A Theology of Hustle
A Theology of Hustle explores the idea that work is an integral part of God's design for humanity, even in the New Creation. The host, Currey Blandford, challenges the modern notion that work is something to escape, presenting it instead as a divine calling. Through conversations with people who view their labor as God's work, the podcast examines the struggles and blessings of vocational faithfulness. It aims to reframe our daily efforts as meaningful participation in God's purposes.
Episodes
Mending Sunday: Unity, Diversity, and the Church’s Witness with Scott Welch
What if the Church’s greatest opportunity for revival isn’t a new strategy—but rediscovering God’s heart for unity? In this episode of A Theology of Hustle, Currey sits down with Scott...
Bad Religion, Good News: Church Hurt, Missions, and Finding Faith Beyond the Headlines
What do you do when you’re attracted to Jesus but disappointed by the church? In this episode of A Theology of Hustle, Currey sits down with author and ministry leader...
The Good Life: Why We Keep Chasing What We Already Have
What does it mean to live “the good life”? Most of us spend our lives pursuing it—working harder, planning ahead, saving for the future, and striving for what’s next. But...
Why the Church Still Matters with Dr. Carmen Joy Imes
In a culture that prizes independence, convenience, and personal preference, what if the Church is actually essential to becoming who God created us to be? In this episode of A...
When Heroes Fall: Lisa Fields on Church Hurt, Leadership Failure & Healing
This week on A Theology of Hustle, Currey sits down with Lisa Fields — founder of Jude 3 Project and author of When Heroes Fall. Lisa shares her journey into...
Augustine, Foreign Policy, and the Ordering of Our Loves — Dr. Robert Joustra
Dr. Robert Joustra is a professor of politics and international studies whose family history reads like a window into the 20th century — a father born under Nazi occupation, a...
Recovering Heaven in a World Obsessed with Now | Brian Zahnd
What happens when Christianity loses its vision of heaven? In this episode, I sit down with pastor and author Brian Zahnd to explore why conversations about heaven have disappeared—and why...
Created to Play: Why Hobbies, Rest, and Delight Matter with Brianna Lambert
What if productivity isn’t the ultimate goal of your life? In this episode of A Theology of Hustle, I sit down with writer and author Brianna Lambert to talk about...
Faith, Statistics, and Truth: Seeing Through the Noise with Dr. Jason Wilson
What if statistics—something we often associate with cold, hard data—could actually help us grow in faith and discern truth more clearly? In this episode of A Theology of Hustle, Currey...
Dr. Leanne Dzubinski on Gender, Power, and the Christian Workplace
What happens when the workplace has a stained glass partition? In this conversation, we sit down with Dr. Leanne Dzubinski — dean of faculty development and global education at Westmont...
Identity, Worship, and No More Orphans with Zawadi Marrow
Zawadi Morrrow returns to A Theology of Hustle for a wide-ranging conversation about identity, worship, and calling. Born in the Congo and raised across Kenya, Europe, and the United States,...
Becoming a Person of Welcome: Hospitality, Formation, and Belonging with Dr. Laura Baghdassarian Murray
What if hospitality isn’t something you do, but a posture you carry? In this episode of A Theology of Hustle, Currey sits down with Dr. Laura Baghdassarian Murray—spiritual director, retreat...
Hope for the Long Haul: Race, Grace, and Staying in the Work with Dr. Christine Jeske
What does hope look like when change is slow, institutions resist reform, and justice feels perpetually unfinished? In this episode of A Theology of Hustle, Currey sits down with Dr....
Hope, Justice, and Independent Politics with Dr. Lauren Pinkston
In this powerful conversation, Dr. Lauren Pinkston shares her journey from international justice work to launching an independent campaign for governor of Tennessee. We talk about faith, vocation, political division,...
What to Say to Your Teen: Mark Shoemaker on Faith, Family, and Honest Conversations
After years of youth ministry and church leadership, Mark Shoemaker has walked through some of the hardest and most rewarding seasons of ministry. In this episode, Mark shares his journey—from...
Justin Giboney on Faith, Politics, and the Legacy of the Black Church
What does faithful political engagement look like for Christians today? In this episode of A Theology of Hustle, I sit down with Justin Giboney—attorney, ordained minister, and president of the...
Faith in the Mess: Jamie Finn on the Gospel and Foster Care
What happens when faith meets the messy, redemptive work of foster care?In this episode, Currey sits down with Jamie Finn, founder and president of Foster the Family, to talk about...
The World Feels Heavy — How to Process Anxiety, Lament, and Life Together | The Magic Table
Does it feel like the world just isn’t okay right now? You’re not alone. In this conversation around the magic table, Currey and JJ open up about the collective anxiety...
Shared Leadership, Humility, and Ministry with Dr. Eun K. Strawser
Episode Description:In this episode of A Theology of Hustle, I sit down with Dr. Eun K. Strawser—physician, pastor, and author of You Were Never Meant to Lead Alone. Dr. Strawser...
Grace, History, and the Multiethnic Church with Dr. Bryan Loritts
Description:What does it mean to live out your calling with humility, embrace history as part of reconciliation, and build churches that reflect the beauty of God’s kingdom? In this episode...
Packing Suitcases, Pulpits, and Power: Beth Allison Barr on the Pastor’s Wife
Dr. Beth Allison Barr returns to the podcast to talk about her new book Becoming the Pastor’s Wife and how it builds on the foundation of The Making of Biblical...
Adoption, MS, and the God Who Wastes Nothing – with Roxanne Engstrom
In this episode of A Theology of Hustle, Currey sits down with Roxanne Engstrom—entrepreneur, brand storyteller, adoptive mom, and fierce truth-teller. Roxanne shares her journey of faith, family, adoption, chronic...
Sermon: Dealing with Doubt when Christians Let you Down
Description:This isn’t a normal A Theology of Hustle episode—it’s something a little different. I wanted to share a recent sermon that I think speaks directly to many of our struggles...
You Have a Calling: Karen Swallow Prior on Work, Vocation, and Beauty
In this episode of A Theology of Hustle, Currey welcomes back Dr. Karen Swallow Prior to talk about her new book, You Have a Calling. Together they dive into what...
Calling, Hustle, and Ditching the “Vocational Prosperity Gospel” | The Magic Table with JJ & Currey
In this Magic Table conversation, JJ and Currey unpack what calling really looks like when life and work don’t follow a straight line. From JJ’s journey through prisons, foster care,...
Ordinary Heroes of Racial Justice – Dr. Karen Johnson on History, Faith, and Everyday Courage
What does it look like to pursue racial justice with faithfulness in the everyday? Dr. Karen Johnson, historian and author of Ordinary Heroes of Racial Justice, joins me to explore...
Front Porch Wisdom with Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew
Episode Description: In this episode, Currey sits down with the insightful Dr. Froswa’ Booker-Drew—author, consultant, and community builder—to explore the themes behind her new book Front Porch Wisdom. Together, they...
Black, Evangelical, and Academic: A Conversation with Dr. Vincent Bacote
Episode Summary:In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Vincent Bacote, theologian and director of the Center for Applied Christian Ethics at Wheaton College. We dive deep into his journey...
The Magic Table | The Messy Middle: Real Talk After 20 Years of Marriage
In this heartfelt episode of The Magic Table, Curry and JJ celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary with an honest conversation about the lessons they’ve learned through two decades of marriage....
From Hustle to Holiness: Adrian Parker’s Journey of Faith and Failure
Episode Summary: Adrian Parker joins the Theology of Hustle podcast to share a powerful story of climbing the corporate ladder, crashing into burnout, and rediscovering purpose through faith, failure, and...
Dr. Shane Wood | Thinning the Veil: Revelation, Trauma, and Finding Jesus in the Chaos
Episode Summary In this episode, Currey sits down with Dr. Shane J. Wood—professor of New Testament at Ozark Christian College and author of Thinning the Veil—for a deep and vulnerable...
Back to the Mic: A New Chapter of A Theology of Hustle
Episode Summary: After three and a half years away, A Theology of Hustle is back! In this special relaunch episode, host Currey Blandford reflects on why the podcast paused, how...
The Magic Table | Let’s Talk about With Counseling
{No. 23} If you have not heard, we are doing something new. JJ is starting her own counseling practice! It is called With Counseling and we could not be more...
Dan Colwin | Moving from Ministry to Corporate
[ep 158] Dan and I go way back. We have journeyed together since 2007 or so when we were in a small group. We have done a lot of ministry...
The Magic Table | It’s time to do your goal setting for 2023
{No 22} Goal setting is about accomplishments and getting things done in the future but remembering is also an important part of the process. Remembering looks at the things that...
The Magic Table | A Year of Craziness
{No 21} Well it has been quite a while since we last did this whole podcast thing. Actually, it’s been about a year and in that year everything in our...
Dr. Michaela O’Donnell | Make Work Matter
[ep 157] Dr. Michaela O’Donnell is the Executive Director of the Max De Pree Center for Leadership where she oversees the center’s vision, strategy, program, and team, all with the...
Dr. Alan Bandy | How well do you really know the apostle Paul?
[ep 156] Dr. Alan Bandy is the Associate Dean of Research Doctorate Programs and The Robert Hamblin Chair of New Testament Exposition, Professor of NT and Greek at New Orleans...
Stephen McNeill | Songwriter, Musician
Stephen McNeill is a songwriter, musician, and music teacher who lives just outside of Memphis. He has produced four solo albums including his latest, The Art of Repair. The Art...
Karen Swallow Prior | On Reading Well
[ep 154] Karen Swallow Prior, Ph. D., is Research Professor of English and Christianity and Culture at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is the author of Booked: Literature in the...
Walking Through Chronic Illness
{No 20} Finding out you have a chronic illness can be devastating. Then you have the long road of changing your life to meet these new requirements. We talk about...
Shannon K. Evans | Rewilding Motherhood
[ep 153] Shannon K Evans is the author of the newly released book Rewilding Motherhood: Your Path to an Empowered Feminine Spirituality. A writer in the contemplative Catholic tradition, Shannon is...
Alan Noble | You Are Not Your Own
[ep 152] Dr. O. Alan Noble is Associate Professor of English at Oklahoma Baptist University, Editor-in-Chief of Christ and Pop Culture, and author of You Are Not Your Own: Belonging...
Drew Dyck
[ep 151] Drew Dyck is an editor at Moody Publishers and the former managing editor of Leadership Journal. His work has been featured in USA Today, The Huffington Post, Christianity Today, and CNN.com. Drew is...
Let’s Talk LuLaRoe | Our Retailer Story
[ep 150] For this special 150th episode and the release of the prime documentary called LuLaRich we have decided to sit down and tell our retailer story. JJ was a retailer...
Revelation and Work 5 | New Creation
[ep 150] It has been so fin to get to talk through Revelation with everyone. I hope you have enjoyed talking about the practical implications of this book. We finish...
Revelation and Work 4 | The Harlot of Babylon
[ep 148] Today we are talking Revelation 17-18 and the Harlot of Babylon. Many times it can seem like Revelation has no practical implications for us. I think today I...
Revelation and Work 3 | The Woman and the Dragon
[ep 147] We have now talked about the genres of Revelation and the throne room in the last two episodes. This week we talk about a profound shift that happens...
Revelation and Work 2 | The Throneroom Scene
[ep 146] Last week we introduced the concept of work and talked about the genre of Revelation. I hope you go back and check out that episode. This week we...
Revelation and Work | Introduction
[ep 145] I love getting to delve into people’s stories. It is such a joy to just create that space for people. Sharing those stories does mean I have not...
Jon Tyson | The Intentional Father
[ep 144] Jon Tyson is a pastor and church planter in New York City. Originally from Adelaide Australia, Jon moved to the United States over two decades ago with a...
Gaelin Elmore | Adversity Revisionist
[ep 143] Gaelin Elmore had a variety of experiences in his childhood; foster care, kinship care, failed adoption, guardianship, group homes, and more. Because of those experiences, Gaelin wrestled with...
Dr. Nathan Cartagena | Race Scholar
[ep 142] A son of the US South (Mom) and Puerto Rico (Dad), Dr. Nathan Luis Cartagena is an Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Wheaton College (IL), where he teaches...
The Magic Table | How to Start Your Own Magic Table
{No 19} As we get back into the swing of seeing people it can be really easy to stay alone. We have grown so accustomed to not being with people...
Leanne M. Dzubinski, Anneke H. Stasson | Women in the Mission of the Church
Leanne Dzubinski is Interim Dean and Associate Professor in the Doctoral Department of the Cook School of Intercultural Studies at Biola University. She teaches and researches on leadership, gender, and...
Dr. Camden Morgante | Clinical Psychologist
[ep 140] Dr. Camden Morgante is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice and an adjunct college professor. She writes and speaks about Christian sexuality, purity culture, and gender equality. She...
Douglas S. Bursch | Posting Peace
[ep 139] Douglas S. Bursch is copastor of Evergreen Foursquare Church in Auburn, Washington. He serves on the US Doctrine Committee, International Doctrine Committee, and Education Commission of the Foursquare Church, and he has...
Joyce Koo Dalrymple | Pastor, Podcaster
[138] Joyce Koo Dalrymple is the Pastor of Discipleship and Connections at Wellspring AllianceChurch, where she trains and equips home group leaders, writes sermon-based Bible studies, and leads several Bible...
Timothy McMahan King | Addiction Nation
[ep 137] Timothy McMahan King is the author of Addiction Nation: What the Opioid Crisis Reveals About Us. After a near-fatal illness led to his doctor’s prescribing him opioids for...
Meghan Tschanz | Women Rising
[ep 136] Meghan Tschanz is the host of the Faith and Feminism podcast and the author of the newly released bestseller “Women Rising: Learning to Listen, Reclaiming Our Voice.” She...
Christians and Emotional Intelligence | The Magic Table
[no 18] Today JJ and I sit down to talk about Christians and Emotional Intelligence. There is a lot to be said on this topic and we discuss some of...
Third Anniversary Episode
[ep 135] We love a good celebration! Today we celebrate three years of the podcast. I could have never believed three years ago that we would be doing this episode...
Chef Kibby | Cooking is Connecting
[ep 134] If you don’t know Chef Kibby, he’s a professional chef, culinary instructor, and online content creator. He has combined his 25 years of food experience with 12 years...
Jason Kurz | Mathematician
[ep 133] I’m an apprentice of Jesus who seeks to understand the practical implications of this in the nuances of all aspects of everyday life. It is my prayer that...
A.J. Swoboda | After Doubt: How to Question Your Faith without Losing It
[ep 132] Dr. A. J. Swoboda (PhD, Birmingham) is assistant professor of Bible, theology, and World Christianity at Bushnell University. As well, he leads a Doctor of Ministry program around...
The Magic Table | It’s okay to still not be okay
[no 17] On today’s Magic Table we just talk about life right now in light of Easter. I have just been feeling like the hope that was there for the...
Paul D. Miller | Professor of the Practice of International Affairs
[ep 131] Dr. Paul D. Miller is a Professor of the Practice of International Affairs at Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. He serves as co-chair of the Global Politics...
Beth Allison Barr | The Making of Biblical Womanhood
[ep 130] Beth Allison Barr (PhD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill) is associate professor of history and associate dean of the Graduate School at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where...
Liuan Huska | Chronic Pain and Work
[ep 129] Liuan Huska is a freelance writer and speaker focusing on topics of embodiment and spirituality. Her writing, on everything from chronic pain to evangelical fertility trends, appears in...
Tiffany Bluhm | Taking action againt sexual harassment
[ep 128] Tiffany Bluhm is the author of She Dreams and Never Alone, their companion Bible studies, and the forthcoming book Prey Tell: Why We Silence Women Who Tell the Truth and How Everyone Can...
Ryan Burge | Political Scientist, Pastor
[ep 127] Ryan Burge is an assistant professor of political science and the graduate coordinator at Eastern Illinois University. He teaches in a variety of areas, including American institutions, political...
A.D. “Lumkile” Thomason | “Permission to Be Black”
[ep 125] A. D. “Lumkile” Thomason is a speaker, poet, and award-winning filmmaker. He has spoken around the nation and in places such as Sudan, South Africa, China, and Palestine....
Who wears the Pants in the Blandford Family? | The Magic Table
[no 16] We are asking this question very tongue in cheek. It is obviously a strange question, but it is one that is constantly playing itself out in marriage. To...
Zawadi Morrow | Kings Kaleidoscope, Worship Director
[ep 124] Zawadi Morrow is UPC’s Associate Director of Worship with an emphasis on contemporary services. Most recently, Zawadi has served as the Director of Worship at A Seattle Church,...
Devi Abraham | Writer, Speaker, Podcaster
[ep 123] Devi Abraham is a freelance writer, thinker and podcaster, and she co-hosts Where Do We Go From Here? a weekly podcast that untangles sexual ethics for a new...
Walter Strickland II | The Bible, Theology, and Culture
[ep 122] Dr. Walter Strickland is the founder of The Strickland Institute and serves as Associate Professor of Systematic and Contextual Theology & Associate Vice President for Kingdom Diversity Initiatives...
Can Christians see a counselor? | The Magic Table
[No 15] Can Christians see a counselor is an important question. Today on The Magic Table we talk about counseling. As you may know from other episodes, JJ is a...
Makoto Fujimura | Contemporary Artist, Author, Speaker
[ep 121] Makoto Fujimura (b. 1960, Boston) is a leading contemporary artist whose process driven, refractive “slow art” has been described by David Brooks of New York Times as “a...
Bri McKoy | Accidental Home Cook
[ep 120] Bri McKoy is a writer and home cook. She first worked with Youth with a Mission (YWAM) in journalism and then at Compassion International. She currently serves as...
Sean Palmer | “Forty Days on Being a Three”
[ep 119] Sean Palmer is the Teaching Pastor at Ecclesia Houston, one of America’s most innovative and vibrant multi-site churches, serving a predominance of Millennials and young adults. Previously profiled...
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