En Route: Journeys in Faith and Modern Life

Mar 28, 2026 • E276 • 00:56:36

Dennis Sanders sits down with Michael Baharaeen, chief political analyst for The Liberal Patriot, to explore the growing crisis of political polarization in America. Drawing on data, history, and his own experience working in national politics, Baharain e...

Mar 21, 2026 • E275 • 00:48:43

In part two of his conversation with Lutheran Pastor Rob Maialis, host Dennis Sanders turns the lens toward the youngest generation entering adulthood. Is there a genuine religious revival happening among Gen Z, or are we measuring the wrong things? Toget...

Mar 14, 2026 • E274 • 00:38:53

What happens when the people who built your church — the ones who carried it through lean years, chaired every committee, and showed up faithfully for decades — start to feel like the ladder has been taken away from them? In this episode, I welcome back L...

Mar 06, 2026 • E273 • 01:00:48

When the Department of Homeland Security launched Operation PARRIS in January 2026, thousands of legal refugees in Minnesota suddenly found themselves targets of ICE arrests and detention — despite having followed every rule required of them. In this epis...

Feb 27, 2026 • E272 • 00:40:52

In this conversation, David Swanson discusses his experiences as a pastor in Bronzeville, Chicago, and the role of protest within the Christian faith. He reflects on the importance of community engagement, the theological underpinnings of protest, and the...

Feb 20, 2026 • E271 • 00:51:12

 I speak with Wes Granberg-Michelson about the essential link between spirituality and social justice in today's political climate, looking at the urgency for faith communities to act while remaining grounded in spiritual practices. Drawing from his book,...

Feb 13, 2026 • E270 • 01:13:16

I engage with Pastor Anthony Robinson to discuss the contentious label of fascism in relation to Donald Trump's political rise. We look at Jonathan Rauch's essay, "Yes, It's Fascism," and explore the implications of such labels for American democracy. Rob...

Feb 06, 2026 • E269 • 00:48:55

 Rachel Pieh Jones joins to talk about the importance of potlucks in Minneapolis during a time of division. Drawing from her experiences in Djibouti and Somaliland, Rachel discusses how communal meals can bridge diverse communities and foster empathy, par...

Jan 30, 2026 • E268 • 00:55:41

Political commentator Matt Lewis joins the podcast to talk about the shifting relationship between character and politics from the 1990s to the present. We examine how character dynamics during the Bill Clinton era contrast with current debates surroundin...

Jan 23, 2026 • E267 • 00:56:09

Dr. Paul Hoffman speaks about the intersection of faith and technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI). Dr. Hoffman discusses his recent book, "AI Shepherds and Electric Sheep," exploring how AI can both aid and hinder human flourishing from a th...