Episode 208: Eliza Griswold

In this conversation Eliza Griswold provides a fascinating look into her book Circle of Hope, which chronicles the experiences of a progressive evangelical church in Philadelphia as they navigate major cultural shifts and challenges in 2020. Griswold discusses how she was drawn to explore this particular church community, which represented a different perspective on evangelicalism compared to the dominant narratives. We delve into the tensions and conflicts that arose within the church as they grappled with issues of race, justice, and the role of faith in addressing systemic problems. Eliza offers insights into how the rapid pace of change and the online environment contributed to the breakdown of trust and empathy within the congregation. Ultimately, we highlight the complexities involved in trying to enact meaningful cultural and ideological change within a religious institution, and the importance of embodied experiences and restraint in navigating divisive issues. Eliza’s book and this discussion provide a nuanced look at the challenges facing churches and communities as they strive to live out their values in a polarized world.

Eliza Griswold is the author of six books of poetry and nonfiction, all published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux. Her forthcoming book is Circle of Hope: A Reckoning with Love, Power, and Justice in an American Church, which will be out on August 6th, 2024. Her book Amity and Prosperity: One Family and the Fracturing of America was awarded the 2019 Pulitzer Prize in General Nonfiction. She writes for The New Yorker, is the Ferris Professor and Director of the Program in Journalism at Princeton University.

Eliza's Book:
Circle of Hope

Eliza's New Yorker Article:
The Children Who Lost Limbs in Gaza