Podcast artwork thumbnail for Religion Unmuted

Religion Unmuted

Elaine Howard Ecklund, Todd Ferguson

Booking Overview

This is a research-driven religion interview podcast focused on how religion operates in public and everyday life, typically featuring scholars, legal experts, clergy, authors, and practitioners with specialized firsthand or research expertise. Credible pitches include religion and sociology academics, religious leaders, authors addressing pluralism or migration, and experts on church-state relations or interfaith engagement; booking difficulty is medium because guests generally need substantial subject-matter authority or a relevant book, research program, or leadership role.

Metrics

Episodes: 39

Frequency: Irregular

Rating: 5.0/5.0

Estimated listeners: 100 - 1,000

Listener location: USA

YouTube: 4.2k subscribers

Instagram: 37 followers

Contact Information

Publicly listed emails

boniukinstitute@rice.edu

kat.cosley.trigg@rice.edu

rplc@rice.edu

Looking for the right person? Join Podseeker to find direct host and producer contacts and manage your podcast outreach.

Host

Elaine Howard Ecklund - Sociologist and scholar whose work examines religion in public life, including its relationship to science, politics, and everyday institutions.

Todd Ferguson - Religion scholar and podcast host focused on religious pluralism, public life, and constructive engagement across differences.

Booking Intelligence

Booking Requirements

medium
Typical Credentials:  
Academic researchers, legal scholars, clergy, authors, and practitioners with specialized expertise in religion, religious pluralism, church-state relations, migration, interfaith engagement, or religious leadership. Strong candidates typically bring a published book, established research, recognized leadership role, or substantial firsthand experience.
Required Achievements:  
Published books or significant research, Leadership in a religious, academic, or interfaith institution, Specialized scholarship on religion and public life, Direct experience with religious pluralism, migration, or faith-community leadership

Recent Guest Discussions

Orit Avishai - Religious Freedom, Christian Nationalism, Political Polarization, Church-state Controversies, Minority Perspectives, And The Intersection Of Law And Sociology.

Christine Lee - Women In Religious Leadership, Leadership Within Faith Communities, And The Challenges And Contributions Of Women In Ministry.

Gena Thomas - Immigration, Family Separation, Motherhood, Migrant Children, And The Spiritual Effects Of Immigration Policy.

John Inazu - Religious Pluralism, Disagreement, The First Amendment Right Of Assembly, Belonging, Universities, And Building Trust Across Differences.

Justin Meyers - Covenantal Pluralism, Religious Hospitality, Tolerance, Oman’s Ibadi Tradition, And Strategies For Peaceful Coexistence.

Recent Topics

Religion, Religious Pluralism, Religious Freedom, Interfaith Relations, Religion And Public Life

Episodes

Here's the recent few episodes on
Religion Unmuted
:

Law, Leverage, and the New Culture Wars: Redefining Religious Freedom

September 24, 2026

In this episode of Religion Unmuted, host Elaine Howard Ecklund sits down with sociologist Orit Avishai to discuss her latest research on political polarization and the evolution of church-state controversies. Avishai explains how the historical legal framework established to protect religious minorities has shifted into a more aggressive, power-leveraging narrative surrounding Christian nationalism and state legislation. Through the lens of ethnography and legal analysis, the conversation ex...

RE-RELEASE: Called to Lead

July 30, 2026

This episode of Religion Unmuted originally aired on June 25, 2021.  --- When women do not feel called to lead within their faith community, what is lost? The Rev. Christine Lee joins us to share her take on women in leadership positions, drawing from her perspective as the first woman Priest-in-Charge at an Episcopal church in New York City. In this episode we address the unique struggles and contributions of women in religious leadership positions, as well as why there aren't more of them...

RE-RELEASE: The Spiritual Harm of Family Separation

June 25, 2026

This episode of Religion Unmuted originally aired on April 30, 2021.  --- In 2017 the immigration policies known as "zero tolerance" and "family separation" were established, affecting thousands of men, women, and children trying to enter the United States. Hear the stories of three women—Lupe, Julia, and Gena—and how they were impacted by these policies—as a woman, as a daughter, and as a Christian. Author Gena Thomas joins this episode of Religion Unmuted to talk about immigration, family...

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Frequently asked questions

Here's some frequently asked questions for
Religion Unmuted
:

How do I get in touch with Religion Unmuted?

Religion Unmuted is hosted by Elaine Howard Ecklund and Todd Ferguson. Its publicly listed emails are boniukinstitute@rice.edu, kat.cosley.trigg@rice.edu, and rplc@rice.edu. For guest bookings, the host or producer is usually the best person to reach. Podseeker helps you find direct host and producer contacts and pitch from your own inbox.

What is the email for Religion Unmuted?

The publicly listed emails for Religion Unmuted: boniukinstitute@rice.edu, kat.cosley.trigg@rice.edu, and rplc@rice.edu.

How many listeners does Religion Unmuted have?

Podseeker estimates Religion Unmuted reaches 100 to 1,000 listeners per episode. Only the publisher has exact numbers.

Who is an ideal guest for Religion Unmuted?

Religion Unmuted typically books rising experts. Typical guest background: Academic researchers, legal scholars, clergy, authors, and practitioners with specialized expertise in religion, religious pluralism, church-state relations, migration, interfaith engagement, or religious leadership. Strong candidates typically bring a published book, established research, recognized leadership role, or substantial firsthand experience. Common among recent guests: Published books or significant research; Leadership in a religious, academic, or interfaith institution; Specialized scholarship on religion and public life. Recent guests include Orit Avishai, Christine Lee, and Gena Thomas.

How hard is it to get booked on Religion Unmuted?

Medium. Guests usually need solid credentials in the topic and an idea that fits the show.

What topics does Religion Unmuted cover?

Recent episodes cover Religion, Religious Pluralism, Religious Freedom, Interfaith Relations, and Religion And Public Life. Pitch an idea tied to one of these topics and mention a recent episode.

Publicly listed emails

boniukinstitute@rice.edu

kat.cosley.trigg@rice.edu

rplc@rice.edu

Looking for the right person? Join Podseeker to find direct host and producer contacts and manage your podcast outreach.

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