The Great Collide

Hope Is Here!

Dr. Luther E. Smith, Jr. from Candler School of Theology, Emory University, discusses his inspiring new book, Hope is Here! Spiritual Practices for Pursuing Justice and Beloved Community.

Episode 9: The Jesse Jackson Archives

The new season of the “Our 7 Neighbors!!” podcast features archival interviews from Chicago Theological Seminary’s Rev. Jesse Jackson Oral Archive Project paired with contemporary voices from community, faith, and social justice movements based in Chicago. Jasmin and Leanne talk about that history with Rev. Brian Smith, Director of Community Relations and Strategic Partnerships at Chicago.

How the Changing Religious Landscape is Changing Politics

America’s religious landscape is undergoing a profound shift, Over the last thirty years, the percentage of Americans who identify as non-religious has quadrupled, and nearly half of Generation Z considers themselves to be “nones.” This change has profound implications for upcoming elections, including the 2024 presidential contest. Ryan Burge, associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University and the research director for Faith Counts breaks down the numbers.

Why Do We Always Have toTalk About Race?

Why do we always have to talk about race? That’s the question some parents ask as schools in Blue states teach critical race theory and civil rights history. Meanwhile, in some red states, teaching about race and racism has been banned.
Alicia Reese and Robert Crouch, co-moderators of the Presbyterian Church’s Commission on Antiracism and Equity, tell us how they talk about race in the context of the church, and how those lessons can be applied to politically diverse groups.

Changing Minds by ”Painting the Beautiful Tomorrow”

Rev. Dr. Craig Howard, Executive Presbyter for the Presbytery of Chicago, shares a bold way to convince Americans to change their minds about political and cultural issues.

The Great Collide: Changing Your View of the Opposing Side

When David Zahl writes about anthropology he’s not talking about studying some ancient culture or a trendy clothing store. He’s talking about what we believe human beings are like, and how these beliefs can shape our views on our two favorite subjects, politics and religion.

The Great Collide: Comparing Two Great Methodist Divides

Garrett Theological Seminary professor Dr. Barry Bryant gives us a historical perspective on how the current split in the United Methodist Church compares with the great Methodist divide over slavery in 1844.

The Great Collide: Chicago’s Mayoral Election

Rev. Myron McCoy, Senior Pastor of First United Methodist Church at the Chicago Temple, helps us distill the choice between Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas, Chicago's mayoral candidates who represent the same divide we see nationally: Black Lives Matter vs. Back the Blue.

Episode 2: The History of African Americans on Chicago’s North Shore

Dino Robinson, founder of Shorefront Legacy Center in Evanston, and Dr. Michael Nabors, Senior Pastor atSecond Baptist Church, one of the oldest African Americancongregations on the North Shore, share the history of thriving suburban African American communities and how they stood against redlining and sundown laws.

The Great Collide, Episode 1

The Great Collide is hosted by Rev. Jasmin Taylor, former digi-pastor at Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, and Rev. Leanne Noland, Pastor of Nashville Grace United Methodist Church in Nashville, IL. Tune in for conversations that will challenge what you think about your politics and your faith.