Religion Unplugged: Recent Episodes
The Media Project
Religion explored through candid conversations and original reporting. This podcast is powered by The Media Project, a network of more than 1,000 journalists worldwide. TMP acknowledges that religion is growing and becoming more, not less important in the world.
Many writers have been credited with the authorship of the Bible. Some Biblical books list their writers explicitly, others are more ambiguous. But is writing the same as narrating? Raffi Magarik’s recent book “Fictions of God” investigates the question of the Bible’s narratology and its effects on both the protestant reformation and epic literature.
Fictions of God: https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/F/bo253759253.html
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Pope Francis was undeniably controversial in Catholic and non-Catholic circles alike. So far, his predecessor has been less polarizing, but are the two popes really as different as they appear? Joseph Holmes interviews reporter and writer Christopher White about his recent book “Pope Leo XIV: Inside the Conclave and the Dawn of a New Papacy.”
Pope Leo XIV: https://store.loyolapress.com/pope-leo-xiv
Donate: https://religionunplugged.com/donate
newpope #pope #popeleoxiv #popefrancis #catholic #catholicism #conclave #vatican #holysee #rome #catholic #christopherwhite
How did a formerly homeless high school dropout end up with a doctorate in public policy and a poverty relief organization? Matthew Peterson interviews Dr. Terence Lester about his recent book “From Dropout to Doctorate.” Lester explains how education changed his life, how he is fighting poverty in Atlanta, Georgia, and how poverty and education can be deeply intertwined.
From Dropout to Doctorate: https://www.ivpress.com/from-dropout-to-doctorate?srsltid=AfmBOoqSH7VrFGv8YO3urnrm8HiYz2vPXGEAxewYniwQZm2wfb58v5bL
Love Beyond Walls: https://www.lovebeyondwalls.org
Donate: https://religionunplugged.com/donate
“How has christianity changed by the means of transmission?” This is one of the core questions Professor David N. Hempton asks with his book “Christianity at the Crossroads,” in which he recounts the way Christianity has developed from the print revolution to the digital age due to the methods in which it is shared and experienced. Matthew Peterson speaks with Hempton about how these communication styles are interconnected, how the Jesuits existed as a network within a network, how women and men construct networks differently, and more.
Christianity at the Crossroads: https://www.cambridge.org/us/universitypress/subjects/religion/church-history/christianity-crossroads-global-church-print-revolution-digital-era?format=HB&isbn=9781009597432
Donate: https://religionunplugged.com/donate
Is it possible for faith-based film audiences and horror film audiences to converge? Despite the seeming chasm between the two genres, some of 2025’s biggest horror films have much to say about faith. Culture Writers Joseph Holmes and Jillian Cheney discuss the role of religion and spirituality in The Conjuring: Last Rites, Sinners and Black Phone 2.
Over 100 years ago, Muhammad ‘Abduh grappled with the ways in which Islam and Christianity can coexist. He also explored the ways in which the two faiths have either contributed or restricted philosophical and scientific advancement. Now, due to the book’s ongoing cultural relevance, Mohammed Gamal Abdelnour and Umran Khan have translated ‘Abduh’s “Science and Civilization between Islam and Christianity” into English. Matthew Peterson speaks with the translators about how the book fits into modern interfaith discussion.
Science and Civilization between Islam and Christianity: https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/distributed/S/bo245009719.html
The book of Exodus is full of violence, disease, plagues and power struggle. Can this story be told through the lens of a comedic mockumentary? Culture critic Joseph Holmes interviews Mitch Hudson, director of the new faith-based TV show “The Promised Land,” which presents an “Office”-style twist on the story of Exodus.
The Promised Land: https://www.youtube.com/@ThePromisedLandSeries/featured
Fr. Stephen M. Koeth’s “Crabgrass Catholicism” explores the many ways the Catholic Church drove the creation of suburban culture in postwar America.
Crabgrass Catholicism: https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/C/bo250888546.html
Mike Flynt made history by going back to play college football at the age of 59. Now, with a new movie called "The Senior"in theaters from Angel Studios, Mike opens up about his experiences and the strong role faith played.
The Senior: https://www.angel.com/movies/senior
Culture critic Joseph Holmes talks to filmmaker and author Salvador Litvak about his new faith-based thriller, "Guns & Moses," and how the film reflects the fears and experiences of modern Orthodox Jews. In theaters October 14th.
Guns & Moses: gunsandmosesmovie.com
Edward Wright-Ríos explores the devotees of Our Lady of Juquila and why pilgrimage is so much more than just “sweaty therapy” in his book “Devotion in Motion: Pilgrimage in Modern Mexico.”
Devotion in Motion: https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/D/bo248381442.html
Salvation Poem Project President Brennan McPherson sits down with Film Critic Joseph Holmes to discuss his new hand-drawn animation film about the life of Jesus, "Light of the World," which is in theaters September 5th.
Light of The World: https://lightoftheworld.com
Violence done at the hands of religious zealots seems as ancient as war itself. But how do peace-preaching religions become violent? And is religious violence more rampant today than it has been in the past? To find out, Matthew Peterson investigated the rise of Hindu nationalism in India and the ongoing persecution of its religious minorities.
ANHAD: https://anhadindia.com
CSSS: https://csss-isla.com
Hansen: https://www.alephbookcompany.com/book/the-law-of-force-the-violent-heart-of-indian-politics/
Cavanaugh: https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-myth-of-religious-violence-9780195385045?cc=us⟨=en&
After many years as a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, Lee Hawkins composed a memoir about how his investigation into his family's history led him on a journey of self-discovery and forgiveness. Matthew Peterson speaks with Lee about his book, "I Am Nobody's Slave"
I Am Nobody's Slave: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/i-am-nobodys-slave-lee-hawkins?variant=42417685856290
Matthew Peterson speaks with Alina Buzdugan of the Bible Chat app--an AI-powered tool intended to help believers and non-believers grow spiritually and advance their knowledge of scripture.
Bible Chat: https://thebiblechat.com
Matthew Peterson speaks with professor and author Philip C. Almond about his recent book "Noah and the Flood in Western Thought."
Noah and the Flood in Western Thought: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/noah-and-the-flood-in-western-thought/D854F3F09B2AB914D50E274C540BC8D8
Are religious people as active in service as they claim to be? Matthew Peterson speaks with author and former Ohio State Governor John Kasich about his recent book “Heaven Help Us,” which explores how faith communities are making America a kinder nation.
Film and culture critic Joseph Holmes interviews actor Kevin Sorbo about his history in the faith-based film industry, which started with the film "What If?." The film was directed by Dallas Jenkins and returns to theatres August 5th & 7th for its 15th anniversary.
kevinsorbo #hercules #godsnotdead #dallasjenkins #thechosen #christianity #christianfilm #faithbasedfilm
How did the turban become so ubiquitous? Matthew Peterson speaks with Chris Filstrup about his and Jane Merrill’s recent book, “The Turban: A History from East to West,” to investigate the origins and legacy of the headgear.
The Turban: A History from East to West: https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/distributed/T/bo248107952.html
Religion Unplugged culture critic Joseph Holmes sits down with Roy Schwartz, author of "Is Superman Circumcised," to discuss the Jewish roots of the world's first and greatest superhero.
Is Superman Circumcised: https://mcfarlandbooks.com/product/is-superman-circumcised/?srsltid=AfmBOoqcVvb0Jx6SzCgZpyca-meeutW4pEYZFpjTVkuZrgEovryXzsb-
How did a wealthy royal advisor become one of history’s most famous martyrs? Matthew Peterson interviews Michael Staunton about his recent book “Thomas Becket and His World” to understand the medieval Archbishop of Canterbury.
Thomas Becket and His World: https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/distributed/T/bo248107940.html
Can biblical art find admiration in a majority Hindu Nation? The Media Project board member Jennifer Arul interviews painter Sabrina Siga about her creative journey as both a secular and sacred artist and the slow progress of biblical art in the Indian subcontinent.
Is religion bound to die out, or is theism ultimately indomitable? This week, Professor Espen Hammer tells Matthew Peterson about his recent book “After The Death of God.”
After The Death of God: https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/A/bo242202719.html
Religion Unplugged’s columnist Paul Prather is on the show this week to talk with Matthew Peterson about his pastoring, his journalism career, the importance of balanced news engagement and why vulnerability has been so key to his work.
Read Paul's Work: https://religionunplugged.com/news?author=62cf1597d8ba387d85eac503
As a prolific hymn writer and preacher, Charles Wesley continues to influence modern churches around the world. This week, Dr. Clive Norris, editor of “Rev. Charles Wesley (1707–88),” speaks to Matthew Peterson about who Wesley was and what made him so influential.
Rev. Charles Wesley (1707-88): https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/distributed/R/bo238311671.html
Is religion strictly textual? Jaś Elsner explores the art and artifacts of one of India's most notable Buddhist monuments in his recent book, "Amarāvatī." Matthew Peterson speaks with Jaś to better understand how visuals inform theological beliefs.
Amaravati: https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/distributed/A/bo214800056.html
amaravati #buddhism #stupa #amaravatistupa #jaselsner #religiousart #buddha #buddhistart
For nearly as long as we’ve been around, humans have been looking to the stars to help make sense of the world. But what does that practice look like today? Astrologer, teacher, and author Rebecca Gordon speaks with Matthew Peterson about how she uses astrology in her everyday life and how astrology has affected different religions over the centuries.
Visit Rebecca’s Website: https://www.rebeccagordonastrology.com
Rebecca's Free Guide To Reading Your Birth Chart: https://da264.infusionsoft.app/app/form/religion-unplugged-2025
It has been 30 years since the Chinese government kidnapped a major Tibetan Buddhist leader. The victim, a six year-old boy, has not been seen since. Matthew Peterson investigates the disappearance and its ongoing ramifications for Tibetan autonomy.
On this week’s episode, we interview Religion Unplugged Executive Editor Clemente Lisi about the death of Pope Francis, his legacy and what happens next with the upcoming conclave to elect a new pontiff.
Culture critic Joseph Holmes interviews Scott LeRette, author of the beloved memoir "The Unbreakable Boy" and executive producer of the film adaptation of the same name. Scott talks about overcoming addiction, raising a child with special challenges, and how one finds God after walking away from Him.
The Media Project board member Jody Hassett Sanchez interviews journalist Sabrina Ferrisi to learn about Carlo Acutis, who will be canonized as the first millennial saint in April 2025.
"The Chosen," "House of David" and "King of Kings" are just a few of the faith-based movies and TV shows out this Easter which are garnering major publicity in mainstream trades and publications. Have faith-based films finally become mainstream? What is the future of the industry? Religion Unplugged Culture Critic Joseph Holmes, Religion Unplugged Culture Editor Jillian Cheny and The Collision Editor-in-Chief Daniel Blackaby discuss the past and future of the exciting and controversial industry.
How did the Qing dynasty's treatment of Muslims and Christians shape modern Chinese political practice? Matthew Peterson speaks with Hung Tak Wai about his recent book, "Redefining Heresy and Tolerance," to explore the historical struggles of Muslims and Christians in China.
Angela Youngman is a regular contributor to Religion Unplugged, covering everything from animals in churches to religious cyclists. Matthew Peterson sat down with Angela to learn how she finds her unique story ideas, why she likes to focus on the positive, and what she's working on next.
Culture critic Joseph Holmes interviews actor Luke Dimyan about why he relates to his role as Judas Iscariot in "The Chosen," the smash-hit TV show about the life of Jesus.
Is religion allowed at public schools? This is one of many questions created by the simultaneous American commitments to refrain from establishing a national religion while also protecting freedom of religious expression. Matthew Peterson speaks with June Everett of After School Satan Club/HAIL and Joel Penton of LifeWise Academy to better understand how and why they have brought their religious beliefs to public school children across the nation.
With "Walden," Henry David Thoreau presented fresh viewpoints about materialism, independence and community which have challenged readers for well over a century. But what did the famed American writer believe about religion? Matthew Peterson speaks with Richard Higgins about his recent book, "Thoreau's God," to find out.
Religion Unplugged's Culture Critic, Joseph Holmes, interviews Kevin Downes, CEO of Kingdom Story Company, to learn about the company's new film, "The Unbreakable Boy," starring Zachary Levi and directed by Jon Gunn.
Grammy Award-winning gospel singer Jonathan McReynolds speaks about his new book, "Before You Climb Any Higher." Jonathan tells Matthew Peterson what he has learned about God and success on his journey to becoming a major figure in the gospel music scene.
Culture Critic Joseph Holmes, Culture Editor Jillian Cheney, and "Theme Park Theologian" Houston Coley talk about what this year's Oscars say about religion in 2025.
Last year, Audrey Jackson travelled to Antakya, Turkey to document the efforts of churches and faith-based relief organisations a year after severe earthquakes shook the region. Matthew Peterson interviewed Audrey to learn more about her reporting process and the vast implications of the disaster.
All over the world and for many years, people have claimed to see objects in the sky, prophesy the future, and speak with mythical beings. Impossible experiences happen all the time, but what do we do with them? To find out, Matthew Peterson speaks with Jeffrey J. Kripal about his recent book How to Think Impossibly: About Souls, UFOs, Time, Belief, and Everything Else.
Film critic Joseph Holmes sits down with Elizabeth Tabish (Mary Magdalene from The Chosen) to discuss her career in film, how the faith-based film industry is different, and how her new film Between Borders contributes to the conversation around representation and refugees.
For decades, New Atheism has been characterized by "the humanistic rejection of religion." But Dr. Brook Ziporyn's new book, Experiments in Mystical Atheism, argues instead for "the religious rejection of God." Matthew Peterson speaks to Dr. Ziporyn in order to understand what this means and how it differs from more dominant atheistic writing.
The new year brings new opportunities and new obligations by the boatload. As calendars fill up and to-do lists get longer, home life can get rocky. Matthew Peterson speaks with Jennifer Pepito about her recent book Habits For a Sacred Home to understand her views on what a healthy home might look like.
Culture critic Joseph Holmes interviews director D.J. Caruso about his new Netflix film "Mary." They discuss what inspired Caruso to make a story about the mother of Jesus, why Mary is so inspirational, how one balances quality with faithfulness to the source material, and the future of faith-based films.
The Christmas season is often packed to the brim with parties, concerts, gift-buying, and general holiday busyness. But does it have to be that way? Religion Unplugged's Matthew Peterson interviews AJ Sherril about his recent book Rediscovering Christmas to understand his perspective on how Christians can more thoughtfully engage with the season.
Newsletter and Culture Editor Jillian Cheney and Film Critic Joseph Holmes discuss why there hasn't been a Christmas classic in 20 years, the rise of Christmas action movies, and if "The Best Christmas Pageant Ever" signals the start of a faith-based renaissance in the Christmas movie genre.
After centuries of oppression and mistreatment by the American government, Native Americans have had enough. In recent years the Land Back Movement has gained popularity. Land Back presents the idea that returning U.S. land to indigenous communities would be a just action. In order to understand how Christians should approach Land Back, Matthew Peterson spoke with three Native Christian leaders about their views on the topic.
The Christian life is so often a busy one. Work, family, and even church commitments can often leave believers completely burnt out. Matthew Peterson speaks with Jenn Tucker about her new book Present in Prayer to learn about Biblical meditation practices meant to bring peace and stillness to the distracted Christian.
Culture critic Joseph Holmes interviews faith-based filmmaker and Kingdom Story Company founder Andrew Erwin (I Can Only Imagine) about his company's new Christmas film The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, the past 20 years of faith-based filmmaking, and what comes next.
Joseph Smith is one of the most controversial religious figures in American History. In an attempt to understand who he was, Matthew Peterson interviews author and illustrator Noah Van Sciver about his recent biographical graphic novel: Joseph Smith and The Mormons.
Culture Critic Joseph Holmes interviews renowned painter and filmmaker Titus Kaphar about his new film Exhibiting Forgiveness and how one balances Biblical commands of forgiveness while avoiding repeated abuse.
Despite being a cornerstone of the American establishment in the minds of many westerners, Christianity was once very much against the grain. In order to understand the complexities of Christianity in the ancient world, Religion Unplugged’s Matthew Peterson speaks with Nijay K. Gupta about his recent book, Strange Religion.
Exorcisms and those who perform them have become a familiar theme of numerous horror films and stories. But, what does exorcism actually look like? To find out, Religion Unplugged’s Matthew Peterson interviews Exorcist Dan Todd to learn about his experiences with demons, ghosts and even a homicidal doll.
A year after the October 7 attack, the war rages on in the middle east and tensions have persisted on American college campuses. In response to recent Jewish harassment at Baruch College, Religion Unplugged's Matthew Peterson speaks with Ilya Bratman of Baruch's Hillel and Ben Ginsburg and Tasneem Noor From NewGround: A Muslim-Jewish Partnership for Change.
AI tells us what to write in our emails, shows us what we want to watch, and fills our social media feeds. In an increasingly computer-run world, how can society maintain its integrity and its humanity? To find out, Matthew Peterson interviews Loyola philosophy professor Dr. Joseph Vukov about his recent book Staying Human In an Era of Artificial Intelligence.
Religion Unplugged's Matthew Peterson interviews writer and church planter Bill Tenny-Brittian about the principles found in his recent book entitled 101 Things You Can Do To Help Grow Your Church. Bill speaks on how different generations view church, problems with how churches reach out, and what individual congregation members can do to make a difference.
Brian and Kelly Estes, creators of the new documentary God Bless Bitcoin, sit down with culture critic Joseph Holmes to discuss their view that believers of all faiths need to get behind cryptocurrency to make the world a better place.
There have been some major celebrity pastors who have been canceled. Yet, some of these men turned right around and started a new church after their scandal. In addition, many evangelicals personally know a pastor who has disqualified himself for ministry. These pastors, too, often find new jobs leading churches. But, what does the Biblical process of restoration look like, and should disqualified pastors return to ministry at all? Matthew Peterson talked to two pastors to find out.
Matthew Peterson speaks with Dr. Kelly James Clark about his recent book, Raging Fire of Love: What I Learned From Jesus, The Jews, and The Prophet, which explores the ideas that unify the Abrahamic religions.
The Media Project's Jody Hassett Sanchez speaks with author and journalist Barbara Bradley Hagerty about her new book, Bringing Ben Home: A Murder, a Conviction, and the Fight to Redeem American Justice.
The Media Project's Melissa Harrison sits down with attorney, Center for Public Justice fellow, and Fetzer Institute Program Officer Chelsea Langston Bombino to discuss how recent Supreme Court decisions could impact religious freedom.
Culture critic Joseph Holmes interviews the makers of the new film Sing Sing, including Director Greg Kwedar, star Coleman Domingo, and the real-life inspiration for the film, "Divine G." They discuss the making of the film, and the real-life Rehabilitation Through the Arts program in American prisons that the film portrays.
Kathie Lee Gifford speaks with Religion Unplugged's Matthew Peterson about her new book Herod and Mary: The True Story of the Tyrant King and the Mother of the Risen Savior. They cover how the book was written, why it was written, and Kathie Lee's goal to inspire hope in all of its readers.
Culture critic Joseph Holmes interviews Daily Wire reporter Megan Basham on her new book Shepherds for Sale. They discuss whether secular progressive politics have taken over Evangelical institutions, whether there's a difference between conservative and progressive politics in Evangelicalism, and how Christians should navigate them.
Joseph Holmes interviews the founder of new faith-based streaming service "Loor" on what makes his platform different and how he's hoping to shake up the faith-based media industry.
Religion Unplugged's Matthew Peterson investigates the history of Christian graffiti and speaks with members of Gospel Graffiti Crew, a community of artists seeking to spread the gospel through urban graffiti.
Joseph Holmes interviews programmer, writer, and animator of the new faith-based TV show "Fleur de Lis". The two talk about how to make authentic Christian art, and the ethics of using AI for making art.
Matthew Peterson speaks with Emory Professor Jacob L. Wright about peoplehood, the role of women in the Bible, and more subjects covered in his recent book Why The Bible Began.
Joseph Holmes interviews Joseph Josselyn, director of the new Jesus film done entirely through American Sign Language. They discuss the making of the film, what they hope to convey about Jesus, and what the church can do better to partner with the deaf community.
Joseph Holmes interviews online influencer Vanessa Rosa (known online as "Gothix") on the new documentary about her, and how she went from being canceled to becoming Christian.
Machines all around us are becoming more intelligent. Like all technology, this can be used for good or evil. Matthew Peterson interviews Religion Unplugged Executive Editor Clemente Lisi this week about whether artificial intelligence can change humanity for the better, what people of faith think about it and how journalism can play a role.
CEO of Great American Media explains why his company merged with Pure Flix to launch Great American Pure Flix and how they plan to raise the quality of family-friendly faith-based content.
Religion Unplugged’s Matthew Peterson talks to several Christians affiliated with organizations that are dealing with climate change to evaluate their nuanced perspectives on the issue.
Sarah McCammon is a National Political Correspondent for NPR and cohost of The NPR Politics Podcast. Matthew Peterson interviews Sarah on the contents of her recent book, The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church.
Actress and producer Roma Downey joins Joseph Holmes at Religion Unplugged to discuss her new Prime Video show The Baxters, and why making faith-based content in mainstream spaces is important to her.
Istanbul’s Chora Church, which has stood for 17 centuries and famous for its mosaics and frescoes depicting the life of Jesus and Mary, will be reopened as a mosque in May as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan moves forward with plans to convert iconic Byzantine churches into Islamic houses of worship. Roberta Ahmansoninterviews Alexei Lidov, noted art historian and Byzantinist, on the past and future of Chora Church.
Culture critic Joseph Holmes interviews actress Alshey Bratcher (Unplanned) about her new faith-based movie with Great American Pure Flix streaming "Finding Faith", and how her own faith drives her career decisions.
Matthew Peterson, Religion Unplugged's intern, talks to several Christians involved in ministries which utilize Virtual Reality in order to understand why they believe it is important and how it works.
Culture critic Joseph Holmes interviews celebrated author Rabbi Shai Held about his new book "Judaism is About Love" to explore what both Jews and Christians get wrong about Judaism, and how Jews and Christians can learn to disagree better.
Religion Unplugged contributors Joseph Holmes and Mariya Rajan discuss the differences and similarities between Christian Nationalism and Hindu Nationalism, and how people can be smart consumers of news on these topics.
Maureen Gaffney Wolfson is an artist who recently opened a gallery featuring her work in Chatsworth, Calif. Matthew Peterson spoke with Maureen about how her complicated life story and her Catholic beliefs have led her where she is today.
Eustace Wolfington, Executive Producer of the new "Cabrini" film talks about what inspired him to make a movie about the Catholic Saint Mother Cabrini, why she's not as famous as Mother Teresa, and what his hopes are for the film.
"Cabrini" is in theaters March 8th.
Culture critic Joseph Holmes interviews Yasmin Al-Bustami, who plays Ramah in the hit Christian series "The Chosen", about her role in the series and the status-quo altering events for her character in The Chosen's latest season.
"The Chosen" is in theaters now and on streaming soon.
Why are people today so much more willing to date outside their religion, but so much less willing to date someone with different politics? How does one navigate an interfaith relationship? Joseph Holmes asks Naomi Riley, author of the book "Til Faith Do Us Part: How Interfaith Relationships Are Transforming America" for her insights.
In this episode, Joseph Holmes interviews culture critic Aaron Renn on his new book Life In The Negative World, which explores how Christians can and should respond to the challenges that come with living in an increasingly non-Christian America.
In this episode Melissa Harrison interviews Bobby Ross Jr. about what he predicts will be the biggest religion news stories in the year ahead.
Roberta Ahmanson interviews Ben Quash, chair of Christianity and the Arts at King's College London and director of the Visual Commentary on Scripture, about art, faith and a four-thousand-mile pilgrimage that covered more than 2000 years of church art and architecture.
Melissa Harrison interviews Stephen Daniel Arnoff, CEO of the Fuchsberg Jerusalem Center, about his organization's three-day solidarity mission to tour the remains of Kibbutz Be’eri, where Hamas terrorists went house to house slaughtering residents on October 7, 2023.
In this episode, Melissa Harrison, interim executive director of The Media Project, interviews Clemente Lisi, executive editor of Religion Unplugged, about the site's religion coverage, his new role, what he looks for in story pitches and his vision for RUP's coverage in the year ahead.
Joseph Holmes interviews Professor Nancy Pearcey on her new book The Toxic War On Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles The Sexes in a wide-ranging discussion that explores the origin of the concept of toxic masculinity, where our culture has gone wrong on masculinity, and how Christianity can provide a better script to men on how to be a man.
Culture editor Jillan Cheney and film critic Joseph Holmes discuss this year's huge crop of faith-based films and what they say about the state of religion in the country and the state of the faith-based film industry.
Joseph Holmes interviews author Dr. Carolyn Weber about her memoir "Surprised By Oxford" about how she came to faith, and the upcoming movie adaptation about her memoir of the same name.
Joseph Holmes interviews YouTube personality and animator Rachael Alenxanda (ILoveKimPossibleAlot) about her Reformed Jewish upbringing and how Adam Sandler's new film "You're So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah" holds up.
Colby McCaskill and Julia Jensen embark on a journalistic journey through the initial two weeks of the Spring 2023 semester at The King's College. As Empire State Tribune reporters, they unravel the narrative of their institution's ongoing financial crisis, tracing it from the earliest murmurs of uncertainty voiced from the City Room podium to the announcement of a significant deficit.. What led The King's College into this situation? Who bears responsibility for it? Keep listening to find out that, and more.
Joseph Holmes sits down with Stacey Harkey of Studio C and JK Studios to discuss his new movie "Go West", his LDS faith, coming out, and why we need comedy that brings people together.
Colin Ford sits down with Religion Unplugged to talk about his new film "The Hill", acting alongside Dennis Quaid, and how to discern your dreams from God's call on your life. The film is based on a true story.
In a conversation with Joseph Holmes, Donnie and Nancy Emerson discuss the intricacies of the recently released film chronicling their life journey, titled "Dreamin' Wild." Their discussion encompasses the experience of achieving success later in life, as well as navigating the path of an artist while steadfastly upholding their faith.
Filmmaker Martin Doblmeier talks with Religion Unplugged about the ins and outs of his new documentary, “Sabbath,” where he explores this ancient practice and concept across the Abrahamic faiths. Doblmeier talks with Rafa Oliveira about the importance of rest in an overworked, overstressed, and consumerist culture, and how the concept of Sabbath is about much more than a nap on Sunday afternoons, and rest much more than binging Netflix.
Religion Unplugged senior contributor Robert Carle speaks with Dr. Karlis Verdins, who teaches literature at the Art Academy of Latvia. Verdins hopes to confront Latvians with an honest reckoning of their complicity in the Holocaust. Verdins obtained a record of the Viktors Arajs’s two year trial in Hamburg, which took place in Hamburg in 1977-79. Verdins turned the story of the trial into a drama, which opened in a small theater in Riga, Latvia in March 2023. The title of the play, “Wasn’t There. Don’t Know. Don’t Remember,” refers to Arajs’s defense at his trial. Holocaust survivors who saw Arajs murder Jews contradicted Arajs’s testimony, and the court sentenced Arajs to life imprisonment. Latvians have been loath to acknowledge their complicity in the Holocaust. “They wanted to protect their old, loving fathers and grandfathers who had committed such crimes,” Verdins said. “Latvians cannot whitewash Nazi crimes just because we think that Soviet crimes were even worse,” Verdins said.
Religion Unplugged Senior Contributor Robert Carle speaks with Latvia's Israeli Ambassador Sharon Palgi about Latvia's painful history of Nazi and Soviet occupation. Following Germany's invasion of Latvia in June 1941, 85,000 of Latvia's Jews were brutally murdered. Some Latvians participated in Nazi crimes against their Jewish countrymen. Today, fewer than 10,000 Jews live in Latvia. Ambassador Palgi says that she has not experienced overt Anti Semitism during the two years that she and her four children have lived in Latvia, but Palgi wishes there were more education about the Holocaust in Latvian society. In October 2020, the Israeli Embassy in Riga teamed up with the Latvian Ministry of Education to organise a two-day conference on Holocaust education for 100 Latvian school teachers. Palgi said that she hoped Holocaust education would become a standard part of the Latvian school curriculum.
Religion Unplugged Senior Contributor Robert Carle interviews Rabbi Eliyohu Krumers, who leads the Peitav Shul congregation in Riga, Latvia. The Peitav Shul is the only synagogue that survived the Nazi and Soviet occupations of Latvia because it's located in the center of Riga's Old Town, making it too risky to set it on fire without endangering the Old Town. Instead, the Nazis used the synagogue as a stable for animals. In the 1990s, the Peitav Shul was bombed twice, causing $60,000 in damages. The renovation of the synagogue was funded by the European Union and completed in 2008. According to Rabbi Krumers, Jews are currently safe in Latvia. After the second bombing, the Latvian government stationed police permanently at the synagogue. Krumers mentioned that Christians are gradually acknowledging the unfortunate history of anti-Semitism within the church. Latvian Lutherans, he said, have rejected the parts of Luther's later writings that attack Jews and Judaism.
Religion Unplugged Culture Critic Joseph Holmes engages in an insightful conversation with director-writer-producer Craig Lamar Brown, delving into the profound themes of his latest faith-based race drama film titled "Between Mercy and Me." Set to grace the big screen for a limited engagement on June 20th, this thought-provoking masterpiece aims to shed light on the shortcomings of the Christian community's response to racial tensions in the United States. Brown shares his aspiration for his film to serve as a catalyst for improved conversations surrounding this pressing issue, fostering a deeper understanding and promoting positive change.
Religion Unplugged Culture Critic Joseph Holmes interviews prolific producer Devon Franklin (Pursuit of Happyness, Miracles From Heavan, Jesus Revolution) about his new film "Flamin' Hot", on Disney+ and Hulu.
Religion Unplugged executive editor Paul Glader speaks with journalist and author Jon Ward about his newest book, Testimony, that evaluates what Ward sees as an “evangelical moment that failed a generation.” Ward says he remains committed to his Christian faith but has rethought many aspects of evangelicalism during his years raised in the faith. Ward is the chief national correspondent at Yahoo! News. He has covered American politics and culture for two decades, including as a White House correspondent traveling aboard Air Force One and as a national affairs correspondent writing about two presidential campaigns. He is the author of Camelot’s End: Kennedy vs. Carter and the Fight That Broke the Democratic Party and hosts The Long Game podcast. His writing has appeared in the Washington Post, the New Republic, Politico, Vanity Fair, HuffPost, and Christianity Today.
Religion Unplugged culture critic, Joseph Holmes, interviews Cary Solomon and Chuck Konzelman, writers-directors behind the new faith-based horror movie “Nefarious.” They discuss their careers in the faith-based film industry (spanning "God's Not Dead" and "Unplanned"), working as Catholics in Evangelical spaces, and whether the world is really getting better or worse.
The seven-story temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints looms high above the Interstate 495 Beltway in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C. — and someone spray-painted on an adjoining wall “Free Dorothy,” inspired by “The Wizard of Oz.” The six gold-tipped spires of the temple, originally dedicated in 1974, stoke intrigue like Emerald City in the 1939 movie starring Judy Garland. Part of the attraction is that the Latter-day Saints temple is off-limits to the public — except for an open house, which has not taken place in nearly 50 years, since 1974. Religion Unplugged editor Paul Glader spoke with senior writer Hamil Harris on his visit to the LDS temple in DC.
Sergei Chapnin is a senior fellow at the Orthodox Christian Studies Center at Fordham University in New York City. He’s also an art curator and journalist. He was once the executive editor at The Journal of The Moscow Patriarchate before he had a falling out with leaders of the Russian Orthodox Church over his concerns that the church was becoming too close to the state and to Vladimir Putin. Chapnin spoke with ReligionUnplugged.com executive editor Paul Glader recently about the war in Ukraine and the risks the war poses to Orthodox Christianity with a widening set of fault lines.
Some of the most exquisite stained glass windows in the United States filter light at the Saint Vincent De Paul Church in Bayonne, NJ. The Catholic church was predominantly constructed by Irish men and women in this working-class town, situated across the river from Manhattan, in 1894. During the 1920s, an innovative priest at the church hired a craftsman named Harry Clark from Ireland to design the 40 windows in the church, centered around the concept of suffering. The church's historian, Peter Keenen O'Brien, conversed with ReligionUnplugged.com's executive editor, Paul Glader, regarding the church and its windows.
Brent McCorkle’s ‘Jesus Revolution’
Can It Inspire A Repeat Of The ‘Jesus Movement’?
By Joseph Holmes
Religion Unplugged’s culture critic, Joseph Holmes, discusses Brent McCorkle’s new film “Jesus Revolution” and whether this movie can inspire a repeat of the “Jesus Movement” revival of the 70s.
Georgetown University professor Joshua Mitchell talks with ReligionUnplugged.com about his new book, “American Awakening,” where he explores how identity politics in America bear a some resemblance to Christianity but miss vital concepts such as forgiveness. Mitchell speaks with Paul Glader and Paul Marshall about the book thesis and Mitchell’s observations and concerns about American life.
In this podcast, Chris Broussard of Fox Sports works as an NBA analyst who is passionate about basketball. He’s also passionate about being a Christian, helping Black youth, combating racism and making the world a better place. He sounds like a preacher, someone who oozes passion. There aren’t too many people out there who could speak with ease about God, Jesus and St. Paul one minute, then pivot and wax on about Michael Jordan, Lebron James and who’s the best dunker in NBA history. But it’s Broussard’s love for Christ — and his commitment to Bible teachings — that makes him a great spokesman for Christians who work in secular environments.
In this podcast, Jehu Kitoli, a Kenyan member of the Nairobi Hebrew Congregation, describes his long journey to Judaism. Jehu grew up Anglican. As a teenageer, Jehu began to read the Bible and found contradictions between the Hebrew scriptures and the teachings of Paul. “I discovered that the Bible was a document given to Jews and addressed to the children of Israel, who were to be in a covenant relationship with God,” Jehu said. He wanted to pray the same prayers that King David and King Solomon prayed. He wished to be a holy person, but that meant following Judaism’s onerous set of 613 commandments. He became observant, adopted kosher laws and learned Hebrew on his own. It took Jehu two years to get permission to enter the synagogue in Nairobi, but during his first visit, he felt he had found his spiritual home. Thus began his 15-year process of converting to Judaism.
Brother Colm O’Connell, the “godfather of Kenyan Running,” is a Patrician monk from Cork County, Ireland. Brother Colm came to St. Patrick’s High School in Iten, Kenya in 1976 to teach geography. Brother Colm knew little about running or coaching when he volunteered to coach St. Patrick’s athletics team. In the 46 years he has lived in Iten, Brother Colm has coached scores of world record holders and Olympic medalists, including David Rudisha, Lornah Kiplagat, Ibrahim Hussein, Isaac Songok, and Mary Keitany. Brother Colm has been crucial in turning the small, remote village of Iten, Kenya in the Great Rift Valley into the world’s most significant center of long-distance running talent. In this podcast, Brother Colm offers us his philosophy and spirituality of coaching elite athletes.
Senior Religion Unplugged Contributor Dr. Robert Carle is in Kenya for this episode, interviewing the Israeli Ambassador to Kenya, Michael Lotem. Lotem–along with several other ambassadors to countries in Africa and Asia– is a part of a broad expansion in foreign affairs by Israel to countries in Africa and Asia. Other recent ambassador appointments include ambassador Eitan Na’eh in Bahrain, Michael Freeman in Nigeria, Dov Segev-Steinberg in Myanmar and Tammy Ben-Haim in Bengaluru. Dr. Carle discusses the new relationships Israel is finding with institutions and communities in Kenya and the unique perspectives on what it means to become a Jewish Kenyan.
The six gold-tipped spires of the temple, originally dedicated in 1974, stoke intrigue like Emerald City in the 1939 movie starring Judy Garland. Part of the attraction is that the Latter-day Saints temple is off-limits to the public — except for an open house, which has not taken place in nearly 50 years, since 1974.
Religion Unplugged Executive Editor Paul Glader interviews Czech journalist Daniel Raus on the complicated dynamics of assessing religious affiliation in former Soviet nations such as the Czech Republic, which is arguably the most atheistic country on earth. We also learn about Raus’ history in radio, audio production at Radio Free Europe, Czech Radio and his recent freedom of the press award from The Media Project and The Fund for American Studies.
Senior Religion Unplugged Contributor Dr. Robert Carle is in Baringo, Kenya for this episode, interviewing world record-holding long distance runner, Mary Keitany. She won her first world record in 2010, at the Berlin 25 kilometre race, with a time of 1:19:53. She also has won world records for races in 2011 and 2017. Now retired, Keitany talks to Dr. Carle about her history in racing, the importance of her Catholic faith in her life, and the public school she helped start in her hometown.
Religion Unplugged Contributor Dr. Robert Carle is in Eldoret, Kenya for this episode, interviewing Pastor John Miaka and Pastor Philip Kipkurgat Yiego. They are accomplished runners who have competed internationally for Kenya, winning marathons in Madrid, Valencia, the European Indoor Games, the 10k road race. They have since retired from running to focus on their faith and being pastors of Pentecostal churches in Eldoret. Dr. Carle speaks to the pastors on how their running careers have intersected with their faith.
Religion Unplugged Contributor Robert Carle talks to Bishop Mudenyo, who oversees a fellowship of fifty-six East African Pentecostal churches, about Kenya's 2014 regulations to crack down on scam miracles and fake pastors. These regulations failed because they sharply curtailed the freedom of real pastors and religious leaders to serve their congregants. Mudenyo instead proposes new methods of self-regulation in Pan-African Christianity. For Pentecostals, it has been challenging to build a system of accountability inside a network of churches that were founded on the principle of freedom of the Spirit to operate unhindered by denominational structures.
Dr. Frank Wilczek is a theoretical physicist who recently received the 2022 Templeton Prize, adding to his Nobel Prize and MacArthur fellowship. He spoke with ReligionUnplugged.com executive editor Paul Glader about his religious upbringing and how it positively affected his approach to science. He also talks about how and why he became disillusioned with the religious teachings he experienced in his youth.
Amid the leak of a U.S. Supreme Court opinion that likely overturns Roe v. Wade, ReligionUnplugged Executive Editor Paul Glader spoke with journalist and author Joshua Prager about his ground-breaking book, The Family Roe, that reports deeply on the battle over abortion in American history by telling the story about Norma McCorvey, the woman behind “Jane Roe.” Prager explains his reportorial journey to report Norma’s full story, including a profile of the so called “baby Roe,” the now-grown daughter who was never aborted. Religion, faith and sex are huge recurring themes in this remarkable narrative.
Dr. Philip Jenkins of Baylor University shares about his research into the correlation between trends of institutional religious practice and trends of fertility. Dr. Jenkins discusses how religious participation particularly among young couples are a factor in driving fertility rates around the globe, and how this kind of statistical analysis can potentially predict global trends. Emceed by The Media Project Senior Programs Manager, Melissa Tamplin Harrison.
Executive Editor Paul Glader interviews Prison Fellowship's Director of Government Affairs, Heather Rice-Minus to discuss the longevity of prison reform at a time when some conservatives and Christians are concerned about crime rising in some categories and cities. Rice suggests criminal justice reform isn’t a lost cause for conservatives, Christians or anyone. She outlines how steps towards major reform were accomplished under the past two U.S. presidential administrations, and how President Biden might potentially have bipartisan support for larger reforms during his term.
Dr. Scott Kenworthy, a professor in the Department of Comparative Religion at Miami University, spoke with ReligionUnplugged’s Managing Editor Meagan Clark about the religious aspects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the complex history of Russian Orthodoxy. Kenworthy's research interests focus on the history and thought of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, particularly in modern Russia. His recent book co-authored with Alexander Agadjanian, “Understanding World Christianity: Russia” aims to correct Western myths and misunderstandings about Russian Christianity and history.
On a stage inside a Texas megachurch worship center, a Muslim man wearing a traditional North African thobe that hung to his feet took a deep breath and began reciting passages from the Quran. The Islamic ritual in a Protestant santuary was part of a conference organized by the Multi-Faith Neighbors Network, a group co-founded by a Christian pastor, a Muslim imam and a Jewish rabbi to promote international religous freedom and increase cooperation and understanding between the Abrahamic faiths. Produced by Chris Moody in partnership with Religion Unplugged.
Mariya Kapinos is a Ukrainian journalist and game designer normally based in Kyev. She fled her city in recent days as Russia prepared to invade. As tanks rolled into her home country, Kapinos spoke with ReligionUnplugged.com executive editor Paul Glader about the military, political and religious conflicts between her homeland, Ukraine, and its neighbor to the East. An alumna of The Media Project's European Journalism Institute in Prague, Kapinos explains the anger, loss and fear that millions of Ukrainians are feeling right now.
Indepreet Singh volunteers with the Hemkunt Foundation, a Sikh philanthropy which during the pandemic in India works to construct makeshift clinics and oxygen-supplying centers. Singh tells his story about what running these clinics in Delhi, India looks like on the ground. Produced by Anupama Chandrashekaran with Newsreel in partnership with ReligionUnplugged.
Syed Azharuddin is part of the Students’ Islamic Organization or SIO. During the pandemic many college students studying out of hostels away from home were stranded by the lockdowns. The SIO works to provide food, funds and transport to students irrespective of their religion, in an effort to combat Islamophobic inequalities along the way. Produced by Anupama Chandrashekaran with Newsreel in partnership with ReligionUnplugged.
Delhi, India-based Jesuit Refugee Services work with refugees from Afghanistan and Myanmar. Like many refugee communities, they face extreme anti-immigrant discrimination. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many have spiraled into deeper poverty. Jesuit Refugee Services started a women's tailoring group to help the refugees find income and safety. With earnings trickling in from hand-stitched masks, clothes and decorations, these refugee women are finally achieving some stability. Produced by Anupama Chandrashekaran with Newsreel in partnership with ReligionUnplugged.
Published from The Media Project's virtual conference, Board Member and Islam expert Dr. Paul Marshall examines the use of blasphemy laws. In his lecture, Dr. Marshall discusses how blasphemy law is used to prevent religious reformation and theological discourse, and stop popular human rights-focused policymaking from progressive Muslim politicians in Muslim majority nations through cycles of violence and intimidation.
Dr. Robert Carle interviews Director and CEO of The Bowery Mission, James Winans to discuss how the Mission has managed the pandemic, shifted strategies to avoid community spread and partnered with the city government to help a growing population of homeless people find temporary housing.
Karwan e Mohabbat is an organization in Uttar Pradesh, India fighting bigotry with empathy and solidarity for families of people killed or lynched in the name of religion. During a complete shutdown of the country at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, they began to feed a forgotten group — thousands of migrant workers who were walking thousands of kilometers home with only the clothes on their backs. Published by ReligionUnplugged in partnership with Newsreel Asia.
The city of Franklin, Tennessee has newly erected a statue to honor the United States Colored Troops (USCT), the segregated soldier regiments of primarily Black and formerly enslaved people who fought for the Union during the Civil War. Though there are several of these statues in the U.S., none have previously been installed directly outside a town hall like this statue in Franklin. Rev. Chris Williamson spoke with Religion Unplugged intern Bethany Johnson about the lead up to the statue's construction, its historical roots and how churches can better aid in creating unity in their communities.
As schools in India moved online in the pandemic, poor children without smartphones felt abandoned by the system. Charter For Compassion’s Anjali Gurmukhani Sharma works to ensure that underprivileged school girls, at risk for being married or being buried in housework, get phones to continue with online schooling. Produced by Anupama Chandrashekaran with Newsreel in partnership with ReligionUnplugged.
A Jain temple in India’s western metropolis, Mumbai, urgently pedals to vaccinate as many people as it can - caste, religion no bar. Jinesh Shah who started this initiative has worked tirelessly to accommodate vaccination camps for even the homeless. Produced by Anupama Chandrashekaran with Newsreel in partnership with ReligionUnplugged.
The Springtide Research Institute's new annual study is released today. Religion Unplugged Contributor, Anna Carlson interviews the executive director of the Institute, Dr. Josh Packard to discuss the insights of the new report and the trends of the religious habits of young people in America.
Mercy Angels is a philanthropy based in the south Indian city of Bangalore, run largely by members of the Muslim community who help perform the last rites of people who have died from the Coronavirus. Volunteers like Tanveer Ahmed have helped bury and cremate the dead of all religions when their families cannot do so. Ahmed shares his experiences with Anupama Chandrashekaran with Newsreel in partnership with ReligionUnplugged.
Jon Seidl's anxiety was originally considered by his church and by him as just a trait of his personality. Managing Editor Meagan Clark interviews Seidl about being diagnosed with anxiety, depression and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and about the ways some Christian traditions misunderstand the realities of mental health. Seidl's new book “Finding Rest”, about these struggles and their intersections with faith, recently released in bookstores and has topped some Amazon bestseller lists.
With radical changes to the political, religious and cultural environment in Afghanistan all at once, the norms for how the Afghan people are discussed particularly by western journalists is currently under construction. Senior Contributor and Board Member Roberta Ahmanson and Senior Contributor Terry Mattingly discuss what the future of journalism and religion coverage in Afghanistan might look like and highlight the blind spots that could follow.
Jan Bradley and her husband, retired Air Force Lt. Gen. John Bradley, run the Lamia Afghan Foundation, one of the non/governmental organizations working to get Afghan refugees to safety. Religion Unplugged columnist Bobby Ross Jr. and Christian Chronicle correspondent Cheryl Bacon interviewed Jan and John about the status of the families they know, the real life Lamia and what's next for the Afghan people in danger.
Religion Unplugged visited the Orange Country Rescue Mission in California to learn more about one of the most innovative approaches to homelessness in America. We spoke with Jim Palmer, the president and CEO of the Rescue Mission at the Village of Hope, a unique college campus-like facility that trains homeless men and women in life and job skills while treating other aspects of the whole person.
Executive Editor Paul Glader interviews Fernando Arroyo about his time as a soldier in Afghanistan, dealing with the trauma of war, the loss of friends and what rehabilitation can look like at the Orange County Rescue Mission after the 20 year conflict.
Content Warning: This episode contains descriptions of graphic violence, PTSD, Suicide and trauma. Caution is recommended for children or listeners with mental health conditions.
The Media Project and the Acton Institute, in partnership with the Center for Early African Christianity and a host of other excellent partner organizations hosted the third lecture in a series regarding what historic Christianity in Africa can teach us about racial justice in America today. This lecture featured Lisa Fields, Founder and President of the Jude 3 Project. It was hosted LIVE in October, 2020 on the ReligionUnplugged Facebook page.
Data by Springtide Research shows that Gen Z felt exceptionally lonely and purposeless in 2020, and yet participation alone in religious groups did not help them. Managing Editor Meagan Clark spoke with Springtide’s Executive Director Josh Packard about their report’s findings that are particularly applicable to parents, religious leaders, college professors and anyone else with members of Gen Z in their lives.
Professor Robert Alter was translating portions of the Bible when Roberta Ahmanson asked him, "Are you going to do the whole thing?" Years later, Robert Alter has completed and published the full Bible with a complete new translation and commentary. Senior Contributor and Board Member Roberta Ahmanson Interviews Robert on the process of creating the new translation, why it was needed and what's next.
Ministry Watch: Episode 115
On today’s MinistryWatch EXTRA episode I’m pleased to welcome back to the program Paul Glader. Paul is the editor-in-chief at Religion Unplugged and the director of the journalism program at The King’s College in New York City. His journalism experience includes a long tenure with the Wall Street Journal.
We begin with a story by Ryan Burge on the Decline of the Mainline. It was a response to a story by PRRI, the Public Religion Research Institute. That survey said that the mainline churches were experiencing a resurgence, and their members may now actually outnumber evangelicals. But that can’t possibly be right. We explain why.
Next, we turn our attention to “The Chosen,” which is the streaming series by Dallas Jenkins that portrays the life of Jesus. You have a review of the second season, by Joseph Holmes. He says the second season is not as good as the first season, but it is still the gold standard for Christian television.
Finally, we talk “Pastors and Plagiarism.” We’ve covered a number of stories involving celebrity preachers and plagiarism over the years. Everyone from Mark Driscoll to David Barton. Lately, the issue came up when the new president of the Southern Baptist Convention, Ed Litton, was accused of plagiarizing sermons from the outgoing president J.D. Greear.
To find out more about Religion Unplugged and the stories we discussed today, go to Religion Unplugged.com. If you’d like to give to its International Reporting Fund, there’s a link at the top of the page.
Inflated concerns about transporting victims on airplanes, and the fear that "it could happen to anybody" has in some cases overtaken the actual needs and concerns of sex trafficking victims. Elsa Cruz interviews Ava, a victim and advocate for sex trafficking victims about what Christians have gotten wrong about how sex trafficking works, and what Christians can do better to help improve the lives of victims.
Mitchell West (Street Hymns) is one of the founding members of the Christian battle rap group Four Horsemen. Senior Contributor and Board Member Roberta Ahmanson interviews Street Hymns on his role and history with Christian rap, battle rap and the interconnected ways that faith and rap have influenced one another.
As the United States prepares for gathering in public again, the fractures in politics, technology, personal faith, and institutional trust are at a crossroads. Clemente Lisi talks to Director of Program Outreach at The Acton Institute, Dan Churchwell about the potential future of these divides and what the Acton Institute is working towards on all fronts.
Ministry Watch: Episode 104
On today’s MinistryWatch EXTRA episode I’m pleased to welcome back to the program Paul Glader.Paul is the editor-in-chief at Religion Unplugged and the director of the journalism program at The King’s College in New York City. His journalism experience includes a long tenure with the Wall Street Journal.
To find out more about Religion Unplugged and the stories we discussed today, go to Religion Unplugged.com. If you’d like to give to its International Reporting Fund, there’s a link at the top of the page.
To find out more about MinistryWatch, go to MinistryWatch.com. And I’d like to share with you a couple of quick notes before we go.
First, I want to let you know that the classic book “Mission Drift” is our book of the month. Mission Drift sprang out of research done by the co-author Peter Greer and his colleagues into the reasons some ministries strayed away from their founding missions, and how others stayed “mission true.” This is an important book, and for a gift of any size, we’ll send you that book as our thank you for your support of MinistryWatch. We think every Christian donor and ministry leader should have this book in his or her library. But you do need to act fast. This offer expires on May 31.Secondly, if you’re in a spot where you can’t contribute – hey, I get it. Been there a time or two myself. But that doesn’t mean you can’t help. First of all, we covet your prayers. We write a lot here at MinistryWatch about people who started out strong, but finished poorly. Pray for us that what God has begun here will continue faithfully. And, secondly, if you’re listening to this podcast on a podcast app, give us a rating. The more ratings we get, the better the program performs with search engines. It’s an important way you can help us, and it doesn’t cost you a dime.
The producers for today’s program are Rich Roszel and Steve Gandy. Here at MinistryWatch we get database, technical, and editorial support from Cathy Goddard, Stephen DuBarry, Christina Darnell, and Casey Sudduth. Thanks to Bobby Ross, Julia Duin, Christopher Hutton, and entire Religion Unplugged team for providing content for our conversation today.
In the third and final episode of our series on the Equality Act, Ryan Anderson, president of the conservative think tank Ethics & Public Policy Center (EPPC) and author of "When Harry Became Sally: Responding to the Transgender Moment”, interviews Carlo Lancellotti, mathematics professor at CUNY with an expertise on Italian philosopher Augusto del Noce. Lancellotti translated and edited Del Noce’s crowning work into English, titled “The Crisis of Modernity”, which explains the metaphysical premises of the sexual revolution, atheism and Marxist expressions that underpin the Equality Act.
In the second episode of our series on the Equality Act, Ryan Anderson, president of the conservative think tank Ethics & Public Policy Center (EPPC) and author of "When Harry Became Sally: Responding to the Transgender Moment”, interviews Margaret McCarthy, a professor at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute and editor of the quarterly “Humanum: Issues in Family, Culture, and Science”. McCarthy gives listeners a big picture perspective on the Equality Act- its implications for American society both anthropologically and metaphysically.
Ryan Anderson, president of the conservative think tank Ethics & Public Policy Center (EPPC) and author of "When Harry Became Sally: Responding to the Transgender Moment”, interviews Mary Hassan, a Catholic fellow at EPPC who testified for the Republican side at the recent Senate hearing on the Equality Act. Hasson discusses the impacts and legal questions the Equality Act raises for religious organizations that hold traditional views on gender and sexuality, including stripping religious freedom protections introduced with bipartisan support in the 90’s.
In a difficult year in 2018, Tish Harrison Warren started writing "Prayer in the Night: For those Who Work or Watch or Weep," a new book which now in the context of a host of unprecedented upheaval has the potential to carry helpful messages for Anglicans and people of faith in many liturgical traditions. Executive Director, Paul Glader interviewed Warren to discuss the creation of the book, and the historical roots of darkness and night in theology.
Senior Programs Manager for The Media Project Melissa Harrison interviewed author, podcaster and co-founder of African Mission Healthcare, Mark Gerson, about his upcoming book. In “The Telling”, Gerson investigates Passover, the Seder and the meaning of life in some of the earliest Jewish traditions.
Taking advantage of Indonesia's status as the largest Muslim nation in the world and the shift to digital during the COVID-19 pandemic, The Leimena Institute is setting an enormous example for harmonizing relationships between Abrahamic faiths. The institute’s quickly growing online seminars have brought together scholars, powerful religious leaders and people of faith from dozens of countries to discuss the similarities and chemistry between Christian, Islamic and Jewish faith traditions. Senior contributor and board member Roberta Ahmanson interviews Leimena's executive director, Matius Ho, to discuss the conferences and what's next for the institute.
Ministry Watch: Episode 82
Today, I’m pleased to welcome back to the program Paul Glader. Paul is the editor-in-chief at Religion Unplugged and the director of the journalism program at The King’s College in New York City. His journalism experience includes a long tenure with the Wall Street Journal.
Here at MinistryWatch we bring you news about Christian ministries, as well as the latest in charity and philanthropy, all designed to help us become better stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us. Regular listeners to the program know that I do a regular weekly roundup of the week’s ministry news with my co-host Natasha Smith. But these MinistryWatch Extra episodes are a chance for us to “go deep,” you might say, with our editorial partners.
To find out more about Religion Unplugged and the stories we discussed today, go to Religion Unplugged.com. If you’d like to give to its International Reporting Fund, there’s a link at the top of the page.
The producers for today’s program are Rich Roszel and Steve Gandy. Here at MinistryWatch we get database, technical, and editorial support from Cathy Goddard, Stephen DuBarry, Christina Darnell, and Casey Sudduth. Thanks to Tom Osanjo, Mattie Townson, David Hancock, Gil Zohar, and the entire Religion Unplugged team for providing content for our conversation today.
London-based Ethiopian Religion Unplugged contributor Desta Heliso weighs in with Religion Unplugged Managing Editor Meagan Clark on the recent war sparked in Ethiopia between federal armed forces and the Tigray region’s militia. In addition, we talk to Desta about what we know and don’t know yet about alleged brutal massacres of Ethiopian Christian civilians in November in light of reports from Amnesty International, CNN, the Telegraph, the Associated Press and others attributing witness accounts.
Background reading:
CNN report, March 1, 2021: https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/26/africa/ethiopia-tigray-dengelat-massacre-intl/index.html?utm_source=Pew+Research+Center&utm_campaign=f451299025-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2021_03_02_02_58&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_3e953b9b70-f451299025-400468605
Amnesty report, Feb. 26, 2021: https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/afr25/3730/2021/en/
Telegraph report, Feb. 19, 2021: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2021/02/19/should-have-finished-survivors-ethiopian-army-implicated-brutal/
AP report, Feb. 17, 2021: https://apnews.com/article/witnesses-recall-massacre-axum-ethiopia-fa1b531fea069aed6768409bd1d20bfa
Desta’s analysis for Religion Unplugged, Feb. 10, 2021: https://religionunplugged.com/news/2021/2/10/were-750-christians-really-massacred-the-truth-about-ethiopias-recent-crisis
The Biden administration recently announced the restoration of the Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. The office has functioned as an engine for policy, neighborhood engagement and public communication to promote religious freedom, negotiating the conflicts between LGBTQ+ rights, religious nonprofit protections and the distribution of funding for public programs involving religious organizations. Senior Programs Manager Melissa Harrison interviews contributor Chelsea Langston Bombino about the restored White House Office and its potential future.
On Sept. 15, 1963, the 16th Street Baptist Church was attacked by White supremacist domestic terrorists in a dynamite explosion which left four children dead and dozens of others wounded including The Fifth Girl, Sarah Collins Rudolph. Mattie Townson spoke with Rudolph to hear her story about the bombing, the legacy of her and her sister who died in the attack and for her thoughts on whether real progress has been made in civil rights between then and now.
This week, evangelical finance advisor Dave Ramsey’s organization fired off a sarcastic email to Religion News Service’s Bob Smietana that you don’t want to miss. The rant was in response to Smietana’s robust report on toxic workplace culture at Ramsey’s company.
The inauguration of President Biden left pentecostal and other charismatic church leaders scrambling for explanations and apologies after widespread prophecies of the guaranteed victory for Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential race. Senior Programs Manager Melissa Tamplin Harrison interviewed Dr. James Beverley, Professor at Tyndale Seminary in Toronto, Canada and author of the recent book, The QAnon Deception, to discuss the ways QAnon has lured and created problems for charismatic religious communities.
In the wake of the violent attempt to overthrow a democratic election at the United States Capitol by a large group of Trump voters that included conspiracy theorists and self-described conservative Christians, journalist Tore Hjalmar Sævik from the Norwegian Christian newspaper, Dagen, wanted to understand what the future of American Christianity and politics might look like. Sævik interviewed Religion Unplugged Executive Editor Paul Glader to talk about the crisis and what’s next for faith in the United States.
The Armenia–Azerbaijan conflict escalated rapidly this fall with reported war crimes by both Armenian and Azeri soldiers, including multiple attacks on Armenian hospitals, churches and historic religious sites. Senior contributor and board member Roberta Ahmanson interviews United Kingdom House of Lords member, Baroness Caroline Cox, who is urgently concerned with the potential for a new Armenian genocide, and describes her recent visits to Nagorno Karabakh. Armenia and Azerbaijan reached a ceasefire agreement on Nov. 9.
Ministry Watch: Episode 62
Here at MinistryWatch we bring you news about Christian ministries, as well as the latest in charity and philanthropy, all designed to help us become better stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us. Regular listeners to the program know that I do a regular weekly roundup of the week’s ministry news with my co-host Natasha Smith. But these MinistryWatch Extra episodes are a chance for us to “go deep,” you might say, with our editorial partners.
Today, I’m pleased to welcome back to the program Paul Glader. Paul is the editor-in-chief at Religion Unplugged and the director of the journalism program at The King’s College in New York City. His journalism experience includes a long tenure with the Wall Street Journal. Today we discuss The Jericho March that took place in Washington, DC, a Charlie Brown Christmas, and Prison Fellowship’s Angel Tree ministry.
The producers for today’s program are Rich Roszel and Steve Gandy. Here at MinistryWatch we get database, technical, and editorial support from Cathy Goddard, Stephen DuBarry, Christina Darnell, and Casey Sudduth. Thanks to Clementi Lisi, Bobby Ross, Micah Danney, Jillian Cheney, and the rest of the Religion Unplugged team for providing content for our conversation today.
The second season of “Star Wars” spin-off television show “The Mandalorian” deals heavily with the protagonist’s religious creed that prevents him from removing his helmet. Executive Director Paul Glader talked with reporter and editor Jillian Cheney and contributor, Joseph Holmes about the religious implications of the show and what to expect next.
In July, Bevelyn Beatty, a fiery Christian, conservative and Black woman, got America’s attention when she painted over three Black Lives Matter memorials in New York City to promote “Jesus Matters.” Princess Jones spoke with Beatty about her life and her fight to reveal the truth as she sees it about the state of the Black community and Black church.
Markus Spieker is an author, reporter, editor and board member of The Media Project. His new book “Jesus. Eine Weltgeschichte” approaches the story of Jesus from a biographical and journalistic perspective. The book investigates the source material of what we really know about Jesus with combined references from secular, Muslim and Jewish archives in addition to recent scholarship describing previously undiscovered details. Executive Editor, Paul Glader discussed the contents of the new book with Spieker, his process for writing the 1000 page biography.
Famous for his quirky roles in everything from The Office to Star Trek: Discovery, Rainn Wilson sat down with Meagan Clark and Mattie Townson to discuss his Bahaʼi faith and to give a crash course on a little known religious tradition. Wilson's faith dates back to his childhood and is part of a much larger community of over 7 million Baháʼí around the world.
Peru has had Martín Vizcarra, Manuel Merino and Francisco Sagasti all serve as president within a single week amidst political chaos and religiously devisive pandemic restrictions. Board Member of The Media Project, Reynaldo Aragón, spoke to Christian Rosas, an evangelical political analyst from Lima, about the ongoing crisis.
MinistryWatch Episode 54: A Conversation with Religion Unplugged’s Paul Glader
Here at MinistryWatch, we bring you news about Christian ministries, as well as the latest in charity and philanthropy, all designed to help us become better stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us.
Today, I’m pleased to welcome back to the program Paul Glader. Paul is the editor-in-chief at Religion Unplugged and the director of the journalism program at The King’s College in New York City. His journalism experience includes a long tenure with the Wall Street Journal. We discuss the recent election, conflict in Armenia, Hillsong’s Carl Lenz, and more.
To find out more about Religion Unplugged and the stories we discussed today, go to Religion Unplugged.com. If you’d like to give to its International Reporting Fund, there’s a link at the top of the page.
The producers for today’s program are Rich Roszel and Steve Gandy. Here at MinistryWatch we get database, technical, and editorial support from Cathy Goddard, Stephen DuBarry, Christina Darnell, and Casey Sudduth. Thanks to Clementi Lisi, Jade Levin, Bruce Barron, Jake Densmore, and Meghan Clarke, and the rest of the Religion Unplugged team for providing content for our conversation today.
Until next time, may God bless you.
Religion Unplugged wraps up the 2020 Election in a roundtable discussion with editors and contributors including data journalist and political scientist Ryan Burge. The next big question on religion and politics: What does the future of voting for people of faith look like? Big moves among Hispanic Catholic and Evangelical communities in Florida, Black Churches in states like Georgia, and some surprises in Catholic Blue Collar states like Pennsylvania, Michigan and Illinois signal the need for new strategies for both Democrats and Republicans in 2022 and beyond.
First time gun buyers looking to protect themselves during a potentially dangerous election are fueling mass FIREARMS buying trends across the country. Many of these people have never shot a gun before or been proponents of gun control themselves and are struggling to find ways to learn about, purchase and practice firearms without paying organizations that promote extremist rhetoric. RUP EXECUTIVE EDITOR Paul Glader went with JB to a gun range in New Jersey to experience and discuss JB’s gun buying experience and the ongoing self-protection crisis.
Ministry Watch Episode 50: A Conversation with Religion Unplugged’s Paul Glader
Here at MinistryWatch we bring you news about Christian ministries, as well as the latest in charity and philanthropy, all designed to help us become better stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us.
Regular listeners to the program know that this month we began these “MinistryWatch Extra” episodes. We will continue our regular Friday weekly roundup episodes. Those are episodes I co-host with Natasha Smith. But these MinistryWatch Extra episodes are a chance for us to “go deep,” you might say, with our editorial partners.
Today, I’m pleased to welcome back to the program Paul Glader. Paul is the editor-in-chief at Religion Unplugged and the director of the journalism program at The King’s College in New York City. His journalism experience includes a long tenure with the Wall Street Journal.
Today we discuss Amy Coney Barrett’s religion, a huge drop in travel – including travel to religious sites – as a result of COVID, and The American Solidarity Party (ASP), a third party that takes Christian ideas seriously. It’s pro-life, and pro-traditional marriage, which separates it from the Libertarian Party. But it also favors a fairly strong environmental program, and it’s not afraid to say the government has a role in all of these arenas.
To find out more about Religion Unplugged and the stories we discussed today, go to Religion Unplugged.com
The producers for today’s program are Rich Roszel and Steve Gandy. Here at MinistryWatch we get database, technical, and editorial support from Cathy Goddard, Stephen DuBarry, Christina Darnell, and Casey Sudduth. Thanks to Bobby Ross, Ken Vaughan, Meghan Clarke, and the rest of the Religion Unplugged team for providing content for our conversation today.
Until next time, may God bless you.
Sherry Sacino's story writing platform Global StoryMakers is working to overcome the conflict between literacy education and cultural and religious erasure. By creating reading programs and publishing public domain books written by and about local communities, Sacino hopes to bring new stories to children that they can identify with more than common Westernized or Anglocentric education programs. Paul Glader and Peter Freeby interview Sherry Sacino and talk about the project.
A new book by Todd Von Helms addresses head on some of the biggest questions people have about christianity. In a year where institutional trust is in crisis across politics, religion and science, Before You Leave, For College, Career, and Eternity is an answer for students preparing for college, ministers struggling with difficult questions, and long-time christians struggling with their faith. Paul Glader interviews Todd Von Helms about the creation of the book and the concerns of people who may feel unequipped for handling life’s difficult questions.
This summer, the Jesus movement group Saturate OC hosted revivals along beaches in Southern California, baptizing thousands and leading them in outdoor worship just as Gov. Gavin Newsom banned singing in places of worship. Parker Green, its co-founder, talked to Religion Unplugged about what the new Jesus movement is, getting his first misdemeanor and why he thinks American Christianity as it is won’t survive the pandemic.
Professor Ben Quash is the Director of the Centre for Arts and the Sacred at King's College in London. In partnership with the National Gallery, London, Quash and a team of art historians and theologians catalogue and write thevcs.org, a publication dedicated to the relationship between Christian theology and scripture through historical and contemporary art. Senior contributor and chairwoman of The Media Project Roberta Ahmanson interviews Professor Quash about the gallery's progress towards 1,500 digital exhibitions and the work of a weekly publication that makes complex and undiscovered links of theology and art history available to a contemporary global audience.
Anne Hendershott, sociologist and historian talks with Paul Glader about the history of New York City and how the cultural hub weathered crises throughout the the 20th Century. While many are asking "Can New York City bounce back?" there may already be an answer.
Ministry Watch Episode 36: A Conversation with Religion Unplugged’s Paul Glader
Hello, everyone. I’m Warren Smith and I’d like to welcome you to the MinistryWatch podcast. Here at MinistryWatch we bring you news about Christian ministries, as well as the latest in charity and philanthropy, all designed to help us become better stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us.
Regular listeners to the program know that this month we began these “MinistryWatch Extra” episodes. We will continue our regular Friday weekly roundup episodes. Those are episodes I co-host with Natasha Smith. But these MinistryWatch Extra episodes are a chance for us to “go deep,” you might say, with our editorial partners.
Today, I’m pleased to welcome back to the program Paul Glader. Paul is the editor-in-chief at Religion Unplugged and the director of the journalism program at The King’s College in New York City. His journalism experience includes a long tenure with the Wall Street Journal.
To find out more about Religion Unplugged and the stories we discussed today, go to www.ReligionUnplugged.com
To find out more about MinistryWatch, go to www.MinistryWatch.com
The producers for today’s program are Rich Roszel and Steve Gandy. We get database, technical, and editorial support from Cathy Goddard, Stephen DuBarry, Christina Darnell, and Casey Sudduth.
I’m Warren Smith, along with my co-host Paul Glader, and you’ve been listening to the MinistryWatch podcast. Until next time, may God bless you.
On December 29th, 2019, Keith Thomas Kinnunen shot and killed Tony Wallace and Richard White at the West Freeway Church before being shot down by Jack Wilson, a member of the church security team. Bobby Ross Jr. interviews Glenda White, looking back on the tragedy, the recovery of the church, and her struggle with how to reconcile ensuring safety in the aftermath of violence with the faith based compassion for others.
Mohammed bin Salman’s sudden rise and increasingly brutal actions against citizens, journalists and his own family are documented in the forthcoming Blood and Oil, a new book from award-winning Wall Street Journal reporters Justin Scheck and Bradley Hope. Paul Glader’s conversation with Scheck details MBS’s rise, highlights the big questions for the future of Saudi Arabia and includes a reading from the book. At the crossroads between an older conservative religious political base to a young, online and less conservative class what happens to the faith of the Wahabists, Shia, Sunni and Hindus in the region? There’s a real question to the political phrase MBS has said to reporters "Wahabism? What is Wahabism?"
ReligionUnplugged teams up in the first of a series of MinistryWatch Extra episodes, Paul Glader, the executive editor of ReligionUnplugged, is a guest on the MinistryWatch podcast, talking with MinistryWatch President, Warren Smith.
MinistryWatch Episode Notes
"Ep. 28 Warren Smith Talks with Paul Glader of Religion Unplugged"
This is the first of our “MinistryWatch Extra” episodes. Today’s guest is Paul Glader. Paul talks to us about “Religion Unplugged,” a website with which MinistryWatch has a content-sharing relationship. We’ll go deep into our editorial processes and look at the “making of” some of the stories from “Religion Unplugged” that we have posted at the MinistryWatch podcast.
We also spend time talking about the mission of “Religion Unplugged” to train the next generation of Christian journalists.
To find out more about Religion Unplugged and the stories we discussed today, go to www.religionunplugged.com
The producers for today’s program are Rich Roszel and Steve Gandy. We get database, technical, and editorial support from Cathy Goddard, Stephen DuBarry, Christina Darnell, and Casey Sudduth.
Sportswriter and feature writer Jordan Ritter Conn talks to Religion Unplugged about The Road From Raqqa, his debut narrative non-fiction book from Penguin Random House that tells the story of two Syrian brothers born and raised in the city that would become the capital of ISIS. Ritter Conn explores the harrowing journey of how they each left Raqqa at different times and eventually found new lives in The United States and Germany.
The Russian Orthodox Church consecrated the new and controversial Cathedral of the Russian Armed Forces in June 2020. Senior contributor and board member Roberta Ahmanson interviewed art historian and Byzantinist Alexei Lidov to investigate the controversy both on the right and the left of the Russian Orthodox community, and to discuss the broad implications of change in the Russian Orthodox Church amid enormous political and ideological shifts in the Orthodox community around the world.
One Tough Out is a new memoir from legendary Minnesota Twins baseball player Rod Carew. The book explores his struggles with health, and the role of his faith and family to get him through it. Senior contributor, Bobby Ross Jr. talked with talks to Carew about the his memoir and what he thinks about ongoing concerns of systemic racism in America and the COVID-19 pandemic.
Police brutality protests have expanded to small towns and suburbs while many of the same communities have begun to lift quarantine restrictions, bringing Main Street to the center of the national conversation about health, faith and civil rights. Religion Unplugged's executive editor Paul Glader interviews documentary journalist John Miller about his film “Moundsville,” recently released on PBS, which documents the heart of the titular town in West Virginia and investigates the economy, history and mesh of spirituality created in the aftermath of violent Native American oppression and generational shifts in the local Christian tradition.
In 1947, John Perkins' family, sharecroppers in Mississippi, put him on a train to California after white police officers shot and killed his brother "for talking too loud." There, Perkins encountered Jesus and a growing conviction that the Bible affirms human dignity of every race above all other philosophies. He has spent decades developing under-served communities as a civil rights activist and evangelist, is the author of 17 books and has served on five presidential task forces. He spoke to his friend and Religion Unplugged's senior correspondent Roberta Ahmanson about how the church and the country can heal from racial division and injustice.
Sybil Archibald creates art that explores the fundamental elements of spirituality. Her work is inspired by her experiences living with scleroderma, an autoimmune rheumatic disease sometimes described as a mummification of the body's tissues.
Archibald does not practice a particular religion, but she has studied medieval spiritualism and draws from that knowledge and imagery to produce her own body of work.
Has Africa's history of outbreaks with HIV, AIDS and Ebola better prepared faith communities to manage COVID-19? To find out, Roberta Ahmanson interviews Dr. Nyaradzo Murefu, a Christian chemist who has led research in HIV prevention and immunology, established the first African lab to study drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics (how drugs absorb into the body) and helped produce Africa's first clinical drug candidate with modern models as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Cape Town, where she earned her PhD in Chemical Engineering.
Before COVID-19 became a global pandemic and people rushed to buy extra food, hand sanitizer and toilet paper, thousands of Americans were already prepared for such an event: "preppers."
Many have gradually stockpiled food, guns and even secret, remote motorhomes for years, creating complex survival and escape plans. Their beliefs are often rooted in theology more than fear and anxiety, and many resent media caricatures of preppers and the term itself.
In early March, Religion Unplugged Executive Editor Paul Glader and our Poynter-Koch reporter Micah Danney traveled to Colorado Springs, Colo. to meet Tim Bosh and his wife Tydae, who both trust in the Lord and ever since getting stranded in a snowstorm, love to stay prepared for disasters.
Our chairwoman at The Media Project and Senior Correspondent at ReligionUnplugged.com, Roberta Ahmanson Interviews a special guest and author. Roberta is a world traveller, an author herself, an award winning religion reporter, a philanthropist, an art collector and a voracious reader. When the coronavirus broke out, Roberta naturally thought we should interview the provost of the university of Oklahoma, Dr. Kyle Harper. Dr. Harper is a professor of classics and letters who serves as Senior Vice President and Provost. He has a PHD from Harvard University and has written several books about the ancient world including several titles related to religion and christianity in the Ancient Greek and Roman worlds.
Dr. Harper’s 2017 book was titled "The Fate of Rome,climate disease and the end of an empire," published by Princeton University Press. It explains how devastating viruses, pandemics and other natural catastrophes swept through the Roman Empire and brought down one of the most powerful civilizations in history. Roberta dialed up Kyle on Zoom to talk about the parallels between COVID19 and the ancient world.
In the wake of Covid19, the physical rituals of faith are being removed. As religious communities in major cities and towns around the world are faced with the removal of holy water and prayer rugs or having their services completely cancelled until further notice, there is a new question. How do you reach a congregation if you can’t leave your own home?
We messaged every member of The Media Project to get a sense of what it's like living in the midst of the pandemic for 15 journalists around the world, and how their local religious practices are adapting.
In the wake of Covid19, the physical rituals of faith are being removed. As religious communities in major cities and towns around the world are faced with the removal of holy water and prayer rugs or having their services completely cancelled until further notice, there is a new question. How do you reach a congregation if you can’t leave your own home?
We messaged every member of The Media Project to get a sense of what it's like living in the midst of the pandemic for 15 journalists around the world, and how their local religious practices are adapting.
Meagan Clark interviews Vishal Arora, an independent journalist based in Delhi and a founder of Stories Asia, about the ongoing unrest between pro-Modi Hindus and Indians who fear threats to religious minorities and pluralism. Since this recording, more than 50 people have died, mostly Muslims, after a Hindu mob rampaged a mixed neighborhood near protests against a controversial citizenship law that excludes Muslim migrants.
Read more:
- Mass protests in India are resisting Hindu nationalism more than ever
- Internet Ban Eased In Kashmir After Seven Months
- Protests ring in the new year in India as a 'black day'
- Photo essay: 50 injured in Kashmir's worst violence since India's crackdown
- Fear and confusion grips India's northeast as 1.9 million people face statelessness
The Rev. Josphine Ngahu works with the All Saints Cathedral and the Anglican Church of Kenya doing some very innovative work in her parish with people who have lost their hearing.
Ms. Rose Kanyunyuzi is from Uganda and works with the Global Orphan Project in Africa. She told us about the work she is doing in Uganda and other parts of Africa with orphans.
We met Rev. Josphine and Ms. Rose at a conference for Anglican leaders on Martha’s Vineyard this past September.
Chris Moody is a correspondent at Vice News in New York City. He’s also a friend of Religion Unplugged and The Media Project. We caught up with Chris recently as he completed his year-long journey around America in a tiny house he and his wife, Christy, built into a cargo van. It was his adventure to report on the real America after reporting on politics for years at CNN in New York City and at Yahoo News in Washington DC. We asked Chris about the journey and his upcoming book.
Tabitha Bühne is a journalist, author and fitness coach based in Leipzig, Germany. Tabitha edits a running magazine in Germany and is a friend and member of The Media Project. She spoke with Religion Unplugged about her latest book that explores the topic of fitness and faith and why people of faith should care about their bodies.
A whistleblower complaint to the IRS alleges the mormon church has amassed a secretive $100 billion dollar investment fund and has misled church members about how tithe money is used with that fund.
On Monday night, we broke a story about this at ReligionUnplugged.com after a month-long investigation into claims the whistleblower made to the IRS.
Samuel D. Brunson, a law professor at Loyola University in Chicago and an expert on religion and tax law, discusses the concerns about his church.
This episode of the Religion Unplugged podcast was hosted by Paul Glader, edited and produced by Peter Freeby. Special thanks to ReligionUnplugged team member Meagan Clark.
The Religion Unplugged Podcast is a production of religionunplugged.com. and is a part of The Media Project, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping journalists to cover religion.
To read our award-winning global religion news coverage or to find out more about Religion Unplugged or The Media Project, visit religionunplugged.com or follow us on twitter at religionmag.
Paul Glader interviewed Jeffrey Alan Miller, an English Professor at Montclair State University in New Jersey, who made a major discovery in 2015. Looking at a notebook in an archive at the University of Cambridge, Miller came across the earliest known draft of any part of the King James Bible, unmistakably in the hand of one of the King James translators.” For this discovery along with his other scholarship on John Milton, Miller was awarded a MacArthur Fellowship this year, which is commonly referred to as a “genius grant” in America.
The MacArthur Foundation noted that Miller’s scholarship into English literature and theology sheds light on new ideas "about the role of faith in daily life and government among Reformation and Renaissance scholars.” Miller
We wanted to learn more about Miller and his pathway from his studies at Princeton University as an undergraduate to his Rhodes Scholarship and doctorate at Oxford University to his finding about the King James Bible.
This episode of the Religion Unplugged podcast was hosted by Paul Glader, edited and produced by Peter Freeby. Special thanks to Melissa Harrison and Meagan Clark.
The Religion Unplugged Podcast is a production of religionunplugged.com. and is a part of The Media Project, a nonprofit dedicated to equipping journalists to cover religion.
To read our award-winning global religion news coverage or to find out more about Religion Unplugged or The Media Project, visit religionunplugged.com or follow us on twitter at religionmag.
Paul Glader interviews Emeka Izeze about why he loves the Massachusetts DMV, and how rule following and paperwork might be a useful message for churches in Nigeria.
Paul Glader has a conversation with Tim Pool, conservative political commentator, YouTuber and Co-founder of Subverse.
Executive Director Paul Glader talks with NYT’s bestselling author AJ Jacobs about his recent book “Thanks A Thousand: A Gratitude Journey” and his bestseller “The Year of Living Biblically: One Man's Humble Quest to Follow the Bible as Literally as Possible.”
Paul Glader has a conversation in São Paulo with Brazilian journalist and writer, Marilia de Camargo Cesar, about her four books that address issues of homosexuality and spiritual abuse in the evangelical church.
Paul Glader has a conversation with photographer Kieran Dodds about his project Hierotopia, which charts the role that ancient religion played on the protection of rural landscapes in northern Ethiopia.
Executive Director Paul Glader is joined by Steven Waldman, best-selling author of Founding Faith and co-founder of Report for America to talk about his new book on religious freedom, Sacred Liberty.
In the wake of the Easter terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka, The Media Project Board Member Vishal Arora spoke with Nishan De Mel, the Executive Director of Verité Research in Colombo, for a deeper analysis of what it means for South Asia and Sri Lanka’s religious groups and stability.
Melissa Harrison and Paul Glader talk with Ethiopian educator, Desta Heliso, about a two-day symposium in NYC honoring Tom C. Oden where, scholars, pastors, and international church leaders explored themes central to Oden's legacy: Classical and Ancient Christianity, Spiritual renewal, and building bridges between historic communities of faith.
Melissa Harrison goes on the road to interview Sky News Correspondent, David Blevins, about his recent visit to the U.S. to visit college campuses. David talks about the role that journalism played in the Irish peace process and shares his own experience of working at the intersection of faith & journalism.
Melissa Harrison and Clemente Lisi talk to Emeke Izeze, former managing director of The Guardian in Nigeria about the rising ISIS problems in Africa following years of being driven from the Middle East.
Melissa Harrison and Paul Glader discuss the latest book, "The Desert and The Sea" in an interview with Michael Scott Moore, the American journalist and novelist who was kidnapped in 2012 and held captive by Somali Pirates for over 2 and a half years.
Melissa Harrison interviews TMP member and 2017 Poynter Fellow alumna, Evelyn Osagie of Nigeria, and historian Dr Karen Ama'Echefu, about the important role that poetry and song play in helping journalists to connect people of different cultures and religions.
Assassins attacked Zaffar Iqbal in his newsroom in Kashmir. Shootings and threats against the press are on the rise in the United States but the danger for journalists has existed for a long time internationally.