In Part 3 of our series on Apartheid & Christianity in South Africa, Megan and Adam explore the Anglican Church's response to apartheid in South Africa, focusing on the historical context, the role of different churches, and expand on the significant influence of Desmond Tutu. The discussion highlights the church's opposition to apartheid, Tutu's theological insights, and the call for action against injustice, emphasizing hope and the belief in God's ultimate justice.

In Part II in our multi-episode series on Apartheid & Christianity in South Africa, Megan and Adam explore the significant role of the Dutch Reform Church in South Africa, particularly during the apartheid era. It highlights the church's mainstream influence and its connections to political figures, emphasizing its importance in shaping societal norms and policies. They also introduce the importance of Desmond Tutu in the work of confronting apartheid and his role in bringing change to the people and the church in South Africa.

In this episode, Megan and Adam delve into the historical roots of apartheid in South Africa, exploring the colonial influences, the role of the Dutch Reformed Church, and the impact of the Boer Wars. They discuss how the Afrikaners developed a narrative of victimhood and divine destiny, which shaped their identity and justified the oppressive system of apartheid. The conversation draws parallels between historical and contemporary narratives of oppression, emphasizing the importance of understanding these dynamics in today's context.

In this spooktacular episode, Canon Megan and Adam dig into the surprisingly Christian roots of Halloween — yes, you heard that right. They trace how trick-or-treating, costumes, and remembering the dead all connect to ancient church traditions like All Saints Day and All Souls Day.

From the sweetness of candy to the solemnity of candles for the departed, Adam and Megan explore how grief, joy, and community come together this time of year. They talk about why the church has always borrowed from culture (hello, pumpkins!) and how honoring the saints and souls can actually deepen our faith — and maybe even make Halloween a little holier.
So grab a fun-sized Snickers, light a candle, and join the conversation about why being a little spooky can be very sacred.

In this episode, Canon Megan and Adam get a little uncomfortable and talk about one of the church’s more delicate subjects—money. They explore how the American church built its financial foundation, from the days of land grants and pew rents to modern pledge drives and stewardship campaigns. Along the way, they uncover some of the stranger and darker corners of church history, including ties to slavery and the role of wealth in shaping who sat where on Sunday morning.

Megan and Adam talk about how money has always been more than just a budget line—it’s a moral mirror for the church. The conversation wrestles with what it means to be transparent, responsible, and faithful with resources today, all while keeping a sense of humor about the fact that, yes, the church has always been talking about money.

In this episode, Megan and Adam take on the often uncomfortable topic of evangelism in the Episcopal Church. They talk about why the word makes so many Episcopalians squirm, explore its historical baggage, and reimagine what it could look like when approached with authenticity and love.

Megan and Adam also discuss how sharing faith isn’t about coercion or conversion—it’s about embodying the good news through how we live, speak, and care for others. 

Takeaways:

• Evangelism is about sharing good news, not coercion.
• The Episcopal Church has historically been hesitant about evangelism.
• Authenticity is essential when communicating faith.
• Reclaiming the language of Christianity matters.
• Living the gospel can be just as powerful as speaking it, but is has to be both.
• We’re called to empathy, clarity, and love in how we share faith.

Here's a chance for us to reclaim the language of Christianity and maybe even make it a little weird again.

What’s really happening when someone is baptized? In this episode, Canon Megan and Adam take a deep dive into one of the most central sacraments of the Christian faith: baptism.

They explore where baptism comes from—starting with Jewish purification rituals—and how it grew into a practice that marks new life, identity, and belonging in Christ. Along the way, they unpack the baptismal covenant, the tension between infant baptism and believers’ baptism, and the role of the whole community in supporting the baptized.

With humor, personal stories, and theological insight, Megan and Adam remind us that baptism isn’t just about what happens at the font—it’s about how we live out God’s grace every single day.

What You’ll Walk Away With

• Baptism is the entry point into Christian community and the life of faith.
• The baptismal covenant sets a framework for living as followers of Jesus.
• The roots of baptism lie in Jewish purification rituals, transformed in Christ.
• Baptism is about identity—who we are in Christ—not just a ritual.
• Infant baptism highlights God’s grace as the starting point of faith.
• The community promises to walk alongside the baptized in faith and life.
• Adults can reaffirm their baptismal vows, claiming them as their own.
• Baptism isn’t about “heaven insurance”—it’s about how we live here and now.
• God’s action, not ours, is at the heart of baptism.
• Every baptism is a reminder that God’s grace goes before us.

If you’ve ever wondered what baptism means in the Episcopal tradition—or why it matters so much—this episode offers both clarity and inspiration.

In this episode of For the Rest of Us, Canon Megan and Adam take a good, hard look at one of the most complicated and misunderstood figures of the New Testament: Saint Paul.

Paul is often remembered as the author of verses that have been used to prop up conservative Christianity—“wives obey your husbands,” “slaves obey your masters,” and “women be silent in church.” But who was Paul really? What did he actually write? And how did his letters go from problem-solving notes to scripture that shaped entire traditions?

Megan and Adam explore:

• Why Paul often gets a bad reputation as Christianity’s “buzzkill.”
• Which letters Paul actually wrote—and which were written in his name.
• How Paul’s Roman citizenship gave him privilege and power he wielded strategically.
• The mismatch between Acts’ version of Paul and Paul’s own letters.
• Paul’s cultural comfort with exaggeration, rhetoric, and hyperbole.
• His partnership with women leaders like Lydia, Phoebe, and Junia.
• How his letters, dictated aloud, were never intended to be systematic theology.
  

Along the way, they talk about Willem Dafoe as Jesus (and the Green Goblin), diner coffee, carnivorous seals, and why it helps our faith to remember that Paul was human—zealous, flawed, inconsistent, and yet deeply convinced of God’s overwhelming love.

This episode, Canon Megan and Adam tackle a topic that’s equal parts fascinating and misunderstood: exorcisms.

From the ministry of Jesus to modern-day Episcopal practice, they explore where exorcisms come from, what they mean, and—maybe most importantly—what they are not. Along the way, they unpack cultural perspectives, biblical roots, and the ways ritual and truth-telling can be part of real healing.

But don’t worry—this isn’t Hollywood horror. Megan and Adam keep the conversation grounded, thoughtful, and full of insights about how the Church approaches healing in body, mind, and spirit.

What You’ll Walk Away With:

• Exorcisms are part of the Anglican tradition—but they’re used with great care.
• The practice is rooted in the ministry of Jesus and biblical teaching.
• Cultural views of exorcism differ around the world, especially outside the West.
• Truth-telling is often the key to healing and freedom.
• Misuse of exorcisms—especially against marginalized people—can cause deep harm.
• Rituals can be powerful when approached with respect and wisdom.
• Healing always happens best with community support, not isolation.
• Exorcisms aren’t quick fixes—they require discernment and pastoral care.
• The Church seeks to help people integrate their truth, not suppress it.
• True healing engages the whole person: spiritually, psychologically, and communally.
  

If you’ve ever wondered what exorcisms look like beyond the movie screen—or how they actually fit into Anglican life and theology—this episode is for you.

Links Mentioned This Episode:

Lent Madness: https://www.lentmadness.org/

DIO CNY Podcast Network: https://cnyepiscopal.org/dio-cny-podcasts/

This time, Canon Megan leads the way as she and Adam dive into the remarkable life of Maria Skobtsova—a Russian Orthodox nun, poet, and activist who lived out her theology in radical and courageous ways during the occupation of Paris.

From her early years as an atheist and artist to her transformation into a fierce advocate for the marginalized, Maria’s story challenges us to ask: What does it really mean to live a Christian life? Megan and Adam reflect on how Maria’s life—marked by service, suffering, and ultimately martyrdom—calls today’s Christians to respond to injustice with action, compassion, and faith.

If you’ve ever wondered what radical Christian love looks like in practice—or how ordinary faith can lead to extraordinary courage—this episode is for you.

AI Disclosure: To support our staff in their limited time, many of our episode summaries are first generated by AI and then edited by the Communications Director to accurately reflect and preview our podcast episodes.