The God Squad Pod

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Let's talk US politics and culture from a progressive Christian perspective. Author and former pastor Desimber Rose, along with progressive theologian and author Dillon Naber Cruz, are here to make you think - and laugh - about the madness that ensues when we mix faith and politics.

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#085: Baptized In Tear Gas - A Conversation with Author & Abolitionist Rev. Elle Dowd

Some faith conversations stay safe. This one… probably won’t. We’re sitting down with Elle Dowd, author of Baptized in Tear Gas — a voice unafraid to wrestle with what happens when faith collides with protest, justice, and the lived realities of oppression. Because let’s be honest… Following Jesus has never been about comfort. It’s about courage. This conversation will hold tension.. what happens when what is sacred becomes disruptive? What is reverent becomes unfiltered? Are we willing to show up when it actually costs something or have we gotten comfortable in the pews? Pull up. Lean in. And maybe… let it unsettle you a little. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

1 tim 8 min
24 APR.

#084: Quantum Faith: Expanding the Edges of Belief with Keith Giles, Mo Thomas, and Brandy Anderson

This week on The God Squad Podcast, Dillon sits down with author, publisher, and podcast powerhouse Keith Giles, alongside Mo Thomas and Brandy Anderson, for a conversation you don’t want to miss. They’re diving deep into his latest thought-provoking works — Quantum Gospel of Philip and Quantum Theology Vol. 1 — exploring faith, mystery, and the intersections of theology and consciousness in ways that just might stretch your perspective. Plus… what’s next for one of Quoir Publishing’s most prolific voices? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

1 tim 5 min
17 APR.

#083: Power, Prophecy, and Politics: Confronting Christian Nationalism with Dr. Matthew D. Taylor

This week on The God Squad Podcast, Desimber Rose & Dillon Naber Cruz sit down with one of the most important voices in the conversation around faith and power—Dr. Matthew D. Taylor. Fresh off his recent appearance on CNN with Jake Tapper, Dr. Taylor brings clarity, depth, and a much-needed reality check to the growing influence of Christian nationalism and extremist movements shaping both religion and politics in America. As a visiting scholar at Georgetown University Center on Faith and Justice and author of The Violent Take It by Force, he has spent years studying how theology gets weaponized—and what it means for democracy, justice, and the church. This conversation goes beyond headlines. Together, we’ll unpack: The dangerous rise of Christian extremism in modern politics How faith is being used to justify power, control, and even violence What it means to resist distorted theology while holding onto authentic faith And because it’s The God Squad, we’re also bringing it back to the people, connecting these big ideas to real-life questions of faith, justice, and accountability in today’s world. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

1 tim 7 min
10 APR.

#082: Rituals for the Rest of Us with Jeremy Steele

This week on The God Squad Podcast… we’re getting a little holy, a little heretical, and just uncomfortable enough to matter. Join Dillon Naber Cruz & Desimber Rose as they sit down with author Jeremy Steele to talk about his bold and timely new book, Rituals for Heretics—a guide for those who’ve outgrown rigid religion but still refuse to let go of the sacred. Let’s be honest—some of us didn’t lose our faith… we just lost our tolerance for bad theology, spiritual gatekeeping, and traditions that feel more like control than connection. So what happens next? Jeremy offers something better than deconstruction burnout: intentional, meaningful practices for rebuilding a spiritual life that actually breathes. Expect real talk about faith after certainty, spiritual habits without shame, and why being labeled a “heretic” might just mean you’re paying attention. A little snark. A lot of truth. And maybe—just maybe—a way forward. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

1 tim 7 min
3 APR.

#081: Thoughts, Prayers, Politics, and Pink Slips

This week on The God Squad Podcast with Desimber Rose & Dillon Naber Cruz, we’re diving into a powerful listener question that gets personal, practical, and just a little uncomfortable (in the best way). Then we’re back with our signature segment: Breaking News, Bad Theology, unpacking Iran, Bondi, and Theology in the headlines that just doesn’t hold up. If you’ve ever wondered how faith intersects with the chaos of the world around us—then tune in! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

1 tim 1 min
20 MARS

#080: Red Letters, Real Faith, and Radical Love with Shane Claiborne

This week on The God Squad, we’re sitting down with one of the most provocative and inspiring voices in modern Christianity—Shane Claiborne. Shane is a best-selling author, activist, and co-founder of Red Letter Christians, a movement centered on living out the actual words of Jesus—the “red letters”—with courage, compassion, and conviction. From working alongside Mother Teresa in Calcutta to founding The Simple Way in Philadelphia, Shane has spent his life embodying a faith that refuses to stay comfortable. He’s been arrested advocating for the homeless, stood in war zones calling for peace, and challenged the Church to take Jesus seriously—not just spiritually, but socially and politically. This week's conversation will dive deep into what it really means to follow Jesus in a world shaped by nationalism, division, violence, and injustice. 🔥 Is Christianity meant to be a tool of power—or a path of sacrifice? 🔥 What happens when we actually live like Jesus meant what He said? 🔥 And how do we reclaim a faith rooted in love, justice, and radical mercy? If you’ve ever wrestled with the gap between the Church and Christ… this conversation is for you. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

53 min
13 MARS

#079: Repentance & Repair with Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg

This week on The God Squad, Dillon Naber Cruz and Desimber Rose sit down with Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg, the acclaimed Jewish scholar and author of On Repentance and Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World. In a time when public apologies are often little more than PR damage control, Rabbi Ruttenberg brings ancient Jewish wisdom to a modern crisis of accountability. Drawing from the teachings of the medieval philosopher Maimonides, Rabbi Ruttenberg explains what real repentance actually requires—truth-telling, repair of harm, and meaningful transformation—not just empty words. Together, Dillon and Desimber explore how these principles apply not only to personal relationships but also to public life, politics, institutions, and faith communities. If you’ve ever wondered what genuine accountability looks like in a culture that often avoids it, this conversation offers both challenge and hope. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

1 tim 1 min
6 MARS

#078: Foreign Policy According to Revelation with Matthew J. Distefano

What Happens When Foreign Wars Get a Bible Verse? This week, Dillon’s seat is being held down by author and theologian Matthew J. Distefano, who joins Desimber to unpack a week where geopolitics apparently came with a side of Revelation commentary. First up: the newly launched war with Iran, which has already escalated across the region after coordinated U.S.– Israel strikes triggered retaliation and widening conflict in the Middle East. But the real theological curveball? Reports from service members say some commanders are telling troops the conflict is part of “God’s divine plan” and tied to biblical end-times prophecy. In other words, apparently foreign policy is now being drafted somewhere between the Pentagon and the Book of Revelation. Then we turn to the latest primary results, including the closely watched Texas Senate primary, where state Rep. James Talarico emerged as the Democratic nominee after defeating Rep. Jasmine Crockett in a race that drew national attention and could reshape the political map in a state long considered untouchable for Democrats. If Texas starts shifting, the political earthquake will be felt all the way to Washington. We’ll dig into the uncomfortable question underneath it all: What happens when Christian Nationalism starts shaping foreign policy, war narratives, and electoral politics? Also joining the conversation is Matthew J. Distefano, author and voice behind some of the sharpest critiques of toxic theology today. Together we’ll explore how faith can inspire justice and compassion — without turning geopolitics into a prophecy chart. Because when politicians start talking about Armageddon like it’s a strategic objective, somebody probably needs to open the Bible and remind them what Jesus actually said about peace. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

57 min

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Let's talk US politics and culture from a progressive Christian perspective. Author and former pastor Desimber Rose, along with progressive theologian and author Dillon Naber Cruz, are here to make you think - and laugh - about the madness that ensues when we mix faith and politics.