Queerology: A Podcast on Belief and Being

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Intersectional Justice with Rev. Dr. Yvette Flunder (Encore)

Tue, 07 Sep 2021 07:00:00 +0000

This episode first aired Sep 10, 2019. Rev. Dr. Yvette Flunder (she, her), a San Francisco native, has served her call through prophetic action and ministry for justice for over thirty years. This call to “blend proclamation, worship, service and advocacy on behalf of those most marginalized in church and in society” led to the founding of the City of Refuge United Church of Christ in 1991. In 2003, Rev. Dr. Flunder was consecrated Presiding Bishop of The Fellowship of Affirming Ministries, a multi-denominational coalition of over 100 primarily African American Christian leaders and laity.

Rev. Dr. Flunder is on the Board of Starr King School for the Ministry and DEMOS and has taught at many theological schools. She is a graduate of the Certificate of Ministry and Master of Arts programs at PSR, and received her Doctor of Ministry from San Francisco Theological Seminary. She is also an award-winning gospel music artist and author of Where the Edge Gathers: A Theology of Homiletic and Radical Inclusion.

This episode is brought to you by the 2022 Q Christian Fellowship Conference. Use code QUEEROLOGY to save 10% off your registration at qcfconf.org.

Links and Resources:

Where the Edge Gathers: A Theology of Homiletic and Radical Inclusion

City of Refuge United Church of Christ

Masterclass: 4 Practices You Can Start Now to Move Beyond Shame

Your Body is a Person Course

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You're A Person! with Jamie Lee Finch

Tue, 24 Aug 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Jamie Lee Finch is a sexuality and embodiment coach, speaker, poet, and author of "You Are Your Own: A Reckoning with the Religious Trauma of Evangelical Christianity".

She's coached over 400 people in the past 5 years and sees her role in her work as that of a conflict mediator between human beings and their bodies.

She's just released her very first online course called "Your Body is a Person" that walks you through her entire methodology and practice of Personified Embodiment

Links and Resources:

Jamie Lee Finch Website

Jamie's free 10-day Course

You Are Your Own Book

Masterclass: 4 Practices You Can Start Now to Move Beyond Shame

Masterclass: 4 Practices You Can Start Now to Move Beyond Shame

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Fighting for Wellbeing in Uganda with Samson Turinawe

Tue, 10 Aug 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Samson Turinawe is the Executive Director of Universal Love Alliance (ULA), a Ugandan humanitarian, educator and human rights defender. He believes that "every human being should be respected simply for being who they are, a part of Life's creation." Tolerance, inclusiveness, love, compassion, dialogue and reconciliation are all central themes in his work.

Through his teaching and activism, Samson is working for a new generation -- one that is open-minded, open-hearted, diversity-embracing, and committed to serving all of humanity.

Links and Resources:

Universal Love Alliance

Emily Regenstreif on Twitter

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Emily Regenstreif has Supportive Parents

Tue, 20 Jul 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Emily Regenstreif has supportive parents. The best thing that they could do and ever did was to listen and then wanting to learn and know more by asking questions.

Emily grew up queer in Portland, Oregon, in a Jewish faith community. She had a lovely and lucky experience — very different from the traumatic backgrounds of others who grew up queer in faith communities. That’s not Emily’s story.

Emily is a 31-year-old receptionist who spends most of her free time playing Dungeons and Dragons as well as writing her first novel, which she has been working on since she was 18 years old.

Topics Discussed:

Faith Forms Identity: Emily’s supportive journey with queerness being Jewish
Jonas Brothers to Julia Stiles: Emily’s evolution of queerness started with a girl
Coming out to friends, family, and faith community was easy for Emily
Attraction vs. Asexuality: There’s far more to being a person than sex
Exploration: Be comfortable with who and what you are to feel free, not shameful
Religious Trauma: Luckily, Emily’s challenges weren’t related to queerness, faith
Choosing My Religion: Converting to Judaism was Emily’s choice over church
Proud Every Day: Emily never felt need to project or celebrate Pride Month

Links and Resources:

Queer Youth Faith (QYF) Day

Queerology - QYF Day: Don’t Give Up Everything You Believe In and Everyone You Love (rerelease)

Boy Erased

Masterclass: 4 Practices You Can Start Now to Move Beyond Shame

The Faith and Justice Network

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Julie Rodgers Survived

Tue, 06 Jul 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Julie Rodgers is a writer, speaker, and leader in the movement working for full inclusion for LGBTQ people in Christian communities. She played a significant role in shutting down Exodus International, the largest conversion therapy organization in the world, and she was also the first openly gay person to be hired by an evangelical Christian college. She is featured in Pray Away (2020), a documentary about the movement to pray the gay away. Her writing has been featured in Sojourners, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Time. She lives with her wife in Washington, DC.

Her new book, Outlove: A Queer Christian Survival Story, is a memoir of her experience growing up evangelical, while knowing she was gay. It’s about love and losses, political and religious power-plays, and the cost to those who sought to stay in a faith community that wouldn’t accept them.

For more queer reflections on faith, public life, and chosen family, join Julie’s substack, Reimagining Belonging.

Topics Discussed:

Faith & Identity: Lesbian, queer, Christian, cat mom with conflicting, complex faith
Coming Out, Conversion, Coping: Julie didn’t want to change, but initially gave in
Don’t be a part of something that makes you hate and harm yourself or others
Who to trust? Choose to question or follow religious leaders or your own truth
Breaking Point: Reality behind closed doors vs. belief that things are changing
Pray the Gay Away: Story that is still present reality in today’s world
Reasons for Disconnect: Lack of nuance and understanding in liberal spaces
Save Yourself, Not Everyone: Don’t stay rooted in trauma; live and thrive

Links and Resources:

Julie Rodgers

Outlove

Pray Away

Reimagining Belonging

The Trevor Project

Masterclass: 4 Practices You Can Start Now to Move Beyond Shame

Masterclass: 4 Practices You Can Start Now to Move Beyond Shame

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QYF Day: Don’t Give Up Everything You Believe In and Everyone You Love

Tue, 29 Jun 2021 07:00:00 +0000

How are you celebrating national Queer Youth of Faith (QYF) Day on June 30, 2021?

On this episode of Queerology, a panel celebrates the life, creativity, and gifts of queer youth of faith.

The panel includes Ameera, a trans-Svengolie American Muslim; Taline, a bisexual Armenian Christian; Daniel, a gay Jew; and Sebastian, a trans-Christian.

Happy QYF Day!

Topics Discussed:

QYF Panel: How each identifies and how faith formed their identity
Honor, Celebrate, Center: Importance and meaning of QYF Day to each panelist
Affirming Theology: Spread awareness that God doesn’t hate you
Queer Realization: Born this way and the continual struggle to find hope and support
Advice: Nobody’s perfect, don’t change, you’re not alone, find your people

Links and Resources:

QYF Day

Beloved Arise

Rebel Youth Group

Kevin Garcia on YouTube

Pelayo Alvarez’s YouTube Channel

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Eating the Forbidden Apple with Melissa Weisz and Pelayo Alvarez

Tue, 22 Jun 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Melissa Weisz and Pelayo Alvarez are hosts of the Forbidden Apple Podcast, which creates space for LGBTQ+ people to reclaim their spirituality—whatever that means to them.

Melissa is a former Orthodox Jew. Although she came out as queer, Melissa adores her family and the Hasidic Jewish community in which she was raised. As an actor, producer, and writer, Melissa aims to uplift the voices of marginalized people and communities.

Pelayo is originally from Spain and was raised catholic. He now lives in New York City and works for The United Nations in the field of international relations and global affairs.

Pelayo is passionate about discovering how different people around the world live their spirituality and appreciates what makes each story powerful. He asks for practical advice and takeaways from different life perspectives and uses them for personal development and growth. Also, Pelayo has a YouTube channel where he curates life-changing ideas with a fun twist.

As hosts of the Forbidden Apple Podcast, Pelayo wants to prove that although people celebrate religion and spirituality in so many ways, at the same time, they share so much in common; Melissa wants the podcast to become a platform that gives people a voice, creates a community, and celebrates queerness.

Topics Discussed:

Faith and Identity: Observe other faiths to learn, love, and understand them
Spiritual Toolbox: Difference between appropriation versus appreciation
Podcast Purpose: Deep conversations about religion, spirituality, and queerness
Deconstruction: What’s religion? Faith? Spirituality? Different but same elements
Meaningful Blessings: What works and what doesn’t when reclaiming words
Spiritual vs. Religious: What’s the separation? Good and right, or bad and wrong
Divine Virtue: 81% of queer people in U.S. grow up in some organized religion
Discover Why: Do you follow traditional values/morals or free to make your own?

Links and Resources:

Melissa Weisz

Pelayo Alvarez

The Forbidden Apple Podcast

Your Spiritual Toolbox

Queer Virtue by Elizabeth Edman

Ross Murray from GLAAD

Made, Known, Loved: Developing LGBTQ-Inclusive Youth Ministry by Ross Murray

Find Your Why by Simon Sinek

Rev. Elizabeth Edman on the Inherent Queerness of Christianity

Masterclass: 4 Practices You Can Start Now to Move Beyond Shame

Not Until You Have Walked In My Shoes

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Rev. Debra J. Hopkins Believes There's Still Hope

Tue, 15 Jun 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Rev. Debra J. Hopkins is a native New Yorker and trans woman of color who believes that there’s always hope because words have power and everybody can be a voice for change through action, activism, and community involvement. We can all help put an end to the social and economic discrimination that's ever present in this country.

Debra is the Founder of There's Still Hope, a non-profit organization that provides a Transitional Housing Program for transgender adults, trans victims of domestic violence, and trans individuals released from the correctional institutional system.

Debra earned her Masters of Theology degree from New York Theological Seminary and is a licensed non-denominational minister. She is actively involved in ministry through pastoral care, writing, and community activism. She is the author of three books and three anthologies, including her memoir, Not Until You Have Walked In My Shoes.

Through it all, Debra continues to spend time traveling around the country advocating for the marginalized people within the LGBTQIA community.

Topics Discussed:

Faith/Identity: Formed via self-discovery of development, foundational footing
Transition: Vehicle to expand audience and not allow naysayers’ negativity
Words of Advice: Be authentic and use the tools that God has given you
Community, therapy, and honesty brings healing, understanding, and activism
Look in the Mirror: Convey the truth of life and how we should be treated equally
There’s Still Hope: After losing it all, being homeless, and trying to clear name
Platforms: Build, exercise, and cultivate spiritual, mental, and physical muscles

Links and Resources:

Rev. Debra J. Hopkins

There's Still Hope

Christine Jorgensen a Personal Autobiography

The Shack Movie

Masterclass: 4 Practices You Can Start Now to Move Beyond Shame

Read This to Get Smarter: about Race, Class, Gender, Disability, and More

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Blair Imani Wants You to Get Smarter

Tue, 08 Jun 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Blair Imani is a critically acclaimed historian, author, educator, and influencer living at the intersections of black, bi-sexual, and Muslim identity.

Blair’s viral microlearning series, Smarter In Seconds, demonstrates her signature style of making abstract concepts more concrete in a well-researched, well-presented, and concise manner.

Also, Blair is the author of Read This to Get Smarter: About Race, Class, Gender, Disability, and More, Making Our Way Home: The Great Migration and the Black American Dream, and Modern HERstory: Stories of Women and Nonbinary People Rewriting History.

Blair’s work centers women and girls, global black communities, and the LGBTQ community. She is dedicated to making the world a better place and amplifying the voices and work of those fighting the good fight.

Topics Discussed:

Faith and Identity: Too many identity labels and faith-based assumptions
Becoming Muslim: Right path to express self-understanding externally
Islam Education: Beautiful and innovative approach to replace fear, bullying
Puzzle Piece: Perfection eludes people of faith, but being Muslim fit in perfectly
Christian Parents: Not there to tell you what to think, but how to think
Ability vs. Disability: Intelligence is how information is absorbed and duplicated
Individualism: People are not always ordained to have basic human rights
Human Interaction: Set boundaries and treat others with respect to build trust

Links and Resources:

Blair Imani

Blair Imani on Instagram

Blair Imani on YouTube

Blair Imani on Patreon

Smarter In Seconds

Making Our Way Home: The Great Migration and the Black American Dream

Modern HERstory: Stories of Women and Nonbinary People Rewriting History

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Benjamin Rush

Carl Linnaeus

Tila Tequila

Carlos Valieri on Degrassi

Diversity of Sexual Orientation - Kinsey Institute

GLAAD

Masterclass: 4 Practices You Can Start Now to Move Beyond Shame

You Will Get Through This Night: A Practical Mental Health Guide

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Practical Mental Health with Daniel Howell

Tue, 01 Jun 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Daniel Howell is known for his self-deprecating and sarcastic humor, but he has also spoken and written about his struggles with depression and sexuality. This mix of entertainment with the profound and deeply personal has given Daniel a devoted following of fans.

Daniel is one of the world’s most popular and celebrated entertainers. He has written and produced comedy videos on YouTube that have reached more than one-billion views and millions of followers.

Also, Daniel has two #1 New York Times best-selling books, The Amazing Book is Not on Fire and Dan and Phil Go Outside, two stage shows with sellout world tours, and an award-winning BBC Radio 1 show.

Daniel’s new book, You Will Get Through This Night: A Practical Mental Health Guide with consultation from Dr. Heather Bolton, is an affirmation and call to action. Daniel describes lessons learned in spite of failures, depression, and anxiety. Getting well was a completely unplanned journey.

Topics Discussed:

Faith and Identity: Agnostic Atheist - God probably doesn’t exist
Be Happy: Christian or not, define your own meaning and purpose of life
Daniel’s Depression: Understanding mental health and spectacular ignorance
YouTube: Vulnerability led to first example of being treated positively by humanity
Coming Out vs. Being Outed: Some kind of gay and that is okay
Practical Tips: Be present, feel comfortable, practice gratitude, and get help

Links and Resources:

Daniel Howell

Daniel Howell’s YouTube Channel

The Amazing Book is Not on Fire

Dan and Phil Go Outside

Dan and Phil Radio Show

Masterclass: 4 Practices You Can Start Now to Move Beyond Shame

Jonathan Parks-Ramage’s Website

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Yes, Daddy with Jonathan Parks-Ramage

Tue, 18 May 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Jonathan Parks-Ramage is a Los Angeles-based novelist, screenwriter, and journalist. His debut novel, Yes, Daddy, is out today!

Yes, Daddy follows an ambitious young man named Jonah Keller, who is searching for a way to get out from under his religious upbringing. He is lured by an older, successful playwright into a dizzying world of wealth and idyllic Hamptons home where things take a nightmarish turn.

Jonathan’s writing has been published in VICE, Slate, OUT, W, Atlas Obscura, Elle, and Medium. He has lectured on journalism and creative non-fiction at Fordham University. Also, he is an alumnus of the 2018 and 2019 Bread Loaf Writers' Conferences.

Jonathan and his screenwriting partner, Marla Mindelle, recently sold their musical feature film screenplay, The Big Gay Jamboree, to Paramount Pictures. The film is executive produced by Margot Robbie, an Academy Award nominated actress.

Topics Discussed:

Identity and Faith: Jonathan’s journey as a spiritually searching queer man
Parents: Both were preachers, accepted their son, but were afraid to tell anyone
Early Bloomer Being Bullied: Difficult to be yourself at church, home, and school
Spiritual Reawakening: Jonathan’s path toward being queer and a Christian
Truth in Fiction: Jonah experiences similar narrative of sexual, spiritual trauma
#MeToo/Perfect Victim: Everyone enters into relationships for different reasons
Storytelling: Who are you, explore parts of yourself, and make a difference

Links and Resources:

Jonathan Parks-Ramage on Instagram

Yes, Daddy

Amazon Studios

New Abbey Church

Reality Church of Los Angeles

Bryan Singer's Accusers Speak Out

Know My Name by Chanel Miller

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

Queer Youth of Faith Art Contest (Beloved Arise)

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Tara Teng Believes Justice Must Be Embodied

Tue, 04 May 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Tara Teng is an embodiment coach who works in the intersections of spirituality and sexuality.

Alongside collaborative work with community stakeholders, lawmakers, and organizations, Tara spent more than 10 years working to advance the socioeconomic status of women to diminish sexual violence and end human trafficking.

Tara’s advocacy has helped to pass new laws in Canada that protect victims of human trafficking, and she established that country’s first municipal action plan to combat human trafficking.

Also, Tara is a TEDx speaker, former Miss Canada, and was named “Canada’s Women of the Year” in 2011. She is one of the Globe and Mail’s “Top 25 Most Transformational Canadians,” received an International Heroes award from the Joy Smith Foundation, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal in recognition of her human rights work.

Topics Discussed:

Faith and Identity: Bisexual, bi-racial Asian-Canadian, Christian-mystic woman
Deconstruction: Evolve and question everything around you and within yourself
Shift in Faith: Jesus and his love for people and his hatred of injustice
Embodiment: Power systems/structures use our bodies for profit and control
Disembodiment and Segregation: Reclaim and reconnect with pieces of self
Intersectionality: Expressing our queerness, makes us a target, but it’s necessary
Polyamory: Connection and commitment to relationship needs and boundaries

Links and Resources:

Tara Teng

Tara Teng on Instagram

Tara Teng - TEDx Speaker

Masterclass: 4 Practices You Can Start Now to Move Beyond Shame

The Conscious Enneagram: How to Move from Typology to Transformation

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Abi Robins Wants You To Transform

Tue, 20 Apr 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Abi Robins returns to to talk about their brand new book, “The Conscious Enneagram: How to Move from Typology to Transformation.”

Abi identifies as a queer, non-binary trans person, parent, fiancée, Enneagram teacher/coach, and Yoga Therapist.

Abi trained at The Narrative Enneagram and International Association of Yoga Therapists (IAYT).

They created the Conscious Enneagram Website and social media platform, host the Conscious Construction Podcast, and founded the Queer Enneagram.

Topics Discussed:

Contemplative Christian: Faith is in flux more than identities
What is the Enneagram, and how to use it for spiritual growth?
Real Magic: Spiritual and religious leanings and language make sense
Lineage: Who are we connected to and can we trace that?
Community: Reinfuses faith with missing mystical aspect, cultural competency
Enneagram: 9-pointed symbol of how energy becomes manifest in the universe
Individuation: Being an individual is important and brings more value
No Direction: Gain insight, get grounded, and grow with a teacher, community
Personality Types/Numbers: Right religion will make you and your life better

Links and Resources:

Conscious Enneagram Website

Conscious Enneagram on Instagram

Conscious Enneagram on Twitter

Conscious Enneagram on Facebook

Conscious Enneagram on YouTube

Conscious Construction Podcast

Queerology Podcast: Abi Robins is Queering the Enneagram

Queerology Podcast: Suzanne Stabile on the Enneagram

We Have All Hit a Wall - The New York Times

Queer Youth of Faith Art Contest (Beloved Arise)

Masterclass: 4 Practices You Can Start Now to Move Beyond Shame

Rachael Ward’s Website - Queer in Faith

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Living Death with Rachael Ward

Tue, 16 Mar 2021 07:00:00 +0000

Rachael Ward (they/them) is a public theologian and LGBTQ activist. Currently, Rachael is pursuing a Master of Divinity and a Master of Arts in Practical Theology - pastoral care at Columbia Theological Seminary.

Rachael is the creator of the Living-Death Doula Model for Pastoral Care and cofounder of Bible Queery, a facilitation collective geared toward queer wellness and reconstruction.

Rachael lives with their wife, Chelsea, and two fur-babies in Atlanta where they focus on talking about and working around death, grief, and death doulas.

Topics Discussed:

Upbringing: Faith did not help form identity, but kept Rachael from their identity
What if I am gay? Shameful hiding and living a double life
Life and Death Matters: Birth is beautiful burst of life, death is dark and terrible
Living-Death Narratives: Grief keeps disembodied beings stuck
What is available pastorally? Affirming theology (a.k.a. the Biblical case)
Persistent Queer Themes: Disassociation, minimizing, and spiritual rationing
Living-Death Directives: Start with zero expectations and consent conversations
Steps to a Better Life: Facilitation, accessible writing, and meaningful help

Links and Resources:

Living-Death Doula

Bible Queery

American Academy of Religion (AAR)

Mosaic Grief by Melissa Kelley

Peter Levine from the Ergos Institute, Inc.

Howard Thurman

Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés

Pure by Linda Kay Klein

Masterclass: 4 Practices You Can Start Now to Move Beyond Shame

Grace Semler Baldridge on Twitter

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Grace Semler Baldridge is a Preacher's Kid

Tue, 02 Mar 2021 08:00:00 +0000

Grace Semler Baldridge, who professionally goes by the artist’s name, ‘Semler,’ is a self-identified sad, queer, folk artist.

Semler created the docuseries, State of Grace on Refinery29, where she explores what it means to identify as a Christian and a member of the LGBTQ community. The docuseries was nominated for a GLAAD Award for Outstanding Digital Journalism.

Also, you may know Selmer from her two TV shows, Murder With Friends and Pop Trigger.

Just a few weeks ago, Selmer made history by being the first-ever out queer person to top the Christian music charts with her new album, Preacher’s Kid.

Topics Discussed:

Faith and Identity: Queer who rediscovered clear sense of self via deconstruction
Great Movements: Starts with something small that peaks interest and curiosity
Leading Example: Dad, an Episcopal priest, was loving, affirming, and accepting
Wider Church Culture: Not spared from questioning mixed messages, rules
Preacher’s Kid: Compilation of honest, raw, explicit, processed Christian music
Inch of Peace: Reflecting on church camps, but not moved by the spirit
Painful to Pray: Pro Christians who abuse others by acting in the name of God
Jesus From Texas: Learn that blessings are sins; own both the blessing and pain
Different Worship Experience: Make space for complex relationships with creator

Links and Resources:

Grace Selmer Baldridge on Instagram

Grace Selmer Baldridge on TikTok

Under Our Roof Podcast

State of Grace on Refinery29

Preacher’s Kid

Jesus From Texas on SoundCloud

Murder With Friends

Pop Trigger

Jennifer Knapp

Pure by Linda Kay Klein

Masterclass: 4 Practices You Can Start Now to Move Beyond Shame

The Deconstructionists Playbook by Our Bible App — Kickstarter

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On Deconstruction and Reconstruction with Crystal Cheatham

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 08:00:00 +0000

Crystal Cheatham is an LGBTQ rights activist, host of Lord Have Mercy, and founder of two projects—Our Bible App and the IDentity Kit, which help people ditch toxic theology to find spiritual wellness.

Our Bible App’s The Deconstructionists Playbook takes writers and readers from deconstruction to reconstruction to liberation theology.

Since 2011, Crystal has worked as a ghostwriter and queer rights activist with Soulforce and The Attic Youth Center.

As an outspoken activist, Crystal has written about the intersections of faith and sexual identity for the Huffington Post; a faith and spirituality column for the Philadelphia Gay News; served on the steering committee of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) as the Faith and Spirituality chair; and partnered with Equality PA to influence clergy to support non-discrimination legislation. Crystal received her MFA from Antioch University.

Topics Discussed:

Faith, Identity: Crystal is a very out and proud black lesbian progressive Christian
Faith Community: Where no piece or part of Crystal feels unloved or unsupported
Passionate People: No need to apply pressure, protests for positive outcomes
My People: Didn’t have to fight to be included; create your own new spaces
Visionary, not Verbal Leader: Publish uplifting, not problematic language
The Deconstructionists Playbook: Deconstruct, reconstruct, and liberate theology
God-in-a-Box Mentality: Epic churning and reckoning of faith in nation’s history
Evolve Organically: Faith and religion are more personal than allowed to be

Links and Resources:

Crystal Cheatham

Our Bible App

Bemba Press

Lord Have Mercy Podcast

Soulforce

The Attic Youth Center

Equality PA

Human Rights Campaign (HRC)

Vanderbilt University Divinity School

The Black Trans Prayer Book

Bad Theology Kills by Kevin Garcia

Candice Czubernat on Twitter

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Live with Coach Yeamah from QCF Conference 2021!

Tue, 12 Jan 2021 08:00:00 +0000

Recorded live from the Brian M. Eckstein Podcast Stage at the 2021 Q Christian Fellowship Conference (via Zoom).

Join Matthias as he sits down with Coach Yeamah, a gifted teacher and coach who serves LGBTQIA+ Christians who struggle to make peace with their faith and sexuality.

Yeamah has built a beautiful community of queer believers and allies on Instagram, and she hosts a weekly live talk show and podcast that supports, inspires, educates, and encourages the community to live their full authentic selves as queer Christians.

Yeamah can be found at:

www.yeamah.com
@coachyeamah on Instagram

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Queer Mental Health with Candice Czubernat (Encore)

Tue, 15 Dec 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Being brave is not easy, it’s a tough battle—sound familiar? With the holidays and reality of the world we are living in, it’s worth repeating this episode of Queerology with Candice Czubernat.

Candice is a therapist and founder of The Christian Closet, an LGBTQ-affirming counseling, coaching, and spiritual direction organization.

Also, Candice is the founder of Gloriously Queer, a conference for LGBTQ people of faith developed by LGBTQ people of faith.

As a therapist, Candice helps individuals and couples worldwide navigate complex mental health experiences while living as queer people of faith.

Candice was named one of the “10 Pro-LGBT Religious Women You Should Know” by The Advocate. She is a seasoned blogger, speaker, and author on LGBTQ Christianity and mental health issues.

Candice graduated from the Moody Bible Institute and The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. Candice identifies as a lesbian and Christian, who lives in California with her wife and their 5-year-old twins.

Topics Discussed:

LGBT and Christian: Lesbian is a really long word, easier to say gay or queer
Queer Piece of Faith: Terrifying sin or specially knitted gift from God?
Queer Mental Health: Suffering? Stunted? Don’t hide how God created you
Mental Health Practice: It may not be perfect or what you thought it would be
Heartbreaking Proof: Everybody’s got issues, who caused and created damage?
Trust Your Heart: Self-love turns you toward holiness, selflessness, gentleness
Radical Self-Acceptance: You’re not alone and you deserve love; visualize voices
Mental Health Diagnosis and Medication: Taboo topics people don’t talk about
Professional Investment: Take pride in doing something to stop shame, suffering

Links and Resources:

Candice Czubernat

The Christian Closet

Gloriously Queer

Candice Czubernat on Facebook

The Advocate: “10 Pro-LGBT Religious Women You Should Know”

Dr. Kristin Neff on Self-Compassion

Henri Nouwen's Books

Robyn Henderson-Espinoza

Queerology, Episode 38 with Candice Czubernat - Queer Mental Health

Q Christian Fellowship Virtual Conference (Code: Queerology2021 for $10 off)

Chavonn Williams Shen on Facebook

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Chavonn Williams Shen Writes to Heal

Tue, 01 Dec 2020 08:01:00 +0000

Chavonn Williams Shen is a poet, artist, educator, and activist from Minneapolis.

Winner of the Still I Rise grant, first runner-up for the Los Angeles Review Flash Fiction Contest, and Best of the Net Award finalist, Chavonn is also a Pushcart Prize nominee, winner of the Mentor Series in Poetry and Creative Prose through the Loft Literary Center, and fellow through the Givens Foundation for African American Literature.

As a Tin House and VONA workshop alum, Chavonn’s poetry and prose have appeared in Yemassee, the Los Angeles Review, Permafrost Magazine, and Cosmonauts Avenue.

Chavonn uses art as a practice of resilience and resistance. By using and teaching poetry, writing becomes an act of healing.

When not teaching with the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop, Chavonn’s time is spent obsessing over house plants.

Topics Discussed:

Faith Forms Identity: One foot in the north, one in the deep south as a storyteller
Ancient Text: Remix, adapt, and make stories more malleable
Career Path: Cognitive science and psychology versus English and writing
Fellowships: Apply for what you want - to be on stage, reading, and writing
Poetry and Therapy: Way to help people protest and heal from trauma
People’s Hands: Words and colors capture who they are and what they do
Reclaim Language: Carve out composition space without marginalized writers
Writing Exercises: Name everything and everyone around you that is true
Book of Prayer Poems: Writing poetry is spiritual practice for well-being
What does rest look like? Meditation and resistance

Links and Resources:

Chavonn Williams Shen

Chavonn Williams Shenn on Twitter

Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop (MPWW)

The Nap Ministry - Rest as Resistance

Q Christian Fellowship Virtual Conference (Code: Queerology2021 for $10 off)

Q Christian Fellowship Virtual Conference

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Tim Be Told on Love and Happiness

Tue, 17 Nov 2020 08:00:00 +0000

Tim Ouyang is a recording artist, producer, and songwriter. His band, Tim Be Told, is a contemporary Christian music group from the college-town of Charlottesville, Virginia.

Tim’s new album, Love and Happiness, focuses on his coming out journey and experiences with love, disappointment, disbelief, faith, hope, and God. Specifically, Like This song is the crown jewel on the album.

Tim has had quite a career since coming out and shares how things have fundamentally changed and shifted.

Topics Discussed:

Faith Forms Identity: Being gay was bain of existence and incredible blessing
Gain Clarity: Why am I different? Praying to God to change
Homosexuality is sinful? Contemplating suicide, know you’re loved and not alone
Are you gay? Parents’ accusations, violations of privacy change to affirmations
Theological Compromise: Remove leaders to not be seen or heard out of fear
Conflict Resolution: Don’t ignore struggles; confront and cope with pain, sadness
Like This Song: Taps into source of trauma from cultural and familial baggage
Christianity: Know the right God because his spirit changes you from inside out

Links and Resources:

Tim Be Told

Tim Be Told on Bandcamp

Tim Be Told on Instagram

Tim Be Told on Spotify

Love and Happiness Album

Like This Song

Collin Martin on Instagram

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Collin Martin Came Out to Cary Umhau First

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 08:00:00 +0000

In 2018, Collin Martin came out as gay. At the time, he was the only ‘out’ man in any of the big five American sport leagues or any top division professional men’s national soccer leagues.

Today, Collin is a professional soccer player as a midfielder for San Diego Loyal in the United Soccer League (USL) championship.

Also, Collin has played for D.C. United and Minnesota United FC in Major League Soccer (MLS) and for Richmond Kickers and Hartford Athletic in the USL.

Collin shares how Cary Umhau, a speaker, writer, and consultant, was influential in his coming out process.

Topics Discussed:

Faith Forms Identity: Gay or not, God completely loves you
Every Sunday, Different Church: Growing, learning, and realizing you’re gay
Inner Struggle: What to do with knowledge in an unwelcoming environment?
Boiling Point: Separating faith from sexuality until telling family and friends
Mentor/Mom’s Best Friend: Why Collin was comfortable coming out to Cary
Taco Time: Say what you have to say about being gay
People: Give those who love and support you a chance, despite the risk
Teammates: Promise to protest when something is wrong, not right

Links and Resources:

Major League Soccer (MLS)

Richmond Kickers

Hartford Athletic

United Soccer League (USL)

Burning Down the Fireproof Hotel by Cary Umhau

Breadcoin Organization

Q Christian Fellowship Virtual Conference

IPCC Special Report Emissions Scenarios

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Everybody Now

Tue, 20 Oct 2020 07:00:00 +0000

People have caused a turning point in the Earth’s natural history. Everybody Now is a podcast that focuses on what it means to be human on the threshold of a global climate emergency, in a time of systemic injustice and runaway pandemics.

Scientists, activists, farmers, poets, and theologians talk bravely and frankly about how our biosphere is changing, grief and hope in an age of social collapse, mass extinction, and taking action against all odds.

On October 19, Everybody Now will be released by podcasters all over the world as a collective call for awareness, grief, and loving action. Don’t think about doom, but what you can do about it.

Topics Discussed:

Do we need any more reminders? Turning points in Earth’s natural history
Tree of Knowledge: Cut down, remains turned into paper, and warnings burned
Heaven on Earth: Hopelessly in love with nature but sense of dread and panic
Climate Change: High levels of destruction; ecosystems survive or never recover
Agricultural Country: Farmers rely on and impacted by climate for growing crops
Environmental Movement: Philosophical arguments why climate change matters
Biological Annihilation: Dinosaurs to other species, mammals, animals go extinct
Pandemics threats continue due to modern living, fossil fuels, human behavior
Climate Breakdowns: Uneven and loss of access to human spaces, creatures
Capabilities: Change activities, habits, consumption, energy, and people involved
Book of Revelation: Misguided general awareness, grief over greenhouse gases
Grief vs. Despair: Difference between what will and won’t change
Impact on Faith: Life, intelligence, and interaction permeate everything
Active vs. Passive Mindset: You can still live, change, and care
Higher Emissions: Deliberate or willful ignorance where 50% comes from 10%
System of Enemies: Speak to power about practices, assumptions, interests
Civil Disobedience: Makes the change and sense when done with compassion

Links and Resources:

Everybody Now Podcast

Dr. Gail Bradbrook (Scientist and co-founder of Extinction Rebellion)

Kevin Anderson (Professor of Energy and Climate Change at University of Manchester)

Dámaris Albuquerque (Agricultural communities in Nicaragua)

Dr. Rowan Williams (Theologian, poet, and former Archbishop of Canterbury)

Pádraig Ó Tuama (Poet, theologian, and conflict mediator)

Rachel Mander (Environmental activist with Hope for the Future)

John Swales (Priest, activist, and part of a community for marginalised people)

Zena Kazeme (Persian-Iraqi poet and former refugee)

Flo Brady (Singer and theatre maker)

Hannah Malcolm (Anglican ordinand, climate writer, and organizer)

Alastair McIntosh (Writer, academic, and land rights activist)

David Benjamin Blower (Musician, poet, and podcaster)

Tim Nash (Nomad Podcast)

Tell the Truth and Ask People to Act Accordingly

Rising Up!

World Health Organization (WHO)

Rachel Carson

Francis Bacon

Kyl Myers’s TED Talk: Want gender equality? Let's get creative

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Kyl Myers is Raising Them

Tue, 06 Oct 2020 07:00:00 +0000

When Dr. Kyl Myers and their husband decided to have a child, they came to an unorthodox decision: they would not assign a gender to their baby. Dr. Kyl teaches the world how to raise children without gender-based shame, expectations, and limitations. Instead, she's an advocate for unconditional love so kids can live vibrant, authentic lives.

Kyl is a sociologist, educator, and advocate for Gender Creative Parenting. Her TED talk, Want Gender Equality? Let's Get Creative, encourages people to rethink childhood gender socialization.

Kyl’s new book, Raising Them: Our Adventure in Gender Creative Parenting documents their journey raising their child, Zoomer. She is the creator of the Raising Zoomer website & Instagram, a place where kids be kids in an environment where everything is for everyone.

Topics Discussed:

Faith and Religion: Mormonism shaped identity journey—for better and worse
Homophobia: Same-sex controversy, no promo homo laws, and conversion
Queer Community: Recognizing and finding one’s self is liberating
Social Justice: Fight for the underdog and against being ostracized
Education: Check your ignorance and think on your own to learn valuable things
Love and Marriage: Meet people, make choices, and question family values
Gender Creative Parenting: Commit to raising children by supporting diversity

Links and Resources:

Kyl Myers

Raising Them: Our Adventure in Gender Creative Parenting

Raising Zoomer

Raising Zoomer on Instagram

Worth It: Overcome Your Fears and Embrace the Life You Were Made For

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Brit Barron Thinks It's Worth It

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 07:00:00 +0000

Brit Barron is a teacher, speaker, and author of the recently released book, Worth It: Overcome Your Fears and Embrace the Life You Were Made For.

Brit grew up in an evangelical church and eventually became the pastor of a megachurch at only 26 years old. It was truly too soon to understand herself, her dreams, and her sexuality.

That is, until Brit met Sami, a woman who changed, saved, and transformed her entire life. Brit decided to leave the church, get married to Sami, and come out. Choosing freedom is always worth it—no matter the cost.

Currently, Brit and Sami live in Austin, Texas, with their dog, Charles Barkley, and a house filled with plants that they treat like children.

Topics Discussed:

Identity: Female, lesbian, kind of tall, kind of Christian, and somebody’s wife
Fighter’s Mentality: Pure, true, Christian narrative competes with other options
Metaphor: Spring is always coming and new life is being birthed
On a Rampage: Remember, more than one thing can be true at the same time
Harm, Hard Work, Half Reality: Racist people can still be nice
Closeted to Coming Out: Breaking boundaries while wrestling with fear for truth
Right or Wrong Choices? Stop or continue to take the next step toward healing

Links and Resources:

Brit Barron

Brit Barron on Instagram

Queerology: Brit Barron is Gloriously Queer

Queerology: Brit & Sami - YAY Packages!

Richard Rohr’s Center for Action and Contemplation

Miley Cyrus’s The Climb

For All Who Hunger: Searching for Communion in a Shattered World

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Emily Scott is Dreaming Dreams

Tue, 08 Sep 2020 07:00:00 +0000

Emily Scott is a church planter and Lutheran pastor who believes Christian practice holds out rich possibilities that call us to reach across boundaries in love, learn through discomfort, and build relationships that bring God's realm close.

Emily, who identifies as queer and genderqueer, is committed to building communities of faith that dismantle fear and hate, affirm LGBTQ+ people, and confront racial injustice.

Currently, Emily serves as the founding pastor of Dreams and Visions, an imaginative spiritual community of restoration that is rooted in the LGBTQ+ community.

Also, Emily is the author of the recently published book, For All Who Hunger: Searching for Communion in a Shattered World.

Topics Discussed:

Identity and Faith: Formed and shaped by privileges and influence of whiteness
Threads of Liberation: Bible stories make for constant coming out and emerging
Church Culture: Progressive path to walk or follow scripts to shut off yourself
Communion: Transcendent/transported expression of faith in God’s presence
Dinner Church: Deep symbols of faith bring people together to feast upon
Embedded Misogyny: Process and performance of being feminine or masculine
What to Wear? Pants, skirts, or whatever feels right and comfortable, not painful
Resurrection: Come back in a transformed state and leave behind past versions

Links and Resources:

Emily Scott’s Website

Dreams and Visions

St. Lydia's Dinner Church

Emily Scott on Instagram

Emily Scott on Twitter

Emily Scott on Facebook

Kinsey Scale

Queerology: Nadia Bolz-Weber is Trying Compassion

The Seated Nurse on Instagram

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Andrea Dalzell is The Seated Nurse

Tue, 25 Aug 2020 07:00:00 +0000

Andrea Dalzell was told she could never become a nurse because of her disability. Never tell Andrea what she can and can’t do.

At five years old, Andrea was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis (TM), a neurological condition that causes paralysis. However, growing up using a wheelchair didn't stop her from pursuing a career in health care.

Today, Andrea is a registered nurse, disability advocate, and speaker. She studied biology and neuroscience in college to earn an associate’s and bachelor’s degree in nursing (RN, BSN).

As the first registered nurse who uses a wheelchair in New York City, thousands of clinicians, caregivers, and wheelchair users follow Andrea’s career pursuits as The Seated Nurse on Instagram.

Unhidden and unapologetically, Andrea is a queer, black woman with a disability.

Topics Discussed:

Faith and Identity: Sometimes shifts or stays stagnate
Why me? Why God? Why a diagnosis transforms a person’s life
Doctors, Prayers, and Pain: Need to be cured and whole in normal society
Special Ed Student: Picked on and scolded because of physical disability
My Mom, My Advocate: Disability doesn’t define or determine ability
Rage and Rebellion: Going against society when not allowed to be normal
Accessibility: Find your voice and strength to ask for help as a human being
Why Nursing School? Holistic approach to whole patient, not their diagnosis
All About Me to Advocacy Work: People with disabilities want equal opportunities
Fake It to Make It: Understand that you’re worthy, deserving, and included
Love Yourself: Mental health is what’s most important, so take care of you

Links and Resources:

Transverse Myelitis (TM)

Ms. Wheelchair NY: ‘Life, Liberty And The Pursuit Of Access’

Beyond Shame Healing Day Hosted by Matthias Roberts

Queerfully and Wonderfully Made: A Guide for LGBTQ+ Christian Teens

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Leigh Finke is Queerfully and Wonderfully Made

Tue, 11 Aug 2020 07:00:00 +0000

Leigh Finke is a writer, producer, and editor from St. Paul, Minnesota. Her work focuses on religion and culture and how both intersect with the lives of queer people.

She has two new books releasing August 25 titled, Queerfully and Wonderfully Made: A Guide for LGBTQ+ Christian Teens and Welcoming and Affirming: A Guide to Supporting and Working with LGBTQ+ Christian Youth.

These books are some of the best and most comprehensive resources I've ever seen for LGBTQ+ teens and people of all ages.

Topics Discussed:

Christianity as a negative closeting tool
Gender concepts
Leigh's paradigm shift
Queerfully and Wonderfully Made: Your identity is real, valid, and valuable
Focusing on spirituality instead. of maintaining faith for others
Harmful and toxic religion changing to affirmation and support
Doing what’s best for you; coming out is not a necessity

Links and Resources:

Leigh Finke’s Website

Leigh Finke on Twitter

Leigh Finke on Facebook

Welcoming and Affirming: A Guide to Supporting and Working with LGBTQ+ Christian Youth

Orlando Shooting at Pulse Nightclub

National Study of Youth and Religion, Wave 3 (2007-2008)

Beyond Shame Healing Day Hosted by Matthias Roberts

Chris Sapphire on Instagram

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Chris Sapphire was on The Circle

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 07:00:00 +0000

In January 2020, Netflix released a reality show titled, The Circle. One of the contestants was Chris Sapphire, a gay guy with a huge personality who talked about his faith in the first five minutes of the show.

Chris wasn’t playing a character. He is just as quirky and enthusiastic in real life. In this episode, Chris openly talks about depression and suicide using spirited language. He also describes neuroplasticity—within scripture, our minds can be renewed and that’s a promise from God.

Therapy is a recommended and important part of the renewal of our minds. If only spiritual means doesn’t work for you, it doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you.

Topics Discussed:

Faith Forms Identity: Christianity is fiber of Chris’s existence
Depressive State of Mind: Discovering God was saving grace from suicide
Bible vs. Bullying: School bus stop proves God’s prevention
God and the Golden Rule: Treat others the way you would want to be treated
Imperfectly Perfect: Sinner or saint? Surrender to Savior
Taking Notes: Chris’s time on The Circle spent writing Bible verses
Fear and Conflict: Deny documentary striving to disprove Jesus’s existence
Prayer and Affirmation: What if...? Optimistic, hopeful, life-changing experiences

Links and Resources:

Chris Sapphire on YouTube

Chris Sapphire on Twitter

Chris Sapphire on Facebook

Blake Mundell on Instagram

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Blake Mundell is COURIER

Tue, 14 Jul 2020 07:00:00 +0000

Blake Mundell wanted to be a worship songwriter, but quickly became disillusioned and transitioned to pop music. He now writes and records songs under the name, COURIER. Blake is recording a new album and his new single, Conversion, releases July 17.

Also, Blake is a sports massage therapist and on the medical staff for the Tennessee Titans. He’s an instructor of ethics, anatomy, and physiology at Mind Body Institute and is happiest when on a beach volleyball court.

Blake lives with his partner, Tim, and dog, Jesse.

Topics Discussed:

How Blake identifies in relationships and religion
How conversion therapy reates abusive and damaging sense of camaraderie
COURIER: Concept artist humanizes people and writes about life experiences
Words of Wisdom: Mess up, know it’s ok, but do what’s possible to not mess up
White Tears: Identity comes from community; give up power, give up what binds
Emotional Labor: Hard but necessary; white people need to become whole again
Theological Walls: Barrier from experiencing empathy due to what God made you

Links and Resources:

Blake Mundell on Twitter

Bad Theology Kills by Kevin Garcia

Queerology, Ep 42 with SueAnn Shiah

Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity

Queerology releases every other Tuesday and is supported by its listeners via Patreon. Join in the conversation on Twitter: @queerologypod

Until next week,

-Matthias

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#QYFDay

Tue, 30 Jun 2020 07:00:00 +0000

How are you celebrating the first-ever national Queer Youth of Faith (QYF) Day on June 30, 2020?

On this episode of Queerology, a panel celebrates the life, creativity, and gifts of queer youth of faith.

The panel includes Ameera, a trans Bengali-American Muslim; Taline, a bisexual Armenian Christian; Daniel, a gay Jew; and Sebastian, a trans Christian.

Happy QYF Day!

Topics Discussed:

QYF Panel: How each identifies and how faith formed their identity
Honor, Celebrate, Center: Importance and meaning of QYF Day to each panelist
Affirming Theology: Spread awareness that God doesn’t hate you
Queer Realization: Born this way and continual struggle to find hope and support
Advice: Nobody’s perfect, don’t change, you’re not alone, find your people

Links and Resources:

Rebel & Divine

Kevin Garcia on YouTube

A black man was afraid to walk in his gentrified community. So 75 neighbors walked with him.

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On Performative Allyship and Black Joy

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 07:00:00 +0000

Are you afraid to walk in your own neighborhood? Tired of being blocked by white people who think they own the sidewalk? Are you an ally or accomplice?

Kashif Andrew Graham steps in as guest host for Matthias Roberts to talk to Rev. Broderick Greer about moving from allyship to accompliceship.

As a priest-on-staff at St. John’s Cathedral in Denver, Broderick directs liturgy and oversees ministry for people in their 20s and 30s.

Occasionally, Broderick offers lectures and facilitates conversations related to the interplay of culture, theology, and justice.

Broderick’s work has been in The Guardian, Teen Vogue, On Being, and The Washington Post.

Topics Discussed:

Current Events: Things are breaking everywhere—in a necessary way
Allyship or Accompliceship: Walk with Shawn or white saviorism on Nextdoor?
Ally Framework: Difference between support and privilege; charity and justice
Unfriended Friends: What is sustainable—ally or accomplice framework?
Toxic Positivity: Unveiling black/white relations and unrealistic perceptions
Disrespect and Disconnect White people don’t own the world
Social Media: Watching black death retraumatizes; reinforces white imagination
Sorry, Not Sorry: I’m not exhausted by being black
PRIDE: What it means to be a queer, black man

Links and Resources:

Broderick Greer

Dying of Whiteness

Accomplices, Not Allies

A Brief History of the Black Friend

Thick: And Other Essays by Tressie McMillan Cottom

The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel

Alice Walker

Angela Davis

Stonewall Riots

Kashif Andrew Graham on Instagram

Jesus the Forgiving Victim: Listening for the Unheard Voice

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On Justice

Tue, 02 Jun 2020 07:00:00 +0000

Join Broderick Greer, Brit Barron, Robin DiAngelo, Darren Calhoun, Robyn Henderson-Espinoza, and Kenji Kuramitsu for this special compilation episode about liberation and justice.

Links & Resources

Care by and for Black and Brown folks (white folks, give these orgs money):

James Alison is Reimagining Theology

Tue, 19 May 2020 07:00:00 +0000

James Alison is a Catholic theologian, priest, and author, who has studied, lived, and worked in Mexico, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Spain, America, and England.

Known for his firm but patient insistence on truthfulness regarding gay matters as an ordinary part of basic Christianity, James is dedicated to pastoral outreach.

James has written eight books. His latest is titled, Jesus the Forgiving Victim: Listening for the Unheard Voice.

James earned a doctorate in theology and serves as a Fellow and Chair of the Education Committee at IMITATIO, an organization that focuses on René Girard’s insights into human behavior and culture.

Topics Discussed:

James’s faith journey
René Girard and mimetic theory
The scapegoat mechanism
Sacred (or Holy) vs. Mysticism (or Mythification) of Divine as churches crumble
Intelligence of victim
Grace and growth

Links and Resources:

James Alison

Books by James Alison

IMITATIO

René Girard and Mimetic Theory

Nadia Bolz-Weber

Leap of Faith Movie with Steve Martin

Nadia Bolz-Weber on Instagram

Tweets:

God’s word matters more than any amount of scientific knowledge or learning.

Catholicism: Grace perfects nature.

Gradual Realization: Reality is screwed up, but not radically screwed up.

Learn from who you are, what is true.

God has nothing to do with violence.

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Nadia Bolz-Weber is Trying Compassion

Tue, 05 May 2020 07:00:00 +0000

Nadia Bolz-Weber is an ordained Lutheran Pastor, founder of House for All Sinners and Saints in Denver, and New York Times best-selling author.

Nadia’s three memoirs are Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint; Accidental Saints: Finding God In All The Wrong People; and SHAMELESS: A Sexual Reformation.

Also, Nadia has an online publication, newsletter, and community called, The Corners. Recently, she started her own podcast, The Confessional.

Nadia writes and speaks about personal failings, recovery, grace, faith, and whatever else is on her mind. You can usually find her sitting in the corner with the other weirdos.

Topics Discussed:

The confines of labels
Nadia's faith journey
Spiritual authority and gender bias
The dualism of idealism and devaluation
The path to maturity and compassion
Free will
Scapegoating and callouts
Where do we find hope?

Links and Resources:

Nadia Bolz-Weber

Nadia Bolz-Weber on Twitter

House for All Sinners and Saints

The Corners

The Confessional

Pastrix: The Cranky, Beautiful Faith of a Sinner & Saint

Accidental Saints: Finding God In All The Wrong People

SHAMELESS: A Sexual Reformation

Frank Schaeffer

Fresh Air

Terry Gross

Wild, Wild Country on Netflix

Rob Bell

Brian Williams

Dominion by Tom Holland

Does Jesus Really Love Me?

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Jeff Chu is a Make-Believe Farmer

Tue, 21 Apr 2020 07:00:00 +0000

Jeff Chu is a writer, reporter, and editor. He’s the author of Does Jesus Really Love Me? A Gay Christian’s Pilgrimage in Search of God in America.

Currently, Jeff lives in Michigan with his husband and serves as a teacher-in-residence at Central Reformed Church in Grand Rapids.

Also, Jeff co-hosts Evolving Faith with Sarah Bessey, a yearly conference for those exploring faith and answers related to sexuality, justice, church, and life.

Jeff graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary (PTS). He was a farmhand at PTS’s Farminary, where theological education focuses on small-scale regenerative agriculture.

Topics Discussed:

Faith and identity
Exploring sexuality to reconcile faith
Learning about love
Jeff’s Book: Does Jesus Really Love Me?
God’s invitations for us
Seasons and Seeds: Invitation to resurrect, regenerate, restore, and renourish
Chasing and Capturing Struggle: Core need is to know that you matter to God

Links and Resources:

Jeff Chu

Jeff Chu on Instagram

Jeff Chu on Twitter

Evolving Faith

Central Reformed Church

Princeton Theological Seminary (PTS): Farminary

Notes of a Make-Believe Farmer

Queery with Cameron Esposito

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Cameron Esposito Saved Herself

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 07:00:00 +0000

Cameron Esposito is a Los Angeles-based standup comic, actor, and writer. She’s the host of the Queery podcast, which features interviews with LGBTQ luminaries.

Recently, Cameron released her first book, Save Yourself, a memoir that addresses sexuality, gender, and equality. It describes how her Catholic upbringing prepared her for a career as an outspoken lesbian comedian.

Also, Cameron is the co-creator and co-star of the TV series, Take My Wife. Her recent comedy special, Rape Jokes, raised nearly $100,000 for RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization.

All systems have hypocrisy and flaws. Nobody is perfect. Comedy can be a relief.

Cameron is endlessly curious about other people’s past and present experiences. What will happen next?

Topics Discussed:

Her Catholic upbringing
Gender equality and queer theory
Social justice, support, and safe places
Liberation theology
What was missing in the Catholic message she was taught
Fear of abandonment
The connection between being a comic and a priest
The importance of having accountability in communities

Links and Resources:

Cameron Esposito