Theology Episodes

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 ...

Merry Christmas! After a brief hiatus through Advent, Karin and Blake are back in the host seat with a new episode of Coffee to Go ... just in time for Christmas. Join Karin and Blake and all of the familiar characters of the very familiar Christmas story. Rejoice with the angels and the shepherds... for unto YOU is born this day ... a savior. Listen to more episodes in the Coffee to Go series. Download Transcript Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! ...

Somebody’s got some explaining to do. Mary may not doubt like Zechariah, but she’s not taking this without a little pushback. A baby. Are you kidding me? Well, in fact, Gabriel wasn’t kidding. Join Coffee to Go co-hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a look into Mary’s angel encounter and what that meant for her, and for us. It could be that there is more going on here than what you find in a Precious Moments nativity. Listen to more episodes in the Coffee to Go series. Download Transcript T...

On this third Sunday of Advent, we find ourselves journeying with someone other than Jesus. Instead, we’re hanging out with the camel hair-wearing, locust-eating John the Baptist. It seems that Jesus wasn’t the only one the religious leaders were willing to interrogate. Join hosts, Karin Peter and Blake Smith as they wander with John … clearly NOT Jesus, but rather the one that points to him. Perhaps we can pick up a few pointers from John as we wait for the true “light” to come. Listen to more...

Are you ready to be fully immersed in something new? Put on your seatbelts and hold on to your hats. Today’s lectionary passage comes from Mark and he doesn’t waste any time with a beautiful birth narrative or an account of divine lineage. It’s straight to the business of preparing the way for the one greater than I/us. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a closer look at the task given to John the Baptist, and to us. You’ll get a chance to consider what opportunities you ought to conside...

In this Extra Shot episode, originally posted in December of 2016, author and former pastor, Debbie Blue, shares a sermon on “Mary the Magnificat.” Debbie is the author of Magnificat: A God Who Never Stopped Considering Women. Grab a cup of your favorite brew and listen in as Debbie shakes things up a little. It’s a perfect way to start the Advent season. Listen to other episodes in the Extra Shot series. Download Transcript Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and ...

It may be the beginning of a season of waiting, but not here at Project Zion! Co-hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith jump right into the new Lectionary year … journeying with Jesus through the gospel narratives. That’s right, we’re journeying with Jesus and waiting for him to be born. The important thing is that, on this First Sunday of Advent, as the world around us seems to be awash in darkness, we know that just around the corner, the light is coming! Be awake!! Listen to more episodes in the ...

“Did I do that?!” When Urkel asked that question in the TV show “Family Matters,” it was usually because he had done something wrong. But that is not the case when referring to Christ’s mission and the Reign of Christ. As a matter of fact, we should hope that the answer would be a resounding “Yes.” Join co-hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith as they discuss this week’s journey with Jesus, where Jesus is summarizing through parable what really separates the “sheep” from the “goats.” Then ask yourse...