For the Love of God Brewing, a brewpub and restaurant located not far from the destruction of recent wildfires in Spokane, Washington, chose to donate all proceeds from Tuesday, August 4, 2026, to fire victims through the H.O.M.E Starts Here Fund. Owner, Steve Moss, joined the Religion Desk Podcast to talk about why they were choosing to help fire victims and why their business has such a curious name. For the Love of God Brewing is at 2617 W Northwest Blvd in Spokane, Washington.

In the past, work as a leader of a faith community was usually considered a pathway to the middle class. As churches have changed, and more congregations are smaller, paying a full-time clergyperson becomes a challenge. In Signs of Rebound Amid Uneven Recovery: The Changing Congregational Landscape, a report from the Hartford Institute for Religion Research, it’s noted that smaller congregations still struggle. 40% of congregations in the United States have 50 or fewer people attending. Another 27% have 51 to 100. Many of these faith communities are unable to pay a full-time salary. It's estimated that about one-third of clergy hold some type of other employment. Two bivocational pastors, the Rev. Karisa Rickard from Opportunity Christian Church in Spokane Valley, Washington and Pastor Dan Koehler from Spirit Lake Presbyterian Church in Spirit Lake, Idaho, joined the Religion Desk to talk about their experiences as bivocational clergy. Dr. Darryl Stephens, editor of Bivocational and Beyond: Educating for Thriving Multivocational Ministry shared, too, on his research into bivocational ministry.

Hundreds of people gathered at the small Northeastern Washington town of Metaline Falls on June 20 and 21 to celebrate Bigfoot. Amidst the music, vendors, and food trucks both believers in Bigfoot and sceptics joined together for a fun weekend. The Religion Desk visited the festival to hear from organizer, Bill Bisson, the Sasquatch Hobbit Hunters, as well as many venders and festival goers. Author of The Secret History of Bigfoot, John O'Connor, joined the podcast from Massachusetts to talk about his research into the world of Bigfooters.

New Roots Community Garden is a joint project between the International Rescue Committee and the YMCA of the Inland Northwest. Cassy Benefield visits the garden to hear from Angela Hanni from the YMCA and Madison Beal and Bikash Chhetri from the IRC.

“Reuse, repurpose, and recycle” became more than just a slogan when hundreds gathered for last Saturday’s Earth Day Block Party at West Central Abbey. More than 50 donated bicycles were shared at the party by River City Youth, and the Mend It Cafe with Spokane Zero Waste was inside repairing party-goers’ clothing. Community groups staffed booths, and food and native plants were available. Kate Burke, Executive Director of River City Youth, and Elyse Hochstadt, Executive Director of Spokane Zero Waste, joined the Religion Desk Podcast from the block party to share about their work, the good things happening that day, and the importance of reusing. The episode also features music from Spokane’s Raging Grannies and Hannah Wynn.

Retired Religion Professor, Dr. Patricia O’Connell Killen, joined the Religion Desk to share insights on the changes in the religious landscape in the United States and how that has affected mainline congregations and denominations. You'll find the entire interview with Dr. Killen here.

In the middle of the last century mainline churches, the historical Protestant denominations, were a powerful force in American life and culture. Around half of the United States claimed membership in a mainline church in the 1950’s. Since then, these churches have seen a sharp decline in engagement and membership with many churches closing and an uncertain future ahead for the congregations that remain. Lidgerwood Presbyterian Church in Spokane Washington is a church that has seen these changes. They had more than 600 members in 1960. Now, they have 40 members. Despite the changes, they are still a vital church that is serving its neighborhood. The people at Lidgerwood opened their doors to the Religion Desk to tell their story. Pastor Mark Wheeler has been at Lidgerwood for 30 years, and he’s seen how the church has adapted to a new time and has expanded its outreach to its neighborhood. Executive Presbyter of the Presbytery of the Inland Northwest, the Rev. Sheryl Kinder-Pyle, shared, too, on Lidgerwood Presbyterian and the churches she oversees. Retired Religion Professor, Dr. Patricia O’Connell Killen, joined the podcast to give perspective on why mainline churches have changed and what might be in store for their future. If you’d like to hear more from Dr. Killen, listen to the bonus episode that includes the whole interview with her.

Reporter Emma Maple joined the podcast for a brief interview about her recent article about Holden Village and their closure for the year because of recent landslides.