Ravel

Ravel LLC
  • 4.2 (103)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED BIMONTHLY

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. APR 9

    195. A Tale of Two City Theologies

    In this episode, Josh and Stephen explore a noticed growing anti-city sentiment within American Christianity, unpacking how politics, economics, fear, and cultural identity shape a rural-versus-urban divide. We contrast this with the deeply city-centered theology of the New Testament, noting the irony in modern Christian attitudes toward urban spaces. We weave through media narratives, food culture, and even biblical imagery, suggesting that American Christianity may be drifting toward Old Testament “outsider” and conquest frameworks rather than Jesus’ embodied presence among diverse city populations. Host Recommendations  Stephen: Eat “vitamin carrots”Josh: Make homemade Chipotle-style bowlsHost DE-Recommendations Stephen: Neglecting dryer vent cleaningJosh: Leaving phone text notification sounds onJoin 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 ★

    51 min

  2. MAR 12

    194. Angels: Heralds of the Unorthodox

    We explore angels in the Bible and in Christian imagination, asking what role they actually play in the stories that shaped the tradition. Moving through familiar passages and odd details alike, we consider whether angels are supernatural beings, literary devices, or something closer to a storytelling signal that a narrative turn is about to happen. The conversation wanders through ancient mythology, modern interpretations, guardian angels, and the human impulse to find meaning in unexpected moments. Along the way we land on a curious possibility: whenever angels show up, the story may be about to go unorthodox. Host Recommendations Emily: Updated healthy eating food pyramidStephen: Meaningful desk trinketsJosh: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, specifically the audiobook versionHost DE-Recommendations Emily: Junk political mailersStephen: Sticking with an internet providerJosh: Forgetting routine car maintenanceJoin 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 ★

    43 min

  3. 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

  4. FEB 4

    192. Selling Christian Agnosticism

    After listening to the two episodes Emily and Stephen did without him, Josh takes the chance to speak with Stephen about questions he had about his experience so far at the Methodist church and whether or not Stephen might be finally ready to adopt his coined term, "Christian-ish Agnostic". Stephen is skeptical, but open. Emily is unfortunately not here today. Host Recommendations Stephen: browse and add Calendars of Interest in Google CalendarsJosh: Handy subscription servicesJoin 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

  5. 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

  6. 12/15/2025

    190. The Gang (Re)Invents Astrology

    We're feeling silly out here, so Josh decides it's time we at Ravel finally invent our own typology system. Host Recommendations Stephen: The Complete Enneagram by Beatrice Chestnut, You Were Born For This by Chani NicholasJosh: Game Changer on dropout.tv, go somewhere newEmily: Get a new tattoo, deepen a relationship you're enjoyingJoin 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 11m

  7. 11/26/2025

    189. Emily Is Stephen's Pastor Now

    Of course, we had to turn the tables. Because Emily is probably not the only one wondering, "Stephen, why are you going to church if you're still an atheist?" 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 ★

    1h 4m

  8. 11/25/2025

    188. Stephen Is Emily's Parishoner Now

    The title kinda says it all. You read that right. Stephen, the atheist of the pod, is now going to church. And he has questions for his new pastor about the denominations practices, motivations, and histories! Host Recommendations Stephen: Hope United Methodist Church in Billings Heights, MontanaEmily: Try going to a different church every one in a whileJoin 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 ★

    53 min
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Trailer

4.2
out of 5
103 Ratings

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Ravel LLC
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    215
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Ravel LLC
  • Show Website
    Ravel

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