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A Pastor and a Philosopher Walk into a Bar

Randy Knie & Kyle Whitaker
Christianity
Inclusion
Spirituality
Christmas
Advent
Post Evangelical Collective
Patriarchy
Willow Creek
Alcohol
Theology
Nonviolence
The Pastor, A Crisis
Justice
Philosophy
Materialism
Atheism For Lent
LGBTQ Issues
Ethics
Race
Isaiah

Mixing a cocktail of philosophy, theology, and spirituality.

We're a pastor and a philosopher who have discovered that sometimes pastors need philosophy, and sometimes philosophers need pastors. We tackle topics and interview guests that straddle the divide between our interests.

Who we are:

Randy Knie (Co-Host) - Randy is the founding and Lead Pastor of Brew City Church in Milwaukee, WI. Ran... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes142Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PhilosophySociety & CultureReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for A Pastor and a Philosopher Walk into a Bar

Latest Episodes

Text us your questions!

What kind of God is worth trusting when life falls apart? We pull up a chair with Thomas Jay Oord and guest Chris Lilley for a spirited, vulnerable conversation about omnipotence, evil, and why love may be the only measure of... more

Text us your questions!

Our friend Jeff Cook—writer, podcaster, and Enneagram systems thinker—is back with us to discuss his recent book (volume 1 of a series because of course it is): about the Enneagram. (See our first conversation from S03E26 her... more

Text us your questions!

Is the drive to be better than others making us worse? We talk with theologian Miroslav Volf about his book The Cost of Ambition and explore why comparison-based striving saturates our schools, churches, workplaces, and polit... more

Text us your questions!

We talk with political strategist, author, and Lincoln Project member Mike Madrid about data, culture, and why both parties keep getting the Latino vote wrong.

Mike takes us inside the Lincoln Project’s 2020 strategy and the... more

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Recent Guests

Tom Oord
Theologian and author known for open and relational theology.
Episode: Power, Love, and What God Can’t Do: More on Omnipotence With Tom Oord and Chris Lilley
Chris Lilley
Postulant for holy orders in the Episcopal Church.
Episcopal Church
Episode: Power, Love, and What God Can’t Do: More on Omnipotence With Tom Oord and Chris Lilley
Miroslav Volf
A name within the church and within theology, author of Exclusion and Embrace and The Cost of Ambition
Yale University
Episode: Miroslav Volf: How Striving to Be Better Than Others Makes Us Worse
Mike Madrid
Republican strategist and author
Author of 'The Latino Century'
Episode: How Latino Voters Are Reshaping American Politics
Dawne Moon
Sociologist at Marquette University
Marquette University
Episode: What Conservative LGBTQ+ Christians Can Teach Us About Love
Theresa Tobin
Philosopher at Marquette University
Marquette University
Episode: What Conservative LGBTQ+ Christians Can Teach Us About Love
Dr. Laurie Johnson
Political philosopher at Kansas State University and author of The Gap in God's Country.
Kansas State University
Episode: Deconstructing the Culture Wars with Laurie Johnson
Zach Lambert
Pastor at Restore in Austin, Texas and author of Better Ways to Read the Bible
Restore
Episode: Reframing the Bible with Zach Lambert
Reverend Dr. Paula Stone Williams
Transgender activist and author
Episode: Gender, Faith, and Privilege after Transitioning: Paula Stone Williams

Hosts

Randy Knie
Co-Host and Lead Pastor providing theological insights and community engagement through conversations that merge faith and philosophical thought.
Kyle Whitaker
Co-Host and Philosopher focusing on the intersection of faith and philosophical inquiry, with an expertise in navigating complex disagreements.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 291 ratings
  • Thought provoking, humble, honest

    Thank you for this show. I regularly share it with friends and fellow pastors. I’m a woman who grew up in very conservative evangelical circles that taught me that women can’t preach, or lead men, “good” Christians can’t love people who are in the LGBTQ+ community, and if you have doubts about God or the things you find in scripture, you clearly don’t have enough faith and probably aren’t a “real” Christian.”

    I first found your podcast because of the Beth Allison Barr interview. Like her, I wre... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SayrahW
    Canadaa year ago
  • Life-changing, favorite podcast of 2024

    Found myself blowing through these podcasts, going all the way back to the beginning and working my way upwards. They cover so many topics I have questions about, and do so graciously and humbly. My favorite podcast I’ve discovered this year.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Drew_Flynn
    United States2 years ago
  • Heart and mind walk into a bar

    I really like this podcast. It features pastor Randy and philosopher Kyle openly navigating their post-evangelical trauma throughout the bizarre political and spiritual landscape of the United States.

    It is an intriguing mix of EQ and IQ, compassion and clarity. I’ve listened to almost all the episodes by now. Biases and blind spots are constantly being exposed and challenged, and the personal growth of both hosts over these four years is fascinating. Randy’s patriotism has metamorphosed into a... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Patrick of Finland
    United States2 years ago
  • Yes to a pastor and a philosopher 🙌🏼

    Your podcast is the one I keep coming back to. The people you interview, the questions you all ask, it’s all so good. You keep things real and I like that. I have listened to a few interviews with people talking about sex and purity culture, but none were as informative and thorough as your interview with Sheila Gregoire you had on in May 2023. That was the best! Keep on doing what you do please! With or without tastings.

    Honestly, I always enjoyed your tastings of whiskeys and bourbons, but st... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Snazzimagic
    United States2 years ago
  • Not Lonely Anymore

    I just dropped by via a reference by a friend. She posted your link.

    WOWOWOW, great podcast! Great information and opinion and it’s nice when you have a guest.

    Thank you for talking about the things I’ve wondered about .

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sr Julian
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The humility and honesty from the hosts resonate, particularly for those navigating their own faith deconstruction journeys.
Feedback indicates a desire for more guests and discussions related to pressing social justice issues.
Listeners appreciate the engaging, thought-provoking discussions that challenge traditional norms and provide a space for diverse perspectives.
Reviews reflect gratitude for the inclusion of varied voices and insights on underrepresented issues within conventional Christianity.
Many find comfort and a sense of community in the candid dialogues surrounding theology and philosophy, helping them navigate complex topics.

Top Religion & Spirituality Podcasts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Miroslav Volf: How Striving to Be Better Than Others Makes Us Worse
Q: How should the incarnation shape the life of individual Christians and the church at large?
The life of Christ ought to be the measure of what we do, showing that love and humility are central to the Christian experience.
Miroslav Volf: How Striving to Be Better Than Others Makes Us Worse
Q: What drove you to write this book? What was that process like?
A personal experience observing culture made me puzzled about the idea that we strive for superiority, which is often viewed as a means to progress.
How Latino Voters Are Reshaping American Politics
Q: Can you just tell our listeners a little bit of the cost of what it meant for you to say, it feels like we're in a moment right now and I'm going to actually boldly step into something new and resist something that's going to come at a real cost for me?
Mike talks about the personal toll he faced, including threats against his family and his livelihood, highlighting that standing up against wrongdoing required moral courage.
Deconstructing the Culture Wars with Laurie Johnson
Q: How do we cultivate community in a world where community is eroding?
We need community leadership, especially from churches, to genuinely engage and build community around shared interests.
Deconstructing the Culture Wars with Laurie Johnson
Q: Is it possible to care for the most marginalized people in our society while avoiding identity politics?
Yes, there could have been a different way, like emphasizing toleration rather than celebration of differences.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Engaging a rich blend of philosophy, theology, and spirituality, the discussions often explore the complexities of faith and human experience. The conversation regularly weaves through topics like the meaning of prayer, interpretations of the Bible, and the intersection of LGBTQ+ issues with conservatism, always approaching these subjects with an openness to differing perspectives. Guests include theologians, sociologists, and activists who enrich the dialogue with their unique insights, resulting in episodes that challenge conventional narratives while inviting listeners into a space of questioning and understanding, particularly for those navigating their own faith journeys amidst broader societal changes.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Holy Post
2. The Bible For Normal People
3. No Small Endeavor with Lee C. Camp
4. Curiously Kaitlyn
5. Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 6 years ago and published 142 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Tom Oord
2. Chris Lilley
3. Miroslav Volf
4. Mike Madrid
5. Dawne Moon
6. Theresa Tobin
7. Dr. Laurie Johnson
8. Zach Lambert

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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