"I'd done a lot of clay-making...you can spend a lifetime and only get good at one technique!" Jennifer Lucy Allan joins me to talk about her second book, CLAY: A HUMAN HISTORY (White Rabbit Books). After Jennifer's exploration and writing about sound in The Foghorn's Lament (White Rabbit Books), Jennifer has, quite literally, turned her hand to a …

"This book is begging to be written...It has this a frontier-ness to it..." Bruce Omar Yates is here to discuss his upcoming novel published by Dead Ink Books, THE MUSLIM COWBOY . In a contemporary and entertaining novel set in aftermath of the Iraq war, a man who is obsessed with old Western movies dresses in double denim and roams a lawless lands…

This is a special episode in which I reflect on the last year of the Reconciliation Roundtable podcast and thank all listeners for spending time with me and my guests, exploring how we can be agents of reconciliation in a time and a place where doing so often seems to be beyond the pale. This podcast is possible because of your support, so if you e…

Wilk Wilkinson joins me to discuss his journey from political apathy to toxic political engagement, followed by the epiphany that since led him on a mission of bettering the world, one attitude at a time, by charting a course toward understanding, bridging divides, and fostering a community where wisdom prevails over discord. We talk about how this…

"The smotheringly neutral voice" Claire Carroll is here to talk about her new and debut collection of short stories THE UNRELIABLE NATURE WRITER. A truly candid insight into the workings of craft and being a writer from one of the most exciting and upcoming fiction writers today. THE UNRELIABLE NATURE WRITER is published by Scratch Books - more her…

The Reverend Canon Dr. Stephanie Spellers is one of the Episcopal Church’s leading thinkers around 21st-century ministry and mission. She is a priest, author, speaker, and friend who currently serves as the Canon to the Presiding Bishop for Evangelism, Reconciliation, and Creation Care. She is the author of Radical Welcome: Embracing God, The Other…

"The garden is a co-author" Marchelle Farrell is here to talk about her essay in a new anthology from Daunt Books, BY THE RIVER: ESSAYS FROM THE WATER'S EDGE. I've wanted to talk to Marchelle since the publication of UPROOTING: FROM THE CARIBBEAN TO THE COUNTRYSIDE - Canongate Books), so it was great to have her here when she's part of an anthology…

Join host Jim Wallis in a live and enlightening conversation at Georgetown University with Sarah McCammon, esteemed Political Correspondent at NPR and author of the thought-provoking book, "The Exvangelicals." Delve into Sarah's personal narrative as she shares her upbringing within the evangelical church and the profound intersections of faith and…

The Rev. Amy Peeler, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of New Testament at Wheaton College, IL and an Associate Rector at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Geneva, IL. Author of Women and Gender of God (Eerdmans, 2022), “You Are My Son”: The Family of God in the Epistle to the Hebrews (T&T Clark, 2014), and co-author with Patrick Gray of Hebrews: An Int…

Join us for a riveting episode of The Soul of the Nation, where the spotlight turns on our esteemed host, Jim Wallis, as he becomes the guest of the hour. In this compelling conversation, Jim Wallis, the renowned New York Times bestselling author, unveils the profound insights from his latest groundbreaking book, The False White Gospel. Hosted by D…

"I wanted to be talking choice in a way that was routed in a social context, and that was true to the particularity and intimacy that I shared with my mum at the end of her life." Marianne Brooker is here to talk about her Women's Prize for Non-Fiction shortlisted essay, INTERVALS, published by Fitzcarraldo Editions. Marianne talks about her life a…

"That whole question of the invisible life...that there's something going on we cannot see that determines our health and the future of the planet." Dawn Garisch, one of South Africa's most pre-eminent writers, joins the Rippling Pages to talk about Breaking Milk, published in the UK by Heloise Press. Shortlisted for the prestigious Sunday Times So…

In this week's Soul of the Nation, Reverend Jim Wallis engages in a profound conversation with author and Senior Scholar Matthew Taylor about his upcoming book, "THE VIOLENT TAKE IT BY FORCE: The Christian Movement That Is Threatening Our Democracy." Together, they delve into the intricate world of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), exploring its…

"Wounds, whilst they open us to the world...they can be points of infection." Welcome to 2024 and a new episode of the Rippling Pages. Rachel Mann is a poet, scholar, novelist and Anglican priest. She is Rachel Mann is here to talk about her new collection, Eleanor Among the Saints (Carcanet), which takes inspiration from the life of Eleanor 'John'…

Bishop Mariann Budde is the bishop and spiritual leader of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, D.C., and the Washington National Cathedral. Prior to her election in 2011, she was a parish priest in Minneapolis for eighteen years. She has appeared on PBS NewsHour, Meet the Press, Good Morning America, and the Today show, among others. Bishop Budde …

Pastor Raymond Chang is the president of the Asian American Christian Collaborative (AACC), a pastor, and writer. He regularly preaches and speaks throughout the country on issues pertaining to Christianity and culture, race and faith. He has lived throughout the world (Korea, Guatemala, Panama, Spain, China), traveled to nearly 50 countries, and c…

This week The Soul of the Nation welcomes Tim Alberta, an award-winning journalist, staff writer for The Atlantic magazine and author of the bestselling new book “The Kingdom, the Power and the Glory: American Evangelicalism in an Age of Extremism” Alberta is also the son of an evangelical pastor who was raised in Michigan. His new book raises the …

Angela Ferrell-Zabala (“Fuh-RELL Zuh-BAH-luh”) serves as the first ever Executive Director of Moms Demand Action where she is responsible for leading and growing the largest grassroots network in the gun violence prevention space. Angela has been with the organization since 2019 leading its movement building work overseeing grassroots organizing, e…

This week on Soul of the Nation, we bring you a conversation with Senator Chris Coons at Georgetown University. The event was part of the "Higher Calling" series hosted by the Center on Faith and Justice at Georgetown. In this conversation, Senator Coons, a Democrat from Delaware who earned a degree in ethics from Yale Divinity School, speaks candi…

Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon is the executive director of Churches for Middle East Peace and an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC). Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) is a coalition of more than 30 national Church communions and organizations working to encourage U.S. policies that actively promote just, lasting, and comprehen…

This week on Soul of the Nation we welcome the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest, editor at large of America magazine, consultant to the Vatican's Dicastery for Communication, and author of numerous books, including the New York Times bestseller Jesus: A Pilgrimage. His new book is called “Come Forth: The Promise of Jesus’ Greatest Miracle.” In th…

"Kathy had a documentary impulse that is teaching us now." Jo Scott-Coe returns to the Rippling Pages to talk about her latest book, UNHEARD WITNESS: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF KATHY LEISSNER WHITMAN (University of Texas Press) Jo is a previous guest of the podcast, joining us in Series 2 to discuss MASS (Pelekinesis), an account of Charles Whitman, the…

This week on the Soul of the Nation, we welcome Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, DC. Bishop Budde serves as spiritual leader for Episcopalians in the District of Columbia and Maryland, the first woman elected to this position. Bishop Budde is also the author of several books, including, “How We Learn to Be Brave: Deci…

Daniel Darling is an award-winning writer, bestselling author of fifteen books, pastor and Christian leader who regularly appears on and contributes to national news and media outlets. He currently serves as the Director of The Land Center for Cultural Engagement at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Assistant Professor of Faith and Cult…

In this live recording of Soul of the Nation, Rev. Jim Wallis and the Center on Faith and Justice hosted Harvard University political scientist Steven Levitsky for a discussion on his new book “Tyranny of the Minority.” In the book, Levitsky argues that authoritarianism threatens the foundations of the U.S. political system, which the Constitution …

This week on Soul of the Nation, our host, Rev. Jim Wallis, engages in a profound conversation with climate advocate and author Kyle Meyaard-Schaap. Together, they explore the timely and pressing subject of climate change through the lens of faith and Christian values. Meyaard-Schaap, author of the thought-provoking book "Following Jesus in a Warmi…

"It's not confessional...but it's absolutely full of concrete details of things that I've observed or really happened." Charlotte Eichler joins the Rippling Pages to discuss her new collection, SWIMMING BETWEEN ISLANDS, published by Carcanet Tickets to Tom Branfoot launch that I'm hosting here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/boar-book-launch-ticket…

In this episode of Soul of the Nation, Rev. Jim Wallis and the Center on Faith and Justice host a conversation about Robert P. Jones' groundbreaking new book, "The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy: And the Path to a Shared American Future." Delving deep into the history of white supremacy in America, Jones takes us on a journey back to 1493 and guid…

"There was a lot of solitude quiet and silence, and I believe poetry exists in relation to silence." Baron Wormser, a former National Endowment for the Arts and Guggenheim Fellow, is here to talk about his eleventh collection of poetry, THE HISTORY HOTEL, and THE ROAD WASHES OUT IN SPRING , an account of a poet living life off the grid. Tickets to …

This week, Soul of the Nation welcomes Bill McKibben, an American environmentalist, author, and journalist who has written extensively on the impact of global warming. He is the Schumann Distinguished Scholar at Middlebury College and leader of the climate campaign group 350.org. In this episode, they discuss the historical and ongoing struggles fo…

In this episode, I talk with my friend and colleague Shane Claiborne about his passion for gun violence prevention, his faith journey, and his work as founder of The Simple Way and leader of Red Letter Christians, a movement of folks who are committed to living "as if Jesus meant the things he said." Shane is a champion for grace which has led him …

"it took a lot of courage to keep going and channel that sadness and melancholy into pictures of such joy and exuberance " Leslie Smolan, widow and creative partner of the photographer Rodney Smith is here to talk about a new book celebrating his life and work. A LEAP OF FAITH, with essays from Paul Martineau, Rebecca Senf, and Graydon Carter, is a…

In this episode, I had a chance to talk to Dr. Gilford (Gil) T. Monrose, who is based in the East Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. He is doing amazing work serving humanity, building bridges, and working on gun violence prevention. Our conversation touches on how his faith anchors him and, when gun violence met Pastor Monrose "at the fr…

"We live in a world where we increasingly want to control everything...I hope that in fictional spaces, the effort of trying to keep up becomes so much you eventually say, hey, let's go." Nii Ayikwei Parkes is here to discuss his second novel, Azúcar, published by Peepal Tree Press. How do we grow in... Fictional spaces: understanding when we're no…

In this week's episode, guest and friend John Wood Jr. joins me to discuss his "unorthodox path to Christianity" involving a beautiful journey of the heart facilitated by lessons he learned from his parents, by performing music, meeting the woman who would become his wife, and encountering Christ in others. John also shares about his pathway to wor…

"I hate judging characters - you have to have respect for people's origins." James Clarke is here to talk about his new novel, Sanderson's Isle, published by Serpent's Tail (buy here) Enjoyed this episode - why not send a small donation to support with the running costs! Thank you! - https://ko-fi.com/liambishop Rippling Points Ebullient characters…

This week I had the chance to talk with a friend of mine, David Blankenhorn, about his passion for building bridges of understanding and helping people find common ground. You’ll learn about his journey from growing up in Mississippi to the inspiration behind an initiative he co-founded and leads called Braver Angels, a grassroots movement to resto…

This week on Soul of the Nation, our host Jim Wallis is joined by two of the country’s preeminent Christian leaders to celebrate and discuss the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s “Letter From Birmingham Jail.” Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Interim President and General Secretary of the National Council of Churches, and the Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, Seni…