About Samantha

Dr. Samantha Bise is an author, educator, and researcher whose work explores the intersects of language and power—especially within religious and cultural systems. 

Samantha teaches at Penn State Lehigh Valley, Penn State Hazleton, and Lehigh Carbon Community College. With a background in English, anthropology, library and information science, and sociolinguistics, she brings a deeply interdisciplinary approach to her writing and teaching by examining how words shape belief, identity, information, and social structures. Her doctorate is in Literacy, Culture, and Language Education from Indiana University. 

Over the course of her career, she has worked for an online learning program, as a GED math and literacy teacher, as an academic librarian, and as a college instructor. In all of these roles, Samantha has helped students develop critical thinking skills and a deeper understanding of how information is created, shared, and interpreted. 

Her writing and research focuses on the historical, linguistic, and political dimensions of Christian language, specifically as it relates to themes of oppression and liberation.  Samantha is the author of her forthcoming book with Pilgrim Press titled Tongue in Church: A Liberating Primer on Christian Vocabulary (coming in 2026). 

Samantha is also the co-host of the Church Chatter Podcast, a podcast exploring the surprising linguistic, cultural, and theological contexts behind different religious words and phrases. Episodes can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.

She lives in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania with her husband, two daughters, and Cocker Spaniel.