GEORGE FOX TALKS

Gandalf the wizard as an Old Testament prophet? Hobbits as intercessory priests? Aragorn as a messianic king? Dr. Philip Ryken, president of Wheaton College, joins Brian in the studio to uncover the rich Gospel themes in J.R.R. Tolkien’s iconic masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings. While Tolkien famously insisted his work was not an allegory, Dr. Ryken explains how the author’s faith and theological imagination imbued the text with profoundly Christian motifs—most significantly, “the threefold office of Christ” depicted through several of the story's central characters.

Check out Dr. Ryken’s bo...

A simple trip to the grocery store inspires a flavorful conversation between Brian and Professor Steffanie Altenbern. Join us as they dig into food inequality in America, the pros and cons of Instacart, and food as an under-explored part of our spiritual health. 

Steffanie Altenbern is a social worker in Portland, OR and teaches at George Fox University: https://www.georgefox.edu/socialwork/faculty/altenbern.html

Dr. Brian Doak is an Old Testament scholar and professor: https://www.georgefox.edu/academics/undergrad/departments/religion/faculty/doak.html

Artist Scott Erickson returns for a conversation about what we gain by including the messiest parts of our humanity in art that fuels our spiritual reflection, worship, and practice. Joined this time by Tim Timmerman, professor of art and design at George Fox, Scott and our hosts lift the veil on Christian art as a vocation, a ministry, and a tool for transformation.

Scott Erickson creates art and moments that speak to our deepest experiences: https://www.scottericksonart.com/

Tim Timmerman is a studio practitioner specializing in painting, sculpture...

What makes a meeting worth the time? How involved should leaders be in the work of their employees? What does it take to turn a failing company around? Businessman and former Starbucks CEO Jim Donald chats with Brian about the hands-on, revitalizing framework that earned him the moniker “The Turnaround King.” Punctuated with memorable action points and vivid stories, Jim’s advice offers something worthwhile for leaders of all kinds. (Spoiler alert: He takes his coffee black.)

Jim Donald is a world-class executive widely known for his unique ability to revive financially ailing organizations and le...

Modern leadership models tend to revolve around attaining power, loyalty, and even perfection. In today’s episode, author and Christianity Today CEO Nicole Massie Martin invites us to flip these values upside down. Drawing on Jesus’ ministry to provide a countercultural model for effective leadership, Nicole talks with Brian about the inevitability of pain in the leader’s journey, resisting the pressure to achieve perfection, and the nuances of navigating competition and partnership across the gender divide.

Nicole Massie Martin is a leader, author, speaker, teacher, and CEO of Christianity Today. Check out her book...

In this exciting episode, Dr. Cornel West and Dr. Robert George model and expound upon the antidote to the polarization plaguing our times: a blend of intellectual humility, a hunger for truth, and a Gospel-shaped love for humankind. Dr. Joseph Clair—Associate Provost and Professor of Theology and Culture at George Fox—hosts this rousing conversation with two of America’s most influential public intellectuals.

If you enjoy listening to the George Fox Talks podcast and would like to watch, too, check out our channel on YouTube! We also have a web page that features all of our po...

From our work habits to the competitive way we rest, Americans are notorious for our “hustle and grind” culture. But what is this approach to life costing us, and is there a better way? In today’s episode, Brian and social worker Steffanie Altenbern consider alternatives from other countries, the origins of the American work ethic, and the value of putting aside optimization in favor of what truly matters. 

New York Times article, “The Europeans Have Some Notes About American Sauna Culture”: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/18/well/european-american-sauna.html

Steffanie A...

Is Gen Z on the brink of an old-school revival? How are social media and AI shaping how Christians share their faith? Is exile the perfect metaphor for Christians in Portland, Oregon, today? George Fox Talks pays a visit to Palau, the global evangelistic ministry founded by Luis Palau, for a conversation with current president and CEO, Kevin Palau.

Check out Kevin’s book, Unlikely: Setting Aside Our Differences to Live Out the Gospel: https://www.amazon.com/Unlikely-Setting-Aside-Differences-Gospel/dp/1476797269

Kevin Palau is president and CEO of Palau, a gl...

Death, destruction, and dismemberment in…Christian art? Artist, author, and performance speaker Scott Erickson joins Brian for a deep dive on the strange and complex season of Lent. Fueled by personal experiences of grief and loss, Scott’s “Stations in the Street” project demonstrates that facing the Bible’s darkest story (in all its gory detail) deepens our connection to Jesus Christ as “God with Us.” 

Check out Stations in the Street in its entirety: https://www.scottericksonart.com/arts/stations-in-the-street

Scott Erickson creates art and moments that speak to our deepest...

Brian and George Fox University CIO James Gurganus respond to YOUR questions about AI and faith! How is AI shaping career prospects for new graduates? How might AI that provides 'frictionless' companionship and instant emotional validation impact our spiritual growth? If a machine can think, work, and love, what’s left that makes humans special to God? Don’t miss a rousing discussion on these and other questions from two of the university’s top AI integration experts.

Dr. Brian Doak is an Old Testament scholar and professor: https://www.georgefox.edu/academics/undergrad/depart...

Professor and social worker Steffanie Altenbern joins Brian on an expedition through the “maze” of healthcare in the United States, a system they argue has become too complicated for the average person to navigate without help. Join us as we explore the reasons why, the impact on patients and providers, and some practical steps we can take to get the care we need. 

Steffanie Altenbern is a social worker in Portland, OR and teaches at George Fox University: https://www.georgefox.edu/socialwork/faculty/altenbern.html

Dr. Brian Doak is an...

Can physics explain the soul? Is AI building a silicon god? Should Christians be open to merging their brains with the cloud or using AI to “resurrect” a loved one? Brian and philosophy professor Isaac Choi explore these and other questions at the intersection of faith, science, and futurism.

Check out The Singularity is Near by Ray Kurzweil: https://www.singularity.com/

Dr. Isaac Choi directs the George Fox University Honors Program: https://www.georgefox.edu/honors-program/faculty-pages/isaac-choi.html

Dr. Brian Doak is an O...

News of beloved author Philip Yancey’s years-long affair with a married woman sparks a tough but worthwhile conversation between Brian and theologian Lindsey Hankins. From initial grief and accountability to the ultimate legacy of their work, join us as we explore what to do when a Christian public figure we trust and respect experiences a fall from grace.

Christianity Today article: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2026/01/author-philip-yancey-confesses-affair-withdraws-from-ministry/

The Dunning-Kruger Effect: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/dunning-kruger-effect

Dr. Lindsey Hankins is the Director of the School of Humanities and Assistant Professor of Theology at...

Tune in to hear Brian Doak and LA pastor Jennifer Toledo cover justice, diversity, immigration policy, and more. What does a unified, bi-partisan approach to these issues look like in the Church? Is it possible for Christians to rise above political differences and live the “undiluted gospel?” And why is it so important that we really include kids in how we do church?

Jennifer Toledo is a pastor, author, speaker, and strategist; a leading voice for the theology of justice, the undiluted gospel, and the place of children in the church today.

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Christian hip hop artist and author Propaganda talks with Brian Doak & Jason Fileta about what really matters for Christians in this moment: human dignity. Is Gen X the last generation with street smarts? Why are men struggling so hard in our culture? And how can we think about passing on what really matters from one generation to the next?

Propaganda is a rapper, poet, and author born and raised in Los Angeles. 

Check out his book Terraform: https://www.prophiphop.com/book

Listen to a...

Philosopher Meghan Sullivan says there’s only one basis for love: human dignity. Tune in as she presents a powerful study on Jesus’ philosophy of love—revealed through his famous thought experiment, The Good Samaritan. Could this ancient parable hold the key to transcending our social and political identities, so that we can love literally everyone?

Meghan Sullivan is a decorated scholar and teacher at the University of Notre Dame, where she is professor of philosophy: https://ethics.nd.edu/people/meghan-sullivan/

Dr. Brian Doak is an Old Testament schola...

Tune in for a public discussion on a Christian response to the AI revolution. Is it possible for a Christian to be a “doomer” while maintaining genuine faith & hope? As AI models increasingly outperform humans in many areas of work, what distinguishes people as uniquely valuable? How can Christians avoid social obsolescence while remaining thoughtful about how we use technology? All this and more from Meghan Sullivan, Andy Crouch, Tyler Staton, Isaac Choi, and Brian Doak.

Meghan Sullivan is a decorated scholar and teacher at the University of Notre Dame, where she is professor of philosophy: https://ethi...

"We've cultivated a way of being in the world that eliminates quiet, stillness, and inactivity." Tyler Staton proposes a return to the ancient Christian practice of solitude to combat the rampant busyness and inattention that characterize the modern life. 

Tyler Staton is the lead pastor of Bridgetown Church in Portland, Oregon: https://bridgetown.church/

He's also the author of three books: https://www.tylerstaton.com/

If you enjoy listening to the George Fox Talks podcast and would like to watch, too, check out our channel on YouTube! We also have a...

Old Testament scholar Brian Doak talks with author & speaker Andy Crouch 17 years after the release of Crouch’s popular book, Culture Making. What exactly does the word “culture” mean, and are Christians supposed to contribute to it? What is the fastest way for a Christian to make a million dollars today? Where does the term “Mainline” Christian come from? (It’s not what you think).

Andy Crouch is a well known author, speaker, and partner for theology and culture at Praxis, a venture-building ecosystem advancing redemptive entrepreneurship.

Dr. Brian Doak is an O...

Can we have a normal conversation about AI? Brian talks with Meghan Sullivan about the effect of rapidly advancing technology on human dignity and our understanding of the imago Dei.

Dr. Brian Doak is an Old Testament scholar and professor.

Meghan Sullivan is a decorated scholar and teacher at the University of Notre Dame, where she is professor of philosophy.

Check out the opening ND Summit Keynote on the DELTA Framework and the Institute for Ethics and the Common Good.

New York Times article: Finding God in the App Store

Erika talks with medical doctor Miles Hassell about taking ownership of your own health. Through thoughtful eating and by giving your palate a chance to develop an appreciation for the richness of available food, you can have a transformative impact on the quality of your life and your body’s ability to resist disease.

Dr. Miles Hassell is the founder and Chief Medical Officer of GreatMed.org and co-author of Good Food Great Medicine, now in its 4th edition.

Check out the podcast Walk, Don’t Run to the Doctor with Miles.

Dr. Erik...

Erika Barber sits down with Erika McCarthy, physician assistant and professor, to explore one of the most pressing questions in healthcare today: Faith vs. Science — can they truly coexist in medicine?

This conversation is for anyone curious about the intersection of faith, ethics, and modern medicine: How does grief shape the way medical providers care for patients? What role does hope play in healing? Should spiritual perspectives influence medical education and clinical practice? And what does it look like for healthcare providers to care for the whole person — mind, body, and spirit?

Together, they share pers...

Erika Barber talks with Kara & Mark Johnson, local fitness & movement legends, about an active lifestyle. This conversation is for those who grew up moving regularly and for those who have never seen themselves as athletic: What are the best motivators for consistent physical activity? How can a shift in self perception aid in recovery from injury? Is there a right way to think about the relationship between fitness & the way we look?

Kara Johnson is a co-owner and instructor at Level Up Cycle and Fitness in Newberg, OR.

Mark Johnson coaches high school basketball and...

*Michael went to be with the Lord on 10 January 2026, and his funeral mass was held on 24 January 2026.

Dr. Erika Barber talks with Michael Hayes about living & continuing in faith as a regular patient of healthcare professionals. Michael is a George Fox University sophomore who was born with Jeune Syndrome, a rare bone growth condition that  requires 1-2 major reconstructive surgeries to the ribs & chest every year from birth until maturity. Sharing candidly about his experiences in “hospital land” throughout his life, Michael recounts how this continual trial helps him to connect with Jesus and eagerly anticipate heaven.

...

Abbie & Jeff Nelson moved from Portland, Oregon to Guatemala with their 3 daughters to practice family medicine & clinical psychology as missionaries. Listen in as they share with Erika Barber what motivated such a radical lifestyle shift and what this kind of dedicated service looks like on a day-to-day basis. 

Dr. Erika Barber teaches in George Fox University’s physician assistant program and holds board certification in internal medicine and geriatrics.

Abbie Nelson is a family nurse practitioner working in a local church ministry clinic in the community around the Guatemala Cit...

What makes a book “great?” Who gets to choose which literature is or isn’t allowed into a canon, and should we question those decisions? What is the real value of reading traditionally classic literature today in the 21st century? Brian & Jay examine the idea of a classics-centered education and discuss how the George Fox University Honors Program answers these questions and more.

Dr. Brian Doak is an Old Testament scholar and professor.

Dr. Jay David Miller teaches English at George Fox University and serves as an associate editor for the journal Quaker Religious Thought.

G...

Joseph John Gurney was massively influential to the Friends community, but his story, theology, and values stood out from those of other influential Quakers like William Barclay and George Fox. Listen in for Jay and Jamie’s take on Gurney’s life and times, and how they informed the modern experience of Quakerism and Christian faith as a whole.

Dr. Jay David Miller teaches English at George Fox University and serves as an associate editor for the journal Quaker Religious Thought.

Dr. Jamie Johnson is dean for spiritual life and a university pastor at George Fox...

Author & professor Leah Payne and public theologian Ekemini Uwan talk about formative Christian music, podcast controversy, and doing theology in the public eye. As co-host of the Truth’s Table podcast, Ekemini has faced a measure of resistance; Leah asks how she has faced backlash and continued in her work.

Check out Truth’s Table: Black Women’s Musings on Life, Love, and Liberation

Ekemini is co-host of Truth's Table podcast

God Gave Rock and Roll to You: A History of Contemporary Christian Music

Ekemini Uwan is a public theologian and author...

Why is it so hard to write a novel about Jesus that reveres His deity while honestly reckoning with His humanity? Dr. Jay Miller & Dr. Jessica Hughes unpack some of the problems authors have faced while trying to portray Jesus through literature.

Dr. Jay David Miller teaches English at George Fox University and serves as an associate editor for the journal Quaker Religious Thought.

Dr. Jessica Ann Hughes teaches classes like Faith and Story, which asks how stories (and especially the Biblical story) might redeem the past and shape the future.
Check out her...

Professor Brian Doak shares the brutal details of his severe shoulder fracture - and his long, trying path to recovery through surgery and physical therapy. Dr. Jaydee Romick offers some more-than-physical tips for reclaiming wellness after a major injury.

If you enjoy listening to the George Fox Talks podcast and would like to watch, too, check out our channel on YouTube! We also have a web page that features all of our podcasts, a sign-up for our weekly email update, and publications from the George Fox University community.

Professor Brian Doak talks with the Director of the Center for Study Abroad at George Fox University, David Martínez, about travel strategies: spontaneity or careful planning? Overpacking or minimalism? Frequent moving or putting down deep roots? David advocates for slowness in both travel and living, and Brian shares his most recent "travel miracle".

Matthew 10:9-10
“Don’t take any money in your money belts—no gold, silver, or even copper coins. Don’t carry a traveler’s bag with a change of clothes and sandals or even a walking stick."

Wanderlust: A History of Walking...

Former CEO of Intel Pat Gelsinger and Professor Brian Doak talk about our current technological moment. How does the advancement of generative AI compare to the arrival of the internet? What brand new possibilities does quantum computing unlock? Are Christians meeting the challenge of shaping these developments—as forces for good?

Check out Gloo.

If you enjoy listening to the George Fox Talks podcast and would like to watch, too, check out our channel on YouTube! We also have a web page that features all of our podcasts, a sign-up for ou...

Why have the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis remained so relevant and present in Christian thought through the 20th century and well into the 21st? Old Testament scholar Brian Doak joins president Robin Baker, theology & literature professor Jason Lepojärvi, and English professor Gary Tandy to examine their friendship, their broad appeal, and the themes of their writings.

C.S. Lewis on reading old books.

Check out The Portland C.S. Lewis Society

If you enjoy listening to the George Fox Talks podcast and would like to watch, to...

Scottish photographer Kieran Dodds and biblical scholar Brian Doak talk about the making and viewing of photographs. How do photos shape the narratives we hold about the world around us, and how can they be used to subvert those narratives? What does it mean to tell a story with a picture—and what would it mean to tell a lie with a camera?

Kieran Dodds is a Scottish non-fiction photographer known for his research-driven photo stories and portraiture.

Check out Kieran's Gingers photo series.

Dr. Brian Doak is an Old Testament scholar and pr...

Christian activist Jason Fileta and Biblical scholar Brian Doak talk about the state of Christianity in the United States in light of the Trump administration’s emerging policies. How are Christians responding to the current political climate? What is it like to be a "DEI" professional in a Christian environment right now?

Atlantic article: Is This What Cancel Culture Achieved?

We Have Never Been Woke by Musa al-Gharbi.

The February 14th Dear Colleague letter.

More politics content with Jason:
HOW Christians need to prepare for the new phase of American po...

Ekemini and Brian dig into the reparations conversation, advocating for a spiritual category for both racial evil and restitution. What is the formal definition of the term reparations? How can we know who the process of reparations might apply to? Can every person of a given color be considered either equally liable or equally entitled?

The Case for Reparations by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Reparations for Slavery and the Slave Trade: A Transnational and Comparative History by Ana Lucia Araujo

Six times victims have received...

Debrianna and Ekemini talk singleness - what is it like to be a single black woman in the United States? Why does physical attractiveness so often turn out to be a scam? If you're single and lonely, should you be asking God for marriage?

Ekemini Uwan is a public theologian and author.

Check out Ekemini's book: Truth’s Table: Black Women’s Musings on Life, Love, and Liberation

Debrianna DeBolt serves as University Pastor for Chapel and Creative Liturgies at George Fox University.

If you enjoy listening to the George Fox Talk...

Do you feel the pressure to clearly know your own purpose, to identify your personal mission in this world? Ekemini and Brian discuss the anxiety many young people feel around this issue, placing the conversation in context of the volatile environment in which young people are growing up. Is the intense focus on the individual’s unique purpose an artifact of our modern time, or does it run deeper than that? How are Christians to hold on to a sense of purpose when life seems out of control?

“Millennials in Better Financial Condition Than Prev...

Substance abuse, mental health, lack of trauma-informed care - what is at the root of the homeless crisis in United States cities? Can changes in social policy fix the problem? Dr. Brian Doak and social worker Steffanie Altenbern discuss the barriers to overcoming poverty and the mindsets that tend to keep people stuck there.

Check out Bridges out of Poverty.

Steffanie Altenbern is a social worker in Portland, OR and teaches at George Fox University.

Dr. Brian Doak is an Old Testament scholar and professor.

If you enjoy listening to the...

Dr. Brian Doak talks with film critic and theology professor Dr. Joel Mayward about art, faith, incarnation, and the image of the Divine in humanity’s creativity. Can the word “Christian” be used as an adjective to describe any kind of art? How should Christians discern what kind of films or music to engage with, and are there any that should be avoided outright? Is art necessary?

Check out Francis Schaeffer’s Art and the Bible.

Dr. Joel Mayward is a film critic and theology professor.

Dr. Brian Doak is an Old Testament scholar...