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It’s a crossover feast: American Angst meets Church Potluck for a lively, thoughtful dive into religion, politics, and the Founders—setting the table for an upcoming conversation on Christian nationalism. This one leans a bit more American Angst in tone, with Michael Bailey taking the lead while Dale McConkey jumps in with sociological insight and good-humored pushback. In this episode, the focus is squarely on the Christian Commonwealth perspective—the idea that America’s roots lie in Puritan covenant theology, religiously infused language in the Declaration, and early public practices that tied faith and politics together. Along the way, they explore why Americans have long seen themselves as “chosen” and exceptional, and why ownership of the national story still feels contested.

The conversation includes playful banter, a round of “Founding Father Faith Jeopardy,” and even a ranking of which founders were most traditionally religious. And while today’s episode emphasizes the Christian Commonwealth thesis, next time the duo will turn to the Godless Constitution perspective—giving both sides of this ongoing debate their due. Smart, curious, and just spiky enough to keep you listening, this crossover sets up a larger series of conversations on Christian nationalism and American identity.

The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.

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This episode explores the Orthodox Christian tradition—and specifically Mary’s place within it—through a warm, curious conversation with philosopher and Orthodox theologian Dr. Michael Papazian. Together we look at how Orthodoxy understands salvation, worship, and church authority, then dive into what that means for honoring Mary.

• What makes Orthodoxy distinct? (spoiler alert: theosis, richly sensory worship, and a decentralized view of church leadership)
• How does Armenian Apostolic faith fit alongside Greek and Russian Orthodoxy—and why did some splits start centuries well before the Great Schism of 1054?
• Who is St. Gregory of Narek—monk, poet, and recent Doctor of the Church—and why do his 95 heart-piercing prayers (“Speaking with God from the Depths of the Heart”) matter today?
• What can Gregory’s Marian theology teach across traditions—about intercession, typology, holiness, and even women’s roles in the church?
• And how do Catholics and Orthodox differ (and overlap) on ideas like the Immaculate Conception?

It’s history without the dust, theology without the tribalism. We even play a quick round of “Which Mary Said It?”

The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.

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What happens when an astronomer, a political philosopher, and a retired pastor sit down at the potluck table? In this episode, Dr. Todd Timberlake, Reid Professor of Physics & Astronomy, joins host Dale McConkey and regular guest Dr. Michael Bailey for a lively conversation about awe and wonder.

Is science a cold explanation that drains the magic from the world—or can it actually deepen our sense of mystery? From the vastness of galaxies to the beauty of a sunrise, from Whitman’s skepticism to Kepler’s faith, we explore how curiosity, humility, and wonder keep both science and faith alive. Along the way, we draft our favorite sources of awe and swap stories that make the cosmos feel both immense and personal.

This episode is about big questions, big skies, and the joy of knowing that some mysteries only get richer the closer you look.

The views expressed on Church Potluck are solely those of the participants and do not represent any organization.