Reimagining

In this episode of the Reimagining podcast, Brian Niece discusses the concept of story with Aaron Shaver, the Gentleman Bard.

In this episode of the Reimagining podcast, Brian Niece discusses extremism, absolutism, real tolerance, and three ways to become more human.

In this episode of the Reimagining podcast, Brian Niece has a conversation with Tom Chappell Lewis, aka The Bar Chaplain, about the meaning and practice of presence.

In this episode of Season 2 of the Reimagining podcast, Brian Niece considers the differences between significance, success, and importance.

In the first episode of Season 2 of the Reimagining podcast, Brian Niece speaks frankly about what allegiance is, and raises questions about how to think differently regarding this current societal discussion.

In this Season 2 preview, Brian Niece takes stock of the podcast so far, gives a glimpse into future topics, & invites listeners to take some action.

In Episode 22 of the Reimagining podcast, Brian Niece works to define some terms and raise some complex questions involved with the process of reimagining church. This is Part 2 of a multipart series on Reimagining Church, and is also the final episode of Season 1.

In Episode 21 of the Reimagining podcast, Brian Niece has a conversation with Derrick Scott III about reimagining church. Derrick is the Executive Director of the Campus to City Wesley Foundation. This is Part 1 of a multipart series on Reimagining Church.

This Special Episode of the Reimagining podcast is a Good Friday meditation with an original interpretation of St. John's narrative in the Tenebrae tradition.

In Episode 19 of the Reimagining podcast, Brian Niece considers friendship and what it means to be a friend, including a laid back conversation with his friend Brian Fullford from the Cheer Up We're All Going to Die podcast.

In this Special Episode of the Reimagining podcast, we consider becoming "non" for Lent: non-directional, non-dualistic, non-equivalent, non-conformist, non-combative, and non-theistic. The easiest way to get new episodes is to subscribe on iTunes now. Want to continue the discussion? Tweet your thoughts using #reimagining to @brianmniece. Follow our Facebook Page. Or email us questions and thoughts to Podcast@brianniece.com. Find Brian at www.brianniece.com. This podcast is supported entirely by our listeners. Find out how to be a major part of what we're doing at our Patreon page. Further Reading and Resources: For the next 6 weeks, articles will be published on brianniece.com which coincide with the themes in this episode. Credits: Interludes music - "Young Years" by LANNDS; used by permission. Photography - Ronda Dickey.

In Episode 17 of the Reimagining podcast, Brian Niece evaluates how we can think better in light of questioning, critical thinking, and the long shadow of Socrates. The easiest way to get new episodes is to subscribe on iTunes now. Want to continue the discussion? Tweet your thoughts using #reimagining to @brianmniece. Follow our Facebook Page. Or email us questions and thoughts to Podcast@brianniece.com. Find Brian at www.brianniece.com. This podcast is supported entirely by our listeners. Find out how to be a major part of what we're doing at our Patreon page. Further Reading and Resources: How to Respond to the Challenges of Our Time? : Jazz Legends Herbie Hancock & Wayne Shorter Give 10 Pieces of Advice to Young Artists, and Everyone Else What Is Logic? in Aeon Magazine How to Use the Socratic Method The Life of the Mind by James V. Schall Teaching Children How to Think Instead of What to Think Downloads from BrianNiece.com Credits: Interludes music - "Think (About It) (Guitar Dubb Overdrive)" by The Impossebulls; used by permission. Photography - Ronda Dickey.

In Episode 16 of the Reimagining podcast, Brian Niece talks with author, professor, and activist Dr. Tripp York about his experiences and thoughts on our interaction with animals. The easiest way to get new episodes is to subscribe on iTunes now. Want to continue the discussion? Tweet your thoughts using #reimagining to @brianmniece. Follow our Facebook Page. Or email us questions and thoughts to Podcast@brianniece.com. Find Brian at www.brianniece.com. This podcast is supported entirely by our listeners. Find out how to be a major part of what we're doing at our Patreon page. Guest Info and Resources: Dr. Tripp York is a professor, author, and activist. Currently professor of Religion & Theology at Old Dominion University, he has also held positions at Virginia Wesleyan University, Western Kentucky University, and Elon University. His writings have appeared in numerous magazines, journals, and edited books. His own books span the diverse genres of non-fiction, novellas, and even a children’s book and cover subjects such as animals, martyrdom, politics, violence, religious satire and comics. His recent book, which will serve as the touchstone of our conversation today, is entitled, The End of Captivity? A Primate’s Reflections on Zoos, Conservation, and Christians Ethics. It addresses how we talk about the good of other animals in light of a stark impossibility: their freedom from us. Tripp’s activism revolves around a number of social justice issues including the protest against war, the protection of all animals, as well as various issues surrounding sexual politics and gender identity. Tripp's Website. End of Captivity?: A Primate's Reflections on Zoos, Conservation, and Christian Ethics. The Devil Wears Nada: Satan Exposed. A listing of all of Tripp York's books can be found here. Credits: Interludes music - "Nailing Descartes to the Wall" and "Anti-Manifesto" by Propagandhi.

In Episode 15 of the Reimagining podcast, Brian Niece discusses doubt as a possible virtue that helps us understand our beliefs rightly and works in us to foster humility. The easiest way to get new episodes is to subscribe on iTunes now. Want to continue the discussion? Tweet your thoughts using #reimagining to @brianmniece. Follow our Facebook Page. Or email us questions and thoughts to Podcast@brianniece.com. Find Brian at www.brianniece.com. This podcast is supported entirely by our listeners. Find out how to be a major part of what we're doing at our Patreon page. Credits: Interludes music - "We Live to Doubt" by The Agrarians; used by permission. Photography - Ronda Dickey.

In Episode 14 of the Reimagining podcast, Brian Niece talks with mental health advocate Aaron Smith about the reality, stigmas, and journey of mental illness. The easiest way to get new episodes is to subscribe on iTunes now. Want to continue the discussion? Tweet your thoughts using #reimagining to @brianmniece. Follow our Facebook Page. Or email us questions and thoughts to Podcast@brianniece.com. Find Brian at www.brianniece.com. This podcast is supported entirely by our listeners. Find out how to be a major part of what we're doing at our Patreon page. Guest Info and Resources: Aaron Smith is a writer who lives with mental illness. Diagnosed with bipolar II and GAD (General Anxiety Disorder), he tries to use his words to help shine a light on and normalize the experiences of those living with mental illness. Breaking down societal stigmas of mental illness is something he is passionate about, especially that stigma within the organizational church. He has been featured on HuffPost Live and as a speaker for several Shattering Stigma conferences. CulturalSavage.com. Visit the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Shattering Stigma conferences and resources. Credits: Interludes music - "Respect then Love" by The Mind Orchestra; used by permission. Photography - Ronda Dickey.

In this week's episode of the Reimagining podcast, Brian Niece brings along Gandhi, Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Albert Einstein, Victor Hugo, Immanuel Kant, Carl Sagan and others to catch some glimpses of humanity. The easiest way to get new episodes is to subscribe on iTunes now. Want to continue the discussion? Tweet your thoughts using #reimagining to @brianmniece. Follow our Facebook Page. Or email us questions and thoughts to Podcast@brianniece.com. Find Brian at www.brianniece.com. This podcast is supported entirely by our listeners. Find out how to be a major part of what we're doing at our Patreon page. Further Reading: Rudyard Kipling's The Light that Failed. Audio of Fyodor Dostoyevsky's The Idiot. Gutenberg text of Fyodor Dostoyevsky's The Brothers Karamazov. Overview of Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man. An article on Xenophon. Various works by Isocrates. Credits: Interludes music - "My Mind Never Bends" by Derek Clegg; used by permission. Photography - Ronda Dickey.

In this week's episode of the Reimagining podcast, Brian Niece gets just a little bit political by looking at the history of civil disobedience. There's some Thoreau, some rethinking of terms, and an honest look at the power of the institution. The easiest way to get new episodes is to subscribe on iTunes now. Want to continue the discussion? Tweet your thoughts using #reimagining to @brianmniece. Follow our Facebook Page. Or email us questions and thoughts to Podcast@brianniece.com. Find Brian at www.brianniece.com. This podcast is supported entirely by our listeners. Find out how to be a major part of what we're doing at our Patreon page. Further Reading: "If Trump Loses I'm Grabbing My Musket". "Essay On Civil Disobedience" by Henry David Thoreau. "Civil Disobedience: Disrupting the False Peace" on PoliticalTheology.com. "Thoreau on How to Use Civil Disobedience to Advance Justice" on BrainPickings.com. "Black Lives Matter, Too" by Brian Niece. Credits: Interludes music - "Still Civilian" by Civil Brute; used by permission. Photography - Ronda Dickey.

In Episode 11 of the Reimagining podcast, Brian Niece talks with Mike McHargue a.k.a. Science Mike about prayer and meditation, what neuroscience has to say about these practices, and the humility involved in the project of questioning. The easiest way to get new episodes is to subscribe on iTunes now. Want to continue the discussion? Tweet your thoughts using #reimagining to @brianmniece. Follow our Facebook Page. Or email us questions and thoughts to Podcast@brianniece.com. Find Brian at www.brianniece.com. This podcast is supported entirely by our listeners. Find out how to be a major part of what we're doing at our Patreon page. Guest Info: Mike McHargue (Science Mike) is a Christian turned atheist turned follower of Jesus who uses his story to help people know God in an age of science. Mike is the host and cohost of two podcasts -- Ask Science Mike and The Liturgists Podcast -- that have attracted a curious following among Christians, the spiritually interested, and the religiously unaffiliated. Visit Mike's website. Check out Mike's book Finding God in the Waves: How I Lost My Faith and Found It Again Through Science. Listen to the Ask Science Mike podcast. Listen to The Liturgists Podcast. See Mike's upcoming appearances. Credits: Interludes music - "Down to the Water" by Stephanie Jeck; used by permission. Photography - Ronda Dickey.

In this week's episode of the Reimagining podcast, Brian Niece examines the often trumpeted notion of being a "voice for the voiceless."

In Episode 9 of the Reimagining podcast, Brian Niece talks with Matt McKee about some healthy approaches toward having technology in the home and our relationship with technology. The easiest way to get new episodes is to subscribe on iTunes now. Want to continue the discussion? Tweet your thoughts using #reimagining to @brianmniece. Follow our Facebook Page. Or email us questions and thoughts to Podcast@brianniece.com. Find Brian at www.brianniece.com. This podcast is supported entirely by our listeners. Find out how to be a major part of what we're doing at our Patreon page. Guest Info: Matt McKee is the author of Parent Chat: The Technology Talk for Every Family.  Matt speaks all over the place about how to leverage technology to actually make a difference. He’s a serial entrepreneur who has failed gloriously, but also had several successful exits. He is the founder and CEO of The Spire Firm. And Matt is a Strategy Consultant for The reThink Group and an Advisory Board member of Circle with Disney. Find Matt on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Resources mentioned in this episode: Parent Chat: The Technology Talk for Every Family by Matt McKee. Circle with Disney. ParentChat.tv. Credits: Interludes music - "Lazy Conversation" by Godblesscomputers; used by permission. Design - Stephanie Jeck. Photography - Ronda Dickey.

In Episode 8 of the Reimagining podcast, Brian Niece considers how we view endings and our fascination with eternity, the separation of the body and soul, and resurrection. The easiest way to get new episodes is to subscribe on iTunes now. Want to continue the discussion? Tweet your thoughts using #reimagining to @brianmniece. Follow our Facebook Page. Or email us questions and thoughts to Podcast@brianniece.com. Find Brian at www.brianniece.com. This podcast is supported entirely by our listeners. Find out how to be a major part of what we're doing at our Patreon page. Resources mentioned in this episode and previous episode: "How We Say Goodbye" on societyforpsychotherapy.org. Ongoingness: The End of a Diary by Sarah Manguso. Credits: Interludes music - "Stop and Go" by SK; used by permission. Design - Stephanie Jeck. Photography - Ronda Dickey.

In Episode 7 of the Reimagining podcast, Brian Niece continues his conversation with Thomas Jay Oord, begun in Episode 6, about the nature of God's love and human love, open theology, and how love speaks into science. The easiest way to get new episodes is to subscribe on iTunes now. Want to continue the discussion? Tweet your thoughts using #reimagining to @brianmniece. Follow our Facebook Page. Or email us questions and thoughts to Podcast@brianniece.com. Find Brian at www.brianniece.com. This podcast is supported entirely by our listeners. Find out how to be a major part of what we're doing at our Patreon page. Guest Info: Dr. Thomas Jay Oord is a theologian, philosopher, and multi-disciplinary scholar. He is the author or editor of more than twenty books and has been a professor from the American east coast to the northwest. His most recent book is entitled The Uncontrolling Love of God: An Open and Relational Account of Providence. A gifted speaker, Tom Oord is known for his contributions to research on love, open and relational theology, science and religion, and theologies exploring the implications of freedom and relationships for transformation. Visit Thomas Jay Oord's website. See Dr. Oords's upcoming appearances. Resources mentioned in this episode and previous episode: The Uncontrolling Love of God by Thomas Jay Oord. Excerpts of the essay “What Would Jesus’ Brain Look Like?” by Thomas Jay Oord. The Nature of Love: A Theology by Thomas Jay Oord. Defining Love: A Philosophical, Scientific, and Theological Engagement by Thomas Jay Oord. "They Kill the Prophets" by Brian Niece. Credits: Interludes music - "Comfort to You" by Cullah; used by permission. Design - Stephanie Jeck. Photography - Ronda Dickey.

In Episode 6 of the Reimagining podcast, Brian Niece has a conversation with Thomas Jay Oord about the nature of God's love and human love, understanding God's nature, and open theology. The easiest way to get new episodes is to subscribe on iTunes now. Want to continue the discussion? Tweet your thoughts using #reimagining to @brianmniece. Follow our Facebook Page. Or email us questions and thoughts to Podcast@brianniece.com. Find Brian at www.brianniece.com. This podcast is supported entirely by our listeners. Find out how to be a major part of what we're doing at our Patreon page. Guest Info: Dr. Thomas Jay Oord is a theologian, philosopher, and multi-disciplinary scholar. He is the author or editor of more than twenty books and has been a professor from the American east coast to the northwest. His most recent book is entitled The Uncontrolling Love of God: An Open and Relational Account of Providence. A gifted speaker, Tom Oord is known for his contributions to research on love, open and relational theology, science and religion, and theologies exploring the implications of freedom and relationships for transformation. Visit Thomas Jay Oord's website. See Dr. Oords's upcoming appearances. Resources mentioned in this episode: The Uncontrolling Love of God by Thomas Jay Oord. The Nature of Love: A Theology by Thomas Jay Oord. Defining Love: A Philosophical, Scientific, and Theological Engagement by Thomas Jay Oord. Thy Nature and Thy Name Is Love edited by Bryan P. Stone and Thomas Jay Oord. Credits: Interludes music - "The Fallen", by Cullah; used by permission. Design - Stephanie Jeck. Photography - Ronda Dickey.

In Episode 5 of the Reimagining podcast, Brian Niece has a conversation with multi-format recording artist, songwriter, performer and author Plumb about the challenges and potential crises of marriage, and the importance of surrounding ourselves with community. The easiest way to get new episodes is to subscribe on iTunes now. Want to continue the discussion? Tweet your thoughts using #reimagining to @brianmniece. Follow our Facebook Page. Or email us questions and thoughts to Podcast@brianniece.com. Find Brian at www.brianniece.com. This podcast is supported entirely by our listeners. Find out how to be a major part of what we're doing at our Patreon page. Guest Info: With over 500,000 albums and over 2 million singles sold worldwide, Plumb has established an impressively broad career highlighting her otherworldly voice as a performer, impactful and truthful lyrics as a songwriter and inspiringly transparent writing as an author. Plumb’s music has spanned multi-format charts and has found a home with dozens of high-profile film and TV placements. Find Plumb's tour dates here. Find Plumb's memoir Need You Now: A Story of Hope here. Find Plumb on Twitter @plumbmusic. Check out all things Plumb at www.plumbmusic.net. Resources mentioned in this episode: Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas. Jesus Calling by Sarah Young. Need You Know: A Story of Hope by Plumb. Credits: Interludes music - "Smoke", by Plumb; used by permission. Design - Stephanie Jeck. Photography - Ronda Dickey.

In Episode 4 of the Reimagining podcast, Brian Niece has a conversation with Steve Austin about the perceptions, nature, and messiness of grace. The easiest way to get new episodes is to subscribe on iTunes now. Want to continue the discussion? Tweet your thoughts using #reimagining to @brianmniece. Follow our Facebook Page. Or email us questions and ideas for future episodes at Podcast@brianniece.com. Find Brian at www.brianniece.com. This podcast is supported entirely by our listeners. Find out how to be a major part of what we're doing at our Patreon page. Guest Info: Steve Austin is a family man, worship pastor, author, and speaker. Steve blogs regularly about the messiness of grace, plus recovery from abuse, addiction, and a suicide attempt at GraceIsMessy.com. Get Steve's book From Pastor to a Psych Ward: Recovery from a Suicide Attempt Is Possible. Find Steve Austin at www.iamsteveaustin.com. Steve Austin's blog at Patheos is GraceIsMessy. Get Steve's book here.   Credits: Interludes music - "Theo and Vincent", Composed by Tenor Cierpke; used by permission. Design - Stephanie Jeck. Photography - Ronda Dickey.