The Mutuality Matters podcast is now part of CBE’s online library of free resources! Weekly episodes touch on influential media, biblical resources, and the impact of egalitarian work worldwide through interviews with leaders, pastors, authors, scholars, activists, and practitioners.
CBE President Mimi Haddad shares:
What are you watching, reading, or listening to right now?
My husband and I are binge-watching the old TV series Scorpion about a group of geniuses that form a team to solve complex problems all over the world. The storylines emphasize how individual strengths when put together can accomplish incredible things. There is also an underlying theme of both the importance of heart and mind when living and working together.
I also just finished Battered Love by Dr. Renita Weems that explores the motif of God as husband in the Old Testament, particularly in the prophets. I am also re-reading The Cross and the Lynching Tree by James Cone. Finally, I am about to dive into an anthology of sermons given by the late Rev. Dr. Gardner Calvin Taylor during the Civil Rights movement.
Tell us a little about yourself and how you became one of the hosts for CBE International’s Mutuality Matters podcast.
I have had the God-ordained joy of knowing Mimi Haddad for almost ten years now. We met when the CBE Houston Chapter, led then by Pastor Ann Bayliss, hosted a CBE conference. Mimi spoke on that occasion. Through the years, we have remained in contact, even being on panels together. I have great respect for her work throughout the years. So I was absolutely delighted when she invited me to be a part of the newest CBE venture.
Tell us about your podcast theme and what excites you about it.
“Intersectionality: Where Race, Gender, and Religion Collide” explores the ways in which our understanding of God and who God is calling us to be is informed at the intersection of race, gender, and religion. We examine how the combination of liberation, womanist, and egalitarian theology presents an understanding of God’s kingdom that embraces, restores, uplifts, and transforms all who would enter therein. Our view of God’s kingdom is stretched and expanded when we consider and learn from the wisdom gained in the lived experiences of women of color, women who live at the intersection of race, gender, and religion.
Let’s listen to their voices as they move us beyond the stained-glass ceiling. In particular, we will explore collision points such as “My God, Your God, Our God: How Theology Is Formed at the Point of Race, Gender, and Religion,” “Sounding the Trumpet in the Key of F(emale)—How Women of Color Navigate the Pulpit and Leadership within the Church,” and “Sistah Ambassador—Disrupting, Dismantling, and Reconciling,” where we will explore how we engage in the work of justice to which God calls every believer.
What else should people know—about you, your work/ministry, or your theme—before they listen to Mutuality Matters?
I often describe seeing myself as a bridge that brings divergent paths together. Most of my young life I worshipped in a predominately African American church but attended schools where I was often the only African American in the class. That experience gave me a true desire to see racial reconciliation in the world in general, but especially within the church. I tend to work in spaces that are occupied by men, which has provided insights for how we move toward greater respect and mutuality as we dismantle gender bias.
I founded Streams in the Wasteland Leadership Institute to train leaders to be not just effective but transformative. I believe that God is doing a new thing in the earth. God is calling forth women and men to transform the wastelands in which they find themselves—wastelands of poverty, racism, gender bias, and xenophobia. It is the ushering in of the kingdom of God, NOW!
How can listeners connect with you outside the podcast?
I can be reached via email at revdrara@streamsinthewasteland.org. The web address is streamsinthewasteland.org.
What are you watching, reading, or listening to right now?
Rob: Right now, I’m listening to The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill podcast, and my wife Amy and I are making our way through all the episodes of Madam Secretary. The Mars Hill podcast makes my blood boil, and Madam Secretary dials me back down a bit!
Layla: I’m watching Making It, a light-hearted craft-making reality show hosted by Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman. Also, I’m loving Ted Lasso! I’m listening to the Terrible, Thanks for Asking podcast, which is a storytelling podcast that’s finding the beautiful in the midst of heartbreak. Finally, I’m reading The Deeply Formed Life by Rich Villodas.
Tell us a little about yourselves and how you became hosts for CBE International’s Mutuality Matters podcast.
Rob: I live in central California with my wife Amy and our four kids. This year, I’m celebrating twenty-five years on staff with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (college ministry). I continue to love helping college students connect with Jesus. I also serve as adjunct faculty at Fresno Pacific University and Fuller Theological Seminary. My ministry passion is helping faith communities (churches and organizations) build flourishing ministry partnerships between women and men. I consult, train, and coach on that topic as often as I can, and my new book about it is called Together in Ministry.
Layla: I’m the daughter of immigrant parents from Lebanon and Japan. I have a wonderful husband named Daniel, and together we raise our two boys. I have spent twenty years serving with the ministry InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, after coming to faith through InterVarsity while in college. Rob and I have been partners in ministry for the past fifteen years. A few years ago, Rob connected me with CBE’s ministry. Rob’s been an amazing friend, mentor, and advocate, and I’m thrilled to co-host together!
Tell us about your podcast theme and what excites you about it.
We want to turn the focus to women and men who are doing the day-in, day-out work of partnering together in ministry. We’ll interview practitioners with the aim of learning from their experiences. Our hope is to equip listeners with ideas for how to partner in ministry with someone of the opposite gender more effectively. As we hear stories from the field, we hope to learn from, connect with, and be challenged to continue pressing into this value in our own lives and ministry contexts.
What else should people know—about you, your work/ministry, or your theme—before they listen to Mutuality Matters?
We’re excited for the diverse roster of folks lined up for the podcast! We are ministry colleagues with a rich friendship rooted in learning, humor, and faith. We hope our podcast theme captures that and is a fun, engaging, and meaningful time!
How can listeners connect with you outside the podcast?
Rob: I have a (perpetually in process) website at drrobdixon.com, and I’m on Twitter at @robfdixon.
Layla: With small kids, I keep my social media circles pretty small, but you can always reach me by email at laylavangerpen@gmail.com.
What are you watching, reading, or listening to right now?
Mimi: As president of CBE, I am privileged by requests to endorse many powerful books. What I’m reading now will be published in a few months. I assure you, the future looks bright on the egalitarian publishing horizon. Stay tuned!
Kim: I am reading Tikva Frymer-Kensky’s Reading the Women of the Bible: A New Interpretation of Their Stories. Though I am only about one-quarter into it, it has already been illuminating. Her treatment of Rebecca (whom she calls Rivka) was fascinating. This is really making me think!
Tell us a little about yourselves and how you became hosts for CBE International’s Mutuality Matters podcast.
Mimi: I am truly honored to serve as president of CBE International. My other activities include teaching at Fuller Seminary as Associate Adjunct Professor of Historical Theology. I also invest time with various relief and development partnerships including World Relief, World Vision, IFAGE, TearFund USA, the Wheaton Initiative, and with our partners like the World Evangelical Alliance Women’s Commission and The Evangelical Alliance of South Africa, and the Evangelical Theological Society.
Kim: My background is in international public health. My world was first shaken to its core twenty-five years ago when I was a pre-med intern in a hospital in rural North India and witnessed the atrocities done to women. This experience started me on a lifelong journey that included considering the intersections of community health and development, faith, and the status of women. More recently, I enrolled in Fuller Seminary, where I first connected with Mimi Haddad. This past spring, in discussing CBE International for my practicum, she asked me to join her as a co-host to talk about the global humanitarian impact of our theology and the status of women.
Tell us about your podcast theme and what excites you about it.
Mimi: Given that the work of CBE connects theology with the daily consequences in the lives of girls, women, their families, and communities, my first guest will actually be my co-host, Kim Dickson. Our next guest will be the Right Reverend Dr. Emily Onyango, the first woman ordained as a bishop in the Anglican Church of Kenya. We will also interview Dr. Ron Sider and Arbutus Sider on their work empowering global leaders for social justice. Other guests we hope to include are Katherine Marshall, Emily Sarmiento, Amy Reynolds, and Dr. Lynn Cohick.
Kim: This podcast thread, “Global Impact: Egalitarian Activism and Human Flourishing,” has been central to my own life journey. I am excited to hear both the global leaders in this activism, and the day-to-day practitioners speak about their experiences, their hopes, and the connection between faith and successful humanitarian work. These topics will cover, among other things, the health implications of sex discrimination, sex trafficking, refugees and our humanitarian response, and effective interventions that lead to human flourishing.
I hope to introduce you to Dr. Saira Mathews, who serves as the Executive Director of Emmanuel Hospital Association in India. After years of service in rural North India, Dr. Saira began an HIV/AIDS outreach in New Delhi at a time when these patients were left to die on the streets. Additional guests may include Heidi Guttschuss, Dr. Beatrice Berger, Dr. Aletta Bell, Dr. Shalini Ninan, and Pauline Hassan Burkey.
How can listeners connect with you outside the podcast?
Mimi: Follow me on Twitter @Mimi_CBE and at fuller.edu.
Kim: Listeners can reach me at kdickson@cbeinternational.org.
What are you watching, reading, or listening to right now?
Erin: This may not be a surprise to anyone, but I’m listening to the CT podcast The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill.
Blake: I am reading Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. Historical fiction is not typically my go-to, but it’s so beautifully and compellingly written. As per usual, I can’t do just one category, so I am watching the new Hulu series Only Murders in the Building.
Tell us a little about yourselves and how you became hosts for CBE International’s Mutuality Matters podcast.
We met at Berry College and formed a fast friendship over interesting conversations. These conversations were either about Jesus, culture, or gender theology. We have a mutual love of podcasts but soon discovered that neither of us had found a podcast that took a biblically faithful view of gender theology over consistent episodes. This prompted us to start the Mutuality Matters podcast. After two seasons on our own, we connected with Mimi and CBE International and joined forces to make the podcast bigger and better.
Tell us about your podcast theme and what excites you about it.
Our “New Voices” theme will highlight theologians, practitioners, and thought leaders who are putting out new content. Whether books, articles, or other mediums, we will interview authors who are equipping the church with resources for the gospel empowerment of both men and women. We are excited to work on this theme, particularly to get to highlight the work being done by incredible people.
What else should people know—about you, your work / ministry, or your theme—before they listen to Mutuality Matters?
Our friendship fuels our podcast style, so listeners might want to strap in for our quirky, rapid-fire style and weird sense of humor (emphasis on weird). We absolutely LOVE getting to do this podcast, and we could not be more excited about expanding our family of hosts and their amazing additions.
How can listeners connect with you outside the podcast?
Erin: I’m on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram as @erinfmoniz. If listeners want to learn more about my work, it’s all at erinfmoniz.com.
Blake: I’m on Instagram & Facebook as @blakewdean.
“Nearly one year ago, Erin Moniz and Blake Dean, the originators of Mutuality Matters podcast, initiated a conversation with me about whether CBE might take on the podcast as CBE’s. That night, I had a hard time sleeping as I imagined how CBE might integrate themes we’ve longed to enlarge on, including the intersection of women and race, male and female partnerships, egalitarian ideas and their global impact in addition to interviewing new voices and/or new resources. It took some time, but we located podcast team hosts to lead each theme! As leaders emerged, and the team began meeting, the synergy and energy and light became clear. We’re thrilled to launch our first podcast by introducing the theme leaders featured in this article.”Mutuality Matters was established by Erin Moniz and Blake Dean as “gender theology for the gospel empowerment of men and women” that explored dating, marriage, gender roles, and more. Since 2019, they have hosted thirty-three episodes with over 6,700 downloads. Now, re-branded as CBE International’s Mutuality Matters, new hosts join the team and offer weekly conversations on new biblical resources, influential media, and the impact of egalitarian work worldwide.
Four Conversations—One Podcast
CBE International’s Mutuality Matters podcast specializes in four conversations that are vital in today’s egalitarian conversations:- “Intersectionality: Where Race, Gender, and Religion Collide” invites guests to explore the ways our understanding of God is informed by race, gender, and religion.
- “Women and Men Leading Together: Stories from the Field” shares real stories of women and men who work and lead together in ministry.
- “Global Impact: Egalitarian Activism and Human Flourishing” considers the impact of egalitarian activism around the world.
- “New Voices: The Latest Conversation on an Age-Old Struggle” introduces new authors, books, events, and ideas in egalitarian theology.
Meet Your Hosts!
Are you ready to meet the new team of hosts for the Mutuality Matters podcast? With each pre-CBE Mutuality Matters podcast episode, Erin and Blake began by discussing what each host and guest was watching, reading, or listening to. So we’re going to start there with each podcast theme host(s) and then dive into learning more about them, their vision for the podcast, and how you can connect with them outside the podcast.Angela Ravin-Anderson Hosts “Intersectionality: Where Race, Gender, and Religion Collide”
What are you watching, reading, or listening to right now?
My husband and I are binge-watching the old TV series Scorpion about a group of geniuses that form a team to solve complex problems all over the world. The storylines emphasize how individual strengths when put together can accomplish incredible things. There is also an underlying theme of both the importance of heart and mind when living and working together.
I also just finished Battered Love by Dr. Renita Weems that explores the motif of God as husband in the Old Testament, particularly in the prophets. I am also re-reading The Cross and the Lynching Tree by James Cone. Finally, I am about to dive into an anthology of sermons given by the late Rev. Dr. Gardner Calvin Taylor during the Civil Rights movement.
Tell us a little about yourself and how you became one of the hosts for CBE International’s Mutuality Matters podcast.
I have had the God-ordained joy of knowing Mimi Haddad for almost ten years now. We met when the CBE Houston Chapter, led then by Pastor Ann Bayliss, hosted a CBE conference. Mimi spoke on that occasion. Through the years, we have remained in contact, even being on panels together. I have great respect for her work throughout the years. So I was absolutely delighted when she invited me to be a part of the newest CBE venture.
Tell us about your podcast theme and what excites you about it.
“Intersectionality: Where Race, Gender, and Religion Collide” explores the ways in which our understanding of God and who God is calling us to be is informed at the intersection of race, gender, and religion. We examine how the combination of liberation, womanist, and egalitarian theology presents an understanding of God’s kingdom that embraces, restores, uplifts, and transforms all who would enter therein. Our view of God’s kingdom is stretched and expanded when we consider and learn from the wisdom gained in the lived experiences of women of color, women who live at the intersection of race, gender, and religion.
Let’s listen to their voices as they move us beyond the stained-glass ceiling. In particular, we will explore collision points such as “My God, Your God, Our God: How Theology Is Formed at the Point of Race, Gender, and Religion,” “Sounding the Trumpet in the Key of F(emale)—How Women of Color Navigate the Pulpit and Leadership within the Church,” and “Sistah Ambassador—Disrupting, Dismantling, and Reconciling,” where we will explore how we engage in the work of justice to which God calls every believer.
What else should people know—about you, your work/ministry, or your theme—before they listen to Mutuality Matters?
I often describe seeing myself as a bridge that brings divergent paths together. Most of my young life I worshipped in a predominately African American church but attended schools where I was often the only African American in the class. That experience gave me a true desire to see racial reconciliation in the world in general, but especially within the church. I tend to work in spaces that are occupied by men, which has provided insights for how we move toward greater respect and mutuality as we dismantle gender bias.
I founded Streams in the Wasteland Leadership Institute to train leaders to be not just effective but transformative. I believe that God is doing a new thing in the earth. God is calling forth women and men to transform the wastelands in which they find themselves—wastelands of poverty, racism, gender bias, and xenophobia. It is the ushering in of the kingdom of God, NOW!
How can listeners connect with you outside the podcast?
I can be reached via email at revdrara@streamsinthewasteland.org. The web address is streamsinthewasteland.org.
Rob Dixon and Layla Van Gerpen Host “Women and Men Leading Together: Stories from the Field”
What are you watching, reading, or listening to right now?
Rob: Right now, I’m listening to The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill podcast, and my wife Amy and I are making our way through all the episodes of Madam Secretary. The Mars Hill podcast makes my blood boil, and Madam Secretary dials me back down a bit!
Layla: I’m watching Making It, a light-hearted craft-making reality show hosted by Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman. Also, I’m loving Ted Lasso! I’m listening to the Terrible, Thanks for Asking podcast, which is a storytelling podcast that’s finding the beautiful in the midst of heartbreak. Finally, I’m reading The Deeply Formed Life by Rich Villodas.
Tell us a little about yourselves and how you became hosts for CBE International’s Mutuality Matters podcast.
Rob: I live in central California with my wife Amy and our four kids. This year, I’m celebrating twenty-five years on staff with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (college ministry). I continue to love helping college students connect with Jesus. I also serve as adjunct faculty at Fresno Pacific University and Fuller Theological Seminary. My ministry passion is helping faith communities (churches and organizations) build flourishing ministry partnerships between women and men. I consult, train, and coach on that topic as often as I can, and my new book about it is called Together in Ministry.
Layla: I’m the daughter of immigrant parents from Lebanon and Japan. I have a wonderful husband named Daniel, and together we raise our two boys. I have spent twenty years serving with the ministry InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, after coming to faith through InterVarsity while in college. Rob and I have been partners in ministry for the past fifteen years. A few years ago, Rob connected me with CBE’s ministry. Rob’s been an amazing friend, mentor, and advocate, and I’m thrilled to co-host together!
Tell us about your podcast theme and what excites you about it.
We want to turn the focus to women and men who are doing the day-in, day-out work of partnering together in ministry. We’ll interview practitioners with the aim of learning from their experiences. Our hope is to equip listeners with ideas for how to partner in ministry with someone of the opposite gender more effectively. As we hear stories from the field, we hope to learn from, connect with, and be challenged to continue pressing into this value in our own lives and ministry contexts.
What else should people know—about you, your work/ministry, or your theme—before they listen to Mutuality Matters?
We’re excited for the diverse roster of folks lined up for the podcast! We are ministry colleagues with a rich friendship rooted in learning, humor, and faith. We hope our podcast theme captures that and is a fun, engaging, and meaningful time!
How can listeners connect with you outside the podcast?
Rob: I have a (perpetually in process) website at drrobdixon.com, and I’m on Twitter at @robfdixon.
Layla: With small kids, I keep my social media circles pretty small, but you can always reach me by email at laylavangerpen@gmail.com.
Mimi Haddad and Kim Dickson Host “Global Impact: Egalitarian Activism and Human Flourishing”
What are you watching, reading, or listening to right now?
Mimi: As president of CBE, I am privileged by requests to endorse many powerful books. What I’m reading now will be published in a few months. I assure you, the future looks bright on the egalitarian publishing horizon. Stay tuned!
Kim: I am reading Tikva Frymer-Kensky’s Reading the Women of the Bible: A New Interpretation of Their Stories. Though I am only about one-quarter into it, it has already been illuminating. Her treatment of Rebecca (whom she calls Rivka) was fascinating. This is really making me think!
Tell us a little about yourselves and how you became hosts for CBE International’s Mutuality Matters podcast.
Mimi: I am truly honored to serve as president of CBE International. My other activities include teaching at Fuller Seminary as Associate Adjunct Professor of Historical Theology. I also invest time with various relief and development partnerships including World Relief, World Vision, IFAGE, TearFund USA, the Wheaton Initiative, and with our partners like the World Evangelical Alliance Women’s Commission and The Evangelical Alliance of South Africa, and the Evangelical Theological Society.
Kim: My background is in international public health. My world was first shaken to its core twenty-five years ago when I was a pre-med intern in a hospital in rural North India and witnessed the atrocities done to women. This experience started me on a lifelong journey that included considering the intersections of community health and development, faith, and the status of women. More recently, I enrolled in Fuller Seminary, where I first connected with Mimi Haddad. This past spring, in discussing CBE International for my practicum, she asked me to join her as a co-host to talk about the global humanitarian impact of our theology and the status of women.
Tell us about your podcast theme and what excites you about it.
Mimi: Given that the work of CBE connects theology with the daily consequences in the lives of girls, women, their families, and communities, my first guest will actually be my co-host, Kim Dickson. Our next guest will be the Right Reverend Dr. Emily Onyango, the first woman ordained as a bishop in the Anglican Church of Kenya. We will also interview Dr. Ron Sider and Arbutus Sider on their work empowering global leaders for social justice. Other guests we hope to include are Katherine Marshall, Emily Sarmiento, Amy Reynolds, and Dr. Lynn Cohick.
Kim: This podcast thread, “Global Impact: Egalitarian Activism and Human Flourishing,” has been central to my own life journey. I am excited to hear both the global leaders in this activism, and the day-to-day practitioners speak about their experiences, their hopes, and the connection between faith and successful humanitarian work. These topics will cover, among other things, the health implications of sex discrimination, sex trafficking, refugees and our humanitarian response, and effective interventions that lead to human flourishing.
I hope to introduce you to Dr. Saira Mathews, who serves as the Executive Director of Emmanuel Hospital Association in India. After years of service in rural North India, Dr. Saira began an HIV/AIDS outreach in New Delhi at a time when these patients were left to die on the streets. Additional guests may include Heidi Guttschuss, Dr. Beatrice Berger, Dr. Aletta Bell, Dr. Shalini Ninan, and Pauline Hassan Burkey.
How can listeners connect with you outside the podcast?
Mimi: Follow me on Twitter @Mimi_CBE and at fuller.edu.
Kim: Listeners can reach me at kdickson@cbeinternational.org.
Rev. Dr. Erin Moniz and Blake Dean Host “New Voices: The Latest Conversation on an Age-Old Struggle”
What are you watching, reading, or listening to right now?
Erin: This may not be a surprise to anyone, but I’m listening to the CT podcast The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill.
Blake: I am reading Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel. Historical fiction is not typically my go-to, but it’s so beautifully and compellingly written. As per usual, I can’t do just one category, so I am watching the new Hulu series Only Murders in the Building.
Tell us a little about yourselves and how you became hosts for CBE International’s Mutuality Matters podcast.
We met at Berry College and formed a fast friendship over interesting conversations. These conversations were either about Jesus, culture, or gender theology. We have a mutual love of podcasts but soon discovered that neither of us had found a podcast that took a biblically faithful view of gender theology over consistent episodes. This prompted us to start the Mutuality Matters podcast. After two seasons on our own, we connected with Mimi and CBE International and joined forces to make the podcast bigger and better.
Tell us about your podcast theme and what excites you about it.
Our “New Voices” theme will highlight theologians, practitioners, and thought leaders who are putting out new content. Whether books, articles, or other mediums, we will interview authors who are equipping the church with resources for the gospel empowerment of both men and women. We are excited to work on this theme, particularly to get to highlight the work being done by incredible people.
What else should people know—about you, your work / ministry, or your theme—before they listen to Mutuality Matters?
Our friendship fuels our podcast style, so listeners might want to strap in for our quirky, rapid-fire style and weird sense of humor (emphasis on weird). We absolutely LOVE getting to do this podcast, and we could not be more excited about expanding our family of hosts and their amazing additions.
How can listeners connect with you outside the podcast?
Erin: I’m on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram as @erinfmoniz. If listeners want to learn more about my work, it’s all at erinfmoniz.com.
Blake: I’m on Instagram & Facebook as @blakewdean.
Catch up on pre-CBE Mutuality Matters episodes
Erin and Blake’s pre-CBE episodes are available on Spotify and Apple Podcast. Here are a few you won’t want to miss:- Special Bonus Episode with Dr. Mimi Haddad
- A Theology of Family + An Apocalyptic Advent, Dr. Emily McGowin
- Redeeming Paul, Dr. Cynthia Westfall—Part 1 and Part 2
- Patriarchy Hurts Everyone, Eugene Hung
- Gender Roles + the Sexual Cartel, Carrie A. Miles
- Can We Man It Up? Dr. William G. Witt
- “Why didn’t God make me a boy so I could be a preacher?” Kristen Padilla
The opinions expressed in CBE’s Mutuality Matters’ podcast are those of its hosts or guests and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of CBE International or its members or chapters worldwide. The designations employed in this podcast and the presentation of content therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of CBE concerning the legal status of any country, area or territory or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers.
