Prophetic Resistance Podcast

Welcome to the Prophetic Resistance podcast hosted by Rev. Michael-Ray Mathews. Grounded in our diverse faith traditions, we are exploring what it means to embody love in the face of fear, to show up like hope in seasons of despair, to stand ready to be light in the darkness and water in a parched land. In each episode, we are learning from the stories, traditions, and wisdom of our beloved community of freedom-fighters, justice-seekers, and faith leaders. And together, we are investigating how – in this moment – leaders of faith and moral courage can cultivate prophetic resistance rooted in revolutionary love.
December 8, 2023

Episode 71: Mary Novak

Mary Novak serves as the Executive Director of NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice. She is a lawyer, educator, chaplain, spiritual director, restorative justice practitioner, and activist who has worked in Catholic contexts for decades.

Before leading NETWORK, Mary served as a Mission Integrator and Adjunct Professor of Law at the Learn more

November 9, 2023

Episode 70: Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson

Rev. Dr. Starsky Wilson is an activist, philanthropist, and public theologian who pursues a vision of a community marked by justice, peace, and love. As the president & CEO of the Children’s Defense Fund  (CDF) and CDF Action Council, he advocates for children’s well-being at the intersection of faith and …

Learn more

October 18, 2023

Episode 69: Rev. Dr.Otis Moss III

Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III  is the Senior Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, IL,  and is a Senior Fellow with Auburn Seminary.

In this episode, we discuss themes from his new book, Dancing in the …

Learn more

September 27, 2023

Episode 68: Amanda Tyler

Amanda Tyler is the executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty in Washington, D.C, she is also the lead organizer for Christians Against Christian Nationalism. Amanda also co-hosts the Learn more

September 14, 2023

Episode 67: Romal J. Tune

Just a note that this episode discusses sexual abuse and briefly mentions suicide. 

If you or anyone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, Call or text 988 or text TALK to 741741

Romal Tune is passionate about teaching others how to heal the wounds of their past. He uses the power of storytelling to bring about meaningful change. Romal is the author …

Learn more

August 30, 2023

Episode 66: Rabbi Jonah Dov Pesner

Jonah Pesner is a Rabbi whose work encourages Jewish communities to reach across race, class, and faith lines while campaigning for social justice. He serves as the Director of the Religious Action Center and Senior Vice President of the Union for Reform Judaism. Rabbi Pesner co-edited “Learn more

August 17, 2023

Episode 65: Rev. Aurelia Davila Pratt

Aurelia Davila Pratt is a pastor, writer and sacred spacemaker. She is the lead pastor of Peace of Christ Church, Austin TX. An ordained Baptist minister, she is the chair of the board for Nevertheless She Preached, a national, ecumenical preaching event designed to elevate the …

Learn more

August 2, 2023

Season 7 Premiere

It has been a long time coming, but Season 7 begins August 16.

Check out this short greeting from our host, Michael-Ray Mathews. He reflects on the podcast hiatus and the theme for Season 7: Multifaith Solidarity.

Learn more

October 20, 2022

Episode 64: Pastor Rhonda Thomas

In this episode, we are in conversation with Pastor Rhonda Thomas, executive director for Faith in Florida. She was the state-wide campaign director for the Let My People Vote campaign, and she helped to ensure the voting rights were returned to returning citizens. She runs the biggest, the baddest, and the most well-funded Souls to the Polls program in the country. Pastor Rhonda has a passion to build a beloved c …

Learn more

September 29, 2022

Bonus Content: Rev. Dr. Cassandra Gould

The Rev. Dr. Cassandra Gould is no stranger to the podcast. She is now the senior faith strategist with Faith in Action. Today, we revisit her first appearance during our beta launch in advance of the 2016 general election. We talked about the work she was leading in Missouri and the power of her mother’s story to inspire her commitment to organizing, activism, and voting.

Learn more