Crossroads from Washington National Cathedral
A new podcast from Washington National Cathedral, exploring the intersection of sacred and civic.
Episodes
Icons of biblical and American history adorn many of the Cathedral’s stained glass windows, needlepoint kneelers, and stone carvings. Chosen at the time as figures to be remembered or emulated, what advice or insight might these icons have for us about the challenges of our current society? Canon Leonard Hamlin joins Kevin Eckstrom for a creative exploration of Cathedral iconography.
Download transcript: https://cathedral.org/wp-...
How can the simple act of gathering interfaith groups for a meal help promote peace? The Rev. Terry Kyllo, Executive Director of Paths to Understanding, is exploring this idea through The Potluck Project. He joins Cathedral Dean Randy Hollerith to discuss how this small yet profound exercise can overcome division and help foster understanding across denominations and faiths.
Download transcript: https://cathedral.org/wp-content/u...
The Cathedral is home to one of 12 special editions of the Saint John’s Bible — the first hand-written, hand-illuminated Bible commissioned by a Benedictine monastery in over 500 years. The Rev. Dr. John F. Ross, Executive Director of The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Edition, joins the podcast to share the inspiring story behind this masterpiece of Biblical art.
Download transcript: https://cathedral.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08...
In today’s increasingly AI-powered world, how can churches help their parishioners utilize AI while staying authentic and ethical? The Rev. Mercedes Clements and the Rev. Peter Levenstrong, co-hosts of the AI Church Toolkit podcast, join Dr. Sonia Coman and the Rev. Jo Nygard Owens to discuss ways to center your creativity and your relationship with God to help navigate this new era of disruptive technology.
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As we celebrate July 4th and mark just one year until America’s milestone 250th birthday, multidisciplinary artist Chas Fagan joins Kevin Eckstrom and Dr. Sonia Coman for a closer look at our nation’s history at the Cathedral. Fagan, who painted the official portrait of First Lady Barbara Bush and sculpted a statue of President Ronald Reagan at National Airport, shares his unique insights on American iconography at the Cathedral, i...
Join us for highlights of an exclusive conversation with Bishop Mariann Budde and Rev. Jo Nygard Owens. Recorded in front of an intimate gathering at the Cathedral, their discussion explores how we can hold onto hope and lean into joy even in the midst of today’s challenges.
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As we mark ten years since the senseless murder of nine parishioners of Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, Senior Pastor Eric S.C. Manning joins the Rev. Canon Leonard Hamlin and the Rev. Jo Nygard Owens for a poignant and inspiring conversation about forgiveness.
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The Cathedral will soon unveil a new addition to its iconography – a beautifully carved statue of St. Phoebe. The Rev. Jo Nygard Owens chats with painter/sculptor Chas Fagan and Cathedral stone carver Sean Callahan about their creative cross-medium collaboration for this project and the significance of St. Phoebe.
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In a special episode in New York City, the Cathedral’s podcast team sits down with Moran Cerf, neuroscientist, professor of business, and storyteller, to discuss how world-changing advances in science and technology can reshape our sense of self.
Full episode - video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP6ph4NakTw
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Our ability to know the historical Jesus is limited at best, but award-winning author Elaine Pagels uses little-known primary sources and her own deep faith to assemble the puzzle of Jesus of Nazareth and the enduring power of the Christian message.
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To celebrate the one-year anniversary of our Crossroads podcast, host Jo Nygard Owens is joined by the Dean, our Vicar, and other clergy and staff to answers listeners’ questions for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into life at the Cathedral.
Episodes Highlighted:
The new Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church, Sean Rowe, and host Jo Nygard Owens discuss Bishop Rowe’s unique start and vision for the church in our digitally connected age.
Submit your question for our Ask Me Anything episode: https://cathedral.org/podcast
Download transcript: https://cathedral.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Ep-27-Transcript.pdf
Additional Resources:
- Seating of Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe: https://w...
From our stained glass and carvings to leadership in worship, women have been important in the life of the Cathedral from the beginning. The Cathedral’s Provost, Jan Cope, Director of Creative Engagement, Mimi McNamara, and host Jo Nygard Owens highlight the women who have forged a path at the Cathedral.
Submit your question for our Ask Me Anything episode: https://cathedral.org/podcast
Download transcript: https://cathedral.or...
Spiritual writer and teacher John Philip Newell joins the Rev. Jo Nygard Owens to discuss how each of us can interact with both ancient and modern wisdom to bring deep knowing to the surface, discovering ourselves and working toward a better world.
Submit your question for our Ask Me Anything episode: https://cathedral.org/podcast
Download Transcript: https://cathedral.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Ep-25-Transcript.pdf
Addit...
Martin Luther King III and his wife, Arndrea Waters King, will join the Rev. Jo Nygard Owens and the Rev. Canon Leonard Hamlin to share how he is working to make his father’s dream a reality by building understanding, empathy and unity between people and communities.
Download transcript: https://cathedral.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ep-24-Transcript.pdf
Additional Resources:
- Realize the Dream: A movement to uplift and t...
Acclaimed columnist David Brooks and Dean Randy Hollerith discuss Brooks’ latest book, How to Know a Person, which delves into the art of human connection, exploring the intricacies of empathy, understanding, and the profound impact our relationships have on our lives.
Download transcript: https://cathedral.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Ep-23-Transcript.pdf
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Marjorie Hunt, Academy Award-winning director of the documentary The Stone Carvers, joins the Rev. Jo Nygard Owens and Chief Public Affairs Officer Kevin Eckstrom on a deep dive into the rich, captivating legacy of stone carving at the Cathedral.
Download transcript: https://cathedral.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Ep-22-Transcript.pdf
Additional Resources:
- View the Academy Award-winning short film: https://www.folkstreams...
Embrace the new year and new beginnings as the Rev. Jo Nygard Owens and bestselling author Emily P. Freeman discuss checking in with our inner selves, decision making, and other practical advice to start 2025. You can learn more about Emily and her two bestselling books How to Walk Into a Room and The Next Right Thing on her website: https://emilypfreeman.com/
Download transcript: https://cathedral.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/...
Cozy up with our Crossroads Christmas episode as the Rev. Jo Nygard Owens, Canon Vicar Dana Corsello, and Chorister Director Julie DeBoer share what it takes to welcome 30,000 guests to Cathedral services and concerts.
Download transcript: https://cathedral.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Ep-20-Transcript.pdf
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Tune in for a rich conversation between Dean Randy Hollerith and Francis S. Collins, MD, former director of the National Institutes of Health, former Director of the Human Genome Project, and New York Times-bestselling author. They reflect on faith, trust, and how we can move forward and together during these deeply polarizing times.
Download transcript: https://cathedral.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Ep-19-Transcript.pdf
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