The Radical Middle
The Radical Middle Podcast is a place where we embrace tension and talk about the things you wish your church would talk about. The middle is not a centrist point of view, but rather it is a place of dialogue where we can search out the truth of Jesus by pushing into the tension of it.
Episodes
In this final episode of The Radical Middle Podcast, hosts Tommy Nixon and Lenmarie Pascal take a heartfelt look back at their journey over 50 episodes, reflecting on the podcast’s origins and the purpose that shaped it. Created to foster conversations around complex social and church issues, the podcast sought to promote dialogue and mutual understanding across diverse perspectives. Now, as they reach the end of this chapter, Tomm...
In this episode of The Radical Middle Podcast, hosts Tommy Nixon and Lenmarie Pascal dive into a crucial topic affecting today’s Christian communities—the impact of excessive niceness. Could this culture of "niceness" be one of the reasons young people are drifting away from the church? Tommy and Lenmarie discuss how this overly polite approach often blocks meaningful relationships and limits personal growth, leaving chur...
In this episode of the Radical Middle Podcast, hosts Tommy Nixon and Lenmarie Pascal explore sexual ethics, critiquing both conservative purity culture and progressive attitudes towards sexuality. They discuss the impact of these teachings on different generations and stress the need for balanced, scripturally-informed discussions on intimacy and sexual ethics within Christian communities.
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In this episode of The Radical Middle Podcast, hosts Tommy Nixon and Lenmarie Pascall are joined by their intern, Taitem Brown, for an insightful discussion on the dynamics and tensions between Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. They delve into how these different generations shape societal norms, influence leadership styles, and impact cultural values. The conversation highlights the crucial role of mentorship and the need for mutual ...
In this episode of The Radical Middle Podcast, hosts Tommy Nixon and Lenmarie Pascall dive into the complex intersection of politics and Christianity, especially during the heightened tensions of the political season. They emphasize that the "radical middle" isn’t about taking a neutral or passive stance, but rather about engaging deeply and thoughtfully with politics from a Christian worldview. Tommy and Lenmarie challen...
The Radical Middle Podcast, hosted by Tommy Nixon and Lenmarie Pascall, explores the concept of the "radical middle," which emphasizes living out the teachings of Jesus in a genuine, thoughtful way. Unlike a centrist approach, the radical middle involves deeply wrestling with Christian truths and engaging in meaningful dialogue to understand and apply them. The podcast addresses the challenges of conflict, societal divide...
In this episode, Tommy and Lenmarie take a deep dive into the reasons why Christians, particularly those in leadership and institutional roles, often struggle with conflict. They explore how the reluctance to confront disagreements head-on has led to a widespread phenomenon known as "church hurt," where unresolved issues create rifts within congregations and communities. The hosts argue that this avoidance stems from a mi...
In this episode of the Radical Middle Podcast, Tommy and Lenmarie dive deep into the complex and often contentious topic of masculinity, viewed through the lens of Christian faith. The discussion begins with a provocative question: If you were alone in a forest, would you feel safer with a man or a bear? Surprisingly, many choose the bear, a response that opens the door to a broader conversation about how masculinity is perceived t...
In this compelling episode of the Radical Middle Podcast, hosts Tommy Nixon and Lenmarie Pascall engage in a thorough examination of a significant question facing the religious community today: Should megachurches continue in their current form? With a keen eye on the evolving landscape of modern faith, they highlight several critical issues that megachurches must address to remain relevant and effective.
One of the primary concerns...
In this episode of the Radical Middle podcast, hosts Tommy Nixon and Lenmarie Pascall take a deep dive into the concept of "justice fatigue." They explore the multifaceted challenges of staying actively engaged in social justice amidst the backdrop of overwhelming global crises. The conversation touches on the intense pressures faced by public advocates and the very real risks of burnout when justice efforts start to over...
In this episode of the Radical Middle podcast, hosts Tommy Nixon and Lenmarie delve into the profound challenges of properly addressing grief, particularly within the church. They are joined by guest Angel Maldonado, who shares his personal journey through grief, from the loss of his father to his move to California. Maldonado sheds light on the often inadequate responses he encountered, especially within religious communities, and...
In the latest episode of the Radical Middle Podcast, hosts Tommy Nixon and Lenmarie Pascall, along with Esteban Shedd from Streetlights, explore the transformative power of the Bible when it is made accessible through modern methods like hip-hop beats. They discuss the troublingly low engagement levels among Christians, which they attribute to digital distractions and a lack of spiritual hunger. This episode highlights the profound...
In this episode of the "Radical Middle" podcast, hosts Tommy Nixon and Lenmarie Pascal delve into the evolving landscape of Church practices in the wake of the pandemic, focusing on innovative approaches tailored to young adult ministry.
They advocate for transformative changes that prioritize authenticity, community engagement, and discipleship.
The discussion highlights the urgency of shifting away from traditional inst...
In this episode of the "Radical Middle" podcast, hosts Tommy Nixon and Lenmarie Pascal delve into critical questions facing young adult leaders in Christian ministry. They examine the nuanced differences in cultural, ethnic, and church contexts and how these factors influence authenticity in leadership. The discussion probes the challenge of discerning genuine authenticity amidst charismatic leadership, emphasizing the im...
In this episode of the "Radical Middle" podcast, hosts Tommy Nixon and Lenmarie Pascal welcome Alexander James, a poet, pastor, and author, to delve into his latest book, "Just Be Honest." Join the conversation as they explore the delicate balance between faith and conformity, particularly in urban settings. With a focus on integrating spirituality into everyday life, they encourage listeners to embrace authenti...
Join hosts Tommy Nixon, Vanessa, and Joseph Adam Cruz on The Radical Middle podcast as they delve into the complex interplay between faith and engagement with secular music and media. In this thought-provoking episode, they tackle the tension of maintaining one's beliefs and truths while navigating the landscape of inclusion and tolerance.
Through candid conversation and insightful reflections, the hosts explore the nuances be...
In this episode of The Radical Middle podcast, hosts Tommy and Vanessa invite special guest Joseph Adam Cruz to explore the evolution of evangelism, discussing the changing tides of gospel outreach, acknowledging the fading effectiveness of traditional methods - championing a shift towards more personal, relational approaches that emphasize genuine connections over outdated tactics.
Joseph Adam Cruz brings a unique perspective to t...
In this episode of the "Radical Middle" podcast, hosts Tommy Nixon and Vanessa Cruz dive into the fascinating realm of truth as perceived by today's young leaders. They highlight an intriguing shift that's been happening since around 2016—a move towards a more nuanced understanding of truth, one that's less black and white and more about shades of gray. This shift emphasizes flexibility and acknowledges the...
Welcome to The Radical Middle - In this episode, we tackle the crucial issue of toxicity within church organizations. Join us as Len, a seasoned leadership development expert, joins forces with Tommy - together sharing invaluable insights gleaned from their diverse experiences. We will be discussing the following:
How do you discern the toxicity levels in your church environment? How do you identify red flags, such as unhealthy powe...
In urban settings, we often find ourselves caught between two worlds: the raw authenticity of our surroundings and the call to live lives that reflect God's holiness. It's a tension we can't ignore.
We're faced with the challenge of staying relevant to our community while also striving to live lives that honor God. How do we reconcile the ratchetness, that is often tied to certain elements of urban culture, with ...
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