Good God: Recent Episodes
Dr. George Mason
Good God, the podcast, will attempt to refasten the ties that bind neighbor to neighbor. Through conversations on matters of faith and public life, the host, Dr. George Mason, will attempt to move people toward one another and restore confidence in God’s purposeful activity in all things. “Only God is good,” Jesus said. Which means that all goodness is found in reference to God, including public good.
In this episode of Good God, George Mason sits down with Amanda Tyler, Executive Director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty and lead organizer for Christians Against Christian Nationalism. Amanda shares insights from her new book, How to End Christian Nationalism, exploring the steps needed to dismantle this dangerous ideology while promoting religious freedom for all. From defining Christian nationalism to addressing its impact on public schools and political power, Amanda calls us to engage deeply in protecting democracy and fostering pluralism.
Amanda Tyler is a lawyer, religious liberty advocate, and leader in the fight against Christian nationalism, working to ensure the separation of church and state and to promote justice for all.
In this episode of Good God, George Mason sits down with journalist Bekah McNeel to discuss her latest book, This Is Going to Hurt: Following Jesus in a Divided America. Together, they explore the profound intersections of faith, suffering, and public life, challenging us to move beyond binaries and embrace self-sacrificial love in the face of division. From reframing stories about immigration and race to understanding the call of the cross as a daily act of radical compassion, Bekah invites listeners to go deeper into their convictions and rethink what it means to love their neighbors.
Bekah McNeel is a San Antonio-based journalist and storyteller who writes on education, faith, and society for publications such as Texas Monthly, Sojourners, and Christianity Today.
In this special year-end episode of State of Our Faith, Rev. George Mason, Rabbi Nancy Kasten, and Mara Richards Bim reflect on themes of light and darkness across their faith traditions.
As the holidays and new year approach, they discuss the significance of embracing both light and shadow, the importance of community and rest, and how faith calls us to be active participants in bringing hope to the world. Together, they offer insights and encouragement for finding light in challenging times.
In this special post-election episode of the "10 for 10: Voting Vision, Not Division" series, Rabbi Nancy Kasten and Rev. Dr. George Mason reflect on the surprises and challenges of the election results. They discuss how faith values can guide responses to shifting political landscapes, the importance of addressing local issues like housing and food access, and why advocating for good governance remains essential. Together, they emphasize the need for persistence and collaboration to create meaningful change, even when political winds shift. As the dust settles, this conversation invites listeners to stay engaged, persevere, and work toward unity and justice in their communities.
What is 10 for 10: Voting Vision not Division? Starting on September 2, 2024 and continuing every Monday for ten weeks through November 4, Faith Commons is offering ten 10-minute reflections on topics related to the upcoming election through the lens of religion. Our premise is that religion should be used to unite people and groups of people rather than to divide them, and that the founders of our country shared our view.
In the final episode of our "10 for 10: Voting Vision, Not Division" series, Faith Commons reflects on the importance of character in leadership as we approach Election Day. Through a lens of faith, George, Mara, and Nancy explore how integrity, responsibility, and truthfulness in our leaders shape our collective identity and influence our values. From local offices to the highest levels of government, this conversation underscores the impact of character on policies that affect our communities. As you head to the polls, consider how each candidate’s character reflects the future you envision for our nation, grounded in shared moral principles. And as we move past this election, consider the role you can play in shaping that future.
What is 10 for 10: Voting Vision not Division? Starting on September 2, 2024 and continuing every Monday for ten weeks through November 4, Faith Commons is offering ten 10-minute reflections on topics related to the upcoming election through the lens of religion. Our premise is that religion should be used to unite people and groups of people rather than to divide them, and that the founders of our country shared our view.
The Faith Commons team unpacks what freedom means in a society bound by shared values and responsibilities. Reflecting on individual conscience, faith-based values, and the role of community, they discuss how freedom is shaped by both personal and collective responsibility, urging voters to consider the delicate balance between rights and obligations. Together, they explore how true freedom involves respecting others’ autonomy while living by example and fostering a spirit of connection.
What is 10 for 10: Voting Vision not Division? Starting on September 2, 2024 and continuing every Monday for ten weeks through November 4, Faith Commons is offering ten 10-minute reflections on topics related to the upcoming election through the lens of religion. Our premise is that religion should be used to unite people and groups of people rather than to divide them, and that the founders of our country shared our view.
In this episode, the Faith Commons team discusses how faith shapes our understanding of economic systems. From fair treatment of workers to addressing inequality, the conversation highlights how public policy can uphold dignity and fairness, encouraging voters to reflect on the ethical impact of economic choices as they head to the polls. The team emphasizes the importance of creating an economy that serves everyone, not just the privileged few.
What is 10 for 10: Voting Vision not Division? Starting on September 2, 2024 and continuing every Monday for ten weeks through November 4, Faith Commons is offering ten 10-minute reflections on topics related to the upcoming election through the lens of religion. Our premise is that religion should be used to unite people and groups of people rather than to divide them, and that the founders of our country shared our view.
This episode reflects on immigration through the lens of faith, with the Faith Commons team exploring how religious stories emphasize compassion for migrants. Drawing on biblical narratives and personal experiences, the conversation addresses the realities of an unknown future and the complexities of immigration policy today, urging voters to consider the values of hospitality, justice, and care for the vulnerable as they head to the polls.
What is 10 for 10: Voting Vision not Division? Starting on September 2, 2024 and continuing every Monday for ten weeks through November 4, Faith Commons is offering ten 10-minute reflections on topics related to the upcoming election through the lens of religion. Our premise is that religion should be used to unite people and groups of people rather than to divide them, and that the founders of our country shared our view.
In this special episode, the Faith Commons team reflects on the one-year anniversary of the war between Israel and Hamas. Drawing from their own experiences in the region and their faith traditions, Rev. Dr. George Mason, Rabbi Nancy Kasten, and Mara Richards Bim grapple with the complexities of ongoing violence and the pursuit of peace. They discuss the difficulties of peacemaking, the limits of our understanding, and the importance of solidarity and compassion in a world divided by conflict. As they consider the impact of faith on public policy and voting, they challenge listeners to reflect on what makes a land holy and how to work toward a future rooted in justice and peace.
What is 10 for 10: Voting Vision not Division? Starting on September 2, 2024 and continuing every Monday for ten weeks through November 4, Faith Commons is offering ten 10-minute reflections on topics related to the upcoming election through the lens of religion. Our premise is that religion should be used to unite people and groups of people rather than to divide them, and that the founders of our country shared our view.
In this episode, the Faith Commons team discusses how faith traditions call us to care for the planet and address the urgent challenges of climate change. Drawing on Jewish and Christian teachings, they explore how public policy can promote renewable energy, reduce carbon emissions, and protect vulnerable communities already facing the impacts of a changing climate. As Election Day approaches, this conversation challenges us to reimagine our role in environmental stewardship and the concrete steps we can take to safeguard the Earth for future generations.
What is 10 for 10: Voting Vision not Division? Starting on September 2, 2024 and continuing every Monday for ten weeks through November 4, Faith Commons is offering ten 10-minute reflections on topics related to the upcoming election through the lens of religion. Our premise is that religion should be used to unite people and groups of people rather than to divide them, and that the founders of our country shared our view.
In this episode of "10 for 10: Voting Vision Not Division," Rev. Dr. George Mason, Rabbi Nancy Kasten, and Mara Richards Bim dive into the complexities of family and what it means to support families in today’s world. From the diverse family structures seen in religious texts to the modern policies needed to uplift all families, they discuss how faith calls for a broader, more inclusive understanding of family. The conversation covers essential topics like childcare assistance, paid leave, and family unity, urging voters to reflect on how public policies can strengthen families in all forms.
What is 10 for 10: Voting Vision not Division? Starting on September 2, 2024 and continuing every Monday for ten weeks through November 4, Faith Commons is offering ten 10-minute reflections on topics related to the upcoming election through the lens of religion. Our premise is that religion should be used to unite people and groups of people rather than to divide them, and that the founders of our country shared our view.
In this episode of "10 for 10: Voting Vision Not Division," Rev. Dr. George Mason, Rabbi Nancy Kasten, and Mara Richards Bim reflect on the role of healthcare in a faith-driven society. From the holistic healing ministry of Jesus to the ethical teachings of Maimonides, the discussion highlights the importance of universal healthcare access and the intersection of faith, medicine, and policy. As Election Day approaches, this episode invites voters to consider healthcare policies through the lens of compassion and justice, addressing issues like prescription drug costs, maternal health, and public safety.
What is 10 for 10: Voting Vision not Division? Starting on September 2, 2024 and continuing every Monday for ten weeks through November 4, Faith Commons is offering ten 10-minute reflections on topics related to the upcoming election through the lens of religion. Our premise is that religion should be used to unite people and groups of people rather than to divide them, and that the founders of our country shared our view.
In this episode of "10 for 10: Voting Vision Not Division," Rabbi Nancy Kasten, Rev. Dr. George Mason, and Mara Richards Bim examine the vital role education plays in shaping our values and beliefs, both as individuals and as a society. They reflect on the importance of public education, the separation of church and state, and the influence of faith on education policy. As the election approaches, this episode encourages voters to consider how their religious convictions can inform their decisions about educational equity, government oversight, and the protection of diverse perspectives in our schools.
What is 10 for 10: Voting Vision not Division? Starting on September 2, 2024 and continuing every Monday for ten weeks through November 4, Faith Commons is offering ten 10-minute reflections on topics related to the upcoming election through the lens of religion. Our premise is that religion should be used to unite people and groups of people rather than to divide them, and that the founders of our country shared our view.
In this inaugural episode of "10 for 10: Voting Vision Not Division," Rev. Dr. George Mason is joined by Rabbi Nancy Kasten and Mara Richards Bim to explore the significance of labor through the lens of faith. As we reflect on Labor Day, the discussion delves into how religious traditions emphasize the dignity of work, the necessity of rest, and the importance of fair labor practices. This episode challenges listeners to think critically about how their beliefs can shape their voting decisions on issues related to labor and employment. Join us as we kick off this series with a conversation that invites you to see voting as a powerful way to live out your values and contribute to a just and compassionate society.
What is 10 for 10: Voting Vision not Division? Starting on September 2, 2024 and continuing every Monday for ten weeks through November 4, Faith Commons is offering ten 10-minute reflections on topics related to the upcoming election through the lens of religion. Our premise is that religion should be used to unite people and groups of people rather than to divide them, and that the founders of our country shared our view.
George Mason joins in conversation with Kim High, the passionate founder of Joppy Momma's Farm—a grassroots initiative tackling food insecurity in South Dallas. Kim shares her inspiring journey from corporate life to community farming, driven by her personal battle with diabetes and a leap of faith. Joppy Momma's Farm is not just feeding a community but also preserving the rich heritage of one of Dallas's historic Freedmen's towns.
Joppy Momma's Farm vows to empower, educate, and create greater opportunities for health, wellness, and self-sufficiency through sustainable, regenerative agriculture. Kim's work is a testament to the power of faith in action.
In this Good God episode, Tammy Johnson—Executive Director and Founder of Empowering the Masses in South Dallas—shares her inspiring journey from childhood poverty to leading an organization that addresses food insecurity through its CommUNITY Market, offering nutritious and culturally appropriate food to those in need.
Empowering the Masses provides career training and certification programs, equipping individuals to increase their earning potential and engage more deeply with their neighbors. Discover how faith, dignity, and practical support are transforming lives and entire communities in South Dallas.
Join host George Mason as he visits For Oak Cliff to discuss food security, access, and justice in Southern Dallas. Meet Julianna YeeFoon and Raven Shankle, leaders in the community's fight against food apartheid, and explore For Oak Cliff's innovative approaches to creating a sustainable and equitable food system. Discover how partnerships, education, and a vision for food sovereignty are transforming lives and neighborhoods.
For Oak Cliff's mission is to provide culturally responsive initiatives in South Oak Cliff to liberate the community from systemic oppression, create a culture of education, and increase social mobility and social capital.
In this pivotal election year, Rev. Dr. George Mason led the participants at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church’s Pub Theology in a reflective exploration of the role Christianity has played and should play in the realm of politics.
From navigating contentious issues to grappling with the concept of Christian nationalism, he delved into the complexities and challenges of faith-based engagement in the public sphere.
“Patriotism is love of country. Nationalism is hatred of the other.”
This episode features a conversation with Rachel Laser, President & CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, protecting the foundational American principle of freedom of religion—including the right to believe or not believe—for all.
George & Rachel discuss the intersection of religious freedom and abortion laws. Rachel highlights the importance of church-state separation in preserving religious freedom and democracy. They unpack the role of religious pluralism in America and the necessity of protecting the rights of all citizens, regardless of their faith. The episode also touches on the challenges of motivating moderate voices and fostering meaningful dialogue across differences.
The discussion serves as a prelude to an upcoming event in Dallas focusing on these critical issues:
Under G-d: Screening and Discussion on Why Abortion Bans Violate Religious Freedom
June 17 @ 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm
https://faithcommons.org/event/under-g-d-screening-and-discussion-on-why-abortion-bans-violate-religious-freedom/
George is joined by Brian Kaylor, author of the book "Baptizing America: How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism"—a critique of the concept of civil religion, arguing that such expressions are far more dangerous than we realize.
In this conversation, they discuss his new book; the dangers of a softer, friendlier Christian Nationalism present in many mainline protestant churches; and the difficult work of figuring out what is American and what is Jesus's teachings. To make this distinction, we must ask ourselves, "What are they trying to accomplish? And how are they treating our fellow citizens in our increasingly pluralistic society?"
"It's cathartic to point at...evangelicals, and say, 'Look at them.' Right? But what if we actually did something in our own circles of influence, in our own communities to reduce Christian Nationalism?" - Brian Kaylor
Meet Sandy Ovalle Martínez, Sojourners' Director of Campaigns and Mobilizing. A mujerista theologian and an organizer, Sandy oversees mobilization and activist engagement around different justice areas including climate and environmental justice, immigration, women and girls, and peace and nonviolence.
In this conversation, Sandy and George explore how individuals and communities can equip themselves to respond effectively to social injustice, drawing on the rich teachings of faith to guide their actions. They trace the historical roots of immigration and examine the role of religion in shaping attitudes towards human mobility. Finally, they reflect on how we can harness our faith to navigate uncertainty and step boldly into a world in need of courageous advocates for justice and compassion.
Fr. Lapsley is currently the Director of the Institute for the Healing of Memories in Cape Town, South Africa. He is an Anglican priest and social justice activist who was severely injured by a letter bomb sent to him in Zimbabwe where he had been exiled by the South African government for his anti-apartheid work. He founded the Institute for the Healing of Memories in 1998 to seek to contribute to lasting and collective healing that makes possible a more peaceful and just future.
In this fourth episode of the Courageous Conversations series, George and Fr. Lapsley explore pain's role as a catalyst for healing and collective transformation. They discuss the intrinsic capacity within every individual for healing and the transcendent nature of pain that binds us together. Together, they confront the spiritual wound of racism, delving into the intricate process of intergenerational unlearning it necessitates.
Meet Dr. Jeff Sharlet, Professor in the Art of Writing at Dartmouth College and author of the recently released The Undertow: Scenes from a Slow Civil War. In it, he journeys into the corners of our national psyche in an attempt to understand how, over the last decade, reaction has morphed into delusion, social division into distrust, distrust into paranoia, and hatred into fantasies—sometimes realities—of violence.
In this conversation, George and Jeff discuss the religious dimensions of American politics, and the role of grief and uncertainty in the midst of plague and rising fascism. Sharlet offers insight into both the human condition and into our country today, bringing to light a decade of American failures as well as a vision for American possibility.
Jeff Sharlet is the New York Times bestselling author or editor of eight books. His latest is The Undertow: Scenes from a Slow Civil War (2023), a National Book Critics Circle Award Finalist for Nonfiction, one of The New York Times 100 Books of the Year, and a New Republic book of the year.
George is joined by Chris Walsh and William McKenzie, both of the George W. Bush Institute where they engage in the advancement of freedom and democracy in the world.
In this second episode of the Courageous Conversations series, they discuss what they call "the pluralism challenge," the role of pluralism in strengthening our democracy, the importance of a vibrant religious pluralism, and what American democracy means—even when it falls short of its own ideals.
Chris Walsh serves as Director, Global Policy at the George W. Bush Institute. In this role, Mr. Walsh manages communications, evaluation, and public policy research projects that advance freedom and democracy in the world.
William McKenzie is senior editorial advisor at the George W. Bush Institute, where he is working on editorial projects on democracy and freedom and education reform.
Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger and Noor A’wad are leaders of the West Bank-based Roots/Shorashim/Judur, an Israeli-Palestinian initiative for understanding, non-violence, and transformation.
Even in this time of unprecedented violence, distrust, and division, Roots is persisting in a vision of a future that upholds the humanity of all Israelis and Palestinians.
In this conversation, our guests discuss with George how they are moving beyond the present reality, the role of identity in this conflict, and ways to resist the further entrenchment of hatred between these two peoples, who are forever destined to live together. "We have a saying that comes from the founder of Roots on the Palestine side … that we have to find a way to fit two truths into one heart." - Rabbi Hanan Schlesinger
Meet Pamela Cooper-White, MDiv, PhD, LCPC, author of the recently released The Psychology of Christian Nationalism, which uncovers the troubling extent of Christian nationalism, explores its deep psychological roots, and discusses ways in which advocates for justice can safely and effectively attempt to talk across the deep divides in our society.
In this conversation, George and Pamela discuss what Christian nationalism is, the difference between nationalism and patriotism, the cult of personality and the fragility of democracy, and how to channel our energy and outrage into education and advocacy for social change.
Pamela Cooper-White, MDiv, PhD, LCPC is the Christiane Brooks Johnson Professor Emerita of Psychology and Religion and Dean Emerita, Union Theological Seminary, New York, an Episcopal priest in the Diocese of New York, and a licensed psychotherapist.
George is joined by his friend and colleague Rev. Dr. Amy Butler, author of the recently released Beautiful and Terrible Things on the necessity of community, the inevitability of conflict, and the transformative power of radical love.
They discuss her book and her story, how the weaponizing of religion today is similar to the political situation Jesus encountered, and the need for crossing boundaries and for doing the hard work.
“Religious communities can be good and redemptive and world-changing if we'll only do the hard work.” - Amy Butler
George pays a visit to Restorative Farms where he meets with co-founder Brad Boa. He tours the farm and learns how this Community Farm is working to address the issues of food access by growing food and creating jobs for the community. Later, co-founder Owen Lynch joins George online and tells the origin story of Restorative Farms.
In South Dallas where a population of people has to leave their community to get access to healthy food, Restorative Farms works to support systematically underdeveloped communities. The farm's focus is on food sustainability but is also creating a network of local farmers who are working their land in an environmentally responsible manner. The farm provides job opportunities and fresh food, ingrains a pride of ownership, and fosters collaboration.
This episode is the fourth in the new series “More than Food for Thought: Community-Based Solutions to Hunger in South Dallas."
In a part of the city where access to grocery stores and fresh produce is limited, the Center offers emergency food assistance, bilingual SNAP application support, a teaching kitchen, a Neighbors' Community Garden, and more. Follow along as George and Ashley explore the importance of seeking out sustainable and long-term solutions to hunger that arise from the community and maintain the dignity and independence of its members.
This episode is the third in the new series “More than Food for Thought: Community-Based Solutions to Hunger in South Dallas.”
George pays a visit to the West Dallas Multipurpose Center where he tours the grounds, meets with Center Manager Ashley Hutto, and learns how the city of Dallas is addressing the issues of food access and insecurity.
In a part of the city where access to grocery stores and fresh produce is limited, the Center offers emergency food assistance, bilingual SNAP application support, a teaching kitchen, a Neighbors' Community Garden, and more. Follow along as George and Ashley explore the importance of seeking out sustainable and long-term solutions to hunger that arise from the community and maintain the dignity and independence of its members.
This episode is the third in the new series “More than Food for Thought: Community-Based Solutions to Hunger in South Dallas.”
This episode is the second in the new series “More than Food for Thought: Community-Based Solutions to Hunger in South Dallas.” In it, George introduces us to 4DWN’s Sunday Service and its leaders.
4DWN is a skate park, an organization, and a service-driven community that meets the needs of hundreds of kids and families each week. It creates upward mobility opportunities, and through its “Sunday Service” distributes with the help of its volunteers thousands of pounds of nutritious food—eliminating waste and feeding bodies, minds, and souls throughout this area food desert. It’s good for people, and good for the planet.
4DWN “is a metaphor, right? About four wheels down and rolling. It’s a sort of celebration of movement…all moving forward together.” - Rob Cahill
This episode is the first in the new series “More than Food for Thought: Community-Based Solutions to Hunger in South Dallas.”
In it, George introduces us to Joey Darwin, Executive Director of Bridge Builders and the group’s South Dallas Community Market. Together, they explore what a grocery store would look like if the neighbors who shop there got to say what they needed and wanted.
In partnership with Brother Bill’s Helping Hand, that’s exactly what this market does; it offers nutritious food chosen by clients right in the community of South Dallas.
BridgeBuilders engages, equips, and empowers individuals, families, and communities in South Dallas.
This episode is the final installment of a three-part series on redemption and renewal. Imam Omar Suleiman describes redemption as a change in the cravings of the soul, and underscores the importance of generosity and charity for Muslims—especially at this time. He also speaks to the experience of Muslims living as a minority in the United States while fasting during Ramadan.
Imam Omar Suleiman is the Founder and President of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research, and an Adjunct Professor of Islamic Studies in the Graduate Liberal Studies Program at SMU (Southern Methodist University). He is also the Resident Scholar at Valley Ranch Islamic Center and Co-Chair Emeritus of Faith Forward Dallas at Thanks-Giving Square.
This episode is the second installment of a three-part series on redemption and renewal. Dr. Curtis Freeman discusses the significance of how Christians keep time and why the events of Holy Week are integral to the Christian faith.
Dr. Curtis W. Freeman is a research professor of theology and Baptist studies and director of the Baptist House of Studies at Duke Divinity School. His research and teaching explores areas of Free Church theology.
Rabbi Zelony has been the senior Rabbi for Congregation Beth Torah in Richardson, Texas since 2014. Her rabbinate emphasizes pluralism, inclusion, interfaith work, spirituality, and involvement with the community. She is the first female rabbi in the Conservative Movement to lead a synagogue in the state of Texas.
This episode begins a three-part series on redemption and renewal. Rabbi Elana Zelony unpacks the historical significance of Passover and its role in forming the Jewish consciousness, how it has become part of the rhythm of Jewish life. More broadly, she explains how the spiritual practice of rituals is a reminder and celebration of her faith’s core values.
Rabbi Zelony has been the senior Rabbi for Congregation Beth Torah in Richardson, Texas since 2014. Her rabbinate emphasizes pluralism, inclusion, interfaith work, spirituality, and involvement with the community. She is the first female rabbi in the Conservative Movement to lead a synagogue in the state of Texas.
In this third episode on civil rights, Skye and George look at the question of marriage equality in our country. They discuss the notion that in a democracy people have a right to basic dignity that "does not draw distinctions because of the color of your skin, because of who you love, because of your sexual orientation, because of your gender identity." They also consider the complications of religiously-affiliated organizations receiving federal money, the civil rights history of religious traditions, and what it means to build a more perfect union.
Skye Perryman is the President and CEO of Democracy Forward. She is a lawyer, advocate, and leader with a track record of taking on and winning critical fights that advance democratic values, stop abuses of power, and improve the wellbeing of people and communities.
Join Skye and George as they unpack the consequences of the Dobbs decision, how Christian nationalism influenced the ruling, the future of reproductive rights and what we can all do to protect them.
Skye Perryman is the President and CEO of Democracy Forward. She is a lawyer, advocate, and leader with a track record of taking on and winning critical fights that advance democratic values, stop abuses of power, and improve the wellbeing of people and communities.
Skye Perryman is the President and CEO of Democracy Forward. She is a lawyer, advocate, and leader with a track record of taking on and winning critical fights that advance democratic values, stop abuses of power, and improve the wellbeing of people and communities. In this episode, she talks perfecting our democracy, what we can learn from the most recent midterm elections, and creating conditions where people can pursue their faith, their spiritual commitments, their dreams.
Doug Pagitt is an author, pastor, social activist, and the Executive Director of Vote Common Good. A leading voice for progressive Christianity, in this episode he addresses the midterm elections, the rising influence of Christian Nationalism, and why voters should make faith, hope and love their guide for their voting criteria as opposed to their party choice.
Theologian Robert Hunt explores the relationship between religion and science in this episode, identifying the role each one plays in addressing the global ecological crisis. He explains that all people of faith have the imperative to care for the earth. Hunt is the Director of Global Theological Education and the Director of the Center for Evangelism at SMU’s Perkins School of Theology.
Myles Werntz unpacks why we continue to be plagued in our churches and in our communities by seemingly intractable conflicts, and how the teaching of ethics to young ministers in training may be part of the remedy. Myles is the Director of the Graduate School of Theology at Abilene Christian University.
Myles Werntz unpacks why we continue to be plagued in our churches and in our communities by seemingly intractable conflicts, and how the teaching of ethics to young ministers in training may be part of the remedy. Myles is the Director of the Graduate School of Theology at Abilene Christian University.
Tom Leatherbury is the Director of the First Amendment Clinic at Southern Methodist University and a partner at the law firm of Vinson & Elkins LLP.
In this episode, he and George discuss the First Amendment and free speech implications of recent legislation in Texas and 32 other states.
Tom Leatherbury is the Director of the First Amendment Clinic at Southern Methodist University and a partner at the law firm of Vinson & Elkins LLP.
In this episode, he and George discuss the First Amendment and free speech implications of recent legislation in Texas and 32 other states.
The future is dark. Is this the darkness of the tomb—or the darkness of the womb?
Valarie Kaur is a renowned civil rights leader, lawyer, award-winning filmmaker, educator, innovator, and best-selling author of SEE NO STRANGER. She leads the Revolutionary Love Project to reclaim love as a force for justice.
In this conversation, Valarie Kaur reframes the present moment in history as one of transition and calls on us to show up in the labor of birthing a new future.
Dr. Brian Williams was a surgeon on call at Parkland Hospital on July 7, 2016 and operated on the victims of the Dallas police shooting that launched the Back the Blue campaign. Hear how that night and its trauma, combined with the tragedies of the previous two days--the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile--positioned him to be a spokesperson and activist for racial justice.
Carl Sherman, the State Representative responsible for the Botham Jean Act, explains how he transformed street protests into public policy.
Her title is: Gun Violence Prevention Minister. And she's the only minister like this that exists, anywhere. Listen to Deanna Hollas from Dallas talk about the importance of her ministry and her views on guns, the Second Amendment, and the prophet Isaiah's vision of a peaceable kingdom.
Sonja Miller, faith director for the Texas Freedom Network, talks reproductive rights, public education, and blurring the lines between left and right.
Terry Greenberg leads an effort in Dallas to reduce unintended teen pregnancy. She and George talk about the lead causes of teen pregnancies and how they can be avoided through conversation, education and the support of the faith community. Visit ntarupt.org and TalkAboutItDallas.com to learn about these local efforts.
Watch their conversation here and listen on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts, and be sure to visit goodgodproject.com where it's all in one place, including a transcript.
Mitri Raheb is a Palestinian Christian, born in Bethlehem across the street from where Jesus was born. He speaks on the conflict between Israel and Palestine and his creation of interfaith communities that respond to Palestinian suffering through art.
Kristin Du Mez reminds us that she is a historian first, even though her sensational book, Jesus and John Wayne, has invoked fierce theological backlash from evangelicals. Hear her response to the pushback, plus a breakdown of the patriarchy that is so persistent in evangelical churches.
Rabbi Rachel Mikva wrote the book, Dangerous Religious Ideas, and she is here to discuss the ways that religion is harmful.
Carl Sherman, the State Representative responsible for the Botham Jean Act, explains how he transformed street protests into public policy.
Just days before Martin Luther King Day, Reverend Dr. Frederick Douglas Haynes III talks with George about the misconceptions surrounding Dr. King’s legacy, and the important difference between equity and equality.
Reverend Dr. Lillian Daniel, of First Congregational Church in Dubuque, Iowa, talks pronouns, biblical interpretation, and her preference of religion over spirituality.
Hugo Magallanes, Associate Dean of Perkins School of Theology and professor of Christianity and Culture, joins us today to discuss how he weaves the subject of immigration into his academic work.
Tess Clarke, director of We Welcome Refugees, shares her most impactful stories, and stresses the importance of putting yourself in the shoes of an immigrant.
Jesús Romero is the director of the ISAAC Project, a San Antonio-based organization that can help churches become more involved in immigration aid. Hear his story as a first generation immigrant and advocate for the cause.
Sid Earnheart is an immigration attorney and advocate for Texas Impact. He also has a ministry degree from Perkins School of Theology. Hear how he merges all three perspectives.
Pia Orrenius, VP and senior economist with the Federal Reserve Bank in Dallas, discusses the economics of immigration. She and George also explain how migration is a central theme in the biblical story.
Elket Rodriguez, an immigrant and refugee specialist, works for the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship and Fellowship Southwest. He addresses common myths about immigrants, and offers four practical suggestions for how you can help.
Beth Barr is the author of The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth. She is here to speak with us on an important issue: complementarianism and suppression of women in the church.
Laura Collins is the director of the Bush Institute, SMU Economic Growth Initiative. She shares compelling arguments as to why immigration is good for the economy.
John Garland is pastor of the San Antonio Mennonite Church, and hospitality to strangers is at the heart of his work. Garland shares remarkable modern-day stories that sound like they were taken out of a page of the New Testament.
Chet Edwards on how his faith inspired his political career as a Democratic congressman and senator in Texas.
Sonja Miller, faith director for the Texas Freedom Network, talks reproductive rights, public education, and blurring the lines between left and right.
Bee Moorhead, executive director of Texas Impact, talks about her interfaith-based advocacy work, the moments that led to her calling, and advice on overcoming fears and joining in!
Stephen Reeves, executive director of Fellowship Southwest, discusses "the mission of advocacy".
Beto O'Rourke on what he has learned about people during his years on campaign trails, and what makes politics good.
Jeremy Everett from the Baylor Collaborative discusses causes and solutions for poverty and hunger in America.
After six years in Congress and nine years in covert intelligence and national and cyber security, Will Hurd is a bipartisan spirit with a message for how to make a change.
Jon Reid grew up Southern Baptist and is now a twenty-year practicing Buddhist. Hear him explain what drew him to the religion, and get a crash course in Buddhism as a whole.
Father Joshua Whitfield speaks on what it’s like to have a devout Catholic president, and what that could mean for Catholicism overall.
Center for Spiritual Living is part of a branch called New Thought, which teaches something called the Science of Mind. Find out what that entails in this full episode with Reverend Karen Fry.
Jennifer Butler, CEO of Faith in Public Life, is here to discuss her new book "Who Stole My Bible: Reclaiming Scripture as a Handbook for Resisting Tyranny". The solution? Historical empathy. Hear her definition of this term, and more.
Reverend Virzola Law is the senior minister of the Northway Christian Church in Dallas, Texas. Here, she talks with George about her experience as a Christian in America, in light of recent events at the nation’s Capitol.
What are the specific traits of a Unitarian (as opposed to a Trinitarian), and what does it mean to be a Universalist who does not believe in hell? Hear from Reverend Daniel Kanter on how these traits translate into a social justice commitment here on earth.
Sikhism is the 5th largest religion in America with 1/2 a million Sikhs among us. Yet, it is mostly met with confusion. Let's hear from Harbhajan Singh Virdee about what this beautiful faith is all about.
Have you ever wondered how the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints fits with traditional Christian churches? Hear Mark Romney explain.
Imam Omar Suleiman speaks with George about Islamophobia in America and how last week’s attack on the Capitol is an experience Muslims know all too well.
Rabbi Nancy Kasten gives one perspective on what it is like to be Jewish in America, and how that perspective changed when she moved from Massachusetts to Texas.
Liz Theoharis is the co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign. She has a new book titled “Always With Us”, a reference to Jesus’ controversial quote: the poor you have with you always. Hear what she has to say about that quote, and what a life committed to eradicating poverty looks like.
Jason Coker is the national director of a program called Together We Hope, which is a rural development coalition that addresses poverty, especially in rural areas. He discusses (you guessed it) poverty in rural America: the history, the cause and how at the end of the day, it is political.
The name “Bonton Farms” is derivative of its location: a neighborhood nicknamed “bomb-town” because of the extreme racial terrorism it experienced in the mid 20th century. Daron Babcock is the executive director of the remarkable urban garden built in and for this community along the Trinity River.
Jeremy Everett has devoted his life to the causes of hunger and poverty. Listen to him explain why he was called to this work and what it really means to fix the systemic problems that lead to poverty.
Rabbi David Gruber of Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance has a transformative policy to end homelessness, and it begins with a home.
Alan Cohen—president and CEO of Child Poverty Action Lab—has a goal to cut child poverty in Dallas by 50% in twenty years. Hear the plan, the data and the steps you can take to help.
Michael Horne is the President and CEO of the Parkland Foundation at Parkland Hospital, a public hospital specializing in the belief that no one should be left out of care.
Craig Antico, once the guy collecting your medical debt, is now the one erasing it. Hear his story, along with an exciting announcement from our parent organization, Faith Commons!
Prolific author, co-pastor and equality activist, Jen Hatmaker bonds with George Mason over their paralleled experience becoming LGBTQ affirming at their churches.
Robert P. Jones is the author of two important books about race, The End Of White Christian America and White Too Long. He and George talk about segregation in the south, and how the civil rights movement was the unspoken influence of fundamental Christian ideologies.
What makes Imam Omar Suleiman and Reverend George Mason such good friends? The two reflect on their roles as faith leaders amidst the police brutality of the last decade and the effect it has had on their interfaith friendships. Whether it’s offering a shoulder for each others’ sorrow when their global communities are attacked, or working as co-conspirators for justice, Omar and George are an example for everyone on how to join hands with your interfaith allies and power up in the pursuit of peace.
Michael Sorrell on everything from the issues in the higher education model, the tragic racial disparities revealed by COVID-19, and that campus football field he turned into a farm.
Greg Garrett and George Mason analyze the Spike Lee joint Blackkklansman, and discuss the role films play in the history of race in this country.
Tim Wise,a white, Jewish anti-racism author and activist, has advice on how to find your power to fight racism, both individually and as a church.
Former mayor of Dallas, a US trade representative under Barack Obama, a former Texas secretary of state and a lawyer whose professional life is motivated by one central factor: justice.
Gary Simpson is the 30-year pastor of Concord Baptist Church, a historic Black church in the Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn. George and Gary -- two renowned practitioners of preaching -- talk about their craft and the future generation of preachers that they are bringing up. If you ever listen to sermons and wonder what it's like to prepare for that week after week, you'll be interested in this episode.
Gerald Britt was at the front lines with civil rights leaders like Peter Johnson, Zan Holmes, Martin Luther King III and many others, fighting for equality and opportunity for the black community. He and George have been friends for years, and they discuss the evolution of their relationship, and how to be pastors who speak up about social justice, even if it means making people uncomfortable.
Richie Butler and George talk about the economic and racial divides in Dallas. They also discuss the Botham Jean murder indictment and the implications of that tragedy on Dallas and our wider culture.
Dr. Brian Williams was a surgeon on call at Parkland Hospital on July 7, 2016 and operated on the victims of the Dallas police shooting that launched the Back the Blue campaign. Hear how that night and its trauma, combined with the tragedies of the previous two days--the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile--positioned him to be a spokesperson and activist for racial justice.
Michael W. Waters is a pastor, author and activist leader in the Black community. He speaks with George about the need for confederate monuments to come down, his work on the Poor People’s Campaign, and the racial and economic injustices in Dallas.
Rev. Starsky D. Wilson is a pastor, a foundation president for child wellbeing, and activist. In the wake of Michael Brown's death by police brutality, he was charged with leading the Ferguson Commission, and they helped elect black leadership, advocate a political agenda that was created by the people, and change laws.
His vision is to create a place where people's life expectancy is not determinable or or predictable by race or by zip code.
President and CEO of Big Thought, Byron Sanders, speaks on the racial inequity in Dallas and the ways in which we can help create a better Dallas for the next generation.
Conversations like this are so important in fostering an awareness among white people of what life is like in Dallas for people of color. Byron shares a recent personal experience of having the police called on him for legally canvassing with his young daughter.
This episode was previously released March 2019.
Prolific author, co-pastor and equality activist, Jen Hatmaker, bonds with George Mason over moments in their ministry when they risked their security for the sake of their integrity.
Michael Sorrell is back to talk with George about everything from the continued need for HBCU's, the tragic racial disparities revealed by COVID-19, and that campus football field he turned in to a farm.
Michael Sorrell, President of Paul Quinn College, thinks the higher education model needs a reboot, and now may be the time to do it.
Danielle Shroyer describes how she felt "called out" by God to discover her new role as a spiritual director; and she gives listeners a crash course in two soul-nurturing practices you can try at home.
Danielle Shroyer is an author, minister and advocate, who has made a life reimagining what church can look like. She does so for people, like herself, who struggle to connect with church as they know it, but have a lot of love for God.
Jody Dean talks to George more about how his faith connects with his life's work in television and radio, including the reasons behind his new "good news" program: More Life, on Saturdays at 11am on CBS11.
Dallas radio personality Jody Dean talks about his life as an adopted child, the faith he saw in his mother, and how those things have shaped his own life of faith for the better. You'll definitely connect with his stories and insights.
Bob Satawake recently wrote a book called "Breaking Protocol," about his experience as the spouse of an American diplomat where a male spouse, and certainly a gay male spouse, was an unwelcome surprise.
Ken Crawford is the pastor of a church in Dallas, possibly the oldest existing church in Dallas. To be hospitable to the community around them, they have used their facility and spaces in new and creative ways, welcoming people that wouldn't otherwise step into a church.
Join us on a deep-dive into the complexities and systems that lead families to being food insecure.
"It's not that one family experiences poverty, another family experiences hunger, and another lack of health insurance. It's always the same family experiencing the result of all our broken systems at once." -JE
We can't isolate these issues. They are intermingled with each other. Today, we learn more about that, and how ensuring access to food can help with everything else.
Jeremy Everett has devoted his life to the causes of hunger and poverty. Listen to him explain why he was called to this work and what it really means to fix the systemic problems that lead to poverty.
Find out more about the writer and professor Greg Garrett, and why he is passionate about racial justice. Spoiler: it has to do with church.
We often take for granted the role that film plays in shaping our cultural and racial awareness. Greg Garrett and George Mason discuss Spike Lee's film BlacKkKlansman, as well as other epic American films, Gone with the Wind and even the Big Lebowski, for the important conversations they inspire for people of all races.
This is a story everyone needs to know. Vanita Halliburton shares about the loss of her son's life and the work of the Grant Halliburton Foundation to prevent suicide. Vanita and George explore the theological depths of grief and how our faith can be shattered and restored.
Everyone knows the story of Adam and Eve. But do you know what the biblical text actually says? You might not know the story as well as you think you do! This episode is a deep dive of interpretation into the creation of Adam and Eve and the subsequent temptation story.
Should the spirit of God be capitalized, like in the Holy Spirit? Is the Spirit for personal experience like salvation or for corporate transformation? Did it come to us at Pentecost or has the Spirit been working for eternity?
If you are confounded by questions like these about the elusive Spirit of God, particularly in the Judeo-Christian tradition, you'll love this conversation between George and Jack Levison, who writes books and teaches theology about the Spirit.
His newest book has just been released, Boundless God: the Spirit according to the Old Testament.
George talks with his daughter Cameron about her nonprofit organization, RootEd, in San Antonio that promotes public schools to families navigating the world of school choice.
Join us in a feel-good conversation between father and daughter. Cameron Mason Vickrey is George's oldest daughter. They talk about their shared interests in theology and art and how growing up in the church has helped her navigate her call.
With a deeply personal testimony about being gay and a Christian, Justin Lee opens up about why he can't abandon his identity and won't abandon his faith. Listen with an open mind and a loving heart, and you will surely learn a lot.
Gary Simpson is the 30-year pastor of Concord Baptist Church, a historic Black church in the Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn. George and Gary -- two renowned practitioners of preaching -- talk about their craft and the future generation of preachers that they are bringing up. If you ever listen to sermons and wonder what it's like to prepare for that week after week, you'll be interested in this episode.
George talks with Mark Wingfield about their experience of becoming a fully inclusive church to people without regard to sexual or gender identity. Mark wrote a narrative style book about it, which was recently published, titled "Why Churches Need to Talk about Sexuality." They also talk about how Mark became an ally and friend to many transgender people and what that has meant to him.
Do you ever feel torn between your commitment to truth and your desire to love people who are different from you, especially maybe those who are gay in your family or friends or in your church? Justin Lee has written a book called Torn and he'll be talking about how to move in a more loving direction, that doesn't sacrifice truth.
Listen here and go to goodgodproject.com for the video and transcript.
You won't want to miss a minute of this episode if you are concerned with the future of the church. Amy Butler offers some fierce criticism of the American church as well some ideas for how it can redeem itself.
Amy Butler was the first female pastor of Riverside Church: the historic Protestant cathedral built by the Rockefellers in New York's Upper West Side. She is on Good God to talk about her time there--the good and the bad--and how it all came to an end. She also offers insights on being a woman in a male dominated role, and how we can do better for women in ministry.
Pastor Gary Simpson of Concord Baptist Church of Christ in Brooklyn, New York, joins George on his 30th anniversary at Wilshire Baptist in Dallas to talk about their shared experiences of long-term pastoral ministry, and what makes their churches so wonderful.
What better way to celebrate Thanksgiving than pausing to reflect on the power and practice of gratitude? Today we are reposting two episodes with Diana Butler Bass about being grateful.
Amanda Tyler started a movement called Christians Against Christian Nationalism. Listen to find out why this is so important today and what exactly it means to stand against Christian nationalism.
Michelle Kinder is back on Good God to talk more about the nonprofit sector and how to do even more good by giving voice to people whose voices aren't heard enough, or at all. If you work in the nonprofit world or you support a nonprofit of any kind, you won't want to miss this conversation.
Her title is: Gun Violence Prevention Minister. And she's the only minister like this that exists, anywhere. Listen to Deanna Hollas from Dallas talk about the importance of her ministry and her views on guns, the Second Amendment, and the prophet Isaiah's vision of a peaceable kingdom.
Jorge Zapata grew up on the Texas-Mexico border and lives there still, serving the refugees as they come to the area. He has firsthand insights about what it's like to be an immigrant from Central America and Mexico and how the rest of us, as U.S. citizens, can do better about welcoming them.
Michelle Kinder is on Good God talking about her childhood in Guatemala as a third culture kid, and how her work led her to Dallas to lead a movement helping kids and families succeed.
When Jews and Christians engage in interfaith dialogue, the most common questions asked are about Jesus. Jesus was Jewish, Jewish people respect Jesus, but Christians believe Jesus is the divine son of God. These views on Jesus become the point of departure between the two faiths. So how can you can be totally faithful to your religion and still understand and respect another? Listen to George's conversation with Rabbi David Stern today on Good God.
Rabbi David Stern is on Good God today. Like George, he has been a prominent faith leader in Dallas for 30 years. Their friendship has deepened their respect for the similarities and differences between Christianity and Judaism. Listen as they discuss the roles of individual v. communal responsibility, the Ten Commandments, and how to keep "one foot on Sinai and one foot in the world."
In Christianity, it feels like denominational lines are becoming less important. Fellowship Southwest is a new organization that demonstrates this by connecting people of faith to the work of the church in the world, particularly these days to serve refugees on the border of the U.S. and Mexico. Marv Knox is the coordinator of Fellowship, and he and George talk about this new kind of organization today on Good God.
Watch their conversation here and listen on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts, and be sure to visit goodgodproject.com where it's all in one place, including a transcript.
Terry Greenberg leads an effort in Dallas to reduce unintended teen pregnancy. She and George talk about the lead causes of teen pregnancies and how they can be avoided through conversation, education and the support of the faith community. Visit ntarupt.org and TalkAboutItDallas.com to learn about these local efforts.
Watch their conversation here and listen on Apple Podcast or wherever you get your podcasts, and be sure to visit goodgodproject.com where it's all in one place, including a transcript.
Robert Hunt is back on Good God talking about evangelism in a pluralistic world. How can Christians engage in relationships with people of other faiths or no faith and still offer what we believe is a life of beauty and truth?
Dr. Hunt says, “We don't begin a dialogical process because we somehow caved in on the truth we know in Jesus Christ. We begin the dialogical process out of the absolute conviction that God still has things to teach us.”
You’ll learn some of things God is teaching us in this episode of Good God. You can also read along with the transcript at goodgodproject.com.
Why is it so important for people of faith to have relationships with those of another faith tradition? Today, George continues a conversation with his good friend, Imam Omar Suleiman, about how they became friends and what that means for making a difference in their communities.
George says: “To have gotten to know one another and to have a proximity to pain and to stand beside one another over time and to listen to one another made it morally impossible to be a responsible person and a religious leader and not to speak [about racial and religious injustice].”
If you feel behind on your fluency and understanding of the Muslim faith, start catching up today in this episode of Good God. Omar Suleiman, an imam and an activist who is very engaged in multifaith work in the Dallas area, talks about the origins of Islam, explains the nature of the Quran and how it's interpreted, and how Islam is historically closely connected with Christianity and Judaism.
Robert Hunt, a United Methodist professor at Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, explains the cultural implications of the United Methodist decision to adhere to traditionalist views of marriage practices. Dr. Hunt says that by excluding missiologists, people that are experts in global culture and the church, from the decision making process, the United Methodist church failed to understand the impact of inclusion or exclusion of the LGBTQ community.
What's all the fuss in Dallas about Confederate monuments? What do they mean? Why should we care? We'll be talking with Gerald Britt from CitySquare about just that and other matters of race and public life in Dallas on Good God.
Are you sure you're clear on how someone might immigrate to our country through a legal process? It's not as easy as you might think.
Bill Holston from the Human Rights Initiative is back on Good God with some amazing stories about people he has represented in immigration court. Tune in to hear these stories and learn more about the real world of immigration.
Rabbi Andrea Weiss is back on Good God this week talking about her work as a Hebrew Bible scholar. You'll love hearing her talk about the prophets, metaphors for God, and why women's experiences need to be considered in biblical interpretation.
Rabbi Andrea Weiss coordinated a big project: A letter every day for the first 100 days of Trump's presidency from a different religious scholar each day. She published all the letters in a book called American Values, Religious Voices: 100 Days. 100 Letters.
In this episode, she and George talk about how and why she thought of this project and what exactly is in all of those letters. Listen today on your favorite podcast platform or goodgodproject.com.
Poet Malcolm Guite, on how God comes to us through the arts:
"When God comes to us fully and richly as a person, and in and through the lives of other people, it's almost like we're scared, like God's got too close, so we abstract him again. We turn God into a bunch of propositions and put him back up into some intellectual realm. He's always getting past that and coming back to us. One of the ways I think, in our age, that God does that is through the arts. Because I think our age is so emphasized on analysis and reason and breaking things down into constituent parts, that people are in some sense rebelling against that. They need something with soul, but a lot of people instead of seeing the heart and soul of that as in the gift of the revelation of the gospel, are finding it through the arts instead."
Listen to George and Malcolm Guite talk about the art of poetry and how it cultivates the spiritual imagination. Lots of wonderful is poetry is quoted here, and referenced in the comments below, by Seamus Heaney, Edwin Muir, John Donne, and Malcolm Guite himself.
If you want to hear about the history of race justice and social activism in Dallas, tune in to this episode with Gerald Britt. He was at the front lines with civil rights leaders like Peter Johnson, Zan Holmes, Martin Luther King III and many others, fighting for equality and opportunity for the black community.
The border crisis is all we can think about these days. Images from the news stain our minds and still our hearts. Most Americans agree that we need good immigration policies, but that the current policies aren't working and are inhumane and immoral.
Bill Holston, a Dallas immigration lawyer at the Human Rights Initiative of North Texas, Inc., talks about his work with immigrants and refugees and helps educate us on what's really going on at our southern border.
Today on Good God, Richie Butler and George talk about the economic and racial divides in Dallas. They also discuss the Botham Jean murder indictment and the implications of that tragedy on Dallas and our wider culture.
Miguel Solis, DISD Trustee and president of the Latino Center for Leadership Development - LCLD, discusses the challenges of education, immigration and leadership facing Latinos as they become the majority of the U.S. population in coming years, with Dr. George Mason on Good God.
Today on Good God, George talks with Bob Mong, the president of the University of North Texas at Dallas, about the importance of higher education for under-resourced populations. UNTD is being intentional about reaching that group and serving the community.
In the second half of the episode, they discuss Mong’s previous career at the Dallas Morning News: the launching of the religion section in the 90s, and the importance of good religious news coverage.
As always you can see the video and read the full transcript of this podcast at www.goodgodproject.com.
As always you can see the video and read the full transcript of this podcast at www.goodgodproject.com.
This week on Good God is Richie Butler, pastor of St. Paul UMC in downtown Dallas. He and George talk about being called to pastoral ministry, and the work Richie has been involved in to help Dallas become a more equitable city. We also learn about DFW Year of Unity - a project that brings together people from different backgrounds to find commonalities. Learn more at yearofunity.com.
As always you can see the video and read the full transcript of this podcast at www.goodgodproject.com.
We've all seen how a pyramid structure of debt and loyalty is the way gratitude is often used in the public square. Diana Butler Bass studied this public system, and says:
"It led me into some really interesting historical exploration of how hierarchically structured political systems, whether it was Medieval Europe or Ancient Rome or 19th century American south, often deploy gratitude as a mechanism to elicit loyalty. Gratitude has often politically been used in these sort of hierarchal pyramid shaped structures by people in upper classes, people in authority to make sure that the folks underneath them say thank you, and as part of that gratitude directed up to the people on the top, are loyal."
But this is a warped version of gratitude. Bass suggests a new framework. A more circular model that happens around the table. This non-hierarchical practice of gratitude is found in nearly every religious tradition, and it is a healthier and more life-giving model for us individually and communally.
You can view a video of their conversation at www.goodgodproject.com.
Are you ever guilty of feeling a sense of entitlement in your relationships and friendships? Did you know that the opposite of entitlement is gratitude, and that practicing gratefulness can pull us out of that scarcity/entitlement mindset?
Diana Butler Bass is on Good God talking about her book, Grateful: The Transformative Power of Giving Thanks. She describes the spiritual practice of gratefulness and her own journey of discovering gratitude.
Neil Cazares-Thomas is back on Good God talking about the history of Cathedral of Hope in Dallas, and how it came to be a place for all Christians to find a spiritual home regardless of their sexual identity. He tells wonderful and heartbreaking stories about the life of the Cathedral during the AIDS epidemic in the 80s, and his own spiritual journey that started as a British Mormon.
Byron Keith Sanders is back on Good God talking about racial inequity in Dallas and the ways in which we can help create a better Dallas for the next generation.
Conversations like this are so important in fostering an awareness among white people of what life is like in Dallas for people of color. Byron shares a recent personal experience of having the police called on him for block-walking with his daughter for a political campaign.
There is so much to learn and work toward. Start by listening to this episode.
Cheryl Allison, an actress and film maker, made a documentary called Shatter the Silence, about the Me Too movement specifically in Dallas. Listen to her talk about that process and why it is an important topic for all of us, woman and men alike.
Shatter the Silence premiers April 28.
Neil Cazares Thomas is the pastor of Cathedral of Hope in Dallas, a mostly LGBTQ faith community. He and George talk about the theology behind affirming LGBTQ identifying people and their faith. Here’s an excerpt from their conversation:
Neil: It's incumbent on us if we really want to follow the way, the truth, the life, then we have to take up that place of discipline or discipleship and to understand that personally. I don't think the role of the church is to tell people how to live. I think the role of the church is to point people to their better selves.
George: Good.
Neil: Especially in a community of oppressed peoples who have always been countercultural, who have always been on the margins, who have always been told they're not good enough, they're not acceptable, they may as well go eat worms for the rest of their lives, because they're going to go to hell in a handbasket anyway. It is easy for a group of people, a marginalized people, to not want to buy-in to a system that calls them to behavior.
So we've learned, or I've learned, that in my conversations with people, is to actually find a way to help people build a better self-esteem, because if you start to love yourself, there are certain things you won't do to yourself. My job, I constantly believe as a pastor, is to help people to find their self-esteem, to find a place within them that says "I'm worth more than what I've been doing."
Rev. Starsky D. Wilson is a pastor, a foundation president for child wellbeing, and activist. In the wake of Michael Brown's death by police brutality, he was charged with leading the Ferguson Commission, and they helped elect black leadership, advocate a political agenda that was created by the people, and change laws.
His vision is to create a place where people's life expectancy is not determinable or or predictable by race or by zip code. He does this through his work at the Deaconess Foundation in St. Louis, that makes grants that support sustainable solutions for children and families in urban areas. He does this through his work with the Ferguson Commission and Black Lives Matter. And now he has come to Dallas to help make that same vision a reality here too.
On this episode of Good God, Peggy Wehmeyer talks more about being a religion reporter in America. She also describes her own journey of faith, including her discovery as an adult that her family is Jewish and escaped Nazi Germany during the Holocaust. She talks about her commitment to showing solidarity with her Jewish family despite her chosen Christian faith:
"And so for some reason, George, Pittsburgh maybe launched it for me, but all of a sudden I feel like it's me. It could be me. You want to kill me, and I embrace that. I don't want to run from it. I am like, 'No, I am with them.'"
Fake news. A biased media. It seems this is all we hear about when discussing the role of media these days.
Today’s guest on Good God was America’s first religion reporter, Peggy Wehmeyer. She and George talk about the role of the media, how to keep objectivity, and the importance of reporting on religion to help us understand one another better.
George sums it up when he says to Peggy: “What you were trying to do in the mainstream media is to drive us toward the center, when so many forces are pushing us toward the edges.”
After growing up in Dallas and getting a private school education, @Byron Keith Sanders left his successful career to lead a nonprofit, Big Thought, that mentors kids in a unique way for future success. His story will inspire you.
She grew up a good Baptist girl, singing in the youth choir, only to realize eventually that she was gay. How did that affect her relationship to the church and to God? Listen to Cheryl Allison talk about all this and more on this episode of Good God.
You can also read the full transcript of this and every episode ongoodgodproject.com.
The United Methodists made a historic decision last week about LGBTQ people. This episode of Good God was recorded late spring of 2018. George talks with pastor of First United Methodist Church of Dallas Andy Stoker about the expected events in the upcoming year and how he hoped it would go:
"My hope and prayer for Methodism is that we don't have to vote congregationally. My hope and prayer for Methodism is that it becomes a denominational decision where we together are deciding what an open table really means."
Listen to their conversation and hear more about what Andy means by the church being an open table, as well as the church's role in the City of Dallas.
George Mason and Sports Personality Matt Mosley talk about the ever-changing world of journalism. At center of this fascinating conversation is Matt’s journey from print journalism at the The Dallas Morning News to a contributor online at Dallasnews.com and from a weekday show on 103.3 ESPN radio to his ventures in podcasting with Ed Werder and The Doomsday Podcast and Brent Musberger and "You Are Looking Live." Matt reveals how his faith, friends, family and church uplifted him through difficult decisions he had to make along the way.
George Mason and Larry James from CitySquare talk about how faith leads people to address poverty and into a relationship with the poor and how faith can change the relationships of those that have and those that don't.
In this episode of Good God, George Mason talks to Sharon Grovesabout her work in the world of progressive social justice activism. The hunger for faith and religion is strong in this sphere. Faith teaches us how to cross divides--social, political, and religious divides--to find true healing.
Sharon speaks about her personal journey to find faith, as a lesbian in the midst of a post 9/11 anti-war movement. She spent a decade working for the Human Rights Campaign, bringing faith leaders into that space. She now works at Auburn Theological Seminary, bringing people of moral courage together to create change in our communities.
George shares about his experience leading his congregation to become fully affirming of our LGBTQ friends, and how that has led to more openness to others' experiences of pain, love and faith.
In the second part of George Mason’s conversation with D Magazine publisher @Wick Allison, they talk about how political language like conservative, progressive and liberal have broken down political ideologies and have divided us as a country. How can we use our shared experiences to come together for our common good and what role does religion play in this? Also learn why Wick describes himself as a Hindu Catholic. All this and more on this week’s episode of Good God.
What are the things that stand in the way of Dallas being an even greater city and what are the things that we can do together to allow all people in Dallas to flourish? George Mason sits down with D Magazine Publisher Wick Allison to discuss this and more on this week's episode of Good God.
Today on Good God, George sits down with Tim Wise at a New Baptist Covenant gathering to talk about racial justice activism as white people. How are good intentioned white people complicit in a culture of racism and white supremacy? How can they do something about it?
Can faith and work come together in a positive way? George Mason and longtime WFAA weatherman Troy Dungan discuss this and more on this week's episode.
How does the Church address social issues without losing its own soul? Tune into George Mason's conversation with Father Joshua Whitfield in this week's episode of Good God to explore that and other issues facing the Church today.
What is the connection between art, faith and a fearless heart? Tune in to this week’s Good God episode to learn from Amy Lewis Hofland, the Executive Director of the Crow Museum of Asian Art, to find out.
How can the church and government work together for the common good, meanwhile keeping the separation between church and state? George and Melissa Rogers, the former executive director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships, discuss this and more on this weeks episode of Good God.
What do you do when your newborn daughter is born with a life-threatening heart condition? Do you turn to faith? That's exactly what Miguel Solis and his wife Jacqueline did. Listen to his amazing story on this week's episode of Good God.
Are Christians doing enough to support those on the margins? Tony Campolo and George Mason continue their discussion, with the focus on Christian advocacy for the poor.
Are you a Baptist, Presbyterian, Evangelical or a non-denominational Christian? Our denominations have transformed over the last 20 years. George and renowned minister/speaker/sociologist Tony Campolo discuss this and Tony's progressive stances on LGBTQ marriage and other issues in the latest segment of God God.
Dr. Brian Williams was a surgeon on call at Parkland Hospital on July 7, 2016 and operated on the victims of the Dallas police shooting that launched the Back the Blue campaign. Hear how that night and its trauma, combined with the tragedies of the previous two days--the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile--positioned him to be a spokesperson and activist for racial justice.
Pastor Charlie Johnson and George Mason talk about the importance of advocacy and funding public schools and the expanding role of Pastors For Texas Children.
Longtime friends and colleagues George Mason and Larry James talk about the perceptions and realities of homelessness and the importance of community involvement in finding a solution.
George Mason and Todd Williams of the Commit Partnership talk about the amazing improvements in Dallas ISD and the work towards equity throughout all Texas public schools.
George Mason and Todd Williams of the Commit Partnership talk about the amazing improvements in Dallas ISD and why you should support Dallas Votes 4 Kids in the upcoming election.
The term religious liberty has become increasingly popular in recent years, but in reality that is a term that this country was founded upon. Amanda Tyler leads the Baptist Joint Committee which is charged with protecting religious liberty for people of all faiths.
Mitch Randall the executive director of Baptist Center for Ethics that offers us thought-provoking content on EthicsDaily.com. Tune in for a heart-filled conversation about politics, the crisis on the border...and Mitch's little-known real name.
Our latest guest dropped out of law school to pursue a career in sportswriting. He's regretted it every day since. No, actually it's been a fun ride from the Dallas Morning News to ESPN.com while co-hosting afternoon radio for 10 years. He now owns a podcasting company, which seems to confuse his friends and family. Matt Mosley and George have been pals for 20 years. This may be the first time they've discussed topics outside of sports.
Watch this fascinating conversation between George Mason and CCDA - Christian Community Development AssociationPresident Noel Castellanos and the interconnection between immigration, faith and the Biblical calling to love our neighbors.
As our Jewish brothers and sisters observe the High Holy Days from Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur, we are honored to hear more from the voice of the Dallas Cowboys, Brad Sham. He and George Mason continue their conversation from last week about the Jewish faith, Israel, and of course...football.
Ready for some Dallas Cowboys football? So are we! Check out George Mason and the voice of the Dallas Cowboys Brad Sham discuss faith and football this week on Good God.
Meet Hannah McMahan, Executive Director of New Baptist Covenant. She's from all over the South, lives in DC, and likes woodworking, farming, and history. Ten years ago, she helped bring a vision of President Jimmy Carter's to life. New Baptist Covenant brings black and white Baptist churches in America together to unite in worship and service. Listen to her conversation with George Mason to hear about NBC and particularly how it has helped effect change in Dallas.
There is no denying Rev. Charlie Johnson's passion for equality for public school children. As the leader of Pastors for Texas Children, he advocates on a daily basis for adequate funding for our neighborhood schools and support for the teachers and administrators.
Good God's next guest, The Reverend Andy Stoker, the pastor of First United Methodist Church of Dallas. If you know Andy, you won't be surprised that he thought he would grow up to be a comedian. Learn how his path took him from comedy to ministry, and what helped guide him along the way.
This week’s guest is Father Joshua J Whitfield, a Roman Catholic Priest of the Diocese of Dallas. Totally normal...except that he's married with 4 kids! This episode is a great conversation between a committed Catholic and a committed Baptist.
Former WFAA Weatherman Troy Dungan talks about his faith and how it played a role in growing up, his career and traveling.
This episode of Good God is the second part of George’s conversation with Rabbi Nancy Kasten. They talk about why her Jewish faith inspires her to work for social justice, and they find some surprising connections between Christianity and Judaism. Together they will be leading a trip to the Holy Land in the fall to continue the exploration of their shared and respective histories.
Part 2 of George's discussion with Jonathan Merritt. He grew up in the Bible Belt, and when he made his way to New York City as an adult, he discovered that could no longer “speak God” like he was used to doing.
If you keep up with religious news these days, then will you already know Good God’s next guest, Jonathan Merritt. He grew up in the Bible Belt, and when he made his way to New York City as an adult, he discovered that could no longer “speak God” like he was used to doing.
Michael W. Waters talks about the work of racial justice in Dallas, his faith, and the march that turned deadly for Dallas police two years ago.
"I wrote this book, because I wanted Theo's story to be heard by as many people as possible who could benefit from it. People who are dealing with adversity or loss, struggling with limitations or trying to discern their vocation in life. I want them to know they are not alone, and that the world steps in to help in amazing ways."
- Timothy Krause, author of Finding Theo
If you’ve ever been through a time of doubt and darkness, or been the parent to someone in crisis, you will want to hear this conversation between George and his old friend, Tim Krause. Tim went through a crisis of faith after his young adult son suffered extensive injuries from a mountain bike accident and beat the odds to recovery. Read more about their faith journey in his book, Finding Theo.
What in the world do yoga, compassion and Asian art have in common? Our guest for Good God is Amy Lewis Hofland, the Executive Director for the Crow Collection of Asian Art (crowcollection.org), and created and chairs The Compassion Council for the Dallas Arts District. She is mindful about the intersection of physical, mental, and spiritual wellness, and how the arts contributes to that. Don't miss her conversation with George.
George Mason and Carry the Load Co-Founder Stephen Holley continue their conversation about life after the Navy Seals, starting a non-profit and a company, depression and how Faith plays a role in all of it.
George Mason and Carry The Load Founder Stephen Holley discuss how faith played a major role in growing up, playing football for the Naval Academy and his service in combat.
George Mason and Omar Suleiman discuss the relationship between Christians and Muslims and the important work of Faith Forward Dallas.
How is Christianity related to Judaism? While Christians and Jews often differ with each other and even among themselves about the relationship, there is a way to think of the two as one people of God, each with unique roles of witness to God in the world. George and Nancy explore that, the role the land of Israel plays in their faiths, and a surprise rethinking of how God calls people into ministry.
George Mason and Michael W. Waters of Joy Tabernacle AME Church discuss economic justice, poverty, race relations in Dallas and America, and how we can address it with our faith.
George and Gordon dig a little deeper into Gordon's faith background and how that helped him through the death of his parents.
Dr. George Mason interviews KTCK The Ticket’s Gordon Keith on growing up as a preacher’s kid and how that has shaped him personally and professionally.