gcr's Podcast

A weekly Progressive Christian podcast from co-hosts Carol Howard Merritt and Derrick Weston.

Sandhya Rani Jha: Transforming Communities 04/13/2018

Sandhya Rani Jha: Transforming Communities Today Carol and Derrick talk with Sandhya Rani Jha about transforming communities and how people like you are healing their neighborhoods. Sandhya Jha serves as founder and director of the , a collective of 40 organizations creating access, equity and dignity for all in Oakland and the Bay Area. Raised in an interracial and multi-faith family and witness to the sometimes subtle (and sometimes obvious) ways that racism and xenophobia show up in our society, it is not surprising that Sandhya’s career has been marked by work to effect public policy change (working in the office of Congressman Thomas C. Sawyer from Akron, Ohio), religious liberty and an alternative voice to the religious right (at The Interfaith Alliance) and around the issues of housing for all (at East Bay Housing Organizations) as well as her work to build what Dr. Martin Luther King called Beloved Community (at the Oakland Peace Center). She serves as an anti-racism/anti-oppression trainer with Reconciliation Ministries for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She is a faith-rooted organizer with Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity (formerly Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice – CA) and with the Emerging Leaders Program at the Leadership Institute at Allen Temple. Sandhya is particularly proud of her podcast, Hope from the Hood, available on and at . A passionate reader and writer, Sandhya is the author of , the history of people of color in the Disciples of Christ, and on the subject of race and spirituality in America. Pre-Post-Racial America was listed as one of the top five books on race and religion in 2015 by Publishers Weekly. Sandhya’s newest book, , focuses on concrete ways that regular people are creating change community-by-community in an era where positive change can feel impossible. /episode/index/show/gcr/id/6478733

Melvin Bray: Better-Waking Up to Who We Could Be 03/25/2017

Melvin Bray: Better-Waking Up to Who We Could Be Melvin Bray is an Emmy® award-winning storyteller, writer, educator and social entrepreneur embedded with his wife and three kids in the West End neighborhood of Southwest Atlanta. He is an active member of several vanguard networks working to cultivate more sustainable approaches to faith and civic engagement. His book invites us to consider how we might change the world by telling better stories. Join Carol as she interviews Melvin to hear the stories he has to share. /episode/index/show/gcr/id/5202790

Meredith Gould: Desperately Seeking Spirituality 12/27/2016

Meredith Gould: Desperately Seeking Spirituality Didn’t get everything you wanted for Christmas? How about this special GCR podcast with Meredith Gould? Join Derrick and Carol as they chat with Meredith about her book “” about spirituality through the lenses of sociology, theology, psychology, and social media. They also spend some time talking about the spiritual stressors of our current culture and recent political events. Learn more about Meredith at . /episode/index/show/gcr/id/4944453

Norman Wirzba: Way of Love 12/02/2016

Norman Wirzba: Way of Love Carol is joined by Norman Wirzba, Duke University professor of Theology and Ecology and author of “Way of Love: Recovering the Heart of Christianity.” The pioneering scholar and author of Food and Faith and Living the Sabbath asserts that Christianity has slid off its rightful foundation, arguing that the faith only makes sense and can only be expressed in a healthy way if it seen as based on love, with a mission of training others in the way of love. It’s often said that God is love, yet his message of compassion and caring for others is often overshadowed by the battles dividing us politically, culturally, and religiously. Why does Christianity matter if it isn’t about love? The Way of Love invites readers to experience Christianity that is centered on love. Extensive theological training cannot replace the way of love that transforms and connects each of us to God and the faith, Wirzba contends. Interweaving illuminating testimonials, historical references, and Scripture, he reveals how love allows us to move into the fullness of life; when we do not love we lose our faith. “To fail to love,” he reminds us, “is to lose God.” /episode/index/show/gcr/id/4881543

C Christopher Smith: Reading for the Common Good 10/25/2016

C Christopher Smith: Reading for the Common Good We have been created to live and work in community. But all too often we see ourselves primarily as individuals and run the risk of working at cross-purposes with the organizations we serve. Living faithfully in a neighborhood involves two interwoven threads: learning and action. In , C. Christopher Smith, coauthor of , looks at the local church as an organization in which both learning and action lie at the heart of its identity. He explores the practice of reading and, in his words, "how we can read together in ways that drive us deeper into action." Beyond this interview with Carol, you can find out more about his activities and events at . /episode/index/show/gcr/id/4771672

Ruth Everhart: Ruined 08/02/2016

Ruth Everhart: Ruined /episode/index/show/gcr/id/4560647

Bruce Reyes-Chow: Dont Be An Asshat 07/11/2016

Bruce Reyes-Chow: Dont Be An Asshat /episode/index/show/gcr/id/4505255

Teresa Pasquale Mateus: Sacred Wounds 05/14/2016

Teresa Pasquale Mateus: Sacred Wounds , LCSW, E-RYT 200 wears many hats including: author, trauma specialist, educator, trainer, yoga teacher, "crooked mystic," contemplative-actioner bringing mindfulness and healing into action and activist contexts, and a meditation & retreat facilitator. Teresa believes strongly in the potential in everyone to overcome hardship, be stronger than they ever thought possible, and the capacity for people to not just survive life but thrive in the process of living. In this episode, Derrick speaks with Teresa about her new book about healing from the spiritual traumas of our lives. /episode/index/show/gcr/id/4369080

Drew Hart: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism 03/11/2016

Drew Hart: Changing the Way the Church Views Racism Derrick interviews Drew Hart on the church’s view of racism followed by Carol and Derrick reflecting together. Drew Hart is a writer, speaker, and PhD candidate in theology and ethics with ten years of pastoral ministry experience. Regularly speaking at churches, conferences, and colleges, Drew brings together his pastoral experience with his academic training to challenge the Church on a variety of topics. Most recently he has been especially invested in conversations on white supremacy and racism and Christianity, but also routinely speaks on Christian discipleship to Jesus, western Christendom, Christian history, peacemaking and nonviolence, urban ministry, social media, etc. /episode/index/show/gcr/id/4213743

Franklyn Schaefer: Defrocked 09/11/2015

Franklyn Schaefer: Defrocked Rev. Frank Schaefer is an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church where he ministered for 20 years (in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference) when, in 2013, he was tried by a highly publicized United Methodist church court for officiating at his son’s same-sex marriage. He was defrocked on December 19th, 2013 when he refused to uphold the Book of Discipline in its entirety, which would have meant to denounce gay marriage rights. With the stripping of his credentials, he lost his parish, career and security. Subsequently, Frank became a nation-wide speaker and activist. Though his credentials were reinstated by the Church's highest court in the fall of 2014, Pastor Frank continues to advocate for human rights while also working in a new United Methodist parish in Isla Vista California. /episode/index/show/gcr/id/3793406

Kate Foster Connors: The Center 08/05/2015

Kate Foster Connors: The Center God Complex Radio is back with Rev. Kate Foster Connors, Director of The Center in Baltimore. The Center envisions neighborhoods transformed by congregations engaged in the justice-seeking, compassionate, and reconciling work of Jesus Christ. Through education, service, partnership, and advocacy, their mission is to equip congregations in Baltimore and beyond to transform neighborhoods by engaging in the justice and reconciliation of Jesus Christ. They partner with local churches to transform neighborhoods by workng for justice in their communities. Local congregations also collaborate with visiting adult or youth groups for mission work projects. /episode/index/show/gcr/id/3717700

Andrew Taylor-Troutman: Parables of Parenthood 01/30/2015

Andrew Taylor-Troutman: Parables of Parenthood Producer Rob Dyer unleashes this special 2015 season preview episode. Derrick interviews author, pastor, and parent Andrew Taylor-Troutman about his book "Parables of Parenthood: Interpreting the Gospels with Family." Andrew invites us to bring our experiences of parenting into our experience with God's Word. /episode/index/show/gcr/id/3330967

Grace Ji-Sun Kim: Colonialism, Han, and the Transformative Spirit 07/30/2014

Grace Ji-Sun Kim: Colonialism, Han, and the Transformative Spirit Join Carol for an engaging conversation about unjust suffering and oppression with Rev. Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim. Her book "Colonialism, Han, and the Transformative Spirit" guides our podcast discussion using the Korean concept of han (unjust suffering) to shed light on our theological understanding of power and its abuse. Grace Ji-Sun Kim is a Korean-American theologian, professor, blogger, and author. /episode/index/show/gcr/id/2982184

Tony Kriz: Neighbors and Wise Men 07/09/2014

Tony Kriz: Neighbors and Wise Men , who infamously appeared in Donald Miller's books under the name "Tony the Beat Poet"has discovered the abiding presence of Jesus in the lives and words of people from diverse (and often radically unchristian) sources. /episode/index/show/gcr/id/2935704

Shannon Meacham: UNCO 06/13/2014

Shannon Meacham: UNCO UNCO is an for church leaders, pastors, families, and seminarians. It is three days of worship and open space discussion on the church and its future. Today we chat about the past, present, and future of this incredible conference opportunity with Shannon Meacham. You can also follow Shannon's musings at her . /episode/index/show/gcr/id/2890217

Brian McLaren: We Make the Road by Walking 06/06/2014

Brian McLaren: We Make the Road by Walking Our summer season kicks off with Brian McLaren as we talk about the Cana Initiative (www.canainitiative.org) and his new book We Make the Road by Walking. Brian always offers such wonderful insights for constructive and fresh approaches to the Christian life. We are delighted to have him join us for this conversation. Find out more about Brian and his projects at www.brianmclaren.net. /episode/index/show/gcr/id/2876207

Erin Lane, Enuma Okoro: Women Talking Taboo 11/25/2013

Erin Lane, Enuma Okoro: Women Talking Taboo We are talking about taboo topics in this special episode. American Christian women get frank about faith and life as Erin Lane and Enuma Okoro, editors of Talking Taboo, join Derrick and Carol for a conversation. This latest book in the I Speak For Myself series addresses the experiences of faith, gender, and identity that remain taboo for American Christian women under 40. For women and their partners, faith leaders and their members, historians and their students, this book documents the voices of young Christian women and their refusal to be silent any longer. /episode/index/show/gcr/id/2566591

Lauren Winner: Still - Notes on a Mid-Faith Crisis 09/30/2013

Lauren Winner: Still - Notes on a Mid-Faith Crisis Ever feel like ministry makes your spiritual life tougher? Keeping busy can so easily become our most common spiritual practice. Join Derrick and Carol as they talk with Lauren Winner, author of Still. Still offers reflections on how murky and gray the spiritual life can be while, at the same time, shows us how to see the light we do encounter more clearly. The former book editor for Beliefnet, Lauren teaches at Duke Divinity School, and lives in Durham, North Carolina. Lauren travels extensively to lecture and teach. Her other books include Girl Meets God and Mudhouse Sabbath. /episode/index/show/gcr/id/2491599

Kelly J Baker: The Zombies Are Coming! 09/07/2013

Kelly J Baker: The Zombies Are Coming! The new season opens with zombies! How awesome is that?!?! We have a lot to learn about our society from zombies as we chat with Dr. Kelly J Baker. Kelly is the author of Gospel According to the Klan: The KKK’s Appeal to Protestant America, 1915-1930, The Zombies Are Coming!: The Realities of the Zombie Apocalypse in American Culture, and a forthcoming cultural history of zombies from the University of Washington Press. /episode/index/show/gcr/id/2463660

Meredith Gould: Social Media Gospel 07/20/2013

Meredith Gould: Social Media Gospel This week we talk with Meredith Gould who has written nine books since 1998 including her latest The Social Media Gospel: Sharing the Good News in New Ways. She is a sociologist and digital strategist with decades of strategic communications experience. In July 2011, she founded the weekly Twitter-based ecumenical and serves as its lead moderator. /episode/index/show/gcr/id/2406376

Bruce Reyes-Chow: Curating Conversations About Race 07/12/2013

Bruce Reyes-Chow: Curating Conversations About Race Why are we still so terrible at having conversations about race in our culture? Join Derrick as he speaks with Bruce Reyes-Chow, former God Complex Radio host, former moderator of the Presbyterian Church USA, and author of the new book "But I Don't See You As Asian: Curating Conversations About Race." In this extended interview, Derrick and Bruce explore issues around race in our culture and the church. /episode/index/show/gcr/id/2393682

Becca Stevens: The Art of Healing and Truth-Telling 06/24/2013

Becca Stevens: The Art of Healing and Truth-Telling Carol goes on a pilgrimage to Thistle Farms for an on-site interview with Becca Stevens. The Reverend Becca Stevens is an Episcopal priest serving as Chaplain at St Augustine's at Vanderbilt University, and founder of Magdalene & Thistle Farms. Magdalene, the residential model, serves women for two years at no cost to residents. Thistle Farms employs 40 residents and graduates who manufacture, market and sell all natural bath and beauty products in over 200 retail stores across the globe. Her latest book is Snake Oil: The Art of Healing and Truth-Telling. Her blog is available at beccastevens.org. /episode/index/show/gcr/id/2372411

Cameron Trimble: Future of Church Renewal 05/29/2013

Cameron Trimble: Future of Church Renewal Derrick has an inspiring and energizing conversation with Rev. Cameron Trimble about the future of renewal in the Church. Cameron is the Executive Director of the Center for Progressive Renewal (www.progressiverenewal.org). She most recently served as an advisor to the Congregational Vitality and Discipleship Team of Local Church Ministries for the United Church of Christ and as Associate Conference Minister of Church Development in the Southeast Conference of the UCC. In her ministry in the national setting, Cameron was responsible for the development of national strategy for birthing new churches. In her conference setting, she directly oversaw the birthing of churches throughout the Southeast Conference. Each setting has given her a unique perspective on the challenges of cultivating leaders equipped to meet the needs of the future of mainline Protestantism. /episode/index/show/gcr/id/2339670

Rick Ufford-Chase: Faith, Violence, and Human Rights 05/10/2013

Rick Ufford-Chase: Faith, Violence, and Human Rights /episode/index/show/gcr/id/2317573

David H. Jensen: God, Desire, and a Theology of Human Sexuality 05/03/2013

David H. Jensen: God, Desire, and a Theology of Human Sexuality Carol speaks with David H. Jensen, author of God, Desire, and a Theology of Human Sexuality. David desires to connect the basic Christian beliefs to the day-to-day living of individuals. His book examines human sexuality in light of Christian faith and doctrine. Jensen moves beyond the hot-button social debate about sexual orientation and sexual practices to look for healing. You are invited to explore human sexuality from a new biblical perspective. /episode/index/show/gcr/id/2309439

D. Mark Davis: Left Behind and Loving It 04/24/2013

D. Mark Davis: Left Behind and Loving It Join Carol and Derrick as they are talking to D. Mark Davis author of “Left Behind and Loving It: A Cheeky Look At the End Times." This podcast interview was recorded just days after the Boston Marathon Bombing. Reflections on how we process tragic events are interwoven with a unique perspective on end times theology. /episode/index/show/gcr/id/2299616

Lia Scholl: I Heart Sex Workers 04/19/2013

Lia Scholl: I Heart Sex Workers Join Carol and Derrick as they speak with Lia Scholl, author of I Heart Sex Workers. Lia brings her years of experience to help us see the sex worker industry through new eyes. Issues of choice, agency, and human trafficking are explored along with real talk on how Christians can minister to this unique population. This may not be an episode that you want to listen with your kids... just sayin'. /episode/index/show/gcr/id/2293660

Vintage GCR: Episode I - The Podcast Menace 04/12/2013

Vintage GCR: Episode I - The Podcast Menace Host Derrick Weston takes us on a trip down memory lane with a look back at the very first episode of God Complex Radio. The charter co-hosts Bruce and Carol have a lot to say about the state of the church in 2009 and a lot of unique music to share as well! Enjoy! /episode/index/show/gcr/id/2284053

Amy Blumenshine: Welcome Them Home, Help Them Heal 04/04/2013

Amy Blumenshine: Welcome Them Home, Help Them Heal /episode/index/show/gcr/id/2275274

Ruth Everhart: Chasing the Divine in the Holy Land 03/27/2013

Ruth Everhart: Chasing the Divine in the Holy Land Ruth Everhart is our guest. She has been a pilgrim in Israel, Palestine, and Jordan. Ruth served as a pastor 22 years and she’s also the author of the book Chasing the Divine in the Holy Land. You can read more about her at RuthEverhart.com. One of her amazon reviews says that her book is like Eat, Pray, Love for people who go to church. /episode/index/show/gcr/id/2266713

gcr's Podcast

TOPICS