Culture Shock

By Leon McKenzie and Claude Ball

What's Culture Shock about?

Providing shocking perspectives on the intersection of faith and culture.

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LAST EPISODE

Should Christians Support #...

07.16.2020

On this episode, Leon and Claude discuss a question that we've heard in our conservative Christian spaces, "Can Christians support #blacklivesmatter and still be faithful to Christ?" Listen as we discuss the possible source of the rebuttal...

Culture Shock episodes:

07.16.2020 Should Christians Support #BlackLivesMatter? On this episode, Leon and Claude discuss a question that we've heard in our conservative Christian spaces, "Can Christians support #blacklivesmatter and still be faithful to Christ?" Listen as we discuss the possible source of the rebuttal...
07.08.2020 What makes American Patriotism difficult for some POC? This week Leon and Claude discuss why POC may not embrace American patriotism as readily as our white counterparts.
07.01.2020 The Complicity of Classism Special guest Father Paul returns to talk to Leon and Claude about the role classism plays in systemic and structural racism.
06.25.2020 Unity vs Conformity: What's the Difference? There’s a great deal of conversation surrounding the topic of unity right now. Hear why some may be hesitant to trust quick calls to unity as Leon and Claude discuss the differences between unity and conformity. During the conversation, they ...
06.17.2020 Theological Orphans: The Challenge of Black Conservatives in White Christian Spaces Leon and Claude, two growing theologians, discuss how they sometimes feel like theological orphans in their white Christian spaces. The question was asked, "Which should a person prioritize? Theological standards or cultural representation?" Hear the...
06.11.2020 Range of Blackness: The Source & Its Impact This week, Leon and Claude talk about the struggles of being too black or not black enough. Is this something we should be wrestling with? And WHERE did this even come from???
06.03.2020 "What's Next?" In light of their last episode, Leon and Claude wanted to speak into the hopelessness and chaos that many of us may feel in order to offer their thoughts on "what's next?" This is by no means an exhaustive list ...
05.27.2020 The Murder of Ahmaud Arbery: Our Grief is Exhausting Leon & Claude offer their reactions to the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. In their exhaustion, they discuss their current state and why there was a delay in offering their reactions. Unintentionally, the timing of this recording is still relevant as ...
02.23.2020 "Why is Claude Ball mad?" This week, Leon and Claude discuss the one consistent piece of feedback they've received so far, "Why is Claude so mad?" Listen in as Claude answers this question and others during a discussion about the intersection of anger and the ...
02.10.2020 "What do we lose when we fail to grieve the trauma in our lives and can we get it back?" In light of Kobe Bryant's recent death, Leon and Claude consider the value of grief and investing in our mental health.
02.03.2020 What is a holistic approach to caring for communities? This week, Leon and Claude interview Benjamin Wills, Founder of Peace Prepatory Academy, about the work he is doing to strengthen families and communities through a holistic approach to education.
01.18.2020 Is Ethical Policing Realistic? An honest interview with a police officer in America. We hear honest stories from a police officer in America that shares helpful insight into the culture of the American police force.
12.20.2019 What does it take to be an empowered minority in today’s social and economic climate? In this episode, Leon, Claude and special guest host Justin Bleeker interview Erika Brown of Erika Brown and Associates about her journey to success as a black, female, entrepreneur.
12.12.2019 What is "intentional neighboring" and how can we best love our neighbors well? Claude is on vacation this week so Leon interviews Pastor Drew Henley of Redeemer Community Church in Vine City, Atlanta about what it means to be an intentional neighbor and how to love our communities well.
12.04.2019 Now that Kanye dropped "Jesus is King" what do we think about it and what's next for Kanye? Kanye West's Sunday Services has culminated into a full Christian album. Listen in as Leon and Claude discuss what this means for Kanye, the Faith, and the culture.
11.21.2019 What is "oppressive over-conservatism"? (A Joshua Harris Reaction) Joshua Harris, an influential evangelical author and pastor, renounced his faith back in July. Leon and Claude react to this horrible news while also discussing possible causes.
11.20.2019 If I join a Universalist/Unitarian church, will it affect my white evangelical friendships? Our reaction to someone leaving an evangelical church to join a Universalist/Unitarian church.
11.19.2019 How Can People Experiencing Gentrification Profit From It? We talk about the challenges of how the "victims" of gentrification can try to benefit from it.
11.14.2019 What’s wrong about gentrification and what’s the solution? In this episode, Leon and Claude interview community developer and neighborhood advocate Justin Bleeker about gentrification and what he’s doing to help his neighbors ride the wave instead of being waged away by it.
11.11.2019 What does a diversity and inclusion specialist do and is this work necessary? Listen to the Culture Shock hosts speak with an expert in the diversity and inclusion field with some of the major concerns he experiences on the job.
10.17.2019 The Dynamics of Public Health with Dr. Mary Ukuku-Miller Dr. Ukuku-Miller holds her Ph.D. in public health and as a university professor teaches courses on public health. Leon and Claude interview Dr. Mary Ukuku-Miller about the interrelated dynamics of public health, socio-economics, and education.
10.16.2019 Kanye West's Sunday Services Kanye West has been having his Sunday services for a little while now and they are rapidly growing in popularity and attendance. What should we make of all of it and what implications do these services have for the Church? ...
10.16.2019 Does Un-American equal un-Christian? Can someone hold non-traditional views on government and economics and still love Jesus?
10.04.2019 The Murder of Botham Jean and the Conviction of Amber Guyger In this episode, Leon and Claude discuss the recent conviction of former Dallas police officer Amber Guyger for the murder of Botham Jean and what significance of this case within the larger contexts of social justice, the church, and racial...
10.03.2019 Does the Quote "Preach the Gospel, Die and be Forgotten" Truly Sum Up the Purpose of the Christian's Life? Does the Quote "Preach the Gospel, Die and be Forgotten" Truly Sum Up the Purpose of the Christian's Life?
10.03.2019 "How can people of color pursue racial harmony with the majority culture as the historically oppressed minority?" In 2018, Redeemer Community Church hosted a panel discussion on the topic of pursuing racial harmony. Questions were submitted for discussion beforehand and the panel took time to thoughtfully confer about several of them. Unfortunately, there wasn't...
09.19.2019 The Introduction This is the first episode of the Culture Shock Podcast. We hadn't even settled on a name yet but we knew what kind of content we wanted to produce and began by just introducing ourselves and our desire for our ...

Culture Shock

What's Culture Shock about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Culture Shock episodes:

Should Christians Support #BlackLivesMatter?

What makes American Patriotism difficult for some POC?

The Complicity of Classism

Unity vs Conformity: What's the Difference?

Theological Orphans: The Challenge of Black Conservatives in White Christian Spaces

Range of Blackness: The Source & Its Impact

"What's Next?"

The Murder of Ahmaud Arbery: Our Grief is Exhausting

"Why is Claude Ball mad?"

"What do we lose when we fail to grieve the trauma in our lives and can we get it back?"

What is a holistic approach to caring for communities?

Is Ethical Policing Realistic? An honest interview with a police officer in America.

What does it take to be an empowered minority in today’s social and economic climate?

What is "intentional neighboring" and how can we best love our neighbors well?

Now that Kanye dropped "Jesus is King" what do we think about it and what's next for Kanye?

What is "oppressive over-conservatism"? (A Joshua Harris Reaction)

If I join a Universalist/Unitarian church, will it affect my white evangelical friendships?

How Can People Experiencing Gentrification Profit From It?

What’s wrong about gentrification and what’s the solution?

What does a diversity and inclusion specialist do and is this work necessary?

The Dynamics of Public Health with Dr. Mary Ukuku-Miller

Kanye West's Sunday Services

Does Un-American equal un-Christian?

The Murder of Botham Jean and the Conviction of Amber Guyger

Does the Quote "Preach the Gospel, Die and be Forgotten" Truly Sum Up the Purpose of the Christian's Life?

"How can people of color pursue racial harmony with the majority culture as the historically oppressed minority?"

The Introduction