In this episode, philosopher Aaron Simmons returns for an intriguing discussion on the complexities of sustaining democracy. The conversation spans various philosophical insights from thinkers such as Robert Talese, Chantal Mouffe, and Simon Critchley. We explore tensions between political equality and justice, the paradox of democracy, and the necessity of engaging agonistically with adversaries. Aaron also shares his experiences teaching Radical Political Theory, addressing the intricacies of class tensions, bad faith discourse, and the compelling ethical demands that challenge contemporary democratic practices.

You can WATCH this conversation on YouTube

Dr. Simmons is an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Furman University. You can follow his Substack ‘Philosophy in the Wild.‘ 

Previous Episodes with Aaron

Join us for a transformative 5-week Lenten journey on "Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World."This course examines the Apostle Paul as a Pharisee deeply engaged with the turbulent political and religious landscape of his time.

Through the lens of his letters and historical context, we will explore Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ Life-Vision, his interpretation of the Execution-and-Resurrection, and their implications for nonviolence and faithful resistance against empire. Each week, we will delve into a specific aspect of Paul’s theology and legacy, reflecting on its relevance for our own age of autocracy and political turmoil. . For details and to sign-up for any donation, including 0, head over here.

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Join our class - TRUTH IN TOUGH TIMES: Global Voices of Liberation

This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com

Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the episode,  Ruben Rosario Rodriguez joins the podcast to discuss his unique blend of the reformed tradition and liberation theology, from his personal backstory rooted in the history of American colonialism in Puerto Rico to his deep dive into the theological influence of luminaries like Calvin and Tillich, Ruben shares how his vocation as a theologian was shaped. He addresses critical issues like the role of liberation theology in socio-political contexts, systemic racism, and the modern political landscape's impact on faith communities. This compelling discussion also delves into practical wisdom, the importance of community in theological work, and the pressing issues facing the American church today.

You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube

Dr.Ruben Rosario Rodriguez is the Clarence Louis and Helen Steber Professor of Theological Studies at Saint Louis University. His books include Calvin for the World: The Enduring Relevance of His Political, Social, and Economic Theology, Theological Fragments, Dogmatics after Babel: Beyond the Theologies of Word and Culture, and the edited volume T&T Clark Handbook of Political Theology. An ordained minister of the Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

Join us for a transformative 5-week Lenten journey on "Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World."This course examines the Apostle Paul as a Pharisee deeply engaged with the turbulent political and religious landscape of his time.

Through the lens of his letters and historical context, we will explore Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ Life-Vision, his interpretation of the Execution-and-Resurrection, and their implications for nonviolence and faithful resistance against empire. Each week, we will delve into a specific aspect of Paul’s theology and legacy, reflecting on its relevance for our own age of autocracy and political turmoil. . For details and to sign-up for any donation, including 0, head over here.

_____________________

Join our class - TRUTH IN TOUGH TIMES: Global Voices of Liberation

This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com

Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is an audio version of an essay on my substack, Process This. The essay explores how digital platforms have transformed human experience into a new form of colonialism. It discusses the historical evolution of the internet from a decentralized space to one controlled by tech giants, and highlights the data extraction, surveillance, and algorithmic governance that dominate modern digital spaces. By drawing parallels to historical colonialism, the essay outlines the systematic ways in which platforms explore, expand, exploit, and exterminate alternative ways of being social. It also examines the rise of a new digital aristocracy in Silicon Valley and the erosion of personal autonomy. Finally, it explores emerging forms of resistance and reimagination, emphasizing the need for digital wisdom, community-owned platforms, and new forms of digital literacy to reclaim human autonomy and genuine connection.

I hope you enjoy it and consider supporting my work by joining 80k+ other people on Process This. You can read the entire essay HERE.

Join us for a transformative 5-week Lenten journey on "Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World."This course examines the Apostle Paul as a Pharisee deeply engaged with the turbulent political and religious landscape of his time.

Through the lens of his letters and historical context, we will explore Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ Life-Vision, his interpretation of the Execution-and-Resurrection, and their implications for nonviolence and faithful resistance against empire. Each week, we will delve into a specific aspect of Paul’s theology and legacy, reflecting on its relevance for our own age of autocracy and political turmoil. . For details and to sign-up for any donation, including 0, head over here.

_____________________

Join our class - TRUTH IN TOUGH TIMES: Global Voices of Liberation

This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com

Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I am joined by philosopher, filmmaker, and longtime friend Dr. Jeremy Fackenthal as we dive into the intricate philosophy of Walter Benjamin. We explore memory, history, suffering, and the weak messianic power that empowers us to redeem the past through remembrance. We also touch on the implications of Benjamin's thought for understanding the revolutionary potential in our present moment. Tune in for a nerdy, stimulating conversation that bridges theology and philosophy, grounded in historical materialism and some fun memories from our PhD days.

You can WATCH this conversation on YouTube.

Jeremy Fackenthal is a philosopher, non-profit director, and filmmaker living in San Diego, CA. He holds a PhD in Philosophy of Religion and Theology from Claremont Graduate University. He was previously director for Toward Ecological Civilization. He has shot and edited a number of films, including Spitting Fire, a short documentary produced in conjunction with ARC and a grant through Yale Divinity School. Jeremy researches and writes in the areas of process thought, theopoetics, and critical theory. He co-edited Theopoetic Folds: Philosophizing Multifariousness and Whitehead and Continental Philosophy in the Twenty-First Century: Dislocations and is currently beginning a documentary film on the relevance of Walter Benjamin for the 21st century. 

Join us for a transformative 5-week Lenten journey on "Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World."This course examines the Apostle Paul as a Pharisee deeply engaged with the turbulent political and religious landscape of his time.

Through the lens of his letters and historical context, we will explore Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ Life-Vision, his interpretation of the Execution-and-Resurrection, and their implications for nonviolence and faithful resistance against empire. Each week, we will delve into a specific aspect of Paul’s theology and legacy, reflecting on its relevance for our own age of autocracy and political turmoil. . For details and to sign-up for any donation, including 0, head over here.

Lexington Theological Seminary is a pioneer in online theological education. Both the Doctoral and Masters programs are designed with the flexibility and contextual focus needed for the working student. You can learn more by heading here.

Here are a few episodes with a couple of their Profs

_____________________

Join our class - TRUTH IN TOUGH TIMES: Global Voices of Liberation

This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com

Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Matthew Segall to explore the 'meaning crisis' in Western culture. The conversation covers historical forces and cultural transformations, responses to the crisis, the return of religious interest, and the insights of the process-relational framework. We touch on issues such as the role of the market, individualism, disenchantment, and the importance of a compelling cosmology. Along the way, they discuss the transformative potential of Christ's story, pluralism, and the need for a renewed cultural life. This episode promises a thoughtful and nerdy discussion that blends philosophical depth with practical implications for our shared future.

You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube

Dr. Segall is a transdisciplinary researcher and teacher who applies process philosophy to various natural and social sciences, including consciousness. He is also an Assistant Professor in the Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness Program at the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco, CA.

Make sure you check out SubStack Footnotes to Plato, his YouTube channel and recent book.

Previous Podcasts with Matt

Join us for a transformative 5-week Lenten journey on "Paul the Pharisee: Faith and Politics in a Divided World."This course examines the Apostle Paul as a Pharisee deeply engaged with the turbulent political and religious landscape of his time.

Through the lens of his letters and historical context, we will explore Paul’s understanding of Jesus’ Life-Vision, his interpretation of the Execution-and-Resurrection, and their implications for nonviolence and faithful resistance against empire. Each week, we will delve into a specific aspect of Paul’s theology and legacy, reflecting on its relevance for our own age of autocracy and political turmoil. . For details and to sign-up for any donation, including 0, head over here.

As this new year unfolds with all its challenges and opportunities, are you longing for daily spiritual renewal with God? A daily practice to ground yourselves in God’s presence and nurture a resilient spirit for the work ahead?

Each year, The Upper Room publishes its popular lectionary-based devotional called Disciplines: A Book of Daily Devotions. Written by 53 diverse thought-leaders, The Upper Room Disciplines provides daily scripture, meditations, and prayers following the Revised Common Lectionary to help you pause and connect more deeply with God. Disciplines also includes a Guide to Daily Prayer and a Small Group Leader's Guide.

Experience the spiritual renewal you’ve been looking for this year with The Upper Room Disciplines … and join thousands of others “praying the lectionary” and meeting God anew each day.

Use promo code HBCD25 to get 20% off this popular resource now. Visit store.upperroom.org/disciplines to take advantage of this offer!

_____________________

Join our class - TRUTH IN TOUGH TIMES: Global Voices of Liberation

This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com

Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Dr. Ryan Burge returns with some new graphs about religion and entertaining asides. We end up exploring a multitude of topics, from interpreting statistical data on religious trust and the rise of non-denominationalism, to delving into the complexities of the meaning crisis. This episode is filled with personal anecdotes, philosophical musings, and offbeat discussions on cigars, beer sacks, and the perils of government interventions. All while providing valuable insights into the changing landscape of American religion and politics.

*** If you want access to the entire 2-hour conversation and invites to join us live in the future, all you have to do is become a member of either (or both) of our SubStacks — Graphs on Religion & Process This. ***

Ryan P. Burge is an assistant professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University. Author of numerous journal articles, he is the co-founder of and a frequent contributor to Religion in Public, a forum for scholars of religion and politics to make their work accessible to a general audience. Burge is a pastor in the American Baptist Church.

Previous Visits from Ryan Burge

This episode is sponsored by Union Presbyterian Seminary

A calling is about who you are. Where you’re going in life. You may be in college. You may be halfway through a career. But you know, deep inside your heart, you want something different. To prepare for the future, you want to invest your time and energy to expand your knowledge. With people who listen to you…yet challenge you. People from different countries and backgrounds. A place with globally recognized connections. There is a place for you at Union Presbyterian Seminary. You’ll find your own path—with online, hybrid, or residential platforms. You’ll find generous financial aid. With thousands of graduates all over the world, you’ll build lifelong networks…a community that supports you and equips you. Be a leader of gospel-inspired transformative change in pursuit of a more just and compassionate world. It’s your call. Respond with UPSem. To learn more, visit upsem.edu or email [email protected]

_____________________

Join our class - TRUTH IN TOUGH TIMES: Global Voices of Liberation

This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com

Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How does one read the signs of the times? What does it mean to resist? How do we engage faithfully in the struggle? Dietrich Bonhoeffer has achieved iconic status as one who epitomizes what it means to struggle and resist tyranny and fascism and how one acts in faithful witness as a religious and political commitment. Bonhoeffer‘s witness and example is more relevant than ever. In this episode, I am joined by the preeminent historian of the Holocaust and Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Dr. Victoria Barnett. Jeffrey Pugh and I got to talk to her multiple times throughout our work for the Rise of Bonhoeffer, and our last conversation was so rich that I couldn't help but share it here. Our discussion focuses on a crucial essay penned by Bonhoeffer in 1942; "After Ten Years" is a succinct and sober reflection and remains one of the best descriptions ever written about what happened to the German people under National Socialism. We also let Vicki demythologize some popular ahistorical attributions around Bonhoeffer's life.

Victoria J. Barnett served from 2004-2014 as one of the general editors of the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works, the English translation series of Bonhoeffer’s complete works. She has lectured and written extensively about the Holocaust, particularly about the role of the German churches. In 2004 she began directing the Programs on Ethics, Religion, and the Holocaust at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum until her retirement. Her published works include Bystanders: Conscience and Complicity during the Holocaust (1999) and For the Soul of the People: Protestant Protest against Hitler (1992). This conversation centers around her translation and significant introduction and historical analysis of Bonhoeffer's "After Ten Years": Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Our Times.

Check out the Bonhoeffer Audi-Documentary series - the Rise of Bonhoeffer podcast here.

Garrett Theological Seminary sponsored this episode. Seminary education isn’t just for pastors. Social awareness of the world’s most pressing problems, robust ethical analysis, empathic biblical wisdom, and courageous leadership are skills you can use across a wide range of vocations. Whether you feel called to care and counseling, public service, prophetic arts, or non-profit management, there’s a degree program at Garrett Seminary that’s right for you. Our global faculty and diverse student body nurture class discussions that reflect the contextual realities in the communities you’ll serve, and our commitment to hands-on learning means you’ll have plenty of opportunities to put that knowledge to use. Located in the heart of Northwestern’s campus, just a short train ride from Chicago, let our city be your training ground. Garrett also offers fully online and hybrid programs. So wherever and whoever you are, apply to begin your fulfilling new career today. Learn more here.

_____________________

Join my Substack - Process This!

Join our class - TRUTH IN TOUGH TIMES: Global Voices of Liberation

Spend a week with Tripp & Andrew Root in Bonhoeffer’s House in Berlin this June as part of the Rise of Bonhoeffer Travel Learning Experience. INFO & DETAILS HERE

Get access to over 45 of our online classes at TheologyClass.com

Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode gives you a taste of what happens on the Theology Nerd stage at Theology Beer Camp. These super-nerdy breakout sessions are based on suggestions from the Homebrewed Community, and this session was designed to explore the connections and contrasts between Ground of Being theology and Process theology. I was joined by Benjamin Chicka, John Thatamanil, Thomas Jay Oord, and Taylor Thomas.

If you want to get info, updates, and access to pre-sale tickets for Theology Beer Camp 2025, you can sign up here.

Dr. Taylor Thomas is a philosophy instructor at Boston College, a postdoctoral fellow at the Center for Mind and Culture, & host of the Tillich Today podcast.

Dr. Thatamanil is Professor of Theology & World Religions at Union Theological Seminary in NYC.

Previous Episodes with John

Dr. Thomas Jay Oord is a theologian, philosopher, and scholar of multi-disciplinary studies. He is an award-winning author, and he has written or edited more than twenty-five books. Oord directs a doctoral program at Northwind Theological Seminary and the Center for Open and Relational Theology.

Previous episodes with Tom

Dr. Benjamin J. Chicka is Lecturer in Philosophy and Religious Studies at Curry College in Milton, MA. You can hear him on the podcast - Theology & Video Games.

As this new year unfolds with all its challenges and opportunities, are you longing for daily spiritual renewal with God? A daily practice to ground yourselves in God’s presence and nurture a resilient spirit for the work ahead?

Each year, The Upper Room publishes its popular lectionary-based devotional called Disciplines: A Book of Daily Devotions. Written by 53 diverse thought-leaders, The Upper Room Disciplines provides daily scripture, meditations, and prayers following the Revised Common Lectionary to help you pause and connect more deeply with God. Disciplines also includes a Guide to Daily Prayer and a Small Group Leader's Guide.

Experience the spiritual renewal you’ve been looking for this year with The Upper Room Disciplines … and join thousands of others “praying the lectionary” and meeting God anew each day.

Use promo code HBCD25 to get 20% off this popular resource now. Visit store.upperroom.org/disciplines to take advantage of this offer!

_____________________

Join my Substack - Process This!

Join our class - TRUTH IN TOUGH TIMES: Global Voices of Liberation

Spend a week with Tripp & Andrew Root in Bonhoeffer’s House in Berlin this June as part of the Rise of Bonhoeffer Travel Learning Experience. INFO & DETAILS HERE

Get access to over 45 of our online classes at TheologyClass.com

Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We just lost John Cobb months before his 100th birthday. In this episode, Philip Clayton joins me for a conversation to celebrate his life and thought. My relationship with John started as the author of a book that changed my life (God & the World). Then, I got to take a summer school class with him in Claremont before Divinity School. When I moved to LA for my PhD he invited me and my family to lunch. Over the years in SoCal we had many meals and conversations together. We have recorded over 30 hours of conversation and taught two classes together. Beyond being a creative, brilliant, and ground-breaking scholar, John was a deeply passionate and compassionate disciple of Jesus. When friends ask about his picture with me, I say "That's John freaking Cobb, and he's my Gandalf." The last time we got to hang he introduced me as his friend (and said this in front of a bunch of people).

I recently edited a book of John Cobb's best theological writing from across his career, including some excellent introductory chapters for people new to Process theology. Check it out.

You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube

Dr. John B. Cobb, Jr. taught theology at the Claremont School of Theology from 1958 to 1990. In 2014 he became the first theologian elected to the prestigious American Academy of Arts and Sciences for his interdisciplinary work in ecology, economics, and biology.

Previous Episodes with John Cobb

Lexington Theological Seminary is a pioneer in online theological education. Both the Doctoral and Masters programs are designed with the flexibility and contextual focus needed for the working student. You can learn more by heading here.

Here are a few episodes with a couple of their Profs

_____________________

Join my Substack - Process This!

Join our class - TRUTH IN TOUGH TIMES: Global Voices of Liberation

Spend a week with Tripp & Andrew Root in Bonhoeffer’s House in Berlin this June as part of the Rise of Bonhoeffer Travel Learning Experience. INFO & DETAILS HERE

Get access to over 45 of our online classes at TheologyClass.com

Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I am joined by theologian and ethicist Dr. Joerg Rieger. In the conversation, we explore critiques of religion in the public square, its global influence on right-wing populism, and its decline as an institution amidst growing discontent with modern life. Joerg argues that while religion remains significant, the type of religion is crucial. We delve into how conceptions of God shape communities—whether toward solidarity and justice for the Other or demands for sacrifice. Enjoy this conversation on the future of faith and its implications for society.

You can WATCH the conversation on YouTube

Dr. Joerg Rieger is Distinguished Professor of Theology and the Cal Turner Chancellor’s Chair of Wesleyan Studies at Vanderbilt University and founding director of the Wendland-Cook Program in Religion and Justice. For three decades, he has worked to bring together theology and the struggles for justice and liberation that mark our age. Several of his 24 authored and edited books address the topics of this course, including No Rising Tide: Theology, Economics, and the Future; Unified We Are a Force: How Faith and Labor Can Overcome America’s Inequalities (with Rosemarie Henkel-Rieger); and Faith, Class, and Labor: Intersectional Approaches in a Global Context (with Jin Young Choi). www.joergrieger.com

UPCOMING ONLINE CLASS - Truth in Tough Times: Global Voices of Liberation

I am thrilled to announce our upcoming class with Joerg Rieger and a host of liberation theologians from across the globe. Our goal is to create an experience where participants will get a clear and compelling account of contemporary liberation theology and meet the most critical voices of our generation. As always, then lass is donation-based, including 0. Get info and join up at www.TruthInToughTimes.com

Previous Episodes w/ Joerg



This episode is sponsored by Union Presbyterian Seminary

A calling is about who you are. Where you’re going in life. You may be in college. You may be halfway through a career. But you know, deep inside your heart, you want something different. To prepare for the future, you want to invest your time and energy to expand your knowledge. With people who listen to you…yet challenge you. People from different countries and backgrounds. A place with globally recognized connections. There is a place for you at Union Presbyterian Seminary. You’ll find your own path—with online, hybrid, or residential platforms. You’ll find generous financial aid. With thousands of graduates all over the world, you’ll build lifelong networks…a community that supports you and equips you. Be a leader of gospel-inspired transformative change in pursuit of a more just and compassionate world. It’s your call. Respond with UPSem. To learn more, visit upsem.edu or email [email protected]

_____________________

Join my Substack - Process This!

Join our class - TRUTH IN TOUGH TIMES: Global Voices of Liberation

Spend a week with Tripp & Andrew Root in Bonhoeffer’s House in Berlin this June as part of the Rise of Bonhoeffer Travel Learning Experience. INFO & DETAILS HERE

Get access to over 45 of our online classes at TheologyClass.com

Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices