Many listeners and readers will know the Rev. Dr. Marlin Lavanhar as the senior pastor of All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Marlin is well-known in Tulsa and, in UU circles far beyond Tulsa, for his preaching, leadership, and for his community work in matters of race and of race and policing. But Marlin is also an amateur cartoonist.His topics range from the religion to the political and social—just the kind of material we love to feature on “Committing Faith in Public.” Gary Peluso-Verdend, executive director of the Center for Religion in Public Life at Phillips Theological Seminary, interviewed Tulsa on April 9, 2021. An album of Marlin's work is available on Instagram. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

When the Nazi regime essentially nationalized the Christian churches in Germany, making them one of the legitimizing arms of their evil program, some church leaders capitulated and embraced their roles. Others resisted. One of the most famous expressions of that resistance was the Barmen Declaration. The threat of Christian nationalism in the U.S. today has brought renewed attention to the Declaration.In this podcast, Center director Dr. Gary Peluso-Verdend interviews the Rev. Dr. Vic Hunter. Dr. Hunter reflects on Barmen and its relevance to the situation of Christian churches in the U.S. today, especially the threat of churches idolizing any political regime.Dr. Hunter is a retired Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) pastor who was born in Kansas, raised Church of Christ, and educated at Union Theological Seminary (MDiv) and later at Phillips (DMin).He served as a missions publication editor, as the leader of a mission in London, and in Disciples congregations in Colorado and West Virginia. He is the author of several books with his brother, Dr. Lanny Hunter, including What Your Doctor and Your Pastor What You to Know About Depression, Living Free in an Anxious World and Stories of Desire and Narratives of Faith. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Dr. Russell Cobb, currently Associate Professor of Comparative Literature and Latin American Studies at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, is a longtime Tulsa who wrote many essays for This Land Press. Some of those essay and other writings are the basis of The Great Oklahoma Swindle, an eye-popping read for anyone interested in what makes Oklahoma the unique and often weird place that it is.Russ’s story ranges from the Black towns to the first Jewish community in Oklahoma in Ardmore, from the immoral and often violent swindling of Native lands and mineral rights by white men to the Tulsa Race Massacre, from the mix of greed-oil-Christianity that is denominated “petro-Christians” to the philanthropy and politics that created The Gathering Place, and more!For this podcast, Russ and Center Executive Director Gary Peluso-Verdend talk about Russ’s deep connections to his hometown and especially the intertwined stories of religion, oil, greed, and culture. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Chaplains can be found in all kinds of institutional roles these days, from Tyson Foods to the military and hospitals. The Rev. Dr. Jacob George is the director of pastoral care at Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa. After years in hospice work, he moved into the hospital setting.He is a Clinical Pastoral Education supervisor at the highest level, directs a very religiously-diverse program at Hillcrest, and also directs the congregationally-based CPE program at Phillips Theological Seminary. Jacob talked with Center for Religion in Public Life director Gary Peluso-Verdend by phone about his work at Hillcrest in normal times and during the extraordinary time of a global health crisis. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Committing Faith in Public with Toby Jenkins, Oklahomans for EqualityOklahomans for Equality is a state-wide 40-year old organization that seeks equal rights for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) individuals and families through advocacy, education, programs, alliances, and the operation of the Dennis R. Neill Equality Center.It is led by Toby Jenkins. On this edition of Committing Faith in Public, Toby talks about his richly-textured background in conservative circles (despite being raised by progressive parents) and his movement from that world into the caring and advocacy work of OkEq. While he is no longer a Free Will Baptist minister, Toby does a great deal of ministry-like work every day, especially in such times as these. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Committing Faith in Public: Talking Reconciliation is Not Enough with the Rev. Robert Turner and the Rev. David WiggsIn this special collaborative edition of the Boston Avenue United Methodist Churchpodcast ASCENDS, its hosts are joined by co-host, Dr. Gary Peluso-Verdend from the Committing Faith in Public podcast. The guests are the Rev. Robert Turner and the Rev. David Wiggs to discuss the relationship between Historic Vernon AME and Boston Avenue UMC and why talking reconciliation is not enough. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Committing Faith in Public Podcast with Jesse UlrichWhat was it like growing up Jewish in Tulsa, attending a nearly all African-American elementary school where one was a dual minority, then having the experience of living in a large Jewish community in Boston before returning to Tulsa?Jesse Ulrich talks about these and other formational experiences that have helped him navigate the boundaries between cultures and develop skills that have been helpful to the places where he was employed and now in his new role. After a stint at the Jewish Federation in Tulsa, Jesse established Rant9Productions, a business to help organizations–especially non-profits who are passionate about their work but often don’t know how to tell their stories to others–get better at telling their stories in podcasts, marketing, and other digital media.His podcast is Pod 4 Good. Jesse and host Gary Peluso-Verdend worked together for several years on the Oklahoma Center for Community and Justice Trialogue Committee. Gary interviewed Jesse at Jesse’s home before Christmas, using Jesse’s first rate equipment. And, after Gary interviewed Jesse, Jesse and his podcast partner Chris returned the favor and interviewed Gary for Jesse’s podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Committing Faith in Public Talking Theology and ImpeachmentSit down with two Phillips faculty to talk about theology and impeachment and what do you get? A half hour of insight, perspective, and something to chew on. Dr. Joe Bessler, the Robert Travis Peake Professor of Theology and acting dean, and Dr. Sarah Morice Brubaker, Associate Professor of Theology, are the guests on this episode of Committing Faith in Public. With host Gary Peluso-Verdend, they provide a stark contrast to Christian Right perspectives as they explore accountability, truth, sin, and hope. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Committing Faith in Public Podcast with State Senator George Young, Sr.The Rev. Dr. George Young, Sr., is well known to Phillips’ audiences as a double alumnus (master’s and doctoral degrees), adjunct instructor, and former trustee. In addition, we know him as a long-time pastor who cultivated links between the congregations he served and the civic community.When Dr. Young retired from pastoral work, he took up another form of service. He was elected to the Oklahoma State House and then to the Oklahoma Senate. In this podcast, George talks with Gary Peluso-Verdend about his career, the transition from pastorate to legislature, and what it is like to represent his constituents at this time in the state’s life and in troubling times for the causes of equality, justice, and a healthy democratic society.State Sen. George Young See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Committing Faith in Public Podcast with Aliye ShimiAliye Shimi is the executive director of Tulsa’s oldest ecumenical/interfaith organization, Tulsa Metropolitan Ministry. In that role, and in the MANY volunteer hours Aliye gives, Aliye is among the fiercest and kindest advocates for justice, dignity, compassion, and basic human decency in Tulsa and everywhere. She lives her Muslim faith, in public, for the sake of a better Tulsa, a better Oklahoma, a better nation, and a better world. In this interview with Gary Peluso-Verdend, Aliye tells of the difficult national and personal events that propelled her into public life. Listen as she constantly takes a negative experience and uses it to fuel positive change.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.