Religion in the American Experience

Season 4, Episode 31 – The Religion of John and Abigail Adams

Welcome to another episode of “Religion in the American Experience”, the podcast that equips listeners to be more effective stewards of religion’s role in the American experiment in self-government.

During America’s semiquincentennial we are exploring religion’s role in the life and times of the major players in the establishment of the United States. Today’s topic: the religion of John and Abigail Adams.

SHOW NOTES:

Adams Papers – Digital Collection: https://www.masshist.org/publications/adams-papers/

Guest Bio

Sara Georgini is an American historian, and series editor for The Papers of John Adams, at the Adams Papers Editorial Project, headquartered at the Massachusetts Historical Society. She has a PhD in history from Boston University and is the author of Household Gods: The Religious Lives of the Adams Family. 

Podcast Support

Scholarly support provided by Lauren Turek, Associate Professor of History at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.

Technical audio and video assistance provided by Randall Stephens, Professor of American and British Studies at the University of Oslo.

Religion in the American Experience is a podcast of the private, digital-first National Museum of American Religion, which tells the story of how religion has shaped America and how America has shaped religion. This includes the establishment of religious freedom in the United States Constitution’s Article II, Section 1 “Oath or Affirmation” clause; Article VI “no religious Test” clause; and First Amendment free exercise and non-establishment clauses.

Season 4, Episode 30 – Interview with Producer of “Christianity at a Crossroads”

Welcome to another episode of “Religion in the American Experience”, the podcast that equips listeners to be more effective stewards of religion’s beneficial role in the American experiment in self-government. Today we are talking with Martin Doblmeier about his new documentary film Christianity at a Crossroads.

Christianity at a Crossroads is a four-part documentary film series that launched on PBS stations October 1. It explores the decline in Christian practice across America that has lasted for a generation, as well as the rise of the "Nones" - those who consider themselves spiritual but not religious. The series looks at the impact behind the data for all Americans as well as the places where Christianity continues to thrive. 

SHOW NOTES:

Trailer

Four episodes plus trailer

For more information visit journeyfilms.com.

Guest Bio

Martin Doblmeier is the founder and president of Journey Films. He holds degrees in Religious Studies and Broadcast Journalism and has been awarded three honorary degrees in Fine Arts and Humane Letters. Since 1983 he has produced and directed more than 30 films focused on religion, faith and spirituality, including Bonhoffer, The Power of Forgiveness, An American Conscience: The Reinhold Niebuhr Story, and Backs Against The Wall: The Howard Thurman Story.

Podcast Support

Scholarly support provided by Lauren Turek, Associate Professor of History at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.

Technical audio and video assistance provided by Randall Stephens, Professor of American and British Studies at the University of Oslo.

Religion in the American Experience is a podcast of the private, digital-first National Museum of American Religion, which tells the story of how religion has shaped America and how America has shaped religion. This includes the establishment of religious freedom in the United States Constitution’s Article II, Section 1 “Oath or Affirmation” clause; Article VI “no religious Test” clause; and First Amendment free exercise and non-establishment clauses.

Welcome to another episode of “Religion in the American Experience”, the podcast that equips listeners to be more effective stewards of religion’s beneficial role in the American experiment in self-government. Today we will explore history of Christian Science, a religion founded in the United States in the 19th century.

Season 4, Episode 29 – American Religion: Christian Science

Guest Bio

Michael Hamilton is the Executive Manager of The Mary Baker Eddy Library in Boston, Massachusetts. Mike holds a PhD from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, and his research interests include religion and education, women in religious leadership, and American religious history. He served as a United States Navy chaplain for 20 years.

Podcast Support

Scholarly support provided by Lauren Turek, Associate Professor of History at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.

Technical audio and video assistance provided by Randall Stephens, a Professor of American and British Studies at the University of Oslo.

Religion in the American Experience is a podcast of the private, digital-first National Museum of American Religion, which tells the story of how religion has shaped America and how America has shaped religion. This includes the establishment of religious freedom in the United States Constitution’s Article II, Section 1 “Oath or Affirmation” clause; Article VI “no religious Test” clause; and the free exercise and non-establishment clauses in the Bill of Rights.

Welcome to another episode of “Religion in the American Experience”, the podcast that equips listeners to be more effective stewards of religion’s positive role in the American experiment in self-government. Today we will explore William Penn, founder of the Quaker colony of Pennsylvania, and his influence on the future United States.

Season 4, Episode 28 – How Did William Penn Influence the Future United States?

Guest Bio

Andrew Murphy is professor of political science (and department chair) at the University of Michigan. He has a PhD from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Murphy's research takes up the intersections between politics and religion, in both historical and contemporary contexts. Andrew has engaged deeply with the life, career and political thought of William Penn, and is the author of William Penn: A Life; Liberty, Conscience, and Toleration: The Political Thought of William Penn; and co-editor (with John Smolenski) of The Worlds of William Penn.

Podcast Support

Scholarly support provided by Lauren Turek, Associate Professor of History at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.

Technical audio and video assistance provided by Randall Stephens, a Professor of American and British Studies at the University of Oslo.

Religion in the American Experience is a podcast of the private, digital-first National Museum of American Religion, which tells the story of how religion has shaped America and how America has shaped religion. This includes the establishment of religious freedom in the United States Constitution’s Article II, Section 1 “Oath or Affirmation” clause; Article VI “no religious Test” clause; and the free exercise and non-establishment clauses in the Bill of Rights.

Welcome to another episode of “Religion in the American Experience”, the podcast that equips listeners to be more effective stewards of religion’s positive role in the American experiment in self-government.

The influence of religion on American medicine is pervasive. This episode is an interview with Dr. Harold Koenig about the history of religion in the clinical encounter.

Season 4, Episode 26 – Religion and American Medicine - Part 2: The Clinical Encounter

Guest Bio

Harold Koenig is on the faculty at Duke University Medical Center as Professor of Psychiatry and Associate Professor of Medicine. He is also an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Medicine at King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and is Adjunct Professor in the School of Public Health at Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan, China. Dr. Koenig is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Religion and Health and is the lead author of the Handbook of Religion and Health, with professors Tyler VanderWeele and John Raymond Peteet.

Show Notes:

https://spiritualityandhealth.duke.edu/

Podcast Support

Scholarly support provided by Lauren Turek, Associate Professor of History at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.

Technical audio and video assistance provided by Randall Stephens, a Professor of American and British Studies at the University of Oslo.

Religion in the American Experience is a podcast of the private, digital-first National Museum of American Religion, which tells the story of how religion has shaped America and how America has shaped religion. This includes the establishment of religious freedom in the United States Constitution’s Article II, Section 1 “Oath or Affirmation” clause; Article VI “no religious Test” clause; and the free exercise and non-establishment clauses in the Bill of Rights.

Welcome to another episode of “Religion in the American Experience”, the podcast that equips listeners to be more effective stewards of religion’s positive role in the American experiment in self-government.

We are beginning a series exploring the history of religions’ view and treatment of planet earth, considered by many religious traditions as God’s creation. The first episode is about the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and how they view and have engaged with planet earth since their founding in early 18th century New York.

Season 4, Episode 27 – The History of Religions’ Treatment of the Earth – Part 1: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Show Notes:

Guest Bios

Dr. Matthew C. Godfrey is a general editor of the Joseph Smith Papers and a senior historian in the Church History Department, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He holds a PhD in American and public history from Washington State University. Matt has authored or coedited several books, including five volumes in the Joseph Smith Papers, The Earth Will Appear as the Garden of Eden: Essays on Mormon Environmental History, and Religion, Politics, and Sugar: The Mormon Church, the Federal Government, and the Utah-Idaho Sugar Company, 1907-1921. Instagram handle: @matacious.

Dr. George Handley is a humanities professor at Brigham Young University with a research and teaching focus on environmental humanities. He holds a PhD from the University of California, Berkeley, and is the author (co-author Elizabeth M. DeLoughrey) of Caribbean Literature and the Environment: Between Nature and Culture, Home Waters: A Year of Recompenses on the Provo River, and New World Poetics: Nature and the Adamic Imagination of Whitman, Neruda, and Walcott.

Jenica Sedgwick is the sustainability manager for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She has a BS in business management strategy from Brigham Young University in 2016.

Podcast Support

Scholarly support provided by Lauren Turek, Associate Professor of History at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.

Technical audio and video assistance provided by Randall Stephens, a Professor of American and British Studies at the University of Oslo.

Religion in the American Experience is a podcast of the private, digital-first National Museum of American Religion, which tells the story of how religion has shaped America and how America has shaped religion. This includes the establishment of religious freedom in the United States Constitution’s Article II, Section 1 “Oath or Affirmation” clause; Article VI “no religious Test” clause; and the free exercise and non-establishment clauses in the Bill of Rights.

Welcome to another episode of “Religion in the American Experience”, the podcast that equips listeners to be more effective stewards of religion’s positive role in the American experiment in self-government.

Today we will be talking with children’s author Katherine Paterson about religion’s role in her life and work.

Season 4, Episode 25 – Religion and the Life, Times, and Work of Katherine Paterson

Guest Bio

Katherine Paterson is the author of more than 40 books, including 18 novels for children and young people. She has twice won the Newbery Medal, for Bridge to Terabithia in 1978 and Jacob Have I Loved in 1981. The Master Puppeteer won the National Book Award in 1977 and The Great Gilly Hopkins won the National Book Award in 1979 and was also a Newbery Honor Book. For the body of her work she received the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 1998, the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2006, and in 2000 was named a Living Legend by the Library of Congress. She lives in Barre, Vermont and is an Elder in the First Presbyterian Church where her husband John, now deceased, was pastor.

Podcast Support

Scholarly support provided by Dr. Lauren Turek, Associate Professor of History at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.

Technical audio and video assistance provided by Dr. Randall Stephens, a Professor of American and British Studies at the University of Oslo.

Religion in the American Experience is a podcast of the private, digital-first National Museum of American Religion, which tells the story of how religion has shaped America and how America has shaped religion. This includes the establishment of religious freedom in the United States Constitution’s Article II, Section 1 “Oath or Affirmation” clause; Article VI “no religious Test” clause; and the free exercise and non-establishment clauses in the Bill of Rights.

Welcome to another episode of “Religion in the American Experience”, the podcast that equips listeners to be more effective stewards of religion’s positive role in the American experiment in self-government.

Today we will be exploring the surprising, fascinating, and little-known story of post-Vatican II liturgical jazz music in mid-twentieth century Black Catholic America.

Season 4, Episode 24 – Liturgical Jazz and Mid-Twentieth Century Black Catholic America

Guest Bio

Deanna Witkowski is a pianist, composer, scholar and author of Mary Lou Williams: Music For The Soul, winner of the 2022 ASCAP Foundation Deems Taylor/Virgil Thomson Award and the 2022 Jazz Journalists Association Award for Biography of the Year. Deanna has taught for Jazz at Lincoln Center and performed Williams’ compositions as a featured guest with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. In 2024, Witkowski completed her PhD in jazz studies at the University of Pittsburgh and is currently writing her second book based on her doctoral dissertation, “Jazz in the Pews: Experiments in Sunday Worship in the 1960s.”

Show notes:

Mass for Every Season

Mass for the Lenten Season (Stonewall Chorale + DW Trio)--starts at 12:30

Jazz in the Pews

Podcast Support

Scholarly support provided by Dr. Lauren Turek, Associate Professor of History at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.

Technical audio and video assistance provided by Dr. Randall Stephens, a Professor of American and British Studies at the University of Oslo.

Religion in the American Experience is a podcast of the private, digital-first National Museum of American Religion, which tells the story of how religion has shaped America and how America has shaped religion. This includes the establishment of religious freedom in the United States Constitution’s Article II, Section 1 “Oath or Affirmation” clause; Article VI “no religious Test” clause; and the free exercise and non-establishment clauses in the Bill of Rights.

 Welcome to another episode of “Religion in the American Experience”, the podcast that equips listeners to be more effective stewards of religion’s positive role in the American experiment in self-government.

The country is celebrating America’s 250th  – the semiquincentennial – and we are featuring episodes that explore the religion of the principal actors during the country’s founding era. Today we will be talking with Dr. Tommy Kidd about Benjamin Franklin and his religious life and beliefs.

Season 4, Episode 23 – Benjamin Franklin’s Religion

Guest Bio

Thomas S. Kidd is among the most celebrated scholars of religion and the founding of the United States. He serves as Research Professor of Church History at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is the John and Sharon Yeats Endowed Chair of Baptist Studies. Dr. Kidd has authored numerous books, including Thomas Jefferson: A Biography of Spirit and Flesh, Benjamin Franklin: The Religious Life of a Founding Father, and George Whitefield: America’s Spiritual Founding Father.

Podcast Support

Scholarly support provided by Dr. Lauren Turek, Associate Professor of History at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas.

Technical audio and video assistance provided by Dr. Randall Stephens, a Professor of American and British Studies at the University of Oslo.

Religion in the American Experience is a podcast of the private, digital-first National Museum of American Religion, which tells the story of how religion has shaped America and how America has shaped religion. This includes the establishment of religious freedom in the United States Constitution’s Article II, Section 1 “Oath or Affirmation” clause; Article VI “no religious Test” clause; and the free exercise and non-establishment clauses in the Bill of Rights.

Welcome to another episode of “The Making of US: Lived Religion in America”, a subseries of the podcast “Religion in the American Experience”, which makes each of us more effective stewards of religion’s positive role in the American experiment in self-government.

In this subseries we explore the role religion has played in the lives of everyday Americans, reminding us that while religion exerts a significant influence on the events and movements of the American project, religions primary work and where it has the most influence, is in the everyday lives of adherents.

Season 4, Episode 22 – The Making of U.S.: Lived Religion in America

Today Matt Nowakowski of Minneapolis, Minnesota joins us to share his own religious history.

Podcast Support

Scholarly support provided by Dr. Lauren Turek, Associate Professor of History at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. 

Technical audio and video assistance provided by Dr. Randall Stephens, a Professor of American and British Studies at the University of Oslo. 

Religion in the American Experience is a podcast of the private, digital-first National Museum of American Religion, which tells the story of how religion has shaped America and how America has shaped religion. This includes the establishment of religious freedom in the United States Constitution’s Article II, Section 1 “Oath or Affirmation” clause; Article VI “no religious Test” clause; and the free exercise and non-establishment clauses in the Bill of Rights.