Guest: David Albert, Activist

We discuss: how the health of our democracy is threatened by an unholy marriage of politics and compromised religious beliefs; the importance of everyone who identifies as Christian, or just a fan of Jesus, to courageously move themselves out of atmospheres of irresponsibility, hate, and disinformation; why ego-motivated justifications for religious and political abuses of power are wake-up calls for all who desire to preserve a democracy that is for the people; and how the power of being informed about candidates and their policies enables us to vote responsibly in every election, up and down the ticket.

I this episode, I ask us to consider: if Jesus would be disappointed that we have apathetically allowed our representative form of government to become a bitter contest between rival teams, when we’re all supposed to be actively on the same team of democracy; whether partisan politics lends itself to bettering our nation and the lives of our citizens; that one-sidedness is devoid of the honesty and self-regulation necessary to overpower the egocentric motivation to rule and dominate; and, whether we grow, change, and advance our democracy in positive ways when we demand integrity, respect, and unity from ourselves and those we trust to represent us.

Guest: Leslie Crawford, Esquire

We discuss: we must acknowledge our past in order to change our present and future.  We are all members of the human race with different color skin and characteristics; we do not have a race problem, we have a racism problem; that the rules have been rigged against black and brown communities; and why Jesus, who had dark skin, would tell us that to love him we must treat everyone as we want to be treated.

Guests: Kimberlee Williams and Debby Irving, Authors

We discuss: how, as white, brown, and Black women, we are wired to protect our sense of belonging, which keeps us in the bubble of our own experiences; that historically, the role of women of color has been to serve, comfort, protect, coddle, nourish, and elevate white women;  how we can boldly disrupt that pattern; and the need for all women to bravely and honestly face our own beliefs and attitudes, so we can look upon and care about one another as sisters.

Guest: Debby Irving, Author

We discuss: the importance of white people realizing that they benefit from a prejudicial system simply because they are white; the truth about how the economic and social playing fields were never level between white people and those who are black and brown; how systemic racism is woven into every political, social, institutional, and religious structure; and the difference between well-meaning and well-doing.

Guest: Dawn Wilson, Television Producer, Planet Activist

We discuss the difference between dominance over the earth and good stewardship of the natural world. We imagine what Jesus would say about putting profits over people and the planet. We question why we are leaving our waste for future generations to clean up and dumping our toxic practices onto our children and theirs. And what each of us can do to be the positive change we want to see to help heal our environment and our bodies. 

Guest: Reverend Tim Moody

We discuss: how our hesitancy to question what we are taught about the Bible and Christianity keeps us like children who never mature into our personal spiritual potential; examine how Jesus confronted those who were abusive, greedy, and power-hungry; champion the importance of introspection to determine if our behavior, and that of our fellow human beings, aligns with walking in the footsteps of Jesus; and consider how Jesus did not fear the unknown, and why we must not, either.

I’m gay. So was Leonardo da Vinci, whose masterpieces Mona Lisa and The Last Supper are revered around the world as representations of our best artistic expression. Michelangelo was also gay. His fresco on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and sculptures of the David and Pieta are also considered among humankind’s best works of art. These two men made huge contributions to the world. They did so in tribute to God, who didn’t care about their sexuality and doesn’t care about mine or yours, either. 

Guest: Reverend Tim Moody

We discuss: whether the small world of our beliefs reflects the vast world God created by: returning to a time over 2,000 years ago when Christianity began; examining the origins of the Bible and Christianity; recognizing that Jesus questioned and challenged those in authority who were abusive and controlling; investigating why we’re subjected to fear-based indoctrination in Christ’s name, rather than love-based teachings; and exploring why we have a tendency to view ourselves, other people, and the world around us through the lens of what we already believe to be true.

Guests: Revs. Roger Paynter and Tim Moody

We discuss: what Christ, overall, would think of Christianity; why Christianity must be focused on love; why Christians must lead the way to help the marginalized, the forgotten, the abused of society; and why Christianity and Christians must be universally focused on how to love ourselves, others, and all life, as Christ loved.