Barefoot to Emmaus

This is the summary of Episode 87 covering insights about Holy week from Palm Sunday to the arrest of Jesus on the night of Maundy Thursday

Byron and Char dive into going over or thoughts, insights, and fun facts around the first half of Holy week from the Triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, to the cleansing of the temple on Holy Monday, the offering of the widow's mite on Holy Tuesday, the complexity behind Judas' betrayal on Holy Wednesday, and finally the upper room communion and foot washing of Maundy Thursday culminating in the arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives.

The paradox of the Trinity is as complicated as it is beautiful and important to Christian theology. In this episode, Byron and Char explore the theology of the Trinity, including heresies, the reflections of wise patristics, and Byron and Char's own reflections on this mystery. Definitely a deep and compelling episode worthy engaging.

The summary episode on Israel Palestine.

In the midst of the current escalation of the conflict in the Israel/Palestine area, Byron and Char attempt to humbly offer some reflections on the long and complex history of the region as well as some theological comments at this sensitive moment.

Synopsis episodlet on the paradox of self-awareness.

In this more personal, therapeutic conversation, Char processes what they call "the paradox of self-awareness" - the investment in self-understanding leads to a perceived inability to be seen by others (or even yourself). We hope this conversation offers you something to mull on in your own journey of self-knowledge and vulnerability.

Synopsis summary of episode 83 on Spooky Theology

Char and Byron's Halloween episode for this year. Ghost sharks, magic, and all sorts of other spooky questions about the diverse and mysterious spiritual realities around us.

Summary of episode 82 on our reflections on Seminary as we transition out.

Byron and Char reflect on the last three years of seminary as things draw to a close or at least a transition. Favorite classes, things we've seen each other grow in and more. (Don't worry we will have more episodes, this is not the end.)

Our synopsis recording on the episode on mental and spiritual health.

The mind and heart are often conflated with the spirit in practice, when it comes to theology and the role of a minister regarding spiritual care. Join Byron and Char as they discuss the distinction of mental health from the spiritual and the importance of a psychotherapeutic lens for holistic wellbeing.

This is our summary episodelet about Feminist Christology asking questions about Jesus' mediation of gender. For more, check out the full episode.

Byron and Char respond to a listener question about Jesus' gender. Could Jesus have come as a women, Could Jesus' masculinity have meant he was culpable of the social sins of patriarchy from a liberationist lens? Might Jesus actually have been a woman and it was covered up? All this an more in this intriguing episode.

Synopsis of our episode on asceticism.

Asceticism is a strongly misunderstood practice within many modern Christian circles. Join Byron and Char as they dive into the rich history and unpack the theological significance of practices like fasting and even martyrdom. CW: This episode touches on themes of extreme violence and sexual assault. The first portion (before the midway theme music) is without such content if you want to listen but avoid potential triggers.

Synopsis to our episode on Avatar the Last Airbender.

For some the best show on earth, Avatar contains rich themes related to colonialism, violence, identity... and of course spirituality. Join Byron and Char as they explore this show for the brilliant gift that it is to us all.

This was a challenging one, folks. Byron and Char wrestle through the nature of our self-conception and God-thoughts within the framework of duality: does the self exist in distinction from the other or is this a delusion? Is God truly Other, or do these boundaries limit our ability to understand how we relate to (or within) the Divine? This conversation is a bit more esoteric than usual, but it's a great discussion that will surely leave you thinking.