New Garden Podcast

In this inaugural podcast episode of The New Garden, co-hosts Tony Sundermeier (Senior Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta) and Brent Macon (tech entrepreneur and thought leader) introduce the central questions that will guide a season of rich conversations at the crossroads of theology and technology.

From Bible-reading apps to habit-tracking software, technology can shape our spiritual practices and even nudge us toward more “Christ-like” behaviors than our natural human nature allows. But is digital discipleship the same as true spiritual formation? In this second episode of The New Garden, we talk with Rev. Canon Lorenzo Lebrija as we explore the implications of A.I. on faith formation. You can read more about Rev. Canon Lorenzo Lebrija here.

How do we preserve the image of God in human-to-human love in a world of A.I. caregiving? What happens to the spiritual growth that comes through the struggle of caring for others? Could A.I. actually deepen human relationships by handling logistics and freeing us for deeper connection? We explore these questions and more in this episode, featuring guest Christine Rosen, Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. You can learn more about Christine Rosen here.

How does A.I. play a role in grief, immortality, and digital resurrection? Where do we draw the lines and how can God help guide The Church as we navigate these new waters? Join us as we discuss these topics and more with Derek Schuurman, a noted professor, author, and engineer who is also one of the organizers of the Wisdom in the Age of AI Conference to be held at Calvin University from October 8-10, 2026.

Human–Tech Symbiosis might sound terrifying, but don’t hide under a rock—get used to it. That’s one of the takeaways from this episode featuring Bob Johansen, author, scholar, and distinguished fellow with the Institute for the Future in Silicon Valley. You can read more about Bob here.

It feels inevitable that as AI begins to sound uniquely human—and even personally attuned to us—we will start to anthropomorphize it, giving it personality and emotional weight. This raises questions about relationality and even deification: if God is the Creator and we, in turn, create AI, does that make us more or less like God? Could AI ever have a relationship with the divine independent of us, or does it simply mirror our own sinfulness and limitations as its makers? Lo

How far do we want our bodily manipulation to go? Where is the line in Transhumanism? In this episode, “Transhumanism: Where Is the Line?”, we speak with Ilia Delio, theologian and author, about the transhumanist movement and its vision of technologically-enhanced humanity. We explore where the line lies between healing and “playing God,” and how transhumanism intersects with core Christian beliefs about creation, sin, redemption, and the image of God. The conversation also

How should the church engage with the implications of mass surveillance? Can technology be a tool for good or ill for us? How should churches adapt to reach people where they are? In this episode, we talk with Eyram Klu, who has a unique role as a Data & AI Consultant with Accenture Technology and is an MA candidate at Duke Graduate Liberal Studies, studying Artificial Intelligence, Ethics, and Human Flourishing.

In this episode, we’re taking a moment to look back—recapping some of the standout moments from our first season so far. A brand-new episode arrives next week, but today, enjoy a few highlights from The New Garden podcast.

What is the future of AI and our social fabric? What are the economic implications of AI? What is AI's role in the media? In this episode, we sit down with Joe Sutherland, technology executive and educator, who directs Emory University's Center for AI Learning to discuss these issues and more. You can learn more about Joe here.

Join us as Brennan Breed discusses the idea, “but what if everything goes wrong?” along our journey with AI. Breed serves as the Professor of Old Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary and is the author of Nomadic Text: A Theory of Biblical Reception History. You can discover more about the book here.

What's the role of our prophets & machines in keeping us on course in the future? In this episode, Anna Robbins discusses the integration of AI in theological education, particularly through an AI-driven ethics course. She shares insights on the use of AI avatars for teaching, the importance of human connection in education, and the potential of AI to enhance theological formation. Robbins also reflects on the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, emphasizing the nee

Regardless of how digitized we do and don't become, there's a first-order relationship with nature we must consider and remember. In this episode, we are joined by Brian McLaren, an author, activist, and speaker. In this conversation, we explore the concept of the poly crisis, the role of technology, particularly AI, in shaping our future, and the need for a rethinking of spirituality and rituals in a rapidly changing world. McLaren shares his journey from non-fiction to scie

What is the role of faith in a technological world, and how does artificial intelligence shape our spiritual formation? How should the church respond to rapid technological change? In this episode, we explore these questions and more through the lens of Christogenesis, a concept coined by Teilhard de Chardin that examines the convergence of faith, evolution, and technology. We are joined by theologian, teacher, and writer Robert Nicastro, whose work focuses on the intersectio