And Also With You

A dive into Julian of Norwich’s bold mystical vision with focus on maternal imagery and the idea of Christ as true mother. Conversations explore laughter as resistance, including a quirky link to Nicki Minaj, and how defiant joy challenges oppressive powers. The discussion also traces muscular Christianity, evangelical networks, and tensions between historical figures like Billy and Franklin Graham.

Rev. Dr. Amy Laura Hall, a Christian ethics professor and scholar of Julian of Norwich, joins to map 14th-century Norwich and the anchorite life. She traces Julian’s visions amid plague, revolt, and violence. The conversation highlights Julian’s revelations, her public role, ideas of universal salvation, God without anger, and how these insights speak to structural cruelty and modern solidarity.

A lively dive into what a sermon actually is and why some services include one while others do not. They trace historical practices and debate different definitions. Practical preaching tips, boundaries around vulnerability, and how to handle difficult texts get candid attention. The episode also explores diversity in who preaches and how congregations respond.

The Rev. Kira Austin-Young, an Episcopal priest and trained classical singer, provides a recorded chant of the Exsultet. The conversation explores the chant’s dramatic role in the Easter Vigil, its ancient origins and medieval melody, the Paschal candle ritual, and curious historical details like bees, wax, and milk and honey.

The Rev. Angela Tyler-Williams, an ordained minister offering theological reflection and pastoral insight. She explores why Jesus faces temptation in the wilderness and how fasting and spiritual practices train resilience. Short reflections probe identity, discernment, the nature of the three temptations, and resisting convenience culture while imagining Eucharistic, neighbor-centered life.

Rev. Angela Tyler-Williams, a Presbyterian minister and preacher, offers theological reflection on the Samaritan woman (Photine). They probe common misreadings and shame narratives. They explore crossing social boundaries, the living water dialogue, her bold evangelism, cultural layers, and her legacy as a witness and martyr.

Reverend Angela Tyler Williams, a Presbyterian minister known for LGBTQ equality, reproductive justice, and Celtic spirituality, explores Saint Brigid’s mythic and liminal life. Short, lively takes cover Brigid’s Druidic roots, role as abbess and liturgist, her patronages from cows to computers, feast-day customs, perpetual fire, and stories linking her to reproductive care and soulmate bonds.

They unpack the Creed’s line about the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. They explore scriptural tensions, Paul’s glimpses of future glory, and Isaiah’s vision of a renewed heaven and earth. They consider historical and modern imaginations of the resurrected body, liturgical echoes in funerals and baptism, and how praying shapes hope and ethical living.

They dive into what baptism is, who it is for, and why practices differ across traditions. They explore infant versus believer baptism, the Trinitarian form, and questions about re-baptism. They unpack baptismal imagery like dying and rising, Easter vigil origins, communal promises, and how to teach baptism to children.

The Rev. Dr. Valerie Bailey Fischer, a priest, chaplain, and Anglican scholar, joins to explore what it means to be one holy, catholic, and apostolic. She traces apostolic succession, shares how her Pentecostal roots shaped ministry, and discusses the restoration of women to holy orders. Conversation probes unity, tradition, and reclaiming erased church histories.