The UpWords Podcast: Recent Episodes

View Details

How do you read the Bible? Most of us assume we already know: we read to learn what happened, to understand what a passage means, or to find a principle to apply. In this episode, host Dan Hummel is joined by guest Jeff Dryden, professor of biblical studies and department chair at Covenant College, to ask whether Scripture is inviting us to something deeper.

Dryden is the author of A Hermeneutic of Wisdom: Recovering the Formative Agency of Scripture(Baker Academic), which argues that the whole Bible — not just its "wisdom" books — is written to shape our deepest loves and convictions, not merely to hand us information or timeless principles. Dan and Jeff talk through why biblical scholars are trained to tell us what a text meant rather than what it means, how that division of labor between biblical studies and theology leaves a formation-shaped gap, and what philosophers like Hans-Georg Gadamer and Michael Polanyi have to offer pastors and everyday readers trying to close it.

Along the way: why Paul is a far less systematic thinker than popular imagination suggests, what Mark's Gospel is doing to our idols of Jesus, and why "the Bible wasn't written to us, but it was written for us" is true — and doesn't go far enough.

In this episode:

• Why biblical scholars are trained to ask what a text meant, not what it means — and what gets lost in that division of labor
• Why the Bible is always "applied theology" — never abstract, formal theology — and what that means for how a sermon should be built
• Reading Mark's Gospel as an exercise in dismantling our idols of who Jesus is
• Hans-Georg Gadamer's idea of Wirkungsgeschichte ("history of effects") and why we can never step outside the tradition we read from
• Augustine's test for biblical understanding: if you haven't grown in love of God and neighbor, you haven't understood a word
• Why the historical-critical and grammatical-historical methods — liberal and conservative alike — share the same modern DNA
• What's next for Dryden: a forthcoming book on evangelical moralism and legalism as counterfeit versions of the gospel

About the guest:
Jeff Dryden (PhD, Cambridge University) is professor of biblical studies and chair of the department at Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, where he has taught for nearly two decades. He is the author of Theology and Ethics in 1 Peter and A Hermeneutic of Wisdom: Recovering the Formative Agency of Scripture (Baker Academic).

Mentioned in this episode:

• Jeff Dryden, A Hermeneutic of Wisdom: Recovering the Formative Agency of Scripture
• BibleProject and Tim Mackie
• John Walton, Old Testament scholar, Wheaton College Graduate School
• Scot McKnight and Hans Boersma, Five Things Biblical Scholars Wish Theologians Knew / Five Things Theologians Wish Biblical Scholars Knew
• Hans-Georg Gadamer, philosopher (Wirkungsgeschichte, hermeneutics)
• Anthony Thiselton, The Two Horizons / New Horizons in Hermeneutics
• Sandra Schneiders and Michael Polanyi ("personal knowledge")
• Augustine, On Christian Doctrine (De Doctrina Christiana)
• Johann Philipp Gabler and Wilhelm Dilthey, on the historical roots of modern biblical studies

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

Phil Haslanger has spent decades straddling two worlds that don't always trust each other: journalism and the church. In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host John Terrill sits down with the longtime Capital Times editor turned ordained pastor for an in-person conversation recorded at Upper House in Madison, Wisconsin, as part of a summer series spotlighting local leaders whose faith shapes their public work.

Over a 35-year career at The Capital Times, Phil worked as a reporter, city editor, editorial page editor, and managing editor before entering ordained ministry with the United Church of Christ in 2007. He talks about growing up in an almost entirely white Marinette, Wisconsin, how his image of God has shifted from "someone at a control panel" to what he calls "the force of love in the universe," and what a career built on journalistic skepticism taught him about pastoral care.

The conversation also covers Phil’s work building an interfaith network of Fitchburg-area churches, his award-winning advocacy against domestic violence, the line between prophetic public witness and partisan politics, and where he sees both progress and failure in how the American press covers religion — including a candid take on AI's growing and risky role in newsrooms.

ABOUT OUR GUESTPhil Haslanger has spent his career — and his second career — straddling two worlds: journalism and ministry. A UW–Madison graduate (BA in sociology, 1971; MA in journalism, 1973), he spent 35 years at The Capital Times in Madison as a reporter, city editor, editorial page editor, and managing editor, and for years wrote a column on the intersection of faith and politics.

Phil grew up Catholic in Marinette, Wisconsin, and briefly considered the priesthood before coming to UW–Madison to study sociology. In 2000, he and his wife left the Catholic Church for the United Church of Christ; he entered the UCC's lay pastor program, was ordained in 2007, and served for a decade as pastor of Memorial United Church of Christ in Fitchburg before retiring in 2017. He later served as a parish associate at Christ Presbyterian Church in Madison, retiring again in 2024.

He was inducted into the Wisconsin Newspaper Association's Hall of Fame in 2021, named a distinguished alumnus of the UW–Madison School of Journalism and Mass Communication in 2022, and received the Governor's Council on Domestic Abuse's annual justice award in 2015 for mobilizing local faith communities to support victims of domestic violence. He is married to Ellen Reuter, and they have four adult children and seven grandchildren.

Resource Links* UW–Madison Center for Journalism Ethics: https://ethics.sjmc.wisc.edu/ * Religion News Service: https://religionnews.com/ * The Capital Times: https://captimes.com/

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

This summer, The UpWords Podcast is spotlighting local leaders shaping faith and community life in Madison. Host Dan Johnson sits down with Jon Anderson, founder and executive director of Collaboration Project, to talk about what happens when churches stop working in silos and start loving their neighborhoods together. Jon traces the winding path from twenty years of local pastoral ministry to launching a nonprofit he once swore he'd never start, shares how COVID-19 and the murder of George Floyd became unexpected catalysts for church collaboration, and unpacks why Collaboration Project now organizes its work around neighborhoods rather than issues or denominations. Along the way, Jon tells the story of a chance lunch conversation that turned into 1,200 free prom dresses for high schoolers, reflects on 25 years of Madison Missions and a decade of the Kingdom Justice Summit, and offers a biblical definition of justice rooted in shalom. He closes with a hope for what Dane County's church could look like ten years from now.

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Jon Anderson — Founder & Executive Director, Collaboration Project

Jon served as a pastor in the Madison area for twenty years before launching the Collaboration Project in 2019. He has a passion for serving the local church and encouraging it as it serves the most vulnerable. Jon has a history of starting programs centered on engaging the church in local service. He helped begin Madison Missions, a local youth service camp that engages hundreds of students every summer. He also co-founded the Kingdom Justice Summit, which annually brings together hundreds of people from dozens of churches around Christianity and justice in our city.

RESOURCES & LINKS MENTIONED

• Collaboration Project — connecting Dane County churches to love their neighborhoods together
• Kingdom Justice Summit — annual local gathering exploring biblical justice, hosted at Upper House
• Madison Missions — Collaboration Project's local youth service camp, celebrating its 25th summer
• BibleProject's "Justice" video — referenced by Jon as a helpful primer on biblical justice

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

Thank you for listening to The UpWords Podcast. We wanted to send you a quick message to let you know that we will be moving to every-other-week podcast releases in July and August this summer, and returning to weekly podcast releases in September. Have a blessed summer!

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

What do evangelicals mean when they talk about “supporting Israel” — and how did Jewish–Christian dialogue evolve from centuries of suspicion into the conversations happening today?

In the third installment of our series built around the Last Questions of Faith community lecture, host Jean Geran welcomes historian and author Dan Hummel for a wide-ranging conversation on Christian Zionism, evangelical theology, and the hard, patient work of talking across big religious differences. Dan traces the roots of Christian support for Israel — from post-Holocaust theology and the Second Vatican Council’s Nostra Aetate to Billy Graham’s 1969 meeting with the American Jewish Committee — and explains how dispensationalism shapes the way many evangelicals read Israel into biblical prophecy.

Along the way: why Christian Zionists are an organized minority rather than the evangelical majority, how the U.S.–Israel relationship has been deliberately cultivated over decades, and what a more generous, substantive interfaith dialogue — one that includes the more conservative voices in each tradition — might actually look like.

GUEST BIO

Dan Hummel is a historian of U.S. religion and the author of The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism: How the Evangelical Battle Over the End Times Shaped a Nation (Eerdmans, 2023) and Covenant Brothers: Evangelicals, Jews, and U.S.-Israeli Relations. He is the Director of the Lumen Center at the SL Brown Foundation, and is a co-host of American Evangelicals: A History Podcast. His research and writing focus on Christian Zionism, evangelical theology, and the history of U.S.–Israel relations.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Book — The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism (Eerdmans, 2023), foreword by Mark Noll
• Book — Covenant Brothers: Evangelicals, Jews, and U.S.-Israeli Relations
• Mentioned: Amy-Jill Levine (A.J. Levine), New Testament & Jewish studies scholar; earlier in this series
• Mentioned: Nostra Aetate (Second Vatican Council, 1965); E.P. Sanders; N.T. Wright; Marvin Wilson, Our Father Abraham

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

What if many of us have been taught to read the Bible in a way it was never meant to be read? In this special live event recorded by Upper House, BibleProject co-founder Tim Mackie returns to Madison — the city where he earned his PhD in Hebrew Bible and Jewish Studies at UW–Madison and pastored at Blackhawk Church — to share the story behind one of the most widely used Bible-teaching resources in the world.

Tim traces the origins of BibleProject to a coffee-shop conversation with his old college friend Jon Collins, a successful maker of animated explainer videos who had quietly become a “post-Bible Christian.” Their shared question — how do you engage Scripture well? — became the heartbeat of the project. Tim contrasts the “reference book” Bible many of us inherited (turn to the right verse, find the answer) with a richer vision of Scripture as ancient Jewish literary art designed to form wise, mature human beings over a lifetime.

Along the way, he unpacks seven core convictions that have guided BibleProject from the beginning — three about where the Bible comes from, and four about what it is for — closing with the practice of meditation (the Hebrew hagah) and an invitation to try again with Scripture, whatever your history with it.

Whether you’ve loved the Bible, struggled with it, or aren’t sure what to make of it, this conversation offers a fresh invitation to see Scripture as a unified, beautiful, and transformative story that leads to Jesus.

The Seven Convictions (At a Glance)Where the Bible is from:

• Collaborative literature — human authors and God’s Spirit meeting, not passive dictation.
• Unified literature — one interconnected story leading to Jesus.
• Ancient literature — written for us, but not to us; context matters.

What the Bible is for:

• Messianic literature — every theme sets up and finds fulfillment in Jesus.
• Communal literature — designed to be read aloud together over a lifetime.
• Wisdom literature — forming us to discern good from bad, not just memorize answers.
• Meditation literature — hagah: slow, repeated reading that rewards a lifetime of return.

About the GuestTim Mackie is co-founder and lead scholar of BibleProject. He holds a PhD in Hebrew Bible and Jewish Studies from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a degree in theology from Western Seminary in Portland. His research focused on the manuscript history of the Bible and the formation of the biblical canon — including his dissertation on the book of Ezekiel, with particular attention to the Septuagint and Dead Sea Scrolls. After years of ministry as a local-church pastor (including at Madison’s Blackhawk Church and later Door of Hope in Portland) and as a professor at Western Seminary, Tim now serves as lead scholar and creative director at BibleProject. He lives in Portland with his wife, Jessica, and their two sons.

https://bibleproject.com/

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

Too many Christians, Jerry Sittser says, sit at a banquet table and eat only one food. In this episode, host Tressa Spingler talks with theologian, historian, and author Dr. Jerry Sittser — professor emeritus of theology at Whitworth University — about the newly revised edition of his book Water from a Deep Well and the spiritual inheritance many believers overlook.

Drawing on the monks’ rhythm of life, the Desert Fathers and Mothers, the mystics, and the great tradition of historic orthodoxy, Sittser invites listeners to rediscover something ancient rather than chase something new. He reflects on inhabiting time rather than spending it, beginning the week with rest, the practice of silence (“get up to slow down”), and what the early church can still teach a hurried, distracted age.

The conversation turns honest and personal as Sittser — who lost his wife and a daughter in an automobile accident — describes suffering not as something to overcome or avoid but as something to step into and find God within. It’s an invitation to live in the tension of beauty and sorrow, and to take the small first steps toward a deeper, well-rooted faith.

YOU WILL LEARN

• Why so many Christians “eat only one food” — and what the full diet of historic Christianity offers
• How a January course at a snowed-in mountain camp became the seed of Water from a Deep Well
• The monks’ gift of rhythm: inhabiting time instead of consuming it, and beginning the week with rest
• The Desert Fathers and Mothers — stranger, funnier, and wiser than they first appear
• Union of relationship vs. union of absorption: a healthier way to read the mystics
• Suffering as an inevitable part of discipleship — and the soul’s capacity to hold beauty and sorrow at once
• Where to begin when you feel spiritually dry: small, meaningful, deep first steps

GUEST BIO

Dr. Jerry Sittser is professor emeritus of theology and a senior fellow at Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington, specializing in the history of Christianity, Christian spirituality, and religion in American public life. The author of nine books — including A Grace Disguised, The Will of God as a Way of Life, Resilient Faith, and Water from a Deep Well — he has spent decades helping Christians recover the wisdom and deep roots of the historic church for everyday life.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Jerry Sittser’s website: https://www.jerrysittser.com/
• Water from a Deep Well (revised edition): https://www.jerrysittser.com/books
• Practicing the Way podcast series with John Mark Comer: https://www.practicingtheway.org/podcasts/practicing-the-way
• More episodes & SLBF Studio at Upper House: https://slbf.org/studio

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Jean Geran sits down with biblical scholar Seth Whitaker to explore a question at the heart of Christianity's origins: how do Jews and Christians read Scripture differently—and what holds their interpretive traditions together?

Drawing on his doctoral research at the University of St Andrews on the use of the Psalms in the book of Hebrews, Seth argues that the earliest followers of Jesus were Jews wrestling with their own religious heritage in light of the Messiah. Rather than a clean break, he traces a story of deep continuity — one in which the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the same God who raised Jesus from the dead.

Jean and Seth examine why the Old Testament can feel “more vengeful” than the New, and why that contrast is more caricature than reality. Seth offers a striking image: Scripture is not a flat plain where every verse carries equal weight, but a landscape of mountains and valleys, with high peaks of revelation — like God revealing himself as “abounding in steadfast love” at Sinai — that give us a vantage point on the harder passages.

The conversation also draws on a previous UpWords episode with AJ Levine to consider what Christians might learn from Jewish interpretive practices: the “70 faces” of Scripture, a comfort with multiple readings, and the practice of reading sacred texts in community as a guard against going off the rails. Seth closes by tracing how rabbinic Judaism and early Christianity gradually defined themselves over and against one another — shaped by events like the expulsion of Jews from Rome, the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE, and the Bar Kokhba revolt — and why he encourages readers to approach the Hebrew Bible less like a prophecy-fulfillment checklist and more like an ongoing dialogue.

Whether you've wondered how Christianity emerged from Judaism, struggled with the difficult passages of the Old Testament, or simply want a richer way to read sacred texts, this conversation offers thoughtful insight and plenty to ponder.

YOU WILL LEARN

• Why every New Testament author was a Jew making sense of an inherited tradition — and why that changes how we read Christian origins
• Eschatology as a central interpretive lens: how “the last things” reshaped the way early believers read their Scriptures
• The same God, not two: pushing back on the ancient Marcionite split between the God of the Old and New Testaments
• Sinai as a “mountain peak” — God's mercy to the thousandth generation versus judgment to the third and fourth
• Scripture as mountains and valleys, not a flat plain of equal-weight proof texts
• Love and judgment appear in both Testaments — including in the Psalms and in the teaching of Jesus
• The “70 faces” of Scripture and what Christians can learn from Jewish interpretation in community
• How the early church's patience, love, and care across class lines set it apart in Rome
• Three historical turning points that drove Judaism and Christianity apart: the expulsion of Jews from Rome (49 CE), the destruction of the Temple (70 CE), and the Bar Kokhba revolt (135 CE)
• The Septuagint, Isaiah 7:14, and how competing authoritative texts shaped competing interpretations
• Reading the Hebrew Bible as a dance and dialogue rather than a prophecy-fulfillment checklist

ABOUT THE GUEST

Seth Whitaker is a New Testament scholar who completed his PhD at the University of St Andrews, where he worked with David Moffitt on the Epistle to the Hebrews. His research focuses on Christian origins and how the New Testament authors interpreted the Hebrew Bible and the Septuagint. His book, Eschatology and the Use of Psalms in Hebrews: Songs for the Last Days, is published by Bloomsbury T&T Clark in the Library of Second Temple Studies.

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Eschatology and the Use of Psalms in Hebrews: Songs for the Last Days — Seth Whitaker (Bloomsbury T&T Clark)
• The Patient Ferment of the Early Church — Alan Kreider
• Previous episode of The UpWords Podcast with AJ Levine on Jewish and Christian readings of Scripture

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

What do you do when the church — the very community that's supposed to reflect the love of God — becomes a source of real pain? Host Dan Johnson sits down with Scott Bessenecker, author of Bad Religion, Good News: An Honest Guide to Spiritual Disappointment, for an unflinching conversation about church hurt, institutional failure, and the long road toward healing.

Drawing on four decades of campus ministry with InterVarsity, Scott shares about being both a victim and participant in the church's sins, the role of self-examination in avoiding the spiral into deconstruction, and why honesty about the church's failures doesn't have to mean abandoning Christian community altogether. He also reflects on his own experience with disappointment with God — including his recovery from a stroke — and what it means to discover that God's presence in grief may be more powerful than miraculous rescue.

Whether you've been wounded by a leader, disillusioned by an institution, or are simply trying to maintain an honest and hopeful faith, this conversation offers both clarity and compassion for the journey.

IN THIS EPISODE

• What prompted Scott to write Bad Religion, Good News
• Being both a victim and a participant in the sins of the church
• Why self-examination is essential to navigating disappointment without becoming toxic
• The difference between deconstruction and honest disappointment
• How to talk openly about the church's failures without dismissing its good
• The hard work of forgiving an institution that may never apologize
• Scott's personal experience with a stroke and finding God in grief rather than rescue
• When it's time to leave a church community — and how to do it well
• Signs of spiritual hunger in the current generation of young adults
• What a healthier American church might look like in a decade

GUEST
Scott Bessenecker is a longtime ministry leader and author who spent four decades with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. His new book, Bad Religion, Good News: An Honest Guide to Spiritual Disappointment, invites readers into honest conversations about the church's failures — and how to find deeper faith on the other side.

RESOURCES

https://heraldpress.com/9781513817644/bad-religion-good-news/

https://slbf.org/studio

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

What would it look like if the church took seriously the 80,000 hours most people spend at work over a lifetime? In this conversation, host John Terrill sits down with Matt Rusten — pastor-turned-vocational-discipleship-advocate and author of Pastoring for Monday: Help Your Congregation Integrate Faith and Work — to explore one of the most neglected dimensions of Christian formation: our everyday work.

Matt shares the story of Tom Nelson — founder of Made to Flourish — who famously confessed to his congregation that he had been "committing pastoral malpractice" by equipping people for a minority of their lives while ignoring where they spent most of their time. That confession became the seedbed for an entire movement, and it shapes every page of Matt's new book.

Together, John and Matt trace the biblical arc from creation to new creation and show why work — far from being a necessary evil — is woven into the fabric of what it means to be human. They discuss four postures Christians take toward workplace engagement (boxing gloves, latex gloves, camouflage gloves, and work gloves), unpack a powerful framework for pastoral care drawn from the stages of enchantment and disenchantment in Ecclesiastes, and offer practical handles for how sermons, small groups, and outreach ministries can begin integrating a theology of vocation — without creating new programs or hiring a "faith and work pastor."

Whether you are a pastor, a church leader, or simply someone wrestling with purpose in your daily work, this conversation offers both grounding and hope.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

• The origin story of Made to Flourish and the "pastoral malpractice" confession that launched a movement
• Why faith and work discipleship is a biblical, historical, and pastoral priority
• A creation–fall–redemption–new creation framework for understanding work
• Four postures for cultural engagement: boxing gloves, latex gloves, camouflage, and work gloves
• Lessons from Lesslie Newbigin and Tim Keller on mission, vocation, and the local church
• Practical tools for pastors: preaching, small groups, outreach, and vocational formation
• The enchantment–disenchantment–re-enchantment cycle and how the Gospel reframes work
• Made to Flourish's three initiatives: Common Good Magazine, Scatter, and pastoral residencies

GUEST

Matt Rusten — Executive Director of Made to Flourish; author of Pastoring for Monday (IVP, 2026)

LINKS & RESOURCES

Pastoring for Monday (IVP Press)

Made to Flourish

Common Good Magazine

More episodes & podcast offerings — SLBF Studio

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

What does it look like when a Jewish New Testament scholar sits down with a Christian host to talk about how two ancient traditions read the same texts — and reach such different conclusions? That's exactly the conversation host Jean Geran has with Dr. Amy-Jill Levine in this wide-ranging episode recorded in Madison, Wisconsin.

AJ Levine is University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School, and one of the most respected voices in Jewish-Christian dialogue today. She recently joined us for our Questions of Faith event in Oshkosh and spent time in Wisconsin as a scholar in residence at First United Methodist Church in Madison.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

• How growing up Jewish in a Portuguese Roman Catholic neighborhood in Massachusetts led AJ to a lifetime of studying the New Testament
• Why the Torah is said to have "70 faces" — and what that means for how Jews and Christians approach interpretation differently
• What Jews and Christians share in terms of canon, prayer, and Scripture — and where they meaningfully diverge
• AJ's surprisingly practical take on salvation, Torah-observance, and whether Jews worry about getting into heaven
• Why Jesus used parables — and why he rarely explained them
• The difference between Jewish communal identity and Christian individualism, and what each tradition can learn from the other
• Baseball vs. football: a memorable analogy for understanding Jewish and Christian orientations toward time, memory, and the future
• The Hebrew concept of tzaddik (the righteous one) and what it means to bless the city you're in
• Whether shared stories can bridge religious and cultural divides — and AJ's honest, unsentimental answer
• Lament as relationship: what Tevye, the Psalms, and Job have in common, and why arguing with God keeps us in the conversation

GUEST
Amy-Jill Levine is University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School and College of Arts and Science, and the author of numerous books including Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi and The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus.

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

This week on The UpWords Podcast, we're bringing you something a little different — and we think you're going to love it.

We're sharing the first episode of a brand-new podcast series from the Lumen Center and SLBF STUDIO: American Evangelicals, A History Podcast. Hosted by historians John Fea, Dan Hummel, and Maggie Capra, this series takes a thoughtful, deep dive into one of the most talked-about religious movements in American history.

In this opening episode, they start with a deceptively simple question: What is an American evangelical? Beginning with the extraordinary story of Nathan Cole, an ordinary Connecticut farmer who rode twelve miles on horseback in 1740 to hear George Whitefield preach, the historians trace the origins of what would become a world-shaping religious movement.

LEARN more about the series - https://slbf.org/americanevangelicalspodcast

Along the way, they discuss:

• The Bebbington Quadrilateral — the four markers historians use to define evangelicalism: conversionism, biblicism, crucicentrism, and activism
• Why the "new birth" or born-again experience is so central to evangelical identity
• George Whitefield's remarkable celebrity and his transatlantic influence
• How evangelicalism was, in its early form, a disruptive and progressive movement challenging established religious authority
• The complex relationship between the First Great Awakening and the American Revolution

If you've ever felt like the word "evangelical" is confusing, contested, or a little loaded, this conversation brings real historical clarity. This is episode one of a three-part introduction to evangelicalism — with much more to come in the series.

SUBSCRIBE to the podcast in your favorite podcast app - https://americanevangelicalsahistorypodcast.buzzsprout.com

And if this episode resonates, share it with someone who wants a deeper, more nuanced understanding of American evangelical history.

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

STUDIO at the SL Brown Foundation is launching a brand new podcast, and we wanted to share it with our faithful listeners of The UpWords Podcast.

If you like what you hear, click the links below to subscribe or follow the show:

Listen on the web = https://americanevangelicalsahistorypodcast.buzzsprout.com

Apple Podcasts = https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/american-evangelicals-a-history-podcast/id1893672281

Spotify = https://open.spotify.com/show/1xxlIG0bcGbK8arTbYTCxF?si=7a70e3973cec47e5

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

What if picking up a book could become a form of prayer? In this conversation, host John Terrill sits down with Jeff Crosby — publisher, author, and lifelong champion of the written word — to talk about his book World of Wonders: A Spirituality of Reading (Paraclete Press, 2025).

Jeff brings more than four decades in bookselling and publishing to a deeply personal question: why should we read? His own reading life began with Sunday comics in the Indianapolis Star and baseball biographies, until one book — The Admiral’s Daughter, heard about on Good Morning America — “flipped a switch” and opened, in his words, “this idea of a world of wonder.” From there, a career took shape: 13 years as a bookseller, 24 years at InterVarsity Press (ultimately as its publisher), and now as president of ECPA, the trade association of Christian publishing.

In this episode, John and Jeff discuss:

How a liturgy before reading — drawn from Douglas McKelvey’s Every Moment Holy — can transform how we approach any book

Why reading diverse voices (across gender, ethnicity, and genre) is a pathway toward becoming more human and more Christlike

The practice of rereading: how books like Markings by Dag Hammarskjöld and Kent Haruf’s novels serve as lifelong companions

Three practical strategies for becoming a wiser reader — including the one question Jeff asks almost everyone he meets

Why Jeff’s bookstore friend was counseled to fast from books — and what that revealed about his relationship to scripture

How reading together (from team check-ins at ECPA to hosting 75–100 person “Books in Nature” dinners) transforms community

Jeff’s next book: The Spirit in the Sky — on music, spirituality, and 17 artists from Paul Simon to Marvin Gaye (Bloomsbury, October 2025)

Jeff recorded this conversation the day before his mother’s memorial service, turning to the Psalms and a poetry collection called Joy (edited by Christian Wiman, Yale University Press) as companions in grief. His witness here is as much lived as written.

Guest Bio

Jeff Crosby is the president and CEO of ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) and has worked in bookselling and publishing for more than 40 years — from running a Lagos bookstore near Indiana University to 24 years at InterVarsity Press to leading the trade association of Christian publishing. He is the author of World of Wonders: A Spirituality of Reading (Paraclete Press, 2025) and The Language of the Soul. His writing has appeared in Publishers Weekly, Books & Culture, CRUX Journal, and other publications. He lives in the Chicago area with his wife, author Cindy Crosby.

Resources Mentioned

• Jeff’s website: jeffreycrosby.net
• World of Wonders: A Spirituality of Reading — Jeff Crosby (Paraclete Press, 2025)
• The Spirit in the Sky: The Power of Music and Our Search for Graceland — Jeff Crosby (Bloomsbury, October 2025)
• Every Moment Holy — Douglas McKelvey
• Markings — Dag Hammarskjöld
• Reading for the Love of God — Jessica Hooten Wilson (Brazos Press)
• Joy (poetry anthology) — edited by Christian Wiman (Yale University Press)
• The Meaning of Your Life — Arthur C. Brooks

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

What does it look like to be a faithful Christian in the public square without losing your soul in the process? In this conversation, host Rebecca Cooks sits down with Justin Giboney — attorney, ordained minister, political strategist, and co-founder of the AND Campaign — for a candid, thought-provoking dialogue on faith, politics, and moral imagination.

Drawing from his book Don’t Let Nobody Turn You Around, Giboney challenges Christians to move beyond partisan tribalism, recover the bold example of the Civil Rights generation, and engage culture with truth, justice, and the transforming power of the gospel.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

• How Giboney went from knocking on doors in Southwest Atlanta to running campaigns — and what he learned along the way
• What a “culture war” actually is, where it started, and why the Black church refused to be defined by it
• Why fighting against evil doesn’t automatically make you good — and what the Civil Rights generation understood that we’ve largely forgotten
• What “moral imagination” means: the ability to see not just what is, but what ought to be based on God’s character and promises
• Practical advice for Christians who feel stuck between candidates — including Giboney’s framework for values-based voting
• How to stay engaged when politics feels exhausting — and when it’s actually okay to step back
• The Shirley Chisholm story: what moral imagination looks like in action, and why it still has the power to change people

ABOUT OUR GUEST

Justin E. Giboney (JD, Vanderbilt) is the co-founder and president of the AND Campaign, a Christian civic organization that equips Christians to engage in politics with the love and truth of Jesus Christ. He is an ordained minister, attorney, and political strategist whose work has appeared in the New York Times and Christianity Today. He is the author of Don’t Let Nobody Turn You Around (IVP, 2025) and co-author of Compassion (&) Conviction (IVP, 2020).

RESOURCES

• Don’t Let Nobody Turn You Around by Justin Giboney — ivpress.com
• The AND Campaign — andcampaign.org

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

Dallas Willard believed that the aim of God in human history is the formation of a community of loving persons — people apprenticed to Jesus, shaped by his character, and prepared to co-reign with him in eternity. In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Dan Hummel sits down with Keas Keasler, author of the first comprehensive academic study of Willard’s theology. Together they trace Willard’s life from Depression-era Missouri to the halls of USC, unpack the philosophical roots of his spiritual formation theology, and ask why his vision for discipleship feels especially urgent in the church today.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

• Why Keas Keasler spent seven years researching Dallas Willard — and what he discovered that surprised him
• The key biographical facts of Willard’s life: a broken childhood, a pivotal choice between philosophy and seminary, and 47 years at USC
• How Willard’s friendship with Richard Foster and a small Quaker church in Southern California helped birth the modern spiritual formation movement
• Why Willard chose phenomenology — the study of consciousness — and how it shaped his theology of transformation
• What it means that Willard was a committed metaphysical and epistemic realist — and why that grounds everything he taught
• Willard’s vision of humans as co-rulers with God: what it means, what the parable of the pounds has to do with it, and why formation is training for that calling
• The famous Willard line: “Grace is not opposed to effort, but to earning” — and the sophisticated theology behind it
• The Golden Triangle of spiritual formation: the Holy Spirit, the spiritual disciplines, and the ordinary decisions of daily life
• The “sanctification gap” that Richard Lovelace identified in the 1970s — and why it has only widened since
• Why there is a crisis of character in the church today, and what Willard’s vision offers as a remedy

GUEST BIO

Keas Keasler (PhD, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) is Associate Professor of Spiritual Theology at Friends University, where he also serves as Program Director of the MA in Christian Spiritual Formation and Leadership. He is a Research Affiliate of the Martin Institute for Christianity and Culture and the Dallas Willard Research Center at Westmont College. An ordained Baptist minister, Keasler has traveled to over forty countries and preached on six continents.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Kingdom Apprenticeship by Keas Keasler (IVP Academic)
• Hearing God by Dallas Willard (IVP)
• Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard
• The Divine Conspiracy by Dallas Willard
• Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard
• Becoming Dallas Willard by Gary Moon
• The Kingdom Among Us by Michael Stewart Robb
• Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster
• Conversatio.org – Dallas Willard Audio Archive (1,300+ recordings)
• The Martin Institute at Westmont College
• Renovaté

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

Artificial intelligence is everywhere — but what does it mean for us as humans, as embodied creatures, and as people of faith? In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Dan Johnson sits down with Noreen Herzfeld, a computer scientist turned theologian who has been thinking seriously about AI and humanity since the 1980s. Together they explore why we are driven to create AI in our own image, what Christian theology says about embodiment and relationship, and why the church should be cautious about AI.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

• Why humans are compelled to create AI in their own image — and what that reveals about us
• How the Imago Dei (image of God) shifts from intellect to relationship in 20th-century theology — and why it matters for AI
• What Christianity's strong theology of embodiment means in a world increasingly dominated by language and the cloud
• Why AI chatbot "relationships" are fundamentally different from — and inferior to — human relationships
• Where AI has real, appropriate uses (narrow, domain-specific tools like AlphaFold) and where it falls dangerously short
• Why Noreen sees limited good use for AI in ministry — and significant risks in pastoral care and counseling settings
• How large language models differ fundamentally from earlier AI — and why they hallucinate
• The collision course between AI energy consumption and climate change
• Why Noreen would advise most people: don't use it at all

GUEST BIO

Noreen Herzfeld is one of the rare scholars who holds advanced degrees in both computer science and Christian theology. She earned her M.S. and M.A. from Penn State, took a sabbatical to study why humans want to build AI in our image, and ended up earning a Ph.D. in Theology from the Graduate Theological Union at Berkeley. She has been teaching and writing at the intersection of technology and faith for over two decades. Her books include In Our Image: Artificial Intelligence and the Human Spirit (Fortress, 2002), Technology and Religion: Remaining Human in a Co-Created World (Templeton, 2009), and The Artifice of Intelligence: Divine and Human Relationship in a Robotic World (Fortress, 2023). She also directs the Benedictine Spirituality and Ecotheology Program at St. John's School of Theology and Seminary and is a Senior Research Associate at the Institute for Philosophical and Religious Studies in Koper, Slovenia.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Noreen Herzfeld's faculty page: csbsju.edu/sot/person/noreen-herzfeld/
• In Our Image: Artificial Intelligence and the Human Spirit — (Fortress Press, 2002)
• Technology and Religion: Remaining Human in a Co-Created World — (Templeton, 2009)
• The Artifice of Intelligence: Divine and Human Relationship in a Robotic World — (Fortress, 2023)
• AlphaFold (DeepMind protein folding AI) — deepmind.google/technologies/alphafold
• Sherry Turkle, MIT sociologist — referenced in discussion of chatbot relationships

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

What does it mean to be human before God? In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Dan Johnson sits down with pastor and author Reed Dent, whose new book The Gospel of Being Human: How Asking Better Questions of the Bible Reveals Who We Are (co-authored with Marty Solomon) challenges one of the most deeply held assumptions in Christian culture: that being human is a problem to overcome.

Drawing on Scripture and theology — from Genesis to Jonah to the death of Moses — Reed invites us to reconsider the story we've been told. Rather than seeing our humanity as something to escape, he makes a compelling case that it's the very point of the gospel. God doesn't want to replace your humanity. He wants to partner with it.

This is a rich and honest conversation about identity and what it looks like to live as a human being made in the image of God.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN

• Why the gospel is good news before its bad news — and how that changes everything
• How framing humanity as fundamentally broken shapes the way we read Scripture, pray, and relate to God
• What the story of Jonah reveals about mercy, anger, and the deeper questions the Bible is really asking
• How Genesis 2 and the story of Eve reframe our understanding of sin, guilt, and complexity
• Why the death of Moses challenges us to reconsider what our aim as human beings really is
• Practical guidance for walking someone through an identity crisis — rooted in belovedness, not shame
• How a richer biblical view of humanity offers a way forward for those disillusioned with the church
• What Psalm 139 teaches us about holding anger, brokenness, and trust together as one human experience

GUEST BIO
Reed Dent — Pastor, Author, and Campus Minister

Reed Dent is a pastor, campus minister, and co-author of The Gospel of Being Human alongside Marty Solomon (host of the BEMA Discipleship podcast). Reed has spent years working with college students — including at the University of Wisconsin-Madison — walking with 18-to-23-year-olds through questions of faith, identity, and what it means to follow Jesus in the real world. His writing and ministry are shaped by a conviction that Scripture, read on its own terms, consistently affirms the dignity and goodness of human beings made in the image of God.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• The Gospel of Being Human by Reed Dent & Marty Solomon (NavPress, April 2026): navpress.com
• Asking Better Questions of the Bible by Marty Solomon (companion book referenced in this episode)
• BEMA Discipleship Podcast (Marty Solomon): bema.tv

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

What role does forgiveness play in the hard, often painful work of building peace? In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Jean Geran sits down with her longtime friend Todd Deatherage, co-founder of Telos, a nonprofit helping leaders navigate conflict and work toward reconciliation in some of the world’s most challenging places.

Drawing from decades of experience in the Middle East, Northern Ireland, South Africa, and the American South, Todd shares why forgiveness can’t be forced — but why, when it does happen, it has the power to break open even the most entrenched cycles of hurt. From the story of Mama Callie Greer in Montgomery, Alabama, to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in post-apartheid South Africa, this conversation is for anyone wrestling with what it means to pursue peace without sacrificing justice.

What You Will Learn

• Why forgiveness is essential to peacemaking — but can never be required or rushed
• The six principles of peacemaking that guide Telos’s work around the world
• The difference between inner transformation and systemic justice — and why both matter
• The story of Callie Greer: how one woman’s act of forgiveness launched a lifetime of advocacy
• What the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa teaches us about truth, forgiveness, and communal healing
• Why forgiveness across communal lines creates space for the offender to be transformed — not just the victim
• How restorative justice works, and why the American criminal legal system leaves so little room for repair
• The meaning of shalom — and why “peace” is a pale translation
• Communal responsibility, historical injustice, and what it means to say “I’m not responsible”
• Why “hurt people hurt people” — and why healed people have the power to bring healing to the world

Guest Bio

Todd Deatherage spent ten years on Capitol Hill and six years at the U.S. State Department working on human rights and international religious freedom — where he and Jean first became friends and colleagues. In 2009, he co-founded Telos, a nonprofit that helps leaders better understand conflict and equips them to pursue reconciliation and peace in some of the world’s most difficult contexts. Telos has created experiential learning journeys in the Middle East, Northern Ireland, South Africa, and the American South (Restory Us). Todd’s work is deeply rooted in his Christian faith and his conviction that justice, peacemaking, and forgiveness are inseparable.

Resources & Links

• Telos: telosgroup.org
• Restory Us (experiential learning in the American South): telosgroup.org
• One Day After Peace — documentary referenced in this episode
• Poor People’s Campaign (Rev. William Barber): poorpeoplescampaign.org
• Previous UpWords Podcast episode with Dr. Robert Enright on forgiveness: slbf.org/studio
• Listen and view other podcasts in the Forgivness Series: https://slbf.org/questions-of-faith-podcast-episodes

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

What does it mean to give yourself fully to something — a marriage, a calling, a city, a cause — and still make peace with the fact that you won't get everything you hoped for? In this episode of The Upwards Podcast, host John Terrill sits down with professor, author, and longtime friend Steve Garber for a wide-ranging conversation about vocation, faithfulness in a particular place over time, and the trap of dualism.

Drawing on literature, theology, biography, and lived experience, Steve invites listeners into the central question of his new book, Hints of Hope: Essays on Making Peace with the Proximate - Is it worth doing something that matters, even when you don’t get everything you hoped for?

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN
00:00 — Introduction: Steve Garber and the questions that have shaped his life and writing

03:26 — Steve’s father, plant pathology, and the question of germination: how a scientist’s work became a metaphor for vocation

07:52 — Dropping out of college, living in communes, and what those years taught Steve about the nature of learning

11:40 — “Common grace for the common good”: why a theology of common grace matters for how we work in the world

16:40 — “Vocation is integral, not incidental”: what it means to live seamlessly, without dualism

17:59 — Can you know the world and still love it? Making peace with the proximate: the essay that became a life philosophy

21:31 — Who is this book written for? How Steve’s audience has grown from university students to the whole world

28:39 — Telos and praxis: the fundamental question of the book — is it worth doing something that matters if you don’t get everything you hoped for?

33:19 — Already but not yet: Tolkien, Frodo, and what the last pages of The Return of the King taught Steve in his 60s that he missed at 20

36:36 — The Clapham Community, Wendell Berry, and why commitment to a people and a place matters

41:26 — NT Wright on joy and sorrow woven into the fabric of a life

44:45 — The perennial question: What does it mean to be human in 2026?

49:23 — What Steve may write next: pedagogy and learning “over the shoulder and through the heart”

ABOUT STEVE GARBER

Steven Garber was professor of marketplace theology and leadership at Regent College, Vancouver, and the principal of The Washington Institute for Faith, Vocation & Culture. A consultant to foundations, corporations, and schools, he is a teacher of many people in many places. His books include Visions of Vocation and The Fabric of Faithfulness, and he is a contributor to the books Faith Goes to Work: Reflections from the Marketplace and Get Up Off Your Knees: Preaching the U2 Catalogue.

BOOKS REFERENCED IN THIS EPISODE

• Hints of Hope: Essays on Making Peace with the Proximate by Steve Garber (Paraclete Press, 2026)
• The Fabric of Faithfulness: Weaving Together Belief and Behavior by Steve Garber (IVP, 1996; revised ed. 2007)
• Visions of Vocation: Common Grace for the Common Good by Steve Garber (IVP, 2014)
• The Lord of the Rings (The Return of the King) by J.R.R. Tolkien (George Allen & Unwin, 1955)
• The Moviegoer by Walker Percy (Knopf, 1961)
• Lost in the Cosmos: The Last Self-Help Book by Walker Percy (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1983)
• The Homeless Mind: Modernization and Consciousness by Peter L. Berger, Brigitte Berger, and Hansfried Kellner (Random House, 1973)

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

What does it take to build a city where every person truly belongs? In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, we walk the streets of Madison, Wisconsin — metaphorically and literally — with two people who have spent their careers shaping it.

Host Rebecca Cooks welcomes Jason Ilstrup, president of Downtown Madison Inc., and Peter Tan, architect and Chief Design Officer Emeritus of Strang Inc., to discuss placemaking, the shifting character of downtown, the challenges of growth, and what it actually means to build a flourishing city for everyone.

From the magic of Memorial Union Terrace to the bold vision of the Envision Madison plan, this conversation is for anyone who loves their city and wants to understand how to make it better.

In This Episode

• Why Jason and Peter both call Madison's Union Terrace the city's "living room"
• The transformation of the East Washington corridor over 30 years
• What the Envision Madison plan is — and how you can have your say in shaping it
• The honest truth about gentrification: what it is, why it happens, and how good design can help
• Why development should always be seen as an opportunity, not a threat
• The "triple bottom line" for flourishing cities: people, planet, and profit
• Madison's approach to affordable housing — and why the most sustainable building is the one that already exists

GUEST BIOS

Jason Ilstrup — President, Downtown Madison Inc.

Jason has been a Madisonian since 2007 and has spent his career championing the city's downtown. As a former general manager of Hotel Red and now president of Downtown Madison Inc. (DMI), Jason brings hospitality, energy, and a deep love for people to the work of urban strategy and placemaking. He is currently leading the private-sector component of the landmark Envision Madison planning initiative.

Peter Tan — Architect & Chief Design Officer Emeritus, Strang Inc.

Peter moved to Madison in 1991 and has spent over three decades shaping the city's built environment. As an architect, he believes deeply that good design belongs to everyone — not just those with means. He has been involved in landmark projects across Madison.

Resources & Links
Envision Madison: downtownmadison.org

City of Madison planning resources: cityofmadison.com

CONNECT WITH US

Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

In this episode of The Upwards Podcast, host Tressa Spingler sits down with author and pastor Tiffany Stein for a conversation that goes where the church often doesn't — into the deep, disorienting territory of grief, lament, and the silence of God.

Tiffany's new book, Mourning God, was born out of the loss of her infant son David, who lived only 53 days, and the years of secondary infertility and spiritual wrestling that followed. With pastoral tenderness and unflinching honesty, she guides us through what it means to mourn not only our losses — but the God we thought we knew.

Together, Tressa and Tiffany explore:

1. What grief really is — including the losses we rarely name (identity, health, dreams, relationships)
2. The concept of secondary grief — mourning the God you thought you knew
3. Why lament is an act of faith, not a detour from it
4. The four-part framework of lament: turn, complain, ask, trust
5. The difference between the wall and the dark night of the soul
6. How the Psalms give language to grief when our own words fail
7. What it means to hold joy and sorrow together — and why the church struggles to make space for both
8. Practical ways to walk with a grieving friend — and how to ask for what you need
9. A vision of resurrection hope as the foundation for enduring loss

We close with the Beatitudes — a moving benediction over every soul in a season of grief. This is a conversation full of compassion, biblical depth, and the kind of hope that is honest enough to hold sorrow alongside it.

Resources Mentioned:

1. Mourning God: Grieving Loss, Wrestling with God, and Finding Your Way Back to Life by Tiffany Stein - https://www.navpress.com/p/mourning-god/9781641589833
2. Spotify Playlist inspired by the themes of Mourning God - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0tzsO1vVNYZAwHX01H3WaA?si=08d1ca13138d44cd
3. The Critical Journey: Stages in the Life of Faith by Janet Hagberg & Robert Guelich
4. Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazzero
5. Walking with God through Pain and Suffering by Tim Keller
6. Scripture references: Psalm 27:13, Psalm 42–43, Psalm 88, Isaiah 53, John 11, Luke 23
7. "You Bring the Morning" — song by Andy Squyres

Subscribe to The Upwards Podcast wherever you

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

In this deeply reflective conversation, host John Terrill welcomes pastor, author, and practitioner Mark DeYmaz for an exploration of Christian peacemaking. Drawing from his new book Make Me an Instrument of Peace and his decades of work leading multi‑ethnic congregations, Mark unpacks the biblical, historical, and practical foundations of living as Christlike peacemakers in a fractured cultural moment.

Mark shares his upbringing in economic hardship, his journey into pastoral ministry, and the early experiences that awakened his calling to build healthy, multi‑ethnic churches. Together, John and Mark discuss the Prayer of St. Francis, its surprising origins, and its enduring ability to shape Christians into people who sow love, pardon, hope, and light.

Listeners will gain insight into:

1. The true origins of the peace prayer (hint: not St. Francis)
2. Why peacemaking is central to Christian identity
3. How juxtaposition and paradox lie at the heart of the gospel
4. The skills required to think and speak with nuance
5. Practical disciplines for removing “peace‑disturbing factors” in our lives
6. Stories of God’s grace at work amid personal grief, community challenges, and ministry breakthroughs
7. How Christians can witness with humility rather than merely “make points”
8. How churches can embody reconciliation in polarized times

This episode invites us to pause, breathe, and rediscover the beauty and costliness of Christlike peace.

Key Topics1. Multi‑ethnic church leadership 2. Cultural intelligence and nuance 3. The peace prayer of 1912 and its global impact 4. Biblical foundations of peacemaking (Matthew 5, Isaiah 61, Luke 4) 5. Christian formation in polarized times 6. Practical disciplines for pursuing peace 7. Mark’s personal journey and testimony

Resources & Links1. Mark DeYmaz: Books, resources, and ministry 2. Make Me an Instrument of Peace (NavPress, 2026) 3. Mosaic Church & Mosaix Global Network 4. Resources on peacemaking, cultural intelligence, and multi‑ethnic church leadership

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

In this deeply honest and theologically rich episode of The Upwards Podcast, host Jean Geran sits down with philosopher and biblical scholar S.J. (Shannon) Parrott for a wide‑ranging conversation on shame—what it is, how it forms, and how the transforming presence of Christ meets us in our most vulnerable places.

Drawing from her own story, her research on metaphors of clothing and nakedness, and her current work on shame in the Psalms, Shannon helps us see why shame can feel like a “roadblock” to becoming who we truly are in Christ.

Together, Jean and Shannon explore:

1. What shame is (and what it’s not)
2. The “singularity” of shame and how it distorts identity
3. Why community is essential when shame pushes us toward isolation
4. How Jesus meets and reorients identity in stories like the Samaritan woman and Zacchaeus
5. The role of prayer, Scripture, and the Psalms in forming a new shame‑resistant identity
6. Shannon’s own pivotal experience of discovering who she is in Christ
7. The difference between shame, guilt, humiliation, and shamelessness
8. How cultivating openness to God and others allows transformation

This is a conversation full of hope, clarity, and practical wisdom for anyone navigating questions of identity, healing, and spiritual formation.

Resources Mentioned:

1. S.J. Parrott’s Friday Night Lectures at Upper House
2. Lecture 1 Apple Podcasts
3. Lecture 1 Spotify
4. Lecture 1 YouTube
5. Lecture 2 Apple Podcasts
6. Lecture 2 Spotify
7. Lecture 2 YouTube
8. Lecture 3 Apple Podcasts
9. Lecture 3 Spotify

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host John Terrill welcomes pastor and author Matt Erickson for a rich, thoughtful exploration of pastoral ministry through the lens of agrarian imagery. Drawing from his new book The Pastor as Gardener, Matt Erickson shares how the rhythms of soil, seasons, and cultivation offer a renewed vision for ministry in a time when many pastors feel depleted, disoriented, or discouraged.

Together, they discuss:

• Why gardening is such a powerful and biblical metaphor for ministry
• The pressures pastors face today — cultural polarization, unmet expectations, leadership models, and soul-level exhaustion
• The liberating shift from control to cultivation
• Scriptural roots of agrarian leadership (1 Cor. 3:6; Genesis 2; the resurrected Jesus as gardener)
• How place, soil, and local context shape faithful ministry
• Technology, AI, and the crisis of control — and how agrarian spirituality grounds us again
• Seasons of leadership, the “wall,” and finding hope in times of limitation
• A hopeful vision for the future church — diverse, listening, burden-bearing, and rooted in resurrection hope

This conversation offers encouragement for pastors, ministry leaders, and anyone longing for a more grounded, faithful, and hopeful way forward in Christian leadership.

📖 The Pastor as Gardener: A Renewed Vision for Ministry (Eerdmans, 2026) = https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802884145/the-pastor-as-gardener/

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

In this Lenten conversation, host Tressa Spingler sits down with longtime bookseller and friend of Upper House, Byron Borger of Hearts & Minds Books, to explore how the church year—and especially Lent—can shape our discipleship. They reflect on wilderness imagery, repentance, almsgiving, contemplative reading, and what it means for Jesus to meet us in our “low places.” Byron introduces a rich range of Lenten books—from devotionals and art‑driven prayer resources to weighty theological works on sin, the cross, and Holy Week.

In This Episode

• Why Lent is a season of wilderness, repentance, and preparation
• How traditions like Anglicanism and Lutheranism shape our imagination of sacred time
• The power of silence, solitude, and contemplative reading
• A new theological work on sin by Timothy Keller
• Fleming Rutledge’s classic writings on the crucifixion and death of Christ
• Creative Bible studies integrating art, QR‑coded media, and peace/reconciliation themes
• Art‑driven prayer resources for seasons of depression or disorientation
• Reading as a spiritual discipline during Lent

About Our Guest

Byron Borger is the owner of Hearts & Minds Books in Dallastown, Pennsylvania. Learn more or subscribe to his Booknotes newsletter at: heartsandmindsbooks.com

List of books mentioned in the episode

• Rhythms of Faith: A Devotional Pilgrimage Through the Church Year — Claude Atcho (WaterBrook, 2025)
• Reading Black Books: How African American Literature Can Make Our Faith More Whole and Just — Claude Atcho (Brazos Press, 2022)
• A Beautiful Year: 52 Meditations on Faith, Wisdom, and Perseverance — Diana Butler Bass (St. Martin’s Essentials, 2025)
• Lent: The Season of Repentance and Renewal — Esau McCaulley (IVP Formatio, 2022)
• What Is Wrong with the World — Timothy Keller (Zondervan, 2025)
• The Crucifixion: Understanding the Death of Jesus Christ — Fleming Rutledge (Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2015)
• The Undoing of Death — Fleming Rutledge (Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2005)
• Why Did Jesus Have to Die?: The Meaning of the Crucifixion — Adam Hamilton (Abingdon Press, 2025)
• Liberated at the Cross: Peace and Reconciliation in God’s Kingdom — Crystal Acevedo (IV Press, 2026)
• May It Be So: 40 Days with the Lord’s Prayer — Justin McRoberts & Scott Erickson (WaterBrook, 2019)
• Prayer — Justin McRoberts & Scott Erickson (WaterBrook, 2019)
• In the Low: Honest Prayers for Dark Seasons — Justin McRoberts & Scott Erickson (Baker Books, 2025)
• Walking in the Wilderness — Beth Richardson (Upper Room Books, 2020)
• Pauses for Lent: 40 Words for 40 Days — Trevor Hudson (Upper Room Books, 2015)
• Pauses for Advent — Trevor Hudson (Upper Room Books, 2017)
• Pauses for Pentecost — Trevor Hudson (Upper Room Books, 2018)
• Lent in Plain Sight: A Devotion Through Objects — Jill Duffield (Westminster John Knox Press, 2020)
• Advent in Plain Sight: A Devotion Through Objects — Jill Duffield (Westminster John Knox Press, 2021)
• Christ in Our Midst: Daily Lenten Reflections Through Scripture and Gregorian Chant — (Paraclete Press, 2025)
• Wardrobes and Rings: Through Lenten Lands with the Inklings — Julia Golding, Simon Horobin & Malcolm Guite (Canterbury Press Norwich, 2025)
• The Art of Lent: A Painting a Day from Ash Wednesday to Easter — Sister Wendy Beckett (InterVarsity Press, 2022)
• Celebration of D

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Dan Johnson sits down with author and scholar Karen Swallow Prior to explore one of the most pressing questions of our time: What is my calling? Drawing from her new book, You Have a Calling: Finding Your Vocation in the True, Good, and Beautiful, Karen unpacks the difference between calling, vocation, work, and career—and why confusing them can leave us anxious, disillusioned, or stuck.

Together they address common myths (like “if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life”), examine how Scripture frames calling, and talk honestly about seasons of transition, feeling stuck, and how God uses ordinary faithfulness over time. Whether you’re a college student, mid‑career professional, or simply wondering what’s next, this conversation offers a hopeful and theologically rich path forward.

In This Episode, We Discuss:1. Defining terms: How Karen distinguishes calling, vocation, work, and career, and why clarity here can be freeing. 2. Big cultural myths about calling: Why “follow your passion” and “do what you love and you’ll never work” set us up for disappointment. 3. Biblical foundations of calling: Our primary calling to Christ, our multiple secondary callings (family, church, community, gifts), and how these fit together. 4. Work before the fall: How Scripture presents work as part of God’s good design—and what it means to be co‑laborers with God in creation. 5. Skills, passions, and reality: Why what you’re good at, what you love, and what pays the bills don’t always overlap—and how to live wisely in that tension. 6. Mobility and rootedness: The opportunities and hidden costs of a mobile life and career, and what we gain by staying put. 7. Feeling stuck in your calling: Practical guidance for Christians who feel trapped, misaligned, or unsure how their current work fits God’s purposes. 8. The church and vocation: How local congregations can better affirm everyday callings—and avoid exploiting people’s desire to serve. 9. Gen Z and discernment: Why endless options create anxiety, how social media amplifies pressure, and why Karen loves the phrase “touch grass.”

📚 Resources Mentioned1. Book: You Have a Calling: Finding Your Vocation in the True, Good, and Beautiful by Karen Swallow Prior - https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/products/9781587436659_you-have-a-calling 2. Previous The UpWords Podcast episode: Women in Evangelical Spaces: Challenges and Triumphs | Karen Swallow Prior - https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2418ca31-e989-4456-9ea3-02ce8eba375d/

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Dan Hummel sits down with historian John Fea, distinguished professor at Messiah College and visiting fellow at the Lumen Center, to explore one of the most debated questions in American history: Was America founded as a Christian nation? John shares insights from his Upper House lecture, unpacking the complexity behind this question and why it matters today. They discuss definitions of “Christian” and “nation,” the role of religion in the founding era, and the cultural and political stakes of this debate.

📌 What You’ll Learn:

· Why this question is more complicated than it seems.

· How religion influenced the founding era—and where it didn’t.

· Why the debate is rooted in modern culture wars.

· The historian’s challenge: communicating nuance in polarized times.

🔗 Resources & Links:

· John Fea’s book: Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? - https://a.co/d/5ZHqfgt

· John Fea’s podcast: The Way of Improvement Leads Home - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-way-of-improvement-leads-home-american/id1071244872

· SLBF Studio: https://slbf.org/studio

📣 Upper House Commons Lecture Series:

· LECTURE ONE

 Apple Podcasts = https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/upper-house-events/id1715922039?i=1000737152176

🎧 Spotify = https://open.spotify.com/episode/0SKgSp7Ch0n3gz0JWCYdpe?si=fa4951404ca44b00

· LECTURE TWO

 Apple Podcasts = https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/upper-house-events/id1715922039?i=1000737152192

🎧 Spotify = https://open.spotify.com/episode/058DbBKLtPspshjYC0F1Io?si=77f904172c004bbb

· LECTURE THREE

 Apple Podcasts = https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/upper-house-events/id1715922039?i=1000737152775

🎧 Spotify = https://open.spotify.com/episode/1CcXH1w0YdYe96JGsuEq5G?si=5e4f34631cf240c2

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host John Terrill sits down with theologians David Buschart and Ryan Tafilowski, co-authors of Worth Doing: Fallenness, Finitude, and Work in the Real World. Together, they explore a more universal theology of work that speaks to all professions—not just those with high agency or prestige.

The conversation dives into:

• Why most faith-and-work discourse overlooks the realities of fallenness and finitude.
• How embracing our created limits can be liberating rather than frustrating.
• How gaining a theology of work that moves beyond only ideas of productivity or calling can help us in the trenches of our jobs.
• How a more robust theology of work can provide spiritual wisdom for navigating seasons of toil and unmet expectations.

If you’ve ever wondered how your daily labor—whether in the boardroom, classroom, or trades—fits into God’s story, this episode offers clarity and hope.

About our guests:

W. David Buschart (PhD, Drew University) is professor of theology and historical studies at Denver Seminary. He is the author of Exploring Protestant Traditions and coauthor of Theology as Retrieval. He is a ruling elder and member of the theology committee of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

Ryan Tafilowski (PhD, Edinburgh) is an assistant professor of theology at Denver Seminary and the lead pastor of Foothills Fellowship Church in Littleton, Colorado. He is the coauthor, with Ross Chapman, of Faithful Work: In the Daily Grind with God and for Others. He previously served as theologian-in-residence for the Denver Institute for Faith and Work.

Resources & Links:

• 📖 Worth Doing: Fallenness, Finitude, and Work in the Real World = https://www.ivpress.com/worth-doing
• 🔗 Denver Institute for Faith & Work = https://www.denverinstitute.org/
• 🔗 Karam Fellowship = https://karamfellowship.org/
• Theology of Work Project = https://www.theologyofwork.org/

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Rebecca Cooks sits down with Dr. Christine Jeske—professor, researcher, and author of Racial Justice for the Long Haul: How White Christian Advocates Persevere and Why. Christine shares compelling stories and research on what sustains hope and commitment in the pursuit of racial justice. From personal experiences to systemic challenges, we explore why this work is not a quick fix but a lifelong journey rooted in grace, resilience, and community.

What You'll Learn1. Why racial justice requires more than short-term activism. 2. Four common pitfalls that derail perseverance—and how to navigate them. 3. The role of lament, mending, risk-taking, and joy in sustaining advocacy. 4. How Christian hope reframes our approach to justice. 5. Practical insights for white Christians seeking long-term engagement.

Resources & Links1. Book: https://a.co/d/azCpsPj 2. Past Episodes & Resources: slbf.org/studio

Key Quotes1. “We are seeking out a justice that moves to community rather than a justice that says, ‘All right, we’re all even now.’” 2. “Grace is not about saying, ‘Oh, it’s fine.’ You can’t forgive something unless you’ve named what was wrong.” 3. “Sometimes the best way to fix it is just to live it.”

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Daniel Johnson sits down with film critic and author Abby Olcese to explore how movies can deepen our spiritual rhythms throughout the church calendar. Abby shares insights from her book, Films for All Seasons: Experiencing the Church Year at the Movies, discussing how films like The Last Jedi and Paddington reflect themes of hope and joy during Advent, and how unexpected choices, such as Children of Men, illuminate Christmas. We also dive into the practice of watching films devotionally, regaining community around movies, and Abby’s top film recommendations for 2025.

Key Topics:

• Why Abby wrote Films for All Seasons
• How to watch movies devotionally using Lectio Divina principles
• Advent themes in The Last Jedi and Paddington
• Christmas through the lens of Children of Men
• Building community around film in a streaming era
• Abby’s 2025 film recommendations, including Wake Up Dead Man

Resources & Links:

• Films for All Seasons: Experiencing the Church Year at the Movies, (IVP, 2024) = https://www.ivpress.com/films-for-all-seasons

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro

02:15 – Why Abby wrote Films for All Seasons

08:30 – Watching movies devotionally

15:45 – Advent themes: Hope & Joy (The Last Jedi, Paddington)

32:10 – Christmas themes: New life in Children of Men

45:00 – Regaining community around film

52:30 – Abby’s 2025 film recommendations (Wake Up Dead Man)

58:00 – Closing thoughts

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

Forgiveness isn’t a one-time decision—it’s a process that touches every part of our lives. In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Jean Geran sits down with Father Chad Magnuson, an Anglican pastor and PhD in psychology, to explore the spiritual and practical dimensions of forgiveness. Drawing on years of counseling and research, Chad shares why forgiveness can be challenging, how faith and the Holy Spirit empower us, and why emotional health is essential for spiritual maturity.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why forgiveness is more than saying “I forgive you.”
• The role of anger and acknowledgment in healing.
• How prayer and the Holy Spirit transform the forgiveness journey.
• The difference between forgiveness and reconciliation—and why it matters.
• How faith and psychology work together in the pursuit of wholeness.

Resources Mentioned:

• Forgiveness is a Choice by Dr. Robert Enright = https://a.co/d/3RXSGSC
• Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazzero = https://a.co/d/5rB9FMm
• Previous episode with Dr. Bob Enright (available at slbf.org/studio) = https://slbf.org/media/s8f264m/the-transformative-power-of-forgiveness-dr-robert-enright

Subscribe & Share:

If this conversation encouraged you, share it with a friend and leave us a review. It helps others find hope and healing through forgiveness.

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

What happens when artificial intelligence enters the sanctuary? In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Daniel Johnson talks with author and researcher Todd Korpi about his new book, AI Goes to Church (InterVarsity Press, 2025). They explore how AI is already shaping the church, the ethical and theological questions Christians must wrestle with, and how technology can be used to foster—not fracture—human flourishing. Todd (DMiss, Fuller Theological Seminary) is a pastor, missiologist, and church consultant. He is dean of digital ministry programs at Ascent College, assistant professor of Christian leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary, and works in several capacities at OneHope.

Key Topics:

• Why Todd wrote AI Goes to Church
• Defining AI and its influence on everyday life
• How algorithms shape spiritual formation
• Theological frameworks for engaging technology
• Ethics: Is technology neutral?
• AI and the future of work, rest, and human flourishing
• Higher education’s evolving posture toward AI
• Practical advice for churches: “Automate the boring bits”

Links & Resources:

• 📙Get the book: AI Goes to Church - https://www.ivpress.com/ai-goes-to-church
• Learn more about the SL Brown Foundation STUDIO - https://slbf.org/studio

Send us Fan Mail

CONNECT WITH US
Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen to podcasts and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

This episode was created by the SLBF STUDIO at Upper House.

Produced by Daniel Johnson and Dave Conour

Edited by Dave Conour

View Details

Forgiveness is one of the most challenging—and liberating—virtues we can practice. In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Jean Geran, sits down with Dr. Robert Enright, a pioneer in the scientific study of forgiveness and the founder of the International Forgiveness Institute. Bob shares his remarkable journey from asking a “dangerous question” about the purpose of his research to becoming a global leader in forgiveness education.

We explore:

• What forgiveness is—and what it is not
• Why forgiveness is a moral virtue
• The psychological and spiritual benefits of forgiving
• How forgiveness can break cycles of generational trauma
• Practical steps for forgiving others and yourself

Resources Mentioned:

• https://internationalforgiveness.com
• Free curriculum guides: Email director@internationalforgiveness.com and mention this podcast

Subscribe & Share:

If this conversation inspired you, subscribe to The Upward Podcast, leave a review, and share with a friend.

View Details

In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, we sit down with Byron Borger, owner of Hearts & Minds Bookstore, for a rich conversation about Advent—the season of waiting, longing, and hope. Byron shares personal stories, spiritual insights, and a curated list of Advent resources, from devotionals and theological reflections to family-friendly reads. Whether you’re seeking depth, beauty, or practical guidance for the season, this episode is a treasure trove of inspiration.

Highlights:

• Why Advent is central to the biblical story
• Byron’s childhood Christmas memories and their spiritual significance
• How busyness can become holy work during the holidays
• The meaning of waiting and longing in a restless world

Books Mentioned:

· Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Jesus Christ – Fleming Rutledge (Eerdmans, 2018)

· The First Advent in Palestine: Reversals, Resistance, and the Ongoing Complexity of Hope – Kelly Nikondeha (Broadleaf Books, 2022)

· Hints of Hope: Essays on Living Proximately – Steven Garber (Pericles Press, 2024)

· Advent (The Liturgical Year Series) – Tish Harrison Warren (InterVarsity Press, 2022)

· Christmas: The Season of Light and Life (The Liturgical Year Series) – Emily Hunter McGowin (InterVarsity Press, 2022)

· Epiphany: Season of Glory (The Liturgical Year Series) – Fleming Rutledge (InterVarsity Press, 2023)

· The Art of Living in Advent: 28 Days of Joyful Waiting – Sylvie Van Hooser (Paraclete Press, 2024)

· Advent Is the Story: Seeing the Nativity Throughout Scripture – Daniel Spanjer (Square Halo Books, 2022)

· With Heart and Soul and Voice: Advent Devotions on the First Christmas Songs – Tim Chester (The Good Book Company, 2024)

· A Book of Days: Christmas Reflections from the Northwest – Steve Moore & Contributors (Murdoch Trust, 2024)

· Praying with Saint Nicholas: A Christmas Devotional – Matt Mikalatos (Tyndale House, 2024)

· Waiting for Jesus: An Advent Invitation to Prayer and Renewal – Rich Villodas (WaterBrook, 2024)

· The Star Still Beckons: Gifts of Presence at Advent and Christmas – Leonard Sweet (Salish Sea Press, 2024)

· Unhappy Holidays: Advent Devotional Blessings for a Blue Christmas – Sherri Lee Gerber (Herald Press, 2024)

· All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings – Gayle Boss; Illustrations by David G. Klein (Paraclete Press, 2016; Gift Edition 2021)

· All Creation Waits: Children’s Edition – Gayle Boss (Paraclete Press, 2022)

· The Biggest Story: Advent Devotional – Kevin DeYoung; Illustrations by Don Clark (Crossway, 2023)

· The One We’re Waiting For: An Illustrated Advent Devotional for Families – Taylor Combs (B&H Publishing Group, 2023)

· Incarnation: A Bible Study on the Coming of Christ – Derek Vreeland (Word of Life Resources, 2024)

Other Resources:

• Byron’s Booknotes Newsletter - https://www.heartsandmindsbooks.com
• Previous episodes: https://slbf.org/studio

Link to a downloadable PDF = https://storage2.snappages.site/6X3R8B/assets/files/2025-AdventChristmas-Resources.pdf

View Details

In this powerful replay from a live event at Upper House, we hear the extraordinary story of Calvin Duncan, a man wrongfully convicted at age 19 and sentenced to life in Louisiana’s Angola Prison. Over 23 years, Calvin became a jailhouse lawyer, fighting for his own freedom and advocating for countless others. Joined by criminal justice reform advocate Sophie Cole, co-founder of the Visiting Room Project, Calvin shares his journey from incarceration to exoneration and ultimately earning a law degree at age 60. Moderated by journalist and ordained minister Phil Haslinger, this conversation explores the brokenness of the justice system, the transformative power of advocacy, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

Guests:

• Calvin Duncan – Jailhouse lawyer, law school graduate, co-founder of the New Orleans Innocence Project
• Sophie Cole – Criminal justice reform advocate, co-founder of the Visiting Room Project
• Moderator: Phil Haslinger – Journalist and ordained minister

Topics Covered:

• Wrongful conviction and the flaws in eyewitness testimony
• Life inside Angola Prison and the role of jailhouse lawyers
• The fight for access to legal records and justice reform
• Reentry challenges after incarceration
• Faith, resilience, and the meaning of advocacy

Resources & Links:

• https://slbf.org/events
• https://slbf.org/studio
• https://www.visitingroomproject.org

📙 Book:

• The Jailhouse Lawyer by Calvin Duncan and Sophie Cull (Penguin Random House, 2025) https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/771367/the-jailhouse-lawyer-by-calvin-duncan-and-sophie-cull/

View Details

Historian Tal Howard joins host Dan Hummel to discuss his new book Broken Altars: Secularist Violence in Modern History (Yale University Press). This episode dives deep into the global history of secularism, examining how different forms—passive, combative, and eliminationist—have shaped societies and, in some cases, led to state-sponsored violence against religious communities.

📚 Topics include:

· The intellectual history of “religion” and “secularism”

· Case studies from France, Turkey, Mexico, the Soviet Union, and Albania

· The ideological legacy of Marxist-Leninist thought

· How secularist ideologies have impacted religious minorities

· A comparison with Charles Taylor’s A Secular Age

🔗 Resources:

· Broken Altars by Tal Howard (Yale University Press) https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300263619/broken-altars/

· Previous Upwards episode with Tal Howard (2021)

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2VKb21hmXYuFhCzB3RodKv?si=-f8_LzsMRnWp3ekfu8x0Hw

👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of faith, academia, and public life.

🌐 Learn more at https://slbf.org/studio

View Details

In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Jean Geran speaks with Nicole Bibbins Sedaca, Kelly and David Pfeil Fellow at the George W. Bush Institute and former Executive VP at Freedom House. As part of our series on Christian citizenship, Nicole shares her insights on how faith intersects with democracy, the importance of religious freedom, and the role Christians can play in promoting justice and compassion both locally and globally.

Topics Covered:

• Why democracy matters for people of faith
• The biblical call to seek justice for the vulnerable
• How Christians can engage in civic life without placing ultimate hope in politics
• The global struggle for freedom and the role of American Christians
• Higher education’s role in forming democratic citizens

Guest Bio:

Nicole Bibbins Sedaca is a seasoned advocate for democracy and human rights, with experience at the State Department and Freedom House. She brings a deep understanding of global democratic movements and a strong Christian perspective on civic engagement.

Resources & Links:

• Learn more about the https://slbf.org
• Connect with Nicole Bibbins Sedaca via the George W. Bush Institute - https://www.bushcenter.org/

Links to previous episodes on Citizenship:

Christian Citizenship in a Pluralistic World | Chris Seiple

• Apple Podcasts = https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-upwords-podcast/id1537044590?i=1000720569822
• Spotify = https://open.spotify.com/episode/1eXhXf3DdII63mc97NIlaq?si=Tqx8q4vGSgWKI2G7FhEOPg
• YouTube = https://youtu.be/ndD4NTT8kLQ

Faith, Citizenship, and Dissent: Lessons from 18th–19th Century Britain | Michael Rutz

• Apple Podcasts = https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-upwords-podcast/id1537044590?i=1000722513294
• Spotify = https://open.spotify.com/episode/2cwJ9pjDQZBp5hxRDVoUMR?si=38433acca24c40b4

Christian Citizenship and the Early Church | Gar Anderson

• Apple Podcasts = https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-upwords-podcast/id1537044590?i=1000726874819
• Spotify = https://open.spotify.com/episode/088w4Ne0lxQSStKsp9senx?si=87caaabc653943b3
• YouTube = https://youtu.be/tdE4uw2KokY

View Details

In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Daniel Johnson welcomes author and leadership coach J.R. Briggs to discuss his new book, The Art of Asking Better Questions: Pursuing Stronger Relationships, Healthier Leadership, and a Deeper Faith (IVP, 2025). Together, they explore how asking thoughtful questions can transform relationships, deepen spiritual formation, and strengthen leadership.

J.R. shares personal stories and practical frameworks, including the four levels of good questions—from basic information to transformational depth. He also reflects on how Jesus modeled question-asking, why curiosity is essential for Christian formation, and how leaders can use questions to foster flourishing in their communities.

Key Topics:

• Why questions are essential for spiritual growth and leadership
• The four levels of good questions
• How to ask better questions of God, ourselves, and others
• Stories of transformation through questions, including the powerful example of Daryl Davis
• Practical questions for leaders at every level

Resources Mentioned:

• The Art of Asking Better Questions by J.R. Briggs (IVP, 2025) https://www.ivpress.com/the-art-of-asking-better-questions
• Hearts & Minds Bookstore (Byron Borger)
• The Six Conversations by Heather Holleman
• Psalms of lament and the role of questions in Scripture

Connect with J.R. Briggs:

• https://jrbriggs.com
• @jr_briggs on social media

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vu0qW7mQrWo

View Details

In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host John Terrill sits down with Jason Jensen, Vice President of Spiritual Foundations at InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and author of Formed to Lead: Humility, Character, Integrity, and Discernment. Together, they explore a transformative vision of Christian leadership—one shaped not by power or platform, but by spiritual formation, humility, and the aroma of the gospel.

Drawing deeply from Luke chapters 1–4, Jason shares how the life of Jesus offers a radically different leadership model rooted in identity, character, and calling. He discusses the personal disciplines that have shaped his journey, including Ignatian spirituality, Orthodox iconography, therapy, and the daily examen. Jason also reflects on his pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago and the importance of discerning signposts in leadership vocation.

This rich conversation invites listeners to reimagine leadership as participation in God’s story, where we are called to be faithful secondary characters in the divine drama. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just beginning your journey, this episode offers wisdom, hope, and practical guidance for leading with integrity and grace.

📘 Form to Lead is available now and includes group discussion guides and spiritual exercises for deeper engagement.

https://www.ivpress.com/formed-to-lead

View Details

In this episode, Dan Hummel sits down with historian Brandon Bloch to explore his new book, Reinventing Protestant Germany. The conversation traces the complex role of Protestant churches in Germany from the Weimar Republic through the Nazi era and into the post-war reconstruction. Block shares insights into how religious nationalism shaped political ideologies, the nuanced responses of church leaders to Nazism, and how post-war Protestantism positioned itself as a moral compass in rebuilding German democracy.

🧠 Topics Covered

• Brandon’s academic journey and early experiences in Berlin
• The religious landscape of Germany in the early 20th century
• Protestant responses to the Weimar Republic and the rise of Nazism
• The Confessing Church, Bonhoeffer, and the myth vs. reality of resistance
• Lay women and local resistance efforts during WWII
• Post-war Protestantism and its role in moral reconstruction
• The church’s stance on denazification and human rights
• Protestant identity, conscience, and democratic values in West Germany
• Comparative reflections on secularization in Germany vs. the U.S.

📚 Key Takeaways

• Protestant churches were deeply intertwined with the German state pre-WWI and faced identity crises post-1918.
• Initial enthusiasm for Nazism among Protestant leaders gave way to internal conflict over racial policies and church autonomy.
• Resistance efforts were often led by laypeople, especially women, rather than prominent pastors.
• Post-1945, Protestant churches leveraged their moral authority to influence democratic reconstruction and human rights discourse.
• The concept of “conscience” became central to Protestant political engagement in West Germany.
• German secularization differs from the American model, with churches maintaining public roles despite declining private religiosity.

🔗 Resources & Mentions

• Reinventing Protestant Germany by Brandon Block — Harvard University Press https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674295438
• Peter Kaika’s book Follow Your Conscience
• Doris Bergen’s work on military chaplains and Nazi crimes
• Kirchentag (German Protestant lay assembly)
• Martin Niemöller’s famous quote: “First they came for the communists…”

📍 Where to Listen

Find this and over 150 other episodes at slbf.org/studio

View Details

In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Susan Smetzer-Anderson sits down with J. Richard Middleton, Emeritus Professor of Biblical Worldview and Exegesis at Northeastern Seminary and Roberts Wesleyan University. With decades of scholarship spanning theology, philosophy, and cultural analysis, Middleton offers a compelling exploration of what it truly means to hold a Christian worldview—and how that concept has evolved, been misunderstood, and often distorted over time.

Drawing from his seminal work The Transforming Vision (1984) and his forthcoming book Dancing in the Dragon’s Jaws: The Christian Worldview in a Conflicted Age, Middleton challenges listeners to move beyond tribalism, cultural conformity, and rigid doctrinal packages. Instead, he invites us to embrace a biblically rooted, lived orientation toward the world—one that is shaped by grace, community, and spiritual formation.

Topics include:

• The difference between worldview as a lived orientation vs. a set of ideas
• How cultural norms have overtaken biblical foundations in many churches
• The role of deconstruction and reconstruction in spiritual growth
• Why diversity in Scripture points to a deeper unity
• Practical questions to help uncover and reshape your worldview

Whether you're a student, pastor, educator, or curious seeker, this episode offers rich insights into how we see the world—and how Scripture invites us to see it differently.

📺 Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/y20HygPRXWE.

🔔 Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast to stay updated on future episodes.

View Details

In this conversation, host Daniel Johnson welcomes author and leader Peter Greer, who discusses his latest book, How Leaders Lose Their Way: And How to Make Sure It Doesn't Happen to You. Drawing from decades of leadership experience and research, Peter explores the subtle and often invisible forces that cause leaders to drift from their mission, values, and integrity. The episode is a deep dive into the habits, mindsets, and relationships that help leaders finish well.

🧭 Key Topics Covered

• Mission Drift & Leadership Drift
• Building on his earlier book Mission Drift, Peter explains how both organizations and individuals can lose sight of their purpose.
• Writing Your Eulogy & Resignation Letter
• Peter shares how these two exercises helped him recalibrate his identity and leadership priorities.
• Misguided Pursuits: Achievement & Power
• The dangers of idolizing success and influence, especially in mission-driven work.
• The Role of Speed & Isolation in Drift
• How hurry and lack of authentic relationships contribute to leaders losing their way.

Whether you're a senior leader or a rising one, this episode offers practical wisdom and soul-searching reflection. Peter’s insights challenge us to slow down, build authentic relationships, and stay rooted in purpose. Leadership isn’t just about achieving—it’s about finishing well.

Peter Greer is president and CEO of HOPE International, a global nonprofit working to alleviate physical and spiritual poverty in 29 countries around the world. Peter’s favorite part of his role is spending time with the remarkable entrepreneurs HOPE serves. A graduate of Harvard’s Kennedy School, Peter has co-authored over 15 books, including Lead with Prayer, Mission Drift, Rooting for Rivals, and How Leaders Lose Their Way. While his sports loyalties remain in New England, he lives with his wife, Laurel, and their four children in Lancaster, PA.

📚 About the Book

Title: How Leaders Lose Their Way

Author: Peter Greer

Publisher: InterVarsity Press

Year: 2025

Website: HowLeadersLoseTheirWay.com

🔗 Resources & Links

• 📖 Purchase the book from InterVarsity Press = https://www.ivpress.com/how-leaders-lose-their-way
• 🌍 Hope International = https://www.hopeinternational.org/
• 🏛️ S.L. Brown Foundation = https://slbf.org/
• 📺 Watch this episode on YouTube = link fourth coming

View Details

In this thought-provoking episode, host Jean Geran sits down with guest Gar Anderson to explore the concept of Christian citizenship through the lens of the early church. Drawing from Gar’s recent lecture in Oshkosh, the conversation delves into how early Christians—most of whom lacked formal citizenship—navigated life under the Roman Empire. Rather than seeking political power, they transformed society through radical love, community care, and allegiance to Christ.

Gar and Jean discuss:

• The historical context of citizenship in the Roman Empire
• The difference between patriotism and indifference in Christian political engagement
• Jesus’ teaching on rendering to Caesar and God
• Lessons from Paul’s use of Roman citizenship to expose injustice
• Practical examples of loving one’s neighbor in everyday life

📚 Recommended Resources

Books Mentioned:

• Christians as the Romans Saw Them by Robert Wilken (Oxford University Press, 1984)
• The Rise of Christianity by Rodney Stark (HarperOne, 1996)
• Destroyer of the Gods by Larry Hurtado (Baylor University Press, 2016)
• Strange Religion by Nijay Gupta (Brazos Press, 2023)
• The Patient Ferment of the Early Church by Alan Kreider (Baker Academic, 2016)

Ancient Text Highlighted:

• Letter to Diognetus (c. 125–150 AD) — A second-century Christian apology describing the distinctiveness of Christian life and allegiance. Link = https://storage2.snappages.site/6X3R8B/assets/files/The-Epistle-to-Diognetus.pdf

Other Podcast Episodes Mentioned

· Christian Citizenship in a Pluralistic World | Chris Seiple (August 4, 2025) https://player.captivate.fm/episode/1fedbb2c-6c00-47d3-bc40-a1cc9a367d84/

· Faith, Citizenship, and Dissent: Lessons from 18th–19th Century Britain | Michael Rutz (August 18, 2025) https://player.captivate.fm/episode/8fa1fc18-402f-4271-afc8-9e4bf9a73c13/

🔗 Watch & Subscribe

🎧 Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast on your favorite podcast app to stay updated.

View Details

In this rich and inspiring episode, host Daniel Johnson welcomes back guest Byron Borger to discuss transformative books for the fall season. Byron shares a curated list of titles that speak to theology, culture, education, memoir, and spiritual formation—perfect for students, readers, and lifelong learners. The conversation explores how books can shape our faith, deepen our understanding of culture, and equip us for meaningful engagement in the academy and beyond.

➡️ 📚 Featured Book Recommendations

🎓 For Students & Educators

• Why Study History? by John Fea (Baker Academic, 2024)
• Learning to Love: Christian Higher Education as Pilgrimage by Alex Sosler (Falls City Press, 2023)
• The Art of Asking Better Questions by J.R. Briggs (IVP, 2025)
• Everything is Never Enough: Ecclesiastes' Surprising Path to Resilient Happiness by Bobby Jamieson (Penguin Random House, 2025)

🌍 On Culture & Theology

• The Way of Christ in Culture: A Vision for All of Life by Benjamin Quinn & Dennis Greeson (B&H Academic, 2024)
• The Core of the Christian Faith: Living the Gospel for the Sake of the World by Michael Goheen (Brazos Press, 2025)
• Culture Making by Andy Crouch (IVP, 2008)
• He Shines in All That’s Fair: Culture and Common Grace by Richard Mouw (Eerdmans, 2002)
• Creation Regained: Biblical Basics for a Reformational Worldview by Albert Wolters (Eerdmans, 2005)

🕊️ Spiritual Formation

• Slow Theology: Eight Practices for Resilient Faith in a Turbulent World by A.J. Swoboda & Nijay Gupta (Brazos Press, 2025)
• You Can Trust a God with Scars: Faith (and Doubt) for the Searching Soul by Jared Ayers (NavPress, 2025)

👥 Memoirs & Personal Narratives

• I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown (Convergent Books, 2018)
• Full of Myself: Black Womanhood and the Journey to Self-Possession by Austin Channing Brown (Convergent Books, 2025)
• The Exact Place by Margie Haack (Deep River Books, 2012)
• Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story by Bono (Knopf, 2022)

💬 Key Themes

• The Gospel of the Kingdom and its cultural implications
• Christian higher education as a journey of love and formation
• Asking better questions as a spiritual and relational practice
• Engaging culture thoughtfully and faithfully
• The power of memoirs to cultivate empathy and self-reflection
• Slowing down to deepen theological understanding and resilience

🔗 Resources & Links

• Hearts & Minds Bookstore = https://www.heartsandmindsbooks.com
• SL Brown Foundation = https://slbf.org

View Details

In this episode, host John Terrill welcomes Elaine Howard Ecklund and Denise Daniels to discuss their new book, Working for Better: A New Approach to Faith at Work. Drawing from extensive research, including surveys of over 16,000 people and nearly 300 interviews, Elaine and Denise explore how Christians can live out their faith in the workplace with integrity, courage, and compassion.

🧠 Key Topics Covered* The Double-Edged Nature of Calling: How a sense of calling can both inspire and blind us to workplace injustices. * Faith in a Pluralistic Workplace: Navigating religious diversity while remaining true to Christian convictions. * Radical Embrace: The central thesis of the book—engaging others with respect and openness, even across belief systems.

Five Core Tensions:

1. Secular vs. Sacred Work
2. Protecting Ourselves vs. Protecting Others
3. Individual Ethics vs. Systems Thinking
4. Restrictive Gender Roles vs. Flourishing Together
5. Verbal Proclamation vs. Principled Pluralism

6. (Bonus Tension: Work vs. Rest/Sabbath)

7. The Role of Rest: Why Sabbath matters and how to integrate rhythms of rest into daily life.

8. Empirical Insights: Surprising data on who feels called to their work—and who doesn’t.

📊 Research Highlights* Only 1 in 5 Christians surveyed feel a strong sense of calling in their work. * People in service-oriented or nonprofit roles report higher levels of calling than those in finance or knowledge work. * Those with more organizational power are more likely to feel called—but higher income does not correlate with calling.

📚 About the Guests* Elaine Howard Ecklund is the Herbert S. Autrey Chair in Social Sciences, professor of sociology, and director of the Boniuk Institute at Rice University. * Denise Daniels is Hudson T. Harrison Professor of Entrepreneurship at Wheaton College.

📺 Watch & Subscribe

• 🎧 Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast on your favorite podcast app to stay updated.

🌐 Learn More Visit https://slbf.org/ for more about the SL Brown Foundation and Upper House. * Explore the book: Working for Better: A New Approach to Faith at Work* (available now). https://www.ivpress.com/working-for-better

View Details

In this episode, host Jean Geran speaks with guest historian Michael Rutz about the historical experience of British Protestant dissenters in the 18th and 19th centuries. Drawing from his book The British Zion: Congregationalism, Politics and Empire, 1790–1850, Dr. Rutz explores how dissenting Christian communities navigated issues of religious liberty, education, social activism, and citizenship under an Anglican state church.

🗝️ Key Topics CoveredWho Were the Dissenters?

• Protestant groups (Congregationalists, Baptists, Quakers, Presbyterians) who refused to conform to the Church of England.
• Faced legal discrimination and second-class civic status.

Education and the Dissenting Academies

• Creation of alternative institutions to educate ministers and laypeople.
• Emphasis on practical, Enlightenment-influenced curriculum including science, history, and civic engagement.

Rational vs. Evangelical Dissenters

• Rational dissenters embraced Enlightenment ideals and supported revolutionary causes.
• Evangelical dissenters focused on personal conversion, biblical authority, and social activism.

Religious Liberty and Political Reform

• Campaigns to repeal discriminatory laws like the Test and Corporation Acts.
• Advocacy for religious freedom as a core Christian and civic principle.

Missions and Abolition

• Evangelical dissenters played key roles in foreign missions and anti-slavery movements.
• Missionary work in places like the Cape Colony led to campaigns for civil equality for indigenous populations.

Coalition Building Across Faith Lines

• Groups like the Clapham Sect united Anglicans and dissenters around shared goals like abolition.
• Lessons for today: working across theological and political divides for common good.

ABOUT OUR GUESTMichael A. Rutz, Ph.D. is a Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. Since joining UWO’s history faculty in 2002, he has built a distinguished career as a scholar of 19th- and 20th-century Great Britain, the British Empire, religion and politics. Dr. Rutz earned his Ph.D. and M.A. in History from Washington University in St. Louis, and a B.A., with high honors in History, from the University of Michigan. His major publications include The British Zion: Congregationalism, Politics, and Empire (2011) and King Leopold’s Congo and the “Scramble for Africa” (2018); he has also published several articles on the intersection of religion and politics in 19c Britain and the British empire and is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

📚 Recommended Reading The British Zion: Congregationalism, Politics and Empire, 1790–1850* by Michael Rutz (Baylor University Press, 2011) * https://www.baylorpress.com/9781602582057/the-british-zion/

🔗 Resources* Learn more about the S.L. Brown Foundation and Upper House: https://slbf.org/

View Details

In this episode, host Daniel Johnson sits down with Craig Detweiler — author, filmmaker, theologian, and Dean of the College of Arts and Media at Grand Canyon University — to explore the intersection of faith, storytelling, and technology. From his formative experiences with classic cinema to his work in Hollywood and academia, Craig shares how theology and filmmaking can be harmoniously integrated. The conversation dives deep into the evolving media landscape, the impact of AI on creativity, and the enduring power of human imagination.

🗣️ Topics Covered Craig’s journey from seminary to screenwriting * The spiritual and emotional power of film as storytelling * The changing dynamics of the film industry post-COVID and post-strike * The rise of independent filmmaking and new distribution models * The WinRyder program and its impact at Sundance Film Festival * Recommended summer films: Sketch, Superman, Fantastic Four * Upcoming fall release: Bruce Springsteen biopic Deliver Me From Nowhere* * Navigating the sacred/secular divide in media * Technology’s influence on spirituality and identity * AI’s role in the creative process — risks and opportunities * The importance of human ingenuity and honest creativity

🎬 Film Recommendations* Sketch – A heartfelt, imaginative indie film exploring grief and creativity * Superman & Fantastic Four – Fresh takes on superhero narratives with sincerity and optimism * Sinners – A dark, cautionary tale with unexpected spiritual depth * Deliver Me From Nowhere – A soulful Bruce Springsteen biopic coming this fall

📚 Craig’s Latest BookHonest Creativity – A reflection on anxiety in the creative class and the role of AI in shaping the future of art and storytelling.

🔗 Resources & Links* Watch this episode on YouTube * Learn more about the S.L. Brown Foundation and Upper House: slbf.org

🙌 Closing EncouragementCraig reminds us that while tools may change, the human longing for connection through art remains timeless. He encourages creatives to lean into their unique voices and continue expressing joy, pain, and truth through their craft.

View Details

In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Jean Geran sits down with Dr. Chris Seiple, a renowned global leader in the fields of human rights, diplomacy, and religious freedom. Together, they explore what it means to be a responsible Christian citizen in today’s polarized world.

Through the lens of “covenantal pluralism,” Chris shares insights from decades of experience working at the intersection of Christian faith, education, and public life. The conversation covers the threefold nature of Christian citizenship—loyalty to our country, the world, and first and foremost, the Kingdom of God. They discuss the importance of loving our neighbors, engaging respectfully with those we disagree with, and preparing the next generation through higher education to be thoughtful, principled citizens.

Chris and Jean also address current challenges, including religious nationalism, polarization, and the contentious debates around diversity and inclusion in academia. They share practical suggestions for building relationships across diverse communities, overcoming fear, and living out faith in tangible ways at both the local and global levels.

Whether you’re a student, educator, faith leader, or community member, this episode offers timely wisdom and encouragement for anyone seeking to be a peacemaker and agent of flourishing in a pluralistic society.

View Details

In this thought-provoking episode of the Upword Podcast, host Dan Johnson sits down with Mark Matlock to explore the shifting spiritual landscape in America. Drawing from his latest book, Faith for the Curious, and years of research with Barna Group, Mark unpacks the rise of the “spiritually curious” — a growing group of people who are open to spirituality but not necessarily aligned with traditional Christian beliefs.

Together, they discuss:

• The difference between the spiritually curious, curious skeptics, and naturalists
• How Gen Z is both in revival and retreat — and what that means for the Church
• Why traditional evangelism methods may fall short in today’s culture
• The importance of long-term relationships over quick conversions
• How churches can better engage those deconstructing their faith
• The role of curiosity, ambiguity, and meaningful relationships in discipleship

Whether you're a ministry leader, student, or simply curious about faith trends, this episode offers deep insights into how we can better understand and walk alongside those exploring spirituality in a post-Christian world.

🔗 Resources & Links:

• Learn more about Faith for the Curious = https://shop.barna.com/collections/featured-work/products/faith-for-the-curious
• Explore Barna’s research on Gen Z and spiritual openness
• Connect with Mark Matlock at markmatlock.com

View Details

In this episode, host Daniel Johnson sits down with Michael Huerter, author of The Hybrid Congregation: A Practical Theology of Worship for an Online Era. Michael shares insights from his research and ministry experience, exploring how churches can faithfully navigate the evolving landscape of digital and hybrid worship. From theology to technology, embodiment to community, this conversation offers a thoughtful and hopeful vision for the future of worship in a digitally integrated world.

🧠 Topics CoveredWhat is a Hybrid Congregation?

• Michael defines hybrid congregations as communities that blend traditional in-person worship with digital practices, emphasizing that most churches already operate along this spectrum.

Theology of Digital Embodiment

• Drawing on scholars like Pete Phillips and Teresa Berger, Michael discusses how embodiment persists even in digital spaces and how online worship can still be deeply relational and spiritual.

Music in Hybrid Worship

• Michael reflects on the evolving role of music in digital settings, balancing participatory and presentational approaches, and shares creative examples from his research.
• Sacraments in a Digital World
• From virtual baptisms to home communion, Michael explores how different traditions are reimagining sacramental practices in hybrid contexts.

Community & Spiritual Formation

• Practical strategies for fostering genuine community and discipleship across physical and digital spaces, including empowering online members to lead and serve.
• Technology, Discernment & the Church
• A call for churches to resist fear-based or tech-obsessed extremes and instead adopt a people-first, discerning approach to digital ministry.

The Future of Worship

• Michael shares his vision for a church that resists fragmentation and embraces digital tools to deepen connection, compassion, and Christlikeness.

📚 Resources Mentioned 📖 The Hybrid Congregation: A Practical Theology of Worship for an Online Era* by Michael Huerter (InterVarsity Press) * 📊 Pew Research on church attendance and online worship trends in 2025 * 🧠 Scholars referenced: Pete Phillips (Spurgeon’s College), Teresa Berger (Yale Divinity School) * 🎥 Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/E8tdXaTHPIc

🔗 Connect with Us* 🌐 Learn more about the S.L. Brown Foundation and Upper House: slbf.org * 📬 Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite app * 💬 Share your thoughts and feedback with us!

View Details

In this episode, host Susan Smetzer Anderson sits down with acclaimed author Mitali Perkins to explore the intersection of art, justice, vocation, and faith. Drawing from her latest book, Just Making: A Guide for Compassionate Creatives, Mitali shares her journey as a Bengali American writer, her passion for justice, and how creatives can sustain their work in a chaotic world.

Together, they reflect on how art can be a vehicle for shalom—a vision of universal flourishing—and how artists can navigate internal doubts, external pressures, and the temptation to turn art into propaganda or kitsch. Mitali also offers practical wisdom on embracing ancient spiritual practices, finding courage to share your work, and building creative community.

🔗 Resources & Links* 📺 Watch this episode on YouTube = https://youtu.be/DehNMpdp0Yo * 🌐 Learn more about Mitali Perkins and her work: mitaliperkins.com * 📖 Explore the S.L. Brown Foundation and Upper House: slbf.org

View Details

This special episode of The UpWords Podcast features clips from talks given at Upper House in the Spring of 2025. Upper House Commons gathers the university community for spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation. We explore big ideas and engage in conversations that matter within arts and humanities, justice and society, leadership and vocation, science and technology, spiritual formation, and theology. Whether you are a student or faculty member at UW-Madison or beyond, working in the marketplace, or serving in the church, we see you as part of our university community. Gather with us for one of our programs —our “commons”— each a pasture for shared spiritual, intellectual, and vocational formation.

Talk 1️⃣ = Reimagining Our Moment for Whatever Comes Next - with Anne Snyder (Recorded on January 30, 2025)

• Spotify = https://open.spotify.com/episode/2fPLQhx0cdsXvUxzqP0YR3?si=Z4vbxvJMQM-fzwRKhhGkIQ
• Apple Podcasts = https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/upper-house-events/id1715922039?i=1000688980527
• YouTube = https://youtu.be/Pg6ODIUp8yQ

Talk 2️⃣ = Can Fiction Deliver What Technology Can't? - with Casandra Nelson (Recorded on February 14, 2025)

• Spotify = https://open.spotify.com/show/5CosoSlCWKmUShqnEK75Re?si=74f6cd9ca9584036
• Apple Podcasts =https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/upper-house-events/id1715922039
• YouTube = https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4uGiIvJTDePJylcsh84USjIpVkibpuM2

Talk 3️⃣ = What Can Evangelicals Teach Us About Beauty? - Karen Swallow Prior (Recorded on March 14, 2025)

• Spotify = https://open.spotify.com/show/5CosoSlCWKmUShqnEK75Re?si=74f6cd9ca9584036
• Apple Podcasts =https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/upper-house-events/id1715922039
• YouTube = https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4uGiIvJTDePTHdNbYsoMMf8ZX80eEUet

View Details

In this conversation, host Daniel Johnson welcomes Angie Ward to explore the themes of church and parachurch dynamics, the evolution of ecclesiology, and the impact of technology on community. Angie shares her journey of writing her book, Beyond Church and Parachurch: From Competition to Missional Extension, and discusses the historical context of church structures. They delve into the definition of church in today's landscape, emphasizing the importance of embodied community and the role of technology. Angie proposes a new understanding of parachurch as 'missional extensions,' highlighting the interconnectedness of all believers in a global ecosystem. In this conversation, Angie Ward discusses the principles of effective collaboration between churches and parachurch organizations, emphasizing the importance of open-handedness and a kingdom-minded approach. She explores the need for a collaborative ecosystem where different ministries recognize their roles and work together for a greater impact. The discussion also touches on the skepticism some church leaders have towards parachurch ministries and the necessity for these organizations to connect with local churches. Angie reflects on the current changes in the church landscape, likening it to a 'rummage sale' where old structures are being questioned and new opportunities for collaboration are emerging. Finally, she expresses hope for the next generation of leaders who are willing to learn from past mistakes and innovate for the future.

Angie Ward (PhD, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is director of the Doctor of Ministry program and associate professor of leadership and ministry at Denver Seminary. She is the author of Uncharted Leadership: 20 Case Studies to Help Ministry Leaders Adapt to Uncertainty and I Am a Leader: When Women Discover the Joy of Their Calling. Angie has over thirty-five years of leadership experience in church, nonprofit, and higher education ministry. A sportswriter in a previous life, Angie loves running, basketball, humor, and movies. She and her pastor-husband live in Denver. They have two grown sons and one very spoiled beagle.

📙 Link to Beyond Church and Parachurch: From Competition to Missional Extension

https://www.ivpress.com/beyond-church-and-parachurch

Takeaways

• The book is a culmination of a seven to nine year journey in ministry.
• Angie had an 'aha' moment questioning traditional church leadership models.
• The pandemic accelerated questions about the future of church and ministry.
• Church and parachurch are loaded terms with various interpretations.
• The local church is often seen as a building, while parachurch refers to Christian ministries outside of it.
• Historical context shows that ministry has always existed outside of local church structures.
• The definition of church should include both local and global perspectives.
• Embodiment in community is crucial for spiritual formation.
• Technology can aid in ministry but should not replace embodied experiences.
• Parachurch organizations can serve as missional extensions of the church. Open-handedness is crucial for effective collaboration.
• Churches and parachurch organizations need to recognize their interdependence.
• There are many campuses without a gospel presence that need outreach.
• Success in ministry may not always be visible immediately.
• Discipleship involves guiding people towards a broader understanding of church.
• The church is undergoing significant changes, akin to a 'rummage sale.'
• We must be hopeful amidst the changes in the church.
• The next generation is eager to innovate and make a difference.
• Collaboration can lead to greater impact than individual efforts.
• Understanding our roles in the kingdom is essential for effective ministry.

View Details

In this episode of the UpWords Podcast, Scott Cairns, a distinguished poet and educator, discusses the intersection of poetry, faith, and the creative process. He shares insights on the value of a liberal education, the role of poetry in society, and how his Christian faith informs his work. Cairns emphasizes the importance of community, mentorship, and the spiritual dimensions of writing, illustrating how these elements contribute to his artistic journey.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Poetry and Faith

02:57 The Value of a Liberal Education

05:54 The Role of Poetry in Society

09:02 Scott Karens' Poetic Journey

11:49 The Intersection of Poetry and Spirituality

14:49 Creative Process and Writing Routine

18:08 Influences and Community in Poetry

21:01 The Role of Mentorship in Artistic Growth

24:09 Faith and the Poet's Vocation

30:00 Conclusion and Reflections on Art and Prayer

View Details

In this episode of the UpWords Podcast, Dan Hummel interviews John Wilsey, a professor and author, about his book, Religious Freedom: A Conservative Primer. They explore the broader themes of conservatism, emphasizing its historical roots, the importance of tradition, and the concept of aspirational conservatism. The conversation delves into key figures in conservative thought, the role of the conservative imagination, and the significance of religious freedom in contemporary society.

John D. Wilsey is professor of church history and chair of the Department of Church History and Historical Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. He is also a research fellow with the Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy. His publications include American Exceptionalism and Civil Religion: Reassessing the History of an Idea, God’s Cold Warrior: The Life and Faith of John Foster Dulles, and Religious Freedom: A Conservative Primer.

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Conservatism Beyond Politics

05:07 The Role of Tradition in Conservatism

11:18 Aspirational Conservatism Explained

19:24 Key Figures in Conservative Thought

39:27 The Conservative Imagination and Inner Life

46:26 Religious Freedom and Its Importance

Takeaways

• Conservatism is more than just politics; it's a worldview.
• Tradition plays a crucial role in understanding conservatism.
• Aspirational conservatism seeks to align with transcendent values.
• Key figures like Burke, Kirk, and Virick shape conservative thought.
• The conservative imagination informs our inner life and values.
• Religious freedom is essential for a flourishing society.
• Conservatives should advocate for the rights of all, including minorities.
• History is a vital aspect of the Christian faith and conservatism.
• Conservatives must manage change rather than resist it.
• The relationship between freedom and responsibility is fundamental.

View Details

In this conversation, we welcome fan favorite, Byron Borger, back to the podcast. Along with host Daniel Johnson, they discuss the importance of reading as an embodied experience, the significance of seasonal reading aligned with the liturgical calendar, and the recent resurgence of work and faith materials. He emphasizes the challenges college graduates face transitioning into the workforce and the importance of integrating faith into their work lives.

The podcast also highlights various books that can aid in this transition and the necessity of community support for maintaining faith post-college. In this conversation, Byron discusses the importance of balancing vocation and rest, the beauty of nature as explored through literature, and the need for community engagement in environmental care. They highlight books that inspire readers to appreciate creation, engage in ecological restoration, and reflect on personal narratives through memoirs. The discussion emphasizes the interconnectedness of faith, nature, and personal growth, encouraging listeners to explore these themes in their own lives.

We encourage you to purchase your books at Heartsandminds Bookstore. Learn more about them here = https://www.heartsandmindsbooks.com/

List of books:

1. After College by Erica Young Reitz (2025, InterVarsity Press)
2. Serious Dreams: Bold Ideas for the Rest of Your Life edited by Byron Borger (2015, Square Halo Books)
3. The Call: Finding and Fulfilling God's Purpose for Your Life by Os Guinness (2003, Thomas Nelson)
4. Visions of Vocation: Common Grace for the Common Good by Steven Garber (2014, IVP Books)
5. Why Your Work Matters: How God Uses Our Everyday Vocations to Transform Us, Our Neighbors, and the World by Tom Nelson (2025, Made to Flourish)
6. Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God's Work by Timothy Keller and Katherine Leary Alsdorf (2012, Dutton)
7. The Sacredness of Secular Work: Four Ways Your Job Matters for Eternity by Jordan Raynor (2025, WaterBrook)
8. Go Forth: God's Purpose for Your Work by Redeemer City to City (2025, Redeemer City to City)
9. Birds in the Sky and Fish in the Sea by Matthew Dickerson (2025, Square Halo Books)
10. Refugee of Faith: Seeking Hidden Shelters, Ordinary Wonders, and the Healing of the Earth by Deborah Rienstra (2025, Fortress Press)
11. Backpacking with the Saints: Wilderness Hiking as a Spiritual Practice by Belden Lane (2015, Oxford University Press)
12. Reconciliation in a Michigan Watershed: Restoring Kenoshae by Gail Hefner and David Warners (2025, Michigan State University Press)
13. Beyond Stewardship: New Approaches to Creation Care edited by David Warners (2025, Calvin College Press)
14. The Beauty of Dusk: On Vision Lost and Found by Frank Bruni (2022, Avid Reader Press)
15. Mr. Oweita's Guide to Gardening: How I Learned the Unexpected Joy of a Green Thumb and an Open Heart by Carol Wall (2014, G.P. Putnam's Sons)
16. God Struck: Seven Women and Their Religious Conversions by Kelsey Osgood (2025, HarperOne)

Chapters:

00:00 The Embodied Experience of Reading

04:29 Seasonal Reading and the Church Calendar

09:54 Navigating Work and Faith

16:50 Books for Transitioning Graduates

24:13 The Importance of Community in Transition

27:04 The Balance of Work and Rest

28:01 Exploring Nature Through Literature

30:16 Creating Habitats and Healing the Earth

31:42 Wilderness as a Spiritual Practice

36:09 Community Engagement and Environmental Stewardship

42:23 Reconciliation Ecology and Creation Care

43:30 Memoirs and Personal Stories

52:25 Summer Reading Recommendations

View Details

Welcome to The UpWords Podcast, where we discuss the intersection of Christian faith in the academy, church, and marketplace. In today's episode, we are delighted to welcome painter and author Bruce Herman and Mia Chung-Yee — concert pianist, music professor, and executive director of the Octet Collaborative at MIT.

In this episode of the UpWords Podcast, hosts Daniel Johnson, Bruce Herman, and Mia Chung-Yee explore the profound connections between creativity, faith, and the arts. They discuss the legacy of composers like J.S. Bach and Mendelssohn, the personal journeys of the speakers in their artistic expressions, and the evolving role of music and art in spiritual and community life. The conversation emphasizes the importance of integrating art into worship and the discipline required in artistic practice, ultimately highlighting the shared human experience through creativity.

The speakers explore the intersection of faith, art, and academia, emphasizing the importance of grounding transcendence in reality. They discuss the role of discipline in worship and art, the challenges faced within the modern academy, and the tension between artistic expression and academic expectations. The conversation highlights the need for a holistic approach to education that embraces both the arts and sciences, encouraging young artists to integrate their faith into their creative endeavors while remaining humble and committed to their craft.

Host:

• Daniel Johnson

Guests:

• Bruce Herman: Painter, writer, and speaker
• Mia Chung-Yee: Concert pianist, music professor, and executive director of the Octet Collaborative at MIT

Guest Backgrounds:

Mia Chung-Yee:

• Internationally known concert pianist
• Founder and executive director of the Octet Collaborative, a Christian Study Center at MIT
• Winner of the Concert Artists Guild Competition (1993)
• Recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant (1997)
• Educational background: Bachelor's degree from Harvard College, Master's degree from Yale University, PhD from the Juilliard School
• Former Professor of Music and Artist in Residence at Gordon College (1991-2011)
• Current Professor of Musical Studies at the Curtis Institute of Music

Bruce Herman:

• Painter, writer, and speaker
• Art exhibited in over 150 national and international exhibitions
• Collections include the Vatican Museum of Modern Religious Art in Rome and various museums in the United States and Canada
• Nearly four decades of teaching at Gordon College, founding chair of the Art Department
• Educational background: BFA and MFA degrees from Boston University College of Fine Arts

Key Topics Discussed:

• The role of Christian faith in the arts and academia
• The intersection of faith and creativity in the marketplace
• Personal journeys and career highlights of Bruce Herman and Mia Chung-Yee
• Insights into the Octet Collaborative and its mission at MIT
• Reflections on the impact of faith on artistic expression and professional development
• The legacy of composers like J.S. Bach and Mendelssohn
• The evolving role of music and art in spiritual and community life
• The importance of integrating art into worship
• The discipline required in artistic practice
• The challenges faced within the modern academy
• The tension between artistic expression and academic expectations
• The need for a holistic approach to education that embraces both the arts and sciences
• Encouraging young artists to integrate their faith into their creative endeavors while remaining humble and committed to their craft

Notable Quotes:

• "We are made in the image of a maker."
• "Music is a vehicle for challenging me."
• "Art is a language of association."
• "Art should not be held back in worship."
• "God cared about this, right?"
• "We could miss that easily."
• "We do that with a spirit of love."
• "It's a choice to sacrifice."
• "I felt like a bit of a fraud."
• "We're meant to be makers."

Connect with us:

• Follow Upper House on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/upperhouseuw/
• Follow SL Brown Foundation on Instagram = https://www.instagram.com/slbrownfoundation/
• Visit our website for more episodes and information: https://slbf.org/studio

We hope you enjoy this episode of The UpWords Podcast! Thank you for listening, and stay tuned for more inspiring conversations at the intersection of faith and life.

View Details

In today's episode, we are featuring a talk by Vanessa McDowell-Atlas at this year's Kingdom Justice Summit. This annual event is hosted in partnership with the Collaboration Project at Upper House.

In this engaging keynote address, the Vanessa McDowell-Atlas reflects on her return to her community and shares powerful experiences from her involvement in a nationwide initiative to encourage voting through music. She highlights the challenges faced at polling locations, particularly in predominantly white spaces, and connects these experiences to broader social issues affecting marginalized communities. The McDowell-Atlas emphasizes the importance of positioning oneself for action, staying connected to faith, and actively participating in the fight for justice. She calls on individuals to take responsibility and get involved in their communities, urging everyone to 'get on your post' and make a difference.

Vanessa McDowell-Atlas is a transformative leader, entrepreneur, and racial justice advocate with a passion for empowering marginalized communities. She made history as the first Black woman CEO of YWCA Madison, leading the organization through transformative growth, equitable initiatives, and the pandemic without layoffs. She is the founder of Madison Roots, LLC, dedicated to building generational wealth through Black homeownership, and VMA Entertainment and Consulting, LLC, offering DJ services and transformational leadership coaching for leaders of color and women. Currently serving as COO of Black Girl Ventures, Vanessa drives inclusive leadership and operational excellence. A recipient of the 2022 MLK Jr. Humanitarian Award, she holds a Sociology degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and serves on its Board of Visitors. Vanessa resides in Charlotte, NC, with her husband.

View Details

Welcome to The UpWords Podcast! This special episode explores the intersection of Christian faith in the academy, church, and marketplace.

Today's episode features Dr. Christine Jeske's insightful talk from the Kingdom Justice Summit, hosted in partnership with the Collaboration Project at Upper House. Dr. Jeske, a professor of cultural anthropology at Wheaton College and author of several books, shares her extensive research on race, work, faith, and the good life. Her upcoming book, Racial Justice for the Long Haul, delves into how white Christians can develop long-term commitments to racial justice.

With a decade of experience living in Nicaragua, China, and South Africa, Dr. Jeske brings a unique perspective to her work. Now residing in an old Wisconsin farmhouse named the Sanctuary, she continues to inspire through her writing and speaking.

Tune in to hear Dr. Jeske's compelling insights and join us in this meaningful conversation on justice and faith.

Enjoy the episode!

View Details

This conversation delves into the life and legacy of Hannah Moore, an influential figure in evangelical history, exploring her role as a novelist, poet, and reformer. The discussion highlights the evolution of evangelicalism, the challenges faced by women in these spaces, and the importance of activism and community support. The speakers reflect on personal experiences with criticism, grief, and the need for compassionate attention in combating bullying and fostering understanding among diverse perspectives.

Our guest, Karen Swallow Prior, is a reader, writer, and professor. She is the author of numerous books and has contributed to many other books. She has a monthly column for Religion News Service. Her writing has appeared at Christianity Today, New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, First Things, Vox, Think Christian, The Gospel Coalition, and various other places. She hosted the podcast Jane and Jesus.

Our host, Jean Geran, is a Senior Advisor for Foundation Initiatives at the SL Brown Foundation.

View Details

In this conversation, Dan Hummel and David Smith explore the intersection of Christian faith and education, focusing on how teaching can be a site of spiritual formation. They discuss the structure of Smith's book, 'Everyday Christian Teaching,' which emphasizes practical applications of faith in the classroom. The conversation delves into the historical evolution of educational materials, the importance of framing in teaching, and how choices made in the classroom reflect underlying values and beliefs.

Our host for this episode is Dan Hummel, Director of the Lumen Center at the SL Brown Foundation.

Our guest is David l. Smith, the director of the Kuyers Institute for Christian Teaching and Learning, coordinator of the De Vries Institute for Global Faculty Development, and professor of education at Calvin University. In 2024, he won Calvin University’s Presidential Award for Exemplary Teaching. He has published extensively on Christian education and the relationship between faith and pedagogy; his books include On Christian Teaching: Practicing Faith in the Classroom, Learning from the Stranger: Christian Faith and Cultural Diversity, and Everyday Christian Teaching: A Guide to Practicing Faith in the Classroom.

View Details

In this conversation, Kaitlyn Scheiss discusses her book, 'The Ballot and the Bible,' which explores how scripture has been used and misused in American politics. She reflects on her journey as a doctoral student in political theology, the challenges of writing a book during her studies, and the importance of understanding the historical context of biblical interpretations in political discourse. The discussion delves into the complexities of how different Christian traditions engage with scripture in political contexts, particularly in relation to contentious issues like slavery and social justice.

Our host for this episode is Dan Hummel, Director of the Lumen Center for the SL Brown Foundation.

Our guest is Kaitlyn Schiess, she is the author of 'The Ballot and the Bible: How Scripture has been Used and Abused in American Politics and Where We Go from Here' (Brazos Press, 2023) and 'The Liturgy of Politics: Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Our Neighbor' (InterVarsity Press, 2020). She has also written for Christianity Today, The New York Times, Christ and Pop Culture, RELEVANT, and Sojourner. Kaitlyn is a co-host of the Holy Post podcast and the host of the podcast Curiously, Kaitlyn, two shows that work to help Christians think well and live faithfully in a pluralistic world. She has a ThM in systematic theology from Dallas Theological Seminary and is currently a doctoral student in political theology at Duke Divinity School.

View Details

In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, Dr. Uli Chi discusses the essence of wisdom in leadership, sharing personal anecdotes and insights from his book, 'The Wise Leader.' He emphasizes the importance of relationships, humility, and the need for genuine Christian wisdom in contemporary society. The conversation explores how wisdom can be recognized, the role of institutions, and the dynamics of power in leadership. Dr. Chi also offers advice for future leaders, encouraging them to focus on relational perspectives and the cultivation of imagination alongside rational thought.

This event was recorded over Zoom, in partnership with the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship’s MBA Ministry, on January 21, 2025.

Our host for this episode is John Terrill, executive director of the SL Brown Foundation.

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

Dr. Uli Chi is known for his innovative approach to leadership in business, nonprofits, the theological academy, and the local church. An award-winning tech entrepreneur, he is an in-demand business consultant and holds influential leadership positions, including as board chair of the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health System (Pacific Northwest) and as an advisor to the Benaroya Research Institute and the Virginia Mason Institute, both in Seattle. He chaired the Board of Governors at Regent College in Vancouver, Canada and now serves as Senior Fellow at the De Pree Center for Leadership, where he also writes and shares practical wisdom for the "Life for Leaders" daily devotional. In addition to writing and mentoring, he teaches in Regent College’s Master of Arts in Leadership, Theology, and Society program and at Fuller Seminary’s Doctorate of Global Leadership program.

View Details

In this conversation, Byron and Susan explore the significance of Lent as a time for reflection, sacrifice, and spiritual growth. They discuss various resources, including books and devotionals, to help individuals engage meaningfully with the Lenten season. The conversation emphasizes the importance of slowing down, paying attention to one's spiritual life, and integrating faith into everyday experiences.

Our host is Susan Smetzer-Anderson, she is the Senior Writer and Content Manager for the SL Brown Foundation.

Our guest for today's podcast is Byron Borger, he is the owner of Hearts and Minds bookstore, and his knowledge of books and their shaping power is truly extraordinary. In this podcast, he shares his recommendations for good reads for the liturgical season of Lent.

====

Watch this conversation on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/JAca0Kuvwpk

View Details

This conversation explores the complex interplay of religion and politics in modern India, focusing on the historical context of Christianity and its evolution from colonial times to the present. The discussion highlights the secular ideals enshrined in the Indian constitution, the impact of British rule on religious identities, and the contemporary dynamics of Christianity in a predominantly Hindu society. The conversation also addresses the challenges faced by religious minorities and the ongoing tensions in India's religious landscape.

We explore the complex interplay of religion, identity, and nationalism in India, focusing on the experiences of Hindu and Christian communities. It delves into the historical context of religious conversion, the implications of disinheritance, and the cultural differences in religious practices between India and the United States. The discussion highlights the life of Brahmabandhav Upadhyay, a figure who navigated multiple religious identities amidst the backdrop of Hindu nationalism.

Our host for this episode is Dan Hummel, Director of the Lumen Center for the SL Brown Foundation.

Our guest is Moe Banerjee, an assistant professor of history at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Moe is a historian of modern South Asia, specializing particularly in the modern period. Her research interests include religion and politics in India, especially the evolution of the concepts of private faith and political identity in the public sphere. Her first book, which we're discussing today, is called The Disinherited Christianity and Conversion in Colonial India, 1813 to 1907, from Harvard University Press. During this episode, we discuss the long history of religion in India, the Christian missionaries that came in the modern period to reshape Indian religion and the religious landscape, the lesser-known story of Christian converts in India, and what those converts say about India today.

View Details

In this conversation, Al Erisman and Randy Pope explore the themes of faith, work, and navigating a polarizing world through the lens of biblical narratives. They discuss their collaborative writing process for the book Living with Purpose in a Polarizing World, emphasizing the importance of finding common ground and learning from diverse experiences. The conversation highlights the relevance of biblical characters in contemporary life and the need for Christians to engage with the world around them with humility and love.

Our host, John Terrill, executive director of the SL Brown Foundation, welcomes Al Erisman and Randy Pope to the podcast.

ABOUT OUR GUESTS:

Al Erisman, PhD, current chair of the Theology of Work Project, former director at The Boeing Company, and co-founder of Ethix magazine, has spent decades exploring the intersection of faith and work. He is a senior fellow at the Center for Faithful Business at Seattle Pacific University and executive in residence emeritus.

Randy Pope, JD, has practiced law since 1979, representing public institutions, such as public school boards. He currently serves as city attorney of Hattiesburg, Mississippi.

====

Watch on YouTube!

https://youtu.be/3-G0up8XavI

View Details

This conversation explores the intersection of writing, contemplation, and community within the context of Christian thought. Jean Geran and Anne Snyder discuss the role of language as a tool for connection and understanding, the importance of contemplation as a form of resistance in a fast-paced world, and the need for community in fostering spiritual growth. They also delve into creating a manifesto to bridge the gap between traditional institutions and contemporary needs, emphasizing the generative culture that can emerge from these discussions. The conversation concludes with reflections on the next generation's challenges in navigating institutional landscapes and the importance of fostering a sense of belonging and purpose.

====

Our host, Jean Geran, is a Senior Advisor for Foundation Initiatives for the SL Brown Foundation.

====

Our guest is Anne Snyder, the editor-in-chief of Comment Magazine, host of The Whole Person Revolution podcast, co-editor of Breaking Ground: Charting Our Future in a Pandemic Year, and author of The Fabric of Character: A Wise Giver’s Guide to Renewing Our Social and Moral Landscape.

====

In this conversation, Jean and Anne reference Anne's talk at Upper House. Here are 3️⃣ ways to watch or listen to this talk:

🖥️ https://youtu.be/Pg6ODIUp8yQ

🎧 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/upper-house-events/id1715922039?i=1000688980527

🎧 https://open.spotify.com/episode/2fPLQhx0cdsXvUxzqP0YR3?si=6b21a36c87594eac

View Details

This conversation delves into the misconceptions surrounding Mary Magdalene, exploring her true role in Jesus' ministry and her significance as a witness to the resurrection. The discussion highlights the historical interpretations that have shaped her image, emphasizing her importance as an apostle and a model of faith for both men and women. Susan and Jennifer unpack the theological implications of her story and its relevance to modern Christian faith.

Our host, Susan Smetzer-Anderson, interviews author Jennifer Powell McNutt and discusses her book, 'The Mary We Forgot,' which aims to clarify the misconceptions surrounding Mary Magdalene. We explore her true role in Jesus' ministry, her significance as a witness to the resurrection, and the implications of her healing. Jennifer Powell McNutt is the Franklin S. Dyrness Chair of Biblical and Theological Studies and professor of theology and history of Christianity at Wheaton College. She is an award-winning author, a fellow in the Royal Historical Society, and an ordained teaching elder in the Presbyterian tradition.

====

View this episode on YouTube:

View Details

This conversation explores the concept of redemptive entrepreneurship, emphasizing the role of God in the redemption process and the purpose of business in society. The speakers discuss their theological frameworks, the importance of intentionality in business practices, and the philosophical debate between operating within the existing capitalist system versus creating alternative models. They also provide valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs seeking to align their work with their faith and the common good.

Chi-Ming Chien lives and works in San Francisco’s diverse Bayview/Hunters Point neighborhood. He is a member of Redeemer Community Church, where he leads worship and serves as an elder. He co-founded Dayspring Partners, a digital consultancy envisioned as an experiment in Christian business.

Victor Ho was co-founder & CEO of Fivestars, a FinTech startup focused on helping small businesses that emerged from God’s call to “business as a mission field."

View Details

In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host John Terrill, executive director of the Stephen & Laurel Brown Foundation, has a conversation with Chi Ming-Chien and Victor Ho to discuss their entrepreneurial journeys, the intersection of faith and business, and the importance of community and culture in leadership. They explore the Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood, the evolution of their understanding of risk and reward in entrepreneurship, and the unique business models they have developed to serve the common good. The conversation also delves into personal experiences that shaped their views on leadership, healthy organizational culture dynamics, and vulnerability's role in facing failure.

Chi-Ming Chien lives and works in San Francisco’s diverse Bayview/Hunters Point neighborhood. He is a member of Redeemer Community Church, where he leads worship and serves as an elder. He co-founded Dayspring Partners, a digital consultancy envisioned as an experiment in Christian business.

Victor Ho was co-founder & CEO of Fivestars, a FinTech startup focused on helping small businesses that emerged from God’s call to “business as a mission field."

====

For more information about the Stephen & Laurel Brown Foundation and Upper House, please visit https://slbf.org!

View Details

In this conversation, Mary-Kate Morse discusses the significance of theological education and its role in preparing leaders for church and ministry. She emphasizes the importance of finding one's calling, the holiness associated with it, and the challenges faced by churches in post-Christian environments. Morris shares her experiences in church planting and the necessity of mentorship and grit in leadership. She advocates for a deep formation in Christ for ministry leaders and the need for tailored leadership training that adapts to unique contexts.

======

Key points

• Theological education is crucial for effective church leadership.
• Finding one's calling involves understanding who you are called to love.
• Good seminary education prepares leaders for long-term ministry.
• The church has lost the sense of the holiness of calling.
• Creating something from scratch shapes leadership skills.
• Building relationships in post-Christian cities takes time and patience.
• Grit is essential for leaders to navigate challenges.
• Mentorship is vital for developing the next generation of leaders.
• Leadership training should be context-specific and adaptable.
• Investing time in young leaders fosters resilience and commitment.

======

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

MaryKate Morse was the former Executive Dean of Portland Seminary at George Fox University in Portland, Oregon, and a professor of leadership and spiritual formation. Currently, she is the Lead Mentor in the Doctor of Ministry program in Leadership & Spiritual Formation.

Raised in the Air Force, MaryKate lived in various US states and overseas. She completed her BS in Secondary Education and English Literature at Longwood University in Virginia. With her husband, Randy, and small children, she lived in the Andes Mountains of Bolivia and Peru´ doing ministry and social projects partnering with the Aymará Indians.

Upon return she did a Masters in Biblical Studies and a Master of Divinity at Western Evangelical Seminary (now Portland Seminary). She began teaching, studied spiritual formation and spiritual direction, and was certified as a spiritual director and recorded as a pastor with the Evangelical Friends.

MaryKate completed her doctorate at Gonzaga University where she studied the characteristics of renewal leadership as modeled by Jesus. She continues to explore how the intersection of spiritual formation and effective leadership result in the transformation of individuals and communities especially for evangelists and front-line leaders in diverse cultural environments.

Upon completion of her doctorate she planted two churches and served in various administrative positions at the university including Seminary Associate Dean, Director of Hybrid programs, and University Director of Strategic Planning. She is a spiritual director and leadership mentor and coach, conference and retreat speaker, and author including Making Room for Leadership: Power, Space, and Influence, A Guidebook to Prayer: 24 Ways to Walk with God, and Lifelong Leadership: Woven Together through Mentoring Communities. She is passionate about companioning and resourcing people on the front lines of ministry.

MaryKate is married to Randy and has three adult children, six grandchildren, and a little Aussie, Tess. She enjoys being with family, hiking, reading, and exploring new places.

View Details

In this conversation, Rachel Mickelson, Co-Founder and President of Generous Jalopy, discusses the concept of redemptive entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of integrating faith into work and community service. Host John Terrill and guest Rachel Mickelson introduce the nonprofit Generous Jalopy, which addresses transportation needs for individuals facing economic challenges. The discussion explores the differences between exploitative, ethical, and redemptive frameworks in business, highlighting the significance of motives and community collaboration. Rachel shares personal experiences and insights on approaching nonprofit leadership and the value of listening to community needs. The conversation concludes with an invitation to join a cohort focused on redemptive entrepreneurship.

Rachel Mickelson (guest) loves to see people, organizations, and communities thrive. Rachel is the Co-Founder and President of Generous Jalopy, a Madison-based nonprofit that brokers transportation solutions for people working with their nonprofit partners to stabilize employment, housing, and livelihood. Rachel is also an Enterprise Program Manager with the Strategic Development group at Insperity, where she drives innovation to help businesses succeed so communities prosper. For 19 years, Rachel has partnered with nonprofits, churches, and businesses to navigate change, foster innovation, and build effective leadership, strategy, and operational models. Rachel holds a M.A. in organizational leadership from Crown College and serves as the Redemptive Entrepreneurship Labs lead for the Madison, WI ecosystem.

John Terrill (host) is the Executive Director of the Stephen & Laurel Brown Foundation, managing Upper House, Dottie’s Ranch, and various initiatives. Previously, he directed the Center for Faithful Business at Seattle Pacific University and worked with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA. John's early career includes consulting with the Hay Group and lending at Bank of America. He holds degrees from Indiana University, the Kellogg School of Management, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Seattle Pacific University. John chairs the boards of Religion News Service and Science for the Church.

View Details

This conversation delves into the significance of Advent, emphasizing its historical context and spiritual preparation for Christmas. Byron Borger shares insights on the liturgical calendar, the importance of repentance, and the tension of living in the 'already and not yet' of Christ's coming. The discussion includes a variety of book recommendations that explore these themes, highlighting the role of literature, poetry, and community in enriching the Advent experience. In this conversation, the speaker discusses various books about Advent and Christmas, highlighting their significance in spiritual formation and family traditions. The discussion includes a range of literature, from poetry to children's books, emphasizing the importance of community and liturgical practices in contemporary faith expressions. The speaker also touches on these works' relevance in understanding the Christmas story's historical and cultural contexts.

Be sure to order your Advent readings through Hearts and Minds bookstore:

https://www.heartsandmindsbooks.com/

🎄List of books in the order they appear:

📙 Advent by Fleming Rutledge (Eerdmans, 2018)

📙 Advent: The Season of Hope by Tish Harrison Warren (InterVarsity Press, 2023)

📙 Christmas by Emily Hunter McGowan (InterVarsity Press, 2023)

📙 Epiphany: The Season of Glory by Fleming Rutledge (InterVarsity Press, 2023)

📙 The Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren (InterVarsity Press, 2016)

📙 Prayer in the Night by Tish Harrison Warren (InterVarsity Press, 2021)

📙 The Advent of Justice by Brian Walsh, Sylvia Keesmaat, Mark Vander Vennen, and Richard Middleton (Wipf and Stock, 1996)

📙 Rejoice! Advent in All the Scriptures by Christopher Wright and John Stott (InterVarsity Press, 2019)

📙 Watch for the Light: Readings for Advent and Christmas by various authors (Plough Publishing House, 2001)

📙 Waiting on the Word: A Poem a Day for Advent, Christmas and Epiphany by Malcolm Guite (Canterbury Press, 2015)

📙 A Radiant Birth: Advent Readings for a Bright Season edited by Leslie Leyland Fields and Paul Willis (InterVarsity Press, 2023)

📙 O Come, O Come, Emmanuel: A Liturgy for Daily Worship from Advent to Epiphany by Jonathan Gibson (Crossway, 2023)

📙 The First Advent in Palestine by Kelley Nikondeha (Broadleaf Books, 2020)

📙 All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings by Gayle Boss (Paraclete Press, 2016)

📙 Glad and Golden Hours: A Companion for Easter and Christmastime by Lanier Ivester and Jennifer Trafton (Rabbit Room Press, 2023)

📙 The Christmas Promise by Alison Mitchell (The Good Book Company, 2014)

📙 Birth of the Chosen One: A First Nations Retelling of the Christmas Story by Terry Wildman (InterVarsity Press, 2021)

📙 The King of Christmas by Todd Haynes (Lexham Press, 2022)

📙 Lullaby for the King by Nikki Grimes (Beaming Books, 2023)

View Details

In today's episode, our host, Daniel Johnson, talks with Justin McRoberts, a musician turned writer who offers profound insights into the creative process and personal development. Justin emphasizes focusing on desires over pre-determined talents and the significance of self-discovery along the journey. For creatives feeling stuck, he suggests reflecting on the root cause and considering a break to reignite joy and willpower. He delves into the importance of dreaming without the immediate weight of responsibility, suggesting practices like Sabbath-keeping to foster this space. Throughout the conversation, they explore how failure can be vital to growth, challenging the efficiency-driven industrial systems in favor of personal development.

🔗 Links to Justin McRoberts' work:

https://www.justinmcroberts.com/

🖥️ Watch this episode on YouTube

https://youtu.be/o0y1IORGne0

View Details

In this episode of the Upwards Podcast, Dan Hummel engages with Michael Wear, founder of the Center for Christianity and Public Life, to discuss his book, The Spirit of Our Politics. They explore the intersection of Christian faith and politics, the influence of Dallas Willard on Wear's thinking, and the challenges Christians face in today's political landscape. The conversation emphasizes the importance of spiritual formation, community, and practical engagement in politics, especially in the context of the upcoming 2024 elections.

🔗 Links to Michael Wear's books

📙 The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life

https://www.christianbook.com/spirit-politics-spiritual-formation-renovation-public/9780310367192/pd/367191?event=ESRCG%7CPSEN

📕 Reclaiming Hope: Lessons Learned in the Obama White House About the Future of Faith in America

https://faithgateway.com/products/reclaiming-hope-lessons-learned-in-the-obama-white-house-about-the-future-of-faith-in-america-1?variant=33623767908488

View Details

In this conversation, host Dan Hummel discusses with Daniel K. Williams' book The Politics of the Cross: A Christian Alternative to Partisanship and explores the intersection of history, politics, and religion. He shares his background and interest in history, the misconceptions about Christians and politics, and the historical roots of the Democratic and Republican parties. Williams argues that the Democratic Party has deep roots in secularized liberal Protestantism, with a focus on equality and caring for the marginalized. On the other hand, the Republican Party emerged from Protestant moralism, emphasizing frugality, hard work, and opposition to the sexual revolution. He also discusses how these historical perspectives shape the parties today. In this conversation, Dan Hummel and Daniel Williams discuss the relationship between politics and Christianity, particularly within the context of the United States. They explore the historical influence of Protestant moralism on American politics and the role of evangelicals in the Republican Party. They also examine the impact of the Trump era on evangelical politics, noting both continuities and changes. The conversation delves into the division and polarization within churches over political issues, emphasizing the need for Christians to adopt a cross-centered ethic and approach politics with discernment and charity. The book 'Politics of the Cross' is discussed, with a focus on the chapters addressing abortion, same-sex marriage, race, and economics. The conversation concludes with reflections on the current political landscape and advice for Christians navigating the complexities of voting and engaging in politics.

🖥️ Watch this episode on YouTube

https://youtu.be/0u_5WGc3Jvw

View Details

In this conversation, host John Terrill interviews Ed Ollie, Jr. Ed, a senior leader with appointments in campus ministry, churches, and the marketplace. He discusses the distinction between leadership and management, noting that influential leaders focus on inspiring and accomplishing results, while managers address complexity and follow strategic plans. Ed also reflects on his formative experiences growing up in a close-knit family and a supportive church community. He shares insights on leadership in crisis situations, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing family, maintaining clarity in vision, asking good questions, and seeking restoration and redemption. Ed and John discuss the challenges of transparency and accountability in the church and the importance of addressing failure and its purpose in personal and communal life. They also explore the characteristics of a healthy organizational culture and the need for leaders to lean into the process of diversity and multiculturalism. Ed shares his hope for the next generation of Christian leaders and emphasizes the importance of mentoring and empowering young people.

👨‍🏫 John references Ed's visit to Upper House this summer, where he moderated a conversation with John Inazu.

https://youtu.be/8q6XaZwRKlE

🖥️ Watch this podcast episode on YouTube

https://youtu.be/x6hO2-dIMwQ

View Details

In this conversation, host Dan Hummel sits down with author Daniel Silliman to discuss his new book, One Lost Soul: Richard Nixon's Search for Salvation, which explores the religious and spiritual life of Richard Nixon. Silliman explains what drew him to Nixon as a subject and how he approached researching a well-known figure like Nixon. They also discuss Nixon's upbringing as a Quaker and the influence of his parents on his work ethic and sense of self. Silliman highlights the significance of Nixon's presidency and his ultimate downfall in the Watergate scandal. They also explore Nixon's relationship with Billy Graham and his role in the Watergate scandal. Silliman emphasizes the importance of understanding Nixon's spiritual struggles and the complexity of his character.

🖥️ Watch on YouTube

https://youtu.be/Syxpc60hMs8

🔗 to the previous conversation on The UpWords Podcast

https://player.captivate.fm/episode/e983f17a-9932-4d77-99ce-4798e78a5a0c/

View Details

In this conversation, host Daniel Johnson and guest Byron Borger from Hearts and Minds bookstore discuss various topics, including reading in different seasons, the church calendar, and the role of reading in the life of a Christian. Byron recommends several books on topics such as education, creation care, and politics. The conversation provides insights and recommendations for readers who are interested in these subjects. This conversation explores the intersection of literature, theology, and culture.

We encourage you to purchase your books from Hearts and Minds bookstore!

https://www.heartsandmindsbooks.com

🖥️ Watch this episode on YouTube.

https://youtu.be/qFrhajVGqg8

📕 Books mentioned in this podcast (in order)

The Flourishing Teacher: Vocational Renewal for a Sacred Profession by Christina Bieber Lake (IV Press, 2024)

https://www.ivpress.com/the-flourishing-teacher

Habits of Hope: Educational Practices for a Weary World

Edited by Todd C. Ream, Jerry Pattengale, and Christopher J. Devers (IV Press, 2024)

https://www.ivpress.com/habits-of-hope

Dreaming Dreams for Christian Higher Education by David Guthrie (Fall City Press, 2020)

https://www.fallscitypress.com/product-page/dreaming-dreams

Refugia Faith: Seeking Hidden Shelters, Ordinary Wonders, and the Healing of the Earth by Debra Rienstra (fortress press, 2024)

https://www.fortresspress.com/store/product/9781506473796/Refugia-Faith

Reconciliation in a Michigan Watershed: Restoring Ken-O-Sha by Gail Gunst Heffner and David P. Warners (Michigan State University Press, 2024)

https://msupress.org/9781611864939/reconciliation-in-a-michigan-watershed/

Political Visions & Illusions: A Survey & Christian Critique of Contemporary Ideologies by David T. Koyzis (IV Press, 2019)

https://www.ivpress.com/political-visions-illusions

Citizenship Without Illusions: A Christian Guide to Political Engagement by David T. Koyzis (IV Press, 2024)

https://www.ivpress.com/citizenship-without-illusions

The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life by Michael R. Wear (Zondervan, 2024)

https://faithgateway.com/products/the-spirit-of-our-politics-spiritual-formation-and-the-renovation-of-public-life?variant=41231575941256

Truth Over Tribe: Pledging Allegiance to the Lamb, Not the Donkey or the Elephant Paperback by Patrick Keith Miller and Keith Simon (David C Cook, 2022)

https://choosetruthovertribe.com/book

Democracy and Solidarity: On the Cultural Roots of America's Political Crisis by James Davison Hunter (Yale University Press, 2024)

https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300274370/democracy-and-solidarity/

Cosmic Connections: Poetry in the Age of Disenchantment by Charles Taylor (Harvard University Press, 2024)

https://www.hup.harvard.edu/books/9780674296084

The Drama of Scripture, 3rd Edition: Finding Our Place in the Biblical Story by Craig G. Bartholomew and Michael W. Goheen (Baker Academic, 2024)

https://bakeracademic.com/p/The-Drama-of-Scripture-Craig-G-Bartholomew/553610

Another Day: Sabbath Poems 2013-2023 by Wendell Berry (Counterpoint Press, 2024)

https://www.counterpointpress.com/books/another-day-2/

The Road to Wisdom: On Truth, Science, Faith, and Trust by Francis S. Collins (Little, Brown and Company, 2024)

https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/francis-s-collins/the-road-to-wisdom/9780316576338/?lens=little-brown

Tech Agnostic: How Technology Became the World's Most Powerful Religion, and Why It Desperately Needs a Reformation by Greg Epstein (MIT Press, 2024)

https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262049207/tech-agnostic/

Engaging Jesus with Our Senses: An Embodied Approach to the Gospels by Jeannine Marie Hanger (Baker Publishing Group, 2024)

http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/engaging-jesus-with-our-senses/417151

View Details

In this episode, host John Terrill has a conversation with Michaela O'Donnell and Lisa Pratt Slayton about their new book, Life in Flux: Navigational Skills to Guide and Ground You in an Ever-Changing World. We explored how internal and external reactions are crucial in effective leadership and the importance of profound inner work.

Here are three key takeaways:

🔑 Embrace Pain and Failure: True growth often comes from experiencing pain, grief, and failure. Acknowledging these elements and allowing oneself to learn from mistakes is essential for developing resilience and wisdom in leadership.

🔑 Prioritize Inner Work: Effective leaders don’t just react to change; they engage deeply with their inner selves. This introspection allows for navigating transitions with humility, confidence, and a willingness to be wrong, as emphasized by Edwin Friedman's work.

🔑 Value Community and Rest: Transitioning successfully means recognizing the need for community support and the importance of rest. Michaela O'Donnell's insights on Sabbath as a form of resistance highlight how rest helps leaders resist the rush, foster creativity, and maintain well-being amidst change.

This episode is a powerful exploration of what it means to lead with authenticity and courage in today's fast-paced world. Don't miss out on this inspiring discussion—tune in to the UpWords podcast and embark on your journey of becoming a more grounded and effective leader.

📙link = http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/life-in-flux/408950

Other 🔗's

https://michaelaodonnell.com

https://thehxcollective.com/speaker/lisa-slayton/

View Details

In this conversation, host Dan Hummel and Rebecca DeYoung, a professor of philosophy at Calvin University, discuss her background in philosophy and ethics, as well as her focus on virtue ethics and character formation. They dig deep into the relationship between modern psychology and sanctification, the challenges of translating between different disciplines, and the importance of ethics education. They also explore the benefits of looking beyond the Bible for wisdom on ethics and the legacy of Dallas Willard in conversations about sanctification and ethics. Rebecca emphasizes the need for character transformation and the integration of philosophy, theology, and spirituality to pursue a robust Christian life.

📖 Read more about Rebecca DeYoung = https://calvin.edu/people/rebecca-konyndyk-deyoung

🔗 To the = Dallas A. Willard Lecture: Making Sense of Your (Whole) Moral Self on October 4 @ Upper House https://upperhouse.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/upperhouse/eventRegistration.jsp?event=264&

View Details

In this episode, our host, Dan Hummel, talks with Paul Putz, the director of the Faith and Sports Institute at Baylor University's Truett Theological Seminary, and discusses the intersection of faith and sports from a historical perspective. He shares his personal interest in sports and how it led him to study the topic academically. Paul highlights the cultural significance of sports and the narratives they create. He also discusses the role of sports in shaping identity and community. Paul emphasizes the importance of meeting students where they are in their love for sports while also introducing them to a historical perspective. In this conversation, Paul Putz discusses the intersection of sports and Christianity, focusing on sports' historical and cultural context. He emphasizes contextualizing texts and understanding the cultural meaning of sports events and narratives.

🖥️ YouTube link =

🔗 for Paul's new book = https://www.paulemoryputz.com/

View Details

In this engaging conversation, Rachel Pieh Jones and Susan Smetzer-Anderson share their insights on the challenges and lessons learned from living in a cross-cultural context. They delve into topics such as cultural divisions, finding a church community in Djibouti, serving the poor, and the discomfort of returning to one's home country. Rachel's personal stories and reflections underscore the importance of being present with others, fostering a sense of connection and engagement. The conversation underscores the need to recognize and embrace diversity, both in our local communities and in our global perspective.

🔗 Links to episode one:

YouTube = https://youtu.be/lrp6LuR056M?si=e2dCJTYSsxzUTPQd

Apple podcasts = https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-upwords-podcast/id1537044590?i=1000655399036

Spotify = https://open.spotify.com/episode/0H8OOco9Wo7T69Xh1df2rO?si=13dae89c52c842bb

🖥️ View this episode on YouTube

https://youtu.be/AjbF0r0bijc

📙 Get Rachel’s books:

https://rachelpiehjones.com/books/

⛪️ Connect with Upper House

https://www.upperhouse.org

https://www.facebook.com/upperhouseUW

https://www.instagram.com/upperhouseuw/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/upper-house-uw

View Details

In this episode, host Dan Hummel, sits down with Vincent Bacote, Professor of Theology and Director of Wheaton College’s Center for Applied Christian Ethics in Wheaton, Illinois. Bacote is the lead for The Black Evangelical Oral History Project, a documentary film that aims to tell the story of black evangelicalism in the United States. The project originated from an event at Fuller Seminary in 2008, where the idea of capturing the history of black evangelicalism through oral interviews was conceived. The documentary features interviews with various black evangelical leaders, highlighting their experiences and perspectives within the evangelical movement. The film explores themes such as the in-between space of black evangelicalism, the challenges of racial reconciliation, and the global nature of evangelicalism. A key goal of the project is to invite more stories, fostering a sense of community and encouraging audience participation. The project aims to provide a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of black evangelicalism and its significance within the larger evangelical movement.

🖥️ Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/ZeYeGqlEd28

View Details

In this episode, host Daniel Johnson talks with John Dyer, who holds two positions at Dallas Theological Seminary: Vice President for Enrollment and Educational Technology and an assistant professor of Theological Studies. They discuss media ecology and its impact on society, particularly on technology and the church. John explores the influence of media on our environment, history, and individual behavior. Dyer also delves into the effects of media consumption on spiritual growth and the challenges of online church.

John Dyer's website = https://j.hn/

📖 Check out John Dyer's books:

➡️ From the Garden to the City: The Place of Technology in the Story of God Revised Addition (Kregel Publications, 2022) https://a.co/d/00E30HKX

➡️ People of the Screen: How Evangelicals Created the Digital Bible and How It Shapes Their Reading of Scripture (Oxford University Press, 2022) https://a.co/d/07vU8bNp

View Details

What is on your summer reading list? In this episode, host Susan Smetzer-Anderson has a conversation with Byron Borger, owner of Hearts and Minds Bookstore. They discuss the importance of books and reading in shaping our imagination, empathy, and faith. Byron shares insights on the power of narratives and the impact of literature on our spiritual growth and understanding of the world. He also recommends books that offer guidance on reading thoughtfully and spiritually, emphasizing the transformative nature of literature. The conversation delves into the power of narrative, the practice of deep reading, and the impact of technology on reading habits. It also explores the themes of hospitality, vocation, and the purpose of education.

Order your books through the Hearts and Minds bookstore = https://www.heartsandmindsbooks.com

📖 Books mentioned in the podcast:

• Imagining Our Neighbors as Ourselves: How Art Shapes Empathyby Mary W. McCampbell (Fortress Press, 2022)
• The Scandal of Holiness: Renewing Your Imagination in the Company of Literary Saintsby Jessica Hooten Wilson (Brazos Press, 2022)
• Reading for the Love of God: How to Read as a Spiritual Practiceby Jessica Hooten Wilson (Brazos Press, 2023)
• Nourishing Narratives: The Power of Story to Shape OurFaithby Jennifer L. Holberg (IVP Academic)
• Deep Reading: Practices to Subvert the Vices of Our Distracted, Hostile, and Consumeristic Ageby Rachel B. Griffis, Julie Ooms, Rachel M. De Smith Roberts (Baker Academic, 2024)
• Beauty Is Oxygen: Finding a Faith That Breathesby Wesley Vander Lugt (Eerdmans, 2024)
• Visions of Vocation: Common Grace for the Common Goodby Steven Garber (IVP, 2014)
• The Beautiful Madness of Martin Bonham: A Tale About Loving God by Robert Hudson (Self Published, 2023)

🎙️Byron’s podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/three-books-for-hearts-and-minds-podcast/id1718813591

View Details

Welcome to this special episode of The UpWords podcast! In today's episode, we will relive some of the moments from our events and podcasts and answer the question of what it means to be a good neighbor.

Journey with me as we relive the moments that shaped our semester of ministry and discuss what it means to Love your neighbor as yourself. This is one of Jesus's most well-known teachings. But it begs the question, who is my neighbor?

List of the podcasts and events in order of appearance (audio and video links):

From Orphanage to Family: A Vision for Child Welfare | Julie Bolos

🎤

🎥

View Details

In this episode, host Susan Smetzer-Anderson has a conversation with author Rachel Pieh Jones. writes about life at the crossroads of faith and culture. Her work is influenced by living as a foreigner in the Horn of Africa, raising three Third Culture Kids, and adventurous exploration of the natural world. She has written for the New York Times, Runners World, Deadspin, the Big Roundtable, and more. Learn more at www.djiboutijones.com.

Pillars: How Muslim Friends Led Me Closer to Jesus

📕 link = https://a.co/d/e51Lyw0

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/lrp6LuR056M

View Details

In this episode, host Dan Hummel, sits down with Nadya Williams. She has spent 15 years teaching Classics and Ancient History at secular state universities before walking away in summer 2023. She is the author of Cultural Christians in the Early Church (Zondervan Academic, 2023) and Mothers, Children, and the Body Politic: Ancient Christianity and the Recovery of Human Dignity (under contract, IVP Academic). She is a Book Review Editor at Current, where she also editsThe Arenablog. We explore the third-century Christian persecutions, the explosive growth of Christianity, and its profound impact on Roman society. Nadya sheds light on the intersection of ancient traditions and the challenges modern Christians face, showing us the timeless struggle with cultural sins.

Learn more about Nadya's book: https://a.co/d/hHHO768

View this podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VwUoA1yTrNs

View Details

In this episode, host Daniel Johnson sits down with Ross Chapman (Denver Institute for Faith and Work) and Ryan Tafilowski (Denver Seminary) to discuss their new book, Faithful Work: In the Daily Grind with God and for Others. Ross and Ryan show how work is a way to love God, serve our neighbors, and demonstrate the gospel. With a broader understanding of God's work in the world, we are able to engage our daily work as part of how God makes all things new.

Chapters:

03:31 Book emphasizes living as a Christian worker.

09:16 Recruited by the local business owner, developed a love for the city.

11:58 Felt compelled to navigate faith and work.

13:41 Faith at work movement reacts against evangelicalism.

16:54 Favorable chapter discusses two vs four-part gospel.

20:05 Church mission: conversion and participation in transformation.

24:26 Christians can bring redemption beyond sharing faith.

29:19 Finding purpose in Christian calling beyond career.

31:57 Values of work and vocation: God in us.

34:10 Daily tasks provide an invitation to God's love.

38:42 Finding rest and delight in work life.

41:20 Mutual intimidation, humble collaboration, and the ecosystem.

45:59 "Workplace diversity crucial for collaboration and understanding."

47:27 COVID revealed a reevaluation of the relationship to work.

49:58 Expresses gratitude for the invitation.

View Details

Our host, Dan Hummel, raises the conversation on faith, pop culture, and storytelling in our modern world and media. In this episode, they explore the relationship between Christianity and pop culture with our honored guest, John Anthony Dunne, associate professor of Biblical and Theological Studies at Bethel University and a thought leader on integrating theology with pop culture narratives. John offers a unique take on how Christians should navigate the vast expanse of media, ranging from Hollywood to horror and everything in between.

===========

🔗 Links

===========

https://www.bethel.edu/academics/faculty/john-dunne

https://www.thetwocities.com

View Details

In this episode, our host, Susan Smetzer-Anderson, speaks with Aaron White, a pastor from Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, about the transformative potential of true kinship and the profound possibilities of living out the Beatitudes and connecting with the marginalized. Aaron relentlessly advocates for building relationships across boundaries (such as economics) that often keep people in silos—dislocated and disconnected. But building genuine relationships can be a game-changer in the lives of individuals and communities. Please tune in to this vital conversation and join us in relearning the power of genuine connection and honest hospitality. You can also glean more of Aaron’s insights through tuning into his tcaptalk at the 2024 Kingdom Justice Summit.

=======

Links:

=======

⛪️ Aaron's work = https://www.missioncentral.ca/profile/aaron-white

📗 = http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/recovering/393810

🏫 Course = https://infinitumlife.teachable.com/p/creative-way-down-surrender

View Details

In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Daniel Johnson, has an engaging conversation with Jim Stump, Vice President of Programs at BioLogos. They discuss the importance of bridging the gap between science and faith, and how churches can engage with science to prevent conflicts that drive youth away. Don't miss their insightful conversation on technology's impact on relationships and the importance of gracious dialogue. We explore the themes of Jim's new book, The Sacred Chain: How Understanding Evolutions Leads to Deeper Faith (HarperOne 2024). Plus, they delve into topics like creation care, justice issues, and the balance between scientific evidence and religious beliefs.

🔗 Links

BioLogos Website

Loving My Neighbor in a Technological World Article Online

The Sacred Chain: How Understanding Evolution Leads to Deeper Faith(HarperOne, 2024) https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-sacred-chain-james-stump?variant=41080666587170

View Details

This episode of The UpWords Podcast brings insightful perspectives on faith, society, and history to light. In today's episode, host Dan Hummel engages in a thoughtful conversation with distinguished professor Janine Giordano Drake, Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of History at Indiana University.

We dive deep into the roots of American Christianity's engagement with social and labor issues. Janine brings her expertise in US labor, working-class history, and American religious history to explore the complex interplay between faith and the fight for social justice in the early 20th century.

We'll uncover the surprising cohesion between Roman Catholics, the social gospel movement, and Protestants as they navigated the intersections of Christianity with capitalism, advocating for unions, fair wages, and the end of child labor. Our journey includes a look into the past with the socialist ideals thriving in working-class churches, challenging the mainstream Protestant denominates, and shifting the landscape of labor movements.

Our discussion takes a turn towards the impact of such dynamics during the tumultuous era of World War I and the Great Steel Strike of 1919, drawing parallels that resonate with social movements a century later. As we peel back the layers of history, Janine not only educates us on the conservative stance of the social gospel compared to the grassroots movements of the time but also reflects on the contemporary Christian community's engagement with similar debates.

So, whether you're a history buff, a seeker of spiritual depth, or someone interested in the social threads that knit our society together, this episode promises insights and revelations. We explore the tangible effects of historical conflicts on today's faith and labor conversations and consider whether we can still see the imprint of these early 20th-century struggles in our present day.

Join us as we journey through time with Janine Giordano Drake, unraveling the story of how the social gospel moved beyond church walls and into the world of labor and social reform.

Check out Janine Giordano Drake’s book, The Gospel of Church: How Mainline Protestants Vilified Christian Socialism and Fractured the Labor Movement = https://global.oup.com/academic/product/the-gospel-of-church-9780197614303?cc=us⟨=en&

View Details

In this fresh UpWords conversation with Steve Cook—President of Workplace Chaplaincy Foundation, Inc. and Executive Director of Operations at Marketplace Chaplains—we learn how workplace chaplains can powerfully influence the stability and wellbeing of workplaces.

Steve’s 40 years of experience speak to questions that often weigh on marketplace professionals and pastors: What does a corporate chaplain actually do? How might faith, empathy, and corporate responsibility intersect and benefit both employees and business? What goes into building a corporate culture that elevates compassion, ethics, and trust?

Tune in for Steve’s answers, and look below for some of his guiding principles.

Link to the St. Martin of Tours story (see page 5): http://www.preciousheart.net/chaplaincy/Chaplain-Etymology.pdf

Principles for Chaplains, “good Samaritans,” and “good neighbors” to follow:

1. Bathe in prayer
2. Be available
3. Do some life together
4. Be patient and be faithful
5. Wait to be invited in
6. Rely on the Holy Spirit
7. Watch God at work!

View Details

In this powerful episode with Julie Bolos, we dove deep into the heart of caring for vulnerable children. Julie shared her invaluable experience from New Hope Peru to the Christian Alliance for Orphans, highlighting the urgent need for family-based care over institutional settings. We discussed the profound impact of trauma on a child's development and the importance of personal connection and individualized care. Our heartfelt conversation also touched on the transformative role of community and church support in building robust family environments for these children. It's clear that together, we can foster a world where every child finds the love and nurturing they need to thrive. Thank you for joining us on this journey to make a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable.

Julie Bolos is a compassionate advocate for the welfare of children in care systems. Her insights into the dynamics between paid caregivers and the children they look after have cemented her reputation as a keen observer and an empathetic voice for the voiceless. Julie understands the delicate emotional balance required in these relationships, recognizing the children's acute awareness of the transactional nature of professional caregiving.

Throughout her career, Julie has unwaveringly pointed out the psychological impact on children who learn to suppress their emotions and negative behaviors to meet the expectations of a system that often rewards compliance over genuine well-being. She passionately argues that every child's needs are unique and require tailored solutions that acknowledge their individuality. Bolos's advocacy work emphasizes the creation of environments where children feel genuinely cared for and allowed to express themselves fully rather than merely adapting to the implicit norms of institutionalized care.

Julie's mission is propelled by a deep understanding of the emotional complexities involved in care systems, and she tirelessly works towards reforms that prioritize each child's individual needs, advocating for a world where their emotional health and personal growth are placed at the forefront of caregiving practices.

Links

• Christian Alliance for Orphans = https://cafo.org/
• New Hope Peru = https://donate.newhopeperu.org

View Details

Today, we're embarking on a fascinating journey through time, text, and technology with our guest, Brent Seales, is the Gill Professor and Chair of the Computer Science Department at the University of Kentucky, as well as Principal Investigator for the Digital Restoration Initiative, funded in part by a major grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Brent, a visionary in the intersecting worlds of computer science and digital imaging, will take us through the transformative power of digitizing historical texts. Together, we'll delve into the seismic shifts in teaching and career paths brought on by the pervasive reach of computer science into every conceivable field.

Yet, as we embrace the advancements of the digital age, Brent doesn't shy away from addressing its darker side—particularly the tangible consequences that rapid tech adoption can have on society's younger generation via social media's expansive influence.

We explore Brent's unique trajectory from a music student to a luminary in computer science—a journey shaped by the orchestral strands of a music teacher's advice and the reverberating chords of curiosity and faith. We'll uncover how his work at the University of Kentucky intersects with unlocking the secrets of ancient artifacts and contributes to our collective understanding of cultural heritage.

From discussions on AI's ethical quandaries to the evocative narratives of science fiction that mirror our technological quests, Brent's insights promise to both challenge and inspire.

So tune in as we unravel the threads of Brent Seales' story—a tapestry woven from the codes of the past and the pixels of the future—right here on the UpWords podcast.

View Details

In this engaging conversation, Scott challenges us to think about our obsession with the afterlife and invites us to trust in grace, as matters of birth, death, and rebirth are beyond our control. We'll uncover the richness of Jesus's narrative, exploring how the Christmas season isn't just about the commerce that clamors for our attention, but a time to ponder the profound meaning of Jesus’s birth.

Scott shares insights from his art, which strays from the trodden path of traditional Christmas illustrations while reflecting on the deeply spiritual encounter with the biological miracle of childbirth. Through his work, Scott seeks to bridge the distance between our societal aversion to vulnerability and the need to embrace our tender hearts for deep understanding.

Together, we'll unpack why Jesus’s embodiment as a human requires us not only to reflect but also to engage physically through practices like pilgrimage. Scott's transformative art and stories urge us to consider Jesus's incarnation not just as a historical event, but as an ever-present reality. And as Scott will reveal, our journey with Christ also means apprenticeship to our own mortality.

View this episode on YouTube = https://youtu.be/OuDt1bvm_oA

Scott Erickson is an artist, author, performance speaker, and creative curator who mixes autobiography, mythology, and aesthetics to create art and moments that speak to our most profound experiences.

Using his passion and commitment to craft, Scott has been a working artist for over a decade and has had his work appear on CNN, National Geographic, and various magazines, newspaper outlets, and book covers.

He is the co-author of Prayer: Forty Days of PracticeandMay It Be So, the author of Honest Advent and Say Yes.

View Details

In this episode, Susan has a conversation with Marjorie Thompson, ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church USA and former research fellow at Yale Divinity School, where she worked with Henry Nowan. According to estimates from the National Alliance for Caregiving, 65.7 million Americans (or 29% of the adult U.S. adult population) served as caregivers during the past year. Marjorie's wisdom and insights go beyond those who are caregivers.

Marjorie Thompson has charted an unconventional path within her career, guided not by the traditional role of parish ministry but by a profound calling toward retreat work, teaching, and writing in the field of spiritual formation. Her journey commenced in Connecticut, where she initially served in a parish for four years, an experience that no doubt laid important groundwork for her later endeavors.

Seeking a deeper, more personal vocation, Marjorie and her husband bid farewell to his Connecticut roots, setting a new course for Nashville. It was here that Marjorie truly began carving out her niche, focusing on the transformative aspects of retreats and education in spirituality. She credits much of her insight into spiritual formation to the influential mentorship of Henry Nowan, who played a pivotal role in shaping her perspective and approach in this domain.

Marjorie's story is one of listening to her inner voice and having the courage to pursue her true calling, resulting in a ministry of a different kind—a testament to the varied and personal journeys that those called to serve may take.

Send your questions and feedback to Podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

00:00 "Caregiver conversation with Marjorie Thompson, ordained minister"

06:18 Mother and stepdad needed care; building new home.

09:53 Physical challenges of caregiving for elderly and disabled.

11:25 Grateful for shared strength in caregiving challenges.

14:40 Feeling divine strength in moments of need.

18:22 Calmly explaining fire after her misinterpretation.

21:58 Caring for husband with Parkinson's, finding appreciation.

24:37 Appreciation, care, and recognition in changing relationships.

28:56 Beautiful story inspires empathy and self-reflection.

31:44 Caring and compassion: entering into others' suffering.

36:47 Deacons support community for disabled man.

40:18 Insight into parents dealing with medical issues.

41:20 Finding strength through caregiving in difficult times.

46:35 Carry God's presence, bless and love others.

48:39 Grounding through touch, breath, and simple actions.

54:36 Admit needs, be there, ask for help.

56:01 Grateful for support and caregiving resources available.

View Details

Today, we're thrilled to have esteemed guest J. Richard Middleton. We dive into an engaging exploration of the Biblical stories of Abraham and Isaac. We'll delve into the complexities of silence in these narratives, question the traditional interpretations of obedience and love for God, and look at the intergenerational effects on Jacob's family. In this episode, we'll carefully untangle the controversial aspects of Abraham's sacrifice and the consequences of his decisions. We will also discuss the concept of a 'happily-ever-after,' hinting at the tragic aftermath of these iconic narratives. Exploring the practical methodology of lamentation in Biblical texts and the role of expressing one's grief and suffering, we'll identify how we can learn from these Biblical figures' lives and experiences. Finally, let’s venture into a discussion on the silence of God in the Bible, its implication in our relationships, and how it impacts our sense of faith.

J. Richard Middleton is a professor of Biblical Worldview and Exegesis at Northeastern Seminary and an adjunct professor of Theology at Roberts Wesleyan College, both in Rochester, New York. He is widely published in religious journals and is the author of four books, including Abraham’s Silence: The Binding of Isaac, the Suffering of Job, and How to Talk Back to God, and A New Heaven and a New Earth: Reclaiming Biblical Eschatology.

00:00 Struggle with silence brings unexpected amusement.

07:28 Father and son head to sacrifice, and the angel intervenes.

14:02 Abraham's faith was tested, and love for his son was questioned.

19:24 Abraham believes God will provide sacrifice.

25:35 Abraham's journey from paganism to faith.

29:55 Abraham fails the test, new test: son sacrificed.

36:23 Servant finds wife, Isaac deceived, blessings given.

40:07 Genesis 18's misunderstood invitation leads to change.

48:17 Psalm 32: acknowledgment of sin, physical waste.

52:00 Various lament psalms serve as confessions of sin in our church.

56:02 Silence toward God affects life's moral implications.

01:02:35 Why harm him? Is your promise forgotten?

01:04:54 God affirms servant, desires mercy and knowledge.

View Details

In this episode, we navigated the tension-filled landscape of politics and faith, discussing the church's role and its interaction with government while maintaining the principle of collective good. Ron Sanders, is an Affiliate Assistant Professor of Christian Ethics at Fuller Theological Seminary. His field of research is the intersection of religion and public policy—especially the relationship between the Christian Tradition and the Democratic Tradition in America. Ron provided some crucial insights on nonpartisan participation, the role of our educational institutions, and how to approach politics as Christians. He also shared some remarkable facts about his journey to understanding Christianity's place in politics. Listen now to dissect the prophetic politics of faith, only on The UpWords podcast.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

00:00:38 Intro

00:05:24 Israel is a light to other nations.

00:06:54 God's covenant, church's global witness, Christianity and democracy.

00:10:54 Christians seeking prophetic distance from political parties.

00:15:31 Community collaboration to address societal challenges effectively.

00:17:58 Church involvement in politics for informed decision-making.

00:21:18 Lack of nonpartisan participation in politics explained.

00:27:45 Gen Z, takes an active and informed role in politics.

00:31:22 University officials help students navigate societal issues.

Credits: Music by The David Roy Collective, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

We welcome visual artist Marianne Lettieri to the podcast to share her passion for taking old or broken things and transforming them into beautiful works of art. She holds an MFA in Spatial Arts from San Jose State University and a BFA in Drawing and Printmaking from the University of Florida. Numerous books and art journals have featured her work, including Placemaking and the Arts by Jennifer Allen Craft.

We hosted Marianne here at Upper House on October 21st for a lecture and collage workshop where she shared more about her heart for taking old things and making them beautiful. Please subscribe to our YouTube channel @UpperHouseUW to see this video when it drops, as well as many others you may enjoy.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: Music by The David Roy Collective, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Join us in welcoming our newest staff member, Brian Beatty! We're excited to introduce Brian, our Director of Marketing, to the Upper House community in this conversation with Dan.

Before joining Upper House, Brian served at evangelical churches and schools as a communications or creative arts director and has also been a production director and audio producer for advertising agencies and parachurch organizations. A unique highlight of his career was when he and his family spent five years living in Seoul, South Korea, while working at an international school comprised of students from over 65 nations.

Brian grew up in New Jersey and earned a degree in communications from Messiah College (now Messiah University). He and his wife Kirstan are the proud parents of their daughter Davis, son Webb, and M.J. the Aussiedoodle. In his free time, Brian enjoys playing pickleball, discovering new restaurants, and perfecting his favorite Shakshuka recipe.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at ⁠⁠podcast@slbrownfoundation.org⁠⁠.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

We welcome Aubrey Buster, Associate Professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College. As a passionate teacher and scholar, she brings us her love of understanding God's story shared in scripture, its complexities, and exploring the challenging concepts and narratives we sometimes face in the text.

Aubrey earned her Ph.D. from Emory University, where she was a recipient of the George W. Woodruff Fellowship; her MA in Biblical Exegesis from Wheaton College; and a BM in Voice with Elective studies in English Literature, also from Wheaton College. She is the author of Remembering the Story of Israel: Historical Summaries and Memory Formation in Second Temple Judaism.

We are hosting Aubrey at Upper House as part of our lecture series on Friday, October 6th from 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm where she will be exploring Why the Old Testament is so Difficult to Read.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

We welcome Daniel Sillman, news editor at Christianity Today, who is known for obituaries and breaking major news stories. He also occasionally edits our own Dan Hummel's articles for Christianity Today.

Daniel Silliman has been the news editor for Christianity Today since 2019 and is the author of “Reading Evangelicals: How Christian Fiction Shaped a Culture and a Faith.” Before starting at CT, Daniel spent several years as a crime reporter outside Atlanta. He has a PhD in American Studies from Heidelberg University.

For more UpWords on the topic of journalism & faith, check out the episode we did a few months ago with Bob Smietana.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Finding a faith community on campus can be difficult, especially at the start of a new academic year. Today’s guest has helped generations of faculty and graduate students to do just that the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Jon Dahl, an InterVarsity campus minister and a board member of the Stephen and Laurel Brown Foundation, has been working on campus for 30 years to foster Christian community and encourage the integration of academic study and Christian faith. In this episode, he shares his story, theology of ministry, and advice to incoming students.  

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@slbrownfoundation.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Dan talks with Dr. Chris Ganski, pastor of City Reformed Church in Milwaukee, about the Reformed tradition and its contributions to Christian thought and practice.

This is the second conversation in our series on Christian traditions, with the aim of growing in understanding and shared vision for the Christian presence on the UW campus and in Madison. We launched a few months ago with “Anglicanism,” talking to Father Scott Cunningham of Christ Church in Madison.  

Chris Ganski is the founding pastor of City Reformed Church. He earned a PhD in Theology from Marquette University and has an MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@slbrownfoundation.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

At Upper House we are fans of Annie Heathcote, a graphic designer who designs most of our promotional work and imagery. Annie is also this year’s Ms. Wheelchair Wisconsin and an advocate for disability awareness and accessibility in the state.  

Our Senior Writer, Susan Smetzer-Anderson, sits down with Annie to talk about her life, advocacy work, and Upper House’s upcoming event on August 10th: “Accessibility in the Church: An Honest Conversation” where she is a keynote speaker. Check out upperhouse.org/events to register. 

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@slbrownfoundation.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

We are very excited to share a new podcast from Upper House that we have gotten rave reviews on. We hope you'll check out With Faith In Mind, an issues-based podcast running now in its first season, "Christian Education at the Crossroads." Please give it a listen and subscribe today!

View Details

In Upper House’s newest podcast, called With Faith in Mind (and please check it out and subscribe if you haven’t already), Dan sat down with the Executive Director of the American Scientific Affiliation, Janel Curry to talk about her work in the context of our series, “Christian Education at the Crossroads.”  

In our conversation off-mic, Janel shared about a passion project she’s been working on: the history of women in the ASA. Our producer, Jesse Koopman, was intrigued and invited her to share in another conversation about it here.  

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@slbrownfoundation.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

At our Let The Art Speak conference we welcomed a poet and a visual artist to talk about, “The Land.” This is a topic that today’s guest, poet & teacher Kissy Kludt has a profound passion for. She recently joined Upper Houses’ senior writer, Susan Smetzer-Anderson, for a conversation about the unique way she writes about the land and what it means to her.

Krissy Kludt is a poet, author, and teacher who writes about identity, the land, mystery, divine love, and the passage of time. She’s the creator of Writing the Wild and Field Guides for the Way and the author of A Good Way Through. She guides retreats and workshops on writing, creativity, and nature connection.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@slbrownfoundation.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

We recently interviewed Rodney Hood, Chairman of the ⁠National Credit Union Administration⁠, on his views and hopes for inclusion and belonging in the workplace and the church. 

Rodney E. Hood is the Chairman of the National Credit Union Administration. He’s held that role since 2019. He’s also on the Board of Directors of NeighborWorks America, one of the nation’s largest affordable housing and community development organizations. Rodney has served for decades in both public and private roles in the finance sector.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at ⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@slbrownfoundation.org⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Our own Director of University Engagement, Dan Hummel, joins Director of Continuing Education, Tony Bolos, for a conversation about one the main topics of Dan's recent book: eschatology, or the the study of "last things." We explore some of the history of eschatology in the church and some of the ways to examine this part of Christian theology.  

Dan earned a B.A. and M.A. from Colorado State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He’s the author of  The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism: How the Evangelical Battle Over the End Times Shaped a Nation. His personal website is www.danielghummel.com.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at ⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@slbrownfoundation.org⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Christine Jeske, our first three time guest, join our producer Jesse to talk  about her recent anthropological study on race and racism in the American church.  

Christine is an Associate Professor of Anthropology at Wheaton College. Before joining Wheaton, she spent a decade in microfinance, refugee resettlement, community development, and teaching. She earned all of her degrees, including her PhD in cultural anthropology, from UW-Madison.  

She’s the author of three books including, The Laziness Myth: Narratives of Work and the Good Life in South Africa, which we talked to her about on all the way back on episode eight in February of 2021.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at ⁠⁠⁠podcast@slbrownfoundation.org⁠⁠⁠.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Jesse speaks with artist Joel Sheesly about Joel’s approach to and passion for art, especially art that depicts the everyday things and places we often take for granted.

Joel Sheesley is a painter and professor emeritus at Wheaton College and has had his landscape paintings displayed in galleries across the United States. He recently published a collection of his works in book form entitled A Fox River Testimony.  

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at ⁠⁠⁠podcast@slbrownfoundation.org⁠⁠⁠.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Dan sits down with Father Scott Cunningham of ⁠Christ Church Madison⁠ to learn about the Anglican tradition. Scott is a graduate of Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL) and studied music, literature, and theology. He has served in the Anglican communion in America and England for almost two decades.

This conversation begins a new, intermittent series on UpWords where we explore different faith traditions with the aim of growing in understanding and shared vision for the University of Wisconsin and the city of Madison.

If you have ideas for traditions you'd like to hear us explore, please email us at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at ⁠⁠podcast@slbrownfoundation.org⁠⁠.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Join us in welcoming our newest staff member, Anthony Bolos! We're excited to introduce Tony, our Director of Continuing Education, to the Upper House community in this conversation with Dan.  

Before joining Upper House, Tony served as the Executive Director of New Hope Peru, an organization that serves vulnerable children and families in southern Peru. Prior to that, he was a professor of philosophy at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) covering a range of subjects including Ethics, Philosophy of Science, and epistemology. Tony earned his Master’s and PhD in Philosophy from the University of Edinburgh, an MA in Philosophy of Religion from Denver Seminary, and a BA in Biblical Studies from Crown College. He has published numerous articles and essays in philosophy. 

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at ⁠⁠podcast@slbrownfoundation.org⁠⁠.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Historical context is one of those things that many of us take for granted when reading works written for audiences other than ourselves. The Bible is no exception. To fully understand what God is revealing to us through His Word, we need to understand the context of how the words and deeds were being applied. In this episode, we listen to noted historian Kyle Harper as he speaks to an Upper House audience during our recent Geneva Forum on what life was like in the Roman Empire in the time of Christ.

Kyle Harper is the G.T. and Libby Blankenship Chair in the History of Liberty, Professor of Classics and Letters, and Senior Advisor to the President, all at the University of Oklahoma. Harper has been a Guggenheim Fellow and an Andrew Carnegie Fellow. He’s also a Fractal Fellow at the Santa Fe Institute. He is the author of 4 books including, “The Fate of Rome: Climate, Disease, and the End of an Empire”, which was first published in 2017 and provided a portion of the context for this presentation.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at ⁠podcast@slbrownfoundation.org⁠.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

We recently welcomed Chandra Mallampalli, historian of religion and India, to Upper House. In this conversation we hear about his vocation as a historian and the dynamic history of religion in India, including the growth of Pentecostal Christianity in recent decades. Chandra talks with longtime friend and Upper House’s Fellows Program Director (and fellow historian) Eric Carlsson.

Chandra Mallampalli is the Fletcher Jones Chair of Social Sciences and Professor of History at Westmont College. He received his Ph.D. in South Asian History from the University of Wisconsin–Madison.  He is the author of four books and many scholarly articles. The basis for today's episode is Chandra’s recently released book, South Asia's Christians: Between Hindu and Muslim.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Upper House's Associate Director, Cam Anderson, sits down with his good friend and noted art historian and artist, Wayne Roosa, to have a conversation about what drives them to make art. They offer insights, concepts, and language that help all of us to rethink our own work in new and interesting ways.

Wayne Roosa is a University Professor of Art History Emeritus at Bethel University, as well as Chair of the New York Center for Art and Media Studies. He has written on art and art history, and is a painter with works displayed in galleries all over the country.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Conversations are happening everywhere! Even so, we often struggle to understand the person sitting across from us or to feel understood by them. We exist in a culture where everyone desires conversations and deep relationships, but they’re getting harder and harder to find.

Our guest today, English professor, author, and speaker Heather Holleman, offers a winsome entryway into practicing deeper and more meaningful conversations rooted in seeing all people as created in the image of God. Heather isn’t just a theorist of good conversation, she’s an expert at them herself. We hope you get a sense of her passion for real connection in this episode about her new book, The Six Conversations: Pathways to Connecting in an Age of Isolation and Incivility.

If you're interested in going deeper into today's content, feel free to check out her free resources.

Heather Holleman is an associate teaching professor at Penn State University. She is the author of numerous books on evangelism, communication, and Christian formation.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

It's a flipped episode! Our producer, Jesse Koopman, while normally on the other end of the production desk, sits down with our normal host, Dan Hummel. As one of our two resident historians and Director of University Engagement at Upper House, Dan has been researching UW’s Spiritual History. In this episode, he shares about the rich narratives and compelling figures that he's uncovered, and how they fit into the larger story of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Dan earned a B.A. and M.A. from Colorado State University and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He’s the author of two books on American religious history. The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism: How the Evangelical Battle Over the End Times Shaped a Nation  & Covenant Brothers: Evangelicals, Jews, and U.S.-Israeli Relations.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Dan talks to journalist Ian Johnson about his background, education, and growth into a world-class journalist and observer of modern China. Ian's reporting on China, captured in many articles and books including The Souls of China, offers nuanced insights on the evolution of spirituality in China, including the growth of Christianity, Buddhism, Daoism, and folk religions. We were fortunate enough to host Ian at Upper House last fall in partnership with two UW-Madison centers--the Center for East Asian Studies and the East Asian Legal Studies Center--where he talked about the stunning spiritual revival in China happening today. Watch that event on our Youtube page here.

Ian Johnson is a Pulitzer Prize-winning writer, researcher, and senior fellow for China studies at the Council on Foreign Relations.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

We welcome artist Ned Bustard to the podcast. He sits down with Upper House Associate Director Cam Anderson for an in-depth conversation. They discuss how they both grew up as artists in the church, and about their struggles to discover how their callings fit into their faith commitments and communities.

Ned Bustard is a graphic designer, children’s book illustrator, author, and printmaker. He is the creative director at Square Halo Books. He serves on the boards of the Association of Scholars of Christianity in the History of Art and The Row House, Inc.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Upper House's Senior Writer, Susan Smetzer-Anderson, sits down with Dr. Joy Qualls to talk about Joy’s journey as a university professor, wife, and mother. Susan and Joy  share how the roles they play in their families and at work require them to be attentive to Christ’s call on their lives. 

Joy currently serves as an Associate Professor of Communication Studies and Associate Dean in the Division of Communication at Biola University. In addition to her academic affiliations, Joy serves on a national advisory committee for the Network for Women Ministers, which is part of the General Council of the Assemblies of God. She recently contributed to Power Women - Stories of Motherhood, Faith, and the Academy — the focus of today’s conversation.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Here at Upper House, we read our fair share of news on religion. Recently, Dan Hummel got the opportunity to sit down for a conversation with Bob Smietana, one of the most insightful and distinguished reporters on religion in the country. Bob discusses how he got into the small, tight knit field of religion reporting and what makes it endlessly fascinating for him. Bob was a guest at Upper House to speak about his new book: Reorganized Religion: The Reshaping of the American Church and Why It Matters. You can check out the video of the event on our Youtube page here.

Bob Smietana is an award-winning religion reporter and editor who has spent two decades producing breaking news, data journalism, investigative reporting, profiles, and features for many print outlets. He is currently a national reporter for Religion News Service.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Merry Christmas! In this episode, we explore some of the less discussed sides of the Advent story. Too often we abstract the Incarnation and forget that Christ was born into a time and place with major political, economic, and social strife. Mary and Joseph had to navigate a lot more than an unplanned pregnancy.

Practical theologian, author, and speaker Kelley Nikondeha joins our Director of Technology Dan Johnson for a conversation on her new book “The First Advent in Palestine: Reversals, Resistance, and the Ongoing Complexity of Hope.” We listen in as she talks about the broader context of the world and region that Jesus was born into as well as some of the challenges Mary and Joseph would have faced in that time and place.

Kelley is a theologian and author with a degree from Fuller Theological Seminary. She is a co-director of Communities of Hope, a community development enterprise in Burundi, and also serves as the theologian-in-residence for SheLoves Magazine.

We hope you enjoy this UpWords conversation and the rest of your advent season.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Many of us are taught that talking about race and racial identity in the church leads to division. Many of us would, and many still do, identify as “colorblind Christians” who didn’t see racial differences as relevant to the church.

Our guest today helps us understand that “colorblindness” has tended not to be a virtue, and is especially difficult to defend in a church context that has been shaped by American history. Historian Jesse Curtis has written a new book, The Myth of Colorblind Christians, that challenges the idea that there ever was a truly colorblind tradition of Christianity.

Jesse Curtis is an Assistant Professor of History at Valparaiso University. He received his BA in educational ministries from Moody Bible Insitute, his MA in history from Kent State, and his Ph.D. in history from Temple University. He’s the author of many peer-reviewed works as well as the book we discuss in today’s episode, The Myth of Colorblind Christians: Evangelicals and White Supremacy in the Civil Rights Era.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Upper House's Director of Program Curation, Melissa Shackelford, sits down with our very own artist in residence Euimin Shin for a conversation to explore what it’s like to be a Christian who is also a performing artist. 

Euimin Shin is currently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts in Violin Performance at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and she's the artist-in-residence at Upper House. Min grew up in Seoul, South Korea, and has also lived in the Philippines, Vietnam, and Grand Rapids, Michigan. She moved to Madison in 2018 for her master’s degree at UW-Madison.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

In partnership with Science for the Church, we listen in on a conversation between pastor Chris Dolson, who has embraced science in ministry, and professor Rick Lindroth, who is a committed scientist, and Christ follower.

Chris Dolson is Pastor Emeritus at Blackhawk Church in Madison, WI, where he was previously head pastor for 27 years. Chris holds a B.S. in Biology from Indiana State University as well as a Master of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary and a doctorate of ministry from Gordon-Conwell Seminary.

Rick Lindroth has been a professor of Ecology at the University of Wisconsin Madison for 34 years. He holds a B.S. in wildlife biology from Iowa State University and a PHD in ecology from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champagne. Rick has received many awards and honors for his work. He's been a member of Blackhawk Church since 1985.

Learn about the work that Science for the Church is doing to pair pastors and scientists, like the example of Chris and Rick, at scienceforthechurch.org.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

The importance of pilgrimages in the history of Christianity is often overlooked. Even today, millions of Christians travel every year to visit historic sites invested with spiritual meaning and power. In this episode we talk to Skye Doney, a historian and scholar of Catholic pilgrimages in nineteenth and twentieth-century Germany. Skye’s new book, The Persistence of the Sacred: German Catholic Pilgrimage, 1832–1937(published this month by the University of Toronto Press), is a masterclass in cultural history—detailed and nuanced analyses of how people from all rungs of society experienced the sacred while on pilgrimage. We explore the pilgrimages and relics and ask how these practices relate to a broader religious context in the modern period.

Skye Doney is the director of the George L. Mosse Program in History at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He earned his PhD in European History at UW-Madison. In addition to his new book, he translated, edited, and annotated Eva Noack-Mosse’s Holocaust memoir, Last Days of Theresienstadt (Madison, 2018). His articles have appeared in Journal of Contemporary History, The Catholic Historical Review, and Environment, Space, Place.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

A theme we return to time and again at Upper House is whole life integration. This means we desire to see Christians who have brought their faith to bear on every aspect of who they are: their minds and emotions, their actions, and their relationships—and also their work. It can often seem like the church is the primary way to serve God, but that’s not how the Bible portrays work.

In this episode, we hear from the executive director of the faith and work organization Made to Flourish. His name is Matt Rusten and he is sitting down with Upper House's executive director, John Terrill, to talk about the importance of “closing the gap between Sunday and Monday”—erasing the artificial lines many Christians draw between the church and work life, and between sacred and secular work.

Matt Rusten received his master of divinity degree from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and has served in churches in North Dakota, the Chicago area, and Kansas City. Before entering his current role as exec director of Made to Flourish, he was pastor of spiritual formation at Blackhawk Church here in Madison.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

We live in polarizing times that seem to affect every corner of our society. Could the solution to polarization be friendship? That’s what this episode’s guest proposes. We’re listening in on a recent talk delivered at Upper House by sociologist Angel Adams Parham, titled “Civic Friendship & Christian Faith in Polarized Times.” While it might sound trite to say all we need is friendship, Angel challenges us to engage with a tradition of thinking about civic and political friendship stretching from ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle to contemporary political theorist Danielle Allen. Angel asks each of us to explore intellectual and spiritual topics in the context of friendship and community.

Angel Adams Parham is Associate Professor of Sociology and senior fellow at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture (IASC) at the University of Virginia. In July she co-authored with Anika Prather The Black Intellectual Tradition: Reading Freedom in Classical Literature.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

How does our thinking, expectations, social pressures we feel shape our roles in life? Upper House's Susan Smetzer-Anderson and Christina Lee Kim—author of an essay titled "The 'Good' Mother" (in a new book released by IVP, titled Power Women: Stories of Motherhood, Faith, and the Academy) honestly discuss the importance of unmasking the ideologies that compel our choice-making. Christina's authentic sharing of her own experience as a mother and professional academic—combined with her astute and research-based observations about powerful assumptions about motherhood that permeate families and cultures—make for a conversation that is both particular and broad in its relevance.

Christina Lee Kim is an associate professor of psychology at Biola University and a licensed clinical psychologist. In addition to teaching, she researches cross-cultural and multicultural psychology, mental health issues and the church, and Asian-American psychology. Dr. Kim and her husband and their three daughters reside in Fullerton, CA and are members of Crossway OC church, where Dr. Kim serves as one of the worship leaders.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Our tagline at Upper House is Think-Be-Do, which is a nod to our understanding that God cares deeply about us as whole people: what we think, who we are, and what we do. In this episode, Fellows Program Director, Eric Carlson, discusses with biblical scholar J. Richard Middleton his personal journey exploring the concept of calling, and the advice he has for understanding what God is calling us to be and do.

J. Richard Middleton is professor of Biblical Worldview and Exegesis at Northeastern Seminary and adjunct professor of Theology at Roberts Wesleyan College, both in Rochester, New York. He is widely published in religious journals and is the author of four books, including Abraham’s Silence: The Binding of Isaac, the Suffering of Job, and How to Talk Back to God, and A New Heaven and a New Earth: Reclaiming Biblical Eschatology.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

We all have a conscience, but what is it and where does it come from? In this episode, Dan interviews fellow historian Peter Cajka, who has recently published Follow Your Conscience: The Catholic Church and the Spirit of the Sixties. In this conversation, we explore the history of Christian thinking about the conscience and the parallels and incongruities in the Catholic and Protestant perspectives.

Peter Cajka is Assistant Teaching Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of American Studies at the University of Notre Dame. His research focuses on American Catholicism, the history of ideas, and the history of sexuality.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: Music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

In this callback episode to 2020, we listen in on an interview with author Marilyn McEntyre, hosted by our Director of Programming, Melissa Shackelford. They discuss the immense power of words, and the ways in which they are used to high effect, but also often abused. They explored the effect of allusion, metaphor, euphemizing, and the ways in which we muddle distinct language from different contexts into one.

Marilyn McEntyre is an author and teacher who has taught for decades on a variety of topics related to writing, language, and the humanities. She’s written many books covering a wide range of topics including her book, “Speaking Peace in a Time of Conflict,” which is covered in part in this episode.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Preaching is one of those things that can often be hit or miss. A person can be captivated, moved and even changed, but other times you have to fight to stay awake after 10 minutes into a message. Powerful preaching is something this week’s guest specializes in. We hosted a recent event at Upper House “Thinking Theologically About These Times” and we took advantage of having the guest speaker, Rev. Dr. William Curtis, in-house to hear his story.

William Curtis is a native of Baltimore. Since 1997, he has served as the Senior Pastor at Mount Ararat Baptist Church in Pittsburgh, PA. Dr. Curtis holds degrees from Morgan State University, and Howard University School of Divinity, and a Doctor of Ministry from United Theological Seminary. Aside from being a pastor, he is co-owner of The Church Online, a technology, and full-service marketing firm that provides services all over the world.

This episode's guest interviewer, who you’ll hear first in the interview, is Dr. Marcus Allen, pastor of Madison’s own Mt Zion Baptist Church. Dr. Allen also serves on Upper House’s local advisory council and is one of our favorite partners in the city of Madison.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Gene Zubovich, author of the new book, Before the Religious Right: Liberal Protestants, Human Rights, and the Polarization of the United States, sits down with Dan Hummel to explore the history of liberal Protestantism and its impact on American politics through the lens of social welfare, race relations, and international relations. They take a historical journey that touches on important leaders and ideas, and follow how the movement evolved through the second half of the 20th century.

Gene is an Assistant Professor of History at the University at Buffalo (part of the State University of NY schools) and holds a PhD from the University of California, Berkley. He completed his post-doctoral work at the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics at Washington University in St. Louis.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Jesse Koopman, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

For this next installment of From the Vault (highlighting past talks at Upper House), we're stretching all the way back to February 2020 for a unique (and uniquely tasty!) event featuring food writer and James Beard Award winner Adrian Miller. An expert in all things soul food and BBQ, Adrian weaves into his presentation a mix of theology, history, culinary knowledge, and a passion for justice.

Besides being a writer and food critic, Adrian Miller is the Executive Director of the Colorado Council of Churches. He's the author of numerous books includingBlack Smoke: African Americans and the United States of Barbecue(2021).

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

For this return of From the Vault (highlighting talks at Upper House), we're listening to a March 2022 event featuring theologian A.J. Swoboda. Swaboda argues that doubt and questioning, rather than signs of faithlessness, present us with an an opportunity to deconstruct and reconstruct our ideas and beliefs—to deepen in understanding about who we are and what we believe about God. For the video of this event, check it out here.

A.J Swoboda is an assistant professor of Bible, theology, and world Christianity at Bushnell University, which is in Eugene, Oregon. He also leads a Doctor of Ministry program on leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary. Swoboda is the author of several books, including After Doubt: How to Question Your Faith without Losing It (Brazos Press, 2021), the award-winning Subversive Sabbath: The Surprising Power of Rest in a Nonstop World (Brazos Press, 2018), and The Dusty Ones: Why Wandering Deepens Your Faith (Baker Press, 2016).

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Susan talks with Catherine Prescott about the fascinating world of portrait painting and the intellectual and spiritual tensions that reside in the work. For more of Catherine's art, see her personal website.

Check out Catherine's recent Upper House talk, as well as the sessions by Alex Miranda, Wayne Roosa, and Asher Imtiaz.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app and send us comments and suggestions at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

John welcomes Steve Preston, CEO of Goodwill Industries, for a conversation that ranges from Steve's childhood in Janesville, WI to his leadership of U.S. federal agencies. On the way they explore how God enabled Steve, and enables each of us, to make unexpected career choices in the service of a higher calling.

Steve's April 2022 talk at Upper House is viewable here: "Leading through Crisis with Vision and Care."

Steve Preston is the president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International, a federation of local organizations with over 125,000 employees. Previously, Steve headed two federal agencies during times of national crisis—U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and U.S. Small Business Administration. He has also served as the CEO of two private corporations, and as the CFO of two Fortune 500 companies. Steve graduated from Northwestern University and holds an MBA from The University of Chicago, and is a native of Janesville, WI.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app and send us comments and suggestions at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Susan speaks with psychologist Cynthia Eriksson about the topic of suffering: how to make sense of suffering and ways social scientists have sought to understand the relationship between faith in God and coping with suffering. The conversation centers on a few forthcoming papers co-authored by Cynthia and then moves into a variety of topics.

Cynthia Eriksson is associate professor of psychology and chair of Fuller’s PsyD program Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology. Many articles published that are accessible on Researchgate and through her own faculty page at Fuller.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app and send us comments and suggestions at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Dan Johnson sits down with Drew Moser, who visited Upper House last month. They talk about on Drew's passion area, the Enneagram personality typology, and how deeper understandings of personality types can lead to stronger relationships and fuller lives.

Drew Moser, Ph.D., is a certified enneagram teacher, a professional member of the International Enneagram Association, and Dean of Student Engagement and Professor of Higher Education at Taylor University. Drew's most recent book is The Enneagram of Discernment: The Way of Vocation, Wisdom, and Practice. His work on the Enneagram can be found at Type Trail, and Drew co-hosts his own podcast called Fathoms.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app and send us comments and suggestions at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

John sits down with Christopher James to discuss church planting in the twenty-first century, the challenges facing churches old and young, and ultimately their shared optimism and hope for church renewal. They discuss Chris's book, Church Planting in Post-Christian Soil(Oxford, 2016) and the Awaken Dane grant that Upper House is co-leading with Chris and Dubuque Theological Seminary, the Wisconsin Council of Churches, and the Collaboration Project.

Rev. Dr. Christopher B. James is Associate Professor of Evangelism and Missional Christianity at University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. There he leads the Master of Mission and Discipleship degree. He holds a Ph.D. in Practical Theology from Boston University School of Theology, a M.Div. from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a B.A. from Wheaton College.

For more information about Awaken Dane and/or joining a future cohort, please contact Johnna Georgia at georgia@wichurches.org or by phone at (608) 837-3108 Ext. 29.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app and send us comments and suggestions at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

John sits down with Rev. Kerri Parker to discuss everything from Kerri’s childhood and education to her recent work with the Wisconsin Council of Churches on forming church responses to COVID-19.

Rev. Kerri Parker is the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Council of Churches, a position she has held since 2017. Prior to leading the WCC, Kerri served as pastor of McFarland UCC in McFarland, WI and as executive director of YWCA Rock County in Janesville.

For more information about Awaken Dane and/or to join a future cohort, please contact Johnna Georgia at georgia@wichurches.org or by phone at (608) 837-3108 Ext. 29.

We mentioned at the top how we enjoy interviewing ministers at work in our community, such as John's conversation with Rev. Kirk Morledge from last year.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app and send us comments and suggestions at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

This episode features a recent conversation hosted virtually by the Awaken Dane initiative with noted author Parker Palmer. The discussion centers on belonging and the sense of lost belonging that pervades modern church life. Parker offers wisdom and examples from his own career on how churches can be agents of strengthening community and belonging today. Interviewing Parker are Phil Haslanger, retired pastor and journalist recently inducted into the Wisconsin Newspaper Hall of Fame, and Rebecca Cooks, Upper House's Hospitality and Student Enrichment Manager.

Parker J. Palmer is a writer, speaker and activist who focuses on issues in education, community, leadership, spirituality and social change. He is founder and Senior Partner Emeritus of the Center for Courage & Renewal. He is the author of ten books—including several award-winning titles—including: Healing the Heart of Democracy (2011) and Let Your Life Speak (1999). He holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of California at Berkeley, as well as thirteen honorary doctorates, two Distinguished Achievement Awards from the National Educational Press Association, and an Award of Excellence from the Associated Church Press.

For more information about Awaken Dane and/or joining a future cohort, please contact Johnna Georgia at georgia@wichurches.org or by phone at (608) 837-3108 Ext. 29.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app and send us comments and suggestions at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

This week Dan talks to historian and UW-alumnus David Harrisville about his new book, The Virtuous Wehrmacht: Crafting the Myth of the German Soldier on the Eastern Front, 1941-1944(Cornell, 2021). David's research examines the moral and religious worlds of rank-and-file German soldiers during World War II, raising profound questions about the ways humans justify their behavior and how religious commitment shapes action.

At the end of the conversation David mentions some recommended further readings on morality, war, and the Wehrmacht, hyperlinked here by author: Michael Walzer, Omer Bartov, Ben Shepherd, and Wolfram Wette. For digital maps made by David to accompany the book, see here.

David Harrisville is a graduate of Carleton College and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned an MA and PhD in Modern European History. David has been a postdoctoral fellow at UW-Madison and a visiting assistant professor at Furman University. He currently works for Legal Services Corporation.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app and send us comments and suggestions at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Featured for the second time on the podcast, Christine Jeske joins John to talk about the anatomy of a crisis, thinking through the concept both theologically and in relation to contemporary crises in our world. Christine calls Christians not just to work to survive, but to "ask God how to fully turn to him amid the dangers, the revelation, and the opportunities of a crisis." We also learn about unique insights of the field anthropology and Christine's wider field of work.

Christine Jeske is an associate professor of cultural anthropology at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Ill. Her most recent book is The Laziness Myth: Narratives of Work and the Good Life in South Africa (Cornell, 2020) (see episode 8 of the podcast featuring a talk Christine gave about the book at Upper House). The topic of discussion in this episode is her article "What is a Crisis?" in When the Universe Cracks: Living as God’s People in Times of Crisis (NavPress, 2021).

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app and send us comments and suggestions at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Dan Johnson is joined by Justin Early to discuss the importance of practices, rhythms, and habits to a healthy life with God, and a healthy family life. Justin calls us to embrace a true freedom—not just the absence of all limitations—in relation to practices of worship and service to God.

Justin Earley is a lawyer and author. His books included The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distractionand Habits of the Household: Practicing the Story of God in Everyday Family Rhythms. More about his work and projects can be found here.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Melissa speaks with public theologian and baker Kendall Vanderslice about the intersection of food and theology, food and church life, and the new practice of dinner churches. 

Kendall Vanderslice is a graduate of Duke Divinity School (Master of Theological Studies), Boston University (MLA Gastronomy), and Wheaton College (BA Anthropology). In 2018, she was named a James Beard Foundation national scholar for her work bridging food and religion. Kendall is the author of We Will Feast: Rethinking Dinner, Worship, and the Community of God. Learn more at www.kendallvanderslice.com and www.edibletheology.com.

Kendall spoke at Upper House in November: "We Will Feast: Rethinking Dinner, Worship, and the Community of God." 

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Susan speaks with author Alice Fryling about her new book, Aging Faithfully: The Holy Invitation of Growing Older. The conversation ranges from "unlearning" old ways as we grow older to the beauty of rest and meditation.

Alice Fryling is a spiritual director and author of numerous books on relationships and spiritual formation, including the popular Mirror for the Soul: A Christian Guide to the Enneagram. She and her husband, Bob, have two married daughters and four grandchildren. They live in Monument, Colorado.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Eric speaks with historian Tal Howard about Tal's new book, The Faith of Others: A History of Interreligious Dialogue(Yale University Press, 2021). They cover Tal's background with the study of history and then embark on the book's three main case studies of interreligious dialogue: Chicago's World Parliament of Religions in 1893, London's Conference on Some Living Religions within the Empire in 1924, and Vatican II's Nostra Aetate in 1965.

Thomas Albert (Tal) Howard is Professor of Humanities and History and holder of the Duesenberg Chair in Christian Ethics at Valparaiso University, where he is affiliated with Christ College, Valparaiso’s interdisciplinary honors college. He also serves as Senior Fellow for the Lilly Fellows Program in Humanities and the Arts. He is the author or editor of several books, including The Pope and the Professor: Pius IX, Ignaz von Döllinger, and the Quandary of the Modern Age (Oxford, 2017).

As an additional recommended reading with upper House connections, see Charles Cohen's The Abrahamic Religions: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2020). Chuck spoke about his book at Upper House in February 2020. The audio for that talk is available here.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Lea Schweitz (Upper House's Visiting Theologian for our Higher Pursuits Project) sits down with sociologist Felicia Wu Song to discuss technology, personhood, and spiritual practices, as well as Felicia's new book, Restless Devices: Recovering Personhood, Presence and Place in the Digital Age (IVP, 2021). 

Felicia Wu Song (PhD, University of Virginia) is a cultural sociologist of media and digital technologies, currently serving as professor of sociology at Westmont College in Santa Barbara. 

Lea Schweitz (PhD, University of Chicago) is the co-founder of Nature120, a non-profit organization that provides nature play and airway therapy for children on Chicago’s west side and in the western suburbs; she also is the Director of Children’s Education for Yorkfield Presbyterian Church. Previously she was a tenured professor at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and directed the Zygon Center for Religion and Science.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Returning to our ongoing conversations with Christian artists, Bruce Herman and Bobby Gross discuss the insights of modern art on the nature of God and the human condition. Much of the conversation centers on the work of Philip Guston. Many of Guston's works, including those mentioned by Bruce and Bobby, can be viewed here.

Bruce Herman is a painter, speaker, and curator whose art has been shown nationally and internationally in Italy, England, Japan, and Hong Kong. His work is in many public collections, including the Vatican Museums in Rome, Cincinnati Museum of Fine Arts, and the Hammer Museum in L.A. His art and writings have been published in print and online journals. He holds the Lothlórien Distinguished Chair in Fine Arts at Gordon College. Bobby Gross is Vice President for Graduate and Faculty ministries at InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Bobby is also the author of Living in the Christian Year: Time to Inhabit the Story of God (IVP, 2009).

Bruce was part of the book launch events at Upper House for God in the Modern Wing: Viewing Art with Eyes of Faith, Cameron J. Anderson and G. Walter Hansen, eds. (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2021). For video of Bruce's presentation at Upper House, see "Welcoming the Mysterious Stranger."

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

In a partner episode with journalist Gordon Govier, we hear from Dr. Jodi Magness about her work as an archeologist in the land of the Bible. They cover Jodi's entry into the field of archeology and her research related to Qumran, the Dead Sea Scrolls, and synagogues. If you're interested in seeing Jodi in-person, she will be speaking at Upper House on October 23, 6:30pm on "More than Just Mosaics: The Ancient Synagogue at Huqoq in Israel's Galilee." Register here (this event is in-person with no recording or streaming).

Jodi Magness is the Kenan Distinguished Professor for Teaching Excellence in Early Judaism in the Department of Religious Studies at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is the author of many books, including The Archaeology of Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls, winner of the 2003 Biblical Archaeology Society’s Award for Best Popular Book in Archaeology, and out now in a new second edition.

Gordon Govier hosts The Book and the Spade, is a biblical archaeology correspondent for Christianity Today, and the editor of ARTIFAX, the biblical archaeology newsmagazine.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

In this episode, Reverend Mike Winnowski, pastor at Geneva Campus Church in Madison, sits down with the distinguished artist, educator, and art evangelist Steve Prince. They discuss Steve's influences, his deep engagement with Black American history, and the importance of faith to his vocation. Steve was in Madison to help promote a new collected volume, co-edited by Upper House's Associate Director, Cam Anderson: God in the Modern Wing: Viewing Art with Eyes of Faith, Cameron J. Anderson and G. Walter Hansen, eds. (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2021).

For more on Steve, see his profile page at the College of William and Mary, where he works as the Director of Engagement & Distinguished Artist In Residence.

For video of Steve's presentation at Upper House, see "Illuminating Black Faith, History, and Culture."

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

In this concluding episode of our Inside Upper House series (for now), the script is flipped and Dan is interviewed by Cam Anderson, Associate Director of Upper House. Dan discusses the work he and others are doing to recover a spiritual or religious understanding of the history of the University of Wisconsin-Madison as part of a John Templeton Foundation-funded grant. The opinions expressed in this conversation do not reflect the views of the John Templeton Foundation.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

In this special episode, Dan Johnson, Director of Technology and Campus Ministry Engagement at Upper House, takes the reins as host as he reports on campus ministries at UW-Madison.

What happened when the global pandemic forced UW-Madison to pause its in-person instruction, suspending all campus ministries in the process? How has the pandemic affected ministry at UW-Madison?

Dan explores these questions with five campus ministries at UW-Madison. Dan talks with, in order of appearance:

• Fr. Eric Nielsen, Pastor and Executive Director at St. Paul’s University Catholic Center
• Erica Liu, Pastor and Director of Campus Ministry at Pres House
• Jeff Vandenberg, Senior Staff for the Navigators
• Jordan Mancl, Senior Staff for Cru
• Kesha Wilkinson, State Director for the Impact Movement

These five ministers offer five different stories, perspectives, and reflections. They each reflect on the history of their ministries, March 2020 and the transition to virtual ministry, and what they have learned over the last 18 months. They each also discuss their hope for students at UW-Madison in the coming year.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Dan talks with Susan, Upper House's communications manager, on the unique way we understand our thematic areas of interest at Upper House. We call these our pathways. For more on the graphic designer of our pathways imagery, Ned Bustard, see his website here.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

John sits down with Kirk Morledge, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Waunakee, WI, to celebrate thirty years in the pulpit and a career of service that includes multiple tours abroad as a U.S. Navy chaplain. Rev. Kirk reflects on his childhood in Madison, his call to ministry, the idea of "institutional ministry," and the many lessons he's learned as a pastor and leader.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

How does Upper House come up with ideas for the programs we host? In this episode of Inside Upper House, Dan, Dan, and Melissa discuss the ways they each generate ideas, connect those ideas with Upper House audiences, and coordinate together to make up the program team. Cherck out our upcoming programs at upperhouse.org/events. 

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Dan talks with historian David Fields, associate director of the Center for East Asian Studies at UW-Madison. They discuss David's background and training and then dive into his 2019 book, Foreign Friends: Syngman Rhee, American Exceptionalism, and the Division of Korea(University Press of Kentucky). For more on David see his personal website, including his "epic rap battle" between Syngman Rhee, Harry Truman, and Joseph Stalin. For more on the digital teaching project David and Dan co-lead, see Voices & Visions.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Dan Johnson, our Director of Technology and Campus Ministry Engagement, shares about the ecosystem of campus ministries at UW-Madison and the ways Upper House's work complements them.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Greg Cootsona talks with psychologist Pamela Ebstyne King on her new book, co-authored with Justin Barrett, Thriving with Stone Age Minds: Evolutionary Psychology, Christian Faith, and the Quest for Human Flourishing(IVP Academic, 2021). They cover topics ranging from King's concept of "the reciprocating self" to the ways Christians can constructively engage with evolutionary psychology. Greg and Pamela end with theological reflections on human flourishing.

Pamela Ebstyne King is the Peter L. Benson Professor of Applied Developmental Science and PhD Program Chair in Psychological Science (Non-clinical) at Fuller Theological Seminary. She is the author of numerous books, including The Reciprocating Self: Human Development in Theological Perspective(IVP Academic, 2005).

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Dan talks to the Co-directors of Science for the Church, Greg Cootsona and Drew Rick-Miller. We take the occasion here to focus on their organization, its mission, and its partnership with Upper House. Sign up for Science for the Church's weekly newsletter here.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

In this Upper House virtual event from earlier this year, Dr. Edgardo Rosado of the Ciencia, Fe y Esperanza Initiative speaks with Greg Cootsona, co-founder of Science for the Church. They discuss the particular ways faith and science are understood in Hispanic/Latinx communities, and Edgardo's research into attitudes among Philadelphia-area Latinx Christians. They also discuss contrasting Reformed and Wesleyan understandings of faith and science.

Edgardo Rosado is a pastor, scholar, and community leader. In addition to being Associate Project Director at Esperanza’s Ciencia, Fe y Esperanza initiative, Edgardo is Adjunct Professor at Nazarene Bible College, Visiting Scholar at European Nazarene College, and Executive Pastor with the Nazarene church in Media, PA. He holds a PhD and MA in Pastoral Leadership and a BA in Biblical Studies, all from the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico.

This event was hosted by Upper House in June 2021 as "Science, Race, and Faith: Insights from Hispanic Congregations." We hosted an earlier event in this same series last year, now on youtube: "Science, Race, and the Church: A Conversation about Repentance and Redemption."

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

In this Upper House talk from September 2018, Dr. Praveen Sethupathy explains the science surrounding gene editing, CRISPR technology, and the ethical implications of gene editing from a Christian perspective. Dr. Sethupathy weighs both the promise of this technology to fight genetic diseases and improve human wellbeing, and the perils of  easier and faster capabilities for humans to modify the genome. 

Praveen Sethupathy is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Cornell University. He also directs the Center for Vertebrate Genomics. With of 100 peer-reviewed articles, Dr. Sethupathy is a leading genomicist studying ribonucleic acids (RNAs) and disease etiology.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

John talks with Mark Elsdon, pastor, entrepreneur, author, and a fellow religious worker on the campus of UW-Madison. Mark discusses his life and his new book, We Aren’t Broke: Uncovering Hidden Resources for Mission and Ministry (Eerdmans, 2021).

Mark is the Executive Director at Pres House, Co-Founder of RootedGood, and owner of Elsdon Strategic Consulting. He is also president of the board of directors for Working Capital for Community Needs, based in Madison to provide micro-finance for the working poor in Latin America.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

John and Jean discuss the recent learning cohort they led on Faith & Co. Season 2 (all documentary films available for free), as well as Upper House's broader mission to marketplace leaders in Madison and beyond. 

John interviewed two of the creators of Faith & Co. in an earlier episode of the podcast: "Business on Purpose" with Randy Franz and Kenman Wong.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

In this talk from Upper House's "Worked Up" conference in March, Paige Wiley of Made to Flourish debunks myths surrounding the meaning work, calling, and vocation. Drawing on her own experience as a recent graduate and on a biblical framework to understand work, Paige offers helpful tips and profound wisdom for anyone looking for discernment. Paige mentions the 'Worked Up" conference workbook a few times--if you are interested in this material email us at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

The podcast periodically features past talks and speakers from Upper House's program archive. We're now making this a recurring series, "From the Vault." Upper House has hosted hundreds of events in our six years of operation and we're hopeful that much of the wisdom shared here remains useful today.

Check out upperhouse.org/events to register for upcoming events at Upper House, including our June 24 virtual event "Science, Race, and Faith: Insights from Hispanic Congregations." For our first event in our Science, Race, and the Church series, see here.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Dan sits down with Karl Johnson, executive director of the Consortium of Christian Study Centers, to discuss the bigger movement of study centers that Upper House belongs to. We mention the recently published history of the Christian study center movement by Charlie Cotherman, To Think Christianly: A History of L'Abri, Regent College, and the Christian Study Center Movement (IVP, 2020).

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

John talks with author and pastor Mark Buchanan on his new book, God Walk: Moving at the Speed of Your Soul. They discuss the spiritual practice of walking in historic Christianity up to the present, and the ways that movement is at the core of Jesus' call to "follow me." For more on Mark Buchanan, see his personal website.

As always we invite you to leave us a rating on your favorite podcast app or send us a comment at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

In this second installment of our new series, Inside Upper House, Dan, Dan, Aiden, and Ilya discuss podcasting at Upper House, and especially our new UpWords Student Voices podcast, which is wrapping up its first season. 

Send us a message at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Historian Lauren Turek, associate professor at Trinity University, joins Dan to discuss her recent book, To Bring the Good News to All Nations: Evangelical Influence on Human Rights and U.S. Foreign Relations (Cornell, 2020). They discuss the rise of organized evangelical human rights activism beginning in the 1970s and explore the complicated and surprising relationship of the activism to U.S. foreign relations. For more on Lauren see her personal website. Finally, see this roundtable review of Lauren's book, to which Dan contributed. 

Send us a message at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

We're moving to a weekly podcast! Alongside our regular stream of interviews with scholars, leaders, and artists, we're adding more conversations focused on the inner workings of Upper House. Inside Upper House episodes will feature shorter conversations with Upper House staff that give a sense of all that happens at 365 East Campus Mall in Madison, Wisconsin. 

For our first episode Dan, Becca, and Eric discuss our Fellows Program--where it came from, what it is, and how it's shaping up for the 2021-22 school year. If the Fellows Program sounds like something you're interested in applying to, or you know someone who might be interested, visit the Fellow Program home page.

Send us a message at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Artist Leslie Iwai joins Melissa as they discuss Leslie's path toward becoming an installation artist, the themes and concepts in her work, and art's relationship to faith and culture. For more on Leslie, including information on her installations, see her personal website. Upper House's ongoing exhibition through May 6, which includes Leslie's "Share Table," is titled UNVEILED Prayers of the People.

Send us a message at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Curtis Chang discusses COVID-19 vaccines and the role that churches can play in the healing of society. He speaks with Science for the Church co-founder Greg Cootsona.

Curtis Chang is co-founder of Redeeming Babel and the resource site Christians and the Vaccine. He is also on the faculty of the Duke Divinity School, a Senior Fellow at Fuller Theological Seminary, and author of multiple books includingEngaging Unbelief: A Captivating Strategy from Augustine and Aquinas.

Send us a message at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Science for the Church co-founder Drew Rick-Miller interviews Rob Barrett, until recently the chief operating officer of The Colossian Forum, an organization specializing in conflict resolution. Rob shares about his journey to this work, the philosophy and practice of "The Colossian Way," and some of the key areas of church conflict around issues of faith and science.

The UpWords Podcast is an initiative of Upper House. This episode was produced in partnership with Science for the Church.

Send us a message at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Rebecca hosts a group of multiethnic Christians to reflect on the unique beauties--and challenges--of living out mixed ethnic and cultural identities. Along with Rebecca the group includes Aiden Detienne, Niccole Khail, Peter Shackelford, and Chandra Crane, author of Mixed Blessing: Embracing the Fullness of Your Multiethnic Identity (IVP, 2020).

This conversation follows a live event at Upper House that can be viewed here.

We welcome comments on this episode at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

The UpWords Podcast is produced by Upper House. Music is by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Melissa speaks with Peter Tan, the Chief Design Officer at Strang, Inc., an award-winning architecture, engineering, interior design and planning firm in Madison, WI. Together they cover the spiritual significance of space, how architects are responding to COVID realities, the missional significance of buildings, and much more. 

We welcome comments on this episode at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

The UpWords Podcast is produced by Upper House. Music is by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Cam Anderson, Associate Director at Upper House, talks with friend and fellow artist Makoto Fujimura about his new book, Art and Faith: A Theology of Making(Yale University Press, 2021). They cover a wide range of topics including the nature of creativity, imagination and faith, and an artist's response to the world's brokenness.

Makoto Fujimura is a world-renowned artist, writer, and speaker. Of his many accolades, he founded the International Arts Movement and served as a presidential appointee on the National Council of the Arts from 2003-2009. His other books include Culture Care: Reconnecting with Beauty for Our Common Life(IVP, 2017).

We welcome comments on this episode at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

The UpWords Podcast is produced by Upper House. Music is by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Eric Carlsson interviews friend and fellow UW history alumnus Paul Grant on Paul's new book, Healing and Power in Ghana: Early Indigenous Expressions of Christianity (Baylor, 2020). Paul shares about his upbringing as a missionary kid, his fascination with the Gold Coast, and his efforts to try to understand both missionaries and Ghanan Christians on their own terms. The book, and this discussion, shed light on major themes in the history of global Christianity--a subject American Christians all too often ignore. 

Paul Grant is a lecturer in history at UW-Madison, UW-Platteville, and North Park University, and he resides in Madison with his family. 

The UpWords Podcast is produced by Upper House. Music is by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Melissa recently interviewed anthropologist Christine Jeske about her new book, The Laziness Myth: Narratives of Work and the Good Life in South Africa (Cornell, 2020). Christine's extensive fieldwork in South Africa is the basis for this wide-ranging conversation on the nature of vocation, the structural barriers to vocational fulfillment in both South Africa and the United States, and Christine's reflections on how Christians should reimagine the "good life" in the twenty-first century.

Christine Jeske is an Associate Professor of Cultural Anthropology at Wheaton College (Wheaton, IL) and author of several books. She is also an alumnus of UW-Madison.

This conversation originally aired as an Upper House live event titled "When Work Doesn’t Work: Grappling with Vocation and the 'Good Life'" and can be viewed in its entirety here.

The UpWords Podcast is produced by Upper House. Music is by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

In this episode, Dan talks to historian James Ungureanu about the origins of the "conflict thesis" between faith and science. In his important new book, Science, Religion, and the Protestant Tradition: Retracing the Origins of Conflict(University of Pittsburgh Press, 2019), James examines the intellectual and religious terrain of the late nineteenth century and especially John William Draper and Andrew Dickson White, two of the figures often credited with originating the conflict idea. James revises our understanding of this crucial episode, as well as discusses his own biography and his understanding of Christian scholarship.

We welcome suggestions and comments on this episode at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

The UpWords Podcast is produced by Upper House. Music is by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Happy MLK Day! In this episode, we replay one of Upper House's speaker events from last October,"Defiant: What the Women of Exodus Teach Us About Freedom" by Kelley Ninkodeha. Kelley is co-director for Communities of Hope, a community development enterprise in Burundi, as well as a theologian and author. When she visited Upper House, she spoke on multiple topics, all viewable on our Youtube channel. For future Upper House events see our event listings.

We will periodically highlight past events alongside our new interviews and conversations. We welcome suggestions and comments at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

The UpWords Podcast is produced by Upper House. Music is by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

In this episode, Rebecca talks to LaToya Wilson and Paul Kamps, two participants in Upper House's recent cohort on the practice of lament. They discuss the biblical basis for lament and the power of prayer, all while sharing their personal journeys. LaToya and Paul also each share a written lament. 

Led by Rebecca, the cohort used Mark Vroegop's book Dark Clouds, Deep Mercyas a shared text. For more on Upper House's learning cohorts, see our events page.

The UpWords Podcast is an initiative of Upper House. Send us a message at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

In this episode, John talks to Randy Franz and Kenman Wong, two professors at Seattle Pacific University and producers for Faith & Co, a documentary film series about people who live out their businesses as their vocational callings. They discuss the backstory to the films, some of the most memorable episodes, and the broader Faith and Work movement. The Faith & Co. series, now in its fourth season, is free to watch. Courses based on the series are available at SPU's Center for Integrity in Business. 

The UpWords Podcast is an initiative of Upper House. Send us a message at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org. 

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

In this episode, Science for the Church co-founder Greg Cootsona interviews mathematician, Christian apologist, and Emeritus Professor at the University of Oxford, John Lennox. They cover some of the core issues in the contemporary faith and science conversation, and talk about John's new film, Against the Tide.

The UpWords Podcast is an initiative of Upper House. This episode was produced in partnership with Science for the Church. 

Send us a message at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

In this episode, Melissa talks with Marilyn McEntyre about writing, teaching, and the creative life. Marilyn's work includesMake a List: How a Simple Practice Can Change Our Lives and Open Our Hearts; her most recent book,Speaking Peace in a Climate of Conflict; and her upcomingDear Doctor: What Doctors Don't Ask, What Patients Need to Say.

Marylin's recent events with Upper House can be viewed here and here.

The UpWords Podcast is an initiative of Upper House. Send us a message at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org.

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

In this inaugural episode, Dan talks with Darren Dochuk, professor of history at the University of Notre Dame,  about his formation as a historian, his contributions to the history of American evangelicalism, and how he hopes Christians will use his scholarship. Also, Dan and Darren run through two speed rounds of questions.

The UpWords Podcast is an initiative of Upper House. Send us a message at podcast@slbrownfoundation.org. 

Credits: music by Micah Behr, audio engineering by Andy Johnson, graphic design by Madeline Ramsey.

View Details

Welcome to the official Upper House podcast!