The Raceless Gospel Podcast: Recent Episodes
Starlette Thomas
Christianity and complexion are not synonymous. Nothing taboo, no topic off limits, the Raceless Gospel Podcast is where Word meets flesh. Sharing stories of where that word, race, met our own, when its meanings were rubbed into our skin, why it gets under our skin, how current events fit in and what the Church in North America can do about it.
Segregated on Sunday mornings, the Raceless Gospel Podcast is the church service I have always wanted. Modeled after a worship service and complete with the call and response of guests, it captures the liturgy of life, the hymn singing of the hum drum, the unbelievable and everything in between with testimonies of the new creation, the new kin- dom on the way. It is a conversation about words that we need to flesh out.
Rev. Starlette Thomas is a womanist in ministry and the host of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast from Good Faith Media. In this ongoing conversation, Thomas and her guests talk about that taboo trinity — race, religion and politics – in the structure of a church service.Season three of the podcast focuses on the church in North America’s “body language.” In episode eight with Aidsand and Betty Wright-Riggins, Thomas is looking for the words that speak to the undivided “kin-dom” that is coming. What should the North American church be saying with its body to beckon forward a new kind of human being and belonging?Aidsand Wright- Riggins is the mayor of Collegeville, Pennsylvania and the co- executive director of New Baptist Covenant. To learn more, visit newbaptistcovenant.org.Betty Wright- Riggins is an ordained American Baptist Minister and certified spiritual director, who serves as an adjunct faculty member at Eastern University.Season three of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast is sponsored in part by the CBF Podcast. Learn more at cbf.net/podcasts.Music: Pond5Learn more about The Raceless Gospel Initiative at GoodFaithMedia.org/trgi.Learn more about Good Faith Media at GoodFaithMedia.org.
Rev. Starlette Thomas is a womanist in ministry and the host of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast from Good Faith Media. In this ongoing conversation, Thomas and her guests talk about that taboo trinity — race, religion and politics – in the structure of a church service.Season three of the podcast focuses on the church in North America’s “body language.” In episode seven with Amy Butler, Thomas is looking at the position that Sunday morning segregation puts the North American church in. King’s words are often quoted but segregation is never questioned. Why are Jesus followers toeing “the color line”?Amy Butler is an ordained minister and currently serves as the intentional interim Senior Minister at the National City Christian Church. She is also the founder of Invested Faith. To learn more, visit investedfaith.org.Season three of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast is sponsored in part by the CBF Podcast. Learn more at cbf.net/podcasts.Music: Pond5Learn more about The Raceless Gospel Initiative at GoodFaithMedia.org/trgi.Learn more about Good Faith Media at GoodFaithMedia.org.
Rev. Starlette Thomas is a womanist in ministry and the host of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast from Good Faith Media. In this ongoing conversation, Thomas and her guests talk about that taboo trinity — race, religion and politics – in the structure of a church service.Season three of the podcast focuses on the church in North America’s “body language.” In episode six with Jamie Eaddy Chism, Thomas reminds listeners that Jesus was accused of “talking crazy.” We’ve heard it too about our friends and next of kin. So what is the church going to do about it?Jamie Eaddy Chism, grief coach and ordained minister, is the CEO of Thoughtful Transitions. To learn more, visit thoughtfultransitions.org.Season three of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast is sponsored in part by the CBF Podcast. Learn more at cbf.net/podcasts.Music: Pond5Learn more about The Raceless Gospel Initiative at GoodFaithMedia.org/trgi.Learn more about Good Faith Media at GoodFaithMedia.org.
Rev. Starlette Thomas is a womanist in ministry and the host of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast from Good Faith Media. In this ongoing conversation, Thomas and her guests talk about that taboo trinity — race, religion and politics – in the structure of a church service.Season three of the podcast focuses on the church in North America’s “body language.” In episode five with Morgan Strehlow, Thomas turns our attention to the eyes of Christ, which are black and blue. Questioning why the North American church doesn’t feel the pain of his bruised ribs too, it is time to address sexual and physical abuse and the complicity of pretending we didn’t see a thing.Morgan Strehlow is a freelance writer, editor and host of the Sanctuary Woman podcast. Learn more at morganstrehlow.com.Season three of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast is sponsored in part by the CBF Podcast. Learn more at cbf.net/podcasts.Music: Pond5Learn more about The Raceless Gospel Initiative at GoodFaithMedia.org/trgi.Learn more about Good Faith Media at GoodFaithMedia.org.
Rev. Starlette Thomas is a womanist in ministry and the host of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast from Good Faith Media. In this ongoing conversation, Thomas and her guests talk about that taboo trinity — race, religion and politics – in the structure of a church service.Season three of the podcast focuses on the church in North America’s “body language.” In episode four with Willie Francois III, Thomas challenges the American church’s ongoing complicity in systems of oppression that has compromised its prophetic witness. Foot in its mouth when it claimed to follow Jesus while endorsing American slavery, it still struggles to walk the talk of the gospel that liberates.Willie Francois III is an academician and scholar, who serves as the senior pastor at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Pleasantville, New Jersey.
Rev. Starlette Thomas is a womanist in ministry and the host of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast from Good Faith Media. In this ongoing conversation, Thomas and her guests talk about that taboo trinity — race, religion and politics – in the structure of a church service.Season three of the podcast focuses on the church in North America’s “body language.” In episode three with D. Danyelle Thomas, Thomas shows that the placement of certain members in the church in North America reveals a language all its own. Kept at arm’s length which keeps us comfortable, the distance between the church and its LGBTQIA members can no longer be maintained.D. Danyelle Thomas is a faith & spirituality writer, speaker, and founder of Unfit Christian. Learn more at unfitchristian.com.
Rev. Starlette Thomas is a womanist in ministry and the host of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast from Good Faith Media. In this ongoing conversation, Thomas and her guests talk about that taboo trinity — race, religion and politics – in the structure of a church service.Season three of the podcast focuses on the church in North America’s “body language.” In episode two with Alyssa Aldape, Thomas points out that members of marginalized groups are often given the cold shoulder. God’s arms are outstretched, but the North American church is most known for who it steers clear of. The American church’s history of exclusion and the implications are not up for debate but open to discussion.Alyssa Aldape is a freelance writer and columnist for Good Faith Media.Season three of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast is sponsored in part by the CBF Podcast. Learn more at cbf.net/podcasts.Music: Pond5Learn more about The Raceless Gospel Initiative at GoodFaithMedia.org/trgi.Learn more about Good Faith Media at GoodFaithMedia.org.
Rev. Starlette Thomas is a womanist in ministry and the host of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast from Good Faith Media. In this ongoing conversation, Thomas and her guests talk about that taboo trinity — race, religion and politics – in the structure of a church service.Season three of the podcast focuses on the church in North America’s “body language.”In episode one with Brian Kaylor, Thomas explores what’s costing the North American church “an arm and a leg.” Over one issue or another, the religious institution is losing members left and right. What does this say about the body of Christ?Brian T. Kaylor is an award-winning author and journalist. He serves as President & Editor-in-Chief of Word&Way. Learn more at BrianKaylor.comSeason three of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast is sponsored in part by the CBF Podcast. Learn more at cbf.net/podcasts.Music: Pond5Learn more about The Raceless Gospel Initiative at GoodFaithMedia.org/trgi.Learn more about Good Faith Media at GoodFaithMedia.org.
Rev. Starlette Thomas is your podcast pastor and host of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast from Good Faith Media. Season 3 of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast (TRG3) is eight episodes and starts dropping weekly on May 5, 2022.
Love, not that sappy romance novel stuff, comes in a vulnerable, dependent, needy infant. Love nurtured and supported by Mary’s two swollen feet is on the way. In this episode, Jesus is coming to show us an unconditional, no strings attached, nothing in it for me kind of love.
Joy is a person with a capital “p.” Faith in Jesus, this Joy, is handed down by way of a cute baby passed around. He has everyone singing. In this episode, Jesus is the joy of Mary, Eva Mae, you and me.
Despite a tantrum- throwing king, Jesus comes in peace. King Herod is piecing together a plan to thwart his defeat, but the fight is fixed. In this episode, we fasten our eyes on the baby who comes not as a member of the ruling class but as a member of the family.
Some say, “Jesus is in my heart.” But Mary has faith the size of a newborn baby. In this episode, Mary and Joseph go door-to- door in search of a delivery room. Jesus is coming!
Rev. Starlette Thomas is your podcast pastor and host of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast from Good Faith Media.Jesus, the hometown hero (or at least that’s what they say now), Mary’s boy, Joseph’s stepson. We have fancier names for him now, but I want to introduce us to the Jesus who came to a prepubescent teen girl as she is not featured in the nativity scene we have some version of. All her hairs and every animal in place, the serene scene is far from the truth. Birthing a child at any time of the day is never silent.So please do not offer me your rendition of “Silent Night.” But I digress. Back to Jesus, sweet baby Jesus, divinity in pounds and ounces, can you see him? How do you ready yourself to receive him in an unkempt world? The season of Advent is one of preparation, a reminder of God the Family and that we are a part of it.Jesus’ birth foretold by prophets. His arrival announced by angels. His presence felt by his cousin John before he comes out kicking and screaming, a bouncing baby boy. Jesus is coming and he comes bearing good news and carries the government on his shoulders. Jesus is coming and coming to undue every unjust system that robs me of you.A season of preparation for a ‘kin-dom’ that is coming. Back up. Give everyone some space. There is “plenty good room.” Come one, come all to Jesus.
Rev. Starlette Thomas is your podcast pastor and host of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast from Good Faith Media. Season 2 of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast (TRG2) is eight episodes and starts dropping weekly on July 18, 2021.“Bodywork” is the theme of Season 2, and it addresses the damage that the Church in North America has done to itself. The Church is known for its finger-pointing, and TRG2 is an invitation for us to take a long hard look at “Christ’s hands and feet.” No sweaty hands or cold feet, it’s an embodied conversation that is calling for a complete overhaul from the inside out. Not just one part of the body, but this entire body of believers needs work.In Episode 8, we discuss the language of faith, what has been lost in interpretation due to American slavery, colonialism and Christian nationalism, and what the Church in North America should be saying now with Danielle Bridgeforth (Facebook: danielle.bridgeforth).Follow the podcast on Instagram and Facebook @racelessgospelpodcast and on Twitter @racelessgosppodLearn more -- and get caught up on Season 1 -- at https://goodfaithmedia.org/the-raceless-gospel/Learn more about Good Faith Media’s network of podcasts at https://goodfaithmedia.org/podcasts/
Rev. Starlette Thomas is your podcast pastor and host of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast from Good Faith Media. Season 2 of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast (TRG2) is eight episodes and starts dropping weekly on July 18, 2021.“Bodywork” is the theme of Season 2, and it addresses the damage that the Church in North America has done to itself. The Church is known for its finger-pointing, and TRG2 is an invitation for us to take a long hard look at “Christ’s hands and feet.” No sweaty hands or cold feet, it’s an embodied conversation that is calling for a complete overhaul from the inside out. Not just one part of the body, but this entire body of believers needs work.In Episode 7, we discuss the politics of Jesus, the role of the Christian faith in the public square, and the Church in North America’s responsibility, perceived or otherwise, for civilization and the social order with Bill Lamar (Twitter: @WilliamLamarIV).Follow the podcast on Instagram and Facebook @racelessgospelpodcast and on Twitter @racelessgosppodLearn more -- and get caught up on Season 1 -- at https://goodfaithmedia.org/the-raceless-gospel/Learn more about Good Faith Media’s network of podcasts at https://goodfaithmedia.org/podcasts/
Rev. Starlette Thomas is your podcast pastor and host of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast from Good Faith Media. Season 2 of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast (TRG2) is eight episodes and began dropping weekly on July 18, 2021.“Bodywork” is the theme of Season 2, and it addresses the damage that the Church in North America has done to itself. The Church is known for its finger-pointing, and TRG2 is an invitation for us to take a long hard look at “Christ’s hands and feet.” No sweaty hands or cold feet, it’s an embodied conversation that is calling for a complete overhaul from the inside out. Not just one part of the body, but this entire body of believers needs work.In Episode 6, we discuss police brutality, the use of cameras in the work of visibility, and discipleship that practices accountability with guest Drew G.I. Hart (Twitter: @DruHart).Follow the podcast on Instagram and Facebook @racelessgospelpodcast and on Twitter @racelessgosppodLearn more -- and get caught up on Season 1 -- at https://goodfaithmedia.org/the-raceless-gospel/Learn more about Good Faith Media’s network of podcasts at https://goodfaithmedia.org/podcasts/
Rev. Starlette Thomas is your podcast pastor and host of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast from Good Faith Media. Season 2 of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast (TRG2) is eight episodes and starts dropping weekly on July 18, 2021.“Bodywork” is the theme of Season 2, and it addresses the damage that the Church in North America has done to itself. The Church is known for its finger-pointing, and TRG2 is an invitation for us to take a long hard look at “Christ’s hands and feet.” No sweaty hands or cold feet, it’s an embodied conversation that is calling for a complete overhaul from the inside out. Not just one part of the body, but this entire body of believers needs work.In Episode 5, Reverend Starlette Thomas will talk with Shane Claiborne about the politics of death, the meaning of the death penalty, thoughts, prayers and gun violence in America.Episode 5 Guest: Shane Claiborne (Twitter: @Shane Claiborne)Follow the podcast on Instagram and Facebook @racelessgospelpodcast and on Twitter @racelessgosppodLearn more -- and catch up on Season 1 -- at https://goodfaithmedia.org/the-raceless-gospel/Learn more about Good Faith Media’s network of podcasts at https://goodfaithmedia.org/podcasts/
Rev. Starlette Thomas is your podcast pastor and host of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast from Good Faith Media. Season 2 of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast (TRG2) is eight episodes and starts dropping weekly on July 18, 2021.“Bodywork” is the theme of Season 2, and it addresses the damage that the Church in North America has done to itself. The Church is known for its finger-pointing, and TRG2 is an invitation for us to take a long hard look at “Christ’s hands and feet.” No sweaty hands or cold feet, it’s an embodied conversation that is calling for a complete overhaul from the inside out. Not just one part of the body, but this entire body of believers needs work.In Episode 4, Body Positive, Reverend Starlette Thomas will talk with Kristian Owens about the meanings we give our bodies and the meanings our bodies are given according to the Christian faith, the sociopolitical construct of race and gender, how we are taught to see ourselves and others, and what we can say to ensure that we are all body positive.Episode 4 Guest: Kristian Owens (Instagram: @kristian.lcswc)Follow the podcast on Instagram and Facebook @racelessgospelpodcast and on Twitter @racelessgosppodLearn more -- and catch up on Season 1 -- at https://goodfaithmedia.org/the-raceless-gospel/Learn more about Good Faith Media’s network of podcasts at https://goodfaithmedia.org/podcasts/
Rev. Starlette Thomas is your podcast pastor and host of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast from Good Faith Media. Season 2 of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast (TRG2) is eight episodes dropping weekly.“Bodywork” is the theme of Season 2, and it addresses the damage that the Church in North America has done to itself. The Church is known for its finger-pointing, and TRG2 is an invitation for us to take a long hard look at “Christ’s hands and feet.” No sweaty hands or cold feet, it’s an embodied conversation that is calling for a complete overhaul from the inside out. Not just one part of the body, but this entire body of believers needs work.In Episode 3 we discuss America’s obsession with Jesus’ body, how race forms, informs and malforms our own, and what message our image of Christ’s body sends to others.Episode 3 Guests: Don Ng (Facebook: revdonaldng) and Lauren Lisa Ng (Facebook: lauren.ng.77; Instagram: @laurenlisang)Follow the podcast on Instagram and Facebook @racelessgospelpodcast and on Twitter @racelessgosppodLearn more -- and catch up on Season 1 -- at https://goodfaithmedia.org/the-raceless-gospel/Learn more about Good Faith Media’s network of podcasts at https://goodfaithmedia.org/podcasts/
Rev. Starlette Thomas is your podcast pastor and host of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast from Good Faith Media. Season 2 of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast (TRG2) is eight episodes and starts dropping weekly on July 18, 2021.“Bodywork” is the theme of Season 2, and it addresses the damage that the Church in North America has done to itself. The Church is known for its finger-pointing, and TRG2 is an invitation for us to take a long hard look at “Christ’s hands and feet.” No sweaty hands or cold feet, it’s an embodied conversation that is calling for a complete overhaul from the inside out. Not just one part of the body, but this entire body of believers needs work.In Episode 2, we discuss the North American Church’s body consciousness around patriarchy, race and traditional gender norms -- and the ways they mirror a disordered society.Episode 2 Guest: Kyndall Rae Rothaus (Twitter: @KyndallRothaus)Follow the podcast on Instagram and Facebook @racelessgospelpodcast and on Twitter @racelessgosppodLearn more -- and get caught up on Season 1 -- at https://goodfaithmedia.org/the-raceless-gospel/Learn more about Good Faith Media’s network of podcasts at https://goodfaithmedia.org/podcasts/
Rev. Starlette Thomas is your podcast pastor and host of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast from Good Faith Media. Season 2 of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast (TRG2) is eight episodes and starts dropping weekly on July 18, 2021.“Bodywork” is the theme of Season 2, and it addresses the damage that the Church in North America has done to itself. The Church is known for its finger-pointing, and TRG2 is an invitation for us to take a long hard look at “Christ’s hands and feet.” No sweaty hands or cold feet, it’s an embodied conversation that is calling for a complete overhaul from the inside out. Not just one part of the body, but this entire body of believers needs work.Episode 1 Guests: Jennifer Butler (Instagram and Twitter: @revjenbutler) and TaNikka Sheppard (Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @tanikkasheppard)
Rev. Starlette Thomas is your podcast pastor and host of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast from Good Faith Media. Season 2 of “The Raceless Gospel” podcast (TRG2) is eight episodes and starts dropping weekly on July 18, 2021.
This Sunday, we aim to talk about unity and the nouns, adjectives and verbs that divide the Body of Christ though we are supposed to be one body, one flesh.Guest Rev. Dr. Leslie Copeland Tune is chief operating officer at the National Council of Churches.
This Sunday, we aim to address a thorn in the flesh, the consistent poke and prick of politics and the intersections of race and religion. We hope to address the necessity of politics, its negligence and nuances, what it means when racialized and the fine line that separates Church and State.Guest Rev. Dr. Michael Bledsoe is an author and former pastor of Riverside Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.
This Sunday, we aim to talk about race and incarnation, how Christ is present in our many segregations, what the word has done to the Body of Christ and the ministry of reconciliation.Guest Rev. Jeremy Bell is general secretary of the North American Baptist Fellowship.
This Sunday, we aim to talk about the struggle for equality and justice for all, the role of power in human being and belonging and why we fight like foes when we are all flesh and blood.Guest Rev. Thomas Bowen is the Earl L Harrison Minister of Social Justice at Shiloh Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.
This Sunday, we aim to flesh out what race means to us and for the Church in North America, how we were introduced to it and the implications of its embodiment.Guest Josina Guess is managing editor at The Bitter Southerner.
Christianity and complexion are not synonymous. Nothing taboo, no topic off limits, the Raceless Gospel Podcast is where Word meets flesh. Sharing stories of where that word, race, met our own, when its meanings were rubbed into our skin, why it gets under our skin, how current events fit in and what the Church in North America can do about it. Segregated on Sunday mornings, the Raceless Gospel Podcast is the church service I have always wanted. Modeled after a worship service and complete with the call and response of guests, it captures the liturgy of life, the hymn singing of the hum drum, the unbelievable and everything in between with testimonies of the new creation, the new kin- dom on the way. It is a conversation about words that we need to flesh out.