

Outside Ourselves
1517 Podcasts
Outside Ourselves with Kelsi Klembara features conversations about God’s gift of faith. What does it mean for saving faith to stand outside of our abilities and works? Join Kelsi as she explores questions about the Christian faith with theologians and theology lovers. New episodes every other week. Outside Ourselves is a part of the 1517 Podcast Network.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 17, 2026 • 1h 2min
Raising Wise Kids in a Sexually Broken World
Kelsi chats with author, Laurie Krieg, about her newest book (coauthored with her husband Matt), Raising Wise Kids in a Sexually Broken World, to answer how we keep the gospel as our foundation as we teach and guide our children through increasingly complex sexual issues today. Laurie Krieg is the director of parent programs and discipleship for The Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender. Laurie and her husband, Matt, are cohosts of the Hole in My Heart podcast, coauthors of An Impossible Marriage, and live in West Michigan with their three kids.Show Notes:Support 1517 Podcast Network1517 Podcasts1517 on Youtube1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts1517 Events Schedule1517 Academy - Free Theological EducationWhat’s New from 1517:Being Family by Dr. Scott KeithA Reasoned Defense of the Faith by Adam FranciscoMore from Kelsi:Kelsi KlembaraFollow Kelsi on InstagramFollow Kelsi on TwitterKelsi's SubstackSubscribe to the Show:Apple PodcastsSpotifyYoutubeMore from Laurie: Raising Wise KidsLaurie's WebsiteLaurie's Instagram

Mar 3, 2026 • 51min
Understanding Revivalism with Dan van Voorhis
What does revival really mean for the modern church? This week, historian, 1517 Scholar in Residence, and Christian History Almanac host, Dan Van Voorhis, joins Kelsi to explore the nuances of revivalism throughout American Christianity and to discuss whether or not the church is currently undergoing a revival. Show Notes:Support 1517 Podcast Network1517 Podcasts1517 on Youtube1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts1517 Events Schedule1517 Academy - Free Theological EducationWhat’s New from 1517:1517 Youtube: How God Still Speaks TodayBeing Family by Dr. Scott KeithA Reasoned Defense of the Faith by Adam FranciscoMore from Kelsi:Kelsi KlembaraFollow Kelsi on InstagramFollow Kelsi on TwitterKelsi's SubstackSubscribe to the Show:Apple PodcastsSpotifyYoutubeMore from Dan: Listen to the Christian History AlmanacDan's FREE 1517 Course on the History of Christianity in America

Feb 17, 2026 • 1h 7min
The Season of Lent (and the Entire Christian Life) with Christopher Richmann
Christopher Richmann teaches religion and is assistant director for teaching and learning with the Academy for Teaching and Learning at Baylor University. An ordained ELCA pastor, Christopher serves St. John Lutheran Church in Gatesville, TX. He joins Kelsi to discuss his new book with 1517 Publishing, Stretched: A Study Guide for Lent and the Entire Christian Life.Lent often conjures images of self-denial and fasting, leaving many Christians confused about its true significance. Kelsi and Christopher delve into the historical and biblical roots of Lent, shedding light on its importance for the everyday Christian. Show Notes: 1517’s Faith and Reason ConferenceSupport 15171517 PodcastsThe 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts1517 on YouTubeKelsi KlembaraFollow Kelsi on InstagramFollow Kelsi on TwitterKelsi's SubstackSubscribe to the Show:Apple PodcastsSpotifyYoutubeMore from Christopher: Order StretchedRead Christopher’s Articles at 1517

Feb 3, 2026 • 1h 11min
The True Myth of the Gospel with Louis Markos
Kelsi talks with English professor and Christian apologist, Louis Markos, about the importance of myth, storytelling, and imagination within Christian apologetics. Using C.S Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien as guides, Dr. Markos argues Christianity is the truest myths and therefore Christ is the fulfillment of the pagan hope for a savior as seen in the great myths throughout time. The two also discuss the shift in apologetics in late modernity and Dr. Markos forthcoming book, My Apologetics Dinner Party. Show Notes: 1517’s Faith and Reason ConferenceSupport 15171517 PodcastsThe 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts1517 on YouTube:Kelsi KlembaraFollow Kelsi on InstagramFollow Kelsi on TwitterKelsi's NewsletterSubscribe to the Show:Apple PodcastsSpotifyYoutube More from Lou: Preorder My Apologetics Dinner PartyAbout Louis Markos

Jan 13, 2026 • 1h 8min
Understanding the American Religious Landscape with Ryan Burge
Kelsi is joined by data analyst, Ryan Burge, to discuss the current American Religious Landscape as well as his newest book, The Vanishing Church: How the Hollowing Out of Moderate Congregations Is Hurting Democracy, Faith, and Us.Dr. Ryan Burge is an associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University. He is the author or co-author of four books including The Nones, 20 Myths about Religion and Politics in America, and The Great Dechurching. He has written for the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and POLITICO. He has also appeared on 60 Minutes, where Anderson Cooper called him, "one of the leading data analysts of religion and politics in the United States." He has been a pastor of an American Baptist Church for over seventeen years.Show Notes: Support 15171517 PodcastsThe 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts1517 on YouTubeKelsi KlembaraFollow Kelsi on InstagramFollow Kelsi on TwitterKelsi's NewsletterSubscribe to the Show:Apple PodcastsSpotifyYoutubeMore from Ryan: The Vanishing ChurchRyan's Substack, Graphs About ReligionFollow Ryan on X

Dec 19, 2025 • 32min
Grace and Absolution in Wake Up Dead Man with David Zahl
Kelsi chats with David Zahl about themes of faith and grace in Rian Johnson's newest film, Knives Out: Wake Up Dead Man.David Zahl is founder and director of Mockingbird Ministries, which receives more than 1 million website page views per year and 35,000 newsletter subscribers and social media followers. He is editor in chief of the Mockingbird blog and cohost of the Mockingcast podcast.Show Notes: Support 15171517 PodcastsThe 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts1517 on YouTubeRead Dave's articleFollow Kelsi on InstagramFollow Kelsi on SubstackSubscribe to Outside Ourselves

Dec 16, 2025 • 1h 6min
Jim Nestingen's Legacy with John Pless
Kelsi talks with Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions, John Pless, about compiling and editing, The Essential Nestingen: Essays on Preaching, Catechism, and the Reformation. These essays were written by Dr. Pless' good friend, James Arne Nestingen (1945-2022). Jim was a beloved pastor, seminary professor, and most of all a confessor and preacher of the Gospel of Jesus. John talks about his friendship with Jim, Jim's legacy and the importance of collaboration within Lutheran theology. Rev. John T. Pless is assistant professor of pastoral ministry and missions at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He also serves as the director of field education for the seminary. Previously, Rev. Pless spent seventeen years as a campus pastor at University Lutheran Chapel at the University of Minnesota. He is the book review editor for Logia: A Journal of Lutheran Theology and a member of the editorial council of Lutheran Quarterly. In addition, Rev. Pless is copresident of the International Loehe Society, a regular lecturer at various conferences, and a member of the LCMS Committee on the Sanctity of Human Life. Rev. Pless received his BA from Texas Lutheran College and his MDiv from Trinity Lutheran Seminary, Columbus, Ohio.Show Notes: Support 15171517 PodcastsThe 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts1517 on YouTubeKelsi KlembaraFollow Kelsi on InstagramFollow Kelsi on TwitterKelsi's NewsletterSubscribe to the Show:Apple PodcastsSpotifyYoutubeMore from Dr. Pless: The Essential NestingenPastor CraftLuther's Large Catechism with Annotations and Contemporary Applications

Dec 2, 2025 • 50min
Advent in Isaiah with Matt Popovits
Kelsi chats with Pastor Matt Popovits about this year's 1517 Advent Resources, Coming Home for Christmas: Advent in Isaiah. For the past three years, Matt has written the sermons for this series which is available for free for pastors and lay people alike to download and use. The series also includes a personal devotional. The two discuss the multiple layers to this year's theme: the importance of the season of Advent, the promises of Christ found throughout the book of Isaiah, and the specific promise that Christ comes to us in the manger to bring us home and to be our home forever. Matt Popovits serves as Lead Pastor of St. Mark Houston, in Houston, Texas. Prior to serving in Houston, Matt was the planting and Lead Pastor of OSNY, a family of neighborhood parishes in New York City. Matt has also served as a staff writer for Homiletics and is a frequent speaker at churches and events around the country.Show Notes: Support 15171517 PodcastsThe 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts1517 on YouTubeMore from Kelsi:Kelsi KlembaraFollow Kelsi on InstagramFollow Kelsi on TwitterKelsi's NewsletterSubscribe to the Show:Apple PodcastsSpotifyYoutubeComing Home for Christmas: Advent in IsaiahOrder a copy of the Personal DevotionalMore from Matt:Follow Matt on InstagramJunk Drawer Jesus

Nov 19, 2025 • 56min
The Quiet Ambition with Ryan Tinetti
Kelsi chats with professor, pastor, and author Ryan Tinetti about his new book, The Quiet Ambition: Scripture's Surprising Antidote to Our Restless Lives. Based on 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12, The Quiet Ambition argues the life of the Christian often has much less to do with changing the world than it does faithfully trusting our work matters because we matter to God. Ryan P. Tinetti is a pastor who now serves as a professor of practical theology at Concordia Seminary (Saint Louis). He is the author of Preaching by Heart and writes the regular column "The Preacher's Toolbox" on 1517.org. Prior to his call to Concordia Seminary, Ryan served for fourteen years in parish ministry. Ryan lives with his wife, Anne, and their four children in St. Louis on the campus of the seminary.Show Notes:Support 1517 Podcast Network1517 Podcasts1517 on YouTube1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts1517 Events Schedule1517 Academy - Free Theological EducationWhat’s New from 1517:Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad BirdComing Home for Christmas: 1517 Advent DevotionalMore from Kelsi:Kelsi KlembaraFollow Kelsi on InstagramFollow Kelsi on TwitterKelsi's NewsletterMore from Ryan:Order The Quiet AmbitionRead Ryan's Substack

Nov 4, 2025 • 59min
Kids and Parenting in the Digital Age with Erica Sorensen
Kelsi talks with Erica Sorensen about her experience in youth ministry and the affects of our current digital age on parenting and kids. The two discuss the impact of therapy culture, online culture, and trauma for Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Ultimately, Erica reminds listeners that Jesus is the answer for both them and their children and that we can trust him because his promises never fail. Erica Sorensen is in charge of Individual Partnerships in the Development Department at 1517. She holds a B.A. in both International Economics and Spanish from Valparaiso University and a M.A. in Teaching from the University of St. Thomas. Erica has a diverse work background in non-profit business operations, K-12 education, and fundraising. She is a passionate Gen Z advocate and speaker to church leadership and youth alike, teaching about the unique joys and challenges of sharing the gospel message with young people in a post-Christian world.Show Notes:Support 1517 Podcast Network1517 Podcasts1517 on Youtube1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts1517 Events Schedule1517 Academy - Free Theological EducationWhat’s New from 1517:Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad BirdComing Home for Christmas: 1517 Advent DevotionalMore from Kelsi:Kelsi KlembaraFollow Kelsi on InstagramFollow Kelsi on TwitterKelsi's Newsletter


