In this episode, we answer a listener question and then queer Matthew 17:1–9 for the second Sunday in Lent. The Transfiguration as a powerful coming out story and when we reflect on Jesus taking his closest friends up the mountain, revealing something radiant and vulnerable about his identity, and asking them to hold that truth tenderly for a time, it's an experience that resonates deeply with queer and trans journeys of self-disclosure. This is the moment of courage for Jesus and encourages us to also claim who we are even when the road ahead is uncertain or costly. The Transfiguration becomes not just a spectacle, but an intimate revelation, a holy transformation, and good news for anyone navigating identity, fear, and faith.

Resources:

• Learn more and join the Community at https://www.queertheology.com/community

In this solo episode, Fr. Shannon is sharing his curated list of favorite books about theology, prayer, memoir, the Bible, and in-depth study- which is perfect for anyone looking to deepen their faith with a queer and justice-centered lens. He reflects on the texts that have shaped his theology and imagination and highlights transformative prayer resources. He also offers his go-to Bible study tools for serious Biblical-themed nerding out, resources that have stretched, grounded, and inspired his faith. Whether you're brand new to Queer Theology, ready to go deeper, or need some reading inspo, this episode is packed with thoughtful recommendations to add to your reading list!

Fr. Shay's Must Read List:

• Black Liturgies by Cole Arthur Riley
• Liturgies from Below by Claudio Carvalhaes
• The Divine Hours by Phyllis Tickle
• What Is the Bible? by Rob Bell
• A Black Theology of Liberation by James Cone
• Trans-Gendered: Theology, Ministry, and Communities of Faith by Justin Tanis
• Radical Love: Introduction to Queer Theology by Patrick S. Cheng
• Radical Reinvention by Kaya Oakes
• Take This Bread by Sara Miles
• Binding the Strong Man by Ched Myers
• The New Interpreter's Bible Commentary
• The Jewish Annotated New Testament

Resources:

• Learn more and join the Community at https://www.queertheology.com/community

A guided audio experience for this time of reflection and renewal as we work toward collective liberation.

Signup at queertheology.com/lent

In an inspiring episode, Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg (@rabbidanyaruttenberg) returns to the podcast to explore what it means to treat our lives, and our world, as sacred texts in a time of rising fascism, burnout, and moral confusion. Shaped by decades of organizing, she challenges the false divide between "religious" and "moral" behavior, reminding us that any authentic spiritual life must be rooted in dignity, accountability, and collective liberation. Drawing on Torah, the prophets, and centuries of Jewish wisdom, Danya invites us to reframe sacred text- not as unquestionable doctrine, but as a call to wrestle with, resist empire, and build just systems that protect the most vulnerable. She shares how spiritual practice expanded her activist imagination beyond the limits of our hyper-individualistic culture and why solidarity is the only way home. This is your invitation to fight with those texts, fight for one another, and remember that liberation isn't symbolic, it's collective, embodied, and urgently needed now!

Takeaways

• We have a moral and religious obligation to care for one another.

• Moral and ethical obligations should align with religious beliefs.

• The prophets were angry about the disconnect between ritual and ethical behavior.

• Every human being deserves dignity and respect.

• Engagement with ancient texts can lead to personal transformation.

• The Torah serves as a guide for creating a just society.

• Collective liberation is essential for progress.

• Finding one's identity involves exploration and community engagement.

• Life itself is a sacred text worthy of investigation.

• Solidarity across differences is crucial in today's world.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Life as a Sacred Text

04:19 Moral and Religious Obligations

08:12 Engaging with Ancient Texts

15:14 The Journey Through Torah

20:39 Torah as Liberation

23:54 Activism and Ancient Wisdom

33:56 Collective Liberation and Solidarity

35:50 Finding One's Identity

39:15 Life as a Sacred Text

Resources:

• https://www.lifeisasacredtext.com/

• Learn more about Rabbi Ruttenberg at https://danyaruttenberg.net/

• Learn more and join the Community at https://www.queertheology.com/community

We're going back to the beginning for this episode as we dive into Genesis 1–3 to unpack how dominant Christian narratives of "the fall" and "original sin" have shaped theology, politics, and our sense of human worth. Reflecting on our evangelical upbringings, we explore how starting the story with human failure robs us of agency and fuels passivity which can be religious or political! But what if we contrast that with an alternative framework rooted in original goodness or original blessing? The narrative changes and so does how we approach conversations about scripture, ritual, social justice, and the stories we tell about ourselves and about the world. How we interpret these ancient texts deeply affects how we treat ourselves, one another, and our collective responsibility to create a more just and compassionate future.

Takeaways

• The concept of original sin has shaped many religious teachings.

• Traditional narratives often emphasize humanity's flaws over its potential for goodness.

• Agency is crucial; waiting for salvation can lead to passivity.

• Shifting perspectives can empower individuals and communities.

• Stories we tell ourselves influence our understanding of the world.

• Recognizing inherent goodness can change how we view ourselves and others.

• Accountability is important, but so is recognizing humanity in all people.

• Political narratives can mirror religious ones in their impact on agency.

• Interrogating historical narratives is essential for progress.

• A new story can lead to a better future for all.

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Genesis: The Foundation of Faith

08:27 Agency and Salvation: A Shift in Perspective

11:44 From Original Sin to Original Blessing

18:11 The Power of Ritual and Community

25:15 Reimagining Stories: The Path to a Better Future

Resources:

• Learn more and join the Community at https://www.queertheology.com/community

In this episode, we return to our roots and queer the passage, Matthew 4:12–23 by exploring Jesus's turn toward public ministry in the wake of John the Baptist's arrest and what that moment of political repression reveals about courage, solidarity, and collective action. In light of the state violence and community resistance and ongoing organizing and protests in Minneapolis, we reflect on Jesus stepping into an already-existing movement, calling others to follow, and proclaiming a kingdom that disrupts unjust systems. We look at what is deemed "criminal" and the power of showing up, building local networks, and plugging into work that's already happening in your community. We invite y'all to consider how faith, justice, and everyday acts of community care are deeply intertwined and how the light that dawns in dark places is something we choose to carry together.

Takeaways

• The passage in Matthew 4 highlights the call to action in the face of injustice.

• Resistance is often catalyzed by witnessing the arrest or harm of others.

• Community organizing is essential for effective resistance against systemic issues.

• Criminality is often framed by those in power to suppress movements for justice.

• Building community infrastructure is crucial for sustained activism.

• Engaging with local movements can amplify existing efforts and support.

• Small actions collectively contribute to larger movements for change.

• Finding common ground with neighbors can foster community resilience.

• The importance of showing up and being present in community efforts.

• Action is the antidote to fear and overwhelm in the face of injustice.

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Matthew 4: The Call to Action

02:47 Reflections on Resistance and Community Organizing

05:42 The Role of Criminality in Social Justice

08:23 Building Community and Infrastructure

11:11 Engaging with Local Movements

13:55 The Power of Small Actions

16:39 Finding Common Ground in Community

Resources:

• Learn more and join the Community at https://www.queertheology.com/community

In this episode, Brian is joined by the inimitable Reverend Sex @reverand_sex (Alba Onofrio), executive director of Soulforce (@souforceorg), for a conversation about queer faith, spiritual violence, and the liberative possibilities of sex-positive theology. Rev. Alba Onofrio is a theologian and spiritual activist rooted in the U.S. South, engaged in human rights work for over two decades throughout the U.S. and Latin America. As a queer, feminist Christian pastor, their ministry moves at the intersections of religion, gender, and sexuality to heal the wounds of spiritual violence and weaponized religion. Also known as Reverend Sex and co-founder of the Sexual Liberation Collective, their global education work seeks to eradicate shame and fear around bodies and sex, reclaiming pleasure and desire as sacred centers of knowledge, healing, and spiritual practice. As Executive Director and Spiritual Strategist of Soulforce, Rev. Alba has published liberatory theological resources uncovering the ideologies of white Christian Supremacy. Their work has been translated into seven languages and shared around the world. Brian and Rev. Alba talk about Soulforce's evolution from direct action to global culture-change work and unpack the realities of white Christian supremacy. They get into how it is important to name the lasting harm, and healing, around weaponized religion. Rev. Alba shares how moving beyond deconstruction into reconstruction opens up conversations about consent, pleasure, bodily autonomy, and finding the divine everywhere from drag worship to kink spaces, while also highlighting Soulforce's projects like Shameless Theology and an upcoming book on spiritual violence.

Resources:

• Learn more about Soulforce at: https://soulforce.org/

• Learn more about Rev. Sex | Alba Onofrio https://www.reverendsex.com/about

• Learn more and join the Community at https://www.queertheology.com/community/

Fr. Shannon is joined this week by author Margot Douaihy (@NeonMargot), and this is very exciting for him since he is a huge fan of her Sister Holiday series! Margot is a professor of creative writing at Emerson College as well as the author of the award-winning, nationally bestselling Sister Holiday series, as well as the poetry collections "Bandit/Queen: The Runaway Story of Belle Starr, Scranton Lace, and Girls Like You." Her debut mystery, "Scorched Grace," won The Pinckley Prize in Crime Fiction and was named a Best Crime Novel of the Year by the New York Times, Guardian, and others. In this conversation, Margot reflects on her Maronite Catholic upbringing, her queerness, and how those threads come together in her noir mystery series, which features a devout, tattooed, riot-girl lesbian nun navigating crime, desire, justice, and faith in New Orleans. She discusses subverting the crime genre, queering narratives of law and order, desire and celibacy, found family, and the sacred possibilities of storytelling. There is so much holiness in storytelling, and Margot's work shows why art and community matter more now than ever.

Resources:

• Learn more about Margot at https://www.margotdouaihy.com/

• Buy her books: https://www.margotdouaihy.com/scorched-grace

• Learn more and join the Community at https://www.queertheology.com/community/

We're excited to welcome @angelajherrington back to the podcast to talk about her new book and overcoming Christian patriarchy. For over a decade, Angela has helped women break free from the grip of Christian patriarchy and reconnect with the wisdom they were taught to silence. She is a trauma-informed coach, strategist, and author, who has walked alongside thousands through deconstruction, spiritual burnout, and the messy, beautiful work of building a life that feels whole and true. Her work brings together spiritual insight, nervous system awareness, and grounded practices that create lasting change. In this episode, Fr. Shay talks with Angela about her new book, "Embracing the Old Witch in the Woods: Liberating Feminine Wisdom from Christian Patriarchy" and how it is building on her first book about faith deconstruction. Angela explores how Christian patriarchy and nationalism shape our inner lives, limit our sense of self, and disconnect us from embodied wisdom. She discusses archetypal feminine wisdom beyond gender binaries, the power of intuition and embodiment after high-control religion, grief over missed developmental stages, and the healing potential of reconnecting with these feminine archetypes. This conversation offers a compassionate invitation to self-nurturing, wholeness, and reclaiming wisdom that was never meant to be lost.

Resources:

• Learn more about Angela Herrington at https://angelajherrington.com/

• Buy Embracing the Old Witch in the Woods: Liberating Feminine Wisdom from Christian Patriarchy by Angela Herrington

• Learn more and join the Community at https://www.queertheology.com/community/

It's a New Year 🎉and in this first episode of 2026, we reflect on highlights from 2025. From book releases and big life transitions, to moves, new jobs, and shifting rhythms. What has kept us grounded has been our approach to goals and intentions that have evolved as needed. It's why we keep saying rituals and intentions are important, y'all! Going into this year we feel that community matters more than ever. We also feel that it's important to build more meaningful lives and one of the ways to start doing that is by naming our longings and goals. If you want some help with that, we're bringing back the Queerness Every Day Challenge, a simple, daily practice to help you start the year with greater intention around spirituality, queerness, and connection.

Takeaways

• Shannon released two books in 2025, marking a significant achievement.

• Brian also published his first book, focusing on relationships and spirituality.

• Shannon transitioned to a full-time job, requiring adjustments in her routine.

• Both hosts emphasize the importance of setting intentions for the new year.

• They discuss the challenges of maintaining personal well-being amidst professional demands.

• Brian reflects on the importance of community and local connections.

• Shannon is focusing on improving her local community involvement in 2026.

• They explore different approaches to goal setting and personal growth.

• The conversation highlights the need for intentionality in daily life.

• The Queerness Every Day Challenge offers a way to reflect on spirituality and identity.

Episode highlights:

02:27 Navigating New Beginnings: Career Changes and Adjustments

05:30 Intentions for 2026: Setting Goals and Priorities

08:12 Rituals and Reflections: New Year Practices

10:46 Community and Connection: Building Local Relationships

13:32 Creative Pursuits: Balancing Work and Passion

16:31 The Importance of Intentionality: Aligning Goals with Values

19:18 Embracing Change: Acknowledging Longings and Desires

21:59 The Queerness Every Day Challenge: A New Year Initiative

24:56 Looking Ahead: Future Plans and Community Engagement

Resources:

• Learn more and join the Community at https://www.queertheology.com/community/