Complexified Trailer!

Complexified Trailer!

Author: Institute of Religion Politics and Culture, Amanda Henderson, Iliff School of Theology August 2, 2022 Duration: 4:41
It’s been a ROUGH few years. If you’re like me, you feel overwhelmed. Worrying about what we’re living through, what scary headline we might see next  — and what we can DO about it.  Why can’t we keep our kids safe from guns? Why are voting rights under attack? Why can’t we even talk about abortion, gender, sexuality, or racism?  How we got here is not a mystery. And we’ll talk about that.  (Rob Schenck) "I was there in the middle to late 90s at the tables with Republican Party operatives. When they offered us a deal, and they said, Look, we're with you on abortion, we know you want the reversal of Roe v Wade, we're going to give you that, we're going to deliver that for you. But in exchange, and some of them would be quite crude, they would say, at a time, I can see this, I was seated seated seated at an oak table inside the US Capitol, there were a number of national evangelical leaders at the table, I was there. we're going to take down Roe, we're going to make abortion illegal in this country. But you're gonna have to give us your full support, because there's nowhere else for you to go. Do you understand? And there were literal handshakes across the table, we understand."   I’m Amanda Henderson, and this is my new podcast, Complexified.  On Complexified,  we dig into the places where religion and politics collide with real-life, - so we can make real change.    (Robyn Henderson-Espinoza) “The activist theology project was born out of my desire to help people get their hands dirty with the wounds of the world.”  (Rep. Sam Park) "When, when it came to running for office, I was asked the question by my pastor at the time, um, you know, what breaks your heart, know what breaks your heart and do something about it, the question mm-hmm because, because, you know, just as faith is dead without deeds love is also meaningless if it's not demonstrated without action." I’ll talk with activists and thinkers about the issues tearing our lives up today… the end of Roe v. Wade, climate change, Christian Nationalism,  attacks on trans kids, homelessness, and so much more.  As a progressive pastor and the former head of an interfaith advocacy organization, I’ve preached at pulpits – and protests! I’ve testified at city council meetings and state capitols. I’ve shared ideas and activism and questions with people from all walks of life.  And I am here to say: Life is not black and white.  It’s complicated.  For too long we have avoided talking about religion and politics. But when we avoid these hard topics, we stay stuck. On Complexifed, we’ll navigate the messiness…  With compassion, curiosity, and community.  Complexified launches August 11.  Join me.   Follow the show wherever you listen to podcasts. And become a part of this movement to embrace the complexity of real life – and to move forward, together. This podcast is a project of the Institute of Religion Politics & Culture at Iliff School of Theology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Complexified is a conversation that starts from a simple, uncomfortable truth: the forces of faith and power are woven into the fabric of our everyday existence, from kitchen tables to courtrooms. Hosted by Amanda Henderson of the Iliff School of Theology and presented by the Institute of Religion Politics and Culture, this podcast deliberately steps into the tangled intersections where belief systems meet policy, cultural norms, and social strife. We move beyond superficial debates to examine how these deep structures actually function, why certain problems feel so immovable, and where the possibilities for genuine movement might lie. Each episode is an effort to untangle a specific, knotty issue, listening for the underlying narratives and historical currents that often go unspoken. The goal isn't to provide easy answers but to foster a more nuanced comprehension, the kind required for meaningful engagement rather than repeated conflict. Tuning into this podcast means joining a rigorous yet accessible exploration of our shared life, acknowledging the complexity so often glossed over in public discourse. It’s an invitation to think more deeply about the roots of our divisions and the potential pathways forward, grounded in the conviction that clearer understanding is a necessary first step toward any durable change.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 97

Complexified
Podcast Episodes
Faith, Fame, and the Feed: How Influencers Shape What We Believe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:38
In a world where attention is authority, who gets to shape faith, values, and public life? What does it actually mean to be an influencer in 2025 — and why does it matter so much for religion and politics? In this episod…
How One Abuse Story Changed a Reporter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:55
Sometimes a story breaks you open. While reporting on abuse and accountability inside the Southern Baptist Convention, RNS journalist Bob Smietana reached out to someone he’d interviewed many times before — publisher and…
The Conservative Christian Momfluencer Machine [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:39
What if your favorite wholesome mom account was also your quietest political radicalizer? Earlier this year, RNS Editor Roxanne Stone was in Austin, Texas talking about tradwife influencers—women whose soft, nostalgic ae…
From Pink to Waterproof: The Weird Economics of U.S. Bible Sales [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:06
A paradox: declining churchgoing, rising Bible sales. Americans are attending church less—and buying more Bibles than ever. In this Complexified conversation, Amanda Henderson and RNS reporter Bob Smietana unpack the par…
Beyond Identity Politics: The Mamdani Method in New York [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:21
What happens when a Muslim mayor-elect treats identity as a bridge, not a brand? In this episode of Complexified, Amanda Henderson explores the story of Zoran Mamdani, New York City’s first Muslim mayor-elect—a politicia…
Chainsaws, Catechism, and Courage: How One Parish Grew Through Crisis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:52
In a dusty parking lot, worship meets organizing as a community faces ICE—and refuses to disappear. In Vista, California, a Catholic parish that worships outdoors has become a refuge and a rallying point: 13,000 people o…
Cease-Fire Isn’t Peace: Inside the Vatican’s Quiet Work on Gaza [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:59
When peacemaking is quiet, stubborn, and deeply human. In this conversation, host Amanda Henderson sits with RNS reporter Claire Giangravè to open the door on Vatican diplomacy during the Gaza cease-fire. We hear about p…