Living Our Beliefs: Exploring Faith & Religion in Daily Life

Episode 81. 
When you are swamped by tragedy and darkness, when all you are seeing is broken and the worst that society has to offer, what does your faith offer you? For Will Berry, a paramedic for 14 years, his Christian faith provides a loving God, and the presence of light in the situation, perhaps his own God-given skills and ability are the light in the darkness.

This is the first half of my conversation with Will. The second half will be released in two weeks. 

Highlights:
·       Will Berry's religious background – core beliefs and changing denominations

·       The tension between the theoretical understanding of faith and real-world challenges.

·       God is all-powerful; faith bridges the mysterious gaps.

·       Being compassionate and attentive in emergencies. 

·       Handling chaotic situations involving crime, addiction, and mental health.

·       The role of faith in providing light in dark situations – being an instrument of light and hope

Bio:
Will Berry has been in EMS for 14 years.  He currently works as a flight paramedic in North Carolina, but has spent the majority of his career as a paramedic on an ambulance responding to 911 calls in a busy city. He has been a Christian since a young age and is heavily influenced by his faith and spiritual journey. He is married and is the father to two young girls. In addition to working in EMS he has been a whitewater rafting guide, ski patroller, and wilderness guide in the rocky mountains.

Social Media links for Will:
Instagram – @emscast
EMSCast podcast (co-hosted with Ross Orpet)


Social Media links for Méli:
Website – Talking with God Project
LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
Facebook – Meli Solomon


Transcript in Buzzsprout


Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise:  Is your way similar or different?  Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore?  Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet. 

Comments?  Questions? Email  Méli at – [email protected]
 

The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project. 

Episode 80.   Bonus.
Wedding ceremonies are universal and central to many religious and cultural groups. But they vary widely. In this conversation with four guests from different religious traditions – Judaism, Mormonism, Islam and the Baha'i faith – we explore the role of the officiant, who that is, the role of the Divine, contracts and other things. This conversation grew out of the Elevate Podcasting summit hosted by BYU Broadcasting. Steve Perry, host of their In Good Faith podcast, has joined me in co-hosting this discussion.


Highlights:
·       Is a religious leader required?

·       Role of the Divine in wedding ceremonies

·       Marriage contracts

·       Cultural and religious 

·       Till death do us part or for eternity

References:
Islamic marriage contract – Khutbah Nikah
Jewish marriage contract – Ketubah
Jewish Ketubah examples – Ketubah.com
Sharon Brous – The Amen Effect

Social Media links for guests:
Steve Perry, co-host – In Good Faith podcast
Uzma Jafri – Mommying While Muslim  podcast
Uzma Jafri, Instagram –  @mommyingwhilemuslimpodcast
Uzma Jafri – Mommying While Muslim website
Nava Kavelin – Podcrushed podcast
Lex Rofeberg – Judaism Unbound podcast
Carl Youngblood – Mormon Transhumanist Association website

Social Media links for Méli:
Website – Talking with God Project
LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
Facebook – Meli Solomon


Transcript on Buzzsprout

Other episodes with groups:

• Are Ancient Religions Relevant Today?
• Three Jews Explore Psalm 105

Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. 
 

The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project. 

Episode 79. 
In this conversation, Cassidy and I talk about her evolving, contemplative spiritual expression and identity as a queer Christian. We also touch on her view of scripture and incorporating various theologies and poetry as she finds comfort in paradoxes. Thanks go to the Elevate Podcasting Summit recently hosted by BYU Radio, where we met and recorded this conversation.

 
Highlights:
·       Cassidy Hall's Spiritual Journey and queer Christian spirituality.

·       Exploration of Faith: Embracing spiritual paradox; seeking expansive belonging.

·       Influence of mystics and desert elders

·       Contemplative spirituality: Silence holds paradox, presence, absence.

·       Engagement with Queerness in Christianity

·       Cassidy's evolving faith practice

·       Acceptance of uncertainty and communal prayer river.

References:
Audrey Lorde – Uses of the Erotic (essay)

Bio:
Rev. Cassidy Hall (she/her), MA, MDiv, MTS, is an author, award-winning filmmaker, podcaster, ordained in the United Church of Christ, and author of Queering Contemplation: Finding Queerness in the Roots and Future of Contemplative Spirituality. She is the cohost of the Encountering Silence podcast and the creator of the Contemplating Now and Queering Contemplation podcasts. Her films include In Pursuit of Silence and Day of a Stranger. Cassidy is widely published and currently resides in Indianapolis, where she is studying for her doctorate degree. You can learn more about her at cassidyhall.com

Transcript on Buzzsprout

More episodes with LGBTQ guests:

Kyle Desrosiers

Carlton Smith

Luis Menéndez-Antuña

Social Media links for Cassidy:
Website – www.cassidyhall.com
Book – Queering Contemplation
Instagram – instagram.com/casshall

Social Media links for Méli:
Website – Talking with God Project
LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
Facebook – Meli Solomon


Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. 
 

The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project. 

Episode 78. 
Father Aaron Solberg joined me to talk about his personal experience converting from the Orthodox Judaism of his childhood and his current practice of Christianity in a remote Canadian village. These are experiences few of us have, so it's wonderful to hear his stories. Although Aaron is a priest, he is not speaking here as a representative of his Anglican church. 


Highlights:
·       Jewish practice seen as "legalistic," leading to feelings of obligation and guilt.

·       Importance of structure and discipline.

·       Appreciation for communal aspects of both Jewish and Christian services.

·       Shift from fear-based obedience to love-driven practices in Christianity.

·       Human struggle with discipline and imperfection.

Bio:
Father Aaron Solberg is an Anglican priest, composer, husband, and father living in the Canadian North. A convert from Judaism, he originally worked as a conductor and cellist in Germany before feeling a calling to ministry. After studying theology, he served in Baker Lake, Nunavut, (in the Canadian Arctic) and now leads St. John's Anglican Church in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. He is the father of two young boys and writes about family life and faith, fostering a deeper understanding of spirituality within his community. In his free time, he focuses on writing and composing new music for various ensembles. 

Transcript on Buzzsprout

More episodes with converts:

Katrina Kincade

Rabbi Tara Feldman

Jeanne Blasberg

Social Media links for Aaron:
Website – www.thesolbergs.family
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/theanglicanfamily/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/theanglicanfamily
TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@theanglicanfamily 

Social Media links for Méli:
Website – Talking with God Project
LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
Facebook – Meli Solomon
Email – [email protected]

Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise:  Is your way similar or different?  Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore?  Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet. 

The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project. 

Episode 77.
This is the second of a two-part series with my guest is Aviva Stein. In part one, we talked about her Jewish practice at UMass Amherst, where she is now a senior. Part two covers her engagement on campus in support of Israel and the dynamic on campus last year around the Israel/Palestine issue. She describes several conversations where she gained new perspectives and understanding.

These kinds of conversations have been difficult both on and off campus, especially this past year. That said, I for one remain committed to interreligious dialogue, and learning from each other. So, if you or someone you know is a Muslim student who might be willing share their experience, please get in touch. You can reach me through my website – www.talkingwithgodproject.org.

Bio:
Aviva graduated from Gann Academy, the Jewish day school in Waltham MA, in 2021, and is now a senior at UMass Amherst, majoring in Food Science. At UMass, Aviva is involved in both the Food Science Department and in Hillel, the campus organization supporting Jewish students.

Aviva serves on various executive boards and committees related to both Food Science and Jewish life, and has earned numerous awards for her work. Most recently she received the 2023-2024 StandWithUs Movement Builder Award for Creativity and Impact, an award based on her deep understanding of the campus climate.

Highlights:
·       Aviva's campus involvement and the Israel-Palestine issue

·       Finding common ground and the importance of active listening.

·       Increasing understanding and the ability to connect amid disagreements

·       Understanding pro-Palestinian students' pain and perspective

·       Disruptions and activities led by Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP)

Social Media links for Aviva:
UMass Hillel website – https://www.umasshillel.org
StandWithUs website – https://www.standwithus.com
StandWithUs Instagram @StandWithUs and @StandWithUs_Campus
Newman Catholic Center on UMass Amherst - https://www.newmanumass.org
Office of Religious and Spiritual Life – https://www.umass.edu/orsl/
Students for Justice in Palestine – https://www.nationalsjp.org

Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project website
LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
Facebook – Meli Solomon


Transcript:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1851013/episodes/15815911-on-campus-protest-or-conversation-aviva-stein


Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise:  Is your way similar or different?  Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore?  Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet. 

Comments?  Questions? Email  Méli at – [email protected]
 

The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project. 

Episode 76.
In part one, we talk about her Jewish practice at UMass Amherst, where she is now a senior. Part two will cover her engagement on campus in support of Israel and the need for bridge building. Given the tensions on many campuses last year around the Israel/Palestine situation, talking to some college students is timely. I am eager to also speak with a Muslim student who can share their experience, so if you or someone you know is interested, please get in touch. You can reach me through my website – www.talkingwithgodproject.org.

Bio:
Aviva graduated from Gann Academy, the Jewish day school in Waltham MA, in 2021, and is now a senior at UMass Amherst, majoring in Food Science. At UMass, Aviva is involved in both the Food Science Department and in Hillel, the campus organization supporting Jewish students.

Aviva serves on various executive boards and committees related to both Food Science and Jewish life, and has earned numerous awards for her work. Most recently she received the 2023-2024 StandWithUs Movement Builder Award for Creativity and Impact, an award based on her deep understanding of the campus climate.

Highlights:
00:00 Modern Orthodox students need place to observe Shabbat.

05:53 Balancing Shabbat observance with secular relationships.

08:52 Disconnecting from phones fosters real-life community interactions.

10:25 Hillel supports Jewish college students' diverse needs.

14:28 Gender roles provide clear, valued community participation.

20:15 Finding other ways to feel valued, contributing

22:29 Valuing everyone fosters belonging across all identities.

Social Media links for Aviva:
UMass Hillel website – https://www.umasshillel.org
StandWithUs website – https://www.standwithus.com
UMass Food Science website – https://www.umass.edu/food-science/
StandWithUs Instagram @StandWithUs and @StandWithUs_Campus 

Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project website
LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
Facebook – Meli Solomon


Transcript on Buzzsprout  

Other episodes with young(ish) guests:

• Katrina Kincade
• R. Bec Richman
• Emi Fermin

Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise:  Is your way similar or different?  Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore?  Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet. 

Comments?  Questions? Email  Méli at – [email protected]
 

The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project. 

Episode 75.
In celebration of my 75th podcast episode, I am highlighting three different ways that people live their ancient religion today. I talk about keeping Kosher (Jewish dietary laws), Sue Howard shares her evangelical Christian tenet of the Nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit, and Katrina Kincade explains her conversion or reversion to Islam and starting to wear a hijab (Muslim veil) at work. 

Highlights:
·       Daily practice makes abstract concepts real. 

·       We live into our religion over time. It evolves as we learn and change. 

·       Meli – Kashrut (Jewish dietary laws) infuses daily life with holiness.

·       Sue – Nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit gifts.

·       Sue – Pursuing spiritual life leads to bring peace and joy, blessing and love.

·       Katrina – Finding balance and peace in Islam during tumultuous times.

·       Katrina – Starting to wear a hijab at work. 

References:
Nine Fruits of the Holy Spirit [Galatians 5:22-23] – “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  NIV 

Mussar, a Jewish practice – https://mussarinstitute.org

Sue Howard's podcast episode 'A Gift from God for a Christian' 

Katrina Kincade's podcast episode 'A New Public Muslim Face'


Social Media links for Sue:
LinkedIn – Sue Howard
Holistic Leadership website
Grove Books, collection on spirituality
The Vineyard Church 

Social Media links for Katrina:   
LinkedIn – Katrina Kincade
Instagram – @katrinakincade
Twitter – @katrinaknews
TikTok – @katrinatheereporter 

Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project website
LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
Facebook – Meli Solomon


Transcript:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1851013/episodes/15619902-are-ancient-religions-relevant-today-meli-solomon-sue-howard-and-katrina-kincade


Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise:  Is your way similar or different?  Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore?  Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet. 

Comments?  Questions? Email  Méli at – [email protected]
 

The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project. 

Episode 74.
Rabbi David Levin-Kruss is a Jerusalem-based life coach, educator, and community organizer. David sees himself as a bridge between Jewish wisdom and those who want to utilize this wisdom to live more meaningful lives. In this conversation, we talk about his coaching practice often using a text to explore issues in the client’s life.

David has held educational and leadership positions at the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Pardes Institute of Jewish Studies, Melitz Centers for Jewish Zionist Education and at Stanmore Synagogue in north-west London.

Highlights:
·       Basics of coaching: forward-looking, strength-based, and problem-solving approach

·       Coaching as a mechanism and the client already having the answers within them

·       Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’ view on coaching and contemporary problems

·       Technique of reframing negative texts or songs into positive messages

·       Emphasis on peace over absolute truth or justice in a Jewish law court

·       Differences between education and coaching, emphasizing the role of the teacher in drawing out understanding within the student

·       Value of interreligious dialogue and listening to people teach their own faith's texts

Social Media links for David:
Email – [email protected]
Article about David’s methodology – https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-tinkertoy-kid-2/


Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project
LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
Facebook – Meli Solomon


Transcript:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1851013/episodes/15548253-texts-meet-a-jewish-coaching-methodology-david-levin-kruss


Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise:  Is your way similar or different?  Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore?  Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet. 

Comments?  Questions? Email  Méli at – [email protected]
 

The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project. 

Episode 73. 
Prianka Alam has retained the dedication to helping her family and Muslim community in Maryland that she learned as a young immigrant child. The financial uncertainty growing up has prompted a craving for stability and security as an adult, in short a boring life. These desires drove Prianka to focus on her education, career path and a husband who would be Muslim and a good partner for future children. She has found all of that and more, though it brings the expected stress and demand to wear many hats – DEI professional, wife, mother, daughter, student of Islam and volunteer as a board member of Penny Appeal USA. COVID increased the need to juggle competing demands, while Ramadan offers her ease, more open time for studying the Qur’an, and guiding her children. 

Highlights:
·       It is difficult to be a Muslim in the US, but she’s grateful for the struggle. 

·       Government policies and social attitudes affect how she lives as a Muslim. The family’s safety is always considered.

·       She’s rarely seen colleagues who are also Muslim, a woman of color, or South Asian. 

·       Islam inspires her to work with purpose and help those in need. 

·       Ramadan is an opportunity to study the Qur’an and celebrate with her family and community.


References:
Yaqeen Institute – https://yaqeeninstitute.org/what-islam-says-about

Social Media links for Prianka:
Penny Appeal USA – https://pennyappealusa.org/

Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project
LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
Facebook – Meli Solomon


Transcript:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1851013/episodes/15468085-a-muslim-woman-in-corporate-america-prianka-alam-rerelease


Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise:  Is your way similar or different?  Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore?  Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet. 

Comments?  Questions? Email  Méli at – [email protected]
 

The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project. 

Episode 72.  
After two-and-a-half years of consistent podcast production, I am taking a short break. To ensure you have something to listen to, I am re-releasing episodes. You are also welcome to look through the back catalogue and listen to other episodes you might have missed. Thanks as always for your interest and support.  

Today’s re-release is episode 53, featuring Abdur-Rahman Syed. Abdur-Rahman, a Muslim raised in Karachi Pakistan, he currently  lives in three countries, carrying the richness of his interreligious extended family and early experience of adjusting to various cultural environments. Fortified by these formative years and his years in marketing, Abdur-Rahman is creating a book called Prophetic Persuasion. Using words of four prophets from the Abrahamic faiths, he stresses the value of common messages through which people can influence others and establish a moral compass. In conversation, we explore the challenges of bringing such sources into the workplace and how to balance uniqueness of vision and need to find common ground among other things. 

 A note from my guest, Abdur-Rahman: “Meli and I approached our conversation with caution given the backdrop of the escalating Israel-Palestine war. I fear I was too cautious in distancing myself from the conflict. While some things are complex, others are simple. We must continue to seek dialogue while also speaking for justice and for peace.”


Highlights:

·       Prophetic Persuasion elements derived from biblical and Quranic prophets:  Moses, Jesus, Joseph, and Mohammed

·       Framework: listen, give, connect, imagine, invite, love. 

·       Enriching lives and providing a moral compass in the business world 

·       Challenges of discussing faith in the workplace

·       Business application of the ‘Listen before you speak’ principle.

·       Risk of selectively interpreting scriptures and traditions

·       Different interpretations based on proximity to the source

Social Media links for Abdur-Rahman Syed:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/abdurrahmansyed
Website – www.propheticpersuasion.org

Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project
LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
Facebook – Meli Solomon


Transcript:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1851013/episodes/15398179-islamic-prophetic-persuasion-abdur-rahman-syed-summer-rerelease


Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise:  Is your way similar or different?  Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore?  Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet. 

Comments?  Questions? Email  Méli at – [email protected]
 

The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project.