Progressive Southern Theologians podcast

In today's episode the guys welcome back friend of the pod, the Rev. Dr. Joe Scrivner, Dean of Chapel at Stillman College. In the first segment, the guys have a conversation about race while talking about the movie Judas and the Black Messiah and the book The Sum of Us by author Heather McGhee. In the second segment the guys discuss the relationship between Christianity and Culture through the lens of the Niebuhr brothers and the departure of Beth Moore from the Southern Baptist Conference. They also explore the possibility that the United States is attaching religious devotion to political philosophy even as the influence of the Church is declining. These are great conversations to listen in on. Of course we will bless some hearts and must a little from the front porch. Check it out!

In today's show, the guys welcome the Rev. Dr. Jonathan LeMaster-Smith, UMC pastor, academic, and expert in all things having to do with the rural South. In the first segment, Marc, Jamie, and Jonathan talk about the ecclesial politics around LGBTQIA+ inclusion, Dr. Seuss, and Morgan Wallen. The segment ends with our take on "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me--Southern Edition in which the guys discuss the propriety of squirrel in Brunswick Stew, the best recipe for souse meat, and the greatness of Ric Flair. In the second segment, attention turns to the lack of rural access to quality healthcare and the success of the recently completed pilot program in Stockton, CA in which 175 families were given $500-a-month, no strings attached in hopes that this would allow the families to experience better (and fuller) employment, reduced familial anxiety, and a greater sense of wholeness. In between segments, Jamies offers up the quickest blessing of hearts in the history of the show and of course there will be some musings from the front porch. Having tried to get Jonathan on the show two previous times only to have technical difficulties during the interview, this third take is a great success (and conversation.) 

In today's episode, the guys welcome their good friend from their days at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Constructive Theologian and Assistant Professor at the Claremont School of Theology at Willamette University, Yuki Schwartz, onto the show to talk about her work around both in the academy and in the church. Schwartz talks about the role of social justice in the work of theological reflection and how best to meet folks where they are so that religious studies don't remain in the Ivory Tower but, instead, take the lived experience of people seriously. In the second segment, Schwartz explains her area of research on the theological value of shame and the role that shame has come to play in our body politic. The three then talk about the power of shame to keep marginalized communities knowing their place in the hierarchy of the nation. As an example they talk about the actions of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene in her efforts to shame members of the transgender community into fitting into her narrowly defined gender categories. Of course hearts will be blessed in the middle of the show and a full-on geek conversation breaks out as the three discuss WandaVision, the Marvel Comics Universe, and the Star Wars canon while on the front porch musing. We hope that you will enjoy this week's offering.  

Friends, in today's show, Marc and Jamie return from a brief hiatus to talk about the unfolding humanitarian disaster happening in the state of Texas. They also discuss the philosophical foundations in Republicanism that have been challenged in the last week by the privatization of the power grid in the Lone Star State. The first segment draws to a close with a spotlight on the good work being done by former Rep. Beto O'Rourke and current Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for the people of Texas. In the second segment the guys look at the world after a second Trump impeachment trial. They lift up those Republicans who crossed over to vote with the Democrats for conviction and what will happen to those Representatives who voted for impeachment, as well. Of course, the guys will bless some hearts, muse from the front porch a bit about their shared love of Kanye West, and you know they aren't going to take a pass on Ole Lyin' Ted Cruz. This is a jam-packed episode!

In today's show, the guys talk about the inauguration that was, the coming out party for Amanda Gorman, Lady Gaga's stunning performance, and Garth Brooks showing up for a black-tie event wearing bluejeans. Oh, and Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were sworn in, too. In the second segment Marc and Jamie talk about the fall of QAnon, the anger of the proud boys, and the blissful calm of Jen Psaki's presence in the White House Press Briefing Room. Of course the guys offer up some well deserved blessings for a couple of hearts and then in a first for the show, a shared Front Porch Musing about the life and legacy of Hank Aaron. It's a rare show with no guest but a lot to talk about. Check it out!

In today's episode, the guys start season two of the pod by welcoming dear friend Dr. Eric Weed onto the show to talk about the attempted coup in our nation's capital. With Dr. Weed's help, Marc and Jamie explore the racial, religious, and cultural underpinnings of Trumpism and the riot in the Capitol Building. They also discuss the future of politics in the country, the significance of the elections of Rev. Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff to the US Senate from the great state of Georgia, and if there is a bigger tool in all of professional politics than Alabama's  Rep. Mo Brooks. Of course all three bless some hearts and muse a little from the front porch. Check out this supersized episode if you are trying to make sense of the last week in the United States. 

On the last show of the year the guys talk about the highlights and lowlights of what most agree was a terrible, terrible year. They discuss the shifting political winds, the ascension of women in the halls of power, and those who have passed on in 2020. Jamie talks about the odiousness that is Tucker Carlson and Marc talks about a truly gross tradition from Wisconsin. The second segment find the boys taking about their favorite holiday traditions from their childhood, Marc's love of burnt mac and cheese and Jamie's love of raw mayonnaise. Of course they finish the show with some front porch musings and hopes for the new year. This is a great way to say, "goodbye," to 2020 and get ready for 2021. 

In today's episode the guys welcome artist, activist, and all around excellent human being, Leigh Anne Chambliss Armstrong onto the show. In the first segment the Marc, Jamie, and Leigh Anne talk about her music, spirituality, and anti-racism work in Auburn, AL. Leigh Ann also performs one of the song-a-day songs that she has written in the midst of the pandemic. In the second segment Leigh Ann hangs around and all three discuss Kelly Loeffler, Raphael Warnock and  what happens when the prophet runs for public office. Jamie also offers Attorney General Bill  Barr a number of websites where he might find a new job after saying that there was no widespread fraud in the election. Of course the guys will bless some hearts and muse a little bit from the front porch. 

In today's episode, Marc and Jamie talk about the ridiculous lengths to which the Trump campaign (and a great many elected officials) is going to avoid calling Joe Biden the President-elect. They discuss the hand recount in Georgia and the refusal of some in Michigan to certify the vote totals from a state the Biden won by 155,000 votes. In the second segment the guys look at a post-Trump era for both Trump himself, his family, and the GOP, in general. They finish up the segment by speaking a bit about what Joe Biden can hope to accomplish in his first term. Of course the guys bless some hearts, including a return receiver of blessing, and muse a little bit from the front porch. Check it out!

In today's show Marc and Jamie talk about the results of the recent US Presidential Elections. In the first segment they discuss the greatness of Stacey Abrams and he cadre of GOTV superstars in Georgia and Jamie complains mightily about the candidacy of Cal Cunningham for the US Senate from North Carolina. In the second segment they talk about the ascension of Kamala Harris and what that means for American women and girls to have someone that looks like them sitting in the Vice President's office. In between segments the guys bless the hearts of Paula White, Kenneth Copeland, and any number of Trumpy televangelists who are in desperate need of Divine light following November 3rd. Of course the show winds down with some Front Porch Musings and Marc's love of The Queen's Gambit.