Fair Trade Episodes
Fair Trade is a listener favorite in the Faith Unfiltered lineup — a space for honest conversations about faith transitions, spiritual disruption, and the journey toward belonging.
A faith crisis can shake your foundations leaving you filled with doubt, fear, and big questions about everything you thought you knew. It’s often a lonely road. But you are not alone.
In Fair Trade, courageous guests share candid stories of their spiritual journey — what they left behind, what they’re still figuring out, and what led them to Community of Christ. In their stories, many find not just faith, but a renewed sense of peace, identity, and purpose.
Watch for new episodes as they drop and listen in whenever you need a companion on the road of transformation.
A faith crisis can shake your foundations leaving you filled with doubt, fear, and big questions about everything you thought you knew. It’s often a lonely road. But you are not alone.
In Fair Trade, courageous guests share candid stories of their spiritual journey — what they left behind, what they’re still figuring out, and what led them to Community of Christ. In their stories, many find not just faith, but a renewed sense of peace, identity, and purpose.
Watch for new episodes as they drop and listen in whenever you need a companion on the road of transformation.
Aug. 27, 2026
992 | Fair Trade | Gail Shurtleff | Ch2 | Pt2
Picking up right where they left off in Pt 1 (episode #990), This Fair Trade episode continues to explore what happens when a faith journey enters a new chapter—and how seeking, belonging, healing, and ministry can reshape our understanding of God and ourselves. Gail Shurtleff shares candid wisdom from her own journey into Community of Christ, emphasizing the importance of friendship, listening, accessibility, and creating safe spaces for those navigating profound transitions. Above all, Gail re...
Aug. 20, 2026
990 | Fair Trade | Gail Shurtleff | Ch2 | Pt1
What happens when faith asks you to slow down, listen, and trust the Spirit? In this powerful “Fair Trade: Chapter Two” conversation, Gail Shurtleff reflects on the unexpected twists, deep healing, and sacred callings that have shaped her journey into Community of Christ. From navigating a profound faith transition to helping build an online congregation and discovering new possibilities for spiritual community during the pandemic, Gail’s story is one of learning to recognize God’s timing—even w...
April 9, 2026
948 | Fair Trade | Mary Cusack | Part 2
In this meaningful second half of the conversation between host Robin Linkhart and her guest, Mary Cusack, Mary shares a deeply personal journey through grief, faith, and the search for belonging—ultimately discovering a spiritual home that celebrates her fully. From wrestling with exclusion and institutional barriers to experiencing profound connection through communion and community, her story is both honest and transformative. With courage and vulnerability, Mary reflects on finding purpose l...
March 26, 2026
942 | Fair Trade | Mary Cusack | Part 1
From a devout Catholic childhood in Brooklyn to the hard questions of identity, addiction, and faith, Mary Cusack’s story is one of honesty, struggle, and remarkable resilience. In this deeply personal conversation with host, Robin Linkhart, Mary reflects on growing up surrounded by the rituals and beauty of Catholic devotion while wrestling with the painful belief that who she was might be incompatible with the God she loved. Her journey reveals how faith can endure—even when everything you tho...
Oct. 20, 2025
907 | Fair Trade | Jordan Harmon | Pt. 2
The journey continues. In this second half of Robin Linkhart’s interview with Jordan Harmon, Jordan shares more about the dissonance that led him to explore other faiths, and his ultimate confirmation in Community of Christ. Jordan says he's still trying to figure out what it means to be “all in,” but he does know what it means to belong. For him, like for many...if not all... of us, trust and belonging are vital in a faith community. Listen to more Fair Trade episodes. Download Transcript Th...
Oct. 16, 2025
905 | Fair Trade | Jordan Harmon | Pt. 1
For anyone who has ever experienced a faith crisis or a faith transition, it’s good to know that you’re not alone. Here at Faith Unfiltered, we continue to hear stories that we find inspirational and encouraging. In this Fair Trade episode, you’ll hear the first part of Jordan Harmon’s faith journey. Listen carefully as he shares the good and the bad, the ups and the downs, and the ways in which his journey has strengthened him along the way... even when it didn’t feel good in the moment. Jordan...
Sept. 25, 2025
898 | Fair Trade | Jeff Toone | Pt 2
Balancing family life and church responsibilities can be difficult anytime. Add in a a faith crisis and, well, you can imagine how difficult that might be. Blake is back with Jeff Toone for part two of his story, and things only get worse before they get better. Jeff's faith crisis intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a significant shift in his beliefs. He and his family found a new community in the Community of Christ, appreciating its inclusivity and support. Hear about Jeff’s ...
Sept. 22, 2025
897 | Fair Trade | Jeff Toone | Pt 1
The journey is different for everyone. In this episode of Fair Trade, guest Jeff Tune shares his faith journey, starting from his upbringing in the LDS church in Utah. He describes his teenage rebellion, his decision to join the Coast Guard instead of going on a mission, and his experiences in nature that have changed his understanding of the importance of the environment. Jeff recounts his reconnection with his faith, his ordination as an elder, and his marriage to Jennifer. One thing is for su...
Sept. 19, 2025
895 | Fair Trade | Jennifer Toone | Pt 2
A life of trauma experienced in one’s faith journey is not easy to overcome. It takes a loving community that is willing to walk along with the individual ... allowing time and space for healing to take place and trust to be rebuilt. Patience and unconditional love are essential. Fortunately, that’s what Jennifer and her family have found in Community of Christ. Join host Blake Smith for part two of his conversation with Jennifer. Find out how the story has played out, and gain insight into how ...
Sept. 15, 2025
894 | Fair Trade | Jennifer Toone | Pt 1
Sometimes things don’t work out the way you’ve been told they’re supposed to ... or how they seem to be turning out for others. No matter how well you follow the rules. No matter how faithful you are, sometimes life just happens, and you have to figure out how to make sense of it all. In this Fair Trade episode (Part 1 of 2), Jennifer Toone shares her faith journey, starting from her childhood in California, where she encountered ostracism at church, and in school and leading into adulthood wher...
Sept. 4, 2025
889 | Fair Trade | MaryAnn Scott
The phrase “inclusive and genuine faith community” ought to be synonymous with church. It ought to be a given. However, as MaryAnn Scott shares with host, Robin Linkhart, in this Fair Trade episode, that is not always the case. Here, MaryAnn shares her faith transition story, detailing her upbringing in a large LDS family, her struggles with balancing faith and personal identity, and her eventual departure from the LDS Church. Driven by a desire for a supportive faith environment, she describes ...
Aug. 22, 2025
884 | Fair Trade | Michelle Phillips | Chapter 2
Faith transitions are often not a singular event. Rather, they are an ongoing journey. In this Fair Trade episode, host Robin Linkhart circles back to sit down with Michelle Phillips, to hear how her journey has continued – what she’s learned, what advice she has for others, and where she finds herself in ministry now and the days ahead. In Michelle’s continuing story, you’ll hear a deep sense of connection and an even deeper sense of hope for what lies ahead for the church if we’re willing to r...
Aug. 19, 2025
883 | Fair Trade | Matt Robertson | Part 2 of 2
The journey continues ... Matt Robertson’s journey, that is! In this episode of the Project Zion podcast, host Robin Linkhart continues her conversation with Matt Robertson about his journey from atheism to finding a new faith in Community of Christ. Matt shares his transition from a business career to teaching, influenced by his wife Heather. He describes his experiences with various religious communities and his disillusionment with the political climate in the USA today. Ultimately, Matt's se...
Aug. 15, 2025
881 | Fair Trade | Matt Robertson | Part 1 of 2
Community of Christ Doctrine and Covenants 161:3d reminds us that “the road to transformation travels both inward and outward.” In this episode of Fair Trade, Robin Linkhart sits down with Matt Robertson for part one of a two-part interview in which Matt describes his chaotic childhood home life, his deep religious commitment, and his eventual deconstruction of faith. He also shares how his fear of disrupting his family caused him to internalize much of the early struggles of his journey. In the...
Aug. 12, 2025
880 | Fair Trade | Miranda Giles
Settle in for another captivating story of faith transition as host Robin Linkhart sits down with Miranda Giles in this latest episode of Fair Trade. Raised in a strong Mormon family, Miranda felt a special calling but struggled with the church's conservative views, particularly on gender roles and LGBTQ+ issues. Listen in as Miranda shares the struggles and the newfound joys of her faith journey from a devout LDS background to joining Community of Christ. Listen to more captivating Fair Trade ...
Aug. 8, 2025
878 | Fair Trade | Jason Smith
Our faith journeys can be filled with ups and downs as well as drastic turns and re-turns. Host Robin Linkhart sits down with Jason Smith, a 48-year-old IT professional from Duncan, Oklahoma, who shares his faith journey from Southern Baptist to Community of Christ. Having become fascinated with Mormonism at 15, Jason tells of his engagement in anti-Mormon evangelism out of a love for the people rather than a hatred. Over time, he deconstructed his Baptist faith, and joined Community of Christ, ...
June 27, 2025
861 | Fair Trade | Emily Allen Nilsen
Imagine being torn between households where one taught that there is no God, and the other taught of a God whose followers were scared into submission. Then, imagine finding a place of respite and radical love in a family that offered an understanding of God that inspires that radical, inclusive love. This is the journey of faith that Emily Allen Nilsen experienced as a child. Journey with Emily and host, Blake Smith, as she shares her story of faith, love, and belonging in Community of Christ. ...
Aug. 13, 2024
743 | Fair Trade | Linda Stanbridge
Linda Stanbridge is no stranger to Project Zion Podcast. As an advocate for Harmony and the LGBTQIA+ community and as a minister of invitation, Linda has had lots of great things to share ... all of which have been laced with personal stories and passion. But there’s more to Linda’s story. She is back again, but this time it’s all about her personal faith transition story ... a story of searching for and finding a community that offered “a God that she could love,” and that, because of the ordin...
June 21, 2024
723 | Fair Trade | Andrew Webber
In this episode of the Project Zion Podcast, host Robin Linkhart sits down with Andrew Webber, a member of the Community of Christ congregation in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Andrew shares his personal journey from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) to his current faith home in the Community of Christ. He discusses the challenges and reflections that led him to question his beliefs, the impact of his father's death on his spiritual journey, and his eventual embrace of a new faith comm...
June 7, 2024
717 | Fair Trade | Jason Eyre | Chapter 2, Part 2
Jason and Robin are back for part 2 of Jason’s Fair Trade Story. In this episode, Robin zeroes in on Jason’s leadership roles since joining Community of Christ. Find out how true hospitality played a significant role in Jason’s move into this faith community as well as how that same deep hospitality continues to be foundational to his ministry as he engages with those whom God is calling he and his congregation to serve. Download Transcript Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us o...
May 31, 2024
715 | Fair Trade | Jason Eyre | Chapter 2, Part 1
Since joining Community of Christ in 2017, Jason Eyre has jumped in with reckless abandon....finding new ways to express his ministry and leadership giftedness. Jason first shared his faith transition story back in 2017, but has come back to tell of the things that he’s learned, and how he’s found his place in this sacred community. The story is so good that we had to split it up into two episodes. So, grab your cup of coffee and join host Robin Linkhart for part one. Then, stay tuned! We promis...
May 24, 2024
712 | Fair Trade | Andrew "Andy" Markle
Fair Trade is back, and this episode is full of deep insights resulting from our guest’s transparent sharing of his spiritual journey beginning in early childhood and spanning across multiple continents and faith traditions ... all of which ultimately led him and his husband to Community of Christ. You might need a large mug of coffee for this one! Join host Robin Linkhart as she “walks” beside Andrew Markle, listening to his long and painstaking journey of faith. Gain insights into how you can ...
June 16, 2023
593 | Fair Trade | Cristian Ramirez
Secrecy, intrigue, persecution, racism, talk of spies … not the things often associated with one’s faith journey, but definitely a part of the faith journey Cristian Ramirez has lived. From an early age, he was faced with questions of faith, and often without the support of his parents and friends. And things got much worse before they got better. How many people would stay “in the game” with so many things seemingly working against them? In this episode of Fair Trade, Cristian opens up to host ...
April 18, 2023
572 | Fair Trade | Alex Guerrero
Where can one find a place of rest while wrestling with faith, gender, and sexuality? For Alex Guerrero, it came in the form of three “grandmas,” a house church, and the Community of Christ. In this episode of Fair Trade, Alex opens up with good friend, Brittany Mangelson, about his story of struggle and transition, and how a congregation’s willingness to listen and learn created the restful space he so deeply needed. As you listen, you’ll gain insights into how you too might create space where ...