Found Family with MaryB. Safrit

By MaryB. Safrit

Society & Culture Education Religion & Spirituality Christianity

What's Found Family with MaryB. Safrit about?

Welcome to Found Family. Every Tuesday, I have honest conversations celebrating the creative ways our guests make community in their actual lives and providing tips about how you can do the same. 

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Found Family with MaryB. Safrit episodes:

07.02.2024
I left my church and went to Pride
We're taking a break from interviews for the month of July. But don't worry, we have some solo episodes lined up for you! The first is the story of the Sunday I left my former church for the last time...
06.25.2024
For Queer Folks Thinking of Leaving a Non-Affirming Church (feat. Moriah Conant)
Today's episode is the complex and very personal story of navigating and leaving non-affirming spaces after coming out. Moriah Conant (they/she) is a psychologist-in-training who specializes in working with LGBTQIA+ individuals, young adults, and healing from trauma. They utilize a...
06.18.2024
A Recipe for Abundance and Radical Hospitality in Your Actual Life (feat. Sara Elise)
Today's episode is the story of an autistic Black and Indigenous femme creative powerhouse who wants to help us center rest, pleasure, and abundance in our actual lives. Sara Elise (she/her) is a multidisciplinary creative, splitting her time between Brooklyn...
06.12.2024
From Ethnic Loneliness to Belonging (feat. Prasanta Verma)
Today's episode is the story of a woman who moved beyond ethnic loneliness by embracing her ethnic identity and finding belonging. Prasanta Verma (MBA, MPH) (she/her) was born under an Asian sun, raised in the Appalachian foothills in the South,...
05.29.2024
How to Make Virtual Relationships and Community Count (feat. Jenna DeWitt)
Today's episode is the story of how to find your people and create safety when building community online. Jenna DeWitt (she/her) is a sapphic aromantic asexual writer, editor, and resource curator. She is also an advocate, community builder, and Californian. ...
05.28.2024
What if Christianity Is a Little Bit Anarchist? (feat. Terry Stokes)
This episode is the story of everything we've misunderstood about anarchy (and how it gels with Christianity) from the most delightful anarchist theologian. Terry J. Stokes (he/they) is a director of a youth development nonprofit organization on Lenape land now...
05.21.2024
Surviving White Spaces as a BIPOC (feat. Latasha Morrison)
Today's episode is the story of an author and advocate working to uproot systemic racism so we can create commmunities that are better for everyone. Latasha Morrison (she/her) is a distinguished author and nonprofit founder widely known for her transformative...
05.14.2024
How Guncles Help Us Embrace Our Differences (feat. Jonathan Merritt)
Today's episode is the story of a guncle finding family and finding himself through the imagination-expanding power of relationships. Jonathan Merritt (he/him) is an award-winning columnist and commentator on politics, spirituality, and culture. He is a contributing editor for The...
05.07.2024
How To Write Your Story and Create Connection (feat. Ally Fallon)
Today's episode is the story of an expert in all things story who is obsessed with helping you unearth your inner wisdom and connect with your people by teaching you to write your story. Allison Fallon (she/her) is an author,...
04.30.2024
Anger, Agency, and Other Tools for Disrupting Patriarchy (feat. Cait West)
Today's episode is the story of a woman who survived and escaped the Christian Patriarchy movement and created a new life of agency, advocacy, and unconditional love. Cait West is a writer and editor based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Her...
04.23.2024
How Do Celibate LGBTQ+ Christians Find Family? (feat. Art Pereira)
Today's episode is the story of a celibate gay man who finds family through committed friendship and embracing clarity and different convictions in the LGBTQ+ Christian community. Art Pereira (he/him) was born in Minas Gerais, Brazil, and immigrated to the...
04.16.2024
Building a Flexible Community that Lasts (feat. Lin Melone)
Today's episode is the story of a 40-year-old intentional community in San Francisco, as told by a self-professed granny queer who's seen the LGBTQ Christian scene evolve since she came out in her thirties. Lin Melone (she/her) is a member...
04.09.2024
Queer Family 101: How to Embrace It & Why It's Good For Everyone (feat. Nia and Katie Chiaramonte)
Welcome to our very first episode as Found Family! I can't think of a better conversation to kick things off. Today, I'm talking to Nia and Katie Chiaramonte. Nia Chiaramonte holds a BA in psychology from the University of Northern...
04.02.2024
Found Family Trailer
Many of us have been sold the idea that family is a matter of blood and legally binding agreements. But something in you knows that can't be all there is. But what is the alternative to the model we've been...
03.05.2024
A Love Letter to Unsuitable Listeners (aka Single Folks)
After 11 seasons, 127 episodes, and 99 interviews with single Christians, Unsuitable is evolving. I use the word "evolve" very intentionally here. While we will be operating under a new name and fresh branding, our beating heart will remain the...
02.27.2024
[EXTENDED CUT] Becoming an Ally to the LGBTQ+ Community (feat. Meg Baatz)
Meg Baatz is the co-founder of Kaleidoscope, a New York–based organization helping provide LGBTQ+ people with tangible expressions of Jesus. Meg is a bridge-builder and ministry educator whose desire is to see people grow personally and engage locally in diverse...
02.20.2024
[EXTENDED CUT] Calling Your Church to Do Better for Singles (feat. Henry Abuto)
Originally from Kenya and currently based in Fort Worth, Texas, Henry is a Christian man who writes on Faith, Friendships, Sexuality, Race, Jesus and a host of other topics. He loves hosting dinner parties, running, live music, deep friendships, red...
02.13.2024
[EXTENDED CUT] Finding Family and Commitment in Platonic Relationships (feat. Bridget Eileen Rivera)
Bridget Eileen Rivera provides support to churches and ministries seeking to improve their relationship with the LGBTQ community. A leading voice on gay celibacy in the church, Bridget helps Christians better grapple with gender and sexuality in a divided culture....
02.06.2024
[EXTENDED CUT] Why the Church Needs Singles (feat. David Bennett)
Dr. David Bennett is from Sydney, Australia. He recently completed his doctorate (DPhil) in theology at Oxford University where he now works as a postdoctoral research fellow in the Theology and Religion Faculty. He specialises in the relationship between the...
01.30.2024
[EXTENDED CUT] Why We Need Non-Sexual Touch and What to Do About It (feat. Anna Primrose, guest host: Matt Linden)
TW: sexual assault and abuse OK you know I love all my podcast guests and conversations equally, but this one was a particularly special one. Back in Season 8, our pal Matt Linden acted as guest host and had a fantastic...
01.23.2024
[EXTENDED CUT] Can Singles Be Content? (feat. Ekemini Uwan)
Today we are running it back to my conversation at the beginning of Season 8 with Ekemini Uwan. Ekemini is a public theologian and co-author of Truth’s Table: Black Women’s Musings on Life, Love, and Liberation. She is the...
01.16.2024
How to Build Rhythms of Rest into Our Days (feat. Obiekwe "Obi" Okolo)
Today, we're dipping into the archives to share the extended cut of my conversation with Obi Okolo from Season 4, which we recorded in June 2020. Obiekwe "Obi" Okolo is a Nigerian American photographer, multimedia artist, and reluctant writer. He's...
01.09.2024
[EXTENDED CUT] Normalizing Christian Singleness (feat. Katelyn Beaty)
Today you'll hear my full conversation with the inimitable Katelyn Beaty from Season 8, specifically, December 2022. Katelyn Beaty is a Midwest native living in New York City, and editorial director for Brazos Press. But the most important thing you...
12.26.2023
The Key to Sustainable Change
It's our final episode of the holiday mini-season. Fear not, pals, we have some fun stuff planned for between the seasons! This week, we're ending the season with an episode on change. It's New Year Resolution season, and in this...
12.19.2023
Singles, What Are We Waiting For?
It's almost Christmas, which means we are almost at the end of our holiday mini-season! Today, you'll hear about why I hate using the word "waiting" when talking about singleness, how to reframe the narrative around "waiting," and why our...
12.12.2023
A Hallmark-y Christmas Tale (But Make It Pro-Singlehood)
This week, we will depart from our usual format and dabble in the world of storytelling. Because, let's be real, sometimes escapism is actually a great way to reset when feeling overwhelmed. It's Christmas time, so it's the time of...
12.05.2023
How Advent Reframes Waiting for Singles (and Everyone)
During today's episode, you won't just hear from me. You'll also hear clips from past conversations with Jason Adam Miller, Joan Watson, and Ekemini Uwan. I've chosen these clips to create a larger arc about how singlehood can give us...
11.28.2023
How to Respond to Questions About Your "Lifestyle" This Holiday Season
Today, we'll be covering awkward questions. Thanksgiving and Christmas can mean interacting with humans who don't get us, which leads them to say derpy things. In today's episode, I'll break down my tried and true communication tips for these kinds...
11.21.2023
5 Tips for Holiday Shopping on a Single Income Budget
Welcome to the first episode of our holiday mini-season! You won't be seeing any guest appearances by David Tennent or Katherine Tate, but you will be getting practical tips to help you have a healthy and meaningful holiday season as...
11.14.2023
Season 11 Trailer: Single for the Holidays Mini-Season
Season 11 officially launches next week. It’s that time of year. Things are ramping up as we barrel toward the end of 2023. The holidays, with all they entail, are upon us. The family centricity of our culture dials up...
11.07.2023
4 Tips for Church Shopping Singles
This snippet is from my fantastic conversation with Beth Collingridge. Beth is a passionate advocate for inclusion within the church community. As the Communications Director at UK-based charity Single Friendly Church, Beth works tirelessly to create welcoming spaces where single...
10.31.2023
Can Dating Be Fun? How to Be Calm and Present on Dates.
This mini-episode features a clip from my conversation with Mel New. Mel is the founder and owner of IYKYK Dating, a Christian dating coach, and runs a singles community with over 5000 members across the USA. Our new merch line...
10.24.2023
How to Build Celebrations into Your Single Life
Today's mini-episode features a clip from my conversation with Anna Broadway. Anna has written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, TheAtlantic.com, Christianity Today and other publications. She is the author of the forthcoming book...
10.17.2023
Healthy Conflict 101: Practical Tips for Authentic Relationships
First up we have a snippet from my conversation with Vernique Esther. Vernique Esther is an Atlanta-based therapist and coach who specializes in Relational Trauma and Healthy Relationships. She is Author of When Seasons Change: A Divorce Recovery Interactive Devotional,...
10.03.2023
Sex Positivity for Single Christians (feat. Lyvonne Briggs)
In this episode, Lyvonee and I talk about The link between body positivity and sex positivity—and the path towards both The power of knowing yourself and loving yourselfThe orgasm gapAnd reinterpreting scripture—aka Ruth, Tamar, and the Song of SolomonLyvonne Briggs, MDiv, ThM,...
09.26.2023
The Unexpected Keys to Moving Through Grief (feat. Carole Holiday)
In this episode, Carole and I discussThe link between grief and hospitality The secret behind our 3 am come to Jesus moments The spiritual dimensions of food Grief, food, and other distractions: how to navigate healthy coping mechanismsSocial reentry through food: connecting with...
09.19.2023
Sustainable Career Pivots for Single Creatives (feat. Katie Ellis)
In this episode, you'll hear Katie and I talk about The God moment / Carrie Bradshaw moment that turned Katie towards her calling How to invest in and bet on yourself—even on a budget (read: student loans!)All things creative entrepreneurship: how to...
09.12.2023
How to Faithfully Engage in Politics When You're Single (feat. Kaitlyn Schiess)
In this episode, you'll hear Kaitlyn and I talk about: How spiritual formation impacts political engagement—and why this is gets more human, accessible, and impactful on the local level. Why self-sufficiency is a myth--for individuals and families and all people. The ways collective...
09.05.2023
Finding and Cultivating a Single-Friendly Church (feat. Beth Collingridge)
In this episode, Beth and I talk about: Identifying the pain points of exclusion—and how to get serious about including and being led by singles in the church. Barriers to single leadership—unpacking the biases, assumptions, and misunderstandings about singles. The lonely church: why...
08.29.2023
Milestones Singles Can (and Should) Celebrate (feat. Anna Broadway)
In today's episode, you'll hear Anna and I talk about: Expanding coming-of-age rituals beyond graduation and marriage. Marking a moment and remembering God's faithfulness. How to celebrate the moments that might feel small. And cultivating your own practice of celebrating. Anna has written for The...
08.22.2023
Developing Your LGBTQ+ Identity (feat. Moriah Conant)
In this episode, you'll hear Moriah talk about The importance of finding spaces where you don't need to explain your identity to peopleWhy everyone should be doing identity development workThe ‘second puberty’ of coming out as an adult How to find *your*...
08.15.2023
Dating 101 for Single Christians (feat. Mel New)
In this episode, you'll hear Mel and I discussHow to cultivate a growth mindset in datingThe ingredients of a fun mixer for single ChristiansThe secrets for maintaining hopefulness in datingAnd how to use dating apps (yep, we think Christians should...
08.08.2023
Authenticity and Emotional Health in Relationships (feat. Vernique Esther)
In today's episode, you'll hear Vernique and I talk aboutThe hard, beautiful work of learning to show up authenticallyLetting go of "ideal" and/or fake versions of ourselvesWhy emotions are indicators, not dictators How our relationships are impacted by emotional healthVernique is...
08.01.2023
What To Do When the World Breaks (feat. Jason Adam Miller)
In today's episode, you'll hear Jason and I talk about Strange blessings for life's impossible momentsWhat the Beatitudes have to say to single folksThe power of finding joy in our right-now livesAnd finding belonging when the church doesn't know what to...
07.25.2023
Getting the Most Out of Therapy (feat. Nathaniel Turner)
In this episode, you'll hear Nate and I talk about How to get the most out of therapyWhat happens when we use therapy as a dress rehearsal for our lifeHow to practice addressing conflict with your therapist The key ingredients for therapy...
07.18.2023
Making Space for Spiritual Growth (feat. Audre Rickard)
In today's episode, Audre and I are talking about Inviting vulnerability in a safe way in singleness.How to combat cultural expectations of instant gratification when it comes to our spiritual interior How to hold space for spiritual exploration And questions to ask yourself...
07.11.2023
Solo Travel Tips (feat. Rachael K)
In today's episode, we're getting into it on all things solo travel with Rachael K. Rachael is a teacher, and Christian lifestyle blogger and content creator. She is currently based in Kenya with the organization Africa Inland Mission. Outside of...
07.04.2023
Season 10 Trailer
Season 10 is here! Next week, aka July 11, we are officially launching season 10 of the Unsuitable podcast! We are stoked to be in the double digits and even more stoked to share what we've been cooking up for ya....
06.13.2023
[LIVE SHOW] What Singles Get About the Gospel (guest host Ashley Hong)
In this episode, you'll hear us talk about:how we singles tend to overexert ourselves to prove our value to the churchthe social privilege of marriage and how not having it empowers us to rely on the sufficiency of the gospelhow...
05.30.2023
[EXTENDED CUT] Boundaries as a Single Pastor (feat. Jason Adam Miller)
Welcome to a special between-the-seasons episode of Unsuitable. Y'all loved Jason's episode from Season 8 so much we are releasing the extended cut for ya! In this episode, Jason and I cover: navigating relational boundaries as a single pastorwhat we miss...

What's Found Family with MaryB. Safrit about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Found Family with MaryB. Safrit episodes:

I left my church and went to Pride

For Queer Folks Thinking of Leaving a Non-Affirming Church (feat. Moriah Conant)

A Recipe for Abundance and Radical Hospitality in Your Actual Life (feat. Sara Elise)

From Ethnic Loneliness to Belonging (feat. Prasanta Verma)

How to Make Virtual Relationships and Community Count (feat. Jenna DeWitt)

What if Christianity Is a Little Bit Anarchist? (feat. Terry Stokes)

Surviving White Spaces as a BIPOC (feat. Latasha Morrison)

How Guncles Help Us Embrace Our Differences (feat. Jonathan Merritt)

How To Write Your Story and Create Connection (feat. Ally Fallon)

Anger, Agency, and Other Tools for Disrupting Patriarchy (feat. Cait West)

How Do Celibate LGBTQ+ Christians Find Family? (feat. Art Pereira)

Building a Flexible Community that Lasts (feat. Lin Melone)

Queer Family 101: How to Embrace It & Why It's Good For Everyone (feat. Nia and Katie Chiaramonte)

Found Family Trailer

A Love Letter to Unsuitable Listeners (aka Single Folks)

[EXTENDED CUT] Becoming an Ally to the LGBTQ+ Community (feat. Meg Baatz)

[EXTENDED CUT] Calling Your Church to Do Better for Singles (feat. Henry Abuto)

[EXTENDED CUT] Finding Family and Commitment in Platonic Relationships (feat. Bridget Eileen Rivera)

[EXTENDED CUT] Why the Church Needs Singles (feat. David Bennett)

[EXTENDED CUT] Why We Need Non-Sexual Touch and What to Do About It (feat. Anna Primrose, guest host: Matt Linden)

[EXTENDED CUT] Can Singles Be Content? (feat. Ekemini Uwan)

How to Build Rhythms of Rest into Our Days (feat. Obiekwe "Obi" Okolo)

[EXTENDED CUT] Normalizing Christian Singleness (feat. Katelyn Beaty)

The Key to Sustainable Change

Singles, What Are We Waiting For?

A Hallmark-y Christmas Tale (But Make It Pro-Singlehood)

How Advent Reframes Waiting for Singles (and Everyone)

How to Respond to Questions About Your "Lifestyle" This Holiday Season

5 Tips for Holiday Shopping on a Single Income Budget

Season 11 Trailer: Single for the Holidays Mini-Season

4 Tips for Church Shopping Singles

Can Dating Be Fun? How to Be Calm and Present on Dates.

How to Build Celebrations into Your Single Life

Healthy Conflict 101: Practical Tips for Authentic Relationships

Sex Positivity for Single Christians (feat. Lyvonne Briggs)

The Unexpected Keys to Moving Through Grief (feat. Carole Holiday)

Sustainable Career Pivots for Single Creatives (feat. Katie Ellis)

How to Faithfully Engage in Politics When You're Single (feat. Kaitlyn Schiess)

Finding and Cultivating a Single-Friendly Church (feat. Beth Collingridge)

Milestones Singles Can (and Should) Celebrate (feat. Anna Broadway)

Developing Your LGBTQ+ Identity (feat. Moriah Conant)

Dating 101 for Single Christians (feat. Mel New)

Authenticity and Emotional Health in Relationships (feat. Vernique Esther)

What To Do When the World Breaks (feat. Jason Adam Miller)

Getting the Most Out of Therapy (feat. Nathaniel Turner)

Making Space for Spiritual Growth (feat. Audre Rickard)

Solo Travel Tips (feat. Rachael K)

Season 10 Trailer

[LIVE SHOW] What Singles Get About the Gospel (guest host Ashley Hong)

[EXTENDED CUT] Boundaries as a Single Pastor (feat. Jason Adam Miller)