The Fascinating Podcast

Why are so many female characters in the Bible ignored, marginalized or sexualized? Dr. Sandra Glahn joins us to discuss her new project, Vindicating the Vixens. We explore John 4 and Jesus' encounte…

Stephen R. Donaldson returns to the StoryMen to discuss his new book, Seventh Decimate. We talk about pursuing knowledge in the age of alternative facts and fake news, and the StoryMen convince Steve…

Pastor and author Tara Beth Leach brings us a new vision for empowering women in ministry. Drawing from her new book, Emboldened, she demonstrates how empowered women are good news for the whole Chur…

White people find race challenging to talk about. Far too often conversations around race summon feelings of shame and anger. Author, pastor and justice activist Ken Wytsma helps us talk about white …

Science-fiction author David Walton joins us to explore his new book The Genius Plague. A hard-science novel about a terrifying smart-zombie apocalypse raises questions about what it means to be huma…

After eight seasons of the StoryMen, JR. finally publishes his first book! We get the scoop on Empathy for the Devil, including a deep dive on Jezebel. Plus, a giveaway with a surprise prize.

In this week's episode we tackle the controversy over NFL personnel protesting the National Anthem. What's it all mean and what is an appropriate response? We also consider why the billion dollar Ame…

Our co-host Clay got engaged over the summer! We welcome his fiance Jen to the show to get the scoop on how they met and how he popped the question. Plus, Jen joins in on our PPOWs and of course disp…

The StoryMen return once more! We catch up on our very eventful summers. We update you on the various projects we have brewing. We recap our favorite books of the summer. And we argue over which movi…

Churches all over North America are in sharp decline - especially among younger believers. Author Zach Hoag sees this not as a threat, but an opportunity. It's an apocalypse - a revealing of deep pro…

Evangelicalism tends to create anxiety in us - that we're not doing enough to earn God's love. Author Ed Cyzewski joins us to share his path from anxiety to security, through the path of contemplativ…

Since Matt just put out a new translation of the book of Ruth, we discuss the issues that go into translating the Bible. What questions do translators have to ask themselves? What're our favorite tra…

Late Night has become a landscape of political humor. What is satire? When is it effective? And what effect is the current brand of political humor having on American culture? PLUS: Guardians of the …

In light of some recent confusion surrounding the Civil War, Clay leads us in a historical discussion of President Andrew Jackson and the causes of the Civil War. We also argue about Guardians of the…

The StoryMen welcome author and beaver-pants-maker Paul J Pastor to talk mysticism and his new book The Listening Day.

Since Summer is nearly here (unless you live in TX like Clay and JR.), we each pick three books we've loved lately. That's nine total books you want to add to your list. PLUS updates on all three Sto…