Rev. Bruce Reyes‑Chow is a 3rd‑generation Filipino/Chinese American speaker, writer, and coachsultant exploring topics of faith, leadership, activism, culture, race, and technology. An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA), he is the author of six books, most recently Everything Good about God is True: Choosing Faith. He and his wife live in San Jose, CA, surrounded by too many animals and houseplants.

John Munayer is a Palestinian theologian from Jerusalem and holds degrees from King’s College London, the University of Edinburgh, and VU University Amsterdam. John is currently involved in interreligious activism and the founder and editor of the Journal of Palestinian Christianity at the Bethlehem Bible College. He is also a PhD candidate at the University of Edinburgh, researching the political theology of the Palestinian laity in relation to the Holy Fire ceremony.

Samuel Munayer is a Palestinian theologian from Jerusalem and holds degrees from Durham University and Exeter University. Samuel works as an advocacy and access officer for a humanitarian organisation that works in Gaza and the West Bank.

He recently co-authored with John the article entitled, “Decolonising Palestinian Liberation Theology: New Methods, Sources, and Voices.”

In this episode of the Amalgamation Podcast, Bruce Reyes-Chow sits down with Palestinian theologians John and Samuel Manay. Hailing from Jerusalem, both are accomplished in their respective academic journeys and have co-authored the article 'Decolonizing Palestinian Liberation Theology.' They discuss their latest book, 'The Cross and the Olive Tree: Cultivating Palestinian Theology Amid Gaza,' and share insights on the importance of the olive tree, the concept of Nakba, and the unique nature of Palestinian theology. The episode also touches on their personal backgrounds, the influence of their diverse upbringing, and their joint efforts to contribute to their community’s theological discourse. Despite the challenges, including the ongoing violence in Gaza, they emphasize building a resilient and collaborative future.

• The Cross and the Olive Tree: Cultivating Palestinian Theology Amid Gaza,
• an article we co-wrote Decolonising Palestinian Liberation Theology: New Method, Sources, and Voices, and the Journal of Palestinian Christianity.

💌 The Amalgamation Podcast, paired with The Amalgamation Newsletter, focuses on social justice, pop culture, digital community, left-leaning faith, and more. With humor, kindness, and conviction, each episode shares passions and projects and invites the listener to join Bruce and his guests to co-conspire for good. It is hosted by Bruce Reyes-Chow, produced by Emmie Hix, and edited by Dessiree McFarland, with music by Merissa Magdael-Lauron. Show inquiries can be sent to: theteam@reyes-chow.com.

Here is the trailer for Episode 77 of The Amalgamation Podcast: The Cross and the Olive Tree: A Conversation with John and Samuel Munayer.

The full episode drops on Tuesday, December 9, so be sure to subscribe where you listen to podcasts. Paid Subscribers to The Amalgamation Newsletter gain early access to the full episode.

Thanks for listening!

The Amalgamation Podcast, paired with The Amalgamation Newsletter, focuses on social justice, pop culture, digital community, left-leaning faith, and more. With humor, kindness, and conviction, each episode shares passions and projects and invites the listener to join Bruce and his guests to co-conspire for good.

The Amalgamation Podcast is hosted by Bruce Reyes-Chow, produced by Emmie Hix, edited by Dessiree McFarland, with music by Merissa Magdael-Lauron. Show inquiries can be sent to: theteam@reyes-chow.com.

In this powerful conversation, host Bruce Reyes-Chow sits down with Dr. Liz Theoharis and Charon Hribar to discuss their new book We Pray Freedom: Liturgies and Rituals from the Freedom Church of the Poor. Together, they explore how ritual, prayer, song, and community become vital tools in the fight against poverty and injustice. Despite the darkness of our current moment—from rising authoritarianism to devastating policy cuts—Liz and Sharon remind us that hope is not naive. It's real, attainable, and already blooming in grassroots movements across the country.

From free dental clinics in churches to Jericho walks around detention centers, they share concrete examples of communities living into a vision of abundance and justice. They challenge us to move beyond performative allyship, to sing together, to take action together, and to remember: we get there together or we don't get there at all.

This is a conversation about reclaiming faith traditions rooted in liberation, staying grounded in difficult times, and the radical possibility that poverty could actually end—if only we had the political will.

Dr. Liz Theoharis is a theologian, Presbyterian pastor, author, and anti-poverty activist. She serves as the executive director of the Kairos Center for Religions, Rights and Social Justice and co-chairs the Poor People's Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival. A biblical scholar with decades of organizing experience, Liz has been working in poor and low-income communities for 30 years, fighting against Christian nationalism and advancing a vision of "everybody in, nobody out." She is co-editor of We Pray Freedom: Liturgies and Rituals from the Freedom Church of the Poor. Liz on Instagram

Charon Hribar is a song leader, cultural organizer, and social ethicist who serves as the managing director of cultural strategies and communications for the Kairos Center and co-director of Theo Musicology and Movement Arts for the Poor People's Campaign. A PhD holder who grew up in a steel worker family in Western Pennsylvania, Sharon has spent over 20 years building movements that connect struggles across education, healthcare, and environmental justice—all grounded in culture, ritual, and song. She is co-editor of We Pray Freedom: Liturgies and Rituals from the Freedom Church of the Poor. Connect with Charon. Charon on Instagram

• The origin story of "We Pray Freedom" and why this collection of liturgies matters now
• Hope in action: Real examples of grassroots organizing transforming communities
• Beyond plug-and-play liturgy: How to engage authentically with ritual and avoid performative justice
• The reality of poverty in America: Why 140+ million people are poor or low-income, and why ending poverty is actually possible
• The power of song and ritual: How collective practices break isolation and reinforce shared humanity
• A dying mule kicks the hardest: Understanding our current moment as the birth pangs of a new world
• Practical grounding: How to stay connected, take action, and avoid overwhelm in these times

• We Pray Freedom: Liturgies and Rituals from the Freedom Church of the Poor (Broadleaf Books)
• The Kairos Center for Religions, Rights and Social Justice