Welcome to Madang.

Madang is the outdoor living room of the world. Here, we invite you to sit and tune into unreserved, remarkable conversations with renowned authors, leaders, public figures, and scholars on religion, culture, and everything in between.

This is the 58th featuring Dr. Kristin T. Lee, who is a writer whose work has appeared in Christianity Today and Sojourners, and a primary care physician serving Boston’s Chinatown community. She writes about faith, culture, books, and solidarity at The Embers and is a contributing columnist to The Covenant Companion. Her passion is highlighting literature written by Asian and BIPOC authors via book reviews and reading groups on Instagram (@ktlee.writes). Lee’s work is informed by her experiences as an adoptive mother, host to refugees, and friend to those affected by incarceration. We Mend with Gold is her debut book.

On this episode of Madang Podcast, Lee and I talk about her new book, We Mend with Gold. We discuss brokenness, immigrant churches, God is not White, Theology of God’s Family, and so much more.

Listen to Madang Podcast on Spotify, Apple, Facebook Reels or wherever podcasts are streamed.

I am grateful to the many sponsors of this Madang Podcast episode.

1. Broadleaf Books-Madang is grateful to Broadleaf Books for sponsoring this episode of Madang Podcast. Please order your copy of We Mend with Gold by Kristen T. Lee. It is a wonderful book that will inform and inspire you. Check out all the important books from Broadleaf books by visiting www.broadleafbooks.com

2. Upper Room-AS YOURSELF: The Sacred Work of Embodying Grace, By Caroline Vogel

What does it really mean to love your neighbor as yourself? For many of us, loving God and loving others feels natural. But loving ourselves? That’s the hard part. In her new book, As Yourself: The Sacred Work of Embodying Grace, spiritual director and therapist Caroline Vogel invites you into a different way of living—one rooted not in striving, but in receiving. Through honest storytelling, biblical insights, and gentle spiritual practices, Vogel helps you release perfectionism, quiet shame, and open yourself to the truth that God’s grace is already alive within you. What if you didn’t have to earn God’s love? What if you could simply receive it—and live from it? As Yourself is an invitation to slow down, reconnect with the Spirit, and discover what it means to live as God’s beloved—fully, freely, and just as you are. Available now - Save 20% on As Yourself at The Upper Room! Visit store.upperroom.org/Madang - and use promo code MADANG at checkout.

3. Central Seminary-This episode is presented by Central Seminary – a historic, accredited, diverse, cross-cultural, and ecumenical seminary. Central Seminary equips students with the theological knowledge, spiritual insight, and practical skills needed to lead in an ever-changing world. Central offers numerous graduate degrees and certificates, including our Certificate in Peace and Justice Ministry, which is facilitated in live, online classrooms. The Certificate in Peace and Justice Ministry will prepare you to lead and serve through social change in areas ​such as racial injustice, economic injustice, the climate crisis, war and violence, and more. To learn more, visit www.CBTS.edu or search for Central Seminary Kansas City.

I am grateful to the many sponsors of this Madang Podcast episode.

Welcome to Madang.

Madang is the outdoor living room of the world. Here, we invite you to sit and tune into unreserved, remarkable conversations with renowned authors, leaders, public figures, and scholars on religion, culture, and everything in between.

This is the 57th episode featuring The Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers, one of the Episcopal Church’s leading thinkers around 21st-century ministry and mission. The author of several books - including The Church Cracked Open, Radical Welcome and her latest, Church Tomorrow?: What the ‘Nones’ and ‘Dones’ Teach Us About the Future of Faith - she recently wrapped nearly a decade as canon to the Episcopal Church’s Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, with responsibility for guiding the entire denomination’s work on evangelism, racial justice, new ministry development and environmental stewardship. An honorary canon in the Diocese of New York, she currently serves as Canon in Residence at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church.

On this episode of Madang Podcast hosted by Faith and Reason, Spellers and I talk about her book, Church Tomorrow? We discuss decline of the mainline church, nones and dones, post-Christian culture, White Christonationalism, and much more.

Listen to Madang Podcast on Spotify, Apple, Facebook Reels, or wherever podcasts are streamed.

I am grateful to the many sponsors of this Madang Podcast episode.

1)Are you longing for deeper rhythm, grounding community, and space to listen for God? The Academy for Spiritual Formation invites you to Academy #44, beginning October 2026 at Camp McDowell in Nauvoo, Alabama. For two years, you’ll journey alongside a diverse community of seekers—practicing prayer, silence, study, and embodied faith. Through trusted faculty, guided retreats, and spacious rhythms, The Academy offers a sacred place to rest, heal, and be renewed. Step into a sacred journey of renewal and transformation. Learn more and apply at Academy.UpperRoom.org/44.

2)Madang Podcast is sponsored by Church Publishing Incorporated (CPI). Church Publishing is a leading global, multi-market publisher of a wide variety of books and resources, serving millions of readers. Please read Church Tomorrow?: What the ‘Nones’ and ‘Dones’ Teach Us About the Future of Faith by the Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers, where she presents hard truths about declining religious affiliation in America, paired with stories and wisdom from her interviews with dozens of young people who either grew up with no faith or gave up formal religion. Please visit www.churchpublishing.org for more great books.

3.This episode is presented by Central Seminary – a historic, accredited, diverse, cross-cultural, and ecumenical seminary. Central Seminary equips students with the theological knowledge, spiritual insight, and practical skills needed to lead in an ever-changing world. Central offers numerous graduate degrees and certificates, including our Certificate in Peace and Justice Ministry, which is facilitated in live, online classrooms. The Certificate in Peace and Justice Ministry will prepare you to lead and serve through social change in areas ​such as racial injustice, economic injustice, the climate crisis, war and violence, and more. To learn more, visit Central Seminary, Kansas City.

4.PANAAWTM Spring Gathering will be held on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 8pm ET on zoom. Any person who identifies as a woman or non-binary individual and as someone of Pacific Islander, Asian, or North American Asian is invited to join the community gathering and business meeting. The business meeting, which follows, is an important part of our annual rhythm, and this is the space where you participate actively as part of the community to shape the org. Please join! (Registration Link)

Welcome to Madang.

Madang is the outdoor living room of the world. Here, we invite you to sit and tune into unreserved, remarkable conversations with renowned authors, leaders, public figures, and scholars on religion, culture, and everything in between.

This is the 56th episode featuring Robert G. Callahan, II. Robert is an accomplished attorney and author, dedicated to fighting for justice in his practice at Callahan & King, PLLC in Waco, Texas. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Gonzaga University and a Juris Doctorate at Baylor University School of Law where he teaches a course entitled Integrating Faith and Legal Practice. In 2020, Robert was named Lawyer of the Year by the Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers’ Association. Robert’s book, FIRE IN THE WHOLE: Embracing Our Righteous Anger with White Christianity and Reclaiming Our Wholeness, tackles spiritual abuse via the church’s complicity with racism, patriarchy, and bigotry while encouraging survivors that their anger is justified and path to healing does exist.

On this episode of Madang Podcast hosted by Faith and Reason, Callahan and I talk about his book, Fire in the Whole: Embracing Our Righteous Anger with White Christianity and Reclaiming Our Wholeness. We discuss Black history, color-blind church, racism, whiteness, anger, reconciliation, and much more.

I am grateful to the many sponsors of this episode.

1)I want to tell you about a Lenten resource from The Upper Room that I think a lot of you will really appreciate. It’s called When Did We See You? A Lenten Exploration of Poverty & Wealth, and it takes on something many churches struggle to talk about honestly—money. Written by pastor and justice advocate Elizabeth Mae Magill, When Did We See You? is a thoughtful, deeply pastoral Lenten study that wrestles with poverty, wealth, and what it means to follow Jesus in an economically divided world. In a world of both abundance and inequality, When Did We See You? guides us through a crucial and timely conversation about our money, economic justice, and God’s call for a world with enough for all. Learn more at store/upperroom.org/Madang and save 20% on your copies today with promo code MADANG at checkout. This Lent, may we have eyes to truly see Christ in our neighbors and respond with love and action.

2)This episode is presented by Central Seminary – a historic, accredited, diverse, cross-cultural, and ecumenical seminary. Central Seminary equips students with the theological knowledge, spiritual insight, and practical skills needed to lead in an ever-changing world. Central offer numerous graduate degrees and certificates including our Certificate in Peace and Justice Ministry, which is facilitated in live, online classrooms. The Certificate in Peace and Justice Ministry will prepare you to lead and serve through social change in areas ​such as racial injustice, economic injustice, the climate crisis, war and violence, and more. To learn more, visit www.CBTS.edu or search for Central Seminary Kansas City.

3)I am grateful to WJK PRESS for sponsoring this episode. Fire in the Whole equips Black Christians to make empowered decisions about their faith—whether that means leaving toxic spaces, building new communities, or reclaiming a liberating faith. Discussion questions and a personal inventory help readers decide what’s next. Learn more at wjkbooks.com.

4) PANAAWTM has 2 wonderful upcoming events: a) Vocational Discernment Gathering (tentative late March/April) will create space for reflection, conversation, and communal wisdom around calling, leadership, and faithful imagination—especially for those navigating ministry, academia, and public life in complex times. b) PANAAWTM will be hosting an upcoming virtual annual business meeting, tentatively planned for March. This gathering is an opportunity for our community to come together, share key updates, and participate in the work of sustaining PANAAWTM’s mission and leadership.

Welcome to Madang.

Madang is the outdoor living room of the world. Here, we invite you to sit and tune into unreserved, remarkable conversations with renowned authors, leaders, public figures, and scholars on religion, culture, and everything in between.

This is the 55th episode featuring Rev. Wes Granberg-Michaelson is the General Secretary Emeritus of the Reformed Church in America, having served in that role for 17 years. Earlier he served as Director of Church and Society for the World Council of Churches. Wes is an author, global ecumenical leader, and widely respected voice relating faith to pressing issues of public life. Wes has authored ten books and countless articles including his new book, The Soulwork of Justice: Four Movements of Contemplative Action (Orbis Books).

On this episode of Madang Podcast hosted by Faith and Reason, Granberg-Michaelson and I talk about his book, The Soulwork of Justice: Four Movements of Contemplative Action (Orbis Books). We discuss prisons for profit, Survivors of Abuse, praying, retreat, journaling, belonging, letting go, and much more.

I am grateful to ⁠The Upper Room⁠ for sponsoring this episode of Madang Podcast. Please check out their special webpage for ⁠Madang Podcast⁠ listeners and subscribe to The Upper Room daily devotional guide. The Upper Room is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing. Every day, readers of The Upper Room around the world read the same story in many different languages and pray the same prayer together.

I am grateful to Orbis Books for sponsoring this episode. Please use the discount code “MAD” to get 30% off ⁠The Soulwork of Justice⁠ by Wesley Granberg-Michaelson. Please visit ⁠www.orbisbooks.com⁠ to order this book and their recent releases. Orbis Books publishes “books that matter,” and their books are meaningful and thoughtful gifts for friends, family, and seekers of faith.

Please reach out to me if you would like to sponsor the next episode of the ⁠Madang podcast⁠⁠. Or simply ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠support me on my ⁠Substack: Loving Life⁠⁠.

Madang is presented by ⁠FaithAndReason.org⁠.

Welcome to Madang.

Madang is the outdoor living room of the world. Here, we invite you to sit and tune into unreserved, remarkable conversations with renowned authors, leaders, public figures, and scholars on religion, culture, and everything in between.

This is the 54th episode, featuring Dr. Diana Butler Bass, Ph.D. (Duke University)  who is an award-winning author of eleven books, a speaker, preacher, and a trusted commentator on religion and contemporary spirituality. Her bylines include New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, CNN Opinion, On Being, and Readers Digest. She has appeared on CBS, CNN, PBS, NPR, and other global news outlets. She currently writes The Cottage, one of the most widely-read Substack newsletters. 

On this episode of Madang Podcast hosted by Faith and Reason, Butler Bass and I talk about her book, A Beautiful Year. We discuss her Substack: The Cottage, Resurrection, Parents, Christmas, Season of Creation and much more.

I am grateful to The Upper Room for sponsoring this episode of Madang Podcast. Please check out their special webpage for Madang Podcast listeners and subscribe to The Upper Room daily devotional guide. The Upper Room is a daily devotional magazine published in more than 30 languages and 100 countries around the world. The daily meditations are written by readers of the magazine and others interested in sharing their faith experiences through writing. Every day, readers of The Upper Room around the world read the same story in many different languages and pray the same prayer together.

Please reach out to me if you would like to sponsor the next episode of the Madang podcast⁠. Or simply ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠support me on my Substack: Loving Life⁠.

Welcome to ⁠Madang⁠.

Madang is the outdoor living room of the world. Here, we invite you to sit and tune into unreserved, remarkable conversations with renowned authors, leaders, public figures, and scholars on religion, culture, and everything in between.

This is the 53rd episode, featuring Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis and Rev. Dr. Shannon Daley-Harris. Jacqui Lewis is senior minister and public theologian at Middle Church in New York City. In her activism, preaching, speaking, writing, and teaching, Jacqui advocates for racial equality, gun control, economic justice, and equal rights for people of all sexual orientations and genders. Shannon Daley-Harris is the Associate Dean of Auburn Theological Seminary. Previously, she was the director of Just Love Families and worked with Middle Church to develop its Just Love Families initiative.

On this episode of Madang Podcast hosted by Faith and Reason, Lewis, Daley-Harris, and I talk about their book, The Just Love Story Bible. We discuss storytelling, sacred texts, God’s love, justice, and much more.

I am grateful to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebrewed Christianity⁠, Central Seminary⁠, and Broadleaf Books for sponsoring this episode. Please join Homebrewed Christianity’s ⁠Theology Beer Camp hosted by ⁠Tripp Fuller⁠ this October. ⁠Theology Beer Camp⁠ is a unique three-day conference that brings together theology nerds and craft beer for a blend of intellectual engagement, community building, and fun.

This episode is presented by Central Seminary⁠—a historic and accredited seminary leading with the values of community, empathy, growth, and tenacity. Central offers numerous graduate degrees and certificates, including a Doctor of Ministry degree in Creative Leadership which is now offered 100 percent online. The next Doctor of Ministry cohort begins in January 2026.

Broadleaf Books publishes important works for the church and society. Please visit ⁠Broadleaf Books⁠ to view all of Broadleaf’s important, powerful, and exciting books.

Please reach out to me if you would like to sponsor the next episode of the Madang podcast⁠. Or simply ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠support me on my Substack: Loving Life⁠.

Welcome to Madang.

Madang is the outdoor living room of the world. Here, weinvite you to sit and tune into unreserved, remarkable conversations with renowned authors, leaders, public figures, and scholars on religion, culture, and everything in between.

This is the 52nd episode, featuring Brandan Robertson a noted author, activist, and public theologian, working at the intersections of spirituality, sexuality, and social renewal. He is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, serving as the Pastor of Sunnyside Reformed Church in New York City and is the founder and Executive Director of DevOUT, a non-profit challenging far-right religious narratives in both digital and traditional media. He’s widely known as the "TikTok Pastor", with a vast digital reach of nearly 300k followers and 10 millionviews engaging his inclusive theological content across social media. He is pursuing a Ph.D. in NT at Drew University.

On this episode of Madang, Robertson and I talk about hisbook, Filled to be Emptied.

We discuss privilege, Philippians 2, discipleship,kenosis, fear, love, hope and much more.

I am grateful to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebrewed Christianity, Central Seminary and Westminster John Knox Press for sponsoring this episode.

Please join Homebrewed Christianity’s Theology Beer Camp hosted by ⁠Tripp Fuller⁠ this October. ⁠Theology Beer Camp⁠ is a unique three-day conference that brings together theology nerds and craft beer for a blend of intellectual engagement,community building, and fun.

This episode is presented by Central Seminary – a historicand accredited seminary leading with the values of Community, Empathy, Growth and Tenacity. Central offer numerous graduate degrees and certificates including our Doctor of Ministry degree in Creative Leadership which is now offered 100% online. The next Doctor of Ministry cohort begins in January 2026. 

Westminster John Knox Press publishes scholarly and popular books in religious studies. Advancing scholarship,stimulating conversation about today’s issues, and inspiring faithful living. Check out all the books now at wjkbooks.com.

Please reach out to me if you would like to sponsor thenext episode of the Madang podcast. Or simply ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠support me onmy Substack: Loving Life.

Welcome to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Madang Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠

Madang is the outdoor living room of the world. Here, we invite you to sit and tune into unreserved, remarkable conversations with renowned authors, leaders, public figures, and scholars on religion, culture, and everything in between. This has been a dream of mine for many years, and now it is a reality. Please join me at Madang Podcast hosted by the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Century⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠

This is the 51st episode, featuring GG Renee Hill, whose books have helped thousands of people overcome the emotional obstacles keeping them from living fully expressed lives. Hill’s books include two guided journals, Self-Care Check-In and A Year of Self-Reflection, as well as her debut prose book, Story Work: Field Notes on Self-Discovery and Reclaiming Your Narrative. She is a creative coach and founder of the Inner Story Writing Circle, a membership community for writers and creatives seeking guidance, support, and tools for the heart-centered work of writing about their lives (see allthemanylayers.com).

On this episode of Madang, Hill and I talk about her forthcoming book, Story Work⁠, which will be published by Broadleaf Books in November. We discuss expressive writing, mental health, a four-step creative process, how writing saved her, and much more.

I am grateful to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebrewed Christianity⁠⁠ and Broadleaf Books ⁠⁠⁠for sponsoring this episode.

Please join Homebrewed Christianity’s Theology Beer Camp hosted by ⁠Tripp Fuller⁠ this October. ⁠Theology Beer Camp⁠ is a unique three-day conference that brings together theology nerds and craft beer for a blend of intellectual engagement, community building, and fun.

Please visit Broadleaf Books to order Story Work and to view all of Broadleaf Books’ important, powerful and exciting books.

Please reach out to me if you would like to sponsor the next episode of the Madang podcast. Or simply ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠support me on my substack: Loving Life.

Welcome to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Madang Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠

Madang is the outdoor living room of the world. Here, we invite you to sit and tune into unreserved, remarkable conversations with renowned authors, leaders, public figures, and scholars on religion, culture, and everything in between. This has been a dream of mine for many years, and now it is a reality. Please join me at Madang Podcast hosted by the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Century⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠

This is the 50th Episode with John Kasich, who Kasich is a national leader who has spent a lifetime bringing people together to solve big problems and leave the world around them just a little bit better than they found it. Kasich served as the 69th governor of Ohio and ran for President during the 2016 GOP primary. Today, he runs the Kasich Company and serves as a political analyst for NBC, CNBC, and MSNBC. He is the author of four New York Times bestsellers: Courage Is Contagious; Stand for Something; Every Other Monday; Two Paths, and It’s Up to Us.

Today, I am thrilled to have John Kasich on Madang Podcast to share his book, Heaven Help Us, from Zondervan. We discuss faith institutions, hope, civic engagement, social justice, and his new book, Heaven Help Us, and much more.

I am grateful to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebrewed Christianity⁠ and Middle Church ⁠for sponsoring this episode. Please join Homebrewed Christianity’s Theology Beer Camp hosted by Tripp Fuller this October. Theology Beer Camp is a unique three-day conference that brings together theology nerds and craft beer for a blend of intellectual engagement, community building, and fun.

"The question echoes through our streets and sanctuaries: What are we called to do in a time such as this? As policies unravel justice and embolden hate, we are left searching for answers.” One place we can find those answers is at The Fierce Urgency of Now Conference on Oct 31st - Nov 2nd. Please join Middle Church and Freedom Rising for a transformative conference that brings together preachers and poets; activists, and artists; and leaders with spiritual yearnings across disciplines to confront systemic oppression and envision a path forward.

Please reach out to me if you would like to sponsor the next episode of the ⁠⁠⁠Madang podcast⁠⁠⁠. Or simply ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠support me on my ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠.

Welcome to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Madang Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠

Madang is the outdoor living room of the world. Here, we invite you to sit and tune into unreserved, remarkable conversations with renowned authors, leaders, public figures, and scholars on religion, culture, and everything in between. This has been a dream of mine for many years, and now it is a reality. Please join me at Madang Podcast hosted by the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Christian Century⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠

This is the 49th Episode with Amanda Ann Gregory, LCPC, whois a trauma psychotherapist renowned for her work in complex trauma recovery. With a keen focus on the specific needs of trauma survivors, Gregory's expertise spans over 20 years in clinical practice. She has been featured in The New York Times, The Guardian, National Geographic, and Newsweek and published in Writer’s Digest, Psychotherapy Networker, CounselingToday, and Psychology Today. 

Today, I am thrilled to have Gregory on the Madang podcast to share about her book, You Don’t Need to Forgive: Trauma Recovery on Your Own Terms (Broadleaf Books). We discuss forgiveness, trauma, the mind-body connection, racial justice, gender justice, and much more.

I am grateful to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Homebrewed Christianity and Broadleaf Books for sponsoring this episode.

Please join Homebrewed Christianity's online class, ⁠⁠Rediscovering the Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, & the Holy Ghost⁠⁠. Please read some of the latest books from Broadleaf Books, such as Liberating Yoga, by a yoga teacher Harpinder Kaur Mann who draws from her own perspective as a Sikh-Punjabi woman who was alienated by the way yoga is practiced in the United States but found her way toward reclaiming the spiritual practice for herself.

Please reach out to me if you would like to sponsor the next episode of the ⁠Madang podcast⁠. Or simply ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠support me on my ⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠.