Transmission

Alas friends (and enemies), this is our last episode together. We started Transmission early in the pandemic as a sort of experiment. But the time has come to bring the experiment to a close. It has been an amazing and consequential couple of years. Societally and personally. Join us we reflect upon lessons learned and hopes for the future.

In this episode, we riff off of a recent New York Times piece about the elements of evangelical worship in Republican political rallies, Is this the same old blurred lines between Church and State? Or the deepening of fascism?

In this episode, Dan and Ashe discuss the new study that shows white support for COVID relief decreased the more it was reported that people of color were disproportionately affected. The study refers to it as a "vicious cycle" where raising awareness resulted in a decrease in empathy and response. This dynamic can be seen in other areas of society, including school funding.

In this episode of Transmission, we discuss the way those operating from a place of dominance are prone to dehumanize and exclude. Often coming from a place of deep resentment and disdain, such exclusion is usually masked by rhetoric that only sounds "reasonable" because it appeals to deep-seated prejudices. From Ketanji Brown Jackson's hearing on Capitol Hill to Lia Thomas' hearing in the court of public opinion the diabolical force of White Patriarchal Supremacy is seeks to maintain ownership and control, posting socio-spiritual signs that say "No Trespassing."

In this episode, Dan and Ashe invite you to post issues or question. It is a choose your own adventure of an episode without agenda.

Dan and Ashe continue their conversation from episode 250. Where do we direct our attention when it is a scarce resource? In a world stuffed full of astonishing complexity, agonizing oppression, and glimpses of divine beauty?

As Russia invades Ukraine and the Western powers flex in collective rebuke, the world watches. This week, the US bombed Somalia, Israel bombed Syria, Saudi Arabia bombed Yemen. The governor of Texas effectively made it illegal for trans youth to receive gender affirming therapies, designating any adult support of such youth "child abuse." Meanwhile, you and every single one of your friends is probably experiencing some heavy thing. Some burden. Some crisis. And in the midst of all of these crises, large and small, are beautiful things worth preserving. Compassion and solidarity both require attention. To whom do we give our attention? Especially when attention is a scarce resource?

The Super Bowl LVI halftime show featured Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Kendrick Lamar, and singer Mary J. Blige, with additional guest performers. The show drew criticism from the usual suspects for being "super woke" or "anti-white" or "in poor taste" or "celebrating violence." And it stirred up, once again, the tensions between Boomers and Millennials, whilst Gen Xers sulked in the shadows. Join us as we talk about all of these things (and more). You don't even have to know anything about football (which Ashe, most assuredly, does not).

Denominations are fracturing. Christian institutions are in decline. Pastors are resigning in growing numbers. Meanwhile, the New York Times recently published an op-ed titled: "Why Churches Should Drop Their Online Services." In episodes 214-216, we asked "what is the church?" Today, we return to that theme to ask if "the church" as an institution (or even "church" as an idea) is worth salvaging at all.

Many of us long for change. We know this path we're on leads to more death and struggle. But the more we agitate for change, the more it terrifies old white men who sometimes react, violently. Our society, at every level, is constructed to avoid the upheaval of transformative change. Our systems whisper lullabies to us, lulling us to sleep, blanketting us with a complex weaving of delusions. To seek change brings suffering—inner turmoil, social rejection, and sometimes worse. Partnering with the Subversive Spirit, who longs to make all things new is to embrace a painful path, but a path that leads to new life.

Join us for our final episode of 2021! We've experienced wo years of pandemic during continued imperial decline and environmental crises. While there is much to lament, hope glitters from amongst the ash. Join us as we discuss the hopeful signs of resurrection amongst the rubble of a collapsing world. As Arundhati Roy writes: “Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.”

We've experienced two years of pandemic during continued imperial decline and environmental crises. While there is much to lament, hope glitters from amongst the ash. Join us as we discuss the hopeful signs of resurrection amongst the rubble of a collapsing world. As Arundhati Roy writes: “Another world is not only possible, she is on her way. On a quiet day, I can hear her breathing.” This will be the final series of 2021.

The third and final part in our series reflecting upon the commodification of the "self" under capitalism. Shows like Squid Games explore the ways that our society nurtures the worst aspects of the human experience. Under capitalism, we are urged to constantly push and judge ourselves, choosing the hustle over and against compassion. Many of us are overworked, taking risks, and choosing success over the needs of our spirits so that we can "win" in our toxic system.

The second in a three part series. Shows like Squid Games explore the ways that our society nurtures the worst aspects of the human experience. Under capitalism, we are urged to constantly push and judge ourselves, choosing the hustle over and against compassion. Many of us are overworked, taking risks, and choosing success over the needs of our spirits so that we can "win" in our toxic system.

Shows like Squid Games explore the ways that our society nurtures the worst aspects of the human experience. Under capitalism, we are urged to constantly push and judge ourselves, choosing the hustle over and against compassion. Many of us are overworked, taking risks, and choosing success over the needs of our spirits so that we can "win" in our toxic system.

The third and final part of our series on gender identity and formation. Does the way you are "socialized" as a male or female matter? What is the essence of gender?

We continue our a broad discussion around gender formation. Does the way you are "socialized" as a male or female matter? What is the essence of gender? Is Dave Chappelle a TERF? What is a TERF? Why does it matter?

Today we begin a broad discussion around gender formation. Does the way you are "socialized" as a male or female matter? What is the essence of gender? Is Dave Chappelle a TERF? What is a TERF? Why does it matter?

In this episode we discuss reproductive rights and the way in which many pro-lifers propose an ethic of love before birth and after death, leaving the middle ground as a cult of judgement and oppression.

Part 2. Jesus is neuro-atypical. The way he perceives the world is maladaptive for imperial life. Jesus was constantly pissing off folks that were "normal." In fact, he challenged "normal" constantly. Join us as we discuss the tyranny of societally sanctioned habits and the holiness of divergence.

Jesus is neuro-atypical. The way he perceives the world is maladaptive for imperial life. Jesus was constantly pissing off folks that were "normal." In fact, he challenged "normal" constantly. Join us as we discuss the tyranny of societally sanctioned habits and the holiness of divergence.

We conclude our discussion of the lingering apocalypse. An "apocalypse" is an unveiling...a revelation. For those able to perceive the nature of things, the struggles of our world are laid bare. However, many live in a seemingly willful foolishness, failing to see that we live in a time of slow-moving collapse. Ours is already a post-apocalyptic reality, as millions are already devastated by climate change. With a healthcare system crushed by pandemic. And with an acceleration of economic and environmental exploitation. Meanwhile, Met galas and European vacations continue as though everything were right as rain.

We continue our discussion of the linger apocalypse. An "apocalypse" is an unveiling...a revelation. For those able to perceive the nature of things, the struggles of our world are laid bare. However, many live in a seemingly willful foolishness, failing to see that we live in a time of slow-moving collapse. = Ours is already a post-apocalyptic reality, as millions are already devastated by climate change. With a healthcare system crushed by pandemic. And with an acceleration of economic and environmental exploitation. Meanwhile, Met galas and European vacations continue as though everything were right as rain.

We return to the original theme of Transmission: apocalypse. An "apocalypse" is an unveiling...a revelation. For those able to perceive the nature of things, the struggles of our world are laid bare. However, many live in a seemingly willful foolishness, failing to see that we live in a time of slow-moving collapse. Ours is already a post-apocalyptic reality, as millions are already devastated by climate change. With a healthcare system crushed by pandemic. And with an acceleration of economic and environmental exploitation. Meanwhile, Met galas and European vacations continue as though everything were right as rain.

Part three of our series on the role of celebration and play as both spiritual practice and revolutionary praxis.

We continue our discussion on the importance of celebration and play as essential to the struggle for liberation.

In this series we explore the importance of celebration and play as both spiritual practice and revolutionary praxis. In 1931, Emma Goldman recounted a story in her biography. Emma was known for being "the most untiring and gayest" at dance parties. One evening an anarchist boy chided her, suggesting that revolutionaries shouldn't be given to joy and dancing when the political situation was so grim. Her frivolity would hurt the Cause. Emma writes: I told him to mind his own business, I was tired of having the Cause constantly thrown into my face. I did not believe that a Cause which stood for a beautiful ideal, for anarchism, for release and freedom from conventions and prejudice, should demand the denial of life and joy. I insisted that our Cause could not expect me to become a nun and that the movement should not be turned into a cloister. If it meant that, I did not want it. "I want freedom, the right to self-expression, everybody's right to beautiful, radiant things." Anarchism meant that to me, and I would live it in spite of the whole world--prisons, persecution, everything. Yes, even in spite of the condemnation of my own comrades I would live my beautiful ideal. Later this would be paraphrased as: "If I can't dance, I don't want to be part of your revolution:"

To "subvert" means to "turn over." Subversion is the process of flipping everything upside down and undermining something at a fundamental level. It is helpful to think of it as an agricultural term...to subvert is to flip over the soil so that something new can grow. As we see systems of subjugation all around us...often undergirded and reinforced by religious systems, what does it mean to be "subversive?" How can we be "death doulas" for a church that needs to die so that a new, more vibrant way of life can be born? How do we nurture the new world in the shell of the old world, even as that old world exerts tremendously oppressive power?

To "subvert" means to "turn over." Subversion is the process of flipping everything upside down and undermining something at a fundamental level. It is helpful to think of it as an agricultural term...to subvert is to flip over the soil so that something new can grow. As we see systems of subjugation all around us...often undergirded and reinforced by religious systems, what does it mean to be "subversive?" How can we be "death doulas" for a church that needs to die so that a new, more vibrant way of life can be born? How do we nurture the new world in the shell of the old world, even as that old world exerts tremendously oppressive power?

This is the third and final part of our series on Christian patriarchy. Christianity seems intractably knotted up with patriarchy. Christians worship God the Father. They honor patriarchs like Abraham and Moses. They follow a Risen God-man named Jesus. In this series we talk patriarchy and his offspring (heteronormativity, gender essentialism, transphobia, etc) and ask: "Is it possible to embrace some form of Christian spirituality without becoming agents of the Patriarchy?"

This is part two in our series on Patriarchy and Christianity. Christianity seems intractably knotted up with patriarchy. Christians worship God the Father. They honor patriarchs like Abraham and Moses. They follow a Risen God-man named Jesus. In this series we talk patriarchy and his offspring (heteronormativity, gender essentialism, transphobia, etc) and ask: "Is it possible to embrace some form of Christian spirituality without becoming agents of the Patriarchy?"

Christianity seems intractably knotted up with patriarchy. Christians worship God the Father. They honor patriarchs like Abraham and Moses. They follow a Risen God-man named Jesus. In this series we talk patriarchy and his offspring (heteronormativity, gender essentialism, transphobia, etc) and ask: "Is it possible to embrace some form of Christian spirituality without becoming agents of the Patriarchy?"

Empires go to Afghanistan to die, it would seem. Like the British Empire and the USSR, many speculate that our withdrawal from Afghanistan is in some way a signal of our inevitable imperial collapse. Join us as we discuss the nature of Empire, the way the US has functioned as an empire, the role of religion in imperialism, and much more!

Empires go to Afghanistan to die, it would seem. Like the British Empire and the USSR, many speculate that our withdrawal from Afghanistan is in some way a signal of our inevitable imperial collapse. Join us as we discuss the nature of Empire, the way the US has functioned as an empire, the role of religion in imperialism, and much more!

According to an old fable, an eastern ruler asked his devoted sage to inscribe on a ring a fundamental truth—something that would be just as true in good times or bad. He engraved these words: "And this, too, shall pass away." We live in times of deep uncertainty. Are these sage words still true? Or are we in such unprecedented times that it is impossible to be prepared for what is coming? Climate change is increasingly undeniable. We are working our way through the Greek alphabet as COVID mutates. And, through it all, demagogues exploit our deep, gnawing, uncertainty. How then, do we cope with uncertainty? Where, then, is our hope? In the third and final installation of this series, we explore the weaponization of uncertainty.

According to an old fable, an eastern ruler asked his devoted sage to inscribe on a ring a fundamental truth—something that would be just as true in good times or bad. He engraved these words: "And this, too, shall pass away." We live in times of deep uncertainty. Are these sage words still true? Or are we in such unprecedented times that it is impossible to be prepared for what is coming? Climate change is increasingly undeniable. We are working our way through the Greek alphabet as COVID mutates. And, through it all, demagogues exploit our deep, gnawing, uncertainty. How then, do we cope with uncertainty? Where, then, is our hope? In this, the second part of the series, we ask: "Can we put our hope in progress?"

What is the role of anger or rage in politics and spirituality? Many often interpret the prophetic tradition (which is simultaneously spiritual and political) as ragey, but anger is healthy response to evil, oppression, and suffering. As we bear witness to the pain in our world, how do we become effective in our rage? How can anger be constructive? Is it enough to be deconstructive? To wrathfully fuck up oppression and monkeywrench evil? In this final part of the series, we reflect more on divine anger, explore the difference between liberatory anger and fascistic aggression, and reflect upon what makes for "effective" anger.

What is the role of anger or rage in politics and spirituality? Many often interpret the prophetic tradition (which is simultaneously spiritual and political) as ragey, but anger is healthy response to evil, oppression, and suffering. As we bear witness to the pain in our world, how do we become effective in our rage? How can anger be constructive? Is it enough to be deconstructive? To wrathfully fuck up oppression and monkeywrench evil? Today, we examine the difference between anger and aggression, and dig deeper into sacred rage, including the "wrath of God." Part 2 of 3.

What is the role of anger or rage in politics and spirituality? Many often interpret the prophetic tradition (which is simultaneously spiritual and political) as ragey, but anger is healthy response to evil, oppression, and suffering. As we bear witness to the pain in our world, how do we become effective in our rage? How can anger be constructive? Is it enough to be deconstructive? To wrathfully fuck up oppression and monkeywrench evil?

People are leaving the Church in growing numbers. Denominations are fracturing. American Bishops want to deny President Biden communion. Throughout the pandemic, churches have struggled to provide basic services, wondering if it is "enough." Underneath these issues there is a gnawing question: What, exactly, is the Church? What purpose does it serve? The final part of a three part series.

People are leaving the Church in growing numbers. Denominations are fracturing. American Bishops want to deny President Biden communion. Throughout the pandemic, churches have struggled to provide basic services, wondering if it is "enough." Underneath these issues there is a gnawing question: What, exactly, is the Church? What purpose does it serve?

People are leaving the Church in growing numbers. Denominations are fracturing. American Bishops want to deny President Biden communion. Throughout the pandemic, churches have struggled to provide basic services, wondering if it is "enough." Underneath all of these issues there is a gnawing question: What, exactly, is the Church? What purpose does it serve?

We conclude our exploration of the dire and complex realities of climate change. How are our economic and political systems causing global catastrophe? What does the ever-looming threat of slow collapse affect our mental health? As our world bakes, how do we avoid apathy and denialism and, instead, collaborate to heal our world?

In this series we explore the dire and complex realities of climate change. How are our economic and political systems causing global catastrophe? What does the ever-looming threat of slow collapse affect our mental health? As our world bakes, how do we avoid apathy and denialism and collectively act in ways that heal our world?

In this series we explore the dire and complex realities of climate change. How are our economic and political systems causing global catastrophe? What does the ever-looming threat of slow collapse affect our mental health? As our world bakes, how do we avoid apathy and denialism and collectively act in ways that heal our world?

What is evil? How can a good God allow evil? Is human nature evil? How do we respond to evil?

What is evil? How can a good God allow evil? Is human nature evil? How do we respond to evil?

What is evil? How can a good God allow evil? Is human nature evil? How do we respond to evil?

In this series we explore the difference between discernment and decision-making, not just in our personal lives, but in the socio-political "sphere" as well. Discussing the difference between process and content, we'll challenge the over-emphasis on "good ideas."

In this series we explore the difference between discernment and decision-making, not just in our personal lives, but in the socio-political "sphere" as well. Discussing the difference between process and content, we'll challenge the over-emphasis on "good ideas."

In this series we explore the difference between discernment and decision-making, not just in our personal lives, but in the socio-political "sphere" as well. Discussing the difference between process and content, we'll challenge the over-emphasis on "good ideas."