Shifting Culture

What does it mean to be a family in the kingdom of God? Not the idealized, airbrushed version we so often see, but the messy, beautiful, ever-evolving reality of what it means to be bound together in love. Too often, we approach family life with a set of assumptions - a blueprint we've been handed, a script we feel we must follow. But what if the way of Jesus calls us to something deeper, something more improvisational? What if being a family in the kingdom means being apprenticed to love, learning moment by moment how to will the good of one another, how to discern what faithful living looks like in our particular context? That's the invitation we'll be exploring today with my guest, Emily Hunter McGowin. Emily has thought deeply about these questions, not just in the abstract, but in the crucible of her own family story - a story of brokenness and redemption, of unlearning old ways and embracing the subversive, liberating vision of Jesus. So let's dive in. Let's wrestle with what it means to be a family that reflects the upside-down values of God's reign. To move beyond simplistic formulas and enter into the holy, gritty work of loving one another as we've been loved. The journey won't be easy, but I believe it's one that holds the promise of true, lasting freedom. So join us. Emily Hunter McGowin (PhD, University of Dayton) is associate professor of theology at Wheaton College. She is the author of Quivering Families and Christmas, and coeditor of God and Wonder. Her articles have appeared in Christianity Today and The Week. She is a priest in the Anglican diocese of Churches for the Sake of Others. She and her husband, Ron, also a priest, live in Chicagoland with their three children.Emily's Book:Households of FaithEmily's Recommendation:Womanist MidrashSubscribe to Our Substack: Shifting CultureConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@allnations.usGo to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, Bluesky or YouTubeConsider Giving to the podcast and to the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link below Support the show

Erin Hicks Moon is here with us today, and I'm thrilled to have her. Erin has a new book coming out called "I've Got Questions: The Spiritual Practice of Having It Out with God," and it delves right into the tension at the core of so many of our spiritual lives - the push and pull between our faith and our doubts, our certainty and our questions. You know, we often treat faith as this neat, tidy package. We're supposed to have it all figured out, no loose ends, no messy questions. But Erin makes the case that true faith, the kind that really matters, is forged in the crucible of our doubts and our struggles. It's about wrestling with God, having the courage to look under the hood of our beliefs and ask the hard questions. Because the truth is, the world is a complicated place. Our lives are messy and uncertain. And if our faith can't withstand that, if it can't hold up under the weight of our questions, then what's the point? Erin is going to take us on a journey today, exploring how we can cultivate a faith that is vibrant, authentic, and unafraid to grapple with the big stuff. This is sure to be a thought-provoking conversation. So join us as we learn to be okay with asking questions. Erin Hicks Moon is a writer, podcaster, and storyteller who helps people disentangle faith by creating a kind and curious community that welcomes honest doubt and questions. She is the Resident Bible Scholar and host of the Faith Adjacent podcast, and senior creative at Podcast Media Group. A homesick Texan, she lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with her husband and three children, where she bravely tries to live without yellow queso every day.Erin's Book:I've Got QuestionsErin's Recommendation:The Book of BelongingSubscribe to Our Substack: Shifting CultureConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@allnations.usGo to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, Bluesky or YouTubeConsider Giving to the podcast and to the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link below Support the show

What if the very institutions meant to uplift us are the ones holding us back? That's the question at the heart of my conversation today with therapist and author Andrew Bauman. Through years of research and interviews, Andrew has uncovered a troubling reality within the church, one where women often feel marginalized, silenced and forced to make themselves smaller just to keep the peace, one where sexism, abuse and misogyny are happening. This stands in stark contrast to the vision of the Church that Jesus proclaimed, a community of radical equality, justice and love. So how did we get here? And more importantly, how do we find a way forward? Andrew believes one of the answers lies in men like himself doing the hard work of confronting their own biases and misuse of power. It means churches created spaces for Open dialog, for elevating women's voices, for building a culture of true mutuality and respect. This is a vital conversation for the future of the church. Andrew is convinced that change is possible that men and women can work together to embody Jesus, to look more like Him. Join me and Andrew as we confront sexism and abuse in the church, and see if we can uncover a path towards the beloved community that God intends.Founder & Director of the Christian Counseling Center: For Sexual Health & Trauma (CCC), Dr. Andrew J. Bauman is a licensed mental health counselor with a Doctorate from Northeastern University. His dissertation was on studying the impact of sexism and abuse on women in the Protestant Church. Andrew is the author of seven books, and his newest book is called SAFE CHURCH: How to Guard Against Sexism & Abuse in Christian Communities (2024)Andrew's Book:Safe ChurchAndrew's Recommendations:Becoming the Pastor's WifeThe Deep-Rooted MarriageSubscribe to Our Substack: Shifting CultureConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@allnations.usGo to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, Bluesky or YouTubeConsider Giving to the podcast and to the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link below Support the show

This is a fantastic conversation with Ian Morgan Cron about his new book "The Fix" and the transformative power of the 12 steps. Ian makes the case that the 12 steps offer a path of healing and recovery not just for addicts, but for anyone struggling with that universal human condition of feeling "not at home" in this world. The key, as Ian explains it, is starting with that crucial admission of powerlessness - that we can't fix ourselves through willpower alone. And that opens the door to surrendering to a higher power and allowing God to do for us what we can't do for ourselves. Ian gets incredibly personal, sharing his own journey of addiction and recovery, and how practices like centering prayer have helped him develop the capacity to truly bear and receive love. Ian argues the 12 steps can address the root spiritual issues underlying all kinds of compulsive behaviors and addictions, not just drugs and alcohol. He makes a compelling case that this path of transformation is available to everyone, whether you identify as an addict or not. The 12 steps offer a "program for living" that can lead to deep healing and freedom. This was a rich, nuanced, and grace-filled conversation that I think will really resonate with a lot of people struggling with that sense of not being at home in themselves or the world. Ian brings such vulnerability and wisdom to these timeless questions of how we find our way back to wholeness. It's the kind of conversation that stays with you. So join us as we find our way back home. Ian Morgan Cron is a bestselling author, psychotherapist, Enneagram teacher, Episcopal priest, and the host of the popular podcast Typology (over 20 million downloads). His books include the Enneagram primer The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery, which has sold over one million copies; the novel Chasing Francis; the spiritual memoir Jesus, My Father, the CIA, and Me; and The Story of You: An Enneagram Journey to Becoming Your True Self.Ian's Book:The FixIan's Recommendations:Build the Life You WantFrom Strength to StrengthSay NothingSubscribe to Our Substack: Shifting CultureConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@allnations.usGo to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, Bluesky or YouTubeConsider Giving to the podcast and to the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link below Support the show

Tori Hope Petersen has a story to tell - one that gets to the heart of how we find our way through trauma and self-doubt to a place of self-acceptance and purpose. As someone who grew up in the foster care system, emancipating at 18 without a forever family, Tori had to navigate a lot of uncertainty and pain. But through that journey, she's learned invaluable lessons about the power of community, the necessity of vulnerability, and the freedom that comes from embracing your own worth. In our conversation, Tori unpacks the lies she used to believe - that self-love was selfish, that she wasn't worthy. These were patterns passed down, not just in her own life, but across generations. And unraveling them required immense courage. But Tori discovered that the act of sharing her story, the good and the bad, was integral to her own healing. It was a way of breaking cycles, of finding belonging, of using her voice to speak life into others facing similar struggles. Tori's story is a testament to resilience, to the transformative power of vulnerability. This is a conversation that gets at the heart of how we overcome the lies we've internalized, how we learn to love ourselves, and how we step into the fullness of who we're called to be.Tori Hope Petersen is an author, speaker, Bible teacher, and lover of people. Since coming to faith, she has shared her testimony and life as authentically as she can to help and offer hope to others. Tori is known for her fierce advocacy work for foster care, adoption, and vulnerable children. At home she is a wife and mama who enjoys cooking with her children. With a deep value for family, community, and hospitality, Tori and her family love to make extra food for whoever might stop by.Tori's Book:Breaking the Patterns That Break YouTori's Recommendation:UncleanJoin Our Patreon for Early Access and More: PatreonSubscribe to Our Substack: Shifting CultureConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@allnations.usGo to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, Bluesky or YouTubeConsider Giving to the podcast and to the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link below Support the show

Maria Bowler, author of "Making Time," engages listeners in a thought-provoking discussion about redefining creativity and self-worth beyond productivity. She shares her journey as a new mom during the pandemic, prompting a profound exploration of identity when external accomplishments fade. By highlighting the significance of meaningful engagement over hustling, Maria inspires a fresh perspective on creativity rooted in love and connection. She emphasizes embracing one's unique gifts and the importance of community support in navigating the emotional complexities of the creative journey.

What does it look like to engage culture as a Christian in today's world? Is it a battle to be won, a system to be escaped, or something else entirely? In this thought-provoking discussion, Keith Simon lays out a vision for what he calls "joyful outsiders" - Christians who embrace their identity as outsiders, but who engage the culture in diverse and creative ways. Keith draws from Scripture to show how the Bible presents a range of approaches - from the "advisor" who works from within, to the "protester" who calls out injustice, to the "builder" who cultivates new institutions. The key, he argues, is for Christians to resist the temptation to find our identity in political power or cultural influence, and instead root ourselves firmly in Christ. It's a perspective that acknowledges the real challenges and tensions of living as followers of Jesus in a disoriented world. But rather than despair or withdrawal, Simon casts a vision of Christians working together in unity, respecting each other's diverse callings and roles. Whether you see yourself as more of a "trainer" or an "ambassador," Simon's insights offer a compelling alternative to the tired culture war narratives that have done so much damage. He invites us to embrace our identity as outsiders, to engage creatively, and to do so with joy - because our hope is not in the shifting sands of politics or public opinion, but in the unshakable foundation of Christ's love and victory. It's a conversation that gets to the heart of some of the most pressing questions facing the church today. And it just might unlock new possibilities for how we can faithfully and fruitfully live out our faith in the world. Keith Simon is a lead pastor at The Crossing, cohosts the podcasts Ten Minute Bible Talks and Truth Over Tribe, and coauthored Truth Over Tribe: Pledging Allegiance to the Lamb, Not the Donkey or the Elephant. He graduated with an MDiv from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Keith lives in Columbia, Missouri, with his wife, Christine, and their four children.Keith's Book:Joyful OutsidersKeith's Recommendations:Bad TherapyGhostedHow to Stay MarriedWhat is a Girl Worth?Join Our Patreon for Early Access and More: PatreonSubscribe to Our Substack: Shifting CultureConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@allnations.usGo to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, Bluesky or YouTubeConsider Giving to the podcast and to the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link below Support the show

Patrick Miller, a pastor and co-author of 'Joyful Outsiders,' discusses the shifting role of Christianity in America. He tackles the challenge of being an outsider in faith, emphasizing the balance between resistance and engagement with culture. Patrick introduces six roles—Trainer, Advisor, Protester, Ambassador, Artist, Builder—that Christians can adopt to navigate cultural tensions. His hopeful vision encourages collaboration and authenticity, showcasing how embracing diversity can help the church build a meaningful legacy for future generations.

This is a conversation about discernment - about how we listen for and respond to the quiet, persistent voice of God in our lives. Our guest today is Trevor Hudson, a pastor and spiritual director who has spent decades wrestling with this question. As Trevor puts it, when we open our lives to Christ, he brings his whole family with him. Our faith is never just a private, individual thing - it's deeply communal. But at the same time, God has a unique calling for each of our lives. The challenge is figuring out how to hold that tension, to discern both the general will of God and his specific purpose for us. Trevor shares that for him, the foundation of discernment has been surrender - a daily yielding of his life to God, an opening of his hands to receive God's leading. It's about learning to recognize the movements of the Spirit, the subtle stirrings towards greater faith, hope and love. And it's about doing that work in community, with friends and mentors who can help us see what we might be missing. This is not always an easy path. Trevor acknowledges that God's will often involves a kind of dying and rising, a willingness to walk into difficult circumstances. But he insists that there is a deep peace that accompanies it, even amidst the struggle. So how do we tune our ears to hear that still, small voice? How do we learn to live into the unique purpose God has for our lives, while also staying rooted in community? Trevor offers wisdom hard-won over decades of faithful following. It's a conversation that just might change the way you approach the big questions of your life.Trevor Hudson is an ordained minister in the Methodist Church of Southern Africa. After spending forty years doing pastoral ministry in a local congregation, he now gives his time to lecturing, teaching, and writing in the areas of spiritual formation and spiritual direction. Throughout his life as a pastor and teacher, he has sought to prioritize the discipleship ministry of local congregations, build bridges across different "streams" within the Christian community, and relate spiritual formation to daily life within the context of our suffering world.He is married to Debbie and is the father of two children, Joni married to James, and Mark married to Marike.Trevor's Book:In Search of God's WillTrevor's Recommendation:Fully AliveJoin Our Patreon for Early Access and More: PatreonConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@allnations.usGo to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Threads at www.facebook.com/shiftingculturepodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/shiftingculturepodcast/https://twitter.com/shiftingcultur2https://www.threads.net/@shiftingculturepodcasthttps://www.youtube.com/@shiftingculturepodcastConsider Giving to the podcast and to the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link below Support the show

This is a conversation about certainty, mystery, and the divine. Our guest today is Liz Charlotte Grant, author of the book "Knock at the Sky." Liz takes us on a journey through her own life, from growing up in the certainty of white American evangelicalism, to encountering the mystery and presence of God in powerful experiences. As Liz dives into the book of Genesis, she shows us how reading the scriptures through a literary lens can breathe new life into these ancient stories. We explore the idea of God as a generous host, setting the table for humanity, and the importance of encountering the divine, even when it challenges our preconceptions. Liz encourages us to approach these texts with curiosity and humility, allowing our questions to guide us rather than clinging to rigid certainty. She reminds us that God is not afraid of our questions - in fact, engaging with the mystery may be the path to a deeper, more vibrant faith. This is a conversation that invites us to expand our imaginations, to see God in new ways, and to welcome others as fellow image-bearers. So join us as we knock at the sky, seeking to encounter the divine in fresh and surprising ways.Liz Charlotte Grant is an award-winning essayist from the suburbs of Denver, Colorado, who writes the newsletter The Empathy List. Her first book releases this January, and it's called Knock at the Sky: Seeking God in Genesis After Losing Faith in the Bible.Liz's Book:Knock at the SkyJoin Our Patreon for Early Access and More: PatreonConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@allnations.usGo to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Threads at www.facebook.com/shiftingculturepodcasthttps://www.instagram.com/shiftingculturepodcast/https://twitter.com/shiftingcultur2https://www.threads.net/@shiftingculturepodcasthttps://www.youtube.com/@shiftingculturepodcastConsider Giving to the podcast and to the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link below Support the show