Beauty is Oxygen with Wesley Vander Lugt

Dr. Howell talks with Rev. Kate Murphy, pastor of The Grove in Charlotte and author of Lost, Hidden, Small: Finding the Way of Jesus Where We Never Think to Look. She reflects on the gap between the Jesus we meet in Scripture and the habits of the modern church, and why seeking God in discomfort, smallness, and unlikely places can reshape our faith. Rev. Murphy earned both an M.Div. and an STM from Boston University School of Theology.

Dr. Howell talks with Dr. Mary Martha Bledsoe Felkner, a beloved pediatrician and author of In the Room: A Physician's Reflections on Hurting, Healing, and Living. She shares stories from her years of caring for children and families, the lessons she learned about waiting, listening, and presence, and how those experiences shaped her writing. Dr. Felkner received her medical degree from the UNC School of Medicine and completed her residency at Vanderbilt University.

Dr. Howell talks with Jennifer Vollmer about the inequality and injustice in our court and justice systems, and how community support and court advocacy help people going through these difficult processes. Jennifer is the co-founder and executive director of the North Carolina Community Justice Center and works directly with the justice system to help people navigate the system.

Dr. Howell talks with Shannon Klug, an Air Force veteran, parent, and activist, about how individuals and faith communities can help prevent gun violence and build a culture of responsibility, compassion, and care. Shannon shares her experiences and highlights how thoughtful conversations and small actions can lead to real change. Shannon is the Be SMART Lead for North Carolina and a member of the Everytown Veteran Advisory Council. She encourages responsible gun ownership and empowers families and communities to promote safety, connection, and hope.

Dr. James Howell talks with Dr. Ben Gosden, senior pastor at Trinity United Methodist Church in Savannah, GA, about recovery and his new book, Grace Rediscovered: Finding Hope and Healing Through Faith and Recovery. Ben earned his M.Div and D. Min at Candler School of Theology. Ben is a husband, father, and Jesus follower. He is also a person who lives to be sober one day at a time in the hope that God's greatest work comes out of our deepest wounds.

Dr. Howell talks with Boris Henderson about the impacts of gentrification and displacement in communities, and how churches and other organizations can support justice, community engagement, and housing stability in vulnerable neighborhoods. Boris is the Senior Director of Community Engagement & Philanthropy at Aldersgate. He holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Hood Theological Seminary and has served in leadership roles at Charlotte‐Mecklenburg Housing Partnership and on the board of Habitat for Humanity International.

In this special episode, Dr. Jonathan Page of the Virginia Conference of the United Methodist Church (VAUMC) interviews Dr. Howell about the election and spirituality as part of their series, Voting While Christian. As the 2024 U.S. Presidential Election draws nearer, the VAUMC will share resources with their conference on topics ranging from how to have hard conversations to the impact on community organizing and advocacy in light of the current social and political climate, a climate that local churches and individuals must navigate as people of faith. Check out their page at https://vaumc.org/votingwhilechristian/.  

Dr. Howell speaks with Marty Folsom, a relational theologian and counselor, about the theology of Karl Barth and how we can find freedom through a relationship with God. Folsom holds a PhD in Theology from the University of Otago and has authored numerous books including two recent volumes of Karl Barth's Church Dogmatics for Everyone. 

Dr. Howell discusses the state of the church, technology, and AI with Tim Dalrymple, President and CEO of Christianity Today. Dalrymple was the founder and CEO of Polymath Innovations, held multiple leadership positions at Patheos, and was a teaching fellow at Harvard University. He has degrees in Philosophy and Religious Studies from Stanford, an MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a PhD in Religion from Harvard's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. 

Dr. Howell talks with Tommy Tomlinson about his experiences in journalism and writing and his new book, Dogland: Passion, Glory, and Lots of Slobber at the Westminster Dog Show.  For 23 years, Tomlinson was a reporter and columnist for the Charlotte Observer, where he was a finalist for the 2005 Pulitzer Prize in commentary. He has written for Esquire, ESPN the Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Garden & Gun, and many other publications.