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6 episodes with Eastern Illinois University
7 episodes with Eastern Illinois University
3 episodes with Eastern Illinois University
3 episodes with Eastern Illinois University
11 episodes with Eastern Illinois University
4 episodes with Eastern Illinois University
3 episodes with Eastern Illinois University
11 episodes with Eastern Illinois University
4 episodes with Eastern Illinois University
Well nerds, buckle up for this one. My buddy Ryan Burge has returned with his latest graphs about religion and the 2024 election, and let me tell you - it was zesty. We started talking about minor league baseball, chicken raising, and somehow ended up dissecting why 83% of white evangelicals voted for Trump (spoiler: it's not shocking). Ryan breaks down the real story of the 2024 election - how non-white evangelicals are now 50/50, why mainline Protestants aren't actually that liberal, and the fascinating shifts happening in the Catholic vote. We dive into the data that shows education and church attendance create some pretty stark political divides, and why Democrats might want to rethink their approach to people of faith. But this is us, so we also talked about LeBron's hair transplants, whether 100 men could take down a silverback gorilla, why online gambling is destroying America, and Ryan's ongoing campaign to get academics to eat at steakhouses instead of Sweet Green. Plus, Ryan explains why Mark Driscoll might be the godfather of the manosphere, and we debate whether Joe Scarborough and Mika have the worst work schedule in television. Oh, and we somehow got into a deep discussion about Mayor Pete's beard and why Democrats need to learn how to talk about their faith without sounding like they're apologizing for it. Because apparently that's where our brains go. Want the full conversation? This is just a taste of what we covered in over two hours of completely unhinged discussion. If you're a member of either Graphs About Religion (Ryan's substack) or Process This (mine), you get access to the entire unedited conversation, plus invitations to join us live for future streams where things get even more zesty - and yes, I'm using that word in the Whitehead sense, not the Gen Z sense. Previous Visits from Ryan Burge Distrust & Denominations Trust, Religion, & a Functioning Democracy What it's like to close a church The Future of Christian Education & Ministry in Charts The Sky is Falling & the Charts are Popping! Graphs about Religion & Politics w/ Spicy Banter a Year in Religion (in Graphs) Evangelical Jews, Educated Church-Goers, & other bits of dizzying data 5 Religion Graphs w/ a side of Hot Takes Myths about Religion & Politics Ryan P. Burge is an assistant professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University. Author of numerous journal articles, he is the co-founder of and a frequent contributor to Religion in Public, a forum for scholars of religion and politics to make their work accessible to a general audience. Burge is a pastor in the American Baptist Church. Upcoming Online Class: Rediscovering the Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, & the Holy Ghost is an open-online course exploring the dynamic, often overlooked third person of the Trinity. Based on Grace Ji-Sun Kim's groundbreaking work on the Holy Spirit this class takes participants on a journey through biblical foundations, historical developments, diverse cultural perspectives, and practical applications of Spirit theology. As always, this class is donation-based, including 0. To get class info and sign up, head over here. _____________________ Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN. This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Christianity is starting to make a comeback in the U.S. and other western countries, led by young people.Why it matters: A decades-long decline has stalled, shaping the future of Gen Z, the drivers of the religion revival.“We've seen the plateau of non-religion in America,” says Ryan Burge, a political scientist at Eastern Illinois University. “Gen Z is not that much less religious than their parents, and that's a big deal.”By the numbers: Data from Pew shows that, for decades, each age group has been less Christian than the one before it.Americans born in the 1970s are 63% Christian. 1980s babies are 53% Christian, and 1990s babies are 46% Christian.But there was no decline from the 1990s to the 2000s. Americans born in the 2000s are also 46% Christian.Stunning stat: Gen Z-ers — especially Gen Z men — are actually more likely to attend weekly religious services than millennials and even some younger Gen X-ers, Burge's analysis shows.Between the lines: Young men are leading American's religion resurgence.
Christianity is starting to make a comeback in the U.S. and other western countries, led by young people.Why it matters: A decades-long decline has stalled, shaping the future of Gen Z, the drivers of the religion revival.“We've seen the plateau of non-religion in America,” says Ryan Burge, a political scientist at Eastern Illinois University. “Gen Z is not that much less religious than their parents, and that's a big deal.”By the numbers: Data from Pew shows that, for decades, each age group has been less Christian than the one before it.Americans born in the 1970s are 63% Christian. 1980s babies are 53% Christian, and 1990s babies are 46% Christian.But there was no decline from the 1990s to the 2000s. Americans born in the 2000s are also 46% Christian.Stunning stat: Gen Z-ers — especially Gen Z men — are actually more likely to attend weekly religious services than millennials and even some younger Gen X-ers, Burge's analysis shows.Between the lines: Young men are leading American's religion resurgence.1CO.15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.1CO.15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.PSA.74:2 Remember thy congregation, which thou hast purchased of old; the rod of thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed; this mount Zion, wherein thou hast dwelt.We are in the midst of a major spiritual war before the AntiChrist shows up and then Jesus shows up! SO LET'S HAVE FUN SHARING THE WORD TOGETHER !!! FEAR IS A SIN! Let's move our lives into God and receive His rest and peace on all sides no matter how much of a drama queen the Enemy is. We further explore the parallell battles between David and Saul leading up to his "inaugeration"GET NOTIFIED WHEN WE GO LIVE HERE AND DOWNLOAD THE APP!fringeradionetwork.com HOW TO SOW THE SEED FINANCIALLY:PAYPAL:spiritforce01@gmail.comBITCOIN:3H4Z2X22DuVUjWPsXKPEsWZmT9c4hDmYvyVENMO:@faithbucksCASHAPP:$spiritforcebucksZelle:faithbucks@proton.mePATREON:Michael BashamHOME BASE SITE:faithbucks.com
Today the word "Christian" is polarizing. In fact for many it conjures up words like hate, nationalism, evil, fear. WOW...it should not. Then couple that word with Queer, and you might as well be burned at the stake! Let's not do that. Instead, let's invite Queer Christians to the table to embrace their love of goad and faith, and invite others who do not believe you deserve a place at the table, to have human conversations to change that hate, to love. Repeat podcast guest, Rev. Brandan Robertson joins us today to share his new book Queer and Christian: Reclaiming The Bible, Faith, Our Faith, and Our place At The Table - a joyful celebration of queer faith. In this episode: Discover calm, peaceful, empathetic conversations with the extreme Christians are necessary Learn why coming to church is an act of community and activism Uncover the right questions to ask to reclaim your faith in yourself and your community About Brandan Rev. Brandan Robertson is a noted author, activist, and public theologian, dedicated to exploring the intersections of spirituality, sexuality, and social justice. He serves as the Pastor of Sunnyside Reformed Church in New York City and is the founder and Executive Director of The Devout Foundation. Known as the "TikTok Pastor," Robertson's inclusive theological content reaches over 250,000 followers and has garnered 6 million views. He has authored 23 books, including the INDIES Book of the Year finalist True Inclusion. His work has been featured in TIME Magazine, CNN, and The Washington Post. Robertson is a sought-after speaker who regularly presents at prestigious platforms like The White House and Oxford University, continuing to inspire and challenge audiences around the world. Robertson acquired a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry and Biblical Studies from Moody Bible Institute, an Master of Theological Study from Iliff School of Theology, and an Master of Arts in Political Science and Public Administration from Eastern Illinois University. He's presently pursuing aPhD in Biblical Studies at Drew University. He currently resides in New York City. About The Book Celebrate queer faith and take your rightful place at God's table with Brandan Robertson, the “TikTok Pastor,” Biblical scholar, and social activist For too long, the Bible has been weaponized to exclude LGBTQ+ individuals, despite Jesus' radical message of inclusion. In Queer & Christian, Brandan Robertson envisions a faith where all are unequivocally embraced. Ostracized at school, Brandan thought he had finally found his community when he joined the local church. But he soon realized that they were as intolerant as his peers at school had been—if not more so. After agonizing years of repressing his true identity, he discovered that God's table had always had a place for him. Jesus' love knows no bounds, embracing everyone unconditionally. Queer & Christian is a joyful celebration of queer faith and an unyielding reclamation of the Bible. Dive into pages that offer: -Compelling, evidence-based counterarguments to the “clobber verses” often used to condemn queerness -Celebrations of queer saints within the Bible—more numerous than you might believe! -Responses to commonly asked questions by queer folks and allies who're feeling lost within the Christian faith Connect With Brandan Website Instagram TikTok Hey Guys, Check This Out!...
Send us a textWhat if faith and queerness weren't at odds? What if a vibrant, affirming Christian life was not only possible for queer folks and their families, but deeply sacred? This week, In the Den, Sara continues a conversation with special guest Reverend Brandan Robertson, a dynamic pastor, author, and thought leader at the forefront of LGBTQ+ inclusion in Christian spaces.Special Guest: Reverend Brandan RobertsonRev. Brandan Robertson is a noted author, activist, and public theologian, dedicated to exploring the intersections of spirituality, sexuality, and social justice. He serves as the Pastor of Sunnyside Reformed Church in New York City and is the founder and Executive Director of The Devout Foundation. Known as the "TikTok Pastor," Robertson's inclusive theological content reaches over 250,000 followers and has garnered 6 million views. He has authored 23 books, including the INDIES Book of the Year finalist True Inclusion. Robertson acquired a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry and Biblical Studies from Moody Bible Institute, an Master of Theological Study from Iliff School of Theology, and a Master of Arts in Political Science and Public Administration from Eastern Illinois University. He's presently pursuing a PhD in Biblical Studies at Drew University. He currently resides in New York City.Links from the Show:Find Brandan on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@revbrandanrobertson Find Brandan's website here: https://www.brandanrobertson.com/ Gay Church: www.gaychurch.org Find Brandan's books in the Mama Dragons bookstore here: https://bookshop.org/beta-search?keywords=brandan Brandan's new book Queer & Christian: https://bookshop.org/p/books/queer-christian-reclaiming-the-bible-our-faith-and-our-place-at-the-table-brandan-robertson/21752396?ean=9781250321343&next=t Join Mama Dragons today: www.mamadragons.org In the Den is made possible by generous donors like you. Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today at www.mamadragons.org. Connect with Mama Dragons:WebsiteInstagramFacebookDonate to this podcast
In this episode of The Journey with Kevin Polky, Kevin sits down with Matt Weldon, whose life has been defined by transformation and purpose. Growing up in Rockton, Illinois, Matt's path has taken him from studying at Eastern Illinois University to a career in education, then making bold shifts into trading at the Chicago Board of Trade, and ultimately becoming a financial planner. Beyond his career, Matt is dedicated to making a difference. He co-founded Don't Be Next, a foundation created in memory of two close friends, Craig and Patrick, to support community initiatives. He also hosts the podcast Single Dad, Sober Dad, where he shares insights on fatherhood, sobriety, and personal growth as a single father of four. In this inspiring conversation, Matt opens up about his journey with recovery, the pivotal moments that led to positive change, and his commitment to helping others navigate life's challenges. Tune in for a story of resilience, reinvention, and finding true happiness.
He started life out on the wrong side of the railroad tracks. His father was an alcoholic and his mother was left to raise four children on aTorso of Mr. Land Trust® as he stands with his right hand in his pants pocket. clerk's wage. None of his relatives owned their own business . . . everyone worked for wages. His father charged the weekly groceries so the family would have food on the table. There was no stable income for any future education, much less the current needs of the family. No one taught intellectual or financial direction in his schools or church. No blood relative had anything to offer other than “working for the man” at an hourly wage. Bank savings and financial security were what only the rich had. Mr. Land Trust® was doomed to financial failure and unhappiness for the rest of his life. From Nothing to Something He knew that there MUST be a better way to live. He decided to break the cycle of poverty in his family's genes. To succeed, he knew education came first. Mr. Land Trust® graduated from Eastern Illinois University and began buying single-family homes for rental while in college. After college, he tried many different types of businesses. He always came back to the Single Family Home as the IDEAL investment. Since purchasing his first rental house in 1969, Mr. Land Trust® hasn't looked back! Today, Mr. Land Trust® has purchased more than 200 houses. He has lived a life of having nothing and will not let that happen again. His primary goal now is to teach others how to break the cycle of poverty. Mr. Land Trust® shares his story not to get sympathy. He shares it to let the public know you learn the value of being careful with what you earn when you've had nothing. He also thinks his history reminds others that if he can succeed from where he started, they can accomplish great things regardless of their current situation. Mr. Land Trust® Shares His Knowledge Mr. Land Trust® teaches real estate investment courses throughout the United States. He has written Privacy and Asset Protection books and home study courses. Mr. Land Trust's® most popular publications are his Land Trust Made Simple® home study courses and live seminars. He registered the name Mr. Land Trust® because he wants to be your resource for all things Land Trust, real estate trust, privacy, and asset protection. He has written extensively for local and national real estate publications. He has been an expert witness in the California and Illinois court systems on Land Trust issues. Mr. Land Trust® has taught real estate classes at the University of Illinois, Parkland College, and Elgin Community College. He has been a licensed Continuing Education Instructor for the Illinois REALTORS® for 25 years. He has been speaking to real estate investment groups all over the United States since 2000, with some audiences as large as 350. Mr. Land Trust® teaches classes on how to protect your assets and become more private with your personal life. He also teaches Land Trust law and administration. His Land Trusts Made Simple; The Cornerstone of Financial Security delivers Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits to legal professionals who take it through LawPracticeCLE. He is the only Land Trust Newsletter author and Blogger in the country and is the founder of the Land Trust University. He is an Expert Author for EzineArticles.com and REIClub.com He is a faculty member for Lorman Education Services in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Mr. Land Trust® is also a Faculty Advisor for Realestatemogul.com and serves as an advisor and contributor to Jeffery Taylor's Mr. Landlord Newsletter and Website.
Send us a textFor many in our Mama Dragons community—and for queer folks in general—it can be hard to imagine a place for themselves within religion, and Christianity specifically, especially for those who have been shunned or hurt by their religious communities. Many have chosen to leave religion behind altogether, because it felt impossible to reconcile the theology you were taught with the deep love and support you feel for your queer kids. This week, In the Den, Sara visits with special guest Reverend Brandan Robertson about what it means to reclaim faith, challenge exclusionary narratives, and build a church that fully embraces authenticity, love, and belonging.Special Guest: Reverend Brandan RobertsonRev. Brandan Robertson is a noted author, activist, and public theologian, dedicated to exploring the intersections of spirituality, sexuality, and social justice. He serves as the Pastor of Sunnyside Reformed Church in New York City and is the founder and Executive Director of The Devout Foundation. Known as the "TikTok Pastor," Robertson's inclusive theological content reaches over 250,000 followers and has garnered 6 million views. He has authored 23 books, including the INDIES Book of the Year finalist True Inclusion. His work has been featured in TIME Magazine, CNN, and The Washington Post. Robertson is a sought-after speaker who regularly presents at prestigious platforms like The White House and Oxford University, continuing to inspire and challenge audiences around the world. Robertson acquired a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry and Biblical Studies from Moody Bible Institute, an Master of Theological Study from Iliff School of Theology, and a Master of Arts in Political Science and Public Administration from Eastern Illinois University. He's presently pursuing a PhD in Biblical Studies at Drew University. He currently resides in New York City.Links from the Show:Find Brandan on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@revbrandanrobertson Find Brandan's website here: https://www.brandanrobertson.com/ Gay Church: www.gaychurch.org Find Brandan's books in the Mama Dragons bookstore here: https://bookshop.org/contributors/brandan-robertsonBrandan's new book Queer & Christian: https://bookshop.org/p/books/queer-christian-reclaiming-the-bible-our-faith-and-our-place-at-the-table-brandan-robertson/21752396?aid=108866&ean=9781250321343&listref=in-the-den-podcast-featured-authorsJoin Mama Dragons today: www.mamadragons.org In the Den is made possible by generous donors like you. Help us continue to deliver quality contentConnect with Mama Dragons:WebsiteInstagramFacebookDonate to this podcast
In this episode, I am joined by political scientist Ryan Burge for an engaging conversation about his fascinating data on religious decline and the rise of the 'Nones' and non-denominational Christianity. We discuss the implications of denominational decline, growing distrust in institutional religion, and the explosive growth of non-denominational churches. This episode features in-depth analysis, intriguing graphs, lively discussions, and insights from prominent social philosophers. *** If you want access to the entire 2-hour conversation and invites to join us live in the future, all you have to do is become a member of either (or both) of our SubStacks — Graphs on Religion & Process This. *** Ryan P. Burge is an assistant professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University. Authorof numerous journal articles, he is the co-founder of and a frequent contributor to Religion in Public, a forum for scholars of religion and politics to make their work accessible to a general audience. Burge is a pastor in the American Baptist Church. Previous Visits from Ryan Burge Trust, Religion, & a Functioning Democracy What it's like to close a church The Future of Christian Education & Ministry in Charts The Sky is Falling & the Charts are Popping! Graphs about Religion & Politics w/ Spicy Banter a Year in Religion (in Graphs) Evangelical Jews, Educated Church-Goers, & other bits of dizzying data 5 Religion Graphs w/ a side of Hot Takes Myths about Religion & Politics Theology Beer Camp | St. Paul, MN | October 16-18, 2025 3 Days of Craft Nerdiness with 50+ Theologians & God-Pods and 600 new friends. A Five-Week Online Lenten Class w/ John Dominic Crossan Join us for a transformative 5-week Lenten journey on "Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World."This course examines the Apostle Paul as a Pharisee deeply engaged with the turbulent political and religious landscape of his time. Through the lens of his letters and historical context, we will explore Paul's understanding of Jesus' Life-Vision, his interpretation of the Execution-and-Resurrection, and their implications for nonviolence and faithful resistance against empire. Each week, we will delve into a specific aspect of Paul's theology and legacy, reflecting on its relevance for our own age of autocracy and political turmoil. . For details and to sign-up for any donation, including 0, head over here. _____________________ Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN. This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On today's episode, we have Brandan Robertson (he/him). Brandan is known on the internet as the “TikTok Pastor,” with lots of folks tuning into his inclusive theological digital content across social media. I was curious to have Brandan come on to add to the conversation we've been having about queerness - I've gotten to speak with lots of folks whom as part of their healing have created distance between themselves and religion and God, but I've also heard from folks who are seeking ways to integrate their queerness with a faith as an adult. Brandan is a great resource here because he author of the forthcoming book “Queer & Christian: Reclaiming the Bible, Our Faith, and Our Place at the Table." The book and todays conversation are really about how queer folks can do just that - reclaim their faith. Even if you're not seeking this for yourself, I found this conversation to be interesting and informative.Pre-order Queer & Christian HEREAbout the guest:Rev. Brandan Robertson is a noted author, activist, and public theologian, dedicated to exploring the intersections of spirituality, sexuality, and social justice. He serves as the Pastor of Sunnyside Reformed Church in New York City and is the founder and Executive Director of The Devout Foundation. Known as the "TikTok Pastor," Robertson's inclusive theological content reaches over 250,000 followers and has garnered 6 million views. He has authored 23 books, including the INDIES Book of the Year finalist True Inclusion. His work has been featured in TIME Magazine, CNN, and The Washington Post. Robertson is a sought-after speaker who regularly presents at prestigious platforms like The White House and Oxford University, continuing to inspire and challenge audiences around the world. Robertson acquired a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry and Biblical Studies from Moody Bible Institute, an Master of Theological Study from Iliff School of Theology, and an Master of Arts in Political Science and Public Administration from Eastern Illinois University. He's presently pursuing a PhD in Biblical Studies at Drew University. He currently resides in New York City.Connect with Brandan on TikTok & InstagramFor more, visit www.secondadolescencepod.com and @secondadolescencepod.
Robert P. Jones, president and founder of Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) and the author of The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy: And the Path to a Shared American Future (Simon & Schuster, 2023), Ryan Burge, associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University, research director for Faith Counts, and the author of The Nones: Where They Came From, Who They Are, and Where They Are Going (Fortress Press, 2021), and Konstantin Toropin, Military.com's Pentagon correspondent, discuss the overlap and contradictions in the Trump administrations policies toward identity and religious affiliation.
On today's show: Robert P. Jones, president and founder of Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) and the author of The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy: And the Path to a Shared American Future (Simon & Schuster, 2023); Ryan Burge, associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University, research director for Faith Counts, and the author of The Nones: Where They Came From, Who They Are, and Where They Are Going (Fortress Press, 2021); and Konstantin Toropin, Military.com's Pentagon correspondent, discuss the overlap and contradictions in the Trump administration's policies toward identity and religious affiliation.
Today, Brandan Robertson and I talk about navigating the spectrum of queer faith in community. Rev. Brandan Robertson is a noted author, activist, and public theologian, dedicated to exploring the intersections of spirituality, sexuality, and social justice. He serves as the Pastor of Sunnyside Reformed Church in New York City and is the founder and Executive Director of The Devout Foundation. Known as the "TikTok Pastor," Robertson's inclusive theological content reaches over 250,000 followers and has garnered 6 million views. He has authored 23 books, including the INDIES Book of the Year finalist True Inclusion. His work has been featured in TIME Magazine, CNN, and The Washington Post. Robertson is a sought-after speaker who regularly presents at prestigious platforms like The White House and Oxford University, continuing to inspire and challenge audiences around the world. Robertson acquired a Bachelor of Arts in Pastoral Ministry and Biblical Studies from Moody Bible Institute, a Master of Theological Study from Iliff School of Theology, and a Master of Arts in Political Science and Public Administration from Eastern Illinois University. He's presently pursuing a PhD in Biblical Studies at Drew University. He currently resides in New York City.You can follow Brandon on TikTok @revbrandanrobertson and on IG @brandanrobertson. Pre-order Queer & Christian at queerchristian.org or wherever you buy books! Check out all of Brandan's resources and links on his website, brandanrobertson.comJoin the Found Family crew over on Substack and get your copy of the Found Family Cheat Sheet! Support the show
In this episode, Dr. Ryan Burge returns with some new graphs about religion and entertaining asides. We end up exploring a multitude of topics, from interpreting statistical data on religious trust and the rise of non-denominationalism, to delving into the complexities of the meaning crisis. This episode is filled with personal anecdotes, philosophical musings, and offbeat discussions on cigars, beer sacks, and the perils of government interventions. All while providing valuable insights into the changing landscape of American religion and politics. *** If you want access to the entire 2-hour conversation and invites to join us live in the future, all you have to do is become a member of either (or both) of our SubStacks — Graphs on Religion & Process This. *** Ryan P. Burge is an assistant professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University. Author of numerous journal articles, he is the co-founder of and a frequent contributor to Religion in Public, a forum for scholars of religion and politics to make their work accessible to a general audience. Burge is a pastor in the American Baptist Church. Previous Visits from Ryan Burge What it's like to close a church The Future of Christian Education & Ministry in Charts The Sky is Falling & the Charts are Popping! Graphs about Religion & Politics w/ Spicy Banter a Year in Religion (in Graphs) Evangelical Jews, Educated Church-Goers, & other bits of dizzying data 5 Religion Graphs w/ a side of Hot Takes Myths about Religion & Politics This episode is sponsored by Union Presbyterian Seminary A calling is about who you are. Where you're going in life. You may be in college. You may be halfway through a career. But you know, deep inside your heart, you want something different. To prepare for the future, you want to invest your time and energy to expand your knowledge. With people who listen to you…yet challenge you. People from different countries and backgrounds. A place with globally recognized connections. There is a place for you at Union Presbyterian Seminary. You'll find your own path—with online, hybrid, or residential platforms. You'll find generous financial aid. With thousands of graduates all over the world, you'll build lifelong networks…a community that supports you and equips you. Be a leader of gospel-inspired transformative change in pursuit of a more just and compassionate world. It's your call. Respond with UPSem. To learn more, visit upsem.edu or email admissions@upsem.edu _____________________ Join our class - TRUTH IN TOUGH TIMES: Global Voices of Liberation This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Frank Schaeffer In Conversation with Ryan P. Burge, exploring his life and work and the themes of his book, The Nones: Where They Came From, Who They Are, and Where They Are Going._____LINKShttps://www.graphsaboutreligion.com/https://bit.ly/4h9Hws2_____I have had the pleasure of talking to some of the leading authors, artists, activists, and change-makers of our time on this podcast, and I want to personally thank you for subscribing, listening, and sharing 100-plus episodes over 100,000 times.Please subscribe to this Podcast, In Conversation… with Frank Schaeffer, on your favorite platform, and to my Substack, It Has to Be Said.Thanks! Every subscription helps create, build, sustain and put voice to this movement for truth.Subscribe to It Has to Be Said. Support the show_____In Conversation… with Frank Schaeffer is a production of the George Bailey Morality in Public Life Fellowship. It is hosted by Frank Schaeffer, author of Fall In Love, Have Children, Stay Put, Save the Planet, Be Happy. Learn more at https://www.lovechildrenplanet.comFollow Frank on Substack, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, and YouTube. https://frankschaeffer.substack.comhttps://www.facebook.com/frank.schaeffer.16https://twitter.com/Frank_Schaefferhttps://www.instagram.com/frank_schaeffer_arthttps://www.threads.net/@frank_schaeffer_arthttps://www.tiktok.com/@frank_schaefferhttps://www.youtube.com/c/FrankSchaefferYouTube In Conversation… with Frank Schaeffer Podcast
On this episode, Bryce Burnett joins the podcast! He is currently an offensive lineman at Eastern Illinois University. We discuss how his recruiting process went. Adapting to the college game from high school. Insights into the transfer portal. And more! Coaches Twitter: Bry24ce Please like, subscribe, review, and share out! https://linktr.ee/thecoachsteveshow Check out belly up sports podcast network! https://bellyupsports.com/ Head to www.guardiansports.com/guardian-caps and use the code: “15OFF” – good for 15% off Guardian Caps to help the impact for football players Get back to the basics with Coach Stone: https://www.coachstonefootball.com/ Get the best sunglasses in the game today! Use for any activity! Go to https://www.yeetzofficial.com/ use the code CSS for 10% off Looking for the cleanest nutrition drink? Looking for the cleanest drink to give you energy without the crash? Head to https://www.swiftlifestyles.com/ and use the code: coachsteveshow to get 15% off! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this episode, Bryce Burnett joins the podcast! He is currently an offensive lineman at Eastern Illinois University. We discuss how his recruiting process went. Adapting to the college game from high school. Insights into the transfer portal. And more! Coaches Twitter: Bry24ce Please like, subscribe, review, and share out! https://linktr.ee/thecoachsteveshow Check out belly up sports podcast network! https://bellyupsports.com/ Head to www.guardiansports.com/guardian-caps and use the code: “15OFF” – good for 15% off Guardian Caps to help the impact for football players Get back to the basics with Coach Stone: https://www.coachstonefootball.com/ Get the best sunglasses in the game today! Use for any activity! Go to https://www.yeetzofficial.com/ use the code CSS for 10% off Looking for the cleanest nutrition drink? Looking for the cleanest drink to give you energy without the crash? Head to https://www.swiftlifestyles.com/ and use the code: coachsteveshow to get 15% off! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
100,000, that's the estimated number of Protestant churches that will close in the U.S… not by 2050, but five years from now. What some scholars are calling “The Great De-churching” is already well under way, and the exodus is accelerating. This week, Ray Suarez speaks with Ryan Burge, professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University, about why non-religious people and atheists are on the rise, and whether religion can still play a role in American society. Guest: Ryan Burge, professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University Host: Ray Suarez If you appreciate this episode and want to support the work we do, please consider making a donation to Commonwealth Club World Affairs. We cannot do this work without your help. Thank you.
Kansas State University Percussion Professor Kurt Gartner stops by to talk about his KSU job, working at Purdue University in bands, changes related to the arts in Kansas, and the importance of teacher mentorship (03:40), his interest and work related to using music technology, when he did video conference in the mid 2000s with Pete, and the city of Manhattan (KS) (21:25), growing up in the Chicago area, family members in the arts, traveling to Europe, and his interest in old-school photography (43:00), attending Eastern Illinois University for undergrad, studying with Johnny Lee Lane, and his time attending and teaching at the United States Percussion Camp (52:35), getting his master's at the University of Kansas and studying with George Bober (01:01:25), working at Purdue University, getting his doctorate at the University of Northern Colorado, studying with Gray Barrier and deepening his jazz background (01:13:20), and finishes with the Random Ass Questions, including praise for great conductors, studying Cuban music in Cuba, White Castle, Chicago sports, and memorable performances (01:28:15).Finishing with a Rave on the 2023 documentary Thriller 40 (02:00:15).Kurt Gartner Links:Kurt Gartner's KSU pagePrevious Podcast guests mentioned:Julia Gaines in 2016Norman Weinberg in 2017Jim Snell in 2019Raves:Thriller 40 trailer
A recent New York Times poll recently showed that for the first time in modern history, young men are now more likely to attend church regularly than women. Ben notes that anecdotally, younger men are more interested in getting married and having families than their female counterparts. For a conversation on this, and how these trends ripple through the rest of American culture, Ben is joined by Associate Professor at Eastern Illinois University and author of the Graphs about Religion substack, Ryan Burge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Caregiver's Journal hosted by Lance A. Slatton with Cindy (PT) & Christina (ST) Hardin-Weiss. The Caregiver's Journal is the show where we are sharing the caregiving experiences, stories, and wisdom of family caregivers. Chapter 6 - "Finding Care": In this journal entry, we welcomed Michelle Stevens who shared her caregiving journey and how she is "Finding Care". About Michelle Stevens: Michelle Stevens spent 20 years as a caregiver, with the last 13 focused on dementia care, helping elderly patients with Alzheimer's and Lewy Body Dementia. The past three years were especially intense for her as she cared for her mom full-time during her fight with LBD, staying with her until the very end. Since 2016, she has also gained expertise in ostomy care after her mom had her bladder removed due to cancer, which added an extra layer of complexity to her dementia care. Michelle's goal is to share her experiences to guide and support others on this difficult journey. She wants to be an advocate for both patients and caregivers, bringing some ease and calm to the process. Through her work, she hopes to turn her own painful experiences into something positive, helping others navigate their way with empathy and understanding. Connect with Michelle Stevens: Instagram: @dementia_caregiver_chronilces YouTube: @dementiacaregiverchronicles Email: dementiacaregiverchronicles@gmail.com About Cindy (PT) & Christina (ST): Cindy graduated in 1992 with a Master's Degree in Physical Therapy from Washington University in St Louis, MO. The majority of her career has been spent in Home Healthcare. She is passionate about helping people maintain their independence, especially when it makes a difference in their ability to remain in their homes. Christina graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Master's degree in Communication Disorders & Science. She spent most of her career treating patients in skilled nursing facilities. She enjoys working with individuals who have dementia and educating their families. She also likes helping people who have difficulty eating, chewing, and swallowing due to illness or disease. Cindy and Christina are the founders of Adaptive Equipment Caregiving Corner (AEC). Visit the Official Site for Adaptive Equipment Caregiving Corner(AEC): https://adaptiveequipmentcorner.com/ About Lance A. Slatton: Lance A. Slatton is a dedicated Writer, Author, Influencer, and seasoned Healthcare professional with a rich background spanning over 20 years in the healthcare industry. As a beacon of knowledge and support in the realm of senior care, Lance's journey is not just a career but a calling to make a meaningful difference in the lives of families, caregivers, and their loved ones as they navigate the complexities of long-term care. Lance was named a "50 Under 50" in 2023 by the NYC Journal. Lance's show All Home Care Matters has won multiple awards for its advocacy and impact in helping caregivers and those in the long-term care space. Connect with Lance A. Slatton: Official Website: https://www.lanceaslatton.com Connect with All Home Care Matters: Official Website: https://www.allhomecarematters.com
On this episode, we start our new segment called Bleed Blue! Where we will discuss all things Eastern Illinois University! EIU starts their football season on the road vs the Fighting Illini. How will EIU build off of their season last year? Can they get the upset against the Illini? #EIU #bleedblue #easternillinoisuniversity Please like, subscribe, review, and share out! https://linktr.ee/thecoachsteveshow Check out belly up sports podcast network! https://bellyupsports.com/ Head to www.guardiansports.com/guardian-caps and use the code: “15OFF” – good for 15% off Guardian Caps to help the impact for football players Get back to the basics with Coach Stone: https://www.coachstonefootball.com/ Get the best sunglasses in the game today! Use for any activity! Go to https://www.yeetzofficial.com/ use the code CSS for 10% off Looking for the cleanest nutrition drink? Looking for the cleanest drink to give you energy without the crash? Head to https://www.swiftlifestyles.com/ and use the code: coachsteveshow to get 15% off! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this episode, we start our new segment called Bleed Blue! Where we will discuss all things Eastern Illinois University! EIU starts their football season on the road vs the Fighting Illini. How will EIU build off of their season last year? Can they get the upset against the Illini? #EIU #bleedblue #easternillinoisuniversity Please like, subscribe, review, and share out! https://linktr.ee/thecoachsteveshow Check out belly up sports podcast network! https://bellyupsports.com/ Head to www.guardiansports.com/guardian-caps and use the code: “15OFF” – good for 15% off Guardian Caps to help the impact for football players Get back to the basics with Coach Stone: https://www.coachstonefootball.com/ Get the best sunglasses in the game today! Use for any activity! Go to https://www.yeetzofficial.com/ use the code CSS for 10% off Looking for the cleanest nutrition drink? Looking for the cleanest drink to give you energy without the crash? Head to https://www.swiftlifestyles.com/ and use the code: coachsteveshow to get 15% off! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Caregiver's Journal hosted by Lance A. Slatton with Cindy (PT) & Christina (ST) Hardin-Weiss. The Caregiver's Journal is the show where we are sharing the caregiving experiences, stories, and wisdom of family caregivers. Chapter 5 - "Finding Support": In this journal entry, we welcomed Laurette Klier who shared her caregiving journey and how she is "Finding Support". About Laurette Klier: Laurette Klier is the founder of NANA'S BOOKS, a treasury of art and literature pairings in approachable, adaptive formats, mindfully designed to meet the needs of people living with brain change and their communities of care. A career educator, Laurette saw that her mother-in-law, ‘Nana Mary', who was living with Lewy body dementia had entirely abandoned her daily newspapers and large print books, and decided to try her hand at creating books that Nana could read and enjoy once again. Because NANA'S book was such a hit, Laurette kept making more books, with topics requested by neighbors and friends who were also living with cognitive change. Based in nostalgia, the resonant themes struck such a chord with elders in life review, a common thread began to appear: books that honor identity and give elders the visual and auditory cues they need empower them to reminisce and converse with ease. Now with 40 books in print and digital libraries, Laurette is focused on getting the word out to families, communities, and libraries seeking to re-ignite lifespan reading and unite generations. Laurette holds master's and undergraduate degrees from Boston College, in education and speech communications. She is a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) certified senior advisor (CSA), certified in individual Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (iCST) and Habilitation Therapy, and is finishing up her Engagement Leader Certification with Teepa Snow's Positive Approach to Care. NANA'S BOOKS have received a 2021 Maude's Award for Innovation in Making Connections, a 2023 National Service to Seniors Award from CSA, and a 2023 National Mature Media Award for Innovation in Digital Resources for Caregivers. About Cindy (PT) & Christina (ST): Cindy graduated in 1992 with a Master's Degree in Physical Therapy from Washington University in St Louis, MO. The majority of her career has been spent in Home Healthcare. She is passionate about helping people maintain their independence, especially when it makes a difference in their ability to remain in their homes. Christina graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Master's degree in Communication Disorders & Science. She spent most of her career treating patients in skilled nursing facilities. She enjoys working with individuals who have dementia and educating their families. She also likes helping people who have difficulty eating, chewing, and swallowing due to illness or disease. Cindy and Christina are the founders of Adaptive Equipment Caregiving Corner (AEC). Visit the Official Site for Adaptive Equipment Caregiving Corner (AEC): https://adaptiveequipmentcorner.com/ About Lance A. Slatton: Lance A. Slatton is a dedicated Writer, Author, Influencer, and seasoned Healthcare professional with a rich background spanning over 20 years in the healthcare industry. As a beacon of knowledge and support in the realm of senior care, Lance's journey is not just a career but a calling to make a meaningful difference in the lives of families, caregivers, and their loved ones as they navigate the complexities of long-term care. Lance was named a "50 Under 50" in 2023 by the NYC Journal. Lance's show All Home Care Matters has won multiple awards for its advocacy and impact in helping caregivers and those in the long-term care space. Connect with Lance A. Slatton: Official Website: https://www.lanceaslatton.com
Dr. Ryan Burge is back to unpack closing the church he pastors and put it in the changing context of institutional religion in America. This is a candid discussion on the personal and societal impacts of church closures in America, illustrated by Ryan's own experience of closing his long-term church. The conversation explores theological diversity, the digital evolution of faith awareness, and the shifting landscape of religiosity in America. With anecdotes about conference speaking, humorous takes on 90s Christian rock, and reflections on pop culture influences like South Park, this episode is both thought-provoking and entertaining. Perfect for anyone grappling with similar challenges or curious about the state of American Christianity. WATCH the conversation on YouTube Ryan P. Burge is an assistant professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University. Author of numerous journal articles, he is the co-founder of and a frequent contributor to Religion in Public, a forum for scholars of religion and politics to make their work accessible to a general audience. Burge is a pastor in the American Baptist Church. Previous Visits from Ryan Burge The Future of Christian Education & Ministry in Charts The Sky is Falling & the Charts are Popping! Graphs about Religion & Politics w/ Spicy Banter a Year in Religion (in Graphs) Evangelical Jews, Educated Church-Goers, & other bits of dizzying data 5 Religion Graphs w/ a side of Hot Takes Myths about Religion & Politics Join my Substack - Process This! Join our upcoming class - THE GOD OF THE BIBLE: An Absolutely Clear and Final Guide to Ultimate Mystery ;) Come to THEOLOGY BEER CAMP. Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week on Rural Health Leadership Radio, we are wrapping up our series on NRHA's 2023 Fellows Program Policy Papers with Fellows Michelle Fortune and Abby Radcliffe. Michelle and Abby explored one of the hottest topics in healthcare, particularly impactful in rural – healthcare workforce shortages. The Fellows share short and long-term strategies in handling workforce shortages, as well as pragmatic and policy-based recommendations. “Everybody in every community can take some action in some way, and it doesn't have to be looking for that gigantic next step. The big is in the little, so do something.” – Michelle Fortune Michelle Fortune, MBA, BSN, FACHE is the President of Surgery and GI Service Line for Mercy Health in St Louis, MO. Prior to joining Mercy, Michelle led the Perioperative and Anesthesia Service Lines for Atrium Health and then served as a CEO for a Critical Access Hospital managed by the system which needed an operational turnaround. Michelle is a Certified Ambulatory PeriAnesthesia Nurse and a National Rural Health Fellow. She is currently participating in the NRHA Rural CEO Certification Program. Michelle has a passion for assuring the availability of high quality healthcare in rural communities. Her work in Rural Healthcare has brought her numerous honors, including being named the 2023 Rural Community Champion of the year by the North Carolina Rural Health Association for her work in advancing Cardiac Care in Rural North Carolina. Abby Radcliffe currently serves as the Senior Director of the Small and Rural Hospital Constituency Section at the Illinois Health and Hospital Association (IHA). She has worked with rural hospitals at IHA for over 17 years and has worked on several grant initiatives. In 2023, she served as a National Rural Health Association fellow and was also awarded the Rural Health Hero Award from the National Center for Rural Health Professions. Abby graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a major in Speech Communication and a double minor in Business Administration and Public Relations. In 2005 she graduated from Miami University with an MA in Speech Communication. Abby has also worked in state government and development.
Ever wondered what it takes to break into the film industry? How about working with legendary director Francis Ford Coppola? Join us as we chat with Jayson Johnson, an acclaimed producer, screenwriter, and director who shares his incredible journey from aspiring actor to independent filmmaker. Discover how Jayson's passion for storytelling and resilience led him to global film festival fame, and hear his hilarious guerilla film-making story at UC Berkeley. Tune in for insights on navigating the film industry, the power of persistence, and the importance of social justice in cinema. Don't miss this inspiring episode!Connect with Jayson: Website: jaysonjohnsonproducer.weebly.comOnline store: https://linktr.ee/strikefivefilms?utm_source=linktree_profile_share
Lauren Doyle played four sports in high school, and was on the cheer team—none of them were rugby. It wasn't until she was in college at Eastern Illinois University that she was recruited onto the team. After a successful college career, she was quickly placed on the brand new Olympic team for the 2016 games—the first Olympics with rugby as a sport since the 1920s. After playing again in Tokyo, she and Team USA return to the world stage this month in Paris. Reset sits down with her to get the story. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.
A little about Ryan: I'm Ryan Newton, a passionate marketer and entrepreneur who embarked on a journey of helping local businesses thrive in the online realm after graduating from Eastern Illinois University. With close to a decade of experience under my belt, I've had the privilege of contributing to the success of national marketing enterprises, specializing in bolstering the online presence of local businesses. I helped a local marketing company to an annual recurring revenue of 1.8 million dollars before starting New-Tie Marketing. New-Tie marketing is Your local digital advertising agency that helps local businesses get found online through SEO, Social Media, Google Ads, SEM & more. Say goodbye to the headaches and unfair costs of working with Large public companies. Contact Ryan: ryan@new-tiemarketing.com www.new-tiemarketing.com Balanced Wellness is located in Highland, IL and is a Wellness Studio that provides massage therapy, yoga classes, wellness education, and retreat. Our mission at BW is to provide a place where self-care and wellness meet to create a sanctuary for women to rejuvenate their mind, body, and spirit. To check out our yoga classes and upcoming events please visit our website at balancedwellnessllc.co to schedule a massage therapy appointment or questions please text or call 618-506-0212.
On this episode, Coach Cannova joins the show! He is the run game coordinator and offensive line coach at Eastern Illinois University. We discuss the turnaround of EIU. How he ended up in Charleston Illinois. Recruiting for FCS. And more! Twitter: CoachCannova63 Please like, subscribe, review, and share out! https://linktr.ee/thecoachsteveshow Check out belly up sports podcast network! https://bellyupsports.com/ Head to www.guardiansports.com/guardian-caps and use the code: “15OFF” – good for 15% off Guardian Caps to help the impact for football players Get back to the basics with Coach Stone: https://www.coachstonefootball.com/ Get the best sunglasses in the game today! Use for any activity! Go to https://www.yeetzofficial.com/ use the code CSS for 10% off Looking for the cleanest nutrition drink? Looking for the cleanest drink to give you energy without the crash? Head to https://www.swiftlifestyles.com/ and use the code: coachsteveshow to get 15% off!f Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this episode, Coach Cannova joins the show! He is the run game coordinator and offensive line coach at Eastern Illinois University. We discuss the turnaround of EIU. How he ended up in Charleston Illinois. Recruiting for FCS. And more! Twitter: CoachCannova63 Please like, subscribe, review, and share out! https://linktr.ee/thecoachsteveshow Check out belly up sports podcast network! https://bellyupsports.com/ Head to www.guardiansports.com/guardian-caps and use the code: “15OFF” – good for 15% off Guardian Caps to help the impact for football players Get back to the basics with Coach Stone: https://www.coachstonefootball.com/ Get the best sunglasses in the game today! Use for any activity! Go to https://www.yeetzofficial.com/ use the code CSS for 10% off Looking for the cleanest nutrition drink? Looking for the cleanest drink to give you energy without the crash? Head to https://www.swiftlifestyles.com/ and use the code: coachsteveshow to get 15% off!f Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This episode, Jonathan and Sy talk with the incredible Brandi Miller about:- How faith and churches change when we engage with the political idolatry of the American church- The spiritual and political fruit of the MAGA movement- The good things people still want and can find in Jesus and Christian community amidst all the nonsense- Developing inner lives that can sustain political engagement and community building- Plus, Jonathan and Sy discuss some fascinating numbers about the political views and voting patterns of the average Black Christian versus the average overall DemocratMentioned in the Episode- Our anthology, Keeping the Faith- Brandi's podcast, Reclaiming My Theology- Her other show, The Quest Church Podcast- The article on Black, Christian political beliefs and votingCredits- Follow KTF Press on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Subscribe to get our bonus episodes and other benefits at KTFPress.com.- Follow host Jonathan Walton on Facebook Instagram, and Threads.- Follow host Sy Hoekstra on Mastodon.- Our theme song is “Citizens” by Jon Guerra – listen to the whole song on Spotify.- Our podcast art is by Robyn Burgess – follow her and see her other work on Instagram.- Transcripts by Joyce Ambale and Sy Hoekstra.- Production by Sy Hoekstra and our incredible subscribersTranscript[An acoustic guitar softly plays six notes, the first three ascending and the last three descending – F#, B#, E, D#, B – with a keyboard pad playing the note B in the background. Both fade out as Jonathan Walton says “This is a KTF Press podcast.”]Brandi Miller: God made people in God's own image, and people's job is not to conform into your pastor's version of following Jesus. It's to conform more into the likeness of Jesus as you become more yourself. And so instead of going to a pastor who is essentially saying, “Follow me as I follow Jesus,” you say, “We're following Jesus, and you're gonna discover who you are along the way.”[The song “Citizens” by Jon Guerra fades in. Lyrics: “I need to know there is justice/ That it will roll in abundance/ And that you're building a city/ Where we arrive as immigrants/ And you call us citizens/ And you welcome us as children home.” The song fades out.]Sy Hoekstra: Welcome to Shake the Dust, seeking Jesus, confronting injustice. I'm Sy Hoekstra.Jonathan Walton: And I'm Jonathan Walton. We have a fantastic show for you today. We are talking all about church and politics with the great Brandi Miller, who many of you know. And we're doing our new segment, Which Tab Is Still Open?, diving deeper into one of the recommendations from our newsletter. This week, a closer look at the political beliefs of the average Black Christian versus the average Democrat. If you think those are pretty much the same, you've got stuff to learn [laughter]. So stay tuned.Sy Hoekstra: Brandi Miller is the host of the podcast, Reclaiming My Theology. As she calls it, a space to take our theology back from ideas and systems that oppress. She's also now newly the host of the Quest Church Podcast, which is unsurprisingly for Quest Church in Seattle [laughs], where Brandi has the staff position of Chief Storyteller. Before that she was a justice program director with a college ministry working at the intersection of faith, justice, and politics. If you know Brandi, I don't have to convince you that this is a good conversation. If you don't, just, you need to get to know her, so [laughs].Jonathan Walton: Yes, yes, yes.Sy Hoekstra: Get ready for this one.Jonathan Walton: Yeah, we talked to her about her perspective on evangelical politics, how she sees people's faith changing as they engage with the American church's idolatry, and what Jesus has to offer as a vision for us in this political landscape. There is a lot in the episode, I hope you're ready. Her article in our anthology was called, “Left Behind: What American Evangelicalism Has Lost and Needs to Find.” And of course, you can get the anthology at keepingthefaithbook.com.Sy Hoekstra: And before we get started, just a reminder that we have been telling everyone we need your subscriptions [laughter], please. The best way, if you are into what we do, helping people try and leave the idols of White America and seek Jesus through this media and you want to help us build something that can do that in an effective and far reaching way to people, we need your support. We have been doing this as a side gig for a lot of time. For a long time it's been me and Jonathan in our rooms with laptops trying to make things work, and they have worked [laughs]. But if you wanna see that stuff grow and you wanna see this stuff continue for a long time into the future, we really do need your support.So go to KTFPress.com, please become a paid subscriber. Get access to all the bonus episodes of this show. Get access to our monthly subscriber chats that we're starting, get access to comments on our posts and support everything we do centering and elevating marginalized voices. If you cannot afford a subscription, like if money's the only barrier, please just write to us, info@ktfpress.com, and we will give you a free or discounted subscription. Whatever you ask for, no questions asked. We want everyone to have access to all the stuff that we're putting out, but if you can afford it, we really, really want the support.Actually, one of the things that you'll be supporting now is that our newsletter is free. So anybody can go to KTFPress.com, sign up for the free mailing list. You get news about KTF press, you get all kinds of stuff like that, but you also get recommendations from us every week that are things that we think will be helpful in your political education and discipleship. And you will also get things from us that we think are helpful in staying grounded and hopeful in the midst of all of the difficult issues that we are all seeing in our news feeds and in our politics and everywhere else and in our churches. So please, KTFPress.com, become a paid subscriber. Thank you so much in advance.Jonathan Walton: Yep. Thanks in advance, and here is the interview with Brandi.[the intro piano music from “Citizens” by Jon Guerra plays briefly and then fades out.]Jonathan Walton: Brandi, thank you so, so much for joining us on Shake the Dust. We really appreciate it.Brandi Miller: Of course. Glad to be here. Always glad to get to spend time with you all, so.How Does Faith Change When We Engage with The Idolatry of the American Church?Making Our Political Theology Accessible to EveryoneJonathan Walton: Yeah, I mean, now you wrote this bomb essay. Okay. And so something that you said, which [laughs] is still true in 2024: " The result of the syncretism of American religion, propaganda-based iconography and political power is cultish religiosity centered on Donald Trump as God's Messiah sent to buttress patriotism, political power, and global dominance. Regardless of his lack of demonstrable Christ-likeness in his politics, it is clear that pandering to his constituents' desire for Christianized power in the United States has framed him as the president who will ‘bring America back to God.' This is a trade-off: Christian practice and the way of Jesus for American Christian power and utopianism.” End quote.Monstrous, amazing text, right? [laughter] Now, after you wrote this, you became a staff member at a church, right?Brandi Miller: Mm-hmm.Jonathan Walton: And you have a large community of people following and engaging with you online. And as you try to teach and disciple people out of this syncretism slash nonsense, how have you seen their faith change?Brandi Miller: Well, one thing I'll say is something that's changed about myself first, because even as I hear back my own words, I can hear how inaccessible they are to a common regular person. Like how many four to six-syllable words can I use to say Donald Trump does not look like Jesus, and that does not matter to most Christians who follow White American religion. That is what I was trying to say, that there is a propaganda based way of doing religion that has indoctrinated a ton of us into a traumatic type of spirituality that we cannot hold. And so I think even a critique of myself in a way that I've changed is trying to ask, how do I take what is a political reality rooted in a current religious moment and strip it down in a way that a regular person can understand?Because if I am theologizing people out of their own experiences or trying to pull them out of a demonstrably terrible politic and they can't understand where we're going, then that's on me. And so I think that part of my trying to engage with a lot of this stuff has been my own change around how I engage with it so that people who are trying to follow Jesus outside of this kind of syncretism with American nationalism can actually come along.When People See the Idolatry, Staying in Church Community Is HardBrandi Miller: That being said, I think that, I mean, it's been kind of bleak honestly. Like I think that the church that I work at is a church that is people's last stop on their way out of Christianity specifically for these issues. Because they can see the ways that American politics have more say in the lives of people who identify as Christian than Jesus does.And when that is the case, it is really hard to be a part of a Jesus community. And so what I'm seeing a lot is people trying to figure out, can I actually trust community as I follow Jesus? And a lot of people can't. And it makes sense to me, and they leave. But what ends up happening is that people are like, “Well, I can follow Jesus outside of the church,” and I actually believe that some people can do that. But I think because community is at the core of following Jesus, when you leave in those contexts without any kind of community to buttress your faith at all, it's really, really hard to, with integrity, continue to live out those values, and it's really easy to become increasingly cynical in the media ecosystem that we have.And so I don't really know what to tell people pastorally, right? Because there are many ways that I could say, “No, no, no, just come back to the church,” but the church isn't trustworthy. And I can say, “No, go on your own,” but with a lack of community, a lot of the faith stuff falls apart because it's meant to be done together in a non-westernized religious context. And so I'm finding that to be a pretty sad and frustrating space to occupy. So I think that'd be my first bid.What People Can Still Get from Church Community Even after Seeing the IdolatryJonathan Walton: I have so many thoughts, but I'm going to let Sy ask his question.Sy Hoekstra: No, no, no, go for it, Jonathan. We have time.Jonathan Walton: [laughs] So in the midst of that, this new like re-imagining of what community would look like, independent of the colonized faith, what we call it at KTF, White American folk religion, what I call it in Twelve Lies, are there any fireworks of imagination that have happened that you're like, “Oh, that looks nice. That might be something that is hopeful,” for a group of people who are on this subway stop at the end of the line?Brandi Miller: Well, I mean, I think that people still want all the good stuff, right? I think people want connection and community and gentleness and kindness and meekness and self-control and the fruit of the spirit, and the beatitudes. I think people still want the Jesus stuff. People want to live in an accessible and just world where people can be fully themselves, where the image of God in me meets the image of God in you, and somehow in that magic we're transformed. I think people still want that, and I think when people come and get a taste of that, it's really, really beautiful. Because what it results in really is friendship and friendship results in systems change and system change results in world change and political change.Jonathan Walton: Right, right, right.Brandi Miller: And so, I think that what I've seen happen is a lot of progressive spaces have done one of two things. One, said like, well, the individual transformation doesn't matter. And I'm like, that's actually not true. The health of the individual and the health of the system are always a cycle that are moving over and over and over again. And so we're like, “Well, F individual transformation and let's just like go do the system change.” And I'm like, yeah, but if like people don't change, then they're not gonna be alongside you as you change the systems and not understand why the systems change would be good for them. And I think churches do that too.Jonathan Walton: Right?Brandi Miller: So I think a lot of progressive media culture does that on one side, and then the other side uses all of this abstraction to describe what the world looks like when it changes, which is, I don't know, right now sounds like the end of postmodern empire. Like we're in empire collapse right now. And I'm like, “No one knows what that means.” Most normal average people do not know what it means. So they're like, “Let's find creative ways to engage post empire collapse.” And I'm like, can you just say that the United States is participating in all kinds of evil, and when our comeuppance happens, it's going to result in a completely different societal structure that we are not ready for.And so, what I'm always looking for are glimpses of what could life look like after that? Which I think is what you're asking. And a lot of that looks like people choosing to care for each other well to build more simple lives rather than more complicated ones, to choose work that isn't their entire identity and allowing themselves to explore who they are outside of the kind of enculturation that happens when we don't have a life outside of that. And that is what I've seen change people's politics. It's not like having a fancy activist job. It's seeing how your neighbors are suffering and doing something about that together, or getting a measure on a ballot that changes things for folks.And so I think that I'm seeing glimpses of people entering into more embodied, simple space that is actually transformative and actually grounding and does a lot to downshift some of our very present anxiety. And I think that's been really good. And so I think there's some structural and systemic things I've seen too, but a lot of the stuff that I'm seeing is people trying to make sense of this abstracted language and say, what does this actually mean for my life in real time, and how can that be good?The Fruit of the MAGA MovementSy Hoekstra: One thread there that kind of leads into my next question is, you said that the idea that your church is the last stop on a lot of people's road out of Christianity, when I was a kid, I would, in evangelical churches, I would hear the sentiment a lot that—I would hear that sentiment a lot actually. I would hear like, “Oh, when you go to a progressive church, that's just, you're just on your way out [laughs], so don't ever go there.” That was the kind of, that was the warning, right?Brandi Miller: Yeah [laughs].Sy Hoekstra: But basically, what I hear you saying is the reason that it's their last stop or the reason that they're on their way out is not because of they've lost their way or a lack of integrity, they don't really care about Jesus, whatever. They actually care about Jesus maybe more than the places that they left, and got so hurt as a result that that's why they're on their way out. And that's, I think that's a reality that Jonathan and I see a lot too, and I just wanted to point that out to people. But also this kind of gets a little bit into what my next question was, which I also had a big long quote here, but I'll just summarize [laughs] because Jonathan already read a big long quote [laughter].Jonathan Walton: I did.Sy Hoekstra: You basically talked about how there are a lot of masks that evangelicals wear to cover their support for Donald Trump's racism. So it's like the sanctity of life or pro-gun politics or pro-Israel politics. And that it basically that the result of that is you're not talking about the racism of Donald Trump, you're talking to people about those masks and saying, “If you're not willing to wear this mask, then basically you're an enemy to be negated because you're a baby killer, or you're an anti-Semite” or whatever it is. But I wonder if four years on having seen so much more of the fruit of the MAGA movement, if there's anything that you would kind of add on to this description of how it operates.Shifting Acceptable Political Discourse Far to the RightBrandi Miller: Yeah. So one of the main things I think about right now is the Overton window. So for folks who aren't familiar with the Overton window, it's essentially the range of acceptable political thought from left to right. And so there is an acceptable range of political thought, I'm doing some writing and thinking about this right now, but that what is considered far on the left and far on the right changes as that window shifts farther left or right. And what we've seen in the last four years is the Overton window shift so far to the right, that stuff that would've been considered so extreme, so outlandish, so problematic as to not be acceptable is now mainstream.So when George Santos can have an entire political campaign and multiple years of being in the public spotlight, and everyone be like, “Ah, this is just kind of like normal run-of-the-mill American politics,” that's wild.Sy Hoekstra: Yeah.Jonathan Walton: Yeah, yeah [laughs].Brandi Miller: When Donald Trump can have dozens and dozens and dozens and dozens and dozens of criminal, like of criminal… or like he has so many, so many things that are happening right now at felony levels, and we're like, “Oh, I mean, he's just like working through it.” That is so wild to me, that the Overton window has shifted so far to the right that Marjorie Taylor Greene can do every bit of chaos that she's doing. That Mike Johnson is considered a normal speaker of the house.Jonathan Walton: That is, ugh… [laughs].Brandi Miller: We've moved so far right, that now what used to be considered moderate is considered hyper progressive. That being like, hey, like… maybe we should give people… that we've actually reversed, like with Roe v. Wade, we've reversed rights for people and we consider that normal. Like the Overton window has shifted so aggressively to the right that it is so, so damaging. And that has just continued over the last four years.Shifting Acceptable Religious Thought Far to the RightBrandi Miller: The thing I am observing and doing a lot of work around right now is what does it mean when the Christian range of political or range of acceptable religious thought also shifts to the right? And so I've been asking the question, what is that?What we're talking about really is orthodoxy. We're saying there is this range of historically acceptable Christian thought, but when that gets chain linked to the Overton window and shifted to the right, the way of Jesus that gets to be considered left or moderate or something becomes completely unidentifiable to most Christians. And when that happens, the only response that we have in those super conservative spaces or that have moved to the right that much is to parrot political actors and call it holiness. And that is what I'm most concerned with and what I'm seeing most right now, is that people can't even have conversations because of those things like, yeah, you're an anti-Semite or you're a baby killer, or whatever.You can't even have the conversations about why that ideology became important to someone, because even questioning the ideology itself or that indoctrination feels like it's a deviation from holiness because your religion is so connected to nationalism that to separate those feels like sin.Sy Hoekstra: It's almost, it's like the way that you might get a question shut down in church because if of something you're asking about some orthodox doctrine or whatever, like expressing a doubt of some kind.Brandi Miller: Yep.Sy Hoekstra: You're saying that's not just religious anymore basically. That is political. Or the politic—because the religious and the political are so closely linked that your political doubt is religious doubt almost.Brandi Miller: Yes. Yes, most certainly. Connected to God's connection to a nation.What Is the Good That All the Idolatry Is Overshadowing?Jonathan Walton: Yeah, I got in this conversation with a… Sometimes I opt into the online debates to get fodder for more posts [Sy laughs]. And I asked someone what they meant by Orthodox. They were saying “Israel is God's nation. The United States should support Israel because we are also God's nation, we're mirror countries of each other. This is an orthodox view.”Sy Hoekstra: Whoa.Jonathan Walton: They had obviously no, like no image or thought about the non-evangelical 200-year-old, 50-year-old, 25-year, 2-year-old church that they were in [laughter], you know? But all that to say, as you talk about Jesus on your show, talk about Jesus in your writing, talk about Jesus in your church, talk about Jesus with us. We're constantly trying to get people to look at the Jesus of Nazareth and not the Jesus of nationalism. Right? What would you say in this era, like with the church and politics, what value do you think Jesus's teaching, Jesus's witness, his life, death, resurrection has to offer us this election season? And what is the good that all the syncretism that we're talking about is just completely overshadowing?Following Jesus Helps us Find Ourselves and Resist Structures That Demand ConformityBrandi Miller: Well, right. The Jesus story is a continuation of the Hebrew story, and that story is centered on a God who cares about righteousness. And righteousness is not adherence to political doctrine, it's right living in harmony and wellbeing with other folks. Dr. Randy Woodley talks about shalom in the community of creation and that you know that the world is well when the marginalized say so. And the Hebrew scriptures follow that journey really, really closely. Even if the people fail in it, God's calls stay consistent to make sure that the orphan and the widow and the foreigner are cared for. And that we know that a whole community is healthy and well and living rightly when that's the case. And Jesus lives out that same story.And part of that story requires that people are given the chance to be themselves. That if we believe in this kind of, there's a lot that I do not believe about how we extrapolate Genesis one and two, but I think one of the core things is that like God made people in God's own image, and people's job is not to conform into your pastor's version of following Jesus. It's to conform more into the likeness of Jesus as you become more yourself. And so instead of going to a pastor and essentially saying, ‘Follow me as I follow Jesus,” we say, “We're following Jesus and you're gonna discover who you are along the way.” And that is what Jesus does with his disciples. Right? Jesus invites a diverse group of wackadoodle dudes to come and be themselves [Jonathan laughs]. And they change a lot. They change a lot, but they don't change away from themselves, which I think we see in the story of Peter, right? Peter's a fisherman at the beginning and he's a fisherman at the end. And the way in which he's a fisherman is really different, but he is still at his core in some ways who he is. And I know there's some conflation with vocational and whatever, but there are ways that people are, that people who were zealous in the beginning are zealous, but in a more refined way at the end. People who were engaging with the people in a particular way are doing so less judgmentally at the end.So I think there's a way that there is an invitation to become fully ourselves that we do not get in church spaces because we're told that sanctification or that honoring the death and resurrection of Jesus is to become less like yourself. It's to do this… I think we just take the John the Baptizer quote, “more of him, less of me” out of context when you're like… y'all, the reason he's saying that is because they think he's the Messiah and he needs to make some stuff really clear. He's not saying, I need to become less of myself. John needs to become more and more of himself in order to do what Jesus has invited him to do.Jonathan Walton: Yes.Brandi Miller: And so, because in the church we often say, let's collapse our identities into one social, political and religious identity, people lose themselves. And so I think part of the invitation and the good that we offer to people is that you get to be yourself. And that justice work, this other side of the coin in the Hebrews text around justice and righteousness is making things right when righteousness, when people's ability to live fully as themselves to live original blessing is not in place. And so I think that there's an invitation in the way of Jesus to live fully as ourselves and to make right the spaces where people are not offered space to live the life that is abundant.Jonathan Walton: May it be so in churches and spaces this fall [laughs] where that could be extrapolated. And as you were talking, I was just like, yeah, “God loves you,” should not be a controversial statement.Brandi Miller: Right…. Woof…Jonathan Walton: Right? Like it shouldn't [laughs].How Has Brandi's Calling Changed around Political Engagement?Sy Hoekstra: Alright. So, on your show, you're often talking about theology and culture. You obviously have a ton to say about politics though, and I've heard you say on the show you'd be kind of more interested in getting into that somehow at some point in your life. And you took a break from the show recently. Basically, you're in the middle of a season on purity culture, and you kind of took a break from the show because you felt some tension between talking about theology and church culture and purity culture with everything that's going on in Gaza. And I'm just wondering how the last four years have affected your sense of calling or your desire to engage politically from someone who has largely played a pastoral role.Helping People Develop Inner Lives that Can Sustain Political EngagementBrandi Miller: Yeah. Some of what I'm learning is that regardless of whether there's an urgent political moment that people are still entering into these spaces in a lot of different ways. And so me stopping the podcast because of everything happening in Gaza and trying to figure out how to respond wasn't actually as helpful as I had hoped it would've been. It didn't make more space for people, it just disengaged people from one of the only spaces that they're engaging with religion at all. And so pastorally, I think what I ended up doing was leaving people behind. And I didn't, I think I was so at that point unsure of how to respond to what was happening in Gaza and didn't know what my role would be, and felt like as a person who's, it's a little bit like one of my Jewish friends was talking about the parable of the virgins and the oil.Some of us just showed up really late to this party, and we know so little, we've showed up so late, that it feels pretty impossible to show up effectively. And so I was trying to be responsible with what I did and did not know about Israel, Palestine, Gaza, all of that. Instead of just saying what I could unequivocally say, which is that violence in all forms, particularly genocide, is an egregious violence against God, against people and needs to be dealt with aggressively. Like, I can say that without any… we can say, “Free Palestine,” because that is an easy thing to, it's pretty easy for me to say, to agree with that idea. What I did though in being like, oh, purity culture isn't connected, was to say that people have on-ramps to these kinds of justice expressions that are far away.And maybe it's like [laughs], I hate to use this metaphor, but like, or parallelism rather. Yeah, I hate to use this parallelism, but when I think about how QAnon feeds into conspiracy theories, I think there's a lot of ways that progressive Christianity can feed people toward better, more just politics. And so when I take away the on-ramps, I take away people's opportunity to enter into a more just spirituality. And so me choosing to not talk about sex for four weeks or whatever, for me it felt like it was a solidarity practice, but it really was just cutting off people from a community that they cared about. So I think I would say that that was like one thing that I'm learning.And that is, and I think that what I'm trying to figure out is, as a person who primarily plays a pastoral function, what does it mean to invite people into a discipleship that can hold the politics that they're engaging with? Because one of the things I learned from 2016 was that many of us had a ton of passion, a ton of anxiety, a lack of knowledge, and we weren't able to hold onto the activism at the level that we held it during Black Lives Matter. We just weren't able to do it. And so, I think I'm trying to ask how do you build people's inner lives and community orientations in such a way that we can actually hold the political movements that we want to see happen?So how do we become community organizers locally and nationally when our inner lives aren't able to hold even the basics of our day-to-day lives? And that's not a knock on anyone, it's just a, we don't know how to cope. We don't know how to be in therapy. We don't know how to ask good questions about our lives. And so I think that I'm still asking the question, what is the role of the pastoral in the political, when most of my examples of the pastoral and the political is just telling people how to vote once every four years indirectly so you don't lose your funding, and nothing else otherwise.Helping People Learn and Grow through Curiosity and Questioning AssumptionsJonathan Walton: Yeah. I care a little bit about that, the inner life, peace [laughter]. I write, you know, I have a whole thing about that. So as you're talking, something I feel like I've run into is, I had a conversation with someone and they said to me, “The church discriminates against queer people? What do you mean?” And I looked at them and I was like, they were not being facetious, they were not joking. And like, and so I watched this train wreck happen in her brain, right? Where it's like, so then I just said, “You know, let's just talk about conversion therapy.” I said, “Let's just start there…” UN resolutions that say this is to—like all she, you could see it on her face she's like, like she did not know.And so I watched it happen and couldn't stop it. So Brandi, when someone is sitting across from you and you see this lack of knowledge and the capacity to harm. Right? So there's this lack of knowledge, but they're gonna say the homophobic terrible thing whenever somebody asks them, and you are the pastoral person in residence with them. What habits, practices, tactics do you employ not to destroy them, like intellectually? How do you not reduce them to their ideas? How do you love them and meet them where they're at so that they will be at church next week? They will be, like all those kinds of things, to stay on the journey with you.Brandi Miller: Yeah.Sy Hoekstra: And stop hurting people.Jonathan Walton: And yeah, and stop hurting people.Brandi Miller: Yes. Yeah, I mean, you become a master of caveats, and that's the easy thing. The hard thing is to believe that people are trying their best. I think that most people, and I'm really learning this and trying to learn this in the best ways I can right now, is that if you're not just like on the internet where I know people are not trying to do their best, they're just being mean, like in real life with people who are sitting, who you don't have to question whether they're a bot or not, people are trying to do the best they can and the best they can might be terrible. And that's okay, because when people are trying to do the best that they can, and when people are given the benefit of a doubt, they are more open to engaging with things that are embarrassing or challenging or confusing.And so a lot of what I do is ask questions in the context of my own experience. I'll say, “Hey, when you say that, that hits me in a really strange way, and it's kind of hurtful and I can see where this would be hurtful for somebody else. Can you help me understand where that idea came from for you and how that became so important to you?” Or like, “I can hear that this is really important to you, can you help me understand why?” Because if I can understand that why, I can create a human connection that allows me to walk someone through, like, “Yo, when you say to me as like a partnered queer person, that my future marriage is not God's best, when did that become so important to you? When did thinking about like queerness in this way become so important to you?And how big, like on a scale of one to 10, how big does that feel for you? And what would that feel like for you if I said something back to you like, ‘You're heteronormative marriage where it looks like your wife doesn't really like you that much, you're kind of a jerk, isn't God's best for you,' what would you say back to me?” Like what a strange thing for you to say to me. And so I think I do a lot of assuming that people are doing their best and asking a lot of origins questions. Because I think that most of evangelicalism is more concerned with indoctrination than it is with development and discipleship. And when you can expose the indoctrination, it opens up a lot of space for questions. Because I know a lot of people that have said to me things like, “I have never thought about that before,” or, “I have never considered that before.”Or, “It came from this book.” And I'm like, “Well, have you read these other books?” Or they're like, “It came from this verse.” And I'm like, “Well, have you read the equivalent verse in the gospels that exists?” And the answer usually is no. The people have not done their due diligence to come to their own ideas. They have parroted because parroting in the church gives you survival, and I understand that. I understand that being able to parrot ideas gives you belonging. And so to fall outside of that, to ask questions outside of that risks your belonging. And so I try to create spaces where people's stories can belong, even if their ideologies need to be questioned and engaged with differently. So I think that's the main way that I engage with that pastorally at least.Jonathan Walton: That is amazing. So being able to sit down with someone, see someone across difference in a way, and turn to wonder, awe and curiosity as opposed to prejudice, judgment, and condemnation. That's great. Amen.Where Listeners Can Find BrandiSy Hoekstra: Can you tell our listeners where they can find you or your work on the internets.Jonathan Walton: Or in real life. Or in real life [laughs].Brandi Miller: Yes. Yeah, you can… if you're not being a weirdo, you can find my church, Quest Church out in Seattle [laughter]. We're doing the best we can out there. I work there, I'm a regular person out there, so don't be a weirdo [laughter].Brandi Miller: But I'm online in several spaces. Primarily, I have a podcast called Reclaiming My Theology, that takes a topic.Jonathan Walton: Five stars, five stars, five stars.Brandi Miller: [laughs, then says very quickly] If you'd give it, it takes 30 seconds to do [laughter]. Yeah, that is exploring different types of problematic or oppressive ideologies and how they wiggle their way into our interpretation of the Bible and Christian culture and how they create Christian culture. We're working through a series on purity culture now that feels like it's never ending, but it's like a perfect intersection of a lot of the other forms of oppression that we've talked about. So we'll be in that for a little bit. And then I just launched a podcast with Quest Church, talking to people about formation practices that make them feel at home with God. And so if you're looking for more of a formational storytelling bend, I'm interviewing folks around those practices right now, as well as the stuff that I'm already doing on the podcast that takes a little bit more of an academic theological bend.Sy Hoekstra: What's the name of that one?Brandi Miller: The Quest Church Podcast.Sy Hoekstra: Oh, okay, got it [laughter]. Okay, cool.Jonathan Walton: Cool, cool. Nice.Sy Hoekstra: Thank you so much for that. If you go and listen to Reclaiming my Theology, you'll hear some familiar voices like Jonathan Walton and Tamice Spencer-Helms and other people that you know. Brandi Miller, this has been fantastic. I'm so happy you joined us [the sound of clapping]. Jonathan's actually applauding, I don't think that's ever happened before [laughter].Jonathan Walton: She's great. She's great. Lovely.Sy Hoekstra: Thank you so much for being with us.Brandi Miller: Yeah, delighted to be with you all. Thank you so much for the opportunity.[the intro piano music from “Citizens” by Jon Guerra plays briefly and then fades out.]Sy and Jonathan's Thoughts about Christian Community and Communicating Theology Well after the InterviewSy Hoekstra: Okay, Jonathan, that was fantastic [laughs].Jonathan Walton: It really, really was.Sy Hoekstra: What are you thinking coming out of that? Where are your thoughts at?Jonathan Walton: Yeah, so I'm actually stuck on the first thing that she said.Sy Hoekstra: Oh, okay. After that you blacked out and then you don't remember the rest of the interview.Jonathan Walton: [laughs] Well, I remember it. But one of the… I thought to myself, you know, I've changed a lot in the last four years since we wrote the essays that we did and since KTF started and all those things. And so it really pushed me to reflect. And when I was in journalism school with Peter Beinart, who is an amazing writer and commentator, especially right now.Sy Hoekstra: Who you've mentioned before, yeah.Jonathan Walton: Yes. Yeah, I mean, his work is just amazing. But something that he said in class was, you need to write for the language of the bleachers, like between a fifth and eighth grade level. And that is not a knock on people who are not educated or didn't go to university. It's more like we don't talk like this on a regular basis.Sy Hoekstra: You mean you don't talk the way that highfalutin people write [laughs]?Jonathan Walton: Exactly.Sy Hoekstra: Gotcha.Jonathan Walton: Right. And it was one of those things where I was like, huh, I wonder, would I say things the same way now? Or how can I say them so that people leave saying, “Oh, I know what he meant and I understood what he said,” versus, “I don't know what half those words meant, but it sounded really good [Sy laughs]. Thinking of reflecting on how Jesus spoke to people and who he called and how he called them was something that I just, just struck me about that response. And then obviously we also threw out some big words, some large terms and all those things. And one of the things that stood out to me that I didn't know about was the Overton window that she said. I'd never heard of that before.Sy Hoekstra: Oh, okay.Jonathan Walton: Yeah, but what has become normal. Having a term for that's just helpful. For me, like [laughs] I think I've mentioned this before, is that when I feel anxious, when I feel worried, when I feel concerned, one of the places that I go is information. I need to put it in a box. I need to have words to just feel grounded to engage. And now I can just say, “Oh, the Overton window has shifted [laughs], and that helps me have a place to stand [laughs] in a lot of our discourse and gives me more space to do what she talked about at the end, which is like, can I love people across difference? And when I have cohesive frameworks and information especially like in context, and I can do that more effectively. So I learned a lot. I was challenged and I'm really grateful.Sy Hoekstra: I think actually the thing that stuck out to me, kind of, I end up in a similar place, even though I'm coming from a totally different angle. Which is that the thing that she articulated about the how political doubt becomes religious doubt in like our current, kind of nationalist Christian nationalist landscape was really interesting to me. Because you hear it, so it's such a common thing if you think about it, right?Jonathan Walton: Yes.Sy Hoekstra: At least I've heard so many times people just be like, how can a Christian possibly vote for the Democrats? Right? Or asking like doubting Republican orthodoxy is actually grounds to doubt the foundations of your faith or the seriousness of your faith, when Jesus had absolutely no issue having people who he called disciples who were wildly politically different from each other.Jonathan Walton: Right.Sy Hoekstra: So when she talks about wanting to talk across difference like that, or wanting to how Jesus helps people become a better version of themselves, he was doing that with people who were like the Roman empire is fine and I work for them and I get rich off of them and that's great, like Matthew [laughs]. Versus the Roman Empire is the enemy and we need to throw them off via murder and other forms of violence, AKA Simon the Zealot. And like they're just sitting together with Jesus. They're both followers of Jesus, no question.Jonathan Walton: Exactly, right.Sy Hoekstra: And they have opposite political views. And one of them is like really earnestly advocating and killing a bunch of people [laughs]. Right?Jonathan Walton: Right.Sy Hoekstra: And that is like, it's just a, I don't know, in the context of some of the church context where I grew up or some of the… like it's just a lot of the conservative Christian context now that is unthinkable, but it is also the absolute norm for Jesus [laughs].Sy Hoekstra: So that gives you a sense of when you're a place where your church culture is off, when something that is unthinkable is the norm for Jesus [laughs].Jonathan Walton: Exactly. Exactly. That is what I hope we would say when someone says, what is syncretism?Sy Hoekstra: So syncretism is another one of those big words. I'm not sure we defined it right. Syncretism is a word that a lot of White westerners use for basically poor Black and Brown people, and sometimes Asian people.Jonathan Walton: Right.Sy Hoekstra: When it's like, oh, you are a Christian, sure, but you're also practicing this native thing. Like my wife's family's from Haiti, right? You are Catholic, but you're also doing this voodoo stuff. And so that's not real pure Christianity, that's syncretism. And now…Jonathan Walton: Exactly.Sy Hoekstra: You were saying Jonathan, sorry, that was… go ahead.Jonathan Walton: No, but like, so Brandi's just turn of phrase when she said, oh, when someone's political foundations are shaken, their religious foundations are shaken. That is syncretism.Sy Hoekstra: Right, yes. Exactly.Jonathan Walton: And so putting it in that language just makes it more effective, more practical, more illuminating for people as opposed to saying, “Well, you're political and social and religious ideologies are enmeshed with one another, but creating an agenda…” It's like, we don't need to talk like that [laughs]. You know what I mean? We can just say it plainly and things God can meet us in that.Sy Hoekstra: Yeah.Which Tab Is Still Open?: Average Black, Christian Voting Patterns and Political Beliefs vs. the Average DemocratJonathan Walton: Alright Sy. Let's jump into our latest segment that we introduced during the bonus episodes, and now we're bringing to you on our wider feed, is Which Tab Is Still Open. Out of all the highlights we've sent around lately in our newsletter, what's still standing out to us? And so, Sy, this one's yours. So go for it.Sy Hoekstra: This one, yeah, this one is mine. It was an article that I had in the newsletter recently by a professor named Ryan Burge, who is a political science professor and a statistician. He's basically one of the go-to experts in America for a lot of media and other sources for data about religion and politics, like surveys, pollsters, et cetera. So he's a professor at Eastern Illinois University, but he's also an American Baptist Convention pastor [laughs]. So this article is about the average Black church attending Protestant. In a lot of these polls and surveys they ask people how often do you go to church, as a measure of your religiosity. Just like an estimate basically, of your religiosity.So he says for the average Black regular church attending Christian, what is the kind of differences in their political beliefs between just the average overall Democrat? And we talked about this in one of our, in the March bonus episode, that for like a lot of people don't realize the distance between… a lot of White people don't realize the distance between [laughs] average Black voter and average Democrat voter, because Black people always vote Democrat, right?Jonathan Walton: Right.Sy Hoekstra: So if you're not kind of familiar with the culture or the politics, then those, the Black people and Democrats can be synonymous. So basically what he said was the average Black church goer is like a self-identified moderate. Is like almost in the middle of the political spectrum. Is more moderate than the average Democrat on abortion, immigration, policing, all kinds of stuff. Not conservative, but more moderate than the average Democrat. And they've become more moderate in recent years. And so there's an actual kind of statistically significant shift toward the right, but voting hasn't changed at all. Or there's been very little change in actual votes.And then the other interesting thing that he pointed out was the average… they do these polls where they have people rank themselves on a political spectrum from one to seven. So one is as liberal as it gets, and seven is as conservative as it gets. And then they also have people rank the Democrat and Republican parties for where they are, like the party overall. And in the last 10 years, the average Black church going Protestant assessment of where the Republican party is, has not changed at all, like in any significant way.Jonathan Walton: Yes.Sy Hoekstra: So meaning when Donald Trump is the standard bearer, no significant difference in how radical or how right the Republican party is than when Mitt Romney was the standard bearer [laughs], right?Jonathan Walton: Yep.Sy Hoekstra: So you're saying that, “Yep. I get it, totally.” I think to a lot of people, that is some pretty stunning news [laughs].Jonathan Walton: Yes. Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.Sy Hoekstra: So, I don't know, the interesting points to me are just how our assumptions are like about voters in general are based on how White people vote, because White people vote very ideologically and Black people just don't. Like I've seen other polling data where it's like, basically Black people self-identify as liberals, moderates, or conservatives at roughly the same rate as White people. They just don't, Black people just don't vote ideologically. That's the difference, right? And then yeah, that thing where there's no difference between Trump and Mitt Romney is so interesting [laughter].Not no difference between those two men, but no difference between the parties under those two men. And by the way, the rest of the Democrat, the average Democrat thinks the Republican party is far more to the right than it was 10 years ago.Jonathan Walton: Yes.Sy Hoekstra: So, basically what I'm saying is Black people knew the whole time [laughs], Black people knew what was up with the Republicans, and the assessment hasn't changed. I don't know, that to me is just a thing that people need to know. I don't know. When people say like, you hear sometimes from progressive people, “Listen to Black people, listen to Black women.” It just gets thrown out there, is like a, what I think to some White people probably sounds like just this weird ideological platitude that people are saying. But this is the reason [laughs]. The reason is marginalized folks in a system understand the system better than people in the dominant positions of the system, and have a, I don't know, have a kind of a clearer sense of where things are, have a more practical view of how to handle themselves in that system, which I think is the non-ideological voting. And yeah, all that stuff is really interesting to me. And I'm wondering what your thoughts were since this was my recommendation.Jonathan Walton: Yeah. I mean, I've… there are so many things that come to mind as we're talking about this. One thing is that the Overton window, as Brandi mentioned [laughs], it has shifted for some people, right? When we talk, when Randy Woodley talks about how people in the United States do not have the luxury of saying, “Oh, it doesn't matter who's president.” Marginalized people know it matters who is sitting in a political position. If it doesn't matter to you, then that creates a different set of problems. And I think another thing I think we have to remember is that [roughly] 70 percent of the voting population in the United States is White. The people who are registered, the people who turn out.And so there's, I think just there's a lot of context to layer over top of this that can obscure just the basic reality of the emancipation and the passing and Civil Rights Act. And the reality is, Black people voted for Lincoln because he wanted to stop slavery. Lincoln was a White supremacist. Lincoln literally argued in his presidential debate in Illinois that he did not believe that Black people were equal and could never be cultured to be with White people.Sy Hoekstra: And therefore we should send them back to Africa.Jonathan Walton: And therefore we should send them back to Africa. That is Lincoln. But why did we vote for him when we finally got the chance to vote, kind of with… [laughs]? It's because he said he did not want to have slavery exist anymore. Now, fast forward to the Civil Rights Act. Why did we all turn into Democrats? Because they said, “Hey, you should actually have civil rights.” Not equal rights, not full rights, not decriminalization. Not all, just some basic civil rights. Bam, now we're in that camp. This has always, always, always been about survival. The statistics are great. You could do the analysis, there's wonderful data that comes out. But at the end of the day, I'm gonna listen to my mama [Sy laughs] and say, “Oh yeah.”It would be preposterous of her to vote for anyone who is for the active destruction of her community. And the reality is, most of the time that is Republicans. Now, there are destructive policies against Black people that come from the Democrats. The difference is, just like we see here, the difference is this thing called White supremacy. One party says White supremacy exists. The other party says it doesn't. One party says White supremacy exists and desires in rhetoric to make it stop, even though they pass policies that continue to perpetuate it. The reality is though, there are more Black people, more people of color, more women in the party that has a donkey and not an elephant. And therefore, we will ride donkeys [laughs].And so that does not mean that we are for… we, when I say Black Christians, are for anything that the Overton window to use Brandi's saying again, has expanded. So Black folks' views on abortion, Black folks' views on war, Black folks' views on policing. Again, we like to be safe too. And unfortunately, a lot of times in communities of color that equals calling the police. That equals saying, “Hey, can someone help me?” Right? In Baltimore, in Chicago, in over policed parts of New York City, Black folks still have to call the police. Like it's not some utopia where we're just gonna let everything go. That doesn't exist in our communities.We still actually desire for the systems to work for us. We do not desire the system to destroy us. And so we use the systems and desire to make them better. And so these numbers I think are exceptionally informative at illuminating the, or illuminating the reality that many people in marginalized communities already know. But hopefully there'll be a common place for us to talk about it. Now there is a resistance to academia and research in progressive and conservative circles [laughs]. And so someone may say, “Well, that's just not true because it's not true for me.” But hopefully it will create some common ground to be able to have a cohesive conversation about Black folks, the Democratic party and progressive and conservative politics.Sy Hoekstra: Yeah, that's what we're trying to do. Political education, man [laughs].Outro and OuttakeJonathan Walton: Lord have mercy.Sy Hoekstra: Lord have mercy. This has been a great conversation. We were so happy that Brandi came on. And thanks for talking as always, Jonathan.Jonathan Walton: Yes.Sy Hoekstra: We will see you all in a couple of weeks. Our theme song is Citizens by Jon Guerra. Our podcast Art is by Robin Burgess, transcripts by Joyce Ambale. And as I'm gonna start saying a lot, I'm stealing this from Seth at Can I Say This at Church? This show is produced by our subscribers [laughs]. Thank you all and we will see you all in two weeks.[The song “Citizens” by Jon Guerra fades in. Lyrics: “I need to know there is justice/ That it will roll in abundance/ And that you're building a city/ Where we arrive as immigrants/ And you call us citizens/ And you welcome us as children home.” The song fades out.]Jonathan Walton: And he loves wackadoodles, I'm gonna use that one. Loves wackadoodles [laughs].Sy Hoekstra: That I have never heard. Is that because I'm not from the south that I've never heard that? Was that… [laughter]?Jonathan Walton: Well, no. Brandi's not from the south either.Brandi Miller: Also, you know I'm big up north here. I'm a Pacific Northwest girly full on. There's no doubt there [Jonathan laughs].Sy Hoekstra: Is that a Brandi quote? Is that from you?Brandi Miller: No, I'm certain that come from somewhere.Sy Hoekstra: I'm just lost. It's fine.Brandi Miller: Maybe it's Black. Maybe that's what it is.Sy Hoekstra: Well, obviously if I am the confused one and you're not, that's my first thought as well. So [laughter], there's always, there's just like, I'm so used to that point in conversations at this point in my life where I'm like, “Oooooh it's because I'm White” [laughter]. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.ktfpress.com/subscribe
Episode 28: Haunted Houses Part Two This episode was recorded on April 13, 2024 and posted on June 15, 2024. Content Warning: Light vulgarity. Introduction Welcome to No Bodies Episode 28 Introductions to your Ghosts Hosts with the Most - Lonely of Lonely Horror Club and Projectile Varmint aka Suzie Introductions to our guests Rob & Suz of Spooky AF Today's Topic: Haunted Houses Film Discussion Gothic The Orphanage (2007) The Woman in Black (2012) The Haunting of Hill House (2018) The Demonic Amityville Horror (1979) The Conjuring (2013) Contemporary Haunted House Films Thir13en Ghosts (2001) Paranormal Activity (2007) Sinister (2007) His House (2020) Worst & Best Representations of Haunted House Films Spoilers ahead! Worst The Gallows (2015) - Suzie Housebound (2014) - Lonely Haunting in Connecticut (2009) - Suz Hereditary (2018) - Rob Best His House (2020) - Lonely Hell House LLC (2015) & Terrified (2017) - Suzie The Haunting of Hill House (2018) - Rob The Haunting of Bly Manor (2020) - Suz Suzie's Deep Cuts Includes films with under 5k ratings on IMDB. Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (1973) The Last Will and Testament of Rosalind Leigh (2012) I Remember You (2017) The Witch in the Window (2018) A Ghost Waits (2020) Caveat (2020) They Live in the Grey (2022) Closing Thoughts What is a topic or theme you think hasn't been used or used enough in the haunted house subgenre that you want to see more of? Thank you to our guests! Follow Rob & Suz's show Spooky AF, whenever you get your podcasts. Rob & Suz on Instagram at @thespookyafpod. Keep Up with Your Hosts Check out our instagram antics and drop a follow @nobodieshorrorpodcast. Take part in our new audience engagement challenge - The Coroner's Report! Comment, share, or interact with any Coroner's Report post on our socials to be featured in an upcoming episode. Projectile Varmint - keep up with Suzie's film musings on Instagram @projectile__varmint Lonely - read more from Lonely and keep up with her filmstagram chaos @lonelyhorrorclub on Instagram and www.lonelyhorrorclub.com. Original No Bodies Theme music by Jacob Pini. Need music? Find Jacob on Instagram at @jacob.pini for rates and tell him No Bodies sent you! Leave us a message at (617) 431-4322 and we just might answer you on the show! Sources McDaniel, M. C. (1982). There's no place like home: The Haunted House as literary motif [Masters Thesis, Eastern Illinois University]. https://thekeep.eiu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3992&context=theses Michlin, M. (2012). The Haunted House in contemporary filmic and literary Gothic narratives of trauma. Transatlantica, 1. https://doi.org/10.4000/transatlantica.5933 Mills, M. (2023, October 25). The 20 best haunted house movies, ranked. The A.V. Club. https://www.avclub.com/20-best-haunted-house-movies-ranked-1850661917 Things that go bump in the literature: An environmental appraisal of “Haunted Houses.” (2020). Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01328
Send us a Text Message.E122: Economic Development is at full throttle with the Florida Opportunity Fund (FOF). They are focused on Seed and Series A tech startups with ~$150M+ deployed to date. FOF is currently pursuing four specific efforts: The FLORIDA VENTURE CAPITAL PROGRAM (FLVCP), founded in 2011, invests in emerging Florida companies in sectors with strategic importance to the state. FLVCP typically invests $1M - $3M into Seed through Series B stage companies. The FUND OF FUNDS PROGRAM (FOFP) invests into venture capital funds with significant operations and track record investing within Florida.The CLEAN ENERGY INVESTMENT PROGRAM (CEIP) invests directly into companies enabling the adoption of energy efficient and renewable energy products and technologies.The EQUITY CAPITAL PROGRAM (ECP), Founded in 2023, invests in emergingFlorida companies in sectors with strategic importance to the state. ECP has the additional objective in supporting companies owned by Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individuals (SEDI). Together FOF has 43 active portfolio companies and invested in 14 Venture Funds for a total of $150M+ capital committed/Invested and $5.5B private capital mobilized with 5,000+ jobs created. David interviews Robert Harvey, the President and Executive Director of the FOF, about the FOF's investing strategy and future plans. (recorded 5/31/24)Erratum: Robert Harvey received his undergraduate degree from Eastern Illinois University. It was incorrectly stated as from Southern Illinois University.Follow David on LinkedIn or reach out to David on Twitter/X @DGRollingSouth for comments. We invite your feedback and suggestions at ventureinthesouth.com or email david@ventureinthesouth.com. Learn more about RollingSouth at rollingsouth.vc or email david@rollingsouth.vc. Follow Paul on LinkedIn. Download our White Papers and Cheat Sheets HERE. Thanks for listening and remember: Our mission is to MAKE MONEY, HAVE FUN AND DO GOOD.
On this episode of Unsupervised Learning Razib talks about religion with Ryan Burge, professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University, and author of The Nones: Where They Came From, Who They Are, and Where They Are Going and 20 Myths About Religion and Politics in America. Burge also has a Substack, Graphs about Religion, where he posts the latest data on trends in American society. First, Razib asks Burge to outline the wave of secularization that has impacted American society over the last 25 years, from its causes to its potential end. Burge points out that mainline Protestantism looks to be on the verge of extinction in the 21st century, while evangelical Christianity saw its high point in the 1980s. Then they talk about the nature of religiosity in America, and Burge asserts that in some ways the rise in “religious nones” is probably just social desirability bias. With the fall of Communism, atheism and irreligiosity lost some of their negative connotations, and more and more people have “come out of the closet” or just accepted their revealed preferences. Razib also asks if Christianity will become a minority religion in the US, and if it is true that people become more religious as they get older. Finally, they discuss extensively the connection between religion and politics and how that drove the rise in defections from Christianity, and Burge talks about how the 21st century will see a normalization of extreme polarization between Christian conservatives and secular Americans. If you have a sibling with autism, your future child's risk for an autism diagnosis is increased by a factor of 2 to 3.5×. Orchid's whole genome embryo reports can help mitigate your child's risk by screening for over 200 genetic variants definitively linked to autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Discuss your situation with a genetics expert.
Mishawaka Marian grad and Eastern Illinois University signee Chase Bays discusses his baseball career. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mishawaka Marian grad and Eastern Illinois University signee Chase Bays discusses his baseball career. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode, Coach Walker IV joins the show! Coach Walker is the Cornerbacks coach at Western Illinois University. We discuss our time at Eastern Illinois University. Being there for your players. Athletes playing multiple sports. And much more! Twitter: CoachWalkerIV Please like, subscribe, review, and share out! https://linktr.ee/thecoachsteveshow Check out belly up sports podcast network! https://bellyupsports.com/ Head to www.guardiansports.com/guardian-caps and use the code: “15OFF” – good for 15% off Guardian Caps to help the impact for football players Get back to the basics with Coach Stone: https://www.coachstonefootball.com/ Get the best sunglasses in the game today! Use for any activity! Go to https://www.yeetzofficial.com/ use the code CSS for 10% off Looking for the cleanest nutrition drink? Looking for the cleanest drink to give you energy without the crash? Head to https://www.swiftlifestyles.com/ and use the code: coachsteveshow to get 15% off! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this episode, Coach Walker IV joins the show! Coach Walker is the Cornerbacks coach at Western Illinois University. We discuss our time at Eastern Illinois University. Being there for your players. Athletes playing multiple sports. And much more! Twitter: CoachWalkerIV Please like, subscribe, review, and share out! https://linktr.ee/thecoachsteveshow Check out belly up sports podcast network! https://bellyupsports.com/ Head to www.guardiansports.com/guardian-caps and use the code: “15OFF” – good for 15% off Guardian Caps to help the impact for football players Get back to the basics with Coach Stone: https://www.coachstonefootball.com/ Get the best sunglasses in the game today! Use for any activity! Go to https://www.yeetzofficial.com/ use the code CSS for 10% off Looking for the cleanest nutrition drink? Looking for the cleanest drink to give you energy without the crash? Head to https://www.swiftlifestyles.com/ and use the code: coachsteveshow to get 15% off! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ryan Burge set out to learn how many Catholics agree with church teachings on three key pro-life issues: abortion, euthanasia and the death penalty. The answer? Fewer than 1 percent. This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley are joined by Ryan, an associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University and the author of the “Graphs about Religion” Substack, to discuss his findings on the beliefs of American Catholics today. They discuss: Trends in Catholic opinion on pro-life issues. How faith-based beliefs and secular politics interact in our polarized society. The role of data in understanding religious trends and effectively communicating church teaching. In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss the eucharistic pilgrimages taking place ahead of July's National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. They also cover the controversial commencement speech given by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker at Benedictine College. Links from the show: Cafeteria Catholicism? Planning to join up with the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage? Here's what you need to know. Harrison Butker's commencement speech and the danger of a Catholic ‘dead traditionalism' Young U.S. Catholics want more orthodoxy. That doesn't mean they reject Vatican II. Podcast: When Catholic doctrine can change—and when it can't What's on tap? Carajillos (2 parts cold brew, 2 parts Licor 43) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Triumph Together Challenge has officially begun
“Christian Nationalism has garnered significant attention in recent years, owing to the potential dangers it poses for American democracy. Its specter has spurred newfound interest in the role of religion in American public life with fresh considerations of familiar questions: Is religion resurging as a force in politics? Will America's Christian majority restrict the rights of religious minorities? Is Christian nationalism a real threat, or a small, extreme faction with outsized press coverage?” So asks Christian Nationalism: A New Approach, a December 2023 report by Neighborly Faith. In this episode of the Influence Podcast, I talk to Kevin Singer, Ryan Burge, and Mark David Hall about that report and the questions it raises. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Kevin Singer is president of Neighborly Faith, a nonprofit whose mission is to provide “research and events introducing Christians to neighbors of every faith.” Ryan Burge is associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University and an ordained Baptist pastor; he posts regularly at Graphs About Religion. Mark David Hall is a professor at Regent University's Robertson School of Government and a senior fellow at the Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy, where he directs its Religious Liberty in the States initiative. My conversation with them is coming up after a brief word from our sponsor. ————— This episode of the Influence Podcast is brought to you by My Healthy Church, distributors of Bible Engagement Project. The Bible Engagement Project library includes free preschool curriculum that brings Bible time and play time together. Each lesson is designed to engage young minds during the lesson and make sure the principles they're learning stay with them when they get home, as well as while they grow. Visit BibleEngagementProject.com to create your free account and get started.
On this episode, Coach Hillmann joins the podcast! Coach Hillmann is the Director of Football performance at Eastern Illinois University. We discuss his path to becoming a strength and conditioning coach. His playing time at Iowa State. Adapting speed and strength. And much more! Twitter: jhilly34 Please like, subscribe, review, and share out! https://linktr.ee/thecoachsteveshow Check out belly up sports podcast network! https://bellyupsports.com/ Head to www.guardiansports.com/guardian-caps and use the code: “15OFF” – good for 15% off Guardian Caps to help the impact for football players Get back to the basics with Coach Stone: https://www.coachstonefootball.com/ Get the best sunglasses in the game today! Use for any activity! Go to https://www.yeetzofficial.com/ use the code CSS for 10% off Looking for the cleanest nutrition drink? Looking for the cleanest drink to give you energy without the crash? Head to https://www.swiftlifestyles.com/ and use the code: coachsteveshow to get 15% off! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this episode, Coach Bollant joins us! Coach Bollant is the Head Women's basketball coach at Eastern Illinois University. We talk about coaches basketball journey. How recruiting has changed for basketball. Caring about your players. And much more! Twitter: CoachBollant Please like, subscribe, review, and share out! https://linktr.ee/thecoachsteveshow Check out belly up sports podcast network! https://bellyupsports.com/ Head to www.guardiansports.com/guardian-caps and use the code: “15OFF” – good for 15% off Guardian Caps to help the impact for football players Get back to the basics with Coach Stone: https://www.coachstonefootball.com/ Get the best sunglasses in the game today! Use for any activity! Go to https://www.yeetzofficial.com/ use the code CSS for 10% off Looking for the cleanest nutrition drink? Looking for the cleanest drink to give you energy without the crash? Head to https://www.swiftlifestyles.com/ and use the code: coachsteveshow to get 15% off! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Americans are becoming less religious and two new surveys out just last week punctuate just how quickly that's happening. According to the Public Religion Research Institute, 26 percent of Americans now consider themselves unaffiliated with any religion. That's up from 21 percent a decade ago and just 6 percent in the early '90s. According to Gallup, the number of Americans who attend religious services weekly or nearly every week has fallen from 42 percent in 2000 to 30 percent now. In this installment of the 538 Politics podcast, Galen speaks with a roundtable of experts on religion and society about why the decline has happened and what it portends for American communities, networks and politics. Joining the podcast are Melissa Deckman, CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute; Ryan Burge, Professor of Political Science at Eastern Illinois University and a Baptist Pastor; and Daniel Cox, Director of the Survey Center on American Life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ryan P. Burge is an assistant professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University. Author of numerous journal articles, he is the co-founder of and a frequent contributor to Religion in Public, a forum for scholars of religion and politics to make their work accessible to a general audience. Burge is a pastor in the American Baptist Church. Follow Ryan's Substack Graphs About Religionhttps://www.graphsaboutreligion.com. WATCH the video and see the graphs right here on YouTube Previous Visits from Ryan Burge The Sky is Falling & the Charts are Popping! Graphs about Religion & Politics w/ Spicy Banter a Year in Religion (in Graphs) Evangelical Jews, Educated Church-Goers, & other bits of dizzying data 5 Religion Graphs w/ a side of Hot Takes Myths about Religion & Politics JOIN our next class, GOD AFTER DECONSTRUCTION with Thomas Jay Oord Come to THEOLOGY BEER CAMP. Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ryan Burge returns with a stack of charts as we explore the changing shape of theological education and ministry. Check out the video below to see the charts with your eyes. Ryan P. Burge is an assistant professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University. Author of numerous journal articles, he is the co-founder of… Read more about Ryan Burge: The Future of Christian Education & Ministry in Charts
...and can save your life. Join us for a very special episode of Black People Tell Black History with the one and only Tricia Hersey (IG @thenapministry) as she gives you a quick 30 minutes of necessary game on this Monday afternoon made for wage theft and dream death on how imagination was a requisite for our ancestors' freedoms, the blueprint they laid out for revolution and how to take back your body from the State from can't see in the morning to can't see at night. Support for Tricia and more resources: www.thenapministry.com If you don't do nothing else today, please check out her new book, Rest is Resistance, a guide and manifesto on Black liberation's departure from white supremacist capitalist grind culture Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/51E6lgtFIq0vdQYuHf3Tap?si=e14d54cf12f94d24 Tricia is the founder of The Nap Ministry, the originator of the ‘rest as resistance' and ‘rest as reparations' frameworks, and creates sacred spaces where the liberatory, restorative, and disruptive power of rest can take hold. Tricia's work is seeded within the soils of Black radical thought, somatics, Afrofuturism, womanism, and liberation theology, and is a guide for how to collectively deprogram, decolonize, and unravel ourselves from the wreckage of capitalism and white supremacy. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Eastern Illinois University and a Master of Divinity from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. She is the author of the New York Times bestselling book Rest is Resistance: A Manifesto and The Nap Ministry's Rest Deck: 50 Practices to Resist Grind Culture. Intro Music: Patience Sings (@patience.sings on IG)
The fastest growing “religious” group in the US is the “nones”, those with no religious affiliation. Who are these “nones” and what accounts for their religious disaffiliation over the last 30 years? We'll answer these questions and more with our guest, political scientist and pastor, Ryan Burge from his updated book called “The Nones.”Ryan Burge is an assistant professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University. He is the author of numerous books and journal articles and is a pastor in the American Baptist Church.Read a transcript of this episode at https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2024/who-are-the-nones. ==========Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California. Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically. Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video. To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.
How does religion influence our politics? Preet speaks with Ryan Burge, a pastor, data analyst, and political science professor at Eastern Illinois University focused on religion and politics. They discuss the rapid decrease in American religious affiliation, how religious groups are becoming more polarized, and what it all means for our elections. Plus, Preet reacts to testimony by former Trump Chief of Staff Mark Meadows who is seeking to transfer the Georgia state prosecution to federal court. Don't miss the Insider bonus, where Preet and Burge discuss the relationship between religion and sports, and how Burge caught a student using ChatGPT in his classroom. To listen, become a member of CAFE Insider for $1 for the first month. Head to cafe.com/insider. For show notes and a transcript of the episode head to: https://cafe.com/stay-tuned/losing-our-religion-with-ryan-burge/ Have a question for Preet? Ask @PreetBharara on Threads, or Twitter with the hashtag #AskPreet. Email us at staytuned@cafe.com, or call 669-247-7338 to leave a voicemail. Stay Tuned with Preet is brought to you by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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