Van invites Drew Marshall to explore the world of Islam through the lens of architecture as a living expression of belief, migration, conflict, humility, community behavior, and identity. Drew, an Islamic Studies expert and community advocate, guides us through the evolution of mosque design from Abraham and early Mecca to its global adaptations across the centuries. The conversation delves into the lived experience of entering a mosque, exploring transitional spaces, ritual washing (wu...

This episode brings together Rev. Dr. Pamela Adams, Van, and Pastor Nate for a deep, candid conversation about what actually happens at the intersection of mental health, spirituality, accountability, and human struggle. What emerges is a picture of healing that is warm and joyful, but also grounded, gritty, and human. Pam begins by breaking down why therapy scares people: not because therapy is dramatic, but because sitting in a room and talking about yourself is uncomfortable. And she doesn...

In this thought-provoking episode, Van Sedita and retired Presbyterian pastor Phil Jones speak with Mark Friedman, author of Come Now, Let Us Reason Together. The conversation explores what authentic Judaism means beyond stereotypes of rigid law and ritual. Friedman recounts his journey from Reform Judaism through years among Chabad communities, describing how neither liberal editing nor strict orthodoxy fully capture Judaism’s heart. He argues that after the Second Temple’s destruction, the ...

In this candid conversation, Van Sedita, Nate Phillips, and John Molina-Moore take on men’s health through stories of stress, faith, and vulnerability. What starts with beard lotion jokes quickly opens into a serious and deeply honest exchange about how men process—or avoid processing—emotions. John shares how stress physically manifested as back pain despite being in the best shape of his life, revealing how the body often tells the truth before we do. Nate connects that experience to learne...

What makes an experience unforgettable—and how do we design for it? In our latest Design & Religion, Van and Pastor Nate sit down with UX legend Jared Spool to unpack “indelible experiences.” From Disney’s crisis-ready hospitality to tissues in the pew and playful product micro-moments, we explore how the best teams: Exceed expectations (the stuff people can’t stop talking about)Anticipate latent needs (needs users don’t know they have—yet)Eliminate burden (so meaning, not friction, takes...

In this lively episode, Van and Pastor Nate dive into the hype and hope of AI—asking what it means for creativity, conscience, and the Church. From Black Mirror-style “hollow people” to very real ways AI can prep you for doctor visits, job interviews, and tough conversations, they wrestle with the promise and the peril: Can a tool that doesn’t “feel” still help us live better lives? Send us a text message letting us know what you think of this episode! We envision a world where design and rel...

Nate and Van are joined by design researcher Oxana Loseva to explore endurance—how we keep going without losing ourselves. They contrast resilience with endurance, and Nate shares how gratitude in pastoral work turns burden into privilege. Oxana reflects on stress, health, and identity, while Van reframes tough days as “things we get to do.” Together they discuss removing small choices to save energy, the limits of helping—especially in abusive situations—and Edwin Friedman’s “bridge” fable a...

Nate and Van are joined by Charlie Hannagan, Tech Support Specialist about the role of technology in modern church services, particularly regarding live streaming and digital content creation. They talk about the balance between maintaining traditional church values while leveraging technology for outreach and pastoral care, with emphasis on avoiding over-reliance on digital presence at the expense of genuine human connection. Send us a text message letting us know what you think of thi...

Nate and Van engage in a wide-ranging conversation covering misinformation, and political discourse, while expressing concerns about leadership and the spread of false information on social media. They discussed personal experiences and shared perspectives on simple-living, sobriety, the importance of controlling what one can in challenging times, and the value of education and peaceful action over violence. Send us a text message letting us know what you think of this episode! We env...

Nate and Van interview Jeffrey Miller, a renowned church organist, about his career and experiences in church music and opera. They cover the planning and execution of memorial services, including the importance of music selection, personal preferences, and setting boundaries for family contributions. Finally, they explore the challenges of funeral attendance and community involvement, emphasizing the need for personal boundaries and policies in religious contexts. Send us a text messag...

Rachele Gilmore joins Nate and Van to discuss their personal experiences with performing and focus on the challenges and rewards of their respective careers. They also explored the psychological and therapeutic aspects of performing and leading worship services, emphasizing the importance of authenticity, subtlety, and interactivity. The conversation ended with a discussion on the significance of singing and prayer in personal and communal experiences, and the potential for finding joy and a ...

Rev. Dr. Jason Santos joins to discuss popular media and social influencers on religious views, and the challenges of tribalism in communication. We also explore the potential for rethinking how the gospel is communicated and proclaimed in the worship service, the importance of engaging with the world beyond their religious community, and the need for a more nuanced approach to understanding and addressing varieties of social issues. The conversation also touched on the responsibility of reli...

Nate and Van discuss the importance of creativity, positive change, and inclusivity in their work. They explore various topics including community engagement, selflessness, and the potential impact of current events on people's well-being, while also touching on the influence of different voices and media on their congregation. The conversation concludes with reflections on personal beliefs, the value of diverse perspectives, and the importance of raw, unstructured conversations in challengin...

Oxana Lesova, a User Researcher, joins Nate and Van to discuss her everyday work in diversity, equity, and inclusion, with individuals and communities with disabilities. The conversation concluded with reflections on the importance of allowing individuals to tell their own stories, the value of empathy in pastoral counseling, and the significance of unity and connection that comes when we invite everyone -their whole self "to the table". Send us a text message letting us know what you think o...

David Franklin an Accessibility Expert, joins Nate and Van to discuss the importance of inclusivity and accessibility. They also explore the challenges of ensuring inclusivity in web design and the importance of receiving feedback from users and audience members in a church service. The conversation touches on the importance of understanding the context and potential biases in the Bible, the need for a two-way approach to inclusion, and the challenges of balancing change with tradition in chu...

Edwin, Nate and Van continue the discussion with Edwin exploring the importance of diversity and authenticity in relationships, with Edwin sharing his experiences as a the first non-white senior pastor in his current church and the challenges of being an outsider in a predominantly white congregation. Send us a text message letting us know what you think of this episode! We envision a world where design and religion work together to spread love, empathy, and charity faster than divisive...

In this part one, of two-part episode, Rev. Edwin Estevez, joins Nate, and Van and shares his experiences growing up in diverse environments and discusses the cultural significance of sharing food, the impact of technology on human interaction, the importance of acknowledging the amygdala in understanding human behavior, and the challenges of navigating cultural differences in diverse communities. Lastly, they touch on the challenges churches face in adapting to changing neighborhoods, the im...

Rev. John Molina-Moore joins Nate and Van in discussing preaching and the finer points and pitfalls of encouraging action. The conversation explored the balance between comfort and challenge in sermons, the importance of addressing contemporary issues thoughtfully, and the role of activism and personal growth in social advocacy. Send us a text message letting us know what you think of this episode! We envision a world where design and religion work together to spread love, empathy, and ...

Van and Nate discuss Van's perspective as a designer on the art of preaching, comparing it to trial lawyers' persuasive techniques. Van begins to share his thoughts on what he believes for both clergy and design perspectives, mentioning contrasting examples from the design world. Send us a text message letting us know what you think of this episode! We envision a world where design and religion work together to spread love, empathy, and charity faster than divisiveness, selfishness, and hate....

Rev. Dr. Adam Hearlson joins Van, and Nate to discuss the craft and challenges of preaching, the importance of balancing responsibility and creative risk-taking, and the role of storytelling in conveying lessons. They cover the importance of equipping people with the necessary tools and motivation to understand and take positive actions in their life. Send us a text message letting us know what you think of this episode! We envision a world where design and religion work together to spread...