Theology Episodes

Everything in his life and ministry brought him to this day... and the opposition thought they had won. But we know the story doesn’t end here, and we can call it Good Friday. Unfortunately, for those who were present on that day, there was little good about that day. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a reading of the Good Friday story from the Gospel according to John and a blessing. Then, let us wait together. Listen to more episodes in the Coffee to Go series. Download the Transcri...

It’s the night before the Passover... the last night that Jesus will have with the disciples ... to be their leader and to give them advise ... and instead of a lecture, he takes off his outer robe, kneels in front of them and washes their feet. It makes you wonder if what you value in a leader or strive for in your own leadership qualities is what Jesus had in mind. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith, as they help us think more deeply about what we value in ourselves and in others. Listen ...

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, but this familiar story carries deeper layers than we often notice. In this episode of Coffee to Go, Karin Peter and Blake Smith explore Matthew’s account of Jesus entering Jerusalem through insights from New Testament scholar Amy-Jill Levine, revealing the bold risk and intentional symbolism behind the moment. Amid the chaos of a crowded Passover festival and the watchful presence of Roman power, Jesus’ humble procession on a donkey becomes a striki...

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...

As Lent draws to a close, this episode of Coffee to Go reflects on the powerful story of the raising of Lazarus in Gospel of John 11. Hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith explore what the story reveals about grief, faith, and the surprising ways God’s presence meets us in life’s most difficult moments. Rather than seeing suffering as something caused by God, they consider how moments of loss can become opportunities for God’s love and healing to be revealed. The conversation invites listeners to as...

Grab a cup of your beverage of choice and settle in for Faith Unfiltered Podcast’s newest addition. In this introductory episode of Second Cup, hosts Jack Hindle and Shannon McAdam invite listeners into thoughtful, honest conversations about faith, doubt, and the questions that shape our lives. Drawing from their very different backgrounds, they explore what it means to be religious, Christ-like, or simply human in a complex world. Along the way, they reflect on how curiosity, art, and lived exp...

In this episode of Coffee to Go, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith explore the powerful and complex story from Gospel of John 9:1–41, where Jesus heals a man born blind. As they wrestle with difficult questions about blame, suffering, and faith, the conversation moves beyond ancient assumptions to examine how modern people still search for someone to blame when life goes wrong. Together, they reflect on what it means to truly “see”—and how spiritual blindness can show up in judgment, labels, and...

Grab a beverage and settle in at The Cafe, part of the Brewed Awakenings series, where panelists Nicole Sherer and Mary Cusack explore what it truly means to pursue peace in today’s polarized world. Drawing from different generations and life experiences, they reflect on how peace is practiced not only through public action like nonviolent protest, but also through everyday choices, courageous conversations, and personal transformation. From college classrooms to community activism, the discussi...

In the middle of cultural tension, gender barriers, and social division, Jesus chooses conversation, compassion, and connection—revealing living water where others might only see boundaries. Together, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith invite listeners to hear the story with fresh ears, imagining the real voices, emotions, and lived experiences behind the text. The episode highlights how belonging can come before believing and how one unexpected encounter can spark a powerful witness of faith. As...

On this Second Sunday of Lent, Coffee to Go journeys into Gospel of John 3:1–17 and the midnight questions of Nicodemus. What does it really mean to be “born from above”—and why are we so desperate for clear, concrete answers? Hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith explore the tension between certainty and trust, grace and effort, and the radical claim that God’s love is for the whole world—not just the “right” believers. Instead of clinging to John 3:16 as a simple formula, they invite us to linger ...

Beware all carnivores... and yes, that includes all of us at Faith Unfiltered Podcast. Climate Brewing host, Susan Oxley sits down with Sally Eales to explore the connection between plant-based eating and the climate crisis. Moving beyond headlines about methane and “cow burps,” Sally unpacks the deeper environmental impact of industrial meat production—from land use to rainforest clearing—while grounding the conversation in faith, stewardship, and personal responsibility. This is not an all-or-...

Hungry? How well would you hold up against temptation if you had been wandering in the wilderness for 40 days and someone offered you a loaf of bread? Be honest! Lent is here and, of course, it’s the time of year when we intentionally focus our life in relationship to life of Jesus, and consider the things that distract us from our covenant of discipleship. No wonder folks in the olden days covered themselves in sackcloth and ashes. Being honest with ourselves can be hard, and saying, “the devil...

Welcome to The Cafe, the latest addition to the Faith Unfiltered Podcast family and the Brewed Awakening series. Grab your coffee or tea, or whatever makes you feel most grateful and kick back for a casual conversation among friends. In this episode of The Cafe, you’ll hear about serviceberries, generosity, and reciprocity. Panelists Nick Keehler and Linda Stanbridge are joined by guest Blake Smith to talk about gift economies and how they can change the world one relationship, one life, and one...

“If you humble yourself before the Lord” ... you will be in the perfect position for Lent. In this Ash Wednesday episode of Coffee to Go, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith turn to Psalm 51 – the ultimate example of humility and repentance, to think about the importance of self-reflection and turning our hearts toward God for a good “cleaning.” But beware, cleaning the heart takes on special meaning in the Hebrew scriptures. Asking for a clean heart is asking for a whole lot more than just gettin...

A little more time on the mountain, and a lot more light! In this episode of Coffee to Go, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith invite listeners into the luminous mystery of Transfiguration Sunday, the powerful turning point that bridges the season of Epiphany and the beginning of Lent. Join Karin and Blake on the mountain with Jesus, Peter, James, John, and a couple of unexpected guests. See how God’s glory is illuminated in Jesus. And then, spend some time exploring what God is illuminating in yo...

Christians always have to look out for the welfare of others, but they don’t always have to be sweet. According to the Bible, being “salty” is actually a good thing...especially when it adds “flavor!” After all, no one likes a “tasteless” Christian. You can take that for what it’s worth. And, while you're at it, don’t forget to shine a little light along the way... on others so that their value might be uplifted, and on the injustices of the world so that they might be called out and eliminated....

You are blessed... and you are blessed, but thoughts, prayers and blessings may not be enough. At least not for the poor and the marginalized and the outcast ... and, well you get the idea. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a walk through the beatitudes found in the fifth chapter of Matthew. Pay close attention to whom Jesus says is blessed, and why. We’ll give you a hint ... he’s not talking to the rich and powerful. He’s talking to those who are living and acting in the middle of the ...

What are you willing to risk for the mission of Christ? The price was pretty high for John the Baptist, the disciples, and especially for Jesus himself. Going against the grain is rarely easy. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a conversation that touches on the counter-cultural nature of Jesus' Kingdom, the marginalized status of the first disciples, and the urgency of taking risks for restoration, reconciliation, and healing. Listen to other episodes in the Coffee to Go series. Downl...

It’s time to meet the rest of the panel for the new Brewed Awakenings panel series. From extroverts with lots to say to introverts trying to find a voice and fill up space, there is room for everyone at this table. Join host Blake Smith in a sit-down with the other half of the panel, Nick Keehler, Mary Cusack, and Linda Stanbridge, who will be bringing hard conversations about important topics to the forefront. Listen in to find out why they agreed to be on the panel and what areas of social jus...

If we could learn one thing from John the Baptist, it ought to be that being a disciple means pointing others toward Jesus ... with our actions, with our words, and with the way we treat others. It’s not about drawing the attention of others toward us. In this episode of Coffee to Go, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith focus on how John points toward Jesus ... the one who takes away the sin of the world ... the one of whom John said, “after me comas a man who ranks ahead of me because he was befo...

Ever wished the church would talk about a topic that mattered to you, but didn’t because it was too edgy or too politically charged or just not “appropriate” to discuss in public? You are not alone. In this new series, Brewed Awakenings, you're sure to hear conversations that will get you thinking. In this introductory episode, you’ll meet and hear from some of the panelists who are passionate about social justice and they’re not afraid to talk about it. Find out why they’re here and allow their...

Walk towards the light!! Don’t worry, not “that” light... the star in the East. Join Karin Peter, Blake Smith, and the Magi on a trip to see the one who has been promised. On this Sunday of Epiphany we walk toward the light that is Jesus ... a light that is for all people and draws them to follow on a journey that symbolizes seeking and honoring God. Once you’ve made this trip, you’ll likely go home a “different way,” seeing the world from a different perspective. At least we hope so. Learn mor...

In the beginning was the Word ... and the Word was God. He was most definitely not a book. The book didn’t come until much later! We all know that words have the power to lift up and to tear down. Jesus was fully human and fully divine, but we are only human. We are not the Word, and yet our words hold power too. Listen in as Karin and Blake talk about the importance of making your words a light in the darkness. What you say and how you say it can make a difference. Listen to more episodes in t...

Merry Christmas again! That’s right, it’s still the Christmas season. And, in the passage for this episode of Coffee to Go, we find Mary and Joseph on the move... fleeing an oppressive empire for safety’s sake. The story for those who remain is gruesome, but such is often the case when those in power will do anything to maintain their power. In this case, we find Herod slaughtering all infants who might fit the description of the rumored “savior.” Rather than fleeing, join hosts Karin Peter and ...