In this episode we talk about LGBTQ, the church and mental health within this conversation. Our guest Bridget Rivera gives us a good framework historically of how LGBTQ people have been viewed and treated within and without the church. She then frames better ways to engage this conversation, care for the mental health disparities and traumas LGBTQ people face and how to walk alongside and love LGBTQ people around us better and chart a path forward.

Bridgets website: https://www.meditationsofatravelingnun.com

Heavy Burdens book: https://www.meditationsofatravelingnun.com/heavy-burdens-bridget-eileen-rivera/

Bridgets Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/travelingnun/?hl=en

Bridgets Twitter: https://twitter.com/TravelingNun?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peaksandvalleysnc/

Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peaksandvalleysNC/

Song: Island by Audrey Assad

Welcome back to the podcast! In this episode me and Kyle talk about mental health generally, move into some history of the church and mental health and a path forward. We discuss the continuum of care and how we can all be in that process so people are cared for well and nobody falls through the cracks.

Mental Health First Aid: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org

NAMI(National Alliance on Mental Illness): https://www.nami.org/Home

In this episode Jonathan and Travis Hayes have a conversation about something affecting Christian culture currently, deconstruction and doubt. We have an honest conversation about what it is, our own personal experiences and encouragement for moving forward. We hope you will lean in on this and utilize some of the resources Travis pointed us to.

Book recommendation: Faith After Doubt by Brian McLaren: https://www.amazon.com/Faith-After-Doubt-Beliefs-Stopped/dp/1250262771

Podcast recommendation: You Have Permission: https://www.dankochwords.com/yhp.html 

                                        The Bible For Normal People: https://peteenns.com/podcast/

Websites: https://www.soyouredeconstructing.com

               https://www.ravenfoundation.org

Song: Fireside Chat by Ruslan

In this episode we dive into what it means to not filter people like we do our beautiful cups of coffee and how that intersects with engaging in trauma informed care. We help you guys frame what is trauma informed care and how to walk alongside people while allowing their whole self:trauma, mess and all to be present! We hope you guys enjoy this episode while enjoying a great cup of coffee!

Mental Health First Aid: https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peaksandvalleysnc/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peaksandvalleysNC

In this episode we sit down with two powerful ladies in our lives and in the church, Barbara Grimm who is a school administrator and Mary Studt who has worked in ministry for a number of years alongside her husband. We talk about the inequalities women face in culture and in the church and how purity culture and trauma intersect within this conversation. Barbara and Mary give us some incredible insight and great ways to do better as men and Jesus followers, and ways move forward.

In this episode we have a conversation with attorney, and music executive EJ Gaines to gain his unique perspective as not only a follower of Jesus, but as a black man in America. We talk about social justice and how it is a gospel implication, and we dive into how mental health plays a big role in this conversation and tangible steps to move towards a just world not only as humans living amongst each other, but as citizens of Gods kingdom.

EJs Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ejgaines/

Peaks & Valleys Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peaksandvalleysnc/

Peaks & Valleys Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peaksandvalleysNC

We didn't mention this in the show, but The AND Campaign is an excellent faith based platform for civic and cultural engagement so check them out here: https://www.andcampaign.org

In this episode we sit down with Jared Owen and talk health and wellness and how it is very connected to our mental health. Jared has extensive expertise and certifications in physical training and health. Jared also gives us a lot of good practical exercise and healthy eating tips to have a better physical life and in turn mental one.

Jareds Instagram: https://instagram.com/jar3d_0wen

Fitness: https://corygfitness.com

Supplements: https://www.lifeextension.com, https://www.nordicnaturals.com/consumers/

Probiotics: Garden of Life, Bio-K

Instagram: https://instagram.com/peaksandvalleysnc

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/peaksandvalleysNC

In this weeks episode Jonathan and Kyle have a conversation about entering somebodies pain, embodying empathy and growing in our care relationships as we walk alongside hurting people. As everyday people these are things that we can and should use and apply right now to those around us that are hurting, have pain, or have been through trauma to be a tangible help in seeing people walk through darkness into light and healing.

In this episode Jonathan and Kyle dive into the insurrection of the United States on January 6th. We take a deep dive into Trump and the church, false prophecies, conspiracy theories and how to pave a new way forward for the church and in the midst of a heavy time we are all in. Our hope is you gleam some truth, hope and encouragement from this pointed and honest conversation!