Welcome to another episode of Some Random Thoughts. I am your host, Ryan Mulkowsky.

On this episode, I talk about how I came from a religious background; then to land on secular humanism as a philosophical belief system and some introductory values I've learned from humanism. I also discuss the idea of "languishing" and how religion can foster this feeling, and how to move into a life of flourishing and thriving outside of religion.

References:

https://americanhumanist.org/what-is-humanism/definition-of-humanism/

https://americanhumanistcenterforeducation.org/ten-commitments/

https://www.betterup.com/blog/what-is-languish-how-to-flourish

Where to find me:

www.ryanmulkowsky.com

Twitter & Instagram: @ryanmulkowsky

You can also find seasons 2 & 3 in video form at youtube.com/ryanmulkowsky

Leave a message (your comments might make it into a future episode): anchor.fm/somerandomthoughts/messsage

Music: "Best Time" by FAS Sounds on Pixabay

Welcome to another episode of Some Random Thoughts. I am your host, Ryan Mulkowsky.

On this episode, I talk about the importance of philosophy and how it permeates all things and how it should have our full attention. I also talk about the need for all of us to form a "rule of life" to ground us and give us a foundation from which we live meaningfully and thoughtfully.

Where to find me:

www.ryanmulkowsky.com

Twitter & Instagram: @ryanmulkowsky

You can also find seasons 2 & 3 in video form at youtube.com/ryanmulkowsky

Leave a message (your comments might make it into a future episode): anchor.fm/somerandomthoughts/messsage

Music: "Best Time" by FAS Sounds on Pixabay

Welcome to the Season 4 Premiere of "Some Random Thoughts" with Ryan Mulkowsky. On this episode, I talk about what's been going on with me since the break, why I'm getting back to my "roots" this season, and what topics to expect in season 4. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or in a mental health crisis, call or text 988.

Please leave a positive review of this podcast wherever you listen. I would greatly appreciate it!

Where to find me:

www.ryanmulkowsky.com

Twitter & Instagram: @ryanmulkowsky

You can also find Seasons 2 & 3 in video form at youtube.com/ryanmulkowsky

Leave a message (your comments might make it into a future episode): anchor.fm/somerandomthoughts/message

Music: "Best Time" by FAS Sounds on Pixabay

On this final episode of Season 3, I thank each of my guests by name and discuss what was most meaningful in my conversations with them, I talk about the continued growth in listenership and support thanks to you, and I give an encouraging word about how hard it's been and how we can cling onto hope. 

A Special Thanks To My Season 3 Guests:

Where to find me:

Website: www.ryanmulkowsky.com

Find the Podcast:

anchor.fm/somerandomthoughts

youtube.com/ryanmulkowsky

Hello, and welcome to another episode of Some Random Thoughts. I am your host Ryan Mulkowsky.

On this episode, I have with me my special guest,

Jazz Robertson

Jazz is an LA-based musician, podcaster, and project manager.

Hailing from various hubs on the east coast, this fan of good weather and Mexican food enjoys contemplating the strange, going on adventures, and spending way too much time on Twitter.

In this episode, we discuss Jazz’s background on how religion formed her life, her passion for drumming and music, her unique insights on society and culture, and how to lean into being fully human.

Thank you for listening and enjoy.

Where to find Jazz:

Sites

https://jazzrobertson.com/

https://www.multiplesourcespod.com/

Socials

Twitter: @JazzRobertson

Instagram: @thejazzrobertson

Hello, and welcome to another episode of Some Random Thoughts. I am your host Ryan Mulkowsky.

On this episode, I have with me my special guest,

Laura Isabel Perez-Cernuda

From loss of loved ones to being almost homeless more than once, Laura Isabel is living proof that you create your own happiness. Always willing to lend an ear and even help pave the way for others to also find that happiness within, she radiates joy to all those that surround her.

A Certified Life and Happiness Coach, Laura Isabel has empowered thousands to continue taking that next step, no matter how small or difficult it may seem, towards that internal sunshine. She has helped many find and change those triggers and patterns that have held them down for so long.

Originally from Miami, Florida, Laura now lives in Cadiz, Spain with her partner and her 10 year old pup Joy. Her favorite things include nature adventures and cooking/eating really yummy meals... Although she leaves the meat barbecuing to her partner.

In this episode, we talk about her background as a former coach and now as a specialist who assists other coaches in building their platforms to reach those in need of support. We talk about her losses, her gains, and how she has maintained a sense of hope and built up resilience and strength along the path towards greater happiness.

Thank you for listening and enjoy.

Where to Find Laura Isabel:

Instagram: @lauraisabelbu

Hello, and welcome to another episode of Some Random Thoughts. I am your host Ryan Mulkowsky.

On this episode, I have with me my special guest,

Mandy Capehart

Mandy is an author, speaker, and certified grief and life coach in the Pacific Northwest. She is the founder of The Restorative Grief Project, an online community of grievers and grief supporters looking for movement while they heal. Her own experience with grief left her searching for resources while offering empathetic, long-term support without minimizing the pain of the moment. When she found nothing, she created it for herself and for you.

Her first book is titled, “Restorative Grief: Embracing our losses without losing ourselves” released in 2021. This is a memoir and 31 day guidebook for managing grief and growth in the aftermath of loss, no matter how long it lasts.

You can hear more about her grief work on her podcast, Restorative Grief with Mandy Capehart. She also co-hosts The Uncomfortable Grace Podcast, where space is held for growth amid the messy middle-parts of life.

Mandy is a storyteller through and through, always in pursuit of adventure, grace, and opportunities to express gratitude. No matter the medium, her work revolves around learning how to honor our process of becoming. She currently lives in Southern Oregon with her husband, daughter, border collie rescue pup, and way too many houseplants.

Together, we discuss grief and loss. We explore Mandy’s background with her own losses and how she moved through those difficult, painful, messy parts of her life and into a space where she was able to find meaning, hope, and peace and to bring those things to others who are grieving. We talk about myths, misconceptions, and problematic platitudes to avoid when providing support to grievers, and we discuss what it’s like to be grief professionals.

Thank you for listening and enjoy.

Where to find Mandy:

Facebook: /mandy.capehart

Twitter: @MandyCapehart

Instagram: @mandycapehart

Website: mandycapehart.com

Hello, and welcome to another episode of Some Random Thoughts. I am your host Ryan Mulkowsky.

On this episode, I have with me my special guest,

Dr. Katie Blake

Dr. Katie is a social psychologist and educator whose primary work is helping women navigate the experience of deconstruction, belief change and spiritual exile.

She earned her PhD in Social Psychology and has 15 years of experience teaching in colleges & universities. She has been teaching online courses and creating online spaces for 12 years. She hosts an online community called The Collective for women who are deconstructing religious & cultural programming.

Dr. Katie is also a 500-hour Masters-level yoga instructor and has taught yoga and meditation for 7 years. She is a novice roller-skater and lives in the Texas desert with her husband.

In this episode, we discuss the psychological affects of deconstruction and aspects found in fundamentalist, toxic forms of religion such as patriarchy, supremacy, and other systems of oppression such as racism, sexism, ableism, classism, ageism and heterosexism. We talk about how to dismantle toxic beliefs and integrate new, healthy beliefs in your life.

Thank you for listening and enjoy.

Where to find Dr. Katie:

Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram: @drkatieblake

Website: drkatieblake.com

Hello, and welcome to another episode of Some Random Thoughts. I am your host Ryan Mulkowsky.

On this episode, I have with me my special guest,

Brady Hardin

Brady is the host of The Life After Podcast, which focuses on deconstructing beliefs, discovering who you are, and reimagining the future after Christian Fundamentalism. His focus is on secular humanism after being in the Christian ministry.

Together, we discussed Brady’s background as a former Christian minister who deconverted out of Christianity and into secular humanism. We also talk about their journey of living fully into their queer identity and co-parenting. We talk about issues with progressive Christianity, especially Brady’s experiences with progressive Christian clergy who seek to minimize or dismiss completely queer perspectives of non-Christians. We talk about the power of storytelling and how this tool can be used to help those who are deconstructing and also form meaningful, secular communities.

Thank you for listening and enjoy.

Where to find Brady:

Facebook: /thelifeafterorg

Twitter: @bradyhardin, @thelifeafterorg

Instagram: @bradyhardin, @thelifeafterorg

Websites: www.thelifeafter.org

Hello, and welcome to another episode of Some Random Thoughts. I am your host Ryan Mulkowsky.

On this episode, I have with me my special guest,

Erin Green

Erin (She/They) is the new Campus and Alumni Organizer for the Religious Exemption Accountability Project (REAP). They are an affirming biblical scholar and LGBTQ+ activist. Erin has a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies from Azusa Pacific University and an M.Div. from San Francisco Theological Seminary. Their specialties are in the entire Christian biblical corpus with an emphasis on the Hebrew Bible, the ancient Near East, exegesis, and how to employ various hermeneutical methods. Erin's passion is helping those excluded by the church to heal from spiritual abuse and trauma by navigating the biblical text in restorative ways.

Erin is best known for their work in supporting LGBTQ+ students on conservative, Christian university campuses and in religious spaces.

Together, we discussed queer identity and Christianity and Erin’s journey into affirming their fullest self and finding meaning and purpose in the Christian tradition. Along with the work they do to advocate for LGBTQ+ rights in the church and on college campuses, especially faith-based campuses with a history of LGBTQ+ discrimination.

Thank you for listening and enjoy.

Where to find Erin:

Twitter: @ErinGreenbean

Instagram: @_runningerins_

Websites: www.eringreen.com

Check out the Religious Exemption Accountability Project (REAP) at www.thereap.org