Why Do People Still Go On Pilgrimages?

Why Do People Still Go On Pilgrimages?

Author: The Media Project September 16, 2025 Duration: 34:32

Edward Wright-Ríos explores the devotees of Our Lady of Juquila and why pilgrimage is so much more than just “sweaty therapy” in his book “Devotion in Motion: Pilgrimage in Modern Mexico.”


Devotion in Motion: https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago/D/bo248381442.html


In a world where faith is often reduced to headlines or soundbites, Religion Unplugged offers a different kind of space. This podcast, from The Media Project, engages with the profound and complex ways belief shapes our lives, politics, and history. You’ll hear candid conversations and stories drawn from original reporting by a global network of journalists. We move beyond simple debates to explore the nuanced realities of spirituality and religious practice as they intersect with culture, conflict, and community. Each episode is an opportunity to listen deeply to narratives that are frequently overlooked, understanding that religion remains a powerful and growing force across the globe. This isn’t about doctrine; it’s about the human experience at the intersection of the sacred and the everyday. Tune in for a grounded, journalistic approach that unplugs the stereotypes and connects you to the authentic stories defining faith in the 21st century.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Religion Unplugged
Podcast Episodes
How Catholics Built The American Suburbs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:00
Fr. Stephen M. Koeth’s “Crabgrass Catholicism” explores the many ways the Catholic Church drove the creation of suburban culture in postwar America.Crabgrass Catholicism: https://press.uchicago.edu/ucp/books/book/chicago…
The True Story of A 59-Year-Old College Football Player [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:53
Mike Flynt made history by going back to play college football at the age of 59. Now, with a new movie called "The Senior" in theaters from Angel Studios, Mike opens up about his experiences and the strong role faith pla…
Why Make A Movie About A Crime-Fighting Rabbi? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:31
Culture critic Joseph Holmes talks to filmmaker and author Salvador Litvak about his new faith-based thriller, "Guns & Moses," and how the film reflects the fears and experiences of modern Orthodox Jews. In theaters Octo…
The Story of Jesus Now Told Through Hand-Drawn Animation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:48
Salvation Poem Project President Brennan McPherson sits down with Film Critic Joseph Holmes to discuss his new hand-drawn animation film about the life of Jesus, "Light of the World," which is in theaters September 5th.L…
Are We Living In A New Age Of Religious Violence? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:10
Violence done at the hands of religious zealots seems as ancient as war itself. But how do peace-preaching religions become violent? And is religious violence more rampant today than it has been in the past? To find out,…
How Centuries Of American Racism Impact Modern Families and Churches [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:14
After many years as a reporter for The Wall Street Journal, Lee Hawkins composed a memoir about how his investigation into his family's history led him on a journey of self-discovery and forgiveness. Matthew Peterson spe…
Can AI Help Us Understand The Bible Better? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:46
Matthew Peterson speaks with Alina Buzdugan of the Bible Chat app--an AI-powered tool intended to help believers and non-believers grow spiritually and advance their knowledge of scripture.Bible Chat: https://thebiblecha…
Why Do So Many Cultures Have A Version of Noah's Flood? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:30
Matthew Peterson speaks with professor and author Philip C. Almond about his recent book "Noah and the Flood in Western Thought."Noah and the Flood in Western Thought: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/noah-and-the-fl…
Heaven Help Us: Interview with John Kasich [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:37
Are religious people as active in service as they claim to be? Matthew Peterson speaks with author and former Ohio State Governor John Kasich about his recent book “Heaven Help Us,” which explores how faith communities a…
“What If…” 15 Years Later: Interview with Kevin Sorbo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:24
Film and culture critic Joseph Holmes interviews actor Kevin Sorbo about his history in the faith-based film industry, which started with the film "What If?." The film was directed by Dallas Jenkins and returns to theatr…