Shifting Culture

In this episode, Micha  Boyett shares her story of finding out her son Ace would be born with down syndrome and the subsequent years of raising him. Through her story, she uses the framework of the beatitudes found in Jesus’ sermon on the mount as a way to embrace the limits and longings that she has been given. We talk about how the Beatitudes help redefine human worth and value through Jesus' teachings of blessing the marginalized. Micha discusses ableism, grief, suffering, spirituality, following Jesus by loving those on the margins, and living more slowly in today's fast-paced world. So join us as we learn to embrace our limits and longings, so that we can enter the full life of flourishing.

In addition to Blessed Are the Rest of Us, Micha Boyett is the author of Found: A Story of Questions, Grace, and Everyday Prayer and a contributor to the New York Times bestseller A Rhythm of Prayer, edited by Sarah Bessey. She is cohost of the award winning The Lucky Few podcast, creator of The Slow Way podcast and newsletter, and has written for publications such as the Washington Post and Christianity Today. In addition to her work as a writer, she is a part-time youth pastor at Good Shepherd Church in New York City. Boyett lives with her husband and their three sons.

Micha's book:
Blessed Are the Rest of Us

Micha's Substack:
The Slow Way

Micha's Recommendations:
Field Notes for the Wilderness by Sarah Bessey
Mostly What God Does by Savannah Guthrie

Connect with Joshua: [email protected]

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In this episode, A.J. Swoboda returns to Shifting Culture to discuss his latest book The Gift of Thorns. We talk desires and longings. Our desires are good – we see desire in Adam even before the fall. But sometimes we have desires of the flesh, but even those desires point to an ultimate longing that we have that can be ordered towards God. This is a great conversation, but we lost a bit of it because of technical issues. So you are going to miss a bit of it in the middle, but you probably won’t even notice that something is missing. So, my suggestion – get A.J.’s book. It’s really fantastic and you won’t regret it. I want to have a small group go through it together. I think it’s so helpful. But before you do all that, join us in this conversation as we figure out how to order our desires, find healing, and forgiveness.

A.J. Swoboda (Ph.D., Birmingham) is an associate professor of Bible and Theology at Bushnell University and lead mentor for the Doctor of Ministry Program on Spiritual Formation and Soul Care at Friends University. He is the author of many books, including The Gift of Thorns (Zondervan), After Doubt (Brazos), and the award-winning Subversive Sabbath (Brazos). He hosts the Slow Theology podcast with Dr. Nijay Gupta. A.J. lives and works on an urban farm with his wife and son in Eugene, Oregon.

A.J.'s Book:
The Gift of Thorns

Connect with Joshua: [email protected]

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In this conversation, John Inazu and I have a great conversation about learning how to disagree civilly. We talk the importance of seeing others as image-bearers of God, developing empathy even for those we disagree with, distinguishing facts from judgments, and finding common ground. John gave great examples of disagreeing respectfully from his legal and interfaith work. The postures of curiosity, patience, and commitment to relationships over time are crucial. Join us as we learn how to disagree, hear one another, and walk forward gracefully.

John Inazu is the author of Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect (Zondervan). He is the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion at Washington University in St. Louis. He teaches criminal law, law and religion, and various First Amendment courses. He writes and speaks frequently about pluralism, assembly, free speech, religious freedom, and other issues. John has written three books and published opinion pieces in the Washington Post, Atlantic, Chicago Tribune, LA Times, USA Today, Newsweek, and CNN. He is also the founder of the Carver Project and the Legal Vocation Fellowship and is a senior fellow with Interfaith America.

John's Book:
Learning to Disagree

John's Recommendation:
The Spirit of Our Politics by Michael Wear

Connect with Joshua: [email protected]

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In this episode, Dan Kreiss and I have a conversation about how churches can better engage emerging generations and become more just and inclusive faith communities. Dan discusses his experience ministering in New Zealand and the US. He emphasizes the importance of understanding one's community, being intentional in serving others, and working together across denominations. We also get into insights from Dan’s research on what young people value in churches, such as authenticity, action on justice issues, and community. Join us as we figure out how to engage emerging generations and become justice oriented multi-inclusive communities of faith.

Dan Kreiss has given his career to Christian ministry with emerging generations in international and domestic contexts. He served in ministry in New Zealand for 15 years with Youth for Christ, Knox Presbyterian Church, and Hutt International Boys’ School.

When they returned to the US, Dan, his wife Cindy, and their four children settled in Bristol, Tennessee where he served as professor of Youth Ministry and Dean of the School of Missions at King University. Dan completed his Master of Divinity at Emmanuel Christian Seminary and his Doctorate in Leadership and Global Perspectives at George Fox University in 2020. A revamped and updated version of his research along is set to be released in collaboration with co-author Efrem Smith, by InterVarsity Press in February.

Dan and Efrem are passionate about the church and want to ensure that emerging generations find the church to be the example to the world of genuine community and context for spiritual nurture that God desires it to be.

Dan's Book:
Church For Everyone

Connect with Joshua: [email protected]

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In this episode, Charles Martin and I explore the crucifixion of Jesus and its profound impact on his life and faith. Charles shares a powerful personal experience encountering the site of Jesus' scourging in Jerusalem, which gave him new insight into both God's wrath towards sin and his limitless love shown through Christ's sacrifice. We talk about struggling to comprehend the depth of Jesus' suffering and why he endured it, as well as the hope, grace and restoration available to all through faith in him. We also talk about the importance of community, narrative and remembering Jesus' cross. Join arms with us as we go on pilgrimage towards the cross.

Charles Martin is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over twenty books. Charles and his wife, Christy, live in Jacksonville, Florida where you might find him bow hunting, working out, or doing Tae Kwon Do with his three boys.

Charles' Book:
It is Finished

Charles' Website:
www.charlesmartinbooks.com

Connect with Joshua: [email protected]

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In this episode, Craig Detweiler and I have a great conversation around creativity, faith, and storytelling. We talk about how creativity reflects the nature of God and is a godly activity, the differences between humans and AI, and the importance of recognizing humanity. We talk about perceiving inspiration through openness to God's spirit and finding quiet moments, the role of criticism and collaboration in the creative process, and embodied worship and improvisation as ways to fully engage creativity. How do you strike a balance between digital and physical experiences and value humanity over technology. So join us as we discover ways that human intelligence will always be better than artificial intelligence.

Filmmaker and author Craig Detweiler, PhD, is President of the cultural investment organization, the Wedgwood Circle, and Dean of the College of Arts and Media at Grand Canyon University. He wrote the screenplays for The Duke, the comedic road trip, Extreme Days and directed the award-winning documentary Remand, narrated by Angela Bassett. His acclaimed books include iGods: How Technology Shapes Our Spiritual and Social Lives, Selfies: Searching for the Image of God in a Digital Age, Deep Focus: Film and Theology in Dialogue and his new book about Honest Creativity in the age of A.I. Detweiler’s cultural commentary has been featured on ABC’s Nightline, CNN, Fox, NPR, and in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Variety honored Detweiler as their 2016 Mentor of the Year.

Craig's Book:
Honest Creativity

Craig's Recommendations:
BEEF
The Bear

Connect with Joshua: [email protected]

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In this episode, Irwyn Ince and I talk about hope in the context of race, oppression, community, and lament. He inspires us to persevere in hope through difficult times. We explore the roots of hope in Christ despite past rejections, detangling oppressive actions from the gospel message, and the importance of fixing one's gaze on Jesus and enduring through suffering by looking to his example. So join us as we actively push against narratives of division by demonstrating a third way of Jesus and regularly check where we are placing our hope.

Irwyn Ince is the coordinator of Mission to North America, part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). Formerly, he was a pastor at Grace DC Presbyterian Church. He is also the author of The Beautiful Community. In 2018, Ince was unanimously elected as the forty-sixth Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) General Assembly moderator—the first African American to hold the position.

Ince is a graduate of City College of New York, Reformed Theological Seminary, and holds a DMin from Covenant Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Kim, have been married for thirty-two years and have four children and two grandchildren.

Irwyn's Book:
Hope Ain't a Hustle

Irwyn's Recommendation:
King: A Life

Connect with Joshua: [email protected]

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In this episode, Wai Jia Tam shares her incredible story of discovering Jesus and following Him despite facing many obstacles and setbacks along the way. Wai Jia grew up in a Buddhist home in Singapore but had a powerful encounter with God as a teenager that set her on a journey of faith. She shares about her experiences serving in Nepal as a young woman and how God provided in amazing ways. Wai Jia also walked through great difficulties like depression, an eating disorder and a major spinal surgery, but trusted God through it all. In this conversation she offers wisdom on discerning God's voice and taking small steps of obedience even when we feel too small. I know you'll be inspired by Wai Jia's story of God's faithfulness and how He can use our pain for His purposes. So join us as we discover how small steps of obedience can result in big dreams.

Wai Jia Tam is a multi-award-winning, international humanitarian, doctor, and speaker. Selected for Forbes Asia's inaugural 30 under 30 list, she has been featured in numerous international media outlets and is the founder of Kitedreams ministry and Kitesong Global. Learn more at kitedreams.org or follow her on Instagram @tamwaijia

Wai Jia's book:
Dream Brave

Wai Jia's Recommendations:
Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering
Counterfeit Gods

Connect with Joshua: [email protected]

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In this episode, Alan Fadling talks about his journey with anxiety and how he has learned to manage it through deepening his faith in God. Alan shares practical tools like meditation on scripture and spiritual disciplines that have helped redirect his anxious thoughts and feelings towards peace. Joshua and Alan discuss how communities can come together through practices like communion to collectively experience less anxiety and more of God's shalom, even in troubling times. This conversation provides hope and guidance for anyone struggling with anxiety, and looking for spiritual paths to greater peace.

Alan Fadling, (MDiv), serves as a frequent speaker and consultant with local churches, national organizations and leaders internationally. His content is approachable, usable and transferable. He shows leaders how to get perspective so their leadership flows from a full soul and out of healthy rhythms of rest and work. A trained Spiritual Director, Alan is author of An Unhurried Life, An Unhurried Leader and A Year of Slowing Down.

Alan's Book:
A Non-Anxious Life

Alan's Recommendation:
The Message

Connect with Joshua: [email protected]

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In this episode, Andi Andrew and I have a conversation around transition and change. We dive into hearing God’s voice, discerning the Holy Spirit, paying attention to the signs, and knowing when to jump and be brave in the midst of change. We build our foundation on the rock as we reflect on the story at the end of the sermon of the mount that Jesus tells about the wise and foolish builder. And we talk through dealing with grief and loss during transition, both personally and communally. Join us as we brave change and hold on to the rock as transitions come.

Andi Andrew is the podcast host of Coffee With Andi and the author of She Is free, Fake or Follower, Friendship-It’s Complicated and Braving Change. Passionate about freedom, family, and creating safe spaces for the prophetic to move, Andi is a heartfelt preacher who loves to see the reality of the gospel worked out in our everyday lives.

Based in Charleston, South Carolina, and planted at Seacoast Church, Andi’s life is currently focused on raising her kids, writing, and investing in local churches and lives around the world.

Andi's Book:
Braving Change

Andi's Recommendations:
Trust by Henry Cloud
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Connect with Joshua: [email protected]

Go to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.

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Consider Giving to the podcast and to the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link below.

Listen to The Good, The True, and The Cinema anywhere you get podcasts.

Support the show