In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Dan Hummel sits down with historian John Fea, distinguished professor at Messiah College and visiting fellow at the Lumen Center, to explore one of the most debated questions in American history: Was America founded as a Christian nation? John shares insights from his Upper House lecture, unpacking the complexity behind this question and why it matters today. They discuss definitions of “Christian” and “nation,” the role of religion in the founding era, and the cultural and political stakes of this debate.

📌 What You’ll Learn:

· Why this question is more complicated than it seems.

· How religion influenced the founding era—and where it didn’t.

· Why the debate is rooted in modern culture wars.

· The historian’s challenge: communicating nuance in polarized times.

🔗 Resources & Links:

· John Fea’s book: Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? - https://a.co/d/5ZHqfgt

· John Fea’s podcast: The Way of Improvement Leads Home - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-way-of-improvement-leads-home-american/id1071244872

· SLBF Studio: https://slbf.org/studio

📣 Upper House Commons Lecture Series:

· LECTURE ONE

 Apple Podcasts = https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/upper-house-events/id1715922039?i=1000737152176

🎧 Spotify = https://open.spotify.com/episode/0SKgSp7Ch0n3gz0JWCYdpe?si=fa4951404ca44b00

· LECTURE TWO

 Apple Podcasts = https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/upper-house-events/id1715922039?i=1000737152192

🎧 Spotify = https://open.spotify.com/episode/058DbBKLtPspshjYC0F1Io?si=77f904172c004bbb

· LECTURE THREE

 Apple Podcasts = https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/upper-house-events/id1715922039?i=1000737152775

🎧 Spotify = https://open.spotify.com/episode/1CcXH1w0YdYe96JGsuEq5G?si=5e4f34631cf240c2

In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host John Terrill sits down with theologians David Buschart and Ryan Tafilowski, co-authors of Worth Doing: Fallenness, Finitude, and Work in the Real World. Together, they explore a more universal theology of work that speaks to all professions—not just those with high agency or prestige.

The conversation dives into:

• Why most faith-and-work discourse overlooks the realities of fallenness and finitude.
• How embracing our created limits can be liberating rather than frustrating.
• How gaining a theology of work that moves beyond only ideas of productivity or calling can help us in the trenches of our jobs.
• How a more robust theology of work can provide spiritual wisdom for navigating seasons of toil and unmet expectations.

If you’ve ever wondered how your daily labor—whether in the boardroom, classroom, or trades—fits into God’s story, this episode offers clarity and hope.

About our guests:

W. David Buschart (PhD, Drew University) is professor of theology and historical studies at Denver Seminary. He is the author of Exploring Protestant Traditions and coauthor of Theology as Retrieval. He is a ruling elder and member of the theology committee of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.

Ryan Tafilowski (PhD, Edinburgh) is an assistant professor of theology at Denver Seminary and the lead pastor of Foothills Fellowship Church in Littleton, Colorado. He is the coauthor, with Ross Chapman, of Faithful Work: In the Daily Grind with God and for Others. He previously served as theologian-in-residence for the Denver Institute for Faith and Work.

Resources & Links:

• 📖 Worth Doing: Fallenness, Finitude, and Work in the Real World = https://www.ivpress.com/worth-doing
• 🔗 Denver Institute for Faith & Work = https://www.denverinstitute.org/
• 🔗 Karam Fellowship = https://karamfellowship.org/
• Theology of Work Project = https://www.theologyofwork.org/

In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Rebecca Cooks sits down with Dr. Christine Jeske—professor, researcher, and author of Racial Justice for the Long Haul: How White Christian Advocates Persevere and Why. Christine shares compelling stories and research on what sustains hope and commitment in the pursuit of racial justice. From personal experiences to systemic challenges, we explore why this work is not a quick fix but a lifelong journey rooted in grace, resilience, and community.

1. Why racial justice requires more than short-term activism.
2. Four common pitfalls that derail perseverance—and how to navigate them.
3. The role of lament, mending, risk-taking, and joy in sustaining advocacy.
4. How Christian hope reframes our approach to justice.
5. Practical insights for white Christians seeking long-term engagement.

1. Book: https://a.co/d/azCpsPj
2. Past Episodes & Resources: slbf.org/studio

1. “We are seeking out a justice that moves to community rather than a justice that says, ‘All right, we’re all even now.’”
2. “Grace is not about saying, ‘Oh, it’s fine.’ You can’t forgive something unless you’ve named what was wrong.”
3. “Sometimes the best way to fix it is just to live it.”

In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Daniel Johnson sits down with film critic and author Abby Olcese to explore how movies can deepen our spiritual rhythms throughout the church calendar. Abby shares insights from her book, Films for All Seasons: Experiencing the Church Year at the Movies, discussing how films like The Last Jedi and Paddington reflect themes of hope and joy during Advent, and how unexpected choices, such as Children of Men, illuminate Christmas. We also dive into the practice of watching films devotionally, regaining community around movies, and Abby’s top film recommendations for 2025.

Key Topics:

• Why Abby wrote Films for All Seasons
• How to watch movies devotionally using Lectio Divina principles
• Advent themes in The Last Jedi and Paddington
• Christmas through the lens of Children of Men
• Building community around film in a streaming era
• Abby’s 2025 film recommendations, including Wake Up Dead Man

Resources & Links:

• Films for All Seasons: Experiencing the Church Year at the Movies, (IVP, 2024) = https://www.ivpress.com/films-for-all-seasons

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro

02:15 – Why Abby wrote Films for All Seasons

08:30 – Watching movies devotionally

15:45 – Advent themes: Hope & Joy (The Last Jedi, Paddington)

32:10 – Christmas themes: New life in Children of Men

45:00 – Regaining community around film

52:30 – Abby’s 2025 film recommendations (Wake Up Dead Man)

58:00 – Closing thoughts

Forgiveness isn’t a one-time decision—it’s a process that touches every part of our lives. In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Jean Geran sits down with Father Chad Magnuson, an Anglican pastor and PhD in psychology, to explore the spiritual and practical dimensions of forgiveness. Drawing on years of counseling and research, Chad shares why forgiveness can be challenging, how faith and the Holy Spirit empower us, and why emotional health is essential for spiritual maturity.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why forgiveness is more than saying “I forgive you.”
• The role of anger and acknowledgment in healing.
• How prayer and the Holy Spirit transform the forgiveness journey.
• The difference between forgiveness and reconciliation—and why it matters.
• How faith and psychology work together in the pursuit of wholeness.

Resources Mentioned:

• Forgiveness is a Choice by Dr. Robert Enright = https://a.co/d/3RXSGSC
• Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete Scazzero = https://a.co/d/5rB9FMm
• Previous episode with Dr. Bob Enright (available at slbf.org/studio) = https://slbf.org/media/s8f264m/the-transformative-power-of-forgiveness-dr-robert-enright

Subscribe & Share:

If this conversation encouraged you, share it with a friend and leave us a review. It helps others find hope and healing through forgiveness.

What happens when artificial intelligence enters the sanctuary? In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Daniel Johnson talks with author and researcher Todd Korpi about his new book, AI Goes to Church (InterVarsity Press, 2025). They explore how AI is already shaping the church, the ethical and theological questions Christians must wrestle with, and how technology can be used to foster—not fracture—human flourishing. Todd (DMiss, Fuller Theological Seminary) is a pastor, missiologist, and church consultant. He is dean of digital ministry programs at Ascent College, assistant professor of Christian leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary, and works in several capacities at OneHope.

Key Topics:

• Why Todd wrote AI Goes to Church
• Defining AI and its influence on everyday life
• How algorithms shape spiritual formation
• Theological frameworks for engaging technology
• Ethics: Is technology neutral?
• AI and the future of work, rest, and human flourishing
• Higher education’s evolving posture toward AI
• Practical advice for churches: “Automate the boring bits”

Links & Resources:

• 📙Get the book: AI Goes to Church - https://www.ivpress.com/ai-goes-to-church
• Learn more about the SL Brown Foundation STUDIO - https://slbf.org/studio

Forgiveness is one of the most challenging—and liberating—virtues we can practice. In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Jean Geran, sits down with Dr. Robert Enright, a pioneer in the scientific study of forgiveness and the founder of the International Forgiveness Institute. Bob shares his remarkable journey from asking a “dangerous question” about the purpose of his research to becoming a global leader in forgiveness education.

We explore:

• What forgiveness is—and what it is not
• Why forgiveness is a moral virtue
• The psychological and spiritual benefits of forgiving
• How forgiveness can break cycles of generational trauma
• Practical steps for forgiving others and yourself

Resources Mentioned:

• https://internationalforgiveness.com
• Free curriculum guides: Email [email protected] and mention this podcast

Subscribe & Share:

If this conversation inspired you, subscribe to The Upward Podcast, leave a review, and share with a friend.

In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, we sit down with Byron Borger, owner of Hearts & Minds Bookstore, for a rich conversation about Advent—the season of waiting, longing, and hope. Byron shares personal stories, spiritual insights, and a curated list of Advent resources, from devotionals and theological reflections to family-friendly reads. Whether you’re seeking depth, beauty, or practical guidance for the season, this episode is a treasure trove of inspiration.

Highlights:

• Why Advent is central to the biblical story
• Byron’s childhood Christmas memories and their spiritual significance
• How busyness can become holy work during the holidays
• The meaning of waiting and longing in a restless world

Books Mentioned:

·      Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Jesus Christ – Fleming Rutledge (Eerdmans, 2018)

·      The First Advent in Palestine: Reversals, Resistance, and the Ongoing Complexity of Hope – Kelly Nikondeha (Broadleaf Books, 2022)

·      Hints of Hope: Essays on Living Proximately – Steven Garber (Pericles Press, 2024)

·      Advent (The Liturgical Year Series) – Tish Harrison Warren (InterVarsity Press, 2022)

·      Christmas: The Season of Light and Life (The Liturgical Year Series) – Emily Hunter McGowin (InterVarsity Press, 2022)

·      Epiphany: Season of Glory (The Liturgical Year Series) – Fleming Rutledge (InterVarsity Press, 2023)

·      The Art of Living in Advent: 28 Days of Joyful Waiting – Sylvie Van Hooser (Paraclete Press, 2024)

·      Advent Is the Story: Seeing the Nativity Throughout Scripture – Daniel Spanjer (Square Halo Books, 2022)

·      With Heart and Soul and Voice: Advent Devotions on the First Christmas Songs – Tim Chester (The Good Book Company, 2024)

·      A Book of Days: Christmas Reflections from the Northwest – Steve Moore & Contributors (Murdoch Trust, 2024)

·      Praying with Saint Nicholas: A Christmas Devotional – Matt Mikalatos (Tyndale House, 2024)

·      Waiting for Jesus: An Advent Invitation to Prayer and Renewal – Rich Villodas (WaterBrook, 2024)

·      The Star Still Beckons: Gifts of Presence at Advent and Christmas – Leonard Sweet (Salish Sea Press, 2024)

·      Unhappy Holidays: Advent Devotional Blessings for a Blue Christmas – Sherri Lee Gerber (Herald Press, 2024)

·      All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings – Gayle Boss; Illustrations by David G. Klein (Paraclete Press, 2016; Gift Edition 2021)

·      All Creation Waits: Children’s Edition – Gayle Boss (Paraclete Press, 2022)

·      The Biggest Story: Advent Devotional – Kevin DeYoung; Illustrations by Don Clark (Crossway, 2023)

·     The One We’re Waiting For: An Illustrated Advent Devotional for Families – Taylor Combs (B&H Publishing Group, 2023)

·     Incarnation: A Bible Study on the Coming of Christ – Derek Vreeland (Word of Life Resources, 2024)

Other Resources:

• Byron’s Booknotes Newsletter - https://www.heartsandmindsbooks.com
• Previous episodes: https://slbf.org/studio

Link to a downloadable PDF = https://storage2.snappages.site/6X3R8B/assets/files/2025-AdventChristmas-Resources.pdf

In this powerful replay from a live event at Upper House, we hear the extraordinary story of Calvin Duncan, a man wrongfully convicted at age 19 and sentenced to life in Louisiana’s Angola Prison. Over 23 years, Calvin became a jailhouse lawyer, fighting for his own freedom and advocating for countless others. Joined by criminal justice reform advocate Sophie Cole, co-founder of the Visiting Room Project, Calvin shares his journey from incarceration to exoneration and ultimately earning a law degree at age 60. Moderated by journalist and ordained minister Phil Haslinger, this conversation explores the brokenness of the justice system, the transformative power of advocacy, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

Guests:

• Calvin Duncan – Jailhouse lawyer, law school graduate, co-founder of the New Orleans Innocence Project
• Sophie Cole – Criminal justice reform advocate, co-founder of the Visiting Room Project
• Moderator: Phil Haslinger – Journalist and ordained minister

Topics Covered:

• Wrongful conviction and the flaws in eyewitness testimony
• Life inside Angola Prison and the role of jailhouse lawyers
• The fight for access to legal records and justice reform
• Reentry challenges after incarceration
• Faith, resilience, and the meaning of advocacy

Resources & Links:

• https://slbf.org/events
• https://slbf.org/studio
• https://www.visitingroomproject.org

📙 Book:

• The Jailhouse Lawyer by Calvin Duncan and Sophie Cull (Penguin Random House, 2025) https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/771367/the-jailhouse-lawyer-by-calvin-duncan-and-sophie-cull/

Historian Tal Howard joins host Dan Hummel to discuss his new book Broken Altars: Secularist Violence in Modern History (Yale University Press). This episode dives deep into the global history of secularism, examining how different forms—passive, combative, and eliminationist—have shaped societies and, in some cases, led to state-sponsored violence against religious communities.

📚 Topics include:

·     The intellectual history of “religion” and “secularism”

·     Case studies from France, Turkey, Mexico, the Soviet Union, and Albania

·     The ideological legacy of Marxist-Leninist thought

·     How secularist ideologies have impacted religious minorities

·     A comparison with Charles Taylor’s A Secular Age

🔗 Resources:

·     Broken Altars by Tal Howard (Yale University Press) https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300263619/broken-altars/

·     Previous Upwards episode with Tal Howard (2021)

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2VKb21hmXYuFhCzB3RodKv?si=-f8_LzsMRnWp3ekfu8x0Hw

👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of faith, academia, and public life.

🌐 Learn more at https://slbf.org/studio