Shift Happens
In a world increasingly marked by division, cruelty, and chaos, Shift Happens is your guide to navigating the social and political turmoil of our time with hope, integrity, and courage. Each week, we bring you conversation with leaders, thinkers, and change-makers who are on the frontline of resisting white Christian nationalism, dehumanization, polarization, and apathy.
Together, we explore how to confront these challenges without mirroring them- how to resist cruelty without becoming cruel, combat anger without being consumed by it, and dismantle systems of injustice while remaining grounding in compassion and humanity.
Shift Happens isn't just about understanding the world; it's about empowering you to shape it. Tune in and discover practical insights, inspiring stories, and the tools you need to resist with resilience, love and purpose.
Change is possible because shift happens.
Episodes
99 episodes
Dr. Miche Van Essen: Foundationalism as Resistance
This week, Joe talks to returning guest Dr. Miche Van Essen. Dr. Miche is the Co-Executive Director of the Transmission Ministry Collective. TMC aims to connect and empower trans ...
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1:03:12
Fred Harrell: Decentering as Resistance
This week, we talk to Fred Harrell. Fred is the Executive Director of Cultivate Pastors, a spiritual coach & director and the Director of New Church Cultivation for the Post Evangelical Collective.Among the many topics Joe and Fred d...
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Season 3
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Episode 19
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1:13:29
Corey Nathan: Conversation as Resistance
This week, Joe talks to the host of Talking Politics and Religion, Corey Nathan. Corey's podcast is focused on building bridges and having the hard conversations that many are not willing to. Joe and Corey talk about how honest, goo...
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Season 3
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Episode 18
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1:08:35
Keith Giles: The Quantum Sayings of Jesus
We have another amazing bonus episode for you today. We talk with author and theologian Keith Giles. Joe talks to Keith about his newest book "The Quantum Sayings of Jesus: Decoding the Lost Gospel of Thomas". They talk about how non-duality is...
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Season 3
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Episode 17
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1:05:33
Dr. Jonathan Foster: Consent as Resistance
Today, Joe talks with Open & Relational theologian and author Dr. Jonathan Foster. Joe and Dr. Foster talk about his book The Theology of Consent and how the idea of an all good and all powerful God doesn't align with what we see in the wor...
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Season 3
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Episode 16
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1:07:13
Josh Scott: Is the Bible a weapon of Oppression?
Today we talk to Gracepointe Pastor Josh Scott. The author of several books talking about what the Bible actually is, dives into the weaponization of Scripture. Is it a weapon of oppression or a tool of liberation?To follow Josh, his wor...
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Season 3
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Episode 15
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1:06:30
Paul Swearengin: Fullness as Resistance
Today, we talk to our friend The Unconventional Pastor Paul Swearengin. We talk to Paul about how living fully is a resistance in and of itself and that doing so is not for anyone else. To follow Paul, their work or to inquire about...
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Season 3
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Episode 14
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1:18:29
Zack Hunt: Unraptured
Today we talk to Zack Hunt about his book Unraptured and how the rapture is a driving force behind much of white, Christian nationalism.To follow Zack, his writing and his work, please click HERE.
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Season 3
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Episode 13
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1:27:58
David Hayward The Naked Pastor: Art is Resistance
Today Joe talks with The Naked Pastor, David Hayward.We're sure that you're all familiar with David and if not, then you are in for a real treat. Joe talks to David about how he became "The Naked Pastor", how he traded his pulpit for an ...
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57:54
Molly Downs-Stoller: Resistance Through your Nervous System
For today's bonus episode, we talk to Molly Downs-Stoller. Molly is a licensed marriage and family therapist that specializes with the LGBTQ+ community. Molly is a regular guest on the podcast and you can listen to her deconstructio...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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1:01:49
Zach Lambert: Resistance from the Pulpit
This week, we talk to the Lead Pastor of Restore Austin, Zack Lambert. We talk to Zack about what radicalized him early on, how those experiences shaped his view of God/the Church and how he approaches the sacred responsibility of t...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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58:45
Dr. Amber Jones: The Divine Feminine as Resistance
In this episode, Joe talks with Dr. Amber Jones. Dr Jones is a pastor, podcast host, speaker, author, spiritual director and mother. Dr. Jones shares with us her experiences as a female pastor in a world which has been historically ...
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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1:06:46
Nadine Smith: Equality Florida
This week, Joe talks to the executive director of Florida's largest LGBTQ human rights organization; Nadine Smith. Nadine comes from a long line of people fighting for human rights and she takes the legacy seriously. Nadine is an aw...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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1:12:04
Esther Joy Goetz: Non-Duality as Resistance
Joe talks to one of our favorite podcasters for another special Sunday bonus episode: Esther Joy Goetz. You probably know her best as one of the Deconstructing Mamas or The Dolly Mama. Joe and Esther talk about Carl Jung, Richard Ro...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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1:08:51
Rev. Dr. Angela Parker: Womanist Theology as Resistance
This week, Joe talks with Rev. Dr. Angela Parker. Dr. Parker is an associate professor of New Testament and Greek at Mercer University School of Theology. Among her published works is the excellent book "If God Still Breathes, Why Can't I".&nbs...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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1:10:59
Jemar Tisby: The Spirit of Justice
In this episode, Joe talks with New York Times best selling author Jemar Tisby. Jemar is also a theologian, speaker, teacher and leader. Joe and Jemar talk about his newest book "The Spirit of Justice" and how the stories can provid...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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1:06:16
Matthew Paul Turner: Story Telling as Resistance
In today's episode, Joe talks with New York Times Best Selling author Matthew Paul Turner. Whether you know Matthew from his books or his social media, you know that he is full of light and love. Matthew talks about why he got into writ...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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1:06:09
Representative Anna Eskamani: Grassroots Resistance
In our first bonus episode, Joe talks with Florida House Representative Anna Eskamini. Rep. Eskamani is the representative for District 42, which covers most of Orlando. She is the first Iranian American elected to public office in the ...
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Season 3
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33:10
Mariko Clark & Rachel Eleanor: The Book of Belonging
This week Joe talks the author and illustrator of The Book of Belonging, Mariko Clark and Rachel Eleanor. Mariko Clark is a Japanese American author, mother, and storyteller on a mission to help kids embrace diversity and wo...
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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1:22:50
Billie Hoard: Contamination as Resistance
Today Joe talks with Billie Hoard. Billie is a teacher, theologian, YouTube Podcaster, writer and soon to be author. Billie walks us through a theory she's calling Eucontamination. We won't try to describe it here and let her explain it...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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1:06:03
Ashe Van Steenwyk & Kalie May Hargrove: The Center for Prophetic Imagination
We kick off season 3 with a BANG! Joining us today are Ashe Van Steenwyk and Kalie May Hargrove from The Center for Prophetic Imagination. Ashe is the Exec. Director for The Center and Kalie is the Digital Outreach Coordinator. Joe talk...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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1:21:26
Joe Smith: Last Episode of Season 2
Today our host, Joe Smith, talks about why Shift Happens started, some changes being made to the podcast and why the focus on resistance for the upcoming season. We are super excited about the upcoming changes and all the amazing guests...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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29:01
Dana Hicks: The Quest for Thin Places
Joe talks to Dana Hicks, author of The Quest for Thin Places: How to Find Spirituality after Deconstruction. This isn't like any book on deconstruction that you've ever read. Dana does an amazing job walking us through his story and sho...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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1:07:10
Joylyn Weikum: LGBT Christian Resources
Today, Joe talks with Joylyn Weikum. Joylyn is the founder and director of LGBT Christian Resources. An online one stop shop for all things LGBT & Christian. Joylyn talks about her upbringing in the Seventh Day Adventist church and ...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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1:42:19
Alyssa Aviles: The Lovely Lyss
This week, Joe talk to Alyssa Aviles. You might know her better on social media as The Lovely Lyss. Alyssa specializes in website funnels, Canva and marketing some of the more popular brands in the United States. But she is also a deconstructed...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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1:12:10