Speaking in Tongues

Charismatic Christianity, for which speaking in tongues is a central practice, is one of the fastest growing Christian movements in modern history.

Episode 8 of the How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality podcast, hosted by PRX, titled "Speaking in Tongues" was published on June 29, 2025 and runs 34 minutes.

June 29, 2025 ·34m · How God Works: The Science Behind Spirituality

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Summary

The spiritual practice of speaking in tongues –a form of communication with the divine through speaking words in an unknown or unrecognizable language– has invited a lot of speculation and skepticism over the years. To many, it seems like the stuff of horror movies, or old-timey religious revivals. But charismatic Christianity, for which speaking in tongues is a central practice, is one of the fastest growing Christian movements in modern history. So why has it not only persisted, but recently gained momentum? What exactly is happening to the mind and body when people engage in this practice? We’ll talk to anthropologist Josh Brahinsky about his years researching people taking part in this practice, why it’s far less rare and extreme than many people think, and how neuroscience is showing real changes in the brain that point to tongues as an effective method of prayer and even mindfulness. We’ll also talk to Shavon Gartrell about what it feels like to let go, drop in and give her tongue to God. Josh Brahinski has been studying charismatic communities for two decades. Find out about his forthcoming book Tongues of Fire: How Charismatic Prayer Changes Brains And Inspires Spirit-Filled Activism here, and read his academic publications here. Shavon Gartrell is a youth pastor at Glad Tidings Church in San Francisco.

Episode Description

We’ll talk to anthropologist Josh Brahinsky about his years researching people taking part in this practice, why it’s far less rare and extreme than many people think, and how neuroscience is showing real changes in the brain that point to tongues as an effective method of prayer and even mindfulness. We’ll also talk to Shavon Gartrell about what it feels like to let go, drop in and give her tongue to God.

Josh Brahinski has been studying charismatic communities for two decades. Find out about his forthcoming book Tongues of Fire: How Charismatic Prayer Changes Brains And Inspires Spirit-Filled Activism here, and read his academic publications here.

Shavon Gartrell is a youth pastor at Glad Tidings Church in San Francisco.