Lipscomb theologian’s podcast draws movie stars, community leaders for deep talks on faith
Liam Adams
Nashville Tennessean
Lee Camp, a Lipscomb University theology professor, started the podcast No Small Endeavor in 2020 and the show has taken off since then. In 2023, it became a nationally syndicated show with PRX. Shown here, Camp at a Sept. 21 live event for the podcast.
Lipscomb University theologian Lee Camp hosts “No Small Endeavor,” a nationally syndicated podcast featuring guests from community organizers to faith leaders to tv and music stars.
Camp said podcast has been opportunity to practice “hospitality” in engaging people about theology, ethics and belief.
“No Small Endeavor” to host live show at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center on Nov. 19 featuring Malcom Gladwell.
Lipscomb University professor Lee Camp draws from Augustine to guide his students’ reflection on the most profound questions of life, but on his podcast, Camp defers to actor Martin Sheen.
“I wept with a measure of joy that I had never experienced before,” said Sheen, known for his roles “West Wing” and “Apocalypse Now,” in an emotional testimony about joining the Catholic Church and reembracing faith. “It’s been the most difficult decision and the hardest time imaginable but equally the happiest.”
It’s common for Camp to have these conversations with similar people on his podcast, “No Small Endeavor.” Though Camp’s podcast is independent of his teaching, the two experiences complement one another. They’re different mediums through which Camp wrestles with the same questions.
“No Small Endeavor” launched in 2020 and this year, earned national syndication through PRX. This Sunday, the show is having a live event at the Nashville Symphony Center featuring Malcom Gladwell, Vince Gill, Bryan Sutton and Wendy Moten.
Lee Camp, a Lipscomb University theology professor, and musician Ruby Amanfu perform at a live event for Camp’s podcast, No Small Endeavor. The Sept. 21 event honored civil rights lawyer Fred Gray, who has previously been a guest on Camp’s podcast.
Camp has found a platform through “No Small Endeavor” and conversations with big-name guests, such as Sheen, actor Rainn Wilson and musician Amy Grant. But more importantly, it’s been an opportunity to practice public theology in a “hospitable way.”
“I think so much public religion comes off as indicting or moralistic finger-wagging,” Camp said in an interview. “And in my mind, it obscures what theology at its best ought to do, which is help us see the possibilities for beauty, truth and goodness.”
Though a good many faith leaders and religious scholars have appeared on the podcast, Camp has been intentional not to make “No Small Endeavor” a religious show. Some of his guest speakers aren’t Christian, and Camp doesn’t force conversations about theology with his guests.
“I so often have learned more of who I am as a person and even what my faith means by listening to people who don’t share my faith,” Camp said. “Everyone can leave richer and more thoughtful about the meaning of life by this kind of hospitable engagement.”
Likewise, the show has been a way to elevate alternatives to “bad theology,” Camp said. “Bad theology messes up peoples’ lives. … But it’s also true that good theology has cultivated remarkable, redemptive movements in human history that are almost beyond imagine.”
Camp has interviewed civil rights legends Rev. James Lawson and Fred Gray, historian Esau McCaulley, and state Rep. Justin Jones about the role of theology in combatting injustice.
Conversations in the classroom aren’t all that different. This semester, Camp is teaching courses on “Joy and the Good Life” and “Christian Ethics.” At times, he’ll play audio clips from his podcast in class, while conversations with his students inspire questions Camp asks his podcast guests.
Lipscomb University theology professor Lee Camp at a live event for Camp’s podcast, No Small Endeavor, which is now a nationally syndicated radio show and features guests from local community organizers to major tv and music stars.
Discussing theology and belief can be extremely confounding, but it doesn’t have to be painful.
“So often religion and public life have been about hostility and partisanship,” Camp said. “And the fact is we can come together with real differences and have really good conversations. We just posture ourselves a little differently.”
How to attend ‘No Small Endeavor’ live event
When: Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
Where: Schermerhorn Symphony Center, 1 Symphony Place, Nashville, TN
How to watch: Get tickets at https://tickets.nashvillesymphony.org/9034/9035 or view livestream at https://nosmallendeavor.ticketspice.com/nse-at-the-symphony-center
Liam Adams covers religion for The Tennessean. Reach him at ladams@tennessean.com or on Twitter @liamsadams.