Off Canon
Jonathan J. Foster and Tori E. Owens · Jonathan Foster
Show overview
Off Canon has published 11 episodes during 2026. That works out to roughly 10 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a fortnightly cadence.
Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 49 min and 1h — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. Roughly 64% of episodes carry an explicit flag from the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Religion & Spirituality show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 1 weeks ago, with 11 episodes already out so far this year. Published by Jonathan Foster.
From the publisher
What happens when theological voices that challenge, question, and reimagine faith step into the conversation? Join hosts Jonathan J. Foster and Tori E. Owens as they sit down with authors, theologians, and thinkers who exist outside the approved margins—those whose ideas are too progressive, too challenging, or too honest for traditional religious spaces. "Off Canon" isn't about tearing down faith; it's about transcending and including faith traditions and in the process building something healthier. Each episode explores the intersections of theology, justice, spirituality, and culture with guests who've been pushed to the periphery for asking hard questions and offering different answers. If you've ever felt like you don't quite fit in Sunday school anymore, if you're tired of theological gatekeeping, or if you're simply curious about what faith looks like when it's freed from institutional control—this podcast is for you. Welcome to the margins. Welcome to the conversation. Welcome Off Canon.
Latest Episodes
Indigenous Conversations with Dr. Randy Woodley
Queerness and Contemplation with Rev Dr Cassidy Hall
Bible, Gender, and Sexuality Stuff with Mattie Mae Motl
Theology and the World with Brian McLaren
Ep 7Conversations of Peace in Times of War with Savannah Locke
EWe love artists, particularly those with a sense of humor, and that's why it was fun to have Savannah Locke on the OffCanon show today. Find her substack here and make sure to pick up her lastest album here. Just think, you could be doing all that while you’re listening to our conversation with her about christian music, violence, anti-violence, the presence of God in the most unexpected places, references to Bob Bell, and why we should change Tori’s name to Shannon. Plus, a first for the OffCanon podcast: we're playing music written and performed by our guest. Yes, we were given permission by Savannah to share one of her songs, so per Tori's request, we'll be playing God Have Mercy at the end of the episode. You have permission to fast-forward to to the end and sample the song, but only, if you come back and listen to the entire show immediately following that sampling. Those are the rules. We have very few rules, but that's one of them! Thank you everyone, ✌🏼 Tori's SubstackJonathan's Substack
Ep 6At the Intersection of Ecology and Justice with Grace Ji-Sun Kim
EThrilled to have the Rev Dr Grace Ji-Sun Kim on today's show talking about her latest book Earthbound: God at the Intersection of Climate and Justice. Grace’s voice is an important one. I hope you’ll pick up a copy of her book (she has many books!) and subscribe to her Substack channel. Tori's SubstackJonathan's Substack
Ep 5The Creativity and Courage of the Reverend Winnie Varghese
EThe Very Reverend Winnie Sara Varghese is an American Episcopal priest serves as the 12th Dean of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. Tori and I are thrilled to talk to any queer woman of Indian descent who is a pastor, but to do so at the intersectino of what's going on in our world and this podcast is an honor. I hope you'll find Winnie on her substack page. Tori's SubstackJonathan's Substack
Ep 4Hide and Seek with Tim Miller
EWe really enjoyed our conversation with Tim Miller about the afterlife, questions, God, and all things open and relational theology. Hope you can follow Tim’s Substack and or pick a copy of his book: The Silence of the Lamb: Exploring the Hiddenness of Christ and God. Tori's SubstackJonathan's Substack
Ep 3Theopoetics and Dr. O
EA conversation with Oluwatomisin Olayinka Oredein or Dr. O about theopoetics, theology, and biblical work from the edges (i.e., off-canon). Dr. O is a writer, scholar, and creator. American African identity, liminality, theopoetics, womanism, Black and African feminisms, Black theology, and Black diasporic culture - all through a Christian theological and ethical lens.In her poetry and creative writing she centers the insights and questions race, culture, gender, and other identity expressions bring to the fore. Follow her on Substack and or check out her website. Jonathan's Substack Tori's Substack Tori's SubstackJonathan's Substack
Ep 2Of Pastors and Prophets with Josh Scott
EIn today’s conversation, Tori and I cover all kinds of important stuff: Pastoring during intense times of empire, parenting, love as justice, suffering, and some very interesting commentary around the baptism of Jesus. Plus, well, flannel graph. Find Josh on on his substack or his website.JF's SubstackTori's Substack Tori's SubstackJonathan's Substack
Ep 1The Spectacular Introduction to Off Canon
EIn this inaugural episode, Jonathan J. Foster and Tori E. Owens share how they ended up here—on the margins, off canon, and surprisingly okay with it. They talk about the cost of asking hard questions, the community you find when you stop pretending, sexuality, the strange journey of life, and ... cinnamon rolls.JF's SubstackTori's Substack Tori's SubstackJonathan's Substack