The Project Matter Podcast

In this episode, Daniel Roberson and Drew Swanson talk about what they believe love is and how they can go about loving people well.  This episode is also the last episode in season 1, so Drew talks a little bit about the future of Project Matter.   Since you won't hear from us for a while, we encourage you to continue engaging with the content that we have out, whether that be a podcast episode you haven't listened to, or one of our YouTube videos.  That's right, we have a YouTube channel if you didn't know that already!  Link is below.  Also, as we conclude this season, we invite you to share your feedback on how we can start productive conversations about things that matter even better.  You can message us on our social media pages.  Farewell for now.   Facebook@projectmatter100 Instagram@project_matter https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCO1G3Twakzqx4frpWks1itQ/featured

Noah Swanson shares with us his journey from Christianity into Paganism.  He then tells us what he believes. Please share your thoughts about this episode on our social media pages! Facebook@projectmatter100 Instagram@project_matter

Sarah Swartzendruber, a Pastor of Cascade Church Portland, shares about her LGBTQ+ affirming church and why they believe what they believe.   If you want to learn more about Sarah's church, here is their website: https://www.cascadepdx.org/ If you would like to ask Sarah any follow up questions relating to this episode, her email is sarah@cascadepdx.org If you would like to chime in and share your thoughts regarding this episode, track down our social media and comment on the post pertaining to this episode.  Facebook@projectmatter100 Instagram@project_matter

In this episode, Malia Purcell (a non-affirming Christian) responds to the LGBTQ+ community.  Drew Swanson (a gay man) and Malia then have a conversation.    If you would like to share your thoughts about this episode, follow our social media pages and comment on the post pertaining to this episode.   Facebook@projectmatter100 Instagram@project_matter

In this episode, Drew Swanson shares his story about what it was like being a gay man in a non-affirming Christian community.  If you are an LGBTQ+ person in a non-affirming atmosphere and need someone to talk to, we invite you to message Project Matter on any of our social media pages and we can connect you with a trustworthy person.   Facebook@projectmatter100 Instagram@project_matter

Johnny Quintana shares about what it was like for him being a gay man in a non-affirming Christian atmosphere.  If you are an LGBTQ+ person in a non-affirming Christian atmosphere and need someone to talk to, we invite you to message Project Matter on any of our social media pages and we can connect you with a trustworthy person, like Johnny.   Facebook@projectmatter100 Instagram@project_matter  

Anissa Pemberton, a queer/non-binary person shares about how it was for them growing up in a non-affirming Christian community. If you yourself are in a non-affirming atmosphere or are exploring your identity as an LGBTQ+ person and would like someone to talk to, feel free to reach out to us on the Project Matter social media pages. Facebook@projectmatter100 Instagram@project_matter

Kathryn Kendall, an organizer of Portland Buddhist Peace Fellowship, comes on the podcast to share with us about Buddhism. She answers questions like, what is Buddhism and what does it look like practically in her life?  Kathryn gives us a few resources to learn more about Buddhism or to get involved in Buddhist communities. Her Buddhist organization’s social media: Facebook: Portland Buddhist Peace Fellowship Instagram @buddhistblocpdx Twitter @buddhistbloc A helpful buddhist scholar: Bhikkhu Bodhi Bhikkhu Bodhi’s program: Global Relief If you would like to continue the conversation about Buddhism, please make your way on over to the Project Matter social media pages! Facebook@projectmatter100 Instagram@project_matter

In this episode, Andrea Smith shares her experience with purity culture within her Christian community.  She shares what was helpful, what was damaging, what she still holds to, and what she has let go.  If you are interested in joining the conversation regarding this topic, make your way on over to the Project Matter social media pages and find the post pertaining to this episode.     Facebook@projectmatter100 Instagram@project_matter

In this episode, Tyler Walsh and Drew Swanson continue their original conversation regarding purity culture within their childhood Christian church.  They discuss their differences of opinion regarding purity culture.  They also find some common ground, and even offer each other a little bit of advice at the end. Do you think purity culture within Christianity needs to change?  If so, how?  Please share your thoughts by commenting on the post pertaining to this episode on the various Project Matter social media pages.   Facebook@projectmatter100 Instagram@project_matter

In this episode, Tyler Walsh shares his experience with purity culture within his church.  His experience is, for the most part, positive.  So it is very helpful to hear his perspective.  He then goes into why he holds to a lot of the principals within his church’s purity culture, but also talks about some ways he thinks it should change.   Do you think purity culture within Christianity needs to change?  If so, how?  Join the larger conversation regarding this episode on the Project Matter social media pages!   Facebook@projectmatter100 Instagram@project_matter Here is the article Tyler recommended.   https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/unmarried-sex-worse/ He also mentioned the book, “The Purity Principal” by Randy Alcorn.

In this episode we welcome Jasmine West on the podcast to share her experience with purity culture in her Christian upbringing. We would love to hear what your experience of purity culture was in your community?  Were there parts of it that were helpful?  Were there parts of it that were hurtful?  Please share your thoughts on the thread pertaining to purity culture on the various Project Matter social medial pages. Facebook@projectmatter100 Instagram@project_matter

In this episode Dr. Brad Harper shares about a Christian movement that has shaped the way many churches in the western hemisphere are today: Christian Fundamentalism.  Dr. Harper shares with us exactly what Christian fundamentalism is, what is potentially harmful about it, and also some potentially good things about it.   Books Dr. Harper recommended:  1) Fundamentalism and American Culture by George Marsden    2) Reforming Fundamentalism by George Marsden  Please share your thoughts regarding this episode on the Project Matter social media pages!  Just fin the post pertaining to this episode and leave a comment.   Facebook@projectmatter100 Instagram@project_matter

Teddy Nieuwsma sits down with Drew Swanson to talk about the oldest Christian church that there is--the Eastern Orthodox church.  They talk about what the Eastern Orthodox church is and how it differs from most of Christianity that we see in the United States.   What did you learn about the Eastern Orthodox church from this episode?  Did anything resonate with you?  Did anything not resonate with you?  Please share your thoughts on the various Project Matter social media pages by commenting on the post pertaining to this episode.   Facebook@projectmatter100 Instagram@project_matter Twitter@ProjectMatter1 TikTok@project_matter 

Dash Riprock (an atheist) and Drew Swanson (a theist) go on a backpacking trip and talk about their differences in belief.  Do you believe in God?  Why or why not?  Share your thoughts on the Project Matter social media pages in the post applicable to this episode. Facebook@projectmatter100 Instagram@project_matter Twitter@ProjectMatter1 TikTok@project_matter

In this episode, we hear from Daniel Roberson and Andrea Smith on why they believe in God.   We would love you to join the public conversations about this topic on our social media pages. Facebook@projectmatter100 Instagram@project_matter Twitter@ProjectMatter1

In this episode Drew Swanson welcomes JR Lilly on to the podcast to talk about Native American spirituality.  At the end of the episode, JR briefly talks about his own spiritual journey.   We would love you to join the public conversations about this topic on our social media pages. Facebook@projectmatter100 Instagram@project_matter Twitter@ProjectMatter1

In this episode, Tyler and Drew continue their conversation regarding hell.  Drew pushes back against Tyler's view of hell as eternal conscious torment.  Tyler defends his position.     We would love you to join the public conversations about this topic on our social media pages. Facebook@projectmatter100 Instagram@project_matter Twitter@ProjectMatter1

In this episode, Drew Swanson talks with his old friend and mentor Tyler Walsh and discuss the different Christian views of hell.  Tyler then tells us what view he has on hell and then reconciles this view with a loving God.   We would love you to join the public conversations about this topic on our social media pages. Facebook@projectmatter100 Instagram@project_matter Twitter@ProjectMatter1

Interested in what the Project Matter Podcast is all about?  Give this a listen!  For more information, visit projectmatter.org.  You can also join in on our public conversations happening on our social media pages.   Facebook@projectmatter100 Instagram@project_matter Twitter@ProjectMatter1 TikTok@project_matter