Singer-songwriter, guitarist, and didgeridoo player Scott Darlow uses his music to advocate for First Nations Aboriginal community in Australia. On today's episode he shares about the opportunities he has had to perform in schools, prisons, and concert venues across the world bringing a message of Hope to combat the cynicism and tribalism of today's society. Along the way he shares how his message is shaped by the teachings of Jesus and as well as some of his experience living in Hong Kong as a child.
Go Beyond the Pale with Scott Darlow!
Author and documentarian Alan O'Hashi shares with Steve & Tammy highlights from his book Beyond Heart Mountain including the impact the internment of Japanese - Americans during WW2 had on his family and the Japanese community in the American West. Along the way, we discuss Alan's experiences living in an intentional community and the advantages and challenges that come from that.
Go Beyond the Pale with Alan O'Hashi!
Find Beyond Heart Mountain here
Alan's YouTube channel can be found here
Author & speaker Keith Giles returns to discuss with Steve & Tammy his new book Sola Mysterium: Celebrating the Beautiful Uncertainty of Everything. If God is a Being that transcends imagination, how we can learn to embrace mystery of Christ. Along the way, Keith shares how Charismatics can understand their experiences, re-wiring your mind for "gratitude", and why it's often scientists, and not theologians, who convey a sense of wonder of the Universe.
Go Beyond the Pale with Keith Giles!
Episode Index
1:16 - Intro with Steve & Tammy
11:30 - That time when we “know” everything
12:20 - Intro to “Sola Mysterium”
15:59 - What to do with our “charismatic” experiences?
22:44 - “Everyone is hypnotised on a daily basis”
28:30 - Blurring the line between natural & supernatural
34:44 - Why quantum physics scientists are starting to sound like theologians
42:02 - Why “Sola Mysterium”
43: 56 - Can we “rewire” our brain toward gratitude?
52:59 - J.J. Abrams & his Mystery Box
57:40 - The wonder found in Creation
Find out more about Keith's books, classes, and content here: https://www.bk2sq1.com/aboutme
Keith Giles returns to the podcast to discuss with Steve & Tammy his final book in the seven part "un" series Jesus Unarmed: How the Prince of Peace Disarms our Violence. Along the way Keith also explains where American Christians get their fascination with "redemptive violence", why Evangelicals should re-think their "End Times" theology, and what God really meant when he said we should "be Holy as he is Holy".
Go Beyond the Pale with Keith Giles
Episode Index
1:51 - Intro discussion with Steve and Tammy
12:31 - Conversation with Keith begins
16:02 - “All my heroes carried guns”
23:10 - Did Jesus ever use violence?
31:04 - It’s hard to introduce Jesus to Christians
44:18 - Re thinking the “End Times”
49:19 - How to really be “Holy as God is Holy”
Brian Zahnd returns to Beyond the Pale to discuss his new book When Everything Is On Fire and how despite a season of doubt and deconstruction a stronger, more confident faith is possible when it is grounded in the beauty of Christ. Along the way Brian discusses pilgrimage, contemplation, and how his journey on the Camino de Santiago inspired the book.
Go Beyond the Pale with Brian Zahnd
Episode Index
2:06 - Intro with Steve & Tammy
11:06 - Conversation with Brian begins
13:04 - Brian and Peri share about about pilgrimage
24:26 - Talking all things Camino de Santiago
30:00 - Brian discusses his new book “When Everything is on Fire”
34:46 - Deconstructing and renovating our faith
37:25 - Beauty will Save the World
51:50 - Notre Dame is on Fire
1:02:34 - Christians of the future
Simon Rammaci has been active in sharing with Christians that to follow Christ is to be a peacemaker. He discusses with Beyond the Pale his work with various groups including the Christian Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament to help promote non-violent alternatives in today's increasingly volatile world. Along the way Simon shares a bit of his faith journey which led him from his homeland of Italy to working with various churches in the U.K.
Go Beyond the Pale with Simon Ramacci!
Episode Index
1:20 - Intro with Steve
3:34 - Conversation with Simon Ramacci begins
4:03 - From Italy to the U.K.
9:33 - Orthopraxy vs. Orthodoxy
16:45 - Discovering a theology of non-violence
36:57 - Helping Christians to see the Christ Way of non-violence
Simon Rammaci has been active in sharing with Christians that to follow Christ is to be a peacemaker. He discusses with Beyond the Pale his work with various groups including the Christian Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament to help promote non-violent alternatives in today's increasingly volatile world. Along the way Simon shares a bit of his faith journey which led him from his homeland of Italy to working with various churches in the U.K.
Go Beyond the Pale with Simon Ramacci!
Episode Index
1:20 - Intro with Steve
3:34 - Conversation with Simon Ramacci begins
4:03 - From Italy to the U.K.
9:33 - Orthopraxy vs. Orthodoxy
16:45 - Discovering a theology of non-violence
36:57 - Helping Christians to see the Christ Way of non-violence
University Professor and former bassist for the Christian punk band "Undercover" Ojo Taylor returns to discuss a recent blog post he wrote as he turned 65.
Getting older ain't easy but Ojo reflects on the benefits that ageing brings including wisdom, perspective, and an understanding of what's really important in life. And of course with his very public transition from Christian musician to atheism we go on frequent tangents discussing God, faith, the nature of belief, and morality without religion...among other things!
Go Beyond the Pale with Ojo Taylor!
5:23 - Conversation begins
10:23 - When "friends" unfriend over belief differences
15:57 - Discussing ageing, mortality, and stages of life
16:32 - The benefits of therapy
24:48 - Comparing ourselves to others
25:52 - With age, "Time" becomes our currency
44:56 - No longer trying to "save the world for Jesus"
53:10 - Discussing morality without religion
Hannah Land is an Occupational Therapist and administrator for the online community Progressing Church. She joins Beyond the Pale to discuss the how theology can be employed to address the personal suffering and trauma experienced by many. Along the way she opens up about her own experience with sexual abuse as well as sharing some of the life giving understanding of Christ that have helped her and others on their journey. We also touch on spiritual deconstruction and the process of engaging with others.
Go Beyond the Pale with Hannah Land!
Episode Index
1:08 - Intro with Steve & Tammy
9:00 - Conversation with Hannah begins
10:47 - What is trauma theology?
18:00 - Hannah shares her personal experience
20:39 - Jesus & the trauma he experienced
32:41 - Spiritual Deconstruction- Is it just a "white people" thing?
42:40 - When is it OK to provoke other people?
The release of Denis Villeneuve's much anticipated adaption of Frank Herbert's "Dune" has drawn the inevitable comparisons to the David Lynch's 1984 adaption. On today's special episode I sit down with movie critic James Marsh to do a deep dive into who really did it better; Dune 1984 or Dune 2021
Episode Index
3:20 - Paul Atreides (Kyle Maclachlan vs. Timothy Chalamet)
8:24- Do we have a bias for the 1984 Dune film
10:40 - Duke Leto (Jurgen Prochnow vs. Oscar Issacs)
15:80- Lady Jessica (Francesca Annis vs. Rebecca Ferguson)
17:11- Baron Harkonnen (Kenneth McMillan vs. Stellan Skarsgard
26:16- Supporting Cast 1984 vs Supporting Cast 2021
35:29- Faithfulness to the book 1984 vs 2021
42:28- Film Score (Toto vs. Hans Zimmer)
46:00- Final comparisons Dune 1984 vs Dune 2021
Steve Barker joined us back in Episode 41 to talk about Re-Thinking Church and now comes to my rescue to help spare me of the boredom of a mandated 14 days isolation in a Hong Kong hotel room. Along the way we discuss the COVID situation, my confirmation in the Anglican church, and making the Christian faith practical in the world around us.
Go Beyond the Pale with Steve Barker!
Episode Index
1:23 - Intro with Steve & Tammy
8:37 - Conversation with Steve Barker begins
9:00 - The effects of quarantine isolation
15:15 - When do we just learn to live with Covid?
22:00 - Traveling Internationally during Covid is expensive
29:32 - Joining the Anglican church
38:19 - Musing on the need for "church"
48:26 - Practical applications of Christianity vs. "Finding God's Will for my Life"
Our Camino Tales series continues as we sit down with our pilgrim friend Diarmuid O'Reiley to discuss some of our shared adventures together on the Camino de Santiago. Along the way Diarmuid shares a bit of his faith journey, the Lord's Prayer in Gaelic, as well as some political thoughts including an Irish perspective on America's fascination with Donald Trump. My son Gabriel who walked our 2015 with Diarmuid also joins us in the interview.
Go Beyond the Pale with Diarmuid O'Reilly!
Episode Guide
1:10- (Intro) Steve in Covid quarantine
8:57 - Conversation begins & Guinness is opened
10:40- Talking Camino De Santiago
22:05- The Lord’s Prayer in Gaelic
23:01- Going from Catholic to Charismatic
32:31- An Irish perspective on Donald Trump
44:20- When the truth loses it’s currency
49:32- Reminiscing Camino times with Diarmuid
50:35- Taking Communion on the Camino de Santiago
1:01:01: Pilgrim friends on the Camino
Keith Giles returns to Beyond the Pale to discuss his new book Jesus Unforsaken in which he argues the real Good News of Jesus has been replaced in much of today's church with a toxic message originating with John Calvin in the 1500s. Keith explains why its crucial to return to the historic Christ-centered view of the cross that sets people free from sin and unveils a God of love who would rather die than live without us.
Go Beyond the Pale with Keith Giles!
Episode Index:
1:34- Intro with Steve
5:02- Conversation with Keith begins
8:06- Catching up with Keith since our last podcast together
12:53- What is "atonement" and why it's important
22:21- "To realise God is NOT a monster"
32:12- Alisa Childers and "progressive Christians"
33:56- Discussing a recent history of Christian "boogymen"
37:37- Labels and how followers of Jesus might identify themselves
42:26- Peace Catalyst podcast and building bridges with the Muslim community
52:45- How to choose the path that leads to peace with others
South China Morning Post and RTHK Radio 3 movie critic James Marsh sits down with Steve for their annual Academy Awards predictions. Along the way we discuss the the nominees in the major categories, who we think WILL win vs. who SHOULD win, and why Brian Cox played a better Hannibal Lector than Anthony Hopkins.
Go Beyond the Pale with James Marsh!
Episode Index:
1:13- Steve’s Intro
4:28- Interview begins / Small Talk
10:14- Best Actress in a Supporting Role
21:02- Best Actor in a Supporting Role
31:05- Best Actress in a Leading Role
38:10- Best Actor in a Lead Role
41:44 - (Tangent) Anthony Hopkins vs. Brian Cox as Hannibal Lector
46:44 - Best Actor discussion resumes
54:28- Best Director
1:10:39 - Best Picture
On today's episode Steve sits down with two of his good friends who are nominal Trump voters to help better understand why Christians seem fascinated with conspiracy theories and why they tend to fuel them rather than extinguish them. Along the way we discuss Donald Trump, the Epoch Times, and how Christians can be conditioned into toxic patterns.
Episode Index:
2:17- Intro with Steve
12:16- Was Portland destroyed by Black Lives Matter?
14:10- What does the "main stream media" report on?
21:35- What's on the horizon in "conspiracy land"?
33:24- Refusing a peaceful transfer of power brings violence
41:38- The trusty Epoch Times?
51:50- The habit to defend our Christian "tribe"
55:24- Why Christians struggle to believe Biden can do good
1:05:40- What we think about God matters
David Morgan joins us to discuss University of Chicago Political Science professor Eric Oliver's new book "Enchanted America: How Intuition & Reason Divide Our Politics". Along the way David helps explain why many Americans are increasingly embracing bizarre conspiracy theories in an attempt to make sense of a complicated and changing world.
Go Beyond the Pale with David Morgan!
Episode Index:
1:25- Intro with Steve
7:07- Conversation with David begins
9:40- Why Americans are not divided by ideology but by thinking styles
17:00- Why the brain creates mental shortcuts to explain the world
28:28- Can you be a rationalist & believe in the Bible?
34:44- How people respond when they feel judged
47:30- Fragile masculinity leads to even more bizarre behaviour
57:28- Conspiracy theories are a reaction to fear
Filmmakers David & Kathi Peters sit down with Steve & Tammy to discuss their new documentary Postcards from Babylon which takes aim at the growing Christian Nationalism within American Evangelicalism. Along the way they share about the impact of Donald Trump on the church, filming Brian & Peri Zahnd while on the Camino de Santiago, and the film's timely message of the Hope still to be found in embracing the Way Jesus proclaimed.
Go Beyond the Pale with David & Kathi Peters!
Episode Index:
1:38 - Intro with Steve & Tammy
10:35 - Conversation with David & Kathi begins
11:06- Growing up in the centre of Evangelical Christianity
20:29 - “In my house you couldn’t be a Christian and a Democrat”
31:12 - The “Postcards from Babylon” documentary
34:46 - Filming with Brian & Peri Zahnd on the Camino de Santiago
45:01- Tammy shares how the film moved her to tears
50:16- Filming Walter Brueggemann
54:55- Postcards from Babylon reminds the viewer there is hope
Pilgrim Bruce Ayling sits down with Steve to chat about their 2015 journey on the Camino de Santiago. Along the way Bruce shares how his pilgrimage in Spain helped him to understand his Christian faith in a deeper way.
Go Beyond the Pale with Bruce Ayling!
Episode index
1:40- Intro with Steve & Tammy
7:40- Conversation with Bruce begins
13:33- Learning to see God as a Father
26:44 - Doing the Camino in segments
30:33- Highlight of Bruce's Camino de Santiago
40:04- Future "bucket list" pilgrimages
Author Paul Ellis returns to talk about his new book "The Silent Queen" and why the church needs women to find their voice. Along the way Paul shares historically how we got to this place of sanctioned gender discrimination in the church and what God's original plan was and can still be.
Go Beyond the Pale with Paul Ellis
Episode Index:
1:14 - Intro with Steve & Tammy
10:30 - Discussion with Paul begins
15:45 - Background to "The Silent Queen"
24:20- How Aristotle and Plato's sexist ideas infected the early church
27:25 - We think we're not sexist, but we are
38:15 - Tammy explains why women remain silent in the church
48:30 Paul explains why we can often support sex discrimination in the church wrongly believing it's God's plan
On today's episode Steve has a conversation an old friend, Steve Bowens, on issues surrounding race issues in America and specifically the Black Lives Matter movement Along the way Steve, who is an African-American educator from Colorado, also shares how his Christian faith has shaped him not only in his approach to race relations but in all areas of his life's journey.
Go Beyond the Pale with Steve Bowens
Episode Index
1:35 - Intro with Steve & Tammy
12:24 - Conversation with Steve Bowens begins
18:35 - Steve shares his Christian faith journey
27:10 - When the church gets partisan
35:24 - Discussing Black Lives Matter
50:00 - Positive ways forward in race relations
Dave Griffiths and Rob Grayson return to Beyond the Pale to discuss what a healthy deconstruction and eventual reconstruction in faith might look like. Along the way we discuss Creeds, politics, racism, gender inequality, and why Christianity seems the one area where its OK to NOT grow up!
Get Ready to Go Beyond the Pale with Rob Grayson & Dave Griffiths!
Episode Index:
1:20- Introduction with Steve & Tammy
5:25- Conversation begins
12:05- Race & Gender in 2020
14:46- Defining modernity and “post”- modernity
22:59- Do Creeds create a static world view?
33:45- Detaching our faith from politics
45:38- Is what you believe proven by how you live?
1:02:00- When Christians learn to grow up
My brother Andrew returns during a hot elections season to talk about the two subjects you aren't suppose to talk about in polite conversation; politics and religion.
Along the way we discuss abortion, nationalism, and spell Trump holds over many American Christians.
Get Ready To Go Beyond The Pale with Andrew Hackman!
Steve was interviewed on Hong Kong's Radio 3 "Morning Brew" show to discuss his 1,100 mile Via Francigena pilgrimage and the upcoming memoir chronicling the journey!
Actor Jason Tobin who stars in the hit TV show Warrior sits down with Steve & Tammy to share his acting journey; the highs, the lows, the frustrations, the lucky breaks, and the perseverance that helped get him to where he is now.
Along the way Jason shares what it was like to grow up in Hong Kong, the power of a teacher to inspire, his love of Story, and even our mutual desire to see Hong Kong's airport renamed Bruce Lee International.
Go Beyond the Pale with Jason Tobin!
Episode Index:
8:14: Conversation with Jason begins
8:36- Stories from the set of the TV series Warrior
26:40: The Bruce Lee connection to Warrior
28:18: Working with The Fast & The Furious director Justin Lin
32:29: Growing up in Hong Kong
34:12- The power of an inspiring teacher
39:12- Moving to Los Angeles at 18
44:00- Starting at the bottom: Being an "Extra"
52:52- When your dreams imprison you
54:30- Love of martial arts
1:00:50- Becoming a filmmaker
1:12:13- Jason's belief in the power of story
Long time friend Kit Tso shares a meal with Steve & Tammy and with the help of a little Scotch and Irish whiskey discuss faith, humanity, God, and the advantages of bringing "reason" into one's spiritual journey.
Along the way Kit shares some funny anecdotes of riding a motorcycle from London to Belfast!
Go Beyond the Pale with Kit Tso!
Episode Index:
3:40 Conversation with Kit starts
11:32 Driving a motorcycle to Belfast
25:04 What do we really believe?
38:46 Processing Faith
43:00 Circular or linear spiritual path?
53:00 Applying reason in faith
1:00:20 Connecting faith to real life