Faithfully Podcast

Children's author Dorena Williamson talks with Faithfully Magazine Managing Editor Nicola A. Menzie about her latest book, "Brown Baby Jesus," which literally and beautifully draws out the Christ Child's ancestry. Williamson talks about finding the right illustrator, highlighting “controversial” women in Jesus' genealogy, deciding when to push the envelope for younger readers, and more.

White Evangelical churches can do it, but Black churches can't? In the Nov. 6 episode of “News With Nicola,” host Nicola A. Menzie takes a look at a news item related to Jamal Bryant, pastor of New Birth Missionary Church in Stonecrest, Georgia, and at the general issue of churches and pastors getting politically involved during election season.

KevOnStage and Mrs. KevOnStage talk about themes explored in their book, “Marriage Be Hard: 12 Conversations to Keep You Laughing, Loving, and Learning with Your Partner.” Faithfully Magazine contributor Chanté Griffin serves as guest host of this Faithfully Podcast episode, recorded in September 2022.

Podcast hosts Ekemini Uwan and Christina Edmondson discuss their book, "Truth's Table: Black Women's Musings on Life, Love, and Liberation" with Faithfully Magazine Associate Editor Timothy Isaiah Cho. The "Truth's Table" book is described as “a collection of essays and stories documenting the lived theology and spirituality we need to hear in order to lean into a more freeing, loving, and liberating faith…” Learn more at faithfullymagazine.com. (Originally recorded March 2022)

Dr. Christena Cleveland, author and public theologian, talks with Managing Editor Nicola A. Menzie about her latest book, “God Is a Black Woman.” In “God Is a Black Woman,” Cleveland shares her painful yet liberating journey of confronting what she calls “whitemalegod” and recounts how she learned to embrace the Sacred Black Feminine. She introduces readers to a Black Female God who is the complete opposite of the oppressive and controlling god fashioned and favored by white patriarchal Christianity. Learn more at faithfullymagazine.com.

Alicia Akins talks about her latest book, "Invitations to Abundance: How the Feasts of the Bible Nourish Us Today," with Faithfully Magazine's Associate Editor Timothy Isaiah Cho. Learn more at faithfullymagazine.com.

Rapper and author Trip Lee, born William Lee Barefield III, joined Faithfully Magazine for a live chat about his career, new projects, and more. Lee also shared how he thinks Christians should handle doubt, the Young, Restless, and Reformed Movement, and where he finds inspiration. Learn more at faithfullymagazine.com.(Originally published December 8, 2021)

Author and pastor Mitchel Lee talks with Faithfully Magazine Associate Editor Timothy Isaiah Cho about the “even if” life of a Christian that holds the goodness of God in one hand and the troubles of life in the other. These are themes he explores in his book, "Even If: Trusting God When Life Disappoints, Overwhelms, or Just Doesn't Make Sense." Visit faithfullymagazine.com for more.

Pastor and author Dr. Greg Johnson discusses his book “Still Time to Care: What We Can Learn from the Church's Failed Attempt to Cure Homosexuality” with Faithfully Magazine's Associate Editor Timothy Isaiah Cho. Learn more at https://faithfullymagazine.com.

New Testament scholar and Womanist theologian Dr. Angela N. Parker discusses her book, “If God Still Breathes, Why Can't I?: Black Lives Matter and Biblical Authority,” with Faithfully Magazine Managing Editor Nicola A. Menzie. In the book, Parker argues that white supremacy undergirds the Christian doctrines of inerrancy and infallibility, and offers an approach that embraces women and people of color. Learn more at https://faithfullymagazine.com (https://amzn.to/3eKTNVl).

Danté Stewart discusses themes in his new book, "Shoutin in the Fire: An American Epistle" (amzn.to/31DwXvW) with Faithfully Magazine Managing Editor Nicola A. Menzie. In "Shoutin' in the Fire," Stewart grapples with the intersecting identities of being Black, Christian, and American. Find more at faithfullymagazine.com.

In this episode of Faithfully Podcast, you'll hear Managing Editor Nicola A. Menzie's conversation with Dr. Louis A. DeCaro Jr. about his most recent book, "The Untold Story of Shields Green: The Life and Death of a Harper's Ferry Raider." DeCaro is associate professor of Church History at Alliance Theological Seminary in New York City. He is the author of several books, including biographical works on Chrisian abolitionist John Brown and Muslim activist Malcolm X. | The book: https://amzn.to/3kwB8Qo; Learn more: faithfullymagazine.com.

Bridget Eileen Rivera, blogger of the popular website, Meditations of a Traveling Nun. Rivera discusses themes in her new book, "Heavy Burdens: Seven Ways LGBTQ Christians Experience Harm in the Church." "In Heavy Burdens," Rivera examines how Christian communities alienate and condemn LGBTQ people, highlights the pain of LGBTQ Christians, and outlines a path for churches to develop a better approach. Learn more: https://faithfullymagazine.com/bridget-eileen-rivera-interview-heavy-burdens/

Terry M. Wildman, lead translator of the First Nations Version of the New Testament (https://amzn.to/3xNWrAZ), speaks with Editorial Fellow Evana D. Upshaw about the first known translation of the New Testament into a culturally relevant style for the Indigenous peoples of North America. Wildman, founder of Rain Ministries, is also director of spiritual growth and leadership development for Native InterVarsity. Visit faithfullymagazine.com for more and follow us on Twitter @faithfullymag.

Kat Armas speaks with Faithfully Magazine Associate Editor Timothy Isaiah Cho about her latest book, "Abuelita Faith" (https://amzn.to/37GEf1A). In the book, "Armas shows us how voices on the margins … have more to teach us about following God than we realize." Visit faithfullymagazine.com for more and follow us on Twitter @faithfullymag.

Jackie Hill Perry, bestselling author of “Gay Girl, Good God,” speaks with Associate Editor Timothy Isaiah Cho about themes in her latest book, “Holier Than Thou: How God's Holiness Helps Us Trust Him” (https://amzn.to/3AGEFRM). Learn more at faithfullymagazine.com. (Photo: B&H Publishing)

Dr. Anthea Butler is associate professor of Religious Studies and Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. Butler, an expert on African American and American history and religion, recently authored "White Evangelical Racism: The Politics of Morality in America." In "White Evangelical Racism," Butler peels back the layers of history to examine the core of conservative evangelical activism and power. In this episode, Faithfully Magazine's Associate Editor Timothy Isaiah Cho speaks with Butler about themes in "White Evangelical Racism." The interview was conducted July 11, 2021. Find the transcript at https://faithfullymagazine.com/interview-anthea-butler. (Photo: Torrence L. Neal)

Artist and activist Sho Baraka talks with Faithfully Magazine's Associate Editor Timothy Isaiah Cho about themes in his debut book, "He Saw That It Was Good." (Recorded 04/08/2021)

Faithfully Magazine talks with "White Lies" author and pastor Daniel Hill on the subject of "the White moderate" in this interview that was streamed live on Facebook. Our Associate Editor Timothy Isaiah Cho hosts this March 8, 2021, conversation. Cho originally spoke with Hill about his book, "White Lies: Nine Ways to Expose and Resist the Racial Systems That Divide Us," in December 2020. That Q&A was published on faithfullymagazine.com under the headline "Interview: ‘To Love Jesus Is to Hate White Supremacy’—Daniel Hill Talks ‘White Lies’ Book (https://faithfullymagazine.com/interv...​). An excerpt of that interview: "In Fall 2017, Faithfully Magazine interviewed Daniel Hill about his book 'White Awake: An Honest Look at What It Means to Be White.' Now, after years engaging with White Christians to help them embark on their own racial and cultural awakening, Hill has published 'White Lies: Nine Ways to Expose and Resist the Racial Systems That Divide Us.' "Hill, the founding pastor of River City Community Church in the Humboldt Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois, gives his readers a sequel to White Awake with practical steps to confront white supremacy." In this Facebook Live Q&A, Hill responds to questions from viewers. Thanks for listening. #FacebookLive​ #Q​&A #WhiteModerate​ #Christianity​ #Race​ #Racism​ #WhiteSupremacy​ #RacialReconcliation​ #MultiethnicChurch​ #Diversity​ #FaithfullyMagazine​ #Interview

Dr. Teresa Hairston, founder and publisher emeritus of “Gospel Today” magazine, discusses her journey in the gospel music industry as an influencer and businesswoman in this conversation with Faithfully Magazine’s Managing Editor Nicola A. Menzie. Their conversation centers on Hairston’s documentation of her journey in the new book, “Unstoppable: The Incredible Journey of America's #1 Christian Lifestyle Magazine.” Hairston discusses the inspiration for founding “Gospel Today” magazine, its successes, and the LifeWay Bookstore scandal that ultimately led to the popular Christian magazine’s end. Hairston, who overcame a close encounter with COVID-19, also shares lessons she learned as a businesswoman in a male-dominated industry, her regrets, and ongoing work to shape the future of the gospel music industry. The interview was recorded February 25, 2021. The publisher describes “Unstoppable” as “the story of an incredible entrepreneurial journey. It chronicles the life of a daring young African American woman, Teresa Hairston, a single mom raising three children and working three jobs. She only had $300 to invest in her dream. But, with tremendous odds stacked against her, she boot-strapped her way to a successful media conglomerate that produced Gospel Today Magazine, ‘America’s #1 Christian Lifestyle Magazine.’” Learn more at: https://books2liveby.com/product/unstoppable/. Follow Faithfully Magazine at faithfullymagazine.com. #TeresaHairston #GospelToday #Magazines #Interview #LifeWayBookstores #GospelMusic #FaithfullyMagazine

Kristin Kobes Du Mez, author of "Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation," speaks with Faithfully Magazine's Associate Editor Timothy Isaiah Cho. They discuss themes of her book, which surveys the history of White Evangelicalism’s idealization of militant white patriarchy. Originally recorded February 8, 2021.

How has gospel music impacted U.S. culture? What distinguishes gospel from contemporary Christian music? How did gospel artists like Andrae Crouch and the Winans break racial barriers in popular Christian music? We talk with Dr. Claudrena N. Harold for insights about the history and impact of gospel music on American and and African American culture. Visit https://faithfullymagazine.com/interview-claudrena-harold/ for more.

This is the audio of Faithfully Magazine’s live virtual Q&A session on Christians and Critical Race Theory with Dr. Nathan L. Cartagena, an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Wheaton College in Illinois. The interview was conducted December 18, 2020, by Associate Editor Timothy Isaiah Cho and supported by Managing Editor Nicola A. Menzie. Learn more: https://faithfullymagazine.com/liveqa/.

(Preview) Professor N.T. Wright provoked some Christians when he offered a perspective on the coronavirus for Time magazine in an op-ed under the headline "Christianity Offers No Answers About the Coronavirus. It's Not Supposed To." However, Wright argues in his new book, "God and the Pandemic: A Christian Reflection on the Coronavirus and Its Aftermath" (https://amzn.to/2V6p8IY), that is not true. It’s just that Christians may be looking for answers in the wrong places. More: https://faithfullymagazine.com.

Michael Stalcup reads "The Rule," a poem crafted in response to the police murder of George Floyd and the incident in Central Park involving Christian Cooper and Amy Cooper (aka "Central Park Karen"). Stalcup is a Thai-American poet living in Bangkok, Thailand. His poetry is featured (or forthcoming) in several magazines, including Commonweal Magazine, First Things, and Inheritance Magazine.

In this Faithfully Podcast preview, Sheila Wise Rowe, a Christian counselor and spiritual director, discusses her book "Healing Racial Trauma: The Road to Resilience." In her book, Rowe invites readers to consider “how to individually or collectively pursue healing from racial trauma” in order to remain resilient amid pervasive racial discrimination.

In this Faithfully Podcast preview, author and pastor D.A. Horton discusses themes in his book, "Intensional: Kingdom Ethnicity in a Divided World," including racial reconciliation, why he embraces the term "Evangelical," coming to terms with his own ethnic identity, and more in this discussion with Faithfully Magazine's Nicola A. Menzie.

In this preview episode of Faithfully Podcast, you get to listen in on Faithfully Magazine Associate Editor Timothy I. Cho's interview with rapper and author Lecrae. They discuss the coronavirus, a crisis of faith, maturing as an artist and as a believer, and more. Access the full episode at faithfullymagazine.com/interview-lecrae/.

In this episode (formerly "Faithfully Podcast Books"), we talk with poet, hip-hop artist, and speaker Jackie Hill Perry about her latest book,

Kathy Khang, an activist and speaker who also works with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA, talks about her book, "Raise Your Voice: Why We Stay Silent and How to Speak Up." Khang discusses: different ways we express our voice; how her children inspire her to explore her voice; how Christians can evaluate why and how to speak up; practices that can help us wield our voices responsibly and effectively for the long-run; and so much more.

We speak with singer/songwriter and worship leader Anthony Evans about some of the things he shares in his book, "Unexpected Places: Thoughts on God, Faith, and Finding Your Voice"—and some things he doesn’t share in his memoir.

Hip-hop artist Canon joins Faithfully Podcast to discuss his work, fake Christian rappers, how Gospel and CCM industries fail artists like himself, and more. Visit http://faithfullymagazine.com/faithfully-podcast-canon-ccm-gospel-rappers/ for more. [music: bensound.com]

In this episode of Faithfully Podcast, host and Faithfully Magazine founder Nicola A. Menzie visits the set of "The Dr.Oz Show" to hear from DeVon Franklin, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Priscilla Shirer, Samuel Rodriguez and Carl Lentz about the new "Faithful Fridays" segments airing on "The Dr. Oz Show" in February. More: faithfullymagazine.com [interviews recorded Jan. 27, 2017; music: bensound.com]

Rapper Trip Lee explains the concept of his new mixtape "The Waiting Room" and shares his favorite tracks in this Dec. 1, 2016, interview with Faithfully Podcast host and religion reporter Nicola A. Menzie. Get more of this interview at faithfullymagazine.com. [music: bensound.com; photo: Ray Neutron].

Chetachi Ecton discusses her When In Need Foundation, immigration experience, outreach mission to Nigeria, and more with Faithfully Podcast host and religion reporter Nicola A. Menzie. More: faithfullymagazine.com (Recorded Nov. 4, 2016; music: bensound.com)

Chetachi Ecton is a single mom and domestic abuse survivor who founded the When In Need (WIN) Foundation, a New York/Philadelphia-based nonprofit “aimed at improving the lives of children and adults in our global community.” She tells us how she emigrated from Nigeria to the United States when she was a teenager, eventually had to flee an abusive marriage, and climbed out of poverty to create a better life for herself and her three children.

Kathy Khang has served with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA for years in various capacities, including as the campus ministry's regional multiethnic director. In this episode of Faithfully Podcast, she talks with host Nicola Menzie about racial reconciliation and shares her experiences as a Korean-American woman in ministry. More: www.faithfullymagazine.com (Recorded Oct. 21, 2016; music: bensound.com)

Kristi Watts, former "The 700 Club" co-host, talks with Faithfully Podcast host Nicola A. Menzie about her new projects, politics, racism, and what it was like being the first black woman working alongside Pat Robertson as co-host for 14 years. Recorded Oct. 4, 2016. More: faithfullymagazine.com [music: bensound.com]

Dalia Mogahed, Director of Research at the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, explains why she believes all Americans should care about Islamophobia. Host Nicola Menzie wonders how the issue applies specifically to Evangelicals. More: www.faithfullymagazine.com [music: bensound.com]

The issue of Islamophobia came up in this episode of Faithfully Podcast because of a recent panel discussion about ‘Muslims and the Media’ at the Newseum in Washington, D.C., that host Nicola Menzie attended. One of the panelists, Dalia Mogahed of the Institute for Social Policy and Understanding, explained that Islamophobia hurts all Americans.

The Rev. Kip Banks, pastor of the historic East Washington Heights Baptist Church in Washington, D.C., tells host Nicola Menzie he believes the prosperity gospel has held some black churches back from having a prophetic witness amid the Black Lives Matter movement. More: www.faithfullymagazine.com [music: bensound.com]

The Rev. Kip Banks discusses how his church is affected by the Black Lives Matter movement, and why he believes the prosperity gospel has distracted some Black churches from their role in prophecy and protest. Banks is also former general secretary of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, the church convention of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

In this episode of Faithfully Podcast, Rapzilla’s Chad Horton and music writer Justin Sarachik join hosts Nicola Menzie, Keisha Boston and Vincent Funaro in a conversation about race, Christianity and hip-hop.

(Originally published June 17, 2016) The Rev. Waltrina Middleton, founder of Cleveland Action, speaks with Faithfully Podcast about how forced narratives of forgiveness dominated media coverage of a racist gunman’s murder of 9 Christians during a Bible study at Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, South Carolina, on June 17, 2015.

The Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow joined the Faithfully Podcast crew recently to share his thoughts and observations on some issues Asian Americans face when it comes to experiences relating to race and culture.

Leroy Barber discusses taking the helm of HopeMob and how plans to use the revamped nonprofit to serve communities of color.

(Originally published April 30, 2016) Why do some White Christians from the South feel so strongly about the Confederate flag? Was the Civil War really about states’ rights or was the conflict ultimately about slavery? — These are just some of the questions we discuss with Mississippi history professor Dr. Otis W. Pickett. Pickett is also co-founder of the Prison to College Pipeline Program. Learn more at https://faithfullymagazine.com/faithfully-podcast-5-christians-confederate-flag-civil-war/.