Episode Details

🎙️ 15. Rabbi Lexi Erdheim (Judaism) & Rev. Joel Simpson (Methodist) – When Faith Leaders Protect the Vulnerable Together

Alexis Rice sits down with Rabbi Lexi Erdheim and Rev. Joel Simpson—two faith leaders from different traditions whose friendship models curiosity, respect, and shared moral responsibility.

Together they explore what interfaith relationships can teach us about protecting the vulnerable, listening across real differences, and showing up for neighbors in moments of crisis.

This conversation is about friendship, moral courage, and the kind of world that becomes possible when faith traditions work side by side to protect human dignity.

💡 Key Takeaways
• Interfaith relationships deepen empathy
• Faith traditions share a call to protect the vulnerable
• Scripture can be weaponized—or inspire compassion
• Real change begins with relationships across difference
• Curiosity and humility strengthen collaboration
• Faith leaders can help communities resist fear and polarization

About Our Guests

Rabbi Lexi Erdheim is the Associate Rabbi at Temple Beth-El in Charlotte, NC. Ordained at Hebrew Union College and a graduate of Barnard College, she works at the intersection of Jewish life, public policy, and interfaith organizing.

Temple Beth-El Charlotte
 IG/FB/TikTok: @tbeclt
 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/jewtubecharlotte

Rev. Joel Simpson is a Methodist pastor at First United Methodist Church in Taylorsville, NC and a doctoral student at Duke University. His work connects faith, community organizing, and advocacy for vulnerable communities.

IG: @joelrsimpson
 FB: @joel.simpson.98
 Substack: @joelsimpson

📚 People & Organizations Mentioned

Siembra NC — IG: @siembranc
 Carolina Jews for Justice — IG: @carolinajewsforjustice
 Repairers of the Breach — IG: @repairersofthebreach
 Rev. Dr. William Barber — IG: @revbwilliambarber2
 Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove — IG: @jonathanwilsonhartgrove
 Shane Claiborne — IG: @shaneclaiborne
 Barbara Brown Taylor — https://barbarabrowntaylor.com/
 Rabbi Sandra Lawson — IG: @rabbisandralawson

Duke University — IG: @dukeuniversity
 Candler School of Theology (Emory) — IG: @candler_school
 Hebrew Union College — IG: @hebrewunioncollege
 Barnard College — IG: @barnardcollege

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About The Sacred Slope
Where the slippery slope becomes sacred ground.
For the spiritually tender—raised in or rooted in Christianity.
Come explore our global, diverse, inclusive Christian faith, deconstruction, and spiritual identity in a rapidly changing world. Through conversations with clergy, scholars, and cultural voices, the show creates space for people navigating faith after certainty, church harm, or political co-option of religion.

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🎙 Hosted by Alexis Rice
🎵 Music by Brett Rutledge, Eddie Irvin & Sean Spence
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