In a world where faith often faces unprecedented challenges, Kathy Escobar's book "Faith Shift" offers a lifeline to those navigating their spiritual journeys. In this podcast conversation with Ruth Perry, Escobar shares her insights on faith evolution, personal experiences, and the importance of finding community support during times of spiritual uncertainty.

You can find the show notes and transcript at

TheBeautifulKingdomBuilders.com/tbkb-pod/

And be sure to visit KathyEscobar.com and learn more about her work there!

I was joined by Reverend Carlos Malavé for this important conversation about immigration enforcement and mass deportation, and what the realities of these are for our Latino neighbors.

This conversation explores the intersection of immigration and spirituality, emphasizing the need for compassion and understanding towards immigrants. Rev. Malavé shares personal stories and insights on the contributions of immigrants in the church and U.S., the impact of current immigration policies, and the church's responsibility to advocate for justice and mercy. The discussion highlights the psychological trauma faced by immigrant communities and calls for prayer and action to support those affected by immigration enforcement.

Rev. Malavé is the founder and President of The Latino Christian National Network, advocating for immigration reform and humane immigration policies. You can find resources and more information about his organization's work at LCNN.org. You can find Rev. Malave on Facebook and Instagram, and read our show notes and transcript at TheBeautifulKingdomBuilders.com

In this conversation, Bob Edwards explains the processes of socialization, discussing how societal norms are internalized and how they shape our perception of the world. This impacts our faith as we bring cultural biases to our Bible reading, especially in regards to gender. As GI Joe famously said, "Knowing is half the battle." Once we understand how powerful conditioning is, we can begin to explore ways we have been formed ourselves through cultural modeling, instruction, and reinforcement.

Bob Edwards has a longer teaching on this subject on YouTube in a video titled, The Origins of Male Authority in the Church.

Show notes and the transcript for this episode are on The Beautiful Kingdom Builders Podcast website.

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In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Powell McNutt discusses her insights on Mary Magdalene from her book, The Mary We Forgot.

Dr. McNutt describes her own faith journey leading her to the dual ministry of Church historian and minister, and then delves into the historical mischaracterization of Mary Magdalene, and what "the apostle to the apostles" can teach us today.

Dr. McNutt and her husband, Rev. Dr. David McNutt, have a ministry called McNuttshell Ministries, a teaching, preaching, and writing ministry that serves both the church and the academy by sharing the Christian faith “in a nutshell.”

You can find Dr. McNutt on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Substack, and more! Find today's episode notes and transcript on The Beautiful Kingdom Builders blog.

In this episode of the Beautiful Kingdom Builders podcast, Rev. Ruth Perry interviews Marg Mowczko, a prominent voice in the conversation about women in ministry and biblical interpretation. They discuss Marg's faith journey, the complexities of understanding scripture, and the impact of patriarchy on faith. Marg shares insights on key biblical passages from the Apostle Paul on men and women, emphasizing the importance of context and the need for a more egalitarian approach to ministry. The conversation highlights the transformative power of faith and the necessity of using one's gifts to serve and uplift others.Visit www.margmowczko.com to explore Marg's fantastic articles, and www.thebeautifulkingdombuilders.com for show notes and the transcript.

In this conversation, Ruth Perry and her brother Matthew McNutt discuss their experiences as missionary kids in a boarding school in South America, focusing on the rampant abuse that occurred and the institutional failures to protect vulnerable children. They explore the long-lasting effects of these experiences, the importance of believing victims, and the need for accountability within church organizations. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by survivors and the necessity for change in how abuse is addressed in religious contexts.

Visit thebeautifulkingdombuilders.com for show notes and transcript. And visit matthewmcnutt.com to find more detailed information about Matthew's experiences at Tambo in Bolivia, and his work on a recommendations panel during IHART's investigation into abuses in New Tribes Missions (now Ethnos360).

My guest this week is my former seminary professor, Dr. Roy Ciampa, whose transformative class, Ephesians in Depth, has stayed with me over the years as my faith has grown and changed. In this conversation, we discuss the theological implications of Paul's writings, the cultural context of the Greco-Roman world, and the significance of mutual submission in relationships. Dr. Ciampa shares insights from his academic background and teaching experiences, emphasizing the importance of understanding scripture in its historical context. The dialogue highlights the beauty of God's love and grace, encouraging listeners to reflect on their own faith journeys and the role of women in ministry. Visit thebeautifulkingdombuilders.com for show notes and links to Dr. Ciampa's work. His document on ancient marriage can be found here.

Audio Episode published December 31, 2025.

In this conversation, Scott Harris shares his journey of faith, discussing his upbringing in a mainline Protestant church, his college experiences, and his perspective on the challenges faced by the church today after 42 years in parachurch ministry. He emphasizes the importance of following Jesus and articulating the gospel in a way that resonates with contemporary issues. The discussion also touches on the need for the church to adapt and address the concerns of those leaving it, while promoting a message of love for God and neighbor.