This week I was joined by my new friend Ryan Cagle, an ordained minister and eco-justice advocate. Ryan put out and awesome zine called "Crucified Earth" that offers a fresh approach to the Stations of the Cross. We discussed Ryan's journey into Eco-Justice work, the interconnectedness of various crises such as climate change, economic issues, and health crises, the role of faith in addressing these challenges, and the theological underpinnings of Eco-Justice. Ryan shares insights from his community work, including Narcan distribution and building resilience in rural communities. Overall Ryan advocates for the need for a fundamental change in how we relate to the Earth and each other, calling for a collective response to the climate crisis. Enjoy!

RESOURCES:

Seeds & Sabatoge | Theology In A World On Fire (Substack)

Crucified Earth /// An Eco-Stations of the Cross Zine

THEOLOGY BEER CAMP 2026:

Come hang out with us in Kansas City October 8-10! Get your tickets HERE.

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

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It was a Friday night... I was just hanging out not doing much and received a text message from a friend. It was Tripp and he was asking if I would still be up in an hour and if I wanted to hang out and do some late night podcasting. Obviously I said yes, and this was the result. I know we had fun! I hope you do too. Enjoy!

THEOLOGY BEER CAMP 2026:

Come join the random late night conversations with us at Theology Beer Camp October 8-10. Get your tickets HERE

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

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"There is but one truly serious philosophical problem, and that is suicide. Judging whether life is or is not worth living amounts to answering the fundamental question of philosophy." - Albert Camus

In this audio essay I wrestle with the very real and very heavy philosophical question of suicide. To help me, I invoke the voices of Simon Critchely, Jaques Derrida, and John Caputo. Enjoy.

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This week I had the honor of talking to one of my favorite Philosophers, Simon Critchley! We take a deep dive into profound themes surrounding death, suicide, tragedy, and the role of philosophy in understanding these concepts. We explore how philosophy begins with the contemplation of death and how the fear of death can enslave individuals. The discussion also highlights the intertwined nature of comedy and tragedy, the importance of theater in addressing existential themes, and the cultural narratives that shape our understanding of suicide. Additionally, we take a look at the impact of technology on mental health, the influence of generational trauma, and the complex relationship between hope and courage in the face of tragedy. Enjoy!

RESOURCES:

Notes on Suicide (Book)

The Book of Dead Philosophers (Book)

Tragedy, the Greeks, and Us (Book)

I Want to Die, I Hate My Life (Book)

Mysticism (Book)

Simon-Critchley.Com

THEOLOGY BEER CAMP 2026:

Come nerd out with your geek out! Get your tickets HERE

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

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This week on the podcast I sat down with Matt Garza, a recent graduate with a passion for philosophy and theology. We explore various aspects of worship, including its definitions, the importance of intentionality, and the complexities of worshiping Christ in light of classical theism. The conversation delves into the dual nature of Christ, the challenges of rational worship, and the implications of worship worthiness models. Throughout the discussion, we reflect on personal experiences with worship and the evolving understanding of God in contemporary theology. Enjoy!

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Subscribe to My Substack... It's Free!

Join My Patreon!

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

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This week Dr. Will M. Gervais joins the podcast to talk about his new book, "Disbelief: The Origins of Atheism in a Religious Species". Dr. Gervais discusses his research on atheism, the psychology of belief, and the cultural evolution of religion. He shares what he calls the dual inheritance model, which combines insights from both Cognitive Science of Religion and Cultural Evolution in understanding religious belief and disbelief. The discussion also touches on the misconceptions surrounding atheism, and the importance of finding common ground between theists and atheists in addressing real-world issues. Enjoy!

RESOURCES:

Disbelief: The Origins of Atheism in a Religious Species (Book)

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

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In this episode of the Rethinking Faith podcast, I welcome Micah Voraritskul, author of "Human is the New Vinyl." The conversation dives into Micah's diverse background, including his experiences as a teacher, pastor, and founder of the organization Verified Human, which aims to differentiate human-created content from AI-generated material. Micah discusses the implications of AI on creativity and education, expressing concerns about how generative AI could impact the arts and learning processes. He emphasizes the importance of human authenticity in a world increasingly dominated by technology, drawing parallels between the resurgence of vinyl records and the value of human creativity in the face of AI advancements. Enjoy!

RESOURCES:

Human is the New Vinyl (Book)

Human is the New Vinyl (Audio Book)

VerifiedHuman

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*Special thanks to Josh, Marty, and Dan. Love you guys! <3*

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This week I had the privilege of talking with Bill Kole about his new book, 'In Guns We Trust.' The conversation delves into the complex relationship between White Evangelicals and firearms, exploring themes of hypocrisy, fear, and the political landscape surrounding gun ownership. Kole shares his personal journey from Evangelicalism to investigative journalism, highlighting the challenges and contradictions within the Evangelical community regarding gun culture. The discussion also touches on international perspectives on gun violence, the role of Christian Nationalism, and hopeful initiatives aimed at reducing gun violence in America. Enjoy!

RESOURCES:

Bills Website

Join my Substack. It's Free!

Join my Patreon for $5 a month.

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

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Happy New Year! We made it... we made it somehow to 2026. To help me bring in the new year, I invited my friend Tim Whitaker to come hang out and play my little 20ish Q's game. As fate would have it, Billie Hoard texted me 45 minutes before Tim and I were set to record... so of course I invited her to join us on the podcast! We had a great time and covered a lot of ground! Enjoy!

RESOURCES:

Billie's Substack

Tim's Substack

Josh's Substack

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

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Joshua Noel and Josh Patterson dive into the graphic novel "The Goddamned" by Jason Aaron in this episode, exploring its audacious take on biblical narratives. Right from the get-go, they challenge the conventional interpretations of Cain's story, discussing how Aaron flips the script on themes of punishment and divinity. The hosts share their thoughts on the graphic novel's raw portrayal of a dark, violent world and how it reflects real-life struggles with faith and morality. They engage in a lively banter about the implications of the narrative, examining how the depiction of characters and their actions raises questions about the nature of God and the morality of those who claim to act in His name. With a mix of humor and insight, they invite listeners to rethink not just the comic, but the very foundations of belief and the narratives that shape our understanding of good and evil.

(RE)thinking Comic dives deep into the world of radical theology and comic book narratives in their latest episode, where hosts Josh Patterson and Joshua Noel explore the chaotic themes in Jason Aaron's graphic novels, "The Goddamned: Before the Flood" and "The Goddamned: Virgin Brides". With a casual vibe and plenty of witty banter, they tackle heavy topics like the nature of God, the implications of biblical narratives, and the intersection of theology and popular culture. Patterson, a former pastor turned brewer, shares his journey of reconciling faith with radical theology, while Noel, a comic book aficionado, highlights how stories from graphic novels often resonate on a personal level more than traditional religious texts. The hosts invite listeners to engage in a thoughtful dialogue about these complex themes, emphasizing that while they may not always agree, they respect the diverse narratives that shape their understanding of God and humanity. This episode showcases their unique approach to examining how ancient stories still hold relevance in contemporary society, making for an engaging listen for theology nerds and comic book geeks alike.

Takeaways:

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