The Deconstructionists

Guest Info/Bio: This week I welcome the Rev. Dr. Miguel A. De La Torre! He is a professor, author, scholar, and activist who is currently Professor of Social Ethics and Latinx Studies at the Iliff School of Theology in Denver, Colorado. He has served as the elected 2012 President of the Society of Christian Ethics and served as the Executive Officer for the Society of Race, Ethnicity and Religion (2012-2017). In 2020 the American Academy of Religion bestowed upon him the Excellence in Teaching Award. Dr. De La Torre is a recognized international Fullbright Scholar who has taught courses all over the world.  Guest (Select) Publications:  Reading the Bible from the Margins; Trails of Hope and Terror: Testimonies on Immigration; Liberation Theologies for Arm Chair Theologians; The Politics of Jesus: Toward a Hispanic Political Theology; The Immigration Crisis: Toward an Ethics of Place; Burying White Privilege: Resurrecting A Badass Christianity; and Decolonizing Christianity: Becoming Badass Believers.  Guest Links: www.drmigueldelatorre.com  Twitter: @DrDeLaTorre  Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/miguel.delatorre.1238 Special guest music on this episode provide by: Sam Burchfield  Musical Guest/Music Links: www.samburchfield.com  Twitter:@samburchfield  Facebook: @samburchfieldmusic  Instagram: @samburchfield  Enjoy the music? Songs heard on this episode were “Waking Up, Hold My Hand, & Graveyard Flower” from the album, Graveyard Flower & the brand new single, “Sands of Old Cities.”  You can find Sam’s music on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, or anywhere good music is found! This episode of the Deconstructionists Podcast was edited by John Williamson and mixed and produced by Nicholas Rowe at National Audio Preservation Society: A full service recording studio and creative habitat, located in Heath, Ohio. Find them on Facebook and Twitter or visit their website for more information: www.nationalaudiopreservationsociety.weebly.com  Stay on top of all of the latest at www.thedeconstructionists.com Go there to check out our blog, snag a t-shirt, or follow us on social media Join our Patreon family here: www.patreon.com/deconstructionists  Website by Ryan Battles All photos by Jared Hevron Logos designed by Joseph Ernst & Stephen Pfluig T-shirt designs by Joseph Ernst, Chad Flannigan, Colin Rigsby, and Jason Turner.  Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-deconstructionists/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Bunmi Laditan, author of The Honest Toddler, discusses her new book on prayer. She shares her personal religious journey and the challenges of embracing Judaism while believing in Jesus. The podcast explores the impact of kindness on those with depression, moving forward from traumatic religious experiences, and personal reflections on travel and holiday traditions.

Guest Info/Bio: This week I welcome the Rev. Dr. Sarah Griffith Lund. Sarah majored in religious studies in college at Trinity University, graduated with a Master of Divinity degree at Princeton Theological Seminary, and also received a Master of Social Work degree at Rutger’s University.  Ministry and Social Work blend together are her two passions of loving God and loving her neighbors. She was ordained into Christian ministry by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in 2002 and began serving as a local church pastor in 2003. She's served large and small congregations in Brooklyn, Minneapolis, and New Smyrna Beach, Florida, and Indianapolis, Indiana.   In 2011, she earned her Doctor of Ministry degree from McCormick Theological Seminary with a focus on revitalizing the local church. Her thesis is entitled, “The Challenges to Building a Beloved Community on Facebook.” She served the church as a Regional Minister, providing support and guidance to dozens of congregations in the United Church of Christ throughout central and western Florida. From 2014-2018, she served as Vice President for Seminary Advancement at Christian Theological Seminary in Indianapolis.  In 2018, she was called to serve as the first woman Senior Pastor at First Congregational United Church of Christ of Indianapolis. In addition, she serves on the National Staff of The United Church of Christ as the Minister for Disabilities and Mental Health Justice. Guest Publications:  Blessed Are the Crazy: Breaking the Silence about Mental Illness, Family and Church; Blessed Union: Breaking the Silence about Mental Illness and Marriage.  Guest Links: www.sarahgriffithlund.com  Twitter: @revlund  Facebook: @sarahgriffithlund  Special guest music on this episode provide by: Mike Donehey  Musical Guest/Music Links: www.mikedonehey.com  Twitter: @mikedonehey  Facebook: @mikedonehey Instagram: @mikedonehey  Enjoy the music? Songs heard on this episode were “What You Mean to Say, You Belong Here, & Better” from the EP, “Work of Art” and “In The Middle” from the brand new EP, A Father & Two Sons  You can find Mike’s music on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, or anywhere good music is found! This episode of the Deconstructionists Podcast was edited by John Williamson and mixed and produced by Nicholas Rowe at National Audio Preservation Society: A full service recording studio and creative habitat, located in Heath, Ohio. Find them on Facebook and Twitter or visit their website for more information: www.nationalaudiopreservationsociety.weebly.com  Stay on top of all of the latest at www.thedeconstructionists.com Go there to check out our blog, snag a t-shirt, or follow us on social media Join our Patreon family here: www.patreon.com/deconstructionists  Website by Ryan Battles All photos by Jared Hevron Logos designed by Joseph Ernst & Stephen Pfluig T-shirt designs by Joseph Ernst, Chad Flannigan, Colin Rigsby, and Jason Turner.  Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-deconstructionists/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Guest Info/Bio: This week I welcome back Dan Koch and this time he brings along his friend Sarey Martin Concepcion. They came on the podcast to address a topic we haven’t discussed in great depth since literally episode #1. We talk all about the term deconstruction, what we mean when we use the term, and how each of our journeys began. Dan and Sarey also created an amazing library of resources for folks going through a spiritual deconstruction at www.soyouredeconstructing.com  So You’re Deconstructing was created by Sarey Martin Concepcion and Dan Koch. Dan hosts the You Have Permission podcast and is currently a doctoral student in psychology at Northwest University in Washington State. Sarey is a writer and producer, who holds a Masters in Theology from Fuller Seminary, and currently resides in Portland, OR. She is also Director of Communications for Blueprint 1543, which facilitates grant projects integrating theology and the sciences. Guest Links: www.dankochwords.com  www.dankoch.net  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/you-have-permission  www.soyouredeconstructing.com  Twitter: @dankoch & @sarey  Instagram: @dankoch & @doctormonalisa  Special guest music on this episode provide by: Forrest Clay  Musical Guest/Music Links: Twitter: @clay_k Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/claykirchenbauer  Instagram: @forrestclaymusic  Enjoy the music? Songs heard on this episode were the brand new single, “Recover” & the exclusive world debut of the forthcoming single, “Does God” You can find Forrest Clay’s music on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, or anywhere good music is sold! This episode of the Deconstructionists Podcast was edited by John Williamson and mixed and produced by Nicholas Rowe at National Audio Preservation Society: A full service recording studio and creative habitat, located in Heath, Ohio. Find them on Facebook and Twitter or visit their website for more information: www.nationalaudiopreservationsociety.weebly.com  Stay on top of all of the latest at www.thedeconstructionists.com Go there to check out our blog, snag a t-shirt, or follow us on social media Join our Patreon family here: www.patreon.com/deconstructionists  Website by Ryan Battles All photos by Jared Hevron Logos designed by Joseph Ernst & Stephen Pfluig T-shirt designs by Joseph Ernst, Chad Flannigan, Colin Rigsby, and Jason Turner.  Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-deconstructionists/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Guest Info/Bio: This week I welcome back one of our favorite guests - Sarah Bessey! Sarah Bessey is the author of the best-selling and critically acclaimed books Jesus Feminist (2013); Out of Sorts: Making Peace with an Evolving Faith (2015); and Miracles and Other Reasonable Things (2019).  Her new collaborative book, A Rhythm of Prayer: A Collection of Meditations for Renewal is now available everywhere books are sold.d. Along with her friends, the late Rachel Held Evans and Jim Chaffee, Sarah co-founded Evolving Faith. She now co-leads the community and conference alongside Jeff Chu. Sarah is also the co-host of The Evolving Faith Podcast which debuted at the top of the charts for Religion and Spirituality Podcasts and has been downloaded by hundreds of thousands of listeners worldwide. Sarah is a sought-after speaker at churches, conferences, and universities around the world. Sarah writes the weekly newsletter Field Notes with exclusive essays, devotional series, conversations, and more. You can sign up for Field Notes here.  She also serves as chair of the board for Heartline Ministries in Haiti. Based in Port au Prince, Heartline is committed to empowering Haitian families through complete maternal and infant health care, education, vocational training, and economic development. Sarah contributed to the NIV Bible for Women: Fresh Insights for Thriving in Today’s World; Mother Letters: Sharing the Laughter, Joy, Struggles, and Hope; Soul Bare: Stories of Redemption; and What a Woman is Worth. Her writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, The High Calling, Conversations Journal, ChurchLeaders.com, CT Women: Christianity Today’s Blog for Women, Today’s Christian Woman, and she has commented on religion, feminism, and faith deconstruction for The Atlantic, The Christian Post, Christianity Today, The National Post, and The Washington Post among others. She was an award-winning blogger back in the glory days of blogging. Some of the favourites are still available as essays on this website. Sarah is also the author of two ebooks - My Practices of Mothering and Waiting, Accepting, Journeying, Birthing: An Advent Devotional - both available for digital download here. Guest (Select) Published Works: Waiting, Accepting, Journeying, Birthing; My Practices of Mothering; Jesus Feminist: An Invitation to Revisit The Bible’s View of Women; Out of Sorts: Making Peace with an Evolving Faith; Miracles And Other Reasonable Things: A Story of Unlearning and Relearning God; A Rhythm of Prayer: A Collection of Meditations for Renewal.  Guest Website/Social Media: www.sarahbessey.com  Twitter: @sarahbessey  Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/sarah.styles.bessey  Instagram: @sarahbessey  Special guest music on this episode provided by:  The Wind & The Wave www.thewindandthewave.com  Twitter: @thewindthewave Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/thewindandthewave/  Instagram: @thewindthewave  Enjoy the songs? Songs featured on this episode were: “Happiness Is Not A Place” from the album, Happiness Is Not A Place & “Rescue Me, Does God Love the Unlucky?” & “Father” from the E.P. Rescue Me.  The Wind & The Wave’s music is available on iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon, YouTube, Spotify, and anywhere good music is found.  Stay on top of all the latest at www.thedeconstructionists.com  Go there to read our blog, grab a tee shirt, snag a pint glass or mug, follow us on social media, or join our Patreon family. The Deconstructionists Podcast is edited by John Williamson. This episode was mixed and produced by Nicholas Rowe at National Audio Preservation Society: A full service recording studio and creative habitat. located in Heath, Ohio. Find them on facebook and Twitter or go to their website for more information. www.nationalaudiopreservationsociety.weebly.com  www.facebook.com/nationalaudiopreservationsociety Twitter: @napsrecording  Website by Ryan Battles All Photos by Jared Hevron Logos designed by Joseph Ernst & Stephen Pfluig T-Shirt designs by Joseph Ernst, Chad Flannigan, Colin Rigsby, and Jason Turner Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-deconstructionists/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Guest Info/Bio: This week I welcome back our dear friend Peter Rollins to talk all about his annual Atheism for Lent course. To sign up for Atheism for Lent go to Pete’s website: www.peterrollins.com for tickets. Pete is an author, philosopher, storyteller, producer, and public speaker who has gained an international reputation for overturning traditional notions of religion and forming “churches” that preach the Good News that we can’t be satisfied, that life is difficult, and that we don’t know the secret.  Challenging the idea that faith concerns questions relating to belief; attacking the distinction between the sacred and the secular. It critiques theism and it sets aside questions regarding life after death to explore the possibility of life before death.  Peter gained his higher education from Queens University, Belfast where he earned degrees (with distinction) in Scholastic Philosophy (BA Hons), Political Theory and Social Criticism (MA) and Post-Structural thought (PhD).  Guest (Select) Published Works: Insurrection, The Idolatry of God, The Divine Magician.  Guest Website/Social Media: www.peterrollins.com  Twitter: @peterrollins  Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/orthodoxheretic  Instagram: @peter_rollins  Special guest music on this episode provided by:  The Beach  Twitter: @thebeachmusic  Facebook: @thebeachmusic  Instagram: @thebeachmusic  Enjoy the songs? Songs featured on this episode were: “U.R. Beautiful, Toxic Love, Our Favourite Song, & Glass Houses” from the U.R. Beautiful EP.  The Beach’s music is available on iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon, YouTube, Spotify, and anywhere good music is found.  Stay on top of all the latest at www.thedeconstructionists.com  Go there to read our blog, grab a tee shirt, snag a pint glass or mug, follow us on social media, or join our Patreon family. The Deconstructionists Podcast is edited by John Williamson. This episode was mixed and produced by Nicholas Rowe at National Audio Preservation Society: A full service recording studio and creative habitat. located in Heath, Ohio. Find them on facebook and Twitter or go to their website for more information. www.nationalaudiopreservationsociety.weebly.com  www.facebook.com/nationalaudiopreservationsociety Twitter: @napsrecording  Website by Ryan Battles All Photos by Jared Hevron Logos designed by Joseph Ernst & Stephen Pfluig T-Shirt designs by Joseph Ernst, Chad Flannigan, Colin Rigsby, and Jason Turner Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-deconstructionists/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Guest Info/Bio: This week we speak with Stina Kielsmeier-Cook about what it’s like being in an interfaith relationship. What does it look like when the other person in your relationship has a different faith or no faith at all?  Stina is a writer from the cold north where she raises kids, maxes out her library card, and is usually late for church. A former housing advocate for refugees, Stina loves to talk about public policy, parenting, and her neighborhood in Minneapolis. She works as Director of Communications at the Collegeville Institute, where she is also the managing editor of Bearings Online. Stina has a graduate diploma in Forced Migration and Refugee Studies from the American University in Cairo, and a B.A. in Political Science from Wheaten College.  Guest Published Works: Blessed Are the Nones: Mixed-Faith Marriage and My Search for Spiritual Community.  Guest Website/Social Media:  www.stinakc.com  Twitter: @stina_kc  Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/stina.kc/  Instagram: @stina.kc  Special guest music on this episode provided by: Forrest Clay  Twitter: @clay_k  Facebook: @ https://m.facebook.com/ClayKirchenbauer?tsid=0.15432717790991135&source=result  Instagram: @forrestclaymusic  Enjoy the songs? Songs featured on this episode were: the brand new single, “Recover” and the singles “Love a Little More” and “Counting the Stars” Forrest Clay’s music is available on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, and anywhere good music is found.  Stay on top of all the latest at www.thedeconstructionists.com  Go there to read our blog, grab a tee shirt, snag a pint glass or mug, follow us on social media, or join our Patreon family. The Deconstructionists Podcast is edited by John Williamson. This episode was mixed and produced by Nicholas Rowe at National Audio Preservation Society: A full service recording studio and creative habitat. located in Heath, Ohio. Find them on facebook and Twitter or go to their website for more information. www.nationalaudiopreservationsociety.weebly.com  www.facebook.com/nationalaudiopreservationsociety Twitter: @napsrecording  Website by Ryan Battles All Photos by Jared Hevron Logos designed by Joseph Ernst & Stephen Pfluig T-Shirt designs by Joseph Ernst, Chad Flannigan, Colin Rigsby, and Jason Turner Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-deconstructionists/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Guest Info/Bio: This week we speak with Dr. Richard Beck. Richard Beck is Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology at Abilene Christian University. He is the author of Unclean, The Authenticity of Faith, The Slavery of Death, Reviving Old Scratch, and The Gospel According to Johnny Cash. Richard's published research also covers topics as diverse as the psychology of profanity to why Christian bookstore art is so bad. Richard leads a bible study each week for fifty inmates at the maximum security French-Robertson unit, and any given week Richard drives the van, preaches or washes dishes at Freedom Fellowship, a church feeding and reaching out to those on the margins. Finally, on his popular blog Experimental Theology Richard will spend enormous amounts of time writing about the theology of Johnny Cash, the demonology of Scooby-Doo or his latest bible class on monsters.  Guest Published Works: The Authenticity of Faith; The Slavery of Death; Unclean; Reviving Old Scratch: Demons and the Devil for Doubters and the Disenchanted; and Trains, Jesus, and Murder: The Gospel According to Johnny Cash. Guest Website/Social Media:  www.experimentaltheology.blogspot.com  Special guest music on this episode provided by: Tall Heights www.tallheights.com  Twitter: @tallheights  Facebook: @tallheights  Instagram: @tallheights Enjoy the songs? Songs featured on this episode were: “Spirit Cold” from the album, Neptune; “Oslo” from the album, Pretty Colors For Your Actions; and the singles - “Keeps Me Light” & “The Deep End.”  Tall Heights’ music is available on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, and anywhere good music is found.  Stay on top of all the latest at www.thedeconstructionists.com  Go there to read our blog, grab a tee shirt, snag a pint glass or mug, follow us on social media, or join our Patreon family. The Deconstructionists Podcast is edited by John Williamson. This episode was mixed and produced by Nicholas Rowe at National Audio Preservation Society: A full service recording studio and creative habitat. located in Heath, Ohio. Find them on facebook and Twitter or go to their website for more information. www.nationalaudiopreservationsociety.weebly.com  www.facebook.com/nationalaudiopreservationsociety Twitter: @napsrecording  Website by Ryan Battles All Photos by Jared Hevron Logos designed by Joseph Ernst & Stephen Pfluig T-Shirt designs by Joseph Ernst, Chad Flannigan, Colin Rigsby, and Jason Turner Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-deconstructionists/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Guest Info/Bio: This week I welcome Justin Toppins is a writer and filmmaker who recently released his book, “The Outcast Daughter: What I learned about hope and faith from conversations with sex trafficking survivors and his accompanying documentary film, “Irreclaimable”. For more than a year, Justin set out to learn about the dark world of sex trafficking. Along the way he spoke with victims, sex workers, and even law enforcement to separate fact from myth.  Guest Links:  http://covenantbooks.com/books/?book=the-outcast-daughter https://www.amazon.com/Irreclaimable-Samantha-Hernandez/dp/B07QDPYL2J/ref=nodl_ Musical Guest/Music Links: www.remedydrive.com  Twitter: @remedydrive  Instagram: @remedydrive  Facebook: @remedydrive https://pages.theexodusroad.com  Twitter: @theexodusroad  Instagram: @theexodusroad  Facebook: @theexodusroad  Enjoy the music? Songs heard on this episode were: “Disappear, You Got Fire (ft. Rachel Lampa McCarthy), & Warlike” from the album, The North Star. “Guide You Home” from the album, Hope’s Not Giving Up.  You can find Remedy Drive’s music on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, or anywhere good music is sold! This episode of the Deconstructionists Podcast was edited by John Williamson and mixed and produced by Nicholas Rowe at National Audio Preservation Society: A full service recording studio and creative habitat, located in Heath, Ohio. Find them on Facebook and Twitter or visit their website for more information: www.nationalaudiopreservationsociety.weebly.com  Stay on top of all of the latest at www.thedeconstructionists.com Go there to check out our blog, snag a t-shirt, or follow us on social media Join our Patreon family here: www.patreon.com/deconstructionists  Website by Ryan Battles All photos by Jared Hevron Logos designed by Joseph Ernst & Stephen Pfluig T-shirt designs by Joseph Ernst, Chad Flannigan, Colin Rigsby, and Jason Turner.  Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-deconstructionists/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Guest Info/Bio: This week I welcome David Zach. David Zach is the lead singer and songwriter for the rock band Remedy Drive as well as an advocate in the fight against human trafficking. The band has recorded two concept albums to shine a light on slavery and to celebrate the modern day abolition. The band's community and fan base has contributed around $350,000 in donations and in-kind donations to the counter trafficking organization The Exodus Road.  When the band is not on tour David volunteers with The Exodus Road as an undercover operative. He spends time in brothels and in the red-light districts where underage girls and boys are sold by the hour. His role while undercover is to identify instances of minors being sold, and to capture actionable evidence of their trafficking using covert gear, some of which is funded by the Remedy Drive community and fan base.  Upon returning from deployment overseas David uses the band and his platform to advocate for the victims of human trafficking, to shine a light on slavery and to speak about his time overseas with the goal of recruiting and funding the fight which is the modern underground railroad. He has spoken at many of the major festivals during talkback sessions, main stages and seminar tents. He also speaks at colleges, conferences, high school campuses and churches. David's message centers upon a core belief of both Remedy Drive and The Exodus Road - "Justice is in the hands of the ordinary".   To hear about raids/rescues and everything going on the front lines text “remedy” to 51555.  Guest/Music Links: www.remedydrive.com  Twitter: @remedydrive  Instagram: @remedydrive  Facebook: @remedydrive https://pages.theexodusroad.com  Twitter: @theexodusroad  Instagram: @theexodusroad  Facebook: @theexodusroad  Enjoy the music? Songs heard on this episode were: “Sunlight on Her Face” from the album, The North Star. “Commodity, Under the Starlight, and Take Cover” from the album, Commodity.    You can find Remedy Drive’s music on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube, or anywhere good music is sold! This episode of the Deconstructionists Podcast was edited by John Williamson and mixed and produced by Nicholas Rowe at National Audio Preservation Society: A full service recording studio and creative habitat, located in Heath, Ohio. Find them on Facebook and Twitter or visit their website for more information: www.nationalaudiopreservationsociety.weebly.com  Stay on top of all of the latest at www.thedeconstructionists.com Go there to check out our blog, snag a t-shirt, or follow us on social media Join our Patreon family here: www.patreon.com/deconstructionists  Website by Ryan Battles All photos by Jared Hevron Logos designed by Joseph Ernst & Stephen Pfluig T-shirt designs by Joseph Ernst, Chad Flannigan, Colin Rigsby, and Jason Turner.  Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-deconstructionists/donations Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy