Explore every episode of the podcast The Sacred Slope
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63. The Vote is Sacred: Faith, Christian Nationalism & the Fight for Democracy | Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush | 06 oct. 2026 | 00:52:43 | |
63. The Vote is Sacred: Faith, Christian Nationalism & the Fight for Democracy | Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush What happens when a form of Christianity is used to decide who belongs in America? Christian nationalism. Religious freedom. A democracy under extraordinary strain. And Christians, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Buddhists, Hindus, people of many faiths and people of no faith choosing to stand together. What could interfaith solidarity teach us about protecting democracy? Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush is an ordained American Baptist minister, President and CEO of Interfaith Alliance, host of State of Belief, and former founding executive editor of HuffPost Religion. And right now, he’s taking that work on the road with Vote Is Sacred, a nonpartisan, multi-faith campaign traveling across America ahead of the midterm elections. Paul joins Alexis for an urgent but hopeful conversation about the state of American democracy, the rise of Christian nationalism, separation of church and state, and why no political movement gets to “own” Jesus or religion. They explore what Jimmy Carter understood about faith and government, why some Christians feel politically homeless, what some politicians can learn about trying to engage with faith communities, and what Jesus actually taught about feeding the hungry, welcoming the stranger and loving our neighbors. Rev. Paul also shares what decades of interfaith work have taught him about something increasingly difficult: How do we deeply disagree with someone and still show up for them? From Jewish-Muslim dialogue to solidarity across religious traditions, Rev. Paul makes the case that protecting our neighbors does not require agreeing with them. Our futures are intertwined. And for anyone wondering whether one vote really matters, Rev. Paul has a message: “We are democracy.” 🗳️ THE VOTE IS SACRED Go to VoteIsSacred.org to learn about the Vote Is Sacred bus tour, trainings and resources. If you’re eligible to vote in the United States, make sure you’re registered to vote and know your state’s voting requirements at Vote.gov. ✨ GUEST + FOLLOW Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush @raushenbush Interfaith Alliance | IG: @interfaithalliance 📚 MENTIONED + RESOURCES Vote Is Sacred | VoteIsSacred.org ⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS 03:16 | The Global Impact of U.S. Politics #InterfaithAlliance #VoteIsSacred #ChristianNationalism #ReligiousFreedom #Interfaith #Democracy #MidtermElections #TheSacredSlope About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 62. Kathy Baldock (Evangelical) | The 1946 Bible Mistranslation Behind Anti-Gay Theology | 02 oct. 2026 | 01:27:15 | |
62. Kathy Baldock (Evangelical) | The 1946 Bible Mistranslation Behind Anti-Gay Theology What if one of Christianity’s most consequential teachings about LGBTQ people was built on a translation mistake? Plant sex. A bizarre U.S. Navy sting operation. Nazis burning decades of sexuality research. And a Bible translation decision in 1946 that would reverberate for generations. What could those things possibly have in common? Kathy Baldock is an evangelical Christian, author, researcher, LGBTQ advocate, founder of CanyonWalker Connections, and one of the researchers featured in the documentary 1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture. Her new book, Forging a Sacred Weapon, traces 5,000 years of history to ask a deceptively simple question: How did the word “homosexual” end up in the Bible? Kathy takes us from ancient sexual ethics and the medieval Church to emerging sexuality research, the U.S. military, McCarthyism, Bible publishing and the archives at Yale—where researchers uncovered correspondence showing that the head of the Revised Standard Version translation team acknowledged a problem with the translation. The RSV eventually changed it. But by then, the language had spread. We explore how American ideas about homosexuality traveled into Bible translations around the world, why Kathy believes both conservative and progressive Christians sometimes get the 1946 story wrong, and what pastors, parents and LGBTQ Christians need to understand now. And Kathy has a message for queer people who have been told they must choose between their faith and who they are: The door to God is open. ⚠️ CONTENT NOTE: This episode includes discussion of suicide, sex and sexuality. Not for littles. Help is available Speak with someone today ✨ GUEST + FOLLOW Kathy Baldock — IG: @kathyvbaldock 📚 MENTIONED + RESOURCES Forging a Sacred Weapon: The 1946 Bible Mistranslation Behind Anti-Gay Theology — Kathy Baldock - get it on The Sacred Slope Book Reccos List: https://bookshop.org/shop/thesacredslope Walking the Bridgeless Canyon — Kathy Baldock 1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture — IG: @1946themovie 🎬 Watch 1946: 1946themovie.com ⛪ THE SACRED SLOPE LABS Three virtual labs, 2 options per lab, open to everyone, everywhere. LAB 1: I Thought This Was Christianity LAB 2: Who Formed Us? LAB 3: Speaking Across the Faith Divide 🎟️ Register: thesacredslope.com ⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 — Can You Be Queer & Christian? #KathyBaldock #1946TheMovie #LGBTQChristian #BibleTranslation #QueerChristian #Deconstruction About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 61. Lisa Sharon Harper (Episcopal) | White Supremacy, Evangelicalism & Decolonizing Christianity | 29 sept. 2026 | 01:03:54 | |
61. Lisa Sharon Harper (Episcopal) | White Supremacy, Evangelicalism & Decolonizing Christianity What if the Christianity many Americans are deconstructing isn’t Christianity itself-but a version shaped by whiteness, empire, and power? Lisa Sharon Harper is a public theologian, author, activist, playwright, founder and president of FreedomRoad, and is currently discerning ordination in the Episcopal Church. Lisa traces the complicated history of American evangelicalism—from the Black church and abolitionist movements to fundamentalism, the Southern Baptist Convention, segregation, and the modern political power of white evangelicalism. Then she challenges one of the central ideas of modern faith deconstruction: Christianity was never a white faith. Jesus and the earliest Christians emerged from colonized people in the ancient Near East. Lisa argues that abandoning Christianity because of white Christian racism can leave the supremacy of Western Christianity itself uninterrogated. She doesn’t call us to deconstruct Christianity. She calls us to decolonize it. We explore Acts 2, implicit bias, the Black church, fundamentalism, Christian nationalism, religious certainty-and what happens when we rediscover Jesus outside the version of Christianity we inherited. Lisa leaves us with three words: “Seek brown Jesus.” ✨ GUEST + FOLLOW Lisa Sharon Harper (Episcopal) IG: @lisasharper 📚 MENTIONED + RESOURCES Christena Cleveland (PhD) — IG: @christenacleveland Sojourners — Independent Christian magazine exploring faith, culture, politics & social justice. 📖 Lisa’s 2015 essay that opens this episode: 📰 Explore Sojourners: @sojogram ⛪ THE SACRED SLOPE LABS Three virtual labs, 2 options per lab, open to everyone, everywhere. Attend one, two, or all three. LAB 1: I Thought This Was Christianity LAB 2: Who Formed Us? LAB 3: Speaking Across the Faith Divide 🎟️ Register: thesacredslope.com 🥚 Listen all the way through for an Easter egg revealing our first guest speaker for Lab 1. ⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS 02:42 — White Supremacy: Explicit vs. Implicit Bias #LisaSharonHarper #DecolonizingChristianity #Deconstruction #Evangelicalism #ChristianNationalism About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 60. Raised Pentecostal vs. United Methodist | Deconstruction, Doubt & Finding God Again with Colten Barnaby & Rev. Dr. S.C. Williams | 26 sept. 2026 | 01:29:30 | |
60. Raised Pentecostal vs. United Methodist | Deconstruction, Doubt & Finding God Again with Colten Barnaby & Rev. Dr. S.C. Williams What happens when two Christians grow up in almost completely different versions of Christianity? Colten Barnaby grew up in a strict Oneness Holiness Pentecostal world, speaking in tongues at five years old and believing other Christians still needed to be saved. Rev. Dr. S.C. Williams grew up United Methodist, where he was encouraged to question, evolution wasn’t controversial, hell was rarely discussed, and faith was rooted more in grace than fear. Same Christianity? That question opens a fascinating conversation about Pentecostalism, United Methodism, deconstruction, religious trauma, progressive Christianity, evolution, scripture, doubt, Christian nationalism—and whether questioning your faith can actually bring you closer to God. Colten shares how studying theology and church history at Oral Roberts University complicated the certainty he grew up with. Instead of atheist professors destroying his faith, he encountered serious Christians who accepted evolution, disagreed theologically, and still respected one another. Today, Colten sometimes describes himself with a sentence that would have terrified his younger self: “I’m a Christian who doesn’t believe in God.” What does that even mean? Together, Colten and S.C. explore what remains when certainty disappears—and why seeking truth may matter more than protecting the theological system you inherited. They also discuss religious trauma, LGBTQ+ inclusion, harmful theology, the Wesleyan Quadrilateral, Christian nationalism, debating Doug Wilson, progressive Christianity, and one of the hardest questions for people rebuilding faith: How do you know who to trust again? And for anyone afraid deconstruction will lead them away from God: Maybe God is on the other side of your questions too. ✨ GUESTS + FOLLOW Colten Barnaby — Christian thinker and creator exploring theology, politics, philosophy, and faith after certainty. Rev. Dr. S.C. Williams — United Methodist pastor and creator exploring scripture, theology, church history, and harmful Christian teachings. 📚 MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Brian Recker — IG: @berecker 🍺 THEOLOGY BEER CAMP Alexis, Colten, Tripp Fuller, and other Sacred Slope friends are headed to Theology Beer Camp in Kansas City, Missouri, October 8–10, 2026—a gathering for people willing to ask big questions about God, Christianity, theology, culture, and the world without pretending they already have all the answers. In-person tickets are sold out, but virtual tickets are still available at theologybeer.camp. ⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS 07:29 — Meet Colten Barnaby & Rev. Dr. S.C. Williams #Deconstruction #ProgressiveChristianity #Pentecostal #UnitedMethodist #ReligiousTrauma #FaithAndDoubt #Exvangelical #Christianity #TheSacredSlope About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 59. Theology Beer Camp Preview (Ilia Delio, Tripp Fuller, Sarah Heath & Josh Patterson) | We Shocked a Theologian With What We Were Taught About Christianity | 23 sept. 2026 | 00:35:18 | |
59. Theology Beer Camp Preview (Ilia Delio, Tripp Fuller, Sarah Heath & Josh Patterson) | We Shocked a Theologian With What We Were Taught About Christianity What happens when you tell a theologian what millions of American evangelicals were taught they had to believe in order to be Christian? Ilia Delio was shocked. She's not the only one. I have done this exercise with several pastors, theologians, scholars around the world outside of conservative fundamentalism and they are almost all shocked. And those in fundamentalism are shocked at the responses outside of conservative evangelicalism. So what's going on here? In this special Theology Beer Camp preview, Ilia Delio, Tripp Fuller, Sarah Heath, and Josh Patterson join Alexis Rice for a conversation about evangelical fundamentalism, deconstruction, Christian nationalism, science, evolution, curiosity, AI, and what happens when faith becomes bigger than the beliefs we inherited. The conversation begins with a simple experiment: Put your finger down if you were taught… That the snake in Genesis was a literal talking snake. That you needed to pray the sinner’s prayer to escape eternal conscious torment in hell. That the rapture could happen at any moment. That you cannot be gay and Christian. That women cannot be pastors. That evolution contradicts the Bible. That questioning any of this meant questioning God. Alexis and Josh put every finger down. Ilia, Tripp, and Sarah largely don’t. Ilia’s reaction? “My God… I can’t believe you guys really followed that stuff.” And then comes the question underneath this entire episode: “Is this stuff still going on?” Yes. And that disconnect matters. Together, they explore how Christians from different traditions can inherit radically different understandings of the same faith—and why people leaving conservative evangelicalism may have no idea that other faithful expressions of Christianity have been here all along. Tripp reflects on how 9/11, Islamophobia, war, and militaristic nationalism changed his relationship with the Christian world around him. Sarah shares what happened when she moved from a questioning Christian home in Canada into conservative evangelical culture in the American South—and why curiosity may be one of the most important things Christians can offer one another. Josh talks about letting go of theological finality and embracing the idea that being human means always becoming. And Ilia explores evolution, science, inner freedom, AI, and a God she understands not as a power over us, but as a presence and embrace within us. By the end, everyone has all ten fingers back up. They still don’t believe exactly the same things. They don’t need to. Because maybe changing your theology doesn’t mean losing your faith. Maybe asking questions isn’t something Christianity needs to fear. And maybe people who thought they had to choose between the Christianity they inherited and no Christianity at all need to hear something much simpler: Christianity is bigger than what you were taught. ✨ GUESTS + FOLLOW Ilia Delio Tripp Fuller Sarah Heath Josh Patterson 🍺 THEOLOGY BEER CAMP Alexis, Ilia, Tripp, Sarah, and Josh are headed to Theology Beer Camp in Kansas City, Missouri, October 8–10, 2026—a gathering for people willing to ask big questions about God, Christianity, culture, science, and the world without pretending they already have all the answers. In-person tickets are sold out, but virtual tickets are still available at theologybeer.camp. 📚 MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE Andrew Whitehead — @andrewwhitehead ⏱️ EPISODE CHAPTERS 06:05 — The Experiment: Were We Even Taught the Same Christianity? #TheologyBeerCamp #IliaDelio #TrippFuller #SarahHeath #JoshPatterson #Deconstruction #ProgressiveChristianity #FaithAndDoubt #ChristianNationalism #ScienceAndReligion #TheSacredSlope About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 58. Interfaith Comedy (Yasmin Elhady, Carmiya Weinraub & PT Bratton) | A Muslim, a Jew, and Two Christians Walk Into a Podcast | 22 sept. 2026 | 01:15:34 | |
58. Interfaith Comedy (Yasmin Elhady, Carmiya Weinraub & PT Bratton) | A Muslim, a Jew, and Two Christians Walk Into a Podcast Comedians Yasmin Elhady, Carmiya Weinraub, and P. T. Bratton join Alexis Rice for an interfaith conversation about faith, comedy, stereotypes, friendship, and the questions people are often too nervous to ask out loud. Together, they are part of Interfaith Comedy, a nationally touring project that brings performers of different faith traditions together to laugh, challenge assumptions, and build real human connection. Carmiya, an observant Jewish comedian and founder of Interfaith Comedy, shares why she wanted Muslim performers in Jewish spaces - and herself in spaces beyond the Jewish community. Yasmin, an Egyptian American Muslim comedian and attorney, reflects on being welcomed to the United States as an asylum seeker by Catholic charities and on why faith, humility, pain, and comedy belong together. P. T., a Christian comedian, former pastor, and military veteran, brings humor and insight about Christian culture, church guilt, and the many ways people interpret the same sacred text. This conversation is not about convincing everyone to believe the same thing. It is about what happens when we stop talking about one another and start talking with one another. People become much harder to fear - and harder to hate - up close. ✨ Guests + Upcoming Shows Yasmin Elhady @yasminelhahahady Carmiya Weinraub @carmiya.w PT Bratton @ptbrattoncomedy #InterfaithComedy #YasminElhady #CarmiyaWeinraub #PTBratton #Interfaith #FaithAndComedy #TheSacredSlope About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 57. Dr. Matthew Boedy (Baptist) | The Seven Mountains Mandate: Exposing the Dangerous Plan to Christianize America and Destroy Democracy | 18 sept. 2026 | 01:18:44 | |
57. Matthew Boedy (Baptist) | The Seven Mountains Mandate: Exposing the Dangerous Plan to Christianize America and Destroy Democracy What if something many Christians dismiss as fringe is actually an organized framework for changing American culture? Religion. Family. Education. Government and military. Media. Arts and entertainment. Business. These are the Seven Mountains. Dr. Matthew Boedy, Baptist, professor, scholar of religious rhetoric and Christian nationalism, and author of The Seven Mountains Mandate, joins Alexis Rice to explain the history of the Seven Mountains Mandate and why he believes this movement matters far beyond conservative evangelicalism. Alexis grew up in evangelical Christianity. She knew about Christian schools, Christian media, Christian politics, Campus Crusade, apologetics and the culture wars. But she had never heard anyone explain that there were seven specific areas of culture Christians were supposed to influence or “take.” Matthew traces the framework back to Bill Bright of Campus Crusade for Christ and Lauren Cunningham of Youth With A Mission, and explains the later influence of Lance Wallnau. They talk about Turning Point USA, Project 2025, public schools, the Ten Commandments, spiritual warfare, pastors and politics, “marketplace apostles,” conspiracy thinking, social media, Christian media, and the difference between sharing your faith and seeking political or cultural power. But this conversation is also about Christianity itself. Matthew is Christian. Alexis is Christian. And the Christianity being discussed here is not all Christianity. What happens when one expression of Christianity becomes so visible that people begin confusing it with Christianity itself? And what responsibility do pastors, scholars, professors and other Christians have to make the larger Christian tradition visible? CHAPTERS 02:56 Introduction ✨ Guest + Book Matthew Boedy #MatthewBoedy #SevenMountainsMandate #ChristianNationalism #Christianity About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 56. Kristin Kobes Du Mez (Christian) | Live Laugh Love: The Secret History of White Christian Women and the World They Made | 15 sept. 2026 | 01:16:49 | |
56. Kristin Kobes Du Mez (Christian) | Live Laugh Love: The Secret History of White Christian Women and the World They Made What if the Christianity you were taught was never the only way to be Christian? For millions of women raised in American evangelicalism, the rules felt inseparable from the faith itself. Be pure. Submit. Don’t question authority. Stay inside the lines. Follow the right leaders. Read the right books. Believe the right things. Shop at the right stores. And if you do it all faithfully enough, you’ll be safe, happy, and blessed. But who made those rules? Where did they come from? And what happens when you discover that some of what you were taught as timeless biblical truth has a history? Kristin Kobes Du Mez, historian, scholar, and New York Times bestselling author of Jesus and John Wayne, joins Alexis Rice to uncover that history in her new book, Live Laugh Love: The Secret History of White Christian Women and the World They Made. For women formed by evangelical Christianity, this one may feel deeply personal. Purity culture. Biblical womanhood. Submission. Christian bookstores. Megachurches. Beth Moore Bible studies. Political power. Christian nationalism. And the promise underneath so much of it: follow the rules and you will be safe, prosperous, and happy. But Kristin’s history reveals something many women were never taught. Christian women have also challenged patriarchy, fought for women’s rights, preached, led, questioned authority, and imagined faithful Christianity differently. Together they explore: • How evangelicalism became a self-contained cultural ecosystem Kristin is careful to distinguish this history from all Christianity or even all evangelicalism. There have always been dissenters. “There were always people inside the system who began to see the system for what it was.” What becomes possible when you realize the Christianity you inherited is not the only Christianity available to you? ✨ Guest + Books • Kristin Kobes Du Mez, @kkdumez 📚 People, Books & Resources Mentioned • Beth Moore, @bethmoorelpm 05:05 Introduction to the Sacred Slope #KristinKobesDuMez #LiveLaughLove #Christianity #Evangelicalism #Deconstruction #ChristianNationalism #PurityCulture #WomenInChurch About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 55. Birdy Mae (Southern Baptist) - When Evangelical Christianity Stops Feeling Like Home | 11 sept. 2026 | 01:18:26 | |
55. Birdy Mae (Southern Baptist) — When Evangelical Christianity Stops Feeling Like Home Birdy Mae knew how to be a good Southern Baptist woman. Know the Bible. Serve constantly. Believe the right things. Raise your kids the right way. And be certain. “I was desperate to be like her. Because I thought she knew Jesus.” Eventually, Birdy became her. Then the certainty started cracking. Women. LGBTQ+ Christians. Church abuse. Race. Political power. Christian nationalism. And finally, January 6. For women raised inside conservative evangelical Christianity who still love Jesus but increasingly wonder, How did the faith that formed me become something I barely recognize?—this conversation will feel familiar. Birdy joins Alexis Rice for a funny, vulnerable conversation about what happens when changing your mind costs you relationships, certainty, and belonging—but not Jesus. Together they explore: • Becoming the “good Christian woman” she thought she had to be Birdy calls her journey “untangling”—pulling the threads of Jesus away from the rules of religion. Can you grieve what your Christian world has become without giving up the Jesus you found there? “You have the right to question everything.” ✨ Guest • Birdy Mae (Mary) — Southern Baptist storyteller & creator — @birdymaesays 📚 Books, People & Resources Mentioned • Kristin Kobes Du Mez — @kkdumez — Live Laugh Love: The Secret History of White Christian Women and the World They Made; Jesus and John Wayne 📺 Movies, TV & Culture Mentioned • The Handmaid’s Tale — @handmaidsonhulu #Christianity #Deconstruction #Evangelicalism #SouthernBaptist #ChristianNationalism #ChurchHurt #WomenInChurch #LGBTQChristians #Faith About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 54. Father Dan Storrs (Old Roman Catholic) When Following Jesus Makes You the 'Wrong Kind of Christian' | 09 sept. 2026 | 01:24:41 | |
54. Father Dan Storrs (Old Roman Catholic) When Following Jesus Makes You the 'Wrong Kind of Christian' What happens when a gay Catholic priest keeps following Jesus - even after Christians tell him he doesn’t belong? Father Dan Storrs is an Old Roman Catholic priest whose journey has taken him through the Assemblies of God, the Baptist church, Eastern Orthodoxy, and eventually the Society of Mercy. And after all of that? “My journey has made me certain that certainty is the opposite of faith.” Father Dan joins Alexis Rice for a conversation about what happens when following Jesus means refusing the boundaries religious institutions have drawn around who belongs. Together they explore: • Why becoming more rooted in ancient Christianity made Father Dan more committed to mercy and inclusion - not less This isn’t a conversation about deciding whether Catholics or Protestants have Christianity right. It’s an invitation to ask: What beauty might we have missed because we were taught to be suspicious of someone else’s way of following Jesus? As Father Dan says, “If Jesus could make space for Judas, then we can make space for each other.” ✨ Guest • Father Dan Storrs - Old Roman Catholic priest, Society of Mercy; Pastor, Holy Name of Mary Catholic Chapel; President, Endless Mountains Pride ⛪ Church & Organizations • Holy Name of Mary Catholic Chapel - Facebook & YouTube: @holynamemary ⚠️ Content Note This episode includes discussion of sexual assault, abuse, church trauma, and survivor advocacy. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault or abuse, RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline provides free, confidential support 24/7: • Call 800-656-HOPE (4673) ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Ministry for people the Church left behind #Christianity #Catholic #OldRomanCatholic #LGBTQChristians #GayChristian #ProgressiveChristianity #ChurchHurt #Deconstruction #Exvangelical #Faith About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 53. Dr. Samantha Bise (Lutheran, ELCA) Tongue in Church, a Liberating Primer on Christian Vocabulary | 03 sept. 2026 | 01:22:38 | |
53. Dr. Samantha Bise (Lutheran, ELCA) Tongue in Church, a Liberating Primer on Christian Vocabulary What if the Christian words you have heard your entire life do not mean exactly what you were taught? Dr. Samantha Bise joins Alexis Rice to unpack the history, translation, culture, and power hiding inside familiar words like virgin, salvation, gospel, Savior, and born again. An author, educator, researcher, and adult convert to Christianity, Samantha studies how language shapes belief. Her new book, Tongue in Church: A Liberating Primer on Christian Vocabulary, asks Christians to slow down and learn what our own words have meant across thousands of years, cultures, empires, and translations. Together they explore: • How “young woman” became “virgin” in the story of Mary Samantha also shares her unexpected path from outspoken atheist to ELCA Lutheran, the church that fed Appalachian Trail hikers without trying to convert them, and the painful altar call at her grandmother’s funeral that inspired this book. This is not a conversation about tearing down scripture. It is an invitation to take scripture and its language seriously, loosen our grip on false certainty, and discover a faith spacious enough for questions. As Samantha says, “There’s not one pure Christianity.” From the beginning, Christians have debated, negotiated, wrestled, and wondered. That wrestling is part of the tradition. ✨ Guest • Dr. Samantha Bise: Author, educator, researcher, professor, co-host of Church Chatter, and ELCA Lutheran | IG: @dr.bise 📚 Book & Resources Mentioned • Tongue in Church: A Liberating Primer on Christian Vocabulary by Dr. Samantha Bise | @thepilgrimpress • Evangelical Lutheran Church in America @elca #TongueInChurch #Christianity #Deconstruction #Exvangelical #ProgressiveChristianity #Bible #ELCA #Faith About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 52. A Different Side of Miss Peppermint: Growing Up in Church, Activism & Christian Nationalism’s Impact on the Trans Community | 01 sept. 2026 | 01:20:53 | |
52. A Different Side of Miss Peppermint: Growing Up in Church, Activism & Christian Nationalism’s Impact on the Trans Community What changes when we simply listen? In this moment in history, listening and empathy are essential. Miss Peppermint joins Alexis Rice for a joyful, vulnerable conversation about faith, storytelling, tea, Christian nationalism, and what the trans community needs from allies now. Raised in Presbyterian and Southern Baptist churches, Miss Peppermint remembers the music and community, as well as anti-LGBTQ teachings from the pulpit. Though she is no longer a practicing Christian, she explains why she chose this conversation. Together they explore: • How anti-LGBTQ theology affects queer and trans people She also shares the story behind Transcendence, the color-changing tea she created with @moody.teas. A portion of every purchase supports @transequalitynow and its work for trans rights and essential resources. Transcendence: https://shop.moodyteas.co/shop/transcendence-color-changing-joy-blend-with-miss-peppermint-3415 This conversation does not ask Miss Peppermint to defend her humanity. It makes room for Christians to hear how our faith has affected her and decide what love of neighbor requires from us now. ✨ Guest • Miss Peppermint: Actress, singer, Broadway performer, activist, @glaad and @aclu_nationwide board member, and @nycpride Grand Marshal | IG: @peppermint247 📚 People, Projects & Resources Mentioned • Moody Teas @moody.teas | Advocates for Trans Equality @transequalitynow Footage courtesy of Netflix and E! #MissPeppermint #TransRights #ChristianNationalism #Christianity #Deconstruction #ProgressiveChristianity #LGBTQ About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 51. Same Faith. Different Beliefs. Still Christian. (Part 2) – Rev. Gerlyn Henry (Anglican, Canada), Pastor Paul Drees (ELCA Lutheran, USA) & Pastor Joe Smith (Post-Evangelical, USA) | 27 août 2026 | 00:54:06 | |
🎙️ 51. Same Faith. Different Beliefs. Still Christian. (Part 2) – Rev. Gerlyn Henry (Anglican, Canada), Pastor Paul Drees (ELCA Lutheran, USA) & Pastor Joe Smith (Post-Evangelical, USA) What were you taught you had to believe in order to be a Christian? And what happened when you started asking questions? In Part 2 of this conversation, Alexis Rice returns with Rev. Gerlyn Henry, Pastor Paul Drees, and Pastor Joe Smith to finish the viral “Put Your Finger Down: Christian Edition” experiment that revealed just how differently Christians can be formed—even while following the same Jesus. This time, the questions move into some of the places where faith, politics, identity, and fear collide. Together they explore: • Abortion, reproductive rights & whether there is one “Christian” position Joe shares what happened when he began publicly questioning biblical inerrancy—and friendships with people he had loved for years simply disappeared. Paul talks about discovering ideas that challenged his politics not by abandoning the Bible, but by reading it more deeply. And Gerlyn offers another framework entirely: faith was never meant to mean certainty. Doubt, mystery, wrestling, trust, and seeking understanding can all belong inside a faithful Christian life. The conversation ends with a challenge that may be more important than debating what someone believes today: Ask what they were taught. What was church like when they were a child? Because if we want to understand the divisions inside Christianity—and the rise of Christian nationalism—we need to understand how people were formed. ⛪ Guests • Rev. Gerlyn Henry — Anglican Church of Canada | IG: @gerlynhenry 📚 People & Resources Mentioned • Andrew Whitehead — American Idolatry | IG: @andrewwhitehead And yes—if you stay until the end, the pastors reveal their celebrity crushes. 😂 A huge thank you to Pastor Paul Drees, Pastor Joe Smith, and Rev. Gerlyn Henry for the vulnerability, humor, pastoral care, and generosity they brought to this two-part conversation. May we become more curious about one another’s formation—and a little less certain that our version of Christianity is the only one. #Christianity #Deconstruction #ProgressiveChristianity #ChristianNationalism #Faith #ReligiousTrauma #Bible About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 50. Same Faith. Different Beliefs. Still Christian. (Part 1) – Rev. Gerlyn Henry (Anglican, Canada), Pastor Paul Drees (ELCA Lutheran, USA) & Pastor Joe Smith (Raised Evangelical, USA) | 24 août 2026 | 01:46:03 | |
50. Same Faith. Different Beliefs. Still Christian. (Part 1) – Rev. Gerlyn Henry (Anglican, Canada), Pastor Paul Drees (ELCA Lutheran, USA) & Pastor Joe Smith (Raised Evangelical, USA) What if something you were taught you had to believe to be Christian was something millions of other Christians were never taught at all? That question exploded after a Sacred Slope “Put Your Finger Down: Christian Edition” video reached more than a million views across platforms. The comments were filled with Christians from different traditions essentially asking one another: Wait…you were taught WHAT? So Alexis Rice reunites with Rev. Gerlyn Henry, Pastor Paul Drees, and Pastor Joe Smith for the conversation a two-minute video couldn’t hold. Alexis and Joe were formed in American evangelical and fundamentalist Christianity. Gerlyn is an Anglican priest in Canada. Paul is an ELCA Lutheran pastor in the U.S. They share a faith - but they were formed with remarkably different assumptions about what Christians must believe. In Part One, they compare notes on Genesis and the talking snake, biblical literalism, evolution, the sinner’s prayer, salvation, hell, baptism, confession, grace, and universalism. For Alexis and Joe, some of these beliefs once carried enormous stakes: Believe this. Pray this. Get this right. Your salvation may depend on it. For Gerlyn and Paul, some were never requirements at all. The result isn’t a debate over who is the “right” Christian. It’s an honest, funny, sometimes painful conversation about what happens when we become curious about the Christianity outside the one that formed us - and discover that questioning something we inherited doesn’t necessarily mean abandoning Jesus. Same faith. Different beliefs. Still Christian. 💬 In This Episode • “Wait - you weren’t taught that?” ⛪ Meet the Pastors • Rev. Gerlyn Henry - @gerlynhenry - Anglican priest, Canada 📚 People & Resources Mentioned • Pete Enns - @peteenns - The Sin of Certainty 🎧 Part One of a special two-part Sacred Slope conversation. About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 49. Matthew Paul Turner – (Author, When I Thank God) Giving Our Kids a Faith They Don’t Have to Heal From | 06 août 2026 | 01:01:00 | |
49. Matthew Paul Turner – (Author, When I Thank God) Giving Our Kids a Faith They Don’t Have to Heal From New York Times bestselling children’s author Matthew Paul Turner joins The Sacred Slope for a conversation about the stories we tell children about God—and the ones many adults are still learning to tell themselves. Alexis and Matthew explore why children don’t get to choose their first picture of God, how children’s books can become unexpected spaces of healing for adults deconstructing harmful theology, and what it means to raise kids with a faith rooted in love, belonging, gratitude, justice, and the teachings of Jesus. Matthew shares the story behind his new book, When I Thank God, illustrated by David Catrow, and why gratitude has remained one of the few spiritual practices that stayed with him through fundamentalism, deconstruction, coming out, and rebuilding his faith. They also talk honestly about Christian nationalism, the Americanization of Christianity, why humility and justice are central to following Jesus, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and what Christians can actually do to make their communities more loving. And Matthew reflects movingly on his friendship with the late Rachel Held Evans, finishing the children’s books she left behind, and why her legacy continues to change lives. 💬 In This Episode • Giving children a picture of God they won’t have to heal from 📚 Matthew Paul Turner Matthew is the bestselling author of When God Made You, When God Made Light, You Will Always Belong, and the new When I Thank God. Follow Matthew: @matthewpaulturner 👥 People & Resources Mentioned • Rachel Held Evans – @rachelheldevans 📖 When I Thank God releases August 18 About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 48. John Fugelsang – (Aspiring Christian) Separation of Church and Hate: Reclaiming Jesus from Christian Nationalism | 30 juil. 2026 | 01:20:22 | |
48. John Fugelsang – (Aspiring Christian) Separation of Church and Hate: Reclaiming Jesus from Christian Nationalism John Fugelsang returns to The Sacred Slope for a deeper conversation about the book Alexis named the very first Sacred Slope Book of the Year: Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds. Together, they explore why so many Christians and non-Christians alike have embraced the book, what it means to distinguish the teachings of Jesus from Christian nationalism, and why reclaiming Christianity from fear, power, and authoritarianism matters now more than ever. John reflects on growing up with faith, writing a New York Times bestselling book that speaks to believers and skeptics alike, and why he believes Jesus remains one of history’s most radically compassionate voices. Alexis and John also discuss biblical literacy, Matthew 25, Christian resistance throughout history, and how ordinary Christians can push back against the weaponization of faith without becoming consumed by hatred themselves. Whether you’re deconstructing, reconstructing, politically exhausted, or simply longing for a Christianity that looks more like Jesus than power, this conversation offers hope, humor, and practical ways to engage difficult conversations with compassion and courage. 📚 Listeners outside the U.S.: Separation of Church and Hate is now available internationally! 💬 In This Episode • Why Separation of Church and Hate became The Sacred Slope’s first Book of the Year Congratulations to This Year’s Book of the Year Nominees! 📖 Braving the Truth – @rachelheldevans & @sarahbessey 🏆 The Sacred Slope Book of the Year John Fugelsang Congratulations, @johnfugelsang, and thank you to every author who shared your wisdom with The Sacred Slope community this year. 👥 People & Resources Mentioned • Mayor Zohran Mamdani – @zohrankmamdani & @nycmayor About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 47. Rev. Jim Keat, Rev. Reilly Paige, & Rev. Dr. Chris Davies (United Church of Christ) – Preaching Camp: The Ties That Bind | 21 juil. 2026 | 01:28:53 | |
47. Rev. Jim Keat, Rev. Reilly Paige, & Rev. Dr. Chris Davies (United Church of Christ) – Preaching Camp: The Ties That Bind Alexis sits down in person at Project Proclaim Preaching Camp with Rev. Reilly Paige, Rev. Dr. Chris Davies, and Rev. Jim Keat for a funny, moving, and deeply hopeful conversation about the ties that bind us - to Jesus, to one another, and to a faith larger than fear, fundamentalism, or the loudest version of American Christianity. Together, they explore what keeps them following Jesus and what happens when Christians from evangelical and mainline traditions learn to speak across very different theological languages. Reilly shares what it means to be the pastor they needed growing up and why the word “Christian” now requires follow-up questions. Chris describes Jesus as friend, teacher, organizer, prophet, and a model for resisting empire. Jim reflects on Christianity as the spiritual language he inherited - and how digital ministry can create genuine church community far beyond a sanctuary. Whether you are deconstructing, rebuilding, missing church, or wondering whether you can fall in love with Jesus again, this conversation offers a vision of Christianity rooted in relationship, curiosity, courage, belonging, and genuinely good news. 💬 In This Episode • What keeps Rev Reilly, Rev Dr Chris, and Rev Jim following Jesus 👥 People & Resources Mentioned • Rev. Reilly Paige – @rangerreilly About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 46. Meredith Miller (Non-Denominational Pastor, Author) – Wonder: Talking to Your Kids About God When You're Still Figuring It Out | 13 juil. 2026 | 01:16:47 | |
46. Meredith Miller (Non-Denominational Pastor, Author) – Wonder: Talking to Your Kids About God When You're Still Figuring It Out Alexis sits down with non-denominational pastor, author, and children's faith expert Meredith Miller for one of the most practical and hope-filled conversations yet about parenting after deconstruction and teaching the Bible to your kids when you're still figuring out your own faith. Author of Wonder: A Grown-Up's Guide to Exploring the Bible with Children and Woven: Nurturing a Faith Your Kid Doesn't Have to Heal From, Meredith has spent more than 20 years helping families cultivate emotionally healthy, curiosity-filled Christian faith. Together, Alexis and Meredith explore how to talk with kids about God, Genesis, evolution, Adam and Eve, a talking snake, Revelation, the rapture, hell, and difficult Bible passages without fear, shame, or pretending to have all the answers. Whether you're rebuilding your faith after evangelical fundamentalism, navigating deconstruction, or simply wondering how to introduce your children to Christianity in a healthier way, this conversation offers practical tools, deep encouragement, and a vision of faith rooted in trust, curiosity, compassion, and the teachings of Jesus. 💬 In This Episode • Meredith's book Wonder: A Grown-Up's Guide to Exploring the Bible with Children 👥 People & Resources Mentioned • Meredith Miller – @meredithannemiller About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 45. Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde (Episcopal) - I Can Learn to Be Brave: Building Courage One Step at a Time | 07 juil. 2026 | 00:53:19 | |
45. Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde (Episcopal) - I Can Learn to Be Brave: Building Courage One Step at a Time Alexis welcomes back Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, Episcopal Bishop of Washington, D.C., for a deeply hopeful conversation about courage, faith, and her beautiful new children's book, I Can Learn to Be Brave- releasing July 7th! Known around the world for her sermon calling for mercy toward LGBTQ people and immigrants, Bishop Budde reflects on the quieter acts of bravery that prepare us for life's defining moments. Together, Alexis and Bishop Budde explore why courage begins in childhood, why adults need this message just as much as children, how churches can rebuild trust after church hurt, what faithful public witness looks like in a polarized world, and why the future of the Church could depend on ordinary people willing to take one faithful step at a time. This conversation is an invitation to raise courageous kids, become more courageous ourselves, and imagine a Christianity rooted in humility, inclusion, compassion, hope, and the teachings of Jesus. 💬 In This Episode • Bishop Budde's new children's book, I Can Learn to Be Brave 👥 People & Resources Mentioned • Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde – @mariannbudde About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 44. Leigh Larson (Disciples of Christ) – Christian Nationalism, Patriotism & Reclaiming Church | 02 juil. 2026 | 01:19:49 | |
44. Leigh Larson (Disciples of Christ) – Christian Nationalism, Patriotism & Reclaiming Church Alexis sits down with theologian, researcher, public educator, and creator of @followtheleighder, Leigh Larson, for one of the most important conversations yet on Christian nationalism, American identity, and what it means to faithfully follow Jesus in a polarized world. Raised in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) tradition, Leigh draws on her graduate work in theology and military chaplaincy to help Christians better understand the relationship between faith, democracy, power, and patriotism. Together, Alexis and Leigh explore why Christian nationalism is not the same thing as Christianity, why America has never belonged to one denomination or political movement, and how progressive Christians have helped shape many of our country's greatest moral movements. They also discuss church hurt, deconstruction, rebuilding faith, and why Christians should never surrender either the Bible or the American flag to extremists. This conversation is an invitation to reclaim hope, compassion, and a vision of Christianity rooted in the teachings of Jesus rather than fear or domination. 💬 In This Episode • What Christian nationalism is—and what it isn't 👥 People/Resources Mentioned • Leigh Larson: @followtheleighder About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 43. Jarko de Witte van Leeuwen (Gay & Christian in The Netherlands) – A Journey Back to Church Through Love, Marriage & Hope | 29 juin 2026 | 01:51:57 | |
43. Jarko de Witte van Leeuwen (Gay & Christian in The Netherlands) – A Journey Back to Church Through Love, Marriage & Hope About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 42. Justin Telthorst (Catholic, Empty Chairs) - A Gay Catholic on Faith, the Pope, and the Empty Seats in the Church (Pride Month Reissue) | 28 juin 2026 | 01:03:10 | |
42. Justin Telthorst (Catholic, Empty Chairs) - A Gay Catholic on Faith, the Pope, and the Empty Seats in the Church (Pride Month Reissue) Alexis sits down with Justin Telthorst, a gay Catholic, speaker, and creator of Empty Chairs @emptychairshome for a moving conversation about faith, identity, church hurt, and belonging inside the Catholic tradition. Justin shares his story of growing up Catholic, surviving conversion therapy, wrestling with conscience and church teaching, and finding his way back to a relationship with God rooted in honesty, love, and truth. Together, Alexis and Justin explore what it means to stay connected to Jesus when institutions wound, and why LGBTQ Christians are still showing up, still praying, and still making room for hope. 💬 In This Episode • Growing up Catholic and falling in love with the Church 👥 People/Resources Mentioned • Justin Telthorst / Empty Chairs: @emptychairshome #Catholicism #Christianity #deconstruction #reconstruction #LGBTQChristianity #GayCatholic #ProgressiveChristianity #QueerTheology #ChurchHurt #Catholic #1946TheMovie #LGBT #LGBTQ #emptychairs About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 41. Rev. Brandan Robertson (Progressive Pastor) - Queer & Christian: Reclaiming the Bible, Our Faith, and Our Place at the Table (Pride Month Reissue) | 26 juin 2026 | 01:09:39 | |
41. Rev. Brandan Robertson (Progressive Pastor) - Queer & Christian: Reclaiming the Bible, Our Faith, and Our Place at the Table (Pride Month Reissue) What if being queer and Christian was never the contradiction you were taught it was? Alexis sits down with Rev. Brandan Robertson, pastor, activist, and author of Queer & Christian, to explore how scripture has been misunderstood, weaponized, and reclaimed. Brandan shares his journey from a fundamentalist Baptist upbringing, through Bible college and conversion therapy, to becoming an openly gay pastor and leading voice in progressive Christianity. Together, they unpack what happens when faith both saves you and harms you, and how deconstruction can lead to something deeper. They dive into some of the most debated passages in the Bible, including Sodom and Gomorrah and 1 Corinthians 6, challenging long-held assumptions about LGBTQ Christianity and biblical interpretation. Brandan explains how mistranslations, cultural context, and power dynamics, not love, are at the center of many interpretations. This conversation reframes the Bible not as a rulebook, but as a complex, ancient library inviting curiosity, wrestling, and growth. They also explore: The episode closes with a powerful prayer for anyone who has felt rejected, afraid, or cut off from the love of God. This episode is for anyone exploring: 💡 Key Takeaways About Our Guest 📚 Resources & Voices Mentioned About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 40. Sara Cunningham (Free Mom Hugs) & Kelly Mellen (Making Things Right) – Women of Faith Showing Up for the Queer Community | 23 juin 2026 | 01:11:48 | |
40. Sara Cunningham (Free Mom Hugs) & Kelly Mellen (Making Things Right) – Women of Faith Showing Up for the Queer Community What does it look like when women of faith choose love over fear and show up for the queer community? Alexis sits down with Sara Cunningham, founder of Free Mom Hugs, and Kelly Mellen, Managing Director of Making Things Right, for a joyful, deeply personal conversation about faith, allyship, healing, and learning how to better love and support LGBTQ+ people. Together, these three women of faith reflect on growing up in Christian traditions that taught homosexuality was a sin, the relationships and experiences that changed their hearts, and why no one should ever have to choose between their faith and being fully known and loved. Sara shares the story behind Free Mom Hugs, which has become a source of hope and chosen family for countless LGBTQ+ people and parents around the world. Kelly discusses her work with Making Things Right and her "I'm Sorry Pride Tour," inviting Christians to move beyond good intentions and into repentance, repair, and love in action. They discuss church hurt, Christian nationalism, allyship, apology, belonging, and why showing up with compassion matters now more than ever. The conversation closes with a blessing for anyone who has ever wondered whether they belong, whether God could still love them, or whether hope is possible after spiritual harm. This conversation is for anyone exploring progressive Christianity, LGBTQ+ Christianity, allyship, church hurt, deconstruction, healing after evangelicalism, affirming theology, chosen family, Free Mom Hugs, faith after harm, and showing up with love. 💡 Key Takeaways • Love is bigger than fear About Our Guests Sara Cunningham (@saraphrased @freemomhugs) is the founder of Free Mom Hugs, a movement empowering people to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community through visibility, education, and conversation. Kelly Mellen (@kellymellen_) is the Managing Director of Making Things Right (@makingthingsright_mtr), helping Christians move toward responsibility, repair, and compassionate allyship. 📚 Resources & Voices Mentioned • Brian Neitzel (@brianneitzel) • Rocky Roggio (@rockyroggio @1946TheMovie) • Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) • CenterPeace (@centerpeaceinc) • Q Christian Fellowship (@qchristianorg) • The Reformation Project (@thereformationproject) • The Necessary Conversation Podcast (@thenecessaryconversationpod) • Peppermint (@peppermint247) 🏳️🌈 Looking for an affirming church? Church Clarity (@churchclarity) Enter your ZIP code at ChurchClarity.org to find churches that are clear (and unclear) about: • LGBTQ+ affirmation 🤗 Looking for your people? Free Mom Hugs (@freemomhugs) Find a local chapter, volunteer, or simply know that there are people looking for you, too. As Sara reminds us: "There's nothing you have done, nothing you will do, and nothing you can do that can separate you from the love of God." And as Kelly says: "I'm sorry you've been fed a narrative that you are less than. You are fearfully and wonderfully made, just the way you are." If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it with someone navigating faith, sexuality, belonging, or healing from church hurt. Sometimes the most sacred thing we can do is simply show up with love. About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 39. Rev. Roberto Che Espinoza, PhD (Baptist) – Becoming Human With One Another (Pride Month Reissue) | 19 juin 2026 | 01:13:07 | |
39. Rev. Roberto Che Espinoza (Baptist) – Becoming Human With One Another (Pride Month Reissue) This week, Alexis Rice welcomes Rev. Dr. Roberto Che Espinoza, PhD (@drrobertoche), pastor, scholar, and founder of Activist Theology and Our Collective Becoming. Roberto’s life and ministry embody a theology rooted in interdependence, tenderness, and justice. A Latinx trans man, theologian, and ordained Baptist minister, Roberto has devoted his work to spiritual formation, collective liberation, and radical ethics. He invites us to rediscover the practices of Jesus—not as abstractions, but as embodied acts of eating, walking, storytelling, and living in community. Song: Stay Safe provided by singer-songwriter and ally, Derek Webb @derekwebb. Alexis and Roberto explore:
💡 Key Takeaways
⛪ About Our Guest 📚 Resources Mentioned
May you find sacred ground, may the fruit of the Spirit guide you. If you’re longing for community, may you be encouraged to find one that embraces your full, questioning, beautiful selves. About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 38. Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez (Non-Denominational Megachurch Culture) - Conversion Therapy Dropout | 16 juin 2026 | 01:06:25 | |
38. Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez (Non-Denominational Megachurch Culture) - Conversion Therapy Dropout What if the choice between being gay and being Christian was never a choice at all? Alexis sits down with Timothy Schrader Rodriguez, author of Conversion Therapy Dropout, for a deeply personal conversation about surviving eight years of conversion therapy, working behind the scenes at some of the most influential evangelical megachurches in America, and discovering that faith and queerness do not have to be enemies. Tim shares his journey from growing up in evangelical megachurch culture to entering conversion therapy in pursuit of what he believed God required of him. Together, Alexis and Tim explore the devastating impact of spiritual abuse, the false binary many LGBTQ+ Christians are taught, and the healing that becomes possible when people are fully seen, loved, and affirmed. They discuss the rise of Christian nationalism, the continued attacks on LGBTQ+ rights, and why visibility, honesty, and relationships remain some of the most powerful tools for change. Tim also shares the story behind Church Clarity, the organization he helped launch to help people find churches that are honest about where they stand on LGBTQ+ inclusion and women in leadership. The conversation closes with a powerful benediction for anyone who has ever wondered whether they belong, whether God could love them as they are, or whether faith is still possible after spiritual harm. This conversation is for anyone exploring: 💡 Key Takeaways • Conversion therapy is harmful and does not work About Our Guest Timothy Schrader Rodriguez (@timothy.s.rodriguez) is an author, speaker, church communications strategist, LGBTQ+ advocate, and one of the founders of Church Clarity. His memoir, Conversion Therapy Dropout, chronicles his experience surviving eight years of conversion therapy and finding a path toward healing, authenticity, and faith. 📚 Resources & Voices Mentioned • Jonathan Van Ness @jvn 🏳️🌈 Looking for a church? Visit ChurchClarity.org Is there a church near you that is clear about how they welcome and affirm LGBTQ+ people? Are queer people allowed in leadership? Will the church perform same-sex weddings? Do they affirm women in leadership? Enter your ZIP code and see what's around you. As Tim channels @BrenéBrown in this episode: "Clarity is kindness. Ambiguity can be harmful." Grab Conversion Therapy Dropout (I love Tim reading the audiobook!) Grab a copy https://bookshop.org/shop/thesacredslope If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it with someone navigating questions around faith, sexuality, belonging, or healing from church hurt. About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 37. Bishop Guðrún (Church of Iceland) – A Nation Led by Women, and a Bishop Who Says Queer People Should Be Safe in Christianity (Pride Month Reissue) | 12 juin 2026 | 00:42:07 | |
37. Bishop Guðrún Karls Helgudóttir (Church of Iceland) – A Nation Led by Women, and a Bishop Who Says Queer People Should Be Safe in Christianity When a nation is led by women at the highest levels - the President, the Prime Minister, the Mayor of Reykjavík, the National Police Commissioner, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Bishop of Iceland - something becomes visible: women in power isn’t an exception, it’s normal. Into that context steps Bishop Guðrún - the second woman ever to serve as Bishop of Iceland - who tells LGBTQ+ people that God’s creation is good — and that we are holy creations of God. Together, Alexis & Bishop Guðrún dive into: • Iceland’s 1975 Women’s Strike & gender equality milestones 💡 Key Takeaways 🌈 Safety, dignity, and belonging for queer people is Christian discipleship - not deviation. ⛪ About Our Guest Bishop Guðrún Karls Helgudóttir (@gudrun.biskup_) is the Bishop of Iceland - the spiritual head of the Church of Iceland (@kirkjan.is), a national Lutheran church interwoven into Icelandic cultural life, history, and state ceremonies. The Bishop’s office carries both sacred and civic weight: accompanying presidents and prime ministers at moments of national significance, offering moral clarity in public crises, and serving as a pastoral presence when the country gathers in grief, remembrance, or celebration. Bishop Guðrún is the second woman ever to serve as Bishop of Iceland. Her pathway includes parish leadership in Sweden and Iceland, and theological formation at the University of Iceland and the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago. Known internationally for her clear advocacy for LGBTQ+ inclusion, Bishop Guðrún represents a model of Christian leadership rooted not in fear or exclusion, but in dignity, equality, and the conviction that God’s creation is good. 📚 Resources Mentioned Iceland Church Pride clip: Bishop Guðrún Trans rights clip: Suicide-awareness clip: Women’s Strike (BBC): About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 36. Rev. Dr. Caleb J. Lines (Disciples of Christ/UCC) - The Progressive, Open & Affirming Pastor Evangelicals Warned You About | 09 juin 2026 | 01:07:32 | |
Pride Month Series- 🌈 Happy Pride! 36. Rev. Dr. Caleb J. Lines (Disciples of Christ/UCC) - The Progressive, Open & Affirming Pastor Evangelicals Warned You About What does a conversation with a progressive, open and affirming pastor actually sound like? For many people raised in evangelical spaces, progressive pastors were often presented as people who had compromised biblical faith or wandered too far from Christianity. But what happens when you actually listen and decide for yourself? Alexis sits down with Rev. Dr. Caleb J. Lines, pastor, author, scholar, Co-Executive Director of the Center for Progressive Christianity, and one of the most visible progressive Christian voices online, for a wide-ranging conversation about faith, deconstruction, LGBTQ+ inclusion, Christian nationalism, biblical interpretation, raising children with a healthy faith, and why so many people are reimagining Christianity today. Caleb serves an open and affirming church in San Diego. Open and Affirming (ONA) churches fully welcome LGBTQ+ people into the life and leadership of the church. In many ONA churches, this includes marriage, ordination, leadership, and participation at every level. Together, Alexis and Caleb explore whether progressive Christianity is really as scary as many people were taught, why faith doesn't have to be rooted in certainty, and how Christianity can be a force for justice, compassion, curiosity, and human flourishing. 💬 In This Episode • What progressive Christianity actually is 👥 People & Resources Mentioned • Rev. Dr. Caleb J. Lines: @revcalebjlines 📚 Books by Caleb • Awakened: A Path to Courageous Faith in an Uncertain World #ProgressiveChristianity #OpenAndAffirming #PrideMonth #Christianity #Deconstruction #Reconstruction #LGBTQChristianity #ChristianNationalism #Faith #ProgressiveFaith #ChurchHurt #InclusiveChurch #TheSacredSlope #CalebJLines #Pride 🌈 About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 35. Rocky Roggio (Director, 1946: The Movie): The Year the Word “Homosexual” Entered the Bible (Pride Month Reissue) | 05 juin 2026 | 01:01:57 | |
HAPPY PRIDE! 🎙️ 35. Rocky Roggio (Director, 1946: The Movie) - 1946: The Year the Word “Homosexual” Entered the Bible (Pride Month Reissue) About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 34. Science & Faith Part 2 - Pastor Will Rose (ELCA Lutheran) - The False Choice Between Faith and Science | 02 juin 2026 | 00:53:54 | |
34. Science & Faith Part 2 - Pastor Will Rose (ELCA Lutheran) - The False Choice Between Faith and Science Alexis Rice sits down with Pastor Will Rose, ELCA Lutheran pastor in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, co-host of Systematic Geekology, and creator of the faith and science podcast Your Matter Matters, for a deeply compassionate conversation about curiosity, science, deconstruction, and why asking honest questions should never make someone feel spiritually unsafe. Together, Alexis and Will unpack the false binary so many Christians were handed between faith and science - and the shame many people carry after being taught that questioning Genesis, evolution, the Big Bang, healthcare, vaccines, or scientific expertise somehow meant they were “falling away from God.” Will shares how many progressive and mainline Christian spaces approach scripture, theology, and science very differently than fundamentalist environments, and why intellectual humility, wonder, and curiosity can actually deepen faith instead of destroy it. At the center of this conversation is one powerful idea: “If that’s how the universe operates - growing, evolving, shifting - I think our faith can be like that too.” This episode is an invitation for anyone who has ever felt spiritually trapped, intellectually unsafe, or afraid that asking honest questions could cost them belonging. 💬 In This Episode • Why many Christians were taught faith and science cannot coexist 📚 Books & Resources Mentioned • Pastor Will Rose: @willnrose About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 33. Science & Faith Part 1 - Dr. Janet Kellogg Ray (Science Educator & Christian) - Science Asks How & When. Faith Asks Who & Why. | 26 mai 2026 | 01:03:08 | |
33. Science & Faith Part 1 - Dr. Janet Kellogg Ray (Science Educator & Christian) - Science Asks How & When. Faith Asks Who & Why Alexis Rice sits down with Dr. Janet Kellogg Ray, science educator, university lecturer, Christian, and author of Fish with Feet: Human Evolution and the Image of God, for a deeply honest conversation about evolution, evangelicalism, scientific literacy, and the false choice so many Christians were handed between faith and science. Raised in conservative Christianity and young earth creationist culture herself, Janet shares how studying biology transformed her understanding of both science and God - not by destroying her faith, but by expanding it. Together, Alexis and Janet unpack the deep distrust of science embedded in many American evangelical spaces, why evolution was framed as spiritually dangerous, and how generations of Christians were taught that accepting evolution, climate science, vaccines, or scientific expertise itself could somehow threaten their relationship with God. At the center of this conversation is one of Janet’s most powerful insights: “Science asks questions of how and when. Faith asks questions of who and why.” Science cannot answer every meaningful question in human life. And faith and science are not enemies competing for the same territory - they are often answering entirely different kinds of questions. 💬 In This Episode • Growing up in young earth creationism Janet offers a compassionate invitation for Christians who feel trapped between intellectual honesty and spiritual belonging: 📚 Books & Resources Mentioned • Fish with Feet: Human Evolution and the Image of God (@Eerdmans) 👥 People & Accounts Mentioned • Janet Kellogg Ray: @janetkelloggray About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 32. Sharon McMahon (We Are Mighty) - & We Are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For | 19 mai 2026 | 01:06:51 | |
🎙️ 32. Sharon McMahon (We Are Mighty) & We Are the Ones We’ve Been Waiting For Alexis Rice sits down with Sharon McMahon, bestselling author, educator, and creator of “@SharonSaysSo,” for a deeply moving conversation about history, democracy, courage, faith, and the ordinary people who shape the world around us. As Sharon releases her new children’s book, We Are Mighty: 12 Ordinary Americans Who Did the Next Needed Thing, Alexis and Sharon explore figures of American history, some famous, some not, about the power of education, and what it means to continue doing good with no assurance of success. Together, they discuss Martin Luther King Jr., Maria de Lopez, Abraham Lincoln, Rosa Parks, Septima Clark, Clara Brown, and the everyday people whose unseen acts of courage changed generations. This episode is a reminder that history is not only shaped by presidents, billionaires, or celebrities - but by teachers, neighbors, parents, organizers, and ordinary people willing to do the next needed thing. 💬 In This Episode • Why “doing the next needed thing” can change history Sharon reminds us that the people who change the world are rarely the loudest or the most powerful. More often, they are ordinary people choosing courage, compassion, education, and hope in moments when success is far from guaranteed. And maybe that moment is ours now. We Are Mighty for Kids, illustrated by @susannachapman, from @penguinrandomhouse is out May 19 https://sharonmcmahon.com/book 👥 People Mentioned • Sarah Bessey: @sarahbessey About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 31. Jeremy Steele (United Methodist, Skeptic Pastor) - Stop Ceding Faith: Democrats & Media Need Progressive Pastors Now | 12 mai 2026 | 01:12:11 | |
🎙️ 31. Jeremy Steele (United Methodist, Skeptic Pastor) - Stop Ceding Faith: Democrats and Media Need Progressive Pastors Now Alexis sits down with Jeremy Steele (@skeptic.pastor), a United Methodist pastor, author, and self-described “deep skeptic,” for a bold, unfiltered conversation about faith, politics, and the stories shaping Christianity in America today. Jeremy returns to The Sacred Slope to challenge some of the most widely held beliefs in evangelical spaces - including the rapture - and to name what’s really happening when extreme voices dominate the narrative. Together, Alexis and Jeremy unpack Christian nationalism, the absence of progressive faith voices in media and politics, and why that silence is creating a dangerous vacuum. This episode is both a wake-up call and a clear invitation: if Democrats and media want to reach people of faith, they cannot keep ignoring progressive pastors. The voices exist. The audience is there. The moment is now. 💬 In This Episode • Why the rapture isn’t supported by serious biblical scholarship 👥 People/Resources Mentioned • Jeremy Steele: @skepticpastor | https://skepticpastor.com • Dan McClellan: @maklelan • Jimmy Kimmel: @jimmykimmel • MSNow: @msnbc • Don Lemon Show: @donlemonofficial From calling out harmful theology to naming the silence in progressive spaces, Jeremy makes a compelling case: the rapture isn’t real, but the consequences of bad theology are. And if we don’t elevate better voices, we leave the loudest ones unchecked. #Christianity #deconstruction #progressiveChristianity #ChristianNationalism #faithandpolitics #exvangelical #OpenAndAffirming #MentalHealth About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 30. Christina Zini (United Methodist/Lutheran) - This Is What Christianity Looks Like When It’s Not About Control & The Sacred Slope turns 1! | 01 mai 2026 | 01:13:43 | |
🎙️ 30. Christina Zini (United Methodist/Lutheran) - This Is What Christianity Looks Like When It’s Not About Control & The Sacred Slope Turns 1!!!!! With music by Derek Webb! Alexis Rice sits down with Christina Zini, a friend of 20+ years, a leadership coach, Christian woman, global citizen, for a deeply personal and reflective conversation marking one year of The Sacred Slope. Christina shares her journey of faith from growing up Lutheran in a small town in the US to living across the world and discovering a Christianity rooted not in control or coercion, but in love, openness, and deep respect for others. Together, Alexis and Christina explore what it actually looks like to follow Jesus in a complex and divided world. They reflect on friendship, church, and culture, and what this past year of The Sacred Slope has revealed: that faith is far more expansive than many were taught, that people across religions are not enemies but neighbors, and that people are drawn to Jesus not by force, but by how we show up. At the heart of this conversation is a powerful message: they are to know us by our love. 💬 In This Episode • Celebrating one year of The Sacred Slope 💛 Thank you Derek Webb A special thank you to Derek Webb @DerekWebb and his team for allowing me to use his music in this anniversary episode from his album, Survival Songs: https://www.derekwebb.com/dwdwdw/p/survival-songs-cd-digital-download Derek was one of my first interviews and it was so healing: https://youtu.be/Gr-lWvMLj9A?si=GQR4mlKygpRMMf3U 💛 Support The Sacred Slope If this podcast has meant something to you and you want to see more conversations like this: ☕ Buy Me a Coffee: https://buymeacoffee.com/thesacredslope Your support helps amplify voices, expand this community, and continue these conversations around the world. #Christianity #deconstruction #OpenAndAffirming #MentalHealth About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 29. Part 2. Reproductive Rights - Rev. jessica young chang (UCC): Faith, Freedom, and Who Gets to Decide | 25 avr. 2026 | 01:23:22 | |
🎙️ 29. Part 2. Reproductive Rights - Rev. jessica young chang (UCC): Faith, Freedom, and Who Gets to Decide A note: I was raised to believe this was the issue. And if you did… you were wrong. So I get it. I really do. But after listening to real stories… There’s more nuance here than we were told. Alexis Rice sits down with rev. jessica young chang, a UCC minister and reproductive chaplain, for a compassionate conversation about faith, reproductive justice, and what it means to follow Jesus in complex, real-world situations. Following Part 1 with Alexis’s childhood friend Valerie - a story of pregnancy, cancer, and survival - this episode moves into the pastoral and theological realities behind reproductive decisions. This is a deeply emotional topic. For many Christians in the United States, this has been the defining political issue for over 40 years. Many have been taught that to think differently is to be wrong, sinful, or beyond redemption. If you feel tension, grief, or resistance as you listen, you are not alone. This episode does not tell you what to think. Together, they explore how faith, power, and the body intersect - and create space for those who have felt judged, silenced, or pushed out of the conversation. At the heart of this episode is a grounding truth: nothing separates you from the love of God. 💬 In This Episode • Reproductive chaplaincy & spiritual care 👥 THANK YOU to the following folks who allowed me to include their social media clips in this episode: • Dan McClellan: @maklelan 📚 Organizations #Christianity #deconstruction #reproductiverights About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 28. Part 1. Reproductive Rights: Valerie's Story - Pregnancy, Cancer, and a Life-or-Death Choice | 24 avr. 2026 | 00:30:25 | |
28. Part 1. Reproductive Rights: Valerie's Story - Pregnancy, Cancer, and a Life-or-Death Choice Alexis sits down with her childhood friend Valerie Ruschke for a deeply personal and emotional conversation about reproductive rights, faith, and medical reality. At 16 weeks pregnant, Valerie was diagnosed with aggressive Stage 3 HER2-positive breast cancer. Doctors told her she had less than a 10% chance of survival unless she terminated the pregnancy immediately to begin life-saving treatment. This is Part 1 of a two-part series exploring reproductive rights, faith, and nuance. Valerie shares what it was like to face that decision in real time - the physical pain, the emotional weight, and the lasting impact. She opens up about what followed: chemotherapy, loss, survival, recurrence, and ultimately building her family through surrogacy. This episode moves beyond political talking points and into lived experience. It challenges assumptions about abortion, highlights the realities of maternal health, and reminds us that these decisions are not theoretical - they are deeply human. 💬 In This Episode • How Judaism teaches that the life and well-being of the mother takes precedence in pregnancy • A real story of abortion and cancer during pregnancy 🎧 Coming in Part 2 In Part 2, Alexis speaks with Reverend jessica young chang and shares perspectives from clergy, theologians, and leaders wrestling with reproductive rights, faith, and care in their communities. About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 27. Mattie Mae Motl (Bible Scholar, Christian) - Loving Jesus Too Much to Let Him Be Weaponized | 18 avr. 2026 | 01:00:49 | |
🎙️ 27. Mattie Mae Motl (Bible Scholar) - Loving Jesus Too Much to Let Him Be Weaponized Alexis Rice sits down with Mattie Mae Motl, a Bible scholar, theologian, and PhD candidate studying the New Testament (with a focus on Romans), for a powerful and deeply clarifying conversation about biblical scholarship, deconstruction, and reclaiming faith. Mattie Mae Motl shares her story of growing up Southern Baptist, falling in love with Scripture, and pursuing rigorous academic study not to dismantle faith—but to protect it. Together, they explore the gap between academia and the church, the misuse of Scripture in modern culture, and why asking better questions doesn’t weaken faith - it deepens it. At the heart of this conversation is a bold truth: loving Jesus deeply means refusing to let Him be used as a tool for harm. 💬 In This Episode • Growing up in conservative Christianity and loving the Bible deeply 👥 People/Resources Mentioned • Mattie Mae Motl: @mattiemaemotl 📚 Topics to Explore Further • Biblical scholarship vs theology #Christianity #deconstruction #ProgressiveChristianity #BibleScholar #BiblicalLiteracy #QueerTheology #WomenInMinistry #FaithAfterEvangelicalism #ChurchHurt #Reconstruction About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 26. Justin Telthorst (Catholic, Empty Chairs) - A Gay Catholic on Faith, the Pope, and the Empty Seats in the Church | 13 avr. 2026 | 01:03:10 | |
26. Justin Telthorst (Catholic, Empty Chairs) - A Gay Catholic on Faith, the Pope, and the Empty Seats in the Church Alexis sits down with Justin Telthorst, a gay Catholic, speaker, and creator of Empty Chairs @emptychairshome for a moving conversation about faith, identity, church hurt, and belonging inside the Catholic tradition. Justin shares his story of growing up Catholic, surviving conversion therapy, wrestling with conscience and church teaching, and finding his way back to a relationship with God rooted in honesty, love, and truth. Together, Alexis and Justin explore what it means to stay connected to Jesus when institutions wound, and why LGBTQ Christians are still showing up, still praying, and still making room for hope. 💬 In This Episode • Growing up Catholic and falling in love with the Church 👥 People/Resources Mentioned • Justin Telthorst / Empty Chairs: @emptychairshome #Catholicism #Christianity #deconstruction #reconstruction #LGBTQChristianity #GayCatholic #ProgressiveChristianity #QueerTheology #ChurchHurt #Catholic #1946TheMovie #LGBT #LGBTQ #emptychairs About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 25. Andrew Whitehead (Sociologist, Author, Christian) - American Idolatry: How Christian Nationalism Betrays the Gospel and Threatens the Church | 10 avr. 2026 | 00:55:04 | |
25. Andrew Whitehead (Sociologist, Author, Christian) - American Idolatry: How Christian Nationalism Betrays the Gospel and Threatens the Church Andrew Whitehead joins Alexis Rice for a powerful conversation on Christian nationalism and the ways it shapes faith, identity, and public life. Alexis and Andrew explore what Christian nationalism actually is (and isn’t), how it shows up in everyday spaces, and why it can be so difficult to recognize - even for those inside the church. Drawing from American Idolatry, Andrew names the deeper forces at work and invites listeners to examine how power, fear, and identity can distort faith. American Idolatry: How Christian Nationalism Betrays the Gospel and Threatens the Church 💬 In This Episode • What Christian nationalism is - and why it’s often misunderstood 👥 People/Resources Mentioned Andrew Whitehead: @ndrewwhitehead #Christianity #deconstruction #ChristianNationalism #FaithAndPolitics #ProgressiveChristianity About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 24. Julie (Aakadewin-o Waawaashkeshi Kwe ) Francella (Ojibwe, Batchewana First Nation) - We’re Still Here: Indigenous Wisdom, Empathy, & the Wounds Beneath Hate | 08 avr. 2026 | 01:09:14 | |
🎙️ 24. Julie (Aakadewin-o Waawaashkeshi Kwe) Francella (Ojibwe, Batchewana First Nation) - We’re Still Here: Indigenous Wisdom, Empathy, & the Wounds Beneath Hate Alexis sits down with Julie (Aakadewin-o Waawaashkeshi Kwe) Francella - an Ojibwe professor of Indigenous Studies, mental health professional, writer, artist, and @SiriusXM co-host, for a powerful conversation on Indigenous wisdom, trauma, empathy, and staying human in a brutal time. Julie shares how she walks between worlds without losing her center - rooted in Anishinaabe ways of knowing while navigating Catholic education, psychology, trauma work, and advocacy. Together, they explore what Christian listeners can learn about love of neighbor, care for the earth, humility, and shared humanity. They discuss Ribbon Skirt Day, Two-Spirit sacredness, survivors of sexual violence, parenting with curiosity, and why hate grows from fear, shame, pain, and the hunger to belong. Julie offers a framework: boundaries matter - but transformation requires understanding the wound beneath behavior. Also, who makes a surprise cameo? They also dive into: The episode closes with a reminder: hope is a practice. Indigenous people have been resisting for over 500 years - and they are still here. 💡 Key Takeaways 📚 Resources & Voices Mentioned #deconstruction #IndigenousWisdom About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 23. Kristin Mockler Young (Non-Denominational Pastor) - The Other Side of Certainty | 04 avr. 2026 | 01:07:04 | |
🎙️ 23. Kristin Mockler Young (Non-Denominational Pastor) - The Other Side of Certainty What if losing certainty isn’t losing your faith… but the beginning of a deeper one? Alexis sits down with Pastor Kristin Mockler Young @kristinmockleryoung, teaching pastor at Mosaic Church @mosaicclt, host of the Becoming Church podcast , and author of the upcoming book, The Other Side of Certainty, to explore what happens when the version of Christianity you were given no longer fits. Kristin shares her journey from lifelong “church girl” to pastor, all while deconstructing in real time. Together, they unpack what it means to hold onto Jesus while questioning everything else, and why doubt might not be the enemy we were taught it was. They explore how rigid certainty can limit our understanding of God, and how freedom, humility, and curiosity can open the door to a more expansive, honest, and deeply rooted faith. Kristin shares why she’s still a Christian, what she had to unlearn, and how she now pastors people far beyond the walls of a church. They also dive into: The episode closes with a powerful prayer for anyone feeling disenchanted, alone, or unsure where they belong. This episode is for anyone exploring: 💡 Key Takeaways 📚 Resources & Voices Mentioned Becoming Church Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/becoming-church/id1606553800 #Christianity #deconstruction #reconstruction About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 22. Rev. Brandan Robertson (Progressive Pastor) - Queer & Christian: Reclaiming the Bible, Our Faith, and Our Place at the Table | 01 avr. 2026 | 01:09:39 | |
🎙️ 22. Rev. Brandan Robertson (Progressive Pastor) - Queer & Christian: Reclaiming the Bible, Our Faith, and Our Place at the Table What if being queer and Christian was never the contradiction you were taught it was? Alexis sits down with Rev. Brandan Robertson, pastor, activist, and author of Queer & Christian, to explore how scripture has been misunderstood, weaponized, and reclaimed. Brandan shares his journey from a fundamentalist Baptist upbringing, through Bible college and conversion therapy, to becoming an openly gay pastor and leading voice in progressive Christianity. Together, they unpack what happens when faith both saves you and harms you, and how deconstruction can lead to something deeper. They dive into some of the most debated passages in the Bible, including Sodom and Gomorrah and 1 Corinthians 6, challenging long-held assumptions about LGBTQ Christianity and biblical interpretation. Brandan explains how mistranslations, cultural context, and power dynamics, not love, are at the center of many interpretations. This conversation reframes the Bible not as a rulebook, but as a complex, ancient library inviting curiosity, wrestling, and growth. They also explore: The episode closes with a powerful prayer for anyone who has felt rejected, afraid, or cut off from the love of God. This episode is for anyone exploring: 💡 Key Takeaways About Our Guest 📚 Resources & Voices Mentioned About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 21. Johanna Ta (Catholic) - Faith, Culture, & The Golden Rule | 28 mars 2026 | 01:04:15 | |
🎙️ 21. Johanna Ta (Catholic) - Faith, Culture, & The Golden Rule What happens when two friends from different Christian traditions choose curiosity over debate? Alexis sits down with her longtime friend Johanna Ta, a Filipino Chinese American Catholic, mother of three, and Bay Area professional, to explore faith, culture, and the real differences - and surprising similarities - between Catholicism and Protestantism. Johanna shares her story of being baptized as a newborn during a life-threatening health crisis, growing up in Catholic school, and how her faith has evolved through motherhood, cultural identity, and lived experience. Together, they unpack common misconceptions about Catholics, the role of the Pope, and what it actually means to live a Christ-like life in today’s world. They also explore:
Johanna offers a grounded and deeply human perspective on faith: “Who am I to judge? The best I can do is live in a way that brings others along in a positive light.” As the conversation turns to the state of Christianity today, they wrestle with rising division, racism, and the concept of “toxic empathy,” returning again and again to the core of Jesus’s teaching - love your neighbor. Johanna reflects: “Maybe this is our test… how do we continue to live Christ-like despite all these challenges?” They also discuss the global Catholic Church, the leadership of @vaticannews and Pope Leo (@pontifex), and the cultural expression of faith in unexpected places - including the viral “raves of peace” by @padre.guilherme. This episode is not a debate - it’s a bridge. A conversation rooted in humility, curiosity, and the belief that we can learn from each other across traditions. 💡 Key Takeaways • Catholics and Protestants share more common ground than many realize About Our Guest Johanna Ta is a Filipino Chinese American Catholic, mother of three, and Bay Area professional. Her faith is shaped by culture, community, and a deep commitment to living out the Golden Rule. 🌍 The Sacred Slope is now in 60+ countries and 1,300+ cities, sharing diverse voices of faith beyond one dominant lens. About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 20. Jeremy Jernigan (Former Non-Denominational Megachurch Pastor) - The Edge of the Inside | 25 mars 2026 | 01:28:54 | |
🎙️ 20. Jeremy Jernigan (Former Non-Denominational Megachurch Pastor) - The Edge of the Inside What happens when the church that formed you becomes the place that wounds you? Alexis sits down with Jeremy Jernigan @jeremyjernigan, former megachurch pastor, now part of a Mennonite community, host of Cabernet and Pray and Rebuilding Faith, and author of The Edge of the Inside, to explore what it means to deconstruct faith without losing Jesus. Jeremy shares his journey out of evangelical megachurch leadership, including the breaking point many experienced as white evangelical support for Trump exposed a disconnect between the teachings of Jesus and what was being lived out. They unpack deconstruction, post-evangelical faith, church hurt, and the cost of using your voice when your community would rather you stay silent. Jeremy shares what it was like to lose his job, relationships, and community—and how that loss led to a more honest, compassionate faith. They explore why many are not leaving Jesus, but leaving systems rooted in certainty, control, and power. Jeremy introduces “the edge of the inside”—a space for those who still love Jesus but no longer fit in the center—and how Mennonite theology is helping him heal. This episode includes a powerful prayer for anyone who feels alone, displaced, or hasn’t been prayed over in a long time. This episode is for anyone navigating deconstruction, progressive Christianity, LGBTQ Christianity, church hurt, Christian nationalism, or faith after evangelicalism. 💡 Key Takeaways About Our Guest 🎧 Podcasts 📖 Book 👤 Voices Mentioned About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 19. Podcastathon 2026 - IJM, Pastor Sarah (UCC), Rev. Joseph Yoo (Episcopal), Pastor Joe Smith (Post-Evangelical), Rev. Joe Graves (United Methodist) | 21 mars 2026 | 01:42:34 | |
🎙️ 19. Podcastathon 2026 - IJM, Pastor Sarah (UCC), Rev. Joseph Yoo (Episcopal), Pastor Joe Smith (Post-Evangelical), Rev. Joe Graves (United Methodist) This episode means a lot to me. I wanted to highlight one of my favorite non-profits along with ministries from beloved pastors returning to The Sacred Slope to share the incredible work churches are doing. - Alexis Rice Alexis brings together global and local expressions of justice in this special Podcastathon (https://podcasthon.org/, @podcasthon_en) episode - featuring International Justice Mission (IJM) (one of my favorite organizations) and the return of some of your favorite Sacred Slope pastors. Alexis speaks with Miguel Lau, Global Senior Officer, Church Partnerships at International Justice Mission (IJM) to explore human trafficking, forced labor, and violence against the poor - and how justice systems can be transformed to protect millions. 🌍 International Justice Mission (IJM): https://www.ijm.org Then, some of your favorite pastors across the U.S. return to The Sacred Slope to share about some of their church ministries in their communities. Pastor Sarah (UCC - New Mexico) YouTube Episode on The Sacred Slope: https://youtu.be/pwzPGpcdVsA?si=LkYFIuOpX8P1W-W8 Rev. Joseph Yoo (Episcopal - Pearland, TX) YouTube Episode on The Sacred Slope: https://youtu.be/ODnIUKfRdpU?si=Nv8sD5lP20CAlx9V Pastor Joe Smith (Post-evangelical - Gainesville, FL) YouTube Episode on The Sacred Slope: https://youtu.be/TwspO3sPlsc?si=wKfEnxj1XR3DSuYy Rev. Joe Graves (United Methodist - Ohio) Feminine Resources Free Store: https://cityviewcolumbus.org/feminine-resources-free-store Mothers of Murdered Children: https://www.mothersofmurderedcolumbuschildren.com/ YouTube Episode on The Sacred Slope: https://youtu.be/dXsz93ron-Q?si=1gdg5M7RuXJU1_Y0 Across every conversation, one theme emerges: we can't fix everything - but we can do something. About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 18. Rocky Roggio (Director, 1946: The Movie) - The Year the Word “Homosexual” Entered the Bible | 18 mars 2026 | 00:59:40 | |
🎙️ 18. Rocky Roggio (Director, 1946: The Movie) - 1946: The Year the Word “Homosexual” Entered the Bible One mistranslation changed theology, policy, families, and the lives of millions of LGBTQ people. Alexis sits down with Rocky Roggio @rockyroggio, director of the award-winning documentary 1946: The Movie @1946themovie, to explore the year the word “homosexual” first appeared in an English Bible and how that translation decision reshaped theology, culture, and public policy for generations. They unpack the historical research behind the film, including discoveries in the Yale archives surrounding the 1946 Revised Standard Version Bible translation. Rocky explains how one translation decision helped shape decades of church teaching and influence modern debates around LGBTQ Christianity and Bible translation. Rocky also shares the personal story behind the film, including the decision to include her own father, a minister, in the documentary. Their conversations reveal how theology is never abstract - it shows up in families, churches, and real relationships. Alexis and Rocky discuss why the film resonates with audiences across the political and theological spectrum and why understanding Bible translation history, queer theology, progressive Christianity, and Christian nationalism matters right now. This episode is for anyone - Christian or not, queer or not - who cares about truth, history, and how sacred texts are interpreted and sometimes weaponized. 💡 Key Takeaways • The word “homosexual” first appeared in an English Bible in 1946 About Our Guest Rocky Roggio is the director of 1946: The Movie, an award-winning documentary investigating how the word “homosexual” first entered the English Bible and how that translation shaped modern debates around LGBTQ Christianity. 🎬 Watch the film Best way to support the filmmakers (independent streaming platform): 🌍 Projects & Organizations Mentioned The Living Wall of Love - Jarko’s project featured at World Pride Amsterdam Making Things Right (LGBTQ Christian reconciliation resource) Clips used with permission from Rocky Roggio of 1946 About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 17. Pastor Kristian A. Smith (Liberation Theology) - The Courage to Question Your Answers | 14 mars 2026 | 01:26:32 | |
🎙️ 17. Pastor Kristian A. Smith (Liberation Theology) – The Courage to Question Your Answers Alexis Rice sits down with Pastor Kristian A. Smith — pastor, author, educator, public theologian, and host of Holy Smokes: Cigars and Spirituality — for a deeply honest and pastoral conversation about doctrine, certainty, doubt, and what it means to rebuild faith with integrity. Kristian leads The Faith Community, a digital church centered around curiosity, justice, and what he calls Greatest Commandment Theology — the idea that Jesus’ call to love God, love neighbor, and love self should guide how we interpret everything else in our Christian tradition. Together Alexis and Kristian explore why doctrine is not the same thing as scripture, how the Bible has historically been used to justify radically different moral positions, and why losing religious certainty can feel like grief. Kristian shares why doubt is not the enemy of faith and why love must remain the center of theology. Kristian closes the episode with a powerful pastoral prayer for listeners who may not have been prayed over in a long time. 💡 Key Takeaways • Doctrine often reflects interpretation, not absolute certainty About Our Guest Pastor Kristian A. Smith is a pastor, author, educator, and public theologian. IG: @thekristianasmith 📚 Books, People & Resources Mentioned Kristian A. Smith — IG: @thekristianasmith Books: Breaking All the Rules – An Ancient Framework for Modern Faith & Question your answers: https://www.kristianasmith.com Dan McClellan — IG: @maklelan Frederick Buechner — theologian and author Martin Luther King Jr. — pastor and civil rights leader #Christianity #deconstruction #OpenAndAffirming #LiberationTheology #FaithAfterEvangelicalism #ProgressiveChristianity #TheSacredSlope About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 16. Tripp Fuller (Theologian, Pastor & Keeper of Chickens) - Deconstruction Can Be Holy, Healing, and Even Joyful | 12 mars 2026 | 01:28:18 | |
🎙️ 16. Tripp Fuller (Theologian, Pastor & Keeper of Chickens) - Deconstruction Can Be Holy, Healing, and Even Joyful About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 15. Rabbi Lexi Erdheim (Judaism) & Rev. Joel Simpson (Methodist) – When Faith Leaders Protect the Vulnerable Together | 08 mars 2026 | 01:11:20 | |
🎙️ 15. Rabbi Lexi Erdheim (Judaism) & Rev. Joel Simpson (Methodist) – When Faith Leaders Protect the Vulnerable Together Alexis Rice sits down with Rabbi Lexi Erdheim and Rev. Joel Simpson—two faith leaders from different traditions whose friendship models curiosity, respect, and shared moral responsibility. Together they explore what interfaith relationships can teach us about protecting the vulnerable, listening across real differences, and showing up for neighbors in moments of crisis. This conversation is about friendship, moral courage, and the kind of world that becomes possible when faith traditions work side by side to protect human dignity. 💡 Key Takeaways About Our Guests Rabbi Lexi Erdheim is the Associate Rabbi at Temple Beth-El in Charlotte, NC. Ordained at Hebrew Union College and a graduate of Barnard College, she works at the intersection of Jewish life, public policy, and interfaith organizing. Temple Beth-El Charlotte Rev. Joel Simpson is a Methodist pastor at First United Methodist Church in Taylorsville, NC and a doctoral student at Duke University. His work connects faith, community organizing, and advocacy for vulnerable communities. IG: @joelrsimpson 📚 People & Organizations Mentioned Siembra NC — IG: @siembranc Duke University — IG: @dukeuniversity About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||
| 14. William Gibson (Church of Scotland) – When Christianity Gets Co-Opted by Power | 05 mars 2026 | 01:36:17 | |
14. William Gibson (Church of Scotland) – When Christianity Gets Co-Opted by Power What does American Christian nationalism look like… from Scotland? In this episode, Alexis Rice is joined by William Gibson - a Scottish church historian and soon-to-be minister in the Church of Scotland - to zoom out of the American bubble and name what many outside the U.S. can see so clearly: when Christianity gets fused with nationalism, it becomes a weapon. William doesn’t just critique - he offers language, history, and hopeful resistance: collective action, ecumenical courage, and a faith that refuses empire. If you’ve been watching “Christianity” used to justify cruelty and thinking, This cannot be Jesus… this conversation is for you. 🎙️ About Our Guest 💬 In This Episode 📚 Resources + Verified Instagram Handles #Christianity #deconstruction #OpenAndAffirming #MentalHealth #ChurchOfScotland #Scotland #ProgressiveChristianity #Exvangelical About The Sacred Slope 🎧 WATCH: YouTube / Spotify 🔗 Connect 🌿 Community Guidelines 🌿 | |||