Complexified

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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 Eat the Rich! Jesus Had Something to Say About That + Malcolm Foley Katelyn Beaty and Roxanne Stone Katelyn and Roxy talk to Malcom Foley about the insidious legacy of greed on countries, systems and individuals.
	Martini Judaism Europe's stained glass is stained with antisemitism Jeffrey Salkin (RNS) — You think that the Middle Ages are history? Not so fast. The same libels against Jews remain with us today.
	The State of Belief Paul, Brad, and the Kids: A Snapshot of an American Family for Pride Paul Brandeis Raushenbush Plus: Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons, author of a new report on same-gender marriage and religious freedom
	Money Meet Meaning To Preserve or to Repurpose? Amber Hacker and Tom Levinson Is it more faithful to preserve a dying congregation — or to repurpose its financial assets for new life?

	Saved by the City Eat the Rich! Jesus Had Something to Say About That + Malcolm Foley Katelyn Beaty and Roxanne Stone Katelyn and Roxy talk to Malcom Foley about the insidious legacy of greed on countries, systems and individuals.
	Martini Judaism Europe's stained glass is stained with antisemitism Jeffrey Salkin (RNS) — You think that the Middle Ages are history? Not so fast. The same libels against Jews remain with us today.
	The State of Belief Paul, Brad, and the Kids: A Snapshot of an American Family for Pride Paul Brandeis Raushenbush Plus: Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons, author of a new report on same-gender marriage and religious freedom
	Money Meet Meaning To Preserve or to Repurpose? Amber Hacker and Tom Levinson Is it more faithful to preserve a dying congregation — or to repurpose its financial assets for new life?

Latest Episode

Philip Reed-Butler, Black AI and the future of healing

June 16, 2026

(RNS) — A theologian and technologist is building Black AI for the inner life, where healing begins with imagination.

Previous Episodes

Philip Reed-Butler, Black AI and the future of healing

June 16, 2026

(RNS) — A theologian and technologist is building Black AI for the inner life, where healing begins with imagination.

PLAY EPISODE

Building God, Fearing Doom: The Theology of Superintelligence

June 2, 2026

Inside parts of Silicon Valley, AI is not just a tool. It is a vision of salvation, extinction and a future beyond the human.

PLAY EPISODE

Pope Leo XIV and the Case for Imperfection

May 27, 2026

As AI promises to make us faster, smarter and limitless, Pope Leo XIV is making a quieter, stranger case: Our imperfections may be exactly what make us human.

PLAY EPISODE

America, According to Hillsdale

May 20, 2026

Who gets to tell America’s story?

PLAY EPISODE

VIEW MORE EPISODES

Latest Episode

Philip Reed-Butler, Black AI and the future of healing

June 16, 2026

(RNS) — A theologian and technologist is building Black AI for the inner life, where healing begins with imagination.

Complexified

Meet the Host

Rev. Amanda Henderson

Complexified

Meet the Host

Rev. Amanda Henderson

Previous Episodes

Philip Reed-Butler, Black AI and the future of healing

June 16, 2026

(RNS) — A theologian and technologist is building Black AI for the inner life, where healing begins with imagination.

PLAY EPISODE

Building God, Fearing Doom: The Theology of Superintelligence

June 2, 2026

Inside parts of Silicon Valley, AI is not just a tool. It is a vision of salvation, extinction and a future beyond the human.

PLAY EPISODE

Pope Leo XIV and the Case for Imperfection

May 27, 2026

As AI promises to make us faster, smarter and limitless, Pope Leo XIV is making a quieter, stranger case: Our imperfections may be exactly what make us human.

PLAY EPISODE

America, According to Hillsdale

May 20, 2026

Who gets to tell America’s story?

PLAY EPISODE

VIEW MORE EPISODES

Podcasts

	Saved by the City Eat the Rich! Jesus Had Something to Say About That + Malcolm Foley Katelyn Beaty and Roxanne Stone Katelyn and Roxy talk to Malcom Foley about the insidious legacy of greed on countries, systems and individuals.
	Martini Judaism Europe's stained glass is stained with antisemitism Jeffrey Salkin (RNS) — You think that the Middle Ages are history? Not so fast. The same libels against Jews remain with us today.
	The State of Belief Paul, Brad, and the Kids: A Snapshot of an American Family for Pride Paul Brandeis Raushenbush Plus: Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons, author of a new report on same-gender marriage and religious freedom
	Money Meet Meaning To Preserve or to Repurpose? Amber Hacker and Tom Levinson Is it more faithful to preserve a dying congregation — or to repurpose its financial assets for new life?

	Saved by the City Eat the Rich! Jesus Had Something to Say About That + Malcolm Foley Katelyn Beaty and Roxanne Stone Katelyn and Roxy talk to Malcom Foley about the insidious legacy of greed on countries, systems and individuals.
	Martini Judaism Europe's stained glass is stained with antisemitism Jeffrey Salkin (RNS) — You think that the Middle Ages are history? Not so fast. The same libels against Jews remain with us today.
	The State of Belief Paul, Brad, and the Kids: A Snapshot of an American Family for Pride Paul Brandeis Raushenbush Plus: Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons, author of a new report on same-gender marriage and religious freedom
	Money Meet Meaning To Preserve or to Repurpose? Amber Hacker and Tom Levinson Is it more faithful to preserve a dying congregation — or to repurpose its financial assets for new life?