The UpWords Podcast
by Upper House
Each week, we sit down with scholars, authors, and leaders to explore faith, vocation, culture, and what it means to think and live well. For curious Christians and honest seekers. An initiative of SLBF STUDIO at Upper House in Madison, WI.
Episodes
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Ambition, Calling, and the Courage to Ask Hard Questions | Kristine Braden
What does faithfulness look like in a corporate boardroom? Host Joy Fea talks with guest Kristine Braden, whose 26-year career at Citi took her across Latin America, Asia, and Europe, culminating in her leading the bank's business across Europe. Kristine tells the story of the walk to work that...
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Spiritual Practices and Christian Resilience | Tish Harrison Warren
For our 200th episode, host Jean Geran welcomes Anglican priest and award-winning author Tish Harrison Warren for a conversation about the spiritual practices that sustain faith over a lifetime. Drawing on her new book, What Grows in Weary Lands: On Christian Resilience, Tish shares how she fell…
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The Search for a Rational Faith | Daniel K. Williams
When most people hear “apologetics,” they think of courtroom-style arguments for the resurrection or bestsellers like The Case for Christ. But those are only a recent chapter in a much longer story. In this episode, host Dan Hummel talks with guest Daniel K. Williams about his new book, The…
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Reading in a Noisy Age: New Books for Fall with Byron Borger
As the seasons change, so do our reading lists. Byron Borger, co-owner of Hearts & Minds Bookstore in Dallastown, Pennsylvania, returns to The UpWords Podcast with his fall roundup of the books most worth your time. Host Susan Smetzer-Anderson and Byron begin by remembering Annie Dillard and...
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Calling Is Formed, Not Found | Joanna Meyer
What does it mean to follow Jesus not only in who you are, but in how you lead, serve, and work? On this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Joy Fea sits down with guest Joanna Meyer, founder and executive director of Women, Work, & Calling at the Denver Institute for Faith & Work, to explore...
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From Transactional Faith to Transformational Life | Jonathan R. Bailey
What does real spiritual transformation actually look like — a powerful moment at a retreat or altar call, or something much slower, deeper, and more relational? In this episode, host Dan Johnson sits down with first-time author Jonathan R. Bailey to talk about his new book, Dwelling in Christ:...
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The Secret Life of Christians | Jacob Coyne
Many of us are busy serving, producing, and performing — while our own relationship with God quietly grows distant. In this episode, host Tressa Spingler sits down with author and pastor Jacob Coyne to talk about his new book, The Secret Life of Christians: How to Live Authentically, Especially...
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Leadership Through Suffering and Surrender | Rev. Dr. Nicole Martin
What does it look like to lead the way Jesus did — through the cross, not around it? Host Joy Fea welcomes Rev. Dr. Nicole Massie Martin, President and CEO of Christianity Today, to talk about her book Nailing It: Why Successful Leadership Demands Suffering and Surrender. Together, they explore...
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Belonging Is Not Proximity | Rev. Dr. Alex Gee
This summer, the UpWords Podcast is featuring leaders making a tangible difference in the Madison community. Host Rebecca Cooks sits down with Rev. Dr. Alexander Gee — pastor, author, and founder and CEO of the Center for Black Excellence and Culture — for a wide-ranging, honest conversation...
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What Is the Bible Actually For? | Jeff Dryden
How do you read the Bible? Most of us assume we already know: we read to learn what happened, to understand what a passage means, or to find a principle to apply. In this episode, host Dan Hummel is joined by guest Jeff Dryden, professor of biblical studies and department chair at Covenant…
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From Newsroom to Pulpit: A Conversation with Phil Haslanger
Phil Haslanger has spent decades straddling two worlds that don't always trust each other: journalism and the church. In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host John Terrill sits down with the longtime Capital Times editor turned ordained pastor for an in-person conversation recorded at Upper...
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Loving Our Neighborhoods Together | Jon Anderson
This summer, The UpWords Podcast is spotlighting local leaders shaping faith and community life in Madison. Host Dan Johnson sits down with Jon Anderson, founder and executive director of Collaboration Project, to talk about what happens when churches stop working in silos and start loving their...
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A Quick Update on our Summer Release Schedule
Thank you for listening to The UpWords Podcast. We wanted to send you a quick message to let you know that we will be moving to every-other-week podcast releases in July and August this summer, and returning to weekly podcast releases in September. Have a blessed summer! Send us Fan Mail CONNECT...
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Israel, the End Times & the Evangelical Imagination | Dan Hummel
What do evangelicals mean when they talk about “supporting Israel” — and how did Jewish–Christian dialogue evolve from centuries of suspicion into the conversations happening today? In the third installment of our series built around the Last Questions of Faith community lecture, host Jean Geran...
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Rediscovering the Bible as Wisdom Literature — Tim Mackie of BibleProject
What if many of us have been taught to read the Bible in a way it was never meant to be read? In this special live event recorded by Upper House, BibleProject co-founder Tim Mackie returns to Madison — the city where he earned his PhD in Hebrew Bible and Jewish Studies at UW–Madison and pastored…
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Water from a Deep Well: Recovering the Riches of Historic Christianity | Dr. Jerry Sittser
Too many Christians, Jerry Sittser says, sit at a banquet table and eat only one food. In this episode, host Tressa Spingler talks with theologian, historian, and author Dr. Jerry Sittser — professor emeritus of theology at Whitworth University — about the newly revised edition of his book Water...
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How Do Jews and Christians Read Scripture Differently? | Seth Whitaker
In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Jean Geran sits down with biblical scholar Seth Whitaker to explore a question at the heart of Christianity's origins: how do Jews and Christians read Scripture differently—and what holds their interpretive traditions together? Drawing on his doctoral...
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Bad Religion, Good News: Surviving Church Disappointment | Scott Bessenecker
What do you do when the church — the very community that's supposed to reflect the love of God — becomes a source of real pain? Host Dan Johnson sits down with Scott Bessenecker, author of Bad Religion, Good News: An Honest Guide to Spiritual Disappointment, for an unflinching conversation about...
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Pastoring for Monday: Helping the Church Take Work Seriously | Matt Rusten
What would it look like if the church took seriously the 80,000 hours most people spend at work over a lifetime? In this conversation, host John Terrill sits down with Matt Rusten — pastor-turned-vocational-discipleship-advocate and author of Pastoring for Monday: Help Your Congregation Integrate...
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A Jewish Scholar on What Christians miss when Reading the Bible | Dr. Amy-Jill Levine
What does it look like when a Jewish New Testament scholar sits down with a Christian host to talk about how two ancient traditions read the same texts — and reach such different conclusions? That's exactly the conversation host Jean Geran has with Dr. Amy-Jill Levine in this wide-ranging episode...
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PREVIEW: American Evangelicals - A History Podcast
This week on The UpWords Podcast, we're bringing you something a little different — and we think you're going to love it. We're sharing the first episode of a brand-new podcast series from the Lumen Center and SLBF STUDIO: American Evangelicals, A History Podcast. Hosted by historians John Fea…
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TRAILER: American Evangelicals - A History Podcast
STUDIO at the SL Brown Foundation is launching a brand new podcast, and we wanted to share it with our faithful listeners of The UpWords Podcast. If you like what you hear, click the links below to subscribe or follow the show: Listen on the web =...
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Reading as a Spiritual Practice | Jeff Crosby
What if picking up a book could become a form of prayer? In this conversation, host John Terrill sits down with Jeff Crosby — publisher, author, and lifelong champion of the written word — to talk about his book World of Wonders: A Spirituality of Reading (Paraclete Press, 2025). Jeff brings more...
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Faith, Politics, and the Culture War | Justin Giboney
What does it look like to be a faithful Christian in the public square without losing your soul in the process? In this conversation, host Rebecca Cooks sits down with Justin Giboney — attorney, ordained minister, political strategist, and co-founder of the AND Campaign — for a candid,...
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Dallas Willard's Vision for Discipleship: Kingdom Apprenticeship | Keas Keasler
Dallas Willard believed that the aim of God in human history is the formation of a community of loving persons — people apprenticed to Jesus, shaped by his character, and prepared to co-reign with him in eternity. In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Dan Hummel sits down with Keas…
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What Does It Mean to Be Human in the Age of AI? | Noreen Herzfeld
Artificial intelligence is everywhere — but what does it mean for us as humans, as embodied creatures, and as people of faith? In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Dan Johnson sits down with Noreen Herzfeld, a computer scientist turned theologian who has been thinking seriously about AI…
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The Gospel of Being Human: How Asking Better Questions of the Bible Reveals Who We Are | Reed Dent
What does it mean to be human before God? In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Dan Johnson sits down with pastor and author Reed Dent, whose new book The Gospel of Being Human: How Asking Better Questions of the Bible Reveals Who We Are (co-authored with Marty Solomon) challenges one of…
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Forgiveness, Peacemaking, and the Courage to Reconcile | Todd Deatherage
What role does forgiveness play in the hard, often painful work of building peace? In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Jean Geran sits down with her longtime friend Todd Deatherage, co-founder of Telos, a nonprofit helping leaders navigate conflict and work toward reconciliation in some…
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Making Peace with the Proximate: Vocation, Faithfulness, and the Questions That Shape a Life | Steve Garber
What does it mean to give yourself fully to something — a marriage, a calling, a city, a cause — and still make peace with the fact that you won't get everything you hoped for? In this episode of The Upwards Podcast, host John Terrill sits down with professor, author, and longtime friend Steve...
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Building Madison: Placemaking, Belonging, and the City We're Becoming
What does it take to build a city where every person truly belongs? In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, we walk the streets of Madison, Wisconsin — metaphorically and literally — with two people who have spent their careers shaping it. Host Rebecca Cooks welcomes Jason Ilstrup, president of...
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Mourning God: Grieving Loss, Wrestling with God, and Finding Your Way Back to Life | Tiffany Stein
In this episode of The Upwards Podcast, host Tressa Spingler sits down with author and pastor Tiffany Stein for a conversation that goes where the church often doesn't — into the deep, disorienting territory of grief, lament, and the silence of God. Tiffany's new book, Mourning God, was born out…
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Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace | Mark DeYmaz
In this deeply reflective conversation, host John Terrill welcomes pastor, author, and practitioner Mark DeYmaz for an exploration of Christian peacemaking. Drawing from his new book Make Me an Instrument of Peace and his decades of work leading multi‑ethnic congregations, Mark unpacks the...
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Finding your Way Out of Shame | S.J. Parrott
In this deeply honest and theologically rich episode of The Upwards Podcast, host Jean Geran sits down with philosopher and biblical scholar S.J. (Shannon) Parrott for a wide‑ranging conversation on shame—what it is, how it forms, and how the transforming presence of Christ meets us in our most...
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The Pastor as Gardener: Cultivating Ministry with Hope | Matt Erickson
In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host John Terrill welcomes pastor and author Matt Erickson for a rich, thoughtful exploration of pastoral ministry through the lens of agrarian imagery. Drawing from his new book The Pastor as Gardener, Matt Erickson shares how the rhythms of soil, seasons,...
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Lenten Resources: Wilderness, the Cross, and What to Read | Byron Borger
In this Lenten conversation, host Tressa Spingler sits down with longtime bookseller and friend of Upper House, Byron Borger of Hearts & Minds Books, to explore how the church year—and especially Lent—can shape our discipleship. They reflect on wilderness imagery, repentance, almsgiving,...
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You Have a Calling: Vocation, Work, and the Myths We Believe | Karen Swallow Prior
In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Dan Johnson sits down with author and scholar Karen Swallow Prior to explore one of the most pressing questions of our time: What is my calling? Drawing from her new book, You Have a Calling: Finding Your Vocation in the True, Good, and Beautiful…
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Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? | John Fea
In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Dan Hummel sits down with historian John Fea, distinguished professor at Messiah College and visiting fellow at the Lumen Center, to explore one of the most debated questions in American history: Was America founded as a Christian nation? John shares...
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Worth Doing: Fallenness, Finitude, and Work in the Real World | David Buschart and Ryan Tafilowski
In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host John Terrill sits down with theologians David Buschart and Ryan Tafilowski, co-authors of Worth Doing: Fallenness, Finitude, and Work in the Real World. Together, they explore a more universal theology of work that speaks to all professions—not just...
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Racial Justice for the Long Haul | Dr. Christine Jeske
In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Rebecca Cooks sits down with Dr. Christine Jeske—professor, researcher, and author of Racial Justice for the Long Haul: How White Christian Advocates Persevere and Why. Christine shares compelling stories and research on what sustains hope and…
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Experiencing the Church Year at the Movies: Advent/Christmas | Abby Olcese
In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Daniel Johnson sits down with film critic and author Abby Olcese to explore how movies can deepen our spiritual rhythms throughout the church calendar. Abby shares insights from her book, Films for All Seasons: Experiencing the Church Year at the…
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Forgiveness as a Lifelong Journey | Father Chad Magnuson
Forgiveness isn’t a one-time decision—it’s a process that touches every part of our lives. In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Jean Geran sits down with Father Chad Magnuson, an Anglican pastor and PhD in psychology, to explore the spiritual and practical dimensions of forgiveness.…
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AI Goes to Church | Todd Korpi
What happens when artificial intelligence enters the sanctuary? In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Daniel Johnson talks with author and researcher Todd Korpi about his new book, AI Goes to Church (InterVarsity Press, 2025). They explore how AI is already shaping the church, the ethical...
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The Transformative Power of Forgiveness | Dr. Robert Enright
Forgiveness is one of the most challenging—and liberating—virtues we can practice. In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Jean Geran, sits down with Dr. Robert Enright, a pioneer in the scientific study of forgiveness and the founder of the International Forgiveness Institute. Bob shares…
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Entering Advent with Intention | Byron Borger
In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, we sit down with Byron Borger, owner of Hearts & Minds Bookstore, for a rich conversation about Advent—the season of waiting, longing, and hope. Byron shares personal stories, spiritual insights, and a curated list of Advent resources, from devotionals and...
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REPLAY: The Jailhouse Lawyer
In this powerful replay from a live event at Upper House, we hear the extraordinary story of Calvin Duncan, a man wrongfully convicted at age 19 and sentenced to life in Louisiana’s Angola Prison. Over 23 years, Calvin became a jailhouse lawyer, fighting for his own freedom and advocating for...
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Broken Altars: Secularist Violence in Modern History | Tal Howard
Historian Tal Howard joins host Dan Hummel to discuss his new book Broken Altars: Secularist Violence in Modern History (Yale University Press). This episode dives deep into the global history of secularism, examining how different forms—passive, combative, and eliminationist—have shaped…
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Democracy from Local Love to Global Justice: Christian Citizenship in Action | Nicole Bibbins Sedaca
In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Jean Geran speaks with Nicole Bibbins Sedaca, Kelly and David Pfeil Fellow at the George W. Bush Institute and former Executive VP at Freedom House. As part of our series on Christian citizenship, Nicole shares her insights on how faith intersects with...
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The Art of Asking Better Questions | J.R. Briggs
In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Daniel Johnson welcomes author and leadership coach J.R. Briggs to discuss his new book, The Art of Asking Better Questions: Pursuing Stronger Relationships, Healthier Leadership, and a Deeper Faith (IVP, 2025). Together, they explore how asking...
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Formed to Lead | Jason Jensen
In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host John Terrill sits down with Jason Jensen, Vice President of Spiritual Foundations at InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and author of Formed to Lead: Humility, Character, Integrity, and Discernment. Together, they explore a transformative vision of...
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How Germany's Protestants Are Reinventing the Church | Brandon Bloch on Faith in a Post-Christian Culture
In this episode, Dan Hummel sits down with historian Brandon Bloch to explore his new book, Reinventing Protestant Germany. The conversation traces the complex role of Protestant churches in Germany from the Weimar Republic through the Nazi era and into the post-war reconstruction. Block shares...
About this show
Each week, we sit down with scholars, authors, and leaders to explore faith, vocation, culture, and what it means to think and live well. For curious Christians and honest seekers. An initiative of SLBF STUDIO at Upper House in Madison, WI.
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