Most of us have been taught that strength means suppressing emotion, staying stoic, and keeping our true selves hidden. But what if the real power lies in embracing your full humanity—your fears, wounds, and passions? Jeff Mount, a former Krav Maga instructor turned contemplative coach, shares how he navigates the tension between being a commanding physical presence and a poetic, vulnerable soul. He reveals how pilgrimage, both literal and metaphorical, becomes a sacred pathway to healing, wisdom, and belonging.

In this episode, you'll discover how stories from Celtic saints to modern trauma give us a universal language of connection. Jeff explores the significance of embracing paradox—how being a "warrior poet" is not a contradiction but a vital expression of what it means to be fully human. We break down the profound healing power of witnessing suffering—your own and others’—and how self-compassion is the ultimate act of courage.

Jeff shares stories from his journeys across Scotland and Newfoundland, illustrating how sacred travel becomes a mirror for self-awareness, belonging, and resilience. You'll learn practical frameworks for integrating contemplative practices into a high-performance life, the importance of embracing mystery over certainty, and why storytelling is a form of sacred medicine. Whether you're a leader, a creative, or someone seeking authentic connection, this episode offers insights to cultivate strength without strengthlessness, vulnerability without vulnerability abuse, and a deep sense of belonging in a fragmented world. Enjoy!

RESOURCES:

Seeking Thin Places (Book)

JeffMountCoaching

Myth and the Warrior Poet (Substack)

THEOLOGY BEER CAMP 2026:

Tickets are almost gone! Don't miss out and get your ticket(s) HERE!

*Special thanks to Marty Fredrick, Josh Gilbert, and Dan Koch. Love you guys <3*

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If you didn't know... The Emogelicals is a crossover show I do with my good buddy Jed over at "Church and Other Drugs". It is a Patreon exclusive monthly show that is a lot of fun! Here is our July episode free for you on the main feed!

If you enjoy my work or find it valuable, would you mind supporting me over on Patreon? If you can't support financially, no worries!!! Would you be willing to rate and review the show? Thanks in advance <3

Join the Patreon for $5/month

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Most people think finding your "calling" is the key to a fulfilling life — but Damon Garcia's provocative new book flips that idea on its head. Instead of chasing some elusive purpose, he argues you are already enough as you are. In this mind-shifting conversation, Damon shares how embracing mortality, rejecting toxic spiritual messages, and rediscovering community can free you from the burdens of needing to be someone else.

You'll discover why the idea of a "divine plan" might be more harmful than helpful, and how the systems of oppression—like capitalism and colonialism—are connected to our misconceptions about purpose. Damon explores the history of Satan as a symbol of empire, showing how systemic injustice is rooted in the stories we tell about power, gods, and rebellion. He challenges us to see the divine in everyday moments—through art, play, and community—rather than in some far-off ideal or future reward. Enjoy!

RESOURCES:

You Don't Need a Calling (Book)

THEOLOGY BEER CAMP 2026

Tickets are selling FAST and are almost gone... Don't miss out on your chance to nerd out with your geek out! Snag your ticket(s) today! CLICK HERE

*Special thanks to Marty Fredrick, Josh Gilbert, and Dan Koch! Love you guys <3*

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This week, Dr. Aaron Simmons joins me once again and dives deep into Emmanuel Levinas’s groundbreaking philosophy, revealing how ethics begins before ontology, before even our freedom itself, through the powerful concept of infinite responsibility to the other. Aaron helps us decipher a philosophical masterpiece that redefines how we see responsibility, ethics, and hope in a world full of overwhelming demands.

If you’ve ever felt the weight of moral obligation or wondered how to act amidst chaos, this episode offers a transformative perspective you didn't know you needed. Join us for a compelling conversation that will reshape your understanding of ethics, community, and hope. Whether you’re familiar with Levinas or just starting your journey into existential philosophy, this episode opens new avenues for living responsibly and compassionately.

RESOURCES:

Aarons Website

Aarons YouTube

Aarons SubStack

THEOLOGY BEER CAMP:

Snag your ticket(s) HERE. Join my Patreon for 10% off your ticket price!

*A special thanks to Marty Fredrick, Josh Gilbert, and Dan Koch! Love you guys <3*

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This week I was joined by philosopher Todd May, advisor to The Good Place. Discover why embracing mortality enriches life, how immortality might erode meaning, and why love thrives on vulnerability. Explore the ethics of human extinction, divine compassion, and the myth of eternal life. Perfect for thinkers and skeptics, this episode challenges assumptions and invites you to find meaning within our finite existence. Hit play and (re)think what it means to live well in a fragile world. Enjoy!

RESOURCES:

Death: The Art of Living

A Fragile Life: Accepting Our Vulnerability

Should We Go Extinct? A Philosophical Dilemma For Our Unbearable Times

A Significant Life: Human Meaning in a Silent Universe

Gilles Deleuze: An Introduction

THEOLOGY BEER CAMP:

Snag your ticket(s) HERE!

*A special thanks to Marty Fredrick, Josh Gilbert, and Dan Koch. Love you guys <3*

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This week, my good friend Dr. Taylor Thomas returns to the podcast. We decided to have a very honest conversation about meaninglessness and the weight of existence. It’s easy to feel lost in today’s world, but there’s power in acknowledging our struggles. Dr. Thomas brings his unique perspective, drawing from theology and philosophy, to explore how we can find purpose amidst the chaos. From Kierkegaard to Nietzsche... from Sartre to Camus, what do the existentialists have to teach us today about our ethics and political engagements in a world on fire? Enjoy!

THEOLOGY BEER CAMP 2026:

Get your ticket(s) and come hang out at camp! TICKETS

*Special thanks to Marty Fredrick, Josh Gilbert, and Dan Koch. Love you guys <3*

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This week I was happy to have my good friend and friend of the podcast Dr. Thomas Jay Oord join me once again. Tom recently released volume 1 of his Systematic Theology of Love. We take a deep dive into the volume and get kind of nerdy doing it... Enjoy!

RESOURCES:

A Systematic Theology of Love: Volume 1 - God and Creation

ORTCon 26

THEOLOGY BEER CAMP 2026:

Time to nerd out with your geek out! Get your ticket(s) HERE.

*A special thanks to Josh Gilbert, Marty Fredrick, and Dan Koch. Love you guys <3*

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This week, I had the privilege of hanging out with Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein! In this conversation, Chanda shares her journey into physics, the intersection of science and gender studies, the queerness of the universe, and the importance of metaphor and storytelling in understanding complex scientific concepts. She discusses her books, the role of curiosity, and how physics can be a tool for liberation and democratic engagement. Enjoy!

RESOURCES:

The Edge of Space-Time: Particles, Poetry, and the Cosmic Dream Boogie

The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey into Dark Matter, Spacetime, & Dreams Deffered

THEOLOGY BEER CAMP 2026:

Get your tickets for camp HERE.

*Special thanks to Marty Fredrick, Josh Gilbert, and Dan Koch! Love you guys <3*

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This is an audio essay originally published on my Substack.

This essay explores the possibility of joining the Existentialism of Jean-Paul Sartre and the Process Philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead. The essay imagines a theology that embraces radical freedom, divine persuasion, and cosmic creativity. It offers a fresh perspective on God, human self-determination, and the nature of authentic existence. Enjoy!

(Re)thinking Faith Substack:

Subscribe to my Substack HERE.

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This week I had the privilege of being joined by Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez to discuss his forthcoming book, "Conversion Therapy Dropout: A Quee Story of Faith & Belonging". I was also joined by a special co-host for this conversation, Dr. Learh Robinson.

Tim shares his powerful journey through conversion therapy, his experiences within the church, and his path to self-acceptance and healing. The conversation explores the harm caused by conversion practices, the importance of community, and the hope for a more inclusive church. Enjoy!

RESOURCES:

Tim's Book: Conversion Therapy Dropout

Church Clarity

Exodus International Closure Announcement

Trevor Project Research on Conversion Therapy

Tim's Book Tour Info

THEOLOGY BEER CAMP 2026:

Come hang out at my favorite event of the year! Get your tickets HERE.

*Special thanks to Marty Fredrick, Josh Gilbert, and Dan Koch! Love you guys <3*

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