Today is the final episode of Shift Happens. Thank you to each of you who've journeyed with us over these past several years. I cherish each and every story we told. Your voices made a difference to those who listened. Don't fret though! We will still be doing this, just with a much larger reach! I am partnering with The Reasoned Reality Project to bring the same kind of content and more. Click the link and follow Reasoned Reality (if you're not). Keep an eye open for the launch date.&n...

In this episode of Shift Happens, host Joe Smith talks with Keri Ladoucuer of The Post Evangelical Collective. We dive into what a healthy christian spirituality looks like, what the church could be going forward and how God often shows up from the margins. Connect with Keri and The PEC: PEC website | Instagram Connect with Joe Smith & Shift Happens: Instagram: therealjoe.smith | Shift Happens Podcast | YouTube To help support the ongoing work of Shift Happens, click HERE. ...

In this episode of Shift Happens, host Joe Smith talks with Malcolm du Plessis and Phillip Joubert of Common Hymnal. We dive into Malcolm's work in liberation movements, including anti-apartheid work in South Africa, how modern Christian music has been coopted by the white, evangelical machine and Phillip's insight on how music is a lynchpin to our resistance. Connect with Common Hymnal: Website | Instagram | Phillip Joubert | Malcolm du Plessis Connect with Joe Smith & ...

In this episode of Shift Happens, host Joe Smith talks with author, activist and theologian, Shane Claiborne. We dive into how to be part of long term, non-violent resistance, Tony Campolo, the damage Trump is creating and much more. The way Shane moves and sees the world is a breath of fresh air. If you're needing a "pick me up" during this dark season...this is it! Connect with Shane Claiborne: Website | Books | Podcast Connect with Joe Smith & Shift Happens: Instagram: ther...

In this episode of Shift Happens, host Joe Smith talks with author Danny Bryant, about his book Unless a Seed Falls to the Ground: Welcoming the Death of the Whiteness Gospel. We dive into white christian nationalism, toxic theology, and how healing looks like grief long before growth. If you’ve ever wondered what church could be, this conversation will give you language, courage, and maybe even a spark of joy for the road ahead. Connect with Danny Bryant: Quoir Author Page | Amazon Pag...

Guest: Dr. Jen Johannsen In This Episode: • How systems work unseen in our lives • Ways we can regulate ourselves in the middle of all this dehumanization • We talk a lot about the Map of Consciousness and what it means To connect with our guest, click HERE. Make sure to subscribe, give us a rating and share these stories. To connect with Joe on social media or email, please click HERE. To follow Shift Happens on Instagram, please click HERE. To help support the ongoing ...

Guest: Billie & Paul Hoard Topic: We talk to authors Billie & Paul Hoard about their new book- Eucontamination: Disgust Theology & the Christian Life. In This Episode: •You'll see how disgust is behind all the vitriol & scapegoating of the religious right •How Jesus truly upends our notions of purity •We are the poop...you'll see Connect with Billie or Paul: Billie's InstagramPaul's SubstackEucontaminiation book- Use code DISGUSTPOD at checkout for %20 off.You can now...

In this episode, Joe talks with Sophia Zoe Kilmer. We dig into the ongoing fight for civil rights and explore what it means to resist in meaningful ways. What You’ll Hear: Sophie's long history of resistance.What's really at stake in our democracy.How we lovingly fight back and what it takes to do so.Connect: Follow Sophia Zoe Kilmer HERE.Follow us on Instagram: Shift Happens PodcastSubscribe & leave a review to help others find the show.Make sure to subscribe, give us a rating and share ...

This week Joe talks with one of his old youth group students and returning guest, Madison Morrigan. It is an incredibly dark season we find ourselves in and this episode is a bright light. You will walk away feeling uplifted and so encouraged. To learn more about Madison's work and/or to follow her on social media, please click HERE. Make sure to subscribe, give us a rating and share these stories. To connect with Joe on social media or email, please click HERE. To follow Sh...

This week, Joe talks with author and theologian Keith Giles about his newest book The Quantum Gospel of Mary and The Lost Gospel of Truth. To order Keith's book, click HERE. To follow Keith on social media and/or to follow his work, click HERE.Make sure to subscribe, give us a rating and share these stories. To connect with Joe on social media or email, please click HERE. To follow Shift Happens on Instagram, please click HERE. To help support the ongoing work of Shift Happens, c...

For today's bonus episode, we listen to a recording of a conversation that Joe had with Zoe. She reached out and they hit record. If you don't know Sophia Zoe Kilmer, she is a trans activist and constitutional lawyer. Make sure to keep an eye out for her full episode in the coming month. She also JUST started an independent podcast called Sophie Talks. To subscribe and listen, click HERE. To follow her on social media, click HERE. Make sure to subscribe, give us a rating and share...

Today, we talk to Brian Recker about healthy masculinity and a ton of other things. Make sure to click the link below to preorder his upcoming book Hellbent. To follow Brian, check out his work, invite him to speak, preorder his book and much more, click HERE. Make sure to subscribe, give us a rating and share these stories. To connect with Joe on social media or email, please click HERE. To follow Shift Happens on Instagram, please click HERE. To help support the ongoing work o...

Today we've got an amazing bonus episode for you. Listener Ally Didier reached out and wanted to share her story. It is super encouraging and full of hope. In a season where that feels like it's in short order, we hope Ally's story brings you a little light. To contact Ally or to learn more about Kindred Church, click HERE. Make sure to subscribe, give us a rating and share these stories. To connect with Joe on social media or email, please click HERE. To follow Shift Happens on Instagr...

In this episode we talk with author Nia Chiaramonte about her book "I Hardly Knew Me" with is out July 8th. To follow Nia on Instagram, click HERE. To follow Nia's work or preorder I Hardly Knew Me or to explore her other works, click HERE. Show Sponsor: Groundnews.com- If you are wanting to get your news without all the junk then look no further than Ground News. The only independent news source that I trust and use. Click the link to get 40% off the exact subscription that I use: ...

This week we talk with Professor Dr. Kevin Bird. Dr. Bird is a specialist in history of the American South and teaches (among other things) about how the historical narrative is often skewed to ignore the injustices we still feel the consequences of. To learn more about Dr. Bird please click HERE. Thank you to our show sponsors: The Slippery Slope- use promo code therealjoesmith to get 10% off your purchase of any shirt, stickers or tote bag. GroundNews.com use my link...

This week, we talk with comedian Cat Alvarado. Joe and Cat talk about her story growing up in the church, her journey to where she is and how comedy plays a major role in how she sees the world. To learn more about Cat's comedy, to watch her specials, or to follow her on social media- click HERE. Make sure to subscribe, give us a rating and share these stories. To connect with Joe on social media or email, please click HERE. To follow Shift Happens on Instagram, please click HERE....

In this week's episode we talk with Jennifer Solomon. Jennifer Solomon (she/her) is the Parents and Families Support Manager for Equality Florida, leading the Parenting with Pride network. Jennifer’s advocacy work includes founding and serving as president of PFLAG Miami, where she has created a supportive space for families to receive guidance, share experiences, and become allies for their loved ones. She also co-led the Miami Coalition for Queer Youth, ensuring equitable and safe edu...

In this episode of Shift Happens, Joe sits down with Kristin Young, Experience Pastor at Mosaic Church in North Carolina, for a powerful conversation about what it means to live fully in your voice, your body, and your calling — especially in faith spaces that often ask you to play small. Kristin shares her journey of embracing her big personality and learning that taking up space is a form of resistance. We talk about the tension between authenticity and expectations, the internal work of tr...

In this week's episode, we talk to ward-winning and Billboard-charting artist Flamy Grant. Her 2022 debut record, Bible Belt Baby, reached the #1 spot on the iTunes Christian Chart (the first drag performer to achieve this feat), was nominated for Best Pop Album at the San Diego Music Awards, and was named one of the Top Ten Queer Country Albums of 2023 by Rainbow Rodeo Magazine. Her single “Good Day” debuted at #20 on the Billboard Christian digital sales chart. Her 2024 sophomore album “CHU...

This week, we talk with author Liz Charolette Grant. Joe talks to Liz about her debut book Knock at the Sky: Seeking God in Genesis After Losing Faith in the Bible. We dive into her back story, why she needed to write this particular book, her work as a birth doula and so much more. To follow Liz, order her book or to find her other writing- please click HERE. Make sure to subscribe, give us a rating and share these stories. To connect with Joe on social media or email, plea...