2025 God-Pods

2025 Speakers

  • John Dominic Crossan Headshot

    John Dominic Crossan

    Professor Emeritus of Religious Studies, DePaul University, Chicago

  • Reggie Williams headshot

    Reggie Williams

    Professor of Christian Ethics at McCormick Theological Seminary

  • Kelly Brown Douglas headshot

    Kelly Brown Douglas

    Visiting Professor of Theology at Harvard Divinity School

  • Casper ter Kuile headshot

    Casper ter Kuile

    Author, The Power of Ritual | Co-Host, Harry Potter and the Sacred Text | Co-Founder, Sacred Design Lab

  • Jeffrey C. Pugh headshot

    Jeffrey C. Pugh

    Distinguished University Professor and the Maude Sharpe Powell Professor of Religious Studies at Elon University

  • Adam Clark Headshot

    Adam Clark

    Associate Professor of Theology at Xavier University

  • Juan Floyd-Thomas

    Juan Floyd-Thomas

    Associate Professor of African American Religious History, Vanderbilt University

  • Stacey Floyd-Thomas headshot

    Stacey Floyd-Thomas

    The E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Professor of Ethics and Society at Vanderbilt University Divinity School

  • Philip Clayton headshot

    Philip Clayton

    Ingraham Professor, Claremont School of Theology | Author or editor of 26 books, most recently Science and the Sacred (with Claudia Peirce)

  • Grace Ji-Sun Kim headshot

    Grace Ji-Sun Kim

    Professor of Theology at Earlham School of Religion

  • A smiling man with glasses, a beard, and tattoos on his arm, wearing a black t-shirt, standing against a plain white background.

    Dan Koch

    PsyD, Therapist & Researcher | Host of the You Have Permission podcast

  • A man with glasses and a beard holding a microphone, speaking or listening during an indoor event or discussion.

    Andy Root

    The Carrie Olson Baalson Professor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary

  • Noreen Herzfeld headshot

    Noreen Herzfeld

    Professor/Director of Benedictine Spirituality and the Environment | Author of The Artifice of Intelligence:  Divine and Human Relationship in a Robotic Age

  • A middle-aged man with glasses and a light blue button-up shirt, standing against a concrete wall.

    Myron Penner

    Professor of Philosophy at Trinity Western University

  • Professional woman with curly red hair smiling, wearing a teal blouse and necklace, standing against a gray background.

    Sarah Lane Ritchie

    Researcher of science, philosophy, and religion

  • Lori Brandt Hale

    Lori Brandt Hale

    Director of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences and Professor of Religion at Augsburg University

  • A smiling man with short light brown hair, wearing glasses and a light checkered shirt, standing in front of a blurred wooden background.

    Thomas Jay Oord

    Director of Doctoral Programs in Open and Relational Theology at Northwind Theological Seminary, Director of the Center for Open and Relational Theology

  • A man with short gray hair and glasses sitting outdoors with a blurred background of autumn leaves, wearing a dark sweater and a green plaid shirt.

    Pete Enns

    Professor of Biblical Studies, Eastern University | Host of The Bible for Normal People podcast

  • Diana Butler Bass headshot

    Diana Butler Bass

    Award-winning author, popular speaker, inspiring preacher, and one of America’s most trusted commentators on religion and contemporary spirituality.

  • James F. McGrath Headshot

    James F. McGrath

    Clarence L. Goodwin Chair in New Testament Language & Literature, Butler University

  • Benjamin Chicka headshot

    Benjamin Chicka

    Senior Lecturer of Philosophy and Religion, Curry College | President, North American Paul Tillich Society | Author, Playing as Others and God the Created

  • A black-and-white photo of a young person with glasses and short, curly hair, standing indoors near a window.

    Jon Gill

    Assistant Professor Philosophy Department | Gustavus Adolphus College

  • A smiling man with dark curly hair and glasses, wearing a button-up shirt, standing outdoors in front of green trees.

    Michael Morelli

    Associate Professor of Theology & Ethics, Northwest College & Seminary | Author of Theology, Ethics, and Technology in the Work of Jacques Ellul and Paul Virilio | Host of Personalist Manifesto(s)

  •  Rolf Jacobson headshot

    Rolf Jacobson

    Dean of the Faculty, Professor of Old Testament, and Alvin N. Rogness Chair of Scripture, Theology, and Ministry at Luther Seminary

  • Craig A. Boyd

    Craig A. Boyd

    Professor of Philosophy and Director of Faculty Development at Saint Louis University

About the 2025 beer options:

Minnesota is home to over 200 craft breweries, many of which lie within the Twin Cities metro area. What makes MN breweries so unique is the strong local support and community. MN breweries are heavily integrated with local culture.

Attendees can expect a wide range of styles from some of the best breweries in the country. Breweries such as Blackstack and Summit Brewing in St. Paul, Surly Brewing in Minneapolis one of the breweries that almost kickstarted the craft movement.

Broken Clock, another Minneapolis Brewery, is the only 100% member-owned brewery co-op in the state.

Modist Brewing with their welcoming taproom steps from Target Field & Castle Danger with their amazing Cream Ale among others, are located "way up north" in Two Harbors, MN. 

(Just to name a few.)

Local Restaurant + Coffee Shop Recommendations

Looking for local recs to eat while in St. Paul? The awesome team at Awaken has provided us with a fantastic list of local restaurants and coffee shops.

Restaurants:

  • Golden Thyme Restaurant & Bar - 934 Selby Ave

  • Louisiana Cafe - 613 Selby Ave

  • 2 Scoops Ice Cream Eatery - 921 Selby Ave

  • Hamburguesas El Gordo #3 - 161 Victoria St N

  • Mango Thai - 610 Selby Ave

  • Handsome Hog - 173 Western Ave N

  • West Indies Soul Food - 839 University Ave W, Suite 103 - take-out with outdoor tables and informative Pullman Exhibit

  • King Cajun - 712 University Ave W

  • Slice Brothers Pizza - 641 University Ave W

  • Life Juices - Super Food Bar - 450 Lexington Pkwy N

Coffee Shops:

  • Golden Thyme Cafe - 856 Selby Ave

  • Flava Coffee & Cafe - 623 University Ave W

  • Claddagh A Wee Shop - 612 Selby Ave

  • Yellowbird Coffee Bar - 1168 Selby Ave

  • Nina's (nine-uhs) Coffee Cafe - 165 Western Ave N