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The UpWords Podcast

Upper House

Religion & Spiritualité

Éducation

Religion & Spiritualité

Fréquence : 1 épisode/12j. Total Éps: 162

An initiative of SLBF STUDIO at Upper House in Madison, WI. Through conversations with thinkers, scholars, and leaders, we explore the life of the mind and the questions of soul--to enrich our university, our community, and the Church.

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https://www.upperhouse.org/
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https://slbf.org/studio
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AI Goes to Church | Todd Korpi

Épisode 163

lundi 8 décembre 2025 • Durée 41:09

What happens when artificial intelligence enters the sanctuary? In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Daniel Johnson talks with author and researcher Todd Korpi about his new book, AI Goes to Church (InterVarsity Press, 2025). They explore how AI is already shaping the church, the ethical and theological questions Christians must wrestle with, and how technology can be used to foster—not fracture—human flourishing. Todd (DMiss, Fuller Theological Seminary) is a pastor, missiologist, and church consultant. He is dean of digital ministry programs at Ascent College, assistant professor of Christian leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary, and works in several capacities at OneHope.

Key Topics:

Why Todd wrote AI Goes to Church
Defining AI and its influence on everyday life
How algorithms shape spiritual formation
Theological frameworks for engaging technology
Ethics: Is technology neutral?
AI and the future of work, rest, and human flourishing
Higher education’s evolving posture toward AI
Practical advice for churches: “Automate the boring bits”

Links & Resources:

📙Get the book: AI Goes to Church - https://www.ivpress.com/ai-goes-to-church
Learn more about the SL Brown Foundation STUDIO - https://slbf.org/studio

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The Transformative Power of Forgiveness | Dr. Robert Enright

Épisode 162

lundi 24 novembre 2025 • Durée 53:08

Forgiveness is one of the most challenging—and liberating—virtues we can practice. In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Jean Geran, sits down with Dr. Robert Enright, a pioneer in the scientific study of forgiveness and the founder of the International Forgiveness Institute. Bob shares his remarkable journey from asking a “dangerous question” about the purpose of his research to becoming a global leader in forgiveness education.

We explore:

What forgiveness is—and what it is not
Why forgiveness is a moral virtue
The psychological and spiritual benefits of forgiving
How forgiveness can break cycles of generational trauma
Practical steps for forgiving others and yourself

Resources Mentioned:

https://internationalforgiveness.com
Free curriculum guides: Email director@internationalforgiveness.com and mention this podcast

Subscribe & Share:

If this conversation inspired you, subscribe to The Upward Podcast, leave a review, and share with a friend.

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Entering Advent with Intention | Byron Borger

Épisode 161

mardi 18 novembre 2025 • Durée 01:03:40

In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, we sit down with Byron Borger, owner of Hearts & Minds Bookstore, for a rich conversation about Advent—the season of waiting, longing, and hope. Byron shares personal stories, spiritual insights, and a curated list of Advent resources, from devotionals and theological reflections to family-friendly reads. Whether you’re seeking depth, beauty, or practical guidance for the season, this episode is a treasure trove of inspiration.

Highlights:

Why Advent is central to the biblical story
Byron’s childhood Christmas memories and their spiritual significance
How busyness can become holy work during the holidays
The meaning of waiting and longing in a restless world

Books Mentioned:

· Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Jesus Christ – Fleming Rutledge (Eerdmans, 2018)

· The First Advent in Palestine: Reversals, Resistance, and the Ongoing Complexity of Hope – Kelly Nikondeha (Broadleaf Books, 2022)

· Hints of Hope: Essays on Living Proximately – Steven Garber (Pericles Press, 2024)

· Advent (The Liturgical Year Series) – Tish Harrison Warren (InterVarsity Press, 2022)

· Christmas: The Season of Light and Life (The Liturgical Year Series) – Emily Hunter McGowin (InterVarsity Press, 2022)

· Epiphany: Season of Glory (The Liturgical Year Series) – Fleming Rutledge (InterVarsity Press, 2023)

· The Art of Living in Advent: 28 Days of Joyful Waiting – Sylvie Van Hooser (Paraclete Press, 2024)

· Advent Is the Story: Seeing the Nativity Throughout Scripture – Daniel Spanjer (Square Halo Books, 2022)

· With Heart and Soul and Voice: Advent Devotions on the First Christmas Songs – Tim Chester (The Good Book Company, 2024)

REPLAY: The Jailhouse Lawyer

Épisode 160

lundi 10 novembre 2025 • Durée 01:03:16

In this powerful replay from a live event at Upper House, we hear the extraordinary story of Calvin Duncan, a man wrongfully convicted at age 19 and sentenced to life in Louisiana’s Angola Prison. Over 23 years, Calvin became a jailhouse lawyer, fighting for his own freedom and advocating for countless others. Joined by criminal justice reform advocate Sophie Cole, co-founder of the Visiting Room Project, Calvin shares his journey from incarceration to exoneration and ultimately earning a law degree at age 60. Moderated by journalist and ordained minister Phil Haslinger, this conversation explores the brokenness of the justice system, the transformative power of advocacy, and the enduring strength of the human spirit.

Guests:

Calvin Duncan – Jailhouse lawyer, law school graduate, co-founder of the New Orleans Innocence Project
Sophie Cole – Criminal justice reform advocate, co-founder of the Visiting Room Project
Moderator: Phil Haslinger – Journalist and ordained minister

Topics Covered:

Wrongful conviction and the flaws in eyewitness testimony
Life inside Angola Prison and the role of jailhouse lawyers
The fight for access to legal records and justice reform
Reentry challenges after incarceration
Faith, resilience, and the meaning of advocacy

Resources & Links:

📙 Book:

The Jailhouse Lawyer by Calvin Duncan and Sophie Cull (Penguin Random House, 2025)

Broken Altars: Secularist Violence in Modern History | Tal Howard

Épisode 159

lundi 3 novembre 2025 • Durée 46:47

Historian Tal Howard joins host Dan Hummel to discuss his new book Broken Altars: Secularist Violence in Modern History (Yale University Press). This episode dives deep into the global history of secularism, examining how different forms—passive, combative, and eliminationist—have shaped societies and, in some cases, led to state-sponsored violence against religious communities.

📚 Topics include:

· The intellectual history of “religion” and “secularism”

· Case studies from France, Turkey, Mexico, the Soviet Union, and Albania

· The ideological legacy of Marxist-Leninist thought

· How secularist ideologies have impacted religious minorities

· A comparison with Charles Taylor’s A Secular Age

🔗 Resources:

· Broken Altars by Tal Howard (Yale University Press) https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300263619/broken-altars/

· Previous Upwards episode with Tal Howard (2021)

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2VKb21hmXYuFhCzB3RodKv?si=-f8_LzsMRnWp3ekfu8x0Hw

👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of faith, academia, and public life.

🌐 Learn more at https://slbf.org/studio

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Democracy from Local Love to Global Justice: Christian Citizenship in Action | Nicole Bibbins Sedaca

Épisode 158

lundi 27 octobre 2025 • Durée 47:36

In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Jean Geran speaks with Nicole Bibbins Sedaca, Kelly and David Pfeil Fellow at the George W. Bush Institute and former Executive VP at Freedom House. As part of our series on Christian citizenship, Nicole shares her insights on how faith intersects with democracy, the importance of religious freedom, and the role Christians can play in promoting justice and compassion both locally and globally.

Topics Covered:

Why democracy matters for people of faith
The biblical call to seek justice for the vulnerable
How Christians can engage in civic life without placing ultimate hope in politics
The global struggle for freedom and the role of American Christians
Higher education’s role in forming democratic citizens

Guest Bio:

Nicole Bibbins Sedaca is a seasoned advocate for democracy and human rights, with experience at the State Department and Freedom House. She brings a deep understanding of global democratic movements and a strong Christian perspective on civic engagement.

Resources & Links:

Learn more about the https://slbf.org
Connect with Nicole Bibbins Sedaca via the George W. Bush Institute - https://www.bushcenter.org/

Links to previous episodes on Citizenship:

Christian Citizenship in a Pluralistic World | Chris Seiple

The Art of Asking Better Questions | J.R. Briggs

Épisode 157

mercredi 22 octobre 2025 • Durée 39:17

In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Daniel Johnson welcomes author and leadership coach J.R. Briggs to discuss his new book, The Art of Asking Better Questions: Pursuing Stronger Relationships, Healthier Leadership, and a Deeper Faith (IVP, 2025). Together, they explore how asking thoughtful questions can transform relationships, deepen spiritual formation, and strengthen leadership.

J.R. shares personal stories and practical frameworks, including the four levels of good questions—from basic information to transformational depth. He also reflects on how Jesus modeled question-asking, why curiosity is essential for Christian formation, and how leaders can use questions to foster flourishing in their communities.

Key Topics:

Why questions are essential for spiritual growth and leadership
The four levels of good questions
How to ask better questions of God, ourselves, and others
Stories of transformation through questions, including the powerful example of Daryl Davis
Practical questions for leaders at every level

Resources Mentioned:

The Art of Asking Better Questions by J.R. Briggs (IVP, 2025) https://www.ivpress.com/the-art-of-asking-better-questions
Hearts & Minds Bookstore (Byron Borger)
The Six Conversations by Heather Holleman
Psalms of lament and the role of questions in Scripture

Connect with J.R. Briggs:

https://jrbriggs.com
@jr_briggs on social media

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vu0qW7mQrWo

Formed to Lead | Jason Jensen

Épisode 156

lundi 13 octobre 2025 • Durée 50:47

In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host John Terrill sits down with Jason Jensen, Vice President of Spiritual Foundations at InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and author of Formed to Lead: Humility, Character, Integrity, and Discernment. Together, they explore a transformative vision of Christian leadership—one shaped not by power or platform, but by spiritual formation, humility, and the aroma of the gospel.

Drawing deeply from Luke chapters 1–4, Jason shares how the life of Jesus offers a radically different leadership model rooted in identity, character, and calling. He discusses the personal disciplines that have shaped his journey, including Ignatian spirituality, Orthodox iconography, therapy, and the daily examen. Jason also reflects on his pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago and the importance of discerning signposts in leadership vocation.

This rich conversation invites listeners to reimagine leadership as participation in God’s story, where we are called to be faithful secondary characters in the divine drama. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just beginning your journey, this episode offers wisdom, hope, and practical guidance for leading with integrity and grace.

📘 Form to Lead is available now and includes group discussion guides and spiritual exercises for deeper engagement.

https://www.ivpress.com/formed-to-lead

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Reinventing Protestant Germany | Brandon Bloch

Épisode 155

lundi 6 octobre 2025 • Durée 51:26

In this episode, Dan Hummel sits down with historian Brandon Bloch to explore his new book, Reinventing Protestant Germany. The conversation traces the complex role of Protestant churches in Germany from the Weimar Republic through the Nazi era and into the post-war reconstruction. Block shares insights into how religious nationalism shaped political ideologies, the nuanced responses of church leaders to Nazism, and how post-war Protestantism positioned itself as a moral compass in rebuilding German democracy.

🧠 Topics Covered

Brandon’s academic journey and early experiences in Berlin
The religious landscape of Germany in the early 20th century
Protestant responses to the Weimar Republic and the rise of Nazism
The Confessing Church, Bonhoeffer, and the myth vs. reality of resistance
Lay women and local resistance efforts during WWII
Post-war Protestantism and its role in moral reconstruction
The church’s stance on denazification and human rights
Protestant identity, conscience, and democratic values in West Germany
Comparative reflections on secularization in Germany vs. the U.S.

📚 Key Takeaways

Protestant churches were deeply intertwined with the German state pre-WWI and faced identity crises post-1918.
Initial enthusiasm for Nazism among Protestant leaders gave way to internal conflict over racial policies and church autonomy.
Resistance efforts were often led by laypeople, especially women, rather than prominent pastors.
Post-1945, Protestant churches leveraged their moral authority to influence democratic reconstruction and human rights discourse.
The concept of “conscience” became central to Protestant political engagement in West Germany.
German secularization differs from the American model, with churches maintaining public roles despite declining private religiosity.

🔗 Resources & Mentions

Reinventing Protestant Germany by Brandon Block — Harvard University Press

Reclaiming the Christian Worldview | J. Richard Middleton

Épisode 154

mardi 30 septembre 2025 • Durée 43:37

In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Susan Smetzer-Anderson sits down with J. Richard Middleton, Emeritus Professor of Biblical Worldview and Exegesis at Northeastern Seminary and Roberts Wesleyan University. With decades of scholarship spanning theology, philosophy, and cultural analysis, Middleton offers a compelling exploration of what it truly means to hold a Christian worldview—and how that concept has evolved, been misunderstood, and often distorted over time.

Drawing from his seminal work The Transforming Vision (1984) and his forthcoming book Dancing in the Dragon’s Jaws: The Christian Worldview in a Conflicted Age, Middleton challenges listeners to move beyond tribalism, cultural conformity, and rigid doctrinal packages. Instead, he invites us to embrace a biblically rooted, lived orientation toward the world—one that is shaped by grace, community, and spiritual formation.

Topics include:

The difference between worldview as a lived orientation vs. a set of ideas
How cultural norms have overtaken biblical foundations in many churches
The role of deconstruction and reconstruction in spiritual growth
Why diversity in Scripture points to a deeper unity
Practical questions to help uncover and reshape your worldview

Whether you're a student, pastor, educator, or curious seeker, this episode offers rich insights into how we see the world—and how Scripture invites us to see it differently.

📺 Watch this episode on YouTube https://youtu.be/y20HygPRXWE.

🔔 Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast to stay updated on future episodes.

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