Working Theology

In this episode, Brandon Giella is joined by Vineet Rajan, an experienced entrepreneur (Forte) and former Marine Corps officer. Vineet shares his insights on the intersection of faith, work, and technology. They discuss topics such as the importance of prioritizing mental wellness, the challenges of identity and work, and the need to hold our accomplishments loosely. Vineet also reflects on his decision to leave the Marine Corps and pursue a career in business. Overall, the conversation explores the role of faith and God's calling in the context of work and personal growth. Links: ForteFaithTech

In this episode of Working Theology, hosts Brandon Giella and Parker Smith explore the intersection of poetry and ideology with guest Guy Delcambre. They discuss the concept of the "via media" and the importance of moderation and anti-fanaticism in political debate, as well as the role of poetry in precise and provocative communication. The conversation also touches on the challenge of engaging in civil disagreement and the need to navigate the tension between affiliation and citizenship in the Church. Links: - The Selected Poems of Osip Mandelstam (New York Review Books Classics) Translated by Clarence Brown ‍- Millennials at Fox News, Satanists, and the Fallout of Deconstructionism - This Cultural Moment ‍- Thomas Merton ‍- Anne Lamott‍ - Sabbath Poems by Wendell Berry ‍- Annie Dillard ‍- Marilynne Robinson

In this episode, host Parker Smith interviews Jenna Rigney, a senior at Baylor University studying interior design and entrepreneurship. They discuss the effects of social media on Gen Z, the importance of connection with people and with God, and the need for digital abstinence. Jenna shares her experiences as a life group leader and reflects on her own addiction to her phone. They also touch on the decline in religious affiliation among Gen Z and the need for faith relationships. Links: Generation Z (Wikipedia)Over Half of Gen Z Teens Feel Motivated to Learn More About Jesus (Barna)Techwise Family by Andy CrouchDigital Minimalism by Cal NewportHow to Break Up with Your Phone by Catherine PriceYou Are What You Love: The Spiritual Power of Habit by James K. A. Smith

In this episode, Dustin Messer, vicar at All Saints Dallas, helps us explore the intersection of faith and work through Jesus' teaching on the easy yoke (Matthew 11:25-30), discussing the purpose of business, the elimination of sin, and the creation of order from chaos. They also discuss the concept of efficiency and the importance of eliminating waste in work. The idea of yoking oneself to Christ is explored, and how it brings rest and structure to our lives. The hosts also touch on the history of the yoke as a metaphor and how it relates to teaching. The episode ends with a benediction inviting listeners to take on Christ's yoke and find rest in Him. Links Bible Project Intro to the Hebrew BibleAn evening with Carmen Imes of BibleProject (All Saints Dallas)Being God's Image: Why Creation Still Matters by Carmen ImesRichard MouwSteven GarberWhere Mortals Dwell by Craig Bartholomew Learn more about Working Theology at workingtheology.com.

In this episode of "Working Theology", host Brandon Giella engages in a profound conversation with guest Matt Tatum, a bi-vocational seasoned marketing professional and pastor. The two delve into the intricate relationship between faith and the world of sales, discussing the challenges and ethics of the profession in the modern tech-driven landscape. Tatum offers insights into the potential disruptions and opportunities presented by AI in the sales and marketing sectors, emphasizing the importance of human ingenuity and the role of faith in navigating these challenges. The episode concludes with a heartfelt prayer for salespeople, highlighting the significance of honesty, generosity, and finding one's value beyond performance metrics. Links: The Starr ConspiracySalt & Light DFWNon-anxious Presence by Mark SayersHow The World Really Works by Vaclav Smil Learn more about Working Theology at workingtheology.com.

In this episode of Working Theology, host Parker Smith interviews guest Derek Wenth, an experienced maintenance controller and leader in the aviation industry. They discuss the potential for augmented reality and AI integration in aviation maintenance, the challenges of maintaining a work-life balance in a 24/7 industry, and how Derek integrates his faith into his work. The conversation offers a unique perspective on the importance of maintenance and stewardship in both the aviation industry and in personal spiritual growth. Links and Resources: JSXLinear Learn more at workingtheology.com.

In this episode, the hosts, Brandon Giella and Parker Smith, are joined by guest Cheri Hudspith, a co-director of the Practice Collective and a trainer of spiritual directors through an organization called Selah. The conversation begins with a discussion about the role of AI, specifically ChatGPT, in Parker's work. Parker shares how he leveraged technology to correlate Psalms from the Bible with certain emotions as part of a process for writing a children's book. The hosts then shift the conversation to spiritual direction, asking Cheri to clarify what it entails and how she got involved. Cheri explains that she was introduced to spiritual direction in seminary and found it beneficial. She says that people often seek spiritual direction when they feel "stuck" in their relationship with God, struggling with theological questions, or undergoing significant life transitions. Cheri also shares her journey from being a spiritual direction recipient to training spiritual directors herself. She hopes that spiritual direction becomes more commonplace, helping people deepen their relationship with God and understand His love for them. The hosts discuss the increasing interest in spiritual direction and counseling, speculating that it could be due to societal changes and the need for better relational intelligence. Cheri expresses her hope that churches become a place where doubts and questions can be openly discussed and explored. The conversation concludes with Cheri giving a benediction, thanking God for the ministry of spiritual direction and praying for its growth and understanding in the community.

In this thought-provoking episode of Working Theology, hosts Brandon Giella and Parker Smith engage with special guest, David Larsen, PhD, a senior research fellow at the Kirby Lang Center for Public Theology in Cambridge, to delve into the concept of 'placemaking' within theology, work, and technology. Beginning with a discussion on AI-powered deepfake tools and their potential to transform our reality perception and create immersive virtual worlds, they transition into an in-depth examination of 'placemaking.' Introduced by Larsen from his doctoral research, this term refers to the crafting of meaningful experiences in physical spaces, with his focus being on 'Christian Placemaking' or 'Canonical Placemaking.' This episode intertwines this concept with the 'Kingdom of God,' explores its physical aspects, and reflects on its alignment with scriptural elements and our everyday creations. Additionally, the hosts explore the grand Biblical narrative from the placemaking perspective, considering humanity's role in this divine process and the intertwining of salvation within the grander placemaking narrative. Concluding with a heartfelt benediction by Larsen for theologians and biblical scholars, this episode weaves together theology, philosophy, and technology, stimulating profound discussions about placemaking and its implications on our lives and work. Links: Full body deepfakes including background using Runway Gen-1 & ElevenlabsRunwayML workingtheology.com

In this episode, hosts Brandon Giella and Parker Smith explore the intersection of faith and technology with Drew Dickens, a leader in this field. They discuss the implications of advanced AI like Apple's Vision Pro on human understanding of sentience and spirituality. Acknowledging the limitations of AI and the danger of treating it as divine, they consider the possibility of a 'second Axial Age' influenced by AI. Dickens underscores the need for theological discussions on AI's impact and concludes the episode with a prayer for wisdom and discernment in using AI for humanity's benefit. workingtheology.com

"Working Theology" is a podcast exploring the intersection of faith, work, and everyday life. It dives deep into the theology of work, the work of theology, and how theology is lived out daily. The show invites listeners from all walks of life and vocations to join in a journey of discovery that uncovers the often overlooked theological dimensions of daily jobs, and what it means to participate in the Kingdom of God through work. Through discussions on the essence of theology and the wrestling with profound doctrines, the podcast commits to Orthodoxy and presents a fresh perspective on work, moving beyond the idolization of corporate life. Each episode culminates in a prayer specific to the profession or topic at hand, providing intellectual engagement with spiritual nourishment. The podcast also bravely explores the theological implications of contemporary issues and technologies. At its core, it is an exploration of how faith shapes actions and molds interactions at work, at home, and within communities. workingtheology.com