The addition of a postgraduate course on magic at Exeter University in England is raising eyebrows. To our minds, however, this fits well with the surging interest in exotic forms of spirituality. But could this also be an opportunity for earnest conversations on the nature of reality? We think so. Join us as we chat about the burgeoning interest in all things magic. 

The conflict between Israel and Palestine brings us face to face with the notion of collective guilt. How do we wrap our minds around individuals being held responsible for the actions of a larger group, or, in many cases, actions and events that preceded their own lifetimes? How do we hold people responsible for somebody else’s behavior? In this episode, we train a theological lens on these vexing questions.

What do a megachurch pastor and the Pope have in common? No, that’s not the start of a joke. Both of these figures offer a dramatic picture of the continued difficulty to be in, but not of, the modern world. Join us as we explore how issues of sexuality and human identity are continuing to eradicate the comfortable middle for the church.

On the morning of Saturday, October 7th, Hamas carried out a series of coordinated attacks against Israel, killing 700 and wounding over 2000. Over 150 people, including women, young children, and the elderly, have been taken hostage. In this episode, we talk about these terrible events and consider the nature of warfare in today’s world. 

Nathan Rittenhouse recently appeared on the Premier UnBelievable podcast to discuss the question, Do Animals have souls? His interlocutor in the discussion is Joyce D’Silva, Ambassador Emeritus for Compassion in World Farming. Click here to listen to the podcast and to read Nathan’s follow-up article. In this episode, Nathan begins by trying to convince Cameron to become a vegetarian.

Nathan Rittenhouse recently appeared on the Premier UnBelievable podcast to discuss the question, Do Animals have souls? His interlocutor in the discussion is Joyce D’Silva, Ambassador Emeritus for Compassion in World Farming. Click here to listen to the podcast and to read Nathan’s follow-up article. In this episode, we unpack Nathan’s conversation and we press into why the question of animal rights is so prevalent right now.

Nathan Rittenhouse argues that we live in a moment when our idealism is outpacing our capabilities. In this episode, we explore the tension of wanting to improve the world while facing our human limitations. 

Inspired by a recent article in Plough Magazine by Dr. Kathleen Mulhern, we decided to explore why so many of us drop all spiritual practices after five o’clock.

From road rage to people losing their tempers in public spaces (airports, restaurants, stores, etc.), anger is a dominant emotion in our cultural moment. Is it possible to be angry without losing control? Should we as Christian press toward a life that’s totally free of anger or is that wildly unrealistic? Join us as we press into this volatile emotion.

Swift backlash followed Drew Barrymore’s announcement that her show would move forward in spite of the ongoing writer’s strike. She’s since made the decision to postpone it. In this episode, we delve into the weird world of US entertainment and consider its relationship to work.