In this episode, I welcome new guest Dr. Ryan Burge, an associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University. He is the author or co-author of four books including The Nones, 20 Myths about Religion and Politics in America, and The Great Dechurching. He has written for the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and POLITICO. He has also appeared on 60 Minutes, where Anderson Cooper called him, "one of the leading data analysts of religion and politics in the United States." He previously served as a pastor of an American Baptist Church for over seventeen years.

Together, we dive into Ryan's journey as a researcher, data analyst, and person of faith exploring the nuanced landscape of American religion and politics. Our conversation covers the growth of the religiously unaffiliated "nones" and "dones" and examines the broader implications of religious disaffiliation across America. We also discuss the intricate dynamics between faith communities, political identities, and the strong cultural markers that influence them. Ryan sheds light on the important role that empathy, service, and community engagement play in his work and life, and underscores the significance of faithful mission over perceived success.

• Website & Books (drburge.com/books)
• Substack (@ryanburge)
• Instagram (@graphsaboutreligion)
• X/Twitter (@ryanburge)

Reverend Adam Hamilton is the founding Senior Pastor of the Church of the Resurrection in Kansas City, the largest Methodist church in the U.S. Adam grew up in the Kansas City area, earned a Bachelor’s degree in Pastoral Ministry from Oral Roberts University and a Master of Divinity degree from Southern Methodist University. He is the author of numerous books, served as a presidential appointee in the White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives, and frequently speaks on leadership across the US.

In this episode, we discuss our collaborative work to promote kindness and depolarize America through initiatives like the Campaign for Kindness and Braver Angels. Adam shares insights on his church's growth, guiding principles, and the importance of fostering intellectual and spiritual discourse within diverse congregations. We also explore how faith communities can model respectful political dialogue and embody Christ's teachings to create a more just and equitable world.

Cathy Bien, lead director of communications and public relations at Church of the Resurrection, also joins to discuss their collaborative projects and campaigns to encourage kindness and empathy in advance of the 2024 election.

• Adam's Website & Books (adamhamilton.com/books)
• Facebook (@PastorAdamHamilton)
• X / Twitter (@RevAdamHamilton)
• Instagram (@RevAdamHamilton)
• Campaign for Kindness (campaignforkindness.com)
• Resurrection, A United Methodist Church (resurrection.church)
• Sermons on YouTube

Rabbi Matthew D. Gewirtz joins me to discuss his journey towards becoming a rabbi, the challenges faced in his role, and his deep involvement in interfaith work. The discussion also covers the Hebrew concept of machloket (disagreeing without rancor), its relevance in the current crisis between Israel and Gaza, and the importance of interfaith dialogue both for religious leaders and the wider community.

Rabbi Matthew D. Gewirtz began his tenure as the Senior Rabbi of Temple B’nai Jeshurun in July 2006. Previously he served as Senior Associate Rabbi of Congregation Rodeph Sholom.

A strong advocate of social justice, Rabbi Gewirtz was a founding executive committee member of the Newark Coalition for Hope and Peace, an interfaith organization of Jews, Christians and Muslims that was committed to ending gang violence in Newark from 2007-2017. Rabbi Gewirtz currently serves at the President of the Coalition of Religious Leaders for the State of New Jersey.

A regular contributor to numerous professional publications, including the CCAR Journal, The American Rabbi and The Wisdom Daily. He is the author of “The Gift of Grief: Finding Peace, Transformation and Renewed Life after Great Sorrow” (Random House). His second book, “To Build a Brave Space: The Making of a Spiritual First Responder” came out in November, 2022 (Post Hill Press).

Rabbi Gewirtz is a Fellow at the National Jewish Think Tank CLAL. He appears as a commentator on religion on MSNBC’s Morning Joe and CNN’s State of the Union. He was a tri-anchor of PBS’s (NJTV), A Matter of Faith with an Imam, Bishop and Rabbi from 2016-2020 along with Imam W. Deen Shariff and myself.

Rabbi Gewirtz is married to Lauren Rutkin, a philanthropy advisor. They are the proud parents of Jake, Natalia and Sadie. Rabbi Gewirtz is also an ardent fan of baseball (NY Mets) and football (NY Jets).

• X / Twitter (@rabbimat)
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RabbiMatt
• Website: https://rabbimattgewirtz.com

If you enjoy this podcast and would like to find more content like this, please visit my website at www.markbeckwith.net, where you can listen to more episodes (and read episode transcripts), read my blog, and sign up to get weekly reflections in your inbox. I also explore the themes of this podcast further in my book, Seeing the Unseen: Beyond Prejudices, Paradigms, and Party Lines.

This episode of the Reconciliation Roundtable podcast was edited, mixed, and produced by Luke Overstreet.