Reconciliation Roundtable Podcast

Adam and I discuss working to promote kindness and depolarize America through initiatives like the Campaign for Kindness and Braver Angels. Adam shares insights on his church’s growth, guiding principles and the importance of fostering intellectual and spiritual discourse within diverse congregations. We also explore how faith communities can model respectful political dialogue. Cathy Bien, lead director of communications and public relations at Church of the Resurrection, also joins to discuss their collaborative projects and campaigns to encourage kindness and empathy in advance of the 2024 election.

Rabbi Matthew D. Gewirtz joins me to discuss his journey towards becoming a rabbi, the challenges faced in his role, and his deep involvement in interfaith work. The discussion also covers the Hebrew concept of machloket (disagreeing without rancor), its relevance in the current crisis between Israel and Gaza, and the importance of interfaith dialogue both for religious leaders and the wider community.

Dr. Taylor shares his faith journey and we discuss his involvement in religious pluralism and extensive research on the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement. The episode delves into the implications of this movement, the need for intra-Christian dialogue, and the challenge of addressing radicalization within American Christianity.

This is a special episode in which I reflect on the last year of the Reconciliation Roundtable podcast and thank all listeners for spending time with me and my guests, exploring how we can be agents of reconciliation in a time and a place where doing so often seems to be beyond the pale.

Wilk Wilkinson joins me to discuss his journey from political apathy to toxic political engagement, followed by the epiphany that since led him on a mission of bettering the world, one attitude at a time, by charting a course toward understanding, bridging divides, and fostering a community where wisdom prevails over discord.

Canon Spellers shares her journey from being a skeptic and critic of the Church to becoming a senior leader with a deep faith and a commitment to social justice. We explore the themes of mission, evangelism, the power of genuine curiosity in bridging divides, and ongoing efforts to address systemic issues like white supremacy within the church.

Amy shares about her journey of faith, path to ordination as an Episcopal priest, passion for and vocation of studying scripture, and the blessings and challenges she has experienced along the way.

We discuss the process of discernment in decisive moments in life and faith, and how God calls us to be brave in such moments.

We discuss the roots of Ray’s faith commitment, the origins and nature of his work to prevent gun violence and racialized violence, current events in Israel and Palestine, and the role of reconciliation in all of this.

Our discussion touches on faith and love for our neighbors and Angela shares the powerful example and influence of her mother on her life.

Guest Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon speaks with me about about the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, the story of how her love and concern for the people of the Holy Land developed and how we might better understand the obstacles to and opportunities for peace.

Guest Daniel Darling speaks with me about about overcoming divisions and differences to find common ground and live as agents of grace and love.

Discussion with Shane Claiborne about his passion for gun violence prevention, his faith journey, and his work.

Dr. Gilford (Gil) T. Monrose is based in the East Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. He is doing amazing work serving humanity, building bridges, and working on gun violence prevention. 

John Wood Jr. joins to discuss his “unorthodox path to Christianity” and his pathway to working as the National Ambassador at Braver Angels

This week I had the chance to talk with a friend of mine, David Blankenhorn, about his passion for building bridges of understanding and helping people find common ground.

Welcome to the first episode of Reconciliation Roundtable, a new podcast where we discuss building bridges of understanding across religious and political difference.