I always love it when I get to interview someone associated with Fuller Seminary and this conversation with Andre Henry is definitely no exception! Andre is a musician, artist, activist, and author of All the White Friends I Couldn't Keep. We cover a lot of ground in this episode, but some of the highlights for … Continue reading Episode 149 – Andre Henry
Episode 148 – Eric Costanzo
Eric Costanzo is a pastor in my home state of Oklahoma! Together with previous guest, Matt Soerens, and Daniel Yang, he has written a fantastic book called Inalienable about how imperative it is for the American church to engage and learn from the global church, especially from voices we have historically sought to marginalize. We … Continue reading Episode 148 – Eric Costanzo
Episode 147 – Amy Kenny
Amy Kenny is a disabled scholar and author of the new book, My Body Is Not a Prayer Request. I am incredibly thankful for Amy and her voice on disability, diversity, and justice in the church. From "prayerful perpetrators," to ableism, to designing spaces for disabled people actually being the more inclusive way, we covered … Continue reading Episode 147 – Amy Kenny
Episode 146 – Claude Atcho
Pastor and author Claude Atcho joined me for this podcast episode to discuss his debut book, Reading Black Books. On this journey into novels and poetry from Black authors, Claude brings voices from Black literature and theology together to explore Black American experiences and the result is rich! What Claude does through his work in … Continue reading Episode 146 – Claude Atcho
Episode 145 – Michelle Ami Reyes
I'm so thrilled to welcome Dr. Michelle Ami Reyes back to the podcast! Michelle is the vice president of the Asian American Christian Collaborative and co-author of new book The Race-Wise Family with Helen Lee. In this incredibly thoughtful and practical text, Michelle and Helen offer us a "road map" of sorts toward loving our … Continue reading Episode 145 – Michelle Ami Reyes
Episode 144 – Gail Song Bantum & Brian Bantum
Gail Song Bantum, lead pastor of Quest Church in Seattle, WA and Brian Bantum, Theologian in Residence, joined me in a conversation on their newest book, Choosing Us. Having been married 25 years and in vocational ministry almost as long, they have learned a thing or two about navigating their relationship in this "world of … Continue reading Episode 144 – Gail Song Bantum & Brian Bantum
Episode 143 – J.W. Buck
J.W. (Josh) Buck is the Executive Director and one of the founders of Pax, a Christian organization designed to inspire and equip the next generation through slow, beautiful, Jesus-centered content created by people of color. While his first book is available for pre-order now (!), in this interview, we focused on his dissertation work on the … Continue reading Episode 143 – J.W. Buck
Episode 142 – Idelette McVicker
Idelette McVicker is a native of South Africa, currently living in Canada with her family, and ministering to Christians like me (in America and globally) on how to fight against white supremacy in our societies. She is the author of Recovering Racists, the founder of She Loves Media Society, and the Dangerous Women community. In … Continue reading Episode 142 – Idelette McVicker
Episode 141 – Stephen Mattson
For the past couple of months, I have been reading my way through an incredible book in my morning prayer time, On Love & Mercy: A Social Justice Devotional. In this beautiful work, Stephen Mattson takes the time to define social justice for Christians and touches on dozens of areas where our attention is needed. … Continue reading Episode 141 – Stephen Mattson
Episode 137 – Amy Julia Becker
Writer, author, and speaker Amy Julia Becker is on the podcast this week talking about healing. Her new book, To Be Made Well is a beautiful reflection on the nature of, barriers to, and how we can participate with God in healing, both our own and that of the people around us. Threading through her … Continue reading Episode 137 – Amy Julia Becker
Episode 136 – Shane Blackshear
Shane Blackshear is the host of Seminary Dropout podcast and the author of a new book full of wisdom from the life of civil rights leader and co-author John Perkins. Go and Do is a wonderful mingling of stories from the lives of John and Shane as well as practical, solid content to help us … Continue reading Episode 136 – Shane Blackshear
Episode 135 – Alicia Akins
Alicia Akins has written a beautiful book called Invitations to Abundance and came on the podcast to talk about it! Alicia serves as a deaconess at her church, is a biblical studies graduate student at Reformed Theological Seminary, and works in international education in Washington D.C. Her gorgeous book narrates the feasts of the Bible … Continue reading Episode 135 – Alicia Akins
Episode 132 – Dennis Edwards
Dr. Dennis Edwards, professor of New Testament at North Park Seminary in Chicago, is on the podcast! His book, Might From the Margins, specifically addresses and encourages Christians who have found themselves marginalized within American Evangelicalism, including Christians of color and women. One of the things I appreciate most about this text and conversation is … Continue reading Episode 132 – Dennis Edwards
Episode 130 – David Swanson
David Swanson is back on the podcast! David is the pastor of New Community Covenant Church in Chicago, the author of Rediscipling the White Church, and regularly speaks and writes on matters of racial justice and reconciliation. The last time David and I recorded was in October of 2020 and as you know a lot … Continue reading Episode 130 – David Swanson
Episode 129 – Natalia Kohn Rivera
Natalia Kohn Rivera is a pastor with InterVarsity's LeFe ministry and co-author of Hermanas. This beautiful book takes the journeys of 12 biblical women and explores them through the lenses of Latina women. In this conversation, Natalia and I discuss the importance of our ethnic identities and our faith as well as what it means … Continue reading Episode 129 – Natalia Kohn Rivera
Episode 128 – Ashley Hales
Ashley Hales is the author of A Spacious Life: Trading Hustle and Hurry for the Goodness of Limits. When I read this book, I felt myself give a big exhale. You mean we're not meant to do it all? Limits are God's design for goodness for our lives? Yes! If you have found yourself overwhelmed … Continue reading Episode 128 – Ashley Hales
Episode 127 – Sandra Maria Van Opstal
You do not have to be an Enneagram 8 (or even know what the Enneagram is) to enjoy this episode! Sandra Maria Van Opstal has written an incredible devotional as part of a series published by InterVarsity Press called Forty Days on Being an Eight. The point of our conversation in this episode was not … Continue reading Episode 127 – Sandra Maria Van Opstal
Episode 126 – April Fiet
April Fiet is a pastor and author of The Sacred Pulse: Holy Rhythms for Overwhelmed Souls. In this conversation we explore the daily, weekly, and yearly rhythms of life. God has given us this sacred pulse in his generosity, both modeled in creation and, in order to help us sustain this abundant life. From the … Continue reading Episode 126 – April Fiet
Episode 124 – Dan Stringer
Dan Stringer is a pastor in Hawai'i and the author of Struggling with Evangelicalism. Like many of us who grew up in American evangelicalism, Dan recognizes the problems. But he doesn't stop there; he challenges us to look at the good, the bad, and the ugly and encourages us to locate ourselves in relationship with … Continue reading Episode 124 – Dan Stringer
Episode 123 – Sarah Quezada
Sarah Quezada, author of Love Undocumented joins me on the podcast this week! With Christmas coming, what better way to begin our week than with a story from the beautiful tradition of Las Posadas? If you're not familiar, it is a Latin American Christmas tradition where friends, family, and neighbors reenact Mary and Joseph looking … Continue reading Episode 123 – Sarah Quezada
Episode 121 – Mae Elise Cannon
Welcome back to the podcast, Mae Cannon! Mae and I last spoke when her most recent book, Beyond Hashtag Activism, released and I knew then I wanted to have her back. This time she talks peace and politics in the Middle East. As far as knowledge and activism are concerned, Mae and the organization she … Continue reading Episode 121 – Mae Elise Cannon
Episode 120 – Cindy Wu
My guest this week is fellow Houstonian, Cindy Wu, Program Manager with Houston Welcomes Refugees. Cindy studied at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and has written an incredible workbook for believers looking to expand their practical theology on the topic of refugees called A Better Country. Cindy's passion for serving refugees was birthed in her at a … Continue reading Episode 120 – Cindy Wu
Episode 119 – Alan Noble
Alan Noble joins me to talk about his latest book, You Are Not Your Own. The concept is simple, but as we know simple does not usually mean easy to live out. As believers we understand that we belong to Christ and to each other, not to ourselves, but culture tells us something very different. … Continue reading Episode 119 – Alan Noble
Episode 118 – Matthew Soerens
Matthew Soerens of World Relief and the Evangelical Immigration Table joins me today on the podcast to talk about immigration from a biblical perspective. Welcoming the Stranger, one of the books Matt co-authored on the subject, was recently released in a revised and updated edition in order to stay current with the laws and policies … Continue reading Episode 118 – Matthew Soerens
Episode 115 – Karen González
Karen González joins me on the podcast to talk about immigration and the Bible. Karen's experiences as an immigrant and her seminary education bring unique perspectives I hope we will all take the time and space to consider. As a child, Karen immigrated to the U.S. with her family from Guatemala. In her book, The … Continue reading Episode 115 – Karen González
Episode 113 – Michaela O’Donnell
Michaela O'Donnell is the Executive Director of the Max De Pree Center for Leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary. She also works with her husband, Daniel, in their company Long Winter Media. On the podcast today, we talked about her new book Make Work Matter and more generally about vocational formation. Michaela's work and research the … Continue reading Episode 113 – Michaela O’Donnell
Episode 112 – Terry Wildman
Terry Wildman is the lead translator and project manager of the First Nations Version of the New Testament. In this conversation, Terry talks about the intersection of being Christian and Native and what that has meant for him as he has explored the two, personally and in community. Cultural context in worship has received pushback … Continue reading Episode 112 – Terry Wildman
Episode 111 – Danté Stewart
This conversation with Danté Stewart was almost a year in the making, but it was well worth the wait! Danté's first book, a memoir, comes out on October 12 and it is a gift! Shoutin' in the Fire: An American Epistle tells the story of a faith journey that has become all too familiar in … Continue reading Episode 111 – Danté Stewart
Episode 110 – Drew Jackson
Drew Jackson is a pastor in NYC, the president of Pax, and author of God Speaks Through Wombs: Poems on God's Unexpected Coming. This book is a beautiful journey through the first eight chapters of the Gospel of Luke in poetic form. Drew captures the humanity of Jesus in these pages: his marginalization, his incarnation, … Continue reading Episode 110 – Drew Jackson
Episode 108 – Vince Bantu
Dr. Vince Bantu is an associate professor at Fuller Seminary (whoop!) and the director at Meachum School of Haymanot. Vince's areas of missiological interest and academic research focus on Christianity as a global religion. Not in the sense, as some scholars proclaim, that Christianity is becoming a global religion, but rooted in the fact that … Continue reading Episode 108 – Vince Bantu
Episode 106 – Mandy Smith
Mandy Smith is a pastor, speaker, and author and her latest book, Unfettered, nearly wrecked me (in the best possible way!). In the book and our conversation, Mandy unpacks the baggage of Western culture and how it is impacting our faith. Mandy's journey in this season began with a sabbatical, observing a flock of geese, … Continue reading Episode 106 – Mandy Smith
Episode 104 – Mark Scandrette
Mark Scandrette is an author, pastor, theologian, and gifted teacher. During this conversation, we talk about his newest book, The Ninefold Path of Jesus: Hidden Wisdom of the Beatitudes. When we read the "blessed are the...." in the Beatitudes it can sometimes feel overwhelming. We ask ourselves how we can do or be all of … Continue reading Episode 104 – Mark Scandrette
Episode 103 – Dr. Kelly Flanagan
Dr. Kelly Flanagan, author, psychologist, speaker, and consultant, joined me for this episode of the podcast. The subject of our conversation is companionship in the context of philia, the kind of love that walks alongside others through the good and the gritty parts of life. His new book, True Companions, highlights this journey in ways … Continue reading Episode 103 – Dr. Kelly Flanagan
Episode 102 – Elsie Tshimunyi McKee
Dr. Elsie Tshimunyi McKee, retired professor of Reformed Studies at Princeton Theological Seminary, joins me on the podcast today. She has co-written a lovely book with her friend Monique Misenga Ngoie Mukuna, whom you'll hear us refer to as Maman Monique during the course of our conversation. Both ladies grew up in the Democratic Republic … Continue reading Episode 102 – Elsie Tshimunyi McKee
Episode 101 – Dominique Dubois Gilliard
"We are a nation that has become addicted to incarceration." Dominique Gilliard is an author, speaker, teacher, and the Director of Racial Righteousness and Reconciliation for the Love Mercy Do Justice initiative of the Evangelical Covenant Church. His first book, Rethinking Incarceration: Advocating for Justice that Restores was the topic of our conversation today. The … Continue reading Episode 101 – Dominique Dubois Gilliard
Episode 099 – Kat Armas
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. In her book, Kat introduces us to her grandmother and other women … Continue reading Episode 099 – Kat Armas
Episode 098 – Taylor Schumann
Taylor Schumann is a survivor of gun violence and author of the book When Thoughts and Prayers Aren't Enough: A Shooting Survivor's Journey into the Realities of Gun Violence. Like many of us in the United States, Taylor grew up seeing gun ownership as an un-problematic part of American culture. In the church, some celebrate … Continue reading Episode 098 – Taylor Schumann
Episode 097 – Duke Kwon
As Christians, what responsibility do we have if we know a crime has been committed? Specifically, what about a theft? Authors and pastors Duke Kwon and Gregory Thompson address those questions in their new book, Reparations: A Christian Call for Repentance and Repair. Pastor Kwon joined me for this episode of the podcast to talk … Continue reading Episode 097 – Duke Kwon
Episode 093 – Osheta Moore
Osheta Moore is a pastor and peacemaker bent on demolishing the hold white supremacy has had on God's children. Her brand new book Dear White Peacemakers: Dismantling Racism With Grit and Grace is the book I would hand to so many of my White friends contemplating how they can move forward in their journeys of … Continue reading Episode 093 – Osheta Moore
Episode 084 – Lindsey Krinks
Lindsey Krinks is the Co-Founder and Director of Education and Advocacy at Open Table Nashville. Her new book, Praying With Our Feet: Pursuing Justice and Healing On the Streets, recounts her journey from college student to interfaith street chaplain. In her journey, Lindsey has not shied away from asking the tough questions about faith, homelessness, … Continue reading Episode 084 – Lindsey Krinks
Episode 081 – A.D. Thomason
A.D. "Lumkile" Thomason has a vast resume. He is a husband, father, holds a doctorate, studied fashion, spoken word artist, filmmaker, former pastor and basketball player. His new book is out called Permission to Be Black: My Journey with Jay-Z and Jesus and it is deep. Throughout his life, A.D. never really processed the trauma … Continue reading Episode 081 – A.D. Thomason
Episode 079 – Dan Kimball
Dan Kimball is one of the founders of Vintage Faith Church in Santa Cruz, CA. He is also the author of his newest book, How (Not) to Read the Bible: Making Sense of the Anti-Women, Anti-Science, Pro-Violence, Pro-Slavery & Other Crazy-Sounding Parts of Scripture. Even the subtitle covers a lot, but the birth of the … Continue reading Episode 079 – Dan Kimball
Episode 078 – Tara Beth Leach
Tara Beth Leach is a pastor at Christ Church of Oak Brook in the Chicago area. She and her family recently moved back home following a time of her pastoring in Pasadena, CA at First Church of the Nazarene, a.k.a. PazNaz. As a pastor in white evangelical spaces, Tara Beth has been able to capture … Continue reading Episode 078 – Tara Beth Leach
Episode 076 – Jemar Tisby
Jemar Tisby, the New York Times bestselling author of The Color of Compromise, is back on the podcast with an incredible conversation about his new book, How To Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey Toward Racial Justice. We recorded this episode on January 12, 2021, less than one week after the insurrection at the … Continue reading Episode 076 – Jemar Tisby
Episode 070 – Holly Christine Hayes
Holly Christine Hayes is the founder and CEO of Sanctuary Project. The jewelry her company makes and sells is beautiful and so is its mission and Holly's story. It is all about redemption and rescue, healing and hope! Holly once lived a life of addiction where she suffered violence and was trafficked. Then, in the … Continue reading Episode 070 – Holly Christine Hayes
Episode 069 – Mae Elise Cannon
Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon is the Executive Director of Churches for Middle East Peace. Her most recent book Beyond Hashtag Activism: Comprehensive Justice in a Complicated Age is a must-read for anyone who wants to pursue justice, but is having a hard time figuring out where to start. In our conversation we touched on … Continue reading Episode 069 – Mae Elise Cannon
Episode 068 – Scott Sauls
Scott Sauls is the senior pastor at Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, TN. His latest book, A Gentle Answer: Our "Secret Weapon" in an Age of Us Against Them, released this summer and it is an answer to prayer! We all realize 2020 has turned out to be more than we bargained for, but the … Continue reading Episode 068 – Scott Sauls
Episode 066 – MelindaJoy Mingo
MelindaJoy Mingo has written an incredible book called The Colors of Culture: The Beauty of Diverse Friendships and she joined me to talk about it! I don't know how many times I have had the conversation about the role diversity and relationships within the larger problem of systemic injustices. Sometimes it feels hopeless, like what … Continue reading Episode 066 – MelindaJoy Mingo
Episode 063 – Kaitlyn Schiess
As of this airing, we are approximately one week away from the end of the 2020 election cycle. We have complicated questions, strong opinions, curated convictions, and close relationships to navigate and at times it feels impossible. Enter Kaitlyn Schiess! Her new book The Liturgy of Politics: Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Our Neighbor … Continue reading Episode 063 – Kaitlyn Schiess
Episode 062 – Scott Erickson
Advent couldn't come soon enough for me this year; and I don't think I'm alone! Scott Erickson helps bring the season a little closer to home with our conversation on his book, Honest Advent: Awakening to the Wonder of God-with-Us Then, Here, and Now. Scott is an artist, which encompasses a whole host of creative … Continue reading Episode 062 – Scott Erickson
Episode 059 – Jemar Tisby
Jemar Tisby is the New York Times best-selling author of The Color of Compromse: The Truth About the American Church's Complicity in Racism. He is also the president and co-founder of The Witness - A Black Christian Collective. Jemar talked about the current civil rights movement, what Christians can do to educate themselves and gave … Continue reading Episode 059 – Jemar Tisby
Episode 057 – Daniel Hill
Pastor Daniel Hill joined me to talk about his new book White Lies and it was powerful! White supremacy as an ideology has played an unfortunate role in the Church in America and we as believers have allowed it to continue on our watch for far too long. True, not everyone is intentionally promoting white … Continue reading Episode 057 – Daniel Hill
Episode 054 – Chrystal Evans Hurst, Author, The 28-Day Prayer Journey
I am so excited about this episode with Chrystal! I don't know any Christian who hasn't struggled with aspects of his or her prayer life and Chrystal is no exception. Her new book The 28-Day Prayer Journey: A Daily Guide to Conversations with God began out of her own journey to see her relationship with … Continue reading Episode 054 – Chrystal Evans Hurst, Author, The 28-Day Prayer Journey
Episode 053 – Cara Meredith, Author, The Color of Life
Cara Meredith is an author, speaker, and conversationalist. She's also a wife, mother, and follower of Jesus. But how I encountered her most meaningfully is as a student. Her spiritual memoir, The Color of Life: A Journey Toward Love and Racial Justice tells the story of how Cara met and fell in love with her … Continue reading Episode 053 – Cara Meredith, Author, The Color of Life
Episode 052 – Megan Fate Marshman, Pastor and Author, Meant for Good
Megan Fate Marshman brings the encouragement in this conversation and in her new book Meant for Good: The Adventure of Trusting God and His Plans for You! Her joy is contagious and her teaching is challenging in the best way possible. In the book, Megan breaks down the famous verse Jeremiah 29:11, and the three … Continue reading Episode 052 – Megan Fate Marshman, Pastor and Author, Meant for Good
Episode 050 – Mark Charles, Presidential Candidate and Author
Mark Charles is a speaker, author, advocate, and an independent candidate for President in the upcoming 2020 election. His new book, co-authored with Soong-Chan Rah is Unsettling Truths: The Ongoing Dehumanizing Legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery. To me, Mark is a conversation starter. His ideas bring to the forefront truths about our country and … Continue reading Episode 050 – Mark Charles, Presidential Candidate and Author
Episode 048 – Ashlee Eiland, Pastor and Author, Human(kind)
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 Ashlee serves as a Formation and Preaching Pastor. Ashlee has a message that could not be more relevant and timely for us living in the current cultural climate … Continue reading Episode 048 – Ashlee Eiland, Pastor and Author, Human(kind)
Episode 045 – Sean Dietrich, Author of Will the Circle Be Unbroken?
Sean Dietrich, better known as Sean of the South, is a popular blogger and storyteller. He hosts a podcast and is the author of his memoir and most recent book, Will the Circle Be Unbroken? A Memoir of Learning to Believe You're Gonna Be Okay. If you know me in real life, you know there's … Continue reading Episode 045 – Sean Dietrich, Author of Will the Circle Be Unbroken?
Episode 038 – Shannan Martin
I had a blast talking to Shannan Martin! Shannan is a speaker, writer, mom, and wife to Cory who works as a chaplain at the local jail. I finished her first book Falling Free: Rescued From the Life I Always Wanted literally only moments before our interview and I'm pretty sure I'm digesting parts of … Continue reading Episode 038 – Shannan Martin
Episode 035 – Jeanne Bishop, Author of Grace from the Rubble
Jeanne Bishop is an attorney, advocate, and author. Her most recent book release, Grace from the Rubble, tells the story of Bill McVeigh, the father of Timothy McVeigh who was convicted of bombing the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City on April 19, 1995 and Bud Welch, who is the father of one of the … Continue reading Episode 035 – Jeanne Bishop, Author of Grace from the Rubble