Best Philip Stein Podcasts (2025)

1
The Future of Religious Identity: Live From Theology Beer Camp 1:20:31

21h ago1:20:31

1:20:31

In this plenary session from Theology Beer Camp 2024, John Thatamanil explores the future of religious identity in an increasingly pluralistic America, arguing that multiple religious participation will be the defining feature of North American religious life. Drawing from his personal journey as an Indian Christian immigrant who also practices Hin…

1
Kelly Brown Douglas: Faith at the Crossroads 1:13:09

3d ago1:13:09

1:13:09

What happens when you stand at the crossroads where the sacred meets the secular, where your identity refuses to fit into neat binaries, and where faith seeks understanding in the midst of doubt? In this deeply personal conversation, Episcopal priest and pioneering womanist theologian Kelly Brown Douglas returns to the podcast to explore theology a…

1
The Echo Machine: How Right-Wing Extremism Created a Post-Truth America with David Pakman 52:45

4d ago52:45

52:45

Right-wing extremism, post-truth America, and media literacy converge in my conversation with David Pakman. Pakman is a prominent political commentator and the host of The David Pakman Show, with over three million YouTube subscribers. Known for his insightful arguments and approachable style, Pakman tackles complex social issues, educating us on t…

1
Grace Ji-Sun Kim: Feminist Christology 1:16:48

5d ago1:16:48

1:16:48

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim's to discuss Feminist Christology. We explore the importance of retrieving feminine imagery of God and Jesus through the biblical wisdom figure Sophia. She argues that despite Jesus's historical maleness, a feminist Christological approach is essential for contemporary Christianity because it cha…

1
The Future of Religion: Live From Theology Beer Camp 1:14:33

8d ago1:14:33

1:14:33

In this thought-provoking episode, former neuroscientist-turned-Franciscan sister Ilia Delio offers a radical vision for the future of religion at Theology Beer Camp. Speaking to a community of spiritual seekers, Delio places humanity within our cosmic context—mere seconds in the universe's 13.8 billion-year story—while arguing that we are the univ…

1
Philip Clayton: Science & the Sacred 1:43:30

11d ago1:43:30

1:43:30

What's up Theology Nerds! Today I'm thrilled to share my conversation with the brilliant Philip Clayton on his new book Science and the Sacred: Beyond the Gods in Our Own Image. This isn't your typical science vs. religion debate - it's something way more interesting! Philip co-authored this book with Claudia Pierce, an atheist religion journalist,…

1
Cults, Authoritarian Control, and the Fight for Democracy with Sociologist Dr. Stephen A. Kent 59:35

11d ago59:35

59:35

Cult influence can be found everywhere online, including the political sphere we see when we scroll on social media. Understanding how authoritarian control operates is critical in preserving our autonomy and individuality. In this new episode of The Influence Continuum, I talk with Dr. Stephen Kent, professor emeritus of sociology, who taught cour…

1
Diana Butler Bass: Religious Liberty & Violence - Unpacking the First 100 Days of Trump 2.0 1:09:42

12d ago1:09:42

1:09:42

What's up Theology Nerds! Today on the podcast I'm joined by my brilliant friend Diana Butler Bass for another edition of "Ruining Dinner" as we mark the first 100 days of Trump's second administration. We dive into some fascinating new data on religion and politics in America that just dropped, examining everything from unexpected consensus on rel…

1
Paul Capetz: The Two Paths of Liberal Christology 1:19:14

14d ago1:19:14

1:19:14

In this session, we are joined by historical theologian, Dr. Paul Capetz. Dr. Capetz, a minister in the United Methodist Church and former theology professor at various Protestant seminaries, discusses liberal Christology and its limitations. While identifying as a liberal theologian who seeks to reconcile Protestant heritage with Enlightenment thi…

1
Jason Storm: Myth of Disenchantment 1:35:58

18d ago1:35:58

1:35:58

In this episode, Dr. Jason Storm returns to explore the relationship between science, religion, and meaning in the modern world. Starting with Storm's work on The Myth of Disenchantment, they discuss how the conventional narrative of modernity leading to widespread secularization and loss of magical/spiritual thinking is largely inaccurate. Storm e…

1
Shadow Diplomacy: Lev Parnas and his Wild Ride from Brooklyn to Trump’s Inner Circle 50:41

18d ago50:41

50:41

On this episode of Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum, we spoke with Lev Parnas, a Ukrainian-American businessman and former Trump insider turned whistleblower. He has withstood intimidation, threats, and time in prison to present evidence and help America better understand the truth about the cult of Trump. His book, Shadow Diplomacy: Lev…

1
Ruben Rosario Rodriguez: Barth, Moltmann, and Reformed Christology 1:38:35

21d ago1:38:35

1:38:35

In this session, Dr. Ruben Rosario Rodriguez provides an overview of Reformed Christology, focusing on the theological contributions of two key 20th century Reformed theologians: Karl Barth and Jürgen Moltmann. He begins by introducing the Reformed tradition's historical roots in 16th century Calvinism and its emphasis on social responsibility. It …

1
Theology Beer Camp & the Quest for the Holy Stein 1:07:51

22d ago1:07:51

1:07:51

Sarah Heath, and Kristen Tideman joined me to unveil the exciting details for Theology Beer Camp 2025 in this lively promotional episode filled with laughter, nostalgia, and anticipation. The hosts reminisce about past camps while revealing this year's Monty Python-inspired theme, "Quest for the Holy Stein," coming to St. Paul, Minnesota this Octob…

1
Eric Swalwell: Faith, Politics, and Public Service 36:12

23d ago36:12

36:12

In this episode, I am joined by Congressman Eric Swalwell. We discuss his background, faith, and political journey to Congress. Swalwell shares how he first came to Campbell University (a small Christian school in North Carolina) on a soccer scholarship, where he was the goalkeeper on the soccer team. Though politics wasn't initially on his radar, …

1
Christian Smith: Why Religion Went Obsolete 1:43:16

25d ago1:43:16

1:43:16

In this episode, Sociologist Christian Smith discusses his new book Why Religion Went Obsolete. Smith explains that while traditional religion has been declining in America for decades, this decline hasn't resulted in greater secularism but rather a shift toward what he calls "re-enchantment culture." He argues that religion hasn't simply declined …

1
From Supermodel to Cult Survivor: A Story of Purpose and Healing with Hoyt Richards 1:12:25

25d ago1:12:25

1:12:25

“You were involved for over 20 years with an apocalyptic, survivalist UFO-like cult. Before joining the cult, you were a bright 16-year-old who later attended Princeton and played football for them as a cornerback. Looking back, you were essentially a bright, educated, charismatic young man who happened to meet the wrong person at the wrong time.” …

1
Standing With God in Gethsemane's Darkness: Bonhoeffer's Call to a Faith of Solidarity in Suffering 28:39

28d ago28:39

28:39

This is an audio version of an essay on my substack, Process This. In it, I unpack Dietrich Bonhoeffer's theological reflection on Jesus' experience in the Garden of Gethsemane, which he sees as a central metaphor for authentic Christian faith. I struggle with Bonhoeffer's conviction that true Christianity isn't found in religious performance or in…

1
Norman Wirzba: Theologies of Hope in a Time of Crisis 1:42:16

1M ago1:42:16

1:42:16

For this deeply philosophical conversation, I am joined by Norman Wirzba as we discuss his new book Love's Braided Dance and explore the concept of hope in our modern crisis-filled world. Wirzba explains that many young people view hope with suspicion, often because modern culture promotes shallow optimism over genuine hope. He argues that true hop…

1
Terror Love and Brainwashing: Attachment in Cults and Totalitarian Systems with Alexandra Stein PhD 1:01:59

1M ago1:01:59

1:01:59

“I do feel we have an obligation to speak up,” Alexandra Stein, PhD said on this episode of Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum, “and it’s tough for people to resist these systems when there is total silence, and that’s what these systems kind of rely on.” Alexandra exited a ten year stint in a left wing political cult when she was 36 years…

1
John Dominic Crossan: Paul, Christ, & the Mystery of Execution & Resurrection 1:39:01

1M ago1:39:01

1:39:01

In this session, biblical scholar John Dominic Crossan explores his proposal to reconstruct Easter, focusing on Paul's understanding of "the mystery of God." Crossan argues that this mystery refers to how God allowed Jesus, as Messiah, to be executed by Roman civilization to reveal its inherent injustice, while simultaneously vindicating Jesus thro…

1
Episode 136: All in the Family? 21:03

1M ago21:03

21:03

Featuring Shlomo Schreibman of Turning Point by Brand Launcher, this episode explores the highly sensitive issue of working with family. The post Episode 136: All in the Family? appeared first on Philip Stein & Associates.

1
Mark Vernon: Spiritual Intelligence & the Evolution of Religion 1:07:26

1M ago1:07:26

1:07:26

In this episode, I am joined by Mark Vernon to discuss the relationship between spirituality, science, and meaning in the modern world. Mark explores how our conception of religion has narrowed to focus primarily on doctrines and morals rather than experiential dimensions, which is a relatively recent development in human history. Vernon describes …

1
Betrayal of The Spirit: Krishna, Cults and Healing with Nori Muster 1:03:58

1M ago1:03:58

1:03:58

 Cult survivors often have the instinct to want to save as many people as possible from the cult they survived. However, healing from the things they encountered while in the cult is often a first step before a survivor can help others escape. Cult survivors usually seek to heal with some form of therapy and move on. Nori was a member of ISKCON fro…

1
John Dominic Crossan: Paul, Josephus, & the Challenge of Nonviolent Resistance 1:25:54

1M ago1:25:54

1:25:54

In this session, biblical scholar John Dominic Crossan examines the fundamental conflict between two competing visions in the ancient world: divine deliverance and human resistance. He contrasts the positions of two self-identified Pharisees - Paul and Josephus - revealing how Josephus portrayed Rome's imperial power as divinely ordained while Paul…

1
Kevin Hart: Phenomenology & the Crisis of Attention 1:26:18

1M ago1:26:18

1:26:18

In this thought-provoking episode, I am joined by theologian and philosopher Kevin Hart to discuss the nature of contemplation in both religious and secular contexts. Hart traces the historical origins of contemplation from ancient Rome and Greece through Christian traditions, distinguishing it from meditation and contrasting it with our modern cul…

1
Neural Surfing: Consciousness, Meditation, and Mystical Manipulation in Spiritual Organizations With David Christopher Lane 1:07:20

2M ago1:07:20

1:07:20

For many, practices like meditation and yoga are among the most thrilling avenues for deepening spiritual awareness. At their best, these techniques can serve as a neurological and biochemical reset—enhancing self-awareness and empowering transformation. But at their worst, they can cause a loss of personal grounding, leaving individuals vulnerable…

1
Matthew Novenson: Paul and Judaism at the End of History 1:15:46

2M ago1:15:46

1:15:46

In this episode, Dr. Matthew Novenson returns to the podcast after his move from the University of Edinburgh to Princeton Theological Seminary. We discuss his new book "Paul and Judaism at the End of History," which develops a radical reframing of how we understand the Apostle Paul: not as someone who rejected Judaism for Christianity, but as a Jew…

1
John Dominic Crossan: Paul, Rome, & the Violent Normalcy of Civilization 1:14:35

2M ago1:14:35

1:14:35

In this session, biblical scholar Dominic Crossan examines the fundamental conflict between two visions of peace in the ancient world. He contrasts Augustus' Res Gestae (carved imperial boasts of achievements) with Paul's letters, revealing how Rome established "peace through victory" while Paul offered an alternative vision based on justice and no…

1
The Allure of the Screen and the Erosion of the Soul: Smartphones, Fascination, and the Call to Contemplation 28:06

2M ago28:06

28:06

This is an audio version of an essay on my substack, Process This. In it, I explore the tension between contemplation and fascination in the digital age, particularly regarding smartphone use. Inspired by my son's school essay on phone-free schools, I took up a Lenten social media fast. Learning how deeply our digital habits have affected our capac…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Philip Stein Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
From the Midwest to the Middle East

Philip Stein

1
Homebrewed Christianity

Dr. Tripp Fuller

1
Cult Conversations: The Influence Continuum with Dr. Steve Hassan

MeidasTouch Network, Dr. Steven Hassan

1
The Lilah Jo Show

Lilah Jo

1
The Future of Religious Identity: Live From Theology Beer Camp 1:20:31

1
Kelly Brown Douglas: Faith at the Crossroads 1:13:09

1
The Echo Machine: How Right-Wing Extremism Created a Post-Truth America with David Pakman 52:45

1
Grace Ji-Sun Kim: Feminist Christology 1:16:48

1
The Future of Religion: Live From Theology Beer Camp 1:14:33

1
Philip Clayton: Science & the Sacred 1:43:30

1
Cults, Authoritarian Control, and the Fight for Democracy with Sociologist Dr. Stephen A. Kent 59:35

1
Diana Butler Bass: Religious Liberty & Violence - Unpacking the First 100 Days of Trump 2.0 1:09:42

1
Paul Capetz: The Two Paths of Liberal Christology 1:19:14

1
Jason Storm: Myth of Disenchantment 1:35:58

1
Shadow Diplomacy: Lev Parnas and his Wild Ride from Brooklyn to Trump’s Inner Circle 50:41

1
Ruben Rosario Rodriguez: Barth, Moltmann, and Reformed Christology 1:38:35

1
Theology Beer Camp & the Quest for the Holy Stein 1:07:51

1
Eric Swalwell: Faith, Politics, and Public Service 36:12

1
Christian Smith: Why Religion Went Obsolete 1:43:16

1
From Supermodel to Cult Survivor: A Story of Purpose and Healing with Hoyt Richards 1:12:25

1
Standing With God in Gethsemane's Darkness: Bonhoeffer's Call to a Faith of Solidarity in Suffering 28:39

1
Norman Wirzba: Theologies of Hope in a Time of Crisis 1:42:16

1
Terror Love and Brainwashing: Attachment in Cults and Totalitarian Systems with Alexandra Stein PhD 1:01:59

1
John Dominic Crossan: Paul, Christ, & the Mystery of Execution & Resurrection 1:39:01

1
Episode 136: All in the Family? 21:03

1
Mark Vernon: Spiritual Intelligence & the Evolution of Religion 1:07:26

1
Betrayal of The Spirit: Krishna, Cults and Healing with Nori Muster 1:03:58

1
John Dominic Crossan: Paul, Josephus, & the Challenge of Nonviolent Resistance 1:25:54

1
Kevin Hart: Phenomenology & the Crisis of Attention 1:26:18

1
Neural Surfing: Consciousness, Meditation, and Mystical Manipulation in Spiritual Organizations With David Christopher Lane 1:07:20

1
Matthew Novenson: Paul and Judaism at the End of History 1:15:46

1
John Dominic Crossan: Paul, Rome, & the Violent Normalcy of Civilization 1:14:35

1
The Allure of the Screen and the Erosion of the Soul: Smartphones, Fascination, and the Call to Contemplation 28:06