EPISODE OVERVIEW Media depictions would have you believe that Christianity and Islam are vastly more different than they are similar, that the Qur'an is an intolerant text, and that Islam is a violent religion. Sumbul Ali-Karamali vehemently disagrees. At first, her book, The Muslim Next Door: The Qur'an, the Media, and that Veil Thing, reads as a primer on the tenets and traditions of Islam, but the truth that exists in the context of its pages is that the rich and ancient religion is so much more similar to Christianity and Judaism than the media would lead you to believe. The book and interview cover a wide range of topics from how much regional culture has shaped Islam (why not every Muslim woman wears a hijab), what Islam thinks of Jesus (they like him a lot), and yes, even jihad (and no, it's not what you think).  Interviewer: Jim Rohner ABOUT SUMBUL ALI-KARAMALI Sumbul is an author, speaker, and lawyer who has received degrees from Stanford University, the University of California at Davis, and the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies. She has practiced corporate law, taught Islamic law, and been a research associate at the Centre of Islamic and Middle Eastern Law in London. She has been on multiple councils and committees aimed at promoting women’s rights and human rights from an Islamic perspective, has been turned away by CNN for not fitting their picture of a "secular Muslim," and is a devout supporter of the Oxford comma.

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EPISODE 34: SUMBUL ALI-KARAMALI

EPISODE OVERVIEW For many of us raised in the Evangelical tradition, we're familiar with what the term "purity culture" means on the surface: teaching children to save their first time having sex until they're married to that one person with whom God had always intended them to be. However, as time went by and the scars began to manifest, we realized what it entailed deeper down: sexual shame, sexual silence, and social and structural hierarchies that overwhelmingly subjugated and victimized young women. In her book, Pure: Inside the Evangelical Movement that Shamed a Generation of Young Women and How I Broke Free, Linda Kay Klein interviewed a number of women over a 12-year period who were raised in the purity culture movement to get intimate perspectives on the environments that foster it, the damage that comes from it, and ultimately, the healing that can begin when separating from it.  Interviewers: Jim Rohner and Jonathan Williams ABOUT LINDA KAY KLEIN Linda Kay Klein is an author, speaker, teaching faculty at Claremont Lincoln University and the President and Founder of Break Free Together, a not-for-profit that uses story exchange to help people release shame and claim their whole selves. Raised in purity culture, she's made it her mission to coach and consult with both people who experience the PTSD-like symptoms that have arisen from purity culture and organizations who are striving to establish a greater good.

EPISODE 33: LINDA KAY KLEIN

EPISODE OVERVIEW What if our memories are like shells we gather on a beach? According to Casey Tygrett, how we carry and hold onto these memories - both good and bad - is a part of what forms us spiritually. In this interview, Casey discusses his new book, As I Recall: Discovering the Place of Memories in Our Spiritual Life, and explores how memory has shaped our experience with God and spirituality and how there are biblical texts and practices to guide us in bringing our memories back to God for spiritual transformation. As he writes, "memories are the raw material that God can shape into wisdom if we engage our wandering ways with him."  Interviewer: Jonathan Williams ABOUT CASEY TYGRETT Casey Tygrett is an author, speaker, podcaster, and pastor from Chicago, Illinois where he is currently the Theologian in Residence at Parkview Christian Church. He also hosts the otherWISE podcast, a place for gathering wise conversations about living well on the journey with Jesus. 

EPISODE 32: CASEY TYGRETT

EPISODE OVERVIEW Those who have gone through the process of spiritual deconstruction can attest to the shame and damage that come along with any system or authority that claims with absolute certainty that they speak the mind and will of God. Deconstruction often begins with an "uh oh" moment - a revelation, discovery, or even a simple conversation that leads one to question if everything they've been told is wrong. Pete Enns knows these moments all too well because he's had many of them throughout his decades as a teacher and theologian. He's come to encourage people to embrace uncertainty and imagination when it comes to reading the Bible, yet feeling its trajectory. "The gospel is primary," Pete claims. "The Bible goes along for the ride." Interviewers: Jim Rohner and Jonathan Williams ABOUT PETE ENNS Pete Enns is an author, biblical scholar, and co-host of the podcast The Bible for Normal People. He's written numerous books about how to change our approach in reading and interpreting the Bible, including "The Sin of Certainty" and "How the Bible Actually Works." His 2005 book "Inspiration and Incarnation" ultimately led to his departure from Westminster Theological Seminary, which ultimately led him to Eastern University. He continues to instruct and inspire people going through faith deconstruction with his talks, blogs, and podcasts. He also has a rescue cat named Marmalade, who makes an appearance in this episode.

EPISODE 31 - PETE ENNS

EPISODE OVERVIEW The Flint drinking water contamination began in April 2014 and almost six years later, the plaintiffs have not seen one cent of financial compensation from the city, the state, or the private contractors that contributed to the dire situation. For over three years, Corey Stern has been representing more than 2500 children who were poisoned by Flint drinking water and he joins us to discuss his role in the case, what drives and centers him during such long and taxing work, and how he responds to society's changing attitudes towards lawyers on both sides of litigation. Interviewers: Jim Rohner and Jonathan Williams ABOUT COREY STERN Corey is currently a partner at Levy Konigsberg LLP and Lead Counsel in the Genesee County Circuit Court, and Liaison Counsel in the U.S. District Court in the Eastern District of Michigan for all plaintiffs in the Flint Water Litigation. He's had a lifelong passion for serving the least of these, especially children who have been injured due to negligence or abuse. In addition to his involvement in Flint, he's also filed action against Bill de Blasio and the NYC Housing Authority for failures around  inspections of 178,000 public housing apartments for lead-based paint. 

EPISODE 30: COREY STERN

EPISODE OVERVIEW In this episode, Lenny Duncan talks about what drew him to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America despite it being the whitest denomination in the country. He also talks about how growth is impossible without discomfort, how he sees the fate of Christ reflected in the death of Trayvon Martin, and how, despite history, he is optimistic for the future of radically affirming church. Interview: Jim Rohner and Jonathan Williams ABOUT LENNY DUNCAN Lenny is the pastor of Jehu's Table in East New York, where he was called as a mission developer after getting his Master's of Divinity from United Lutheran Seminary. He pays special attention to Black Liberation movements in his work and has directed the two-part documentary Do Black Churches Matter in the ELCA? Unapologetic and outspoken in his beliefs, Lenny speaks truth to power when it comes to dismantling the white supremacy that has been a problem at the heart of the Lutheran Church. He believes in the radical love of Christ, the affirmation of LGBTQIA siblings, and the passionate grace of God. To purchase Lenny's new book, "Dear Church: A Love Letter from a Black Preacher to the Whitest Denomination in the U.S.," visit: https://lennyduncan.com/order-dear-church

EPISODE 29: LENNY DUNCAN

EPISODE OVERVIEW In this first episode of the relaunch of Midrash NYC, George Mekhail and Jonathan Williams discuss their respective paths to arriving at the divisive decision to make their churches open and affirming of LGBTQIA members and about the consequences of a church's ambiguity around the topic of affirmation. Interview: Jim Rohner ABOUT GEORGE George Mekhail has been involved in church his entire life, from growing up in the Coptic Orthodox tradition to serving in pastor roles within Evangelical and Mainline churches. He is currently the Executive Director of Church Clarity, a crowdsourced organization that seeks to verify if a church's stated policy is open and clear on a number of issues from affirmation of LGBTQIA members to women in leadership positions. 

EPISODE 28: CHURCH CLARITY

EPISODE OVERVIEW:In this episode we're discussing women, work, and faith as we hear from women in leadership at the OPEN Network conference 2016. PODCAST GUESTS (in order): Marlee Walters, Jen Fisher, Carla Ewert, Mira Joyner, Laura Truax, Lindsay Andreolli-Comstock, Jenny Morgan, Rachael McClair, Laura Buffington, Katie Hays, Cameron TrimbleFor more information on "She Is Called: OPEN Conversations for Women in Leadership" visit sheiscalledconversations.comThe conference will take place in New York City, at West End Collegiate Church, May 2-4, 2017. Space is limited, so register today!  

EPISODE 27: WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

EPISODE OVERVIEW In this episode Rabbi Or Rose talks about Hebrew words, the meaning of the high holy days and what we can all learn from the Sabbath Interviewer: Jen Fisher ABOUT RABBI ROSE Rabbi Or N. Rose is the Director of the Center for Global Judaism at Hebrew College. He also serves as Co-Director of CIRCLE: the Center for Inter-Religious & Community Leadership Education, a joint venture of Hebrew College and Andover Newton Theological School. Rabbi Rose is the co-editor of Jewish Mysticism and the Spiritual Life: Classical Texts, Contemporary Reflections (Jewish Lights), and the forthcoming My Neighbor's Faith: Stories of Inter-Religious Encounter, Growth, and Transformation (Orbis, Spring 2012). To follow more of Rabbi Rose's work, visit www.huffingtonpost.com/author/rabbi-or-rose

EPISODE 26: RABBI OR ROSE

EPISODE OVERVIEW In this episode Sarah E. Cannon, Brandan Robertson and Colby Martin talk about the "clobber" passages about homosexuality in the Bible and share their journeys to reading these Scriptures in a new light. Interviewer: Ben Grace ABOUT SARAH, BRANDAN & COLBY Sarah E. Cannon studied Gender Studies at Indiana University, and Theology at Harvard University.  She currently serves as Outreach Minister at Methodist Temple in Evansville, IN, where she pursues social justice in the community, with a particular focus on helping folks experiencing chronic homelessness.  Her side projects include Still Loved, an organization seeking to bring together open and affirming faith communities in Evansville. Rev. Brandan Robertson is a noted spiritual thought-leader, contemplative activist, and commentator, working at the intersections of spirituality, sexuality, and social renewal.  He is the author of Nomad: A Spirituality For Travelling Light and writes regularly for Patheos, and The Huffington Post. Colby Martin is a beloved child of God, husband, father, co-pastor of Sojourn Grace Collective, and author of UnClobber: Rethinking Our Misuse of the Bible on Homosexuality.

EPISODE 25: UNCLOBBER

EPISODE OVERVIEW In this episode Lisa talks about how she fell in love with the idea of "Shalom", how it should inform how we live out our faith, and her new book "The Very Good Gospel: How Everything Wrong Can Be Made Right". Interviewer: Mira Joyner & Jen FisherABOUT LISA From Ferguson to New York to Germany, Lisa has been leading trainings and helping mobilize clergy and community leaders around shared values for the common good as Sojourners Chief Church Engagement Officer.  Through preaching, writing, training, network development, and public witness Ms. Harper engages the church in the work of justice and peacemaking. To follow more of Lisa's work, visit lisasharonharper.com

EPISODE 24: LISA SHARON HARPER

EPISODE OVERVIEW In this episode David talks about his evangelical Christian faith fell apart and how he built his music career through intimate house shows. Interviewer: Jonathan WilliamsABOUT DAVID David Bazan has never had the answers. His first two solo records, 2009’s Curse Your Branches and 2011’s Strange Negotiations lived inside questions. Questions of politics, of relationships, of addiction, and of God. For anyone looking to art to remove doubt, Bazan is not that refuge. With a catalogue that orbits the darkest corners of the human experience, his songs are the tiny pinprick of light, the first breath coming up for air, the rest stop on a trip with no destination. To follow more of David's work, visit davidbazan.com

EPISODE 23: DAVID BAZAN

EPISODE OVERVIEW In this episode Christine Moutier talks mental health, societal stigma, suicide prevention, and how to talk to people who we're worried about. Interviewer: Jen FisherABOUT CHRISTINE Dr. Christine Moutier knows the impact of suicide firsthand. After losing colleagues to suicide, she dedicated herself to fighting this leading cause of death. As a leader in the field of suicide prevention, Dr. Moutier joined the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in 2013, and has revitalized AFSP’s Education team, re-launched its Loss & Healing department, and expanded AFSP’s support to include those with lived experience of suicide. To follow more of AFSP's work, visit afsp.org

EPISODE 22: CHRISTINE MOUTIER

EPISODE OVERVIEW In this episode Amy Butler talks politics, social justice, gun violence, and what it is like to be the "first" woman leading an influential organization. Interviewer: Ryan Phipps and Ben GraceABOUT AMY Rev. Dr. Amy Butler, "Pastor Amy," is the 7th Senior Minister at The Riverside Church in New York City. She is the first woman to hold the position of Senior Minister since the church opened 84 years ago.  Pastor Amy wonders aloud all the time about: faith, church, living in community, the deep meaning of life, and, everything else, too. To follow more of Amy's work, visit www.patheos.com/blogs/talkwiththepreacher/ To find out more about "God and Guns" and register visit www.godandguns2016.com

EPISODE 21: AMY BUTLER

EPISODE OVERVIEW This episode is dedicated to the 15th anniversary of September 11, 2001.  Nancy Carbone, founder and Executive Director of Friends of Firefighters, joins us to talk about the continuing impact of the terror attacks on the city, the firefighting force, and the healing art of listening. Interviewer: Ben GraceABOUT FRIENDS OF FIREFIGHTERS Friends of Firefighters is dedicated to addressing the physical, mental health, and wellness needs of New York City’s firefighters and their families. Their ongoing mission is to provide long-term support and services through confidential counseling, wellness services, and other assistance required by firefighters and their families. To follow more of their work, visit friendsoffirefighters.org Click here to buy tickets to their 9th Annual Friends of Firefighters Fall Gala on Oct 20.

EPISODE 20: NANCY CARBONE ON 9/11

Just and generous conversations on faith and spirituality.

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