Podcasts

This podcast episode is taken from a recording of a webinar. Body indicators such as nose, hair, and flesh tones are relied upon for the perpetuation of prejudice, bias, and presumed privilege. What would it mean to unlearn, then relearn more liberative ways of reading the body? Can the truncated imagination which only sees value in the white body be rekindled to see worth in all bodies? The featured speakers for this event are Dr. Melanie Harris (Texas Christian University) and Dr. Jennifer Harvey (Drake University).

Student Formation can no longer ignore educational debt.  Why are faculty reticent to confront student debt? What does it mean that the burden of debt is significantly higher among minoritized students? What if justice for students requires strategies concerning money, wealth, and debt management? Dr. Nancy Lynne Westfield hosts Dr. Jo Ann Deasy (The Association of Theological Schools).

The current liminality is not temporary, is not new, and is a huge challenge to the traditions and norms of educational institutions.  What kind of leadership/management is needed? To what kind of student preparation will we shift? Can creative innovation inform our decisions and transform our schools? Dr. Nancy Lynne Westfield hosts Dr. Angela D. Sims (Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School).

Helping students look for and find ways to celebrate the strengths and possibilities of democracy and be clear about the damaged and harming aspects. Who are the teaching exemplars who exude graciousness, compassion, and power? What does it mean to be a human being in this society and in our classrooms?  Dr. Nancy Lynne Westfield hosts Dr. Rachel Harding (University of Colorado, Denver).

Designing innovative ways to integrate research with the classroom experience. Students' questions vary with aspirations - course preparation must anticipate students' needs, wants, seasons of life. All ah-hah! moments are not the same! What if creative bravery is needed for better teaching and original scholarship? Dr. Nancy Lynne Westfield hosts Dr. Monique Moultrie (Georgia State University). 

This episode is taken from a previously recorded webinar. The everyday pressure of racist climates wears upon the body, mind and soul of teachers. What practices of health, wellness, and self-care might prolong the life of a scholar in a racist, toxic, climate? The featured speakers for this event are Dr. Melanie Harris (Texas Christian University) and Dr. Jennifer Harvey (Drake University).

The challenge of discussing contested ideas is not the threat of personal offense, but the likelihood of continued violence and oppression in the wider society. What does it take to foster life-orienting discussions which generatively reflect upon the insurrection, the quarantine, and the BLM? Can we reconstitute the very nature of the adult classroom to grapple with our changed and changing society? What does it mean to teach students who possess different core values than our own? Dr. Nancy Lynne Westfield hosts Dr. Ben Sanders (Eden Theological Seminary). 

Now, students are multi-vocational and depend upon theological education to address this expanding complexity. What does it mean to prepare students to be socially conscious and justice minded? What if innovative models overtax faculty capacity? Digital-age students require new meaning making strategies. Dr. Nancy Lynne Westfield hosts Dr. Vanessa Lovelace (Lancaster Theological Seminary). 

For good teaching, we must consider teaching and personal economics, institutional economics, societal economic influences. In what ways do vocational aspirations and goals need to align with the economics of the school? Where do I find information about the economic viability of my school? What is the 2026 cliff? Dr. Nancy Lynne Westfield hosts Dr. Roger Nam (Candler School of Theology - Emory University).

Logos Evangelical Seminary teaches in Mandarin - a radical and timely seminary. Given the rise in immigrant people and churches, what kind of seminaries are needed? What does it mean to teach a blend of East and West?  New seminaries embody a counter-cultural, counter-narrative of hope for the future. Nancy Lynne Westfield hosts Dr. Chloe Sun (Logos Evangelical Seminary).