Inverse Podcast

In this deeply reflective episode, Drew Hart and Jarrod McKenna welcome Jenai Aumin, a Filipina American writer, artist, and author of Othered: Finding Belonging with the God Who Pursues the Hurt, Harmed, and Marginalized. Drawing on her experience in church leadership, trauma-informed training, and studies in behavioral health and spiritual formation, Jenai shares her journey of healing and rediscovery of faith after betrayal within a faith community. The conversation unpacks her book Othered, which offers insights on navigating spiritual trauma, healing wounds inflicted in the name of faith, and finding hope and belonging. Jenai discusses her evolving understanding of God, the role of scripture in addressing pain, and her use of a trauma-informed hermeneutic to reframe biblical narratives. This episode invites listeners into a vulnerable and healing dialogue about faith, resilience, and the courage to reclaim spiritual identity after loss. With honesty and compassion, Jenai's story is a testament to the pow

In this compelling episode of the Inverse Podcast, hosts Drew Hart and Jared McKenna welcome back Richard Crane, former professor of theology, attorney for employee rights, and author of the new book God's Apocalyptic Insurrection: A Salvation Theology for Evangelical Reckoning. Together, they explore the intersections of faith, justice, and scripture, unpacking how the Bible can be used to liberate or oppress. Richard discusses his lifelong commitment to tethering social justice to biblical theology, reflecting on his early experiences with faith, his evolution as a scholar, and the transformative power of scripture. The conversation delves into the challenges of navigating justice within Christian traditions often mired in historical entanglements with racism, patriarchy, and predatory capitalism. Highlighting passages from the Gospels, Crane offers insights into Jesus' mission to heal and liberate, interpreting these acts as divine insurrection against systemic evil. The episode challenges listeners to con

Rev. Andrew Wilkes, Ph.D, is a political scientist, the co-pastor of the Double Love Experience Church in Brooklyn, and the former executive director of the Drum Major Institute. His latest work is Plenty Good Room: Co-Creating An Economy of Enough for All. He is the co-author, with spouse Rev. Dr. Gabby Cudjoe-Wilkes, of Psalms for Black Lives and the author of Freedom Notes: Reflections on Faith, Justice, and the Possibility of Democracy. His work and voice have appeared in the Washington Post, New York Times, and Sojourners, among other outlets. He serves on boards for the Labor-Religion Coalition of New York, The Black Mountain School of Theology and Community, and the Institute for Christian Socialism. A graduate of Hampton University, Princeton Theological Seminary '10, and the Coro Foundation's Fellowship in Public Affairs, Dr. Wilkes recently completed his PhD in political science from the CUNY Graduate Center.

Joash Thomas is an international speaker, theologian and human rights leader. Born and raised in India, Joash ran a political consulting and lobbying firm in the United States before joining the human rights advocacy space. Based in the Toronto area, Joash has a master’s degree in Political Management from The George Washington University and is a few months away from completing a dual master’s degree in Christian Leadership & Systematic Theology. A soon-to-be ordained Deacon in the Diocese of St. Anthony, Joash is also the author of ‘The Justice of Jesus’, a forthcoming book in partnership with Brazos Press to be published in September 2025.

If you need a space, come join us as we dialogue in our post-election roundtable with Lisa Sharon Harper and Dr. David Gushee. Together, we'll consider this moment, and what it means for our faith, democracy, and commitment to pursuing shalom and the common good.

Idris Elba in his introduction to Mick Sheldrick’s new book ‘FROM IDEAS TO IMPACT: A PLAYBOOK FOR INFLUENCING AND IMPLEMENTING CHANGE IN A DIVIDED WORLD‘ writes, “To say he’s has had an impact on our life would be an understatement.” Join us live this week to find out why and how you can contribute and learn from Mick’s work that has impacted millions of people in over a hundred and fifty countries and helped secure over *40 BILLION* in support for local and regional organizations working to provide access to essential resources such as healthcare, education, and climate resilience. Michael Sheldrick is a driving force behind the efforts of Global Citizen to end extreme poverty. With a career that spans the world of pop and policy, Michael has worked with an impressive roster of international artists such as Beyoncé, Coldplay, Sabrina and Idris Elba, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Priyanka Chopra, Rihanna and Usher, as well as prominent political leaders includin

Join us with Regent College’s Dr Mark Glanville as we discuss his new text, “Improvising Church”. Dr Drew Hart wrote of Mark’s new book, “Improvising Church is a harmony of scriptural insight and pastoral wisdom, soulfully explored. Drawing from the metaphors of jazz, Glanville calls Western churches in post-Christian contexts to embrace an improvisational journey shaped by the biblical narrative and the perception of artists within incarnational community that loves their place and its people. Like a musician in sync with our contextual rhythm, Glanville urges us to embrace our interconnectedness with creation, tying that to the need to confront the legacies of colonialism with courageous solidarity. This book resonates deeply, hits all the right notes, and will inspire you to embrace a new, transformative song to improvise with for our twenty-first-century witness." Jarrod McKenna has said, "Mark Glanville writes with a kind of humility, curiosity, creativity, and compassion th

Trey Ferguson is a minister, writer, and speaker, with an MDiv from the Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University. He is the author of Theologizin' Bigger: Homilies on Living Freely and Loving Wholly. His thoughts on faith in an evolving world can be found on the Three Black Men: Theology, Culture, and the World around Us and New Living Treyslation podcasts, in The Son Do Move newsletter, and @pastortrey05 on social media. He lives in South Florida with his wife and three children. Learn more at pastortrey05.com

Nya Abernathy is the founder and leader of The Dignity Effect, through which she focuses on adult social-emotional learning grounded in dignity. As a writer, Nya is known for exploring wonder and awe from the intersection of space and spirituality through her publication, "Of Earth & Of Stars." Her excellent debut book, "Welcome, Wonder," is a transformative journey into self-discovery and personal growth, and it is available now at nyasabernathy.com. Within the InVerse community, Nya is beloved, and known for spreading joy. If you spend enough time with her, be prepared because she will likely have you participating in full embodied karaoke – whether in person or over Zoom!

This episode was created in collaboration with Freedom Road Podcast, hosted by Lisa Sharon Harper.The Freedom Road podcast is a forum for experiences that build common understanding, common commitment and common action. It is produced each month by FreedomRoad.us.A very special deep dive into the theo-ethical questions arising in the context of the genocide in Gaza. Join us as we hear from three leading Palestinian Christian theologians as they approach Good Friday and Easter Sunday in the context of genocide. Lisa Sharon Harper is a prolific speaker, award-winning author and internationally respected activist. Ms. Harper is the founder and president of FreedomRoad.us, a consulting group dedicated to shrinking the narrative gap in our nation by designing forums and experiences that bring common understanding, common commitment and common action. Rev. Dr Mitri Raheb is Founder and President of Dar al-Kalima University in Bethlehem. The most widely published Palestinian theologian to date, Dr. Raheb is the a

On every continent (yes! Including Antarctica! ) across 145 cities the GazaCeasefirePilgrimage.com movement continues to grow in prayerful solidarity with Palestinian people during this genocide. Join us with two of Philadelphia’s leaders, Lisa Sharon Harper and Shane Claiborne to discuss what the next stage of the movement looks like.    

As the genocidal war on Gaza continues we are thankful for the generosity of friends, old and new, who continue to share their work and witness, even at tremendous personal cost. Join us as we create a space to listen to theologian, Marah Sarji.Marah Sarji is a PhD student of theology at Princeton Theological Seminary. Born and raised in Nazareth, she became passionate about justice and peace in Palestine and is active among young Palestinian Christians working on decolonizing Palestinian Christianity. Marah’s research interests include womanist theology, Palestinian liberation theology, anthropology of theology, coloniality and decolonization.

Join us as we hear from Dr Drew Hart’s co-editor of their new book 'Reparations and the Theological Disciplines: Prophetic Voices for Remembrance, Reckoning, and Repair', Dr Michael Barram. Click here to purchase Reparations and the 'Theological Disciplines: Prophetic Voices for Remembrance, Reckoning, and Repair' in Hardback and E-Book format:https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781666922462/Reparations-and-the-Theological-Disciplines-Prophetic-Voices-for-Remembrance-Reckoning-and-Repair-Dr Michael Barram earned his PhD in New Testament at Union Theological Seminary-PSCE (Richmond, VA), and since 2001 has been a professor in the Department of Theology & Religious Studies at Saint Mary’s College of California. He is a member of and regularly teaches at First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley. As a biblical scholar, Barram’s work focuses on the formative function of biblical texts for moral and economic reasoning—and on the emerging subfield of biblical interpretation known as missional herm

GazaCeasefirePilgrimage.com A Kiwi named James Harris set out with a mustard seed of faith and walked the length of Gaza to fundraise for relief and refugees while calling for a ceasefire. The next day he rang me (Jarrod) and asked if I would be interested in doing a walk too. I responded, “Mate, I think the world would be interested!” I picked up the phone and soon Lisa Sharon Harper, Suzan Wahhab, Mae Cannon, James Harris and I were all in tears. Not merely because of what is happening but of how the Holy Spirit is moving. GazaCeasefirePilgrimage.com was born. 2 weeks later, *12 counties • 77 cities* have signed up. Come join Dr Drew Hart as he facilitates us hearing the story, learning about the movement and responding to the invitation to transfigure our trauma and put our compassion into action for those who are suffering. The Global Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage Movement Founders: Suzan Wahhab shares the living faith of her ancestors, the First Christians, and is the President of Palestinia

In this special Christmas episode of Inverse, Jarrod and Drew are joined by two incredible guests, Kelley Nikondeha and Jonathan Martin, as they engage in a spirited conversation that transcends the ordinary. Together, they explore the profound intersections of faith, justice, and the Christmas season, offering fresh perspectives on timeless themes.

In this episode of InVerse Podcast, we hear from Dr Byron Smith. Byron has fifteen years’ experience in pastoral ministry with local churches, and received honours degrees in theology, philosophy and literature. His PhD in theological ethics (University of Edinburgh) focused on emotional responses to climate change in the context of Christian identity. Byron has repeatedly put his body where his faith is and been involved in nonviolent direct actions against new coal projects and in support of people seeking asylum.

Rev Dr Munther Isaac (PhD, Oxford Centre for Mission Studies) is the academic dean of Bethlehem Bible College in Palestine and director of the “Christ at the Checkpoint” conference. He is also pastor of Christmas Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bethlehem. He is the author of “From Land to Lands, from Eden to the Renewed Earth: A Christ-Centered Biblical Theology of the Promised Land”, “The Other Side of the Wall: A Palestinian Christian Narrative of Hope and Lament” and “Christ and the Checkpoint: Blessed are the Peacemakers”

On this episode of the InVerse Podcast join us as we discuss with Safina Stewart and Gershon Nimbalker from CommonGrace.org.au the upcoming vote on 14th October to change Australia’s constitution to recognise First Nations Peoples and establish a Voice to Parliament. Safina Stewart is a proud Wuthithi and Mabuiag Island woman who grew up cross-culturally in New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Australia. Safina is passionate about culture, education, the arts, justice and faith and is Common Grace's Relationships and Storytelling Coordinator. Safina lives with her family in regional Victoria on the lands of the Bunarong people.Gershon Nimbalker is the National Director of Common Grace and founder of Sojourners Social Change Consultants. He has more than 15 years of experience working in advocacy, policy and research, as well as leading and growing grass roots movements to campaign on issues of social justice. Gershon lives on the lands of Awabakal peoples in Newcastle, NSW with his young family.

In this episode of our series 'InVerse's Own: Voices From Our Community', we hear from Larissa Minniecon, Raisera McCulloch & Hannah Chapman as they explore how Indigenous women re-write, re-name and re-member our stories in a hostile environment, in the context of the [Australian] Referendum [on recognising the First Nations Peoples of Australia in the Constitution and establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament].

Noam Chomsky calls bestselling journalist Antony Loewenstein’s new book a “record of how ‘the light unto the nations’ became the purveyor of the means of violence and brutal repression from Guatemala to Myanmar and wherever else the opportunity arose”. Join us in conversation with Antony Loewenstein about the modern nation state of Israel, technology, militarisation, colonialism and how the Jewish and Christian Scriptures are [ab]used to support the business of dehumanisation & occupation.