The UpWords Podcast

Upper House
  • 5.0 (13)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

An initiative of SLBF STUDIO at Upper House in Madison, WI. Through conversations with thinkers, scholars, and leaders, we explore the life of the mind and the questions of soul--to enrich our university, our community, and the Church.

  1. 5D AGO

    Building Madison: Placemaking, Belonging, and the City We're Becoming

    What does it take to build a city where every person truly belongs? In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, we walk the streets of Madison, Wisconsin — metaphorically and literally — with two people who have spent their careers shaping it. Host Rebecca Cooks welcomes Jason Ilstrup, president of Downtown Madison Inc., and Peter Tan, architect and Chief Design Officer Emeritus of Strang Inc., to discuss placemaking, the shifting character of downtown, the challenges of growth, and what it actually means to build a flourishing city for everyone. From the magic of Memorial Union Terrace to the bold vision of the Envision Madison plan, this conversation is for anyone who loves their city and wants to understand how to make it better. In This Episode Why Jason and Peter both call Madison's Union Terrace the city's "living room"The transformation of the East Washington corridor over 30 yearsWhat the Envision Madison plan is — and how you can have your say in shaping itThe honest truth about gentrification: what it is, why it happens, and how good design can helpWhy development should always be seen as an opportunity, not a threatThe "triple bottom line" for flourishing cities: people, planet, and profitMadison's approach to affordable housing — and why the most sustainable building is the one that already existsGUEST BIOS Jason Ilstrup — President, Downtown Madison Inc. Jason has been a Madisonian since 2007 and has spent his career championing the city's downtown. As a former general manager of Hotel Red and now president of Downtown Madison Inc. (DMI), Jason brings hospitality, energy, and a deep love for people to the work of urban strategy and placemaking. He is currently leading the private-sector component of the landmark Envision Madison planning initiative. Peter Tan — Architect & Chief Design Officer Emeritus, Strang Inc. Peter moved to Madison in 1991 and has spent over three decades shaping the city's built environment. As an architect, he believes deeply that good design belongs to everyone — not just those with means. He has been involved in landmark projects across Madison. Resources & Links Envision Madison: downtownmadison.org City of Madison planning resources: cityofmadison.com CONNECT WITH US Subscribe to The UpWords Podcast wherever you listen and visit slbf.org/studio to learn more about our work at the intersection of faith, the academy, and the marketplace.

    51 min
  2. Mourning God: Grieving Loss, Wrestling with God, and Finding Your Way Back to Life | Tiffany Stein

    MAR 2

    Mourning God: Grieving Loss, Wrestling with God, and Finding Your Way Back to Life | Tiffany Stein

    In this episode of The Upwards Podcast, host Tressa Spingler sits down with author and pastor Tiffany Stein for a conversation that goes where the church often doesn't — into the deep, disorienting territory of grief, lament, and the silence of God. Tiffany's new book, Mourning God, was born out of the loss of her infant son David, who lived only 53 days, and the years of secondary infertility and spiritual wrestling that followed. With pastoral tenderness and unflinching honesty, she guides us through what it means to mourn not only our losses — but the God we thought we knew. Together, Tressa and Tiffany explore: What grief really is — including the losses we rarely name (identity, health, dreams, relationships)The concept of secondary grief — mourning the God you thought you knewWhy lament is an act of faith, not a detour from itThe four-part framework of lament: turn, complain, ask, trustThe difference between the wall and the dark night of the soulHow the Psalms give language to grief when our own words failWhat it means to hold joy and sorrow together — and why the church struggles to make space for bothPractical ways to walk with a grieving friend — and how to ask for what you needA vision of resurrection hope as the foundation for enduring loss We close with the Beatitudes — a moving benediction over every soul in a season of grief. This is a conversation full of compassion, biblical depth, and the kind of hope that is honest enough to hold sorrow alongside it. Resources Mentioned: Mourning God: Grieving Loss, Wrestling with God, and Finding Your Way Back to Life by Tiffany Stein - https://www.navpress.com/p/mourning-god/9781641589833Spotify Playlist inspired by the themes of Mourning God - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0tzsO1vVNYZAwHX01H3WaA?si=08d1ca13138d44cdThe Critical Journey: Stages in the Life of Faith by Janet Hagberg & Robert GuelichEmotionally Healthy Spirituality by Pete ScazzeroWalking with God through Pain and Suffering by Tim KellerScripture references: Psalm 27:13, Psalm 42–43, Psalm 88, Isaiah 53, John 11, Luke 23"You Bring the Morning" — song by Andy Squyres Subscribe to The Upwards Podcast wherever you

    49 min
  3. Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace | Mark DeYmaz

    FEB 23

    Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace | Mark DeYmaz

    In this deeply reflective conversation, host John Terrill welcomes pastor, author, and practitioner Mark DeYmaz for an exploration of Christian peacemaking. Drawing from his new book Make Me an Instrument of Peace and his decades of work leading multi‑ethnic congregations, Mark unpacks the biblical, historical, and practical foundations of living as Christlike peacemakers in a fractured cultural moment. Mark shares his upbringing in economic hardship, his journey into pastoral ministry, and the early experiences that awakened his calling to build healthy, multi‑ethnic churches. Together, John and Mark discuss the Prayer of St. Francis, its surprising origins, and its enduring ability to shape Christians into people who sow love, pardon, hope, and light. Listeners will gain insight into: The true origins of the peace prayer (hint: not St. Francis)Why peacemaking is central to Christian identityHow juxtaposition and paradox lie at the heart of the gospelThe skills required to think and speak with nuancePractical disciplines for removing “peace‑disturbing factors” in our livesStories of God’s grace at work amid personal grief, community challenges, and ministry breakthroughsHow Christians can witness with humility rather than merely “make points”How churches can embody reconciliation in polarized times This episode invites us to pause, breathe, and rediscover the beauty and costliness of Christlike peace. Key TopicsMulti‑ethnic church leadershipCultural intelligence and nuanceThe peace prayer of 1912 and its global impactBiblical foundations of peacemaking (Matthew 5, Isaiah 61, Luke 4)Christian formation in polarized timesPractical disciplines for pursuing peaceMark’s personal journey and testimony Resources & LinksMark DeYmaz: Books, resources, and ministryMake Me an Instrument of Peace (NavPress, 2026)Mosaic Church & Mosaix Global NetworkResources on peacemaking, cultural intelligence, and multi‑ethnic church leadership

    1h 3m
  4. Finding your Way Out of Shame | S.J. Parrott

    FEB 16

    Finding your Way Out of Shame | S.J. Parrott

    In this deeply honest and theologically rich episode of The Upwards Podcast, host Jean Geran sits down with philosopher and biblical scholar S.J. (Shannon) Parrott for a wide‑ranging conversation on shame—what it is, how it forms, and how the transforming presence of Christ meets us in our most vulnerable places. Drawing from her own story, her research on metaphors of clothing and nakedness, and her current work on shame in the Psalms, Shannon helps us see why shame can feel like a “roadblock” to becoming who we truly are in Christ. Together, Jean and Shannon explore: What shame is (and what it’s not)The “singularity” of shame and how it distorts identityWhy community is essential when shame pushes us toward isolationHow Jesus meets and reorients identity in stories like the Samaritan woman and ZacchaeusThe role of prayer, Scripture, and the Psalms in forming a new shame‑resistant identityShannon’s own pivotal experience of discovering who she is in ChristThe difference between shame, guilt, humiliation, and shamelessnessHow cultivating openness to God and others allows transformation This is a conversation full of hope, clarity, and practical wisdom for anyone navigating questions of identity, healing, and spiritual formation. Resources Mentioned: S.J. Parrott’s Friday Night Lectures at Upper HouseLecture 1 Apple PodcastsLecture 1 SpotifyLecture 1 YouTubeLecture 2 Apple PodcastsLecture 2 SpotifyLecture 2 YouTubeLecture 3 Apple PodcastsLecture 3 Spotify

    59 min
  5. The Pastor as Gardener: Cultivating Ministry with Hope | Matt Erickson

    FEB 10

    The Pastor as Gardener: Cultivating Ministry with Hope | Matt Erickson

    In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host John Terrill welcomes pastor and author Matt Erickson for a rich, thoughtful exploration of pastoral ministry through the lens of agrarian imagery. Drawing from his new book The Pastor as Gardener, Matt Erickson shares how the rhythms of soil, seasons, and cultivation offer a renewed vision for ministry in a time when many pastors feel depleted, disoriented, or discouraged. Together, they discuss: Why gardening is such a powerful and biblical metaphor for ministryThe pressures pastors face today — cultural polarization, unmet expectations, leadership models, and soul-level exhaustionThe liberating shift from control to cultivationScriptural roots of agrarian leadership (1 Cor. 3:6; Genesis 2; the resurrected Jesus as gardener)How place, soil, and local context shape faithful ministryTechnology, AI, and the crisis of control — and how agrarian spirituality grounds us againSeasons of leadership, the “wall,” and finding hope in times of limitationA hopeful vision for the future church — diverse, listening, burden-bearing, and rooted in resurrection hope This conversation offers encouragement for pastors, ministry leaders, and anyone longing for a more grounded, faithful, and hopeful way forward in Christian leadership. 📖 The Pastor as Gardener: A Renewed Vision for Ministry (Eerdmans, 2026) = https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802884145/the-pastor-as-gardener/

    54 min
  6. Lenten Resources: Wilderness, the Cross, and What to Read | Byron Borger

    FEB 2

    Lenten Resources: Wilderness, the Cross, and What to Read | Byron Borger

    In this Lenten conversation, host Tressa Spingler sits down with longtime bookseller and friend of Upper House, Byron Borger of Hearts & Minds Books, to explore how the church year—and especially Lent—can shape our discipleship. They reflect on wilderness imagery, repentance, almsgiving, contemplative reading, and what it means for Jesus to meet us in our “low places.” Byron introduces a rich range of Lenten books—from devotionals and art‑driven prayer resources to weighty theological works on sin, the cross, and Holy Week. In This Episode Why Lent is a season of wilderness, repentance, and preparationHow traditions like Anglicanism and Lutheranism shape our imagination of sacred timeThe power of silence, solitude, and contemplative readingA new theological work on sin by Timothy KellerFleming Rutledge’s classic writings on the crucifixion and death of ChristCreative Bible studies integrating art, QR‑coded media, and peace/reconciliation themesArt‑driven prayer resources for seasons of depression or disorientationReading as a spiritual discipline during Lent About Our Guest Byron Borger is the owner of Hearts & Minds Books in Dallastown, Pennsylvania. Learn more or subscribe to his Booknotes newsletter at: heartsandmindsbooks.com List of books mentioned in the episode Rhythms of Faith: A Devotional Pilgrimage Through the Church Year — Claude Atcho (WaterBrook, 2025)Reading Black Books: How African American Literature Can Make Our Faith More Whole and Just — Claude Atcho (Brazos Press, 2022)A Beautiful Year: 52 Meditations on Faith, Wisdom, and Perseverance — Diana Butler Bass (St. Martin’s Essentials, 2025)Lent: The Season of Repentance and Renewal — Esau McCaulley (IVP Formatio, 2022)What Is Wrong with the World — Timothy Keller (Zondervan, 2025)The Crucifixion: Understanding the Death of Jesus Christ — Fleming Rutledge (Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2015)The Undoing of Death — Fleming Rutledge (Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2005)Why Did Jesus Have to Die?: The Meaning of the Crucifixion — Adam Hamilton (Abingdon Press, 2025)Liberated at the Cross: Peace and Reconciliation in God’s Kingdom — Crystal Acevedo (IV Press, 2026)May It Be So: 40 Days with the Lord’s Prayer — Justin McRoberts & Scott Erickson (WaterBrook, 2019)Prayer — Justin McRoberts & Scott Erickson (WaterBrook, 2019)In the Low: Honest Prayers for Dark Seasons — Justin McRoberts & Scott Erickson (Baker Books, 2025)Walking in the Wilderness — Beth Richardson (Upper Room Books, 2020)Pauses for Lent: 40 Words for 40 Days — Trevor Hudson (Upper Room Books, 2015)Pauses for Advent — Trevor Hudson (Upper Room Books, 2017)Pauses for Pentecost — Trevor Hudson (Upper Room Books, 2018)Lent in Plain Sight: A Devotion Through Objects — Jill Duffield (Westminster John Knox Press, 2020)Advent in Plain Sight: A Devotion Through Objects — Jill Duffield (Westminster John Knox Press, 2021)Christ in Our Midst: Daily Lenten Reflections Through Scripture and Gregorian Chant — (Paraclete Press, 2025)Wardrobes and Rings: Through Lenten Lands with the Inklings — Julia Golding, Simon Horobin & Malcolm Guite (Canterbury Press Norwich, 2025)The Art of Lent: A Painting a Day from Ash Wednesday to Easter — Sister Wendy Beckett (InterVarsity Press, 2022)Celebration of D

    48 min
  7. You Have a Calling: Vocation, Work, and the Myths We Believe | Karen Swallow Prior

    JAN 26

    You Have a Calling: Vocation, Work, and the Myths We Believe | Karen Swallow Prior

    In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Dan Johnson sits down with author and scholar Karen Swallow Prior to explore one of the most pressing questions of our time: What is my calling? Drawing from her new book, You Have a Calling: Finding Your Vocation in the True, Good, and Beautiful, Karen unpacks the difference between calling, vocation, work, and career—and why confusing them can leave us anxious, disillusioned, or stuck. Together they address common myths (like “if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life”), examine how Scripture frames calling, and talk honestly about seasons of transition, feeling stuck, and how God uses ordinary faithfulness over time. Whether you’re a college student, mid‑career professional, or simply wondering what’s next, this conversation offers a hopeful and theologically rich path forward. In This Episode, We Discuss:Defining terms: How Karen distinguishes calling, vocation, work, and career, and why clarity here can be freeing.Big cultural myths about calling: Why “follow your passion” and “do what you love and you’ll never work” set us up for disappointment.Biblical foundations of calling: Our primary calling to Christ, our multiple secondary callings (family, church, community, gifts), and how these fit together.Work before the fall: How Scripture presents work as part of God’s good design—and what it means to be co‑laborers with God in creation.Skills, passions, and reality: Why what you’re good at, what you love, and what pays the bills don’t always overlap—and how to live wisely in that tension.Mobility and rootedness: The opportunities and hidden costs of a mobile life and career, and what we gain by staying put.Feeling stuck in your calling: Practical guidance for Christians who feel trapped, misaligned, or unsure how their current work fits God’s purposes.The church and vocation: How local congregations can better affirm everyday callings—and avoid exploiting people’s desire to serve.Gen Z and discernment: Why endless options create anxiety, how social media amplifies pressure, and why Karen loves the phrase “touch grass.” 📚 Resources MentionedBook: You Have a Calling: Finding Your Vocation in the True, Good, and Beautiful by Karen Swallow Prior - https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/products/9781587436659_you-have-a-callingPrevious The UpWords Podcast episode: Women in Evangelical Spaces: Challenges and Triumphs | Karen Swallow Prior - https://player.captivate.fm/episode/2418ca31-e989-4456-9ea3-02ce8eba375d/

    46 min
  8. Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? | John Fea

    JAN 19

    Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? | John Fea

    In this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Dan Hummel sits down with historian John Fea, distinguished professor at Messiah College and visiting fellow at the Lumen Center, to explore one of the most debated questions in American history: Was America founded as a Christian nation? John shares insights from his Upper House lecture, unpacking the complexity behind this question and why it matters today. They discuss definitions of “Christian” and “nation,” the role of religion in the founding era, and the cultural and political stakes of this debate. 📌 What You’ll Learn: · Why this question is more complicated than it seems. · How religion influenced the founding era—and where it didn’t. · Why the debate is rooted in modern culture wars. · The historian’s challenge: communicating nuance in polarized times. 🔗 Resources & Links: · John Fea’s book: Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? - https://a.co/d/5ZHqfgt · John Fea’s podcast: The Way of Improvement Leads Home - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-way-of-improvement-leads-home-american/id1071244872 · SLBF Studio: https://slbf.org/studio 📣 Upper House Commons Lecture Series: · LECTURE ONE  Apple Podcasts = https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/upper-house-events/id1715922039?i=1000737152176 🎧 Spotify = https://open.spotify.com/episode/0SKgSp7Ch0n3gz0JWCYdpe?si=fa4951404ca44b00 · LECTURE TWO  Apple Podcasts = https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/upper-house-events/id1715922039?i=1000737152192 🎧 Spotify = https://open.spotify.com/episode/058DbBKLtPspshjYC0F1Io?si=77f904172c004bbb · LECTURE THREE  Apple Podcasts = https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/upper-house-events/id1715922039?i=1000737152775 🎧 Spotify = https://open.spotify.com/episode/1CcXH1w0YdYe96JGsuEq5G?si=5e4f34631cf240c2

    41 min
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5
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About

An initiative of SLBF STUDIO at Upper House in Madison, WI. Through conversations with thinkers, scholars, and leaders, we explore the life of the mind and the questions of soul--to enrich our university, our community, and the Church.

Information

  • Creator
    Upper House
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    174
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The UpWords Podcast
  • Show Website
    The UpWords Podcast

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