Thanks for tuning in! What the hell is up with you? Today’s podcast episode is about exploring faith and doubt despite fear. I sat down with one of my favorite professors from Uni, Dr. Shannon Smythe who was recently ordained in the Presbyterian Church USA. Shannon is not only a fellow tea and hygge-lover, but also a fellow feminist and is quite a soul sister to me in faith. In our conversation she shares about the difficulty of pursuing ministry despite the disapproval of her family (faith proving to be a rebellious act), but she also describes the concurrent fuel this has been for her feminist theological fire. I discuss my experience exploring faith outside the boundaries of the Christian church. Whether or not religion has felt important in your life, I hope this episode might inspire you to think deeply about your context and the ways it has potentially ensnared you and given you opportunities to be free. And may you be reminded that no matter your practice, God (the universe, that little light inside you, etc.) loves you very very much.

Peace and hygge vibes,

Claire

Featured music: “Israel” by Leah Lawson

Check her out on Instagram: @lllawson

http://leahlawson.com

Production: *INTRODUCING* Tobijah Rogers

Cover art: Spence Hood

Today’s tidbits:

1:00 Intro// Sicky Claire says “what the hell is up?!”

3:45 Cookies// Shannon: a rebel in faith

15:00 Freedom// Breaking away from faith in a God that’s always mad

30:00 Searching// Meeting God in Buddhist meditation

47:45 Finding// Finding truth and a way among many

55:00 God’s love// I’m letting go of shame in my faith

Quotes:

• “being a woman called to ministry, then a script for me is that I am somehow bad and doing something rebellious”—Shannon

• “I was getting a sense of a God that was not always damning me”—Shannon

• “I see myself as a Gentile who has been brought into a faith that wasn’t mine”—Shannon

• “I think a lot more humility is needed especially by those who call themselves Christians”—Shannon