Second Table

It's time for season 2 to come to a close. This has been an incredible experience so far and thanks to all of you who listen to Second Table!As I mentioned, I have a YouTube channel in the works. Here is a link to the channel:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7QJAc52t8txeQeVARS_RtARight now you can find episodes of this podcast on the channel, but videos are coming soon. Please go ahead and subscribe to the channel, and I look forward to reading your comments!

Trace Bell is a recent UCLA graduate and spiritual teacher. Trace has been involved in many interesting projects, and helps others to explore their spirituality. In our conversation we discussed his unique upbringing, how to talk to your kids about spirituality, spiral dynamics, science and spirituality, and how the consciousness of humankind is evolving. You can learn more about Trace by visiting his website:https://www.tracebelll.com/

In this episode I talk with Chungliang Al Huang, who is a notable philosopher, dancer, performing artist and internationally acclaimed Tai Ji master. He is the founder and president of the Living Tao Foundation and the director of the Lan Ting Institute, and is also the author of many books. In our conversation we discussed how we can find our center and more flow in a world that often struggles against nature. Chungliang reminds us to “turn the struggle into a dance.” We discussed his extraordinary life and career, and explored his close relationship with Alan Watts, with whom he studied, taught, and collaborated with. You can learn more about Chungliang Al Huang at his website:https://livingtao.org/

In this episode, I spoke with Diana Butler Bass who is an American Historian of Christianity, holds a PhD in religious studies from Duke University, and is an award winning author of 11 books. Her most recent book which was just released is: Freeing Jesus: Rediscovering Jesus as Friend, Teacher, Savior, Lord, Way, and Presence. We discussed the multifaceted ways in which people understand and experience Jesus, the drastically changing scene of Christianity in America today, the power of stories, and Diana’s own powerful journey of faith.You can learn more about Diana and find her books at https://dianabutlerbass.com/

In this episode I speak with Anatta Campbell who is the author of The Ordinary Buddha: Stories of Awakening. In her book she interviews individuals who have had spiritual awakening or enlightenment experiences, including the spiritual teachers Bryon Katie and Adyashanti. In our conversation we discuss what spiritual awakening is, her own spiritual experience of awakening, and discovering who we really are. Anatta also talks about her experience being part of the controversial spiritual community Rajneeshpuram, led by Osho, which was the focus of the Netflix documentary series Wild Wild Country. You can find Anatta’s book here: https://www.amazon.com/Ordinary-Buddha-Anatta-Campbell-ebook/dp/B007SAFFJ6/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+ordinary+buddha+anatta+campbell&qid=1619882279&sr=8-1

Dan Koch is the host of the You Have Permission Podcast, and has been the host of a number of other podcasts. He is a doctoral student in counseling psychology at Northwest University in Kirkland, Washington. Dan is also the co-creator of the website soyouredeconstructing.com. In this episode we covered a range of topics related to the state of Christianity in America today, including what it means to love our enemies, the political and religious divide, and how people co-opt Jesus to meet their psychological needs.

In this episode I talk with Kendall Vanderslice who is the author of We Will Feast: Rethinking dinner, worship, and the community of God. Kendall has traveled all across the country visiting a new kind of church: the dinner church. These communities gather around the table for sacred meals. In our discussion we talk about why this model is church is gaining popularity today, the loneliness we experience in our culture, the sacredness of food and how this model is similar to the way the first Christians would gather and worship. You can find out more about Kendall Vanderslice at her website: www.edibletheology.com

Matthew Korpman is a PhD student at the University of Birmingham, graduate of Yale Divinity School, and author of the book Saying No to God: A Radical Approach to Reading the Bible Faithfully. In this episode we discuss how wrestling with God is part of the Biblical tradition, and the role our struggle plays in our growth and development. Matthew argues that God doesn't want our blind obedience. Instead, it is the character of God and God's values that are most important.  You can find Matthew online here:www.matthewjkorpman.comSayingnotogod.comTiktok: @mkorpmanTwitter: @mkorpman 

In this episode Bryan Stone, professor at Boston University School of Theology and author of Faith and Film, talks about a new book he is working on: Christianity and Horror Film. We discussed how horror confronts us with our deepest fears, and explored why certain themes in horror are popular.

In this episode, I talk with Jory Pryor who is the host of the podcast Methods, which is an excellent resource that provides listeners with a variety of guided meditation and prayer practices. Our conversation covered a lot of ground, including deconstruction, perennial philosophy, finding our identity in God, and what spiritual practice is really all about. You can find about more about Jory and the Methods podcast by following the links below:https://methodspodcast.com/Instagram: @methodspodcastFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/methodsthepodcast

In this episode, Peter Rollins returns to discuss a wide range of topics, including the role of the church and ministers, the connection between atheism and Christianity, Peter’s upcoming program called Atheism for Lent, and how we can bring what is real and true to the surface. If you'd like to learn more about Atheism for Lent follow the link below:https://peterrollins.com/atheism-for-lent-welcome-2021

We are back in business! In this episode Morgan Caraway returns to discuss the political divide in America and how we can find hope in the midst of turmoil. You can find out more about the work Morgan does at his website:https://sustainablelifeschool.com/media/

In this episode Winston has an announcement to share and offers some final thoughts at the close of season 1 of the podcast.

In this episode, Winston meets with Daniel L. Prechtel, John R. Mabry, and Katrina Leathers, who collaborated to write the book Soul Journeys: Christian Spirituality and Shamanism as Pathways for Wholeness and Understanding. In this conversation they discuss the ancient practices of Shamanism that can help us to experience spiritual reality in deeper ways. You can find the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Journeys-Christian-Spirituality-Understanding/dp/1949643476You can learn more about the authors here:http://www.llministries.com/https://www.johnrmabry.com/http://onecircleministry.com/onecircleministry.com/Home.htmlResources for finding spiritual guidance in these practices:Spiritual Directors Internationalhttps://www.sdiworld.org/Foundation for Shamanic Studieshttps://shamanism.org/

In this episode Winston talks with theologian, philosopher and scholar Thomas Jay Oord about the problem of how God could allow evil and suffering in the world. Oord proposes a radically new way of conceptualizing God. His most recent book is entitled God Can’t: How to believe in God and Love after Tragedy, Abuse, and Evil.You can find out more about Thomas Jay Oord on his website: http://thomasjayoord.com/

In this episode, Winston talks with author, speaker, activist and public theologian Brian McLaren about his book The Great Spiritual Migration, the future of church, and how our religious institutions have the potential to help transform the world. You can find out more about Brian McLaren on his website: https://brianmclaren.net/

In this episode, Morgan Caraway and Winston meet again to discuss spiritual life, having a relationship with God, how the deal with our egos, and the nature of suffering. Here is a link to the Douglas Harding exercise that Morgan referenced in the episode:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nDNhdtVO80

Barbara Brown Taylor is a best-selling author, teacher, and Episcopal priest. In 2014 TIME included her on its annual list of the 100 Most Influential People in the world. In this episode, she and Winston talk about her most recent book, Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others, and how exploring other religions can enrich our own faith.

In this episode, Winston talks with positive speaker and holistic life coach David Roper. They discuss spiritual transformation, learning to trust God, and how to see Christ in everyone.

With Easter just around the corner, Winston reflects on the the meaning and symbolism of the cross, and calls into question the way that the crucifixion is commonly interpreted. Note: The book that is referenced in this episode is Myth and Ritual in Christianity by Alan Watts.

In this episode, Winston discusses some of the problems with common understandings of the Bible, and offers ways that we can still gain value and meaning from the ancient texts of the Bible, even if we don't take them literally. Additional note: The textbook that is referenced in this episode is A Brief Introduction to the New Testament, 3rd Edition by Bart D. Ehrman. Correction: In the episode Winston mentions that the Gospel of Mark is estimated to have been written around 40 C.E., but according to the textbook it was actually written 65-70 C.E.

In this episode, Winston talks with Paul Knitter, who is the Emeritus Paul Tillich Professor of Theology, World Religions, and Culture at Union Theological Seminary, and the author of Without Buddha I Could Not Be a Christian. Paul and Winston discuss reconciling Christianity with Buddhism, the nature of God, suffering, prayer, meditation, and many other things.

In this episode Winston and his wife Jessica Janusz discuss the COVID-19 pandemic from their apartment. They discuss the importance of processing our emotions, finding the collateral beauty in the midst of this catastrophe, and remind listeners that we are all in this together.

In this episode Winston talks with Matt Carriker, an ordained UCC pastor at Agape Spiritual Community in Waltham, MA and Protestant Chaplain at Brandeis University. Matt and Winston have both been impacted by the Buddhist tradition in significant ways, and in this conversation they explore why they think Buddhism and Christianity can be harmonized, and what the future of church might look like. You can learn more about Matt and Agape Spiritual Community at http://www.agapewaltham.org/

In this episode, Peter Rollins and Winston enter even deeper into the issues discussed in part one. Once again they explore how Hegelian philosophy compares with the thought of Alan Watts. They also discuss how understanding the crack at the heart of the universe can help us to love our neighbors, and why the church is needed now more than ever.

In this episode Winston shares one of the last "hoops" he had to jump through to become an ordained pastor in the United Church of Christ. Get to know your host better as he presents his theology and vision for the future of the church to a live audience, followed by a Q & A session and a vote by the audience on whether or not to recommend him for ordination.

In this episode, philosopher, writer, speaker and pyrotheologian Peter Rollins talks with Winston about how the philosophy of oneness can be problematic. In the episode they explore the thought of Hegel, Alan Watts, Freud and Jung. Peter Rollins advocates for a universe that is inherently not-at-one with itself, and how understanding that can help us.

In this episode, author, musician, and pioneer in sustainable living Morgan Caraway joins Winston in a discussion about Alan Watts, Ram Dass, community, love, and the mystery of it all. You can find Morgan's most recent book Ecological Awakening here: https://www.amazon.com/Ecological-Awakening-Morgan-Caraway-ebook/dp/B07BN2NKSZMorgan's website is www.sustainablelifeschool.com

This is a brief introduction to the Second Table podcast in which Winston talks about the parable that inspired the title.