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 "Congregation of the World": Union Seminary's Rev. Dr. Serene Jones Paul Brandeis Raushenbush The first woman president of historic Union Theological Seminary in New York City reflects on her 18 years in the position, and on the state of activism and religious vocation in 2026 America.
	Money Meet Meaning Effort, Surrender and the Money in Between Amber Hacker and Tom Levinson (RNS) — From portfolio obsession to nonprofit dreams, this thorny episode asks when to strive, when to surrender and how to 'solve for peace.'

	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 "Congregation of the World": Union Seminary's Rev. Dr. Serene Jones Paul Brandeis Raushenbush The first woman president of historic Union Theological Seminary in New York City reflects on her 18 years in the position, and on the state of activism and religious vocation in 2026 America.
	Money Meet Meaning Effort, Surrender and the Money in Between Amber Hacker and Tom Levinson (RNS) — From portfolio obsession to nonprofit dreams, this thorny episode asks when to strive, when to surrender and how to 'solve for peace.'

Latest 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.

Previous Episodes

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

Separation of Church and State Was a Baptist Idea. What Happened?

May 4, 2026

(RNS) — The wall Baptists built — and are now dismantling.

PLAY EPISODE

VIEW MORE EPISODES

Latest 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.

Complexified

Meet the Host

Rev. Amanda Henderson

Complexified

Meet the Host

Rev. Amanda Henderson

Previous Episodes

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

Separation of Church and State Was a Baptist Idea. What Happened?

May 4, 2026

(RNS) — The wall Baptists built — and are now dismantling.

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 "Congregation of the World": Union Seminary's Rev. Dr. Serene Jones Paul Brandeis Raushenbush The first woman president of historic Union Theological Seminary in New York City reflects on her 18 years in the position, and on the state of activism and religious vocation in 2026 America.
	Money Meet Meaning Effort, Surrender and the Money in Between Amber Hacker and Tom Levinson (RNS) — From portfolio obsession to nonprofit dreams, this thorny episode asks when to strive, when to surrender and how to 'solve for peace.'

	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 "Congregation of the World": Union Seminary's Rev. Dr. Serene Jones Paul Brandeis Raushenbush The first woman president of historic Union Theological Seminary in New York City reflects on her 18 years in the position, and on the state of activism and religious vocation in 2026 America.
	Money Meet Meaning Effort, Surrender and the Money in Between Amber Hacker and Tom Levinson (RNS) — From portfolio obsession to nonprofit dreams, this thorny episode asks when to strive, when to surrender and how to 'solve for peace.'