Good Faith Weekly

A weekly podcast exploring stories at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. This week: Mitch and Missy sat down with Brian Recker to discuss his book, Hell Bent. A former Marine Officer, the son of a Baptist preacher, and an alum of the fundamentalist Bob Jones University, Brian Recker spent eight years as an evangelical pastor before deconstructing his faith to find a more inclusive spirituality. He now speaks about following Jesus without fear of hell on his popular Instagram account and his Substack, Beloved.  "Good Faith Weekly" is produced out of Norman, Oklahoma. Music is by Pond5. Learn more at www.GoodFaithMedia.org and @GFMediaOrg Links: Hell Bent - https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/771172/hell-bent-by-brian-recker/ Brian Recker - https://www.brianrecker.com/home#hellbent

A weekly podcast exploring stories at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. This week: Mitch and Missy sat down with Sari Bashi to talk about her book, Upside-Down Love: A Memoir in Two Voices. Sari Bashi is an internationally renowned human rights lawyer, former program director at Human Rights Watch, and cofounder of the Israeli human rights organization Gisha. She is a graduate of Yale Law School and has previously clerked on the Israeli Supreme Court. She has taught international humanitarian law at Yale Law School and Tel Aviv University. "Good Faith Weekly" is produced out of Norman, Oklahoma. Music is by Pond5. Learn more at www.GoodFaithMedia.org and @GFMediaOrg Links: Upside -Down Love: A Memoir in Two Voices- https://www.blackstonepublishing.com/products/book-lik0 Sari Bashi - https://ummforat.com/en/

A weekly podcast exploring stories at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. This week: Missy and Starlette reflect on the life and legacy of Rev. Jesse Jackson. "Good Faith Weekly" is produced out of Norman, Oklahoma. Music is by Pond5. Learn more at www.GoodFaithMedia.org and @GFMediaOrg Links: Raceless Gospel Initiative - https://goodfaithmedia.org/the-raceless-gospel/ Starlette Thomas is director of the Raceless Gospel Initiative, associate editor, host of the Good Faith Media podcast “The Raceless Gospel,” and a member of the Good Faith Media strategic advisory board. 1963 speech by Jesse Jackson. Source: Cleveland.com - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sn5hCdHuZzw

A weekly podcast exploring stories at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. This week: Mitch and Missy sit down with author and satirist Becky Garrison to talk about her new book, Gaslighting for God: A Satirical Guide to Save Yourself from Spiritual Narcissism.  As a religious satirist, Becky Garrison served as a senior contributing editor at The Wittenburg Door from 1994 to 2008 and has been on its board of directors since its relaunch in 2021. She’s the author of nine books, including: Jesus Died for This? A Satirist’s Search for the Risen Christ  and Distilled in Washington: A History.  "Good Faith Weekly" is produced out of Norman, Oklahoma. Music is by Pond5. Learn more at www.GoodFaithMedia.org and @GFMediaOrg Links: Becky Garrison - https://www.beckygarrison.com/ Book: Gaslighting for God: A Satirical Guide to Save Yourself from Spiritual Narcissism - https://www.lakedrivebooks.com/books/gaslighting-for-god/

A weekly podcast exploring stories at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. This week: Mitch and Missy sit down with Andy Hale to discuss his latest book, Mending the Fractured Church: How to Navigate Conflict and Build Trust for Thriving Communities. Andrew Hale has served in congregational life for over 25 years, holding diverse roles as a denominational leader, consultant, church starter, pastor, and coach. He earned a Doctor of Leadership in Global Perspective with a focus on organizational psychology from George Fox University. Hale is the creator and host of the award-winning CBF Podcast Conversation, along with The Clergy Confessions Podcast. He currently serves as the Associate Executive Coordinator of CBF North Carolina, where he works alongside churches navigating identity, conflict, and renewal. "Good Faith Weekly" is produced out of Norman, Oklahoma. Music is by Pond5. Learn more at www.GoodFaithMedia.org and @GFMediaOrg Links: Andy Hale - https://www.andrewrhale.com/about Book: Mending the Fractured Church: How to Navigate Conflict and Build Trust for Thriving Communities - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/mending-the-fracturing-church-andy-hale/1147275676

A weekly podcast exploring stories at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. This week: Mitch and Missy sit down with Ani Zonneveld to discuss her newest book, An Unlikely Social Justice Warrior: Making My Life Count as a Muslim Feminist. Ani Zonneveld is a writer, singer/songwriter, and founder and President of Muslims for Progressive Values.  MPV is an international human rights organization that advocates for social justice and equality for all. She is a strong supporter of freedom of expression and of conscience, women’s rights, and, as an ally, LGBTQ rights. Ani promotes these values at the United Nations by challenging human rights abuses in the name of Islam, and by offering an inclusive understanding based on universal human rights and justice.  "Good Faith Weekly" is produced out of Norman, Oklahoma. Music is by Pond5. Learn more at www.GoodFaithMedia.org and @GFMediaOrg Links: Ani Zonneveld - https://www.mpvusa.org/ani-zonneveld Book: An Unlikely Social Justice Warrior: Making My Life Count as a Muslim Feminist - https://livedplacespublishing.com/book/isbn/9781917566452?srsltid=AfmBOoq5p7c2gKELrBpKthCmNTRXyMbN8GcQR4WwGOlE3oi4ylBCDVuY

A weekly podcast exploring stories at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. This week: Mitch and Missy sit down with historian and author Randall Balmer to discuss his latest book, America’s Best Idea: The Separation of Church and State, now available in bookstores. Prize-winning historian and Emmy Award nominee Randall Balmer holds the John Phillips Chair in Religion at Dartmouth College. This marks Dr. Balmer’s third appearance on Good Faith Weekly. He has published widely in both scholarly journals and the popular press and is frequently called upon to comment on religion in American life. Dr. Balmer has appeared on network television, NPR, The Colbert Report, and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. The author of more than a dozen books, Dr. Balmer’s latest work, America’s Best Idea: The Separation of Church and State, is available in bookstores now. "Good Faith Weekly" is produced out of Norman, Oklahoma. Music is by Pond5. Learn more at www.GoodFaithMedia.org and @GFMediaOrg Links: Randall Balmer - https://faculty-directory.dartmouth.edu/randall-balmer Book: America’s Best Idea: The Separation of Church and State - https://www.amazon.com/Americas-Best-Idea-Separation-Church/dp/1586424149

A weekly podcast exploring stories at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. This week: Mitch and Missy sit down with Rev. Alba Onofrio for an honest conversation about shame—exploring its connection to sexuality and purity culture. Rev. Alba Onofrio is a public theologian and spiritual activist rooted in the Southern Appalachian mountains engaged in movement work for over 20 years. As Executive Director and Spiritual Strategist for Soulforce, an international LGBTQ+ social justice organization, Alba has authored a series of theological resources on liberatory approaches to the Bible and uncovering the ideologies of white Christian Supremacy.  "Good Faith Weekly" is produced out of Norman, Oklahoma. Music is by Pond5. Learn more at www.GoodFaithMedia.org and @GFMediaOrg Links: Rev. Alba Onofrio - https://soulforce.org/author/albaonofrio/

A weekly podcast exploring stories at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. This week: Mitch and Missy share some of their favorite Christmas stories and unpack the first Christmas story, with Missy reflecting on some of the challenges she has with it. "Good Faith Weekly" is produced out of Norman, Oklahoma. Music is by Pond5. Learn more at www.GoodFaithMedia.org and @GFMediaOrg Links: GFW - ⁠https://goodfaithmedia.org/good-faith-weekly/

A weekly podcast exploring stories at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. This week: Mitch and Missy sit down with Faith Clarke to discuss her bestselling book Parenting Like a Ninja, a guide to supporting neurodistinct kids with clarity, calm, and compassion. Faith Clarke is an organizational culture and teamwork specialist who helps leaders build inclusive, values-driven workplaces where people feel they belong. Drawing on her experience as a Caribbean immigrant and mother of neurodistinct children, she focuses on inclusion for BIPOC and neurodistinct individuals. With a background in computer engineering and doctoral research in teamwork, Faith is a published researcher, bestselling author of Parenting Like a Ninja, co-host of the Feminist Founders podcast, creator of the Peak Performing Team podcast, and a frequent contributor and speaker in academic and professional settings. "Good Faith Weekly" is produced out of Norman, Oklahoma. Music is by Pond5. Learn more at www.GoodFaithMedia.org and @GFMediaOrg Links: Faith Clarke - https://www.faithclarke.com/Book: Parenting like a Ninja - https://www.amazon.com/Parenting-Like-Ninja-Professional-Productivity/dp/1642791385

A weekly podcast exploring stories at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. This week: Mitch and Missy discussed a recent story about a University of Oklahoma student who used a class paper on gender fluidity to express her Christian belief in two genders. Mitch also installed speakers in every room—including the bathroom—to play Christmas music. "Good Faith Weekly" is produced out of Norman, Oklahoma. Music is by Pond5. Learn more at www.GoodFaithMedia.org and @GFMediaOrg Links: GFW - https://goodfaithmedia.org/good-faith-weekly/

A weekly podcast exploring stories at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. This week: Mitch and Missy sit down with Brian Kaylor to discuss his latest book, The Bible According to Christian Nationalists: Exploiting Scripture for Political Power. Dr. Brian Kaylor is an award-winning author and journalist, and the President and Editor-in-Chief of Word&Way, a Missouri-based Christian media company. He holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in political communication from the University of Missouri, and his writing has appeared in outlets such as CNN, the Washington Post, Sojourners, and Religion News Service. "Good Faith Weekly" is produced out of Norman, Oklahoma. Music is by Pond5. Learn more at www.GoodFaithMedia.org and @GFMediaOrg Links: Brian Kaylor - https://briankaylor.com/about/ Book - The Bible According to Christian Nationalists: Exploiting Scripture for Political Power - https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-bible-according-to-christian-nationalists-exploiting-scripture-for-political-power-brian-kaylor/6181f5a7c1f36fc2?ean=9780827203501&next=t&next=t&affiliate=110819 The Myths of the Thanksgiving Story and the Lasting Damage They Imbue - https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/thanksgiving-myth-and-what-we-should-be-teaching-kids-180973655/

A weekly podcast exploring stories at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. This week: Mitch and Missy sit down with Cara Meredith, a writer, speaker, and conversationalist, to discuss her latest book, Church Camp: Bad Skits, Cry Night, & How White Evangelicalism Betrayed a Generation. Cara Meredith is a former high school English and leadership teacher. After her teaching career, she earned a master of theology and went on to serve as an outreach director for a nonprofit. "Good Faith Weekly" is produced out of Norman, Oklahoma. Music is by Pond5. Learn more at www.GoodFaithMedia.org and @GFMediaOrg Links: Cara Meredith - https://www.carameredith.com/ Book - Church Camp: Bad Skits, Cry Night, & How White Evangelicalism Betrayed a Generation - https://www.carameredith.com/new-products/church-camp

A weekly podcast exploring stories at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. This week: Mitch and Missy sit down with Dr. Holly Berkley Fletcher, a historian, essayist, and former intelligence analyst, to discuss her latest book, “The Missionary Kids: Unmasking the Myths of White Evangelicalism. Dr. Holly Berkley Fletcher is a historian, essayist, and former intelligence analyst. She was raised in Kenya by missionary parents. She earned a PhD in American history and taught in universities for several years before being hired as an Africa analyst by the Central Intelligence Agency, where she worked for nineteen years. She writes the Substack “A Zebra Without Stripes.” "Good Faith Weekly" is produced out of Norman, Oklahoma. Music is by Pond5. Learn more at www.GoodFaithMedia.org and @GFMediaOrg Links: Dr. Holly Berkley Fletcher - ⁠https://substack.com/@hollyberkleyfletcher⁠ Book - The Missionary Kids: Unmasking the Myths of White Evangelicalism - ⁠https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9798889832034/The-Missionary-Kids⁠

A weekly podcast exploring stories at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. This week: Mitch and Missy sit down with Dr. Dianna Butler Bass, an award-winning author, popular speaker, and one of America’s most trusted voices on religion and contemporary spirituality. Her latest book, A Beautiful Year: 52 Meditations on Faith, Wisdom, and Perseverance, offers reflections to inspire faith and resilience throughout the year. Dianna’s passion is sharing great ideas to change lives and the world—a passion that ranges from informing the public about spiritual trends, challenging conventional narratives about religious practice, entering the fray of social media with spiritual wisdom and smart theology, and writing books to help readers see themselves, their place in history, and God differently.  "Good Faith Weekly" is produced out of Norman, Oklahoma. Music is by Pond5. Learn more at www.GoodFaithMedia.org and @GFMediaOrg Links: Dianna Butler Bass - https://dianabutlerbass.com/ Book - A Beautiful Year: 52 Meditations on Faith, Wisdom, and Perseverance - https://dianabutlerbass.com/books/a-beautiful-year/

A weekly podcast exploring stories at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. This week: Missy witnesses a wildlife tussle at her local nursery. Then she and Mitch sit down with breast cancer patient advocate -- and voice of uniboob Wendy Sage on "The Simpsons" -- Renee Ridgeley. "Good Faith Weekly" is produced out of Norman, Oklahoma. Music is by Pond5. Learn more at www.GoodFaithMedia.org and @GFMediaOrg Links: Stand Tall AFC ~ https://standtallafc.org/ Ridgeley on Instagram ~ @reneeridgeley

A weekly podcast exploring stories at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. This week: Mitch and Missy sit down with Robert Arnold this week to discuss his new book, "Defiance Til Death."  Growing up in the Mississippi Delta, Arnold brings a unique perspective to the critical issues facing our country.  As a social media influencer, Arnold uses his Southern wisdom and charm to deliver his thoughts on a wide range of issues. Robert Arnold is a writer, poet, speaker, and activist raised in the Mississippi Delta and shaped by the stories, struggles, and stubborn beauty of the South. His work lives at the crossroads of art, politics, and memory. He writes because it's the clearest way he knows to tell the truth… even when it's complicated, uncomfortable, or inconvenient. "Good Faith Weekly" is produced out of Norman, Oklahoma. Music is by Pond5. Learn more at www.GoodFaithMedia.org and @GFMediaOrg Links: Robert Arnold - https://www.instagram.com/defiance13_/ Book - Defiance Til Death - https://www.amazon.com/Defiance-Til-Death-Robert-Arnold/dp/B0FGN7LGR8

A weekly podcast exploring stories at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. This week: Mitch and Missy sat down with Dr. Jacqui Lewis to talk about her upcoming Freedom Rising Conference, a justice-focused gathering hosted by Middle Church from October 31 to November 2, 2025, centered on the theme “The Fierce Urgency of Now.” Dr. Jacqueline J. Lewis utilizes her gifts as an author, activist, preacher, and public theologian to create an antiracist, just, and fully welcoming society in which everyone has enough.  Dr. Lewis holds both an M.Phil. and a Ph.D. in Psychology and Religion from Drew University.  She is currently the Senior Minister and Public Theologian at Middle Church in New York City. "Good Faith Weekly" is produced out of Norman, Oklahoma. Music is by Pond5. Learn more at www.GoodFaithMedia.org and @GFMediaOrg Links: Jacqui Lewis - https://jacquilewis.com/ Freedom Rising Conference - https://www.freedomrisingconference.com/

A weekly podcast exploring stories at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. This week: Mitch and Missy sat down with Brad Onishi to discuss political fallout, immigration crackdowns, and public health misinformation. Brad Onishi is a social commentator, scholar, writer, teacher, coach, and co-host of the Straight White American Jesus podcast with Daniel Miller. The pod ranks in the top 50 Political shows on Apple’s podcast charts. We had Brad on the pod back in 2023 to discuss his book, “Preparing for War: The Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism—And What Comes Next,” and a few times since then. "Good Faith Weekly" is produced out of Norman, Oklahoma. Music is by Pond5. Learn more at www.GoodFaithMedia.org and @GFMediaOrg Links: Brad Onishi - https://www.bradonishi.com/

A weekly podcast exploring stories at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens. This week: Mitch and Missy sat down with Amy Butler and Dawn Weaks to discuss their new book, Holy Disruption: A Manifesto for the Future of Faith Communities. Rev. Dr. Amy Butler is a writer, preacher, teacher, pastor, and public theologian. She has been the pastor of churches in Washington, D.C., and New York. Most Sundays, you’ll find Pastor Amy in the pulpit at Community Church of Honolulu, where she has served as pastor in 2023. She also founded Invested Faith, a non-profit fund created to allow churches, institutions, and individuals to reimagine how faith communities can heal the world – even beyond their traditional institutional expressions. Rev. Dr. Dawn Darwin Weaks loves to see the transformation that occurs at the intersection of church and community. She pastored churches in Lubbock, Texas; Miami, Texas; and Rowlett, Texas; and in Raytown, Missouri. She is now the co-pastor of Connection Christian Church in Odessa, Texas, with her husband, Rev. Dr. Joe Weaks. "Good Faith Weekly" is produced out of Norman, Oklahoma. Music is by Pond5. Learn more at www.GoodFaithMedia.org and @GFMediaOrg Links: Amy Butler - https://www.investedfaith.org/rev-dr-amy-butler Dawn Weaks - https://dawn.weaks.org/ Book - Holy Disruption: A Manifesto for the Future of Faith Communities - https://chalicepress.com/products/holy-disruption-a-manifesto-for-the-future-of-faith-communities?srsltid=AfmBOopc4PIBHUu4wJu200ifKsN0at3Zy0ENjtd5YHr0U8yy_YZhqMEW