Sensitivity Warning: This episode includes discussion of war, violence, genocide, and human suffering. Some of these topics are explored in personal and vivid detail and may be difficult for some listeners. Listener discretion is advised.

As we mark three years since October 7, 2023, it is more important than ever for Christians to remember that following Jesus means mourning with those who mourn and paying the high price for peace.

In this episode of The Disrupters, Caleb Campbell sits down with the executive director of Churches for Middle East Peace, Rev. Dr. Mae Elise Cannon, to grapple with Christian complicity in global violence, the privilege of looking away, and the high cost of following the Prince of Peace.

Together, Caleb and Mae challenge the binary thinking that reduces complex conflicts to heroes and villains, which dehumanizes people made in the image of God. Mae shares heart-wrenching stories about the daily reality of families living in fear of the next missile strike. She challenges listeners to consider how their money, politics, and silence contribute to cycles of destruction, and what a gospel of good news actually looks like for those in the rubble.

Mae offers practical guidance in this episode: how to faithfully witness suffering, how to pray through feeling overwhelmed, how to engage with peacemaking long-term, and how to radically love your enemies.

Join Mae, Caleb, and The Disrupters in refusing to look away from suffering.

This episode highlights the following themes:

• American complicity and Christian responsibility in global injustice
• The privilege of looking away and the biblical mandate not to
• The intersection of power, justice, fear, and the way of Jesus
• Stories of courage, peacemaking, and paying the high cost for peace

Links from the episode:

• Learn more about Mae Elise Cannon
• Read Mae Cannon’s book, Beyond Hashtag Activism
• Learn more about Churches for Middle East Peace
• Check out Mae Elise Cannon’s Substack for her latest writings
• Learn more about The Disrupters
• Learn more about Caleb Campbell
• Read Caleb Campbell's book, Disarming Leviathan
• Read the transcript here

Credits:

✅Special offer: Visit ivpress.com and use the code IVPDISRUPT40 for 40% off and free US shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.

✅Producers: Jack Reece, Helen Lee, and Travis Albritton

✅Assistant Producer: Christine Pelliccio Melo

✅Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts

✅Social Media Manager: Makayla Payne

✅Podcast Art: Kate Lillard

✅Theme Song: "Sneakerhead" by Ghost Beatz

Disclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.

When faced with the injustice caused by sin and the powers of the world, the Church must respond with unity, compassion, and focused, righteous anger.

In this episode of The Disrupters, Caleb Campbell sits down with pastor, organizer, and activist Rev. Dr. Alexia Salvatierra to explore how Christians can humbly, lovingly, and fearlessly promote justice for the vulnerable within the political systems of the world.

Alexia shows how the world’s obsession with “power over” keeps us trapped in cycles of domination and fear, while the way of Jesus offers an alternative “power with” that elevates the vulnerable for the good of all people. Drawing on decades of experience organizing for immigrants and the economically disadvantaged, Alexia shares practical wisdom for anyone longing to put prophetic anger to use—not as impotent rage, but as fuel for change.

They reflect on the dangers of individualism, the collective call to steward democracy, and why “loving our neighbors” means standing with the widow, the orphan, the immigrant, and the poor. Alexia offers stories, practical tips for advocacy, and a hopeful reminder that governments come and go, but the Church endures as a sign of God’s reconciling love on Earth.

If you want to learn how to support change for good in your own community, this episode is for you.

This episode highlights the following themes:

• The difference between power over and power with
• How faith changes our understanding and stewardship of power
• How individual Christians can practice faith-rooted organizing
• Walking in hope and humility amid division, rage, and systemic injustice

Links from the episode:

• Learn more about Alexia Salvatierra
• Read Alexia’s book, Faith Rooted Organizing
• Learn more about The Disrupters
• Learn more about Caleb Campbell
• Read Caleb Campbell's book, Disarming Leviathan
• Read The Very Good Gospel by Lisa Sharon Harper
• Read the transcript here

Credits:

✅Special offer: Visit ivpress.com and use the code IVPDISRUPT40 for 40% off and free US shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.

✅Producers: Jack Reece, Helen Lee, and Travis Albritton

✅Assistant Producer: Christine Pelliccio Melo

✅Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts

✅Social Media Manager: Makayla Payne

✅Podcast Art: Kate Lillard

✅Theme Song: "Sneakerhead" by Ghost Beatz

Disclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.

As an Amazon Affiliate, this channel earns commissions from qualifying purchases when you use the links above.

The Church’s power lies in loving broken people unconditionally, not in breaking people with conditional love.

In this episode of The Disrupters, Caleb Campbell welcomes writer, advocate, and co-founder of Deconstruction Doulas, Margaret Bronson, for a conversation about power, spiritual authority, and abuse in church spaces. Margaret shares about her journey out of a highly controlling religious environment, through the systems and structures of the modern American church, and now to her work as a “doula” for people navigating religious trauma. Together, they explore the deep wounds caused by unhealthy theology and conditional belonging, and what it takes to love the spiritually wounded.

Referencing Martin Luther, George Washington in Hamilton, and Babe the Pig, Margaret exposes how systems of coercion and tough love have replaced the vulnerable way of Jesus, and challenges the Church’s assumptions about where saving power resides. She invites us to rethink grace, to trust the Holy Spirit with those we love, and to practice radical hospitality for those carrying pain and fear.

This episode offers hope to survivors of spiritual abuse who are rebuilding their faith and gives Christians practical steps for fostering true belonging and safety in every part of church life.

Tune in and discover how churches can become green pastures where everyone, especially the wounded and the downtrodden, can find rest, security, and peace.

This episode highlights the following themes:

• The difference between oppressive and healing power in the church
• Creating church spaces of safety, vulnerability, and genuine welcome
• The harm of conditional belonging and coercive “tough love” leadership

Links from the episode:

• Learn more about Margaret Bronson and Deconstruction Doulas
• Learn more about The Disrupters
• Learn more about Caleb Campbell
• Read Caleb Campbell's book, Disarming Leviathan
• Read the transcript here

Credits:

✅Special offer: Visit ivpress.com and use the code IVPDISRUPT40 for 40% off and free US shipping on any IVP resource mentioned in this episode.

✅Producers: Jack Reece, Helen Lee, and Travis Albritton

✅Assistant Producer: Christine Pelliccio Melo

✅Sound Engineering: Honest Podcasts

✅Social Media Manager: Makayla Payne

✅Podcast Art: Kate Lillard

✅Theme Song: "Sneakerhead" by Ghost Beatz

Disclaimer: The comments, views, and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the host and/or the guests featured on the podcast and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of InterVarsity Press or InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.