For The Rest Of Us with the Reverend Canon Megan Castellan

The Episcopal Diocese of Central New York
  • 4.8 (20)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Weekly

Join the Reverend Canon Megan Castellan, a priest of the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York, and Adam Eichelberger, her co-worker who grew up Catholic and is now an Episcopalian, as she explains theology, the Bible, faith, and life through the lens of the Episcopal tradition. With wit, wisdom, and a down-to-earth approach, this podcast explores what it means to engage with Christianity in a way that’s open, thoughtful, and accessible. Whether you’re a lifelong Episcopalian or just curious, this is "Christianity for the rest of us."

  1. 5d ago

    Megan Explains: AI, The Pope and Gandalf… for the rest of us! (2,11)

    What happens when a newly elected pope drops an encyclical on AI, human dignity, war, economics, and the future of technology—and then casually quotes Gandalf? This week, Megan and Adam dive into Pope Leo XIV’s first major teaching document and unpack why it’s making waves far beyond the Roman Catholic Church. Together they explore the ethical questions surrounding artificial intelligence, the responsibility of governments and corporations, the hidden human costs behind our technology, and why the pope insists that AI is not something we should simply accept as inevitable. Along the way, they discuss papal encyclicals, democracy, social justice, the future of human creativity, and what it means to remain moral agents in an increasingly automated world. Plus: Pope Leo quotes Gandalf, Megan desperately wants a Stephen Colbert reaction, and Megan and Adam officially invite the pope to become the podcast’s first celebrity guest. Whether you're excited about AI, skeptical of it, or just here for the Tolkien references, this episode asks an important question: How do we talk faithfully and ethically about technology before it outruns us?

    53 min

  2. May 26

    Megan Explains: Forgiveness and Repair (Part 1)… for the rest of us!

    This episode kicks off a new series on one of the hardest questions in faith and life: What does forgiveness actually mean—and what does it not mean? Megan and Adam dive into the messy intersection of forgiveness, repentance, accountability, confession, and repair, challenging some of the most common (and often harmful) ideas we carry about apologizing and “moving on.” A few of the things covered this episode: Why “that’s not who I am” may not be the apology people think it isThe problem with “God forgives me, so why can’t you?" Why time alone doesn’t equal growth, healing, or repairWhat repentance means beyond simply saying “I’m sorry” How Anglican theology connects forgiveness to community, accountability, and changed livesAlong the way, the conversation explores confession, amendment of life, 12-step wisdom, the difference between guilt and transformation, and why forgiveness is never meant to be coerced. And because this is For the Rest of Us, things also take a wonderfully unexpected detour into Muppet theology: Muppet Christmas Carol vs. Muppet Treasure Island, Michael Caine acting at maximum intensity among felt puppets, and the urgent theological question: What movie should be remade with one human actor and everyone else played by Muppets? This is Part 1 of a multi-episode exploration, so consider this your cliffhanger before we get into the mechanics of forgiveness and repair next time. (A note: apologies for the dogs barking in the background.)

    26 min

  3. May 15

    Megan Explains: The Ascension… for the rest of us!

    Sometimes the Church celebrates some weird things on the liturgical calendar. This episode of For the Rest of Us, Canon Megan and Adam tackle one of those: the Feast of the Ascension (the day Jesus basically pulls a superhero exit off the Mount of Olives and the disciples stand there staring at the sky like confused extras in a Marvel movie). Along the way, the conversation spirals into: Why Ascension Day keeps getting moved around the church calendarThe “Jesus launchpad” footprints in JerusalemWhy the angels basically tell the disciples to stop standing around and get to workWhat it means for the Church to become the Body of ChristTime, space, theology, and “wibbly wobbly timey wimey stuff”C.S. Lewis, sci-fi theology, and the possibility of “Space Jesus”Why the Ascension reminds us that God is much bigger than our tiny boxesIt’s theology, science fiction, church history, quantum mechanics, and passive-aggressive Episcopalianism — all in one episode. So whether you’re a liturgy nerd, a recovering church kid, a curious skeptic, or just wondering why Christians celebrate Jesus floating into the sky, this episode is for you. As always, thanks for listening to For The Rest Of Us! Make sure to leave us a rating and review, and share with someone you know.

    18 min

  4. May 7

    Dispatch from the Holy Land: A Conversation with Fr. Nael Rahmoun

    What does it mean to be a Palestinian Christian in the Holy Land right now? On this episode of For the Rest of Us, Canon Megan and Adam welcome Fr. Nael Rahmoun, Anglican priest in Nazareth and honorary canon at St. George’s Cathedral in Jerusalem, for a powerful conversation about faith, identity, war, hope, and the living Christian presence in Palestine. Fr. Nael shares what life is like for Palestinian Christians amid ongoing violence in Gaza, conflict throughout the region, and growing global tensions. He reflects on his layered identity as an Arab, Palestinian, Christian, and Israeli citizen, while offering a moving reminder that Christianity did not begin in America or Europe—it began in the Holy Land, and Christians are still there. Together, they discuss: What it means to be a Palestinian Christian todayThe importance of remembering the “living stones” of the Holy LandChristian Zionism and the dangers of using scripture to justify warWhy the global church must remain connected across bordersHope, peace, justice, and the call to reconciliationHow family and community help sustain joy during difficult timesThis conversation is a deeply human and deeply faithful invitation to listen, learn, pray, and remember that the Church is bigger than any one nation.

    38 min

  5. Apr 24

    Megan Explains: Liberation Theology and the Pope… for the rest of us!

    What happens when the Pope starts sounding “radical”… but is actually just quoting the Bible? In this episode of For the Rest of Us, Megan andAdam unpack liberation theology—what it is, where it comes from, and why it keeps making headlines today. From the reforms of Second Vatican Council to the work of theologians like Gustavo Gutiérrez, they explore how Christianity became deeply connected to real-world issues like poverty, injustice, and political oppression. They also dive into: Why the Pope’s recent sermons surprised people (even though they’re rooted in Scripture) The concept of the “preferential option for the poor” How liberation theology spread across the world—from Latin America with Oscar Romero to movements inspired by Martin Luther King Jr. and Desmond Tutu Why this theology has made church leaders (and governments) uncomfortable And then… things take a turn. A shocking modern political moment leads to a deep dive into the Avignon Papacy—and why invoking it today is a very bad idea. It’s theology, history, and current events all colliding in one conversation. As always, thanks for listening to For The Rest Of Us. Make sure to leave us a rating and review, and share with a friend.

    37 min

  6. Apr 24

    Megan Explains: The Triduum and Egeria… for the rest of us!

    Megan and Adam are back just in time for Holy Week—and this one’s got everything: ancient liturgies, dramatic storytelling, a mysterious 4th-century traveler, and yes… a near run-in with the fire department. 🔥 This week, Megan takes the lead (as she should) guiding us through the Triduum—the “big three days” of the church year: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. If you’ve ever wondered why these services feel so different (and honestly, a little chaotic), there’s a reason: they’re meant to be experienced as one long, unfolding liturgy that carries us through betrayal, grief, silence… and finally, resurrection. Along the way, we meet Egeria, a 4th-century pilgrim who basically became the original church liturgy blogger—documenting how early Christians in Jerusalem marked Holy Week. A huge amount of what we do today—Palm Sunday processions, the Stations of the Cross, the Easter Vigil—traces back to her firsthand accounts. Not bad for someone history almost forgot. Megan and Adam unpack: Why Palm Sunday feels like emotional whiplash (palms → Passion in one service?!) The beautiful, unsettling stripping of the altar on Maundy Thursday Why Good Friday is supposed to feel incomplete and uncomfortable And why the Easter Vigil is basically the Church’s version of a full-on liturgical Lollapalooza (fire, darkness, storytelling, baptisms, and finally… ALLELUIA) There’s also a deeper thread running through it all: this isn’t just tradition for tradition’s sake. Holy Week invites us into a story that is raw, emotional, and yes—traumatic. It reminds us that God doesn’t avoid human suffering, but enters directly into it. And that makes Easter not just joyful—but hard-won. Also discussed: Why churches sometimes feel “off” during these services (on purpose) How modern liturgy was shaped by a 20th-century renewal movement Why you might suddenly feel the absence of God in a very tangible way And Megan’s completely correct (and slightly controversial) Easter candy choices Whether you’re a Holy Week regular or just trying to figure out what “Triduum” even means, this episode is your guide to the most dramatic, meaningful, and honestly kind of wild stretch of the Christian year. So grab your candle, maybe avoid lighting any unauthorized fires, and come along for the journey. As always, thanks for listening to For The Rest Of Us. Make sure to leave us a rating and review, and share with a friend.

    33 min

  7. Apr 24 ·  Bonus

    A quick update… and an apology!

    Well, hey gang! It is Adam from For the Rest of Us. Hey, you may have noticed that you haven't gotten a new episode from us in a little bit, and I wanted to apologize for that. Megan and I had recorded some episodes, and they kind of got lost in the sauce, as it were. But if you check your podcast feed right about now, you're going to get two back-to-back episodes, and you're going to notice they're a little dated, but we still hope you enjoy the episodes. And we're going to be back next week with a brand new episode, and we can't wait to catch up with you on For the Rest of Us.

    1 min

  8. Mar 26

    It’s The End Of The World As We Know It: Megan Explains War In The Middle East And The Second Coming

    In this episode of For the Rest of Us, Megan and Adam tackle one of the most complicated and emotionally charged topics they’ve ever covered: war in the Middle East, biblical interpretation, and how some Christians connect modern geopolitics to the Second Coming. The conversation explores how certain readings of the Bible—especially promises about land and Israel—have shaped modern political and religious attitudes toward the modern state of Israel and the broader Middle East. Megan explains how some religious movements see current conflicts not just as political events, but as part of a prophetic timeline, which can deeply influence public opinion, political advocacy, and even U.S. foreign policy. They also talk about how religious language can sometimes be used cynically in the context of war—how theology, nationalism, fear, and power can become tangled together in ways that are not always faithful or humane. At the same time, the episode pushes back against oversimplified narratives and reminds listeners that real people—families, children, communities—are the ones who suffer whenever religion and violence become intertwined. Throughout the conversation, Megan emphasizes the importance of nuance, historical awareness, and empathy. The Middle East is not a biblical board game, and modern nations are not simply stand-ins for ancient kingdoms. Understanding the difference matters, especially for Christians trying to think faithfully about politics, war, and peace. This episode doesn’t try to solve the conflict or give easy answers, but it does try to give listeners better tools for understanding how theology, politics, and history intersect—and why Christians should be cautious anytime someone sounds a little too excited about war being a sign of the end times. It’s a thoughtful, honest, and very For the Rest of Us conversation about faith, scripture, and the real world we actually live in. Note: This episode emphasizes the importance of understanding religious motivations with nuance and advocates for compassion and human dignity amid complex geopolitical conflicts. As always, thanks for listening to For The Rest Of Us. Make sure to leave us a rating and review, and share with a friend.

    39 min
See All (51)

Trailer

4.8
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

Join the Reverend Canon Megan Castellan, a priest of the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York, and Adam Eichelberger, her co-worker who grew up Catholic and is now an Episcopalian, as she explains theology, the Bible, faith, and life through the lens of the Episcopal tradition. With wit, wisdom, and a down-to-earth approach, this podcast explores what it means to engage with Christianity in a way that’s open, thoughtful, and accessible. Whether you’re a lifelong Episcopalian or just curious, this is "Christianity for the rest of us."

Information

You Might Also Like