

Liminal Living
Dr. Thomas J Rundel
Welcome to the Liminal Living Podcast, where we dive deep into the realm of liminal spaces—those transitional phases where uncertainty is our companion. I'm your host and curator of conversations, Dr. Tom Rundel, and it's my pleasure to serve as your guide through these uncharted territories. With a doctoral background in spirituality and leadership from Portland Seminary, my research has centered on the spirituality found in the narratives of liminality in the Bible, but I have expanded my research to include other faith traditions and cognitive science. Since our launch in 2023, we've been dedicated to exploring the nuances of dark nights and deconstructions, but our journey expanded to include insights from a diverse array of modern-day thinkers and artists. Through a blend of stories, practices, and perspectives, we provide valuable guidance for fellow travelers navigating their own liminal spaces. So, join us as we embark on this journey and embrace the uncertainty in order to uncover the hidden wisdom that lies within the liminal spaces of life.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 12, 2025 • 1h 6min
144: Kathy Khang: You Made it Weird, When Faith Divorces from Life
In this engaging conversation, Tom Rundel and Kathy Khang explore the complexities of faith, deconstruction, and the journey towards reimagining spirituality in a modern context. They discuss the importance of love, community, and the challenges of navigating conversations with differing perspectives. Kathy shares her insights on embodied theology, the significance of human connection, and the need for authenticity in faith practices. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of acknowledging past mistakes, trusting one's voice, and finding magic in everyday moments, ultimately advocating for a more compassionate and human-centered approach to spirituality.takeawaysKathy emphasizes the importance of love in understanding God.Navigating tensions between love and anger is crucial in today's world.Conversations with differing perspectives require discernment and good faith.Embodied theology connects faith with physical experiences.Authenticity in faith practices is a challenge for many.Human connection is vital in moments of grief and loss.Language shapes our faith and community interactions.Trusting our voices requires acknowledging past mistakes.Making peace with our past is essential for growth.Finding magic in everyday moments enriches our spiritual journey.Chapters00:00 Welcome Back and Coffee Conversations03:03 Deconstructing Faith and Reimagining God06:01 Living in Tension: Love and Anger09:10 Navigating Conversations with Different Perspectives11:50 Embodied Theology: Experiencing God in the Physical World15:02 Reconnecting with Humanity and Faith17:58 The Challenge of Authenticity in Faith20:49 Human Connection in Grief and Loss23:59 The Role of Language in Faith and Community27:03 Trusting Our Voices in a Changing Landscape30:14 Making Peace with Our Past33:01The Journey of Transformation and Mistakes36:01 Finding Magic in Everyday Moments38:57 The Power of Presence and Community41:47 Navigating the Complexity of Faith and Identity45:02 Final Thoughts on Faith and HumanityLinks:Kathy's Books {Click Here]web: http://www.kathykhang.com/
SponsorsQuoir Square 2 Class: https://www.bk2sq1.com/square-2-next-steps-into-reconstruction (Promo code: Liminal for 10% off)Kineo Center: https://www.thekineocenter.com/cohort (mention "Liminal" in Application for $100 off) Monk Manual: https://monkmanual.com/LIMINAL (10% off all merchandise) ConnectFind us on the web: https://liminalliving.simplecast.com/Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liminallivingFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCseqDsKpQv2r7AbFfrWF0owFollow us on Patheos: patheos.com/editorial/podcasts/liminal-living Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Nov 5, 2025 • 51min
143: Chad Bahl: Beyond the Pitchfork: A Process Relational View of Demonic Evil
takeawaysIf a good God exists, why does suffering occur?We often attribute suffering to a greater good.The mystery of God's plan can be hard to understand.Tragedies like cancer and war challenge our beliefs.Supernaturalism becomes problematic when faced with evil.The death of children raises profound questions about faith.World events like the Holocaust complicate the narrative of a good God.Understanding suffering requires deep philosophical inquiry.Faith can be tested by the realities of life.The conversation highlights the struggle between belief and evidence.Links:Book: [Click Here]Article: [Beyond the Pitchfork]
SponsorsQuoir Square 2 Class: https://www.bk2sq1.com/square-2-next-steps-into-reconstruction (Promo code: Liminal for 10% off)Kineo Center: https://www.thekineocenter.com/cohort (mention "Liminal" in Application for $100 off) Monk Manual: https://monkmanual.com/LIMINAL (10% off all merchandise) ConnectFind us on the web: https://liminalliving.simplecast.com/Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liminallivingFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCseqDsKpQv2r7AbFfrWF0owFollow us on Patheos: patheos.com/editorial/podcasts/liminal-living Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 29, 2025 • 1h 4min
142: Thomas Jay Oord: Why Prayer "Doesn't Work." Re-enchanting the World
Deconstruction is a journey many are experiencing.The dichotomy of natural and supernatural is outdated.Prayer should be seen as cooperation with God.God's omnipotence is often misunderstood.Selective miracles create distrust in God.Enchantment in the world is often overlooked.Philosophy and theology should work together.Resurrection narratives can be reinterpreted.Life after death may involve continued subjective experience.Trust in God can be rebuilt through understanding God's nature.
SponsorsQuoir Square 2 Class: https://www.bk2sq1.com/square-2-next-steps-into-reconstruction (Promo code: Liminal for 10% off)Kineo Center: https://www.thekineocenter.com/cohort (mention "Liminal" in Application for $100 off) Monk Manual: https://monkmanual.com/LIMINAL (10% off all merchandise) ConnectFind us on the web: https://liminalliving.simplecast.com/Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liminallivingFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCseqDsKpQv2r7AbFfrWF0owFollow us on Patheos: patheos.com/editorial/podcasts/liminal-living Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 22, 2025 • 1h 4min
141: Andrew M Davis: Cosmological Humility, Living Between Science and Spirit
takeawaysPhilosophy begins in wonder and should cultivate it.The universe is not disenchanted; it is full of wonder.Science and spirituality can coexist and enrich each other.Values are perceived through our consciousness and are objective.Art and poetry play a crucial role in understanding reality.Experiences of enchantment can be reintroduced into our lives.The journey of understanding death can be transformative.The integration of science and faith requires humility.Objective values exist but must be understood in context.Practices like meditation and storytelling can enhance our sense of wonder.ChaptersIntroduction and Context of WonderThe Journey of Deconstruction and Re-enchantmentIntegrating Science and SpiritualityThe Nature of Spirit and ConsciousnessThe Renaissance of PanpsychismReconnecting Spirit and MatterIndigenous Worldviews and Colonial PerspectivesThe Limitations of Language and DogmaArt, Poetry, and the Enchantment of ScienceExperiencing the Enchantment of LifeThe Interplay of Subjective and Objective ValuesPractices for Embracing EnchantmentLinksCourse: https://www.whiteheadsuniverse.com/Web: https://www.andrewmdavis.info/
SponsorsQuoir Square 2 Class: https://www.bk2sq1.com/square-2-next-steps-into-reconstruction (Promo code: Liminal for 10% off)Kineo Center: https://www.thekineocenter.com/cohort (mention "Liminal" in Application for $100 off) Monk Manual: https://monkmanual.com/LIMINAL (10% off all merchandise) ConnectFind us on the web: https://liminalliving.simplecast.com/Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liminallivingFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCseqDsKpQv2r7AbFfrWF0owFollow us on Patheos: patheos.com/editorial/podcasts/liminal-living Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 15, 2025 • 1h 6min
140: Anthony Smith: This Ain't Revival
Chapters Navigating Change: Personal and Professional Transitions The Political Landscape: Insights from Local Governance Reimagining God: Contrasting Views in Christianity The Kingdom of God: Understanding Its True Nature Revival or Division? The Current State of Christianity The Echoes of McCarthyism Awakening from Christian Nationalism The Cruelty of Reality The Cost of Austerity Revival and Reversal of Power Grassroots Hope and Community Building
SponsorsQuoir Square 2 Class: https://www.bk2sq1.com/square-2-next-steps-into-reconstruction (Promo code: Liminal for 10% off)Kineo Center: https://www.thekineocenter.com/cohort (mention "Liminal" in Application for $100 off) Monk Manual: https://monkmanual.com/LIMINAL (10% off all merchandise) ConnectFind us on the web: https://liminalliving.simplecast.com/Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liminallivingFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCseqDsKpQv2r7AbFfrWF0owFollow us on Patheos: patheos.com/editorial/podcasts/liminal-living Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Oct 8, 2025 • 48min
139: Matt Tebbe: Reimagining God Beyond Empire Economics Pt 2 of 2
Matt Tebbe, pastor and author rethinking Christianity’s relationship to money and culture. He explores how Enlightenment thought moved God away from material life. Topics include debt relief as a biblical concern, how capitalism shapes faith, Christian nationalism’s distortions, and small communal experiments—like local banking and meal co-ops—that push back against mammon.

6 snips
Oct 1, 2025 • 58min
138: Matt Tebbe: Reimagining God Beyond Empire Economics: Pt 1
Matt Tebbe, pastor and writer who explores Christianity, politics, and economics. He recounts mountain climbing and honest resilience. He challenges toxic positivity and describes pastoral strain in politicized times. He critiques Christian nationalism and shows how capitalism functions as a competing religion. He urges imagining God beyond empire economics and reclaiming communal practices.

Sep 24, 2025 • 1h 6min
137: Tori Owens & Jonathan Foster: Rooting God in the Human Experience
takeawaysTori Owens and Jonathan Foster discuss their experiences with open and relational theology.The definition of love is explored as a non-violent, non-scapegoating energy.Personal stories play a crucial role in understanding authority within the church.God assumptions can shape our emotional well-being and spirituality.Reimagining God in modern contexts is essential for spiritual growth.Emotional well-being is tied to our understanding of God and how we relate to others.Integrating new understandings of God requires practical steps in daily life.Listening to our bodies can provide insights into our emotional state and spirituality.Acting our way into new ways of thinking is more effective than merely changing our thoughts.The conversation emphasizes the importance of love-centric theology over power-centric theology.Links:Links: Jonathans many links: https://www.jonathanfosteronline.com/ Tori's Substack: https://toriowens.substack.com/
SponsorsQuoir Square 2 Class: https://www.bk2sq1.com/square-2-next-steps-into-reconstruction (Promo code: Liminal for 10% off)Kineo Center: https://www.thekineocenter.com/cohort (mention "Liminal" in Application for $100 off) Monk Manual: https://monkmanual.com/LIMINAL (10% off all merchandise) ConnectFind us on the web: https://liminalliving.simplecast.com/Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liminallivingFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCseqDsKpQv2r7AbFfrWF0owFollow us on Patheos: patheos.com/editorial/podcasts/liminal-living Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 17, 2025 • 1h 13min
136: Matt Alexander: Reimagining God After Burnout
takeawaysMinistry leadership is inherently difficult and often leads to burnout.Burnout can stem from vocational disappointment and unmet expectations.Relational injuries within ministry contexts are common and can be deeply impactful.Pastors often neglect their emotional health, leading to unregulated emotions.It's essential for pastors to have friendships outside their congregations.The Kineo Center provides support for pastors experiencing burnout.Naming and addressing emotions is crucial for mental health.Internalized expectations can distort a pastor's sense of self.Navigating change in ministry requires awareness of relational dynamics.Creating space for lament in church settings is important for emotional health.Links: The Center: https://www.thekineocenter.com/ The Quiz: https://www.thekineocenter.com/burnoutprevention
SponsorsQuoir Square 2 Class: https://www.bk2sq1.com/square-2-next-steps-into-reconstruction (Promo code: Liminal for 10% off)Kineo Center: https://www.thekineocenter.com/cohort (mention "Liminal" in Application for $100 off) Monk Manual: https://monkmanual.com/LIMINAL (10% off all merchandise) ConnectFind us on the web: https://liminalliving.simplecast.com/Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liminallivingFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCseqDsKpQv2r7AbFfrWF0owFollow us on Patheos: patheos.com/editorial/podcasts/liminal-living Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Sep 10, 2025 • 1h 19min
135: Josh Patterson: From Deconstruction to Re-Enchantment
takeawaysJosh Patterson discusses his recent exploration of radical theology.The conversation highlights the importance of ongoing education through podcasts.Tom Rundel reflects on the evolution of his own theological perspectives.The hosts discuss the need for re-enchantment in a post-deconstruction world.Process theology is presented as a way to understand God as a verb rather than a noun.The conversation touches on the interconnectedness of all beings and the importance of community.The hosts emphasize the significance of storytelling in spirituality.They explore the role of symbols in religious traditions and their meanings.The discussion includes the importance of humility in understanding different faiths.The hosts encourage listeners to experiment with their faith and experiences.Links:Web: https://www.joshuagpatterson.com/Pod: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/rethinking-faith/id1438696524Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/RethinkingFaith
SponsorsQuoir Square 2 Class: https://www.bk2sq1.com/square-2-next-steps-into-reconstruction (Promo code: Liminal for 10% off)Kineo Center: https://www.thekineocenter.com/cohort (mention "Liminal" in Application for $100 off) Monk Manual: https://monkmanual.com/LIMINAL (10% off all merchandise) ConnectFind us on the web: https://liminalliving.simplecast.com/Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/liminallivingFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCseqDsKpQv2r7AbFfrWF0owFollow us on Patheos: patheos.com/editorial/podcasts/liminal-living Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.


