Living Our Beliefs: Exploring Faith & Religion in Daily Life

Episode 51.
My friend and fellow podcaster, Beatriz Nour, takes the helm for this special episode. Beatriz normally hosts her In-betweenish podcast, a wonderful show all about people, like herself, who inhabit multiple cultures. For this episode, we have switched roles, and talk about my personal faith path, sorting out my sexuality, choosing Judaism and deepening my practice. It was fascinating to be a guest on my own show and be asked questions I had never considered.

Highlights:
00:06:12 Didn't connect with Christianity, explored Jewish faith.
00:09:17 Multiple major life changes caused turmoil.
00:13:33 Parents saw lesbianism as hard but acceptable.
00:23:34 Religious freedom is important; misuse is common.
00:26:31 Talking with God Project started in Berlin, 2014.
00:30:12 Unique experience being part of German synagogue.
00:31:28 Active member of an egalitarian conservative synagogue with female rabbi; anchor for social life, learning, and Jewish practice.

Social Media links for Beatriz at inbetweenish:
Website – https://www.inbetweenish.net/
Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/0CeFBE0vLq00T67HRa38ugv
Apple – htps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/inbetweenish/id1595556530?mt=2&ls=1
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/inbetweenish.pod/

Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisolomon/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066435622271


Transcript:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1851013/episodes/13762300


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 50.
Woman of Valor is Lynne Golodner’s first published novel after six non-fiction books and two poetry collections. This engaging story lets us into the rewarding and complex life of Sally, who took on the Orthodox Judaism of her grandparents. Happily married to Barry and a mother to three young children, she leads a full and contented life, but trouble arrives unexpectedly. In this episode, Lynne talks about Woman of Valor, how the story draws on her own life experiences, authors that inspire her, and her writing in general.

Highlights:
00:05:15 Grew up as a Reform Jew, then became Orthodox, and now affiliates as a Conservative Jew.
00:07:16 Religion structures, spirituality personalizes; community versus individual.
00:10:14 Believe in yourself, accept criticism, revise.
00:20:15 Religious experiences and cooking shaped her life.
00:27:31 Normalize conversation about sexuality; remove stigma
00:32:23 Inspiring authors build series, endure and evolve.

Social Media links for Lynne: 
Website – https://lynnegolodner.com
Your People website – https://yourppl.com
Scotia Road Books – https://scotiaroadbooks.com
Make Meaning podcast – www.makemeaning.org
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/lynnegolodner/
Substack – https://lynnegolodnerauthor.substack.com/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/LynneGolo/
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnegolodner/

Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisolomon/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066435622271


Transcript:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1851013/episodes/13675304


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 49.
Mona grew up in Texas in the 1980s, the only veiled Muslim girl throughout her school years.  Her faith and immigrant family was seen as strange and unknown, yet she was dedicated to her faith, even starting to veil by seven years old, which is earlier than required.  Despite or perhaps because of this extreme minority experience, Mona has dedicated her life to education, most passionate about teaching youth about Islam, and helping them to develop good characters grounded in Islam.  She takes pride in the long list of courses and books she has created, while acknowledging that future generations will approach life differently than her generation has, due to the increased social diversity, among other things. 


Highlights:
00:06:26 Identity struggles as a young Muslim in Texas.
00:11:29 Courses for adolescents in Southeast Houston, including religious and secular subjects, taught for 20 years.
00:23:16 Youth work challenges and solutions during COVID.
00:30:02 Multicultural center helps refugee kids access programming.
00:34:46 Religion not welcome in public schools, diversity encouraged.
00:40:32 Young people navigate future with right decisions.
00:42:43 Focus on common ground, appreciate differences.

Social Media links for Mona:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmonaislam/
Website – Dr.MonaIslam.com
Facebook, personal – https://www.facebook.com/mona.islam.9619/
Facebook, professional – https://www.facebook.com/dr.monaislam22/
MCC Texas – https://www.facebook.com/MCCTexas
Multicultural Center – https://www.multiculturalcenter.net/
Rabata – https://www.rabata.org/board-of-directors/
The Islamic Seminary of America – https://islamicseminary.us/

Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisolomon/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066435622271


Transcript:   https://www.buzzsprout.com/1851013/episodes/13586018-teaching-youth-about-islam-dr-mona-islam


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?  Email  Méli – [email protected]

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

Episode 48.
As a columnist (The New York Times, the Daily Beast and elsewhere), speaker, published author, recovering attorney and practicing Muslim, Wajahat Ali brings a sharp eye and thoughtful commentary to the issue of religion in our modern world, especially the USA. The current political dissension and aggressive efforts by the right wing and Christian nationalists to impose their values regarding education and health care on all Americans, as well as the ceding of religion by liberals, raises critical issues. In this lively discussion we address a few of the related challenges, including religious liberty and illiteracy, religion as a cocoon against modernity, how to bridge the divides, and the role of fear in driving antagonism and protectionism. Discussing these issue and how religion plays a role is timely.

Highlights:
00:04:00 Post-9/11, Muslims face discrimination and fear.
00:17:30 White Supremacy fuels bigotry against Jews, Muslims.
00:23:36 Traditions and identities shaping multicultural society.
00:28:28 Living in fear activates stress, impairs judgment, and turns people inward, selfish, and ignorant. Privileged individuals fear the gays and trans community, forgetting they face the same hate. Religion can act as a cocoon, but also as a sword against perceived enemies.
00:35:33 Take control of your actions and intentions.
00:41:06 Religious weakness of liberals and Democrats explained.
00:48:33 Intentionality in Islam leads to selfless love.

References:
Mallory McMorrow, Democratic State Senator (Michigan) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLWo8B1R0MY

Social Media links for Wajahat:
Website – https://www.wajali.com
NY Times opinion piece, 23 June 2023 – https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/23/opinion/lgbtq-muslims.html?searchResultPosition=1
NY Times opinion piece, 16 Aug. 2023  – https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/16/opinion/albuquerque-shia-sunni.html?action=click&module=RelatedLinks&pgtype=Article

Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisolomon/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066435622271

Transcript: 
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1851013/episodes/13500414


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?  Email  Méli – [email protected]

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

Episode 47.
David has traveled far, religiously speaking, from his upbringing in a largely secular Jewish home. Other than attending services at a Reform synagogue on Boston’s North Shore, there was minimal observance. Since then, he has gone through many phases, including flirting with atheism and participating in his college Hillel services, all the while maintaining the Jewish identity inherited from his parents. Over the past few years, he has found a mélange of communities. Participating in the local Chabad House and online learning with the Torah Studio satisfy his intellectual, service attendance and spiritual needs. While combining Orthodox and liberal communities is unusual, it suits David well. Besides his religious life, he is a practicing attorney in a non-profit firm and finds a meaningful connection between the law and Talmudic study, whereby both majority and minority opinions are preserved and honored. Additionally, he and his family spend as much time as possible in his wife’s native home of Mallorca, Spain, where he revels in the vibrant collection of Jews attending the one synagogue.


Highlights:
00:03:41 Rediscovering Jewish identity through college and beyond.
00:08:20 Comfortably exploring Jewish identity, politically liberal. Found fitting communities through happenstance.
00:13:22 "The bathroom thing: Strange but practical prayer"
00:23:21 Unexpected encounter leads to involvement with Chabad.
00:33:51 Supportive spouse from Spain integrates into Jewish life.
00:39:13 Judaism and law practice share connections.

Social Media links for David:
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-satin-8367b92b/
Niv Magazine – https://nivmag.com/


Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisolomon/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066435622271

Transcript:   https://www.buzzsprout.com/1851013/episodes/13460103-combining-jewish-paths-david-satin


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?  Email  Méli – [email protected]

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

Episode 46.
Having traversed the spectrum of Christian denominations – from the middle (United Methodist) to the conservative (Pentecostal) then all the way to the liberal (Unitarian Universalist) – Carlton has derived a rich and appreciative perspective on living according to Jesus’ teachings.  As he notes in the Introduction of Try My Jesus: “Anyone who invites you to try Jesus is inviting you to try their Jesus.”  Structured as a year’s worth of daily reflections, Carlton quotes from the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John – the four Evangelists who were contemporaries of Jesus.  He then includes his own reflections and a prompt for the reader.  These various parts for each day offer opportunities to reflect on Jesus’ teachings and how you are applying them as you take responsibility for your spiritual life.  Guiding messages are to lead a life centered in love and compassion, and that you can be fully yourself and follow the teachings of Jesus.  This is especially relevant to those on the margins of society and subject to discrimination and hate. 

Highlights:
00:08:51 Unitarian Universalism accepts diverse beliefs, including atheism.
00:10:46 Jesus is a child of God, like us.
00:15:48 Love, civil rights, and justice shape beliefs.
00:20:24 Summary: Four gospels highlight Jesus' teachings, audience includes marginalized and those seeking love.
00:26:08 Gospels ordered, structure carefully maintained, consistent reading.
00:30:36 Relying on myself, not religious leaders.
00:40:42 Seek within, find integrity, embrace love.

Social Media links for Carlton: 
Website – trymyjesus.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/trymyjesus
Instagram – carlton.e.smith19

Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisolomon/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066435622271

Transcript:    https://www.buzzsprout.com/1851013/episodes/13379521

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?  Email  Méli – [email protected]

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

Episode 45.
In this second conversation with Mookie, we expanded the discussion of diversity and the ways he embodies his Catholic faith. The two main areas are his tattoos that manage to marry his Filipino and Catholic identities, and his pilgrimage in August
2022 on the Camino de Santiago.

Highlights:
00:04:39 Diversity and race in the US.

00:13:34 The guest’s tattoo and its symbolism, including references to his Christian faith and Filipino heritage. The tattoo represents creation, crucifixion, and the concept of redemption and healing.

00:21:53 Camino de Santiago: A meaningful, diverse pilgrimage.

00:36:48 The Camino reminded him of lost hopes and dreams and brought back a sense of purpose. 

References:
Isabel Wilkerson, Caste – https://www.isabelwilkerson.com/
US Census through the Decades – https://www.census.gov/data-tools/demo/race/MREAD_1790_2010.html
Camino de Santiago – https://followthecamino.com/en/camino-de-santiago-routes/

Social Media links for Mookie: 
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mookie-manalili/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/mr.man.of.lily/

Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisolomon/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066435622271


Transcript:    https://www.buzzsprout.com/1851013/episodes/13298063-embodying-faith-tattoos-and-pilgrimage-mookie-manalili

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?  Email  Méli – [email protected]

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

Episode 44.
As a psychotherapist, professor and researcher, Mookie believes in attending to the whole person. For him, this care includes his Catholic practice. For his clients, faith or root beliefs might also be included. Mookie has arrived at his philosophy of therapy and groundedness in Catholicism through a circuitous route. Born in the Philippines, raised in California, followed by graduate studies and work over a multi-stage eastward journey across the US, he has landed at Boston College, a Jesuit institution where he has found a home. Each place has had its own Catholicism, from the pink-habited nuns in the Philippines to the Chicano inflection in California and the more stoic version in Boston, while remaining part of the same Church. Despite traversing many communities, he still lives by the values of his childhood – caring for the whole person, with special attention to those at the margins and those who have suffered injustices.

Highlights:
00:05:01 Catholicism shaped and challenged Mookie’s faith journey.
00:06:31 Catholicism's different expressions, faith, and justice.
00:10:43 Mookie’s journey of darkness and light.
00:24:31 Integration of culture, faith, and therapy in practice.
00:37:31 Embodied, sacramental nature of things: Catholic faith.

References:
·       Dorothy Day, The Long Loneliness
·       Thomas Merton, No Man is an Island
·       Catholic Worker – https://catholicworker.org/
·       Ignatian Spirituality – https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/

 
Social Media links for Mookie: 
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/mookie-manalili/
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/mr.man.of.lily/

Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisolomon/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066435622271


Transcript:    https://www.buzzsprout.com/1851013/episodes/13213541

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?  Email  Méli – [email protected]

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

Episode 43.
Zachary Davis, a lifelong member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (or Mormons), has been deeply involved in producing podcasts and other media about religion. In this Bonus episode, we discuss the role of religion in the public sphere. He talks about the importance of bringing your whole self into the community, and makes the distinction between scholarly work and devotional practice. Part of his own public expression of his faith is through the various podcasts and publications he produces and manages, including the Ministry of Ideas podcast and Faith Matters magazine.


Highlights:
·       Zach’s first HarvardX work with professors at Harvard Divinity School led to years of ‘swimming in religion’ and thinking more deeply about the role of faith. 

·       The Ministry of Ideas podcast and Faith Matters magazine are both vehicles for discussing religion in the public sphere.

·       The separation of church and state really means not establishing a state religion.

·       Scholarship on religion and religious devotional practice are two different things, and not at odds. 

·       The US is a unique country, given the diversity of religions. Living together peaceably and respectfully is important.  

·       Attending services and reading the holy scriptures of other religions are ways we can each learn about other paths.

Social Media links for Zachary: 
Website – https://www.zacharystevendavis.com/about
Ministry of Ideas podcast – https://www.ministryofideas.org/about/
Faith Matters – https://faithmatters.org/about/
Wayfare Magazine –http://wayfaremagazine.org/
Twitter – https://twitter.com/zacharysdavis
Note: The Ministry of Ideas podcast and Wayfare magazine are both vehicles for discussing religion in the public sphere.


Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisolomon/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066435622271

Transcript:    https://www.buzzsprout.com/1851013/episodes/13129045-bonus-religion-in-the-public-sphere-with-zachary-davis


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?  Email  Méli – [email protected]

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

Episode 42
Peter, author of Stop the Tall Man, Save the Tiger, describes his journey through a small Christian religious cult. Getting drawn in was not his intention, and he believes that no one knows they’re in a cult, just that they were in a cult. For Peter, the group was an unavoidable aspect of marrying the love of his life. Neither the cult nor his experience in the cult is what you would expect. The particularities of his faith story open the mysterious world of a cult, the common characteristics of the leader – narcissistic, charismatic, and manipulative – and the journey of survival. As Peter describes his long process regaining sanity and custody of his children, there is redemption in surviving, for which he is grateful.   

Highlights:
·      Peter Young’s life, work, and faith
·      The danger of the leader’s slow deceit and twisting of biblical text
·      Understanding that salvation stories are unique to each individual
·      The leader, Uncle Robert, influenced Peter’s marriage and family
·      Distinguishing a cult from a strong culture
·      Importance of faith in getting through tough times and not putting identity solely in a profession

References:
New Yorker, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/07/12/what-makes-a-cult-a-cult

Social Media links for Peter:   
Website – https://www.authorpeteryoung.com
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterbyoung/
Facebook – @Peteryoung32 
YouTube – @authorpeteryoung 
Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/Stop-Tall-Man-Save-Tiger-ebook/

Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisolomon/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100066435622271


Transcript:    https://www.buzzsprout.com/1851013/episodes/13056749


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?  Email  Méli – [email protected]

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