Best Alex Graeber Podcasts (2025)

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A Southern European in the Southern United States - Alex Smith 32:29

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1h ago32:29

32:29

Alex Smith spent his formative years as a missionary kid in Southern Europe, a place torn by war and violence. Today he is a minister, science teacher and award-winning videographer sharing his love for God, neighbor and creation in Atlanta, Georgia. In this podcast, Alex talks about being a refugee, a minister and a millennial in the world today. …

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The Strange Alliance Between Atheists and Fundamentalists - Don Gordon 24:06

7d ago24:06

24:06

When it comes to reading the Bible, you might think atheists and Christian fundamentalists are worlds apart. But surprisingly, they often share the same approach: both insist Leviticus must be read in a flat, literal way. For atheists, that proves the Bible is absurd. For fundamentalists, it reinforces their views on morality and sexuality. In this…

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God, Pandemics and the Holocaust - Clifford Cain 36:19

26d ago36:19

36:19

How can a God who is all-knowing and all-powerful allow such horrors as the Holocaust or COVID-19, tragedies that claimed millions of lives, including those of children? Did they deserve it? Is it simply the cost of human freedom? Or must we accept the mystery of God’s ways? In his twelfth book, God, Pandemics and the Holocaust, Cliff Cain offers a…

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Urban Church Goes Green - Rev. Emily Hull McGee 31:47

2M ago31:47

31:47

In this podcast, Emily Hull McGee, Senior Pastor at First Baptist on Fifth in downtown Winston-Salem, NC talks about her congregation’s focus on creation care in the summer of 2024. Revealing theological foundations and practical applications, she offers a model for other churches to give needed attention to this aspect of Christian discipleship. Y…

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An Agrarian Reading of the Bible - Ellen Davis, Duke Theologian 33:28

2M ago33:28

33:28

Ellen Davis, makes the compelling argument that if you want to understand the Bible you must read it as an agrarian. The Bible is about land and food, more than it is about a ticket in heaven. In this podcast, Davis discusses with C3 leader Don Gordon, the message of her highly esteemed book Scripture, Culture, and Agriculture: An Agrarian Reading …

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After the Flood - Lauren Graeber 32:07

3M ago32:07

32:07

In today's podcast spiritual guide and educator Lauren Graeber talks about her new book After the Flood, created in response to Hurricane Helene. She explores writing as a tool for reflection, healing, and rebuilding in the wake of collective trauma. You can purchase Lauren's book in bookstores across western North Carolina. You can access more of …

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159. Instrumental or Intrinsic? 41:42

3M ago41:42

41:42

In this episode, Alex and Craig revisit the story of the prodigal son, but with a twist. What happens when the son returns home and tries to earn his way back into the Father's favor? This leads to a vulnerable and timely conversation about how we see value, in ourselves, in others, and even in God. Are we caught in an exhausting cycle of performan…

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C-Change Conversations - Kathleen Biggins 36:22

3M ago36:22

36:22

Kathleen Biggins noticed in 2014 there was a need to talk about climate change in a non-partisan, evidence-based style that drew people in rather than turning them away. So she founded C-Change Conversations. She is very effective in communicating with those who are skeptical or unconvinced about the need to address climate change. In this podcast …

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158. The Carnival | Surface Tension 38:20

4M ago38:20

38:20

What if life is like a carnival, and we’re running from booth to booth, chasing prizes that never satisfy? In this episode, Alex and Craig dive into a vivid dream about a carnival, revealing how we often find ourselves hustling for worth, approval, and success in all the wrong places.

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The Green Good News - Wilson Dickinson 35:42

4M ago35:42

35:42

Wilson Dickinson’s The Green Good News offers a powerful message of hope and joy in a world often overshadowed by violence and despair. The Green Good News contrasts the good news of Jesus Christ, lived out in covenant community, with the Bad News of the Empire where a few people win and most people lose. Through his writing and example, he inspire…

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Creation Care: The Most Effective Antidote to Christian Nationalism--Don Gordon 28:13

4M ago28:13

28:13

Christian nationalism is an emerging and growing threat to the church, the country and the creation. In this podcast, C3 founder Don Gordon explains that Christian nationalism is a distortion of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He then shows how a robust narrative and practice of caring for God’s creation becomes the best antidote to Christian nationali…

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157. Refusing Affirmations | Surface Tension 35:42

5M ago35:42

35:42

Why is it so easy to believe the worst about ourselves, and so hard to receive what’s good and true? In this episode, Alex and Craig explore why affirmations often bounce off our hearts while criticism cuts deep. They reflect on the emotional walls we build, the spiritual consequences of rejecting love, and the importance of choosing to trust the v…

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156. Judgement Day | Surface Tension 38:19

5M ago38:19

38:19

When you hear the words “Judgment Day,” do you feel fear… or anticipation? In this episode, Alex and Craig challenge the fire-and-brimstone narrative by asking a bold question: Should we actually be excited for it? Through the stories of Babel, Jesus' mercy, and personal reflections, they explore what it means to truly believe that Christ has alrea…

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A Better Good Samaritan - Joe Blosser 40:16

5M ago40:16

40:16

What if the Parable of the Good Samaritan could be rewritten so that the good Samaritan did things BEFORE the man was beaten, robbed and wounded which prevented the terrible event from happening in the first place? This is what Joe Blosser explores in his provocative book “To Love Our Neighbors: Radical Practices in Solidarity, Sufficiency and Sust…

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155. Two Things at Once | Surface Tension 39:37

5M ago39:37

39:37

What if two seemingly opposite emotions (like fear and joy, or vulnerability and safety) could exist together, rather than cancel each other out? In this episode, Alex and Craig explore the surprising spiritual maturity found in holding tension: between shame and love, pain and hope, disappointment and delight. Drawing from personal stories, relati…

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154. Surface Tension Spotlight: Jim Moss 54:37

5M ago54:37

54:37

What does it look like to serve God on the frontlines (literally)? In this gripping episode, former SWAT team member and Air Rescue 5 veteran Jim Moss shares how decades in high-stakes law enforcement shaped his faith, refined his prayer life, and revealed God’s purpose in both chaos and stillness. From spiritual awakenings during tactical raids to…

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Under the Francis Tree - Eric Howell 38:55

5M ago38:55

38:55

What do you get when you combine a Baptist pastor and Roman Catholic St. Francis of Assisi? You discover a path that offers hope for reconciliation between ourselves and God, with one another and brother earth. In this podcast Eric Howell talks his just published book, Under the Francis Tree, inviting us to gaze upon the holy ground where we gather…

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153. Big G, little g | Surface Tension 32:52

6M ago32:52

32:52

In this episode of Surface Tension, Alex and Craig explore the concept of choosing which "god" to serve in life, discussing the difference between the "Big G God" (the one true God) and the many "little g gods" that often distract us, such as societal approval, money, and comfort. They reflect on how these "little g gods" can subtly take control of…

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152. Two for Two? | Surface Tension 37:55

6M ago37:55

37:55

Are you okay? Are things going to be okay? In this episode, Alex and Craig go beneath the surface to explore these two deceptively simple questions. They reflect on how childhood, emotional wounds, and our pursuit of validation shape our sense of security and identity. Through personal stories and spiritual insight, they invite listeners to conside…

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151. The Three Big Assumptions | Surface Tension 51:19

6M ago51:19

51:19

In this episode, Alex and Craig unpack three foundational questions: Who is God really? Do we want to live in reality? How important is love? The way we answer these shapes everything—from our faith to our relationships. Join the conversation as we examine the illusions we cling to, confront the truth God invites us into, and discover how shifting …

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Pope Francis: The Environmental Pope - Clifford Cain 36:30

7M ago36:30

36:30

Pope Francis is the strongest environmental advocate the Roman papacy has ever produced. Author Clifford Cain tells us in this podcast about his life before the papacy, including his days as a bouncer in a bar. He discloses Francis' vision of humanity’s relationship to the creation and his call to repent for our lack of real action on climate chang…

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150. Surface Tension Spotlight: Melissa Whiteman 43:07

7M ago43:07

43:07

Craig and Alex sit down to hear Melissa Whiteman's God Story. From an early age, Melissa faced hardships many wouldn’t be able to bear. From extreme violence to drug use and trafficking, she found herself desperate for God, and by His divine grace and intervention, she was saved in more ways than one. She has devoted her life to helping children in…

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149. Seeing The Soul | Surface Tension 42:27

7M ago42:27

42:27

Craig and Alex explore what it means to love someone for their soul, rather than merely for their thoughts, emotions, or decisions: an approach that surpasses the typical focus of most personal relationships.

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What Does a Man Learn About Climate When He Hikes the Tallest Mountains in the World? - Tom Nisbett 36:56

7M ago36:56

36:56

Tom Nisbett has a PhD in Economics and has hiked the tallest mountains on all seven continents. In this podcast we hear about the physical and spiritual experiences of these hikes, along with an eyewitness account of the effect of climate change all over the world. You can get a copy of his just published book, Moving Mountains, detailing these exp…

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148. AI and God | Surface Tension 46:47

7M ago46:47

46:47

Craig and Alex discuss the spiritual implications of the impending AI revolution, and examine what underlying assumptions and promises have been motivating people to do and become more.

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147. A Misaligned Magician | Surface Tension 41:07

7M ago41:07

41:07

Craig and Alex explore Acts 8:9-25, the story of Simon the Magician, and reflect on what it means to surrender our version of "good" for His ultimate "Good."

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The Man Who Makes Rain – Chris Searles 38:25

7M ago38:25

38:25

Can a human being do something to make it rain? Chris Searles would say humans can’t make rain, but trees can. And we can hydrate trees in a way that accelerates their capabilities in making rain. The founder of Biointegrity.net, Chris has found success in enhancing a region’s rainfall. This podcast tells the story of someone who may have discovere…

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146. The Perfect Coach | Surface Tension 36:32

8M ago36:32

36:32

Craig and Alex discuss reclaiming how we move through the world and how we all need coaches, one coach in particular.

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Hildegard of Bingen, First Female Christian Scientist --Clifford Cain 33:09

8M ago33:09

33:09

Hildegard was sent to the abbey at the age of 8, a tithe from her devoted Catholic parents to the church. And what a gift she was. Mystic, visionary, composer of hymns, and first female scientist in the Christian community, Hildegard was canonized by the Catholic church in 2012. Listen to Cliff Cain, expert on Hildegard, tell about this 12th centur…

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Jimmy Carter's Environmental Legacy - Gary Gunderson 32:50

9M ago32:50

32:50

Jimmy Carter did more for the environment than any other president in history, including Teddy Roosevelt. As we reflect on his 100 years of life and leadership, we offer this podcast with Gary Gunderson, who worked for 10 years at the Carter Center in Atlanta. Listen and learn how President Carter was ahead of his time in many areas, but especially…

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145. Navigating Suffering | Surface Tension 41:31

9M ago41:31

41:31

Craig and Alex explore what it means to navigate challenging times—whether you're the one in the hot seat or supporting someone who is.

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Walking the Gospel - Tom Nisbett 31:06

9M ago31:06

31:06

Tom Nisbett is a Christian environmentalist, mountaineer, and organizational consultant with a PhD from Texas Tech University. In this podcast, Tom tells us how he has “walked the Gospel,” hiking up mountains with Jesus across America and around the world. The spiritual journal documenting these journeys is found in his latest book “Retreat Upward:…

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144. Surface Tension Spotlight: Doc Jacobs 48:37

9M ago48:37

48:37

Craig sits down with Pastor Doc Jacobs to discuss "everywhere ministry," true courage, and how even pastors must constantly reset on prioritizing Jesus, family, and community.

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143. Christmas Questions for Jesus | Surface Tension 43:21

9M ago43:21

43:21

Craig opens with the seemingly counter-intuitive question of "What are the wrong questions to ask around Christmas time?"

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St. Francis of Assisi, Patron Saint of Ecology - Clifford Cain 35:04

9M ago35:04

35:04

Francis of Assisi left a life of luxury and privilege in the 13th century to become the leader of young Italian disciples devoted to poverty and simplicity. Author and professor, Clifford Cain, tells the fascinating tale of his life and his eventual canonization in the Roman Catholic church as the patron saint of ecology. You can find all ten of Cl…

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142. Levels of Prayer | Surface Tension 36:22

9M ago36:22

36:22

Craig and Alex address the somewhat daunting question of "how's your prayer life?"

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141. Surface Tension Spotlight: Vincent Dioguardi 49:09

10M ago49:09

49:09

Craig and Alex sit down with Vincent Dioguardi to hear his "God Story." From near death experiences, to overcoming addiction and homelessness, Vincent attributes his miraculous life to the one who loved him when nobody else would.

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140. Do We Want What We "Want"? | Surface Tension 41:58

10M ago41:58

41:58

Craig poses the question: What if the reward or payoff of something is scary, or isn't something we actually want? Surface Tension is brought to you by https://www.goministryinternational.org

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What the Trump Election Means for the Environment -- Don Gordon 23:08

11M ago23:08

23:08

Now that Donald Trump has been elected as the 47th President of the U.S., what happens to the environment? We find the answer in two places—his first administration and Project 2025, a blueprint for his second administration. Listen to C3 Founder Don Gordon highlight some of the polices and positions likely to take place in the next Trump administr…

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139. Spending Time with the Coach | Surface Tension 40:12

11M ago40:12

40:12

Craig and Alex, upon returning from a weekend men's retreat, discuss seeing God, themselves, and others through a new lens. The challenge for us is not only recognizing God's reality, but how to consistently walk in it. Finding our true purpose and living it out is contingent on having an accurate view of God, knowing how he sees us, and knowing ho…

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138. Hidden Idols of the Heart | Surface Tension 41:28

11M ago41:28

41:28

Craig and Alex discuss the 20 "hidden idols of the heart" as outlined by Tim Keller. The 20 idols are as follows: “Life only has meaning/I only have worth if… 1. I have power and influence over others.” (Power Idolatry) 2. I am loved and respected by _____.” (Approval Idolatry) 3. I have this kind of pleasure experience, a particular quality of lif…

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137. Surface Tension Spotlight: Jenna Nelson 49:20

11M ago49:20

49:20

Craig and Alex sit down with Jenna Nelson to hear about what it looks like to create emotional safety with God. In a world that doesn’t feel particularly easy to navigate as a young person, Jenna shares her God story, giving both hope and insight for followers of Jesus, young and old, alike.

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Why Hurricane Helene Was So Devastating -- Robert Davies 38:40

12M ago38:40

38:40

Why did a hurricane making landfall in Florida have such a devastating impact on those living in the mountains of western North Carolina? That is the question addressed in this podcast by Robert Davies, C3 scientific consultant and physical science professor at Utah State University. Learn more about C3 at ChristiansCaringforCreation.org. Theme mus…

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136. Surface Tension Spotlight: Dan Roberts 57:00

12M ago57:00

57:00

Craig and Alex sit down with Dan Roberts, a faith giant, to discuss his God story. Dan, a proud father of four and great nephew of Oral Roberts, has worked in both ministry and industry. In addition to owning technology, background screening, and insurance companies, he founded a staffing agency, Premier Staffing, which was later re-branded as “Hir…

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Top Ten Ways to Care for Creation Today - Don Gordon 28:37

12M ago28:37

28:37

This episode is the fourth in a series on “Why Care for Creation" and features C3 founder Don Gordon's top ten list on ways we can care for God’s creation today. Some helpful links in this podcast include: Pulitzer Prize-winning, non-partisan website: Insideclimatenews.org Link to contact elected officials: https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials Lea…

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135. Where's the Fruit? | Surface Tension 36:11

12M ago36:11

36:11

Craig and Alex discuss the directionality of spiritual fruit.

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134. A Restored Tow-truck? | Surface Tension 37:56

12M ago37:56

37:56

Craig and Alex discuss Peter's denial and restoration.

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One Home, One Future -- Carol Devine 34:03

1y ago34:03

34:03

How can I walk more gently on the earth? That is a question Carol Devine asks individuals and faith communities. A former preschool and kindergarten teacher called by God to connect her faith with her love for the earth, this is the story of one woman on a mission to remind humans to care for the one home God has created. She is the facilitator of …