Just Joshing

Carrie Lahaie joins the podcast. We starting talking about my travels, before we move into talking about her devotional book. We talk about grief and dealing with it, and finding positivity and God in things. I really enjoyed chatting with Carrie. Check this conversation out and check out her book.

Carrie Lahaie

Website

Order

Thanks for reading Finding Where I Fit - Backpacking My Way to My New Home! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Nathan Rae returns to the podcast and this time we talk about what’s going on. We talk about making movies, and what he wants to do, and then we do travel stories as both of us have travelled quite a bit and we talked.

Recorded at a Starbucks, hence the music.

At the bottom is an excerpt from Nathan’s latest releast Moriah, as circumstances made it so he couldn’t read it online. It’s at the bottom, courtesy of Wordhoney Magazine. Have a read and let Nathan know what you think of it.

Nathan Raymond Rae

Facebook

Wordhoney Magazine

Thanks for reading Finding Where I Fit - Backpacking My Way to My New Home! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Moriah

Written by Nathan Raymond Rae

The barefoot woman by the river said her name was Moriah, and that she was the spirit of a church.

Not in the spirit. Not from the church. The actual living personality of Moriah Chapel down on 99th Street.

After Kayla Edgell heard those words, she nodded politely and made a mental note to avoid this part of the trail from now on. She had come to get some exercise and maybe clear her head from all the stress she was facing in studying for her third-year biology exams at the university. But she never counted on coming across such a strange person wearing a sun hat sitting on a bench, humming an aimless tune, seemingly indifferent to everything but the wind around her until she opened her eyes and looked straight at Kayla with a smile.

“Oh, goodness gracious! Kayla! I’m so glad to finally meet you!”

Kayla stopped short. “I’m sorry. Do I know you?”

“Maybe. I’m Moriah Chapel. I’m the spirit of the church on 99th street.”

Kayla gave an insincere smile. “OK, Moriah. The spirit of a church. That’s different.”

Then Moriah laughed, and a pigeon landed on her shoulder like it had done a hundred times before. She motioned for it to come down to her lap, and once it began to settle, she started stroking the bird’s wing.

“I’m not as different as you might think,” Moriah replied. “I’ve just stayed awake longer than most.”

“Are there other churches like you walking around in human bodies?” Kayla asked with a hint of dry sarcasm.

“Oh yes, there are indeed others!” Moriah assured her new friend. “And sometimes we go out for brunch! There’s Saint Andrew’s down the hill, ninety years old and stones wearing away, but still feeding people every week with the Word. But then there’s Trinity North. I fear she’s become entranced with spectacle, and she’s not giving her people what they need. I’m not even sure if Jesus even visits her anymore.”

“You’re saying that Jesus visits churches?” Kayla scoffed.

“Of course he does!” Moriah exclaimed, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. “It just depends on who’s home.”

“And your home is…a church?”

“Well, it’s more than just a home. It’s who I am. I’m the part of it that stayed when people came and went. When they praised during worship, when they cried for repentance and revival at the altar, and when children laughed and played during Sunday School, all those people shaped who I am today.”

Kayla scanned the woman’s face for a hint of irony, but Moriah’s eyes sparkled with absolute sincerity.

“So, you’re a ghost?” Kayla asked.

“No, silly.” Moriah leaned closer, taking care not to disturb the pigeon. “Ghosts are what’s left after death. I’m what happens when there’s too much life in one place to stay put.”

Kayla shifted her balance uncomfortably, unsure of whether to be unnerved or impressed. “So, what does Jesus do when he visits your church?”

“Sometimes he comes just to sit and talk.” Moriah said, her gaze drifting upward through the leaves of the nearby trees. “Sometimes we dance together. Once he helped me mop the floors and told me it reminded him of washing feet.” She laughed in delight at the memory.

“And what do you do when he’s not around?”

Moriah smiled, soft and knowing. “I do what I’m doing right now. I enjoy his Father’s creation. I’m not lonely. Not really. But I still like meeting new people. People like you.”

“You called out to me like you knew me.”

“Not at the time. Not intimately. But Jesus mentioned we’d be crossing paths, and when I saw you, I knew that this was it.”

“Why was Jesus talking to you about me?”

“I think he wants you to be my guest.”

“You talk about this like it’s actually happening.” Kayla raised her voice in disbelief. “Like you’re in a relationship with an imaginary friend. Doesn’t this sound-?”

“Impossible?” Moriah tilted her head.

For a moment, silence settled between them, broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves and the soft coo of the pigeon still resting on Moriah’s lap.

“So, what’s Jesus like, then?” Kayla asked, half-mocking, half-genuine.

Moriah didn’t hesitate.

“He’s patient,” She said. “Not like ‘waiting in line’ patient. More like…he lets people be slow, and wrong, and afraid, and still stays close. His presence doesn’t always make sense. Sometimes it hurts. Sometimes it heals. But it never leaves the room.”

Kayla looked down at the path, suddenly too aware of how still the world had gone around them.

“You talk like you’re in love with him.” She observed.

“I am.” Moriah replied. She looked at Kayla, trying to read something written under her skin. “You ask a lot of questions in your heart. Ones you’ve never said out loud.”

“Okay, that’s enough.” Kayla said with irritation, turning around and walking away. “Whatever game this is, I’m not playing.”

Moriah stood then, brushing off her dress, and the pigeon flew up and circled above them before disappearing into the branches.

“You don’t have to play.” Moriah said, looking over her shoulder to Kayla as she walked back home on the trail. “But you are invited.”

“To what?”

“Come tomorrow morning. Moriah Chapel. You’ll know where to sit.”

Paul Andrews of the What Knots joins the podcast. Paul and I have a mutual experience at the Las Vegas Rescue Mission and we talk about it. We talk about Paul’s fall from grace, and his new beginning. We get stalked a little bit (as one does around that area) and we even got a fun song in the mix. Fix Yourself. Listen to the chat and listen to the song.

Paul was an awesome guest and cool new friend. This is our conversation.

Paul Andrews

The What Knots

Thanks for reading Finding Where I Fit - Backpacking My Way to My New Home! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Terry and I met in my current situtaion. He much like I am in the process of rebuilding our lives and we talk about it. Laterrie comes from a life of poverty and has managed to do a lot of amazing things since. In the process of our conversation we talk about creating a podcast, redemption, rebuilding, imposter syndrome, jail, hitchhiking, and a lot more.

Not to mention the feats this man has done. He has had a hand in welding and building some of the coolest landmarks in Vegas. We talk a little about that too, and so much more.

Terry is one of the coolest dudes I’ve met in Vegas. Great chat, and a great man. Rooting for you brother.

Laterrie McQueen

Facebook

Thanks for reading Finding Where I Fit - Backpacking My Way to My New Home! This post is public so feel free to share it.

Al Hagan joins the show. We start this chat talking about hitchhiking. From there we chat about AI, Hollwood. Al is a quiet soul and an excellent listener. He may even put me in a book of his. We’ll see. All in all this was a fun little chat. Have a listen.

Al Hagan

Linktree

Pre Order: Crescent City Shootout

Alphe Fruin is back and we talk about life and art. I talk about my misadventures in Vegas, and Alphe talks about his comic. We have a great back and forth about travel, his latest work, and the importance of stories from our childhoods. The idea for Alphe’s latest comic comes from a particular story, and we dive deep into that.

On top of that, it’s just great to see him doing well and being in a better place. Alphe, love chatting with you and good luck with your comic. To everyone else? Take a listen.

Alphe Fruin

Kickstarter

Thanks for reading Finding Where I Fit - Backpacking My Way to My New Home! This post is public so feel free to share it.

It’s been longer than expected but it’s been an interesting week and a half. I’ll write about it in the weeks to come. In the meantime, here’s my chat with Rick Partlow.

Rick Partlow joins the podcast! We start talking about midlife crisises and getting to figuring out where we fit in the world. We talk politics and just chat about life in general, and then we get into Rick’s writing career. Rick’s one of the few authors that makes a living entirely from his books and we get a glimpse about how he acheives that, before talking about his latest release.

I enjoyed this chat, and think Rick is pretty cool. Check it out.

Rick Partlow

Contact Front

Author Page

This is Reverend Mary Martin and I met her in her humble aboad in Antiqua, Guatemala. Mary is a writer, crusader, and talks about her history dealing with authority, and making changes in the world. We talk about God, we talk about Guatemala’s history and what she cares about.

This was a fascinating look at the world I was in. Mary was fun and I’m glad I got this opportunity.

Rev. Mary Martin

Website

Youtube

Thanks for reading Finding Where I Fit - Backpacking My Way to My New Home! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This episode was filmed live in Guatemala City. Santo is a hostel owner, lawyer and experienced traveler. We talk about all those lives, the lives I’ve lived, and more. Santo was a cool dude and when I go to Guatemala, definitely look him up.

Santo Azar

Youtube

Instagram

Tiktok

Thanks for reading Finding Where I Fit - Backpacking My Way to My New Home! This post is public so feel free to share it.

This conversation was an amazing couple of firsts. My first conversation outside of North America. This conversation was recorded live in Belize. Gwendolyn Galvez is a radio personality and podcaster in her own right. I genuinely was impressed by her curiosity and passion and her journey to become who she is is amazing.

We talk her voice acting, podcasting, publishing and doing a book launch in Belize, and much much more. I wish the world was more like Gwendolyn. I truly love people with a zest for life, and she has it in spades. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.

Gwendolyn Galvez

Instagram

Tiktok

Thanks for reading Finding Where I Fit - Backpacking My Way to My New Home! This post is public so feel free to share it.