Vengeance
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
When we've been hurt or rejected, vengeance may be something we desire. Christian maturity helps us build capacities to defer and fend off the need for vengeance.
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about vengeance. Using Luke 9:51-62, they unpack Jesus' response when his disciples wanted to "rain fire and brimstone" on a Samaritan village that rejected them. Jesus rebukes their desire for vengeance suggesting that vengeance distracts those who have decided to pursue the kingdom of God. Whether we're discussing global conflicts or personal relationships, the space between being triggered and responding represents our opportunity for growth. "Whatever triggers you is trying to set you free," Bishop Wright notes, suggesting our reactions point to places where healing is needed. Listen in for the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
Jesus of Nazareth with Dr. Obery M. Hendricks, Jr.
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
What happens when we strip away centuries of religious interpretation and confront the actual teachings of Jesus of Nazareth? This Jesus isn't the gentle, apolitical figure often presented in modern Christianity, but rather "a holistically spiritual freedom fighter" deeply concerned with poverty, exploitation, and injustice.
In this episode, Bishop Wright has a conversation with Dr. Obery M. Hendricks, Jr., research scholar at Columbia University and former professor at Princeton Theological Seminary. Their conversation reminds us that Jesus as a radical social reformer whose message has been systematically diluted. Dr. Hendricks draws on St. Paul's emphasis on individual spiritual experiences to convey his message. "Paul transformed Jesus' concern for collective social, economic and political deliverance into an obsession with personal piety," Hendricks explains, suggesting that many Christians today understand Jesus primarily through St. Paul's interpretation, which fundamentally altered the trajectory of Jesus' radical message. Listen in for the full conversation.
A lifelong social activist, Obery Hendricks is one of the foremost commentators on the intersection of religion and political economy in America. He is the most widely read and perhaps the most influential African American biblical scholar writing today. Cornel West calls him “one of the last few grand prophetic intellectuals.”
A widely sought lecturer and media spokesperson, Dr. Hendricks’ appearances include CNN, MSNBC, CBS, Fox News, Fox Business News, the Discovery Channel, PBS, BBC, NHK Japan Television and the Bloomberg Network. He has provided running event commentary for National Public Radio, MSNBC, and the al-Jazeera and Aspire international television networks.
Learn more about Dr. Obery Hendricks and subscribe to his substack.
Truth
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
What happens when we encounter truth we aren't ready for? Jesus' words about the Spirit of Truth were a guide to his disciples who couldn't yet bear everything their teacher had to share. Jesus' teachings on the Spirit of Truth remain a guide for us today too!
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about truth and the weigh it carries in our lives. Most of us resist truth because we don't want our failures and frailties exposed. Yet spiritual maturity manifests in precisely this capacity: can we hear unflattering truths about ourselves without crumbling? Can we embrace both our status as sinners and saints? The liberating truth Jesus offers is that we don't need to earn our worth—we're already infinitely valued in God's eyes! Listen in for the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
Diversity
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
"Diversity belongs to God's imagination." With this bold statement, Bishop Rob Wright cuts through the political noise surrounding conversations about human difference. In this thought-provoking episode, we explore how the ancient biblical story of Pentecost offers a divine endorsement of human diversity that transcends modern political debates.
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about Pentecost centered around Acts 2:1-21 where the Holy Spirit descends on a linguistically and ethnically diverse gathering, creating understanding without erasing distinctiveness. This divine affirmation of difference provides a powerful counterpoint to modern anxieties about diversity. As Bishop Wright observes, "We can't see all of God until we see all of us," reminding listeners that our differences reflect God's creative abundance rather than problems to be solved. Listen in for the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
Release
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
Prison takes many shapes and forms. The size of an individuals home or investment portfolio pales in comparison to true spiritual release - a freedom of purpose, clarity, and belonging that transcends physical limitations. This God given release is true freedom!
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright delve into Acts 16, reflecting on the story of Paul and Silas. Imprisoned yet singing joyfully after freeing a slave girl from demonic possession, their experience serves as a powerful metaphor. The conversation explores themes of oppression and freedom, highlighting a recurring pattern in human history: the tendency to define freedom as "keeping a foot on someone else's neck."
Bishop Wright contrasts this with the radically different model offered by Jesus—liberation that lifts others rather than subjugates them. He emphasizes that before we can transform societal systems, we must first confront the "prisons" within ourselves: the grudges we cling to, the biases we perpetuate, and the wealth we hoard while others are deprived of life's basic needs. Listen in for the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
Speech
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
Words create worlds. From Genesis where God speaks creation into being, to Jesus asking a paralyzed man, "Do you want to be made well?", speech carries the power to transform reality. But what happens when certain topics become unspeakable?
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation that explores how modern society increasingly avoids difficult conversations. Using Jesus' healing story, Bishop Wright reveals how bringing things into speech opens pathways to healing and resurrection. They also discuss more recent examples including the evolution of Malcolm X's speech as his heart expanded, the way Muhammad Ali voiced what many thought but dared not say about Vietnam, and how Pope Francis's humble question "Who am I to judge?" transformed Catholic discourse. At its core lies a powerful truth: authentic speech flows from the heart's abundance. Listen in for the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
Creative
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
God does some of God's best work in the darkness! These painful periods hold unexpected creative potential—a perspective shared by both Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in his 1964 Nobel Peace Prize speech and Jesus in his final hours with his disciples. Dr. King spoke during a time of profound national division. Yet he saw beyond immediate chaos to "a genuine civilization struggling to be born." Similarly, Jesus, facing betrayal and death, used that moment to wash his disciples' feet and establish a new commandment of love that would define his followers for centuries.
Drawing comparisons between Dr. King's words from and Jesus' commandment in John 13, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation on how turmoil itself can become the raw material for transformation. What current turmoil in your life might contain creative possibility? Listen in fo the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
Suspense
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
Being in relationship with God is accompanied by suspense. Even in the bible, John 10: 22-30, Jesus is asked "Are you the Messiah? How long will you keep us in suspense?" Faith in God meets in the tensions of certainty and the suspense of the unknown.
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about the suspense that accompanies faith. Bishop Wright offers a perspective that transforms how we view life's uncertainties. "The suspense is not if there's God, the suspense is how will God choose to be God and on what timeline." This distinction invites us to shift from demanding answers to embracing relationship. Listen in for the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
We have developed a survey to better understand how Bishop Wright's For People Podcast can continue to inspire, engage, and serve our listeners. Please take 5 minutes to complete the survey here.
More
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
What do we do with our wounds? When betrayal cuts deep, when painful experiences leave scars, we have control of how we move forward - with God's help. Jesus' post-resurrection appearances challenge our conventional responses to hurt. Jesus, freshly risen from death after being betrayed by his closest followers, doesn't seek distance or retribution. Instead, he passes through locked doors to reconnect with the very people who abandoned him. This radical choice reveals what authentic power looks like: not domination or revenge, but the capacity to remain engaged despite deep wounds.
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about that first post-resurrection gathering. Bishop Wright unpacks what he calls "God's perpetual Easter pattern" of unlocking, transforming, and redeeming. This divine process takes our wounds seriously without allowing them to become our primary identity. Just as Jesus acknowledged his wounds without making them the focal point, we too can validate our pain while asking the essential question: "Now what?" The answer lies in allowing God to recycle even our most painful experiences into bridges of connection with others. Listen in for the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
250th Special
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
This week we celebrate 250 episodes of our Podcast, For People! From its inception until now our purpose has been singular, to talk about God, God’s goodness and how we might respond to this good God made known to us in the person of Jesus Christ. Thus far, we have listeners in 142 countries. An immense thank you goes to Easton Davis, our producer, and Melissa Rau, my conversation partner, most weeks. Incredibly affirming and instructive for us in this work is that we have heard from so many telling us about the ways For People has been a blessing, companion and inspiration for them in their life with Christ. Please know that we understand it to be a privilege to make this offering. Psalm 118 helps me say how I really feel about this milestone, "You are my God, and I will thank you; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good….” -Bishop Rob Wright
In the 250th episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright take listeners on a journey through some of the most profound moments from past conversations on For People. The four soundbites from podcasts guests include The Rev. Dr. Robert Franklin, Archbishop Hosam Elias Naom, Texas State Representative James Talarico, and Bishop Mariann Budde. These soundbites represent critical intersections of faith and life emphasizing the importance of moral leadership in our world today. Listen in for the full conversation.
In celebrating 250 episodes, we have developed a survey to better understand how Bishop Wright's For People Podcast can continue to inspire, engage, and serve our listeners. Your feedback is invaluable in helping us improve the content, format, and overall experience of the podcast. Please take 5 minutes to complete the survey here.
Authority
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
Authority comes in many forms, but as Jesus entered Jerusalem on the back of a donkey, he modeled an understanding that may transform how we view our empowerment. While crowds waved palm branches and shouted "Hosanna!" one day and "Crucify him!" shortly after, Jesus remained steadfast. Neither public praise nor rejection sways him from his purpose. This spiritual maturity stands as both a challenge and an invitation to us – can we remain faithful to our calling regardless of external forces?
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about Jesus' authority using his return to Jerusalem as the backdrop. Bishop Wright distinguishes holding positions of leadership and living into God-given authority. "Jesus never said 'come and sit in a building and hear words wash over you,'" he reminds us. Rather, being authorized by Jesus means joining him in active ministry – what Bishop Wright calls Jesus' "never-ending, ever-unfolding neighborly campaign." This reframing challenges each baptized Christian to recognize they've already been empowered to serve, rather than waiting for ordained leadership to act. Listen in for the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
Growing Up in Christ! | Loss
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
Loss hits hardest when we love deeply. How do we face it without denial or paralysis? In John 12, at a dinner for Jesus after Lazarus' resurrection, his friends respond to impending loss differently—Lazarus with nostalgia, Martha with busyness, and Judas with business. But Mary offers a different way: acknowledging a loss that draws her closer to Jesus.
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about loss. They use the dinner party to unpack how people respond to loss. Bishop Wright reminds us that Jesus is equipped to guide us through loss because he understands betrayal, rejecting, and unjust suffering. Jesus' loss offers wisdom for navigating not just death, but all forms of loss—including the losses that accompany change. Listen in for the full conversation.
This episode is based on part 5 of Bishop Wright's 5-part Lenten series "Growing Up in Christ!". Learn more about this year's series, watch the weekly videos, and download the reflection guides here.
Growing Up in Christ! | Empathy
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
Empathy is not just about intellect. Empathy is about putting flesh on Christian ideals. It's about compassion enough for everyone. The story of The Prodigal Son is one of Jesus' parables thats reaches beyond the Christian faith. In the story, Jesus stretches empathy wide for everyone involved.
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about empathy, focusing on the story of The Prodigal Son. Using the story as inspiration, they discuss how God calls us to make community from the very things that cause divide. In the words of Bishop Wright, this is perhaps the best story Jesus ever told. Listen in for the full conversation.
This episode is based on part 4 of Bishop Wright's 5-part Lenten series "Growing Up in Christ!". Learn more about this year's series, watch the weekly videos, and download the reflection guides here.
Growing Up in Christ! | Curiosity
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
When Moses noticed a burning bush and decided to investigate rather than ignore it, he unwittingly set in motion events that would liberate an entire people from slavery. What might happen if we approached our faith with similar holy curiosity?
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about remaining curious with our faith matters. They discuss how curiosity serves as the gateway to authentic worship and meaningful action. Our willingness to approach the unusual, to ask questions rather than settle for easy answers, often precedes our most profound encounters with God. Listen in for the full conversation.
This episode is based on part 3 of Bishop Wright's 5-part Lenten series "Growing Up in Christ!". Learn more about this year's series, watch the weekly videos, and download the reflection guides here.
Growing Up in Christ! | Maladjusted
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
To grow up in Christ will make you maladjusted to the world. St. Paul was a Roman citizen - the platinum standard for the age. Yet, in Paul's letter to the Philippians, he reminds us that we are citizens of heaven living on earth. What are the costs of this heavenly citizenship? As we grow up in Jesus, we get a glimpse of how we have adjusted ourselves to a world in open opposition to truth, peace, love and justice.
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about becoming maladjusted to the world as it is. To become maladjusted, Bishop Wright outlines three essential movements in spiritual formation: the upward reach to God, the inward alignment with God's will, and the outward push toward the world God loves. When we neglect any of these dimensions, our relationship with God becomes deficient. Listen in for the full conversation.
This episode is based on part 2 of Bishop Wright's 5-part Lenten series "Growing Up in Christ!". Learn more about this year's series, watch the weekly videos, and download the reflection guides here.
Growing Up in Christ! | Settled
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
Join us in keeping a Holy Lent! The theme for this year’s Lenten series is Growing Up in Christ! We get to this theme in response to the opportunity and necessity of us all becoming more mature Christians. Our marriages, families, vocations, state, nation and world all will be better when we decide, with new resolve, to Grow up in Christ! Above all, Growing up in Christ is an active friendship with Jesus that changes us and points us toward the world that he loves. For the next five weeks, we’ll offer a video meditation on this theme with a study companion for you to make the meditations as personal and useful as possible.
In today’s episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about the Jesus' temptations in the wilderness and how Bishop Wright landed on Settled as the opening meditation to the series. In a time filled with anxiety and external pressures, it's vital to ground ourselves in the truth of who we are as beloved children of God. Are we truly settled in our self-worth? Listen in for the full conversation.
Learn more about this year's series, watch the weekly videos, and download the reflection guides here.
Time
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
It was Jesus' habit to pray. He had a rhythm of action and reflection. As Christians in a modern world, prioritizing our time to pray, reflect, and be in relationship with God isn't easy.
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about time, drawing insights from Jesus' practices and Rabbi Abraham Heschel’s teachings. Are we merely consuming our time, or are we engaging with it in a meaningful way? They explore how embracing a mindful approach to daily routine can lead to transformative experiences. Listen in for the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
Dangerous Oddness
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
“Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you and pray for those who abuse you.” Those are Jesus’ directives to us who call him lord. What a dangerous oddness! The concept of "dangerous oddness," a unique term by Walter Brueggemann, paints a picture of Jesus' countercultural call.
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about redefining society's norm and loving your enemy. They discuss Jesus' guidance, his own response to loving those that curse you, and how we can apply his teachings to our lives. Listen in for the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
The Heart of Moral Leadership with Dr. David Orr
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
Climate change is a real-world problem. Its intricate web connects governance, social justice, and ecological sustainability. Real solutions require moral leadership that reaches far beyond political party and country lines.
In the latest episode of our series on Moral Leadership, Bishop Wright has a conversation with Dr. David Orr, an esteemed environmental scholar, on his journey from international relations to pioneering environmental activism. They discuss the systemic issues surrounding climate change and the ethical responsibilities we all share in safeguarding our planet. Listen in for the full conversation.
Dr. David W. Orr is the Paul Sears Distinguished Professor of Environmental Studies and Politics Emeritus at Oberlin College. and presently Professor of Practice at Arizona State University. He is the author of eight books, including Dangerous Years: Climate Change, the Long Emergency, and the Way Forward (Yale University Press, 2017), Down to the Wire: Confronting Climate Collapse (Oxford, 2009), Design with Nature (Oxford, 2002), Earth in Mind (Island, 2004) and co-editor of four others including Democracy Unchained (The New Press, 2020). He was a regular columnist for Conservation biology for twenty years.
He has also written over 250 articles, reviews, book chapters, and professional publications. He has served as a board member or adviser to eight foundations and on the Boards of many organizations including the Rocky Mountain Institute, the Aldo Leopold Foundation, and the Bioneers. Currently, he is a Trustee of the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado and Children and Nature Network. He has been awarded nine honorary degrees and a dozen other awards including a Lyndhurst Prize, a National Achievement Award from the National Wildlife Federation, a “Visionary Leadership Award” from Second Nature, a National Leadership award from the U.S. Green Building Council, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the North American Association for Environmental Education, the 2018 Leadership Award from the American Renewable Energy Institute, and a Lifetime Achievement Award from Green Energy Ohio.
The Heart of Moral Leadership with The Rev. Dr. Robert Franklin
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
Join us for Bishop Wright's latest podcast series: The Heart of Moral Leadership. Moral leadership is critical in turbulent political times because it provides a compass for guiding people through uncertainty, promoting justice, and fostering unity. In periods of division, leaders with strong ethical principles inspire trust, encourage empathy, and model behavior that prioritizes the common good over personal gain.
Jesus' leadership, marked by compassion, forgiveness, and a radical commitment to loving one's neighbor, offers a moral framework that transcends political and social boundaries. His teachings focus on humility, service, and advocating for the marginalized—values that resonate throughout history and remain relevant today.
In the series intro, Bishop Wright has a conversation with The Rev. Dr. Robert Franklin, Senior Advisor to the President of Emory University and the James T. and Berta R. Laney Chair in Moral Leadership. They discuss what defines a moral leader and draw examples from Jesus, Dr. King, and President Jimmy Carter. Dr. Franklin shares the importance of nurturing a collective responsibility, urging us all to embody ethical behaviors and cultivate a moral compass in our daily lives. Listen in for the full conversation.
Dr. Franklin is the Senior Advisor to the President of Emory University and holds the James T. and Berta R. Laney Chair in Moral Leadership. Before joining Emory, Franklin was a visiting scholar at Stanford University’s Martin Luther King Jr. Institute and Director of the Interfaith Religion Department at the Chautauqua Institution in New York. An ordained minister, Franklin served as President of the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta from 1997 to 2002.
A celebrated author, Franklin has published four books: Moral Leadership: Integrity, Courage, Imagination (2020); Crisis in the Village: Restoring Hope in African American Communities (2007); Another Day's Journey: Black Churches Confronting the American Crisis (1997); and Liberating Visions: Human Fulfillment and Social Justice in African-American Thought (1990).
Faith & Public Policy with Rebecca Linder Blachly
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
Faith and public policy are at a crossroads, making waves in national headlines. This intersection is deeply political, with Christians divided on all sides of the issue. As followers of Christ, it’s essential to remember that while Jesus’ message is undeniably political, it is never partisan.
In this episode, Bishop Wright sits down with Rebecca Linder Blachly, the Director of the Office of Government Relations for The Episcopal Church. Together, they explore the nation’s most pressing issues and the critical role the Church plays in advocating for humane immigration policies amidst political tension. Rebecca, whose journey took her from studying philosophy to navigating the corridors of the Pentagon, offers her unique perspective on how to maintain hope and stability, all while nurturing existing ministries. Listen in for the full conversation.
Since 2016, Rebecca Blachly has served as The Director of The Office of Government Relations for The Episcopal Church. Prior to this role, she was the Senior Policy Advisor for Africa in the Office of Religion and Global Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. Her previous positions include Acting Chief of the Strategic Communication Division at U.S. Africa Command in Stuttgart, Germany, Special Assistant to the Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, and Research Associate in the Post-Conflict Reconstruction Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. She has conducted fieldwork and research throughout Africa and the Middle East and she has published on civil-military relations and information sharing in complex environments. Ms. Blachly received her B.A. in philosophy from Williams College and her M.Div. from Harvard University, and she is a Term Member at the Council on Foreign Relations.
Tested
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
In our suffering, we often forget that even Jesus suffered. Many have turned away from God due to past wounds, yet some seek healing from the same experiences. By reflecting on Jesus' suffering, we can begin to understand this human condition can be used by God to change lives!
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about suffering and how it is a result of human actions and choices. They discuss how community and personal narrative are tools that come out of suffering. Wherever you are on your journey, you are never alone. Listen in for the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
Tick-Tock
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
Tick-Tock... Not the app some of us spend time on! Tick-tock used to refer to the passing of time marked by a second hand on a watch or clock. When Matthew tells his story of Jesus, he often uses a word that points to the rapid elapse of time, “immediately.” “Immediately,” James and John left their family’s fishing business and joined Jesus in his friend making campaign.
In this episode, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about the art of time management against the backdrop of faith and life pressures. They discuss the necessity of balancing active faith with self-care to prevent burnout while reclaiming time for meaningful reflection and spiritual growth. Countercultural practices such as observing a Sabbath emerge as pivotal in this conversation as Bishop Wright encourages listeners to live with intention as a means of spiritual growth. Listen in for the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
47/96
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
What if our fixation on political leaders hinders our spiritual and communal growth? As we reflect on the intersection of Donald Trump's inauguration as the 47th president and Dr. King's birthday, we are invited to recognize the potential dangers of idolization and hypercriticism that can lead to societal paralysis.
In this conversation, Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation about shared purpose and finding middle ground across party lines. They discuss Dr. King's approach - always about the work and never about the politician. As Christians, finding ways to address real problems like poverty and education must always outweigh the distaste for a political party or personality.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
The Faith & Leadership of President Jimmy Carter
For People with Bishop Rob Wright
What lessons can a former president's legacy teach us about today's political landscape? President Jimmy Carter's inaugural address from 1977, given nearly 50 years ago, remains relevant to the social and political climate in our country and world today.
In this episode Melissa and Bishop Wright have a conversation focused on President Carter's speech. They point to his courage to openly acknowledge governmental mistakes and how this parallels biblical principles of confession and repentance. They discuss President Carter's leadership and how admitting error demonstrates integrity and builds trust across party aisles. Listen in for the full conversation.
Read For Faith, the companion devotional.
Vengeance
20:12
Jesus of Nazareth with Dr. Obery M. Hendricks, Jr.
28:52
Truth
20:27
Diversity
19:51
Release
23:39
Speech
19:42
Creative
22:56
Suspense
20:08
More
20:45
250th Special
30:17
Authority
23:37
Growing Up in Christ! | Loss
18:09
Growing Up in Christ! | Empathy
21:23
Growing Up in Christ! | Curiosity
22:39
Growing Up in Christ! | Maladjusted
20:43
Growing Up in Christ! | Settled
20:09
Time
19:36
Dangerous Oddness
19:56
The Heart of Moral Leadership with Dr. David Orr
30:36
The Heart of Moral Leadership with The Rev. Dr. Robert Franklin
26:12
Faith & Public Policy with Rebecca Linder Blachly
20:43
Tested
27:14
Tick-Tock
20:23
47/96
21:29
The Faith & Leadership of President Jimmy Carter
21:03