The Collective Table

What does it mean to make love the lens through which we understand God, scripture, justice, and the way of Jesus? In this episode of The Collective Table, Jason Coker sits down with pastor, activist, and author Trey Ferguson to discuss his new book, Love Is Good Religion. Trey shares how his own journey into ministry shaped his understanding of faith and explores what it might look like to reimagine familiar Christian stories through a theology rooted in love. The conversation dives into competing understandings of the gospel, penal substitutionary atonement, the human fingerprints found throughout scripture, the role of imagination in faith, and the difference between retributive and restorative justice. Jason and Trey also explore how love might challenge our assumptions about violence, power, and what it means to follow Jesus in a world that often treats cruelty as necessary. Along the way, Trey offers a compelling definition of love as a commitment to the wholeness and flourishing of another—and invites us to consider what changes when we take that definition seriously. Love Is Good Religion is more than a devotional; it is an invitation to read scripture differently, ask better questions, and imagine a more loving way of being in the world. The Collective Table Podcast is a production of the Oceanside Sanctuary, a progressive Christian community in Oceanside, California. Learn more about the Oceanside Sanctuary and our work at oceansidesanctuary.org.

This episode marks the final gathering in our TCT Book Club series. Jason, co-pastor at Oceanside Sanctuary, welcomes author, ordained Presbyterian minister, and mental-health chaplain Miriam McMillan to discuss her book, Sacred Balance: How Ancient Practices Can Restore Modern Minds. Together, they explore how ancient Christian practices can help us cultivate intentionality, connection with God, and self-compassion. Their conversation considers spiritual growth without shame; the relationship between acceptance and change; embodied practices such as breath prayer and pilgrimage; and making room for gratitude, wonder, and healing in everyday life. While this concludes the Book Club format, The Collective Table will continue with thoughtful conversations between our host and featured authors coming soon. Learn more about us and the work we do at oceansidesanctuary.org

Most parents don’t realize that the way they’ve been taught to parent—based on shame, punishment, and control—is actually deeply harmful. Wendy Snyder, a family coach and author of Fresh Start Your Family, reveals how shifting from power struggles to powerful connection transforms not just your child's behavior, but your entire family dynamic.This episode pulls back the curtain on why apologizing to your kids feels so uncomfortable and how even the most well-intentioned parents often avoid humility out of fear or pride. Wendy shares concrete, actionable strategies—like the four-step framework for respectful discipline—that help parents build trust, foster emotional safety, and cultivate neural pathways of compassion in children. You’ll discover the profound impact of owning your part, offering genuine apologies, and modeling humility—because regret and repair are acts of strength, not weakness.We break down: Why society’s punishment-based parenting models disrupt connection and how to rewrite that script The power of apology and the right timing to rebuild trust after a mistake How empathy and understanding create safer, more resilient children who are willing to grow and learn from missteps The significance of connection, even during difficult moments, and how it shapes lifelong self-worth and emotional intelligence How to shift your perspective from control to creating a foundation of unconditional love and relationship Skipping these lessons risks passing down cycles of shame, disconnection, and rebellion. But mastering these principles unlocks a new level of influence—not through force but through authentic love and respect. If you’re tired of power struggles and want your family to thrive in dignity and grace, this episode is your guide.Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or anyone invested in meaningful human connection, these insights will reshape your approach to family—not just for today, but for generations to come.Wendy Snyder is a certified family life coach, author, and host of The Fresh Start Family Show. Her work is rooted in faith, real-world science, and an unwavering commitment to restoring peace through connection.This is essential listening for anyone ready to give up control and embrace powerful parenting that heals, not harms. Learn More about the work we do at oceansidesanctuary.org Learn more about Wendy at freshstartfamilyonline.com dont forget to leave a review!

Welcome to The Collective Table Welcome to The Collective Table, a progressive and affirming Christian podcast produced by The Oceanside Sanctuary in Oceanside, California. We are a community dedicated to following Jesus, working for justice, and celebrating joy! Whether you are actively reconstructing your faith, seeking a spiritually safe and inclusive space, or simply exploring, there is a seat for you at our table. Healing from High Control Religious Systems: Insights with Dr. Hilary McBride In this episode, Dr. Hilary McBride shares her expertise on how high control religious environments impact psychological and spiritual development. She offers practical ways for communities and individuals to foster healing, embodiment, and genuine connection. Key topics The developmental harm caused by high control religious systems and how they stunt growth The importance of embodying spirituality through movement and physical connection How communities can create trauma-informed, body-honoring worship practices Strategies for churches to implement accountability and repair processes to prevent harm Navigating deconstruction: distinguishing between healthy growth and trauma responses Reconstructing a compassionate, non-coercive image of God beyond violent or guilt-based imagery How community spaces can foster belonging without coercion or pressure The role of spiritual remixing and cherry-picking beliefs in faith recovery Practical support for survivors of spiritual trauma and creating safe, supportive environments Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction and overview of Dr. McBride's background 02:03 - Why the church community chose to explore Holy Hurt 05:26 - Impact of high control religious backgrounds on development 09:00 - The developmental purpose of lying and boundary testing in youth 13:24 - Reconceptualizing the biblical language of violence and coercion 15:53 - How cultural context influences perceptions of divine violence 17:43 - The importance of hermeneutics and interpretive flexibility in spirituality 20:13 - Differentiating healthy deconstruction from traumatic disengagement 23:01 - Movement and embodiment as pathways to spiritual connection 27:43 - Trauma-informed body-based worship practices 33:29 - Accountability structures in progressive faith communities 39:53 - Supporting survivors and avoiding re-traumatization 42:57 - Navigating trust and community re-entry after trauma 45:21 - The importance of agency, choice, and space to heal in faith communities 48:05 - Cherry-picking beliefs and creating remixing faith spaces 53:27 - Distinguishing empowerment from avoidance in spiritual choices 55:11 - Understanding and navigating spiritual bypassing 57:55 - Wrap-up and final thoughts from Dr. McBride Resources & Links Learn more/connect with Hillary Mcbride Buy "Holy Hurt" Book The Wisdom of Your Body: Practices for Embodied Living Holy...

Join the TCT Book Club for a live, insightful conversation with Reverend Brandon Robertson—acclaimed author, activist, public theologian, and the "TikTok Pastor." In this episode, we dive deep into Brandon's book, Queer and Christian, exploring how to celebrate queer faith, reclaim the Bible as a dynamic conversation partner, and fully embrace Jesus's radical message of unconditional inclusion. Brandon shares his personal journey from a fundamentalist background at Moody Bible Institute to becoming a progressive champion for LGBTQ+ rights. The group discusses the inherently transgressive nature of Jesus's ministry, the importance of reading scripture through liberationist and queer lenses, and how to shift from fear-based religious boundaries to value-centered, harm-reducing ethics. The episode concludes with a live Q&A with our book club members, tackling tough questions about staying in conservative spaces, navigating relationships with non-affirming loved ones, and reimagining historical assumptions about Jesus. Links & Resources: Find and join our next book club session: oceansidesanctuary.org/calendar Support our mission: The Collective Table is a production of the Oceanside Sanctuary. To help us keep building communities of love and liberation, please consider becoming a supporter at oceansidesanctuary.org/give.