The Faith (In)Forming Podcast

Women Leaders in Early Christianity with Dr. Susan Benton

What if our understanding of women in the early church is far too small?
In this episode of The Faith (In)Forming Podcast, Travis Jamieson sits down with Dr. Susan Benton, New Testament scholar and Lecturer in Religion and Ministry Guidance at Baylor University. Drawing on her deep academic research and pastoral background, Susan helps us reimagine the roles of women like Phoebe and Prisca—not as footnotes in the New Testament, but as vital leaders in the early Christian movement.
We explore:
How Greco-Roman inscriptions shed light on women’s leadership roles
What the Apostle Paul may have seen in Phoebe and Prisca
Why recovering these histories matters for the church today
Susan’s own journey from ministry to academia
Dr. Benton holds degrees from Baylor, Duke Divinity, and Fuller Seminary, and her forthcoming book, Women Patrons and Mothers in Greco-Roman Associations and the New Testament (Mohr Siebeck), promises to reshape how we read the early church.
Whether you're a pastor, student, or thoughtful Christian seeking a deeper understanding of Scripture, this episode offers a rich, scholarly, and accessible conversation on women in ministry, New Testament context, and faithful interpretation.
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#FaithInForming #SusanBenton #WomenInMinistry #EarlyChristianity #NewTestamentScholarship #Phoebe #Prisca #BaylorUniversity #BiblePodcast #ChristianFormation #WomenInLeadership #BiblicalStudies

Travis Jamieson on The Mystery of Faith: Why the Gospel is Still Good News

In this special episode of The Faith (In)Forming Podcast, host Travis Jamieson becomes the guest as his wife and co-pastor, Annie, takes over hosting duties. Annie interviews author and pastor Travis about his new book, The Mystery of Faith: Why the Gospel is Still Good News.
Join us for a rich and personal conversation exploring Travis’s background and faith journey, the central themes of his new book, and why mystery lies at the heart of the Christian gospel. We talk about what it means to recover a sacramental worldview, how to live faithfully in an age of doubt and disillusionment, and why the gospel still speaks good news today. Travis also reads a short excerpt from the book and reflects on how his pastoral work and personal experiences have shaped his writing.
🕊️ Topics Covered:
The story behind The Mystery of Faith
Embracing mystery in Christian life and theology
The importance of a sacramental imagination
A sneak peek reading from the book
📖 The Mystery of Faith: Why the Gospel is Still Good News is available now! Local BookstoreAmazonWipf and Stock
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#TheMysteryOfFaith #TravisJamieson #ChristianPodcast #FaithJourney #SacramentalWorldview #GoodNews #TheologyPodcast #Gospel #FaithInFormingPodcast #ChristianBooks #SpiritualFormation

Finding Hope After Church Trauma with Andrew Nicewander

In this powerful episode of The Faith (In)Forming Podcast, special guest Andrew Nicewander — a software engineer, seminary graduate, and passionate reader of J. R. R. Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, and G. K. Chesterton — shares his journey through church trauma and how he found healing.
Andrew opens up about experiencing both the brokenness and beauty of the church. Drawing from Tolkien's concept of "Eucatastrophe" — the sudden, unexpected joy that breaks through despair — he explores how great stories can help process pain, rebuild faith, and offer hope in the aftermath of religious hurt.
👉 Whether you are deconstructing, rebuilding, or searching for meaning after spiritual wounds, this conversation is for you. We talk faith and doubt, trauma and healing, and the profound wisdom of Tolkien in navigating life's hardest seasons.
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💬 Comment below: How have stories like Tolkien’s helped you in your own faith journey?
#Tolkien #CSLewis #FaithAndHealing #ChurchTrauma #Eucatastrophe #ChristianPodcast #SpiritualHealing #FaithJourney #Deconstruction #TheologyPodcast

Discernment and Aging with Chaplain Mary Marks

In this episode, Chaplain Mary Marks joins us for a rich and heartfelt conversation about discerning God's call in different seasons of life. Together, we explore how to listen for God’s voice—especially in times of transition. Mary offers compassionate wisdom on navigating the emotional and practical challenges of moving aging parents into assisted living, and shares how cultivating an honest knowledge of our own needs can help us thrive as we grow older. Whether you're caring for a loved one or seeking clarity in your own journey, this episode offers both guidance and grace.

Knowing as an Act of Love with Esther Lightcap Meek

In this episode of The Faith (In)Forming Podcast, I sit down with philosopher and author Dr. Esther Lightcap Meek to explore the nature of knowing—not just as an intellectual exercise, but as a deeply relational and transformative act. Drawing from her book A Little Manual for Knowing, Dr. Meek challenges conventional ideas about knowledge, inviting us to embrace mystery, risk, and love in our pursuit of truth.
📖 Topics We Cover:✅ How knowing is an act of love rather than just information gathering✅ The influence of Michael Polanyi on Esther’s philosophy of knowledge✅ Why humility and risk are essential to genuine knowing✅ How this approach reshapes faith, theology, and personal relationships
🎧 Listen & Subscribe:🔗 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/48S9KiHPLcq6PXIK0oI0sq🔗 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-faith-in-forming-podcast/id1736996163
📚 Get the Book: A Little Manual for Knowing – https://a.co/d/3hOoiiYDive Deeper with: Loving to Know - https://a.co/d/2W9QY2r
👤 About the Guest:Dr. Esther Lightcap Meek is Professor of Philosophy Emeritus at Geneva College and a leading voice in the study of epistemology. Her work focuses on the relational nature of knowledge, drawing inspiration from Michael Polanyi’s philosophy.
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#EstherLightcapMeek #FaithInFormingPodcast #ALittleManualForKnowing #Epistemology #PhilosophyOfKnowing #MichaelPolanyi #ChristianPhilosophy #KnowingAndLoving #Theology #FaithAndReason

Daniel Daley on the Beatitudes and Discipleship

📖 What do the Beatitudes reveal about Jesus’ vision for the world? In this episode of The Faith (In)Forming Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Daniel Daley, Professor of New Testament at Calvin Theological Seminary, to explore the radical nature of Jesus’ words in the Sermon on the Mount. Dr. Daley unpacks the theological depth, ethical demands, and transformative power of the Beatitudes—showing how they call us into a life of humility, justice, and grace.
Pick up a copy of his book today: https://a.co/d/6t5HDR6
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🎙️ The Faith (In)Forming Podcast—where we talk about what informs our faith and how our faith forms us.
#FaithInFormingPodcast #Beatitudes #DanielDaley #SermonOnTheMount #ChristianTheology #BiblicalStudies #Jesus

Alan Noble: Why Wasting Time is Good

In this episode of The Faith (In)Forming Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Alan Noble to discuss his book You Are Not Your Own: Belonging to God in an Inhuman World. We explore the weight of modern self-belonging, the exhaustion of constructing our identities, and the radical freedom found in the biblical truth that we belong to Christ.
Dr. Noble, a professor, writer, and cultural critic, offers deep insight into how the pressures of our society shape our lives and how faith reorients us to live with grace and purpose. Whether you’re wrestling with identity, burnout, or just seeking a fresh perspective on Christian discipleship, this conversation is for you.
📖 Check out Alan Noble’s book: https://a.co/d/7fH8K2N
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#FaithInForming #AlanNoble #YouAreNotYourOwn #Christianity #FaithAndCulture #Podcast

Changing My Mind with Will Willimon

In this episode of The Faith (In)Forming Podcast, we welcome the legendary preacher, professor, and author Will Willimon to discuss his latest book, Changing My Mind: The Overlooked Virtue for Faithful Ministry Willimon reflects on his decades of ministry,the way his assumptions were wrong, and why staying open to change is essential for faithful leadership. Join us for a lively and thought-provoking conversation on faith, formation, and the ways God continues to surprise us.
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📖 Get the Book: https://a.co/d/8OyQ9T7

Dr. Warren Kinghorn: A Christian Approach to Mental Health Care

In this episode of The Faith (In)Forming Podcast, we welcome Dr. Warren Kinghorn, psychiatrist, theologian, and co-director of the Theology, Medicine, and Culture Initiative at Duke Divinity School. Dr. Kinghorn discusses his new book, Wayfaring: A Christian Approach to Mental Health Care, and explores how faith communities can cultivate a more compassionate and theologically grounded response to mental health.
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📖 Get Dr. Kinghorn’s book here: https://a.co/d/bIdgzOQ

Episode 17: Margaret G. Kibben: The 61st Chaplain of the House of Representatives

In the powerful conclusion to Season 1, we are joined by Margaret G. Kibben, the 61st Chaplain of the United States House of Representatives. Margaret shares her remarkable journey of faith and service, offering unique insights into her role as a spiritual guide in one of the most influential institutions in the world.
We explore the intersection of faith and politics, the importance of chaplaincy in public life, and the profound impact of prayer in times of division and uncertainty. Don't miss this deeply moving and thought-provoking conversation!
Listen to Chaplain Kibben's Election Day Prayer: https://chaplain.house.gov/archive/index.html?id=4861 
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💬 Have questions or thoughts? Share them in the comments below!
📌 Listen and follow here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-faith-in-forming-podcast/id1736996163 https://open.spotify.com/show/48S9KiHPLcq6PXIK0oI0sq?si=d00197f981404e6b