Allen Fernandez attends The Bridge Midtown and is a friend of mine. We sat down and talked about his story. Allen is a first generation immigrant. He has an amazing story and experience which lends to his ability to speak to the immigration realities happening in our country right now. We talk about immigration and so much more in this episode.

You can follow and connect with Allen on Twitter and Instagram here: @alfern24

Kazi Mannan is the owner of Sakina's Halal Grill in downtown DC. His restaurant is just a few blocks from the White House. Kazi has an amazing story of helping the homeless in the DC community through his restaurant. It is estimated he has given away over 80,000 meals to those in need. Kazi and I met at his restaurant for the interview.

Check out Kazi's restaurant and plan a visit to get some amazing food: http://www.sakinahalalgrill.com

Follow Kazi on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KAZIAMANNAN/

A few weeks ago I traveled to New York City and sat down with Jonathan Williams. Jonathan is Lead Pastor of Forefront Church in Brooklyn. His book, She’s My Dad: A Father’s Transition and a Son’s Redemption, was released just a few months ago. We had an incredible conversation about his story and his book. 

She’s My Dad Book

https://www.amazon.com/Shes-My-Dad-Transition-Redemption/dp/0664264352

ForeFront Church

https://www.forefrontnyc.com

Jonathan Williams and Paula Stone Williams Ted Talk

https://www.ted.com/talks/paula_stone_williams_and_jonathan_williams_the_story_of_a_parent_s_transition_and_a_son_s_redemption

I traveled to New York City to interview Pastor, Liturgist, and Author Aaron Niequest. His book is titled, The Eternal Current: How a Practice-Based Faith Can Save Us from Drowning. It was a great conversation about spiritual practices, Aaron's journey, and many other things related to The Eternal Current book. 

Purchase Aaron's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Eternal-Current-Practice-Based-Faith-Drowning/dp/0735291160/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519789367&sr=8-1&keywords=the+eternal+current

Find out more about Aaron here: https://www.aaronniequist.com

A New Liturgy can be accessed here: https://www.anewliturgy.com

A New Liturgy Lament Episode here: https://soundcloud.com/anewliturgy/anl-no-7-lament

What are the moral and ethical implications of genetic hacking/modification? What is CRISPR? How does it work? How could it be applied? Nathan McConkey joins me on episode 010 of Beyond Boundaries to talk about Genetics. It is a fascinating conversation, in which I do my best to keep up. Also, for those of you CrossFitters listening, there is a point in the podcast where Nate references rhabdomyolysis - And I was like, you know what, this is my podcast, so we are gonna go down this rabbit trail. So there is that.

At one point in the podcast, I reference a Ukrainian clinic that is using DNA from three different people to create a baby. You can learn more about that at the link below. 

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/06/06/615909572/inside-the-ukrainian-clinic-making-3-parent-babies-for-women-who-are-infertile

I sit down with my good friend Annette Moran and we talk all about the Enneagram. If you don't know what the Enneagram is, that is fine. This is a great introduction to the Enneagram and why it is helpful in life and relationships. 

Links mentioned in the podcast: 

The Road Back To You

https://www.amazon.com/Road-Back-You-Enneagram-Self-Discovery/dp/0830846190

Center For Action And Contemplation

https://cac.org

Sacred Enneagram

https://www.amazon.com/Sacred-Enneagram-Finding-Unique-Spiritual/dp/0310348277

Liturgists 

http://www.theliturgists.com/podcast

Beatrice Chestnut (Subtypes)

https://beatricechestnut.com

I share my own personal journey through LGBTQIA theology and why I now consider myself Side A. Many books are referenced during this podcast episode, feel free to Amazon search them. The book I referenced multiple times, God and the Gay Christian (Matthew Vines), can be found here: https://amzn.to/2VrXHqq 

At Q Conference last month there was an open share time where individuals could come up and share their journey. It was a very emotional time as many many people shared the pain of rejection from family and their faith communities. I spent most of the time holding back tears, but there was a moment where I couldn’t hold back my tears, and that was during Levi and Kristi’s time of sharing.

After the share time I met Levi and asked him if he and Kristi would like to record an episode of the podcast with me and share their story and experience with the Beyond Boundaries audience. Levi and Kristi both agreed and we recorded this podcast. I am so thankful for Levi and Kristi and their openness and willingness to be vulnerable with all of us. 

Levi’s Blog: https://levipierpont.com 

While at Q Conference last month I was able to connect with Rob and Linda Robertson and do this episode of Beyond Boundaries. This may be one of the most important episode yet. The hours shared with Rob and Linda were holy for me. This conversation reminded me that God’s grace is at work right here and right now in our lives. It also gave me hope for a new, more beautiful, reality being birthed out of pain. God is so good at repurposing our stories. I want to warn you in advance that this episode is an emotional rollercoaster. Many tears were shed as we recorded this. Lots of pain, but lots of hope.

Find out more about Rob and Linda at the following links

Just Because He Breathes Website:

https://justbecausehebreathes.com  

Exodus International Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8ntauVWRUY

Gay Christian Network Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk_-9Jlx1Bs

On this episode of Beyond Boundaries I sit down with Susan Cottrell of FreedHearts.org and hear her story. She wrote a book titled, "Mom I’m Gay." She supports, educates, and encourages many parents who have LGBTQIA children. She is primarily working with parents in faith communities who are struggling with how to respond to their LGBTQIA children.

Find out more about FreedHearts

https://www.freedhearts.org

Susan Cottrell Ted Talk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP01bH9Ljf4&feature=youtu.be

Mom I’m Gay Book

https://www.amazon.com/Mom-Gay-Revised-Expanded-Strengthening/dp/0664262228/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1549059237&sr=8-2&keywords=mom+i%27m+gay