In this episode of Give and Take, Scott Jones is joined by legal scholar and social innovator Susan Sturm to discuss her powerful new book, What Might Be: Confronting Racism to Transform Our Institutions. Drawing on decades of work at the intersection of law, education, and organizational change, Sturm offers a hopeful yet demanding vision for how institutions can move beyond performative commitments toward genuine transformation.

Their conversation explores how racism becomes embedded in institutional structures, why good intentions are not enough, and what it actually takes to create cultures of accountability, learning, and shared responsibility. Sturm challenges both individuals and organizations to imagine “what might be” if we treated racial justice not as a box to check, but as a collective practice that reshapes how we lead, decide, and belong.

Special Guest: Susan Sturm.

In this episode of Give and Take, Scott sits down with writer and former evangelical insider Mattie Jo Cowsert to talk about her candid and compelling new memoir, God, Sex and Rich People: A Recovering Evangelical Testimony. With honesty, humor, and a clear-eyed sense of moral urgency, Cowsert reflects on her journey through the world of American evangelicalism—and what it cost her to finally step away.

Their conversation explores the entanglement of faith, power, money, and sexuality in contemporary religious culture, tracing how evangelical institutions often shape desire, silence doubt, and reward proximity to wealth and influence. Cowsert shares what it means to “recover” from evangelicalism, how her faith has been reconfigured rather than abandoned, and why telling the truth about these systems is both painful and liberating.

Together, Scott and Mattie Jo wrestle with larger questions about spiritual authority, moral formation, and whether honesty and integrity are possible on the other side of disillusionment. It’s a thoughtful and unflinching conversation about belief, belonging, and the courage it takes to name what’s broken in order to imagine something better.

Special Guest: Mattie Jo Cowsert.

On this special Christmas Eve episode of Give and Take, Scott Jones is joined by Professor Matthew Milliner of Wheaton College for a thoughtful and unexpected conversation about Mary—seen through Protestant eyes. Often sidelined or approached with hesitation in Protestant theology, Mary nevertheless stands at the very center of the Christmas story. Milliner, an art historian and theologian, helps recover a richer Protestant appreciation of Mary by drawing on Scripture, church history, and the visual imagination of the Christian tradition. Together, Scott and Matthew explore how Mary’s faith, obedience, and vulnerability shape a deeper understanding of the Incarnation—and why reclaiming her place need not blur confessional lines. On a night set apart for wonder and anticipation, this conversation invites listeners to slow down and reconsider the woman who first said “yes” to God, and what her story still has to teach Protestants about Christmas, discipleship, and the mystery at the heart of the Christian faith.

Special Guest: Matthew J. Milliner.

It’s the holiday season and the devout are fond of reminding everyone that Jesus is the reason for the season. But what do we really know about Jesus? How reliable are the Gospel accounts—and how much can historians really know the mysterious man from Nazareth? In this episode of Give and Take, I sit down with renowned ancient historian Edward J. Watts to explore what historical methods can (and can’t) tell us about the life of Jesus. Drawing on Roman, Jewish, and early Christian sources, Watts explains how historians evaluate ancient texts, where the Gospels align with what we know of the first-century world, and where questions and tensions remain. The conversation moves beyond simplistic debates about “proof” or “myth,” offering a careful look at how memory, theology, politics, and oral tradition shaped the Gospel narratives. Throughout, Watts reflects on how historical context shapes interpretation and why Christian teaching has always been dynamic rather than fixed. The episode closes with a compelling claim: that the teachings of Jesus, understood historically and thoughtfully, continue to offer real guidance for life in the modern world. For believers, skeptics, and anyone curious about the origins of Christianity, this episode offers a clear-eyed, historically grounded discussion of the historical Jesus—and why these questions still matter today.

Special Guest: Edward J. Watts.

It’s the holiday season and for many of you that means curling up on the couch with some popcorn and some candy and watching one of your favorite feel good Christmas movies. What if all those cozy Christmas movies aren’t really about comfort at all—but about desire, loss, and what we’re missing deep down inside? Today I’m joined by Todd McGowan and Ryan Engley from the Why Theory podcast to psychoanalyze our favorite holiday films. From small-town miracles to last-minute reconciliations, we’re digging into what these movies reveal about enjoyment, fantasy, and why Christmas keeps pulling us back in year after year. Grab some eggnog—this conversation might change how you watch Christmas movies forever.

You can find their original Christmas movie podcast here.

Special Guests: Ryan Engley and Todd McGowan.

My guest is James Fishkin, professor at Stanford University and one of the world’s leading scholars of democratic reform. His new book, Can Deliberation Cure the Ills of Democracy?, argues that polarization, mistrust, and democratic dysfunction aren’t just political problems—they’re failures of how we form opinions together. Drawing on decades of research and real-world experiments in deliberative democracy, Fishkin makes the case that when ordinary citizens are given time, information, and the chance to engage across differences, democracy can work better than we imagine. In this conversation, we explore what deliberation really means, how it differs from our current political debates, and whether it can help heal some of democracy’s deepest wounds. It was a great conversation. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. I give you James Fishkin.

Special Guest: James Fishkin.

On this episode of Give and Take, Scott sits down with pastor, theologian, and author Mandy Smith for a deep and timely conversation about cultivating a spirit of gratitude as we head into the holiday season. For many, this time of year can feel harried, consumeristic, and stressful—an emotional whirlwind that leaves little room for reflection or joy. Mandy offers a gentle but compelling invitation to slow down, pay attention, and reclaim the simple, grounding practices that open us to gratitude. Drawing on her pastoral experience, her writing, and her own honest encounters with the pressures of the season, Mandy shares practical ways to resist the cultural rush and reconnect with what truly matters. It’s a conversation filled with warmth, wisdom, and a refreshing kind of hope—just what we need as the holidays approach. Tune in for an encouraging guide to navigating the season not with exhaustion, but with intention, wonder, and grace.

Special Guest: Mandy Smith.

In this episode of Give and Take, Scott sits down with Philadelphia-based fitness and wellness coach Lindsay Lombardi for a smart, practical, and totally doable guide to staying healthy during the holiday season. From navigating parties and travel to actually enjoying your favorite foods without derailing your goals, Lindsay offers strategies that go beyond quick fixes and guilt cycles. Lindsay introduces the Melt Method, a holistic approach to wellness that encompasses movement, eating, living, and thinking. She emphasizes the importance of integrating small, sustainable habits into daily life rather than adhering to intense, non-sustainable programs.

They dive into mindset, daily micro-habits, realistic workouts, and how to build a holiday rhythm that supports both joy and well-being. Whether you're looking to avoid the seasonal slump or simply feel better by January 1st, this conversation delivers clarity, no encouragement, and a refreshingly balanced approach.

Special Guest: Lindsay Lombardi.

In this conversation, Scott Jones and Bryce Eddy delve into the current state of the conservative movement, discussing the internal conflicts, the rise of the 'woke right', and the influence of figures like Nick Fuentes. They explore the generational divides within conservative media, the cultural tensions surrounding immigration and identity, and the implications of these dynamics for the future of conservatism.

Special Guest: Bryce Eddy .

In this episode of Give and Take, Scott sits down with Sarah Hurwitz—former Obama speechwriter and bestselling author—for a sharp, lively conversation about her new book, As a Jew: Reclaiming Our Story from Those Who Blame, Shame, and Try to Erase Us. Hurwitz takes aim at the loudest misconceptions about Jewish identity today—whether they come from bad-faith critics, confused allies, or within the community itself. With her signature mix of wit, rigor, and moral clarity, she lays out what’s at stake when a people’s story is twisted, minimized, or stolen—and how reclaiming that story can be an act of both resistance and renewal. Scott and Sarah trade insights on antisemitism, cultural belonging, spiritual hunger, and the surprising power of rediscovering an ancient tradition in a chaotic modern world. It’s crisp, candid, and deeply engaging—an episode that cuts through the noise and gets to the heart of why this conversation matters right now.

Special Guest: Sarah Hurwitz.