Spiritual Misfits Podcast

Growing up my understanding of Islam was largely informed by Christian sources telling me what was wrong. I actually remember a book I owned called ‘why are there so many gods?’ In and of itself this is not a terrible question, but the contents of the book included a 1-2 page summary of all the major (and many minor) religions of the world. And at the end of each one it had ‘the catch’ - a couple short sentences on why it was false.Of course on the page about Christianity ‘the catch’ section said ‘there is none!’These days I find the project a book like that is trying to engage in preposterous and arrogant. I would much rather look for the common ground across spiritual traditions. I’m happy to acknowledge and discuss differences, but I’m not looking for ‘the catch’ in every view that differs from mine! Speaking of common ground, this week I had a conversation with Adis Duderija, a scholar of contemporary progressive Islam. Perhaps I shouldn’t have been surprised to discover so much of what Adis outlines in terms of his approach to faith is deeply resonant with my own. And many of the tensions he describes within the tent of his tradition…sound like they could just be describing the same trends within Christianity.I desire a spirituality that sees people from all perspectives as conversation partners and fellow learners. So I was very grateful for this chat with Adis. There’s so much more we could have explored. But if, like me, your engagement in inter-faith dialogue has been more limited than you’d like, I hope this provides an opportunity to listen, learn and see common ground in our pursuit of a good, just and beautiful life.About Adis Duderija:Adis Duderija is an academic, working at Griffith University. Teaching and researching on contemporary Islam with a special focus on the theory of progressive Islam, salafism and religious extremism, Islam and Gender, western Muslims’ identity construction and inter-faith dialogue theory and practice.Sign up to our mailing list:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/Join our online Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spiritualmisfitspodcastSupport the pod:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/support-us/Send us an email: Spiritualmisfits@outlook.comView all episodes at: https://spiritualmisfits.buzzsprout.com

Rachel Collis has often felt like the ‘non-Trekkie at the Star-Trek convention’ at church. Still, she has shown up over the years, through faith, doubt and everything in between. We explore her story as well as the powerful music she makes, closing our conversation with one of her songs, ‘the least of these.’Check out more of Rachel’s work here: https://rachelcollis.com/Sign up to our mailing list:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/Join our online Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spiritualmisfitspodcastSupport the pod:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/support-us/Send us an email: Spiritualmisfits@outlook.comView all episodes at: https://spiritualmisfits.buzzsprout.com

We're adding a twist to our beloved Pub Theology episodes: bring a friend - who brings the topic. This time, Will has brought Carlynne Nunn. And Carlynne has brought shame and disappointment. Great topics for a lively ol' pub chat! Pour a drink of your choosing and join us for a rich and wide conversation about the dark and uncomfy things in life and faith. Sign up to our mailing list:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/Join our online Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spiritualmisfitspodcastSupport the pod:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/support-us/Send us an email: Spiritualmisfits@outlook.comView all episodes at: https://spiritualmisfits.buzzsprout.com

Dear friends,  If you are listening on the day this comes out, happy resurrection Sunday! And if you are listening at any other time that’s cool because resurrection is not restricted to Easter Sunday. It pops up in all kinds of places, often where it's unexpected. This conversation with Josephine McDonnell Inkpin is a wonderful reminder of that, and I am just delighted to share it with you.  Josephine was Australia’s first transgender priest, and she is the minister at Pitt St Uniting Church. As you will hear throughout this conversation she has a depth of wisdom, compassion, wit, generosity -- and a remarkable perspective on the great religious traditions. As you’ll hear she’s deeply grounded in her Christian tradition while having a wonderful collaborative approach to other traditions — and to me, that’s good news. We talk about many things, one of them being the beautiful perspective transgender folks can bring to our understandings of resurrection. Listen deeply, share widely. The biggest thanks to Jo for joining us for this one! Sign up to our mailing list:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/Join our online Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spiritualmisfitspodcastSupport the pod:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/support-us/Send us an email: Spiritualmisfits@outlook.comView all episodes at: https://spiritualmisfits.buzzsprout.com

James Watson is a musician, music educator and a lovely fella who possesses many of the same qualities as a golden retriever. He’s warm, loveable and quick to make friends. He’s also deeply thoughtful and considered, as you’ll hear in this conversation about changing churches, evolving beliefs and the ‘little hurts’ that can build up in communities over time. At the end of the chat he shares a song he wrote in anticipation of this podcast interview. And trust me, it’s a goody. You’ll probably want to play it twice, like I did the first time he sent me a voice memo with a rough recording. Sign up to our mailing list:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/Join our online Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spiritualmisfitspodcastSupport the pod:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/support-us/Send us an email: Spiritualmisfits@outlook.comView all episodes at: https://spiritualmisfits.buzzsprout.com

Rob Waters, Gomeroi poet and storyteller and the current Australian Poetry Slam champion joined me for a rich and deep conversation about an all-encompassing spirituality that exists beyond the boxes of a compartmentalised life. Rob shares about the grounding role of Country and Story from a First Nations perspective. We then explore the prophetic role of the poets in speaking truth in an unjust world, while also acknowledging that listening ought to precede speaking. Towards the end of the conversation Rob shares two powerful poems and some particularly poignant and challenging stories. There’s great wisdom here for those who take the time to open their hearts and listen. Big love to Rob for sharing with us ❤️ Sign up to our mailing list:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/Join our online Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spiritualmisfitspodcastSupport the pod:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/support-us/Send us an email: Spiritualmisfits@outlook.comView all episodes at: https://spiritualmisfits.buzzsprout.com

Hello my friendsA few words at the top here before the episode starts. I had to rearrange some interviews I had lined up for this week — so I’m pulling a great conversation out of the archive for you. Given that last weekend was Mardi Gras, I thought I’d replay this wonderful panel conversation we recorded just over a year ago in conjunction with World Pride. It was a great chat with Karl, Karen and Tash — certainly worth listening to either for the first time or to catch something new on a second listen. I also wanted to take a moment here to highlight the Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimages which have been happening during Lent. The circumstances in Gaza continue to be horrendous. I’m sure so many of you, like me, feel at a loss for words and for the right actions. If you haven’t already heard of the Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage this has become a worldwide movement of Christian groups hosting 41km walks — the length of Gaza — as an act of solidarity as well as a nonviolent protest, calling for a permanent ceasefire. These walks are hosted by Christians, welcoming of people from all or no faith background, and are built around strong core convictions, including condemning anti-semitism, which is not the same thing as critiquing the Israeli government. At Meeting Ground church, we will be doing 4 10km walks during Holy Week, starting on Palm Sunday. As we prepare to reflect on the crucified Christ at Easter, I cannot think of a more pertinent time to try to connect our bodies, minds and hearts with those who are unjustly crucified, scapegoated and oppressed — in our world today. If you happen to be on the Central Coast and you want to join us reach out. Otherwise, check out gazaceasefirepilgrimage.com to learn more and connect with groups and organisers in your neck of the woods. I know many listeners will have already participated in pilgrimages in recent weeks, and if that’s the case, big respect to you and your crew. Where ever you find yourself this week may you turn your ears and your voice and your being in the direction of love that perseveres. Sign up to our mailing list:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/Join our online Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spiritualmisfitspodcastSupport the pod:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/support-us/Send us an email: Spiritualmisfits@outlook.comView all episodes at: https://spiritualmisfits.buzzsprout.com

Will and Hannah debrief their thoughts after binging 'Prosper' on Stan. We avoid spoilers, and there's still plenty of interesting questions here for people who haven't watched the show. So get yourself a cuppa and join us as we discuss wealth,  celebrity pastors, corruption and more.Sign up to our mailing list:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/Join our online Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spiritualmisfitspodcastSupport the pod:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/support-us/Send us an email: Spiritualmisfits@outlook.comView all episodes at: https://spiritualmisfits.buzzsprout.com

Emily Hayes is the minister at Alice Springs Uniting Church. Mitch and Will met Emily towards the end of 2023 at a gathering and began a fascinating conversation which they pick up in this episode, exploring things like calling, discernment, and a spirituality of place and deep listening. Sign up to our mailing list:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/Join our online Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spiritualmisfitspodcastSupport the pod:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/support-us/Send us an email: Spiritualmisfits@outlook.comView all episodes at: https://spiritualmisfits.buzzsprout.com

Sarah McCammon is an award-winning National Political Respodent for NPR and the author of the upcoming book: 'The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living and Leaving the White Evangelical Church'. ‘The Exvangelicals’ is part-memoir and part-journalism, providing a guided tour through the significant religious and political social shifts happening in our current historical moment, interwoven with Sarah’s own story growing up evangelical.As I said to Sarah multiple times throughout our conversation, I  deeply appreciated this book. But don't just take my word for it! It’s endorsed by people like Brian McLaren, Nadia Bolz Weber, Jemar Tisby and Kristen Kobes Du Mez. I don’t want to overstate the influence of American evangelicalism here in Australia….but I also don’t want to understate it.  What America exports in faith, politics and culture show up in so many ways we would do well to critically ponder. Listen to this chat and then go and pre-order Sarah's book from the link below!Pre-order the book here: https://static.macmillan.com/static/smp/the-exvangelicals/Subscribe to Sarah’s Substack here: https://sarahmccammon.substack.com/Sign up to our mailing list:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/Join our online Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spiritualmisfitspodcastSupport the pod:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/support-us/Send us an email: Spiritualmisfits@outlook.comView all episodes at: https://spiritualmisfits.buzzsprout.com

If you listened to our advent episode you got to hear some beautiful Christmas music from Peter Espevoll with some production from Jon Reinhardt (who you may remember if you listened to the ‘experience of David Bentley Hart’ episode).What you may be surprised to hear is that despite putting out a Christmas album recently Peter’s musical background is primarily in the death metal scene - some of you may have even heard of the band Extol. Formed in the 90s they were a Norwegian Christian death metal band, who actually managed the rare achievement of having a decent amount of cross-over success beyond the Christian music industry.But there came a point when Peter couldn’t even step into the studio or onto a stage anymore. Initially it was for health reasons…but that led to a major questions in Peter’s once confident faith.This episode explores that story…and is a powerful listen, whether or not you’re a fan of death metal!Listen to Extol on Spotify here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3A6RBkFY3kND3Z5kXM3Cz3?si=wx4X1bG3S9a6HTnhEMxfrAListen to Peter’s current project, Hrada: On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4phufaK8eMLEMSnd36h4Yf?si=L-bYznObQ4qXMjvA_kanigOn Bandcamp: https://hrada.bandcamp.com/Sign up to our mailing list:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/Join our online Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spiritualmisfitspodcastSupport the pod:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/support-us/Send us an email: Spiritualmisfits@outlook.comView all episodes at: https://spiritualmisfits.buzzsprout.com

Kristen LaValley is a writer whose works  offers “insights that intersect doubt and belief, hope and suffering, beauty and heartache, complexity and simplicity.” Questioning and curiosity have always been a natural part of Kristen’s faith from her childhood through to now. Kristen’s upcoming book, ‘Even if He Doesn’t’ opens up some of Kristen’s own experiences of suffering, confusion and heartache, alongside an exploration of theology that doesn’t reduce faith to simplistic formulas. See the ‘cultural history of deconstruction post’ we discuss from Kristen’s Instagram account here: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cwz5TSwriDm/?igsh=MTVxc3p4bjFoZXoxbw==Sign up to our mailing list:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/Join our online Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spiritualmisfitspodcastSupport the pod:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/support-us/Send us an email: Spiritualmisfits@outlook.comView all episodes at: https://spiritualmisfits.buzzsprout.com

Nils von Kalm is an award-winning freelance writer, whose work seeks to lift people's dignity. Nils explores the intersections between faith and the complexities of life.In this conversation Nils shares vulnerably about formational moments in his own life, including his experience of the 'Men's Rites of Passage' (founded by Fr. Richard Rohr) and his visits to Gaza and Israel when working for an international aid and development organisation. Throughout the conversation Nils articulates what it means for him to live and express a faith that focuses on the margins, rather than the centre. I really enjoyed this conversation and hope you do too. Sign up to our mailing list:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/Join our online Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spiritualmisfitspodcastSupport the pod:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/support-us/Send us an email: Spiritualmisfits@outlook.comView all episodes at: https://spiritualmisfits.buzzsprout.com

Liz Cooledge Jenkins joins Hannah and Will for a conversation about her new book 'Nice Churchy Patriarchy', unpacking all the subtle but damaging ways patriarchy can operate in 'nice' Christian spaces and inviting us to imagine and participate in more equitable and just ways of creating faith communities.Connect with Liz's work here: https://lizcooledgejenkins.com/About 'Nice Churchy Patriarchy': https://lizcooledgejenkins.com/nice-churchy-patriarchy/Sign up to our mailing list:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/Join our online Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spiritualmisfitspodcastSupport the pod:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/support-us/Send us an email: Spiritualmisfits@outlook.comView all episodes at: https://spiritualmisfits.buzzsprout.com

Jonny Cornford from Filthy Hope podcast joins Will Small for a crossover episode.In the first half of the episode we exchange some of our own stories and discuss our motivations for making work like this, then in the second half we get into an honest ‘filthy misfit’ discussion about prayer.Learn more about Filthy Hope here: https://www.unitingheartandsoul.org/filthy-hopeSign up to our mailing list:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/Join our online Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spiritualmisfitspodcastSupport the pod:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/support-us/Send us an email: Spiritualmisfits@outlook.comView all episodes at: https://spiritualmisfits.buzzsprout.com

I’m taking a little breather between the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024. Thankfully, there are so many incredible conversations in our back-log. I’m pulling a few favourites out to revisit - like this one!If you’re in Sydney (or willing to travel) join us on the 25th of Jan for Future Church Conference (futurechurchcon.com) with Joel Hollier, Safina Stuart, Karen Pack and Christine Redwood. They’ve all been on the podcast before and they’re all great. So we’d love to see you then. It’s going to be a big year for Spiritual Misfits. Jump in our Facebook group or join our mailing list to stay in the loop. ABOUT BECCABecca De Souza is a doula, and a writer (check out links below to some articles we reference in this conversation). And she has a profound story of coming to see God in new ways in the midst of trauma and PTSD. Read some of her words here: https://www.cbeinternational.org/person/becca-de-souza/https://thesheisproject.org/2018/02/out-of-the-dust-beccas-story/Sign up to our mailing list:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/Join our online Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spiritualmisfitspodcastSupport the pod:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/support-us/Send us an email: Spiritualmisfits@outlook.comView all episodes at: https://spiritualmisfits.buzzsprout.com

I’m taking a little breather between the end of 2023 and the beginning of 2024. Thankfully, there are so many incredible conversations in our back-log. I’m pulling a few favourites out to revisit - like this one!If you’re in Sydney (or willing to travel) join us on the 25th of Jan for Future Church Conference (futurechurchcon.com) with Joel Hollier, Safina Stewart, Karen Pack and Christine Redwood. They’ve all been on the podcast before and they’re all great. So we’d love to see you then. It’s going to be a big year for Spiritual Misfits. Jump in our Facebook group or join our mailing list to stay in the loop. DAVE TOMLINSONDave is a vicar from London, a wonderful storyteller and truth seeker and has written many books including ‘how to be a bad Christian and a better human being’ which we discuss in this conversation.Simon Buckingham Shum who is a part of meeting ground church joined me to co-host this one - as a Brit who has been following Dave’s work for a long time. Simon and Dave make reference a few times to Greenbelt, which is an annual festival in the UK bringing together faith, justice, philosophy, art and a shared space for people from all walks of life. There’s a link in the shownotes if you want to learn more. At the end of the conversation Dave gives one of the best definitions of hope I’ve ever heard.This was a delightful conversation to have and I hope it encourages you.Listen to Dave's talks at  Greenbelt here: https://www.greenbelt.org.uk/talks-archive/#~tomlinsonCheck out Dave's YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpGqunuXebtPE1SaSlVjsdASign up to our mailing list:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/Join our online Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spiritualmisfitspodcastSupport the pod:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/support-us/Send us an email: Spiritualmisfits@outlook.comView all episodes at: https://spiritualmisfits.buzzsprout.com

How do we think about Christmas this year? What does it mean to celebrate the ‘Prince of Peace’ when the realities of war and genocide continue without ceasing? What use is the Christmas story when church bells are drowned out by bombs? If our Christian spirituality doesn’t engage deeply with the darkness, what right has it to proclaim the coming of light? We’ve created an audio experience to help locate our hearts with those who suffer this Christmas. A mix of poetry, music and reflections to remind us that the heart of the Incarnation story is a God who does not shy away from the darkness, but comes to dwell in it. We encourage you to take 30 minutes on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to experience this liturgy and to consider sharing it with others, in the belief that Christmas is not a distraction from the horrors of the world; it’s an invitation to confront them directly and show up in solidarity however we can. With special thanks to Jon Reichardt and Peter Espevoll for music and production on this episode. Listen here to 'Among the Stars' by Hrada for some of the tracks on this episode ('Christmas Mass', 'We Three Kings', and 'O Holy Night')'Subversive Nativity' poem by Dean Johnston & Will Small, inspired by Reverend Dr. Munther Isaac.'The Uninvited Christ' by Thomas Merton. For more on this piece, read this great article.Sign up to our mailing list:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/Join our online Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spiritualmisfitspodcastSupport the pod:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/support-us/Send us an email: Spiritualmisfits@outlook.comView all episodes at: https://spiritualmisfits.buzzsprout.com

We are currently cooking up a NEW Christmas listening experience/liturgy, which will be released next week on Christmas Eve. In the meantime, here's our Advent Liturgy from last year, which we still hold dear to our hearts. Whether you’ve listened to it previously or this is your first time, this is a grounding, stirring, contemplative audio experience, and we reckon there’s something here for you.Also THIS in January: https://futurechurchcon.com/ (every speaker at this one day conference has been on the podcast previously and we love them all. Come join us!) Almost all of the stunning music in this episode is used with grateful permission from  Bjear. His two Christmas albums ‘a Christmas with Bjear and friends volumes 1 and 2’ are available now. You can go and grab them on Bandcamp here and support an independent Australian artist this Christmas.Special thanks to Erin, Leksi, Ellaina, Caro, Emily, Becca, Hannah, Mel, Kerry and Sam for reading on this one, as well as Noah and Leo who had brief cameos.Scripture:Luke 1:46-55Poetry:Advent: Mary, Will SmallSometimes I Wonder, Kaitlin ShetlerSongs: Have Yourself a Merry Christmas, performed by Bjear & friendsThe First Noel, performed by Bjear & friendsChristmas Eve, 1818, performed by Bjear & friendsMidnight, Christians, is the Solemn Hour, performed by Bjear & friendsO Holy Night, performed by Bjear & friendsSign up to our mailing list:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/Join our online Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spiritualmisfitspodcastSupport the pod:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/support-us/Send us an email: Spiritualmisfits@outlook.comView all episodes at: https://spiritualmisfits.buzzsprout.com

Mitch has now officially become a pastor in the Uniting Church, and has the sweet wardrobe to prove it. In light of this Will, Hannah and Mitch have a discussion about the relationship between tradition and progress. How do we know what from the past is worth holding onto? How do we know if we’re actually making progress?Plus the trio come up with a name for the metaphorical Spiritual Misfits pub. Sign up to our mailing list:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/Join our online Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spiritualmisfitspodcastSupport the pod:https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/support-us/Send us an email: Spiritualmisfits@outlook.comView all episodes at: https://spiritualmisfits.buzzsprout.com