Shift Happens
In a world increasingly marked by division, cruelty, and chaos, Shift Happens is your guide to navigating the social and political turmoil of our time with hope, integrity, and courage. Each week, we bring you conversation with leaders, thinkers, and change-makers who are on the frontline of resisting white Christian nationalism, dehumanization, polarization, and apathy.
Together, we explore how to confront these challenges without mirroring them- how to resist cruelty without becoming cruel, combat anger without being consumed by it, and dismantle systems of injustice while remaining grounding in compassion and humanity.
Shift Happens isn't just about understanding the world; it's about empowering you to shape it. Tune in and discover practical insights, inspiring stories, and the tools you need to resist with resilience, love and purpose.
Change is possible because shift happens.
- Update frequency
- every 6 days
- Average duration
- 65 minutes
- Episodes
- 120
- Years Active
- 2023 - 2025
Billie Hoard: Contamination as Resistance
Today Joe talks with Billie Hoard. Billie is a teacher, theologian, YouTube Podcaster, writer and soon to be author.
Billie walks us through a theory she's calling Eucontamination. We won't try to de…
Ashe Van Steenwyk & Kalie May Hargrove: The Center for Prophetic Imagination
We kick off season 3 with a BANG! Joining us today are Ashe Van Steenwyk and Kalie May Hargrove from The Center for Prophetic Imagination. Ashe is the Exec. Director for The Center and Kalie is the D…
Joe Smith: Last Episode of Season 2
Today our host, Joe Smith, talks about why Shift Happens started, some changes being made to the podcast and why the focus on resistance for the upcoming season.
We are super excited about the upcomi…
Dana Hicks: The Quest for Thin Places
Joe talks to Dana Hicks, author of The Quest for Thin Places: How to Find Spirituality after Deconstruction. This isn't like any book on deconstruction that you've ever read.
Dana does an amazing job…
Joylyn Weikum: LGBT Christian Resources
Today, Joe talks with Joylyn Weikum. Joylyn is the founder and director of LGBT Christian Resources. An online one stop shop for all things LGBT & Christian.
Joylyn talks about her upbringing in the …
Alyssa Aviles: The Lovely Lyss
This week, Joe talk to Alyssa Aviles. You might know her better on social media as The Lovely Lyss. Alyssa specializes in website funnels, Canva and marketing some of the more popular brands in the U…
Hannah Siegmund: Different Church
This week, we talk to Hannah Siegmund, the lead pastor of Different Church.
Hannah talks about her journey growing up in the charismatic church, how she came to embrace affirming theology and the wor…
Holly Tidwell: Hope with Holly
Today, Joe speaks with Tik Tok and social media influencer Holly Tidwell (Hope with Holly).
They have a fascinating and incredibly encouraging conversation about her life in the evangelical church, on…
April Ajoy: Star Spangled Jesus
Today we talk with author, content creator and ex-Christian Nationalist, April Ajoy.
Joe talks to her about her book, why she wrote and how she navigated the complicated relationships of the past. Ap…
Laura Whitfield: Untethered
Our guest for today is author, columnist, blogger and teacher among the many hats she has worn.
Laura talks about her upbringing in the church and a death in her formative years that radically altere…
Bri Parson: Growing up Queer in the IFB
In today's episode we talk to Bri Parson.
Joe and Bri connected in the New Evangelicals group and she wanted to come on and share her story. Bri talks about growing up in IFB churches and going to a …
Candace Leigh: Religious Indoctrination to Freedom
Today's guest is Tik Toker Candace Leigh. Candace talks about growing up in a very high control religious space and household which then led to a high control religious marriage.
This is a longer epi…
Lindsay Contreras: Restore Austin
In today's episode, Joe talks to the real brains behind the operation at Restore Austin, Lindsay Contreras.
Lindsay is the executive pastor at Restore and she shares her experiences growing up with a…
Tom Oord: Tried for Heresy
Today, Joe talks to returning guest Tom Oord. Tom is an Open and Relational theologian, professor, author and philosopher (among other things). Joe meets back up with Tom to talk about being brought …
Jarko De Witte van Leeuwen: The Growing Wall of Love
In today's episode, Joe talks to Jarko De Witt van Leeuwen. He is an artist that created a traveling piece called The Growing Wall of Love.
Jarko talks about growing up...
To see the wall of love and t…
Jen Salmon and her girls
Today Joe sits down and talks with a family from Shift GNV. Jen Salmon helps lead worship for Shift and her girls help in the kids programs and are part of the student groups.
Joe talks with Jen and …
Tim Whitaker: The New Evangelicals
This week Joe talks to Tim Whitaker from The New Evangelicals. Many of you already know Tim but do you know how he came to be not only affirming but an ally/advocate for queer inclusion in the church…
Jason Deshazo: Momma Ashley Rose
In today's episode, Joe talks with Jason Deshazo (Momma Ashley Rose) founder of The Rose Dynasty.
Joe and Jason talk about their upbringing, how the church and faith played an early role and how it's…
John Fugelsang
To kick off season 2 of Shift Happens, Joe talks with author, comedian, political commentator and how of the Sirius XM show Tell Me Everything John Fugelsang.
John talks about his unique upbringing t…
Tori Smith: A Pastor's Wife
This week Joe talks to his wife of 24 years, Tori. They talk about how they met, her role as the pastor's wife and how that created harm in her life and how she came to be open and affirming.
A lot o…