In this episode of The Biggest Table, I welcome Isaac Villegas, an ordained Mennonite minister and community organizer for Immigrant Justice. They discuss Villegas’s book 'Migrant God,' which explores biblical reflections on immigrant justice and Christian duty. The conversation covers Isaac’s personal experiences with his immigrant family, work wi…

In this episode of The Biggest Table podcast, I welcome Andrew Arndt, the lead pastor of New Life East in Colorado Springs, to discuss his experiences in ministry, his love for the church, and his new book, A Strange and Gracious Light. Arndt shares his deep-rooted passion for the church, influenced by his upbringing during the charismatic renewal …

In this episode of 'The Biggest Table' podcast, my guest Laurie Johnson, a political science professor at Kansas State University, delves into the socioeconomic impacts of capitalism, particularly in rural America. Drawing from her books, she examines how historical and economic shifts have led to political and cultural divisions, emphasized by urb…

Hello and welcome to another episode, well actually a re-release of my conversation with Chris Smith which was originally released on March 12, 2024. Chris and I are re-releasing this episode as Chris just published a new book entitled The Virtue of Dialogue as part of the Cultivating Communities series. This series is part of a project by Englewoo…

In this episode of The Biggest Table, I welcome Malcolm Foley, a pastor, historian, and special advisor to the president for equity and campus engagement at Baylor University. We discuss Foley’s new book, 'The Anti Greed Gospel,' which addresses the connections between greed, racism, and the economic exploitation inherent in global systems. Foley a…

In this episode of 'The Biggest Table,' Brian McLaren, a noted author, speaker, activist, and theologian, joins me to discuss his latest book, 'Life After Doom.' McLaren delves into the concept of 'doom,' describing it not as an apocalyptic end but as a psychological feeling of overwhelming crises such as climate change, economic inequality, and th…

In this episode of 'The Biggest Table', I interview Sarah Westfall, a writer, speaker, and host of the 'Human Together' podcast, known for her book 'The Way of Belonging.' We discuss themes of hospitality, belonging, and experiencing God's love through food and community. Sarah shares her personal journey of belonging, from her uncomplicated childh…

In this episode of 'The Biggest Table,' I welcome Reverend Dr. Christopher Carter to discuss the intricate connections between food, identity, and justice. Dr. Carter, an expert in black, womanist, and environmental ethics, shares insights from his upbringing in Michigan, where food insecurity during his childhood shaped his understanding of food's…

In this episode of 'The Biggest Table,' I welcome Adrian Miller, a food writer, James Beard award winner, and certified barbecue judge. We discuss Miller's transition from being a lawyer and policy advisor to President Clinton to becoming a renowned author on African American cuisine. Miller elaborates on the history and evolution of soul food, its…

In this episode of 'The Biggest Table,' I welcome Neeta Mittal, co-founder of LXV Wine, to discuss her unique journey from growing up in India to establishing a prestigious winery in Paso Robles, California. Neeta shares insights about her upbringing surrounded by diverse culinary traditions and the influence of her meticulous mother. She recounts …

In this episode of The Biggest Table, I am joined by award-winning non-fiction writer Liz Charlotte Grant. We discuss Liz's new book, Knock at the Sky: Seeking God in Genesis After Losing Faith in the Bible. The conversation delves into the themes of food, eating, and hospitality as realms for experiencing God's love and our interconnectedness. We …

If you listen regularly to the podcast, you know that towards the end of each episode, I ask the guest this question: What is the story you want the church to tell? As we wrap up 2024, and look toward 2025 with much uncertainty and maybe a little hope, I have compiled some of my favorite answers to the question in hopes that you consider for yourse…

In this episode of The Biggest Table, I talk with David Swanson, pastor of New Community Covenant Church and author of the new book Plundered. We discuss the interconnections between racial and environmental injustice, the impact of politics, and the role of faith and community in addressing these issues. Swanson shares the importance of understand…

In this episode of 'The Biggest Table' podcast, I discuss the intersection of food, table gatherings, and Christian unity with guests Heather Gorman and Mark Nelson, authors of 'Lunchroom Theology, Pushing Tables Together in a Fractured World.' The conversation explores the inspiration behind their book, which uses the metaphor of a high school lun…

In this episode of The Biggest Table, I interview Alex Early, a pastor, author, and theology professor who enjoys cooking. We discuss Alex's journey from naivete in ministry to experiencing burnout, which led him to find solace in the kitchen. Alex explains how cooking became a therapeutic and reflective practice, helping him process his thoughts a…

In this episode of The Biggest Table, host Andrew Camp explores the intersection of faith, food, and sensory experience with guest Jeannine Hanger, an associate professor of the New Testament at Talbot School of Theology. Hanger discusses her latest book, 'Engaging Jesus with Our Senses,' which examines the sensory metaphors in the Gospels and thei…

In this episode of 'The Biggest Table,' host Andrew Camp explores various aspects of Christian faith and community with Dr. Scot McKnight. The discussion emphasizes maintaining curiosity, humility, and ensuring Jesus remains the focal point in church activities and teachings. Key themes include addressing deconstruction in modern Christianity, the …

In this podcast episode of 'The Biggest Table,' host Andrew Camp engages in a conversation with Derek Vreeland, a discipleship pastor and author, about the significance of food, hospitality, and the Lord's Supper in experiencing God's love. Derek reflects on his dramatic calling to ministry and his experiences over 34 years of discipleship work. Th…

In this episode of 'The Biggest Table,' host Andrew Camp is joined by Caleb Campbell, a pastor and the author of 'Disarming Leviathan,' to discuss Christian nationalism. Pastor Campbell shares his insights on American Christian nationalism, defining it as a political ideology, a tribal identity, and a spiritual idolatry. He recounts the challenges …

In this episode of 'The Biggest Table,' host Andrew Camp discusses the transformative power of hospitality with guests Dave and Jenn Collie. The couple shares their journey, experiences, and insights into living a hospitable life, rooted in their faith and diverse backgrounds. They talk about the inception and mission of their organization, Hospita…

In this episode of 'The Biggest Table,' I delve into themes of food, hospitality, and spiritual growth with guest Rusty McKie. Rusty, a spiritual director and trauma-informed formation coach, discusses his new book 'The Art of Stability,' which is born out of his personal and relational experiences since 2016. He introduces the idea of finding stab…

In this episode of 'The Biggest Table' I am joined by renowned theologian and author Grace Ji-Sun Kim to discuss her work, her experiences with race and identity, and her thoughts on hospitality through food. Grace shares personal anecdotes, including her struggles with racism growing up in Canada and the cultural significance of Korean food. Our d…

In this episode of The Biggest Table, I speak with Kendall Vanderslice, a baker, writer, speaker, and founder of the Edible Theology Project. Kendall shares her journey into bread making and how it connects to her spirituality and faith. She discusses her early influences, the historical and theological significance of bread, and the idea of baking…

In this episode of 'The Biggest Table,' I enjoy a rich conversation with author Lore Wilbert about her latest book, 'The Understory.' The discussion delves into themes of nature, grief, and presence, as Lore shares her personal journey of finding comfort and healing in the forest. She elucidates how the forest's regenerative processes paralleled he…

In this episode of The Biggest Table, host Andrew Camp welcomes longtime friends from Park City, Utah, Nyesha, Tanisha, and Sharon, who run 11 Hauz, a Jamaican restaurant. They discuss their journey from Brooklyn to Utah, their Jamaican roots, and the rich confluence of cultures that define Jamaican cuisine. The conversation also delves into the fa…

In this episode of 'The Biggest Table,' hosted by Andrew Camp, culinary historian Michael Twitty shares insights into how food serves as a medium for exploring cultural identity, heritage, and spirituality. Twitty, the creator of the blog Afroculinaria and author of award-winning books like 'The Cooking Gene' and 'Kosher Soul,' delves into his jour…

In this episode of The Biggest Table, hosted by Andrew Camp, guest Amy Dolan discusses the intersection of food, faith, and community. Amy, who hosts the Feeding People podcast and founded Sunday Supper Church, shares her journey through the traditions of a Jewish and Christian upbringing, how cooking became a creative outlet during her ministry, a…

In this episode of The Biggest Table, host Andrew Camp is joined by Derrick Weston, a community organizer, theological education and training coordinator for Creation Justice Ministries, and co-author of The Just Kitchen. They discuss the intersection of food, faith, and social justice, highlighting the significance of food in experiencing God's lo…

In this episode of The Biggest Table, host Andrew Camp explores the intersection of food, wine, hospitality, and spirituality with guest Adam McHugh. McHugh, a former Presbyterian minister turned wine tour guide and sommelier, discusses his transformative journey into the wine industry, chronicled in his memoir 'Blood from a Stone'. They delve into…

In this episode of The Biggest Table, host Andrew Camp engages in a profound discussion with Gisela, a theologian and writer with deep roots in Christian spirituality and a passion for exploring the holistic embodiment of spirituality through creation. Focused on her experiences growing up in a family-owned winery in Germany and how it shaped her v…

In this episode of The Biggest Table, host Andrew Camp discusses with Andy Root, a professor of Youth and Family Ministry, the intersection of faith, hospitality, and our secular age. Root elaborates on his six-volume series, 'Ministry in a Secular Age,' emphasizing the challenges and opportunities for experiencing God in the modern world, particul…

Join me in my conversation with Richard Beck. We explore the themes of hospitality, hope, and enchantment in Christian practice. From embracing marginalized individuals with grace to recovering an enchanted faith in a skeptical age, the conversation delves into the significance of ordinary moments, like sharing meals, in cultivating a sense of wond…

In this episode I have a rich conversation with Chris Smith. We cover a range of topics, starting with his own personal journey of food over the past ten years. But we spend the majority of our time using a couple of Chris’s books, namely Slow Church and How the Body of Christ Talks, to dialogue about the importance of conversation for the health o…

Being an election year, there will be calls for civility, especially in Christian circles. But Kathy Khang (and her coauthor Matt) believe that Christians are not called to be civil, but rather through the fruit of the Spirit embrace the discomfort and hard work of loving disagreement. Listen in as Kathy and I have a rich conversation about the fru…

In this episode, I am joined by the owner and founder of Wild Goose Coffee, Nate Westwick. We talk about coffee a lot, but more than just coffee, we talk about why coffee is important for communities, and how coffee might help us pay attention to the world around us. We also talk about Nate’s new book, Clearing the Path, and his journey as an autho…

A chance encounter with a gentleman back in 2008, while he and his church were cleaning and restoring a cemetery, sent Chris questioning how and why he did church, In 2018 he began to find answers to these questions when he started a garden. Since 2018, Chris has sought to fight food insecurity in his zipcode in Knoxville, seeking to transform a fo…

In this episode, I am joined by my friend from graduate school, Jen Manglos. Jen leads people as a pilgrimage guide, having walked all or parts of the Camino de Santiago multiple times. Jen shares how being a pilgrim has shaped her view of food and hospitality, while also sharing ways in which she has grown in embracing her own embodiedness and lim…

Food occupies a central place and sometimes disproportionate place in our lives. Researchers have noted that we make over 200 food choices a day, many without much deliberation. And so whether our thoughts about food center around having too little or too much, whether we have a distorted view of food or a healthy view of food, food and eating is s…

In this episode, I turn the hosting duties over to my friend Peter Englert, as he interviews me. This is a chance for you to get to know me and my journey with food from daily dinners with the family to meals shared in China to my relationship with Grandpa to cooking professionally. As I reflect on my journey with Peter, I begin to see cooking as a…

In this episode I talk with my good friend Monica Romig-Green, and her journey with food, starting with her family to sharing meals with her good friend Mike. After, we talk ministry, food, and being with people. Monica was born and raised in Southern California and fell in love with Canada after living in Toronto in the early 2010s. She was ordain…

In this episode, I have a conversation with Alex Mandes, who has worked extensively with churches to help them embrace the multi-cultural reality all around them. We especially focus on the nature of meals within Latino culture (which is naturally diverse in and of itself), while also talking about Jesus on the margins. Alex Mandes is a leader with…

In this episode, I talk with Michael Frost, author and international speaker, who has written extensively on the mission of the church and how the church might move forward in today's culture. He shares his insight into meals and how they shaped the early church, and how we might recover that today. Check out his newest book Mission Is the Shape of…

In this inaugural episode of The Biggest Table, I am joined by my good friend, Ty Hoad. Ty recounts his own journey with food and unreasonable expectations he put on people. We also look back at the meals we have shared together, including peach donuts, white truffle risotto, and smoked Waygu short ribs.…