The Progressive Christians Podcast

This week, we are honored to be joined by the one and only Dr. Abdul El-Sayed! As he loves to remind us, Dr. Carter is from Michigan, and Dr. Abdul El-Sayed is currently running in a three-way Democratic primary to be Michigan's Senator against Haley Stevens and Mallory McMorrow. If he wins, he would not only be an unprecedented Progressive voice in Congress, but he would also be the first Muslim Senator in United States History. Dr. El-Sayed has also been vocal about how his religious views are part of his holistic philosophy - shaping his time growing up in America and the way he is committed to loving his neighbors. You guys have been asking for some more interfaith collaboration on the podcast, and we felt that there was an incredible opportunity for some interfaith religious construction here. Spoilers... Dr. Abdul El-Sayed totally blew us away. (disclaimer: this interview was recorded the week of May 17th, so our political discussions focus on last week's news cycle) Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro/ Introducing Dr. Abdul El-Sayed 5:00 - How Christians Can Fight Islamophobia/ How To Build A Better Society 8:00 - Successful Muslim Progressives 12:30 - Is Being Progressive Radical or Religious? 16:30 - What Gives You HOPE? 20:35 - Dr. Abdul's Medical Experience and Medicare For All 25:00 - The Black Church 29:00 - How To Support Abdul 32:00 - Break 33:00 - Post Interview Freak Out/ Debrief 44:00 - "Rededicate 250" 1:08:40 - Good News! Show Notes: - Find out more about Abdul: https://abdulforsenate.com/ - San Diego attack: https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/18/us/live-news/san-diego-islamic-center-shooting  - Green Nobel Prize: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1D7tWNrETNQXfIYUu17qjgj3k2QB_IpRsF45skAHlvZo/edit?tab=t.0  - Rededicate 250- https://freedom250.org/celebration/rededicate-250-a-national-jubilee-of-prayer-praise-and-thanksgiving - RNS News Review of Rededicate 250- https://religionnews.com/2026/05/17/trump-allies-lead-thousands-in-prayer-to-rededicate-america-to-god-on-national-mall/ - The Convocation Unscripted- https://convocation.substack.com/  The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was born from the Black church. It wasn't just a political achievement — it showed the world the courage and resilience of Black people, the theology of the Civil Rights Movement, and the conviction that loving your neighbor means protecting your neighbor's voice. SCOTUS gutting it isn't just unconstitutional — it's un-Christian. In this episode, we're breaking down the Supreme Court's 6-3 ruling in Louisiana v. Callais and what it means for democracy, racial justice, and American Christianity. It's just Julia, Dr. Carter, and Westley today - so get ready for a crazy one! No punches pulled - even Jesus showed that leaning into our holy anger is sometimes what we need. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro/ Southern Baptist AI Chatbots 4:45 - The VRA Being Gutted 17:00 - John Roberts and the Civil Rights Era 24:00 - The Black Church 38:00 - Break 40:00 - Jesus' Thoughts? 49:30 - What To Do With SCOTUS Show Notes: - AI "Faithbot" : https://www.christianpost.com/news/imb-sees-over-600000-people-use-ai-tool-faithbot.html - Montgomery and Selma protests: https://alabamareflector.com/2026/05/16/thousands-attend-protests-in-selma-and-montgomery-for-voting-rights/ - Supreme Court Ruling: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/04/supreme-court-louisiana-vra-callais/ - Timeline of the Voting Rights Act: https://www.naacpldf.org/voting-rights-act-history-timeline/ The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].

We are thrilled to be joined by Dr. Melissa Borja this week, to discuss her new podcast "One Million Neighbors!" The podcast follows the story of the largest refugee resettlement in American history - when Midwestern Christians resettled "One Million Neighbors." Obviously, this is very relevant to our current immigration panic, so we dive deep into the strange role that Christians have played here - and what our theology tells us to do next. Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro/ Golden Trump Statue 8:00 - "Tax The Rich" is a Slur? 11:15 - Introducing Melissa Borja 16:00 - One Million Neighbors 28:30 - Americans and Missionaries 38:00 - Coastal Elitism vs. Midwestern Coalition Building 44:00 - Matthew 25 50:00 - Refugee Resettlement is Culturally Beneficial 57:30 - Immigrants vs. Migrants vs. Asylum Seekers 1:05:00 - Good News! Show Notes: - Check out One Million Neighbors: https://www.axismundi.us/podcasts/one-million-neighbors - Politics is for Power by Eitan Hersher: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Politics-Is-for-Power/Eitan-Hersh/9781982116798  - Billionaire says "tax the rich" is a slur: https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/06/business/mamdani-taxes-real-estate  - The Trump Gold Statue: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/05/11/donald-trump-gold-statue/90029751007/ - UK emissions at 150 year low: https://www.carbonbrief.org/analysis-uk-emissions-fall-2-4-in-2025-as-coal-hits-400-year-low/ The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].  #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion

Raise your hand if you've had a clip from James Talarico come across your page in the past year 🤚 We've been following this race closely, and now that he won the Democratic nomination, we have a lot of thoughts. His unique use of Christianity and Christian language in politics has set him apart. It's brought a lot of momentum, but it's also brought a lot of hate - even from the president. We're here to adress this question - Why is the Right so afraid of James Talarico? Timestamps: 0:00 - Cold Open/ Come To Our Baseball Game! 1:29 - Intro/ The World 5:00 - Why Do They Hate Talarico? 30:00 - Of Course Race Is A Part Of This 33:20 - Jasmine Crockett 43:30 - Break 45:00 - Trevor Noah On Religious Imagination 1:02:00 - The Audacity Of Hope 1:12:40 - Good News! Show Notes: - Baptist News On Talarico - https://baptistnews.com/article/why-are-evangelicals-freaking-out-over-james-talarico/ - Religion Unplugged on Talarico - https://religionunplugged.com/news/james-talarico-and-the-struggle-over-christianity-in-us-politics - Trevor Noah on Religion - https://lizbucar.substack.com/p/what-if-trevor-noah-is-right-about  - The Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggeman - https://www.fortresspress.com/store/product/9781506449302/The-Prophetic-Imagination  - Imagining Argentina by Lawrench Thornton - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/178530/imagining-argentina-by-lawrence-thornton/  - Beloved by Toni Morrison - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/117647/beloved-pulitzer-prize-winner-by-toni-morrison/  - Mills drops out - https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/30/janet-mills-maine-senate-dropout-00899664  The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].  #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popcult

After the newest assassination attempt, we noticed that the manifesto of the perpetrator had a lot of Bible references. Between this, the Trump admin's use of the Bible to justify violence, and the new trend of abusive men bringing their bibles to court, we wanted to speak on violence, nonviolence, and where Jesus fits in all of it. Show Notes: - The manifesto: https://www.instagram.com/p/DXpoVeOE5sk/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== - Erica Chenowith: Why Civil Resistance Works: https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/why-civil-resistance-works-the-strategic-logic-of-nonviolent-conflict_erica-chenoweth_maria-j-stephan/3292394/item/26513110/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_new_condition_books_high_14637440387&utm_adgroup=&utm_term=&utm_content=545679999522&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=14637440387&gbraid=0AAAAADwY45iwsuDihZsb4ADJDPDwD0CZ9&gclid=Cj0KCQjw2MbPBhCSARIsAP3jP9x1VoRUqR9jDTeQ2xRir0ZN09Cf_5On32MExb4wmliEsdsHv36JDWkaArFxEALw_wcB#idiq=26513110&edition=7970609 - Russell Brand can't find a passage in the bible: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4QCIqF7K3lE - Gerlyn Henry on the abusive man to Christian pipeline: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVjLmdzDSEC/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== - Guatemala stops oil drilling in the Maya Biosphere Reserve: https://peterschulte.org/good-news/guatemala-maya-forest-rewilding-oil-fields/ - Rhinos Return to Uganda: https://peterschulte.org/good-news/uganda-rhino-reintroduction-wild-kidep The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, a

As Americans, we tend to focus a lot on an American perspective - so this week, we are blessed to be joined by a friend who is helping to provide a wider angle! Jonty Langley is co-host and founder of the Beer Christianity podcast, as well as editor of S(h)ibboleth Magazine. Jonty joined us from across the pond to talk about The American Imperial Boomerang, how leftism and Christianity intertwine, and what to understand about America's role in the wider world. Show Notes: - AOC Quote: "I thought that fascist takeover attempts were going to be architected by evil geniuses. I was not expecting how unearned, nepotistic, mediocre and just dumb so many of the people architecting this were going to be" - Shibboleth Magazine: https://shibbolethmag.com/ - Beer Christianity Podcast: https://www.beerchristianity.co.uk/  - Hope Without Optimism: Terry Eagleton https://www.upress.virginia.edu/title/4948/ - Greenbelt Festival- https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/  - The North Sea Energy Network: https://www.cleanenergywire.org/news/north-sea-states-aim-worlds-largest-energy-hub-major-offshore-wind-investment-plan  The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].  #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion

This week, the Pope Leo vs. Trump news has been insane. How did this happen in an administration that claims to be deeply Christian and Catholic? We discuss the historical precedent of political popes, the wild escalation of conflict that has happened, and where the theology simply doesn't make sense. Show Notes: - Hungarian Election:  https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/12/world/live-news/hungary-election-orban-magyar  - Cardinals Speak Out:  https://www.americamagazine.org/news/2026/04/13/us-cardinals-60-minutes-trump/ - Our "Biblical vs. Christian" episode:  https://youtu.be/MqJgG5JXDiM  - Belle Hooks Communion:  https://bookshop.org/p/books/communion-the-female-search-for-love-bell-hooks/f218116ab5383b77?ean=9780060938291&next=t - Belle Hooks "Appalachian Elegy":  https://bookshop.org/p/books/appalachian-elegy-poetry-and-place-bell-hooks/9bfc4384a9d46ab6?ean=9780813136691&next=t - Pope's Plane:  https://cruxnow.com/church/2015/09/fun-facts-and-more-about-life-aboard-the-papal-plane  The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].  #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion

We've got the whole team back for this one! As you may have heard, this week Paula White likened Trump to Jesus (we know, right?). This outrageous statement sparked so much backlash from Christians, it was impossible for us to miss. This week, we don't just want to talk about her words, but WHY Evangelicals find it so important to do something so explicitly blasphemous.  We also want to take this holy week to do some theological construction - where does Easter land in all this chaos? How can we use this time of spiritual rebirth as Progressive Christians? We hope this episode brings you some joy in these trying, yet holy, times. Show Notes: - Paula White Video  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iHjbG3jtHM (1:47-2:48 (end of the video)) - Artemis Mission Names Craters: https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2026/04/06/artemis-ii-nasa-astronaut-names-moon-crater-for-late-wife/89488427007/ - Mamdani's Real Cost of Living Plan: https://www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2026/04/mayor-mamdani-releases-preliminary-citywide-racial-equity-plan-a  The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].  #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion

We are thrilled to be joined by Pastor Joe Smith this week! We originally found Joe because of his work on Instagram, and quickly realized that his work combating White Christian Nationalism is essential to the work of Progressive Christianity.  We had Joe on to discuss his journey as an Exvangelical pastor, his thoughts about the state of American Christian Nationalism, and how we can move forward with bringing the message of a homeless Palestinian socialist to the people who refuse to hear it. Show Notes: Find Joe - https://www.instagram.com/therealjoe.smith/  The Slippery Slope - https://slipperyslope.shop/ Homeowner calls ICE -  https://uk.news.yahoo.com/maryland-homeowner-accused-calling-aiding-181658420.html No Kings Protests -  https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2026/03/28/no-kings-protests-marches-record-turnout/ The passage on the Syrophoenician woman -  https://bible.oremus.org/?passage=Mark%207:24%E2%80%9330&version=nrsv  Dr Carter preaches on the Syrophoenician woman -  https://theloftla.libsyn.com/loft-gathering-breaking-the-patriarchal-reading-of-the-bible  The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].  #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion

We've been promising bonus content… Here it is!  We were inspired to make this episode by Rev. Katie with the Young Adult group at Hyde Park Community UMC in Cincinnati, Ohio, who reached out to tell us they had been using our podcasts for some of their lessons. In honor of how much this means to us, this episode is dedicated to all of them! They wrote us some great questions that they've been dealing with while trying to deconstruct and reconstruct their Christianity into something that more closely mirrors Jesus. Please join us on this fun, less formal dive into our personal beliefs on some of the most difficult Progressive Christian topics. Show Notes: - This is the episode playlist that Rev. Kate Smith used with the young adult group: 28: Do Progressive Christians Believe in the Bible? 29: What is Sin and Why Do Most Conservatives Get it Wrong? 36: Failing the Group Project: The Problem with Evil with Dr. Becky Copeland 19: What Do Progressives Believe About Evangelism? 34: What Do Progressive Christians Believe About Salvation? 23: Women, Patriarchy, and the Bible with Claire McKeever-Burgett 3: What does progressive Christian masculinity look like 27: Sex, Gender, and Christian Theology 54: I Was a Christian Nationalist and Didn't Know It w/ April Ajoy 47: Debunking MAGA's Biblical Argument Against a Government Social Safety Net 38: How Do We Hold On to Hope in Times of Crisis?  40: Why Are You (Still) A Christian?  - Dr. Prathia Hall Biography:  https://www.ugapress.org/9780820361710/freedom-faith/ - Dr Prathia Hall Sermons: https://herringbonebooks.indielite.org/book/9780820361772  - Elephant Seals:  https://news.mongabay.com/2026/02/southern-elephant-seals-recover-in-southern-africa-but-global-picture-is-mixed/ - UK Geothermal Power:  https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cewzg77k721o  The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwo

When the Trump administration began its immigration crackdown in Chicago, teenage brothers Ben and Sam Luhmann became a part of a rapid-response network of volunteers that documents ICE raids and assists families of those detained in the arrests. In the first half of this episode we talk with Ben and Sam about their activism and the role that their Christian faith played in inspiring them to put their faith into action. Then we chat with their mother Audrey and discuss how their faith journey and growing awareness of injustice led them all to reimagine what it means to love your neighbor as you love yourself. Show Notes: - "Teens Tracking Ice" News Coverage:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-yKSgM0G1xQ  https://www.wbez.org/immigration/2026/01/31/suburban-teen-brothers-on-ice-watch-in-minneapolis-this-is-nothing-like-chicago-this-is-so-much-worse https://religionnews.com/2025/11/25/how-one-conservative-christian-family-is-pushing-back-against-ice/  - Audrey's Social Media: https://x.com/LuhmannAudrey https://www.instagram.com/audreyluhmann/ - Caste: https://www.isabelwilkerson.com/ - The Tears of Things https://thetearsofthings.com/ - EU bans destroying unsold clothes: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/news/new-eu-rules-stop-destruction-unsold-clothes-and-shoes-2026-02-09_en The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians Please subscribe to the Love Your Neighbor newsletter, an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].  #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion

If you grew up in certain Christian circles, there is a specific type of music that we all know by heart. But why? Where did it come from? What messages might have been hidden inside this music? This week, we meet with Dr. Leah Payne, author of "God Gave Rock and Roll to You," to discuss the surprisingly long, dark, and conservative history of our modern "Contemporary Christian Music" genre. If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct Show Notes: - Leah's website: https://www.drleahpayne.com/ - God Gave Rock and Roll To You: https://www.drleahpayne.com/god-gave-rock-and-roll  - Ireland's UBI for Artists: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yv389dnk5o - Former Inmate Buys Prison: https://www.goodgoodgood.co/articles/former-inmate-buys-prison  The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].  We have a Substack! Check us out here: https://substack.com/@theprogressivechristians?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion

We just launched the Love Your Neighbor Newsletter on Substack! Scroll down for more info! As if we didn't mention it enough, here is your periodic reminder that we are based in Los Angeles, California... And the Oscars are this week! This year, themes of faith and Christianity were huge for the biggest nominees. Julia and Blair, our most movie-connected hosts, invited some filmmakers from our congregation to have a passionate discussion about movies, faith, and these best picture nominees in particular. (spoiler alert: we're OBSESSED with Sinners!) Also, for real spoiler alert: there will be spoilers. The first edition of the Love Your Neighbor Newsletter drops on Saturday, March 14th! The Love Your Neighbor newsletter is an outgrowth of this podcast community. It will be a way for us to create new relationships and deepen existing ones with people of faith who want to learn how to practice their faith in ways that align with their values of love, justice, and compassion. We hope to see you on Substack! If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct Timestamps: 0:00 - Intro/ Our connection to The Movies 14:00 - New Rules 18:50 - General Thoughts On This Year 30:30 - Break Show Notes: - Oscars new rules:  https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/oscar-voters-academy-email-honor-system-watching-movies-rcna243328 - The Oscars:  https://www.oscars.org/  - Separation of Church and Hate:  https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Separation-of-Church-and-Hate/John-Fugelsang/9781668066898  - Support our work! https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].  The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion

A lot of times we discuss the disturbing rise of MAGA Christian Nationalism on this podcast - but today, we are featuring a progressive politician that has literally flipped that narrative. Joanna Whaley was formerly a conservative evangelical pastor, but had a spiritual journey that culminated in a bid for Michigan State Representative - where she could be the first openly transgender representative in Michigan's history. How does a story like this unfold? How did Joanna's religious experience lead her to run for office? What does she stand for, and how would she represent the people of Michigan? Find out all that and more in this very special episode! (And for Michiganders - make sure you're registered to vote for your August 4th primary!) If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct Show Notes: - Support Joanna - https://www.joannawhaley.com/ - Joanna's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/joannawhaleyofficial/ - Joanna's Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/joannawhaleyofficial/ - Joanna's TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@joannawhaleyofficial - Huffington Post article about Military and end times prophecy - https://www.huffpost.com/entry/troops-being-told-to-prepare-for-armageddon-in-iran_n_69a6ffe3e4b076ac5d63c82c  - FedEx class action lawsuit - https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fedex-tariff-refunds-lawsuit-consumers/ - Ticketmaster lawsuit - https://apnews.com/article/live-nation-ticketmaster-antitrust-trial-ecfd6cb3e77459412584ed002653bc8f The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].  The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion

It's the beginning of the Lenten season! Dr. Carter is gone, so Everest is leading us on a journey through the history of Lent all the way to the modern political implications of the holiday. Join us for an especially meditative and spiritual episode of exploring discipline, tradition, and why we practice Christianity the way we do. If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct Show Notes: - A brief history of lent: https://groundworkonline.com/blog/a-short-version-of-the-long-history-of-lent - American women break Olympic record: https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/record-setting-winter-olympics-6-152329010.html The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].  #progressivechristianity #progressive #faith #politics #popculture #religion

There's been a lot of talk about "deconstruction" in Progressive Christian circles, but we've been hearing that y'all want more talk of "constructing" beliefs. A major philosophy that serves as constructive for many Progressive Christians is known as Liberation Theology. Stemming from marginalized communities in the Americas, Liberation Theology focuses on Jesus' teachings on "the least of these." Join us for a fun, educational breakdown of this philosophy! We discuss the many origins, the biblical basis, the ways it has been modernized, and even some criticisms of Liberation Theology.  And don't forget to let us know what you think! Show Notes: - Trump's approval ratings:  https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/article/poll-trumps-approval-rating-hits-new-low-as-immigration-backlash-grows-and-ice-withdraws-from-minnesota-204723473.html   - Michigan's lawsuit against Big Oil:  https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/05/michigan-oil-climate-crisis-energy-cost  - The Kristi Noem Plane Stuff:  https://www.thedailybeast.com/ice-barbies-mile-high-privacy-with-alleged-lover-exposed/  - The Marxist Roots of Black Liberation Theology:  https://www.acton.org/pub/commentary/2008/04/02/marxist-roots-black-liberation-theology  - What is Black Liberation Theology (bad):  https://www.gotquestions.org/black-liberation-theology.html  - Gustavo Gutierrez - A Theology of Liberation - James Cone - A Black Theology of Liberation - Cover Art: Jesus of the People by Janet Mckenzie -  https://janetmckenzie.com/joppage1.html The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].  If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct  The Progressive Christians Podcast is

Project 2025 was all over the news when Trump was first elected. But now that we're a year in - what about Project 2026? The Heritage Foundation hasn't released an official "Project 2026," but they have put out their political priorities for the year, and they look about as bad as you would expect.  This episode, we go through all nine of them, and focus on the ways that the Trump administration is coming after women. From attacking voting rights, to medical autonomy, to trying to force women to be nothing but baby incubators - it's no doubt that they are looking to strip women of their rights in this country. The Heritage Foundation is obsessed with this idea of "The American Family," and in their pursuit of forced conformity to this idea, women and queer people are their first targets. Show Notes: Rebecca Copeland Entangled Being - https://www.baylorpress.com/9781481321426/entangled-being/ Marriage Improves Men's Health Outcomes - https://www.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/marriage-and-mens-health  Marriage Reduces Health Outcomes for Women - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5397241/  Women Lose Earning potential by becoming mothers - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4041155/  Empowered Women Can Transform the World's Poorest Communities - https://time.com/collections/time100-voices/7016128/women-uplift-poorest-communities/  Bad Bunny's Halftime Show numbers - https://www.thebiglead.com/most-watched-super-bowl-halftime-shows-bad-bunny-v/ NASA was saved by grassroots campaigns - https://www.planetary.org/articles/advocacy-success-fy2026-nasa-budget NASA source #2 - https://www.astronomy.com/science/congress-passes-nasa-budget-rejects-trump-cuts/ The Heritage Foundation issues a report on "America's Family Crisis." - https://michiganindependent.com/politics/heritage-foundation-report-families-marriage-education-infertility-fetal-personhood/#:~:text='%E2%80%9D,for%20women%20than%20for%20men.%E2%80%9D The Heritage Foundation Wants to Send Women Back a Century - https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/21/opinion/heritage-foundation-women.html#:~:text=The%20report's%20authors%20know%20they,children%20reared%20primarily%20at%20home.%E2%80%9D The Christian Nationalist Plot to Disenfranchise Women Voters - https://newrepublic.com/article/191420/christian-nationalism-save-act-voter-suppression The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/

The massive political polarization of today can make fighting for change seem impossible, but there is an extra layer when you're someone responsible for kids. This week, our friend Claire McKeever-Burgett returns to discuss parenting in our Fascist reality. We discuss children's radically empathetic nature, ways to help them (and you) find their place in the resistance, and the importance of keeping an open mind - especially in the last places you would think. This episode is for everyone, not just parents. As Blair says: "everyone is in relationship with children, because children are a part of society." Take a load off and rest with us, knowing you're not alone in this journey. Support our work here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct  Show Notes: - Claire's website: https://www.clairemckeeverburgett.com/  - Claire's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clairemckeeverburgett/  - Claire's Substack: https://clairemckeeverburgett.substack.com/  - Spain approves legal pathway for 500,000 immigrants to gain residency https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c62n6gw1dp9o   - Revolutionary therapy treats "untreatable" blood cancer: "A few years ago this would have been science fiction."  https://www.positive.news/society/revolutionary-therapy-treats-untreatable-blood-cancer/  - California court hears two cases to protect kids from the effects of social media:  https://calmatters.org/economy/technology/2026/01/social-media-addiction-suits-in-california/   The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians   If you love the show, please sign up to become a supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! You can choose to make a one-time or monthly donation, and your support is tax-deductible. We need your support to continue and grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you h

We have all been flooded with the horrifying stories out of Minnesota recently. This week, we discuss Alex Pretti and the children who have been kidnapped, along with some of the incredible stories of resistance and community from Minneapolis. Join us to rage, cry, grieve, hope, and plan. And remember, in a world full of evil - Be Good. Show Notes: Anti-trans riders COMPLETELY removed from final house appropriations bill. Everyone say thank you Sarah!!! https://www.advocate.com/politics/national/anti-transgender-provisions-stripped Judge threatens contempt ruling to ICE head: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/27/ice-chief-todd-lyons-minnesota-court-contempt.html Minnesota Superintendent comments: <a style= "text-decoration: none;" href= "htt

You've asked for it, and it's here! Our first ever Q+A! But first, we have a big announcement. We have decided to adopt a donation (rather than subscription) model to support the podcast. You can find more information about how to support the podcast further down in the show notes! This episode is quite out of the ordinary for our podcast, and we tried to keep it very light and fun. Potential topics include: Our views on Heaven and Hell, our favorite (and least favorite) movies and TV shows, why we are Methodists, what the best place in the world to live is, what a Progressive Christian is, our most controversial hot takes, our thoughts on substitutionary atonement, and Dr. Carter's ADHD. Thank you so much to everyone who wrote in with questions! If we didn't get to your question, it's probably because it was too meaty for a Q+A and we would like to save it for a full episode. It's the downside of having such wise and insightful listeners! Please comment below to further burden us with this terrible curse Please sign up to be a monthly supporter of The Progressive Christians Podcast! A one-time donation would be great, or you could sign up to be a monthly supporter. We don't want to deny anyone access to the great content we plan to create, but we need your support to continue and hopefully grow this outreach ministry. You can sign up to support us here: https://secure.myvanco.com/YGTN/campaign/C-168BG?access=tile_direct Show Notes: Our salvation episode: (episode 34) https://open.spotify.com/episode/2XGSDmaS2k12ni1Cuo0T4I?si=e2e71af3c1884f80 Our episode about reading the Bible: (episode 28) <a href= "https://open.s

Only two weeks into 2026, things already feel overwhelming and out of control. In this episode, we discuss how the conservative evangelical understanding of sin as a failure to be obedient to authority figures is being weaponized to justify the shooting of Renee Nicole Good and ICE's violent treatment of protestors and innocent bystanders. Through the lens of the Just War Theory, we try to understand the mindset that allows someone to justify - and even champion - the murder of this young poet. - Ice Shootings Tracker: https://www.thetrace.org/2025/12/immigration-ice-shootings-guns-tracker/ - White Property, Black Trespass by Andrew Krinks: https://nyupress.org/9781479823857/white-property-black-trespass/ - Just War Principles: https://www2.bellevuecollege.edu/artshum/materials/engl/Bessho/Summer05/101/PrinciplesJustWar.htm  - Mamdani Supporting Universal Childcare: https://www.nyc.gov/mayors-office/news/2026/01/mayor-mamdani---governor-hochul-to-launch-free-child-care-for-tw - Renee Good's Award Winning Poem: https://poets.org/2020-on-learning-to-dissect-fetal-pigs - The lack of training these ICE agents have: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15345295/ICE-campaign-hire-deportation-officers-unfit-violent-illiterate.html - Legal refresher sent out to ICE agents after Renee Nicole Good's murder: http://youtube.com/post/UgkxPNe-FPJUxRR5RHd0lkwHJEDyKYtyNTFS?si=QjFdGoCJ-gsorYIs - The murder of James Reeb (CORRECTION: NOT EUGENE DEBS. They both just have funny last names): https://www.npr.org/2019/04/30/718647599/the-murder-of-the-rev-james-reeb - White Lies Podcast - True Crime podcast about the death of James Reeb. In 1965, Rev. James Reeb — a Unitarian minister and civil-rights activist — was killed during the voting rights movement in Selma. After three men were tried and acquitted for his murder, the city's white community buried the truth. More than 50 years later, two native Alabamians return to Selma to uncover the truth about who killed James Reeb, and to delve into the systems of oppression and violence that allowed it to happen: <a href= "https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp-w

Christians should not believe IN the bible, we are called to believe in the living God revealed to us THROUGH the bible. This week, we're releasing a special video minisode to celebrate the New Year (and let our hosts take a vacation)! Join Dr. Carter for a discussion on the similarities - and differences - between being "Biblical" and being "Christian." Is following and/or doing what you believe the bible tells you to do, enough to call an action or policy, or a position on a social subject, Christian? Remember, the devil can quote the Bible. Time is seriously running out (we mean it this time) to ask us your questions for the Q+A! Comment below, and feel free to ask anything on your mind - not just biblical questions! The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians

Time is running out to submit your questions for the Q&A! Comment below or email us to have your questions answered. We encourage silly and personal questions too, not exclusively "serious" or "theological" ones! This week, we continue our discussion from last week about Artificial Intelligence. In our previous episode, we focused more on the material impacts of AI. This week, we shifted to a more spiritual and metaphorical investigation. We also addressed Everest's original question - is AI ANTI CHRISTIAN? Don't worry, we make sure to look at all angles, and even end with some good news. CORRECTION: THE "FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT" HOME WE DISCUSSED IS ACTUALLY A "ZIMMERMAN" HOME Show notes: Overview of Mimetic Theory: https://violenceandreligion.com/mimetic-theory-2/#:~:text=Mimetic%20theory%20is%20an%20interdisciplinary%20research%20program,that%20can%20lead%20to%20violence%20and%20destruction  https://www.datacenterwatch.org/report  https://www.techpolicy.press/the-real-race-for-an-ai-moratorium-stopping-data-centers/ The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].

Have y'all heard about this crazy new thing called Artificial Intelligence? Just kidding, of course you have - it's been impossible to avoid for the last few years. Our co-host Everest felt inspired to talk about the ethics of AI because of a discussion they led during Sunday School a few weeks ago, and oh boy, did we get into it - so much that we had to split the episode into two parts! This week, we tackle the more "worldly" concerns - AI's impact on ecosystems, people's neighborhoods, people's livelihoods, copyright, education, and the way that AI can change our brains. The ethics of how we use new tools are essential, and we try to approach them with a nuanced yet decidedly Progressive Christian approach. Next week, we are going to dive into Everest's argument that AI is anti-creation, and possibly even ANTI-CHRISTIAN!? Show Notes https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/16/politics/candace-owens-erika-kirk-podcast AI Figures Out Protein Folding- https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/one-of-the-biggest-problems-in-biology-has-finally-been-solved/  https://substack.perfectunion.us/p/how-data-centers-are-driving-up-your More Perfect Union Data Centers Video- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGjj7wDYaiI More Perfect Union Data Centers Danger- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN6BEUA4jNU  Data Center Report from the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy- https://www.lincolninst.edu/publications/land-lines-magazine/articles/land-water-impacts-data-centers/  https://www.seroundtable.com/chatgpt-google-aio-sources-39578.html#:~:text=Barry%20Schwartz%20/%20Executive%20Editor,Forum%20discussion%20at%20X. The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry

This episode goes out to everyone who is feeling anxious about going home for the holidays this week. We get you, and we are you! Here are our thoughts on how to handle toxic family dynamics and ideally improve family communication on contentious topics. We discuss the cognitive dissonance around loving people who hate you, how to stay in community and conversation with them, and even break down specific techniques for the types of conversations you might be having. We finish with a sample conversation and getting to the root of what causes all this tension in the first place, and how to take care of yourself in the middle of it. We love you guys, Jesus loves you guys, and you got this. Don't forget to leave a comment or email us for the upcoming Q+A! The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. Show Notes https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/dhs-secretary-kristi-noem-confronted-veteran-contentious-hearing/story?id=128325824 https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c07555m4710o https://bookshop.org/p/books/disarming-leviathan-loving-your-christian-nationalist-neighbor-caleb-e-campbell/b1873183abfa677d?ean=9781514008515&next=t

On this week's episode, we wanted to talk about some of the current stressors on our queer listeners. We discuss the Oklahoma University "bible essay" situation with Samantha Fulnecky, and the way that Conservative Christian grifters use the bible to leverage hatred for profit. We answer listener questions on how to talk to family members with regressive social views during the holidays. Finally, we talk to our queer listeners and make sure everyone in our community knows how beloved they are. And, as a bonus - this episode has all of the podcast super friends! Show Notes: https://www.cnn.com/2025/12/04/sport/soccer-world-cup-peace-prize-trump-intl Assignment criteria:  https://archive.is/Iiocy The Paper Itself: https://archive.is/2Rog1 The TA and Teacher's Notes: https://archive.is/LT0r1  Media Strategy of the Fulnecky women: https://www.readtpa.com/p/same-script-different-target?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share  https://religionnews.com/2025/12/04/oklahoma-university-instructor-on-leave-after-failing-bible-based-essay-on-gender/ https://religionnews.com/2025/12/08/was-a-university-of-oklahoma-teacher-unjustly-punished-for-anti-christian-bias/ https://www.patheos.com/blogs/thegodarticle/2011/10/clobbering-biblical-gay-bashing/   The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to conne

In today's episode, Rev. Blair and Rev. Dr. Carter talk with Ben Stringer - an attorney and pastor in Springfield, Missouri. In 2024, Trump won Missouri with almost 20% over Harris. Though Springfield is often referred to as "having a church on every street," Progressive Christianity has often struggled to find advocates in the area.  We talk with Stringer about his experience growing up in a Conservative Baptist family, becoming a Civil Rights Lawyer to live out his calling as a Christian, how the courts are being used to help and hurt people in this turbulent time, and how he eventually heard the call to go into ministry late in his career. In this episode, Ben challenges us on how to define ministry, especially when living in a politically hostile environment. We also discuss how to be an authentic, effective advocate for Jesus' teachings in a world that tells us to do exactly the opposite (often, in the name of "Christianity"). This episode is dedicated to all of our red area listeners out there - we see you, we hear you, and you are not alone.   The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].

If you're a Christian and you're American, you've probably been taught that socialism is unbiblical. That capitalism is God's chosen economic system. That Jesus would be against redistributing wealth, and the early church in the book of Acts was nothing more than a group of friends sharing their stuff. The election of Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani and Rev. Blair's viral TikTok in response to Mamdani's election, which appeared on Jesse Watters' nightly Fox News show, prompted us to ask: Should Christians be socialist? Are Christian ethics really at odds with socialism? Or have many of us been taught a version of Christianity that was blended with modern conservative political and economic ideologies that have little to do with the radical call of Jesus Christ? Digging into the bible, we question the idea of capitalism as God's chosen system, offering a different perspective on socialism explained through the lens of Christianity and faith. Show Notes: Dead Internet Theory Def -  https://www.vice.com/en/article/dead-internet-theory-is-back-thanks-to-all-of-that-ai-slop/  What Makes Us Free- Throughline on NPR https://www.npr.org/2025/07/10/1255443727/what-makes-us-free-07-10-2025  Parable of the Talents- Matthew 25:14-30 Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard- Matthew 20:1-16 Sharing things in Common Acts 2:44-47  Ananais and Sapphira Acts 5:1-11 Working for Bread 2 Thessalonians 3:10 Good Fortune Movie- https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/good_fortune Leith Ross- I Can See the Future https://leithross.com/  Syrophoenecian Woman- Matthew 15:21-28   The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].

Conservative figures like podcast host Allie Beth Stuckey and theologian Joe Rigney are leading a campaign against a feeling they consider dangerous and are weaponizing against Christians—empathy. They argue that empathy has been hijacked and can become toxic and sinful. In this episode, we'll explore their distinction between what they call "toxic empathy" and "biblical compassion." We analyze their arguments, their use of the Bible, and how they overlook the teachings and ministry of Jesus to justify their claims. Ultimately, the conservative opposition to empathy helps explain some of the cruelty emerging from the Trump administration and their willingness to starve women and children to make a political point. The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians Show Notes https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/texas-megachurch-tiktok-baby-formula-b2863291.html https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/woman-called-lakewood-church-asking-132510186.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAADQCTJ57PswQV8JV_QLVUpSRj7VFB1g5_NgeMdCVwiqEllHyZ4kvwlCNGUh-3QM2FM4VzDmI0Zr3FXb8QGQ3RpMpNXs1UoEwNuWHnnIRqkrYEgB1y9hvyJWa44QFpJQ-oMdgO5PXqHIKZwGJs-UfRPkHi9vQyoVEPxRfxNDq2L4d   The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].

Vice President JD Vance wants to be the next leader of the MAGA movement. Speaking during a recent Turning Point USA event at Ole Miss, he cast a vision for America that blends Christian Nationalism, white supremacy, and conservative populism. In this episode, we discuss Vance's beliefs about immigration, how his wife, Usha Vance, got caught up in the rhetoric, and how Pope Francis and Pope Leo offer a very different Roman Catholic perspective on how we are to love our immigrant neighbors. The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  Show Notes https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/03/great-gatsby-book-fitzgerald-race-interpretation/672778/ Gina Zurlo- https://ginazurlo.com/  https://www.rev.com/transcripts/vance-speaks-at-turning-point-event  Usha Vance interview with Meghan McCain- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwpR0yUWgvY  https://www.thelettersfromleo.com/p/why-two-popes-told-jd-vance-he-was https://www.ncronline.org/opinion/guest-voices/jd-vance-wrong-jesus-doesnt-ask-us-rank-our-love-others https://katarmas.substack.com/p/the-pope-shared-my-article-and-the The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].

This is the second episode in a three-part series on Christian Nationalism and its role in Donald Trump's White House. In this episode, we discuss Pete Hegseth and how his theology is influencing the Department of Defense. Hegseth was affiliated with the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC) in Nashville before his appointment, and he has stated that he affirms the teachings of Doug Wilson, a pastor and co-founder of the CREC. Wilson openly endorses Christian Nationalism and believes that America, and indeed the entire world, should be governed by biblical principles—specifically, his own interpretation of those principles. Show Notes https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/what-to-know-about-the-archconservative-church-defense-secretary-pete-hegseth-attends https://theconversation.com/what-is-crec-the-christian-nationalist-group-has-a-vision-for-america-and-defense-secretary-pete-hegseths-support-258273 https://religionnews.com/2025/07/14/with-pete-hegseth-in-the-pews-a-christian-nationalist-outpost-launches-in-dc/ https://youtube.com/shorts/JGoymv33ZWc?si=0Czzwd_D6msjk0gx https://youtu.be/qFeIO0ZjdF8?si=KnSmLODBeVQ2JTCA   The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].

This is the first of a three-episode series on Christian nationalism and its influence in Donald Trump's White House. In this episode, we define Christian Nationalism and describe how Christian Nationalists use religion to shape American politics. We specifically discuss the impact of Stephen Miller and Russ Vought and how their policies on immigration, border protection, the government shutdown, and public services cannot, in good faith, be called Christian.  The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. Show Notes Southern Poverty Law Center Profile of Stephen Miller https://www.splcenter.org/resources/extremist-files/stephen-miller/ The Top 5 Most Awful Things You Need To Know About Stephen Miller https://www.commoncause.org/articles/top-5-most-awful-things-you-need-to-know-about-stephen-miller/ What You Should Know About Russ Vought, Trump's Shadow President https://www.propublica.org/article/about-russell-vought-trump-shadow-president#:~:text=1.,Hill%20colleague%20of%20Vought's%20said. The Shadow President https://www.propublica.org/article/russ-vought-trump-shadow-president-omb

In this episode, we are joined by Claire McKeever-Burgett, author of In the Beginning Were the Women, to explore some of the well-known and lesser-known women in the Bible. From the mystics to the brave to the misunderstood and overlooked, these women played essential roles in their communities and our faith tradition. Throughout our conversation, you will gain a deeper understanding of how these stories are relevant to our lives today. Show Notes: Young Republicans group chat article - https://www.politico.com/news/2025/10/14/private-chat-among-young-gop-club-members-00592146 https://chalicepress.com/products/in-the-beginning-were-the-women?srsltid=AfmBOorso8YVfRoE0GBsK3Uq2cioci5SHk0Ghmn9OArVJYZ1UWWZK4ma  https://www.artsci.utoronto.ca/news/new-study-finds-single-women-are-happier-single-men https://www.health.harvard.edu/mens-health/marriage-and-mens-health https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/5-types-of-people-who-can-ruin-your-life/202403/is-marriage-good-or-bad-for-women   The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on YouTube and all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].

"A Progressive Christian is an oxymoron" is probably the most popular (simple-minded and incorrect) critique that we receive from people trolling our YouTube comments and Apple Music reviews. Given the frequency of the comments, we figured that our amazing listeners probably hear the same comments from people in their own community. So, in this episode, we address five common myths about progressive Christianity. From the bible, to sin and salvation, we wanted to bring some clarity to the conversation. We have discussed a lot of these topics already, and we have listed each myth and the corresponding episode title where we discussed it below. Please click here to find links to our previous episodes. Myth 1 - Progressive Christians don't believe in the bible.  Episode 28 - Do Progressive Christians Believe In The Bible? Myth 3 - Progressive Christians don't believe in sin. Episode 29 - What Is Sin? Episode 36 - The Problem of Evil with Dr. Becky Copeland. Myth 4 - Progressive Christians don't believe in "real" salvation. Episode 34 - What Do Progressive Christians Believe About Salvation? Episode 56 - Beyond the "Thin Blue Line": Exposing The Religious Roots of Mass Incarceration. Myth 5 - Progressive theology was created to normalize sinful behavior. Episode 27 - Sex, Gender, and Christian Theology   The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].

Join us as we delve into a nuanced discussion on purity, shame, and "biblical" marriage—topics often surrounded by controversy and misinformation, especially within traditional religious circles. Using the perspectives of liberation, feminist, and womanist theologies, we analyze how religion, economics, and politics have always intertwined, shaping our views on purity, marriage, and divorce. As progressive Christians, we aim to approach this conversation with empathy and understanding, acknowledging the damage that shame and judgment can cause to individuals, particularly women and members of the LGBTQ community. Whether you're seeking to unlearn purity culture, engage in conversations with conservative friends, or are simply curious about progressive Christian perspectives on intimacy, this episode is for you. The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians  The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. Show Notes Clobbering Biblical Gay Bashing https://www.patheos.com/blogs/thegodarticle/2011/10/clobbering-biblical-gay-bashing/ Just Love- Margaret Farley  https://www.google.com/books/edition/Just_Love/L6p9ZVblRNwC?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover  The Purity Myth- Jessica Valenti https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Purity_Myth/rQ10AIsHNa4C?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover Clobbering Biblical Gay Bashing by Mark Sandlin https://www.patheos.com/blogs/thegodarticle/2011/10/clobbering-biblical-gay-bashing/  Biblical Perspectives on Homosexuality by Walter Wink https://reconcilingworks.org/images/stories/downloads/resources/003_Homosexuality_and_the_Bible-Wink.pdf  <li dir="ltr"

In this episode, we explore the complex factors that lead individuals to depart from their faith communities and the experiences and desires that ultimately bring them back. We explain why progressive Churches are well-equipped to meet the needs of people who are searching for an authentic faith community that engages the social and political realities of our time. We close out the show by answering questions from listeners on gender roles and progressive views of the afterlife. The Progressive Christians Podcast is available on all podcast platforms, TikTok, and Instagram. You can find the links and the links to the host's social media here: https://linktr.ee/theprogressivechristians The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].

In a society saturated with violence, how do we, as Christians, process ongoing trauma? In this important yet heavy episode, we explore the concept of moral injury with insights from a combat veteran. We confront the dangerous "myth of redemptive violence," examining how it normalizes harm in our culture and even in our faith. This discussion offers an honest look at the widespread trauma we all carry, from personal experiences to the psychological violence caused by living in a culture of misinformation, disinformation, and outright lies The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. Show Notes https://benqohelet.substack.com/about https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/ethics-and-international-affairs/article/moral-injury-and-the-lived-experience-of-political-violence/DB2C6314078D608514FD78F046F6B1A8

Listener Survey! Please take 5 minutes to complete our listener survey, and help us to keep creating the content that you want.  https://forms.gle/ADiZmaFHAffvkArS7 In this episode, we examine the connection between faith, justice, and the American carceral system with Dr. Andrew Krinks, author of "White Property, Black Trespass." Dr. Krinks discusses the religious, social, and political roots of mass incarceration and how Christian ideas of sin, salvation, and hell have contributed to mass criminalization in the U.S. We finish our conversation by exploring the spiritual and biblical foundations of abolition, the role of religion in justice, practical ways to challenge the carceral system, and how Christians can imagine a world beyond prisons.   The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].

Listener Survey! Please take 5 minutes to complete our listener survey, and help us to keep creating the content that you want.  https://forms.gle/ADiZmaFHAffvkArS7 Dr. James Dobson's death triggered an onslaught of social, digital, and print media reflections. While some mourned his death, most of the reflections were about the traumatic impact of their parents following his advice, which encouraged practices such as corporal punishment and queer "conversion therapy." In this episode we explore the legacy of James Dobson, Focus On The Family, and how a generation of children raised under Dobson-like rules are finding healing and parenting differently. The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. Show Notes https://atoday.org/bitter-fruit-reflecting-on-the-legacy-of-james-dobson/ https://sojo.net/articles/opinion/5-times-we-disagreed-james-dobson https://dornsife.usc.edu/news/stories/focusing-on-the-family-james-dobson-propel-evangelicals-into-politics/ https://www.splcenter.org/resources/extremist-files/alliance-defending-freedom/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCAuHH5EYnE

Have you ever wondered what motivates someone to become a Christian Nationalist and what it takes to recognize you're not truly practicing the teachings of Jesus and to leave high-control religion? Then this episode is just for you! We were joined by April Ajoy, author of Star Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian Nationalism and Finding a True Faith, for a compelling discussion about her book, her role in the Amazon documentary Shiny, Happy People, and how we can help guide people who are questioning out of Christian Nationalism. Click on the link below to learn more about April's work, her podcast "The Tim & April Show," and to purchase her book! https://linktr.ee/aprilajoy The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].

The Progressive Christians Podcast - New Episodes Available Every Friday - On All Platforms We're the love your neighbor kind of Christians, not the storm the capitol kind. So, if you're curious about what a socially and politically progressive Christianity looks like, this podcast is for you! In each episode, we discuss politics, pop culture, and anything else we find interesting from the perspective of progressive Christianity. The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church.

Cynthia Erivo's portrayal of Jesus in "Jesus Christ Superstar" at the Hollywood Bowl has been widely praised as powerful, transcendent, and unsurprisingly criticized by religious conservatives. How could a woman, and especially a Black queer woman, play the role of Jesus? Julia, Rev. Blair, and Everest were in attendance on opening night. In this episode, we discuss Erivo's performance, the role of art in unsettling assumptions and critiquing power, and what it means to see the spark of the Divine in all of us. We end the episode by celebrating the one-year anniversary of our podcast. Thank you to everyone who has helped make this first year a success! We are excited about our future as we aim to create the best progressive theological podcast that you can find. The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. Show Notes https://www.forbes.com/sites/danidiplacido/2025/02/22/cynthia-erivos-jesus-christ-superstar-controversy-explained/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_Christ_Superstar https://variety.com/2025/music/concert-reviews/jesus-christ-superstar-cynthia-erivo-adam-lambert-hollywood-bowl-review-1236477734/

Are you struggling to reconcile your faith with the headlines about the human-made famine that is causing the deaths of innocent civilians in Gaza? You're not alone. All people of good conscience should feel unease. When Jesus wept, it was for the suffering of all humanity. What if we applied that same deep empathy to the heartbreaking crisis unfolding right now? In this episode, we are joined by Rev. Dr. Timothy Murphy, the senior pastor at Plymouth Congregational Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana, to discuss the war in Gaza, his hunger strike to raise awareness about the famine, and what progressive Christians can do to motivate our elected officials to use their power to get humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. Show Notes Rev. Dr. Timothy Murphy Bio/Church Website- https://www.plymouthfw.org/staff Rev. Dr. Murphy's Hunger Strike- https://www.journalgazette.net/local/plymouth-pastors-stage-hunger-strike-to-prompt-israel-to-allow-food-other-aid-into-gaza/article_7f53926e-b15e-479d-9cfc-9c9de6eca0f6.html#:~:text=Plymouth's%20senior%20pastor%20was%20on,last%20two%20weeks%20or%20more. Orientalism- Edward Said https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/159783/orientalism-by-edward-w-said/ The Hundred Years' War on Palestine- Rashid I. Khalidi https://guardianbookshop.com/the-hundred-years-war-on-palestine-9781781259344/?utm_source=editoriallink&utm_medium=merch&utm_campaign=article Israel: A Concise History of a Nation Reborn- Daniel Gordis https://www.harpercollins.com/products/israel-daniel-gordis?variant=32122925121570 <li dir="ltr" role=

What is biblical or traditional marriage, and how have Christian understandings of marriage been shaped by economics, politics, and faith? In this week's episode, we explore the rise of the Trad-Wife phenomenon and shed light on the propaganda that pushes this image of family life as normative. We conclude by re-examining our sacred texts to craft a vision of partnership that honors the sacred worth of human beings and the progressive values of relationality and freedom, without abandoning our faith. The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. Chapters 0:00 - Intro 1:24 - Responding to Listener Comments 3:29 - The Evolution of "Biblical" Marriage 17:05 - Traditional Values Are Actually Just European Values 29:28 - Trad Wives, White Femininity & "Free" Labor 37:31 - Can Our Relationship With God Be A Model For Marriage 42:27 - A Progressive Vision Of Marriage & Gender Roles 1:00:57 - Closing    Show Notes Just Love by Margaret Farley https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/just-love-9780826429247/  Betty Bowers Explains Traditional Marriage (Warning: Explicit Language) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFkeKKszXTw  Ballerina Farms Interview- https://www.thetimes.com/magazines/the-sunday-times-magazine/article/meet-the-queen-of-the-trad-wives-and-her-eight-children-plfr50cgk Young Women's Leadership Summit- https://www.splcenter.org/resources/hatewatch/turning-point-usa-young-women-leadership-summit-agenda/ Young Conservative Women - https://archive.ph/GvyIK

Has Christianity lost its positive public perception? The season premiere of South Park revealed a lot about our current political and religious climate. Their portrayal of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount exposes the hypocrisy that an increasing number of non-religious people see within our tradition. In this week's episode, we discuss the declining public image of Christianity, the role evangelical, conservative, and mainline churches have played in speeding up that decline, and what Christians can do to start changing that perception one relationship at a time. The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. Show Notes: https://readingreligion.org/9781501122293/the-end-of-white-christian-america/  https://southpark.cc.com/sites/hetrumpedus/index.html  https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2025/02/26/religious-landscape-study-religions-role-in-public-life/   Chapters 0:00 - Intro 3:29 - Listener Review, Deconstruction 11:27 - Polling on Public Perception of Christianity 18:48 - South Park's Portrayal of Trump & Jesus 31:50 - Data On Why People Left The Church 35:50 - The Black Church Losing Trust Of The Black Community 39:00 - Progressive Visions For Improving The Image of Christianity 48:00 - Listener Question From Former MAGA Christian on LGBTQ 1:07:47 - Closing

What if the person you elected president to save the country from a global cabal of child sex-traffickers actually was a part of the cabal? At first glance, this question sounds strange. However, when you consider that a 2022 poll by PRRI revealed that 1 in 5 people and 1 in 4 Republicans believe the QAnon conspiracy theory that the government, media, and financial sector are controlled by a group of Satan-worshipping pedophiles who run a global child sex-trafficking operation, then things begin to make a bit more sense. In this episode, we explore why the Epstein files matter to conservative Christians, how they connect with evangelical purity culture, and how the rapture-like theology of QAnon laid the groundwork for the outrage that we are witnessing.  Please note that we recorded this episode on Wednesday, July 23rd, before it was confirmed that Trump is named in the files in multiple places. We assumed as much, though, to be honest. The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected]. Show Notes: Understanding MAGA's response to the Epstein Files: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy8ge16d2y3o  Emily Joy Allison on Tiktok https://www.tiktok.com/@emilyjoyallison/video/7529523875621784845  Assault Allegations Toward Trump: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/assault-allegations-donald-trump-recapped  Southern Baptist Sexual Offenders List: https://www.npr.org/2022/05/27/1101734793/southern-baptist-sexual-abuse-list-released  Colbert Vs. Trump https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2025/jul/22/stephen-colbert-trump-cbs-bribe  Colbert on Catholic Podcast: The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1p9Hx43P5yE  How the QAnon movement entered mainstream politics – and why the silence on Epstein files matters <a href= "https://theconversation.com/how-th

If you thought the world was ending, how would you spend the last days of your life? While this may be a theoretical question that many of us can use to help discern what we believe are the most essential things in our lives, it is also a very pragmatic question for others. In this episode, we discuss how the eschatological belief in the Rapture has informed our governments' response to the Guadalupe River flood and how they are recruiting people to join ICE. The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].  Show Notes Summary of Rapture Theologies: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapture  https://sojo.net/articles/opinion/ice-quotes-bible-new-propaganda-video https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/greg-abbott-bizarre-postflood-football-analogy/ https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/texas-fema-calls-kristi-noem-fake-news-1235384583/ https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Q8QI2v51p4A

A few weeks ago, at a Bible study on Capitol Hill titled "God's Design for a Societal Safety Net," political conservative and Christian pastor Ralph Drollinger argued that the New Testament never discusses governments helping people. He told the Senators that helping the truly needy is for individuals, then families, then the church, but not the government. With this, he morally justified the suffering of millions as a consequence of passing Trump's new spending bill. In this episode, we discuss how the bill will impact healthcare and immigration, and we explain how the biblical argument used to justify passing it is a perfect example of eisegesis rather than biblical exegesis. The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].  Show Notes https://jonathanlarsen.substack.com/p/tuesdays-senate-bible-lesson-god?r=4hxc9&utm_medium=ios&triedRedirect=true https://www.nilc.org/resources/the-anti-immigrant-policies-in-trumps-final-big-beautiful-bill-explained/ Doc Albany: https://variety.com/2025/film/news/doc-albany-ben-proudfoot-world-premiere-tribeca-festival-1236374406/ God's Design for a Social Safety Net: https://capmin.org/gods-design-for-a-societal-safety-net/  https://19thnews.org/2025/07/trump-big-beautiful-tax-law-numbers/

Modern society tells us that we should constantly reinvent ourselves to stay interesting and that we should do whatever it takes to get wherever we want to go. In her book, Here: A Spirituality of Staying in a Culture of Leaving, Lydia Sohn argues for the opposite: stay. Stay and cultivate the immense potential and beauty that currently lies dormant within your circumstances. In this episode, we sit down with Lydia and discuss her book, the necessity of speaking to audiences across faith and spiritual traditions, and how sometimes stability requires a particular type of leaving. The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].  Lydia Sohn is a mom, writer, and United Methodist Pastor currently serving Walnut United Methodist Church. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic and The Christian Century, among others. One of her very first essays, "What Do 90-Somethings Regret Most," received over 700K views, leading it to be one of the top ten most-read essays on Medium.  As a daughter of immigrants who moved to America in search of the American dream (and achieved it), she saw with her own eyes that all can be burned down to begin afresh at any time. But it wasn't until her adult years, after multiple moves and a life of chasing greener pastures, that she began to realize the power of stability and commitment and our miraculous abilities to transform our circumstances from the inside out. She lives in Claremont, California with her husband and three children.  You can purchase her book through her website, and it is available at all major bookstores.

In part one of our episode, we discuss the No Kings Marches across the country, the detainment of NYC Mayoral Candidate Brad Lander by ICE, and the political assassinations of two Minnesota State Representatives. In part two (19:00), we are joined by Jonas Williams, an undergraduate student at UCLA who has been researching the masculinity crisis for a film project. In our conversation with Jonas, we explore why young men are increasingly isolated, depressed, and angry at a time when wealth, economic, and political power are still held mainly in the hands of, you guessed it, men. We covered a lot of ground and therefore didn't have time to discuss a theological response to the masculinity crisis. However, we will address it in a future episode this summer. The Progressive Christians Podcast is a ministry of The Loft, a worship community of Westwood United Methodist Church. If you have an idea for the show or want to connect with us, please email us at [email protected].  Show Notes Queer Theology by Linn Marie Tonstad https://wipfandstock.com/9781498218795/queer-theology/ Elliot Rodger: How misogynist killer became 'incel hero' https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43892189  Antioch Shooting: https://www.adl.org/resources/article/antioch-tenn-shooter-inspired-broad-extremist-beliefs-and-previous-mass-killers  Black Skin, White Masks by Frantz Fanon: https://monoskop.org/images/a/a5/Fanon_Frantz_Black_Skin_White_Masks_1986.pdf  Together by Vivek Murphy: https://www.vivekmurthy.com/together-book  Looksmaxing Intro: https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2024/feb/15/from-bone-smashing-to-chin-extensions-how-looksmaxxing-is-reshaping-young-mens-faces