Episodes

Life in a small town is only boring if you let it be. Take Lamoni, Iowa and Graceland University. In this episode of Coffee in the Swarm, guest Savanah Marshall gives us a glimpse of all the ways you can fill your time with things that make a difference in your life and in the lives of others. And... you don’t have to be a student athlete. Join cohosts Levi Triplett and Mike Hoffman for an energetic discussion as they help us get to know Savanah. You’ll get a sense of the excitement that comes f...

In need of an “oil change?” Or, perhaps your oil is just running a little low and you need to top it off. Either way, the time is now... don’t wait! What’s all this talk about oil, you ask? Well, join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith … along with the wise and foolish bridesmaids (hint... hint) for this episode of Coffee to Go to hear about how oil is a metaphor for our commitment to follow Jesus... at least in this week’s text. And, for the record, when it comes to discipleship, having a backup...

Since 1978, Community of Christ has had a World Hunger Fund. 45 years later, that fund is still making a difference in the lives of people around the world. The current World Hunger Team works to use those funds for the purposes of income generation, sustainable projects, clean water supplies, education, and empowering women. Join host Carla Long and guest Apostle Richard James in this episode of What’s Brewing to find out more about the work of the World Hunger Team. You’ll hear about the place...

When we consider the deeper meaning of grace (beyond the prayer that one says before a meal), we cannot help but think of generosity. Grace is a gift from God offered without condition and without end. God’s generous gift of grace in our lives, in turn, evokes a deep sense of gratitude. In this episode of Awaken to God’s Presence, host Wendy Brian, leads us in a reflection of that abundant grace and the ways in which grace and generosity, interwoven with gratitude are the foundation for new rela...

Do you have phylacteries and long tassels (fancy cars, designer clothing and accessories, etc.) that you like to show off as a symbol of your status? Though there’s nothing wrong with having those things, how you display them, and for what reason, might matter. The same is true for your life as a disciple. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith, as they discuss what Jesus had to say about those who choose status and power over humility and servanthood. No judgment here. Just honest reflection in...

The Apostle Paul asks the question in relation to the love of God, but it’s time for us to ask the question in relation to our relationships with God, with each other and with all of creation. Better yet, perhaps we could ask the question, “What can bring us together?” In this episode of Coffee Connect, host Blake Smith reflects on the importance of relationships and connections. Our hearts should break at the knowledge that there are those who have been separated for any reason, and we should b...

Who are the “Saints” in your life? You know, the ones that have been a positive influence in your life. The ones that have modeled grace and generosity and unconditional love. In this special episode of Coffee to Go, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith talk a bit about the importance of honoring those who have gone before us and remembering the impact they’ve had in our lives. But wait, being a disciple calls us to the same responsibility with regard to others. Where might your name fall in the li...

Goblins, Ghouls, and Ghosts … no way. Not on Project Zion Podcast. The only “Ghost” you’ll find talked about here is the Holy Ghost (a.k.a. Holy Spirit), which is anything but returning from the dead. The Holy Spirit is alive and well, and in this episode host Carla Long sits down with Director of Formation Ministries, Katie Harmon-McLaughlin, to get the inside spook … scoop … on spiritual practices that help us grow in our relationship with God. No tricks here, but treats abound!! Download Tra...

When you get to the point that you’re asking Jesus which of the commandments (laws) is the greatest, you’re either trying to trick him, or you’re looking for a loophole! If your intent is to trick, be prepared to have the tables turned on you. If your intent is to find a loophole, well … good luck with that. Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith in this episode of Coffee to Go as they “throw a little love around.” After all, it all boils down to love … God’s love? Download Transcript Thanks f...

We’ve all learned that some things in life are inevitable. Change is one of them. But, none of us has ever experienced change as rapidly and constantly like the change that was thrust on us by the COVID pandemic. In this episode of What’s Brewing, host Blake Smith welcomes university professor, avid observer and long-time church member, Kelly Phipps, for a look into post-pandemic trends in the church. Be prepared to do a lot of head nodding, as Kelly puts words to what we’ve all been experiencin...

Wild Ram of the Mountains, Militia Colonel, Devout Smithite, and Renegade Apostle … just a few of the name, titles and roles by which Lyman Wight’s was known. Grab a “cuppa joe,” and join host Karin Peter as she sits down with author and historian Melvin Johnson for an inside look at Wight’s adventures and journeys in and around Texas. Melvin presented his lecture, “Lyman Wight and Mormon Trains in Texas Dust: The Wild Ram and his flock in the Texas Hill Country before 1860,” as part of Communit...

Most everyone wants to belong … to a group or organization or sacred community, but not many folks will admit wanting to belong to someone. It’s a good thing, then, that God is not just any some “one.” And, from the day of our conception, and made public in the waters of baptism, we belong to God. It doesn’t matter whose head is imprinted on the coins in our pockets. God’s image is imprinted on our hearts. In this episode of Coffee to Go, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith take a look at what’s r...

Working for the Church is nothing new for newly set apart President of Seventy, Joelle White, who comes from a distinguished line of retired church appointees. And, rather than going the way of some “preacher’s kids,” Joelle has found herself immersed in Christ’s Mission. Her passion for and understanding of the Worth of All Persons brought her to the intersection of her collegiate studies and a career as a full-time minister. Join host, Robin Linkhart in this new category of podcasts we’re call...

A new school year has kicked off, and it’s time to head back to The Swarm. In this first episode of the 2023-2024 school year, host Mike Hoffman sits down with co-hosts Aliyah Farrell and Levi Triplett to help us get to know them a little better. Aliyah and Levi are both first-year students and are very excited to join the Project Zion team at Graceland University. Grab your favorite beverage and listen in as we welcome Aliyah and Levi. Download Transcript Thanks for listening to Faith Unfilte...

What do you wear to a party? You might say, “Well, it depends on what type of party it is, when it is and where it’s being held.” What if we told you that the party is every day, in every circumstance, and Jesus is the host? The reality is that you, and all of God’s children, have been invited to a “feast.” Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith as they journey with Jesus to a “wedding feast,” and see how what you “wear” is more important than you might think. Download Transcript Thanks for li...

Believe it or not, marriage didn’t start with Christianity! Cultures across time and across the globe have long sought to understand the intricacies of human covenant relationship. In this episode of Percolating on Faith, host Robin Linkhart talks with Tony and Charmaine Chvala-Smith about the long journey that brought us, Community of Christ (and Christianity in general), to our current understanding of the sacrament of marriage. They look at historical background, theological shifts, and cultu...

To be in his presence was to be in the presence of true humility, gentle compassion, and prophetic courage. There is no shortage of stories about this man who touched, inspired and transformed the lives of so many. Unfortunately, we can’t tell them all. But, in this episode, host Blake Smith, along with special guests Julie Smith (daughter) and Teppy Dimmitt (granddaughter), share personal stories and the stories submitted by members from across the church. These stories provide a glimpse into t...

It’s all about the fruit! So, what kind of fruit are you producing and harvesting? You wouldn’t want to be an unproductive “tenant” would you? This week’s journey with Jesus finds him facing off with some of the chief priests and Pharisees... again! Join hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith as they explore the Parable of the Tenants. Find some ways that you might share focus on the “fruits” of God’s reign in your life and the lives of those with whom you journey. Download Transcript Thanks for li...

This is the third in a series of four podcasts honoring the life and ministry of Wally B Smith. This episode first aired on July 25, 2023. Controversy, disjunctive revelation, significant change, a new temple, and a connection to essential meaning. This episode of Cuppa Joe continues the theo-history saga with resident panel members, Lach Machay and Tony Chvala-Smith, sitting down with host, Karin Peter to take a look at the Wallace B. Smith era in the church. Grab your coffee and settle in for ...

With few exceptions, we all engage in several different communities as we travel through our daily lives. Community, after all, is simply a group of people with whom we share something in common (family, work environment, neighborhoods, church, etc.). Only we can say which of those communities are a blessing to us, and to which of those communities we seek to be a blessing. In today’s episode of “Awaken to God’s Presence,” host Wendy Brian takes us through a guided meditation on Community of Chr...

When it comes to matters of faith, it’s sometimes hard to know whether to stand up or to stay quiet. Today’s episode finds hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith journeying with Jesus in Jerusalem as the religious leaders are questioning Jesus about his authority. And, no surprise, Jesus has a question or two of his own that leaves them speechless. The question is, will we be speechless when we are called on to stand up for our faith and claim without embarrassment that which we say we believe? And, ...

This is the second in a series of four Project Zion Episodes honoring the memory of Wally B. Smith. This episode originally aired on September 4, 2019. Most members of Community of Christ are familiar with W. Wallace Smith and his son Wallace B Smith, who served as Presidents of Community of Christ, but we don’t always get to hear from church leaders’ families. Today we’ve invited Julie Smith, daughter of Wallace B., to share some of her experiences growing up in the church with her grandpa and ...

Project Zion is pleased to repost this interview that Josh and Brittany had with President-Emeritus Wallace B. Smith as part of our series to honor the life and ministry of “Wally B.” Listen to Wally’s story of going into medicine, serving in the military in aviation medicine under the doctor draft law, and taking up his own practice in medicine. Listen as he relates his dad’s presidency up to the time of him being called as president-designate when he prepared by taking courses with St. Paul’s ...

“That’s not fair!” is a common response to today’s gospel passage. But, then again, nothing is in the Kingdom of God … thank goodness! If things were “fair” we might get what we actually deserve rather than the grace and unconditional love offered to us freely by God. This week, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith take us on a journey with Jesus as he shares the parable of the laborers in the vineyard. Imagine the frustration of those hearing this passage who wonder if “they’ve been good all of th...