Religion in Praxis Conversation Series
Episodes
The 700-Year-Old Idea Behind ISIS and al-Qāʿida
28 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
To most people, democracy is a neutral political arrangement. To radical salafīs — the ideologues of al-Qāʿida and the Islamic State — it is po...
When Constitutions Exclude: The Politics of Constitutional Intolerance
31 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Religion in Praxis, we sit down with Dr. Marietta van der Toll, author of Constitutional Intolerance: Making and Breaking Citize...
Beneath the Blessing: Gilead and the Weight of Grace
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we delve into Marilynne Robinson’s Pulitzer Prize–winning novel Gilead, uncovering how its epistolary form becomes a vessel for ...
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
31 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What happens when sacred texts become political blueprints? In this episode, we read The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood to examine how religio...
Beauty and the Gods - Interview with Dr. Hugo Shakeshaft
30 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What if beauty wasn’t just in the eye of the beholder—but in the hands of the gods? In this episode of Religion in Praxis, we speak with classici...
The Sound of Recognition: Syriac Orthodoxy and Sonic Revival
31 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What can sound teach us about identity, memory, and the sacred? In this episode, sociocultural anthropologist Dr. Sarah Bakker Kellogg joins us to dis...
Literary Corner: "Silence" by Shusaku Endo
15 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Religion in Praxis: Literary Corner, we examine Shusaku Endo’s Silence—a haunting novel about faith, doubt, and God’s sile...
Sacred Canopies: How Byzantine Trees Bridged Earth and Heaven
28 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We often think of Byzantium in terms of emperors, mosaics, and theological debates, but this episode with Dr. Thomas Arentzen (Sankt Ignatios College ...
Literary Corner: "Small Things Like These" by Claire Keegan
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
📢 Spoiler Alert: This episode contains major spoilers for Claire Keegan’s Small Things Like These. If you haven’t read the novel yet, we hi...
Religion and Gender Equality around the Baltic Sea - Milda Ališauskienė
30 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How do religious and secular ideologies shape our understanding of gender equality in diverse socio-historical contexts? What role do religious instit...
Conversation with Journalist Bert Sundström on Religion and War in Ukraine
30 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our special guest, renowned Swedish journalist Bert Sundström, together with our host Tornike Metreveli and scholar of religion Magdalena Dziac...
Politics as Performance: Trump, Kayfabe, and the Wrestling of American Beliefs
30 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I am joined by Aaron James Goldman (PhD from Harvard University, currently a senior researcher at Lund University), who guides us thr...
Christian Temporalities Living Between the Already Fulfilled and the Not Yet Completed
24 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This podcast episode, dedicated to the recent edited volume "Christian Temporalities Living Between the Already Fulfilled and the Not Yet Complet...
Security After Christendom - Conversation with Professor John Heathershaw
30 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this thought-provoking episode, we examine the intersection of global politics and political theology, focusing on the concept of "Security af...
Cognitive Mysteries of Religion: A Conversation with Professor Armin W. Geertz
30 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How do our brains naturally predispose us towards religious beliefs? In this episode of Religion in Praxis, we dive deep into the cognitive science o...
In Search of Jesus: The Historical vs. Theological Christ - Interview with Professor Samuel Byrskog
31 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Scholars struggle to piece together the historical puzzle of Jesus' life and are faced with the task of interpreting his teachings within the cult...
Nationalisation of the Sacred: Book Discussion with Professors Cyril Hovorun, Katharina Kunter and Dr. Emil Hilton Saggau
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do the long-running conflicts over territory, saints, and sacred sites that have engulfed the Eastern Orthodox churches in post-communist Eastern Euro...
Swedish Crossroads: Church, Death, and the Quest for Meaning - Interview with Dr. Jakob Wirén
22 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, the Conversation Series presents ‘Swedish Crossroads: Church, Death, and the Quest for Meaning’; a comprehensive examination of t...
What Is Putinism And How Does It Work? Interview with Professor Mikhail Suslov
26 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this final episode from Religion in Praxis of this year, Professor Mikhail Suslov takes us deep into an ideological moment and situation named Puti...
What happens when an ancient faith meets COVID-19 pandemic? Discussion with Professors Tymofii Brik, Vasilios N. Makrides and Stefan Radojkovic
30 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Can centuries-old religious practices adapt to unprecedented global challenges? I discuss the book with co-authors of chapters: Professor Tymofii Bri...
Timeless Traditions, Changing Times: A Sociological Voyage through Orthodox Christianity with Tornike Metreveli
31 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In my latest research, I delve into the complex world of Orthodox Christianity and its impact on society in times of crisis. I explore how faith acts ...
Freedom, Faith, and Fracture: Sweden's Quran Burning Dilemma - Professor Oliver Scharbrodt
30 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In the twenty-fourth episode of the Conversations Series, our host Tornike Metreveli is joined by Professor Oliver Scharbrodt to unpack the ethical, l...
The Spirit of Capitalism - Conversation with Professor Liah Greenfeld, Part 3
31 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Conversations Series, a final discussion takes place with the renowned award-winning sociologist Professor Liah Greenfeld. Wit...
Mind, Modernity, Madness - Conversation with Professor Liah Greenfeld, Part 2
31 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This is the twenty-third episode of the Conversations Series, and in this second episode in the ongoing triology of conversations with the renowned aw...
National Identity, Modernity, and Power - Conversation with Professor Liah Greenfeld, Part 1
29 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this edition, we embark on a trilogy of discussions with the esteemed, award-winning sociologist, Professor Liah Greenfeld. Our dialogue applies th...
Roots and Repercussions of Russia's War on Ukraine with Professor Serhii Plokhii
31 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ignoring White House warnings, Russia's surprising invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 left the world in shock. The war, initiated by Putin, has ...
The Godless Crusade: Religion, Populism and Right-Wing Identity Politics in the West with Dr. Tobias Cremer
30 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How has the relationship between religion, populism, and right-wing identity politicsevolved in recent years, and what are the key factors driving thi...
Beyond the Barricades: Euromaidan and the Rise of Self-Organized Ukraine - Interview with Dr. Emily Channell-Justice
17 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This is the seventeenth episode of the Religion in Praxis Conversations Series, and we here ask: "Have a group of citizens can come together to c...
Rethinking Religion's Place in World Politics - Interview with Professor Erin K. Wilson
28 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This is the sixteenth episode of the Religion in Praxis Conversations Series, in which we ask: "Is religion central or irrelevant, positive or negativ...
Faith and Sovereignty: Interview with Professor Ambassador Tamara Grdzelidze
11 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Praxis in Religion Conversation Series, Tornike Metreveli discusses with Professor Tamara Grdzelidze, a former Ambassador of Ge...
Christianity and Crisis: Navigating Europe's Challenges: Panel Discussion with Professors Valentina Napolitano, Elisabeth Shakman Hurd, Ulrich Schmiedel and Tornike Metreveli
11 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In recent years, the integrity and identity of Europe have been challenged. So-called populist and nationalist movements have reshaped several Europea...
War, Faith, and Statecraft: Rethinking Europe's Political Evolution with Professor Anna Grzymala Busse
29 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
How did the state arise in Europe? The canonical answer is Charles Tilly’s: “war made the state and the state made war.” The starting point is t...
Orthodox Rebirth and Resistance: Ukrainian Struggles and Global Implications with Professor Nicholas Denysenko
26 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This is the twelfth episode of the Praxis in Religion Conversation Series where Tornike hosts Prof. Nicholas Denysenko. In this conversation, tit...
Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Special Edition: Tetiana Kalenychenko and Tornike Metreveli on Religion and Conflict Transformation - Points of connection
11 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This conversation with Dr. Tetiana Kalenychenko will give a rare insight into the current religious situation in Ukraine and situate ongoing events in...
Inside Russia: Public Opinion, Nationalism, and the Future of the Ukraine War – A Dialogue with Professor Aleksandar Matovski
25 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Does Russian public support Ukraine war? What do they demand from Putin?What is the role of nationalists in this war? How will the war continue and ca...
Rethinking Religion in Asylum: Theological and Political Dimensions with Professor Elizabeth Shakman Hurd
05 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
While offering important perspectives on the myriad evidentiary assessment challenges facing adjudicators, the legal and social scientific literature ...
Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Special Edition: José Casanova and Tornike Metreveli
30 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
What are the religious dimensions of an ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine? What are the global religious and theological responses to this war? In t...
Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Special Edition: Immediate Reactions from Professors Cyril Hovorun, Ulrich Schmid and Regina Elsner
27 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In our special series on Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine, I talked with three renowned scholars. In the first part, together with Cyril Hovorun, we try...
Interwoven Forces: How Globalisation and Nationalism Shape Modern History with Professor Siniša Malešević
04 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Globalisation is not the enemy of nationalism; instead, Professor Malešević shows, the two forces have developed together through modern history. Ma...
Reconciliation: Bridging Ancient Wisdom and Modern Practice with Professor Risto Saarinen
27 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Reconciliation is today an established practice of peace and mediation work. While the concept of reconciliation has its religious roots in the Greek ...
Orthodoxy and Memory: The Romanian Orthodox Church's Reckoning with Its Past with Professor Lavinia Stan
26 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After 1989, the Romanian Orthodox Church was called to re-evaluate its collaboration with the repressive communist rule, as well as the fascist regime...
Sacred Spaces and Affective Atmospheres: Professor Catherine Wanner on Vernacular Religious Practices in Ukraine
25 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This is the sixth episode of the Conversation Series, with Catherine Wanner: professor of history, anthropology, and religious studies at Penn State. ...
Redefining Lived Religion: Insights and Frameworks with Professor Nancy T. Ammerman
19 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This is the fifth episode of the Conversation Series, with the theme “Studying Lived Religion: Contexts and Practices” and with the guest Nancy T....
Old Wine in New Bottles: Understanding Contemporary Nationalism with Professor Joppke
06 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This is the fourth episode of the Conversation Series, in which Professor Joppke explores the forms and contents of contemporary nationalism in Europe...
Rethinking Religion: Analyzing Orthodoxy, Heresy, and Post-Truth Politics with Professors Svenungsson, Fridlund & Linjamaa
15 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, the three speakers, Jayne Svenungsson, Patrik Fridlund, and Paul Linjamaa, examine the shifting and sometimes counterintuitive dimens...
Understanding Neo-Nationalisms in a Global Context with Professor José Casanova
08 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The relations between religions, nationalisms, and patterns of globalization have historically been and continue to be complex, multifaceted, and dive...
Political Orthodoxy and Realpolitik with Professor Cyril Hovorun
07 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is a recording from a conversation which took place in March, 2021. Professor Hovorun examines how political theology intertwined with re...