The Radical Middle

UYWI
  • 3.3 (4)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Bimonthly

The Radical Middle Podcast is a place where we embrace tension and talk about the things you wish your church would talk about. The middle is not a centrist point of view, but rather it is a place of dialogue where we can search out the truth of Jesus by pushing into the tension of it.

  1. 2d ago

    EP. 60 - When Church Feels Fake: Finding Authentic Faith in the Way of Jesus

    Have you ever sat in church and wondered, Do we actually believe what we say we believe? In this episode of The Radical Middle, Tommy Nixon shares a personal story from his early years in ministry that forced him to confront one of the hardest realities of faith: Christian hypocrisy. Wrestling with the disconnect between worship culture and the suffering happening just miles away, Tommy explores the uncomfortable question many believers and former believers ask: What do we do when the church doesn’t look like Jesus? This conversation unpacks the tension between performance and transformation, critiques a consumer-driven approach to church growth, and offers a different invitation. Instead of staying bitter or walking away, what if the answer is to embody the change we want to see? Through Scripture, personal reflection, and the framework of The Radical Middle, this episode explores how following Jesus moves us from critique to compassion, from judgment to solidarity, and from pointing fingers to living differently. If you’ve wrestled with church culture, faith deconstruction, justice, discipleship, or what authentic Christianity actually looks like, this conversation is for you. Support the show & Follow Us ✅  Instagram ✅  Twitter ✅  TikTok

    25 min

  2. Jun 11

    EP. 59 - The Lost Art of Dialogue: How We Stopped Talking to Each Other

    In this episode of The Radical Middle, we confront a growing problem shaping our homes, churches, and public life. We are losing the ability to truly engage with one another. Tommy Nixon breaks down three major forces driving this breakdown: the tribal pull that shapes identity and belonging, the collapse of meaningful dialogue in a social media driven world, and the tension between belonging and simply fitting in. These forces shape how we respond under pressure, often through conflict, avoidance, or performance rather than honest connection. Through the lens of the teachings and way of Jesus, this conversation challenges both cultural polarization and surface level agreement. It calls listeners into a deeper way of engaging where truth and love are not separated, and where disagreement does not require dehumanization. This episode offers a practical and spiritual framework for navigating tension, rebuilding dialogue, and forming relationships rooted in authenticity rather than ideology or performance. It is an invitation to rethink how we see others, how we listen, and how we stay present in hard conversations without losing conviction or compassion. Support the show & Follow Us ✅  Instagram ✅  Twitter ✅  TikTok

    28 min

  3. May 28

    EP. 58 - If We Can’t Figure Out Parking, We’re in Trouble

    What can a parking dispute teach us about politics, tribalism, and the teachings of Jesus? Quite a lot. When a frustrated neighbor begins leaving bags of dog poop on his truck over a partially blocked sidewalk, Tommy Nixon finds himself face-to-face with the same reactive instincts shaping so much of modern culture: fighting, fleeing, freezing, or fawning. In this episode of The Radical Middle, Tommy explores how everyday moments expose the deeper ways we deal with conflict, fear, identity, and belonging. He challenges listeners to move beyond outrage and avoidance into a more courageous way of living, one rooted in truth, compassion, accountability, and the radical teachings of Jesus. Because the small tensions in our lives are training us for the bigger ones.  Support the show & Follow Us ✅  Instagram ✅  Twitter ✅  TikTok

    31 min

  4. May 15

    EP. 57 - The Problem with Jesus in Modern Culture | Jesus Is Not Your Political Mascot (Part 2)

    In Part 2 of this series on the Jesus Way, Tommy Nixon confronts one of the biggest tensions in modern culture: everyone wants Jesus on their side, but Jesus refuses to fit neatly into political, cultural, or ideological boxes. This episode explores how both conservatives and progressives often reshape Jesus into the image of their own agendas while avoiding the harder truths of His teachings. Tommy unpacks why Jesus stands above political tribes, why the cross disrupts every human power structure, and why the Radical Middle only works if Christ remains at the center. Drawing from Philippians 2, personal experience, church history, and the realities of cultural division, Tommy challenges listeners to wrestle honestly with who Jesus actually is, instead of clinging to a comfortable or culturally-approved version of Him. This conversation dives into faith, truth, justice, trauma, identity, deconstruction, spiritual growth, and the tension of following Jesus in a polarized world. Whether you're wrestling with Christianity, burned out by politics, questioning church culture, or searching for a deeper spiritual foundation, this episode invites you into a more honest journey. You’ll also hear practical next steps for exploring the teachings of Jesus for yourself, how to move beyond groupthink and hypocrisy, and why following Jesus demands both surrender and transformation. Support the show & Follow Us ✅  Instagram ✅  Twitter ✅  TikTok

    27 min

  5. May 1

    EP. 56 - The Problem with Jesus in Modern Culture: Faith Beyond Left vs Right (Part 1)

    Why does Jesus refuse to fit into modern political and cultural categories? In this episode of The Radical Middle, Tommy Nixon unpacks the tension at the center of faith today. Both conservatives and progressives claim Jesus, yet neither fully captures who He is. So what do we do when Jesus challenges both sides? This episode explores why Jesus is often reduced to political ideology, how that distorts His message, and why following Him requires embracing tension instead of choosing sides. Through Scripture and real-life reflection, Tommy shows how Jesus simultaneously draws lines and erases them, confronting power, redefining truth, and calling people into something deeper. If you’ve felt caught between opposing views, disillusioned with faith, or unsure where you belong, this conversation will push you to wrestle honestly with who Jesus really is and what it means to follow Him in today’s world. This is Part 1 of a series on “The Problem of Jesus” and the challenge of living out His way in a divided culture. Support the show & Follow Us ✅  Instagram ✅  Twitter ✅  TikTok

    30 min

  6. Apr 17

    EP. 55 - Why We’re Not Changing the World: 4 Trauma Responses Holding You Back

    Why do so many people want to make a difference but stay stuck, angry, numb, or disconnected? In this episode of The Radical Middle, Tommy Nixon explores the hidden trauma responses that keep us from changing the world: fight, flight, freeze, and fawn. Tommy unpacks how collective trauma, political division, church hurt, broken systems, and personal pain can shape the way we respond to today’s world. He also shares how the teachings of Jesus offer a better path forward, one rooted in healing, truth, courage, and purpose. If you’ve felt exhausted by culture wars, frustrated with religion, or unsure how to create meaningful change, this episode will challenge and encourage you. Discover how to move beyond reaction and become who you were created to be so you can bring healing to the world. Support the show & Follow Us ✅  Instagram ✅  Twitter ✅  TikTok

    24 min

  7. Apr 3

    EP. 54 - When Institutions Fail: How to Follow Jesus Without Losing Hope

    In this episode of The Radical Middle, Tommy Nixon dives into the tension many people feel when they begin to see the world for what it really is, broken, complicated, and deeply human. What happens when you realize that institutions, leaders, and systems you once trusted are flawed? And more importantly, how do you respond without becoming cynical, bitter, or disengaged? This conversation explores what it means to “wake up to humanity” and still choose a path of hope, purpose, and action. Through personal stories, reflections on faith, and real-world examples like the U.S. immigration system, Tommy challenges listeners to reject false choices and embrace a better way forward rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ. If you’ve wrestled with church hurt, political division, or disillusionment with leadership, this episode offers a grounded, honest framework for staying engaged without losing your soul. You’ll learn how to move from awareness to action through a simple but powerful process: education, compassion, and living out your faith in real, tangible ways. This is a call to stop sitting on the sidelines and start becoming the kind of person who brings healing into a fractured world. Support the show & Follow Us ✅  Instagram ✅  Twitter ✅  TikTok

    23 min

  8. Mar 20

    EP. 53 - Be Better: What My Mom Taught Me About Following Jesus

    In this deeply personal episode of The Radical Middle, Tommy Nixon shares the story of his mother and the powerful life lesson she gave him that still shapes his faith today: “Be Better.” After losing his mom suddenly, Tommy reflects on her life as an educator, leader, and follower of Jesus. Through grief, memories, and faith, he explores what it really means to grow spiritually without falling into the traps of self-righteousness or shame. The Radical Middle is not about being politically centrist. It is about living in the tension between grace and truth while becoming who God created you to be. In this episode, Tommy talks about: • The lesson his mom taught him that defines the Radical Middle  • Why Christians must pursue growth without arrogance or shame  • The tension between being a sinner and being made in the image of God  • How personal transformation can bring healing to the world  • Why young people struggle with the church today  • How God restores broken seasons of life This conversation is an honest reflection on grief, faith, spiritual formation, and the lifelong journey of following Jesus. If you've experienced church hurt, wrestled with faith, or wondered how to grow spiritually in a divided world, this episode will challenge and encourage you. Subscribe and join the conversation as we explore what it means to live radically for Jesus in the tension of the Radical Middle.  Support the show & Follow Us ✅  Instagram ✅  Twitter ✅  TikTok

    21 min
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Ratings & Reviews

3.3
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

The Radical Middle Podcast is a place where we embrace tension and talk about the things you wish your church would talk about. The middle is not a centrist point of view, but rather it is a place of dialogue where we can search out the truth of Jesus by pushing into the tension of it.

Information

  • Creator
    UYWI
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    60
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Radical Middle
  • Show Website
    The Radical Middle