Crossroads from Washington National Cathedral

What Would Cathedral Icons Tell Us Today? | Episode 38

Icons of biblical and American history adorn many of the Cathedral’s stained glass windows, needlepoint kneelers, and stone carvings. Chosen at the time as figures to be remembered or emulated, what advice or insight might these icons have for us about the challenges of our current society? Canon Leonard Hamlin joins Kevin Eckstrom for a creative exploration of Cathedral iconography.

 

Download transcript: https://cathedral.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Ep-38-Transcript.pdf

 

Additional Resources:

• "Icons Speak" in Cathedral Age

The Potluck Project: Overcoming Division through Food and Fellowship | Episode 37

How can the simple act of gathering interfaith groups for a meal help promote peace? The Rev. Terry Kyllo, Executive Director of Paths to Understanding, is exploring this idea through The Potluck Project. He joins Cathedral Dean Randy Hollerith to discuss how this small yet profound exercise can overcome division and help foster understanding across denominations and faiths.

 

Download transcript: https://cathedral.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Ep-37-Transcript.pdf

 

Additional Resources:

• The Potluck Project
• A Better Way

Illuminating the Word of God: Inside the Cathedral’s Saint John’s Bible | Episode 36

The Cathedral is home to one of 12 special editions of the Saint John’s Bible — the first hand-written, hand-illuminated Bible commissioned by a Benedictine monastery in over 500 years. The Rev. Dr. John F. Ross, Executive Director of The Saint John’s Bible Heritage Edition, joins the podcast to share the inspiring story behind this masterpiece of Biblical art.

 

Download transcript: https://cathedral.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Ep-36-Transcript.pdf

 

Additional Resources:

• Learn more about the St. John's Bible
• Contact Rev. Dr. Ross 
• Turning the Pages - Explore a digital version of St. John's Bible
• A Closer Look at the Cathedral's Copy of the St. John's Bible

Navigating the Age of AI as Children of God | Episode 35

In today’s increasingly AI-powered world, how can churches help their parishioners utilize AI while staying authentic and ethical? The Rev. Mercedes Clements and the Rev. Peter Levenstrong, co-hosts of the AI Church Toolkit podcast, join Dr. Sonia Coman and the Rev. Jo Nygard Owens to discuss ways to center your creativity and your relationship with God to help navigate this new era of disruptive technology.

 

Download transcript: https://cathedral.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Ep-35-Transcript.pdf

 

Additional Resources:

• AI Church Toolkit Podcast
• Living Stories Sermons

Happy Birthday, America! Civic Art & History at the Cathedral | Episode 34

As we celebrate July 4th and mark just one year until America’s milestone 250th birthday, multidisciplinary artist Chas Fagan joins Kevin Eckstrom and Dr. Sonia Coman for a closer look at our nation’s history at the Cathedral. Fagan, who painted the official portrait of First Lady Barbara Bush and sculpted a statue of President Ronald Reagan at National Airport, shares his unique insights on American iconography at the Cathedral, including his own carvings.
 
Additional Resources:

• Crossroads episode featuring Chas on St. Phoebe carving
• Crossroads episode on Edith Wilson

A Conversation on Hope with Bishop Mariann Budde | Episode 33

Join us for highlights of an exclusive conversation with Bishop Mariann Budde and Rev. Jo Nygard Owens. Recorded in front of an intimate gathering at the Cathedral, their discussion explores how we can hold onto hope and lean into joy even in the midst of today’s challenges.

 

Additional Resources:

• A Better Way

A Lesson in Forgiveness with Mother Emanuel Pastor Eric Manning | Episode 32

As we mark ten years since the senseless murder of nine parishioners of Mother Emanuel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, Senior Pastor Eric S.C. Manning joins the Rev. Canon Leonard Hamlin and the Rev. Jo Nygard Owens for a poignant and inspiring conversation about forgiveness.

 

Additional Resources:

• Mother Emanuel AMEC
• Context and Timeline of the Cathedral's Now and Forever Windows

Chas Fagan and Sean Callahan on the Newest Cathedral Carving | Episode 31

The Cathedral will soon unveil a new addition to its iconography – a beautifully carved statue of St. Phoebe. The Rev. Jo Nygard Owens chats with painter/sculptor Chas Fagan and Cathedral stone carver Sean Callahan about their creative cross-medium collaboration for this project and the significance of St. Phoebe.

 

Additional Resources:

• Photo gallery of St. Phoebe statue
• Learn more about Chas Fagan
• Chas' portrait of Barbara Bush
• St. Phoebe on the Episcopal Lectionary
• Elie Wiesel carving
• Jonathan Daniels carving
• Crossroads Ep. 12 - Meet our Stonemasons
• Crossroads Ep. 26 - Celebrating Woman at the Cathedral

Finding Meaning in the Future: A Conversation with Neuroscientist Moran Cerf | Episode 30

In a special episode in New York City, the Cathedral’s podcast team sits down with Moran Cerf, neuroscientist, professor of business, and storyteller, to discuss how world-changing advances in science and technology can reshape our sense of self.

 

Full episode - video podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP6ph4NakTw

 

Additional Resources:

• Moran's website
• Moran Cerf at the Center for Advanced Technology and Human Performance
• Moran Cerf at Return on AI
• Moran Cerf at Columbia Business School
• TED Talk by Moran Cerf on Neuroscience and Brain Implants
• Crick and the invention of the double helix in the DNA

The Historical Mystery of Jesus with Award-winning Author Elaine Pagels | Episode 29

Our ability to know the historical Jesus is limited at best, but award-winning author Elaine Pagels uses little-known primary sources and her own deep faith to assemble the puzzle of Jesus of Nazareth and the enduring power of the Christian message.

 

Additional Resources:

• Elaine's sermon at the Cathedral
• Miracles and Wonders
• More on Marc Chagall