Best The Center for the Restoration of Christian Culture Podcasts (2025)

1
“How to Guard Against Sexism and Abuse in Christian Communities” with Dr. Andrew J. Bauman 48:10

18h ago48:10

48:10

What happens when a woman names harm in her church community—and instead of support, she’s met with silence, suspicion, or even exile? Too often, the church’s response to abuse and inequity reveals a painful truth: that protecting systems has taken precedence over protecting people. In this powerful and layered conversation, Dr. Andrew J. Bauman jo…

1
Cornelius Davis: Finding God in the World of Medicine as a Cardiac Surgeon 52:54

3d ago52:54

52:54

Dr. Cornelius Davis is a part of a small “club” of believers in the field of medicine. In this episode, Dr. Davis and Jim talk about the intricate relationship between faith, science, and the practice of medicine. They discuss the reality of miracles, the prevalence of the “God complex” among physicians, and how Dr. Davis’ faith both grounds his pe…

1
The Research Behind Narrative Focused Trauma Care® 47:27

8d ago47:27

47:27

If you’ve experienced the healing power of engaging your story—through a Story Workshop, Recovery Week, Narrative Focused Trauma Care® (NFTC) training, or a Story Group in your own context—you may have found yourself wondering: Why does this work feel so deeply transformative? What’s actually happening here? In this special episode, we’re pulling b…

1
“Make Sense of Your Story” with Adam Young, LCSW 47:25

15d ago47:25

47:25

Today Dan and Rachael welcome longtime friend and Allender Center Facilitator Adam Young, LCSW, to the podcast for a deeply moving conversation about the unexpected plot twists that shape our stories—and how they can become sacred invitations to connection, healing, and transformation. Adam, who is a counselor, author, podcast host, and an NFTC Cer…

1
Karl Payne: Spiritual Warfare & Practical Discipleship 57:18

17d ago57:18

57:18

Today, Jim sits down with author and pastor, Karl Payne, to discuss the often misunderstood topic of spiritual warfare within the Christian community. Dr. Payne brings decades of pastoral experience and wisdom, sharing the Biblical references to and insights on the realities of demonization—not just in occult or addiction settings, but through comm…

1
The Support That Ministry Leaders Need with Dr. Rose Madrid Swetman 49:38

22d ago49:38

49:38

Pastors today are navigating a complex, demanding, and often overwhelming landscape. Beyond the pulpit, they're expected to show up as counselors, administrators, fundraisers, teachers, building caretakers—and more. Some research even suggests pastors are carrying the weight of 13 different roles. It’s no wonder so many feel stretched thin, exhaust…

1
The Narrative of Good Friday 43:27

29d ago43:27

43:27

Good Friday is often described as paradoxical—a day of deep sorrow somehow called “good.” In this moving episode of the Allender Center Podcast, Dr. Dan Allender and Rachael Clinton Chen invite us into that paradox, not just as observers of the crucifixion story, but as participants—people whose own stories of betrayal, abandonment, and suffering e…

1
Kerri Pomarolli: The Art of Observational Humor as a Clean Comedian 29:28

1M ago29:28

29:28

We are delighted to feature stand-up comedian, Kerri Pomarolli. She shares how her faith journey has influenced her career choices, steering her toward stand-up comedy as a means to share her perspectives authentically. She talks about her path to being clean and her faith-filled purpose in this career, to provide laughter to people who may be goin…

1
Sibling Dynamics 45:05

1M ago45:05

45:05

Few relationships shape us like those with our siblings. Whether you have siblings, share a sibling-like bond with a cousin or family friend, or are a parent navigating sibling dynamics, these relationships often play a significant role in defining our identity. Since so many of our listeners have asked us to explore this topic, today on the Allend…

1
Revisiting “The Sex Talk You Never Got” with Sam Jolman 53:03

1M ago53:03

53:03

Last year, we had a powerful conversation with author Sam Jolman about his book The Sex Talk You Never Got—one of our most-listened-to episodes of the year. Now, Sam returns to share more about the book’s impact and to dive deeper into its themes. This time, he and Dan explore the biblical story of Amnon and Tamar in 2 Samuel 13, a tragic account o…

1
Robert Woodson, Sr: Empowering People to Transform Lives, Restore Families, and Revitalize Their Communities 43:47

2M ago43:47

43:47

We are proud to share this inspiring conversation with Robert Woodson Sr., a trailblazer in community development and the founder of the Woodson Center, an organization that promotes a grassroots approach to urban renewal and revitalizing impoverished communities. Robert believes in the power of self-reliance and local community enterprise to tackl…

1
Food, Sex, and Shame, Part 2 40:20

2M ago40:20

40:20

In part two of this conversation, Dan and Rachael continue their exploration by addressing the profound link between shame, food, and sex. Shame is often leveraged by evil around our core needs for nourishment and intimacy to isolate and create deeper wounds, making it difficult to engage these areas with openness. Dan emphasizes, "Knowing your sto…

1
Food, Sex, and Shame, Part 1 39:04

2M ago39:04

39:04

Both food and sex are vital for sustaining life yet are often fraught with complex emotions and struggles. In the first of a two-part conversation, Dan and Rachael invite you to explore these deeply personal topics with curiosity and compassion. While we've previously discussed shame, food, and sex as separate issues, today we’re diving into their …

1
Margrita Mooney Clayton - Art and Creativity in Today’s Culture: Experiencing Beauty for a More Meaningful Life 55:27

2M ago55:27

55:27

In this episode, we welcome Margarita Mooney Clayton to share with us her perspective on the profound relationship between art, beauty, and virtue. Her stance on how co-creation with God through art not only elevates the human spirit but also furthers divine governance, challenging the notion that art is merely self-expression. Margarita believes i…

1
Honoring Origin Stories with Pastor James A. White 54:03

2M ago54:03

54:03

We’re thrilled to welcome back Pastor James A. White, who challenges us to think deeply about the stories we’ve been told — and the ones we haven’t. Who decides which stories get remembered and which are forgotten? How has a Western lens shaped our understanding of the gospel? And what can happen when we truly honor the origin stories of everyone —…

1
Confronting Christian Nationalism - Part 2 with Rev. Dr. David Rice 45:12

2M ago45:12

45:12

We’re continuing our conversation with Rev. Dr. David Rice about confronting Christian nationalism—a topic we’re diving into because of the ways that it can deeply affect our faith, our communities, and how we engage with one another in this shifting cultural and political landscape. In our last episode, David shared his personal story—how his upbr…

1
Jeremy Dys - The Importance of Defending Religious Freedom for All Americans 51:40

2M ago51:40

51:40

Why is it important for us to fight for religious freedom? Aren’t we already free to worship how we want? Jeremy Dys is a passionate advocate for true religious freedom that applies to all, regardless of religious beliefs. His work with the non-profit organization First Liberty Institute has seen many successes in landmark cases that have solidifie…

1
Confronting Christian Nationalism - Part 1 with Rev. Dr. David Rice 46:39

3M ago46:39

46:39

Christian nationalism is a growing issue in the U.S., raising important questions about the relationship between faith and politics. How does our faith shape the way we engage with political issues? And are our political allegiances influencing our faith in ways we may not realize? While we’re certainly not a news or political network, this is a ti…

1
Who Is Your Neighbor? with Dr. J. Derek McNeil 45:31

3M ago45:31

45:31

In this episode, Rachael Clinton Chen welcomes back Dr. J. Derek McNeil, President and Provost of The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology, for a thoughtful conversation about navigating today’s fragmented world with hope, kindness, and connection. They explore how uncertainty, institutional distrust, and cultural polarization have left many f…

1
Anne Hendershott - Grappling with Envy in Politics, Academia, Social Media, and the Marketplace 54:57

3M ago54:57

54:57

The sin of envy is something that sociologist Anne Hendershott has studied closely. She sat down with us to explore what it is and the many ways it is manifested in contemporary society in both secular and Christian contexts. Some topics we discuss: Socialism and the politics of envy Liberation theology’s roots in envy Envy in higher education Soci…

1
The Disruptive Power of Kindness 41:52

3M ago41:52

41:52

Valentine’s Day is often wrapped in commercialized romance, but what if love is more than sentimentality? In this episode, Dr. Dan Allender and Rachael Clinton Chen explore an aspect of love that we all need—kindness. But not the shallow, conflict-avoidant “niceness” we often mistake for kindness. Instead, they dive into the disruptive, provocative…

1
“Roots and Rhythm” with Charlie Peacock 47:13

3M ago47:13

47:13

At the Allender Center, we love stories—and this week, we’re honored to hear from Charlie Peacock as he shares his own. His brand-new memoir, “Roots and Rhythm: A Life in Music,” offers a deep dive into the journey that shaped his legendary career. A Grammy Award-winning music producer whose work has shaped the sound of multiple generations, Charli…

1
Michael Zigarelli - Exploring Near Death Experiences and Their Implications for Christian Theology 52:53

3M ago52:53

52:53

Near-death experiences are remarkably common across cultures and belief systems. Research estimates that between 4-9% of the population has experienced a NDE, highlighting its potential significance in understanding life beyond death. Jim Spiegel sits down with Michael Zigarelli, author and professor at Messiah University, to hear about his researc…

1
Why Does My Healing Matter? 46:02

4M ago46:02

46:02

Healing isn’t about “fixing” yourself or completing a checklist. It’s about stepping into the fullness of who you were created to be. It’s about reclaiming the parts of you that trauma, disappointment, or systems of injustice have tried to diminish. As Dan puts it: “Healing can't take over our lives in the sense that you do nothing but heal. But th…

1
Story Work: What It Is and Why It Matters with Adam Young, Cathy Loerzel, and Dan Allender 32:46

4M ago32:46

32:46

Have you ever wondered what we mean when we say “your story” and why it matters? In this special episode, Adam Young, Cathy Loerzel, and Dan Allender sit down together to unpack the basics. Whether you’re new to this conversation or you’ve been on the journey for a while, this is a perfect place to start—or to revisit the foundation of story work. …

1
Eric Johnson- A Conversation about Christian Psychology, Parenting, and Soul Care 59:11

4M ago59:11

59:11

Christian Psychology Institute co-founder Eric Johnson helps us to consider the rich resources we have as Christians as we do counseling and soul care. He discusses the history of modern psychology and how we’ve been trained not to factor our faith into it. He also cautions against neglecting the many rich insights available to us from the world of…

1
Tending to One Another’s Stories in Marriage with Dan & Becky Allender 46:09

4M ago46:09

46:09

To celebrate the forthcoming release of The Deep-Rooted Marriage, co-authored by Dan Allender and Steve Call, Dan and Becky Allender reflect on their own marriage story — its unique dynamics, the challenges they’ve faced, and the redemptive journey they’ve walked together. They open up about how their family-of-origin stories shaped their relations…

1
Creating a Better Marriage Through Story with Becky Allender 35:01

4M ago35:01

35:01

Becky Allender sits down with Rachael Clinton Chen for a one-on-one conversation. Becky reflects on how she and Dan have experienced profound transformation in their marriage, particularly since the Allender Center was founded in 2011. It was during this time that they began practicing the fundamentals of story engagement within their own relations…

1
J.P. Moreland - Integrating Philosophy and Our Christian Faith for a Meaningful Life 59:54

4M ago59:54

59:54

For our first episode of the Kalos Center Podcast, we think it’s fitting to talk with J.P. Moreland, one of the most influential Christian apologists of our time. We discuss what it means to be a Christian philosopher, covering such topics as mind-body dualism, intelligent design, and why it’s important for all Christians to think deeply about thei…

1
David Bahnsen - Wealth Management and Christian Ethics in a Fallen World 48:38

4M ago48:38

48:38

We sit down with David Bahnsen to talk about the world of wealth management from a Christian perspective. How can this be done ethically in our fallen world? Bahnsen, recognized as a top financial advisor, discusses principles of free enterprise, biblical cautions about wealth, and the challenge of wealth inequality. His fresh perspective will give…

1
Is Hope Worth the Risk? 44:09

4M ago44:09

44:09

As we think about the upcoming year, we know that hope can feel elusive. Weighed down by uncertainty, exhaustion, and a world filled with division and stress, it’s easy to wonder if hope is even worth holding onto. Hope carries heartache. Longing for something better can feel vulnerable, especially when past disappointments and cynicism weigh heavy…

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The Center For The Restoration Of Christian Culture Podcasts

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