All at Once

“I learned to make decisions for the little girl version of myself. I have to speak up for her.” -Arnaecia Alridge

I, Kelly, am immensely grateful and overwhelmed that people even listen to All at Once, let alone show up, or fly across the country to engage in this work. Every time I get a notification of updated listener numbers, I am blown away and struggle to believe what I see with my own eyes— people are listening. Who even are these people? I have no idea, but “Hello, whoever you are. Hi, I hope we are serving you well. I hope you are safe. And I hope our words are a soothing balm to your soul. You are altogether beautiful, my darling, and there is no flaw in you.”

For our season 3 finale, settle in and take what is good and beneficial for you and leave what isn’t.

I also just wanted to update y’all on how we are doing. It took ALL that we had to produce this season. If it were any other season, on any other topic, I likely would have abandoned ship. But THIS. This topic is too important to not bring to listeners. Now, more than ever, centering marginalized voices must be a priority for anyone with a platform.

I am outraged at systemic power abuse, racism, sexism, and consumerism. The flaws in our country overwhelm me, even on a micro level. However, the people fill me with hope. The people made this podcast happen. The people need to also rest, and as much as I try to prove myself otherwise, I too need to rest.

The thoughts and questions I’m wrestling with are these: I know human beings have limitations. We aren’t robots. But how do I accept that these limitations are a part of being human, and not a weakness for me to overcome? How does one rest? How do I stop striving for a goal or vision and just simply BE?

My brain knows the answers to these questions. But my body is revealing to me that I have not yet transferred this head knowledge to heart and body knowledge. My family has become a foster family since August. We started this process in January of 2022, and we have been caring for our first foster baby since August. My love for her surpasses understanding. Humans need GOOD parents. I can’t believe I get to be hers, for however long she needs.

Also, I greatly underestimated the mental and emotional toll this journey would take on me. I am tired, and I crave more margin to be present with the children in my home. I have to press pause on a few things in my life to create space to healthily navigate this foster journey. Because of this, the production of All at Once is on pause.

But I assure you, we are not done yet.

To God be the glory.

Presenting Sponsor: Alan and Beth Stanfield, Stanfield Properties

Thank you, sponsors!! Home Bank, Inked Designs, and Funky Monkey 

On the All At Once Podcast this week we welcome Rickey! What will you get from this wonderful episode? Well, let me tell you.

We go over:

Remember to subscribe and write a review for our show on all your favorite podcast apps which helps our show reach people more organically. Thanks for listening.

Music by Kate Short; Instagram @kate_tshort

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Executive Producer: Kelly Browning; Assistant Producer: Sarah McDuffee, Dara George, and Janis Street, Marketing Director: Nicole Golden, Social Media Manager: Molly Baize, Editor: Audra Bridges, A&A Creative

Presenting Sponsor: Alan and Beth Stanfield, Stanfield Properties

Thank you, sponsors!! Home Bank, Inked Designs, and Funky Monkey 

On the All At Once Podcast this week we welcome Donnell to the ever-changing discussion! What will you get from this wonderful episode? Well, let me tell you.

We go over:

Remember to subscribe and write a review for our show on all your favorite podcast apps which helps our show reach people more organically. Thanks for listening.

Music by Kate Short; Instagram @kate_tshort

Become a monthly supporter– LINK TO PATREON

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Executive Producer: Kelly Browning; Assistant Producer: Sarah McDuffee, Dara George, and Janis Street, Marketing Director: Nicole Golden, Social Media Manager: Molly Baize, Editor: Audra Bridges, A&A Creative

Presenting Sponsor: Alan and Beth Stanfield, Stanfield Properties

Thank you, sponsors!! Home Bank, Inked Designs, and Funky Monkey 

This week we welcome Rev and his powerful story to the All At Once Podcast! What will you get from this wonderful episode? Well let me tell you.

We go over:

Remember to subscribe and write a review for our show on all your favorite podcast apps which helps our show reach people more organically. Thanks for listening.

Music by Kate Short; Instagram @kate_tshort

Become a monthly supporter– LINK TO PATREON

Follow us on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter.

Executive Producer: Kelly Browning; Assistant Producer: Sarah McDuffee, Dara George, and Janis Street, Marketing Director: Nicole Golden, Social Media Manager: Molly Baize, Editor: Audra Bridges, A&A Creative

Presenting Sponsor: Alan and Beth Stanfield, Stanfield Properties

Thank you, sponsors!! Home Bank, Inked Designs, and Funky Monkey 

Welcoming in our new season with our new Co-Host, Dara George! What will you get from this wonderful episode? Well let me tell you.

We go over:

Remember to subscribe and write a review for our show on all your favorite podcast apps which helps our show reach people more organically. Thanks for listening.

Music by Kate Short; Instagram @kate_tshort

Become a monthly supporter– LINK TO PATREON

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Executive Producer: Kelly Browning; Assistant Producer: Sarah McDuffee, Dara George, and Janis Street, Marketing Director: Nicole Golden, Social Media Manager: Molly Baize, Editor: Audra Bridges, A&A Creative

Become a monthly supporter– LINK TO PATREON

Presenting Sponsor: Alan and Beth Stanfield, Stanfield Properties

Toward the end of last season, I, Kelly Browning, realized that this beautiful podcast that my friends and I have created lacked the very representation for which we advocate. We had no voices of color represented as guests or as leaders at our decision-making table. To correct this, and to better understand the deeply divisive issue of racism in America, at the end of our Season two finale with Janis Street, we said our next season would center black voices.

I’m proud to say we kept our word. Season three premiers on September 21. This season, we continue working together to press into these hard topics like the dynamics of racism and power, sexuality, slavery, and colonialism’s connection with modern racism, along with learning from the experiences of a male survivor of sexual assault, and how all of this is influenced by and experienced within Christianity.

One of our guests, Rev, will be performing for us for our first ever ALL AT ONCE LIVE– a free event that starts at 4:30 on October 15 on the patio at Dunn brothers in Friendswood, TX. Bring a lawn chair and a friend and join us for a meaningful night which will also include live music and an interview with Arnaecia Alridge, entertainment executive and fierce advocate for equity in the entertainment industry. We can’t wait to see you there.

Before you go, remember to subscribe and write a review for our show on all your favorite podcast apps which helps our show reach people more organically. Thanks for listening.

Music by Kate Short; Instagram @kate_tshort

Silver Home Bank, Inked Designs, and Funky Monkey 

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Executive Producer: Kelly Browning; Assistant Producer: Sarah McDuffee, Dara George, and Janis Street, Marketing Director: Nicole Golden, Social Media Manager: Molly Baize, Editor: Audra Bridges, A&A Creative

Holy week is coming. I highly recommend you go ahead and order Jason Porterfield‘s book, Fight Like Jesus, to read during Lent. We interviewed Jason last fall, but his book launched TODAY! You can now get your own copy by clicking here.

While you wait for your book to arrive, check out our exclusive interview with Jason about what peacemaking looks like in today’s Christian climate by looking back at the greatest peacemaker of all time during the greatest week of all time: Jesus during Holy Week.

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Presenting Sponsor: Alan and Beth Stanfield, Stanfield Properties

Janis Street joins us for the last episode to help wrap up season two and to introduce our topic for season three. When marginalized people thrive, everyone thrives.

Janis explains that racism and sexism can be experienced as overt aggression or as subtle microaggressions. She compares microaggressions to a bruise getting hit again and again, and she gives examples of this kind of covert aggression from her own life.

In the workplace, people of color often must work significantly harder than white people to prove themselves. Janis gives several examples of how racism and sexism have impacted her professional experience. We cannot effectively solve discrimination issues without leadership from those who have experienced it.

Janis teaches us about the power of words. We talk about the beauty of a church where it is possible for people to hold opposing views and still be in community with one another. 

What does it look like for us to truly understand that each and every person is created in the image of God? Janis says that this question targets the reality that racism, sexism, and other forms of prejudice are distinctly unchristian. Actively loving others means using our words and actions to speak out against discrimination and prejudice in our communities. 

Janis leaves us with a rallying cry and call for self-examination quoted from Micah 6:8b: “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Are we seeking justice? Are we examining our biases? Are we silent when we see injustice or are we acting as a voice for the marginalized? Are we actively seeking relationships with those who are different from us? Are we really trying to learn with the humble heart of a servant, or are we sitting comfortably in our suburban bubbles? Rather than judging, are we getting curious about the experiences of others? Are we remembering that there is that of God in every person? 

Thank you for listening and learning with us as we have explored the dynamics of power abuse this season. Here’s your homework until season three launches: read the book I Am Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness by Austin Channing Brown.

Music by Kate Short; Instagram @kate_tshort

Gold Sponsor Lary’s Designs Silver Texan Bank, Ink’d Designs, and Funky Monkey Bronze Judy Wiggins, Allstate

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Episode Executive Producer, host, and editor: Kelly Browning; Assistant Producer and show notes: Sarah McDuffee, Marketing Director: Robyn Boren, Social Media Manager: Molly Baize, episode mixed by Isabelle Le.

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Presenting Sponsor: Alan and Beth Stanfield, Stanfield Properties

Pastor David Bridges grew up in the Quaker tradition where women have always been elevated to positions of leadership within the church. Quakers made the theological decision that women are equal to men long ago, and David says it always seemed natural to him that women should be in leadership in equality with men.

David strives specifically to address the lack of representation of people of color in his congregation. He shares with us some ways that he seeks understanding and invites perspective and insight from people of color. He firmly believes that hearing from diverse voices makes the experience of the congregation richer. David says that opportunities for growth, transformation, and change come from listening to people who are different from us. He says that when we see conflict, we need to move into it with curiosity so that we can learn before we seek change.

David talks about his experience in seminary where he was exposed to many perspectives of scripture from scholars who were not white. He explains that he intentionally chose to attend a seminary in a denomination different than his own leanings so that he could learn new perspectives on scriptural interpretation and theology. David encourages those pursuing ministry to go to a seminary where they will feel challenged.

Many denominations of Christianity debated women in ministry long ago and concluded that the Bible supports the ordination of women. We talk about how the silencing of women and the exclusion of women in leadership is an issue in some denominations but not others. We discuss that regional culture and politics seem to impact theological leanings on the ordination of women. David says that the evangelical version of Christianity is actually a very small slice of Christianity. The understanding that there are other ways to be a Christian can liberate us from fear and anxiety about getting everything right. We talk about the importance of fostering safety in churches for all people to hold and discuss different views. 

David teaches about justice, mercy, and humility. He says it is hard to ignore the calls for justice throughout the Bible. Jesus set the example by pursuing justice and restoration for powerless people. If we call ourselves followers of Jesus, we must model our behavior after him. By following Jesus, we accept the call to be a part of restorative work in the world. We talk about how the Bible defines justice. David says the point is not that everyone gets treated equally, but that just treatment has an equalizing effect. People with the most power need to use it to lift up those who have no power. We can bring about justice by giving away power to the disempowered.

Social change must begin with confession. David talks about his experience confessing his complicity in racism to his church after gaining deeper understanding through research and careful introspection. He shares how he knew it was the right thing to do because he knew he needed to be faithful to his black friends. His example of humility in leadership is one that we can learn from. David’s advice to white male leaders and pastors seeking to empower marginalized groups: be true to yourself, be curious, reach out to people who are different than you, and read authors who speak to these issues from the perspective of marginalized groups.

Music by Kate Short; Instagram @kate_tshort

Gold Sponsor Lary’s Designs Silver Texan Bank, Ink’d Designs, and Funky Monkey Bronze Judy Wiggins, Allstate

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Episode produced and edited by Kelly Browning; show notes written by Sarah McDuffee, Marketing Director: Robyn Boren, Social Media Manager: Molly Baize, Episode mixed by Isabelle Le

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Presenting Sponsor: Alan and Beth Stanfield, Stanfield Properties

Soraya Chemaly, author of Rage Becomes Her, educates us about culturally constructed gender differences and shares how extreme conformity to these binary ideals is harmful to society.

We talk about how gender expectations play out in society, negatively impacting men and women. When a woman or girl says “no,” the response is often to try to change her mind rather than respect her no. 

We talk about motherhood and how absurdly high the bar is for mothers. Soraya says we have to resist the cultural bar for mothers and have more self-compassion. We talk about the inequality in responsibility for child-rearing often found in heterosexual relationships. For women of color, health risks are compounded because of racial discrimination. 

We talk about the overwhelming number of women pushed out of the labor force because of the pandemic. Women are expected to sacrifice career and income to take care of the family during difficult times. If we want equality between men and women, women’s careers cannot exist solely in the margins of men’s careers.

Soraya explains that men and women are socialized to respond to threats differently. Women often adopt a “tend and befriend” response so they don’t get hurt. 

We talk about sexism within religion; how women are commonly restricted from leadership roles simply because of being female. This teaches girls and women that what we have to say is not relevant and that everything important and godly must be mediated by the speech of men. This abuse of power enables oppression and violence towards women. Soraya encourages our listeners to find a place of worship that respects and values women and their voices.

Anger is an appropriate response to injustice. Our communities and institutions become safer when we appropriately express our anger at injustice. When we are disruptive, we are communicating our anger in a way that brings about positive change. We are often taught that anger isolates us from community, but Soraya says that when we allow ourselves to get angry about injustice, we will find like-minded people. The healthy expression of anger can bring us together, make our relationships more honest, egalitarian, and healthy, and can help us build bridges and find communities. 

Music by Kate Short; Instagram @kate_tshort

Gold Sponsor Lary’s Designs Silver Texan Bank, Ink’d Designs, and Funky Monkey Bronze Judy Wiggins, Allstate

Become a monthly supporter– LINK TO PATREON

Follow us on Instagram and subscribe to our newsletter.

Episode produced and edited by Kelly Browning; show notes written by Sarah McDuffee, Marketing Director: Robyn Boren, Social Media Manager: Molly Baize, Episode mixed by Audra Bridges.

www.allatonce.us