Talkin‘ Politics & Religion Without Killin‘ Each Other

ICYMI: Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde on Courage, Faith, and Public Witness

2025-12-07

A luminous conversation about leadership, love, and what spiritual courage looks like in a polarized age. In this ICYMI episode, Corey revisits his deeply moving conversation with Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, Episcopal Bishop of Washington and one of the most trusted—and most tested—faith leaders in American public life. With striking humility and clarity, Bishop Budde reflects on her faith journey, her response to political turbulence, her viral inauguration sermon, and the inner practices that sustain grace under pressure. 🧭 If you’re...

A luminous conversation about leadership, love, and what spiritual courage looks like in a polarized age.

In this ICYMI episode, Corey revisits his deeply moving conversation with Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, Episcopal Bishop of Washington and one of the most trusted—and most tested—faith leaders in American public life. With striking humility and clarity, Bishop Budde reflects on her faith journey, her response to political turbulence, her viral inauguration sermon, and the inner practices that sustain grace under pressure.

🧭 If you’re new to TP&R thanks to Podbean, Overcast, or a friend’s recommendation, this episode is a beautiful entry point: vulnerable, grounded, and full of moral imagination.

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⏱️ Timestamps & Key Topics

[00:00] Corey welcomes new listeners & frames why Bishop Budde matters today
[00:02] A nonlinear, grace-filled faith journey: altar calls, questions & belonging
[00:07] The Episcopal Church as “middle C” — finding a spiritual home
[00:13] Love, mercy, and the discipline of offering grace under pressure
[00:21] “Moving toward the light when it’s still dark”: Easter, trauma & renewal
[00:26] Her 2025 inaugural sermon, public backlash & what real pastoral courage requires
[00:36] Navigating political polarization inside the church
[00:43] The emotional & spiritual toll of public criticism — and how she stays grounded
[00:54] Hope vs. despair: why older generations must model courage for the young
[01:00] The TP&R Question: how to talk across difference without losing one another

🧠 Key Takeaways

• Courage is a practice. Grace isn’t temperament—it’s cultivated through discipline, prayer, and self-awareness.
• Resurrection starts small. Healing—personal or societal—often begins as “the faintest stirrings of light.”
• Humanity first. Behind every political category (immigrant, LGBTQ, federal worker) are real people with real stories.
• Leadership invites backlash. Staying grounded requires boundaries, humility, and community support.
• Hope is generational stewardship. We don’t burden the next generation with our despair—we model resilience.

💬 Notable Quotes

“Something happened that night at the altar — an ache in my heart I couldn’t ignore.”
“If it’s not about love, it’s not about God.”
“Resurrection begins in darkness, with the smallest flicker of new life.”
“People can disagree with me; they are not entitled to harm me.”
“I will not ask my children to carry the weight of my despair.”

🔗 Connect with Corey

Corey is @coreysnathan on all the socials...