Step inside the world's first Methodist building with Adam Hamilton as he takes listeners on a tour of Bristol's historic New Room, revealing how John Wesley's revolutionary ministry laid the groundwork for modern social justice movements. Broadcasting live from England, Adam uncovers the surprising progressive roots of Methodism that connected coal miners to causes we're still fighting for today.
Episode Highlights:
Wesley's Anti-Slavery Stand Nearly Started a Riot – Adam reveals the dramatic 1788 scene when Wesley preached against slavery in Bristol's slave trade capital, causing angry traders to literally break apart church pews and attack each other during the service. This wasn't just moral posturing – it was dangerous activism in the heart of England's slavery industry.

Women's Rights Were Part of Methodism From Day One – While most churches excluded women from leadership, early Methodism embraced female preachers and leaders. Adam traces this progressive thread from Wesley's time through to the 1950s ordination of women in American Methodism, showing how social justice was woven into Methodism’s DNA.

Environmental Activism in the 1700s – Long before climate change became a global concern, Wesley taught that humans were called to be stewards of creation. Adam explores the museum exhibits showcasing Wesley's early environmental theology and how it connects to today's creation care movement.

From Coal Dust to Global Impact – Adam paints the vivid scene of Wesley preaching to thousands of coal miners who couldn't afford church pew taxes, watching tears cut through the coal dust on their faces. This moment of radical inclusion for society's outcasts became the template for Methodist social ministry worldwide.
Adam's tour through Wesley's private apartment brings history to life in ways that make 18th-century activism feel surprisingly relevant. The New Room wasn't just a church – it housed food pantries, schools for poor children, medical clinics, and pastor training programs that served Bristol's most vulnerable populations.
Whether you're interested in church history, social justice, or understanding how grassroots movements create lasting change, this episode reveals how one preacher's willingness to break religious conventions sparked a global revolution. 

When a longtime friendship ends over faith differences, how do you respond with love instead of defensiveness?

In this deeply personal episode, Adam Hamilton tackles one of the most painful realities of our polarized world: what happens when the people closest to us see our beliefs as fundamentally wrong—or even evil. Through vulnerable storytelling and practical wisdom, Adam explores the messy humanity of biblical figures like Judas, while sharing his own heartbreaking experience of losing hundreds of church members and a 40-year friendship over his stance on LGBTQ inclusion. This isn't a typical religious podcast episode filled with easy answers—it's an honest conversation about the cost of conviction and the radical choice to love even when it hurts.

Highlights:
Did Jesus Know Judas Would Betray Him? Adam wrestles with the mystery of Jesus' humanity, questioning whether Christ knew from the beginning that his trusted disciple would sell him out for thirty pieces of silver, and what this means for our understanding of divine foreknowledge.

The Three Days That Could Have Changed Everything What if Judas had waited just three more days before taking his own life? Adam paints a powerful picture of the forgiveness and redemption that might have been possible if Judas had encountered the risen Christ.

When 800 People Leave Your Church Adam shares the devastating personal cost of preaching about inclusion in 2004, describing months of depression and the moment his wife asked the question that changed everything: "Is God calling you to leave, or are you running away?"

Love Your Enemies—Even at Family Dinner Drawing from Dr. King's wisdom about wearing people down with love, Adam offers practical guidance for navigating relationships with family and friends who fundamentally disagree with your beliefs—without compromising your convictions.

The Friend Who Walked Away In a raw moment of transparency, Adam recounts receiving a letter from a 40-year friend who called him and his church "evil" and "cancer" for their welcoming stance—and how choosing love over defensiveness became a powerful testimony.

This episode doesn't offer neat, packaged solutions to the messy reality of human relationships. Instead, Adam invites us into the uncomfortable space where faith meets real life, where love costs something, and where the hardest commandment—to love our enemies—becomes not just a nice ideal but a daily choice. Whether you're struggling with family divisions, questioning your own beliefs, or simply trying to figure out how to love difficult people, this conversation will challenge you to see conflict through the lens of radical grace. It's a reminder that sometimes the most Christ-like response isn't to be right—it's to be loving, even when love feels like the hardest thing in the world.

Picture this: you're enjoying a peaceful evening at the lake when sudden fireworks send your beloved dog running into the woods, disoriented and afraid. For Adam Hamilton, this terrifying search for his lost dog Mabel became an unexpected window into understanding God's heart for each of us. In this deeply personal episode, Adam weaves together an impactful family story with profound biblical truths, revealing how we all sometimes find ourselves lost, running from the very love that wants to protect us. Through the lens of ancient shepherds and modern pet parenthood, Adam explores what it really means to come home to a God who never stops searching.
Episode Highlights:
The Real Reason We Run Away From God - Just like Mabel fled when she heard booming fireworks, we often run from God not because He's the source of our pain, but because life's "booms" disorient us and make us think the very place of safety is actually dangerous.

God's Relentless Search Strategy - Adam reveals how the frantic neighborhood search for Mabel mirrors God's approach in Ezekiel 34: "I will seek the lost, bring back the strays, bind up the injured, and strengthen the weak." This isn't passive waiting—it's active, determined love.

The Question That Changes Everything - "If you feel far from God, which one of you moved?" This simple but profound question cuts through religious complexity to reveal a life-changing truth about who does the wandering in our relationship with God.

Why Jesus Called Himself the Good Shepherd - Drawing from Luke 19:10, Adam unpacks why Jesus said he "came to seek and save the lost," connecting ancient parables about lost sheep to our modern experience of feeling disconnected and alone.

The Joy of Being Found - The overwhelming relief and celebration when Mabel was discovered becomes a beautiful metaphor for the "joy in heaven" when a person comes back to God - revealing that coming home to God isn't about shame, but about celebration.

Whether you've walked away from faith, never really had it, or are simply feeling spiritually disconnected, Adam's vulnerable storytelling and theological insight offer an honest exploration of how divine love actually works in real life. This episode captures that universal human experience of feeling lost while pointing toward the hope that someone is always looking for us. If you've ever felt spiritually disoriented or wondered if you've wandered too far from God, this conversation will speak directly to your heart and remind you that coming home might be simpler than you think.

Did you know there are 120 species of animals mentioned by name in the Bible? In this fascinating episode, Adam Hamilton explores what our four-legged friends can teach us about one of humanity's most universal experiences: fear. Drawing from neuroscience, personal stories, and ancient wisdom, Adam reveals how dogs offer surprising insights into overcoming the anxieties that paralyze us. This isn't your typical self-help approach to fear management. Instead, it's a thoughtful exploration of how understanding our hardwired responses can lead us toward genuine peace.
All Vertebrates Are Wired for Fear—Including You: Adam explains how the amygdala, those almond-shaped structures in our brains, bypass our rational thinking the moment we sense danger. Whether you're human, dog, or zebra, this ancient survival mechanism kicks in instantly, preparing us to fight, flee, or freeze. The problem? We often flinch at things that aren't actually threats.

The Turtle Incident: When Fear Creates Unnecessary Chaos: Through a humorous story about his dogs Mabel and Rocky encountering a harmless turtle, Adam illustrates how fear can create chaos when there's no real danger. The dogs barked frantically while the turtle retreated into its shell—a perfect metaphor for how our anxieties often spiral out of control over situations that pose no actual threat.

Rocky's Thunderstorm Wisdom: The Power of Proximity to Your Master: When a thunderstorm struck at 5 AM, Adam's dog Rocky didn't just hide. He crawled close to his sleeping owner's face. The moment Rocky could see Adam, he calmed down completely, even though the storm continued raging outside. This simple act reveals a profound truth about finding peace in the midst of life's storms.

King David's Fear Confession: "Whenever I'm Afraid": Adam unpacks Psalm 56, where David—captured by enemy Philistines—writes honestly about his fear. Notice David doesn't claim to never be afraid; instead, he says "whenever I'm afraid, I put my trust in you." This psalm became a song, something David could sing repeatedly until the truth settled into his heart and mind.

Singing Through Devastation: Real Stories of Faith in Crisis: From schoolgirls singing hymns while evacuating flood devastation at Camp Mystic to Haitian parents singing to God while standing outside a collapsed school building, Adam shares powerful examples of people finding peace through worship even in their darkest moments. These aren't stories of denial, but of choosing trust over terror.

Fear is part of being human… and that's actually okay. The question isn't whether you'll experience fear, but what you'll do when those inevitable storms hit. Will you let anxiety control your life, or will you learn from Rocky and King David about the transformative power of staying close to your Master? This episode offers both scientific insight and spiritual wisdom for anyone ready to move from panic to peace. Whether you're skeptical about faith or simply curious about practical approaches to fear, Adam's blend of humor, honesty, and hope provides a fresh perspective that doesn't require checking your brain at the door.

For anyone who has ever loved a pet deeply, the question "Will there be pets in heaven?" isn't silly—it's profoundly personal. In this episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton tackles this question with both theological depth and genuine emotion. Drawing from his own heartbreak over losing his beloved beagle Maggie, Adam guides listeners through a thoughtful exploration of what Scripture reveals about animals in God's eternal kingdom. This isn't about easy answers or theological certainty—it's about wrestling with hope, examining biblical evidence, and discovering how even our questions about beloved pets can deepen our understanding of God's character and our own faith journey.
Episode Highlights:
Biblical Evidence Points to Animals in Paradise - Adam reveals how Scripture consistently shows God's deep care for animals, from Genesis through Revelation, including the striking passage where "every creature" praises God in the heavenly realms.

The Garden Restoration Vision - Discover how the Jewish concept of "paradise" originally meant the king's garden—complete with animals—and how this shapes our understanding of heaven as Eden restored, where "the wolf will live with the lamb."

Animals May Have Souls - Through fascinating research on dog vocabulary (averaging 89 words!) and observable animal emotions, Adam explores the possibility that our pets possess some form of soul that could continue beyond death.

John Wesley's Radical Hope - Learn how the founder of Methodism believed animals would not only be restored in heaven but would have enhanced intelligence, possibly enabling true communication between humans and their beloved pets.

A Doctor's Beautiful Analogy - Adam shares a powerful turn-of-the-century story about a dying man, a faithful dog, and how our pets' trust in us mirrors our trust in God when facing the unknown.

Whether you're skeptical about faith, grieving a beloved pet, or simply curious about what lies beyond, this episode offers something profound. Adam doesn't claim to have all the answers, but he provides compelling reasons for hope while acknowledging the mystery. Don't miss this moving episode that reminds us why our questions matter and how they can actually strengthen rather than weaken our faith.

In this deeply personal episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton tackles one of life's most agonizing questions through the lens of a heartbreaking letter from a listener whose husband is suffering from Alzheimer's disease. With the compassion of a pastor who has walked alongside countless hurting families, Adam doesn't offer easy answers or platitudes. Instead, he provides a thoughtful, honest exploration of why suffering exists and challenges common assumptions about God's role in our pain. This isn't high-brow theology from an ivory tower. It's practical wisdom forged in the crucible of real human experience.
God Doesn't Cause Suffering: Adam boldly challenges the notion that God looks down and decides to give people diseases like Alzheimer's. He argues that if we truly believed God caused these conditions, we wouldn't invest in medical research—we'd simply accept it as divine will. Instead, our pursuit of cures reveals our deeper understanding that this isn't what God wants for humanity.

We Can Actually Understand Why Most Suffering Happens: Contrary to the common Christian response of "we can't understand God's ways," Adam contends that we actually do understand the mechanisms behind most suffering. From hurricanes to heart disease, from human cruelty to neurological conditions, science and experience give us insight into the "why" behind pain.

When Memory Fades, God Still Remembers: In perhaps the most tender moment of the episode, Adam offers profound hope to families watching their loved ones disappear to dementia. He reminds us that even when someone can no longer remember anything at all, God still remembers them completely—and that there's something preserved in their soul that will wake up fully restored.

It's Okay to Be Angry With God: Adam doesn't shy away from the raw emotions that accompany suffering. He acknowledges that if it were his own wife facing Alzheimer's, he'd likely feel angry with God too. This honest admission gives permission for listeners to bring their real feelings into their faith journey.

The Ultimate Response: Choosing Love in the Midst of Pain: Rather than demanding answers we may never fully receive, Adam suggests the most meaningful response is asking God for strength to love and care well for those who are suffering. It's a shift from demanding "why" to asking "how can I love better?"

This episode exemplifies why Making Sense of Faith resonates with thinking people who refuse to check their brains at the door. Adam doesn't minimize the reality of suffering or offer spiritual bypasses. Instead, he provides a framework for faith that acknowledges pain while pointing toward hope. Whether you're walking through your own valley of suffering or supporting someone who is, this episode offers both intellectual honesty and spiritual comfort. It's the kind of thoughtful exploration that can transform how you understand both God and your own capacity to love in the face of life's hardest moments.

Adam Hamilton tackles one of the most divisive questions in modern Christianity: Can you really separate faith from politics? Speaking from his peaceful retreat at the Lake of the Ozarks, Adam opens up about the intense reaction to his July 4th Facebook post discussing recent legislation and why he believes the church must speak when political decisions become moral issues. With over 600 comments flooding in—both supportive and critical—Adam uses this as a launching point to explore the biblical mandate for addressing issues that affect society's most vulnerable populations.

5 Key Insights From This Episode:

The Hebrew Prophets Were Political Activists: Adam walks through scripture to show how biblical prophets routinely spoke about what we'd call "political" issues today—from justice and oppression to care for widows, orphans, immigrants, and the poor. If the church doesn't shape our ethics around these issues, who will?

When Politics Becomes Morality, the Church Must Speak: Drawing from Micah 6:8 and Isaiah 1, Adam argues that when political decisions impact the marginalized and powerless, they transcend partisan politics and become moral imperatives that require a faithful response.

The Real-World Impact of Policy on People: Adam breaks down recent changes to SNAP (food stamps) and Medicaid, sharing sobering statistics about food insecurity affecting 13.5% of US households and explaining how policy changes will impact healthcare access for millions of Americans.

The Challenge of "Difficult to Employ" Populations: While supporting work requirements in principle, Adam raises concerns about people who struggle with mental health issues or other barriers that make traditional employment challenging—asking what happens to those who fall through the cracks.

Churches Need Both Republicans and Democrats: Adam shares how his congregation is roughly 40% Republican, 40% Democrat, and 20% independent, explaining his approach to honoring diverse political perspectives while still calling people to consider how their faith should inform their values.

This episode perfectly embodies what Making Sense of Faith is all about—wrestling with the hard questions that thinking people face rather than offering easy answers. Adam's honest reflection on the backlash he received shows the real cost of trying to build bridges in our polarized world, while his biblical grounding demonstrates why faith communities can't afford to stay silent on issues of justice. Whether you're skeptical about religion's role in public life or wrestling with how your beliefs should inform your political engagement, this conversation offers a thoughtful framework for navigating these complex intersections. Adam's genuine struggle with these questions—and his willingness to face criticism for raising them—makes this essential listening for anyone trying to make sense of faith in our complicated world.

In this captivating episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton sits down with 91-year-old Barnett Helzberg Jr., the legendary Kansas City entrepreneur who transformed a small family jewelry business into a national empire before selling it to Warren Buffett in one of the most remarkable chance encounters in business history. But this isn't just another success story - it's a profound exploration of how faith, love, and genuine care for people can shape both business and life in extraordinary ways.

Episode Highlights:

The Street Corner Deal That Made History - Discover how Barnett literally bumped into Warren Buffett on a New York street corner and turned a casual conversation into a multi-million dollar acquisition. This wasn't luck—it was the result of building a business with such integrity that no "gotchas" existed in the deal.

Why Employees Come Before Customers - Learn the counterintuitive leadership principle that revolutionized Helzberg's culture: "You're number one, not the customer." Barnett reveals how treating employees as family created a ripple effect that transformed customer experiences and drove unprecedented growth.

The Accidental Marketing Genius Behind "I Am Loved" - Go behind the scenes of how a stick-figure drawing almost thrown in the trash became a global phenomenon. Barnett shares the deeply personal story of how his own experience of feeling loved inspired a campaign that has touched millions of lives worldwide.

From Saloon to Success: Overcoming Discrimination with Grace - Hear how Barnett's grandfather, a Lithuanian immigrant who couldn't get hired due to anti-Semitic practices, started with a saloon he hated and built the foundation for a jewelry empire. This is a masterclass in perseverance and turning obstacles into opportunities.

Repairing the World Through Business and Philanthropy - Explore how the Jewish concept of "tikkun olam" (repairing the world) shaped Barnett's approach to philanthropy, including founding University Academy, a charter school that sends 100% of its graduates to college and takes underprivileged kids on life-changing international trips.

Whether you're leading a team, building a business, or simply trying to make sense of how success and faith intersect, this conversation offers profound wisdom wrapped in the warmth and authenticity that only comes from someone who has lived through both triumph and struggle. Adam masterfully draws out insights about leadership, love, and legacy that will challenge your assumptions about what really matters in life. Barnett's journey from a young man working in his family's store to becoming one of Kansas City's most respected philanthropists proves that when you lead with love and integrity, extraordinary things become possible. Don't miss this inspiring conversation that bridges the gap between the head and the heart.

In this deeply moving episode of Making Sense of Faith, Adam Hamilton sits down with Bob and Kelly Pascuzzi to explore one of life's most challenging questions: How do we forgive when someone we love does the unthinkable? Through their raw and honest conversation, Adam reveals why forgiveness isn't just a nice spiritual concept—it's the most essential life skill you'll ever learn. Drawing from decades of pastoral experience and his own struggles with forgiveness, Adam offers practical wisdom for anyone wrestling with hurt, betrayal, or the seemingly impossible task of letting go.

Five Key Insights You Don't Want to Miss:

The Six Words That Can Save Any Relationship Adam shares the two simple phrases that no successful relationship can survive without—and they're probably not what you think. These six words have the power to transform marriages, friendships, and family dynamics, yet most of us struggle to say them regularly.

Why Your Brain and Your Faith Should Work Together Forget the idea that faith requires checking your intellect at the door. Adam explains how critical thinking actually strengthens faith and why asking hard questions isn't the enemy of belief—it's often the pathway toward deeper understanding and authentic spirituality.

The Backpack Full of Rocks Metaphor That Changes Everything Discover Adam's powerful visualization for understanding forgiveness as a process of releasing the emotional weight we carry. From small pebbles of daily irritation to massive boulders of deep hurt, learn how to identify what you're carrying and why it's time to set it down.

What to Do When Someone Won't Stop Hurting You Through a personal story about a difficult parishioner, Adam reveals the surprising prayer strategy that transformed his heart over 18 months. This isn't about becoming a doormat—it's about finding freedom when you can't escape a toxic situation.

How Hurt People Really Do Hurt People Adam shares the breakthrough moment that helps unlock empathy for those who've wounded us: understanding their own pain. When we discover the trauma and wounds that shaped someone's behavior, forgiveness becomes possible without excusing what they did to us.

Whether you're struggling to forgive a spouse's betrayal, a parent's neglect, or facing an unthinkable tragedy like the Pascuzzis, this conversation offers hope without easy answers. Adam doesn't promise that forgiveness is simple or quick—sometimes it takes 18 months of daily prayer, sometimes it requires professional help, and sometimes we need to protect ourselves first. But he does promise this: learning the art of forgiveness will transform your life more than any other skill you could master.

Ready to discover how even the darkest moments can become doorways to freedom? This episode will challenge everything you thought you knew about forgiveness, faith, and what it means to truly let go.

What if the most important theological debate in Christian history happened because faithful people were simply trying to make sense of confusing ideas? In this fascinating episode, Adam Hamilton takes us back 1,700 years to explore the Council of Nicaea and the creation of the Nicene Creed—a document that emerged from one of Christianity's most heated controversies. Far from being a dry academic exercise, this ancient debate tackled the exact questions that keep thinking people up at night: Who is Jesus, really? If there's one God, how can Jesus also be God? And why does any of this matter for our daily lives? Adam reveals how a priest named Arius, genuinely trying to help his congregation understand their faith, sparked a theological firestorm that nearly split the early church. Through rich historical detail and accessible explanations, this episode shows how the church's most foundational beliefs weren't handed down from on high, but were hammered out through passionate debate, political intrigue, and the messy process of faithful people wrestling with life's biggest questions.

Highlights:
The Catchy Phrase That Nearly Destroyed Christianity - Arius created the memorable slogan "there was a time when he was not" to explain Jesus's relationship to God the Father, but this seemingly helpful teaching tool threatened to undermine the entire foundation of Christian faith.

When Being Wrong Could Get You Exiled - Adam reveals the high stakes of theological debate in the Roman Empire, where even bishops faced banishment for holding unpopular views, and how the champion of orthodoxy, Athanasius, was exiled five times for defending his beliefs.

The $10 Word That Changed Everything - The Greek term "homoousios" (of the same being) became the crucial phrase that defined Jesus as fully God, not just God-like, settling the debate about whether Jesus could truly save us or was merely a divine sidekick.

Why the Creed Became Illegal - In a stunning twist, the very term championed at Nicaea was later outlawed by the Roman Empire, showing how even "settled" theology continued to be contested for decades after the famous council.

This isn't just a history lesson—it's an invitation to understand why these ancient debates matter for anyone grappling with doubt, seeking authentic faith, or wondering how a 2,000-year-old story can transform modern life. Whether you're skeptical about Christianity or simply curious about how core beliefs developed, Adam's exploration of the Nicene Creed offers fresh insights into the faith that has shaped Western civilization and continues to offer hope to millions worldwide.