What Divines Us
What Divines Us
whatdivinesus
An award winning podcast where Pastor Matt Shultz and Rabbi Abram Goodstein show how progressive clergy can serve their community. Each month they share their religious theologies and experiences and discover that there is more that divines us than divides us.
Episode 30: Advocacy
In this Episode Pastor Matt reveals that he has a Jewish great great great grandfather. Then Rabbi Abram and Pastor Matt discuss the role of advocacy among clergy. They then move the conversation about the Vigil they are planning in memoriam of the unhoused neighbors who passed away last year. They end episode with Matt unpacking the “He Gets Us” advertising campaign seen at the Super Bowl.
Feb 15, 2024
53 min
Episode 29: What kind of American are you?
Hi folks,   In this episode of WDU Rabbi Abram and Pastor Matt cover a lot.   Here is the short list - Matt and Abram discuss Christmas, Matt analyzes how people treat each other in pop culture and social media, Matt reveals his disdain for pickup trucks, Matt and Abram attempt to understand MAGA voters, Abram offers an update on the Israel-Hamas war, they plan a vigil for the unhoused who have died in Anchorage, and Matt offers a review from the off broadway show of Come From Away.
Dec 20, 2023
54 min
Episode 28: The Israel-Hamas conflict
In this episode Rabbi Abram opens up about the Israel - Hamas conflict and what it means for the Jewish community. Then to lighten the mood Rabbi Abram and Pastor Matt talk about D&D which means Dungeons and Dragons.   These links will make more sense once you hear the podcast: Alaska Judaism Media: https://www.youtube.com/@alaskajudaismmedia7230/featured Rabbi Abram's sermon on Antisemitism: https://youtu.be/g6tqdRVmCzk?si=UdTrIBzbftCi-fel Top Alaskan Politicians support of Israel: Governor Dunleavy: https://youtu.be/lrOuHvQgM-E?si=fmhm7cXOPZ3tcK6c Senator Murkowski: https://youtu.be/2oQRbUh6xec?si=4g3Sqn3qX4ijJ6iP Senator Sullivan: https://youtu.be/61rQADzUO34?si=whgTFYkzOqVBQbiC
Oct 20, 2023
55 min
Episode 27: Unpacking Political Dog Whistles
Pastor Matt and Rabbi Abram are back after a summer break. In this months episode Pastor Matt and Rabbi Abram examine some local religious organizations and show they break the 10 commandments. They discuss the value of Ranked Choice Voting. They explain how religious and hateful organizations use dog whistles to convey hateful messages. They discuss why Evangelical Christian organizations support people like Donald Trump. Finally Pastor Matt would like everyone to know that he is seeing Hamilton.
Aug 18, 2023
55 min
Episode 26: Magical Thinking
In this episode of What Divines Us Pastor Matt and Rabbi Abram discuss the problems and benefits of magical thinking in religion. Rabbi Abram reports on his community hosting a Drag Story Hour. Pastor Matt offers an update on Anchorage's Homeless criss. Finally Rabbi Abram and Pastor Matt discuss their frustration over Texas attempting to put the 10 commandments in every classroom.
May 26, 2023
59 min
Episode 25: Institutional Trust
In this Episode Pastor Matt and Rabbi Abram discuss their sermon writing process. They talk about what it means to trust and mistrust big institutions. They argue over what should be considered sacred. They conclude by discussing state wide school legislation.
Apr 28, 2023
57 min
Episode 24: Religion and Branding
In this episode Rabbi Abram and Pastor Matt talk about the benefits and problems with branding when it comes to religion. They discuss the Asbury University Revival, church name changes, and a multibillion dollar Christian branding campaign.   Rabbi Abram and Pastor Matt also share some advocacy work they have been doing in Alaska to support the LGBTQ community.
Mar 21, 2023
56 min
Episode 23: Big Block of Cheese part one
Hi Everyone, in this episode Rev. Matt Shultz and Rabbi Abram Goodstein asked social media to give them their kookiest questions on God, life, religion, and the universe. Well, questions were asked and Pastor Matt and Rabbi Abram answered.
Feb 23, 2023
46 min
Episode 22: Religion’s role in the National Conversation
In this episode of WDU Rabbi Abram and Pastor Matt discuss how religion steers the national conversation in 4 examples. The belief of the end of time. The controversy around Hamline University. The use of the term of Indoctrination. and the controversy of Local Anchorage bar, F Street Station.
Jan 27, 2023
59 min
Episode 21: Post Holiday Episode
In this podcast Rev. Matt Shultz and Rabbi Abram Goodstein discuss their religion's holidays of Christmas and Chanukah. They then discuss the strange choices of Congress Elect George Santos and his use of the term Jew-ish. They bring up a dilemma of how to dispose of sacred or meaningful objects. They conclude by arguing on watching sporting events when players, employees, or even whole countries make immoral decisions.
Dec 30, 2022
51 min
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