Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity
Church Potluck serves up thoughtful, friendly, informal conversation at the intersection of Christianity and contemporary culture. Just like a church potluck, we offer variety: a variety of topics, a variety of academic disciplines, and a variety of Christian traditions. Guests are friends and colleagues who are also experts in the fields of sociology, political science, theology, philosophy, divinity, and more.
Episodes
What happens when an astronomer, a political philosopher, and a retired pastor sit down at the potluck table? In this episode, Dr. Todd Timberlake, Reid Professor of Physics & Astronomy, joins host Dale McConkey and regular guest Dr. Michael Bailey for a lively conversation about awe and wonder.
Is science a cold explanation that drains the magic from the world—or can it actually deepen our sense of mystery? From t...
What happens when Christians disagree so deeply that dialogue itself feels dangerous? Can churches balance the call to love enemies with the responsibility to protect neighbors? And how do we speak the truth in love without sliding into silence—or into shouting?
In this episode, newbie Dr. Kathryn Heidelberger (comparative Christian–Islamic ethics) and relative newbie Dr. David Barr (Christian ethics) join oldie Michae...
The Core Four are back! Host Dale McConkey is joined by Christy Snider, Michael Papazian, and Michael Bailey for a wide-ranging conversation on faith and culture.
We start with reactions to the Charlie Kirk assassination, unpacking how instantly polarizing it was, how social media amplified extreme voices, and how it revealed the deep fusion of religion and politics in American life. The group compares this moment with...
Season 4 of Church Potluck kicks off with a joyful, thoughtful dive into Christian missions as Dale welcomes media pro and new colleague Margaret Ndwandwe and her newlywed husband Xolani from Eswatini (formerly Swaziland). They share their long-distance love story born on the mission field and introduce the Bound Together Eswatini Partnership, a long-standing coalition focused on evangelism, discipleship, meeting huma...
CROSSOVER EPISODE! In this first-ever crossover episode between Church Potluck and American Angst 101, host Dale McConkey, political scientist Michael Bailey, and historian Christy Snider dive into a hot-button political and theological controversy surrounding Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s recent social media post endorsing ideas from pastor Doug Wilson, a leader in the Confederation of Reformed Evangelical Chur...
In this delightfully sprawling new episode of Church Potluck, the "Core Four" reunite for a free-flowing conversation filled with laughter, deep reflection, and summer updates. Host Dale McConkey kicks things off by officially announcing his retirement as a United Methodist pastor, sharing heartwarming stories from his farewell sermon and his new children's book, The Little Church That Could. Joined by ...
In this episode of Church Potluck, host Dale McConkey welcomes Rev. Dr. Jonathan Huggins for a hearty and humorous conversation about his new book, What’s Christianity Really All About? A Guide to Essential Beliefs. Huggins, Berry College chaplain and theology professor, takes listeners on a whirlwind tour of the foundational beliefs of the Christian faith—offering a clear, accessible, and surprisingly compact summary...
How do we form meaningful relationships in an age of ghosting, digital overload, and chronic loneliness? In this episode, we explore the themes of Knowing and Being Known: Hope for All Our Intimate Relationships, the new book by chaplain and author Erin Moniz. Joined by Gabrielle Roes, ministry director at Berry College and counselor, and host Dale McConkey, a sociologist and pastor, the conversation delves into the c...
We've covered the history and the politics of the Nicene Creed in the previous episode -- now let's explore it's meaning! This episode of Church Potluck dives deep into the text of the Nicene Creed on its 1700th birthday. Dale McConkey (sociologist and United Methodist pastor) hosts an engaging roundtable with Dr. Michael Papazian (Orthodox Christian and philosophy professor) and Dr. Jonathan Parker (An...
The Nicene Creed may be 1700 years old, but its relevance has never fully faded. In this episode of Church Potluck, host Dale McConkey gathers with Dr. Michael Papazian (philosopher/theologian) and Dr. Larry Marvin (historian) to explore how a fourth-century council shaped Christian identity in ways that still echo today. From Trinitarian debates to modern misunderstandings, the conversation reveals why creeds continu...
The Core Four return for a post-finals horror-themed episode of Church Potluck! After a movie night together, Dale and his guests (Christy, Mike, and Michael) discuss Sinners, a new horror film with bold religious and cultural themes. They unpack everything from the film’s unexpected twists and theological metaphors to its commentary on colonial Christianity, music as sacred memory, and the seduction of "polite e...
In this special Church Potluck episode, host Dale McConkey welcomes a lively panel of guests—including longtime podcast contributor Dr. Michael Papazian, first-time guest and Catholic partisan Rita Lawler, and a bonus interview with Catholic theologian-in-training Brett Adams—to reflect on the historic election of the new pope: Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost.
The conversation covers a wide range of theo...
In this episode of Church Potluck, we dive into the critically acclaimed movie Conclave (eight Oscar nominations, one win), the visually stunning, slow-burning thriller about Vatican ritual, political intrigue, and a surprising final twist that invites deeper reflection. Join Dale McConkey and friends Christy Snider and Michael Papazian as they reflect on the film’s themes of faith and doubt, ambition and humility, an...
What really happens when the world’s most powerful religious leaders lock themselves in a room to choose the next pope? In this episode, we unpack the mystery and meaning of the papal conclave following the death of Pope Francis. With insights from Catholic, Orthodox, and Protestant guests, we explore the rituals, the history, and the global significance of this ancient process. Along the way, we reflect on Francis’s ...
Navigating the roles of pastor as both priest and prophet presents a unique dynamic within church ministry. Our panel, all pulpit preachers, explores the complexities of speaking truth to power, particularly in light of recent events surrounding Bishop Budde's remarks at the National Prayer Service. Through this discussion, we examine the balance of comfort and challenge within the pulpit, the role of civic relig...
What was it about Jimmy Carter's legacy that touched so many lives beyond his presidency? Join us on Church Potluck as we share a captivating discussion with Mike, Christy, and newcomer Dr. Steve Terry, who braved the weather to be with us. Together, we explore the personal and political journey of a leader whose influence transcended his time in office. From stories of attending Carter's Sunday school class...
In this episode of Church Potluck, we dive into three thought-provoking themes with Dr. Christy Snider and Dr. Michael Bailey. First, we explore whether it is fair to say that some Republicans are deifying Trump, drawing from Thomas Edsall’s New York Times piece, "The Deification of Trump." Next, we question the trustworthiness of religious callings based on hearing God’s voice, drawing upon my own spiritual...
In this episode of Church Potluck: A Smorgasbord of Christian Curiosity, Rabbi Albert Slomovitz shares his journey from chaplaincy to interfaith scholar, offering insights on bridging Jewish-Christian relations. The conversation explores how contextual knowledge and interpretation, such as Midrash, can clarify difficult biblical passages for both faiths. Through examples like the "eye for an eye" passage and...
In this episode, we’re joined by Michael Papazian, Professor of Philosophy, and Michael Bailey, Associate Professor of Political Science, for a lively and personal discussion of their summer experiences and reflections.
Michael Bailey opens up about the emotional depth of his daughter’s wedding, sharing moments of joy, community, and love that defined the day, from the profound presence of family and friends to spontan...
Explore the life of Jesus as it's represented in the modern film series, The Chosen. Join Rev. Dr. Jonathan Huggins and the exuberant Gabrielle Roes along with host Dale McConkey as we discuss the merits of this cinematic blockbuster within the Christian community. We peel back the layers of film and television portrayals of Jesus to reveal how movies like The Chosen influence our faith and understanding of the ...
Popular Podcasts
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
If you eat, sleep, and breathe true crime, TRUE CRIME TONIGHT is serving up your nightly fix. Five nights a week, KT STUDIOS & iHEART RADIO invite listeners to pull up a seat for an unfiltered look at the biggest cases making headlines, celebrity scandals, and the trials everyone is watching. With a mix of expert analysis, hot takes, and listener call-ins, TRUE CRIME TONIGHT goes beyond the headlines to uncover the twists, turns, and unanswered questions that keep us all obsessed—because, at TRUE CRIME TONIGHT, there’s a seat for everyone. Whether breaking down crime scene forensics, scrutinizing serial killers, or debating the most binge-worthy true crime docs, True Crime Tonight is the fresh, fast-paced, and slightly addictive home for true crime lovers.
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.