Best Chris Swartz Podcasts (2025)

1
The Manhattan Project 4:44:29

9M ago4:44:29

4:44:29

On this episode, the first in Season 9, we get stuck into the vast and sprawling history of The Manhattan Project and the creation of the atomic bomb. The creation and utilisation of such an unbelievably powerful weapon changed the dynamics of power globally and the results are still being felt today. The Manhattan Project was a WWII initiative whi…

1
Podcast Preview: Wall of Silence Ep. 2 46:07

1y ago46:07

46:07

While we are no longer producing new Tent Talks episodes every now and then we will take the opportunity to point listeners to new projects. Tent producer and co-host Chris Marchand has just begun releasing a new podcast we wanted you to be aware of: Wall of Silence, about church abuse and mishandling in the Anglican Church in North America. This i…

1
New Podcast Preview: The Wall of Silence with Chris Marchand 57:54

1y ago57:54

57:54

While we are no longer producing new Tent Talks episodes every now and then we will take the opportunity to point listeners to new projects. Tent producer and co-host Chris Marchand has just begun releasing a new podcast we wanted you to be aware of: Wall of Silence. Here is the description: In this first episode we introduce the sexual abuse case …

1
Last Word 4 with Eve Poole and Golibe Omenaka and friends 1:11:30

1+ y ago1:11:30

1:11:30

The start of the new season in 2024 marks the end of the current season for Tent Talks. We are bringing our podcast in to land, with a series of final thoughts from former guests, hosts and friends of the show. Join Stephen Backhouse in a series of conversations as we explore The Last Word. This final episode contains conversations with Eve Poole a…

1
Charlie Manson: Revisited 6:10:50

1+ y ago6:10:50

6:10:50

On this episode we talk about one of the most notorious men in modern history; a dude whose simple and crazy face is synonymous with manipulation, mind control and murder; whose idea of family will have you thinking twice about complaining about going home for thanksgiving this year; this time we are chatting about the one and only Charlie Manson. …

1
Last Word 3 with Rachel Howell 1:42:39

1+ y ago1:42:39

1:42:39

The start of the new season in 2024 marks the end of the current season for Tent Talks. We are bringing our podcast in to land, with a series of final thoughts from former guests, hosts and friends of the show. Join Stephen Backhouse in a series of conversations as we explore The Last Word. Episode Three features co-host Sean McCoy in a conversatio…

1
Last Word 2 with Lisa Weaver Swartz and Amanda Holm Rosengren 1:33:34

1+ y ago1:33:34

1:33:34

The start of the new season in 2024 marks the end of the current season for Tent Talks. We are bringing our podcast in to land, with a series of final thoughts from former guests, hosts and friends of the show. Join Stephen Backhouse in a series of conversations as we explore The Last Word. Episode Two features co-host Chris Marchand offering a cod…

1
Last Word 1 with Brad Jersak, Natasha Beckles and friends 1:49:35

1+ y ago1:49:35

1:49:35

The start of the new season 2024 marks the end of the current season for Tent Talks. We are bringing our podcast in to land, with a series of final thoughts from former guests, hosts and friends of the show. Join Stephen Backhouse in a series of conversations as we explore The Last Word. Episode One features Brad Jersak, Natasha Beckles and friends…

1
Representation Politics: Finding the Middle with Claudine and Kuda 1:00:29

1+ y ago1:00:29

1:00:29

Left, Right, or in the middle? Guest host and previous guest to the Tent Sheyi Martin-Allens presents a series of conversations with black and brown friends from across the political spectrum to discuss their thoughts on having Britain's first Asian prime minister along with a government containing an increasing amount of ethnic minorities. The ser…

1
Representation Politics: Finding the Middle with Chine and David Gyasi 55:58

1+ y ago55:58

55:58

Left, Right, or in the middle? Guest host and previous guest to the Tent Sheyi Martin-Allens presents a series of conversations with black and brown friends from across the political spectrum to discuss their thoughts on having Britain's first Asian prime minister along with a government containing an increasing amount of ethnic minorities. The ser…

1
Representation Politics: Leaning Right with Sunday, Peter, and Adrian 1:35:52

1+ y ago1:35:52

1:35:52

Left, Right, or in the middle? Guest host and previous guest to the Tent Sheyi Martin-Allens presents a series of conversations with black and brown friends from across the political spectrum to discuss their thoughts on having Britain's first Asian prime minister along with a government containing an increasing amount of ethnic minorities. The ser…

1
Representation Politics: Leaning Left with Nee, Richard, and Nova Reid 1:09:29

1+ y ago1:09:29

1:09:29

Left, Right, or in the middle? Guest host and previous guest to the Tent Sheyi Martins-Allens presents a series of conversations with black and brown friends from across the political spectrum to discuss their thoughts on having Britain's first Asian prime minister along with a government containing an increasing number of ethnic minorities. The se…

1
A Christmas Tent Talk with Emily Hunter McGowin 52:11

1+ y ago52:11

52:11

Dr. Emily Hunter McGowin has entered the Tent to take part in Chris Marchand's annual Christmas episode. She has just released her new book Christmas: The Season of Life and Light which offers reflections, insights, and gentle challenges about how we celebrate the holiday season. The conversation dwells on the major themes Chris addressed in his ow…

1
Bonus: Tolkien and Nonviolence? with Austin M. Freeman 35:19

1+ y ago35:19

35:19

Austin M. Freeman, professor at Houston Christian University, joins the tent for another bonus episode to discuss J.R.R. Tolkien's views on non-violence and war. Who exactly is the "pacifist" in The Lord of the Rings and why isn't it Tom Bombadil? In two archival episode segments Melody Green, dean of Urbana Seminary, is featured with her owns thou…

1
Bonus Episode: Rachel Wilhelm on Singing the Words of Jeremiah 40:21

1+ y ago40:21

40:21

Musician, songwriter, and worship leader Rachel Wilhelm joins the Tent with Chris Marchand to discuss her new album Jeremiah and how she approached writing songs that speak truth to leaders in power while also calling for communal repentance. Though a bonus episode, this conversation pieces together a number of elements from previous Tent Talks ser…

1
Bonus Episode: "Nutrition With Love" with Clare Backhouse 15:17

1+ y ago15:17

15:17

One of the episodes we received the most feedback about was when Clare Backhouse, Stephen's wife, appeared in our "How to Love" series. Clare, a qualified and registered nutritional therapist, is now launching her own podcast, "Nutrition With Love." Her first episode, which we are releasing as a bonus, goes into her background story and why nutriti…

1
Disagree 5: Danielle Shroyer & Thomas Jay Oord on Facing Tough Issues With a Calm Presence 40:53

2y ago40:53

40:53

Previous Tent guests Danielle Shroyer and Thomas Jay Oord join Sean for the fifth episode of the Disagree series to offer their perspective on how to enter into difficult conversations with calmness and an inner peace that does need to force other people to switch to your side of an argument. It may take us years to do so, but they point the way to…

1
Disagree 4: Ryan Walker Professional Lobbyist 30:23

2y ago30:23

30:23

Ryan Walker joins Sean McCoy for the fourth episode of the Disagree series to discuss the ins and outs of being a lobbyist and policymaker within the U.S. Government. Taking a relational approach Ryan hopes to help groups in Washington D.C. "wade through the bureaucracy and manage the increasing unpredictability of politics" in order to help them c…

1
The Salem Witch Trials 5:53:45

2y ago5:53:45

5:53:45

DEEP DIVE - On this episode we discuss one of histories most enduring mysteries where accusations flew and farcical trials condemned many young women to death in the name of religious purity which was disguising political subterfuge and using fear of the unknown as a tool of control; this one is all about The Salem Witch Trials. In 17th Century Mas…

1
Disagree 3: Anika Prather on Addressing Racism 1:05:36

2y ago1:05:36

1:05:36

Dr. Anika Prather is a literature professor, classical educator, and author. She is currently the Director of High Quality Curriculum and Instruction at Johns Hopkins Institute for Education Policy and with her husband founded The Living Water School. She joins the Disagree series to discuss with Chris Marchand how to approach teaching about and ha…

1
Disagree 2: Pete Wehner on Jesus, patriotism and killing 1:38:52

2y ago1:38:52

1:38:52

Pete Wehner is an American writer and former speechwriter for the administrations of three Republican U.S. presidents. He is a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times and a contributing editor at The Atlantic, He joins Stephen Backhouse for a respectful and honest conversation on violence, patriotism and the Christian witness: topics abo…

1
Randy Kraft - The Scorecard Killer 3:52:48

2y ago3:52:48

3:52:48

On this episode we talk about one of the most prolific and brutal killers in US history and a guy who got his moniker The Scorecard Killer from a macabre list of nicknames he had for his many victims; this episode is all about Randy Kraft. Joining me on this episode is comedian Ger Staunton; international comedy powerhouse and fellow Mayo man :) Ge…

1
Disagree 1: Simon Croft on Nonviolent Communication 1:18:21

2y ago1:18:21

1:18:21

This is the first episode in our new series "Disagree". We are talking with people from different sides of different aisles and from people on the frontlines of some of the most contentious issues of the day. How can we disagree well? What is the value of disagreement? Is it worth it? Can be it good? What happens when it goes bad? To help kick off …

1
Interrupting Serious Youth Violence 4:Church and Community 52:52

2y ago52:52

52:52

In the final episode of her series on Interrupting Serious Youth Violence Rev. Natasha Beckles covers how the Compassionate Communities toolkits are centered around helping churches to work within their communities to interrupt serious youth violence. Using the meaning behind the figure of the Pieta as a foundational image (Mary holding Jesus after…

1
Interrupting Serious Youth Violence 3: Privilege and Power with Leroy Logan 1:05:39

2y ago1:05:39

1:05:39

In episode 3 of Interrupting Serious Youth Violence Tent Talks co-host Rev. Natasha Beckles discusses power and privilege with Leroy Logan. Logan is the UK's most highly decorated and well known black police officer and is the founding member of the Black Police Association. He is the author of "Closing Ranks", which detailed his time as a senior p…

1
Interrupting Serious Youth Violence 2: Education & Belonging With Rachel Clarke 1:00:11

2y ago1:00:11

1:00:11

Tent Talks co-host Rev. Natasha Beckles continues her series on Interrupting Serious Youth Violence with a discussion about education and belonging in a conversation with education thought leader Rachel Clarke. Through conversations and interviews, Natasha takes on the systemic and personal issues that create unsafe communities for our children and…

1
EP 55: Mary McElhattan - Preparing For Death 24:19

2y ago24:19

24:19

Conversations about death can be difficult. But it should be talked about and even prepared for because it simply is an inevitable truth for all of us. In doing that, you may just find peace instead of fear. After seeing the healing it did to her family, Mary McElhattan became passionate about openly discussing death and giving people permission to…

1
Interrupting Serious Youth Violence 1: The Big Picture, Birth & Bereavement 52:32

2y ago52:32

52:32

In this episode Tent Talks co-host Revd. Natasha Beckles begins her series on Interrupting Serious Youth Violence. Through conversations and interviews, Natasha takes on the systemic and personal issues that create unsafe communities for our children and looks to solutions for what schools and churches can do about it. This first episode gives an o…

1
Out of the Embers 4: Judith Moses talks with Brad Jersak 1:06:12

2y ago1:06:12

1:06:12

Brad Jersak's most recent book Out of the Embers deals with deconstruction in all its forms. Tent Talks invited Brad to make a four-part series on the themes of his book. In this fourth episode has a conversation with Judith Moses, a seasoned indigenous political activist in Canada who is known for working on the committee that worked with Canadian…

1
Out of the Embers 3: Felicia Murrell talks with Brad Jersak 1:00:51

2y ago1:00:51

1:00:51

Brad Jersak's most recent book Out of the Embers deals with deconstruction in all its forms. Tent Talks invited Brad to make a four-part series on the themes of his book. In this third episode he sits down with Felicia Murrell to explore deconstruction from a path of love and understanding but also as a black woman in the American context. Felicia …

1
Tin Foil Hat with Sam Tripoli - April 2023 2:02:07

2y ago2:02:07

2:02:07

SWAPCAST - On this episode I join Sam Tripoli, XG and Johnny on the infamous Tin Foil Hat to chat about the state of 'conspiracy theories'; what mad stuff is going on in the world right now; how hard it is having a head going around the place and a bunch of other contemporary conspiracy topics. We also talk about the recent TCG Rothschild episode a…

1
Out of the Embers 2: David Hayward (the NakedPastor) talks with Brad Jersak 57:54

2y ago57:54

57:54

Brad Jersak's most recent book Out of the Embers deals with deconstruction in all its forms. Tent Talks invited Brad to make a four-part series on the themes of his book. In this second episode he sits down with David Hayward, the NakedPastor, to talk about deconstruction, staying in relationship as we go through the process of reshaping our faith,…

1
EP 54: Jodi Friedman - Reiki & Connecting With Your Soul 29:22

2y ago29:22

29:22

Many of us are constantly in stressful situations at work, demanding more of our bodies, minds, and energy. When do we pull back and say enough before we lose ourselves? Empowerment and spiritual life coach, Reiki master, and teacher Jodi Friedman tells those of us struggling, “Come meditate with me. Come do Reiki. Save your heart.” In this episode…

1
Out of the Embers 1: Brian Zahnd talks with Brad Jersak 1:10:32

2y ago1:10:32

1:10:32

By Brian Zahnd, Brad Jersak, Stephen Backhouse

1
EP 53: Coach Luke Haefele - Accelerated Expansion 41:31

2y ago41:31

41:31

We hear about athletes going to entrepreneurship all the time. But what about entrepreneurs giving up all they have to become a professional athlete? That is the path that Coach Luke Haefele took. He once ran multiple six-figure businesses. One day he made the bold decision to switch gears, packed everything into a U-haul and moved to Las Vegas to …

1
Love 5: Food of Love with Clare Backhouse 33:03

2y ago33:03

33:03

Clare Backhouse is a nutritional therapist who specialises in human system and lifestyle health. She joins the Tent to talk about the chemistry and biology of anxiety, safety and affection, and tackles the question of how what we eat helps us how to love. You can find out more about Clare's practice and writing at www.transformationnutrition.org. H…

1
Love 4: God is Love with Thomas Jay Oord 30:48

2y ago30:48

30:48

Thomas Jay Oord is the Professor of Open and Relational Theology at Northwind Theological Seminary and the author of a number of books on love, and what this might mean when we talk about power and God. You can find out more about Thomas Oord and his works HERE. Has anything we make been interesting, useful or fruitful for you? You can support us b…

1
Love 3: How to Love an Enemy with Melissa Florer-Bixler 32:48

2y ago32:48

32:48

The love of enemies is the most famous, and least practiced, of all forms of love. We talk with Melissa Florer-Bixler, who is an Anabaptist activist, Mennonite pastor and author, amongst other things, of How to Have an Enemy. You can find our more about Melissa and her work HERE. How to Have An Enemy is available widely. You can find out more about…

1
EP 52: Cary Grant – Universal Truths 32:08

2+ y ago32:08

32:08

Universal truths are the principles that go beyond time, culture, and beliefs. They show the essential wisdom and values that it takes to achieve success and have a good life. In this episode, we have Cary Grant, the owner of Floor Seasons, a concrete coating company in Las Vegas. Cary unpacks his journey of achieving greatness and how he has disco…

1
Love 2: The Spirit of Love with Chris Green 36:45

2+ y ago36:45

36:45

Dr Chris Green is a theologian of great stature and a wise and gentle soul. He sits down with Stephen to discuss the theologies and movements of love: if love is so central to divine revelation then why do so many Christian systems seemed designed around anything but? All about Chris and his works can be found HERE. Has anything we make been intere…

1
The Rothschild Dynasty 6:30:09

2+ y ago6:30:09

6:30:09

DEEP DIVE - On this episode we discuss The Rothschild Dynasty and the beginning to one of the most powerful and covertly influential dynastic families in modern civilisation. From the Jewish ghettos of 18th century Frankfurt to seats at the most clandestine and unimaginably powerful boardroom tables in the modern day; the Rothschild family and thei…

1
Love 1: The Beloved Community with Tinasha LaRayé 30:03

2+ y ago30:03

30:03

Tinasha LaRayé is an actor, poet, pastor, activist and a powerful force of goodness in this world. She joins the Tent to kick off our first episode in a new series on Love. Has anything we make been interesting, useful or fruitful for you? You can support us by becoming a Fellow Traveller on our Patreon page HERE.…

1
Women in Church Leadership 4: The Future 36:44

2+ y ago36:44

36:44

Chris interviewed four women from different backgrounds asking them each the same questions about their experiences as women and leaders in the Church. He talks to Abbi Nye, archivist at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and researcher with CFCToo and ACNAToo, Dr. Emily McGowin, associate professor of theology at Wheaton College and canon theol…

1
Women in Church Leadership 3: Femininity and Motherhood 1:00:17

2+ y ago1:00:17

1:00:17

Chris interviewed four women from different backgrounds asking them each the same questions about their experiences as women and leaders in the Church. He talks to Abbi Nye, archivist at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and researcher with CFCToo and ACNAToo, Dr. Emily McGowin, associate professor of theology at Wheaton College and canon theol…

1
Women in Church Leadership 2: Scrutiny 34:23

2+ y ago34:23

34:23

This is the second episode of the new series "Women in Church Leadership." Today's episode is about the scrutiny women face as leaders and the issues they thought they would have been able to move passed by this point in their careers. If you have degrees and years of experience in your area of expertise should women still expect men to disrespect …

1
Women in Church Leadership 1: Disrespect 45:37

2+ y ago45:37

45:37

This is the first episode of the new series "Women in Church Leadership." Chris interviewed four women from different backgrounds asking them each the same questions about their experiences as women and leaders in the Church. He talks to Abbi Nye, archivist at the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee and researcher with CFCToo and ACNAToo, Dr. Emily M…

1
EP 51: Hoan Thai-Escape Your 9-5 36:52

2+ y ago36:52

36:52

1
Michael Barrymore 3:04:10

2+ y ago3:04:10

3:04:10

On this episode we discuss one of the most famous and contentious true crime cases this century; the death of Stuart Lubbock. Now this case is still unsolved and in the UK and Ireland it was a huge deal and was covered incessantly by the news and tabloid media because of the association with celebrity tv personality and comedian Michael Barrymore. …

1
Coventry Carol and bonus Christmas Songs conversation 9:07

2+ y ago9:07

9:07

Please enjoy the release of Chris Marchand's latest Christmas song recording "Coventry Carol," along with an excerpt from an extended conversation Chris and Sean had about sad Christmas songs. You can purchase and download Chris' song along with his other music here: https://chrismarchand.bandcamp.com/track/coventry-carol His album Gentle Spacemake…

1
On the Importance of Sad Christmas Songs: A Christmas Tent Talk 1:08:27

2+ y ago1:08:27

1:08:27

Chris Marchand continues the tradition of giving an annual Christmas Tent Talk this year by acknowledging the role sad Christmas songs play in our lives. Sometimes we simply cannot sing a happy song and instead need to sing something with more weight, something that allows us to lament. Chris touches on some of the classic "sad" carols as well as t…

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