Claim OwnershipCreated in the Image of God
Subscribed: 2Played: 4
Subscribe
© SOOP
Description
Tune in every Tuesday for an inspiring journey on Created in the Image of God: Building Vibrant Communities. Wade Fransson and his distinguished guests explore the essence of human nature and the transformative power of unity in diversity through live-streamed discussions rooted in the Independent Investigation of Reality. This series advocates for authentic connections among individuals to foster thriving, inclusive communities. Anchored in spiritual truths and a collective quest for understanding, these conversations inspire growth and progress toward a harmonious world.
soopllc.substack.com
soopllc.substack.com
195 Episodes
Reverse
Freedom for Sale begins by revisiting one of the most urgent frontiers of our age: the struggle to think freely. Journalist Mehrtash Olson joins Wade Fransson to examine how modern information systems—powerful, profitable, and often opaque—reshape not only public opinion but the inner landscape where conviction, conscience, and moral clarity are formed.Expanding on earlier conversations about skepticism and the sources that shape our worldview, this episode traces the mechanisms through which narratives are engineered, trust is eroded, and attention becomes a marketplace. Yet the conversation rises above critique. Through the lens of the Bahá’í teachings on truthfulness, justice, and the sanctity of thought, Mehrtash asks what it means to safeguard the integrity of our own perception when the world is designed to bend it.This episode marks the beginning of a new mini-series within Created in the Image of God—a journey into the forces that influence our choices, the freedoms we unknowingly surrender, and the spiritual discipline required to reclaim the authorship of our own minds. Get full access to Something or Other Publishing on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe
Yiscah Smith joins us to reflect on a lifetime of transformation—from the suburban landscapes of 1950s America to the spiritual terrain of modern Israel, where her search for meaning has unfolded across decades.Her latest work, Planting Seeds of the Divine: Torah Commentaries to Cultivate Your Spiritual Practice (University of Nebraska Press), gathers the wisdom of her experience into a meditation on what it means to live consciously. Having spent seventeen years immersed in the ultra-Orthodox Hasidic world, Smith came to recognize that ritual without sincerity leads to silence of the heart. Her decision to leave that world was not a rejection of Judaism, but a return to its essence—a rediscovery of the living spark that connects the individual soul to the Divine.With rare clarity, Yiscah speaks of faith as an embodied awareness—a way of seeing that restores dignity, meaning, and connection in an age of dislocation. Her life’s work is a testament to the quiet strength of authenticity and to the enduring human desire to find God not in heaven, but within the soul’s own language. Get full access to Something or Other Publishing on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe
Addison Hodges Hart has spent decades writing at the intersection of theology, history, and the contemplative life. Across twelve books—ranging from his studies of the Gospels to his philosophical meditations and even his fictional experiment Confessions of the Antichrist—he has returned again and again to a single question: what remains of faith once the scaffolding of doctrine has been stripped away?In this conversation, Hart draws on his long career as a priest, scholar, and spiritual essayist to examine how belief evolves when it is tested by experience rather than upheld by obligation. He reflects on the tensions he has observed within Christian communities, the limits of dogmatic certainty, and the quiet resilience of a faith grounded in intellectual honesty. With the same clarity that animates his Substack The Pragmatic Mystic, Hart argues that the spiritual life matures only when it learns to breathe outside the structures built to protect it.What emerges is not a dismissal of tradition, but a more demanding version of it—one that asks for depth over compliance, and for courage in the face of unanswerable questions. Get full access to Something or Other Publishing on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe
Willie Handler has reinvented himself on several occasions throughout his work career. He has been a hospital administrator, a government policy manager, an insurance expert, and consultant. Following his retirement from the government, Willie began a writing career. He has published three fiction novels over the past few years. His latest book is a memoir focusing on growing up as a child of Holocaust survivors.Willie is active in Toronto’s Holocaust second generation and third generation survivor community, participating in educational programs, commemorative events, and group discussions. He is also a volunteer at the Toronto Holocaust Museum, where he assists students and visitors as they make their way through the museum’s gallery. Willie has spoken online and at in-person events on the Holocaust, antisemitism, trauma and his family’s history.He is currently working on a book dealing with intergenerational generational trauma in descendants of Holocaust survivors and have interviewed over 100 descendants. Get full access to Something or Other Publishing on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe
When Kathleen Johnson’s life fell apart, she didn’t set out to become “Scripture Girl.” She was a woman searching for peace, holding on to faith through divorce, fear, and a diagnosis that left doctors without answers. But when healing came — spirit, soul, and body — so did a new purpose: to show others that the same Spirit who heals also sends.In this conversation with Wade Franson, Kathleen shares her journey from pain to restoration and the message behind her book Healed to Heal. Together they explore the transforming power of surrender, the discipline of Scripture, and what it means to live by the Spirit in a world driven by fear.It’s a testimony of grace, boldness, and the freedom that comes when healing becomes more than a miracle — it becomes a mission. Get full access to Something or Other Publishing on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe
The original gospel proclamation that the Lord of the nations was a crucified Galilean raised from the dead and that salvation was found in vowing allegiance to Jesus of Nazareth unleashed a shock wave that turned the Roman Empire upside down. Early Christianity was subversive and dangerous—dangerous for Christians and a threat to the keepers of the old order. Most of all, Christianity was countercultural. But what about contemporary American Christianity? Is it the countercultural way of Jesus or merely a religious endorsement of Americanism? In his provocative book, Postcards From Babylon, Brian Zahnd challenges the reader to see and embrace a daring Jesus-centered Christianity that can turn the world upside down again. Get full access to Something or Other Publishing on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe
Sylvain Horwood, natural health advocate and founder of PURU, joins Wade Franson for a radiant conversation about light — the kind that sustains our biology and awakens our spirit. Through a lifetime of curiosity and research into the relationship between sunlight and human wellbeing, Sylvain has seen the sun as medicine and metaphor — a bridge between the physical and the divine. In this episode, he shares how aligning with the sun’s natural rhythm can restore balance to our health and open a deeper awareness of the creative force behind it all. Together, Wade and Sylvain explore how modern disconnection from nature affects our physical vitality and sense of meaning. Their discussion moves fluidly between science and spirituality, revealing how the energy that sustains life may also illuminate the image of God within us. Get full access to Something or Other Publishing on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe
David Zahl, founder of Mockingbird Ministries and author of Low Anthropology and Seculosity, joins Wade Franson for a rich conversation on faith, culture, and the power of grace. Drawing from years of work translating theology into everyday language, David shares how Mockingbird’s message — that God’s love is for the real, the flawed, and the weary — continues to resonate in a culture driven by achievement and self-definition. Together, Wade and David explore what it means to proclaim good news in an age that doesn’t think it needs saving, how “low anthropology” opens the door to deeper compassion, and why grace is the most radical message of all. Get full access to Something or Other Publishing on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe
In Sacred, Not Sinful, Dr. Lyman A. Montgomery provides a bold, biblical, and balanced exploration of the tension between Greek life and Christian discipleship. Drawing on scripture, cultural history, and personal testimony, his book offers clarity, not condemnation, showing believers how heritage can be redeemed, traditions re-examined, and identity rooted firmly in Christ. Get full access to Something or Other Publishing on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe
Where religion and reporting meet, the stakes are high, and the stories are deeply human. Writer and scholar Mark Oppenheimer joins Created in the Image of God to reflect on a life spent at the intersection of belief, culture, and public conversation. Known for his work with The New York Times, This American Life, and the groundbreaking Unorthodox podcast, Oppenheimer brings wit and candor to how faith traditions—his own Jewish background among them—can enrich our collective dialogue rather than divide it. Together, we explore what moral imagination journalism requires, how spiritual humility can coexist with critical inquiry, and why telling the truth about who we are remains one of the most sacred acts in a pluralistic world. Get full access to Something or Other Publishing on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe
Philosopher and educator Joe Atman approaches the Book of Genesis as a universal and familiar entry point for rethinking how humanity learns—and why we so often mistake information for understanding. Rather than treating Genesis as theology, he interprets it as a map of consciousness: a story of curiosity, judgment, and rediscovery that mirrors our intellectual and moral evolution. Drawing on his experience at Middle Tree, where reimagining education means restoring wonder to the learning process itself, Atman explores how true learning begins with humility—and how the human mind must continually be re-educated to perceive meaning beyond its own assumptions. This conversation moves between philosophy, discovery, and the renewal of learning itself—a journey back to the source, where creation and education meet. Get full access to Something or Other Publishing on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe
Can journalism still serve truth instead of ideology in an era defined by partisanship and polarization?Tangle founder Isaac Saul joins Created in the Image of God for a timely conversation about the pursuit of balance in modern media. Through Tangle’s nonpartisan model—where stories are examined from the left, right, and center—Isaac is reimagining what it means to inform without inflaming, to challenge without dividing.Together, we explore how humility, transparency, and moral courage can restore faith in journalism—and why the spiritual act of seeking truth may be the antidote to a broken information age. Get full access to Something or Other Publishing on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe
The power of thought—hailed in the Bahá’í Writings as the true reality of humankind—has become both a creative and contested frontier. In an age of cognitive warfare, where persuasion is engineered and trust erodes by design, the act of seeking truth demands vigilance.This discussion with journalist Mehrtash Olson explores how modern media and information systems shape not only public opinion but also the moral fabric of society itself. Through the lens of Bahá’u’lláh and Abdu’l-Bahá’s guidance on truthfulness, justice, and journalists’ responsibilities, it examines what integrity in communication requires in a world of constant influence.An invitation to reclaim discernment—and to treat thought itself as sacred ground. Get full access to Something or Other Publishing on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe
In this episode of Created In The Image of God, we welcome David French — New York Times opinion columnist, constitutional lawyer, Iraq War veteran, and author of Divided We Fall. Few voices today carry his combination of legal expertise, military service, and journalistic influence. French has long argued for the importance of character in leadership, the defense of religious liberty, and the dangers of political polarization.Our conversation centers on media literacy in a world of echo chambers. French reflects on how information ecosystems have fractured, leaving citizens vulnerable to manipulation and mistrust. Drawing from his work in law, his writing for national outlets, and his personal experiences navigating political and religious controversies, he offers a grounded perspective on what it takes to discern truth when every platform seems designed to divide.What emerges is not simply commentary on today’s headlines, but a deeper call to conscience. French challenges listeners to consider how faith, civic responsibility, and moral clarity can help rebuild an everyday reality in public life. At a moment when mistrust runs high, his voice reminds us that clear thinking and honest dialogue remain essential to both democracy and community. Get full access to Something or Other Publishing on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe
When words fail, art speaks. Licensed art psychotherapist Tracey Saia has spent over 25 years helping people process trauma, strained relationships, and life transitions through creative expression. Her work proves that art isn’t about talent — it’s about giving your inner world a way to speak.Tracey shares how art therapy turns pain into expression, builds resilience, and opens doors to healing when language falls short. Get full access to Something or Other Publishing on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe
Dean Simone’s résumé reads like a highlight reel of American film and television. He’s played Jim Murray in HBO’s Winning Time, shared the screen in Craig Gillespie’s Dumb Money, starred in the feature Game Day, and appears in Netflix’s upcoming Gringo Hunters. His face has anchored global Super Bowl campaigns, and his voice has fronted The Smokin’ Cobras on stages from Dodger Stadium to Tokyo.But Dean isn’t here just as an actor. He’s here as a seeker. A self-described “non-dualistic Catholic Taoist,” Dean wrestles with faith in a way that resists easy categories. For him, Christian non-duality is what Jesus meant when he spoke of “the Way” or “the Kingdom of Heaven.”In this conversation, we explore the tension between myth and metaphor: Is the Bible a gateway to ultimate reality, or does it obscure it? How can stories—whether biblical, cinematic, or personal—reveal truth without confining it to rigid dualities of good versus evil?Listen and find out! Get full access to Something or Other Publishing on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe
Michael Stone was only two and a half years old when he discovered his mother hanging. His childhood spiraled into abandonment, abuse, and disconnection. Years later, his wife was murdered, leaving him to raise their daughter while living under suspicion for more than forty years until DNA evidence finally revealed the truth.These experiences could have destroyed him. Instead, they became the ground from which he rose. Through decades of spiritual practice, deep study, and service to others, Michael has reframed trauma as more than survival—it is a misunderstood love story, a force that, when integrated, can return us to belonging and wholeness.In this conversation, Michael speaks with rare honesty about his path from devastation to transformation, his book Traumatized: A Love Story, and the practices that helped him turn unbearable pain into a life of healing and purpose. His story is not just moving—it’s an invitation to face our own wounds with compassion and courage. Get full access to Something or Other Publishing on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe
Suizan Schacherer knows what it’s like to feel trapped in your own body. 55 years of yo-yo diets. A lifetime of self-doubt. And the quiet, constant shame that comes with never feeling enough. One day, she decided to stop running from herself. She faced the pain. The habits. The stories she’d been telling herself for decades. A hundred pounds disappeared, yes. But more importantly — the shame vanished with them. This story is about Freedom: Freedom from shame. Freedom from fear. Freedom from believing you’re broken. Suizan found strength in faith, rebuilt her identity, and discovered who she was always meant to be. If you’re tired of carrying things no one else sees — the doubt, the guilt, the frustration — you’ll want to hear this. Get full access to Something or Other Publishing on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe
Get ready to equip yourself with fundamental tools and biblical wisdom to navigate your career, personal life, or spiritual journey! Drawing on decades of leadership development experience at Yale, Merck, Ernst & Young, and other organizations, Dr. Jay Morris joins us to reveal how the Holy Spirit actively guides us in our everyday choices, enabling us to lead with clarity, integrity, and courage. Listen carefully as we discuss the power of practical scripture, learning to hear God’s voice, and becoming the person He created you to be. Get full access to Something or Other Publishing on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe
Understanding God’s Word doesn’t have to be complicated. We sit down with Dan Parr, the narrator and publisher behind the Easy-to-Understand, Read Bible — a growing movement helping thousands of people rediscover Scripture in a way that feels personal, clear, and alive. Through his narration and publishing work, Dan has made it possible for anyone — whether new to faith or returning to it — to connect with God’s Word without confusion or intimidation. This conversation dives into why simplifying the Bible matters, how the correct language can transform understanding, and how Dan’s work has a powerful impact on listeners who experience God’s message as if it were written directly for them. Get full access to Something or Other Publishing on Substack at soopllc.substack.com/subscribe
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States