Upper House Commons Events
Upper House Commons hosts more than 30 events each year. While we want our guests to experience our events in-person, we know some of our audience is not in the Madison area.
Episodes
63 episodes
Faithful Christianity in a Polarized Culture | Justin Giboney
Our culture—and our churches—are growing increasingly polarized, leaving many Christians unsure of how to function faithfully within their communities. Families, neighbors, and congregations feel divided, even paralyzed, by widening gulfs. How ...
Singleness is for Everyone - Lecture 2
Singleness is increasingly common in the church. At the time of this event, nearly 40% of Christians ages 30–49 identified as single, yet many described this season as marked by confusion, marginalization, or a lack of clear theological guidanc...
Singleness is for Everyone - Lecture 1
Singleness is increasingly common in the church. At the time of this event, nearly 40% of Christians ages 30–49 identified as single, yet many described this season as marked by confusion, marginalization, or a lack of clear theological guidanc...
AI x Faith
What happens when machines begin to speak, respond, and even “care” as we do?Explore the profound questions at the heart of today’s AI revolution with theologian and computer scientist Noreen Herzfeld. Drawing from her acclaimed book, T...
AI x Responsibility
What does faithfulness look like in this moment?From sermon preparation to student engagement to administrative tasks, artificial intelligence is quietly becoming part of everyday ministry. Todd Korpi, author of AI Goes to ...
AI x Humanity
How should artificial intelligence shape our understanding of what it means to be human?As AI advances rapidly, questions about its ethical, cultural, and social implications are more urgent than ever.A public panel featuring UW...
Is Shame Something to Resist—or to Reconsider? - Lecture 1
What is shame, and why does it shape us so deeply? Shame is a shared human experience, yet we struggle to describe it. In some cases, we sense that we should not feel ashamed, and yet we do. In other cases of moral wrongdoing, a lack of sh...
Is Shame Something to Resist—or to Reconsider? - Lecture 2
What is shame, and why does it shape us so deeply? Shame is a shared human experience, yet we struggle to describe it. In some cases, we sense that we should not feel ashamed, and yet we do. In other cases of moral wrongdoing, a lack of sh...
Is Shame Something to Resist—or to Reconsider? - Lecture 3
What is shame, and why does it shape us so deeply? Shame is a shared human experience, yet we struggle to describe it. In some cases, we sense that we should not feel ashamed, and yet we do. In other cases of moral wrongdoing, a lack of sh...
Racial Justice for the Long Haul
“My intention is that you too will find a hope that is weathered and wild. A hope that grows in the composted remains of suffering and produces the nourishing fruit of love.” —JeskeWe gathered at Upper House on December 4, 2025, for an e...
Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? - Lecture 1
There is a lot of discussion of "Christian nationalism" in the news today. Most of it is political, with pundits on each side advancing a vision of the United States that they believe conforms to the true spirit of the American founding. The pu...
Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? - Lecture 2
There is a lot of discussion of "Christian nationalism" in the news today. Most of it is political, with pundits on each side advancing a vision of the United States that they believe conforms to the true spirit of the American founding. The pu...
Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? - Lecture 3
There is a lot of discussion of "Christian nationalism" in the news today. Most of it is political, with pundits on each side advancing a vision of the United States that they believe conforms to the true spirit of the American founding. The pu...
The Jailhouse Lawyer
This compelling memoir shares Calvin Duncan’s journey from incarceration to becoming a self-taught legal advocate, shining a light on justice, resilience, and hope. Phil Haslanger will moderate the conversation.Don’t miss this opportunit...
Peculiar Stories of the Holy Ghost: Charisma in American Religion and Politics
What is charisma? Sometimes the word indicates someone who is simply charming, while other times it can imply manipulation. We often use it to describe that undefinable quality of a leader. The role of charismatic figures in American histo...
Formed to Lead | Jason Jensen
The “Formed to Lead” event brought together a vibrant community to celebrate the launch of Jason Jensen’s new book, which explores the intersection of spiritual formation and leadership through the lens of Luke chapters 1–4. Jason Jensen, Vice ...
Does God Command Immoral Actions? | Lecture 1
Theologian and biblical scholar J. Richard Middleton joined us at Upper House on September 12, 2025. Middleton will explore the provocative question “Does God command immoral actions?” using the story of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22) as a cent...
Does God Command Immoral Actions? | Lecture 2
Theologian and biblical scholar J. Richard Middleton joined us at Upper House on September 12, 2025. Middleton will explore the provocative question “Does God command immoral actions?” using the story of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22) as a cent...
Does God Command Immoral Actions? | Lecture 3
Theologian and biblical scholar J. Richard Middleton joined us at Upper House on September 12, 2025. Middleton will explore the provocative question “Does God command immoral actions?” using the story of Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22) as a cent...
How to Be a Christian Witness for a Disenchanted World | Gavin Ortlund
Dr. Gavin Ortlund delivered a powerful and timely lecture titled “How to Be a Christian Witness for a Disenchanted World.” Drawing from theology, philosophy, and cultural analysis, Ortlund explored how Christians can offer ho...
Navigating Life's Transitions with Faith | Matt Metzger
In this talk from our annual Baccalaureate Service, Pastor Matt Metzger shares insights on faith, personal growth, and the challenges of transitioning into new life stages. He emphasizes the importance of understanding one's identity in God's e...
Practices for Human Flourishing | Dr. Rick Lindroth
In this recorded talk from our annual Baccalaureate Service, Dr. Rick Lindroth shares insights on the importance of education, the legacy of the Morrill Act, and the essential practices for human flourishing. He emphasizes the significance of l...
Let the Art Speak - On Beauty | 2025 Panel
This event was recorded live at Upper House on April 12, 2025. 💻 Watch this panel on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/fqxgDmSZGVkABOUT THE MODERATORCAM ANDERSON is an artist and a writer, a maker of things and texts. From the...
Let the Art Speak - On Beauty | Bruce Herman Lecture
This talk was recorded at our annual arts conference, "Let The Art Speak," at Upper House on April 12, 2025. 💻 Watch this talk on YouTubehttps://youtu.be/MbKVf3x25Cg SPEAKER:Bruce Herman is a painter, writer, and spe...
What Can Evangelicals Teach Us About Beauty? - Lecture 1
This Friday Night Lecture was led by scholar and author Karen Swallow Prior, who explored the connections between art, beauty, and the evangelical tradition. This sometimes complicated relationship has important things to teach us about both ar...
