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
Why Muslim Voters Feel Betrayed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:30
Colorado State Rep. Iman Jodeh reflects on the political conundrums faced by Muslim voters amid the Gaza genocide and a growing sense of betrayal by traditional political allies. Jodeh shares how her community channeled…
Rejecting the ‘God of Trump’ [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:41
In this deeply challenging conversation, Dr. Miguel De La Torre confronts the “God of Trump” — a figure he sees as rooted in colonialism, capitalism, and dominance — and argues that for the most marginalized among us, tr…
When Religious Power Serves Political Force [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:52
As the political landscape grows ever more polarized, religious language has become a tool for framing debates in extreme, all-or-nothing terms. On the eve of the presidential election, Reverend Rob Schenck joins Amanda…
Exposing Soft Christian Nationalism [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:40
Recent research reveals that while only 10% of Americans strongly embrace Christian nationalist views, a broader 34% sympathize with its underlying principles. Reporter Jack Jenkins joins Amanda Henderson to explore how…
When Public Dollars Pay for Religious Education [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:48
The growing controversy surrounding school vouchers and their use in private religious education is once again emerging. With public dollars increasingly directed toward faith-based schools, the question arises: Does thi…
The Hindu Vote: Flipping the Script [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:07
The changing political landscape of Hindu Americans: we explore their shifting alliances from traditional Democratic loyalties to a growing alignment with the right. Host Amanda Henderson and RNS Hindu reporter Richa Kar…
Women’s Work: a Catholic Conundrum [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:57
In this episode, we sit down with Claire Giangravé, a Vatican correspondent for Religion News Service, to explore the pivotal discussions happening at the Synod on Synodality. With nearly 400 leaders of the Roman Catholi…
Imagining a Land of Belonging [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:56
"The modern world is impossible to narrate without the idea of land as property and the seizing of land as property." "Imagination is our gift in creating and building new worlds." In this episode, Amanda talks with Dr.…
Dividing Lines: Life on the Border [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:14
What makes someone leave everything they know? Why do people risk their lives crossing treacherous deserts into a land they are not welcome in? Migration Activist and Humanitarian Dora Rodriguez shares her story of survi…
Church Land: Let Go & Grow [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:32
Listening to the needs in their community for housing and childcare led this Colorado Church to make a big decision. Rather than building a bigger church on the 11 acres they sat on, they decided to give the land away an…