A series of interviews and conversations with artists, creatives, interfaith persons and nerds
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Andrina Wekontash Smith is an Emmy-nominated writer, comedian and storyteller. She serves as a writer on the hit comedy, Deli Boys, which currently streams on Hulu. She is the sole writer of the MetaQuest experience, “MLK: Now Is the Time," produced by TIME Studios, commemorating the anniversary of Dr. King’s March on Washington (Emmy nomination, Producers’ Guild Award Nomination 2024, Audience Award at SXSW, AIXR Social Impact Award, Webby Awards for Public Service and Activism and People’s Voice Award). Andrina gets candid about how comedy and storytelling can be forms of social activism and
John Fugelsang is the author of the New York Times Bestselling book, Separation of Church and Hate. He is a stand-up comedian and the host of Tell Me Everything on SiriusXM. John gets candid about his faith, his complicated relationship with organized religion and how hearing George Carlin for the first time changed his life. We discuss growing up in one of the most wildly ecumenical households imaginable, nerd out about Star Wars, how Jesus of Nazareth used storytelling as a form of activism…and how irreverent comedy can sometimes mimic this ancient practice today.
Dr. Amy-Jill Levine is one of the world’s leading Jewish biblical scholars. She is the author of Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi, The Misunderstood Jew and her latest book, Jesus for Everyone: Not Just Christians, which was released in 2024 by HarperOne. She is the first Jewish scholar to teach New Testament at Rome's Pontifical Biblical Institute and has had three audiences with Pope Francis. Dr. Levine joins the program to explore one of Jesus’ most famous parables from an interfaith perspective: how this beloved passage from Scripture has been interpr
Simon Bennett’s career spans theater and television on both sides of the globe. He spent nearly two decades shaping the iconic, long-running New Zealand–based soap Shortland Street as a director, producer and executive producer before becoming Head of Drama at South Pacific Pictures. He also served as showrunner and executive producer for Saban’s Power Rangers from 2019 to 2023, including the 30th anniversary special, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always. Simon shares his journey growing up as the child of two mimes, his early experiments with light and sound and the path that led him t
Steve Lindsley serves as the Executive Presbyter of the Providence Presbytery in South Carolina and is the Senior Ministry Strategist for Horizons Stewardship. He is also a musician and recording artist with eight albums and EP’s since 1997. His most recent album, “Back Again,” dropped in April of 2023. Steve talks about the difference between good vs. bad Christian music, discusses some of the quirks of picking hymns on Sunday morning and shares valuable insights on fundraising and stewardship for churches. Listen to Steve’s music here: https://stevelindsley.bandcamp.com/
Dre Swain has appeared regularly on Nickelodeon over the past two decades on shows like “Victorious,” “iCarly,” “Sam and Cat,” “The Fairly Oddparents,” “Henry Danger,” and several others. She has also appeared on shows like “Shameless” on Showtime, alongside William H. Macy and Emmy Rossum. Dre has acted in several critically acclaimed independent films in the festival circuit. Her indie film, “Brix and the B#&%!” is currently streaming at https://vimeo.com/203908421 Additionally, Dre is the founder of DreMadeDat.com. She shares some behind-the-scenes stories working on shows for Nickelodeon,
Sarah Bracey White is the critically acclaimed author of Primary Lessons: A Memoir and The Wanderlust: A South Carolina Folktale. Set against the backdrop of the Jim Crow South, Primary Lessons tells the real-life story of Sarah’s growing-up years navigating her challenging relationship with her mother and seeking to reconcile her complex family systems with issues of racial and social justice. Sarah shares how telling stories can lead to healing in our lives, whether through the discoveries we make about our parents or the act of caring for a child, spouse or an aging loved one. She discusses
The Rev. Dr. Peggy Jean Craig currently serves as the Senior Pastor at the Covenant Presbyterian Church of Germantown in Germantown, Tennessee. In 2025, she was one of the headlining preachers at the Presbyterian Youth Triennium at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, Kentucky. She joins me to discuss her experience preaching at Triennium and to explore the intersections between storytelling and advocacy.
David J. Fielding is an actor, writer, and voiceover artist best known for playing Zordon on the original Mighty Morphin Power Rangers TV series that premiered in August 1993. Beyond his iconic role as the mentor to superheroic teenagers, David is a prolific novelist and author of short fiction. David holds a BFA from Texas State University and an MFA in Acting from the University of Pittsburgh.David discusses his experience in the theater and his most formative roles onstage, as well as his deep love of comic books and B-movies. David reveals some behind-the-scenes secrets from filming Power
Walter Brueggemann 1933-2025
Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz is the drummer for "Weird Al" Yankovic. This summer he'll be hitting the road with Weird Al on the "Bigger and Weirder" Tour. Jon offers us a sneak preview of what fans can expect from the show and shares stories and memories from his legendary 40+ year career in music and comedy. His latest book, "Lights, Camera, Accordion!: Eye-Popping Photographs of 'Weird Al' Yankovic, 1981-2006," is a stunning 256-page visual retrospective featuring over 300 never-before-seen color photographs. Jon shares stories behind some of the rarest images that even Al's most diehard fans have
Mary Reber appears in the third season of Twin Peaks, directed by David Lynch and executive produced by Lynch and Mark Frost. In real life, Mary owns the house that served as the filming location for Laura Palmer’s home. She joins me in conversation to share her memories of working with David Lynch and behind-the-scenes stories behind some of Season 3’s most shocking moments. Mary also offers tours of the Palmer House and reflects on how connecting with the Twin Peaks fan community has touched her life in deeply personal ways.
Do Christians and Jews think differently about God? In what ways are our communities similar? In what ways are they unique? Samantha Mandeles is a passionate photographer, and her images are the subject of an exhibition titled "The Abayudaya: Portrait of an African Jewish Community," which captures the daily lives and spiritual vibrancy of a Jewish community in Namutumba, Uganda. She has contributed to Newsweek, the Jewish News Syndicate, and other publications and appeared in the documentary, "The J Street Challenge." Her professional work spans counterterrorism research, journalism, and docu
The Rev. Dr. Rodger Nishioka serves as the senior pastor and head of staff at Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, Kansas. Dr. Nishioka is one of the most sought-after preachers and teachers in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). He is widely considered to be one of the preeminent experts in youth and adolescent ministry in the denomination. Dr. Nishioka joins me in conversation to discuss the ever-changing landscape of youth and young adult ministry and offers his reflections on Christian education in a post-pandemic, Gen-Alpha world.
Rev. Dr. Ed McLeod joins me in conversation. Recently retired, Dr. McLeod has served as the pastor at churches in Greer, South Carolina, Sumter, South Carolina and most recently Raleigh, North Carolina. A graduate of Union Presbyterian Seminary and the College of William & Mary, he has served on the Board of Trustees of both Union Presbyterian Seminary and William Peace University along with numerous presbytery committees. He was also my pastor growing up in Sumter, South Carolina. Ed and I discuss ministry, the call and a lifetime of lessons in ministry he’s learned along the way.
Eva Jade Landon is a multi-award winning recording artist and “Best Female Pop Artist” and "Musician of the Year" nominee by the Indie Music Channel Awards and RAW Awards. She has collaborated with Grammy-nominated producer Dan Mathews and was called “the mid Atlantic’s biggest secret” by the Washington Examiner. Her new album, "Evolved," drops on October 1st. In addition to being a recording artist, Eva identifies as a Zen Buddhist and a queer woman who is committed to the work of local interfaith dialogue. She serves as a local interfaith program director here in southwest Ohio. Eva discusse
Doc Eason is one of the premiere close-up magicians in the country. For thirty years, he was the resident magician at the legendary Tower Comedy Magic Bar in Snowmass, Colorado owned by the world famous recording artist, John Denver. He is a multi-award winning performer at the Magic Castle in Hollywood, including Close Up Magician of the Year (which he has won twice), Lecturer of the Year (which he has also won twice) and WC Fields Magic Bartender of the Year. Doc has a new book out called “Cocktails and Doc Tales” available now from Rocky Mountain Magic. He joins me to share stories, wisdom
Stevi Incremona narrated the audiobook for "Gray Man." She is a professional actress and rock singer based out of New York. Stevi makes a living creating demos for Broadway musicals while they're in active development. This episode, we discuss the perils of maintaining your authenticity in an industry that thrives on self-promotion and how her new live touring show is a tribute to Amy Winehouse.
The Book of Job is one of the most challenging (some say, maybe even one of the oldest) books of the Hebrew Bible. It raises complicated questions for people of faith such as "Why do bad things happen? Why does God allow suffering? Does God actually cause suffering?" This episode, I'm joined by one of the world's most celebrate scholars of the Hebrew Bible and author of the widely acclaimed "The Hebrew Bible: A Translation with Commentary," Professor Robert Alter. I am also joined by guest co-host, the Reverend Chrissy Westbury, to consider these challenging Biblical questions from both an aca
It's the very first episode of "Don't Encourage This!" On my very first show, I sit down with award-winning novelist Carla Damron. Carla talks about the creative process, her newest novel, "Justice Be Done" and how storytelling is a form of advocacy for social change.
