In this episode of The Uproot Project Podcast, Christian, Chris, and Whitney dive into the theme of control and how it plays out in both our personal lives and in the larger community. Whitney kicks things off with a mindfulness moment, helping us connect with our bodies and notice where we feel like things are slipping out of our control.

From there, we get personal—sharing stories from our childhood that shaped our need to control things as adults. We dig into how this need for control shows up in religious spaces, especially for leaders, and how over-identifying with certain roles can lead to fear and resistance to change. We also call out how rigid teachings can trap people, holding back their freedom and growth.

We don’t stop there. We zoom out to talk about bigger societal issues like wealth distribution and the justice system, pushing for more equity and compassion in these areas. We wrap things up with a powerful prayer for courage from Cole Arthur Riley’s Black Liturgies, reminding us all to find bravery and rest in the face of fear.

Related Links

1. Black Liturgies by Cole Arthur Riley - Instagram
2. Heartbreak High on Netflix - Netflix
3. Jesus Revolution Documentary - IMDb
4. Simone Biles and Jonathan Owens Wedding Photos - Instagram

Calls to Action

1. Mindfulness Moment: Listeners are encouraged to take a moment to connect with their bodies, especially in areas where they feel out of control.
2. Engage with the Podcast: Follow The Uproot Project Podcast on social media platforms and visit their website for more content.
3. Reflect on Personal Growth: Consider how over-identification with roles and fear-based control might be impacting your life and relationships.
4. Support Equity and Compassion: Reflect on societal issues discussed and think about ways to support more equitable and compassionate systems in your community.

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Thanks for listening & keep living fully, learning openly, and loving deeply.

• (00:12) - Introduction and Mindfulness Moment