In this episode of The Intersection, Dr. J welcomes back sociologist Dr. Brad Vermurlen for an insightful and discerning conversation at the crossroads of faith, culture, and secular life. Together, they trace the historical and philosophical currents that shaped secularism, unpack its defining features, and confront the forces (re)shaping belief today—from the rise of doubt and indifference to the pull of hyper-individualism. They explore why meaning feels elusive in a society that keeps transcendence at arm’s length, and what it takes to find a concrete anchor in a pluralistic, hypermodern world.

Drawing on Brad’s sociological research and insights from philosophy and history, the discussion moves from theory to lived experience, digging into the public–private divide, the crisis of meaning, and the enduring role of rituals and traditions. If you’ve ever wondered why belief feels harder now—and how to live honestly and with conviction—this episode offers clarity, challenge, and hope for navigating the secular age with integrity.

• Book: Reformed Resurgence: The New Calvinist Movement and the Battle Over American Evangelicalism
• Website: https://bradvermurlen.com
• Book: How (Not) to Be Secular: Reading Charles Taylor by James K.A. Smith

In this episode, Dr. J sits down with Brad Kidder—pastor, comic, church planter, and deeply unserious person (in the best possible way)—to talk about something the church doesn’t always know what to do with: humor. Specifically, how it works, why it matters, and what it’s doing in public, our pews, pulpits, and, yes, even in our hearts.

Together, they explore how absurdity shows up not just in comedy clubs, but in Scripture itself—from talking donkeys to over-the-top parables to the strange, beautiful tension of a crucified the resurrected King. They reflect on how laughter can be more than a punchline; it can be medicine, connection, release, and sometimes even a theological foretaste of hope.

With sharp insight and a mutual love for the unexpected, Brad and Justin examine how comedy opens space for difficult conversations, diffuses defensiveness, and builds bridges across difference. They also talk about the power of shared experience (especially in a disembodied age), the art of sermon-crafting with a wink, and why Christians need laughter more than they might first think.

If you’ve ever felt like faith and laughter are strange bedfellows, or wondered whether comedy might sometimes be a reverent response to living in the wildness of grace… Come for the jokes, stay for the theology. Or vice versa. We won’t judge.

River City Church - https://www.rivcitychurch.com/

Brad Kidder’s ‘socials’: Instagram, Tik Tok

In this episode, Dr. J talks with Dr. Michael Wittmer—pastor, professor of theology, and professional taker-of-fun-seriously—about the big question few Christians say out loud: Can I serve Jesus and still enjoy my life? (Spoiler: Yes. And you should.)

Pulling from his book Becoming Worldly Saints, Wittmer challenges the tired assumption that “holy” and “enjoyment” are mutually exclusive. Together, he and Justin dive into the tensions many believers feel between heaven and earth, calling and career, joy and guilt, grilled meat and spiritual disciplines. You know—the usual.

With theological depth and just enough irreverence to keep things interesting, they explore why our desire for good food, real friendships, and laughs isn’t a distraction from faith—it might actually be part of it. They take aim at Gnostic and legalistic tendencies in church culture, offer a few needed corrections to pop spirituality, and make a solid case for living fully human, not just ‘spiritually sanitized.’

If you’ve ever felt guilty for loving your life—or confused about how your weekday existence fits into God’s big plan—this one’s for you. Come for the theology, stay for the common sense. And maybe laugh once or twice along the way.

• Book: Becoming Worldly Saints: Can You Serve Jesus and Still Enjoy Your Life? 
• BLOG: https://mikewittmer.blog/
• Website: https://www.cornerstone.edu/faculty/michael-wittmer/
  
  

In this episode, Dr. J sits talks with Christine Kite—counselor, trauma specialist, and thoughtful guide at the crossroads of faith and psychology—for a compassionate and eye-opening conversation on mental health and the church. With vulnerability and clarity, Christine unpacks the weight of trauma, the realities of PTSD, and the healing power of being seen, known, and supported.

Together, Christine and Justin explore the complicated relationship many Christians have with mental health—where stigma still lingers, silence can be spiritualized, and professional help is sometimes seen as a lack of faith. Through honest storytelling, theological reflection, and clinical insight, this conversation invites listeners to reimagine healing as both sacred and scientific.

From cognitive behavioral therapy to community care, from cultural shifts to the power of empathy, this episode doesn’t shy away from hard truths—but it also refuses to abandon hope. Christine challenges us to integrate our spiritual convictions with emotional honesty and to become communities where people don’t have to hide their pain to belong.

Whether you’re a skeptic of therapy, a trauma survivor, or someone walking alongside those who suffer, this episode offers a gentle but firm reminder: healing is holy, and asking for help is not weakness—it’s wisdom.

• The Soul of Shame: Retelling the Stories We Believe About Ourselves by Curt Thompson

• Anatomy of the Soul: Surprising Connections between Neuroscience and Spiritual Practices That Can Transform Your Life and Relationships by Curt Thompson

• Getting Unstuck from PTSD: Using Cognitive Processing Therapy to Guide Your Recovery by Patricia A. Resick, Candice M. Monson, and Kathleen M. Chard

• Childhood Disrupted: How Your Biography Becomes Your Biology, and How You Can Heal by Donna Jackson Nakazawa 
• Side by Side, Riverview Church Care Ministry
• The American Psychological Association (APA) 
• Cognitive Processing (CPT) Therapists in Lansing, MI
• Mayo Clinic, Psychiatry and Psychology

In this episode, Dr. J dialogues with Jahshua Smith—educator, leader, and hip hop sage—for a wide-ranging and layered conversation at the crossroads of Jesus and justice. With wisdom, candor, and insight, Jahshua helps unpack the historical and spiritual significance of Juneteenth, not just as a commemorative event, but as an invitation to deeper discipleship and authentic community.

From the power of education to the pain of church hurt, from hip hop pedagogy to healing, this episode explores how scripture speaks into oppression and calls the church to be more than a Sunday sanctuary. Through personal stories, theological reflection, and cultural critique, Jahshua and Justin challenge us to imagine a church that truly embodies the freedom it proclaims.

Whether you're new to understanding Juneteenth or have long wrestled with the intersections of faith, race, and justice, this episode offers needed clarity and loving provocation. If you’ve ever wondered what justice has to do with Jesus—or how the gospel informs equity, community building, and collective hope—this conversation is for you.

• The Historical Legacy of Juneteenth
• All of the Above Hiphop Academy

In this episode of The Intersection, Dr. J chats with Adsum Try Ravenhill for a rich and down-to-earth conversation about the role of theology in the everyday life of faith. Together, they explore three major types of theology—biblical, systematic, and historical—and why understanding them matters not just for scholars, but for everyday believers seeking to grow in wisdom, worship, and wonder.

With clarity and insight (+ a few laughs), Adsum helps unpack how each theological lens contributes to our understanding of who God is and what that means for how we live. From the storyline of Scripture to the doctrines that hold our faith together to the legacy of the saints who have gone before, theology is not just abstract ideas but a practical and powerful invitation into deeper discipleship.

Whether you're a curious newcomer or a seasoned thinker, this episode offers an accessible entry point to the world of theology. If you’ve ever wondered how theology connects to real life or how studying God leads to worship and mission, this conversation is for you.

• Raven’s Writing Desk
• Gospel Centered Discipleship 

In this episode of The Intersection, Dr. J speaks with sociologist Dr. Brad Vermurlen for a wide-ranging conversation at the crossroads of faith, culture, and political life. Together, they unpack the historical roots and consider/contested features of evangelicalism, examine current trends within the church and society, and explore how sociological patterns shape—and are shaped by—religious identity.

Drawing on Brad’s research into various movements and American religiosity, the conversation moves from academic insight to practical reflection. Along the way, they tackle big questions around political morality, the evolving cultural landscape, and the ways history informs today’s divisive discourse. 

If you’re looking for a conversation that blends social science with spiritual wisdom—one that neither avoids nuance nor abandons conviction—this episode offers thoughtful guidance, honest reflection, and a timely challenge to live out faith with integrity.

• Book: Reformed Resurgence: The New Calvinist Movement and the Battle Over American Evangelicalism
• Website: https://bradvermurlen.com/
• Mere Orthodoxy - The Six Way Fracturing of Evangelicalism, Part 1 (Michael Graham) & Part 2 (Skyler Flowers & Michael Graham), 
• How America Fractured into Four Parts (George Packer)

In a culture where sexual addiction is normalized and the Church is often silent, how can communities become places of healing rather than hiding? In this episode, Justin chats with pastor and author Noah Filipiak to confront the reality of pornography—its widespread impact, its (spiritual) cost, and the hope of recovery rooted in Christ.

With honesty and pastoral insight, they explore how pornography distorts intimacy, fuels cycles of shame, and deceives both men and women—often starting from a tragically young age. They unpack how addiction alters the way we view relationships, why conversations about sex and accountability should be regular parts of discipleship, and how the Church’s reluctance to engage these topics leaves many struggling alone. From the link between porn and human trafficking to the dangerous myth of “harmless” consumption, Justin and Noah advocate for grace-filled honesty, vulnerable community, and the kind of practical support that makes sobriety sustainable.

If you're looking for a conversation that doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff—and believes in the transforming power of grace and truth—this episode offers challenge and hope.

Books + Alumni Community www.beyondthebattle.net

Podcast - The Flip Side with Noah Filipiak 

Formal bio & website: https://www.noahfilipiak.com

Resources: 

• Covenant Eyes https://www.covenanteyes.com
• Accountable2You: https://accountable2you.com/
• Canopy: https://canopy.us/
• SheRecovery: https://sherecovery.com/
• Her Freedom Journey: A Guide Out of Porn and Shame to Authentic Intimacy by Juli Slattery Book 

In an age where identity feels like a hyperbolic battleground, how can churches be places of belonging instead of barriers? In this episode, Justin and Young Yi talk through the tensions of unity and difference, exploring how faith communities can resist the pull of tribalism without compromising conviction.

From social identity theory to Scripture, they unpack how political affiliations and cultural camps often overshadow the gospel, how inadvertent echo chambers form, and why the authority of Christ is best expressed through grace, not dominance. With honesty and insight, Justin and Young offer a vision of community where kindness leads to repentance, drawing lines doesn't mean drawing swords, and turning neighbors into friends becomes the norm, not the exception.

If you’re feeling the strain between conviction and compassion, this conversation might be worth your time.

IG: @brotheryoung

Substack: www.becomingdust.com

Church plant IG: @kindredchurchmi

Ever had an evangelism conversation go sideways—like, spectacularly sideways? You’re not alone. In this episode of The Intersection w/ Dr. J + Friends, Justin and Jordan Allen explore the fine art of sharing faith without making people wish they had an emergency escape plan.

Jordan unpacks the five spiritual thresholds—trust, openness, curiosity, etc—highlighting how understanding someone’s (spiritual) journey can make all the difference. They dig into the power of genuine relationships, the role of spiritual warfare, and the messy realities of faith deconstruction, all while swapping stories of evangelism gone cringe (because, let’s be honest, we’ve all seen it). Through it all, they point to the compelling person of Jesus and why being present in people’s lives matters far more than a stale pitch.

If you’ve ever wondered how to have meaningful spiritual conversations without making them (unnecessarily) awkward, this one’s for you.