PODCAST · religion
Grub & Grace
by Mark Flower
We are on a journey to listen and learn through discussion and good-faith dialogue. There is plenty of room at the table so we invite you to pull up a chair and share in this meal with us while we all learn together.
Episodes
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The Business of Immigration and ICE | Enchantments of Mammon Ep. 8
Capitalism has a long and ugly history of scapegoating and exploiting immigrants. From British capitalists exploiting Irish people to the United States’ deeply systemic and oppressive tactics, immigrants have, for a long time, been useful game pieces for greedy trans-national capitalists. Today…
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Exploiting Women in the Patriarchal Capitalist Machine | Enchantments of Mammon Ep. 7
This is part 7 of the Enchantments of Mammon series. Capitalism needs a permanent source of unpaid labor. Childbearing, child raising, cooking, cleaning, caregiving, emotional support. The invisible work that keeps society functioning. So patriarchy created an ideology and way to frame femininity...
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The Racism of For-Profit Capitalist Exploitation | Enchantments of Mammon Ep. 6
Marx’s analysis does not specifically take into account the history of the exploitation of women and non-white people. We will be digging into some of the ways that racism, sexism, and xenophobia play into the perpetuation of capitalism. Today we look at racism as we venture into the Haiti...
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The Prosperity Gospel of Capitalism | Enchantments of Mammon Ep. 5
Spiritual maturity and financial security are often married within the church business model. How do we identify patterns of abuse and work toward a more sustainable future? Let's get into it in today's episode of part 5 of the Enchantments of Mammon series: The Prosperity Gospel of Capitalism.
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Welcome to Communist Doomsville | Enchantments of Mammon Ep. 4
What does it mean to imagine a world built upon love and community in place of hierarchy and power? How does our current system run off the back of religious exploitation? And how have our religious forefathers shaped how Christians view the world? We dig into these questions and more in today's...
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The Story of Capitalism Begins | Enchantments of Mammon Ep. 3
Once upon a time, the world was enchanted. But as science, technology, and capitalism come to embrace the entire globe, the enchanted specters of other peoples will be duly banished or sequestered as well. Let's go back to when this all started. Enchantments of Mammon: Episode 3.
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Confronting Systems of Alienation and Exploitation | Enchantments of Mammon Ep. 2
As we continue into part 2 of our Enchantments of Mammon series, we dig further into Jesus' parables as well as venture into Marxian philosophy. Continue along with us as we ask how capitalism exploits us and what a better path forward looks like.
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Biblical Anti-Imperialism | Enchantments of Mammon Ep. 1
If you've ever read the Bible you would quickly realize that there are plenty of stories in which systems are portrayed with the “have’s” and “have nots,” where some have autonomy while others don’t, and where laborers are exploited and stolen from due to a narcissistic greed to accumulate more…
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The Torch & the Pail: Talents and Capitalism w Rev Jerry Butler & Rev Andrew Bridgeman
When you think of Jesus' parable of the talents in Matthew 25, what comes to mind? A story about multiplying your God-given fruits, or perhaps punishing those who are lazy? What about passive protest by not engaging in an exploitative system? I sit down with Jerry Butler and Andrew Bridgeman to...
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On Fire For God: Fear, Shame, Poverty, and the Making of the Christian Right w Josiah Hesse
What happens when poverty, desperation, and fundamentalist religion become deeply intertwined? How do entire communities get shaped by fear, shame, and the promise that faithfulness will eventually be rewarded? Today we sit down with Josiah Hesse to discuss his deeply personal book, On Fire For...
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Christians For A Free Palestine w Rev. Naomi Washington-Leapheart
This episode throws the “keep it light” rule directly into the fire and tackles some of the most contested conversations of our time: Palestine, Zionism, colonialism, empire, nationalism, and white supremacy. We explore how systems of power frame justice as controversial while presenting...
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The Fallacies of Christian Zionism w Elli Reynolds
What happens when nationalism, empire, and religion become so deeply intertwined that violence begins to look holy? In this episode, we examine the relationship between anti-imperialism, immigration enforcement, colonial power structures, and the political machinery that sustains them. From...
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Eucontamination: Disgust Theology and the Christian Life w Billie & Paul Hoard
Why do humans recoil so strongly from things we perceive as “unclean,” immoral, or socially contaminating — even when those reactions make absolutely no logical sense? In this episode, we dive into the psychology of disgust, moral contamination, and the invisible boundaries humans obsessively...
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Your Matter Matters w Will Rose
In a world flooded with information, distractions, and algorithm-driven certainty, how do we genuinely pursue truth without getting lost in the noise? This episode explores the interconnectedness of science, faith, ethics, technology, history, and spirituality, challenging the idea that these...
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Cultural Gaslighting of American Mothers w Sandra Maurer
Motherhood in America is often sold as a beautiful, fulfilling dream wrapped in matching family photos and inspirational coffee mugs. The reality, however, tends to involve exhaustion, impossible expectations, political whiplash, and a society that insists everything is “fine” while mothers…
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Doubting Faithfully w Keith Long
In this episode, we sit down with the ideas from Doubting Faithfully by Keith Long to explore what it means to deconstruct faith without abandoning it entirely. Instead of treating doubt as failure, we examine how it can be a sign of growth—a willingness to move beyond inherited certainty and…
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Xtian Leftists Against Christofascism
Episode Notes — Xtian Leftists Against Christofascism Welcome to Grub & Grace, a space that pushes back on the idea that Christianity belongs to one political ideology. Here, we take seriously the need to question what we’ve been taught—especially when faith gets tangled up with power. In this...
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Won't You Be My Neighbor w Ian McConnell
In this episode, we start with a simple but disarming question: Who is our neighbor? And we don’t stop there—we flip it on its head and retort with: Who acts LIKE a neighbor? Using Fred Rogers as a guide, we explore what emotional intelligence looks like in practice—how curiosity, empathy, and...
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BSE: Once An Addict, Always An Addict & J-O-Y
In this episode, we examine two common ideologies often promoted in religious rehab and recovery spaces: “Once an addict, always an addict” and “J-O-Y: Jesus first, others second, yourself last.” While these ideas are frequently presented as spiritually grounded wisdom, we explore how they can...
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Troubled Teens VS The Industry: A Look Inside Teen Challenge
This episode we're getting into what's known generally as the troubled teen industry. There are many facilities and programs within this term, but today we will be looking into the treatment program known as Teen Challenge. Teen Challenge is often described as a place where faith and recovery…
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BSE: Cults Part 2 - Why It Feels So Hard To Leave A Cult
Leaving a cult or high-control group is often far more difficult than outsiders understand. In this episode, we explore the psychological and emotional barriers that make departure so overwhelming for those inside these environments. We begin by examining accelarousal—the intense stress response...
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BSE: Cults Part 1 - How Cults Work
What actually makes a cult… a cult? In this episode, we break down the mechanics of high-control groups and explore why cults are far more psychologically sophisticated than most people realize. Rather than focusing on strange beliefs or sensational stereotypes, we examine the systems of control...
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At Eternity's Gate: The Theology of Van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh is usually remembered for three things: swirling paintings, emotional instability, and that one extremely over-discussed ear incident. But before he became one of history’s most iconic artists, Van Gogh was chasing a very different calling: ministry. Born the son of a Dutch…
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BSE: How the Grinch Found Christmas
This Bite Sized Episode peels back the fuzzy green wrapping paper on a figure we assume we’ve already figured out. Spoiler: we haven’t. The Grinch is more than a sour-faced holiday thief with a bad attitude and a questionable relationship to joy—he’s a surprisingly layered character with a long...
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Colonial Outcast w Mark Wayne
What does revolutionary spirit look like? History has shown us examples from the French Revolution to the Sandanistas in Nicaragua. Mark Wayne hops on to have a discussion about this very topic as we navigate through Palestine, voting, and the revolutionary spirit of the Black Panther Party. Mark...
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The Curiosity of Theology Beer Camp
Have you ever asked big theological questions about faith and God that you felt weren't acceptable in your immediate community to share? Have you ever felt that your faith tradition hasn't been living up to your vision of how it should be? You're not alone, and neither should it be that way. For...
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BSE: Hellfire and Disgust
Is there a unified concept of hell? That being eternal, conscious, torment. Does salvation give us a free pass to ignore evil in the world today? How does disgust tie in to the concept of hell? We will be exploring all of these questions on this episode. Buckle up, because we're about to find out...
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BSE: Satan & Other Demons of Mythology
From Mesopotamian spirits to the fiery figure of Satan, demons have haunted human imagination for millennia. In this episode, we journey through ancient mythologies and religious lore, uncovering how different cultures have defined and described these shadowy beings. We’ll explore infamous demons...
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Hell Bent w Brian Recker
What comes to mind when the word “hell” is mentioned? Demons with pitchforks? Endless torment? Listening to ASMR of your grandparents eating sandwiches while they breathe through their nose? My guest today is Brian Recker, author of the new book Hellbent. Brian is a former evangelical pastor,...
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BSE: Are Demons Real?
Are demons real—or are they a story we’ve been telling ourselves for centuries? In this episode, we attempt to offer an alternative view of looking at demons as well as how the origins of demons may just be literary and cultural creations and how the idea evolved across history. From ancient…
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Demons, and the Power of Fear w Brandon Forman
Is hell really in the Bible? Are demons as ancient and evil as we think? This week, guest Brandon Forman joins us to dig into the surprising origins of these spiritual concepts—from sheol and Gehenna to ancient Greek daimons and New Testament visions. We explore how these ideas evolved and why…
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Beyond the Comfort Zone w Father Castello
In this powerful unscripted conversation, we sit down with Father Castello to explore the intersection of faith, justice, and discomfort. From reviewing the first days of Pope Leo XIV, to the necessity of collaborative communication and living boldly outside our comfort zones, we wrestle with the...
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BSE: Be Present
Ever tried talking to someone and ended up in a word salad with a side of frustration? Same. In this episode, we dive into the deceptively tricky art of actually listening—not just nodding until it's your turn to talk. With a wink and a few well-timed jokes, we unpack Carl Rogers' person-centered...
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BSE: Star Wars Episode 3: Return of the Resistance
In our third Star Wars trilogy episode, we explore how Star Wars—and especially the series Andor—portray resistance not as a grand myth, but as a gritty, personal fight against oppression. Andor brings a raw, grounded lens to rebellion, showing the everyday sacrifices, moral compromises, and…
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BSE: Star Wars Episode 2: The Empire Strikes Again
In part 2 of our Star Wars trilogy, we dive deep into the dark heart of Star Wars, using The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire by Chris Kempshall as our guide. Drawing sharp parallels between the fictional Empire and real-world history, we explore how Star Wars mirrors the rise of…
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BSE: Star Wars Episode 1: A Recycled Hope
In Part 1 of our Star Wars trilogy, we journey to a galaxy far, far away to explore the deeply political roots of the beloved saga. From the fall of the Republic to the rise of the Empire, Star Wars has always been more than just lightsabers and space battles—it’s a reflection of real-world power...
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History of Food in Video Games w Joshua Noel
In this flavorful episode, we dig into the delicious history of food in video games—how pixelated meals became cultural icons and why they’ve always mattered more than just health points. From power-up mushrooms to pixel-perfect potions, we explore how food shapes storytelling and gameplay. We…
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BSE: Morality Over Legality
Gather ‘round the campfire for an episode that flickers with heat, smoke, and truth. In this special fireside edition, we share true stories of people who were labeled criminals. The individuals presented in these stories were thrust in the situations they found themselves in, and they responded…
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He Gets Us: Part 2 w Zach Kidder
In this episode, we dive into the murky waters where religion and government collide, exploring how faith is being co-opted for political power. We examine the unsettling rise of religious rhetoric in policymaking and what it means for democracy. From there, we tackle cognitive dissonance—how...
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He Gets Us: Part 1 w Zach Kidder
In this episode, we take a wild ride through old college stories that are equal parts nostalgic and mildly incriminating. Then we shift gears to unpack the rise of Christian nationalism—what it is, why it matters, and how it’s showing up in culture and politics. We also break down the…
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Shift Happens w Joe Smith
Joe Smith joins us this week as we discuss a whole slew of topics ranging from the passing of Pope Francis, racism, eugenics, deportations and nonviolent resistance. Find a comfy seat and stay for this conversation as we dig into these topics. You can find Joe Smith: Instagram @therealjoe.smith…
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BSE: Better Stories
Shift happens. But what do we do when life gets messy? How do we proceed when our foundations are shaken? Sometimes a shift in perception can make a world of difference. The way we tell our stories can be a powerful tool in how we perceive our reality. Let's be the change!
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Crossover: The Politics of Star Wars and Insights from 'The Rise and Fall of the Galactic Empire'
This is a bit of a unique episode as it is a snippet of a crossover episode with the Systematic Geekology podcast. They kindly invited me over to discuss Star Wars and the politics therein, as well as digging into the second season of Andor. If you like what you hear in this episode, be sure to...
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Finding Discernment w Omni
Søren Kierkegaard once posed this scenario: “In a theatre it happened that a fire started off stage. The clown came out to tell the audience. They thought it was a joke and applauded. He told them again, and they became still more hilarious. This is the way, I suppose, that the world will be...
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BSE: Finding Greatness in the Ordinary
In this new series called Bite Sized, I will be giving you more short form content that will be more easily digestible than my longer hour-plus long conversations with guests. This episode explores those who made large contributions through the ordinary, everyday. Individuals who, despite the...
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BSE: Easter 2025 Part 2: Application
As we learned in the first episode, the history of Easter as we know it today is a bit more complicated and nuanced than what we learned in church. If you haven’t listened to, I encourage you to give that a listen first. Today we will be talking about the life and death of Jesus and how his dream...
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BSE: Easter 2025 Part 1: History
Easter, a celebration and remembrance through the death of Jesus Christ…or more commonly eulogized as a lesson about the immortality of the soul and the promise of eternal life someday in heaven. That is, at least, my experience of a common message I would hear growing up in the church. This…
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Christian Taoism w Joshua Noel
Today we will be talk Taoism, and more specifically Christian-Taoism, with my guest Joshua Noel. Taoism is an ancient Chinese philosophy and religious tradition. But how do Christianity and Taoism crossroad and do they work with each other without getting in the way of their core principles?…
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The Truth[er] w Zach Kidder
Today we talk with our guest Zach Kidder about the struggle to find truth in a world where misinformation and disinformation run rampant. All ideas and viewpoints presented should be taken as opinion. Be sure to give us a 5-star rating on Apple podcast and leave us a shining review. Also be sure…
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Servant Leadership w Brandon Forman
This episode we dive into what it means to be a servant leader and the qualities that people who exhibit servant leadership usually have with my guest Brandon Forman. Brandon is a library professional who has been working in the libraries for 20 years and has a masters in library and information...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
We are on a journey to listen and learn through discussion and good-faith dialogue. There is plenty of room at the table so we invite you to pull up a chair and share in this meal with us while we all learn together.
HOSTED BY
Mark Flower
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Grub & Grace have?
Grub & Grace currently has 66 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Grub & Grace about?
We are on a journey to listen and learn through discussion and good-faith dialogue. There is plenty of room at the table so we invite you to pull up a chair and share in this meal with us while we all learn together.
How often does Grub & Grace release new episodes?
Grub & Grace has 66 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Grub & Grace?
You can listen to Grub & Grace on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Grub & Grace?
Grub & Grace is created and hosted by Mark Flower.
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