This episode originally aired on July 20, 2020, and trust me when I say it is just as timely and relevant today, in January of 2023, as it was then. 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 … Continue reading Episode 179 – Ashlee Eiland (re-release!)
Episode 178 – Beth Birmingham & Eeva Sallinen Simard
It's not every day that so much wisdom and experience is found in one place, but today is that day! Beth Birmingham and Eeva Sallinen Simard have decades of combined experience in working in and with faith-based organizations. It is because of their commitment in these spaces that they are doing everything they can to … Continue reading Episode 178 – Beth Birmingham & Eeva Sallinen Simard
Episode 177 – Michelle Ferrigno Warren
We're back with a brand-new episode to begin the new year! Michelle Ferrigno Warren has been involved in justice work for decades and her wisdom is priceless. In her newest book, Join the Resistance, she speaks to those of us who are interested in becoming more involved, but may not know exactly where to start. … Continue reading Episode 177 – Michelle Ferrigno Warren
Episode 176 – Sarah Quezada (re-release!)
On this day after Christmas, I am so excited to bring you this re-release from December 20, 2021. This beautiful conversation with Sarah Quezada reminds us of the many ways we live in the tension of the now and not yet as citizens of God's kingdom. Sarah Quezada, author of Love Undocumented joins me on … Continue reading Episode 176 – Sarah Quezada (re-release!)
Episode 174 – Kelley Nikondeha
This advent book (and conversation!) is not just for the Christmas season. I promise you will be blessed by Kelley Nikondeha's words all year long! Her new book, The First Advent in Palestine tells of some of the forgotten stories surrounding Jesus' birth. We know he was born in first century occupied Palestine, but what … Continue reading Episode 174 – Kelley Nikondeha
Episode 172 – Marlena Graves
Three words at the top of Marlena Grave's website sum it up: Jesus. Formation. Justice. These are the foci of what she does as a writer, professor, thinker, mother, wife, community activist, advocate, speaker, and so much more. She and her husband, Shawn, have co-edited a book along those lines called The Gospel of Peace … Continue reading Episode 172 – Marlena Graves
Episode 169 – Soong-Chan Rah
Soong-Chan Rah is a professor at Fuller Theological Seminary (I took a course with him and it was a total blast!). He has also served in ministry as a pastor and studied American Evangelicalism. One of the topics Soong-Chan is known for is the church and social justice. In Return to Justice, he explores the … Continue reading Episode 169 – Soong-Chan Rah
Episode 167 – Jim Wallis
The one and only Jim Wallis is on the podcast! Most recently Jim came on as the director of the Center on Faith + Justice at Georgetown University. He and I met over the summer when the Center hosted its inaugural summer academy and I was blessed enough to attend. For those who may not … Continue reading Episode 167 – Jim Wallis
Episode 164 – Don Schoendorfer
Don Shoendorfer is a biomedical engineer with a PhD from MIT and the founder of Free Wheelchair Mission. Part of what I *love* about Don's story is that he utilized the skills God had already given him to help people with a profound problem - immobility caused by disability. As you'll hear, Don didn't set … Continue reading Episode 164 – Don Schoendorfer
Episode 163 – Kat Armas
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we are re-playing this amazing episode with Kat Armas. Enjoy! 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. … Continue reading Episode 163 – Kat Armas
Episode 162 – Karen González
I am so delighted to welcome Karen González back on the podcast! Her new book, Beyond Welcome, is a beautiful combination of biblical investigation, personal narrative, and the edification we need, especially in the United States, today. We hit the current news right away, with talk of Florida and Texas governors flying and bussing immigrants … Continue reading Episode 162 – Karen González
Episode 159 – Steven Harris
Steven Harris has a resume that could fill this screen, including positions at prestigious institutions you may recognize like Harvard and Georgetown, but I was first introduced to him as the guy who helped my friends and I carry our luggage after a late-night flight to D.C. As the Senior Director of Academic Programs at … Continue reading Episode 159 – Steven Harris
Episode 156 – Amy Sherman
Amy Sherman, Senior Fellow at the Sagamore Institute, has written an exquisite book called Agents of Flourishing. Looking at the biblical mandate for believers to seek the flourishing of our communities, Amy delves into half a dozen endowments, think areas or spheres, where we can focus our energies to contribute to that happening. Each section … Continue reading Episode 156 – Amy Sherman
Episode 154 – Dr. Dwight Radcliff
Dr. Dwight Radcliff is the academic dean for the William E. Pannell Center for Black Church Studies at Fuller Seminary (and one of my favorite professors!). Last term, I took his class on the Theology of Hip Hop Culture and it was life-altering (I don't say that lightly!). As Christians, not just those of training … Continue reading Episode 154 – Dr. Dwight Radcliff
Episode 152 – Phil Allen, Jr.
To say I am moved by this conversation and project by Phil Allen, Jr. would be an understatement. Phil Allen, Jr. is an author, speaker, filmmaker, PhD candidate, friend, and incredibly generous advocate. When, as an adult, he first heard the truth about his grandfather's tragic death that took place in 1953, he knew the … Continue reading Episode 152 – Phil Allen, Jr.
Episode 150 – Jason Porterfield
What a pleasure to read Jason Porterfield's book and to have him on the podcast! Jason, who has written Fight Like Jesus, describes himself as an aspiring peacemaker which is exactly how I know many of us would love to be identified! In this conversation, we talked about the concept that Jesus' last week on … Continue reading Episode 150 – Jason Porterfield
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 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 138 – Rev. Dr. Malcolm Foley
On March 29, 2022, President Biden signed into law the "Emmett Till Antilynching Act." While this is historic, it is also over 100 years and 200 failed votes in the making. There are mixed emotions following the bill's unanimous passing in the Senate and in light of the moment, I'm taking this opportunity to re-air … Continue reading Episode 138 – Rev. Dr. Malcolm Foley
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 134 – Paul Zach
Paul Zach is a music minister who loves writing music for the church to sing. And I, for one, love singing his music! Full time, Paul serves at Christ Episcopal Church in Charlottesville, Virginia. He also collaborates with other artists, musicians, and song writers for projects like those released by The Porter's Gate. In this … Continue reading Episode 134 – Paul Zach
Episode 133 – Michelle Clifton-Soderstrom
Michelle Clifton-Soderstrom is the Dean of Faculty and a professor of theology and ethics at North Park Seminary. She is also the Director of the School of Restorative Arts, which is the primary topic in this episode. The School of Restorative Arts is located inside Stateville Correctional Center outside of Chicago and offers a master's … Continue reading Episode 133 – Michelle Clifton-Soderstrom
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 131 – Young-Sam Won
Dr. Young-Sam Won is the Associate Director of Ministry Formation and an Adjunct Professor of Old Testament at Dallas Theological Seminary. He's also a hoot to follow on Twitter! Sam loves to explore the topics of justice and ethnicity from a biblical (specifically Old Testament) perspective and I am here for it. In this conversation, … Continue reading Episode 131 – Young-Sam Won
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 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 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 091 – Andrew Krinks
Andrew Krinks has a particular academic interest in topics surrounding the intersection of race, religion, and criminalization. Since completing his PhD at Vanderbilt, he is teaching and working on a project concerning how Covid-19 has effected individuals imprisoned in New Jersey. The essay we drew from for today's conversation is one Andrew wrote for a … Continue reading Episode 091 – Andrew Krinks
Episode 090 – Terence Lester
Terence Lester is the founder of Love Beyond Walls, a non-profit based in Atlanta serving people experiencing homelessness. At the beginning of the coronavirus spread early in 2020, the work Terence and his organization had been doing pivoted to meet the changing needs of the people they served. Since handwashing was high on the list … Continue reading Episode 090 – Terence Lester
Episode 077 – Lisa Sharon Harper
Lisa Sharon Harper is an author, speaker, activist, and founder of Freedom Road. She has written a beautiful book called The Very Good Gospel: How Everything Wrong Can Be Made Right which was the basis of our conversation in this episode. We talk about the importance of relationship and narrative and having a "thick" understanding … Continue reading Episode 077 – Lisa Sharon Harper
Episode 065 – Drew G.I. Hart
Dr. Drew G.I. Hart is a theology professor at Messiah University and author of the new book Who Will Be a Witness? Igniting Activism for God's Justice, Love, and Deliverance, which was the basis for much of our discussion in this episode. Ultimately, if we are taking our discipleship of Jesus seriously, we have to … Continue reading Episode 065 – Drew G.I. Hart
Episode 056 – Season 2 Opener!
I can't believe we've been going for a year! Thanks so much for listening! We're giving the podcast a bit of a facelift as we enter year two. We've always been about "faith, finance, and everyday life," but we're growing and evolving and as we enter Season 2 we're shifting the focus to "exploring God's … Continue reading Episode 056 – Season 2 Opener!
Episode 039 – Dr. Christina Crenshaw
Dr. Christina Crenshaw is a full-time lecturer at Baylor University where she teaches on faith, writing, and vocational and church leadership, among other topics. She has researched, written, and spoken extensively on human trafficking and she is an advocate for biblical justice. In our conversation we used her experience in human trafficking to frame a … Continue reading Episode 039 – Dr. Christina Crenshaw