Episodes

“Teach me, God, to Wonder, teach me, God, to see...” The opening words to a hymn by Walter Faquharson reflect the longing of someone to experience the beauty of God’s creation. In the midst of such beauty, many find peace and rest for their soul. In this episode of Awaken to God’s Presence, host Robin Linkhart invites listeners to imagine their favorite outside space where their soul feels completely at home... where they belong. Take a few minutes to rest as you join Robin for a moment of refle...

What if our mountaintop experiences weren’t just for our enjoyment? Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith in a brief exploration of Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush—a moment of holy ground, divine revelation, and a call to action on behalf of people who are suffering. Together, they challenge us to look beyond inward spiritual experiences and ask how our encounters with the sacred can move us toward justice, compassion, and service. Grab your coffee and join the conversation as we ...

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...

The women are at it again... thank goodness! In this episode of Coffee to Go, Karin Peter and Blake Smith explore the story of Moses’ beginnings in Exodus, highlighting the courageous disobedience of Shiphrah, Puah, Moses’ mother and sister, and Pharaoh’s daughter. Their conversation draws striking connections between ancient oppression, contemporary fears of immigrants and outsiders, and the ways privilege can shape our response to those we perceive as different. The episode invites us to pract...

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...

What relationships in your life are more important than any issue or event that may have broken them down? Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith for a brief exploration of Joseph’s emotional reunion with his brothers and sit with the challenging idea that every hardship isn’t always somehow part of God’s plan. Instead, consider where God is present when the blessing doesn’t come—and discover the deeper blessing found in healing, restored relationships, and reconciliation. Grab your coffee and j...

When family rivalry, favoritism, and betrayal send a young dreamer into a pit, things can get a little crazy. This week on Coffee to Go, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith explore the complicated story of Joseph and his brothers in Genesis 37, uncovering themes of injustice, human brokenness, and the ways we lift others up—or put them down. As Joseph’s story points toward a larger biblical narrative, we’re invited to examine our own relationships and ask: Who have I lifted up today, and who have ...

Great things can happen when a congregation stops asking, “How have we always done this?” and starts asking, “What does our community need now?” In this episode of What’s Brewing, Blake Smith talks with Brooke and Thomas Schlenker of Highland Park, WA Congregation about their sacred (and un-conditional) yes to congregational leadership and to new ideas ... embracing experimentation, and becoming comfortable with the discomfort of change. Highland Park offers a compelling glimpse of what can happ...

There are times when we take our bodies for granted... abusing them with lengthy to-do lists of tasks that test the limits of our capacity. We go about our lives as if the “vessels” we have been given are unshakable, unbreakable, and without limits. How often do we thank others for the things they do for us, yet forget to take time to thank our bodies for getting us through the day? Join host Shannon McAdam for a blessing of the body. Take time to acknowledge and give thanks for the body you hav...

Wrestling with God can be painful, but it just might be worth it if it transforms us. In this episode of Coffee to Go, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith explore Jacob’s mysterious nighttime struggle in Genesis 32—and the lasting mark it leaves on him. Be prepared to reflect on the ways our own encounters with God, uncertainty, and the sacred can leave us changed, sometimes even limping into a new way of being. As we wrestle with the questions and challenges of our own lives, we’re invited to slo...

In this latest episode of Chai Can’t Even, host Robin Linkhart sits down with David Wilson, a lifelong member of Community of Christ, who shares his journey from growing up in a church-centric family in Detroit to his current active involvement. David recounts his early church experiences, including youth activities and the impact of changes like the call of women to the priesthood, open communion, acceptance of LGBTQ+ members, and the name change to Community of Christ. David's story highlights...

What if nothing—not suffering, rejection, failure, or even our deepest pain—could separate us from the love of God? Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith as they explore Romans 8:26–39 and Paul’s powerful assurance that God’s love is not reserved for a select few but is expansive, extravagant, and available to all. Reflect on how divine love meets us in the midst of suffering and calls us to become people who practice that same lavish love through compassion, justice, peace, and deep listening....

What if the most powerful way to change hearts and minds is simply to invite someone into your family? In this moving episode of Grounds for Peace, Palestinian American filmmaker Monear Shaer shares the deeply personal story behind his documentary Gaza Is Our Home, offering an intimate window into his family, the beauty of life in Gaza, and the devastating realities they have endured. Joined by hosts, Linda Stanbridge and Blake Smith, Monear explores the power of storytelling to restore humanity...

Belonging matters! What does it mean to find a place where you truly belong? Join hosts, Karin Peter and Blake Smith, as they explore Jacob's dream at Bethel (Genesis 28:10–19) as a story of pilgrimage, migration, and unexpected encounters with God's presence. Reflect on how our journeys—whether across borders, through life's transitions, or back to cherished places—shape our identity and reveal that our deepest home is found in God's abiding presence. Listen to more episodes in the Coffee to G...

Even as air quality warnings have been issues as a result of raging fires in the Western USA, we once again find ourselves in the midst of camping season, So, while campgrounds are on our minds, why not think creatively about how to sustain those resources while contributing to environmental justice? As you’ll hear in this episode in the Climate Brewing Series that originally aired in July of 2024, there are several things we can do. Join host Susan Oxley, as she sits down with fellow Climate Ju...

Are you playing it safe with your life, or are you scattering your gifts with reckless abandon? In this episode of Coffee to Go, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith dig into the famous Parable of the Sower from the Gospel of Matthew. Positioned in the midst of "Ordinary Time"—the liturgical season built for growing in our discipleship—this scripture challenges us to look closely at the soil of our own hearts. Listen to other episodes in the Coffee to Go series. Download the transcript. Thanks f...

The wait is over! In this episode of Grounds for Peace, host Blake Smith sits down with Joelle Wight, director of the upcoming 2026 Peace Forum, to talk about the highly anticipated return of the church's flagship peace event. Joelle shares how we can embrace "faithful disagreement" with wonder, what to expect from the brand-new Creative Reuse Pop-Up, and the incredibly inclusive ways for adults, youth, and global online congregations to participate. Secure your early bird registration before S...

There is no shame in being thankful for one’s blessings, especially as they relate to one’s country of origin or residence...as long as the gratitude is grounded in an understanding that God doesn’t favor any one nation over another. After all, God is God of all the nations. It’s important to remember that people everywhere are God’s children ... all of whom have common hopes and dreams. Join host Robin Linkhart for a spiritual practice of dwelling in a hymn that helps us remember just that. Thi...

We could all use some rest... right? In this episode of Coffee to Go, Karin and Blake explore Jesus' invitation in Matthew 11 to move beyond the exhausting patterns of busyness, striving, and self-sufficiency into a life of rest, learning, and faithful discipleship. Reflecting on the image of "infants in faith," they discuss the openness, trust, and humility that allow us to receive God's wisdom and grace. Grab a cup of your favorite beverage and settle in for a timely reminder that true whol...

What is the Christian Church? Why is it important for Christians to meet together in fellowship and worship? In a social climate where division and marginalization of others seem to be trending in the wrong direction, it’s important for us to remember the place and purpose of the Church. Join host Carla Long and guests Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith for this discussion on various models the church can be and its theological purpose as they explore the term "ecclesiology," which originally aired...

Things are heating up in Rome! Paul's passionate challenge in Romans 6:12–23 pushes his listeners (and ours) to choose a life shaped by grace rather than the forces that pull us away from God's purposes. Join Karin and Blake as they unpack difficult biblical language around righteousness and slavery, reframing righteousness as radical mercy, compassion, and hospitality that go beyond what is expected. Listen in, and then reflect on the influences that control your life and consider what...

What happens when a congregation stops trying to do everything on its own and starts partnering with its community? In this inspiring episode of What's Brewing, Robin Linkhart talks with Ruth Richardson about how the Kirkwood Community of Christ congregation transformed a simple outreach effort into a thriving ministry of dignity, generosity, and relationship. Through partnerships with Kirk Care and countless community volunteers, Ruth shares how taking a faithful risk created ripple effects of ...

Although some people see it as such, grace is not a free pass to sin! In this episode of Coffee to Go, Karin Peter and Blake Smith explore the idea of "newness of life" offered through Christ. Together they wrestle with the tension between grace and discipleship, reminding listeners that grace is not a license to remain unchanged but an invitation to walk a new path. Join them as they reflect on how God's grace accompanies us every step of the journey toward transformation and freedom. Listen t...

Do you have to be religious to live a good life? In this thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation, Shannon McAdam and Jack Hindle explore what it really means to be a "good person" through the lenses of honesty, self-reflection, compassion, grace, and community. Together they wrestle with questions about spirituality, accountability, human nature, and the challenge of choosing what is right over what is comfortable. Along the way, they discover that a good life may be less about having all the a...