Ravel

After listening to the two episodes Emily and Stephen did without him, Josh takes the chance to speak with Stephen about questions he had about his experience so far at the Methodist church and whether or not Stephen might be finally ready to adopt his coined term, "Christian-ish Agnostic". Stephen is skeptical, but open. Emily is unfortunately not here today.Host RecommendationsStephen: browse and add Calendars of Interest in Google CalendarsJosh: Handy subscription servicesJoin us:Join our free Discord community by emailing us at theravelpod@gmail.com for an invite link!Take a minute to drop us a 5-star rating and a 1-2 sentence review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Credits:Theme Song: In Full Color by Louie Zong on Spotify and BandcampArtwork: Yarn and Ravel by Dixie Lee Henning @dixieleedrawsProduced by Stephen Henning, Josh Lieuallen, and Emily RettinghouseEditing/Audio Engineering by Stephen HenningCertified Organic benediction by Reverend Emily Rettinghouse, MDiv ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, we explore why fulfilled desires so often fail to satisfy. Recorded in September 2025—before the current football season now in the playoffs, the conversation weaves together stories from the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl mindset and Stephen’s long search for a Lazuli Bunting to ask a deeper question: what happens when the thing you want finally arrives and still isn’t enough? Drawing from Christian theology, Buddhism, Daoism, and everyday life, we reflect on desire, attachment, joy, and the difference between pleasure and presence—ultimately suggesting that meaning may be found not in reaching a destination, but in learning how to play, pay attention, and remain open to what comes next.Host RecommendationsStephen: Go birding, The Tao Te Ching as translated by Stephen MitchellJosh: The Residence on Netflix, Tour De Pharmacy filmEmily: Combine two favorite foods into one (spaghetti tacos or pan toast), touch grass, sweatersJoin us:Join our free Discord community by emailing us at theravelpod@gmail.com for an invite link!Take a minute to drop us a 5-star rating and a 1-2 sentence review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Credits:Theme Song: In Full Color by Louie Zong on Spotify and BandcampArtwork: Yarn and Ravel by Dixie Lee Henning @dixieleedrawsProduced by Stephen Henning, Josh Lieuallen, and Emily RettinghouseEditing/Audio Engineering by Stephen HenningCertified Organic benediction by Reverend Emily Rettinghouse, MDiv ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

We're feeling silly out here, so Josh decides it's time we at Ravel finally invent our own typology system.Host RecommendationsStephen: The Complete Enneagram by Beatrice Chestnut, You Were Born For This by Chani NicholasJosh: Game Changer on dropout.tv, go somewhere newEmily: Get a new tattoo, deepen a relationship you're enjoyingJoin us:Join our free Discord community by emailing us at theravelpod@gmail.com for an invite link!Take a minute to drop us a 5-star rating and a 1-2 sentence review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Credits:Theme Song: In Full Color by Louie Zong on Spotify and BandcampArtwork: Yarn and Ravel by Dixie Lee Henning @dixieleedrawsProduced by Stephen Henning, Josh Lieuallen, and Emily RettinghouseEditing/Audio Engineering by Stephen HenningCertified Organic benediction by Reverend Emily Rettinghouse, MDiv ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Of course, we had to turn the tables. Because Emily is probably not the only one wondering, "Stephen, why are you going to church if you're still an atheist?"Join us:Join our free Discord community by emailing us at theravelpod@gmail.com for an invite link!Take a minute to drop us a 5-star rating and a 1-2 sentence review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Credits:Theme Song: In Full Color by Louie Zong on Spotify and BandcampArtwork: Yarn and Ravel by Dixie Lee Henning @dixieleedrawsProduced by Stephen Henning, Josh Lieuallen, and Emily RettinghouseEditing/Audio Engineering by Stephen HenningCertified Organic benediction by Reverend Emily Rettinghouse, MDiv ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

The title kinda says it all. You read that right. Stephen, the atheist of the pod, is now going to church. And he has questions for his new pastor about the denominations practices, motivations, and histories!Host RecommendationsStephen: Hope United Methodist Church in Billings Heights, MontanaEmily: Try going to a different church every one in a whileJoin us:Join our free Discord community by emailing us at theravelpod@gmail.com for an invite link!Take a minute to drop us a 5-star rating and a 1-2 sentence review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Credits:Theme Song: In Full Color by Louie Zong on Spotify and BandcampArtwork: Yarn and Ravel by Dixie Lee Henning @dixieleedrawsProduced by Stephen Henning, Josh Lieuallen, and Emily RettinghouseEditing/Audio Engineering by Stephen HenningCertified Organic benediction by Reverend Emily Rettinghouse, MDiv ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

After a late night road trip full of nostalgia, Josh has questions about what music brings us back to the good ol' days. Especially within the Christian genre, we meander through many songs, bands, and eras of the Christian music we grew up with: good, bad, and cringy. We try to name the silliest Christian song, the silliest Silly song, silliest camp song, and take some serious shots at grifters like Kanye. So enjoy!And enjoy this TREASURE TROVE of music linked below recommended by each of the hosts!Host RecommendationsStephen: Song: We Can Do Hard Things by Tish MeltonSong: Kiss The Sky by Maren MorrisAlbum: Dark Sun by DayseekerAlbum: Color Decay by The Devil Wears PradaAlbum: Fatalism by PolarisAlbum: Five Score and Seven Years Ago by Relient KAlbum: Sick Boi by RenMusic Video: Hi Ren by RenArtist: Roo PanesAlbum: Turbo by Cory Wong & Dirty LoopsPlaylist: JAMSJosh: Artist: Gregory Alan IsakovArtist: Remi WolfArtist: The Band CAMINOArtist: JonsiArtist: Tessa VioletEmily: Album: The Joshua Tree album by U2Artist: The Rocket SummerSong: Peach Fuzz by CaampSong: Jericho by InikoSong: No Regrets by JAHKOYSong: Come and Get Your Love by Red BoneSong: Lost In The Woods from Frozen 2Join us:Join our free Discord community by emailing us at theravelpod@gmail.com for an invite link!Take a minute to drop us a 5-star rating and a 1-2 sentence review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Credits:Theme Song: In Full Color by Louie Zong on Spotify and BandcampArtwork: Yarn and Ravel by Dixie Lee Henning @dixieleedrawsProduced by Stephen Henning, Josh Lieuallen, and Emily RettinghouseEditing/Audio Engineering by Stephen HenningCertified Organic benediction by Reverend Emily Rettinghouse, MDiv ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

It's a boys night! Josh and Stephen are left alone to talk about religion in the workplace. It felt fitting, after all, to let the pastor have a break for this one, considering her workplace IS her religion. We get into public shows of faith at work, evangelism in the cubicles, and what exactly "makes us different."Host RecommendationsJosh: Phrases on a tiltStephen: LEGOsJoin us:Join our free Discord community by emailing us at theravelpod@gmail.com for an invite link!Take a minute to drop us a 5-star rating and a 1-2 sentence review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Credits:Theme Song: In Full Color by Louie Zong on Spotify and BandcampArtwork: Yarn and Ravel by Dixie Lee Henning @dixieleedrawsProduced by Stephen Henning, Josh Lieuallen, and Emily RettinghouseEditing/Audio Engineering by Stephen HenningCertified Organic benediction by Reverend Emily Rettinghouse, MDiv ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

There are still quite a few things we've never done here at Ravel. One of them was playing games on air. So we change that today, as Stephen leads us through a bracket style challenge game, pitting 32 ancient and modern heresies against each other in order to find the ultimate ICK! Grab a drink, play along, and learn a little bit about what Christians through the ages have cared about enough to condemn certain ideas as (scare quotes) HERESY!Join us:Join our free Discord community by emailing us at theravelpod@gmail.com for an invite link!Take a minute to drop us a 5-star rating and a 1-2 sentence review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Credits:Theme Song: In Full Color by Louie Zong on Spotify and BandcampArtwork: Yarn and Ravel by Dixie Lee Henning @dixieleedrawsProduced by Stephen Henning, Josh Lieuallen, and Emily RettinghouseEditing/Audio Engineering by Stephen HenningCertified Organic benediction by Reverend Emily Rettinghouse, MDiv ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

... but we're actually not going anywhere! Just different.Join us:Join our free Discord community by emailing us at theravelpod@gmail.com for an invite link!Take a minute to drop us a 5-star rating and a 1-2 sentence review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Credits:Theme Song: In Full Color by Louie Zong on Spotify and BandcampArtwork: Yarn and Ravel by Dixie Lee Henning @dixieleedrawsProduced by Stephen Henning, Josh Lieuallen, and Emily RettinghouseEditing/Audio Engineering by Stephen HenningCertified Organic benediction by Reverend Emily Rettinghouse, MDiv ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Natural disasters often ignite spiritual reflection, but what if the apocalypse isn’t destruction, but transformation? In this episode, we trace the line between eschatology and ecology, questioning the theology that sees disaster as divine judgment and exploring what it means to live as responsible stewards in a world crying out for renewal.Host RecommendationsStephen: Octavia Butler's Earth Seed seriesJosh: Get a dog, if you canEmily: Explore new hobbiesJoin us:Join our free Discord community by emailing us at theravelpod@gmail.com for an invite link!Take a minute to drop us a 5-star rating and a 1-2 sentence review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Credits:Theme Song: In Full Color by Louie Zong on Spotify and BandcampArtwork: Yarn and Ravel by Dixie Lee Henning @dixieleedrawsProduced by Stephen Henning, Josh Lieuallen, and Emily RettinghouseEditing/Audio Engineering by Stephen HenningCertified Organic benediction by Reverend Emily Rettinghouse, MDiv ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

We're back, and we explore whether transitional beliefs are helpful or harmful in faith journeys. We dig into slippery slopes, the power of personal values, and how openness (not rigidity) often shapes a healthier spiritual life. Along the way, we debate if progressive Christianity is truly an “off-ramp” out of faith, or just a new way to stay on the road. Mentioned in the episode:Spiral Dynamics WikiCritique of Pure Reason by Immanuel KantIs Dan A Christian Agnostic? YHP episodeFiddler On The RoofHost RecommendationsI Wrote This When I Was Manic by Mason ScurryTwo Steps With Stephen HenningConclave movieSupport us:Join our Patreon community and buy us a drink at patreon.com/ravelpod for as little as $3/mo!Submit a voice memo or comment to the inbox at theravelpod@gmail.com! Take a minute to drop us a 5-star rating and a 1-2 sentence review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Credits:Theme Song: In Full Color by Louie Zong on Spotify and BandcampArtwork: Yarn and Ravel by Dixie Lee Henning @dixieleedrawsProduced by Stephen Henning, Josh Lieuallen, and Emily RettinghouseEditing/Audio Engineering by Stephen HenningCertified Organic benediction by Reverend Emily Rettinghouse, MDiv ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

***CW: There is a brief mention of suicide at 39:48 and a story involving the following memorial service lasting until 41:20. If you or a loved one are experiencing mental health struggles, please call or text the Crisis Lifeline at 988. Please listen gently and carefully.***Allow us to set the table for a classic Christian conundrum: who gets to come to the table and partake in Communion? Do the gluten-free get to have an option in this highly symbolic act of worship and ritual? What about those with food allergies? Or that youth group camp that is forced to use corn chips and yellow lemonade in their communion service? Or perhaps you enjoy a meal in remembrance of a loved one with boxed wine and McDoubles? What COUNTS?Mentioned in the episode:Ravel Episode 63. It's All About FoodHost RecommendationsMany booksJesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist by Brant PitreThe Lambs Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth by Scott HahnSigns of Life: 40 Catholic Customs and Their Biblical Roots by Scott HahnThe Fourth Cup: Unveiling the Mystery of the Last Supper and the Cross by Scott HahnConsuming The Word: The New Testament and the Eucharist in the Early Church by Scott HahnSpinach creamWholesome weekly rituals like Waffle WednesdaySupport us:Join our Patreon community and buy us a drink at patreon.com/ravelpod for as little as $3/mo!Submit a voice memo or comment to the inbox at theravelpod@gmail.com! Take a minute to drop us a 5-star rating and a 1-2 sentence review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Credits:Theme Song: In Full Color by Louie Zong on Spotify and BandcampArtwork: Yarn and Ravel by Dixie Lee Henning @dixieleedrawsProduced by Stephen Henning, Josh Lieuallen, and Emily RettinghouseEditing/Audio Engineering by Stephen HenningCertified Organic benediction by Reverend Emily Rettinghouse, MDiv ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Truly, this is just one of those episodes you have to listen to to believe. Josh does a book report on The Xanue: Befriending the Bigfoot Forrest People (no link provided because we don't actually think you should buy the book). Bigfoot is a missionary for the gospel of Christ Jesus. There are warring factions of shapeshifters fighting to confuse and terrify THAT ARE DEFINITELY NOT NEPHILIM. The Garden of Eden is the name of an extragalactic planet where the progenitors of humanity (Adam and Eve) FAILED the test while the Xanue people PASSED and became ascended, unfallen beings of the universe.Support us:Join our Patreon community and buy us a drink at patreon.com/ravelpod for as little as $3/mo!Submit a voice memo or comment to the inbox at theravelpod@gmail.com! Take a minute to drop us a 5-star rating and a 1-2 sentence review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Credits:Theme Song: In Full Color by Louie Zong on Spotify and BandcampArtwork: Yarn and Ravel by Dixie Lee Henning @dixieleedrawsProduced by Stephen Henning, Josh Lieuallen, and Emily RettinghouseEditing/Audio Engineering by Stephen HenningCertified Organic benediction by Reverend Emily Rettinghouse, MDiv ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this episode, we volley interpretations around the story of Pharoah not letting the Israelites go because of his "hardened heart." What does it mean? In the light and heat of YHWH, was Pharoah more like mud baking dry rather than wax melting smooth? And what the heck do we do with the New Testament's "Unforgivable Sin"? And ultimately, are we looking at the same thing in Pharoah?Mentioned in the episode:Exodus 7-11 The Plagues of EgyptEpisode 141 I'm An Atheist Now AMAEpisode 117 I See Jesus In The EisegesisHebrews 10:26-31 The Unforgivable SinRomans 6:1-2 Do we continue to sin so that grace may abound?The Sun and Her Flowers by Rupi KaurSupport us:Join our Patreon community and buy us a drink at patreon.com/ravelpod for as little as $3/mo!Submit a voice memo or comment to the inbox at theravelpod@gmail.com! Take a minute to drop us a 5-star rating and a 1-2 sentence review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Credits:Theme Song: In Full Color by Louie Zong on Spotify and BandcampArtwork: Yarn and Ravel by Dixie Lee Henning @dixieleedrawsProduced by Stephen Henning, Josh Lieuallen, and Emily RettinghouseEditing/Audio Engineering by Stephen HenningCertified Organic benediction by Reverend Emily Rettinghouse, MDiv ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

WHO'S YOUR DADDY??? Ravel is back from the unplanned break and ready to gooooo! We're bringing you an episode that was, admittedly, recorded months ago, but it is no less fun. We're getting into the reading of the Hebrew word "ABBA" as we try to figure out where the heck this whole "daddy" business started as it's used to refer to God.(FACT CHECK: Stephen goes the entire episode talking about the "ABBA, Father" verse as if Jesus was the one teaching it, while it was in fact, Paul in Romans 8:15.)Mentioned in the episode:Breath by James NestorRomans 8:15 - Abba, FatherMatthew 6:9-13 - The Lords PrayerMatthew 6:6 - Pray in your closet Matthew 7:9-12 - Who would give their child a serpent?JELLY B Drinkable Konjac snackAdam's Return by Richard RohrSupport us:Join our Patreon community and buy us a drink at patreon.com/ravelpod for as little as $3/mo!Submit a voice memo or comment to the inbox at theravelpod@gmail.com! Take a minute to drop us a 5-star rating and a 1-2 sentence review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Credits:Theme Song: In Full Color by Louie Zong on Spotify and BandcampArtwork: Yarn and Ravel by Dixie Lee Henning @dixieleedrawsProduced by Stephen Henning, Josh Lieuallen, and Emily RettinghouseEditing/Audio Engineering by Stephen HenningCertified Organic benediction by Reverend Emily Rettinghouse, MDiv ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Stephen says "there are a lot of god shaped ghosts in my attic." Josh takes the idea and runs with it, saying that "we will always be haunted by the Holy Ghost, but it is up to us whether it's like Casper the friendly ghost or like a poltergeist." Mentioned in the episode:Lofi GirliOS Mental Health Check-In FeatureBeedle The BardcoreSupport us:Join our Patreon community and buy us a drink at patreon.com/ravelpod for as little as $3/mo!Submit a voice memo or comment to the inbox at theravelpod@gmail.com! Take a minute to drop us a 5-star rating and a 1-2 sentence review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Credits:Theme Song: In Full Color by Louie Zong on Spotify and BandcampArtwork: Yarn and Ravel by Dixie Lee Henning @dixieleedrawsProduced by Stephen Henning, Josh Lieuallen, and Emily RettinghouseEditing/Audio Engineering by Stephen HenningCertified Organic benediction by Reverend Emily Rettinghouse, MDiv ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Thank you for your supreme patience while we took an unscheduled break for a couple months! We're back with a conversation about the historical Jesus! Specifically, we're avoiding talking about "the Christ," instead focusing on the ideas of Jesus' humanity. Speculations include: as a devout Jewish man, he was likely married; he was likely born in Nazareth and not Bethlehem; and he was almost surely a stonemason and not a woodworker.Mentioned in the episode:codyumc.comSupport us:Join our Patreon community and buy us a drink at patreon.com/ravelpod for as little as $3/mo!Submit a voice memo or comment to the inbox at theravelpod@gmail.com! Take a minute to drop us a 5-star rating and a 1-2 sentence review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Credits:Theme Song: In Full Color by Louie Zong on Spotify and BandcampArtwork: Yarn and Ravel by Dixie Lee Henning @dixieleedrawsProduced by Stephen Henning, Josh Lieuallen, and Emily RettinghouseEditing/Audio Engineering by Stephen HenningCertified Organic benediction by Reverend Emily Rettinghouse, MDiv ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

***This episode includes discussion of nihilism, meaninglessness, and suicide. If you or someone you know are experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, please contact the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. Please listen with care.***Josh wonders if we ever escape nihilism. Stephen is ready to embrace the existential meaningless in a joyful, stoic way. Emily sees meaning in literally everything.Mentioned in the episode:EcclesiastesThe Myth of Sisyphus by Albert CamusHank Green Eats His Last Meal on Mythical KitchenEnlightenment Now by Steven PinkerSupport us:Join our Patreon community and buy us a drink at patreon.com/ravelpod for as little as $3/mo!Submit a voice memo or comment to the inbox at theravelpod@gmail.com! Take a minute to drop us a 5-star rating and a 1-2 sentence review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Credits:Theme Song: In Full Color by Louie Zong on Spotify and BandcampArtwork: Yarn and Ravel by Dixie Lee Henning @dixieleedrawsProduced by Stephen Henning, Josh Lieuallen, and Emily RettinghouseEditing/Audio Engineering by Stephen HenningCertified Organic benediction by Reverend Emily Rettinghouse, MDiv ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

When does honest and earnest transparency tip into oversharing and misplaced attention seeking? (the podcasters ask, fully acknowledging what irony this invites...) What is gossip actually? How can information shared amongst a community be helpful for reinforcing good boundaries and expectations without tipping into harmful rumor-mongering? Mentioned in the episode:Stephen's GoodreadsNothing much happens: bedtime stories to help you sleep PodcastRaging with Compassion by John SwintonSupport us:Join our Patreon community and buy us a drink at patreon.com/ravelpod for as little as $3/mo!Submit a voice memo or comment to the inbox at theravelpod@gmail.com! Take a minute to drop us a 5-star rating and a 1-2 sentence review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Credits:Theme Song: In Full Color by Louie Zong on Spotify and BandcampArtwork: Yarn and Ravel by Dixie Lee Henning @dixieleedrawsProduced by Stephen Henning, Josh Lieuallen, and Emily RettinghouseEditing/Audio Engineering by Stephen HenningCertified Organic benediction by Reverend Emily Rettinghouse, MDiv ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Really though? When it's essentially the only human experience that is truly universal, that we all will die, why do we have such a bad relationship with it? Stephen wonders if the fear of death is something religion does to inspire fear to win converts. "Oh death, where is your sting?" Perhaps we got it all wrong and what we thought was a sting was a kiss all along!Mentioned in the episode:Twenty Thousand Hertz - Dies Irae32. The Afterlife and How To Get There Ravel EpisodePete Holmes: I'm Not For Everyone Netflix SpecialPete Holmes: A God That's Better Than Larry on Faith For Normal PeopleLetters From A Stoic by Seneca23 purple flowers by Mason ScurrySupport us:Join our Patreon community and buy us a drink at patreon.com/ravelpod for as little as $3/mo!Submit a voice memo or comment to the inbox at theravelpod@gmail.com! Take a minute to drop us a 5-star rating and a 1-2 sentence review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Credits:Theme Song: In Full Color by Louie Zong on Spotify and BandcampArtwork: Yarn and Ravel by Dixie Lee Henning @dixieleedrawsProduced by Stephen Henning, Josh Lieuallen, and Emily RettinghouseEditing/Audio Engineering by Stephen HenningCertified Organic benediction by Reverend Emily Rettinghouse, MDiv ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★