Hello from my week long hiatus! While I was absent from you ears I was out in LA where I had a beer and talked all things music with my friend Mara. We discuss the importance of music in our own lives and then dive into a more than enthusiastic discussion about a few songs that have been emotionally significant to Mara over the past few years. Artists we talk about include MUNA, Lady Gaga, EDEN, and Hayley Kiyoko. Of course, we couldn't end an Our Daily Beard podcast without answering the question: "What makes a piece of music both spiritual and queer?" Oh, and this pod comes with a drinking game--take a shot every time you heard the word "connect." I guarantee this will be the most enjoyable podcast you've ever listened to if you engage ;) Mara's socials: @maracgillis @iammaracg; My socials: @ourdailybeardpodcast @_erosececilia

I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS. On this heart-filled, passion-filled, joyful episode my good pal Cesca joins me to chat about how she connects her spirituality to her work as a doula! As she describes in the pod, "Being a doula means you are setting the environment for change to be okay." She graciously walks us through the intricacies of her practice, as well as her deep vocational calling to work with black and brown people under 30 desiring "full-spectrum family planning and pregnancy experiences." We talk about the role of accompaniment, decision making, and observing the sacredness of art and life in yourself and in the people around you. As she describes in the pod, "It's just about letting every moment be brand new."

This week we are exploring my most recent feat: my dissertation! Many of you have been asking for an explanation of what I was studying for over a year, so I thought I would wrap it all up in a nice holiday podcast mini episode gift for you. My master's thesis consists of a rewriting of the Catholic liturgy to argue that there is, what I define as, a "shared poetics" between Catholic ritual and queer poetry. On my blog (https://www.emilyrosewin.com) you'll find a basic outline of the project you can follow along with while listening. Enjoy! 

A natural storyteller, fiery spirit, gentle soul, and sister-friend, Sarah joins me to share her childhood experiences of growing up with a Christian mom and a Catholic dad in the face of near-death experiences, conversion, and coming out. She walks me through growing up in a heavily mixed religious household, coming into her own sense of self and spirituality, and understanding dating someone in gender transition. She graces us with the wisdom that comes from embracing life's awkward and upsetting moments with a sense of realistic positivity. We question the social and religious implications of showing up to particular identities and what that means in terms of first impressions, childbearing, privilege, and familial relationships. Stay tuned for an insane story about magical spiders!

Did you ever think a podcast on spirituality and queerness could also be comical? Neither did I! Did you ever think that Aldi (the grocery store) could be both spiritual and queer? Neither did I! Join me and my pal Louie Hinchliffe as we discuss cultural differences between the UK and America, growing up transgender and non-religious, getting through the dark periods of our lives, and seeking out genuine connection. This high quality content includes random fun facts about mushrooms, discussion of potential drag names, and affirmations supporting our everlasting "YouTube" phases. Stay tuned for when Louie takes over the pod to interview me and ask the resounding rhetorical question: "is searching for the meaning of life just an unachievable goal"?

Editing and production by Emily Win

Artwork by Emily and Lizzie Win

Music by Chris DeGiovine

This very special episode is actually the very first audio ever recorded for the pod! I invited my very inspiring friend Noble to sit on my twin bed (in a 5 x 9 ft room atop piles of moving-out luggage) to talk about his journey from Sikhism to meditative spirituality and the influence of culture in how we observe religion, faith, and queerness. Moreover, we discuss the significant difference between acceptance and celebration in the blurred lines between culture and spirituality.

On this (very long, but worth it!) episode I join my BFF, co-conspirator, and birthday boy Parker Davis to chat about childhood spaces of Catholicism and "homosexuality",  Parker's work with L'Arche communities around the world, re-envisioning "Catholic" love and community, moving through the metaphorical "deserts" of life, and finding hope. So many things! Listen if you want some warm friendship content, some awkward laughs, and some really serious moments where we think through what the heck life is and how we navigate it as young queers with ever-changing spiritualities.

--It should be noted that this episode was recorded in my childhood closet--

[apologies for some rocky audio b/c of this...thank you for understanding!]

As an introduction to the series, I talk about where "our daily beard' comes from, my Catholic background, and the "vocations" available to queer womxn.

Writing and editing by Emily Win

Artwork by Emily and Lizzie Win

Music by Chris DeGiovine