Narrating Identity: Trauma, Metaphysics & Our Collective Existence

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Jonathan Tran. Originally from Southern California, Jonathan joined Baylor University’s Religion Department in 2006 after completing his graduate studies in theology and ethics at Duke University. He teaches undergraduate and graduate courses and his research examines the theological and political implications of human life in language. 

Jonathan is the author of several books, which we discuss in this episode. His latest book is entitled, "Asian Americans and The Spirit of Racial Capitalism."

This episode covers a lot of ground. We start by exploring how the traumatic death of his brother shaped the trajectory of his life story. From there we explore his encounter with religion, the influence of Stanley Hauerwas on his thinking during his time at Duke, the contemporary relevance of Michel Foucault's philosophy, the difficulty with gender and sex and how the overturning of Roe v. Wade highlights the problematic state of our collective existence. 

If you'd like to connect with Jonathan, please visit his website: https://jonathantran.blog