Abbey Normal

Inclusion and diversity strategist Amber Cabral, shares candid advice on how to be an ally, build inclusion, and maybe even fix a bro-culture. Offered as an expert perspective on the WEN series, we explore corporate “mistakes”, how to apologize well, and how to speak up for what’s best. She claims that the efforts of change-making are worth it but get ready to be uncomfortable.

Pick up her book, Allies and Advocates: Creating an Inclusive and Equitable Culture and her brand-new book Say More About That.

Original episode release date February 22, 20021.

Check in from Abbey on the THREE YEAR Anniversary of this show! From one human to another- thank you for listening. 

This month we're rereleasing five past episodes. If you missed 'em over the years, now's the time to tune in and enjoy. 

As a bookend to the Not The Same series, we're talking to a friend who's still in the EWCCCV*. Choosing to be in the Evangelical community may mean living in the tension, suspending some things to remain in relationships. Katie finds value in that community, so she doesn't get too weighed down by the issues that plague any institution. She tries to peaceably live her life in a middle place, showing love in unseen moments.

*Evangelical, predominantly-White Church of California's Central Valley

In celebration of Father's Day we're talking about unplanned (and VERY planned) pregnancies. Dads share how it felt to get one of life's biggest surprises! And Reverend Maggie is back to explain the big decision she and her wife had to make in family planning. 

Did you know there's yoga specifically for Christians? Yep, it exists because Evangelicals are nervous about the "bad juju" of traditional yoga.

But it turns out even "holy" yoga may be too much for the church, at least when it's a woman's idea. 

This is a story of trauma and betrayal, of pulling your family out of the ashes, and trying to find healing. With a little bit of yoga on the side.

Sometimes we walk away right quick from our faith tradition of origin and live happily on the outside. Then one day, well into adulthood, G-d shows up unexpectedly.

This spiritual journey is full of twists and turns, trauma and healing; a life that accidentally comes full circle. 

Rachel had a tight-knit community growing up in the LDS church. But as cracks in her belief system have widened, she's struggled deciding how she can continue to participate, authentically. Will those cracks become a chasm separating her from the culture she knows best?

Will she discover a Truth that doesn't cause harm?  

Ready to burn it down? There's a lot that Evangelical wanderers want to burn away from our early faith, and what it represents now. But there are also changes afloat in the broader church. New ideas being explored, that redefine what church is, what happens there, and who's invited in. 

Not The Same series:

Not all Christians are the same.

There’s an accelerating trend toward religious disaffiliation. But there are some Christians who simply don’t fit into a box- who take their own faith seriously, and actively question the beliefs and practices of the U.S. Evangelical church. Those who would like to attend church services but can’t find one that “fits” them, right where they’re at.

This series is their stories. Stories of harm at the hands of the church, disillusionment, and the journey to redeem themselves, and maybe, the church. 

Songs: Burn it Down and Song for Henri by Jason Morrell

Dynamic duo, Maggie and Spencer, met in seminary preparing for ordination in the Episcopal Church. They explain some of the history and theology of this denomination, how change is made (and what is allowed). Plus, answer some pressing Evangelical-style questions like, How are YOU a Reverend? and Can you be gay? and But, how do you get saved?

Not The Same series:

Not all Christians are the same.

There’s an accelerating trend toward religious disaffiliation. But there are some Christians who simply don’t fit into a box- who take their own faith seriously, and actively question the beliefs and practices of the U.S. Evangelical church. Those who would like to attend church services but can’t find one that “fits” them, right where they’re at.

This series is their stories. Stories of harm at the hands of the church, disillusionment, and the journey to redeem themselves, and maybe, the church.