Hunkered down at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, podcast host Cheri Jamison and her husband Ben talk about spirituality and religion during times of crisis. We get real about self-care, forgiving ourselves, embracing our humanity, spiritual alignment, and exciting hand washing videos. 

“It’s really easy to make up stories, particularly religious ones, because there’s so much stress. Now is the time for giving yourself and others a lot of grace.” ~Cheri Jamison

benandcherijamison.com

Comedian and teacher Gerry Katzman views humor as a tool for personal growth. By boldly exploring and sharing what’s weird, hard, scary, and bugs you about your religious past, we can neutralize shame and turn it into medicine. We also discuss antisemitism, how The Artist’s Way revealed his spirituality and how laughter is the sound of people realizing they’re not alone.

“Jokes have two parts: the AHA and the HAHA. Together, they are a marvelous healing thing.” ~Gerry Katzman

standupcomedyclass.com

Susan Cottrell helps parents love and embrace their LGBTQ kids and answer faith-based questions. After 20+ years in the Evangelical church, she chose her queer daughter and left the non-affirming church. We talk about fractured family dynamics, fear of hell from a parent’s point of view, and the most challenging Bible verses people come to her with relating to LGBTQ children.

“If we’re doing gymnastics with Bible verses to try to prove this group is wrong, then we’re wrong.” ~Susan Cottrell

www.freedhearts.org

Growing up in England with Edgar Cayce’s teachings (A.R.E.), Alethea Lamb’s spirituality evolved organically. At 18, she lived with Tibetan nuns and met the Dalai Lama. After being introduced to Siddha Yoga, she lived at that ashram for a year. Her inner experience guiding her, she now follows MSIA, the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness, a spiritual path founded by John-Roger. 

“Trust that everything in your past has been on purpose and perfect for your journey.” ~Alethea Lamb

radianthealthandfitness.com 

As a young girl, Safira always had a feeling there had to be more to God than what she learned as a Presbyterian. Since being invited to a Sufi dance in her early 20s, Sufism has become her spiritual home for the past 30 years. Her mother-in-law disapproves, but they continue to have courageous conversations about their religious differences. We talk about whirling dervishes, zikr, prayer, and how it all boils down to love.

“Sufism is eat, dance, pray instead of eat, pray, love.” ~Safira

ruhaniat.org

After a sheltered childhood in a Baptist household, Demond Alverez was surprised when he started seeing auras, having vivid dreams, and tuning into messages from beyond the veil. He was lucky to find resources and others going through similar experiences, which calmed his concerns about these unexpected gifts. He’s now a spiritual life coach, author, and guide helping people put action to their heart’s desires.

“It’s gonna be a lifelong journey, so there’s no rush.” ~Demond Alverez

fb.me/CreativeSoulNewOrleans

As an Evangelical Southern Baptist preacher’s kid from the South, Deb Schrodt’s whole world centered around church and pleasing the elders. Her spiritual journey was a search for what felt authentic in love, music, and church. Ironically, Deb found love at Exodus International, a gay conversion group. She claimed her unique relationship with God and now writes affirming spiritual music.

“If I had known it was okay to be my authentic self, I would have been that much sooner.” ~Deb Schrodt

debbieschrodt.com

When Brock Ford’s strict Southern Baptist grandparents found out he was gay, his own family members broke into his home and assaulted him with a Bible. He left town afraid for his life and started over in Dallas, slowly working through the hurt and shame. After 30 years, he’s following his call to ministry and hopes his story will inspire families to ask questions and seek understanding rather than revert to violence. 

“It’s okay not to think it’s okay. Show compassion to yourself.” ~Brock Ford

The Sci-Fi book “Stranger in a Strange Land” was formative for Michael Maday at age 12. Though Catholic as a youth, he leaned towards more Eastern teachers such as Alan Watts (Zen) and Swami Muktananda (Siddha Yoga). We discuss the value of discipleship and the essence behind the intellectual surface of religion: a direct experience of the spiritual Self.

“We’re moving away from a structured religion focused [approach] to one that’s more relaxed, but not less disciplined.” ~Michael Maday

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France Anne was raised Baptist in France until she decided at age 17 not to go back to church. She became indifferent, satisfied with her own definition of God and stopped questioning life. The program “Recovering from Religion” helped her see how indoctrinated she was. We discuss differences between France and the US approach to religion.

“In France, 30% of people declare they are atheists and 64% are non-religious. Very few people question themselves about spirituality.” ~France Anne

Recoveringfromreligion.org