Brian Zahnd, pastor, theologian, and acclaimed author of books that include "Beauty Will Save The World" and "Farewell To Mars", joins his wife, Peri, to talk with Steve & Tammy about their recent pilgrimage on Spain's Camino de Santiago. What follows are laughs, delightful stories an insights that will encourage and inspire you on your own faith journey.

SHOW INDEX:

7:20 - Brian shares why he and Peri walked the Camino

10:52 - The "Vibe" of the Camino

13:16 - "A 500 mile walk to church"

25:19 - Brian & Peri deal with conflict on the Camino

28:22 - La Sagrada Familia: Architecture as worship

32:08 - 3 realities of pilgrimage

35:35 - The kindness of people on pilgrimage

38:48 - The challenge of helping Christians see their faith as pilgrimage

Former police officer Samuel Lai shares with Steve his story of being a corrupt cop who used his position on the police force to subsidise his lifestyle and drug habit.  However his encounter with renowned missionary Jackie Pullinger sets him on a path to ultimate redemption.

Show Notes

6:52 - A life on drugs

7:32- Joining the police force

11:20- Life as a corrupt cop

23:03 - Arrested

27:35 - Meeting Jackie Pullinger

32:15 - A new life

Martin Daniel joins Steve at Little Mario's Pizzeria to analyse the 2016 election and get perspectives on the Donald Trump win from different folk around the world.

Episode Index

7:19- Jon Stewart's perspective

13:45- A Singaporean perspective

16:47- Seth Myer's perspective

20:30- A British perspective

25:50- Jonathan Pie's perspective

28:50- A Scottish perspective

45:50- Trevor Noah's perspective

56:00- An American perspective

Our Camino Tales series continues as Steve & Sharon Canale share how they decided to celebrate retirement...by walking Spain's 500 mile Camino de Santiago pilgrimage.

Show Index:

7:37 - Inspired by "The Way" film

9:59 - Walking the Camino with your spouse

21:44 - Encountering protesters in Santiago

23:38 - How I almost left Gabriel on the Camino

25:53 - First day on the Camino

35:40 - Encountering a pilgrim with a terminal illness

David Young shares how his evidence based skeptical worldview shapes his life as well as discussing where there are some bridges of commonality with the Christian faith shared by Steve & Tammy.  

Podcast Index:

7:20 - How David became a skeptic

22:12 - Skeptics in the Pub

27:13 - Effects of Tribalism

35:11 - Morality & Ethics for a skeptic

41:00 - Bible & Morality

46:25 - Are we wired for Belief or Unbelief?

In this short bonus episode: While waiting for Tammy to arrive, Steve & David discuss their mutual love for podcasting as well as show a little non-love for the current U.S. election.  Enjoy!

Steve's friend David Young has recently been diagnosed with ALS or "Lou Gehrig's Disease"  It's a fatal degenerative illness of which there is no cure.  Over a couple cold beers and some fried rice Steve & Tammy talk with David about how he is coping with this tragic twist in his journey and find he plans to live the best life possible in the time he has left with family & friends.  Along the way David hopes the manner in which he faces this deadly illness can be a help for others finding themselves in a similar place.

Show Index:

7:45- Facing a Deadly Diagnosis

18:44: Why no cure for ALS

22:38- How David copes

32:41- Atheist in a Foxhole

36:15- Hope for an Afterlife?

39:55- Do Atheists go to Heaven?

Steve & Tammy continue their conversation with former pastor Giles Parker and end up examining "What is "Progressive Christianity"?  Along the way they discuss connecting for the first time at Pete Rollins event in Belfast, why their Sunday morning service attendance is a bit spotty these days, as well as meeting up last year on England's 200 mile Wainwright Coast to Coast Walk. 

Show Index:

Belfast 2014- 5:11

Is church something you attend?- 9:14

What is "Progressive Christianity?" - 20:47

Walking England's 200 Mile Coast to Coast - 31:45

Steve & Tammy talk with former pastor Giles Parker about his journey to a more progressive Christianity, how the church should operate in the world, and why sometimes God just seems to break his own rules.

Show Index:

3:30- New Book Recommendations

6:20- Drawn to leaders who pilgrimage

10:30 God breaks rules for relationship

14:06- Giles shares his story

23:35- Building church or building community?

25:27- Avoiding spiritual arrogance

With the tragic passing of actor Gene Wilder, Steve & Tammy explore links between his most iconic character and the Christian Gospel.  Join our adventure exploring the magical chocolate factory of Mr. Willy Wonka!

Show Index:

8:10 - Wonka & the Kingdom of God

15:34- Wonka & the Old Testament

18:00- Wonka & predestination

22:00- Wonka & our expectations of God

24:40- Wonka & walking without fear

26:25- Wonka & the Garden of Eden

31:50- Wonka & thinking God has failed us

36:50- Wonka & your inheritance

Adventurer Rob del Bosque shares with Steve & Tammy how his 500 mile pilgrimage across Spain on the Camino de Santiago has helped shape his faith and life.

Mark & Christine Cattanach share their unique story of how they came to faith in Christ and why, despite being friends with Steve & Tammy, they "still go to church".  Along the way they share how their faith helped them face the loss of their first child as well as why Christianity needs a more "Christ-like" God!

Beyond the Pale "Geek Correspondent" Martin Daniel returns to review the new Star Trek movie. But then things turn political as we discuss Donald Trump, Hillary, Bernie, as well as the pros and cons of having kids recite the Pledge of Allegiance 

What happens when you are part of a church leadership team and your spouse tells you he doesn't believe in God anymore?  Marylee Hackman shares the challenges and breakthroughs as she and her husband found a better, more "Christ-like" life, outside of religious belief.

4:35  Marylee shares about the walk where Andy told her he didn't believe in God anymore

9:50  Andrew shares how the church they helped establish ostracised them

18:00  Marylee shares how moving outside the evangelical system made them better people

20:25  How the next generation will have less religious baggage

22:20  The bad theology of Jack Chick comics

26:00  How to respond when your spouse begins to doubt

Steve & Andrew go off topic during their "basement discussion" with Tammy and talk race issues in America and why, despite the anger and heartache in the U.S. right now, there is reason to believe there is still hope and light at the end of the tunnel.

Steve's brother Andrew returns and chats with Steve & Tammy about his perspective on why Christians struggle to "grow up" and take responsibilities for their decisions.

2:00- The 10 Commandments vs. The Sermon on the Mount

8:39- Tammy's experiences questioning "pillars of her faith"

16:45- Why Christians should stop acting childish

21:35- Getting Christians to take responsibility for their decisions

27:20- Why some Christians have more in common with some atheists than with other Christians

Ever thought of running with a dream you had...even if you aren't so young anymore? Actor & comedian Matt Baca shares how approaching middle age was a catalyst for a mid-life career change.

Functional Nutritionist & Lifestyle Expert Elisa Haggarty shares with Steve & Tammy her journey and how she overcame emotional & physical depression to take back her health. As founder of Culinary Farmacy Elisa now helps others regain a life worth living.

In this bonus Tales from the Tale episode Steve reflects on the recent shooting in Orlando and adds a story of hope...all from a "haunted" Stephen King like hotel in the jungles of Thailand while being chased by a giant moth.  Enjoy!

A sit down discussion with actor and stand up comedian Matt Baca suddenly got political...so we just ran with it. :)

Our discussion with Tom Read continues.  In Pt. 2 Tom shares about his desire to creates spaces where more diverse expressions of faith can be encouraged as well as anecdotes from his recent tour with social justice advocate Shane Claiborne.

Musician Tom Read shares with Steve & Tammy about the state of modern church worship as well as the challenges faced moving from a worship leader position to a music career.

Steve & Tammy take Beyond the Pale on the trail to Beijing China!

Steve & Tammy highlight their own lack of compassion, understanding, and sometimes judgement of the trials others found themselves in until they experienced it themselves. Using their own marriage, experience with life threatening cancer, and challenges of raising a special needs child Steve & Tam reveal what the view can sometimes look from another perspective.

Steve & Tammy continue their conversation with Nic J and explore how Christians might start replacing the labels they place on others with compassion.