The Unlearning Podcast
Episodes
102 episodes
100: EXODUS 17:1-17 | General Washington 250 Years
This year marks 250 years since the declaration of independence for the United States of American from British colonial rule. In order to celebrate, Ashley unpacks a key moment in revolutionary history against the backdrop of Exodus 17. For mor...
99: Psalm 112 | Fear Not
It is really hard to live without fear in today’s world. A brief glance at the current news cycle reminds us that there is so much to fear. Psalm 112, has a lot to teach us on this topic. As a companion psalm to Psalm 111, Psalm 112 reminds us ...
98: PHILIPPIANS 2:1-11 | Toxic Unity
On today’s episode, Ashley unpacks the ideas the ways Philippians 2 has been used to unify people in an unhealthy way. Instead of calling people to unite under Christ, this passage is often used to pressure parishioners to obey clergy - especia...
97: LUKE 18:9-14 | Sarcastic Gratitude
One of the biggest lies of our American culture today is the idea that judging others is our civil right. Especially if we do so “quietly” on social media or at church. On today’s episode, Ashley unpacks the sarcastic gratitude of the pharisee ...
96: ISAIAH 49:1-7 | I have labored in vain
On today’s episode, Ashley provides encouragement for anyone who believes they are laboring in vain. By looking at Isaiah chapter 49, listeners can find inspiration in remembering God’s promises. To learn more about Ashley, check out her websit...
95: MATTHEW 14:22-33 | PRIDE 2026 (Intro with Ruthie)
On today’s episode, Ashley shares a talk she gave at the spiritual event for Altadena PRIDE 2026. To learn more about the queer community in Altadena, CA check out https://altadenapride.org/.
94: Stop Dating the Church
On today’s episode, Ashley proposes the idea of “church membership,” and encourages a deep commitment to a healthy local church. Ashley discusses CS Lewis’ book “The Screwtape Letters” and shares a reading of 1st Corinthians 13, read by the mem...
93: LUKE 17:11-19 | Learning from the Outsider
On today’s episode, Ashley unpacks the gift of being an “outsider” and the blessings we can receive when we see one another through the eyes of Christ. For more information on Ashley, check out her website at ashleylhengst.com
92: JOHN 11:1-44 | The Raising of Lazarus
On today’s episode, Ashley deconstructs our evangelical theology of necessary suffering by unpacking Mary and Martha’s anger at Jesus in the death of Lazarus. She offers up a different way of understanding that moment in Scripture and makes the...
91: 1st CORINTHIANS 13 | The Gift of Love
Today’s episode is a special reading of Paul’s chapter on love to the Corinthian church, found in his first letter to the Corinthians. Paul’s words are read by members of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Altadena, CA.
90: JOHN 13:1-17 | Do you know what I have done to you? (Maundy Thursday)
On today’s episode, Ashley takes us back to the moment where Jesus washed the disciples’ feet in the Gospel of John. She centers our attention on Jesus’ question: “Do you know what I have done to you?” For more information on Ashley’s ministry,...
89: LUKE: 9:28-36 | Listen to Christ
Living in a Trump 2.0 world can be incredibly difficult. On today’s episode, Ashley unpacks the transfiguration moment in the life of Christ to offer some insight on how we might cope with our challenging political climate. For more information...
88: LUKE 21:25-36 | God with us
On today’s episode, Ashley begins the advent season by helping us to prepare for Christmas while deconstructing an apocalyptic passage. To learn more about Ashley, visit her on ashleylhengst.com
87: Christian Mysticism (Original Goodness)
On today’s episode, Ashley deconstructs the doctrine of Original Sin by offering up Richard Rohr’s theology around our “Original Goodness.” To learn more about Father Rohr, please visit the Center for Action and Contemplation
86: Christian Mysticism (False Self)
On today's episode, Ashley continues her series on Christian Mysticism by exploring the topic of sin or the false self. To learn more about Ashley you can find her on Instagram or Threads at @ashleylhengst or online at ashleylhengst.com
85: Myths & Stereotypes of Bisexuality
On today's episode, Ashley deconstructs the myths and stereotypes that many people hold, even in the queer Christian community, about bisexual people. Ashley deconstructs those myths helping listeners understand how their roots of patriarchal a...
84: PRIDE 2024 - The Sacred Rebellion of Christ
This sermon was originally preached at the Altadena PRIDE Spiritual Exploration event on Saturday, June 8th at the Altadena Baptist Church. Check out these links for more information about the Altadena PRIDE...
83: Christian Mysticism (Everything & Everywhere)
On today's podcast, Ashley provides a brief introduction to Christian mysticism and contemplative spirituality through unpacking Vincent Pizzutto's wonderful book "Contemplating Christ: The Gospels and ...
82: Friday Field Notes: Real Authority
On today's Friday Field Notes, Ashley offers a critical examination on how we define authority as Christians. Who has authority over our lives? How do they exercise that authority? Is authority that is demanding and forceful God's will? This ep...
81: Love & Respect?
On today's podcast, Ashley unpacks Emmerson Eggerich's book "Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires and the Respect He Desperately Needs." She deconstructs the theology around Eggerichs' work...
80: Sexual Confusion
On today's episode, Ashley unpacks the term "sexual confusion" and offers up a more positive way of understanding mystery in sex and romance using Episcopal Priest, Carter Heyward's book "Touching Our Strength: The Erotic as Power and the Love ...
79: Friday Field Notes: Love Without Judgement
On today's episode, Ashley discusses the idea of loving others (and yourself) without judgement. To learn more about Ashley's work you can find her at @ashleylhengst or on Instagram at @ashleylhengst.
78: Audre Lorde - The Erotic as Power
After a brief hiatus, Ashley is back with another episode on renewing sex, helping listeners to build a sexual theology that is healthy and life giving. Today's episode features a clip from an