What’s Trending: Gen Z’s Political and Religious Engagement
Religion Unmuted
In this episode we dive into key trends surrounding Generation Z with Melissa Deckman, CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute, including Gen Z’s high rates of religious non-affiliation—with about 36% identifying with no religion. Deckman discusses how Gen Z women are driving progressive political engagement at higher rates than their male counterparts, propelled by issues like feminism, abortion, and LGBTQ rights. She also challenges the narrative of a “masculine religious revival,” noting that her data shows young men's religious practice has remained static over the last...
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Work: What's Religion Got To Do With It?
Religion Unmuted
For many Americans, a significant portion of waking hours are spent at work. In this episode, host Rachel Schneider is joined by three guests to discuss their book, Religion in a Changing Workplace, which explores how faith affects people while at work. They argue that workplaces should not suppress religion out of fear of conflict, but instead provide "nuanced" and even "active" accommodation to help employees flourish. RESOURCES AND LINKS Learn more about the book Religion in a Changing Workplace: Visit the Boniuk Institute for the Study and Advancement...
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When Diversity Efforts Fail
Religion Unmuted
In Who Pays for Diversity? Why Programs Fail at Racial Equity and What to Do about It, sociologist Oneya Fennell Okuwobi examines how well-meaning diversity efforts in universities, corporations, and churches often fail to achieve true racial equity—and can even harm people of color who sacrifice their well-being and advancement for the greater good. In this episode Okuwobi shares how her research on multiracial churches revealed the limits of “racial reconciliation” and “diversity” when these ideals are not paired with real structural change and support. She and host Rachel...
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Digital Faith and Identity
Religion Unmuted
Digital technologies are profoundly shaping personal identity, community, and spiritual life. Our guest Felicia Song has written about these issues in her book, Restless Devices, and tells us how her research stems from both personal and academic inquiry into modern technology and digital media. She argues that faith communities must seriously engage with technology’s role in spiritual formation and communal life, especially as technologies like AI and social media increasingly shape our habits and expectations.
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Rejecting Neutrality in Interfaith Work
Religion Unmuted
In this episode of Religion Unmuted, John Barton and host Elaine Howard Ecklund discuss the urgency of interreligious peacebuilding and how religion can serve as both a barrier and a bridge in global conflicts. Blending theory, practice, and personal narrative, this episode explores how rooted, yet open, religious identities can contribute to peacebuilding in an increasingly divided world.
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Faith, Politics, and the Power of Embracing Loss
Religion Unmuted
Consultant, professor, author, and former pastor Curtis Chang joins Religion Unmuted to discuss the dangers of partisan idolatry and why he believes Christians should prioritize faith over political identity. Chang also shares insights from his books, emphasizing the virtues of hope and humility and framing anxiety as a natural response to loss that can lead to spiritual growth.
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The “Religious Imaginary” and American Politics: From Reagan to Trump
Religion Unmuted
In this episode of Religion Unmuted, Diane Winston discusses the intersection of religion, media, and politics, focusing on how the media shaped the religiously infused vision of the American Dream during the Reagan era and how similar dynamics play out with Donald Trump today. She explores the influence of Evangelical Christians in politics, especially their support for Trump despite his lack of religious commitment, and reflects on the changing portrayal of religious values in the media.
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Lived Religion and the Enduring Legacy of HBCUs
Religion Unmuted
Marla Frederick, Dean of Harvard Divinity School, and countless others owe their education--and much more--to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Frederick shares how her experience at Spelman College shaped her views on faith, leadership, and her approach as dean of a multi-religious institution of higher education.
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Unclaimed Doesn't Mean Unmourned
Religion Unmuted
Bringing her journalistic eye to a sociological problem, Pamela Prickett gives listeners insight into a growing American issue: . Prickett unpacks the why behind the issue, as well as the ways that religion is being used to craft rituals and communities of care so that people do not go unremembered or unmourned.
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Season 3 Teaser
Religion Unmuted
The Religion Unmuted season 3 hosts, Elaine Howard Ecklund and Rachel Schneider, reveal the new, expanded vision for this season of the podcast. They also get a bit personal, sharing how their own identities and work have had an impact on Religion Unmuted and its vision.
info_outlineWhere should we turn for the truth about immigration issues today? Whose stories should we be paying attention to? To discuss the possibility of multiple truths, we invite three of our previous guests to return to Religion Unmuted and reflect on their unique viewpoints as scholar, activist, and journalist working on the ground and at the intersection of immigration, religion, and gender. In addition to discussing the search for truth, they also reflect on the search for hope amidst crisis.