Complexified

Complexified is a weekly interview podcast from the Iliff Institute for Religion, Politics & Culture and Religion News Service, hosted by Rev. Dr. Amanda Henderson. Each episode dives into the most pressing news stories at the crossroads of religion and politics, exploring the nuances that often go overlooked. Whether you’re religiously curious, politically frustrated, or somewhere in between, Complexified brings you conversations that challenge assumptions and spark fresh insights.

Meet the Host

Rev. Amanda Henderson

Rev. Dr. Amanda Henderson is the Director of the Institute for Religion, Politics, and Culture at Iliff School of Theology. Founded in 2021, the Institute researches how religious histories inform political perspectives and shares that information to educate public leaders for transformative action.
Amanda is ordained with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), author of Holy Chaos, Creating Connections in Divisive Times, and earned a Ph.D. in religion, politics, and rhetoric from the University of Denver and Iliff School of Theology. Amanda is also a Mom to three young adults, enjoys adventures with her husband, and finds joy in running ultra-marathons and growing things: dogs, chickens, gardens, and creative projects of all kinds.

Podcasts

	Saved by the City Millennial Christians Were Set Up for Burnout + Karen Swallow Prior Katelyn Beaty and Roxanne Stone Katelyn and Roxy examine the impulse to elevate paid work to sacred calling — how it has served us and how it has hurt us.
	Martini Judaism Antisemitism Is as American as Apple Pie + Pamela Nadell Jeffrey Salkin What we are experiencing is not new. It goes back to Peter Stuyvesant.
	The State of Belief The Power of Faithful Non-Violent Resistance with Maria Stephan Paul Brandeis Raushenbush Dr. Maria J. Stephan, co-lead and chief organizer at The Horizons Project, joins host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush to discuss the pressing issues of authoritarianism, democracy, and the vital role of faith in social movements.
	Money Meet Meaning Give Treasure, Reap Reward: Jerre Stead Amber Hacker and Tom Levinson A former CEO of 10 public companies talks about the work and joy of giving.

	Saved by the City Millennial Christians Were Set Up for Burnout + Karen Swallow Prior Katelyn Beaty and Roxanne Stone Katelyn and Roxy examine the impulse to elevate paid work to sacred calling — how it has served us and how it has hurt us.
	Martini Judaism Antisemitism Is as American as Apple Pie + Pamela Nadell Jeffrey Salkin What we are experiencing is not new. It goes back to Peter Stuyvesant.
	The State of Belief The Power of Faithful Non-Violent Resistance with Maria Stephan Paul Brandeis Raushenbush Dr. Maria J. Stephan, co-lead and chief organizer at The Horizons Project, joins host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush to discuss the pressing issues of authoritarianism, democracy, and the vital role of faith in social movements.
	Money Meet Meaning Give Treasure, Reap Reward: Jerre Stead Amber Hacker and Tom Levinson A former CEO of 10 public companies talks about the work and joy of giving.

Latest Episode

From Pink to Waterproof: The Weird Economics of US Bible Sales

November 17, 2025

COMPLEXIFIED (RNS) — If religion is fading, why are Bible sales hitting 20-year highs?

Complexified

Meet the Host

Rev. Amanda Henderson

Complexified

Meet the Host

Rev. Amanda Henderson

Previous Episodes

From Pink to Waterproof: The Weird Economics of US Bible Sales

November 17, 2025

COMPLEXIFIED (RNS) — If religion is fading, why are Bible sales hitting 20-year highs?

PLAY EPISODE

Beyond Identity Politics: The Mamdani Method in New York

November 10, 2025

What happens when a Muslim mayor-elect treats identity as a bridge, not a brand?

PLAY EPISODE

Chainsaws, Catechism and Courage: How One Parish Grew Through Crisis

November 3, 2025

(RNS) — A Catholic parish that worships outdoors has become a refuge and a rallying point.

PLAY EPISODE

Televangelists to Deepfakes: Who Defines the Sacred in the Age of AI? + John Fugelsang

October 27, 2025

(RNS) — This episode invites us to be more mindful about what we amplify and why it matters now.

PLAY EPISODE

VIEW MORE EPISODES

Podcasts

	Saved by the City Millennial Christians Were Set Up for Burnout + Karen Swallow Prior Katelyn Beaty and Roxanne Stone Katelyn and Roxy examine the impulse to elevate paid work to sacred calling — how it has served us and how it has hurt us.
	Martini Judaism Antisemitism Is as American as Apple Pie + Pamela Nadell Jeffrey Salkin What we are experiencing is not new. It goes back to Peter Stuyvesant.
	The State of Belief The Power of Faithful Non-Violent Resistance with Maria Stephan Paul Brandeis Raushenbush Dr. Maria J. Stephan, co-lead and chief organizer at The Horizons Project, joins host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush to discuss the pressing issues of authoritarianism, democracy, and the vital role of faith in social movements.
	Money Meet Meaning Give Treasure, Reap Reward: Jerre Stead Amber Hacker and Tom Levinson A former CEO of 10 public companies talks about the work and joy of giving.

	Saved by the City Millennial Christians Were Set Up for Burnout + Karen Swallow Prior Katelyn Beaty and Roxanne Stone Katelyn and Roxy examine the impulse to elevate paid work to sacred calling — how it has served us and how it has hurt us.
	Martini Judaism Antisemitism Is as American as Apple Pie + Pamela Nadell Jeffrey Salkin What we are experiencing is not new. It goes back to Peter Stuyvesant.
	The State of Belief The Power of Faithful Non-Violent Resistance with Maria Stephan Paul Brandeis Raushenbush Dr. Maria J. Stephan, co-lead and chief organizer at The Horizons Project, joins host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush to discuss the pressing issues of authoritarianism, democracy, and the vital role of faith in social movements.
	Money Meet Meaning Give Treasure, Reap Reward: Jerre Stead Amber Hacker and Tom Levinson A former CEO of 10 public companies talks about the work and joy of giving.

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