The Open Table Collective Podcast

Bette Dickinson is an author, speaker, leader, and artist who has a passion for spiritually leading people into well-being and flourishing. Through her powerful artwork, writing, and leading Bette brings to light the critical importance of the spiritual practice of lament. By engaging in the regular practice of lament it can lead to more well-being, flourishing, and spiritual growth in one's life. We are excited to sit down at the table with Bette...so pull up chair...you belong here...let's discover together the power of lament.

Sitting at the table with us is K. William Kautz, the author of the book "Milky Ways and Fireflies" which chronicles the tragic loss of two of his sons and how the journey through such devastating suffering and loss led to a rediscovery of wonder. Will has such a humble and thoughtful approach as he shares his experiences and hard fought wisdom. This is an important conversation and one you do not want to miss. Welcome the table...we have a seat saved just for you...let's sit down and learn together!

Sitting at The Open Table with us today is Michael Spehn. Michael and his wife Gina are New York Times best selling authors of the book The Color Of Rain which chronicles their journey through the loss of their respective spouses to cancer and how that experience drew their families together. Michael speaks to the pain of loss but also how suffering is the connective tissue of humanity and something, if embraced, can eventually lead to new growth. He offers great insights and wisdom to help all of us move through, not over or around, the pain and suffering of our lives. Please pull up a seat...you belong here...let's listen and learn together.

The Open Table Collective is grateful to welcome Mallory Wyckoff to the table. Mallory is an author of the book "God is..." she is also a spiritual director, peace builder and peace maker, speaker, and incredible leader. Mallory takes us on a journey of how to navigate the liminal times of our life. The times where we are in the waiting between what was and what will be. Mallory is also involved in peace making and building work in a time of so much conflict so the conversation naturally went to some thoughts about the conflict in the Middle East and how we can be part of creating peace right here in our backyards.

On September 16th The Open Table Collective was honored to host author, speaker, and activist Shane Claiborne live in the Detroit area. In this talk Shane passionately challenges all Jesus-centered people to make a stand against the violence that is tearing through the United States and rethink how we are embracing the sacredness of every person. With all the war, violence, and tension that exists around the world this message could not be more perfectly timed. So pull up a chair to the table...let's learn and be challenged together.

The Open Table Collective is honored to have at the table Dr. Isaac B. Sharp as we discuss his new book The Other Evangelicals: A Story of Liberal, Black, Progressive, Feminist, and Gay Christians and the Movement that Pushed Them Out. In this table conversation we look at the rise of the modern Evangelical movement in the West and how its roots in fundamentalism are still impacting other expressions of the Christian church even to this day. As always everyone is welcome to the table and there is a seat saved just for you. Pull up a chair and let's see what we discover together.

In June of 2023, The Open Table Collective hosted a live gathering in Detroit featuring renowned author, pastor, teacher, and top Christian ethicist Dr. David Gushee. The topic was full inclusion of the LGBTQ+ community into the entire life of the Christian church. This podcast is a follow up conversation to discuss questions we were unable to address at the live event. We are certain this extended conversation will continue to challenge anyone who listens with ears to hear and hopefully inspire new ways to view God, scripture, ourselves, and our neighbors leading to radical love and inclusion. So please pull up a chair at The Open Table Collective and let's discover what God has for us together.

Danny Cox, the host of The Open Table Collective Podcast and a former mega church evangelical conservative pastor, sits down at the table with his trans daughter Bea to discuss family, religion, sexuality, and Jesus. This conversation is raw, real, unscripted and unedited as they both are still working through their life together with Jesus. In a time when trans people and the trans community are under so much fire from the conservative religious contingency this dialogue is a breath of fresh air as you hear a father and child fight to keep Jesus and their relationship the most important part of their lives. No matter where you find yourself of these kinds of matters this conversation is not one you will want to miss. Pull up a chair at the open table and lean in!

This episode we welcome Jamie Winship to the table as he talks so inspirationally about how every person can live within their unique God given identities to have immeasurable impact in the world. Jamie has learned what it takes for individuals to discover the transformative power of living fearlessly in their true identity from decades of work bringing peaceful solutions to some of the world’s highest conflict areas. All people wrestle with deep fear and struggle to live truly free within their authentic God given self. Jamie helps us start to imagination and takes steps towards living with less fear and more courage. Welcome to The Open Table Collective...pull a chair and let's see where God will take us this time.

Bea and Danny talk through the moment when Jesus closest disciples got to witness upon the mountain the transfiguration of Jesus alongside Elijah and Moses. It is a very mysterious but relevant moment not just for the early followers and friends of Jesus but for all Jesus-centered people throughout history. Please come sit at the cluttered table of life and faith to find out what this moment in the early church might mean for us today!