Religion Matters

In this episode of Religion Matters, we explore the complex and deeply human intersections of religion and immigration in the United States. How has immigration shaped American religious communities — and how are those communities being reshaped in return? We examine the impact of immigration enforcement and ICE policies on congregations across the country, including the erosion of sanctuary protections once reserved for sacred spaces. What does it mean when places of worship, historically seen as refuges, are no longer safe havens? Our conversation also traces the long history of the dehumanization of immigrants and refugees, revealing how fear-driven narratives have surfaced again and again throughout American history. Yet amid these challenges, we ask an urgent question: How can religious communities respond differently? This episode calls faith communities to re-humanize themselves by re-humanizing others; through relationship-building, solidarity, and courageous engagement. At stake is not only immigration policy, but the moral and spiritual identity of religious life in America. Books and Articles referenced in this episode: Campese, Gioacchino. “A PEOPLE OF GOD WHO REMEMBERS: THEOLOGICAL REFLECTIONS ON A ‘REFUGEE CRISIS.’” In Migration and Public Discourse in World Christianity, edited by Afe Adogame, Raimundo C. Barreto, and Wanderley Pereira da Rosa, 2:215–28. Augsburg Fortress, 2019.  Rajendra, Tisha. Migrants and Citizens: Justice and Responsibility in the Ethics of Immigration. Eerdmans Publishing, 2017. "One of the Bible's Biggest Moral Revolutions" https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/22/opinion/immigrants-religion-bible-politics.html?searchResultPosition=3. February 22, 2026 Emily Belz "Refugees Disappeared. Churches Prayed and Layered Up". In Christianity Today. February 18, 2026. https://www.christianitytoday.com/2026/02/minnesota-ice-refugees-detention-immigration-persecution/   Music by Kirk, Aiden and Caleb Sandvig. Edited by Kirk SandvigPublished by Hidden Wave Productions

Christmas is more than a Christian holiday; it’s a global response to darkness, uncertainty, and the need for hope. In this episode of Religion Matters, we explore Christmas alongside Roman Saturnalia, Yule fires, saints and monsters, La Posada, global South celebrations, Kwanzaa, and Asian traditions of light and home. A journey through ritual, food, and meaning that asks what humans do when winter, either literal or symbolic, sets in. Music by Kirk, Aiden and Caleb Sandvig. Edited by Kirk SandvigPublished by Hidden Wave Productions

Kirk Sandvig explores global traditions that connect the living and the dead through ritual, memory, and, yes, food. From Celtic Samhain and soul cakes to Día de los Muertos, Buddhist ghost festivals, Japanese Obon, and Korean Young San Jae, we dive into how different cultures honor their ancestors through multisensory practices. Drawing on stories, scholarship, and the theology of Alfred North Whitehead, this episode asks: what does it mean to feed the dead, and what does that say about the living? Music by Kirk, Aiden and Caleb Sandvig. Edited by Kirk SandvigPublished by Hidden Wave Productions

In this episode, we discuss the domestic and international implications of President Trumps first 75 days of his second term of office. Since his return we have see the reimplementation of the Muslim ban in America, the reestablishment of the White House Faith Office, the creation of the Task Force to Combat Anti-Christian Bias, as well as sweeping anti DEI initiatives that impact domestic and international trade/cooperation.  Many of these initiatives and executive orders have resulted in massive shifts in policy and practice, leading to a general sense of loss, confusion, dislocation, and depression. These are to topics discussed in the podcast, as well as the ways religious and educational institutions are able to find hope in these times of anxiety and uncertainty.Book recommendations:Katongole, Emmanuel, Born from Lament: The Theology and Politics of Hope in Africa. WmB. Eerdmans Publishing Co. 2017.https://www.eerdmans.com/9781467446983/born-from-lament/  Music by Kirk, Aiden and Caleb Sandvig. Edited by Kirk SandvigPublished by Hidden Wave Productions

In this episode, we get into the rhetoric and ideology used in the 2024 election. We discuss former president Trump's comparison  to a controversial messiah figure similar to Cyrus, the calling for Christian/White Nationalism, the American people's frustration with current and former power systems, as well as the roles religion, gender, ethnicity, and identity have played and will play in political discussions, regardless of who will win the presidency.  References:NPR segment - https://www.npr.org/2024/01/26/1227070827/a-video-making-the-rounds-online-depicts-trump-as-a-messiah-like-figureWorld Values Survey  - https://www.worldvaluessurvey.org/WVSDocumentationWV1.jspIsabel Wilkerson - CasteKristin Kobes Du Mez - Jesus and John WayneMusic by Caleb, Aiden, and Kirk Sandvig Music by Kirk, Aiden and Caleb Sandvig. Edited by Kirk SandvigPublished by Hidden Wave Productions

Rev. Dr. Carver Pace helps us navigate the positives and negatives of maintaining online spaces for religious institutions. Since the Pandemic, religious institutions have been forced into the deep waters of not only increasing their online presence through virtual services, online giving, and digital prayer requests, but also hold responsibility to ensure this information stays safe and secure. This can be especially difficult for older populations and communities where internet access and technological know-how is limited. Having the right people and tools in place can make navigating these online spaces more inviting, safe, and secure.  Rev. Dr. Pace shares with us his research and experience to make this possible. Music by Kirk, Aiden and Caleb Sandvig. Edited by Kirk SandvigPublished by Hidden Wave Productions

In this episode we get into the connections between religion and the olympic games. Issues of nationalism, identity, belonging, migration, environmental sustainability, and physical/spiritual transcendence are all discussed. We welcome in our new co-host, Briana Wong, from Phillips Theological Seminary. Thanks for joining us!! Janice McLean-Farrell is the Dirck Romeyn Associate Professor of Metro-Urban Ministry & Associate  Dean of Doctoral Studies, at New Brunswick Theological Seminary.Briana Wong is the Assistant Professor of the History of World Christianities at Phillips Seminary.Kirk Sandvig is a Lecturer in the Department for the Study of Religion at San Diego State University. Music composed in this episode comes from Aiden, Caleb, and Kirk Sandvig   Music by Kirk, Aiden and Caleb Sandvig. Edited by Kirk SandvigPublished by Hidden Wave Productions

This episode features a series of interviews from community members in Southern California who deal with death regularly. Rev. Greg Coppock, pastor at Sunrise Christian Fellowship in Fallbrook, CA and former San Diego Sheriff Chaplain; Dr. Lillian Harvey Banchik, retired trauma surgeon; Rev. Cate Luehr, Children's Hospital Los Angeles Chaplain and ELCA pastor; Dr. Nilesh Vora, Oncologist, Hematologist, and Palliative Care Physician at Long Beach Memorial Hospital, share their insights regarding death, as well as provide advice for people dealing with death. Topics in this episode include:1) Talking to children about death2) Professionals coping with death3) The impact of death on the lives of the living, including caregivers Music by Kirk, Aiden and Caleb Sandvig. Edited by Kirk SandvigPublished by Hidden Wave Productions

This episode features a series of interviews from community members in Southern California who deal with death regularly. Rev. Greg Coppock, pastor at Sunrise Christian Fellowship in Fallbrook, CA and former San Diego Sheriff Chaplain; Dr. Lillian Harvey Banchik, retired trauma surgeon; Rev. Cate Luehr, Children's Hospital Los Angeles Chaplain and ELCA pastor; Dr. Nilesh Vora, Oncologist, Hematologist, and Palliative Care Physician at Long Beach Memorial Hospital, share their insights regarding death, as well as provide advice for people dealing with death. Topics in this episode include:1) General introductions2) The impact of faith and death3) The role of platitudes when dealing with death4) Medicalized death Music by Kirk, Aiden and Caleb Sandvig. Edited by Kirk SandvigPublished by Hidden Wave Productions

Gail Stearns shares her book Liberating Mindfulness: From Billion-Dollar Industry to Engages Spirituality. We discuss how mindfulness can break free from an individualized self-help discipline and lead into ways of bringing awareness and action into social justice issues.You can find her book through Orbis Books - https://orbisbooks.com/products/liberating-mindfulness-from-billion-dollar-industry-to-engaged-spirituality?_pos=1&_sid=90d6b56e5&_ss=rCo-hosting today's episode:Janice McLean-Farrell, the Dirck Romeyn Associate Professor of Metro-Urban Ministry & Assistant Dean of Doctoral Studies at New Brunswick Theological Seminary.Anderson Jeremiah, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion at Lancaster University.Kirk Sandvig, Religious Studies Lecturer at Chapman University and San Diego State University. Music for today's episode was brought to by: Aiden, Caleb and Kirk Sandvig Music by Kirk, Aiden and Caleb Sandvig. Edited by Kirk SandvigPublished by Hidden Wave Productions

Sal Gutierrez IV, from Chapman University, presents his student project for the class "Studying Religion". His project looks at the importance of the Islamic Golden Age and its lasting impact on the world today.  Music by Kirk, Aiden and Caleb Sandvig. Edited by Kirk SandvigPublished by Hidden Wave Productions

Sophia Lieberman, from Chapman University, presents her student project on the ways Jewish women preserve modern Jewish culture and traditions through the use of folklore and magic. Here is the link to the video of her project https://youtu.be/bqIri5_dX-E Music by Kirk, Aiden and Caleb Sandvig. Edited by Kirk SandvigPublished by Hidden Wave Productions

Adamari Cardenas, Juan Jose Ocampo Florez, Madison Gossett, and Tiffany Hungerford from San Diego State University present their final project for 'Nature, Spirituality, and Ecology'. They discuss the ways colonialism have impacted the spiritual ecological frameworks for those living in Latin America and in India. Music by Kirk, Aiden and Caleb Sandvig. Edited by Kirk SandvigPublished by Hidden Wave Productions

After watching the Netflix docuseries surrounding Meghan and Harry and the Royal family, the podcast examines many of the issues surrounding notion of identity, racism, and inclusivity within Great Britain and the United States.This podcast was hosted by Kirk Sandvig, from Chapman University and San Diego State University; Janice McLean-Farrell from New Brunswick Theological Seminary; and Anderson Jeremiah from the University of Lancaster, UK.Music by Aiden, Caleb, and Kirk Sandvig Music by Kirk, Aiden and Caleb Sandvig. Edited by Kirk SandvigPublished by Hidden Wave Productions

In this episode we discuss the role caste plays both in South Asia as well as in diasporic communities in the West. Some suggest that caste does not exist outside India, while others insist it does and protections against caste basted discrimination are necessary. These protections bring up additional concerns regarding Western stereotypes of South Asian caste in the West, and the fear of increased discrimination against South Asians in the West if discussions of caste in the West persist.Links to articles and books discussed in this episode:Jeremiah, A 2020, Caste and Caste Based Sectarianism in India. in Caste and Caste Based Sectarianism, Urban Spaces and Sectarian Contestations. SEPAD , pp. 46-50. <https://www.sepad.org.uk/files/documents/Urban%20Spaces.pdf>NPR News report - https://www.npr.org/2022/05/02/1095861447/some-south-asian-americans-believe-caste-based-prejudices-exist-in-the-u-sWilkerson, Isabel. Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents. United States: THORNDIKE Press, 2021.Google caste discussion scrapped - https://qz.com/india/2172954/google-scrapped-a-talk-on-caste-bias-for-being-too-divisive/ Music by Kirk, Aiden and Caleb Sandvig. Edited by Kirk SandvigPublished by Hidden Wave Productions

This episode is our inaugural student project edition of our podcast, featuring Chapman University student Amea Wadsworth. Her project "Under the Guise of Liberation; The Strategic Victimization of Muslim Women" explores the notions of Islamic Feminism and Western narratives of women in South West Asia and North Africa (SWANA). This is followed up with a conversation with her about her project, and how it connects with other important issues facing the world today. Music by Kirk, Aiden and Caleb Sandvig. Edited by Kirk SandvigPublished by Hidden Wave Productions

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Ting Guo about her exploration of the themes surrounding religion, secularism and love as forms of political discourse in modern China, but also in other parts of the world. We break down how secularism is understood in the "West" as well as in the "majority world", and its implication for how we understand the expressions religion, culture and tradition.  Books mentioned in this episode:Ting Guo, Politics of Love: Religion, Secularism, and Love as a Political Discourse in Modern China  (Under review with Amsterdam University Press)Bell Hooks, All About Love: New Visions. Will Morrow Paperbacks, 2018.  Music by Kirk, Aiden and Caleb Sandvig. Edited by Kirk SandvigPublished by Hidden Wave Productions

In this episode we discuss with Jim Walters: The story of the London School of Economics Faith Centre; How it came to be, and what it's trying to accomplish by discussing plural spaces, climate change and interfaith relations, women of faith and peacemaking; the need for better interface between theology and the social sciences to understand international relations and other political sciences; and finding ways of changing ways to engaging with religion in academia – often changed by students’ interests and concerns.Jim is the founding director of the LSE Faith Centre and its Religion and Global Society Research Unit. He leads the team in the centre’s mission to promote religious literacy and interfaith leadership through student programmes and global engagement, along with research into the role of religion in world affairs. He is a Senior Lecturer in Practice in the Department of International Relations and an affiliated faculty member at the Department for International Development. He has published a number of books including Baudrillard and Theology (2012), Religion and the Public Sphere: New Conversations (2018), A Christian Theology of Chaplaincy (2018), Religious Imaginations and Global Transitions (2018) and Loving Your Neighbour in an Age of Religious Conflict (2019).  Music by Kirk, Aiden and Caleb Sandvig. Edited by Kirk SandvigPublished by Hidden Wave Productions

We discuss Jared Opoien's Ph.D. dissertation: "Life and Death in the Field: Farmer Suicide and the Necessity to Feed", which deals with the the philosophical complications behind viewing farmer suicide as an "epidemic", climate change disparity and the farmer protests in Delhi, and infrastructural similarities between farming economy in the U.S. and India.Dr. Jared Opoien teaches Columbia College in the Department of History, Philosophy, Political Science, and Criminal JusticeJanice McLean-Farrell teaches at New Brunswick Theological Seminary,  and is the Dirck Romeyn Assistant Professor of Metro-Urban Ministry & Assistant Dean of Doctoral Studies.Anderson Jeremiah is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion at Lancaster University  and Deputy Director of the Richardson Institute of Peace Studies.Kirk Sandvig teaches at Chapman University, San Diego State University, and Saddleback College. Music by Aiden, Caleb and Kirk Sandvig Music by Kirk, Aiden and Caleb Sandvig. Edited by Kirk SandvigPublished by Hidden Wave Productions

This episode discusses the issues surrounding debt and free-market spirituality in Colombia. We talk about issues surrounding microfinance, necropolitics/necrofinance, prosperity, and practical theology in the context of Colombian Christians.Copies of Rebecca's book can be ordered here: https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520380028/card-carrying-christiansDr. Rebecca Bartel-Nunez is an Associate Professor in the Department for the Study of Religion, the Associate Director in the Center for Latin American Studies, and  the Fred J Hansen Chair in Peace Studies at San Diego State University (SDSU)Janice McLean-Farrell teaches at New Brunswick Theological Seminary,  and is the Dirck Romeyn Assistant Professor of Metro-Urban Ministry & Assistant Dean of Doctoral Studies.Anderson Jeremiah is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Politics, Philosophy and Religion at Lancaster University  and Deputy Director of the Richardson Institute of Peace Studies.Kirk Sandvig teaches Religious Studies and Philosophy at Chapman University, San Diego State University, and Saddleback College.Music by Aiden, Caleb and Kirk Sandvig Music by Kirk, Aiden and Caleb Sandvig. Edited by Kirk SandvigPublished by Hidden Wave Productions