Faith Unfiltered Podcast

Faith Unfiltered Podcast

Welcome to Faith Unfiltered— a raw, real, and radically inclusive space rooted in the mission and message of Community of Christ, where Christ-centered faith meets authentic conversation, and peace is something we practice, not just pray for.

  1. 943 | Coffee to Go | Palm Sunday | Year A

    3D AGO

    943 | Coffee to Go | Palm Sunday | Year A

    Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, but this familiar story carries deeper layers than we often notice. In this episode of Coffee to Go, Karin Peter and Blake Smith explore Matthew’s account of Jesus entering Jerusalem through insights from New Testament scholar Amy-Jill Levine, revealing the bold risk and intentional symbolism behind the moment. Amid the chaos of a crowded Passover festival and the watchful presence of Roman power, Jesus’ humble procession on a donkey becomes a striking contrast between domination and servant leadership. The longing for liberation was deeply real and immediate. As the journey into Holy Week begins, you’re invited to reflect on where you stand in the story and how you might respond to the cries for liberation still heard in our world today.  Book mentioned in this episode: Entering the Passion of Jesus: A Beginner's Guide to Holy Week by Amy-Jill Levine  Listen to other episodes in the Coffee to Go series.  Download the Transcript.  Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission:  “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. copyright@umcmission.org  “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services).  All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey.     NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.

    16 min
  2. 942 | Fair Trade | Mary Cusack | Part 1

    5D AGO

    942 | Fair Trade | Mary Cusack | Part 1

    From a devout Catholic childhood in Brooklyn to the hard questions of identity, addiction, and faith, Mary Cusack’s story is one of honesty, struggle, and remarkable resilience. In this deeply personal conversation with host, Robin Linkhart, Mary reflects on growing up surrounded by the rituals and beauty of Catholic devotion while wrestling with the painful belief that who she was might be incompatible with the God she loved.  Her journey reveals how faith can endure—even when everything you thought you knew about God must be torn down and rebuilt. This is part one of a powerful story of survival, grace, and the relentless search for a God who meets us in the deepest places of our lives.  Listen to other episodes in the Fair Trade series.  Download the Transcript.  Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission:  “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. copyright@umcmission.org  “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services).  All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey.     NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.

    44 min
  3. 941 | Coffee to Go | Fifth Sunday of Lent | Year A

    MAR 22

    941 | Coffee to Go | Fifth Sunday of Lent | Year A

    As Lent draws to a close, this episode of Coffee to Go reflects on the powerful story of the raising of Lazarus in Gospel of John 11. Hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith explore what the story reveals about grief, faith, and the surprising ways God’s presence meets us in life’s most difficult moments. Rather than seeing suffering as something caused by God, they consider how moments of loss can become opportunities for God’s love and healing to be revealed. The conversation invites listeners to ask: when the unexpected happens, do we respond with fear—or with deeper belief? As Lent moves toward Holy Week, the episode offers a simple spiritual practice: treat every new morning as a “Lazarus morning,” a fresh chance to begin again.  Listen to more episodes in the Coffee to Go series.  Download the Transcript.  Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission:  “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. copyright@umcmission.org  “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services).  All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey.     NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.

    17 min
  4. 940 | Brewed Awakenings | Second Cup Debut

    MAR 20

    940 | Brewed Awakenings | Second Cup Debut

    Grab a cup of your beverage of choice and settle in for Faith Unfiltered Podcast’s newest addition. In this introductory episode of Second Cup, hosts Jack Hindle and Shannon McAdam invite listeners into thoughtful, honest conversations about faith, doubt, and the questions that shape our lives. Drawing from their very different backgrounds, they explore what it means to be religious, Christ-like, or simply human in a complex world. Along the way, they reflect on how curiosity, art, and lived experience can deepen our understanding of discipleship and meaning-making. With humor, humility, and plenty of curiosity, they begin “walking around” big questions rather than rushing to easy answers. This conversation is sure to draw you into deeper reflection long after the Second Cup is empty.  Listen to more episodes in the Brewed Awakenings series.  Download the Transcript.  Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission:  “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. copyright@umcmission.org  “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services).  All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey.     NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.

    33 min
  5. 939 | Coffee to Go | Fourth Sunday of Lent | Year A

    MAR 15

    939 | Coffee to Go | Fourth Sunday of Lent | Year A

    In this episode of Coffee to Go, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith explore the powerful and complex story from Gospel of John 9:1–41, where Jesus heals a man born blind. As they wrestle with difficult questions about blame, suffering, and faith, the conversation moves beyond ancient assumptions to examine how modern people still search for someone to blame when life goes wrong. Together, they reflect on what it means to truly “see”—and how spiritual blindness can show up in judgment, labels, and our tendency to focus on what’s wrong instead of what’s good. Get ready to take off your blinders and ask yourself... Who am I failing to see, and what might change if I looked again?  Listen to more episodes in the Coffee to Go series.  Download the Transcript.  Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission:  “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. copyright@umcmission.org  “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services).  All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey.     NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.

    21 min
  6. 938 | Brewed Awakenings | The Cafe | Pursuing Peace

    MAR 13

    938 | Brewed Awakenings | The Cafe | Pursuing Peace

    Grab a beverage and settle in at The Cafe, part of the Brewed Awakenings series, where panelists Nicole Sherer and Mary Cusack explore what it truly means to pursue peace in today’s polarized world. Drawing from different generations and life experiences, they reflect on how peace is practiced not only through public action like nonviolent protest, but also through everyday choices, courageous conversations, and personal transformation. From college classrooms to community activism, the discussion highlights how education, faith, and community can inspire meaningful steps toward justice and reconciliation.    Books recommended in this episode:  Jesus and Nonviolence, by Walter Wink (Fortress Press: 2003)  Listen to more episodes in the Brewed Awakenings series.  Download Transcript Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission:  “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. copyright@umcmission.org  “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services).  All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey.     NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.

    39 min
  7. 937 | Coffee to Go | Third Sunday of Lent | Year A

    MAR 8

    937 | Coffee to Go | Third Sunday of Lent | Year A

    In the middle of cultural tension, gender barriers, and social division, Jesus chooses conversation, compassion, and connection—revealing living water where others might only see boundaries. Together, hosts Karin Peter and Blake Smith invite listeners to hear the story with fresh ears, imagining the real voices, emotions, and lived experiences behind the text. The episode highlights how belonging can come before believing and how one unexpected encounter can spark a powerful witness of faith. As Lent calls us to turn and go a new way, this episode asks: where might we cross divides and share the living water we’ve experienced?  Listen to other episodes in the Coffee to Go series.  Download the Transcript.  Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission:  “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. copyright@umcmission.org  “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services).  All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey.     NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.

    18 min
  8. 429 | Cuppa Joe | Historic Sites Foundation Fall 2021 Lecture Series | Life and Legacy of Apostle Kisuke Sekine (RE-POST)

    MAR 6

    429 | Cuppa Joe | Historic Sites Foundation Fall 2021 Lecture Series | Life and Legacy of Apostle Kisuke Sekine (RE-POST)

    This week on Faith Unfiltered Podcast, host Karin Peter sits down with Phil Caswell, Andrew Bolton, and Jewell Bolton to dive into the life of Apostle Kisuke Sekine, a true pioneer who helped transform Community of Christ into a global movement. From janitorial service for Boy Scouts to the Council of Twelve, Sekine’s legacy is a masterclass in humility and cultural bridge-building.  The original lecture can be found here.      Listen to more episodes in the Cuppa Joe series.  Download the Transcript. Thanks for listening to Faith Unfiltered! Follow us on Facebook and Instagram! Intro and Outro music used with permission:  “For Everyone Born,” Community of Christ Sings #285. Music © 2006 Brian Mann, admin. General Board of Global Ministries t/a GBGMusik, 458 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308. copyright@umcmission.org  “The Trees of the Field,” Community of Christ Sings # 645, Music © 1975 Stuart Dauerman, Lillenas Publishing Company (admin. Music Services).  All music for this episode was performed by Dr. Jan Kraybill, and produced by Chad Godfrey.     NOTE: The series that make up Faith Unfiltered explore the unique spiritual and theological gifts Community of Christ offers for today's world. Although Faith Unfiltered is a Ministry of Community of Christ. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those speaking and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Community of Christ.

    53 min
4.8
out of 5
92 Ratings

About

Welcome to Faith Unfiltered— a raw, real, and radically inclusive space rooted in the mission and message of Community of Christ, where Christ-centered faith meets authentic conversation, and peace is something we practice, not just pray for.

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