Faith and Feminism

Why is it so difficult to name sexual violence when it happens—even to ourselves? In this episode, we sit down with theologian and author Dr. Danielle Tumminio Hansen to discuss her book Speaking of Rape and the legacy of the Cornell 7. We explore why "Jane Doe" and so many survivors initially lack the linguistic frameworks to articulate their experience of rape, how systemic silence shapes trauma response, and what it takes to reclaim narrative agency when language itself feels missing.

For centuries, mainstream religious frameworks have leaned heavily on patriarchal language and imagery, often leaving the feminine aspect of the divine overlooked or marginalized. Today, we're joined by author and spiritual voice Sabra Engelbrecht to unpack her new book, Gifts of the Mother: An Advent Journey with the Sacred Feminine. We dive into institutional narratives, the liberation found in expanding our language around God, and how reclaiming the Mother aspect of the Divine invites deeper self-trust, healing, and spiritual autonomy.

Today on the podcast we talk to the Rev. Dr. Sarah Townes about what it looks like confronting Christian Nationalism on the ground-- and the suprising way to be effective.

For decades, abortion has galvanized entire voting blocks, turning deeply personal medical and moral decisions into rigid political battlegrounds. How did we get here, and what does it cost our spiritual health to treat abortion solely as a single-issue vote? Joining us is theologian and author Danielle Tumminio Hansen (Abortion and Spiritual Care). She challenges us to look past the political noise, examining how single-issue voting intersects with pastoral care, theological conviction, and the real lived experiences of people of faith.

How do we talk about faith, politics, and culture when everything feels so polarized? In this episode, host Meghan sits down with Corey Nathan, host of the Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other podcast. Together, they dive into how we can cross political and ideological divides with curiosity, humility, and grace rather than hostility.

What do you do when the religion you were handed stops working? You can double down on rigid control, or you can step into the unknown. Pastor and author Kristin Mockler Young joins us to dismantle the myth that real faith requires zero doubt. We're talking about shedding religious perfectionism, ditching performative dogma, and why trading absolute certainty for genuine curiosity will actually save your faith instead of destroying it.

"What if disability isn't a deficit?" It's a simple question that shatters centuries of cultural and religious conditioning—and Dr. Amy Kenny is leading the charge to answer it. Joining us today is Dr. Amy Kenny—award-winning author of My Body Is Not a Prayer Request—to walk us through her latest release, My Disability Is Divine.  Amy exposes the subtle (and glaring) ways ableism shows up in our daily habits and spiritual institutions. We dive into: How Scripture and nature celebrate disabled bodyminds. The difference between performative inclusion and true, structural accessibility. Why embracing interdependence is key to liberation for everyone.  

What if art isn't an elite luxury, but an act of divine care? In this episode, author and Juilliard-trained musician Dr. Merideth Hite Estevez joins us to discuss her book, Art Is How God Loves Us. We explore how breaking free from perfectionism, embracing everyday beauty, and viewing ourselves as "works in progress" can dismantle spiritual shame and reconnect us to a liberating God.

For generations, women in the church have been conditioned to mistrust their bodies, silence their voices, and view God almost exclusively through a patriarchal lens. Today on Faith and Feminism, Chelsea Kim Long breaks down what it means to be a "faithfully dissident daughter." Chelsea shares her personal journey through theology, motherhood, and contemplative wisdom, shedding light on how patriarchal structures harm both women and the church at large. We discuss practical ways to unlearn harmful doctrines, reconnect with sacred bodily wisdom, and cultivate a spiritual practice rooted in justice and wholeness.

Have you ever been told your workplace is "like a family"? In this episode, sociologist Dr. Sarah Mosseri joins us to discuss her book, Trust Fall: How Workplace Relationships Fail Us. She exposes how employers leverage emotional intimacy and relational trust to mask systemic inequity, burnout, and lack of real safety nets—a trap that disproportionately impacts women and marginalized workers performing heavy emotional labor.