In this episode, I’m joined by Aviva Marchione, a Reconstructionist rabbi in Philadelphia who brings both depth and playfulness to the spiritual questions we’re often too afraid to ask out loud.

We talk about her journey into a movement that leans into change, what it means to carry tradition without being bound by it, and how grief can shape the way we experience God. Along the way, we explore metaphors of the divine—from time and thread to doors and love blobs—and reflect on what happens when a rabbi doesn’t have all the answers, and doesn’t pretend to.

Episode Breakdown

⏳ 4:00 — A Brief History of Reconstructionist Judaism
Aviva explains the origins of the movement and its core philosophy of evolving tradition.

⏳ 11:04 — Becoming a Rabbi
How Aviva came to the rabbinate through curiosity, community, and a reimagined vision of who gets to lead.

⏳ 21:02 — God as Interconnectedness and the “Love Blob”
We explore metaphors of God as the thread of life, and Nicole shares her sister’s image of their father returning to the “love blob.”

⏳ 25:45 — God as Time
A conversation on how big moments—like grief—bend our sense of time, and how ritual helps us mark those sacred disruptions.

⏳ 29:29 — What’s Not Working Right Now?
Aviva reflects on her current distance from a personal God, and the door she’s not quite ready to open.

⏳ 37:00 — Jewish Metaphors for God
Aviva shares Judaism’s rich and varied language for the Divine.

⏳ 41:00 — A Rabbi, But Not “Religious”
Aviva unpacks how she identifies deeply with Jewish life while not fitting the mold of what some expect a rabbi to be.

⏳ 44:41 — What Does Sacred Uncertainty Mean to You?
A beautiful closing reflection on not knowing, and how that, too, can be sacred.

References

1. Denominations of Judaism: Judaism has had several denominations or movements, each with different practices and interpretations of Jewish laws and teachings. The major ones include:

• Orthodox Judaism: The most traditional branch, which maintains strict adherence to the Torah and Jewish law (Halakha).

• Conservative Judaism: Seeks to balance tradition with modernity, maintaining many aspects of Jewish law while adapting to contemporary life.

• Reform Judaism: Emphasizes individual autonomy and reinterpretation of Jewish tradition in light of modern knowledge and values.

• Reconstructionist Judaism: Focuses on Judaism as an evolving religious civilization, adapting Jewish tradition to contemporary life.

• Humanistic Judaism: A non-theistic movement that focuses on Jewish culture and heritage, with an emphasis on human values.

1. Torah: The Torah is the central and most important religious text in Judaism, considered the written law or teachings of God. It consists of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) and is often referred to as the "Five Books of Moses."

2. Halakha: Halakha is the collective body of Jewish law, derived from the Torah, the Talmud (a Jewish text of rabbinic teachings), and other rabbinic writings. It covers all aspects of Jewish life, including rituals, ethics, and behavior, and serves as a guide for how Jews should live according to God's commandments.

3. Sh'ma Prayer (Shema): The Shema is a central prayer in Judaism, recited daily by observant Jews. It is a declaration of the oneness of God and an affirmation of Jewish faith. The prayer begins with the words, "Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one." The Shema is often recited in the morning and evening prayers, and it emphasizes the importance of loving God with all one's heart, soul, and strength.

4. Shekhinah: The Shekhinah refers to the feminine aspect of God's presence in the world. It is often described as the divine presence that dwells among people, especially in times of holiness or in the presence of the community. The Shekhinah is not a separate deity but an expression of God's immanence, seen as nurturing and comforting.

In this episode, I talk with Matthew—my friend, a former organizer, a religious order sampler (references below), and someone who, like me, lives in that strange, sacred space between deep religious roots and radical institutional reimagination.

We explore what it means to still be shaped by the Church even after you’ve walked away from some of its teachings. We talk about burnout, rethinking vocation, and how sacred work doesn't always look like ministry in a formal sense—but can still be holy.

⏳ 05:00 – Being a leftist and a believer
Matthew reflects on organizing, activism, and how leftist values and faith intersect. We talk about holding reverence while pushing for revolution, and what happens when ministry doesn’t look like ministry.

⏳ 11:24 – Faith upbringing
Growing up deeply Catholic, Matthew was shaped by various orders—Franciscans, Dominicans, Jesuits, and Augustinians—and we explore how that legacy still informs his worldview.

⏳ 18:45 – Faith and doubt
We enter the thick of it—grappling with doubt, grief, and how faith evolves when the institution no longer fits.

⏳ 21:53 – "Catholic-ish": a critical yet embracing approach

We discuss the tension between critique and embrace of the church and its institutions, striving to find balance in faith and service.

⏳ 26:53 – What does sacred uncertainty mean to you?
We close with reflections on the beauty of not knowing and on doubt as devotion.

Franciscans- Rooted in the life of St. Francis of Assisi, the Franciscans emphasize simplicity, care for the poor, and deep connection with creation.
✶ Fun fact: St. Francis is known for his deep love for animals and nature, even preaching to birds and other creatures, seeing them as his "brothers and sisters" in creation.

Dominicans- Known as the Order of Preachers, Dominicans value intellectual inquiry, preaching, and truth-seeking grounded in love.
✶ Fun fact: The Dominican order’s symbol includes a dog holding a torch, representing St. Dominic's mission to spread the "fire" of truth through preaching.

Jesuits- Founded by St. Ignatius of Loyola, the Jesuits focus on education, social justice, and spiritual discernment through practices like the Examen.
✶ Fun fact: Jesuit priests are known for their strong commitment to education, founding prestigious universities around the world, including Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

Augustinians- Inspired by the writings of St. Augustine, this order values community life, interior reflection, and the search for truth in love.
✶ Fun fact: The Augustinians are the founding order of Villanova University, where their commitment to truth, unity, and love shapes the campus’s spiritual and intellectual life.

Episode BreakdownA Psalm according to MatthewResources

In this continuation of our conversation, Julie Sheetz shares her personal journey of faith—growing up Presbyterian, becoming a pastor, and ultimately finding her calling in interfaith ministry. She reflects on the formative experiences that shaped her spirituality, from her mother’s deepening faith to her own early explorations of Quakerism and social justice.

Julie opens up about the complexities of leading a faith community while holding deep questions, the struggles of navigating religious institutions, and how advocating for LGBTQ+ inclusion in the Presbyterian Church played a pivotal role in her transition to interfaith work. We discuss the challenges of faith in uncertain times, the tension between belief and doubt, and the ways in which sacred wrestling can bring us closer to meaning.

Episode Breakdown

⏳ 01:00 Growing up Presbyterian

Julie’s early experiences with faith, her parents’ deepening spirituality, and how her upbringing influenced her.

⏳ 6:30 First encounters with other faith traditions

A high school crush led her to Quaker meetings, and college further broadened her perspective on spirituality.

⏳ 07:45 The call to ministry & seminary years

Julie’s initial desire to be an English teacher, the academic rigor of studying religion, and her decision to enter pastoral ministry.

⏳ 9:00 Wrestling with faith as a pastor

The expectation that religious leaders must have certainty, and how her doubts and questions shaped her ministry.

⏳ 14:10 LGBTQ+ inclusion & institutional challenges

Julie’s advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights within the Presbyterian Church and how it sparked her transition to broader interfaith work.

⏳ 16:15 - Moving Into interfaith ministry

How her experience in church leadership, social justice work, and theological study prepared her for multifaith engagement.

⏳ 17:30 - How her faith looks today

Julie’s current relationship with the Presbyterian Church, how her beliefs have evolved, and the practices that sustain her spirituality.

⏳ 22:00 - History and overview of the Presbyterian Church

A look at the Presbyterian Church’s origins, its connection to the Reformation, and how its structure and theology developed over time.

⏳ 31:38 - A current faith question Julie has

The enduring question of why suffering exists, process theology’s influence on her perspective, and how she finds meaning in uncertainty.

⏳ 38:10 - What does sacred uncertainty means to you?

A deep dive into the story of Jacob wrestling with the angel and why she believes wrestling with faith is part of the spiritual journey.

This week, I talk with Julie, the Director of Multifaith Ministry at Villanova University, to explore the power of interfaith engagement and the role it plays in creating a more inclusive campus community. Julie’s work is rooted in supporting students from a variety of spiritual backgrounds, creating a space for them to navigate their faith with openness and respect for others.

Julie shares her unique perspective on how interfaith dialogue isn’t just about finding common ground—it’s about understanding how different beliefs and practices can enrich our own. For many students, college is a time of discovering a deeper connection to their faith or redefining their spiritual journey. Julie’s insight into this process highlights how vital it is to embrace spiritual diversity.

As we reflect on the evolving landscape of faith and identity, it becomes clear that faith is not static. It’s a living journey that unfolds as we grow, ask questions, and engage with others. Whether you’re someone who is actively exploring your spiritual identity or simply curious about how faith shapes our relationships and communities, this episode offers something to think about.

Next week, Julie will share her personal journey of faith, from her roots as a Presbyterian to her years as a pastor, and how those experiences led her to the work she’s doing today. I’m excited to share more of her story with you!

This week’s guest, Jacob, a senior at Villanova University, shares his story of navigating an evolving faith identity as a new college student. He explains ways he has remained connected to his family's faith while embracing fresh perspectives that enrich his spiritual journey.

Episode Breakdown

⏳ 02:12 Jacob’s faith background

⏳ 08:03 Reflecting on his faith identity as a new college student

⏳ 18:50 Jacob nerding out on Dungeons and Dragons

⏳ 21:50 Anxiety, doubt, and questions

⏳ 29:17 Redefining your faith identity

⏳ 34:14 Being curious when someone believes differently than you

⏳ 50:30 A current faith question Jacob has

⏳ 63:25 What does sacred uncertainty mean to you?

In this first episode, we jump right into a deep and personal talk about faith and sexuality—two parts of who we are that are often framed as opposing forces in religious spaces. My guest, Jake, and I chat about what it means to fully accept both parts of ourselves as good and even sacred. Jake and I both come from the LDS church. Although the primary focus of this podcast is on interfaith dialogue, I also value intrafaith conversations and the diverse perspectives they bring.

I’m super passionate about how our faith communities deal with sexuality—and how they often brush it aside. It’s usually treated like it’s something we should keep under control or hide. I believe we need to celebrate the fact that we’re both sexual and spiritual beings.

Episode Breakdown

⏳ 00:00 Introduction

⏳ 04:56 How church teachings shaped our views on sexuality

⏳ 09:00 Structured vs. exploratory faith

⏳ 17:55 Reconciling faith and sexuality

⏳ 31:02 Releasing shame and setting personal boundaries

⏳ 44:00 Why faith and sexuality can coexist

⏳ 50:00 Closing thoughts

I’m thrilled to share this conversation with you, and I hope it inspires you to embrace every facet of your being—sexual, spiritual, and everything in between. Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to know how you reconcile these aspects in your own life!

For references mentioned in the episode, go to https://sacreduncertainty.substack.com/