https://simplecast.com Off Canon What happens when theological voices that challenge, question, and reimagine faith step into the conversation? Join hosts Jonathan J. Foster and Tori E. Owens as they sit down with authors, theologians, and thinkers who exist outside the approved margins—those whose ideas are too progressive, too challenging, or too honest for traditional religious spaces. "Off Canon" isn't about tearing down faith; it's about transcending and including faith traditions and in the process building something healthier. Each episode explores the intersections of theology, justice, spirituality, and culture with guests who've been pushed to the periphery for asking hard questions and offering different answers. If you've ever felt like you don't quite fit in Sunday school anymore, if you're tired of theological gatekeeping, or if you're simply curious about what faith looks like when it's freed from institutional control—this podcast is for you. Welcome to the margins. Welcome to the conversation. Welcome Off Canon. 2026 en Fri, 8 May 2026 20:51:36 +0000 Sat, 9 May 2026 11:51:46 +0000 https://off-canon.simplecast.com Off Canon https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/f8cb2340-937f-4086-9d0e-db0a7d591b21/fbd46963-df74-454b-bfc2-5b1bd5b3edb2/3000x3000/offcannon_21.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://off-canon.simplecast.com episodic What happens when theological voices that challenge, question, and reimagine faith step into the conversation? Join hosts Jonathan J. Foster and Tori E. Owens as they sit down with authors, theologians, and thinkers who exist outside the approved margins—those whose ideas are too progressive, too challenging, or too honest for traditional religious spaces. "Off Canon" isn't about tearing down faith; it's about transcending and including faith traditions and in the process building something healthier. Each episode explores the intersections of theology, justice, spirituality, and culture with guests who've been pushed to the periphery for asking hard questions and offering different answers. If you've ever felt like you don't quite fit in Sunday school anymore, if you're tired of theological gatekeeping, or if you're simply curious about what faith looks like when it's freed from institutional control—this podcast is for you. Welcome to the margins. Welcome to the conversation. Welcome Off Canon. Jonathan J. Foster and Tori E. Owens true https://feeds.simplecast.com/kFMZec4A faith,flourishing,healthy spirituality,jonathan foster,love,off canon,open and relational theology,process theology,theology,tori owens,uncontrolling love Jonathan Foster jonathanfoster72@yahoo.com 49105afd-4bea-4a11-9e98-e7bc2b90754d Queerness and Contemplation with Rev Dr Cassidy Hall Rev. Dr. Cassidy Hall (she/her/hers) (MA, MDiv, MTS) is an author, award-winning filmmaker, podcaster, and leading voice in contemplative spirituality and we were honored to have her on the podcast today talking plants, intuition, Thomas Merton, contemplation, and Richard Simmons. Please check out her website and also pick up a copy of Queering Contemplation: Finding Queerness in the Roots and Future of Contemplative Spirituality. 

Tori's Substack

Jonathan's Substack

]]> Fri, 8 May 2026 20:51:36 +0000 jonathanfoster72@yahoo.com (Jonathan Foster) https://off-canon.simplecast.com/episodes/queerness-and-contemplation-with-rev-dr-cassidy-hall-h5SpQixr Rev. Dr. Cassidy Hall (she/her/hers) (MA, MDiv, MTS) is an author, award-winning filmmaker, podcaster, and leading voice in contemplative spirituality and we were honored to have her on the podcast today talking plants, intuition, Thomas Merton, contemplation, and Richard Simmons. Please check out her website and also pick up a copy of Queering Contemplation: Finding Queerness in the Roots and Future of Contemplative Spirituality. 

Tori's Substack

Jonathan's Substack

]]> Queerness and Contemplation with Rev Dr Cassidy Hall Jonathan Foster 00:55:46 true full 10 2f82b025-5530-4e0a-a0e1-e54e0a84102c Bible, Gender, and Sexuality Stuff with Mattie Mae Motl Wow, super great conversation with the one and only mattie mae motl about motherhood, Paul’s idea for masculinity, queerness, Jesus, and so much more. Make sure to join Mattie on her Instagram or substack page, where you will be joining over a hundred thousand other people doing so. Literally. Peace everyone! 

Tori's Substack

Jonathan's Substack

]]> Thu, 23 Apr 2026 20:40:37 +0000 jonathanfoster72@yahoo.com (Jonathan Foster) https://off-canon.simplecast.com/episodes/bible-gender-and-sexuality-stuff-with-mattie-mae-motl-We7LKHHB Wow, super great conversation with the one and only mattie mae motl about motherhood, Paul’s idea for masculinity, queerness, Jesus, and so much more. Make sure to join Mattie on her Instagram or substack page, where you will be joining over a hundred thousand other people doing so. Literally. Peace everyone! 

Tori's Substack

Jonathan's Substack

]]> Bible, Gender, and Sexuality Stuff with Mattie Mae Motl Jonathan Foster 01:04:11 true full 9 6a8c2c07-5853-410d-85a5-e27222a88088 Theology and the World with Brian McLaren Brian McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, public theologian, and a friend who’s helped me a lot over the years. I’ve read many, many of his books and am really glad to have him on the channel today to talk about …

authoritarianism and why it’s alive and well in our world, why it’s a left wing and a right wing problem, creativity and writing, the 40 day indigenous vision quest of Jesus, relational theology and how events are things that happen to us in the midst of change, and much more, including the world premiere of the opening line of a song i composed while in a interview at a church a couple years ago, which goes … “I’d rather be hiking thinkin’ about God than sitting in church thinkin’ about hikin'.” And if you ask, yes, I will give the rest of the lyrics. 😂

Tori's Substack

Jonathan's Substack

]]> Sun, 19 Apr 2026 19:27:02 +0000 jonathanfoster72@yahoo.com (Jonathan Foster) https://off-canon.simplecast.com/episodes/theology-and-the-world-with-brian-mclaren-y3EB8_DM Brian McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, public theologian, and a friend who’s helped me a lot over the years. I’ve read many, many of his books and am really glad to have him on the channel today to talk about …

authoritarianism and why it’s alive and well in our world, why it’s a left wing and a right wing problem, creativity and writing, the 40 day indigenous vision quest of Jesus, relational theology and how events are things that happen to us in the midst of change, and much more, including the world premiere of the opening line of a song i composed while in a interview at a church a couple years ago, which goes … “I’d rather be hiking thinkin’ about God than sitting in church thinkin’ about hikin'.” And if you ask, yes, I will give the rest of the lyrics. 😂

Tori's Substack

Jonathan's Substack

]]> Theology and the World with Brian McLaren Jonathan Foster 00:59:45 true full 8 80668e32-5fea-448c-a5fd-b9f8e6b03695 Conversations of Peace in Times of War with Savannah Locke We love artists, particularly those with a sense of humor, and that's why it was fun to have Savannah Locke on the OffCanon show today. Find her substack here and make sure to pick up her lastest album here. Just think, you could be doing all that while you’re listening to our conversation with her about christian music, violence, anti-violence, the presence of God in the most unexpected places, references to Bob Bell, and why we should change Tori’s name to Shannon. 

Plus, a first for the OffCanon podcast: we're playing music written and performed by our guest. Yes, we were given permission by Savannah to share one of her songs, so per Tori's request, we'll be playing God Have Mercy at the end of the episode. You have permission to fast-forward to to the end and sample the song, but only, if you come back and listen to the entire show immediately following that sampling. Those are the rules. We have very few rules, but that's one of them! 

Thank you everyone, ✌🏼

Tori's Substack

Jonathan's Substack

]]> Fri, 27 Mar 2026 18:11:41 +0000 jonathanfoster72@yahoo.com (Jonathan Foster) https://off-canon.simplecast.com/episodes/conversations-of-peace-in-times-of-war-with-savannah-locke-9q7yDAUV We love artists, particularly those with a sense of humor, and that's why it was fun to have Savannah Locke on the OffCanon show today. Find her substack here and make sure to pick up her lastest album here. Just think, you could be doing all that while you’re listening to our conversation with her about christian music, violence, anti-violence, the presence of God in the most unexpected places, references to Bob Bell, and why we should change Tori’s name to Shannon. 

Plus, a first for the OffCanon podcast: we're playing music written and performed by our guest. Yes, we were given permission by Savannah to share one of her songs, so per Tori's request, we'll be playing God Have Mercy at the end of the episode. You have permission to fast-forward to to the end and sample the song, but only, if you come back and listen to the entire show immediately following that sampling. Those are the rules. We have very few rules, but that's one of them! 

Thank you everyone, ✌🏼

Tori's Substack

Jonathan's Substack

]]> Conversations of Peace in Times of War with Savannah Locke Jonathan Foster 00:58:49 true full 7 1f79a6e3-a80a-4712-81e6-33ea0747c147 At the Intersection of Ecology and Justice with Grace Ji-Sun Kim Thrilled to have the Rev Dr Grace Ji-Sun Kim on today's show talking about her latest book Earthbound: God at the Intersection of Climate and Justice. Grace’s voice is an important one. I hope you’ll pick up a copy of her book (she has many books!) and subscribe to her Substack channel.

Tori's Substack

Jonathan's Substack

]]> Thu, 26 Mar 2026 20:13:52 +0000 jonathanfoster72@yahoo.com (Jonathan Foster) https://off-canon.simplecast.com/episodes/at-the-intersection-of-ecology-and-justice-with-grace-ji-sun-kim-xBMaKIEJ Thrilled to have the Rev Dr Grace Ji-Sun Kim on today's show talking about her latest book Earthbound: God at the Intersection of Climate and Justice. Grace’s voice is an important one. I hope you’ll pick up a copy of her book (she has many books!) and subscribe to her Substack channel.

Tori's Substack

Jonathan's Substack

]]> At the Intersection of Ecology and Justice with Grace Ji-Sun Kim Jonathan Foster 00:41:48 true full 6 a793c5ee-6ae6-474b-b959-bdbef35dbc65 The Creativity and Courage of the Reverend Winnie Varghese The Very Reverend Winnie Sara Varghese is an American Episcopal priest serves as the 12th Dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. Tori and I are thrilled to talk to any queer woman of Indian descent who is a pastor, but to do so at the intersectino of what's going on in our world and this podcast is an honor. I hope you'll find Winnie on her substack page. 

Tori's Substack

Jonathan's Substack

]]> Thu, 19 Mar 2026 19:19:28 +0000 jonathanfoster72@yahoo.com (Jonathan Foster) https://off-canon.simplecast.com/episodes/the-creativity-and-courage-of-the-reverend-winnie-varghese-BtCVicOY The Very Reverend Winnie Sara Varghese is an American Episcopal priest serves as the 12th Dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. Tori and I are thrilled to talk to any queer woman of Indian descent who is a pastor, but to do so at the intersectino of what's going on in our world and this podcast is an honor. I hope you'll find Winnie on her substack page. 

Tori's Substack

Jonathan's Substack

]]> The Creativity and Courage of the Reverend Winnie Varghese Jonathan Foster 00:43:41 true full 5 5a966e60-ef8d-476b-8f6e-429f63178575 Hide and Seek with Tim Miller We really enjoyed our conversation with Tim Miller about the afterlife, questions, God, and all things open and relational theology. Hope you can follow Tim’s Substack and or pick a copy of his book: The Silence of the Lamb: Exploring the Hiddenness of Christ and God.

Tori's Substack

Jonathan's Substack

]]> Thu, 5 Mar 2026 17:59:05 +0000 jonathanfoster72@yahoo.com (Jonathan Foster) https://off-canon.simplecast.com/episodes/hide-and-seek-with-tim-miller-39Gh_Iw6 We really enjoyed our conversation with Tim Miller about the afterlife, questions, God, and all things open and relational theology. Hope you can follow Tim’s Substack and or pick a copy of his book: The Silence of the Lamb: Exploring the Hiddenness of Christ and God.

Tori's Substack

Jonathan's Substack

]]> Hide and Seek with Tim Miller Jonathan Foster 01:00:29 true full 4 e9cda286-a502-472f-9b5a-564005b09840 Theopoetics and Dr. O A conversation with Oluwatomisin Olayinka Oredein or Dr. O about theopoetics, theology, and biblical work from the edges (i.e., off-canon). Dr. O is a writer, scholar, and creator. American African identity, liminality, theopoetics, womanism, Black and African feminisms, Black theology, and Black diasporic culture - all through a Christian theological and ethical lens.In her poetry and creative writing she centers the insights and questions race, culture, gender, and other identity expressions bring to the fore. Follow her on Substack and or check out her website. 

Jonathan's Substack

Tori's Substack

Tori's Substack

Jonathan's Substack

]]> Thu, 19 Feb 2026 21:59:20 +0000 jonathanfoster72@yahoo.com (Jonathan Foster) https://off-canon.simplecast.com/episodes/theopoetics-and-dr-o-lmyIk71j A conversation with Oluwatomisin Olayinka Oredein or Dr. O about theopoetics, theology, and biblical work from the edges (i.e., off-canon). Dr. O is a writer, scholar, and creator. American African identity, liminality, theopoetics, womanism, Black and African feminisms, Black theology, and Black diasporic culture - all through a Christian theological and ethical lens.In her poetry and creative writing she centers the insights and questions race, culture, gender, and other identity expressions bring to the fore. Follow her on Substack and or check out her website. 

Jonathan's Substack

Tori's Substack

Tori's Substack

Jonathan's Substack

]]> Theopoetics and Dr. O Jonathan Foster 00:54:14 true full 3 d99c3568-68c3-42d2-b293-10bd3b401439 Of Pastors and Prophets with Josh Scott In today’s conversation, Tori and I cover all kinds of important stuff: Pastoring during intense times of empire, parenting, love as justice, suffering, and some very interesting commentary around the baptism of Jesus. Plus, well, flannel graph. Find Josh on on his substack or his website.

JF's Substack
Tori's Substack

Tori's Substack

Jonathan's Substack

]]> Fri, 13 Feb 2026 19:48:53 +0000 jonathanfoster72@yahoo.com (Jonathan Foster) https://off-canon.simplecast.com/episodes/of-pastors-and-prophets-with-josh-scott-4_cETLiq In today’s conversation, Tori and I cover all kinds of important stuff: Pastoring during intense times of empire, parenting, love as justice, suffering, and some very interesting commentary around the baptism of Jesus. Plus, well, flannel graph. Find Josh on on his substack or his website.

JF's Substack
Tori's Substack

Tori's Substack

Jonathan's Substack

]]> Of Pastors and Prophets with Josh Scott Jonathan Foster 00:56:55 true full 2 94e4b2af-e311-4dde-a772-933fc48d2bbf The Spectacular Introduction to Off Canon In this inaugural episode, Jonathan J. Foster and Tori E. Owens share how they ended up here—on the margins, off canon, and surprisingly, how they are thrilled with it. They talk about the cost of asking hard questions, the community you find when you stop pretending, sexuality, the strange journey of life, and ... cinnamon rolls.

JF's Substack
Tori's Substack

Tori's Substack

Jonathan's Substack

]]> Tue, 3 Feb 2026 23:16:10 +0000 jonathanfoster72@yahoo.com (Jonathan Foster) https://off-canon.simplecast.com/episodes/the-spectacular-introduction-to-off-canon-JuVXCtkx In this inaugural episode, Jonathan J. Foster and Tori E. Owens share how they ended up here—on the margins, off canon, and surprisingly, how they are thrilled with it. They talk about the cost of asking hard questions, the community you find when you stop pretending, sexuality, the strange journey of life, and ... cinnamon rolls.

JF's Substack
Tori's Substack

Tori's Substack

Jonathan's Substack

]]> The Spectacular Introduction to Off Canon Jonathan Foster 00:41:04 true full 1