Complex Creatures
Exploring spirituality and the common good, this podcast delves into topics that connect personal faith with broader societal issues.
Episodes
In the Driver's Seat: Nathan Barczi on AI and Staying Human
Is artificial intelligence a tool we steer, or one that is quietly steering us? On this episode of Complex Creatures, Rev. Dr. Jarrod Longbons talks with Nathan Barczi, a pastor and theologian who holds doctorates in theology from Nottingham and economics from MIT, where he also serves as a chaplain. Together they ask what AI is doing to our work, our relationships, and our sense of what it means
Fire Poppies and the Subtext: Savannah Locke on Finding the Sacred in Pop Culture
Can a Netflix series or a Gilmore Girls rerun carry a word from God? On this episode of Complex Creatures, Rev. Dr. Jarrod Longbons sits down with singer, author, and podcaster Savannah Locke, co-host of The Subtext, to talk about reading pop culture for its spiritual undercurrents. Savannah shares the fire poppy that became her life metaphor, why she threw a phone-free album launch for Songs of P
Portals in Our Pockets: Dillon Thornton on Technology and the Seven Deadly Sins
What is the smartphone in your pocket quietly forming you into? On this episode of Complex Creatures, Rev. Dr. Jarrod Longbons talks with pastor and theologian Dillon Thornton about his book Deathly (De)Vices: Our Ever-Present Portals to Seven Ancient Sins, which reads our screens through the old Christian language of the seven deadly sins. Drawing on Evagrius of Pontus, Aquinas, and a memorable s
Three Revolutions, a Fourfold Crisis: Zachary Wagner on Men of Virtue, the Fruit of the Spirit, and the Aspirational Vision of Manhood
What if the crisis facing boys and men isn't a lack of rules, but a missing aspiration? A vision not just of what to avoid, but of who to become?In this episode of Complex Creatures, Rev. Dr. Jarrod Longbons sits down with author, ordained minister, and New Testament scholar Zachary Wagner ( Director of Programs at the Center for Pastor Theologians, DPhil graduate of the University of Oxford, and
Just Call It Virtue: Jarrod and Alan on Masculinity Beyond the Checklist
When you hear the word "masculinity," what's the first image that shows up — for better or worse? And what changes if the real answer has less to do with being a man and more to do with being good?In this episode of Complex Creatures, Rev. Dr. Jarrod Longbons steps out from behind his own show with producer Alan Barnes for a wide-ranging, unscripted conversation about masculinity — what we inherit
Rooted but Not Stuck: Jarrod Longbons on Traditioned Innovation, the Life-Giving Kernel, and a Hundred Years of Peachtree
What does it mean to carry tradition without becoming a relic — in a world that's either obsessed with novelty or stuck in nostalgia?In this episode of Complex Creatures, the tables turn: Alan O.W. Barnes steps out from behind the scenes to host, putting Rev. Dr. Jarrod Longbons in the guest seat for a wide-ranging conversation about traditioned innovation — the language Jarrod borrows from theolo
The Slow Work of Pastoring: Dr. Steven Cone on Trading the Classroom for the Congregation
Theology lives differently in a pulpit than it does in a lecture hall. Dr. Steven Cone — author of An Ocean Vast of Blessing and Theology from the Great Tradition — joins Jarrod to talk about preaching the great tradition to a congregation, walking with people through beginning-of-life and end-of-life moments, and the slow, on-the-job work of becoming a pastor. A conversation about how the deep we
Rooted to Become: Dr. Alex Fogleman on Catechesis, Discipleship, and the Ancient Art of Making Christians
What if the church's discipleship problem isn't new — and the answer has been hiding in plain sight for two thousand years?In this episode of Complex Creatures, Rev. Dr. Jarrod Longbons sits down with theologian and educator Dr. Alex Fogleman — Associate Dean for Special Programs and Assistant Professor of Theology at Trinity Anglican Seminary, founding director of the Catechesis Institute, and di
Made to Make: Jarrod Longbons on Creativity as Spiritual Practice
What if creativity isn't just something artists do — but something all of us are called to?In this special episode of Complex Creatures, Alan Barnes turns the tables and interviews Rev. Dr. Jarrod Longbons about a subject close to both of their hearts: creativity as a spiritual posture. Rooted in the conviction that we bear the image of a creative God, the conversation ranges from Jarrod's early-m
Uprooted and Renewed: Jonathan "Boo" Powell on 22 Years in Ukraine and Coming Home
What does it mean to leave everything behind — your country, your career plans, your language — and build a life somewhere else? And what happens when that life is suddenly torn away?In this episode of Complex Creatures, Rev. Dr. Jarrod Longbons sits down with his friend Jonathan "Boo" Powell — Executive Director of the Georgia Tech Christian Campus Fellowship (CCF) and a former missionary who spe
Surprised by Jesus Again: Jason Byassee on Reading Scripture with the Ancient Church
What would happen if we stopped reading the Bible alone—and started reading it with two thousand years of saints, mystics, and theologians by our side?In this episode of Complex Creatures, Rev. Dr. Jarrod Longbons sits down with writer, pastor, and theologian Jason Byassee to explore his book Surprised by Jesus Again: Reading the Bible in Communion with the Saints. From the early church fathers to
When Institutions Fade: The Church as a Eucharistic Movement
“The Church isn’t dying—the voluntary association is.”What happens when the institutions that once carried faith begin to collapse?In this episode of Complex Creatures, Rev. Dr. Jarrod Longbons reflects on church decline, secularity, and the unraveling of America’s voluntary association culture. Rather than lamenting loss, he invites listeners to imagine the Church not as an institution to be main
The Enneagram as a Tool For Growth – with Rev. Jamie Butcher
Is the Enneagram just a personality test—or could it be a pathway to deeper faith?In this rich and heartfelt episode of Complex Creatures, Rev. Dr. Jarrod Longbons speaks with Rev. Jamie Butcher—Presbyterian minister and certified Enneagram coach—about how this ancient tool offers more than labels. Together, they explore how the Enneagram can lead us from self-protection to self-giving, from pigeo
Psychology and Spirituality – with Jonathan Stadler
In this illuminating conversation, Rev. Dr. Jarrod Longbons sits down with psychology professor and confessional Lutheran Dr. Jonathan Stadler to explore the timely intersection of faith, psychology, masculinity, and meaning. From behavioral neuroscience to the cultural impact of Jordan Peterson, from Stoicism and positive psychology to the beauty of carrying the fire in a broken world, this episo
Holding Memory, Honoring Dignity: Christi Heidt on Caring Through Cognitive Decline
In this episode of Complex Creatures, Rev. Dr. Jarrod Longbons welcomes Christi Heidt, Program Director at Peachtree Christian Health, for a powerful conversation on aging, dementia, and the sacred work of caregiving. Together, they explore what it means to hold memories for those who can no longer recall them, how community care fosters dignity and flourishing, and why humility and patience are e
"Thoughts on Sobriety, Spirituality, and the Faith of Tim Price"
On this powerful episode of Complex Creatures, host Jarrod welcomes Tim Price—musician, recovery minister, and founder of Faith, Recovery, and Music. With stories shaped by addiction, grace, and gritty honesty, Tim shares how the 12 Steps and Christian faith saved his life and continue to fuel his ministry. From early trauma to building community in a reimagined flour mill, Tim’s testimony is as r
A Strong Spirit Runs Through It: Rebecca McCarthy on author Norman Maclean
In this episode of Complex Creatures, Rev. Jarrod Longbons sits down with journalist and author Rebecca McCarthy to discuss her memoir-biography Norman Maclean: A Life of Letters and Rivers. What unfolds is a deep and personal conversation about storytelling, grief, spiritual mystery, and the search for meaning. From A River Runs Through It to personal memories of Hyde Park winters and crockpot st
Stories of Spiritual Journey: Rachel’s Story
A conversation with Rachel Hastings about her spiritual journey.
Sober Livers, Liver Transplants, and Hope: A conversation with Beth Lehman
Jarrod discusses transplantation and spirituality with Beth Lehman. https://bethlehmanliver.com
Work/Life Balance, Identity, and Being the Greatest Version of Yourself Everyday
A Conversation with Lori Tapia
Ash Wednesday
Join Jarrod and Alan as they discuss Ash Wednesday history and practice.
The Journey to Transplant
A conversation with Pastor Eric Thomas of St Peter Missionary Baptist Church.
Cowpuppy: our relationship to animals
An interview with Gregory S. Berns Professor of Psychology at Emory University.
Hog roasts, fireworks, and restoring the land
An interview with Willie and Megan Huston.
Camping with Kierkegaard and other funky philosophers: an interview with J. Aaron Simmons
In seminary, I studied big ideas like ontology and ethics, but it wasn’t until studying Kierkegaard’s philosophy that I grasped life’s urgency: we’re finite—what will you do with your time?
J. Aaron Simmons is a Professor of Philosophy, a widely published author, a popular speaker, and also a trout fisherman and mountain biker. Specializing in philosophy of religion and political philosophy, Simmo
Calendar
In this episode Jarrod and Alan discuss the way the calendar can be used as a spiritual tool.
Placemaking and the Arts: An Interview with Jennifer Allen Craft
Jennifer Allen Craft (PhD, University of St. Andrews) is associate professor of humanities and theology at Point University in West Point, Georgia, where she teaches courses in theology, philosophy, and the arts. Her work has been featured on Transpositions and in Contemporary Art and the Church: A Conversation Between Two Worlds.
Sacred Pause
Today Jarrod and Alan discuss Tara Brach's ideas about taking a moment to reflect.
Mussar Spirituality with Rabbi Peter Berg
Have you ever had financial counseling? At 21, I met with a financial advisor who had me track every penny I spent for a month. This taught me what I valued and shaped my future goals. Similarly, analyzing your time can reveal what truly matters to you and how to align your life with virtues or spiritual goals. Today, Rabbi Peter Berg, a thought leader on Jewish identity and social justice, joins
Digital Sabbath
This week Jarrod discusses the concept of a Digital Sabbath. What can it mean to take a break from technology?
Transplant Pt 2
In this episode Alan completes his interview with Jarrod about his experience of receiving a liver transplant.
Transplant pt 1
In 2022 Jarrod nearly died from liver failure. In October 2023 he received a liver transplant and is healthy today. In the next couple of episodes Alan interviews him about this experience and what it meant for him physically and spiritually to go through the experience.
Detachment
In this episode Jarrod discusses the spiritual tool of detachment.
#spirituality #common #good #community #selfhelp
Silence
In this episode Jarrod discusses the spiritual tool of silence.
Spirituality and the Retrospective
Jarrod and Alan discuss the idea behind the Daily Examine as a spiritual tool.
Celebration
Jarrod discusses using celebration, festivity and leisure
as a spiritual tool.
Alan is baffled because he has no concept of the idea.
The Stories we Tell Ourselves
Join Jarrod and Alan as they discuss the stories and narratives we tell ourselves that form us.
Intentional Communities
Join Jarrod and Alan as they discuss ways to use intentional communities as a spiritual tool for building relationships.
Christian Nationalism: A Conversation with Beau Underwood
Jarrod discusses Beau's new book: "Baptizing America: How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism" available from Chalice Press.
Assumptions
Spiritual tools to contend with assumptions about ourselves and others.
Monsters
Concluding their thoughts about Spooky Season, Alan and Jarrod discuss monsters and how to use them as a spiritual tool to examine not only our fears, but also complex issues in society.
What Kind of World Will We Make Together?
In this opening episode, Jarrod and Alan discuss the big themes of the podcast as a starting point for future discussions.
Spooky Season
We interrupt our regular podcasting schedule to bring you this episode about Spooky Season.
Introduction
Introduction to Complex Creatures: Exploring Spirituality and the common good.
