In this first episode of season five, I am joined by my friend and colleague Andrew Dungan as we reflect on the place we find ourselves in — culturally, spiritually, and personally. We talk honestly about the restlessness many of us feel and how that led us to discover and appreciate the Anabaptist tradition. This conversation is about naming where we are, not to despair, but to make space for something new to emerge — a way of life grounded in presence, hope, and shared humanity.

Many of us are living with a deep dissatisfaction — with organized religion as it’s been, with society as it is, and with the pace and patterns of life that leave us fragmented and exhausted.

Counter Presence: Dissatisfaction Rooted in Hope is a series of conversations born from that unrest, and from a longing to live more grounded, more human, and more faithful lives. Rooted in the conviction that the Anabaptist tradition offers a wealth of wisdom for these times, we take the time to explore what it means to cultivate a countercultural presence — one that is shaped by the life and teachings of Jesus, and formed through community, simplicity, mutuality, and hope.

Not as an escape, but as a faithful way of being in the world, together.

Intro/Outro music by Skinfiltr8r.