Michael Gungor talks about how he's been church shopping and how the Internet has reacted to it as well as his thoughts and feelings around this unexpected burst of cultural conversation

Sally Kempton (January 15, 1943 – July 10, 2023) was an American swami, author, and spiritual teacher. This interview with Michael Gungor from the final year of Sally's time on this planet covers a range of topics from the divine feminine to kundalini to trans-rational perspective. You can check out more of Sally's work at sallykempton.com

In today’s episode, Michael talks to John Philip Newell, a Celtic teacher and author of spirituality who calls the modern world to reawaken to the sacredness of the earth and every human being. Together, they discuss Celtic Christianity and the modern-day application of its wisdom.

3:00- Michael asks what the scope of Celtic Christianity is

7:50- Michael asks why this wisdom is difficult to practice together

12:50: Michael reads some quotes and John Philip discusses the divine feminine

20:30: Michael and John Philip discuss the intersection between sexuality and spirituality

29:30: Michael asks John Philip what God isn’t

41:00: They discuss distinctions between ego and soul

47:00- Michael asks what the Celtic Christian view of Jesus Christ is

Science Mike, Michael Gungor, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride discuss the modern epidemic of loneliness, and how to respond to it in an episode recorded in front of a live audience at the Wild Goose Festival 2019. We've got HUGE NEWS about our Tabs & Wafers tour: We're offering FREE TICKETS in all remaining cities in order to make our events more economically accessible. Plus, we're finally telling you the event actually is. You can learn more here. See you soon, Minneapolis, Chicago, Los Angeles, Tempe, San Francisco, Dallas, Houston, and Austin.

This episode is about prayer. What is prayer? What value, if any,  does prayer have for people who don't believe in a theistic God anymore? Science Mike and Michael Gungor are on tour and headed to a city near you.

Alabama recently approved a measure that would outlaw almost all abortions in the state, setting up a challenge to Roe v. Wade, the case that recognized a woman's constitutional right to end a pregnancy. Few issues are more divisive than abortion. Few topics push on our most fundamental ideas about life, personhood, and morality. Back in 2015, Rachel Held Evans, Science Mike, and Michael Gungor take a look a simple, controversial question: Are you pro-life or pro-choice? For more information on Rachel Held Evans’ work, and to learn how to support her family following her tragic passing, visit rachelheldevans.com You can get a free copy of one of Rachel’s audiobooks on Audible by signing up for a free trial Here.

In celebration of our 100th episode, we take a look at where the podcast has been while looking forward to what's next. Thank you to all of you who've listened and contributed over the years. Michael Gungor and Science Mike are going on tour in an event called Tabs & Wafers. Learn more.

In this episode, Michael Gungor asks leading theologians, scholars, teachers two questions: “Does God exist,” and “Who or what is God?”Guests on this episode include, Richard Rohr, Diana Butler Bass, Amy-Jill Levine, Sharon Salzberg, Reza Aslan, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride. Fr. Richard Rohr is a globally recognized ecumenical teacher bearing witness to the universal awakening within Christian mysticism and the Perennial Tradition. He is a Franciscan priest of the New Mexico Province and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Diana Butler Bass is an author, speaker, and independent scholar specializing in American religion and culture. She holds a Ph.D. in religious studies from Duke University and is the award-winning author of ten books, including Grounded: Finding God in the World —A Spiritual Revolution. Amy-Jill Levine is University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies, Mary Jane Werthan Professor of Jewish Studies, and Professor of New Testament Studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School and College of Arts and Science; she is also Affiliated Professor, Centre for the Study of Jewish-Christian Relations, Cambridge UK.  Her books include The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus; The Meaning of the Bible: What the Jewish Scriptures and the Christian Old Testament Can Teach Us (co-authored with Douglas Knight); The New Testament, Methods and Meanings (co-authored with Warren Carter), and the thirteen-volume edited Feminist Companions to the New Testament and Early Christian Writing. Sharon Salzberg is a central figure in the field of meditation, a world-renowned teacher and NY Times bestselling author. She has played a crucial role in bringing meditation and mindfulness practices to the West and into mainstream culture since 1974, when she first began teaching. She is the co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA and the author of ten books including NY Times bestseller. Reza Aslan is an internationally renowned writer, commentator, professor, producer, and scholar of religions. His books, including his #1 New York Times Bestseller, Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth, have been translated into dozens of languages around the world. He is also a recipient of the prestigious James Joyce Award.

Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride talk with Michael Gungor about his newest book, THIS. As Michael shares, letting go of the stories that defined his identity and value in the world led him and his family on a wild and painful journey through atheism, mysticism, betrayal, loss, medical issues, moving trucks, and thousands of online trolls. The deconstruction of his faith is one story. The transformation of it is another. As Michael lets us know, our stories are the seams of illusion that we sew into reality―in order to label this and that. But what you think of as you (or anything else for that matter) is simply movement within the ocean of Being―of THIS. Once you see that is it just a story, you can let go and be free. You can get your copy of THIS on Amazon.com or, if you prefer audio books, you can get THIS for free by signing up for an Audible trial using our affiliate link.

Hillary McBride and Science Mike talk about learning to cope with change, growth, and intimacy.Want to see Michael Gungor and Science Mike this May? Tickets for their summer tour are on sale now.

Hillary McBride, William Matthews, Science Mike, and Michael Gungor talk with Richard Rohr about The Universal Christ--Fr. Rohr’s latest book. You can learn more about the book here. You can get the audiobook for The Universal Christ for free using our Audible affiliate link. Learn more here.

Hillary McBride, William Matthews, Science Mike, and Michael Gungor talk with Richard Rohr about The Universal Christ--Fr. Rohr’s latest book. You can learn more about the book here. You can get the audiobook for The Universal Christ for free using our Audible affiliate link. Learn more here.

We’re discussing fear in an episode that was recorded live at The Liturgists Gathering in Nashville, TN. Special thanks to Jamie Lee Finch for joining us. We’re going on tour! Join Science Mike and Michael Gungor for Tabs & Wafers. Tickets are on sale now--visit our events page for more information.

In this episode, Michael speaks with Hale Dwoskin, author of "The Sedona Method: Your Key to Lasting Happiness, Success, Peace and Emotional Well-Being" to discuss his book and the Method as he sees it. The Sedona Method is described as  "a simple, powerful, and easy-to-learn technique that shows you how to uncover your natural ability to let go of any painful or unwanted feeling in the moment."

Some helpful timestamps for this episode:

5:30- Hale describes the Sedona Method

10:00- Hale gives you an interactive analogy for letting go

12:00- Hale begins describing the basic questions of the Method

13:20- Hale begins describing the experience of it

18:30- Michael and Hale discuss the conscious permission to constrict

23:15- Michael discusses how these practices have affected his daily practices

26:00- Hale discusses one of the more shocking revelations of the method

28:00- Hale leads a process for embracing opposites

34:20- Michael allows some time for personal meditation

This week we're talking with Sharon Salzberg. Sharon is a central figure in the field of meditation, a world-renowned teacher and NY Times bestselling author. She has played a crucial role in bringing meditation and mindfulness practices to the West and into mainstream culture since 1974, when she first began teaching. She is the co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA and the author of ten books including NY Times bestseller, Real Happiness, her seminal work, Lovingkindness and her forthcoming release by Flatiron Books, Real Love. Renowned for her down-to-earth teaching style, Sharon offers a secular, modern approach to Buddhist teachings, making them instantly accessible. She is a regular columnist for On Being, a contributor to Huffington Post, and the host of her own podcast: The Metta Hour. For more information, visit www.SharonSalzberg.com. We've got a handful of tickets left for our next kin retreat. If you're a man interested in confronting harmful cultural scripts around masculinity, we'd love for you to join us in Ojai this May.

We're talking with Bushi Yamato Damashii this week to kick off a new series on Buddhism. Bushi is a Buddhist monk and lead resident teacher at Daishin Zen Buddhist Temple in Thomasville, North Carolina. Bushi is also the Vice-president and Zen monk at Still Water Farms Retreat Center in Franklinville, NC. A former Christian minister and pastor, Bushi now speaks of much deeper understanding of the love and compassion of the Historical Jesus and the Historical Buddha. Bushi is classically trained in Mahayana Buddhism and Daishin Zen.

We've got another podcast called The Alien & The Robot that's available exclusively to our Patrons. But, as we work on Season 5, we've got some big news to share on multiple fronts. So, please enjoy a "behind the scenes" look at what The Liturgists are up to. Here's some links you may want: End of the World Tour The Liturgists NEW SOCIAL PLATFORM

Propaganda, the Brilliance, and Gungor talk about their upcoming tour. Plus, Propaganda and Alma from the Red Couch Podcast tell us about their upcoming series on intersectionality, It's Complicated.

To close out Season 4 of The Liturgists Podcast, we look back at some of the highlights from The Liturgists Podcast so far (as selected by our community on Patreon). We're hiring an Associate Producer. You can learn more here.

In this episode, we talk about the story behind Kosmos, the latest record by William Matthews.

In the final episode of our Christian series, William Matthews tells Michael Gungor why he should be a Christian.

This week, Fr. Richard Rohr joins William Matthews, Michael Gungor, and Hillary McBride to explore the question: What is a Christian?

This week Michael Gungor and Science Mike talk with Lisa Gungor and Jenny McHargue about what Christianity is. We'd love to see you at The Liturgists Gathering in London, Minneapolos, or Nashville this year.

This is the first in a weekly series where we explore two seemingly simple questions: "Do you identify as a Christian," and, "Why or why not."Our guest on this episode is Rachel Held Evans. Her new book about the Bible is called Inspired. We'll be in London, Minneapolis and Nashville for The Liturgists Gathering this fall. We'd love to see you there.

In the first episode of Season 8, Michael speaks to Derek Webb. Derek Webb is a musician who has always bravely asked the big questions in his music and invited others to do the same. In this episode, Derek and Michael Gungor chat about music, spirituality and why the two have been so intertwined for both of them.

Some helpful timestamps for this episode:

2:30- Derek Webb introduces himself

5:00- Michael and Derek discuss their similar music careers

9:00- Derek talks about meaning

13:00- Michael talks about ambiguity in Christian art

21:30- Michael asks how spirituality and music are intertwined in Derek’s music

31:00- Derek talks about the difficulties of moving between and beyond spirituality

40:30- Derek talks about limitations in art

46:00- Derek tells a story about limits in creation

50:15- Michael asks where Derek’s art is now

57:00- Michael begin interrogating the idea of “belief”

1:06:15- Derek talks about the utility of language without reverence

1:10:00- Derek talks about his philosophical position with his new album “The Jesus Hypothesis”

Here's a sample of our latest project: a new weekly podcast for folks who support us on Patreon called The Alien & The Robot.

As a followup to Woman, this episode explores masculinity and male identity in a culture striving for equality.

This podcast was recorded at The Liturgists Gathering in Austin, TX.If you're interested in hosting The Liturgists Gathering, let us know.

In this episode, we're talking about Lisa Gungor's new book, called The Most Beautiful Thing I've Seen.

A look at how social media impacts advocacy, mental health, community building, and our view of the world.

As we gear up for The Liturgists Gathering in Austin, TX, here's a bonus episode from our Patreon podcast.

Hillary, William, Michael, and Mike discuss spirtulity beyond the reach of language.

This episode is about the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues, as explored through the perspectives of science, art, and faith.

TRIGGER WARNING: The interview with Christopher West in Part 2 could be triggering to members of the LGBTQIA+ community. It's included so people with non-affiriming viewpoints on LGBTQIA+ on sexuality are prompted to examine the implications of that worldview, but we encourge our listners to use discretion before listening to that segment. In this episode, we’re talking about how to discern what is right and healthy for people in sexual activity. We’d like to thank our guests on this episode, and we encourage you to check out their work. Bromliegh McCleneghan, Author of Good Christian Sex Darren Calhoun, Artist and Speaker Christopher West, Author, Speaker, Teacher and Expert in John Paul II’s Theology of the Body Caroline Lee, Artist and Photographer Jamie Lee Finch, Relationship Guide, Intuitive Healer Lisa Gungor, Artist and Author

In this episode, we’re talking about how to discern what is right and healthy for people in sexual activity. We’d like to thank our guests on this episode, and we encourage you to check out their work. Bromliegh McCleneghan, Author of Good Christian Sex Darren Calhoun, Artist and Speaker Christopher West, Author, Speaker, Teacher and Expert in John Paul II’s Theology of the Body Caroline Lee, Artist and Photographer Jamie Lee Finch, Relationship Guide, Intuitive Healer Lisa Gungor, Artist and Author

Join the Liturgists for a conversation immediately following the January 1st, 3pm PST Youtube premiere of "Mass", an existential meditation by Stephen Proctor that features music from Michael Gungor's WEIWU album. You can find the information about "Mass" at massfilm.art, and find the zoom conversation at the usual link below:

Zoom Link: https://zoom.us/j/3271876473

Room Code: 300300

We'll see you there!

In this episode, we’re discussing body image–how we view our bodies and the bodies of others.   For more, check out Hillary’s book.

Who are you? Is the body a transport vessel for the brain? This episode tackles the idea of emboidment, and our complex relationships with our own bodies.

What does it mean to be an Evangelical today? We talk with Matthew Vines from The Reformation Project as well as author/speaker Jen Hatmaker about Evangelicalism in 2018.

What does it mean to be an Evangelical today? We talk with Matthew Vines from The Reformation Project as well as author/speaker Jen Hatmaker about Evangelicalism in 2018.

On this episode, we welcome two new hosts to the podast: William Matthews and Hillary McBride. Plus, we uncover the hottest new band in worship music, Abraham's Bosom.

This is a bonus episode with a Loving Kindness meditation. May you find that it promotes healing in difficult times. If you'd like to try more meditations like these, join us on Patreon. If you'd like to learn more about meditation as a practice, consider our new online course about meditaiton.

This is a special live episode recorded at The Liturgists Gathering in Seattle, WA on October 27, 2017. Thanks Hillary McBride for joining us on this episode. Her new book is available now. Special Announcement: We're starting something new next year for those of you who want to go deeper with topics we discuss on The Liturgists Podcast via video courses. If you'd like to get access to these first, you can preorder the first two for the price of one here.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

In this final episode of Season 7, Symposium member Briana Lynn and Michael Gungor have a fun, lighthearted conversation about the belief, play, and why we tried to do what we did in this last season of the podcast.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.

Michael Gungor, Science Mike, William Matthews, and Hillary McBride host a culture-shaping, genre-bending conversation about the most relevant (or bizarre) topics facing people today.