The Liturgists Podcast

Duality creates shame. As we try to rid ourselves of this shame, we find ourselves in a destructive shame/blame game that places us in the seat of the victim, the villain, or the victor. This episode explores the nature of this cycle as well as how we can be free from it. It was produced by Michael Gungor and Emily Capshaw, and it includes segments from Brianna Lynn, Latifah Allatas, Sonny Avatar, Magdalene, Raven, Elizabeth Capshaw, and Lizzie Goldsmith. 

In beginning to think about reforming and reframing Christian technologies, we might as well begin with the creation narrative of Genesis that has given shape to so much western Christendom. How has this story shaped us, and is there any use to the story of creation/fall through a non-dual lens? You can watch The Liturgists Podcast being recorded live (as well as The Alien Podcast) by joining The Liturgists. We love having everyone together where we can talk during the recordings. Check out theliturgists.com and find where it says "Join The Liturgists." Also, this Sunday at 11am Pacific you are invited to join us for The Sunday Thing. Hundreds of liturgists from around the world get together via video. We break into smaller groups to talk and it is such a wonderful time. You are not alone in your doubts, questions, anger, sadness, atheism, theism, or any other thing you are going through. To find out more and to join us on Sunday, go to theliturgists.com

In this episode of The Liturgists Podcast, we talk about the history of Christian reformation and make a case for what we think needs to continue to be reformed and reframed within Christendom. Also, as we discuss the future of The Liturgists, we introduce the idea of “The Symposium” and hear from a couple of its members (Emily Capshaw and Rev. Briana Lynn). You can watch The Liturgists Podcast being recorded live each week (as well as The Alien Podcast) by joining The Liturgists. We love having everyone together where we can talk during the recordings. Check out theliturgists.com and find where it says "Join The Liturgists." Also, this Sunday at 11am Pacific you are invited to join us for The Sunday Thing. Hundreds of liturgists from around the world get together via video. We break into smaller groups to talk and it is such a wonderful time. You are not alone in your doubts, questions, anger, sadness, atheism, theism, or any other thing you are going through. To find out more and to join us on Sunday, go to theliturgists.com

Is Christianity worth saving? This is a question that has been at the heart of The Liturgists since the beginning. In this first episode of Season 7, we explore this question as we begin to set the course for where we’d like to head together in this new season of the podcast and beyond. This episode includes conversations and thoughts from Mihee Kim-Kort, Peter Rollins, Hillary McBride, William Mathews, and Michael Gungor. You can watch The Liturgists Podcast being recorded live each week (as well as The Alien Podcast) by joining The Liturgists. We love having everyone together where we can talk during the recordings. Check out theliturgists.com and find where it says "Join The Liturgists." Also, this Sunday at 11am Pacific you are invited to join us for The Sunday Thing. Hundreds of liturgists from around the world get together via video. We break into smaller groups to talk and it is such a wonderful time. You are not alone in your doubts, questions, anger, sadness, atheism, theism, or any other thing you are going through. To find out more and to join us on Sunday, go to theliturgists.com

2020 has been a year like no other. This holiday season we want to share something for advent. We also have more cooking for The Liturgists in 2021 which we are excited to share with you in January. Other Links Watch Immanuel by Morant The Holiday Thing event hosted by The Liturgists We have a holiday event coming up in December and we'd love to see you there! Find out more at theliturgists.com You can watch The Liturgists Podcast being recorded live each week (as well as The Alien Podcast) by joining The Liturgists. We love having everyone together where we can talk during the recordings. Check out theliturgists.com and find where it says "Join The Liturgists." Also, this Sunday at 11am Pacific you are invited to join us for The Sunday Thing. Hundreds of liturgists from around the world get together via video. We break into smaller groups to talk and it is such a wonderful time. You are not alone in your doubts, questions, anger, sadness, atheism, theism, or any other thing you are going through. To find out more and to join us on Sunday, go to theliturgists.com

Dr. Joy Cox joins William Matthews, Dr. Hillary McBride, and Michael Gungor to talk about fatness and fatphobia. Dr. Cox is the author of Fat Girls in Black Bodies: Creating Communites of Our Own and received her Ph.D. in Communication from Rutgers University. Most of her work has focused on matters of intersectionality addressing race, body size, accessibility, and "health" within the context of body acceptance and fat liberation. You can follow Dr. Cox on Twitter and find out more about her work on her website. We have a holiday event coming up in December and we'd love to see you there! Find out more at theliturgists.com You can watch The Liturgists Podcast being recorded live each week (as well as The Alien Podcast) by joining The Liturgists. We love having everyone together where we can talk during the recordings. Check out theliturgists.com and find where it says "Join The Liturgists." Also, this Sunday at 11am Pacific you are invited to join us for The Sunday Thing. Hundreds of liturgists from around the world get together via video. We break into smaller groups to talk and it is such a wonderful time. You are not alone in your doubts, questions, anger, sadness, atheism, theism, or any other thing you are going through. To find out more and to join us on Sunday, go to theliturgists.com

Nikki Blak joins William Matthews, Dr. Hillary McBride, and Michael Gungor to talk about womanism. Follow Nikki Blak on Instagram and Twitter. You can watch The Liturgists Podcast being recorded live each week (as well as The Alien Podcast) by joining The Liturgists. We love having everyone together where we can talk during the recordings. Check out theliturgists.com and find where it says "Join The Liturgists." Also, this Sunday at 11am Pacific you are invited to join us for The Sunday Thing. Hundreds of liturgists from around the world get together via video. We break into smaller groups to talk and it is such a wonderful time. You are not alone in your doubts, questions, anger, sadness, atheism, theism, or any other thing you are going through. To find out more and to join us on Sunday, go to theliturgists.com

Jamie Lee Finch joins William Matthews and Michael Gungor to talk about the election in the United States, the limbo many people feel, and how we move forward together from here. You can watch The Liturgists Podcast being recorded live each week (as well as The Alien Podcast) by joining The Liturgists. We love having everyone together where we can talk during the recordings. Check out theliturgists.com and find where it says "Join The Liturgists." Also, this Sunday at 11am Pacific you are invited to join us for The Sunday Thing. Hundreds of liturgists from around the world get together via video. We break into smaller groups to talk and it is such a wonderful time. You are not alone in your doubts, questions, anger, sadness, atheism, theism, or any other thing you are going through. To find out more and to join us on Sunday, go to theliturgists.com

Jason Fileta and Michael Wear join William Matthews, Dr. Hillary McBride, and Michael Gungor to talk about politics, the church, and how we can wade through the ways these interconnected spaces in our lives affect ourselves and those around us. Michael Wear is a leading strategist, speaker and practitioner at the intersection of faith, politics and public life. He advised President Obama, as well as some of the nation’s leading foundations, non-profits and public leaders, on some of the thorniest issues and exciting opportunities that define American life today. He has argued that the spiritual health and civic character of individuals is deeply tied to the state of our politics and public affairs.  Jason Fileta grew up in Wheaton, IL the son of Egyptian immigrants. The plight of the persecuted church in Egypt compelled him to commit his life to fighting for a more just world. He was chosen as a delegate to the G8 Summit in Scotland. The delegates advocated to leaders for debt cancellation for impoverished nations, fair trade policies, and increased assistance to impoverished nations. This helped launch his long-term work in advocacy focused on ending extreme poverty. You can watch The Liturgists Podcast being recorded live each week (as well as The Alien Podcast) by joining The Liturgists. We love having everyone together where we can talk during the recordings. Check out theliturgists.com and find where it says "Join The Liturgists." Also, this Sunday at 11am Pacific you are invited to join us for The Sunday Thing. Hundreds of liturgists from around the world get together via video. We break into smaller groups to talk and it is such a wonderful time. You are not alone in your doubts, questions, anger, sadness, atheism, theism, or any other thing you are going through. To find out more and to join us on Sunday, go to theliturgists.com

Fred Davis is a powerful non-dual spiritual teacher who has been helping people wake up to their true nature in surprising numbers for over a decade. In this episode, Michael laughs (and occasionally speaks) with Fred about non-duality, enlightenment, and the inherent beauty and joy of this very moment. You can watch The Liturgists Podcast being recorded live each week (as well as The Alien Podcast) by joining The Liturgists. We love having everyone together where we can talk during the recordings. Check out theliturgists.com and find where it says "Join The Liturgists." Also, this Sunday at 11am Pacific you are invited to join us for The Sunday Thing. Hundreds of liturgists from around the world get together via video. We break into smaller groups to talk and it is such a wonderful time. You are not alone in your doubts, questions, anger, sadness, atheism, theism, or any other thing you are going through. To find out more and to join us on Sunday, go to theliturgists.com

“Cancel Culture” is a relatively recent phrase that has entered the cultural milieu in a profound and divisive way. In this “mega episode” of the Liturgists podcast, Michael Gungor, William Matthews, Dr. Hillary McBride, Jamie Lee Finch, Dr. Robyn Henderson-Espinoza, Chloé Valdary, and Peter Rollins engage in a series of conversations that deeply explore this potentially sensitive and polarizing topic through multiple lenses, identities, and experiences. You can watch The Liturgists Podcast being recorded live each week (as well as The Alien Podcast) by joining The Liturgists. We love having everyone together where we can talk during the recordings. Check out theliturgists.com and find where it says "Join The Liturgists." Also, this Sunday at 11am Pacific you are invited to join us for The Sunday Thing. Hundreds of liturgists from around the world get together via video. We break into smaller groups to talk and it is such a wonderful time. You are not alone in your doubts, questions, anger, sadness, atheism, theism, or any other thing you are going through. To find out more and to join us on Sunday, go to theliturgists.com

We have been working on a documentary for over a year about The Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The full documentary will be released on September 22, 2020 and we will be hosting a live stream that same day with the people who produced it including William Matthews, Jamie Lee Finch, Christian Adkins, Anna Jane Joyner, Karlin Itchoak and others. To find out more visit https://theliturgists.com/arctic As we prep to launch the film, we wanted to re-release this episode from October 2019. In the last 3 weeks the refuge has come under even more severe threat as the Trump Administration takes steps to open it up for drilling. In August of 2019, Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Jamie Lee Finch embarked on a trip to the Arctic circle to experience some of the last untouched wilderness on the planet and hear from the Gwich'in people. The Gwich'in are Athabaskan-speaking Indigenous peoples who lives in the Arctic region of Alaska and Canada. Their sacred lands include areas within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. In September 2019, the Trump Administration said it would "seek to open up the entire coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas exploration, picking the most aggressive development option for an area long closed to drilling" to cite The Washington Post.  The violence and destruction caused by the removal of long standing protections by the United States is difficult to overstate. This episode is the story of our trip to that area, and what we learned from the people there. We want to give a special shout out to The Wilderness Society for making this episode possible and to Dan Ritzman from Arctic Wild for his guidance in Alaska.

Arielle Estoria joins William Matthews, Dr. Hillary McBride, and Michael Gungor to discuss art and our relationship to it. Whether art lives in our movement, prose, canvas, notebook, instrument, work, or play, it shapes us and pushes us towards something new. Many times we might feel like our art works as a calling out from within that seems beyond ourselves. However it takes shape, how can art help us process and work through struggle, pain, and trauma? Arielle is the co-author of two self-published collections of poetry: Vagabonds and Zealots (2014) and Write Bloody Spill Pretty (2017) which can both be found on Amazon. You can find out more on Instagram @arielleestoria. In 2016, released her EP of poetry and music titled Symphony of a Lioness which can be found on Apple Music and Spotify. You can watch The Liturgists Podcast being recorded live each week (as well as The Alien Podcast) by joining The Liturgists. We love having everyone together where we can talk during the recordings. Check out theliturgists.com and find where it says "Join The Liturgists." Also, this Sunday at 11am Pacific you are invited to join us for The Sunday Thing. Hundreds of liturgists from around the world get together via video. We break into smaller groups to talk and it is such a wonderful time. You are not alone in your doubts, questions, anger, sadness, atheism, theism, or any other thing you are going through. To find out more and to join us on Sunday, go to theliturgists.com

Dr. Hillary McBride, William Matthews, and Michael Gungor discuss what happens after deconstruction - often called "reconstruction." They are joined by Kevin Garcia and work together through the different ways we change, build, form, or adapt what we believe and how we live when we want to find what is next. Kevin Garcia is a digital pastor, creative mystic, public theologian and intuitive soul coach based in Atlanta, GA. After coming out in the fall of 2015 as a queer Christian, Kevin has reached thousands of individuals across the globe with messages of God’s unending love for all people. regardless of who they are, what they profess, or what they actually believe. Kevin’s the author of Bad Theology Kills: undoing toxic beliefs and reclaiming your spiritual authority, published Janurary 2020. Kevin’s work also appears in several anthologies by queer people of faith.  You can watch The Liturgists Podcast being recorded live each week (as well as The Alien Podcast) by joining The Liturgists. We love having everyone together where we can talk during the recordings. Check out theliturgists.com and find where it says "Join The Liturgists." Also, this Sunday at 11am Pacific you are invited to join us for The Sunday Thing. Hundreds of liturgists from around the world get together via video. We break into smaller groups to talk and it is such a wonderful time. You are not alone in your doubts, questions, anger, sadness, atheism, theism, or any other thing you are going through. To find out more and to join us on Sunday, go to theliturgists.com

In this bonus episode from The Liturgists Network show Loving This, Michael Gungor discusses and demos his new solo album Are You Perfect Yet? which is by his new artist Weiwu. The album follows the flow of Five Rhythms dance, which is a movement meditation practice devised by Gabrielle Roth. It draws from indigenous and world traditions using tenets of shamanistic, ecstatic, mystical and eastern philosophy. It also draws from Gestalt therapy, the human potential movement and transpersonal psychology. This Sunday at 11am Pacific you are invited to join us for The Sunday Thing. Hundreds of liturgists from around the world get together via video. We break into smaller groups to talk and it is such a wonderful time. You are not alone in your doubts, questions, anger, sadness, atheism, theism, or any other thing you are going through. To find out more and to join us on Sunday, go to theliturgists.com

A special preview of The Alien Podcast which is our private podcast for patrons. This week Michael (The Alien) and Jamie (The Sex Witch) talk about all manner of rabbit trails. Each week on The Alien Podcast Michael has open ended conversations with wonderful people like William Matthews, Dr. Hillary McBride, Jamie Lee Finch, Peter Rollins, and more. Join The Liturgists at the $10 and get more episodes like this every single week: theliturgists.com/join This Sunday at 11am Pacific you are invited to join us for The Sunday Thing. Hundreds of liturgists from around the world get together via video. We break into smaller groups to talk and it is such a wonderful time. You are not alone in your doubts, questions, anger, sadness, atheism, theism, or any other thing you are going through. To find out more and to join us on Sunday, go to theliturgists.com

William Matthews, Dr. Hillary McBride, and Michael Gungor discuss dissonance and how our minds work to make sense of things when we have two incongruent ideas occupy our minds at one time. How does our ability to survive affect how we approach those different ideas? What kind of new thing exists in the space of that dissonance? Michael describes the experience to be like that of a polychord from Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring. This Sunday at 11am Pacific you are invited to join us for The Sunday Thing. Hundreds of liturgists from around the world get together via video. We break into smaller groups to talk and it is such a wonderful time. You are not alone in your doubts, questions, anger, sadness, atheism, theism, or any other thing you are going through. To find out more and to join us on Sunday, go to theliturgists.com

Heather McCain talks with Dr. Hillary McBride to pull apart the story that disability is inherently negative. Heather McCain is Executive Director of Creating Accessible Neighbourhoods, a non-profit they founded in 2005. Heather’s experiences with multiple types of disabilities, inaccessibility, and ableism led them to become a well-known and respected speaker, advocate, educator, and activist, working with a variety of companies, cities, and non-profits to confront the issues that face disabled people. Recognizing that the disability community is comprised of people with many intersecting identities, Heather is committed to cross-movement organizing and working to ensure that the entire disabled person is considered. Heather facilitates Qmunity’s group Chronically Queer, a support group for queer folk who have chronic health conditions and is an organizer of Burnaby Pride and facilitates the Burnaby Pride Community Action Network. This Sunday at 11am Pacific you are invited to join us for The Sunday Thing. Hundreds of liturgists from around the world get together via video. We break into smaller groups to talk and it is such a wonderful time. You are not alone in your doubts, questions, anger, sadness, atheism, theism, or any other thing you are going through. To find out more and to join us on Sunday, go to theliturgists.com

Christy Harrison talks with Dr. Hillary McBride and Michael Gungor about our culture's obsession with dieting and our views of our bodies. They dive into over one-hundred years of history to highlight how our modern day assumptions are often based on decades of social norms that have built up over time. Christy is an anti-diet registered dietitian, certified intuitive eating counselor, host of the podcast Food Psych, and author of Anti-Diet: Reclaim Your Time, Money, Well-Being, and Happiness Through Intuitive Eating (2019). You are not alone! This Sunday at 11am Pacific you are invited to join us for The Sunday Thing. Hundreds of liturgists from around the world get together via video. We break into smaller groups to talk and it is such a wonderful time. You are not alone in your doubts, questions, anger, sadness, atheism, theism, or any other thing you are going through. To find out more and to join us on Sunday, go to theliturgists.com

Peter Rollins and Michael Gungor talk about happiness and the many ways we seek it out. We may use the tools of religion, belief, work, ideals, pleasure, or others to help us be happy. By breaking down the stories we tell ourselves using nondual thinking and philosophy they seek a deeper understanding of what makes us happy. Peter Rollins is an author, philosopher, storyteller, producer and public speaker. He is the author of The Divine Magician (2015) and The Idolatry of God (2013) among other books. Peter received his PhD in Post-Structural Thought from Queens University, Belfast. You are not alone! This Sunday at 11am Pacific you are invited to join us for The Sunday Thing. Hundreds of liturgists from around the world get together via video. We break into smaller groups to talk and it is such a wonderful time. You are not alone in your doubts, questions, anger, sadness, atheism, theism, or any other thing you are going through. To find out more and to join us on Sunday, go to theliturgists.com

We have all experienced or will experience grief at some point in our lives. Loss, whether unexpected or not, leaves us feeling alone. In this episode, Dr. Hillary McBride, William Matthews, and Michael Gungor talk about grief, how it affects us, and the toll COVID-19 is taking on the world by creating a large-scale sense of despair. We want to say a special thank you to the many liturgists who submitted their stories of working through grief. Your vulnerability helps us gain a deeper understanding of this complex experience. You are not alone! This Sunday at 11am Pacific you are invited to join us for The Sunday Thing. Hundreds of liturgists from around the world get together via video. We break into smaller groups to talk and it is such a wonderful time. You are not alone in your doubts, questions, anger, sadness, atheism, theism, or any other thing you are going through. To find out more and to join us on Sunday, go to theliturgists.com

Evelyn Tribole talks with Dr. Hillary McBride and Michael Gungor about our relationship with eating and our view of our body. Evelyn is an award-winning registered dietitian with a nutrition counseling practice in Newport Beach, CA, specializing in eating disorders. In 1995, Evelyn published Intuitive Eating: A Revolutionary Program that Works with her co-author Elyse Resch which has become the go-to book on rebuilding a healthy body image and making peace with food. This Sunday at 11am Pacific you are invited to join us for The Sunday Thing. Hundreds of liturgists from around the world get together via video. We break into smaller groups to talk and it is such a wonderful time. You are not alone in your doubts, questions, anger, sadness, atheism, theism, or any other thing you are going through. To find out more and to join us on Sunday, go to theliturgists.com

In this episode we want to share a liturgy we created for Holy Week called "Garden." This liturgy features Amena Brown, Rachel Held Evans, Rob Bell, Science Mike, and Gungor. If you are not a regular consumer of liturgies, it as a collection of related works of art that all cover a specific topic. As we are all social distancing, we want to offer this to you as a way to connect to the ideas of holy week and a way to connect with others while your normal Easter plans have been changed. This Sunday at 11am Pacific you are invited to join us for The Sunday Thing. Hundreds of liturgists from around the world get together via video. We break into smaller groups to talk and it is such a wonderful time. You are not alone in your doubts, questions, anger, sadness, atheism, theism, or any other thing you are going through. To find out more and to join us on Sunday, go to theliturgists.com

Ruthie Lindsey talks with Dr. Hillary McBride and Michael Gungor about her experience with pain and trauma. They also discuss some things we can do during the COVID-19 crisis. Ruthie's new book, There I Am: The Journey from Hopelessness to Healing, will be released on April 21, 2020. At seventeen years old, Ruthie Lindsey was hit by an ambulance near her home in rural Louisiana. She was given a five percent chance of survival and one percent chance of walking again. One month later after a spinal fusion surgery, Ruthie defied the odds, leaving the hospital on her own two feet. Just a few years later, newly married and living in Nashville, Ruthie began to experience debilitating pain. Her case confounds doctors and after numerous rounds of testing, imaging, and treatment, they prescribe narcotic painkillers—lots of them. Ruthie became bedridden, dependent on painkillers, and hopeless, when an X-ray reveals that the wire used to fuse her spine is piercing her brain stem. Without another staggeringly expensive experimental surgery, she could well become paralyzed, but in many ways, she already is. Ruthie goes into the hospital in chronic pain, dependent on prescription painkillers, and leaves that way. She can still walk, but has no idea where she’s going. As her life unravels, Ruthie returns home to Louisiana and sets out on a journey to learn joy again. She trades fentanyl for sunsets and morphine for wildflowers, weaning herself off of the drugs and beginning the process of healing—of coming home to her body. You are not alone! We have virtual rooms you can join 24/7 to talk with other liturgists from around the world. To find out more, visit theliturgists.com

Most of us are cooped up inside our homes and are social distancing in response to COVID-19. If we live with people, this marathon of close proximity may engage our feelings and heighten both the good and bad elements in our relationships. In this episode, Lisa Gungor joins Michael to talk about fighting, communication, and how they have grown over the years. To put your event on the calendar for one of the virtual rooms, go to theliturgists.com/community and follow the link that says schedule. You are not alone! You can join us each Sunday to talk with other liturgists around the world and meet in small groups. It is one of the most meaningful things we do. To find out more, visit theliturgists.com and look for the "Join The Liturgists" button.

Dr. Hillary McBride, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Michael Gungor talk about COVID-19 and its impact on our health, culture, and economy. Many news sources are discussing the pandemic using the titles "Coronavirus" or "COVID-19." Here are some quick facts and terminology to help you understand what it all means: This virus is a "novel coronavirus," meaning it is a new coronavirus that humans have not experienced before The virus' name is SARS-CoV-2 The disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 is called COVID-19 which stands for Coronavirus Disease-2019 There are 3 strategies that health experts recommend: Hygienic measures like frequent hand-washing, avoiding touching your face, always covering your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and STAYING HOME when you exhibit any symptoms of illness. Sanitizing surfaces often, like light switches, door knobs, desks, and counter-tops. Social Distancing (more on this below) A primary way to aid in this crisis is the third point: social distancing. Here are the 3 elements of proper social distancing: Meet in-person with people less often. When you do meet with people, limit how many people are present. (As of mid-March 2020 that looks like less than 10 people at one time.) When you interact with people, keep a 6 foot bubble around yourself. Greet with a wave and show kindness with your words instead of handshakes, hugs, or other physical touch. Here are 6 ideas for how to cope with stress and isolation during this time: Be physically active in your home through yoga, push ups, stretching or our favorite: a dance party! Physical activity allows your body to release tension instead of storing it. Using movement and expression can help our nervous system get back to a state of rest. Strategically be active in open, outdoor spaces where few people are. Go for a walk in the woods, hike on a trail, or run in a large open park. Talk virtually with friends and family often. Here at The Liturgists, we are running The Sunday Thing every Sunday at 11am Pacific as a way to get connected with people — you are invited! Visit theliturgists.com and there is a big button to sign up. Practice meditation and mindfulness. Even for just a few moments a day notice what is happening with your thoughts and see if you can try to catch them if they are wandering into anxiety-laden territory Scan your body regularly for tension, if you notice it, try to take some breaths, soften your muscles, or practice progressive Muscle Relaxation (you can look lots of these audio tracks and scripts up online). Play, create, make, express, design, write. Move things through you existentially. Turning your inside stuff into something on the outside can be so empowering. You can transform your pain and uncertainty into something beautiful you can see. Plus, share what you are making by going to theliturgists.com/make You can also stay up-to-date with the CDC's COVID-19 Resource Guide. You are not alone! You can join us each Sunday to talk with other liturgists around the world and meet in small groups. It is one of the most meaningful things we do. To find out more, visit theliturgists.com and look for the "Join The Liturgists" button.

Deconstruction is a common experience for people in The Liturgists Community. We all have stories of how we grew up, memories of what we were taught, and key ideas that still influence us. We may use many words to describe our deconstruction: freeing, scary, lonely, or exciting. The social cost of deconstruction can also be very high. We may feel like our social circles alienated us, or that our family abandoned us. In this episode, Dr. Hillary McBride and Michael Gungor talk about deconstruction and how it affects us. They explore the emotions that we feel, the narratives we tell ourselves, and how we can embrace healthy outlooks and overcome the difficult aspects of deconstruction. You are not alone! You can join us each Sunday to talk with other liturgists around the world and meet in small groups. It is one of the most meaningful things we do. To find out more, visit theliturgists.com and look for the "Join The Liturgists" button.

While pleasure is usually positive and suffering usually negative, Christian culture often celebrates suffering while denigrating pleasure. Phrases like "dying to the flesh" highlight how we learn to internalize martyrdom in order to please God. Unfortunately, when we suppress our personal needs to conform to this social norm, the result can often lead to a loss of identity. In this episode, Linda Kay Klein, Dr. Hillary McBride, and Michael Gungor talk about the complexity of pleasure, and Linda shares how her fixation on suffering landed her in the hospital at one point in her life. They discuss different ways of understanding pleasure and suffering and how we can all develop a healthier perspective. You are not alone! You can join us each Sunday to talk with other liturgists around the world and meet in small groups. It is one of the most meaningful things we do. To find out more, visit theliturgists.com and look for the "Join The Liturgists" button.

There is a God shaped hole in your heart, or at least that's what a white Jesus texted his friend in the tract you read as a kid. We were told we need Jesus because total depravity — our inherent defect — has separated us from God. As well, the idea of hell is a strong incentive to share the story of Jesus with others, because if we don't share those people will be tormented forever. In many communities, Jesus was the way people cleaned up their lives, got off drugs or alcohol, and found stability. Being invited into a supportive community like a church is what some people needed to find a job and thrive. What do we do with the religious superiority that stems from seeing everyone else as inherently wrong? What do we do when we see everyone else as needing a life altering conversion? What do we do with the way colonialism has been paired with evangelism to ignore and scrub away people's culture and context? Often the way people teach others about Jesus misses the entire message of who Jesus was. In this episode, Dr. Hillary McBride, William Matthews, and Michael Gungor talk about these ideas of needing Jesus and sharing Jesus with others. We recorded live at The Solvang Folk School Talks in Solvang, California. You are not alone! You can join us each Sunday to talk with other liturgists around the world and meet in small groups. It is one of the most meaningful things we do. To find out more, visit theliturgists.com and look for the "Join The Liturgists" button.

Scapegoating is a common human response to difficult situations. We have a tendency to point to another group of people as the source of our world's woes. But is the solution simply saying "they" are the problem? What happens when "they" scapegoat "us" in response? In this episode, Peter Rollins and Michael Gungor talk about how we can engage in productive conflict in a world where technological advancements have only highlighted how much we disagree, and how we can see ourselves through other people's eyes to overcome social challenges together. Peter Rollins is a philosopher, storyteller, producer, public speaker, and author of numerous books, including Insurrection, The Idolatry of God, and The Divine Magician.  Peter earned his PhD in Post-Structural Thought from Queens University. You are not alone! You can join us each Sunday to talk with other liturgists around the world and meet in small groups. It is one of the most meaningful things we do. To find out more, visit theliturgists.com and look for the "Join The Liturgists" button.

Many of us feel like something is wrong with us if we are single. Some times we don't feel loved or feel unlovable. But what does it mean to be "single?" And what does it mean to be "loved?" Those don't have to be related. The way we receive love or feel love for ourselves is often tied up in how other people view us and the cultural norms we experience everyday. What if we separated those? In this episode, Dr. Hillary McBride, Key Williams, Jamie Lee Finch, and Michael Gungor talk about the dynamics that affect how we live and experience love. We can tell ourselves a different story about being single — a positive story that we can experience love regardless of our relationship status. You are not alone! You can join us each Sunday to talk with other liturgists around the world and meet in small groups. It is one of the most meaningful things we do. To find out how to join The Liturgists, visit theliturgists.com and look for the "Join The Liturgists" button.

Feeling shame and guilt when our beliefs change can be overwhelming. Our relationships with family, friends, and partners can seem to pivot solely on a shared understanding of what we believe. When our beliefs change we may fear that if people find out, they will not approve, or worse, they might abandon us. We may also feel anxious about not knowing what we believe and uncertain about where we are headed. Is changing what we think bad, or is it just a natural part of growth? In this episode, Michael Gungor and Dr. Hillary McBride talk about belief, change, and why we should embrace healthy growth. You can also join us each Sunday to talk with other liturgists around the world and meet in small groups. We also talk online everyday. To find out how to join The Liturgists to be a part of that community, visit theliturgists.com and look for the "Join The Liturgists" button.

History is literally a story we tell ourselves about what happened in the past. The way we tell that story is usually influenced by the people who have cultural and political power. We heard from so many of you from around the world about how whiteness affects our perception of history. In this episode Andre Henry, Propaganda, and Nikki Blak join William Matthews to talk about those influential dynamics. They discuss how we can help others and ourselves by viewing history from several vantage points. We can look into our past to understand ourselves better and use empathy to see the richness other people's stories bring to the tapestry of history. During the month of February we will be releasing a very special project called "Black History Is American History" via daily episodes covering heroes, icons, and titans in American history. We will release them every day on a separate feed you can sign up for and to our members via the member feed. Find out more by going to theliturgists.com/blackhistory You can also join us each Sunday to talk with other liturgists around the world and meet in small groups. We also talk online everyday. To find out how to join The Liturgists to be a part of that community, visit theliturgists.com and look for the "Join The Liturgists" button.

Purity culture represents the main narrative around sex education and relationships for many people. It taught us ideas about ourselves and about other people that we often feel like we can't leave behind. In today's episode, Hillary and Michael are joined by Linda Kay Klein as they discuss purity culture and pull apart a story we may tell ourselves: "I am impure." Linda is the author of the book Pure, which covers the sexual purity movement in the evangelical church and the "purity industry" that formed along with it. Her interviews and stories outline the resulting anxiety, fear, and experiences that trap people in a cycle of shame. Sexual shame is not confined to evangelical culture and Linda's book serves as a powerful wake-up call about our society’s subjugation of women. This episode does cover traumatic experiences. We want to offer a content warning as well as suggest some mental health resources for you to use. Speaking with a professional, licensed therapist is a way to work through trauma in a way that is safe and "become stronger at the broken places." You are not alone. You can join us each Sunday to talk with other liturgists around the world and meet in small groups. We also talk online everyday. To find out how to join The Liturgists to be a part of that community, visit theliturgists.com and look for the "Join The Liturgists" button. Resources: https://www.breakfreetogether.org https://aedpinstitute.org/find-an-aedp-institute-therapist/search/ https://directory.traumahealing.org https://www.emdria.org/search/ https://lifespanintegration.com/directory/ https://www.sensorimotorpsychotherapy.org/directory.html https://sstarnet.org/find-a-therapist/

Sometimes we leave one set of problems only to find ourselves in a new situation with the same problems. In this episode, Michael and Hillary speak with Emily Capshaw about her experience of leaving Christianity only to find some of the same problems in other belief systems. They talk candidly about how to avoid swapping one fundamentalism for another. We’d love to hear from you! If you have ideas for topics of discussion or guests you would like us to talk with on The Liturgists Podcast, please let us know and vote here: https://theliturgists.com/vote

In this episode, we share one of our private meditations that our patrons get access to each week. Lisa Gungor leads the meditation and it is called "You Are Safe" We’d love to hear from you! If you have ideas for topics of discussion or guests you would like us to talk with on The Liturgists Podcast, please let us know and vote here: https://theliturgists.com/vote

Racism is a widespread issue in all spheres of society. People participate in racism knowingly or unknowingly and with or without intention to do so. While racism may not involve physical abuse or violent behaviors, it can be manifested through people's attitudes as well as their actions. But can something be done about it? Yes, we must call out racism. Each one of us can actively embrace anti-racism and help combat racial prejudice and bigotry.  Today on the podcast, Andre joins William Matthews to chat about anti-racism. In the conversation, Andre talks about his experience speaking out against racial injustice as well as share solutions to fighting racism. Andre Henry is a writer, speaker, musician, and activist with a deep passion for racial justice and social change. We’d love to hear from you! If you have ideas for topics of discussion or guests you would like us to talk with on The Liturgists Podcast, please let us know and vote here: https://theliturgists.com/vote

Michael Gungor and Science Mike talk about their experiences with church, God, science, scripture, theology, tradition, and more at the Los Angeles stop of the Tabs & Wafers Tour. The talk is an honest look at how some people experience Christianity and evangelicalism in the United States and how to find sincerity when it can be difficult to find a community. We’d love to hear from you! If you have ideas for topics of discussion or guests you would like us to talk with on The Liturgists Podcast, please let us know and vote here: https://theliturgists.com/vote

Lauren Evans and Lisa Gungor talk about creative flow and how people who create art, music, and other creative work can make what is right for them. Finding her authentic voice served as an important life quest, because Lauren’s early work required her to be a creative chameleon. Lauren also talks about her life growing up, her spiritual experiences, and how the typical separation of “secular” and “christian/religious” did not mean as much to her in her journey. Lisa recounts how she had positive experiences within her church upbringing, but how she also found it difficult to write great music until she embraced what she is good at instead of following the typical path. We’d love to hear from you! If you have ideas for topics of discussion or guests you would like us to talk with on The Liturgists Podcast, please let us know and vote here: https://theliturgists.com/vote

In August of 2019, Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Jamie Lee Finch embarked on a trip to the Arctic circle to experience some of the last untouched wilderness on the planet and hear from the Gwich'in people. The Gwich'in are Athabaskan-speaking Indigenous peoples who lives in the Arctic region of Alaska and Canada. Their sacred lands include areas within the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. In September 2019, the Trump Administration said it would "seek to open up the entire coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas exploration, picking the most aggressive development option for an area long closed to drilling" to cite The Washington Post.  The violence and destruction caused by the removal of long standing protections by the United States is difficult to overstate. This episode is the story of our trip to that area, and what we learned from the people there. We want to give a special shout out to The Wilderness Society for making this episode possible and to Dan Ritzman from Arctic Wild for his guidance in Alaska. This episode is sponsored by our friends at the No Place Like Home podcast.  No Place Like Home is a podcast that gets to the heart of climate change.  Hosts Mary Anne Hitt and Anna Jane Joyner explore the biggest story of our time—climate change—from intimate, creative, and surprising angles.  Find and subscribe to No Place Like Home at noplacelikehomepodcast.com or on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, or wherever you find your favorite podcasts.

Some changes are normal and happen every day, while others are higher stakes and affect every area of our lives. Whether they took place in our childhood or occurred later in life, changes often make us feel scared or anxious because of the unknowns they bring with them.In this episode, William, Hillary, and Vishnu have a conversation about change, how we experience it, and how we can navigate change in our lives. This episode was sponsored by BetterHelp. Get 10% off your first month of safe, private, affordable mental health counseling by visiting http://betterhelp.com/liturgists

This week we're talking about porn: what it is, how we feel about it, and what roles is plays in our culture. Joining us in the conversation are the following people: Hillary McBrideMichael GungorWilliam MatthewsMike McHargueKey WilliamsCaroline LeeJenny McHargueKevin Garcia This episode was sponsored by Betterhelp. Get 10% your first month of safe, private, affordable mental health counseling by visiting http://betterhelp.com/liturgists.

Pete Holmes returns for a conversation with Michael Gungor and Science Mike to discuss his latest book, Comedy Sex God. This episode was sponsored by Betterhelp. Get 10% your first month of safe, private, affordable mental health counseling by visiting http://betterhelp.com/liturgists.

It's ENNEAGRAM MADNESS. We have not one, not two, but three episodes about the Enneagram featuring one of our favorite teachers: Annie Dimond. Annie Dimond is a teacher of the Enneagram Personality and a PhD Student of Practical Theology at The University of Aberdeen in Scotland. In this episode, Annie and Mike McHargue dive deeper into the Enneagram by exploring its 27 subtypes and how it can act as a map for healing and self-acceptance. To learn more about Enneagram Subtypes visit theliturgists.com/podcast/2019/9/12/the-27-subtypes-of-the-enneagram To learn more about Annie Dimond, visit her website visit enneagramforwholeness.com For more about Ryan O'Neal and his music visit visit sleepingatlast.com This episode was sponsored by Betterhelp. Get 10% your first month of safe, private, affordable mental health counseling by visiting betterhelp.com/liturgists

It's ENNEAGRAM MADNESS. We have not one, not two, but three episodes about the Enneagram featuring one of our favorite teachers: Annie Dimond. Annie Dimond is a teacher of the Enneagram Personality and a PhD Student of Practical Theology at The University of Aberdeen in Scotland. In this episode, Annie and Mike McHargue dive deeper into the Enneagram by exploring its 27 subtypes and how it can act as a map for healing and self-acceptance. To learn more about Enneagram Subtypes visit theliturgists.com/podcast/2019/9/12/the-27-subtypes-of-the-enneagram To learn more about Annie Dimond, visit her website visit enneagramforwholeness.com For more about Ryan O'Neal and his music visit visit sleepingatlast.com This episode was sponsored by Betterhelp. Get 10% your first month of safe, private, affordable mental health counseling by visiting betterhelp.com/liturgists

It's ENNEAGRAM MADNESS. We have not one, not two, but three episodes about the Enneagram featuring one of our favorite teachers: Annie Dimond. Annie Dimond is a teacher of the Enneagram Personality and a PhD Student of Practical Theology at The University of Aberdeen in Scotland. In this episode, Annie and Mike McHargue dive deeper into the Enneagram by exploring its 27 subtypes and how it can act as a map for healing and self-acceptance. To learn more about Enneagram Subtypes visit theliturgists.com/podcast/2019/9/12/the-27-subtypes-of-the-enneagram To learn more about Annie Dimond, visit her website visit enneagramforwholeness.com For more about Ryan O'Neal and his music visit visit sleepingatlast.com This episode was sponsored by Betterhelp. Get 10% your first month of safe, private, affordable mental health counseling by visiting betterhelp.com/liturgists

This is an episode of our other podcast, The Alien & The Robot. It's a show for our Patrons, but this episode has some announcements about new stuff coming to Patreon PLUS we found a way to describe the "mission" of The Liturgists out loud for the first time ever. Not bad for a show that started in 2014.

Hillary McBride speaks with Audrey Assad about how fundamental religious cultures can foster, and even sometimes reward mental illnesses. In this episode Audrey shares about her experience battling Scrupulosity, or Religious OCD.

Michael Gungor sits down with Jamie Lee Finch to talk about embodiment, sexuality, and religious trauma. Jamie is a sexuality and embodiment coach, author, and poet. Michael Gungor and Science Mike are on tour. Click here to see if they're coming to a city near you.

Science Mike, Michael Gungor, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride discuss the modern epidemic of loneliness, and how to respond to it in an episode recorded in front of a live audience at the Wild Goose Festival 2019. We've got HUGE NEWS about our Tabs & Wafers tour: We're offering FREE TICKETS in all remaining cities in order to make our events more economically accessible. Plus, we're finally telling you the event actually is. You can learn more here. See you soon, Minneapolis, Chicago, Los Angeles, Tempe, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, and Austin.

This episode is about prayer. What is prayer? What value, if any,  does prayer have for people who don't believe in a theistic God anymore? Science Mike and Michael Gungor are on tour and headed to a city near you.

Alabama recently approved a measure that would outlaw almost all abortions in the state, setting up a challenge to Roe v. Wade, the case that recognized a woman's constitutional right to end a pregnancy. Few issues are more divisive than abortion. Few topics push on our most fundamental ideas about life, personhood, and morality. Back in 2015, Rachel Held Evans, Science Mike, and Michael Gungor take a look a simple, controversial question: Are you pro-life or pro-choice? For more information on Rachel Held Evans’ work, and to learn how to support her family following her tragic passing, visit rachelheldevans.com You can get a free copy of one of Rachel’s audiobooks on Audible by signing up for a free trial Here.

In celebration of our 100th episode, we take a look at where the podcast has been while looking forward to what's next. Thank you to all of you who've listened and contributed over the years. Michael Gungor and Science Mike are going on tour in an event called Tabs & Wafers. Learn more.

In this episode, Michael Gungor asks leading theologians, scholars, teachers two questions: “Does God exist,” and “Who or what is God?”Guests on this episode include, Richard Rohr, Diana Butler Bass, Amy-Jill Levine, Sharon Salzberg, Reza Aslan, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride. Fr. Richard Rohr is a globally recognized ecumenical teacher bearing witness to the universal awakening within Christian mysticism and the Perennial Tradition. He is a Franciscan priest of the New Mexico Province and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Diana Butler Bass is an author, speaker, and independent scholar specializing in American religion and culture. She holds a Ph.D. in religious studies from Duke University and is the award-winning author of ten books, including Grounded: Finding God in the World —A Spiritual Revolution. Amy-Jill Levine is University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies, Mary Jane Werthan Professor of Jewish Studies, and Professor of New Testament Studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School and College of Arts and Science; she is also Affiliated Professor, Centre for the Study of Jewish-Christian Relations, Cambridge UK.  Her books include The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus; The Meaning of the Bible: What the Jewish Scriptures and the Christian Old Testament Can Teach Us (co-authored with Douglas Knight); The New Testament, Methods and Meanings (co-authored with Warren Carter), and the thirteen-volume edited Feminist Companions to the New Testament and Early Christian Writing. Sharon Salzberg is a central figure in the field of meditation, a world-renowned teacher and NY Times bestselling author. She has played a crucial role in bringing meditation and mindfulness practices to the West and into mainstream culture since 1974, when she first began teaching. She is the co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA and the author of ten books including NY Times bestseller. Reza Aslan is an internationally renowned writer, commentator, professor, producer, and scholar of religions. His books, including his #1 New York Times Bestseller, Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth, have been translated into dozens of languages around the world. He is also a recipient of the prestigious James Joyce Award.

Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride talk with Michael Gungor about his newest book, THIS. As Michael shares, letting go of the stories that defined his identity and value in the world led him and his family on a wild and painful journey through atheism, mysticism, betrayal, loss, medical issues, moving trucks, and thousands of online trolls. The deconstruction of his faith is one story. The transformation of it is another. As Michael lets us know, our stories are the seams of illusion that we sew into reality―in order to label this and that. But what you think of as you (or anything else for that matter) is simply movement within the ocean of Being―of THIS. Once you see that is it just a story, you can let go and be free. You can get your copy of THIS on Amazon.com or, if you prefer audio books, you can get THIS for free by signing up for an Audible trial using our affiliate link.

Hillary McBride and Science Mike talk about learning to cope with change, growth, and intimacy.Want to see Michael Gungor and Science Mike this May? Tickets for their summer tour are on sale now.

Hillary McBride, William Matthews, Science Mike, and Michael Gungor talk with Richard Rohr about The Universal Christ--Fr. Rohr’s latest book. You can learn more about the book here. You can get the audiobook for The Universal Christ for free using our Audible affiliate link. Learn more here.

Hillary McBride, William Matthews, Science Mike, and Michael Gungor talk with Richard Rohr about The Universal Christ--Fr. Rohr’s latest book. You can learn more about the book here. You can get the audiobook for The Universal Christ for free using our Audible affiliate link. Learn more here.

We’re discussing fear in an episode that was recorded live at The Liturgists Gathering in Nashville, TN. Special thanks to Jamie Lee Finch for joining us. We’re going on tour! Join Science Mike and Michael Gungor for Tabs & Wafers. Tickets are on sale now--visit our events page for more information.

This week we're talking with Sharon Salzberg. Sharon is a central figure in the field of meditation, a world-renowned teacher and NY Times bestselling author. She has played a crucial role in bringing meditation and mindfulness practices to the West and into mainstream culture since 1974, when she first began teaching. She is the co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA and the author of ten books including NY Times bestseller, Real Happiness, her seminal work, Lovingkindness and her forthcoming release by Flatiron Books, Real Love. Renowned for her down-to-earth teaching style, Sharon offers a secular, modern approach to Buddhist teachings, making them instantly accessible. She is a regular columnist for On Being, a contributor to Huffington Post, and the host of her own podcast: The Metta Hour. For more information, visit www.SharonSalzberg.com. We've got a handful of tickets left for our next kin retreat. If you're a man interested in confronting harmful cultural scripts around masculinity, we'd love for you to join us in Ojai this May.

We're talking with Bushi Yamato Damashii this week to kick off a new series on Buddhism. Bushi is a Buddhist monk and lead resident teacher at Daishin Zen Buddhist Temple in Thomasville, North Carolina. Bushi is also the Vice-president and Zen monk at Still Water Farms Retreat Center in Franklinville, NC. A former Christian minister and pastor, Bushi now speaks of much deeper understanding of the love and compassion of the Historical Jesus and the Historical Buddha. Bushi is classically trained in Mahayana Buddhism and Daishin Zen.

We've got another podcast called The Alien & The Robot that's available exclusively to our Patrons. But, as we work on Season 5, we've got some big news to share on multiple fronts. So, please enjoy a "behind the scenes" look at what The Liturgists are up to. Here's some links you may want: End of the World Tour The Liturgists NEW SOCIAL PLATFORM 

Propaganda, the Brilliance, and Gungor talk about their upcoming tour. Plus, Propaganda and Alma from the Red Couch Podcast tell us about their upcoming series on intersectionality, It's Complicated.

To close out Season 4 of The Liturgists Podcast, we look back at some of the highlights from The Liturgists Podcast so far (as selected by our community on Patreon). We're hiring an Associate Producer. You can learn more here.

In this episode, we talk about the story behind Kosmos, the latest record by William Matthews.

In the final episode of our Christian series, William Matthews tells Michael Gungor why he should be a Christian.

This week, Fr. Richard Rohr joins William Matthews, Michael Gungor, and Hillary McBride to explore the question: What is a Christian?

This week Michael Gungor and Science Mike talk with Lisa Gungor and Jenny McHargue about what Christianity is. We'd love to see you at The Liturgists Gathering in London, Minneapolos, or Nashville this year.

This is the first in a weekly series where we explore two seemingly simple questions: "Do you identify as a Christian," and, "Why or why not."Our guest on this episode is Jennifer Knapp. We'll be in London, Minneapolis and Nashville for The Liturgists Gathering this fall. We'd love to see you there.

This is the first in a weekly series where we explore two seemingly simple questions: "Do you identify as a Christian," and, "Why or why not."Our guest on this episode is Rachel Held Evans. Her new book about the Bible is called Inspired. We'll be in London, Minneapolis and Nashville for The Liturgists Gathering this fall. We'd love to see you there.

Here's a sample of our latest project: a new weekly podcast for folks who support us on Patreon called The Alien & The Robot.

As a followup to Woman, this episode explores masculinity and male identity in a culture striving for equality.

This podcast was recorded at The Liturgists Gathering in Austin, TX.If you're interested in hosting The Liturgists Gathering, let us know.

In this episode, we're talking about Lisa Gungor's new book, called The Most Beautiful Thing I've Seen.

A look at how social media impacts advocacy, mental health, community building, and our view of the world.

As we gear up for The Liturgists Gathering in Austin, TX, here's a bonus episode from our Patreon podcast.

Hillary, William, Michael, and Mike discuss spirtulity beyond the reach of language.

This episode is about the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues, as explored through the perspectives of science, art, and faith.

TRIGGER WARNING: The interview with Christopher West in Part 2 could be triggering to members of the LGBTQIA+ community. It's included so people with non-affiriming viewpoints on LGBTQIA+ on sexuality are prompted to examine the implications of that worldview, but we encourge our listners to use discretion before listening to that segment. In this episode, we’re talking about how to discern what is right and healthy for people in sexual activity. We’d like to thank our guests on this episode, and we encourage you to check out their work. Bromliegh McCleneghan, Author of Good Christian Sex Darren Calhoun, Artist and Speaker Christopher West, Author, Speaker, Teacher and Expert in John Paul II’s Theology of the Body Caroline Lee, Artist and Photographer Jamie Lee Finch, Relationship Guide, Intuitive Healer Lisa Gungor, Artist and Author

In this episode, we’re talking about how to discern what is right and healthy for people in sexual activity. We’d like to thank our guests on this episode, and we encourage you to check out their work. Bromliegh McCleneghan, Author of Good Christian Sex Darren Calhoun, Artist and Speaker Christopher West, Author, Speaker, Teacher and Expert in John Paul II’s Theology of the Body Caroline Lee, Artist and Photographer Jamie Lee Finch, Relationship Guide, Intuitive Healer Lisa Gungor, Artist and Author

In this episode, we’re discussing body image–how we view our bodies and the bodies of others.   For more, check out Hillary’s book.

Who are you? Is the body a transport vessel for the brain? This episode tackles the idea of emboidment, and our complex relationships with our own bodies.

What does it mean to be an Evangelical today? We talk with Matthew Vines from The Reformation Project as well as author/speaker Jen Hatmaker about Evangelicalism in 2018.

What does it mean to be an Evangelical today? We talk with Matthew Vines from The Reformation Project as well as author/speaker Jen Hatmaker about Evangelicalism in 2018.

On this episode, we welcome two new hosts to the podast: William Matthews and Hillary McBride. Plus, we uncover the hottest new band in worship music, Abraham's Bosom.

This is a bonus episode with a Loving Kindness meditation. May you find that it promotes healing in difficult times. If you'd like to try more meditations like these, join us on Patreon. If you'd like to learn more about meditation as a practice, consider our new online course about meditaiton.

This is a special live episode recorded at The Liturgists Gathering in Seattle, WA on October 27, 2017. Thanks Hillary McBride for joining us on this episode. Her new book is available now. Special Announcement: We're starting something new next year for those of you who want to go deeper with topics we discuss on The Liturgists Podcast via video courses. If you'd like to get access to these first, you can preorder the first two for the price of one here.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

In this episode, Michael Gungor and Science Mike discuss the relationship between violence and Christianity with Shane Claiborne. Check out Shane’s new book, Executing Grace.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

A liturgy for the beginnging of Holy Week.If you'd like a daily resource for all of holy week, join us on Patreon.

How can we engage in effective advocacy that creates change? And how can we do so without losing hope? We talked to two experts in the world of social justice and advocacy to find out. Christena Cleveland is a social psychologist, public theologian, author and professor. She is the first Associate Professor of the Practice of Reconciliation at Duke University’s Divinity School and the author of Disunity in Christ: Uncovering the Hidden Forces that Keep Us Apart. You can learn more about her at http://www.christenacleveland.com Micky is a perpetual learner, “justice doula”, consultant, facilitator, mama/sister/friend, nonviolence practitioner and contemplative activist living just south of Nashville, TN. After 10 plus years as a mother-baby specialist, trainer and author, she decided to shift back to earlier interests: theology and community development. She is a member of the co-learning community of NAIITS (North American Institute of Indigenous Theological Studies) and graduated with a Masters of Arts in Intercultural Studies. Learn more about her at http://www.mickyscottbeyjones.com

What’s fake news, and how can we spot it? This episode is about media literacy, and offers insights on how to spot fake news, as well as media bias, and skewed data. We talked with Clay Johnson, author of The Information Diet and the co-founder of Blue State Digital, the firm that built and managed Barack Obama’s online campaign for the presidency in 2008. Here’s a few resources to dig deeper: How to tell fake news from real news - TED Ed How to Spot Fake News - FactCheck.org

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

We're talking about epistemology on this episode–the study of truth, belief, and justification. Sound boring? In the age of "fake news," this may be the most important topic we can cover.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

As a follow-up to Lost & Found and The Other Side of the Mattress, we respond to our most common request: an episode on how to talk to your kids during and after faith transitions.

A special Christmas episode featuring highlights from our friends The Brilliance.

This is the third episode of a three part series dealing with suffering: what is it, how do we cope with it, and how can we address it? Please consider joining with us to help provide clean drinking water to every person on this planet. Learn more at http://theliturgists.com/water

This is the second in a three part series dealing with suffering: what is it, how do we cope with it, and how can we address it? Please consider joining with us to help provide clean drinking water to every person on this planet. Learn more at http://theliturgists.com/water

This is the first in a three part series dealing with suffering: what is it, how do we cope with it, and how can we address it? Please consider joining with us to help provide clean drinking water to every person on this planet. Learn more at http://theliturgists.com/water 

We've got a special series of podcasts this week exploring the themes and sounds of Gungor's new record One Wild Life: Body. This is the final album in the One Wild Life trilogy of records, and is available everywhere music is sold. Learn more at gungormusic.com.

We've got a special series of podcasts this week exploring the themes and sounds of Gungor's new record One Wild Life: Body. This is the final album in the One Wild Life trilogy of records, and is available everywhere music is sold. Learn more at gungormusic.com.

We've got a special series of podcasts this week exploring the themes and sounds of Gungor's new record One Wild Life: Body. This is the final album in the One Wild Life trilogy of records, and is available everywhere music is sold. Learn more at gungormusic.com.

We've got a special series of podcasts this week exploring the themes and sounds of Gungor's new record One Wild Life: Body. This is the final album in the One Wild Life trilogy of records, and is available everywhere music is sold. Learn more at gungormusic.com.

We've got a special series of podcasts this week exploring the themes and sounds of Gungor's new record One Wild Life: Body. This is the final album in the One Wild Life trilogy of records, and is available everywhere music is sold. Learn more at gungormusic.com.

In this episode, we explore the sexism in the context of culture and the church. Featuring Austin Channing Brown, Caroline Lee, Christine Chester, Emily Capshaw, Lisa Gungor, and Rev. Sarah Heath.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

While we work on Season 3, here's a special live episode of The Liturgists Podcast recorded at the Wild Goose Festival. It's a conversation between Science Mike, Michael Gungor, and a live audience. If you'd like to be part of a conversation like this, join us at The Liturgists Gathering.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Science Mike talks with Lisa and Michael Gungor about their new album, One Wild Life Soul. We'd love to see you at The Liturgists Gathering or the One Wild Life Tour.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Science Mike sat down with Michael Gungor and Lisa Gungor to talk about their new project One Wild Life: Soul following Belong. One Wild Life: Soul comes out in August, but you can get it now for a limited time as part of the One Wild Life Season Pass. One Wild Life is a trilogy of records being released this year, and the Season Pass gets you all three before anyone else–including One Wild Life: Soul immediately. See gungormusic.com for more details.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.