Advertise on podcast: For The Rest Of Us with the Reverend Canon Megan Castellan

What happens when Episcopalians decide they’re the real Episcopalians? This week on For The Rest Of Us, Megan takes Adam on a tour through one of the messier chapters in Episcopal history: schism. From the Reformed Episcopal Church in the 1870s to the Continuing Anglicans and eventually ACNA, we unpack why groups have broken away from the Episcopal Church, what they believed they were preserving, and why every schismatic group seems to eventually say some version of, “We didn’t leave you—you left us.” Megan explains how these divisions have often been about much more than a single theological disagreement. The Oxford Movement, Catholic vs. Protestant identity, women’s ordination, the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, the election of Bishop Gene Robinson, questions about authority and apostolic succession, and the complicated relationships between American breakaway groups and Anglican churches around the world all played a part. And beneath many of those disputes were deeper questions about leadership, power, accountability, and who gets to decide what the “true” church looks like. We also talk about what actually happened during the Episcopal Church’s great unpleasantness of the 2000s—including why the lawsuits over buildings and church property were about far more than money, and why Megan argues that none of the church splits really had winners. When a church breaks apart, the pain doesn’t disappear just because everyone is convinced they’re on the right side. And then there’s the uncomfortable question of oversight. What happens when a group leaves an established church because it believes the wider church has gone off the rails, only to discover that being accountable to someone is actually pretty important? As Megan puts it, oversight may be annoying, but we have it for a reason. Along the way, we discuss authoritarian leadership, the ways isolation can make dysfunction worse, why women’s ordination remains such a thorny issue in some Anglican circles, and why “we’re the ones who have the true faith” is probably not the strongest foundation for church unity. And because this is For The Rest Of Us, we eventually arrive at the important theological question: What weird documentary should you watch next? Megan has recommendations involving fake priests, trad Catholics, elderly victims, llamas, and possibly murder. Naturally. For the rest of us. Make sure to leave us a rating and a review, and don't forget to share the show with a friend… or an enemy! (They should listen too!)

What exactly are the 39 Articles—and how much are Episcopalians actually supposed to care about them? Megan takes Adam on a trip through one of the most historically complicated documents in the back of the Episcopal prayer book. From Henry VIII and the English Reformation to Thomas Cranmer, Queen Elizabeth, Protestantism, Catholicism, and a whole lot of theological back-and-forth, we explore how the 39 Articles came to be and what they were actually trying to accomplish. Along the way, we tackle baptism, the sacraments, faith and works, predestination, purgatory, saints, Scripture, clergy marriage, worship in the “vulgar tongue,” and why the 39 Articles are probably better understood as guardrails than a theological checklist. We also talk about why the Episcopal Church has never treated the Articles as a confessional litmus test, why trying to force them into one rigid interpretation misses some of their history, and how Anglicanism’s long tradition of diversity is actually reflected in the Articles themselves. And, naturally, we discuss the legendary Episcopal clergy tradition of leaving buttons undone on your cassock for the Articles you don't agree with—and decide which movie from our favorite franchises deserves to lose a button of its own. Come for the history. Stay for the theology, the passive-aggressive Britishness, and the question every Episcopalian eventually has to ask: How many of these things do I actually have to agree with? Make sure to leave us a rating and a review, and don't forget to share the show with a friend… or an enemy! (They should listen too!)

What happens when you go looking for Jesus in the Holy Land and find layers of archaeology, centuries of Christian history, competing denominations, a mysterious ladder, Christian graffiti, monks fighting over who gets to sweep, and a whole lot of pita? After a summer pilgrimage to Israel-Palestine, Megan takes us inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and the fascinating history surrounding one of Christianity’s holiest—and most chaotic—places. Along the way, she explains how early Christians remembered and marked sacred places, what archaeology can tell us about the sites associated with Jesus, and how centuries of rebuilding, destruction, disagreement, and devotion have shaped the Holy Land we see today. We talk about the competing Christian traditions that share the Holy Sepulchre, the Muslim families who have held its keys for centuries, the Ethiopian Orthodox monastery on the roof, the mysterious immovable ladder, and why the church’s very messiness might actually tell us something profound about Christianity. Plus: a chapel dedicated to Adam (not our Adam), millions of carved crosses, Christian graffiti, the Garden Tomb, mint lemonade, and the eternal struggle of coming home from the Middle East and discovering that American pita just isn't the same. Come along for a pilgrimage through history, faith, archaeology, and all the wonderfully weird ways human beings try to make a home for God. Make sure to leave us a rating and a review, and don't forget to share the show with a friend… or an enemy! (They should listen too!)

Mary. Mary. Mary. Mary. Wait... which Mary are we talking about? If you've ever gotten lost trying to keep all the Marys in the New Testament straight, you're definitely not alone. This week, Megan and Adam untangle some often confusing knows in the New Testament: the women named Mary, what we actually know about them (and what we only think we know), and why centuries of tradition have sometimes blurred them all together. Along the way we'll talk apostles, disciples, grieving mothers, faithful witnesses, and a few cases of mistaken identity. Plus, as always, there are a few non sequiturs, rabbit holes, and the kind of delightfully nerdy conversation that somehow makes biblical scholarship genuinely fun. Because sometimes the hardest part of reading the Gospels isn't the theology—it's figuring out which Mary just walked into the scene. Make sure to leave us a rating and a review, and don't forget to share the show with a friend… or an enemy! (They should listen too!)

What exactly is a deacon—and why does the Episcopal Church have them? This week, Megan and Adam are joined by special guest the Rev. Canon Deacon David Stickley (what a fancy title!) to unpack one of the most misunderstood ministries in the Church: the vocational diaconate. Together they explore what deacons actually do, why they're called to serve at the intersection of the Church and the world, and how their ministry challenges all of us to see Christ in our neighbors. Along the way, they tackle common misconceptions, explain why deacons aren't simply "priests in training," share stories from David's own vocation, and discover that sometimes the most important ministry happens outside the walls of the church. Whether you've always wondered what that diagonal stole is about or you've never given deacons a second thought, this conversation offers a thoughtful—and occasionally delightfully nerdy—look at a ministry centered on service, compassion, and helping the whole Church become more fully the Body of Christ. Make sure to leave us a rating and a review, and don't forget to share the show with a friend… or an enemy! (They should listen too!

This episode of For the Rest of Us, Megan introduces us to one of the most important—and too often overlooked—saints in the Episcopal Church: Absalom Jones. Born into slavery, Jones fought for his freedom, became the first Black priest ordained in the Episcopal Church, helped found the first Black Episcopal parish, cared for the sick during Philadelphia's devastating yellow fever epidemic, and never stopped calling the Church to become more faithful to the Gospel it proclaimed. Along the way, Adam learns why so many Christians (especially those from other traditions) have never heard his story, why Absalom's famous Thanksgiving Sermon still speaks powerfully today, and why telling the truth about our history—both the inspiring parts and the painful ones—is an act of faith. It's a conversation about saints, freedom, grace that wasn't deserved, and what it means to keep showing up for a Church that still has room to grow. Plus: Confessions on the Broadway hit "Hamilton", and the very serious debate over how many hot dogs is too many hot dogs on the Fourth of July . Make sure to leave us a rating and a review, and don't forget to share the show with a friend… or an enemy, they should listen to!

This episode, Megan takes Adam on a whirlwind tour through the wonderfully weird world of Christian denominations, church friendships, and why Episcopalians seem determined to be friends with absolutely everyone. From the origins of the YMCA and “muscular Christianity” to World Wars, councils, cookies, and conversations that span centuries, they unpack what ecumenism actually is—and why it matters. Some of the things they talk about: Why church relationships sometimes resemble World Cup alliances. How Moravian cookies became an ecumenical success story. Why angry Russian faxes once landed on Megan’s desk. Why showing up and staying in relationship matters, even when churches disagree. And why Episcopalians may simply have denominational FOMO.Plus: Pope Leo shows back up and they talk about him, Archbishop of Canterbury Sarah Mullaly, the Chicago-Lambeth Quadrilateral, and the surprising realization that sometimes the most Christian thing we can do is keep talking to one another. Whether you're here for church history, Anglican nerdery, or just wondering what the YMCA has to do with theology, this episode proves that faith can be complicated, friendships can be messy, and there might be cookies if you show up. Make sure to leave us a rating and a review, and don't forget to share the show with a friend… or an enemy, they should listen to!

What happens when a newly elected pope drops an encyclical on AI, human dignity, war, economics, and the future of technology—and then casually quotes Gandalf? This week, Megan and Adam dive into Pope Leo XIV’s first major teaching document and unpack why it’s making waves far beyond the Roman Catholic Church. Together they explore the ethical questions surrounding artificial intelligence, the responsibility of governments and corporations, the hidden human costs behind our technology, and why the pope insists that AI is not something we should simply accept as inevitable. Along the way, they discuss papal encyclicals, democracy, social justice, the future of human creativity, and what it means to remain moral agents in an increasingly automated world. Plus: Pope Leo quotes Gandalf, Megan desperately wants a Stephen Colbert reaction, and Megan and Adam officially invite the pope to become the podcast’s first celebrity guest. Whether you're excited about AI, skeptical of it, or just here for the Tolkien references, this episode asks an important question: How do we talk faithfully and ethically about technology before it outruns us?

This episode kicks off a new series on one of the hardest questions in faith and life: What does forgiveness actually mean—and what does it not mean? Megan and Adam dive into the messy intersection of forgiveness, repentance, accountability, confession, and repair, challenging some of the most common (and often harmful) ideas we carry about apologizing and “moving on.” A few of the things covered this episode: Why “that’s not who I am” may not be the apology people think it isThe problem with “God forgives me, so why can’t you?" Why time alone doesn’t equal growth, healing, or repairWhat repentance means beyond simply saying “I’m sorry” How Anglican theology connects forgiveness to community, accountability, and changed livesAlong the way, the conversation explores confession, amendment of life, 12-step wisdom, the difference between guilt and transformation, and why forgiveness is never meant to be coerced. And because this is For the Rest of Us, things also take a wonderfully unexpected detour into Muppet theology: Muppet Christmas Carol vs. Muppet Treasure Island, Michael Caine acting at maximum intensity among felt puppets, and the urgent theological question: What movie should be remade with one human actor and everyone else played by Muppets? This is Part 1 of a multi-episode exploration, so consider this your cliffhanger before we get into the mechanics of forgiveness and repair next time. (A note: apologies for the dogs barking in the background.)

Sometimes the Church celebrates some weird things on the liturgical calendar. This episode of For the Rest of Us, Canon Megan and Adam tackle one of those: the Feast of the Ascension (the day Jesus basically pulls a superhero exit off the Mount of Olives and the disciples stand there staring at the sky like confused extras in a Marvel movie). Along the way, the conversation spirals into: Why Ascension Day keeps getting moved around the church calendarThe “Jesus launchpad” footprints in JerusalemWhy the angels basically tell the disciples to stop standing around and get to workWhat it means for the Church to become the Body of ChristTime, space, theology, and “wibbly wobbly timey wimey stuff”C.S. Lewis, sci-fi theology, and the possibility of “Space Jesus”Why the Ascension reminds us that God is much bigger than our tiny boxesIt’s theology, science fiction, church history, quantum mechanics, and passive-aggressive Episcopalianism — all in one episode. So whether you’re a liturgy nerd, a recovering church kid, a curious skeptic, or just wondering why Christians celebrate Jesus floating into the sky, this episode is for you. As always, thanks for listening to For The Rest Of Us! Make sure to leave us a rating and review, and share with someone you know.

What does it mean to be a Palestinian Christian in the Holy Land right now? On this episode of For the Rest of Us, Canon Megan and Adam welcome Fr. Nael Rahmoun, Anglican priest in Nazareth and honorary canon at St. George’s Cathedral in Jerusalem, for a powerful conversation about faith, identity, war, hope, and the living Christian presence in Palestine. Fr. Nael shares what life is like for Palestinian Christians amid ongoing violence in Gaza, conflict throughout the region, and growing global tensions. He reflects on his layered identity as an Arab, Palestinian, Christian, and Israeli citizen, while offering a moving reminder that Christianity did not begin in America or Europe—it began in the Holy Land, and Christians are still there. Together, they discuss: What it means to be a Palestinian Christian todayThe importance of remembering the “living stones” of the Holy LandChristian Zionism and the dangers of using scripture to justify warWhy the global church must remain connected across bordersHope, peace, justice, and the call to reconciliationHow family and community help sustain joy during difficult timesThis conversation is a deeply human and deeply faithful invitation to listen, learn, pray, and remember that the Church is bigger than any one nation.

What happens when the Pope starts sounding “radical”… but is actually just quoting the Bible? In this episode of For the Rest of Us, Megan andAdam unpack liberation theology—what it is, where it comes from, and why it keeps making headlines today. From the reforms of Second Vatican Council to the work of theologians like Gustavo Gutiérrez, they explore how Christianity became deeply connected to real-world issues like poverty, injustice, and political oppression. They also dive into: Why the Pope’s recent sermons surprised people (even though they’re rooted in Scripture) The concept of the “preferential option for the poor” How liberation theology spread across the world—from Latin America with Oscar Romero to movements inspired by Martin Luther King Jr. and Desmond Tutu Why this theology has made church leaders (and governments) uncomfortable And then… things take a turn. A shocking modern political moment leads to a deep dive into the Avignon Papacy—and why invoking it today is a very bad idea. It’s theology, history, and current events all colliding in one conversation. As always, thanks for listening to For The Rest Of Us. Make sure to leave us a rating and review, and share with a friend.

Megan and Adam are back just in time for Holy Week—and this one’s got everything: ancient liturgies, dramatic storytelling, a mysterious 4th-century traveler, and yes… a near run-in with the fire department. 🔥 This week, Megan takes the lead (as she should) guiding us through the Triduum—the “big three days” of the church year: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil. If you’ve ever wondered why these services feel so different (and honestly, a little chaotic), there’s a reason: they’re meant to be experienced as one long, unfolding liturgy that carries us through betrayal, grief, silence… and finally, resurrection. Along the way, we meet Egeria, a 4th-century pilgrim who basically became the original church liturgy blogger—documenting how early Christians in Jerusalem marked Holy Week. A huge amount of what we do today—Palm Sunday processions, the Stations of the Cross, the Easter Vigil—traces back to her firsthand accounts. Not bad for someone history almost forgot. Megan and Adam unpack: Why Palm Sunday feels like emotional whiplash (palms → Passion in one service?!) The beautiful, unsettling stripping of the altar on Maundy Thursday Why Good Friday is supposed to feel incomplete and uncomfortable And why the Easter Vigil is basically the Church’s version of a full-on liturgical Lollapalooza (fire, darkness, storytelling, baptisms, and finally… ALLELUIA) There’s also a deeper thread running through it all: this isn’t just tradition for tradition’s sake. Holy Week invites us into a story that is raw, emotional, and yes—traumatic. It reminds us that God doesn’t avoid human suffering, but enters directly into it. And that makes Easter not just joyful—but hard-won. Also discussed: Why churches sometimes feel “off” during these services (on purpose) How modern liturgy was shaped by a 20th-century renewal movement Why you might suddenly feel the absence of God in a very tangible way And Megan’s completely correct (and slightly controversial) Easter candy choices Whether you’re a Holy Week regular or just trying to figure out what “Triduum” even means, this episode is your guide to the most dramatic, meaningful, and honestly kind of wild stretch of the Christian year. So grab your candle, maybe avoid lighting any unauthorized fires, and come along for the journey. As always, thanks for listening to For The Rest Of Us. Make sure to leave us a rating and review, and share with a friend.

Well, hey gang! It is Adam from For the Rest of Us. Hey, you may have noticed that you haven't gotten a new episode from us in a little bit, and I wanted to apologize for that. Megan and I had recorded some episodes, and they kind of got lost in the sauce, as it were. But if you check your podcast feed right about now, you're going to get two back-to-back episodes, and you're going to notice they're a little dated, but we still hope you enjoy the episodes. And we're going to be back next week with a brand new episode, and we can't wait to catch up with you on For the Rest of Us.

In this episode of For the Rest of Us, Megan and Adam tackle one of the most complicated and emotionally charged topics they’ve ever covered: war in the Middle East, biblical interpretation, and how some Christians connect modern geopolitics to the Second Coming. The conversation explores how certain readings of the Bible—especially promises about land and Israel—have shaped modern political and religious attitudes toward the modern state of Israel and the broader Middle East. Megan explains how some religious movements see current conflicts not just as political events, but as part of a prophetic timeline, which can deeply influence public opinion, political advocacy, and even U.S. foreign policy. They also talk about how religious language can sometimes be used cynically in the context of war—how theology, nationalism, fear, and power can become tangled together in ways that are not always faithful or humane. At the same time, the episode pushes back against oversimplified narratives and reminds listeners that real people—families, children, communities—are the ones who suffer whenever religion and violence become intertwined. Throughout the conversation, Megan emphasizes the importance of nuance, historical awareness, and empathy. The Middle East is not a biblical board game, and modern nations are not simply stand-ins for ancient kingdoms. Understanding the difference matters, especially for Christians trying to think faithfully about politics, war, and peace. This episode doesn’t try to solve the conflict or give easy answers, but it does try to give listeners better tools for understanding how theology, politics, and history intersect—and why Christians should be cautious anytime someone sounds a little too excited about war being a sign of the end times. It’s a thoughtful, honest, and very For the Rest of Us conversation about faith, scripture, and the real world we actually live in. Note: This episode emphasizes the importance of understanding religious motivations with nuance and advocates for compassion and human dignity amid complex geopolitical conflicts. As always, thanks for listening to For The Rest Of Us. Make sure to leave us a rating and review, and share with a friend.