https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-juc69-17c5846 In this episode of Church and Main, I explore the intersection of faith, politics, and culture after President Trump's inauguration, focusing on the critical role the church can play in bridging societal divides. I speak with Cathy Bien, leader of the Campaign for Kindness at the Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas, about... Continue Reading →

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-63xj8-17b2ff1 In this episode, I speak with Martha Tatarnik, a priest at St. George's Anglican Church and co-host of the Future Christian podcast. We explore the challenges of discussing success and failure in church leadership, drawing from Martha's 2023 article, "It's Hard to Talk About Success in the Church." She shares her experiences in a... Continue Reading →

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-y3thz-17926c7  I sit down with Jim Moore, an experienced Presbyterian pastor and current college chaplain at Westminster College, to discuss the profound impact of simply showing up in the lives of others. Jim shares insights from his journey in ministry, highlighting the unique challenges and opportunities of campus life. We focus on his article, "Just... Continue Reading →

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-ergfv-177f3fe In this solo episode (and last for 2024), I analyze the tragic murder of Brian Thompson, former CEO of UnitedHealthcare, through a moral lens. This discussion leads to a broader critique of societal responses to violence and the need for humility and understanding in healthcare discourse and other issues.I conclude with a call for... Continue Reading →

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-xqxmi-177bbff  I speak with Luke Allen, lead organizer for Michigan Faith in Action, about the intersection of faith, community organizing, and cultural change after recent elections. Luke shares his journey from rural roots to urban organizing, highlighting shared struggles among diverse groups in the working class.We discuss the importance of building relationships, particularly with faith... Continue Reading →

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-w7xx3-176b003 I speak with Professor Jesse Smith from Benedictine College about his article "Sociology in the Age of Trump," focusing on the sociological perspectives of Trump voters. We discuss the political polarization in America, the impact of religion, and the need for empathetic research that respects voters' lived experiences. Jesse critiques the politicization of sociological... Continue Reading →

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-qeqyc-175c30c Beth Crissman is an ordained elder and a district superintendent in the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church. Crissman is also behind the Purple Church Initiative, an effort by the Western North Carolina Conference working to get people on differing sides of the partisan divide in our country to see each... Continue Reading →

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-5aeqt-17497ea Tessa works at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota as a program manager for Faith+Lead Academy. She is the co-author of Leading Faithful Innovation: Following God into a Hopeful Future, published by Fortress Press in April 2023. We talk about the spiritual practice of Dwelling In the Word, what it’s all about and how... Continue Reading →

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-ywzxh-173c063 In this episode, Pastor Liz Eide discusses the renewal journey of the Lutheran Church of Peace in Maplewood, Minnesota, emphasizing the transformative power of listening. Since 2018, she has led efforts to deepen relationships through structured listening sessions, intertwining biblical narratives with personal stories to foster community bonds. Pastor Eide shares how this approach... Continue Reading →