MU Talks: Recent Episodes
MU Talks
Multnomah University Talks (MU Talks) is a podcast created by Alin Vrancila, Renee Duffy, and Rob Hildebrand. It is an intentional space of intersection between the world of Academia and the world we all live in. Join us as we wrestle with complex phenomena, bring forth various experts from the Academic space and share our own challenges in this space.
MU Talks sat down with Dance Therapist and MU Professor Mariah LeFeber to talk about embodied spirituality. The discussion includes the impact of the pandemic on our disembodied experiences and her insights as a mental health professional on how important including our bodily experience is to all aspects of life including our spirituality.
MU Talks sits down with Professor Jeremiah Peck to discuss burnout in church ministry. Whether you're in ministry and want to educate yourself on burnout or want to be part of creating a culture in your own church that protects against burnout, this conversation is full of wisdom for you. Learn more about Jeremiah’s work and research at https://allychristiancounseling.com and on his YouTube channel Ally Academy https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRqCiGsSzZstfTbB9eZBF7w
Dr. Craig Williford joins the MU Talks hosts to talk about where courageous leaders find their strength and to share with us his own lessons learned from over 40 years of leadership in the church and higher education.
MU Talks welcomes Dr. Daniel Scalberg, Professor of History at Multnomah University, to discuss the question, "When was America a Christian nation?" Dr. Scalberg's research and writing has focused on the Church in the 17th Century and brings to the conversation a wealth of knowledge about the role of the Church in the founding of America.
Join us for a discussion with Dr. Greg Burch, Professor of Global Development and Justice at Multnomah University. We'll talk about Greg's work on behalf of vulnerable kids around the globe and his passion for preparing students to go into the mission field seeking justice for people inside and outside the US. Check out Dr. Burch's online course, Protecting the Vulnerable: Keeping Kids Safe Globally on www.multnomahplus.com And his podcast Development and Justice at https://developmentandjustice.com/
MU Talks welcomes Professors of English, Dr. Domani Hintze-Pothen, and Dr. Douglas Schaak to discuss the way that reading changes us as humans by allowing us to step out of our limited life experience and to experience living in someone else’s skin. In light of that notion, they also share some of their recommendations for some best of all time books for our listeners.
Dr. Rev. Rob Hildebrand is one of MU Talks' co-hosts. He's a professor at Multnomah University and has a fascinating life story to share. Listen with us to find out how Rob's 30 years in youth ministry have led him to own his own chateau in France! You don't want to miss it. Also check out Rob and Leslie’s story via their YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLBmuODkWeWhFnC-XV-Lbhg
This episode of MU Talks features Professor Kristyn Kidney, Director of Multnomah University's TESOL program. Professor Kidney and the MU Talks hosts discuss the role of relationships in learning and how digital classrooms affect students' ability to form the kind of connections that are indispensable to successful learning outcomes. Please let us know your thoughts on this as well.
In honor of MLKJ Day, MU Talks has invited Multnomah University's Vice President of Diversity and Inclusive Development, Dr. Jessica Taylor to a conversation on Belonging. Listen in as Dr. Taylor and MU Talk's hosts discuss the importance of belonging and the work required to be a person who belongs and who makes space for others to belong.
MU Talks welcomes Dr. Jason Stuckey, soil scientist, and professor at Multnomah University to a discussion on the role of soil in the environmental challenges of today. If you don’t know the difference between soil and dirt or want to know why soil is key to your water security, this episode is for you! Please let us know what you think about this topic as well.
This is the fourth and final week in our Advent series and we’ve invited Dr. Ray Lubeck to discuss the topic of Love. We'll discuss God's love and why it fills us with awe this time of year as well as what Dr. Lubeck has to say to anyone who wishes they felt God's love but doesn't. Dr. Lubeck is a longtime Faculty member at Multnomah University, an author, and an MU Plus Instructor.
This is the third week in our four-week series for Advent. We've invited Dr. Kristen White to discuss Joy and ways of cultivating it this season even in the midst of busyness or personal pain. Dr. White is a professional therapist and a professor in Multnomah University's counseling program. If you are facing obstacles to experiencing joy this season, join us as we learn about cultivating joy that transcends our circumstances.
This is the second in our four-week series for Advent. This week we'll be discussing peace in the midst of conflict with Dr. Karen Fancher. Dr. Fancher is one of Multnomah University's experts in the Global Development and Justice program. In our discussion, Dr. Fancher unpacks our misconceptions of peace and encourages us to be people who not only live in peace but actively seek peaceful transformations in our immediate context.
Starting with this episode of MU Talks, we're kicking off the season of advent with a special series. For the next four weeks, we'll be releasing conversations about the traditional advent themes of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love with esteemed MU Faculty. This first week we are discussing Hope in Ecclesiastes with Dr. Karl Kutz. Dr. Kutz is an expert in Old Testament as well as the biblical languages. In this episode, we discuss how one of the most pessimistic books in the Bible also reveals the best and truest hope for our lives: a God who comes near to us in every circumstance.
What would you tell the world 50 years from now? Find out what Dr. Paul Metzger, distinguished Professor, and Scholar at Multnomah University had to say to that. Join Rob, Renee, and Alin in this new episode with Dr. Metzger as they talk about a theology of culture and to learn more about Cultural Encounters, the Academic Journal published by the New Wine Center for Integration and Cultural Engagement at Multnomah University
MU Talks is excited to introduce a new co-host, Renee Duffy. In this episode, we get to learn more about Renee and about her passion for the Higher Ed space. Renee is the Academic Operations Coordinator at Multnomah University and a great addition to our podcast. Please join us in welcoming Renee and we hope you enjoy this great conversation.
A discussion about conflict and the role conflict has (or should have) in Higher Ed. How do we talk about conflict? What is conflict? Join Alin and Rob in this new episode and share your thoughts on this topic as we would love to hear from you as well.
Have you seen the latest show on Netflix called Squid Games? If yes, you know what we are talking about when we wrestle with the complex discussion of higher ed and finances. If you have not seen it, then you really want to listen to this podcast episode.
What has changed in Higher Ed and what we, two educators/administrators in Higher Ed think has been the impact of the Global Pandemic on Higher Ed? Join Rob and Alin in this discussion and let us know what you think has changed.
Wrapping up the first MU Talks season, Rob and Alin reflect on more than nine months worth of episodes and great topics. Started off as a space to wrestle with all things academia and all too quickly became an archive and a journal of Coronavirus Covid-19's impact on Higher Ed and ultimately every aspect of our lives. We hope you enjoy this last episode of reflection and self-reflection.
Today, more than ever, we need to consider and perhaps reconsider the role of the Academy in a polarized, politicized, polemicized, and pandamicezed world. Rob and Alin talk about some ways in which Higher Education should be a solution for the unhealthy polarization of our society and also the way in which we may contribute to it. As you already know, these are raw, transparent, and hopefully insightful discussions. Enjoy and share if you got any value out of this.
We are back to school, residentially, during a time when a lot of Universities are forced to go remote or online. Alin and Rob talk about the summer and about the moments leading up to coming back to campus residentially. Vulnerable and transparent conversation between an administrator and a faculty in higher ed. If you enjoyed this episode, consider subscribing to our podcast and checking us out on social media under facebook.com/multnomahplus
"Space at the Table" book written by Dr. Brad Harper and his son, Drew is a profoundly moving memoir, written with compassion, grit, and humor. It is also a guide, showing us a way through the roadblocks that threaten to devastate families and the broader religious and LBGTQ communities. A short while ago we invited Dr. Harper to our MU Talks and we discussed his book and the challenge of loving our neighbor well. This is a very relevant conversation in today's landscape and it challenges us to think deeply about who is at our table and how do we intentionally create more space at the table.
Collective trauma, or traumatic experiences like the COVID-19 pandemic that impact entire societies or groups of people, can bring confusion and upheaval. Yet, there is hope amidst the chaos. In this episode, we explore the topic of collective trauma, the effects that collective trauma may bring, situations that cause it, and how we can support ourselves and others as they navigate times of collective trauma. Our guest is Danielle Render Turmaud, a scholar and professional counselor.
Pre-covid conversation between Rob Hildebrand and Alin Vrancila on why Millenials and Gen Z's leave the church and what we should do about it. This is even more relevant today when churches are on zoom and social media and you can see the microphones muted or the camera's turned off. You can also see who is missing from the services altogether. Listen, reply and let us know what you think.
Raw, transparent, and open discussion on what it means to be a student during a pandemic with a few Multnomah University students. Listen and share with others if you think it would help them process what they are experiencing as students during this time. Also, please consider subscribing to our podcast.
Does God look more like us, or do we look more like Him? To what extent are we pulling God into our own agendas rather than allowing Him to transform the way we think about the world? Are we limiting our imagination by limiting God and the possibilities a life with Him might provide? These and other important questions are addressed in this episode with our special guest, Dr. James Spencer, author and COO of Moody Center. Answers to these questions have an increased significance in a time where it feels like we have more questions than asnwers.
MU Talks presents this Special Easter Edition with Dr. Karl Kutz. In this special episode, we are looking into a unique perspective on Passover. Exodus 12:23 indicates that the LORD did not by-pass the houses during the first Passover, but rather stepped in front of ("passed over") the doorway so that the destroying angel could not enter. Hear Dr. Kutz present a compelling argument for this point and how this impacts our pandemic infused world today. Here's to a unique and blessed Easter celebration.
On this MU Talks podcast episode, we talk about Christian missions in the age of COVID-19 with Dr. Greg W Burch. A candid and open conversation on Christians missions and on protecting the most vulnerable during the "stay-at-home" order. Let us know what you think, find us on social media under multnomahplus and on multnomahplus.com
Special edition of MU Talks, from quarantine. Rob is as far away as you can possibly get on the West Coast, at the Pacific Ocean while Alin is as far away as you can get from the city of Portland. In this episode, they deal with how to cope with the quarantine and the changing world. Let us know your coping methods and how are you dealing with it.
Special edition of MU Talks with Dr. Craig Williford on MU's response to Coronavirus Covid-19. Leading well through a pandemic is challenging on many levels. Here's an open discussion with the President of Multnomah University on what we've done so far.
Alin and Rob have a raw and open discussion about the Covid-19 pandemic, challenging everyone to be rational, be kind and be prudent. This discussion also covers online and distance education, tips, tricks and everything else you need to know.
In this episode, Dr. Rebeka Josberger discusses the importance and beauty of the Old Testament and unpacks for us the role and intricacies of the Torah. Dr. Josberger is an established academician in the area of Old Testament and Hebrew studies. Find out more about her personal academic journey and learn more about the God of the Old Testament in this new episode of MU Talks.
Dr. Scalberg is a History professor at Multnomah University and a great scholar in church history. He joins Alin and Rob on a lively discussion about important and relevant things that happened in the church history that we should learn from in today's ministry settings. Join this conversation and let us know what you think about it.
Dr. Craig Williford, President of Multnomah University joins Alin and Rob in a discussion about leadership. As a senior executive leader for many years, Dr. Williford reflects on things he wishes he would have known when he started his leadership roles. Join this great conversation and let us know what you think.
In this special episode, Alin and Rob discuss grief and loss with Dr. Jessica Taylor, V.P. of Diversity and Inclusive Development at Multnomah University and Becca Jones, Director of Student Counseling and Wellness Center. We all experience loss at one point or another, how do you deal with it? How do you know you are dealing with grief in a healthy way? That and much more in this special episode.
Alin and Rob talk about fear sharing some of the worst and best moments of their life. Something that stands out is that through all these (very) challenging situations, God had something to say and something to offer. Hear these stories, get encouraged, stay strong and move forward.
First MU Talks episode, Alin and Rob share a bit about themselves, their lives and also the vision for the podcast.