Don’t Encourage This with Marc van Bulck

A series of interviews and conversations with creatives, artists, interfaith voices on meaning-making
A series of interviews and conversations with creatives, artists, interfaith voices on meaning-making

No, really...don't...
Rev. Marc van Bulck is a minister in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Marc sits down with people he thinks are interesting, picks their brains about the creative process, learns about how artistic expression informs our values. He also regularly embarrasses himself on-air.
Get in touch...
Want to say hi? Contact the show at dontencouragethis@gmail.com.
Episodes
Episodes



Jul 27, 2026
Ep. 20 - Andrina Wekontash Smith
Jul 27, 2026
Jul 27, 2026
1 hr 4 min
Andrina Wekontash Smith is an Emmy-nominated writer, comedian and storyteller. She serves as a writer on the hit comedy, Deli Boys, which currently streams on Hulu. She is the sole writer of the MetaQuest experience, “MLK: Now Is the Time," produced by TIME Studios, commemorating the anniversary of Dr. King’s March on Washington (Emmy nomination, Producers’ Guild Award Nomination 2024, Audience Award at SXSW, AIXR Social Impact Award, Webby Awards for Public Service and Activism and People’s Voice Award). Andrina gets candid about how comedy and storytelling can be forms of social activism and how her Shinnecock faith informs her sense of mission.
Jul 27, 2026
1 hr 4 min



Jun 3, 2026
Ep. 19 - John Fugelsang
Jun 3, 2026
Jun 3, 2026
48 min
John Fugelsang is the author of the New York Times Bestselling book, Separation of Church and Hate. He is a stand-up comedian and the host of Tell Me Everything on SiriusXM. John gets candid about his faith, his complicated relationship with organized religion and how hearing George Carlin for the first time changed his life.
We discuss growing up in one of the most wildly ecumenical households imaginable, nerd out about Star Wars, how Jesus of Nazareth used storytelling as a form of activism…and how irreverent comedy can sometimes mimic this ancient practice today.
Jun 3, 2026
48 min



May 21, 2026
Ep. 18 - Amy-Jill Levine
May 21, 2026
May 21, 2026
43 min
Dr. Amy-Jill Levine is one of the world’s leading Jewish biblical scholars. She is the author of Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi, The Misunderstood Jew and her latest book, Jesus for Everyone: Not Just Christians, which was released in 2024 by HarperOne. She is the first Jewish scholar to teach New Testament at Rome's Pontifical Biblical Institute and has had three audiences with Pope Francis.
Dr. Levine joins the program to explore one of Jesus’ most famous parables from an interfaith perspective: how this beloved passage from Scripture has been interpreted through both a Christian and Jewish lens.
May 21, 2026
43 min



Apr 6, 2026
Ep. 17 - Simon Bennett
Apr 6, 2026
Apr 6, 2026
1 hr 14 min
Simon Bennett’s career spans theater and television on both sides of the globe. He spent nearly two decades shaping the iconic, long-running New Zealand–based soap Shortland Street as a director, producer and executive producer before becoming Head of Drama at South Pacific Pictures. He also served as showrunner and executive producer for Saban’s Power Rangers from 2019 to 2023, including the 30th anniversary special, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always.
Simon shares his journey growing up as the child of two mimes, his early experiments with light and sound and the path that led him to pioneer New Zealand’s landmark BATS Theatre. He gets candid about the joys and creative challenges of producing high-volume, long-running television and his creative ambitions from Shakespeare to spandex.
Apr 6, 2026
1 hr 14 min



Feb 23, 2026
Ep. 16 - Steve Lindsley
Feb 23, 2026
Feb 23, 2026
1 hr 2 min
Steve Lindsley serves as the Executive Presbyter of the Providence Presbytery in South Carolina and is the Senior Ministry Strategist for Horizons Stewardship. He is also a musician and recording artist with eight albums and EP’s since 1997. His most recent album, “Back Again,” dropped in April of 2023.
Steve talks about the difference between good vs. bad Christian music, discusses some of the quirks of picking hymns on Sunday morning and shares valuable insights on fundraising and stewardship for churches.
Listen to Steve’s music here: https://stevelindsley.bandcamp.com/
Feb 23, 2026
1 hr 2 min



Jan 28, 2026
Ep. 15 - Dre Swain
Jan 28, 2026
Jan 28, 2026
55 min
Dre Swain has appeared regularly on Nickelodeon over the past two decades on shows like “Victorious,” “iCarly,” “Sam and Cat,” “The Fairly Oddparents,” “Henry Danger,” and several others. She has also appeared on shows like “Shameless” on Showtime, alongside William H. Macy and Emmy Rossum. Dre has acted in several critically acclaimed independent films in the festival circuit. Her indie film, “Brix and the B#&%!” is currently streaming at https://vimeo.com/203908421 Additionally, Dre is the founder of DreMadeDat.com. She shares some behind-the-scenes stories working on shows for Nickelodeon, gets very candid about some of the challenges and setbacks she has dealt with as a working actress and reflects honestly on how creative energy has helped her create her own opportunities.
Jan 28, 2026
55 min



Nov 6, 2025
Ep. 14 - Sarah Bracey White
Nov 6, 2025
Nov 6, 2025
1 hr 3 min
Sarah Bracey White is the critically acclaimed author of Primary Lessons: A Memoir and The Wanderlust: A South Carolina Folktale. Set against the backdrop of the Jim Crow South, Primary Lessons tells the real-life story of Sarah’s growing-up years navigating her challenging relationship with her mother and seeking to reconcile her complex family systems with issues of racial and social justice.
Sarah shares how telling stories can lead to healing in our lives, whether through the discoveries we make about our parents or the act of caring for a child, spouse or an aging loved one. She discusses how her creative journey led to three published books, two theatrical stage productions and even an (almost) Netflix series!
Her latest book, A Walk Down Memory Lane: Short Stories for Seniors to Spark Joy and Stay Sharp, is available wherever books are sold on December 2, 2025.
Nov 6, 2025
1 hr 3 min



Sep 18, 2025
Ep. 13 - Peggy Jean Craig
Sep 18, 2025
Sep 18, 2025
56 min
The Rev. Dr. Peggy Jean Craig currently serves as the Senior Pastor at the Covenant Presbyterian Church of Germantown in Germantown, Tennessee. In 2025, she was one of the headlining preachers at the Presbyterian Youth Triennium at the Kentucky International Convention Center in Louisville, Kentucky. She joins me to discuss her experience preaching at Triennium and to explore the intersections between storytelling and advocacy.
Sep 18, 2025
56 min







