Episodes
“Seuss, potter, star wars, wizards, spock” - Friday, february 1st, 2019
Emmy Kegler returns to the podcast with Derek & Matthew to talk about their shared identity as nerds, the history of nerds, gender roles in nerd stories, meeting Spock at a comic-con, Princess She-Ra toothbrushes, and more.
Emmy's new book One Coin Found comes out soon & can be pre-ordered today on Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/One-Coin-Found-Stretches-Margins/dp/1506448216
“Empathy and mental health” - Thursday, January 24th, 2019
Meta sits down with Isha Caldwell to talk about empathy, broken systems, mental health, and advocating for others.
“Bridge Dancing with Citizen Artist Brian J Evans” - Thursday, January 17th, 2019
Brian J Evans is a dancer, performer, and citizen artist. Matthew and Brian's conversation centered around perceptions and misperceptions of our identities. Brian shares stories from his own life and from this very moment. In all of Brian's work, he dances across bridges that connect human beings, removing barriers and finding ways that bring us together.
“The Healed Version of Yourself” - Wednesday, January 2nd, 2019
There's so much pressure to be who others want us to be during the holidays. Therapist and pastor Karen Stevensen joins Meta to talk about the healed version of ourselves and how to remember who we actually are.
“Image of God” - Wednesday, December 19th, 2018
Jaimie Crumley and Porsha Williams of the @just2pearls podcast join Miriam to talk about their intersecting identities and showing up as their full selves in the church, academy, and the world.
“Good Christian Men” - Wednesday, December 12th, 2018
We have all seen enough of masculinity gone awry. From the top floors of corporations and institutions to the basement youth group meetings of our churches, men are formed by unspoken scripts known to many as toxic masculinities. In this episode, Matthew talks with Austen Hartke and Silas Morgan about ways to unearth hidden masculinities and practice a more healthy and embodied life. With humor and vulnerability, their conversation touches on everything from the #metoo and #churchtoo movements to evangelical dating culture and more. We hope you enjoy it.
“Spirit of Generosity” - Wednesday, December 5th, 2018
Cheryl Philip works in fundraising for a major denominational foundation. She's also a woman, an Indian, and a person of rich and authentic faith. In this episode she reflects on the layers of identity that have formed her and shares a vision for curiosity and generosity that go hand in hand. We are so grateful for the humor and wisdom that Cheryl shared in her interview with Meta.
"At the core” - Wednesday, November 28th, 2018
Join us for Alter Guild Season Three: At the Core. This season we're exploring what's at the core of who we are - our identity, how we see ourselves, how others see us, and how God sees us.
New episodes launch each and every Wednesday with stories from some of our favorite people about what's at the core of who they are.
"Darwin is for hipsters” - Wednesday, July 18th, 2018
Andy Root joins Derek on the pod for some nerd talk about the promise of science, mystery, and our relationships. We also learn that Darwin was the OG hipster. Who knew?
"Come what May” - Wednesday, July 11th, 2018
Baptism is a big promise, and god-parents are a part of it. Miriam sits down with Peter Carlson Schattauer, Joel Bergeland, and John Rohde Schwehn and talk about what it means to lean into the promise of baptism and godparenting.
"We'll give the world to you” - Wednesday, July 4th, 2018
Meta hosts Kristin Burch and Ellie Roscher as they explore the promises we make to our kids and future generations. And they'll blow us all away. Someday.
"a Thousand Little Promises” - Wednesday, June 27th, 2018
Miriam joins Emmy Kegler and Michelle Masselink as they talk about the little and big promises of engagement.
"Ritual Promise” - Wednesday, June 20th, 2018
Matt hosts while Nora McInerny and her pastor Natalia Terfa join the podcast for a conversation about finding life after the death of a loved one.
"What is internet anyway?” - Wednesday, June 6th, 2018
Derek joins Jim Keat and Bethany Stolle as they talk about technology, social media, and its promises of a better world.
"Breaking & Belonging” - Wednesday, May 30th, 2018
Miriam talks with Rozella White about marriage, divorce, and the healing of broken hearts.
"Public School & Privilege” - Wednesday, May 23rd, 2018
Meta invites Sara Freeman and Steph Smith to talk about parenting with privilege in the public school system. How do we keep the promise of good education for all kids, not just our own?
"Promises, promises" - Wednesday, may 16th, 2018
Matt hosts as we kick off the season with talk of promises and epic wedding screw-ups.
"Word” (John 1:10-14) - friday, january 5th, 2018
The Word became flesh and dwelled among us. The Word is still living and active, proclaimed and embodied in all of our beauty, brokenness, and diversity. For this final episode of Season One, the Alter Guild invited some of their fine friends to share a Christmas message in thirty seconds or less. We give thanks for the Word and all of the voices who speak and sing it into flesh these days.
"Ponder” (Luke 2:15-20) - thursday, january 4th, 2018
When the stable guests had gone, Mary treasured their words in her heart and pondered them. Where and when do we ponder today and what does it feel like? This episode considers being present with the inner voice through two different lenses: introversion and depression.
"Light” (John 1:1-5) - wednesday, january 3rd, 2018
Maybe your Christmas memories conjure light and gladness, but also seasons more complicated and painful. In this episode, Derek remembers a complicated Christmas; joyful because it was his first as a father, but scary because his brother was facing his heroin addiction. Note: This episode contains content related to drug addiction, overdose, and recovery.
"Consent” (Luke 1:26-38) - tuesday, january 2nd, 2018
The story of the Annunciation -- with a teenage Mary obediently submitting to bear God's Child -- is complicated in light of power dynamics, abuse, and discussions about consent. In this episode we hear how Mary's consent, agency, and role as a prophet can be reclaimed, and how her story can help the church when discussing sexuality, purity, and power.
"Joseph” (Matthew 1:18-25) - monday, january 1st, 2018
Parenthood is complicated. Step-parenthood is also complicated. Step-parenthood to the Son of God might be the most complicated. The story of Joseph is a story about the ultimate supporting role. The angels never told him it would be easy, but they did promise it would matter.
"Loud lamentation” (matthew 2:13-23) - sunday, december 31st, 2017
A child is born, but in the wake of this joy there is great danger and death. Herod slaughters the innocent infants of Bethlehem in an effort to keep power that does not belong to him. Note: This episode contains content related to sexual assault and rape.
"Homegoing” (Luke 2:3-7) - saturday, december 30th, 2017
For many, this time of year requires traveling toward family and heritage. But is this the same thing as going home? The holy family returned to Bethlehem for the census. In the same way, so many attend holiday events simply to be counted, which is not the same thing as belonging or feeling known.
"Waiting” (Luke 1:46-55) - friday, december 29th, 2017
We spent the season of Advent waiting for a baby to be born. But what about those who wait without a due date and for much longer than four winter weeks? In this episode we consider the ways this waiting is painful or unique for those who journey with infertility or the adoption process.
"Roots” (Matthew 1) - Thursday, december 28th, 2017
Matthew’s gospel begins with the genealogy of Jesus. His family tree includes some familiar patriarchs and heroes, but it also lists unlikely women and stories of relationships and bodies broken. What do these ancestors tell us about how God enters our human story?
"Nations Rise, Empires Fall” (Luke 2:1) - Wednesday, December 27th, 2017
The first verse of the Birth Story is loaded with context that most of us miss. The power struggles and paranoia paint a timeless political landscape. It sets the scene with history, politics, culture, identity, and drama that help us understand the risky threat of baby Jesus. And, when push comes to shove, Herod will kill his friends and family to remind you of his love.
"Resistance Rising” (Matthew 2:1-12) - Tuesday, December 26th, 2017
We go looking to bend power in the predictable places, but God’s power doesn’t hunker down in a comfortable palace or the strong arm of a paranoid ruler. God’s power has a reputation for rumbling in the resistance.
"Remembering" (Isaiah 5 & 64:1-7) - Monday, December 25th, 2017
Prophets remember the past in order to make sense of their present and to imagine a future. God calls us to resist the pull of nostalgia, instead recalling memories for the sake of building a more honest, just, and beautiful tomorrow.