Scott Erickson, an artist and author known for his unique take on the spiritual journey, dives deep into the meaning of Advent and its transformative qualities. He discusses aging and how our creative ambitions shift over time, contrasting his Gen X experiences with those of older generations. The conversation touches on the tension between personal faith and ambition, the complexities of authenticity, and the power of community. Ultimately, it’s a heartfelt exploration of struggle, hope, and the importance of honest connections in our lives.

Today is our first full on TYPECAST! Answering questions submitted via our website, and this first round of questions is FANTASTIC. Really all questions about life on the "other side"/reconstruction today--after loss of faith/trauma/shift in faith, how do you approach Scripture now? How might the text become re-enchanted again? How do you find a new community, exactly? Oh, and in the evolving landscape of Pentecostalism, are there actually inclusive communities out there? We get into all of this and more!

Brian Zahnd, author of "The Anticipated Christ," dives deep into the essence of Advent, illuminating themes of waiting and hope. He discusses how the challenges of Bethlehem shape our understanding today, emphasizing the need for more figures like Mary in our lives. Zahnd and his host explore the joy found within unresolved feelings during Advent, critiquing both idealized and modern views of the season. They also touch on the significance of divine intervention in chaotic times, urging a focus on spirituality while navigating the complexities of the world.

Whatever it is, you’re waiting on, however long you’ve been waiting…Advent is for you. Here is a jarring, startling word that summons us to wake up, pay attention…to be alert. We talk about the apocalyptic nature of Advent, and the danger of religious certainty. Also, some practical things you can do to incorporate Advent into your own spiritual practice! Oh come let us wait for him…together.

Rolling Stone said that "Brandan Robertson is spreading the good news of an inclusive, modern gospel.” Jonathan has known Brandan all the way since he was still a student at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago over ten years ago, so what a gift to have this full circle conversation! Brandan and Jonathan talk about why the language of sin still matters despite the misuse, what it means to build bridges in such a polarizing time, and the stubborn persistence of Advent hope against the backdrop of so much chaos in the world. Brandan shares vulnerably about his theological journey from fundamentalism, to being broken open by figures like Richard Rohr, to the recent experience of having a parishioner tell him that he didn't think it was okay for him to be a gay pastor. Brandan also talks about how he deals pastorally and theologically with some of the "clobber texts" that are used against LGBTQ+ inclusion. Brandan is the author of True Inclusion: Creating Communities of Radical Embrace, and known as the "TikTok Pastor" for his inclusive theological content, reaching over 280,000 followers online. He currently serves as the Pastor of Sunnyside Reformed Church in New York City.

There's a new U2 album (kind of, the shadow album that is How to Re-assemble an atomic bomb), so as you might imagine...Jonathan is in a state! It's a whole situation. Also, Cobra Kai, pop culture round up (What We Do in the Shadows, The Bulwark podcast), and The Book of Waiting

"Prophetic" and "pastoral" rarely go together...but they do in Rev. CeCe Jones Davis, which is why THIS is the two weeks later, spiritual postmortem of the election you need in your life! CeCe and Jonathan discuss the challenges of navigating relationships in a divided world and the role of racism and LGBTQIA issues in political discourse. CeCe emphasizes the importance of understanding fear as a driving force in politics, and vulnerably shares why she both decided NOT to vote in this year's presidential election---and then, why she changed her mind. They discuss the challenges of staying engaged with current events while maintaining personal well-being, the significance of accountability in one's vocation, and the necessity of humor in the face of adversity. Cece shares her experiences and insights on how to balance the heaviness of social justice work with the need for personal joy and connection with family. The dialogue culminates in a reflection on maintaining a steadiness of soul amidst turbulence, advocating for a proactive yet patient approach to spiritual engagement.

The systems and structures and institutions that have held us up are crumbling. There’s no need to bury our heads in the sand. Things do come to an end. But other folks have lived through such perilous times. In fact, some of the texts that folks have told us are all about the future, are actually now in the rear view window of history. We can look at how folks have lived in such times before, to know where and how to stand now. We can learn what is to not be paralyzed by the chaos, but bear witness—to not overthink it, but trust the creativity of the Spirit to give us what to say when we are called on the carpet.You can’t bear the weight of the world on your shoulders, friend…the only thing you can bear, is to bear witness.

What on earth does it mean to worship in a time like this!? What does it mean to worship when it feels like the world (and maybe even the church) is ambiguous to you, or even against you? Why is it that some of our neighbors feel a unique kind of grief this election season? How are current political realities connected to larger spiritual realities--and how do we differentiate between these principalities and powers, and our neighbors? Oh and hey, for those of you are involved in any kind of ministry--how would you begin to LEAD a church or community in worship, when there are deep idealogical and political division? After a truly stunning time of worship with Lan Davis Wilson, I was scarcely able to speak coherently yet--but very grateful for this beautiful conversation coming right out of the fire of that experience!

I don't really have the words to name the electricity, joy and pain that we felt in the room at Gobin Church during this time of prayer through song with Rev. Lan Davis Wilson. I'd rather you feel it for yourself--feel it through your headphones, feel it through your car stereo, feel it through a tiny phone or a laptop. It is an absolute lightning bolt of Holy Ghost power, wrapping up all heartbreak, rage and stubborn hope into an hour that quite literally, left every single one of us sitting in stunned silence when it was over. There is so much room in these songs...room, for ALL OF IT. If you are trying to figure out what role worship has in your life, in your work of faithful resistance; if you are sad or happy or completely ambiguous, if you need comfort or if you need fuel for the fire, if you have a pulse or breath at all...this is for you. Personally, I can tell you I wept through just about every moment of this. Drink it up, let the music nourish you, and if you feel so inclined, send it to somebody who needs this kind of soulful encouragement in their life right now. Warmly, Jonathan