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We all grew up in different parts of American Christianity, and we still keep thinking about how to take it seriously, even as we leave some beliefs behind. Join us our round-table discussion as we ravel out our faith in a complex world, pulling on one thread at a time, seeking Meaning at the end of it all.

  1. FEB 11

    193. This One Is Half Full

    We explore what optimism actually is and is not, moving beyond half full versus half empty toward peace, joy, acceptance, and responsible action. Drawing on psychology, Buddhism, and our own religious upbringings, we consider whether optimism is innate, learned, or a practice that shapes how we meet uncertainty and tragedy. We wrestle with how optimism can slide into apathy in politics and church culture, and close with small rituals and a Tao Te Ching passage that frames hope as spacious presence rather than certainty. Host Recommendations Emily: Do the thing you’ve been afraid to do. Stop hovering and just jump in.Stephen: Be the person who gently puts bugs outside (or befriends them).Josh: Get on a simple “kick” — a small, playful obsession you look forward to.Host DE-Recommendations Emily: Smoking (take care of your lungs).Stephen: Mindless social-media scrolling — unfollow ~20 clutter accounts.Josh: Fruit Loops (if it looks like a rainbow, it should taste like one).Join us: Join our free Discord community by emailing us at theravelpod@gmail.com for an invite link!Take a minute to drop us a 5-star rating and a 1-2 sentence review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Credits: Theme Song: In Full Color by Louie Zong on Spotify and BandcampArtwork: Yarn and Ravel by Dixie Lee Henning @dixieleedrawsProduced by Stephen Henning, Josh Lieuallen, and Emily RettinghouseEditing/Audio Engineering by Stephen HenningCertified Organic benediction by Reverend Emily Rettinghouse, MDiv ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    52 min
  2. JAN 14

    191. When Desires Don't Quite "Hit"

    In this episode, we explore why fulfilled desires so often fail to satisfy. Recorded in September 2025—before the current football season now in the playoffs, the conversation weaves together stories from the Philadelphia Eagles’ Super Bowl mindset and Stephen’s long search for a Lazuli Bunting to ask a deeper question: what happens when the thing you want finally arrives and still isn’t enough? Drawing from Christian theology, Buddhism, Daoism, and everyday life, we reflect on desire, attachment, joy, and the difference between pleasure and presence—ultimately suggesting that meaning may be found not in reaching a destination, but in learning how to play, pay attention, and remain open to what comes next. Host Recommendations Stephen: Go birding, The Tao Te Ching as translated by Stephen MitchellJosh: The Residence on Netflix, Tour De Pharmacy filmEmily: Combine two favorite foods into one (spaghetti tacos or pan toast), touch grass, sweatersJoin us: Join our free Discord community by emailing us at theravelpod@gmail.com for an invite link!Take a minute to drop us a 5-star rating and a 1-2 sentence review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Credits: Theme Song: In Full Color by Louie Zong on Spotify and BandcampArtwork: Yarn and Ravel by Dixie Lee Henning @dixieleedrawsProduced by Stephen Henning, Josh Lieuallen, and Emily RettinghouseEditing/Audio Engineering by Stephen HenningCertified Organic benediction by Reverend Emily Rettinghouse, MDiv ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    1h 8m
  3. 09/10/2025

    187. Silly Songs For Jesus

    After a late night road trip full of nostalgia, Josh has questions about what music brings us back to the good ol' days. Especially within the Christian genre, we meander through many songs, bands, and eras of the Christian music we grew up with: good, bad, and cringy. We try to name the silliest Christian song, the silliest Silly song, silliest camp song, and take some serious shots at grifters like Kanye. So enjoy! And enjoy this TREASURE TROVE of music linked below recommended by each of the hosts! Host Recommendations Stephen: Song: We Can Do Hard Things by Tish MeltonSong: Kiss The Sky by Maren MorrisAlbum: Dark Sun by DayseekerAlbum: Color Decay by The Devil Wears PradaAlbum: Fatalism by PolarisAlbum: Five Score and Seven Years Ago by Relient KAlbum: Sick Boi by RenMusic Video: Hi Ren by RenArtist: Roo PanesAlbum: Turbo by Cory Wong & Dirty LoopsPlaylist: JAMSJosh: Artist: Gregory Alan IsakovArtist: Remi WolfArtist: The Band CAMINOArtist: JonsiArtist: Tessa VioletEmily: Album: The Joshua Tree album by U2Artist: The Rocket SummerSong: Peach Fuzz by CaampSong: Jericho by InikoSong: No Regrets by JAHKOYSong: Come and Get Your Love by Red BoneSong: Lost In The Woods from Frozen 2Join us: Join our free Discord community by emailing us at theravelpod@gmail.com for an invite link!Take a minute to drop us a 5-star rating and a 1-2 sentence review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify!Credits: Theme Song: In Full Color by Louie Zong on Spotify and BandcampArtwork: Yarn and Ravel by Dixie Lee Henning @dixieleedrawsProduced by Stephen Henning, Josh Lieuallen, and Emily RettinghouseEditing/Audio Engineering by Stephen HenningCertified Organic benediction by Reverend Emily Rettinghouse, MDiv ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    58 min

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About

We all grew up in different parts of American Christianity, and we still keep thinking about how to take it seriously, even as we leave some beliefs behind. Join us our round-table discussion as we ravel out our faith in a complex world, pulling on one thread at a time, seeking Meaning at the end of it all.