into a crucial topic affecting today’s Christian communities—the impact of excessive niceness. Could this culture of "niceness" be one of the reasons young people are drifting away from the church? Tommy and Lenmarie discuss how this overly polite approach often blocks meaningful relationships and...

In this episode of the Radical Middle Podcast, hosts Tommy Nixon and Lenmarie Pascal explore sexual ethics, critiquing both conservative purity culture and progressive attitudes towards sexuality. They discuss the impact of these teachings on different generations and stress the need for balanced, scripturally-informed discussions on intimacy and sexual ethics within Christian communities. Support...

In this episode of The Radical Middle Podcast, hosts Tommy Nixon and Lenmarie Pascall are joined by their intern, Taitem Brown, for an insightful discussion on the dynamics and tensions between Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. They delve into how these different generations shape societal norms, influence leadership styles, and impact cultural values. The conversation highlights the crucial role of...

In this episode of The Radical Middle Podcast, hosts Tommy Nixon and Lenmarie Pascall dive into the complex intersection of politics and Christianity, especially during the heightened tensions of the political season. They emphasize that the "radical middle" isn’t about taking a neutral or passive stance, but rather about engaging deeply and thoughtfully with politics from a Christian wo...

The Radical Middle Podcast, hosted by Tommy Nixon and Lenmarie Pascall, explores the concept of the "radical middle," which emphasizes living out the teachings of Jesus in a genuine, thoughtful way. Unlike a centrist approach, the radical middle involves deeply wrestling with Christian truths and engaging in meaningful dialogue to understand and apply them. The podcast addresses the chal...

In this episode, Tommy and Lenmarie take a deep dive into the reasons why Christians, particularly those in leadership and institutional roles, often struggle with conflict. They explore how the reluctance to confront disagreements head-on has led to a widespread phenomenon known as "church hurt," where unresolved issues create rifts within congregations and communities. The hosts argue...

In this episode of the Radical Middle Podcast, Tommy and Lenmarie dive deep into the complex and often contentious topic of masculinity, viewed through the lens of Christian faith. The discussion begins with a provocative question: If you were alone in a forest, would you feel safer with a man or a bear? Surprisingly, many choose the bear, a response that opens the door to a broader conversation a...

In this compelling episode of the Radical Middle Podcast, hosts Tommy Nixon and Lenmarie Pascall engage in a thorough examination of a significant question facing the religious community today: Should megachurches continue in their current form? With a keen eye on the evolving landscape of modern faith, they highlight several critical issues that megachurches must address to remain relevant and ef...

In this episode of the Radical Middle podcast, hosts Tommy Nixon and Lenmarie Pascall take a deep dive into the concept of "justice fatigue." They explore the multifaceted challenges of staying actively engaged in social justice amidst the backdrop of overwhelming global crises. The conversation touches on the intense pressures faced by public advocates and the very real risks of burnout...

In this episode of the Radical Middle podcast, hosts Tommy Nixon and Lenmarie delve into the profound challenges of properly addressing grief, particularly within the church. They are joined by guest Angel Maldonado, who shares his personal journey through grief, from the loss of his father to his move to California. Maldonado sheds light on the often inadequate responses he encountered, especiall...

In the latest episode of the Radical Middle Podcast, hosts Tommy Nixon and Lenmarie Pascall, along with Esteban Shedd from Streetlights, explore the transformative power of the Bible when it is made accessible through modern methods like hip-hop beats. They discuss the troublingly low engagement levels among Christians, which they attribute to digital distractions and a lack of spiritual hunger. T...

In this episode of the "Radical Middle" podcast, hosts Tommy Nixon and Lenmarie Pascal delve into the evolving landscape of Church practices in the wake of the pandemic, focusing on innovative approaches tailored to young adult ministry.  They advocate for transformative changes that prioritize authenticity, community engagement, and discipleship.  The discussion highlights the urgency o...

In this episode of the "Radical Middle" podcast, hosts Tommy Nixon and Lenmarie Pascal delve into critical questions facing young adult leaders in Christian ministry. They examine the nuanced differences in cultural, ethnic, and church contexts and how these factors influence authenticity in leadership. The discussion probes the challenge of discerning genuine authenticity amidst charism...