The Wonder and The Mystery of Being

In this week's episode I speak with Vi La Bianca about their life, journey, and perspective as a transgender nonbinary individual. We touch on their journey from conservative Christianity to atheism, and their journey of understanding both their orientation and gender identity.

Check out Vi on socials and also on youtube!
https://twitter.com/AuthorConfusion
http://www.viroselabianca.com
https://www.youtube.com/c/ViRoseLaBianca

In this episode I speak with Derek Minor about Christian music. Specifically, I wanted to ask him if he felt welcomed into the community the way I did. We touched on some areas in which our experiences were similar, and some area in which they couldn't be more different.

As always, Derek speaks from the heart, with conviction and courage. I hope you learn as much from this chat as I did.

Learn more about Derek Minor at:
http://www.derekminor.com/
https://www.instagram.com/thederekminor/
https://twitter.com/thederekminor

And support his organization:
http://www.weownnow.com

Can members of the LGBTQ+ community be Christian music artists? That's the question I tackle with Grace Baldridge, as she releases an EP under her artist name Semler, called "Preacher's Kid". We talk about growing up in the evangelical church system, sexuality, and what it means to be LGBTQ+ affirming.

This podcast is timed with the release of her EP, so here are some ways you can go check out her music!

https://www.semlermusic.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/1UPqLSmKOY8Ld8LoAuNA5g
http://www.instagram.com/gracebaldridge

*audio note - there are a few glitches in the audio around 43 minutes into the conversation. It's not a problem on your end - it's on mine!

Book mentioned in the pod:
"The Gospel of Inclusion" by Brandan Robertson
https://www.amazon.com/Gospel-Inclusion-Christian-Case-Church-ebook/dp/B07RXWF8PM/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=the+gospel+of+inclusion&qid=1612480270&sr=8-3

In this episode Justin Brierley and I discuss the importance of having hard conversations with people with whom we disagree. Justin has a long history (15+ years) of hosting conversations between atheists and Christians on his show Unbelievable? and is one of the most gracious and thoughtful facilitator of hard conversations I've ever met.

You can learn more about Justin Brierley:
https://www.premierchristianradio.com/Unbelievable
http://www.twitter.com/unbelievableJB
https://www.instagram.com/justin.brierley
http://www.thebigconversation.show

The nonprofit of the week is Divine Holistic Ministries:
https://dhmcharities.org/

In this episode Peter Rollins and I discuss the deep contradictions built in to the fabric of our lives, and how to bear them. He shares his thoughts on how atheism and theism aren't truly opposites, but are rather in a dance, each informing and elevating the other.

You can learn more about Peter Rollins
http://www.peterrollins.com
http://www.instagram.com/peter_rollins
http://www.twitter.com/peterrollins

The nonprofit of the week is Doctors Without Borders:
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org

After unprecedented events in Washington D.C., Jo Luehmann helps me unpack how the mob that stormed the Capitol is connected to white supremacy and Christian culture and theology. 

We discuss decolonization: what it is, and how can we better understand it and apply it to our spiritual lives. How can we be sure our beliefs aren't harming others? That is a question worth asking.

You can learn more about Jo Luehmann:
http://www.instagram.com/joluehmann
http://www.twitter.com/joluehmann

The nonprofit of the week is the Native American Rights Fund:
http://www.narf.org

Phil Drysdale and I talk about the definition of deconstruction, and dive into spiral dynamics, a way of understanding human psychological development. This is a tremendously useful framework for understanding the conversations we'll be having in the coming weeks!

You can learn more about Phil Drysdale:
http://www.phildrysdale.com
http://www.instagram.com/phildrysdale

The nonprofit of the week is Charity Water:
http://www.charitywater.org