Episodes

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...

The climate emergency is not going away and neither are host Susan Oxley and guest Bill McClain. In this episode of Climate Brewing, Susan and Bill McClain explore how smart climate policy can drive both environmental and economic progress. From electric school buses and wildfire mitigation to salmon restoration and EV infrastructure, the conversation highlights how climate action is already improving lives across Washington state. Bill also explains how Clean and Prosperous America is working n...

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....

Capitalism is in the spotlight again! In this follow up to Part 1 of Climate Brewing: On the Road to a Sustainable Capitalism, host Susan Oxley continues her conversation with Bill McClain, exploring how capitalism might evolve into a more just and sustainable system. Through discussions of the “triple bottom line,” stakeholder capitalism, waste and circular economies, and the limits of short-term profit thinking, Bill argues that what we measure in business truly shapes what we value. Together,...

February is a month that has been established as Black History Month. Wouldn’t it be great if we didn’t need a month dedicated to persons and voices that have not otherwise been acknowledged for their incredible contributions to our shared history? Join host Blake Smith for this time of meditation meant to focus our attention on the forgotten and/or silenced voices that are equally important in the telling of our story. Pause for a few minutes to consider the choices each of us needs to make so ...

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 ...

Is capitalism driving the climate crisis—or could it help save us? In this episode of Climate Brewing, host Susan Oxley talks with Bill McClain, University of Washington instructor, about why business may hold the greatest power for real climate action. Together, they challenge common assumptions about profit, corporate ownership, and the so-called “free market.” Bill introduces the idea of shifting from shareholder capitalism to stakeholder capitalism, where workers, communities, and even the p...

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...

Robin Linkhart is back with Nancy Ross and Larissa Kanno Kindred for part two of their conversation about their book, Mormon Garments: Sacred and Secret. We often take for granted the clothes that we and others wear, but when what one wears is closely tied to their experience of religion and belief, it can be either comforting or deeply destructive. In this No Filter episode (Rated PG; may not be suitable for all audiences), say more about what they found as they did the research for the book al...

Once again, host Robin Linkhart leads a meditation session encouraging listeners to connect with the divine amidst life's challenges. This session emphasizes the importance of noticing subtle signs of wisdom and meaning, as exemplified by the Magi's journey to find a sacred light in a humble setting. Here, you’ll be invited to reflect on your own "star," the guiding force in your life, and to trust curiosity and movement rather than certainty. Listen to more episodes in the Awaken to God’s Pres...

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...

When what one wears is closely tied to their experience of religion and belief, it can be either comforting or deeply destructive. In this No Filter episode (Rated PG; may not be suitable for all audiences), host Robin Linkhart sits down Nancy Ross and Larissa Kanno-Kindred to talk about their new book, Mormon Garments: Sacred and Secret, in which they explore the impact of Mormon garments on believers' lives, focusing on the intersection of belief, gender, and social regulation. The conversatio...

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...

Maybe you’ve been told to put your money where your mouth is, but have you ever been told to put your money where your values are? In this What’s Brewing episode, we take a step away from doing mission to exploring a new way to make mission possible. Blake Smith hosts Karsten Kaczmar, founder of Real Hope Advisors, to discuss values-based financial management. Karsten emphasizes that everyone has wealth, not just the financially affluent, and shares his journey from financial instability to help...