Podcasts about ethnic food

Host Andrew Camp welcomes theologian Andy Root back to The Biggest Table to discuss Root's recent books, especially Baal and the Gods of More, and what Christian “growth” should mean. Root argues Christianity is about “growing into someone” through relational participation in God's life, not merely “growing something” like budgets, attendance, or resources, which can become a late-capitalist logic of escalation akin to fertility gods such as Baal or Artemis. Drawing on 1–2 Kings, Brueggemann, Hartmut Rosa, and Robert Gordon's “special century” of American GDP growth, Root connects church expansion to economic growth and says American Protestantism now faces anxiety and nostalgia on the far side of a golden era. He critiques both techno-optimist innovation and identitarian recognition as susceptible to capitalist dynamics, and calls the church toward the theology of the cross: God's presence “for you” in sorrow, loss, and shared burdens. Root previews a forthcoming pastoral theology of money.Andy Root is the Carrie Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN. Lately his work has centered around the intersection of faith and our secular age, having completed his six volume series Ministry in a Secular Age. He has written a number of books and has given lectures and presentations across the country and globe both to church groups, universities/colleges, youth workers, and academic communities. He lives in St. Paul, his wife Kara is a Presbyterian minister and they have two kids (Owen and Maisy) and a dog. When he's not teaching and writing, he watches a ton of TV.Andy Root's website: andrewroot.orgListen to my first conversation with Andy on The Biggest Table: Sacred Waiting in the Secular Age (Episode 12)Follow Andrew CampFacebook: andrew.camp.9Instagram: @andrewcamp80Substack: @thebiggesttableThis episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

Host Andrew Camp welcomes historian Mark Johnson, author of “American Bacon,” who explains how his work on Alabama barbecue led him to study bacon's shifting meanings. Johnson describes food as a narrative device for telling difficult histories and highlights a recurring theme of performance, including his claim that modern bacon enthusiasm can resemble minstrel-like impersonation, exemplified by a 1983 New York Times “In Praise of Bacon” cartoon mocking yet admiring a “Georgia mountain man.” The conversation traces bacon's role from a broad term for cured pork in colonial America, both staple and insult, through English associations of respectability with beef and mutton, and early U.S. debates that sometimes reclaimed bacon as humble republican virtue. In the 19th–20th centuries bacon became linked to Southern “backwardness,” fat, and health fears; by 1977 the USDA considered banning it over nitrites/nitrates. Bacon's resurgence is tied to distrust of dietary experts, low-carb culture, fast food, and upscale “rustic” Southern cuisine that can romanticize marginalized peoples without materially benefiting them, prompting discussion of systemic change, food deserts, and “culinary colonialism.”MARK A. JOHNSON, originally from Milwaukee, earned a PhD in history from the University of Alabama. Previously, he earned an MA from the University of Maryland and BA from Purdue University. He currently teaches at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and is the author of An Irresistible History of Alabama Barbecue: From Wood Pit to White Sauce and Rough Tactics: Black Performance in Political Spectacle, 1877–1932. His most recent book is American Bacon: The History of a Food Phenomenon. He resides in Knoxville, TN with his wife, Kate, and two cats, Peri and Remy.Follow Mark on Instagram: @baconscholarBuy American Bacon: The History of a Food PhenomenonFollow Andrew CampFacebook: andrew.camp.9Instagram: @andrewcamp80Substack: @thebiggesttableThis episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

Host Andrew Camp interviews writer and theologian Erik Freiburger about disability, belonging, and hospitality. Erik, a wheelchair user since a 1994 spinal cord injury, describes how his understanding of the word “disabled” matured, and explores whether disability is blessing or curse, concluding it is both/and, shaped by social exclusion, ableism, and human limits. They discuss prejudice and “whitewashing” (“aren't we all disabled?”), and how churches can treat disability as peripheral. Erik explains his pushback to a prior AI conversation, rooted in his wife Bonnie's 2014 loss of swallowing and their house church's struggle to practice Eucharist when she couldn't eat, leading them to broaden hospitality beyond food toward relationship and communal belonging. He urges churches to create cultures of care, advocate for dignity by going with marginalized people, and let neighbors shape theology (“the room is my theology”). Erik shares painful church experiences, links exclusion to “disgust” and purity logics, and finds hope in disabled Christians' perseverance.Erik Freiburger is a writer, theologian, creator, and storyteller whose work explores the intersections of disability, dignity, and hope. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Theology and a Master's degree in Religious Education with a focus on Missional Leadership, he brings both scholarly depth and lived experience to questions of belonging, justice, identity, and transformation within the disabled life. Writing on his Substack, At the Bottom of the Well (atthebottomofthewell.com), and hosting the Well Dwellers Podcast, Erik is creating spaces for voices from the margins and reflections on the sacred work of becoming. Rooted in a commitment to wonder and the dignity of all bodies, his work invites readers and listeners into deeper attentiveness to the mysteries unfolding at the edges of who we are and where we find ourselves in our society. Erik enjoys spending time with his wife, Bonnie, working out in his basement gym while listening to his expanding record collection, wheeling the park pathways around his city home, reading in-depth literature, and watching creative movies.This episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

Yumi Stynes and Jennifer Wong dig into ideas around the trouble with ethnic food shame as your origin story.They also have a little yap about Onigiri and why it may be the GOAT of convenience store snacks.Yumi and Jen can be seen ONSTAGE TOGETHER at the Sydney Writers Festival this week! (Week of 18 May 2026)More info and for ALL of Jennifer's events, have a look here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Host Andrew Camp welcomes Matt Erickson, senior pastor of Eastbrook Church in Milwaukee and author of The Pastor as Gardener, to discuss gardening as a metaphor for pastoral ministry and discipleship. Erickson shares his family roots in gardening, favorite crops, and how crises—including the pandemic, racial justice tensions, and a friend's moral failure—led him to agrarian biblical imagery such as 1 Corinthians 3:5. He describes how themes like seed, compost, pruning, soil, and seasons reshape views of suffering, formation, place, and community, critiquing technological distraction, rootlessness, and efficiency-driven “exploiter” mindsets in favor of care and attentiveness. Practical steps include contemplative prayer and guarding attention. They explore how churches face seasons, including “winter” in North American decline, and why resurrection-shaped hope sustains faithful cultivation. BioMatt Erickson is a pastor, writer, speaker, and disciple of Jesus. Since 2010, Matt has served as the Senior Pastor at Eastbrook Church, an urban, multiracial church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Matt received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Christian Education from Wheaton College (IL), a Master of Divinity degree from Northern Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Western Theological Seminary (Holland, MI) in connection with the Eugene Peterson Center for Christian Imagination. He is the author of the recently published book The Pastor as Gardener: A Renewed Vision for Ministry. Matt is married to Kelly, who has served in various ministry roles and operates her own spiritual direction practice. Matt and Kelly are parents of three children, all in college or beyond.Follow Matt Erickson:Website: mwerickson.comSubstack: @mwericksonFollow Andrew CampFacebook: andrew.camp.9Instagram: @andrewcamp80Substack: @thebiggesttableThis episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

Host Andrew Camp interviews religious ethicist and Northeastern professor Liz Bucar about her book, "Beyond Wellness: How Restoring the Religious Roots of Spiritual Practices Can Heal Us." Bucar shares her path into religious studies and explains how “spiritual salad bar” approaches—popular among Gen Z and driven by personalization and algorithms—can miss religious context, community, and ethical depth, sometimes causing harm. She critiques wellness culture's individual optimization and “toxic diet culture,” including moralizing food, ascetic restriction, and valorizing thinness, tracing these in part to mainstreamed strands of Christian theology. Bucar highlights religious resources for healthier food ways, using Ramadan to show fasting as communal, virtue-forming, and bounded by exemptions, and discusses Ayurvedic balance as an alternative to rigid good/bad food categories. The conversation emphasizes communal eating, hospitality, and flourishing beyond personal control.Liz Bucar is a religious ethicist and professor of religion at Northeastern University, as well as a certified intenSati and Kripalu yoga instructor. Her popular writing has appeared in The Atlantic, the Los Angeles Times, Teen Vogue, and The Wall Street Journal, and she is the author of four books, including the award-winning Stealing My Religion and Pious Fashion. She lives in Brookline, Massachusetts. For more about how religion shapes us all, even if we don't believe, subscribe to Liz's newsletter at LizBucar.com.Follow Liz Bucar:Order Beyond WellnessWebsite: lizbucar.comInstagram: @lizbucarSubstack: @lizbucarFollow Andrew CampFacebook: andrew.camp.9Instagram: @andrewcamp80Substack: @thebiggesttableThis episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

Host Andrew Camp welcomes writer and fellow podcaster Jeremy Jernigan to The Biggest Table to discuss faith, hospitality, and wine while comparing two pinot noirs: California's Meiomi (engineered for consistent, fruit-forward sweetness) and Oregon's Lemelson single-vineyard pinot (limited production, terroir-driven complexity). Their tasting becomes an analogy for faith, contrasting mass-produced certainty with nuanced growth. Jernigan shares the story behind his book The Edge of the Inside: after two decades in ministry and a dream lead-pastor role, conflicts during 2020 over engaging COVID and George Floyd's murder led to an elder-board ultimatum, his resignation, loss of community, and years in “liminal space.” The book traces moving from the “center” to the “edge,” rethinking inherited theology, and imagining how to move forward, emphasizing curiosity, composting past faith, and finding new communities.Jeremy Jernigan is a writer, speaker, and recovering megachurch pastor. After two decades in full-time ministry, including serving as a Lead Pastor, he now focuses on helping people rebuild their faith after it breaks. He's the author of The Edge of the Inside, and he hosts the weekly Rebuilding Faith series and the biweekly Cabernet and Pray podcast. Jeremy lives in Arizona with his wife and five kids.Follow Jeremyjeremyjernigan.comEdge of the Inside bookThis episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

Host Andrew Camp interviews Anglican priest and writer Hannah Miller King about her book Feasting on Hope and how the Eucharist reframed her grief after her father died of cancer. King describes needing a bigger theological framework than “pray and hope,” finding healing and belonging through weekly communion, and seeing the Lord's Table as both comfort and a foretaste that stokes longing for God's coming kingdom. They discuss what churches miss when communion is infrequent, the formative power of embodied ritual, vulnerability in receiving with “empty hands,” and the wide-angle social implications of the meal for community, reconciliation, and justice, including responses to scarcity and food insecurity. King offers counsel for those hurt by church to grieve, be patient, and take manageable risks toward worship and relationship.Hannah Miller King is a priest and writer in the Anglican tradition. She has been a campus minister among conservatory musicians, an apartment minister in an urban highrise, and a parish pastor in large and small churches. She currently serves as the Associate Rector at The Vine Anglican Church in Western North Carolina. She is a contributing writer for Christianity Today and Holy Post Media, and is the author of Feasting On Hope: How God Sets A Table in the Wilderness.  Hannah holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Westminster Choir College and a Master of Arts in Religion from Redeemer Seminary. She is currently being schooled in the minutia of Star Wars (and other galactic battles between good and evil) by her three kids. Hannah's Website: hannahmillerking.comThis episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

Host Andrew Camp welcomes theologian and ethicist Michael Morelli to discuss artificial intelligence in relation to humanity, modernity, and the Christian table. Morelli defines today's “AI” as machine learning and generative systems that process vast data, perform tasks, and simulate personality, while noting debate about true sentience. They address AI's ubiquity, marketing that frames it as neutral, embedded biases in data and design, and the need for critical thinking and formation rather than shortcuts, especially in education. The conversation situates AI within late-modern acceleration, power, and influencer culture, alongside declining trust in institutions. Morelli contrasts AI's dot-connecting with the sacramental and communal power of baptism and Eucharist, which reveal deeper reality and foster unlikely relationships, shaping everyday eating and hospitality. They close with food reflections and Morelli's podcast and social links.Michael Morelli is the Associate Professor of Theology & Ethics at Northwest College & Seminary and ACTS Seminaries. Both are affiliates of Trinity Western University. He's also an adjunct professor of theology of at Trinity's Religious Studies and Nursing Schools. He has a PhD in Theological Ethics from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland and is the author of Theology, Ethics, and Technology in the Work of Jacques Ellul and Paul Virilio: A Nascent Theological Tradition (Lexington Books) and editor of Desert, Wilderness, Wasteland, and Word: A New Essay By Jacques Ellul and Five Critical Engagements (Pickwick). Follow Michael MorelliInstagram: @mchlmorelliSubstack: Personalist Manifesto(s)Podcast: Personalist Manifesto(s)This episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

Host Andrew Camp welcomes Amar Peterman, a constructive/public theologian, to discuss Peterman's forthcoming book, "Becoming Neighbors: the Common Good Made Local" (Eerdmans), releasing March 12. Amar argues the common good must be built locally by actually knowing and loving the people across the street, rather than assuming a universal or national common good. Using the potluck table as the book's guiding metaphor, Peterman contrasts potluck with the “melting pot,” emphasizing that people bring distinct “dishes” (stories, beliefs, traditions) that can be appreciated alongside one another in a shared, community-owned space where everyone is both host and guest. They address why interfaith engagement matters, warning that a “common good” good only for one group becomes tyranny, Christian nationalism, or authoritarianism. Drawing on Augustine's “use and enjoyment,” Peterman cautions against using neighbors or the table instrumentally and argues neighbors are to be enjoyed as ends in themselves in God; he critiques control and domination as things wrongly treated as ends. Peterman outlines practices of neighbor love—compassion, humility, translation, resonance (via Hartmut Rosa), lament, and accompaniment (via Paul Farmer, Partners in Health, and Gustavo Gutiérrez), presenting accompaniment as long-term, dignifying companionship rather than short-term charity. They discuss joy as intertwined with hope and resurrection while rejecting shallow “happy” platitudes that avoid lament, and they reflect on compost and gardening as slow, local work that can yield surprising “new life” beyond one's control. Amar D. Peterman is a constructive theologian, working at the intersection of faith and public life. He is the founder of Scholarship for Religion and Society LLC, and the former assistant director of civic networks at Interfaith America. Peterman holds an MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary and is currently a PhD student at the University of Chicago's Divinity School. He is the author of Becoming Neighbors: The Common Good Made Local (published by Eerdmans). His writing and research have been featured in Sojourners, Christianity Today, The Christian Century, The Fetzer Institute, The Berkley Forum, and The Anxious Bench. He also publishes regularly on his Substack, This Common Life.Follow Amar Peterman:Instagram: @amarpetermanFacebook: @amarpetermanSubstack: This Common LifeThis episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part of Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com.

In this episode of The Biggest Table, host Andrew Camp delves into the intersections of food, theology, and the psychological theory of disgust with Paul and Billie Hoard, who co-authored the book Eucontamination. Paul, a licensed counselor and psychoanalytic psychotherapist, and Billie, a trans woman and writer, discuss how concepts of disgust operate at both individual and sociological levels, impacting relationships within the church and society. They explore the theological implications of disgust, the transformative power of love, and how practices like the Eucharist and foot washing can help Christians move past disgust reactions to foster intimacy and community. They also share personal anecdotes, discuss their fondest and least favorite foods, and emphasize the critical importance of sharing meals to experience God's love and grow in fellowship.Paul Hoard, PhD, LMHC, is a licensed counselor, psychoanalytic psychotherapist, and associate professor of counseling psychology at The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. His scholarship focuses on Lacanian psychoanalytic theory, sexuality, white-body supremacy, perpetration-induced traumatic stress, and the theological logic of disgust. He has spoken and published internationally on topics including purity culture, trauma, eucontamination, and the intersections of theology and psychoanalysis. In addition to his academic work, Dr. Hoard maintains a private counseling practice and provides clinical supervision and consultation. He is the co-author, with his sister Billie Hoard, of the book Eucontamination: Disgust Theology and the Christian Life.Paul's Substack Billie Hoard is a trans woman, teacher, writer, and something of an Anabaptist radical. Together with her brother Paul, she is the author of "Eucontamination". Billie holds an MA in liberal arts from St. John's College & she writes about queerness, fairy tales, C. S. Lewis, theology & philosophy.Billie's SubstackThis episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

In this episode of The Biggest Table, host Andrew Camp talks with Dr. John Anthony Dunne, an associate professor of New Testament at Bethel Seminary. Dr. Dunne shares his journey from a fundamentalist Baptist background in Las Vegas, Nevada, to becoming an aficionado of fine beverages and an expert on the biblical theology of alcohol. The conversation covers the best craft beers shared at academic receptions, the significance of wine, beer, and spirits in both his personal life and biblical texts, and the profound impact of these elements on Christian worship and spirituality. Dr. Dunne also discusses his latest book, 'The Mountain Shall Drip Sweet Wine: A Biblical Theology of Alcohol,' which explores the nuanced themes of alcohol in the Bible and its implications for modern believers.Dr. John Anthony Dunne earned his PhD in NT at the University of St Andrews (in Scotland) under the supervision of Prof. N. T. Wright. He is an associate professor of NT at Bethel Seminary (in Saint Paul, MN), where he has taught since 2017, and he's the author or editor of ten books, including, most recently, The Mountains Shall Drip Sweet Wine: A Biblical Theology of Alcohol (published by Zondervan Academic). Born and raised in Las Vegas, NV, John enjoys hosting cocktail parties, tasting events, and the annual SBLAAR reception at AAR/SBL each year, which is an international craft beer bottle share event.Connect with John Anthony DunneTwo Cities PodcastInstagram: @johnnypepper2Facebook: @johnnypepper2This episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

In this episode of The Biggest Table, host Andrew Camp engages in a rich conversation with Michael Twitty, a renowned culinary historian, food writer, and author of acclaimed works such as 'The Cooking Gene' and 'Kosher Soul.' Twitty provides insightful commentary on his journey and his role in culinary history, emphasizing the significance of food as a medium for experiencing and expressing cultural identity, spirituality, and community. They discuss the broad and diverse nature of Southern cuisine, its historical context, and the intertwining of various cultures that shape it. The discussion also touches upon the challenges faced by people of color in getting their culinary stories published, and Twitty's motivations behind writing his latest cookbook, 'Recipes from the American South.' The episode underscores the profound connections between food, culture, and empathy, as well as the importance of storytelling in preserving culinary heritage.Michael W. Twitty is an acclaimed culinary historian, and author of the two-times James Beard Award-winning book The Cooking Gene, as well as Rice and Koshersoul. He has written for many publications and been featured throughout print and broadcast media, including the Guardian, The New York Times, The Washington Post, PBS, and NPR's The Splendid Table. He has given over 500 public talks and appeared in numerous series, including Taste the Nation and High on the Hog.Follow Michael on Instagram: @thecookinggeneThis episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

In this episode of The Biggest Table podcast,  the discussion centers around food, eating, and hospitality as a means to experience God's love. Andrew is joined by guests Kellie Lisi and Martin Lohrmann, who co-authored the book, Food Theology: Nourishing Faith in Local Communities. Andrew, Kellie, and Martin explore the central thesis of the book—that God's love is made physical through food—and discuss their distinct approach compared to existing theological works. Kellie and Martin's work integrates practical guidance with theological reflections, aiming to bridge the gap between theological theory and community practices. They also delve into the importance of Holy Communion in Christianity, examining its transformational power and how it informs broader food practices and community involvement. The episode touches on the theological and historical aspects of food in Christianity, including its role in addressing food insecurity and fostering community. The conversation concludes with reflections on the personal and communal significance of food, especially during the holiday season.Bios:Kellie Lisi is an ordained deacon in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and serves at Wartburg Theological Seminary as Vice President for Leadership Formation. She has served as a public school teacher and administrator, parish ministry leader, and food educator. Kellie worked in the restaurant industry prior to (and in the early years of) teaching. Her most notable restaurant co-workers were Minnie Mouse, Goofy, and Chip & Dale at a character buffet restaurant in Disney World. At home in Iowa, Kellie's nine-year-old loves when she makes pizza, while her 12-year old wishes she would make sushi bowls every day. Martin J. Lohrmann is Associate Professor of Lutheran Confessions and Heritage at Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, where he teaches classes in church history, the Lutheran Reformation, spiritual practices, and theology and art. In addition to many articles and essays, Dr. Lohrmann is the author of Stories from Global Lutheranism: A Historical Timeline and Book of Harmony: Spirit and Service in the Lutheran Confessions, and the co-editor of 1 & 2 Samuel, 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles in the Reformation Commentary on Scripture Series. He enjoys going for walks, playing guitar, and cooking with whatever ingredients are on hand.Buy Food Theology: Nourishing Faith in Local CommunitiesThis episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

In this episode of 'The Biggest Table,' host Andrew Camp welcomes Anna Rollins, author of 'Famished: On Food, Sex, and Growing Up as a Good Girl.' They discuss her memoir, which examines the harmful parallels between diet culture and evangelical purity culture, both of which pressurize women to fear their bodies and appetites. Anna shares her personal struggles with disordered eating, rooted in her upbringing in a strict Christian environment, and how she has navigated healing. The conversation also touches on societal norms, racial implications of body ideals, and the importance of discussing these topics openly. Anna emphasizes grace, forgiveness, and the necessity of honest, nuanced conversations to break free from harmful cultural scripts.Anna Rollins is the author of Famished: On Food, Sex, and Growing Up as a Good Girl (out December 9, 2025 from Eerdmans). Her groundbreaking debut memoir examines the rhyming scripts of diet culture and evangelical purity culture, both of which direct women to fear their own bodies and appetites. Her writing has appeared in outlets like The New York Times, Slate, Electric Literature, Salon, Joyland, and more. She's also written scholarly articles about composition and writing center studies. She's an award-winning instructor who taught English in higher education for nearly 15 years. She is a 2025 Tamarack Foundation for the Arts Literary Arts Fellow. A lifelong Appalachian, she lives with her husband in West Virginia where they're raising their three small children.Follow Anna:Anna's Substack: annajrollinsAnna's Instagram: @annajrollinsThis episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

In this episode of The Biggest Table, host Andrew Camp converses with Victoria Loorz, a wild church pastor, eco spiritual director, and author, about her unique perspective on spirituality and nature. Victoria discusses her journey from being a pastor of indoor churches to founding the first Church of the Wild in Ojai, California, and her involvement with the Ecumenical Wild Church Network. The conversation delves into the concept of 'Wild Spirituality,' emphasizing a reorientation of relationships with the living world through a 'wild Christ.' Victoria unpacks the spiritual significance of integrating nature with religious practices, the importance of remembering and reconnecting with the sacredness of all life forms, and how scripture grounds her work. They explore the transformational power of experiencing God's presence in nature, the importance of grief in spiritual journeys, and the role of language in shaping spiritual understanding. The discussion highlights practical steps for fostering a deeper connection with nature, even in urban settings, and how these practices can help heal trauma and resist the modern pressures of empire and disconnection.Victoria Loorz is a wild church pastor, an eco-spiritual director and co-founder of several transformation-focused organizations focused on the integration of nature and spirituality.  She feels most alive when collaborating with Mystery and kindred spirits to create opportunities for people to re-member themselves back into intimate, sacred relationship with the rest of the living world. After twenty years as a pastor of indoor churches, she launched the first Church of the Wild, in Ojai CA and began to meet others with the same sense of call to leave building and expand the Beloved Community beyond our own species. She then co-founded the ecumenical Wild Church Network. She is also the author of Church of the Wild, and coauthor of Field Guide to Church of the Wild.This episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

In this episode of 'The Biggest Table,' host Andrew Camp converses with Laura Baghdassarian Murray, Director of Spiritual Engagement and Innovation at Fuller Seminary and author of 'Becoming a Person of Welcome.' Laura shares her journey in practicing and understanding hospitality, particularly how it evolved during the pandemic through digital silent retreats. They discuss the theological foundation of hospitality, various influences on Laura's work, the importance of carrying a posture of welcome, and navigating the challenges within hospitality, including boundaries. Laura emphasizes experimenting with small practices to deepen hospitality and cultivate authentic and meaningful connections.Laura Baghdassarian Murray is the director of spiritual engagement and innovation at Fuller Seminary's Center for Spiritual Formation. She is the author of Pray as You Are, serves on the Ministry Collaborative Advisory Board, and previously served at Highland Park Presbyterian Church as the pastor of spiritual formation. Laura is also the founder of the Digital Silent Retreat Ministry, which is rooted in the practice of hospitality to provide brave and courageous spaces for people to connect with God and others (www.digitalsilentretreats.com). Her newest book is Becoming a Person of Welcome, which was just published by InterVarsity. She lives in the Dallas area with her husband and two children.Laura's website: https://laurabmurray.com/This episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

In this episode of 'The Biggest Table,' host Andrew Camp converses with Michael Shaikh, a writer and human rights investigator. Shaikh discusses his extensive work in political crises and conflict zones, and his book 'The Last Sweet Bite,' which explores the loss and preservation of culinary heritage in war-torn regions. He shares personal stories and experiences from his time in Japan, Afghanistan, Myanmar, and other countries, highlighting how violence impacts food culture and community. The conversation delves into the resilience of human spirit, the role of women in preserving culinary traditions, and the importance of food as a cultural and political element. Shaikh emphasizes the need for policy changes to protect culinary heritages and advocates for the recognition of domicide as a crime. The episode underscores the powerful connections between food, identity, and community, and the role of culinary traditions in maintaining hope amidst adversity.Michael Shaikh is a writer and human rights investigator who has worked for twenty years in areas marred by political crisis and armed conflict. He has worked at Human Rights Watch, International Crisis Group, the Center for Civilians in Conflict, the UN's Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the New York City Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice. Michael is on the board of Adi Magazine. He is the author of The Last Sweet Bite: Stories and Recipes of Culinary Heritage Lost and Found, which was recently released by Crown Publishing. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, he lives in New York City.This episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

In this episode of The Biggest Table, host Andrew Camp talks with Joash Thomas, an author and advocate with a diverse background ranging from politics to human rights. Born in India and currently living in Canada, Joash shares his journey from political consultancy in the U.S. to becoming passionate about justice and human rights. The discussion delves into Joash's experiences growing up in a multi-denominational Christian family in Mumbai, the role of food and hospitality in South Asian culture, and how his faith has evolved. They also explore the themes of his new book, 'The Justice of Jesus,' which challenges Christians to view justice through the lens of faith, moving beyond traditional evangelical perspectives to embrace a more holistic approach. The conversation emphasizes the importance of re-centering the Christian practice around the table, especially the Eucharist, as a means of embodying Jesus' teachings on justice and love for marginalized communities.Joash Thomas Bio:Born and raised in India, Joash served as a U.S. political consultant and lobbyist before pivoting to global human rights advocacy. Now based in the Toronto area, he holds a master's degree in Political Management from The George Washington University and has completed master's degrees in Christian Leadership and Christian Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. A Deacon in the Diocese of St. Anthony, Joash is also the author of the new book The Justice of Jesus, which was just released September 30.Connect with Joash:Buy The Justice of JesusJoash's WebsiteJoash's SubstackJoash's InstagramThis episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

Lots of ethnic food turns out to be American HR 2 full 2300 Mon, 06 Oct 2025 16:02:19 +0000 4U44kvnUExE41aJCtFOQYj5OX6EWMAUt news MIDDAY with JAYME & WIER news Lots of ethnic food turns out to be American HR 2 From local news & politics, to what's trending, sports & personal stories...MIDDAY with JAYME & WIER will get you through the middle of your day! © 2025 Audacy, Inc. News False https://player.amperwavepodcasting.com?feed

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In this episode of The Biggest Table, host Andrew Camp engages in a discussion with theologian Paul Schutz about the intersection of food, the table, and the experience of God's love. Paul, who has a background in systematic theology and research on creation in the Christian tradition, talks about his book 'A Theology of Flourishing.' The conversation covers Paul's multicultural upbringing, his journey into theology through ministry and liturgy, and the significance of food and table in spiritual and communal life. They delve into concepts such as radical hospitality, attunement, and listening as foundational steps for fostering individual and collective flourishing. The dialogue also explores how a theology centered on flourishing challenges current social and ecological injustices, emphasizing that true flourishing involves systemic transformation and deep engagement with suffering. Paul and Andrew conclude by discussing the role of food in community building and sharing personal reflections on memorable meals.Paul Schutz Bio:Born and raised in Evansville, IN, Paul Schutz received his B.A. in English from Boston College and his M.A. and Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Fordham University. After teaching on Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, he served for several years as Director of Worship at St. Mary Catholic Church in Evansville. His time working as a musician and liturgist was his gateway into the study of theology. His research focuses on the meaning and significance of creation in the Christian tradition, with an emphasis on how scientific research might inform religious accounts of humanity's relationship with other creatures. His recent publications apply the theological writings of the Jesuit astrophysicist William Stoeger to questions of gender, race, and interreligious dialogue, as well as prayer, liturgy, and ministry. His book, A Theology of Flourishing—which we'll be discussing—explores the potential of "flourishing" to serve as a starting point and center of gravity for Christian theology and spirituality and a basis for cultivating a robust praxis of ecological and social justice. In his free time, Paul enjoys reading, music, travel, hiking, cooking, baking, and eating. He lives in San Jose, CA, with his partner and dog, Albert.Buy A Theology of FlourishingConnect with PaulThis episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

In this episode of 'The Biggest Table' podcast, host Andrew Camp converses with Naeem Fazal, founding and lead pastor of Mosaic Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Naeem shares his journey from being raised as a Muslim in Kuwait to becoming a Christian after a supernatural experience in the United States. He discusses the significant role of hospitality in both Islamic culture and his current faith, emphasizing its importance in fostering community and love. The conversation explores how food, hospitality, and communal experiences shape one's relationship with faith and God. Naeem also delves into the transformative power of beauty in overcoming fear and trauma, drawing from his personal experiences and insights from his latest book, 'Tomorrow Needs You.' The interview concludes with reflections on the importance of dining with diverse groups to truly understand and appreciate the humanity in others.Naeem Fazal is the founding and lead pastor of Mosaic Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is a Pakistani, born and raised as a Muslim in Kuwait. He came to the United States shortly after the Gulf War and had a supernatural experience with Christ that changed the course of his life. He was ordained at Seacoast Church in Charleston and is the author of Ex-Muslim. His latest book, Tomorrow Needs You, was recently released by IVP. Naeem and his wife, Ashley, have two children and two cats.Connect with Naeem:https://www.naeemfazal.org/Instagram: @naeemfazalBuy Tomorrow Needs YouThis episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

In this episode of 'The Biggest Table,' hosted by Andrew Camp, guest Ethan Amos discusses food, hospitality, and hunger issues. Ethan, originally from the White Mountain Apache Reservation and now the President and CEO of the Flagstaff Family Food Center, shares his childhood experiences with food and his efforts to address food insecurity in Northern Arizona. He discusses the complexities of health, food access, and the role of food banks, emphasizing the importance of hospitality and the dignity of choice. The conversation also touches upon the systemic issues of hunger, the impact of political decisions on SNAP benefits, and community resilience. Ethan shares how his team at the food center works to meet these challenges while maintaining exceptional customer service and community engagement.2024 Northern Arizona Food Equity Report is available on Flagstaff Family Food Center's website.Email Ethan Amos at ethan@hotfood.orgEthan Amos is a local to Flagstaff, but is always happy to share that he is originally from the White Mountain Apache reservation in Whiteriver, Arizona. He has over eighteen years of experience working in the nonprofit, government, and corporate sectors as a subject matter expert on health-related social needs and health equity issues impacting individuals and families of lower-income brackets. Now, as the President & CEO of the Flagstaff Family Food Center, Ethan is the lead strategist and ambassador advancing the organization's mission to serve those experiencing hunger. Though hunger relief has been the organization's primary focus, Ethan has introduced several anti-hunger initiatives to address food access issues in northern Arizona. Ethan has a bachelor's degree from Northern Arizona University, where he studied Applied Indigenous Studies and Sociology. He lives in Flagstaff with his wife, Lucy, and their four boys (three sons and one nephew).This episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

Bill Lobley, an American comic actor known for his work in animation, commercials, and voiceovers across film, radio, television, and video games, joined The Guy Benson Show today to talk about his background in the voiceover world and some of his most notable projects. He and guest host Tom Shillue also discussed the crossover between conservative and liberal circles sparked by Greg Gutfeld's appearance on Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show and why outrage sparked from both sides of the political aisle. They wrapped by reacting to Jennifer Welch's bizarre call to ban conservatives from ethnic food spots, and you can listen to the full interview below! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode of 'The Biggest Table,' my conversation is with Reverend Nancy Neal, Minister for Spiritual Formation and Wellness at Bread for the World. We discuss Nancy's role in fostering a culture of prayer, worship, and racial equity within the organization, as well as her journey from waiting tables to advocating for social justice. Nancy shares her insights on the holiness of hospitality, her personal experiences with food and community, and the challenges of balancing service and advocacy. The conversation also delves into the importance of prayer, community action, and legislative advocacy to end hunger. Nancy provides practical information on how individuals and churches can participate in Bread for the World's initiatives to influence policy and support those in need.Connect with Bread for the World: https://www.bread.org/Through actionThrough prayerThrough letter writingThrough InstagramThrough FacebookRev. Nancy Neal is the minister for spiritual formation and wellness at Bread for the World. She leads an initiative to build a culture at Bread that is grounded in prayer and worship, biblical principles, core values, learning, and wellness. She has led the organizational efforts around diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice, collaborating with organizations and consultants to train and coach staff and leadership in racial equity principles and practices that have impacted internal culture, policy analysis, organizing strategies, and resource development. Throughout her career, Neal has sought to build bridges across cultures and contribute to repairing brokenness in our society and our institutions. Whether that's working for anti-sweatshop or anti-hunger organizations, advocating for women in the Presbyterian Church (USA), implementing anti-racist/anti-oppression practices, bringing together young clergy across political divides, or even waiting tables. Neal began at Bread in 2011 – serving in various positions in the former Church Relations Department including associate for denominational women's organization relations, deputy director, interim director, and director.She is a minister member of National Capital Presbytery. She has served as parish associate and temporary supply pastor of churches in the greater Washington, D.C., metro area and currently serves on Leadership Council, Ministry Relations Team, and the board of the Washington, D.C., site of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Young Adult Volunteer in Mission program. Neal completed her undergraduate studies at Clemson University in South Carolina and earned her Master of Divinity at Union Theological Seminary in New York.  This episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

In this episode of The Biggest Table, my guest is Dr. Jeremy Everett, founder and executive director of the Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty. We explore Dr. Everett's calling towards eradicating hunger, his work with various organizations, and his personal experiences that shaped his career. The discussion includes Dr. Everett's efforts in creating initiatives like the Hunger-Free Communities model and Meals To You program, which have significantly impacted food insecurity in rural America. We also touch on the significance of solidarity, the intersection of political and spiritual issues in hunger, and strategies for effective community collaboration. Dr. Everett emphasizes the role of various sectors working together and the importance of relationships and policy advocacy in their ongoing efforts to end hunger.Dr. Jeremy Everett is the founder and executive director of the Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and Poverty. With nearly 100 staff, interns, and researchers, the Baylor Collaborative team has assisted community-based, state-based, and national efforts to increase hundreds of millions of additional meals through innovative, researched-based interventions. In Dr. Everett's tenure with the Collaborative, he has raised more than 300 million dollars to support faculty research, public service, and policy analysis. Dr. Everett earned a bachelor's degree from Samford University, a Master of Divinity from Truett Seminary at Baylor University, and his Doctor of Ministry from Duke Divinity School at Duke University and was appointed by U.S. Congress in 2014 to serve on the National Commission on Hunger. He is the author of I Was Hungry: Cultivating Common Ground to End an American Crisis (Brazos Press, 2019), a contributing author to several other books including the recently published book What Justice Looks Like (Baylor Press, 2023). Jeremy is married to Amy Miley Everett. They have three sons: Lucas, Sam, and Wyatt.Learn more about Baylor's work to end hunger: Baylor Collaborative on Hunger and PovertyThis episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

In this episode of 'The Biggest Table,' I interview Dave Zahl, founder of Mockingbird Ministries and author of several books, including 'Seculosity' and 'Low Anthropology.' We delve into Dave's latest release, 'The Big Relief: The Urgency of Grace for a Worn-Out World,' discussing why grace remains a vital topic. Dave explains the continuous need for grace in a world that is often performance-driven and how his experiences and personal struggles informed his writings. The conversation touches on various aspects of grace, including its role in personal relationships, parenting, and religious life. Additionally, we explore the concepts of rest, play, and the stress induced by modern life's acceleration. The conversation concludes by discussing the joy and grace found in food, meals, and hospitality, reflecting on how shared meals and culinary experiences can bring grace and connection.David Zahl is the founder and director of Mockingbird Ministries, editor-in-chief of the Mockingbird website (www.mbird.com), and co-host of both The Mockingcast and The Brothers Zahl podcasts. He and his wife Cate live in Charlottesville, Virginia, with their three sons, where he also serves on the staff of Christ Episcopal Church. Zahl is the author of Seculosity: How Career, Parenting, Technology, Food, Politics, and Romance Became Our New Religion and What To Do About It and Low Anthropology: The Unlikely Key to a Gracious View of Others (and Yourself). His latest book, The Big Relief: The Urgency of Grace for a Worn-Out World came out in April 2025 from Brazos Press. His writing has been featured in The Washington Post, Plough, Christianity Today, and The Guardian, among other venues. Connect with Dave Zahl at:The Mockingbird Website The Mockingcast PodcastThis episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

In this episode of The Biggest Table, I interview Joel Kime about his journey and his book 'Flourishing in Community, A Theology of Togetherness.' The conversation explores maintaining togetherness within a small church, the impact of individualism on modern Christian theology, and how authentic community and biblical togetherness lead to flourishing. Joel recounts his experiences and methods, such as incorporating sermon discussions and conversational sermons, to foster a sense of community. He emphasizes the importance of covenant relationships over contracts and addresses the challenges and practices that can help cultivate a community focused on justice, reconciliation, and flourishing both within the church and the broader world.Joel met his wife Michelle at Lancaster Bible College.  After college they were church-planting missionaries in Kingston, Jamaica for one year. Since October 2002, they have served at Faith Church, first as youth/associate pastor, and then senior pastor since July 2008. Joel attended Evangelical Theological Seminary of Kairos University for his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Theology degrees. He and Michelle are the proud parents of three sons, one daughter, two daughters-in-law, and two grandchildren.  If you catch him in a free moment, he will probably be playing with his grandchildren, reading a book, listening to U2 or REM, running with his dog, enjoying a TV show or movie with Michelle or rooting for the Phillies or Washington Commanders. He teaches introductory Bible and theology courses for Lancaster Bible College and Messiah University. He is the author of Flourishing in Community: A Theology of Togetherness (Wipf & Stock, 2024).Find Joel on Facebook.Ted Gioia: The 6 New Rules of CommunicatingThis episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

In this episode of The Biggest Table, I delve into the subject of church camp with guest Cara Meredith, a speaker, writer, and public theologian. The discussion revolves around Cara's book 'Church Camp: Bad Skits, Cry Night, and How White Evangelicalism Betrayed a Generation,' examining the complex nature of church camps. Cara emphasizes the importance of holding both the positive and negative aspects of camp life, discussing the formative experiences alongside the theological and social harms encountered. The conversation provides insights into maintaining nuanced views, fostering dialogue with children about their experiences, and imagining better ways to cultivate genuine spiritual growth and inclusivity in camp environments.A sought-after speaker, writer, and public theologian, Cara Meredith is the author of Church Camp: Bad Skits, Cry Night, and How White Evangelicalism Betrayed a Generation and The Color of Life: A Journey Toward Love and Racial Justice. She has been featured in national media outlets such as The Oregonian, The New York Times, The Living Church, The Christian Century, and Baptist News Global, among others. Passionate about justice, spirituality, and storytelling alike, Cara holds a master of theology from Fuller Seminary and is a postulant for Holy Orders in the Episcopal Church. With a background in education and nonprofit work, Cara also works part-time as the Director of Development for Made for PAX Co, an organization dedicated to providing mentorship and vocational resources to emerging creatives, contemplatives, church leaders, and community builders of color.   When she's not working, you'll likely find her reading a book, tinkering around in the garden, or hanging out with her family. She is proud to call Oakland, California home.Follow Cara Meredith @carameredithwrites:FacebookInstagramSubstackThis episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

In this episode of The Biggest Table, I converse with Michael Beck, a pastor, professor, and author, about experiencing God's love through community, especially in unconventional settings like tattoo parlors, dog parks, and burrito shops. Michael shares his personal story of childhood trauma, addiction, and solitary confinement, and how he found community and redemption. They discuss the benefits of 12-step recovery programs in fostering deep, supportive relationships and explore how these principles can be applied to build inclusive, loving, and spiritually nourishing communities. The conversation touches on the themes from Michael's recent book, 'Never Alone,' the epidemic of loneliness, and practical steps to create meaningful connections in today's digital and often isolating world.Michael Beck is a pastor, professor, author, and one of the rare leaders bridging frontline ministry with academic scholarship. Alongside his wife Jill, he has led multiple revitalizations and planted unconventional faith communities among those often overlooked. They currently serve as co-pastors of Compassion and St. Mark's UMCs, where they lead Open Arms Village, a holistic recovery housing program, and oversee a network of fresh expressions—worshiping communities that gather in places like tattoo parlors, dog parks, burrito shops, EV charging stations, digital spaces, and recovery centers. Beck also serves as Director of Fresh Expressions Florida, Director of the Fresh Expressions House of Studies at Perkins School of Theology at SMU, and Director of Fresh Expressions. His most recent book, Never Alone, explores how churches can address the epidemic of loneliness with the Gospel's radical promise of community. This episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

In this episode of The Biggest Table, I welcome Isaac Villegas, an ordained Mennonite minister and community organizer for Immigrant Justice. They discuss Villegas's book 'Migrant God,' which explores biblical reflections on immigrant justice and Christian duty. The conversation covers Isaac's personal experiences with his immigrant family, work with sanctuary churches, and the impact of language in addressing immigration issues. They delve into concepts like solidarity, the humanizing power of meals, and the role of Christians in advocating for immigrants. The episode is rich with storytelling, including anecdotes about shared meals, the spiritual significance of communion, and projects like placing crosses in the Sonoran Desert to remember migrants who died crossing the border.Isaac Villegas is an ordained minister in the Mennonite Church USA who is involved in the work of community organizing and activism for immigrant justice. He is also a columnist for The Christian Century and the author of Migrant God: A Christian Vision for Immigrant Justice. He has served as the president of the NC Council of Churches and on the executive board of his denomination. He lives with his wife in North Carolina.Follow Isaac on SubstackThis episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com.

In this episode of The Biggest Table podcast, I welcome Andrew Arndt, the lead pastor of New Life East in Colorado Springs, to discuss his experiences in ministry, his love for the church, and his new book, A Strange and Gracious Light. Arndt shares his deep-rooted passion for the church, influenced by his upbringing during the charismatic renewal of the 1960s and 1970s. He reflects on seeing the church with clear eyes, acknowledging both its flaws and its beauty. The conversation delves into the importance of the church calendar, embodying the story of Jesus, and practicing hospitality. We also explore the challenge of avoiding a consumerist mentality in the church and the importance of embodying kingdom values in daily life. Andrew Arndt is the lead pastor of New Life East, one of seven congregations of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, where he also hosts the Essential Church podcast, a weekly conversation designed to strengthen the thinking of church and ministry leaders. He previously served as lead pastor of Bloom Church, a neo-monastic, charismatic, liturgical, justice-driven network of house churches in Denver. He received his MDiv from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and DMin from Western Theological Seminary, and has written for Missio Alliance, Patheos, The Other Journal, and Mere Orthodoxy. He is the author of Streams in the Wasteland and All Flame, and  A Strange and Gracious Light, which was just released on April 15. He lives in Colorado Springs with his wife Mandi and their four kids.This episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

In this episode of 'The Biggest Table' podcast, my guest Laurie Johnson, a political science professor at Kansas State University, delves into the socioeconomic impacts of capitalism, particularly in rural America. Drawing from her books, she examines how historical and economic shifts have led to political and cultural divisions, emphasized by urban-rural divides and the rise of Christian nationalism. Laurie also highlights the detrimental effects of agribusiness on rural communities and the loss of traditional lifestyles. She proposes Christian direct action as a solution, inspired by Dorothy Day's Catholic Worker Movement, promoting community cooperation and support. The conversation underscores the need for rethinking economic systems, community belonging, and direct involvement to address current societal challenges.Laurie M Johnson is a Professor of Political Science at Kansas State University. Most of her eight books have aimed at developing a thorough understanding and critique of classical liberal theory. Building on that background to understand current ideological divisions, her book Ideological Possession and the Rise of the New Right, was published in 2019. Her latest book, The Gap in God's Country: A Longer View on Our Culture Wars, was published in 2024 by Wipf & Stock. She provides weekly content on her Political Philosophy YouTube channel, currently with over 24,000 subscribers, and its associated podcast. She is a co-founder and president of The Maurin Academy, which provides free and low-cost online classes and reading groups. She also is associated with the John Paul II Catholic Worker Farm in Kansas City, MO. This episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

Hello and welcome to another episode, well actually a re-release of my conversation with Chris Smith which was originally released on March 12, 2024. Chris and I are re-releasing this episode as Chris just published a new book entitled The Virtue of Dialogue as part of the Cultivating Communities series. This series is part of a project by Englewood Church in Indiana in partnership with Missio Alliance and the Ekklesia Project. The hope of this series is to offer congregations, churches, or any community for that matter field guides to aid in their transformation away from the societal forces of polarization and division and into the way and personhood of Jesus. One of the central practices for communities is being conversation with one another. This book outlines how Englewood Church has sought to practice conversation for decades. At its core, this conversational practice is a practice of hospitality—of welcoming one another, being seen and heard. Conversation at its core is a creation of a free space to allow the other to become the person they were meant to be. Week after week, month after month, year after year.  Chris and my conversation touch on these themes and so we both thought it was a good time to revisit this conversation. If this piques your interest, please buy The Virtue of Dialogue, available now on Amazon and through Englewood's website which is in the show notes.Buy The Virtue of Dialogue: Englewood website or AmazonIn this episode I have a rich conversation with Chris Smith. We cover a range of topics, starting with his own personal journey of food over the past ten years. But we spend the majority of our time using a couple of Chris's books, namely Slow Church and How the Body of Christ Talks, to dialogue about the importance of conversation for the health of ourselves and our community. Through recovering of conversation, we begin to see how God wants to collaborate with us in his work of redemption.C. Christopher Smith is the founding editor of The Englewood Review of Books. He and his wife Jeni have three adult children and are members of Englewood Christian Church on the urban Near Eastside of Indianapolis. Chris is the co-author of the award-winning book Slow Church, and author of several other books including most recently, How the Body of Christ Talks: Recovering the Practice of Conversation in the Church. Most of his latest writings end up on The Englewood Review's Substack, TheConversationalLife.substack.comThis episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

In this episode of The Biggest Table, I welcome Malcolm Foley, a pastor, historian, and special advisor to the president for equity and campus engagement at Baylor University. We discuss Foley's new book, 'The Anti Greed Gospel,' which addresses the connections between greed, racism, and the economic exploitation inherent in global systems. Foley advocates for a form of Christian socialism focused on sharing resources and combating exploitation and violence. Key topics include the role of the church in challenging societal injustices, the importance of deep economic solidarity, creative anti-violence, and prophetic truth-telling. The conversation also delves into how Christians can navigate their witness in a world dominated by greed and economic disparity, with practical steps for community engagement.Malcolm Foley (PhD, Baylor University) is a pastor, historian, and speaker who serves as special adviser to the president for equity and campus engagement at Baylor University. He has written for Christianity Today, The Anxious Bench, and Mere Orthodoxy. He just released his first book from Brazos Press, entitled, The Anti-Greed Gospel: Why the Love of Money Is the Root of Racism and How the Church Can Create a New Way Forward. Foley copastors Mosaic Waco, a multicultural church in Waco, Texas, where he lives with his wife, Desiree.Follow Malcolm:Bluesky: @malcolmbfoley.bsky.socialInstagram: @revdocmalcThis episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

In this episode of 'The Biggest Table,' Brian McLaren, a noted author, speaker, activist, and theologian, joins me to discuss his latest book, 'Life After Doom.' McLaren delves into the concept of 'doom,' describing it not as an apocalyptic end but as a psychological feeling of overwhelming crises such as climate change, economic inequality, and the rise of surveillance capitalism. He shares insights from his journey of theological shifts, his understanding of historical and ecological cycles, and the importance of fostering resilience through community, character, and simple joys in nature. The conversation also highlights the significance of diverse perspectives in interpreting the Bible and nurturing a sense of collective and individual hope amidst prevalent global challenges.Brian D. McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for “a new kind of Christianity” – just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good. He is Dean of Faculty for the Center for Action and Contemplation. and a podcaster with Learning How to See. He is a co-host of Southern Lights. His newest books are  Faith After Doubt (January 2021), Do I Stay Christian? (May 2022), and Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart (2024). His co-authored children's book Cory and the Seventh Story was released in 2023. The first book of a new science fiction trilogy, The Last Voyage, will be published in summer, 2025.This episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

In this episode of 'The Biggest Table', I interview Sarah Westfall, a writer, speaker, and host of the 'Human Together' podcast, known for her book 'The Way of Belonging.' We discuss themes of hospitality, belonging, and experiencing God's love through food and community. Sarah shares her personal journey of belonging, from her uncomplicated childhood to the complexities of adulthood, and the significance of shifting the question from 'Where do I belong?' to 'How can I be a place of welcome?' We explore the importance of internal spiritual work, societal pressures affecting belonging, and the practice of hospitality in daily life. Sarah emphasizes the role of curiosity, imagination, and genuine human connection in fostering belonging. The conversation concludes with practical insights into living out hospitality and addresses listeners who may feel stuck or lonely, reminding them of God's ever-present welcome. Sarah is a writer, speaker, and host of the Human Together podcast. Her book The Way of Belonging: Reimagining Who We Are and How We Relate (InterVarsity Press, 2024) is a spiritual narrative that invites us to put down the exhausting search for acceptance and approach belonging as a way of being–a divine welcome that is already ours to embrace and to extend right where we are. Her previous work includes serving as director of community for online writing groups and as a student development professional on college campuses. Sarah lives in Indiana with her husband, Ben, and four sons. Sarah Westfall's website: https://www.sarahewestfall.com/This episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

In this episode of 'The Biggest Table,' I welcome Reverend Dr. Christopher Carter to discuss the intricate connections between food, identity, and justice. Dr. Carter, an expert in black, womanist, and environmental ethics, shares insights from his upbringing in Michigan, where food insecurity during his childhood shaped his understanding of food's importance. We delve into Dr. Carter's book, 'The Spirit of Soul Food,' which explores ancestral food traditions and the concept of black veganism. Highlighting the intersectionality of race, food, and non-human animals, Dr. Carter argues for ethical eating practices that honor sacred worth and oppose oppressive systems like factory farming. He emphasizes the importance of context-specific and agent-specific actions in aligning one's diet with ethical and spiritual values. Dr. Carter also calls for systemic changes and personal compassion in the pursuit of justice for both human and non-human communities.Rev. Dr. Christopher Carter's research, teaching, and activist interests are in Black, Womanist, and Environmental ethics, with a particular focus on race, food, and nonhuman animals. His publications include “Race, Animals, as a New Vision of the Beloved Community” in Animals and Religion (Routledge, 2024), The Spirit of Soul Food (University of Illinois Press, December 2021), and “Blood in the Soil: The Racial, Racist, and Religious Dimensions of Environmentalism” in The Bloomsbury Handbook on Religion and Nature (Bloomsbury, 2018). In them, he explores the intersectional oppressions experienced by people of color, non-human nature, and animals. Currently, he is an Associate Professor of Theology, Ecology, and Race at Methodist Theological School in Ohio, Lead Pastor of The Loft at Westwood United Methodist Church, and he is also on the board of directors of Farm Forward, an anti-factory farming non-profit. He is married to Dr. Gabrielle Carter, a small animal veterinary oncologist, and while their son Isaiah is not a doctor of any sort, he definitely believes he is more intelligent than his parents.Christopher Carter's websiteProgressive Christian Podcast on Apple PodcastsThis episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

In this episode of 'The Biggest Table,' I welcome Adrian Miller, a food writer, James Beard award winner, and certified barbecue judge. We discuss Miller's transition from being a lawyer and policy advisor to President Clinton to becoming a renowned author on African American cuisine. Miller elaborates on the history and evolution of soul food, its cultural significance, and common misconceptions. The conversation also touches on how soul food and the black church contribute to community-building and address issues of food insecurity. Miller shares ideas on how food can foster racial reconciliation, including creating diverse dining experiences. The episode concludes with a discussion of contemporary issues in church and society, such as the patriarchy and health outcomes in the African American community.Adrian Miller is a food writer, 2X James Beard Award winner, recovering attorney, and certified barbecue judge who lives in Denver, Colorado. He is the author of three books: Soul Food: The Surprising Story of an American Cuisine, One Plate at a Time, The President's Kitchen Cabinet: The Story of the African Americans Who Have Fed Our First Families, From the Washingtons to the Obamas, and Black Smoke: African Americans and the United States of Barbecue. Adrian is featured in the Netflix hit High on the Hog: How African American Cuisine Transformed America.Connect with Adrian Miller:Adrian Miller's WebsiteInstagramThis episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

In this episode of 'The Biggest Table,' I welcome Neeta Mittal, co-founder of LXV Wine, to discuss her unique journey from growing up in India to establishing a prestigious winery in Paso Robles, California. Neeta shares insights about her upbringing surrounded by diverse culinary traditions and the influence of her meticulous mother. She recounts her educational path at UC Berkeley, the serendipitous discovery of Paso Robles, and her deep passion for wine culture inspired by European traditions. Neeta explains LXV Wine's focus on creating textured, age-worthy wines with a blend of global spices, aimed at fostering a shared, immersive experience. The conversation delves into her advocacy for innovation, community involvement, and the meaningful connections formed through wine. Additionally, Neeta reflects on her role in a predominantly white male industry, embracing her distinctive background as an advantage. She concludes by highlighting the significance of wine as a rich, sensory-driven journey intertwined with history, culture, and personal experiences.Born in India, Neeta Mittal grew up immersed in tradition, creativity, and a drive for excellence. After graduating from UC Berkeley and honing her storytelling craft in Hollywood, Neeta channeled her passion for wine into founding LXV Wine with her husband, Kunal. LXV pairs premium wines with globally inspired spices, creating immersive experiences that celebrate flavor and terroir. Named one of USA Today's Top 10 Wine Tasting Experiences in America, LXV reflects Neeta's philosophy: “Double down on who you are.” As a leader in Paso Robles, she champions innovation, community, and a legacy of connection through wine and storytelling.LXV Wine websiteFollow LXV Wine on InstagramThis episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

In this episode of The Biggest Table, I am joined by award-winning non-fiction writer Liz Charlotte Grant. We discuss Liz's new book, Knock at the Sky: Seeking God in Genesis After Losing Faith in the Bible. The conversation delves into the themes of food, eating, and hospitality as realms for experiencing God's love and our interconnectedness. We also explore the concepts of abundance and generosity in the world, the complexity of theological questions, and the importance of reinterpreting scriptures for contemporary faith. This episode is filled with insights on how to navigate creative processes, the significance of community, and practical ways to address food insecurity.Liz Charlotte Grant is an award-winning nonfiction writer who writes the substack, the Empathy List, and whose first book, Knock at the Sky: Seeking God in Genesis After Losing Faith in the Bible, just released on January 7. She lives in Colorado with her husband, two kids, and nine hens.Connect with Liz:Liz's WebsiteLiz's Substack: The Empathy ListBuy Knock at the SkyThis episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

If you listen regularly to the podcast, you know that towards the end of each episode, I ask the guest this question: What is the story you want the church to tell? As we wrap up 2024, and look toward 2025 with much uncertainty and maybe a little hope, I have compiled some of my favorite answers to the question in hopes that you consider for yourself your own story and the story of your faith community.Answers from: Andy Root, Gisela Kreglinger, Kathy Khang, Grace Ji-Sun Kim, David Swanson, Richard Beck, Chris Battle, Jeannine Hanger, Kendall Vanderslice, Caleb Campbell, Heather Gorman & Mark Nelson, Derrick Weston, and Scot McKnight.I hope you enjoy the episode and that it provokes you to think through what you want in 2025.

In this episode of The Biggest Table, I talk with David Swanson, pastor of New Community Covenant Church and author of the new book Plundered. We discuss the interconnections between racial and environmental injustice, the impact of politics, and the role of faith and community in addressing these issues. Swanson shares the importance of understanding community history, embracing diversity in worship, and practical measures for communal and individual transformation. Additionally, he explains the significance of Sabbath, belonging, and virtue in fostering justice and reconciliation, emphasizing the power of the table in facilitating these transformations.Connect with David Swanson: https://dwswanson.com/David is the founding pastor of New Community Covenant Church who lives with his family on the South Side of Chicago. He is the founder and CEO of New Community Outreach, a non-profit organization dedicated to healing community trauma through restorative practices. David is the author of Rediscipling the White Church: From Cheap Diversity to True Solidarity and Plundered: The Tangled Roots of Racial and Environmental Injustice. He is a former Director of Church Planting for the Evangelical Covenant Church and on most Tuesday mornings you'll find him wandering around Jackson Park looking for birds.This episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

In this episode of 'The Biggest Table' podcast, I discuss the intersection of food, table gatherings, and Christian unity with guests Heather Gorman and Mark Nelson, authors of 'Lunchroom Theology, Pushing Tables Together in a Fractured World.' The conversation explores the inspiration behind their book, which uses the metaphor of a high school lunchroom to illustrate social and theological divisions. They highlight practical steps for fostering inclusive and meaningful table fellowship as modeled by Jesus, while addressing modern sociological factors contributing to division. The discussion underscores the church's role in embracing and living out the unity that Jesus prayed for, by having generous conversations, practicing hospitality, and avoiding divisive behaviors. Both guests share personal anecdotes and practical advice on how to navigate deep and sometimes uncomfortable conversations around the table, stressing that change is both possible and essential for the church to effectively extend the Kingdom of God.Mark Nelson and Heather Gorman co-authored Lunchroom Theology: Pushing Tables Together in a Fractured World. Heather Gorman (PhD, Baylor University) is Professor of New Testament at Johnson University and author of Interweaving Innocence: A Rhetorical Analysis of Luke's Passion Narrative as well as numerous journal articles and essays on the Gospels, Acts, ancient rhetoric, and reception history.Heather Gorman's faculty page. Mark Nelson is the executive director of Three Rivers Collaborative and a coauthor of Reframation: Seeing God, People, and Mission Through Reenchanted Frames with Alan Hirsch. Mark is the founding pastor of Crossings, a faith community in Knoxville, Tennessee, where he served for fifteen years.Lunchroom TheologyThree Rivers CollaborativeThis episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

In this episode of The Biggest Table, I interview Alex Early, a pastor, author, and theology professor who enjoys cooking. We discuss Alex's journey from naivete in ministry to experiencing burnout, which led him to find solace in the kitchen. Alex explains how cooking became a therapeutic and reflective practice, helping him process his thoughts and experience God's presence in everyday moments. We also delve into the themes of food and hospitality in scripture, the importance of slowing down to genuinely connect with others at the table, and the balance of maintaining relationships in a polarized world. The conversation wraps up with personal reflections on memorable meals and the spiritual significance of shared food experiences.Dr. Alex Early is an author, pastor, and theology professor who loves to cook! Alex consistently says that “all of his wealth is in his relationships” and therefore the church, kitchen, and dining table all come together toward that end. His books include The Reckless Love of God and The New Believer's Guide to the Christian Life, The Cross and Kaleidoscope, and Thinking About God. He lives with his wife, Jana, and their two children in Seattle, Washington.Buy Alex's cookbook Among the Pots and Pans on Amazon.Regina Schrambling's Lasagna recipe from The NY Times. (subscription may be required)This episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

In this episode of The Biggest Table, host Andrew Camp explores the intersection of faith, food, and sensory experience with guest Jeannine Hanger, an associate professor of the New Testament at Talbot School of Theology. Hanger discusses her latest book, 'Engaging Jesus with Our Senses,' which examines the sensory metaphors in the Gospels and their implications for spiritual practice. The conversation covers the role of taste and how using our senses can deepen our engagement with Scripture and our relationship with Jesus. They also touch on the importance of moving away from purely cognitive approaches to faith, the historical and cultural context of sensory experiences, and practical ways to integrate sensory awareness into communal worship. The episode concludes with personal reflections on favorite foods and the sensory dimensions of faith.Jeannine Hanger is Associate Professor of New Testament at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. Her research interests focus on the Gospels, more specifically participation with Christ. Her newest book, Engaging Jesus With Our Senses: An Embodied Approach to the Gospels, published by Baker Academic, is the latest articulation of this. Outside of teaching at Biola, Jeannine has been married for 26 years to her husband Garrick, a pastor at Coastline Covenant Church in Redondo Beach. Together they have three kids, ages 21, 19, and 17.Buy Engaging Jesus with Our Senses on Amazon. This episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

In this episode of 'The Biggest Table,' host Andrew Camp explores various aspects of Christian faith and community with Dr. Scot McKnight. The discussion emphasizes maintaining curiosity, humility, and ensuring Jesus remains the focal point in church activities and teachings. Key themes include addressing deconstruction in modern Christianity, the importance of communal gatherings around a table akin to early Christian traditions, and the transformative nature of interactive church settings. The symbolism of Jesus as the 'bread of life' is examined both in spiritual and social contexts, advocating for equitable practices and support within the church. The conversations underscore fostering community, imagination, and fellowship, reflecting on personal experiences and the symbolic power of shared meals in embodying God's love.Scot McKnight (born 1953) is an American New Testament scholar, historian of early Christianity, theologian, and author who has written widely on the historical Jesus, early Christianity and Christian living. He is the author of more than 90 books, including Jesus Creed, The Blue Parakeet, Kingdom Conspiracy, A Fellowship of Differents, A Church Called Tov, and Pivot (the last two of which he coauthored with his daughter Laura). His newest book is Invisible Jesus (coauthored with Tommy Preson Phillips), which explores the prophetic voice of deconstructors.McKnight is an ordained Anglican deacon and canon theologian for the Diocese of Churches for the Sake of Others with anabaptist leanings, and has also written frequently on issues in modern anabaptism.This episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

In this podcast episode of 'The Biggest Table,' host Andrew Camp engages in a conversation with Derek Vreeland, a discipleship pastor and author, about the significance of food, hospitality, and the Lord's Supper in experiencing God's love. Derek reflects on his dramatic calling to ministry and his experiences over 34 years of discipleship work. The discussion delves into the role of the Lord's Supper in combating secularism, individualism, and nationalism, highlighting its power to unite the congregation and deepen one's relationship with God. They also address how the practice of communion can transform lives and offer insights on structuring inclusive worship activities like election day communion services. Derek shares personal anecdotes, theological insights, and community practices that emphasize the importance of communal worship over individual spirituality.Derek Vreeland is the Discipleship Pastor at Word of Life Church in St. Joseph, Missouri, where he is known for his thoughtful, humorous, and authentic teaching style. He is the host of the Peaceable and Kind podcast. Derek enjoys reading, running, hiking, and rooting for the Kansas City Chiefs. He and his wife Jenni have three sons, one daughter-in-law, and two grandsons.Connect with Derek:Derek Vreeland's websitePeaceable and Kind PodcastDerek Vreeland Social Media: Facebook & InstagramClick here for more information on Election Day Communion Services.This episode of the Biggest Table is brought to you in part by Wild Goose Coffee. Since 2008, Wild Goose has sought to build better communities through coffee. For our listeners, Wild Goose is offering a special promotion of 20% off a one time order using the code TABLE at checkout. To learn more and to order coffee, please visit wildgoosecoffee.com. 

Relationship Reddit Stories, OP is meeting his girlfriends for the first time but when the bring out the food OP realises he won't be able to eat any of it.