The Iconocast (Iconocast)

In this interview, Mark and Sarah interview Richard Beck.

Richard Beck is Professor and Department Chair of Psychology at Abilene Christian University. Richard is married to Jana and they have two sons, Brenden and Aidan. They also have a dog Bandit who keepsRichard company when he works away on his blog Experimental Theology. Richard's area of interest is on the interface of Christian theology and psychology, with a particular focus on how existential issues affect Christian belief and practice. Richard's published research covers topics as diverse as the psychology of profanity to why Christian bookstore art is so bad. He is the author of "Unclean: Meditations on Purity, Hospitality, and Mortality"

Direct download: s2e40-iconocast.mp3
Category:Iconocast -- posted at: 12:00pm CDT

In this episode, Joanna and Sarah interview Starhawk–one of the most respected voices in modern earth-based spirituality.

Starhawk is also well-known as a global justice activist and organizer, whose work and writings have inspired many to action. She is the author or coauthor of twelve books, including The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Great Goddess, long considered the essential text for the Neo-Pagan movement, and the now-classic ecotopian novel The Fifth Sacred Thing. Starhawk’s newest book is The Empowerment Manual: A Guide for Collaborative Groups, forthcoming in November 2011, from New Society Publishers.

Direct download: s2e39-iconocast.mp3
Category:Iconocast -- posted at: 12:00pm CDT

n this episode, Joanna and Mark interview Calenthia Dowdy.

Calenthia Dowdy is a cultural anthropologist who specializes in urban youth culture(s) and Afro-Brazilian life. She teaches youth ministry and cultural anthropology at Eastern University in St. Davids, Pennsylvania. Calenthia was born, raised, and continues to reside in the city of Philadelphia. She’s a Philadelphia Mennonite affiliate and has a keen interest in intentional discipleship community living and various expressions of the emerging church movement. Since 2003, Calenthia has been an antiracism trainer with Damascus Road, an antiracism education and organizing program.

Recently, she contributed a chapter to Widening the Circle: Experiments in Christian Discipleship, where she addresses issues of race in intentional communities.

Direct download: s2e38-iconocast.mp3
Category:Iconocast -- posted at: 12:00pm CDT

n this episode, Joanna and Mark interview Robert Ellsberg.

Robert Ellsberg is the son of Carol Cummings and the American military analyst and whistleblower, Daniel Ellsberg. At age 19, Robert dropped out of college, intending to spend a few months with the Catholic Worker Movement. He stayed to become the managing editor of The Catholic Worker for two years (1976-8), a job that would introduce him to Dorothy Day and consequently would allow him to work with Day for the last five years of her life. This life-changing experience prompted him to convert to Catholicism.

In 1987 he began work as editor-in-chief of Orbis Books. He in theauthor of several books, including All Saints: Daily Reflections on Saints, Prophets, and Witness for Our Time, and the Saints’ Guide to Happiness. His book Blessed Among All Women tied a Catholic Press Association record by winning awards for Gender, Spirituality, and Popular Presentation of the Catholic Faith. He is the editor of the published diaries and letters of Dorothy Day. He currently resides in Ossining, New York with his wife and their three children.

Direct download: s2e37-iconocast.mp3
Category:Iconocast -- posted at: 12:00pm CDT

n this episode, Mark (with an impromptu question from Orrin) interviews Dr. Bruce Levine.

Dr. Levine writes and speaks widely on how society, culture, politics and psychology intersect. His latest book is Get Up, Stand Up: Uniting Populists, Energizing the Defeated, and Battling the Corporate Elite  A practicing clinical psychologist often at odds with the mainstream of his profession, he is a regular contributor to the Huffington PostCounterPunchAlterNet, and Z Magazine. His articles and interviews have been published in AdbustersTruthoutThe EcologistHigh Times, and numerous other magazines.

Direct download: s2e36-iconocast.mp3
Category:Iconocast -- posted at: 12:00pm CDT

This is the second of a two part interview with Bob Ekblad. For part one, go here.

Bob Ekblad is executive director of Tierra Nueva and The People’s Seminary in Burlington, Washington. Tierra Nueva is an ecumenical ministry located in Burlington, Washington, that seeks to share the Good News of God’s liberation in Jesus Christ with migrant farmworkers, jail inmates, and Skagit Valley gang members. A minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA), Bob holds a ThD in Old Testament and is known internationally for his courses and workshops on reading the Bible.  Bob and his wife Gracie minister at Tierra Nueva and at their home-based retreat center New Earth Refuge. Bob is the author of Reading the Bible with the Damned and A New Christian Manifesto: Pledging Allegiance to the Kingdom of God.

Direct download: s2e35-iconocast.mp3
Category:Iconocast -- posted at: 12:00pm CDT

In this episode Jarrod and Mark interview Bob Ekblad.

Bob Ekblad is executive director of Tierra Nueva and The People’s Seminary in Burlington, Washington. Tierra Nueva is an ecumenical ministry located in Burlington, Washington, that seeks to share the Good News of God’s liberation in Jesus Christ with migrant farmworkers, jail inmates, and Skagit Valley gang members. A minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA), Bob holds a ThD in Old Testament and is known internationally for his courses and workshops on reading the Bible.  Bob and his wife Gracie minister at Tierra Nueva and at their home-based retreat center New Earth Refuge. Bob is the author ofReading the Bible with the Damned and A New Christian Manifesto: Pledging Allegiance to the Kingdom of God. This is the first of a two part interview.

Direct download: s2e34-iconocast.mp3
Category:Iconocast -- posted at: 12:00pm CDT

In this episode Caleb and Joanna interview Alexia Salvatierra. Rev. Salvatierra is the founding director of FaithRooted.org and served as the executive director of C.L.U.E. (clergy and laity united for economic justice), an organization of religious leaders in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Orange County, and San Diego. C.L.U.E. supports low-wage workers in their struggle for a living wage, health insurance, fair working conditions and a voice in the decisions that effect them. C.L.U.E. is one of the coordinating agencies of the national New Sanctuary Movement, in which congregations accompany and support immigrant workers and their families facing deportation.

Direct download: s2e33-iconocast.mp3
Category:Iconocast -- posted at: 12:00pm CDT

n this episode, Sarah and Joanna talk to thinker and activist Seth Donavan. Seth blogs at confessingqueer.com. Seth’s work in her community focuses on what it means to create new ways of being while honoring the wisdom of our history & stories.

Direct download: s2e32-iconocast.mp3
Category:Iconocast -- posted at: 12:00pm CDT

In this episode, Mark sits down with Nekeisha and Andy Alexis-Baker to discuss the recent decision by Goshen College to discontinue its playing of the National Anthem at sporting events. Since its founding in 1894, Goshen has refrained from playing the anthem at events…until Spring 2010, when it started playing an instrumental version. Due, in part, to acampaign started by Andy and Nekeisha, Goshen decided to reverse its decision in a June 2011 meeting and will, therefore, no longer play the anthem. But this decision–to reverse their earlier decision–has resulted in a backlash–including a deluge of hate mail and some unwelcomed coverage from Fox News.

Direct download: s2e31-iconocast.mp3
Category:Iconocast -- posted at: 12:00pm CDT