Megan Explains: Ecumenism (and the YMCA)… for the rest of us!

Megan (and Special Guest the Rev. Canon Deacon David Stickley) Explain: The Vocational Diaconate… for the rest of us! (2,14)

What exactly is a deacon—and why does the Episcopal Church have them? This week, Megan and Adam are joined by special guest the Rev. Canon Deacon David Stickley (what a fancy title!) to unpack one of the most misunderstood ministries in the Church: the vocational diaconate. Together they explore what deacons actually do, why they're called to serve at the intersection of the Church and the world, and how their ministry challenges all of us to see Christ in our neighbors. Along the way, they tackle common misconceptions, explain why deacons aren't simply "priests in training," share stories from David's own vocation, and discover that sometimes the most important ministry happens outside the walls of the church. Whether you've always wondered what that diagonal stole is about or you've never given deacons a second thought, this conversation offers a thoughtful—and occasionally delightfully nerdy—look at a ministry centered on service, compassion, and helping the whole Church become more fully the Body of Christ. Make sure to leave us a rating and a review, and don't forget to share the show with a friend… or an enemy! (They should listen too!

Better Know a Saint: Absalom Jones… for the rest of us!

This episode of For the Rest of Us, Megan introduces us to one of the most important—and too often overlooked—saints in the Episcopal Church: Absalom Jones. Born into slavery, Jones fought for his freedom, became the first Black priest ordained in the Episcopal Church, helped found the first Black Episcopal parish, cared for the sick during Philadelphia's devastating yellow fever epidemic, and never stopped calling the Church to become more faithful to the Gospel it proclaimed. Along the way, Adam learns why so many Christians (especially those from other traditions) have never heard his story, why Absalom's famous Thanksgiving Sermon still speaks powerfully today, and why telling the truth about our history—both the inspiring parts and the painful ones—is an act of faith. It's a conversation about saints, freedom, grace that wasn't deserved, and what it means to keep showing up for a Church that still has room to grow. Plus: Confessions on the Broadway hit "Hamilton", and the very serious debate over how many hot dogs is too many hot dogs on the Fourth of July . Make sure to leave us a rating and a review, and don't forget to share the show with a friend… or an enemy, they should listen to!

Megan Explains: Ecumenism (and the YMCA)… for the rest of us!

This episode, Megan takes Adam on a whirlwind tour through the wonderfully weird world of Christian denominations, church friendships, and why Episcopalians seem determined to be friends with absolutely everyone. From the origins of the YMCA and “muscular Christianity” to World Wars, councils, cookies, and conversations that span centuries, they unpack what ecumenism actually is—and why it matters. Some of the things they talk about: * Why church relationships sometimes resemble World Cup alliances. * How Moravian cookies became an ecumenical success story. * Why angry Russian faxes once landed on Megan’s desk. * Why showing up and staying in relationship matters, even when churches disagree. * And why Episcopalians may simply have denominational FOMO. Plus: Pope Leo shows back up and they talk about him, Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullaly, the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral, and the surprising realization that sometimes the most Christian thing we can do is keep talking to one another. Whether you're here for church history, Anglican nerdery, or just wondering what the YMCA has to do with theology, this episode proves that faith can be complicated, friendships can be messy, and there might be cookies if you show up. Make sure to leave us a rating and a review, and don't forget to share the show with a friend… or an enemy, they should listen to!

Megan Explains: AI, The Pope and Gandalf… for the rest of us! (2,11)

What happens when a newly elected pope drops an encyclical on AI, human dignity, war, economics, and the future of technology—and then casually quotes Gandalf? This week, Megan and Adam dive into Pope Leo XIV’s first major teaching document and unpack why it’s making waves far beyond the Roman Catholic Church. Together they explore the ethical questions surrounding artificial intelligence, the responsibility of governments and corporations, the hidden human costs behind our technology, and why the pope insists that AI is not something we should simply accept as inevitable. Along the way, they discuss papal encyclicals, democracy, social justice, the future of human creativity, and what it means to remain moral agents in an increasingly automated world. Plus: Pope Leo quotes Gandalf, Megan desperately wants a Stephen Colbert reaction, and Megan and Adam officially invite the pope to become the podcast’s first celebrity guest. Whether you're excited about AI, skeptical of it, or just here for the Tolkien references, this episode asks an important question: How do we talk faithfully and ethically about technology before it outruns us?

Megan Explains: Forgiveness and Repair (Part 1)… for the rest of us!

This episode kicks off a new series on one of the hardest questions in faith and life: What does forgiveness actually mean—and what does it not mean? Megan and Adam dive into the messy intersection of forgiveness, repentance, accountability, confession, and repair, challenging some of the most common (and often harmful) ideas we carry about apologizing and “moving on.” A few of the things covered this episode: * Why “that’s not who I am” may not be the apology people think it is * The problem with “God forgives me, so why can’t you?" * Why time alone doesn’t equal growth, healing, or repairWhat repentance means beyond simply saying “I’m sorry” * How Anglican theology connects forgiveness to community, accountability, and changed lives Along the way, the conversation explores confession, amendment of life, 12-step wisdom, the difference between guilt and transformation, and why forgiveness is never meant to be coerced. And because this is For the Rest of Us, things also take a wonderfully unexpected detour into Muppet theology: Muppet Christmas Carol vs. Muppet Treasure Island, Michael Caine acting at maximum intensity among felt puppets, and the urgent theological question: What movie should be remade with one human actor and everyone else played by Muppets? This is Part 1 of a multi-episode exploration, so consider this your cliffhanger before we get into the mechanics of forgiveness and repair next time. (A note: apologies for the dogs barking in the background.)