The Collective Table

“What prepares men for totalitarian domination in the non-totalitarian world is the fact that loneliness, once a borderline experience usually suffered in certain marginal social conditions like old age, has become an everyday experience …”– Hannah Arendt In this week’s episode, Claire and Jason listen back to a conversation with Rabbi Sharon Brous, who draws from Arendt’s ideas that loneliness and social isolation are essentially preconditions for totalitarianism. Together, they explore the crisis of loneliness, as well as rituals and practices which go against a current of individualism and competition. Reflective Questions for Listeners: How do you see loneliness and social isolation contributing to extremist movements in our communities, country, and world?  Who or what in your life is focused on connection, support, and working together? How does this push back against the culture of individualism, power struggles, and competition?   What rituals challenge you to look someone in the eye and ask, what happened to you? To hear the full original interview with Rabbi Brous, visit our archive here: https://the-collective-table.castos.com/episodes/rabbi-sharon-brous-the-amen-effect Learn about KC Tenants here: https://kctenants.org/  Thank you for being a part of season 9! This season may be over but we have some incredible episodes coming your way soon, starting with Advent and moving into 2025. So don’t be a stranger, we will see you soon! In the meantime, we want you to join the conversation. Leave us a voicemail at (760) 722-8522 and let us know what is on your mind. You can also send us an email at tct@oceansidesanctuary.org. Thank you for listening and we hope to hear from you soon! 

In this powerful episode, Jenell and Claire dive into The Collective Table archives to revisit the “See No Stranger” book club conversation featuring Valarie Kaur. Valarie, a renowned civil rights activist, author, and speaker, has dedicated her life to promoting revolutionary love—a concept she describes as "the choice to enter into labor for others who do not look like us, for our opponents who hurt us, and for ourselves." Guided by Valarie's words from the 2022 book club discussion and her 2017 TED Talk, today’s conversation explores Valarie’s approach to love as a labor that is "fierce, bloody, imperfect, life-giving." Jenell and Claire choose three transformative themes from Kaur's work, offering reflections on listening with wonder, laboring within privileged spaces, and learning to care for ourselves in the process. Reflective Questions for Listeners: Has anyone with differing views listened to your story with empathy and wonder?  This episode discusses roles in the labor of revolutionary love. Do you have a sense of your role in this work? What practices help you to stay grounded and ready to engage with others’ stories compassionately? To hear the full original interview with Valarie Kaur, visit our archive here: https://the-collective-table.castos.com/episodes/valarie-kaur-see-no-stranger  We'd love to hear from you! Reach out at tct@oceansidesanctuary.org, or leave us a voicemail at (760) 722-8522. You may even be featured in a future episode. The Collective Table is a production of The Oceanside Sanctuary Church, a progressive Christian community rooted in inclusivity, inspiration, and the peace and justice of Christ. Learn more at https://www.oceansidesanctuary.org/.

Episode 4 of Season 9 is here! In today’s episode, Jason and Jenell revisit our most recent interview with author of Black Liturgies, Cole Arthur Riley. What is the role of doubt in opening us to new possibilities? What is uncertainty’s place? What does it look like for us to identify our own beliefs and lean on our own “wisdom giants,” as Cole suggests?  Listen back to the full interview with Cole here: https://the-collective-table.castos.com/episodes/cole-arthur-riley-black-liturgies?_gl=1*wnlsb2*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3MjE2ODMyMTMuQ2p3S0NBandodmkwQmhBNEVpd0FYMjV1ajdoaGkwcmFhbXprVHZQR1k5VmtGbWtTaGFHNm91MV9yMUhvZ1kzYWtwQ3VDMVg3VjltUDdCb0NWeHdRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*ODQ3MTc4MjUzLjE3MjE2ODMyMTM.  As you listen, we encourage you to think about these questions: How are you learning to sit with the tension of doubt and uncertainty? Who are the “wisdom giants” that have opened your faith to new possibilities? What identities, practices, and people give you a sense of rootedness? We would love to hear from you! Send us an email at tct@oceansidesanctuary.org, or leave us a voicemail at (760) 722-8522 and you may be featured on a future episode.  The Collective Table is a production of The Oceanside Sanctuary Church, a progressive church community committed to inclusive, inspiring, and impactful Christian spirituality and rooted in the love, peace, and justice of Christ. Learn more at https://www.oceansidesanctuary.org.

Episode 3 of The Collective Table podcast is here! In today’s episode, Jenell and Jason revisit our 2021 interview with author, speaker, playwright, musician and former pastor Rob Bell. Listen as they explore the tension between doubt and conviction, and reflect on mystery, lament, and the discomfort of sitting in the unknown. Can embracing uncertainty deepen our faith? Is doubt simply a part of what it means to be human? What does it look like to seek the “answers” in a healthy way?  Listen back to the full interview with Rob here: https://www.thecollectivetable.org/podcast/robbell  As you listen, we encourage you to think about these questions: In your life of faith, how has doubt been helpful or hurtful to you? Is there a mystery in your life that you’ve worked to know endlessly? What doubts and truths within your faith are you sitting with now? We would love to hear from you! Send us an email at tct@oceansidesanctuary.org, or leave us a voicemail at (760) 722-8522 and you may be featured on a future episode.  The Collective Table is a production of The Oceanside Sanctuary Church, a progressive church community committed to inclusive, inspiring, and impactful Christian spirituality and rooted in the love, peace, and justice of Christ. Learn more at https://www.oceansidesanctuary.org. Throughout the episode, Jason and Jenell reference several works by James Fowler. Read more here: Becoming Adult, Becoming Christian: Adult Development & Christian Faith by James Fowler and Stages of Faith: The Psychology of Human Development and the Quest For Meaning by James Fowler.   

Episode 2 of The Collective Table podcast is here! In today’s episode, Jason and Claire revisit a conversation with author, speaker, activist, and public theologian Brian McLaren. Using Brian’s framework of ideas, Jason and Claire explore the themes of cultural fragmentation, hybridization, and the opportunities that arise from cultural shifts. McLaren discusses how living in a fragmenting world can be seen not only as destructive but also as a moment of possibility, where mutation and hybridity create something new. This conversation highlights the importance of befriending multiplicity,  and the freedom that can emerge when diverse expressions of Christianity and culture evolve and intersect. Listen back to the full interview with Brian here: https://www.thecollectivetable.org/virtualqa/brianmclaren  As you listen, we encourage you to think about these questions: How could you experience faith as a more liberating part of your life? How has your faith been hybridized in new ways throughout your life? Have you ever found yourself saying, “I’m a Christian, but not that kind of Christian.”? How have you explained that, if at all?  How can your faith help you navigate the tension between giving others the freedom to be different while also allowing you to take a stand on issues you care about most? We would love to hear from you! Send us an email at tct@oceansidesanctuary.org, or leave us a voicemail at (760) 722-8522 and you may be featured on a future episode.  The Collective Table is a progressive and affirming Christian platform for those who want to follow Jesus, work for justice, and celebrate joy! Learn more at https://www.thecollectivetable.org.    The Collective Table is a production of The Oceanside Sanctuary Church, a progressive church community committed to inclusive, inspiring, and impactful Christian spirituality and rooted in the love, peace, and justice of Christ. Learn more at https://www.oceansidesanctuary.org. --- In this episode, Jason references Oneness Pentecostalism as an example of hybridized doctrine developing out of specific contexts. We would like to credit Kenneth Gill and his work in intercultural theology for inspiring this portion of the conversation. You can read more here: Gill, Kenneth D. 1992. “The Oneness Doctrine as a Contextualized Doctrine of the Trinity for Mexico” in Pentecost, Mission, and Ecumenism Essays on Intercultural Theology edited by Jan A.B. Jongeneel. Frankfurt: Peter Lang.

Welcome to Season 9 of The Collective Table Podcast! For the inaugural episode, Claire and Jenell sat down to reflect on TCT’s Season 7 conversation with Nadia Bolz-Weber. Have you ever wondered how fear shapes our actions and decisions, both in ancient stories like that of Herod and in modern events like the insurrection? What does it look like to sit with these fears - or even allow for this curiosity to transform us? Listen to hear our discussion on all this and more.  Listen back to the full interview with Nadia here: https://www.thecollectivetable.org/podcast/nadiabolz-weber.  Questions to consider:  When was a time when you felt seen? What messages of perfection keep you from being vulnerable with yourself and others? How have you witnessed fear playing a negative role in the public sphere?  We would love to hear from you! Send us an email at tct@oceansidesanctuary.org, or leave us a voicemail at (760) 722-8522 and you may be featured on a future episode.  The Collective Table is a progressive and affirming Christian platform for those who want to follow Jesus, work for justice, and celebrate joy! Learn more at https://www.thecollectivetable.org.    The Collective Table is a production of The Oceanside Sanctuary Church, a progressive church community committed to inclusive, inspiring, and impactful Christian spirituality and rooted in the love, peace, and justice of Christ. Learn more at https://www.oceansidesanctuary.org.

TCT’s next season of episodes will launch on September 9th! Throughout the fall, you’ll hear from Jenell, Jason, and Claire as they look back on some of their favorite TCT episodes, wondering together how these themes can still speak into today’s world. Together we will explore themes that feel more relevant than ever: cultural and identity fragmentation, coping with differences, confronting the doubts and fears that come with them, and discovering the opportunities that arise from embracing cultural and spiritual diversity. We would love to hear from you! Send us an email at tct@oceansidesanctuary.org, or leave us a voicemail at (760) 722-8522 and you may be featured on a future episode.  The Collective Table is a progressive and affirming Christian platform for those who want to follow Jesus, work for justice, and celebrate joy! Learn more at https://www.thecollectivetable.org.    The Collective Table is a production of The Oceanside Sanctuary Church, a progressive church community committed to inclusive, inspiring, and impactful Christian spirituality and rooted in the love, peace, and justice of Christ. Learn more at https://www.oceansidesanctuary.org.

Welcome back to another episode of The Collective Table podcast - the ultimate female perspective on Jesus, justice, and joy! Today’s episode both closes out season 8 AND kicks off Pride month with a conversation with Jonathan Merritt about his new children’s book, My Guncle and Me. In this inclusive and heartwarming picture book, main character Henry Higgleston struggles with being deemed an oddball by the other kids at school. But when his fabulous gay uncle arrives for a weekend with his pup Jimmy Chew in tow, Guncle is on a mission to teach Henry that what makes him different makes him special. This joyful story that celebrates family and self-acceptance will make every reader feel seen and loved. Jonathan Merritt is one of America’s most popular writers on issues of faith and culture. He is author of several critically-acclaimed books, including Learning to Speak God from Scratch: Why Sacred Words are Vanishing - and How We Can Revive Them, named “Book of the Year” by the Englewood Review of Books. He is also a regular contributor to The Atlantic, Religion News Service, and The Week.  Discover more about Jonathan at https://www.jonathanmerritt.com/  X: https://x.com/jonathanmerritt Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JonathanMerrittWriter/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan_merritt/ Seekers & Speakers Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seekers-speakers/id1423339325?mt=2  Stay connected with The Collective Table on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.collective.table/  Explore the mission of The Collective Table further at https://www.thecollectivetable.org. Episode edited by Claire Watson. Learn more at https://podswithclaire.com.

This week, join Chelsea and Dana in a conversation with Rabbi Sharon Brous as they discuss her national bestselling book, The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend our Broken Hearts and World. She is the senior and founding rabbi of IKAR, a leading edge Jewish community based in Los Angeles.  Learn more about Rabbi Sharon here: https://ikar.org/team/rabbi-sharon-brous/  Follow Rabbi Sharon on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonbrous/?hl=en  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RabbiSharonBrous/  X: https://twitter.com/sharonbrous?lang=en  Threads: https://www.threads.net/@sharonbrous  Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@weareikar  Learn more and purchase her book here: https://ikar.org/the-amen-effect/  Rabbi Sharon’s TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/sharon_brous_it_s_time_to_reclaim_religion?language=en    Stay connected with The Collective Table on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.collective.table/  Explore the mission of The Collective Table further at https://www.thecollectivetable.org  Episode edited by Claire Watson. Learn more at https://podswithclaire.com   

This week, join Chelsea and Dana in a conversation with pastor Trey Ferguson - a thinker, theologizer, writer, speaker, teacher, preacher, and creator. His new book, Theologizin’ Bigger: Homilies on Living Freely and Loving Wholly encourages readers to re-engage their imaginations, and to construct theologies that speak to our current contexts, just as people of faith have done throughout history. Discover more about Trey and his impactful work at https://www.pastortrey05.com/ For a closer look at Trey’s ministry and work, follow him @PastorTrey05 on socials: https://www.instagram.com/pastortrey05/?hl=en https://www.tiktok.com/@pastortrey05 https://twitter.com/pastortrey05 https://www.facebook.com/realpastortrey05 Purchase the book, shop merch, follow Trey's podcasts, and more at https://linktr.ee/pastortrey05   Stay connected with The Collective Table on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the.collective.table/ Explore the mission of The Collective Table further at https://www.thecollectivetable.org. Episode edited by Claire Watson. Learn more at https://podswithclaire.com. 

Welcome back to another episode of The Collective Table podcast - the ultimate female perspective on Jesus, justice, and joy! Today Chelsea and Dana are joined by Emmy Award winner Lyvonne Briggs, who is a body and sex-positive womanist spiritualist. She is a writer, pastor, preacher, spiritual life coach, and highly sought after transformational speaker and seminar leader. In today’s conversation, we discuss Lyvonne’s book, Sensual Faith: The Art of Coming Home to Your Body. *Episode note: This is an important, necessary, and faithful conversation - that being said, sex and sensuality are heavily discussed and may not be appropriate for all listeners (especially children). Please exercise discretion when listening.  Discover more about Lyvonne Briggs and her impactful work at: https://lyvonnep.com/ Support Lyvonne on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/join/lyvonnep  Stay connected with The Collective Table on Instagram: @the.collective.table. Explore the mission of The Collective Table further at www.thecollectivetable.org. Episode edited by Claire Watson. Learn more at podswithclaire.com. 

This week on The Collective Table podcast, join Chelsea and Dana in a conversation with Debie Thomas, author of A Faith of Many Rooms: Inhabiting a More Spacious Christianity, and Into the Mess and Other Jesus Stories: Reflections on the Life of Christ. Debie is a columnist and contributing editor for The Christian Century, and from 2014 to 2022, was a staff writer for Journey with Jesus: A Weekly Webzine for the Global Church. She studied English Literature at Wellesley College and Brown University, and earned an MFA in Creative Writing at Ohio State University. Currently, she serves as the Minister for Lifelong Formation at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Palo Alto, CA. Discover more about Debie and her impactful work at debiethomas.com.  For a closer look at Debie's journey and insights, follow her on Instagram: @debiethomas1  Stay connected with The Collective Table on Instagram: @the_collective_table. Explore the mission of The Collective Table further at www.thecollectivetable.org. Episode edited by Claire Watson. Learn more at podswithclaire.com. 

This is a prayer from Debie Thomas’ book, A Faith of Many Rooms: Inhabiting a More Spacious Christianity. Debie shared this poem with us during Dana and Chelsea’s recent conversation with her, which will air on Monday, April 8th! Until then, sit back and rest in these words.  --- Discover more about Debie and her impactful work at debiethomas.com.  For a closer look at Debie's journey and insights, follow her on Instagram: @debiethomas1  Stay connected with The Collective Table on Instagram: @the_collective_table. Explore the mission of The Collective Table further at www.thecollectivetable.org.

This week, join Chelsea and Dana in a conversation with Amy Kenny, an accomplished disabled scholar, writer, and advocate. Amy's critically acclaimed book, "My Body Is Not a Prayer Request: Disability Justice in the Church," skillfully blends humor, narrative, and theology. It serves as a powerful call for faith communities to re-evaluate unintentional ableism and embrace the valuable insights offered by the embodied wisdom of disabled individuals. Discover more about Amy Kenny and her impactful work at amy-kenny.com. For a closer look at Amy's journey and insights, follow her on Instagram: @dramykenny. Stay connected with The Collective Table on Instagram: @the_collective_table. Explore the mission of The Collective Table further at www.thecollectivetable.org. Episode edited by Claire Watson. Learn more at podswithclaire.com.

Listen in on Dana & Chelsea’s conversation with Rev. Mark Feldmeir, author of Life After God: Finding Faith When You Can't Believe Anymore.  Learn more about Mark here: https://www.markfeldmeir.com/  Follow The Collective Table on Instagram @the_collective_table Learn more about the work of The Collective Table at www.thecollectivetable.org Episode edited by Claire Watson. Learn more at podswithclaire.com

Welcome back to Season 8 of The Collective Table Podcast! This week, Chelsea & Dana sit down with Rev. Danté Stewart, a pastor and award-winning writer whose work has appeared in The Atlantic, New York Times, the Washington Post, TIME, ESPN, Andscape, Oxford American, Sojourners, NPR, CNN, MSNBC, and more. His most recent book is entitled, Shoutin’ in the Fire: An American Epistle. In this conversation, Danté also discusses his most recent ESPN essay which teases a forthcoming documentary on a small Black rural town’s relationship to football. Learn more about Danté here: https://www.dantecstewart.com/ Follow Danté on Instagram @stewartdantec Read Danté’s recent ESPN work here: https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/38713424/forever-friday-night-haunted-true-story-my-broken-football-dreams Follow The Collective Table on Instagram @the_collective_table Learn more about the work of The Collective Table at www.thecollectivetable.org  Episode edited by Claire Watson. Learn more at podswithclaire.com

With the Lenten season now on the horizon, we have a bonus episode this week! Listen as Dana & Chelsea chat with authors Rachel Gilmore and Tyler Sit in a conversation on their new Lent study, Where We Meet.  In Where We Meet: A Lenten Study of System, Stories, and Hope , four members of the Intersect network (Rachel Gilmore, Tyler Sit, Candace Lewis, and Matt Temple) invite you to immerse yourself in the stories of Jesus and the early church. Together, they also explore their own stories, examine past shortcomings of the church, address difficult questions, and envision a brighter future that better reflects the good news of Jesus. Learn more about Intersect at intersectnetwork.co and on their Instagram @intersectnetwork  Purchase a copy of the book study here: https://www.amazon.com/Where-We-Meet-Systems-Stories/dp/0835820483#:~:text=Throughout%20the%20Lenten%20season%2C%20Rachel,of%20the%20post%2Dcolonial%20church. Stay connected with The Collective Table on Instagram: @the_collective_table. Explore the mission of The Collective Table further at www.thecollectivetable.org.

This week, Chelsea & Dana sit down with Kat Armas, a Cuban American theologian, writer and podcaster from Miami, FL. Her recent book, Sacred Belonging: a 40-Day Devotional on the Liberating Heart of Scripture shows us that reading the Bible with fresh eyes allows us to experience the divine in new and liberating ways. Learn more about Kat here: https://katarmas.com/  Follow Kat on Instagram @kat_armas Follow The Collective Table on Instagram @the_collective_table Learn more about the work of The Collective Table at www.thecollectivetable.org  

Welcome to Season 8 of The Collective Table Podcast! Today Dana and Chelsea sit down with author and friend of the podcast, Cole Arthur Riley, to discuss her new book, Black Liturgies: Prayers, Poems, and Meditations for Staying Human. Cole is also the creator of Black Liturgies, a space that integrates spiritual practice with Black emotion, Black literature, and the Black body; and a project of The Center for Dignity and Contemplation where she serves as Curator. Learn more about Cole and her work at https://colearthurriley.com/. Follow The Collective Table on Instagram @the_collective_table Learn more about the work of The Collective Table at www.thecollectivetable.org. 

Dana & Chelsea have been doing a lot of reading - and now we want to invite you to read with us! Join The Collective Table over the next couple of months as we interview some of our favorite authors. Episodes will release every other Monday wherever you listen to podcasts. In the meantime, keep up with us on Instagram @The_Collective_Table and visit our website thecollectivetable.org.