On Part 3 of #WeNeedToTalk, Malynda chats with Reverend Denyse Barnes. They discuss the differences in political and religious culture in The UK and the US. Why going into ministry was so important to her and what her goals for the church are in terms of how it plays a role in politics. 

Rev. Denyse is appointed as senior pastor to Crescenta Valley UMC effective July 1st 2021.  She is also appointed as Associate Director of Justice and Compassion Ministries to the California Pacific Annual Conference.

Rev. Denyse was commissioned as a provisional elder in June of 2018 and ordained in Full Connection in June 2020.  She was appointed to HUMC as associate pastor effective July 1st 2018.  In June 2019 Denyse was appointed 1/4 time to the Cal-Pac annual conference as LGBTQIA+ Advocacy Coordinator.

She graduated with a Masters in Divinity from Claremont School of Theology in May of 2018 and is currently studying for her D.Min where her thesis is based on a proposal for a new organizational structure for the UMC based on Celtic Christianity models.

Rev. Denyse hails from the UK originally, leaving there in 2003 and teaching English as a second language in various countries across the globe.  She arrived in the USA in 2004 and has worked as a travel consultant and tour guide for adults with developmental disabilities and as an in-home hospice caregiver for Alzheimer’s patients and their families.

Prior to leaving England, Rev. Denyse was teaching computer skills to young people with severe epilepsy.

She married Deborah Levinson on August 1st 2020 and when not working, can be found with her dogs, Sheldon, Jiminy, and Mozzie at the beach or in the park!

On Part 2 of Faith & Politics Malynda chats with Brent Hodge about his 25+ years in full time ministry and what caused him to leave. They discuss his experience in the evangelical church, how politics made its way into the pulpit, and what serving as a Christian truly looks like.

Brent Hodge has been in Full time ministry for 25 years. His experiences ranges from co-planting churches and working as a Worship/Creative Director. For the last year and a half, he was the Pastor at a church in Agoura Hills and has now transitioned out of full time ministry.

On Part 1 of #WeNeedtoTalk-Faith & Politics, Malynda chats with Professor, Philosopher, Author and Activist Dr. Cornel West. The two chat about the intersection between faith and politics.

Cornel West is a prominent and provocative democratic intellectual. He is the Dietrich Bonhoeffer Professor of Philosophy and Christian Practice at Union Theological Seminary and holds the title of Professor Emeritus at Princeton University. He has also taught at Union Theological Seminary, Yale, Harvard, and the University of Paris. Cornel West graduated Magna Cum Laude from Harvard in three years and obtained his M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy at Princeton.

On the final episode of the #WeNeedToTalk-Motherhood Series, Malynda welcomes back Behavioral Scientist and CEO of Entertainment Mindframe Adaire Byerly to talk about her motherhood journey as an entrepreneur and single mom. They chat about the societal view of working moms, raising a Black son and how she balances career and motherhood.

Adaire Byerly is based in Houston, TX and the Founder and CEO of Entertainment Mindframe.

On this episode of #WeNeedToTalk Motherhood, Malynda sits down with her longtime friend Gabrielle Sullivan. They discuss going through pregnancy, the "right time" to have a child, the stigma behind breastfeeding, why cultural awareness is so important and how she pushed through her grief in order to put her child's needs first.

Gabrielle Taryn is a momma, wife, singer and songwriter. She is also a mental health advocate and strives to end the stigma surrounding it. Gabrielle’s music can be heard on all streaming platforms.

On this episode of #WeNeedToTalk-Motherhood, Malynda chats with single mom of 3, DeAna Crosson. They discuss the negative perceptions of single mothers, how she survived medical negligence during her second pregnancy, what being raised by a single mom taught her, and her experience raising three kids on her own.

DeAna is a single mom of one teenager and toddler twins based in the Pacific Northwest. She is striving everyday to show her daughters how to be strong Black women.

On this episode of #WeNeedToTalk-Motherhood, Malynda chats with Sara Alvarez Kleinsmith about her experience with post partum depression. They also discuss the importance of asking for help, what it's like raising mixed race children and why cultural awareness is important.

Sara Kleinsmith is a writer, producer, and mother who lives in Austin, Texas. Her writing has centered on Latinx issues and parenthood.

On Part 2 of #WeNeedToTalk-Motherhood, Malynda chats with writer and mom of 3 Lesley Miller about her family dynamic throughout the pandemic,  her families health history of surviving cancer twice ( her son and husband), why she continues to encourage people to get the Covid Vaccine and what it truly means to love your neighbor.

Lesley Sebek Miller lives in Santa Barbara, CA with her husband and three children. She's a writer, grad school student, and recently "retired" homeschool teacher. She is passionate about her faith, family and issues related to cancer awareness.

On Part 1 of the #WeNeedToTalk Motherhood series, Malynda chats with mom of 2, Savana Beal.

Savana offers her perspective on raising a child with special needs, navigating the world of disability rights and learning how to advocate for her youngest son who was born with a rare genetic disorder.

 After he turned one, he was officially diagnosed. There are less than 60 cases of his disease in the world, so it has been a very lonely road.  It’s a journey she never thought she would be on, but her story will reach many moms know  who have had to navigate this space of motherhood not being what you hoped or dreamed for. Motherhood for Savana has been rewarding but challenging and her story is heartwarming.

#WeNeedToTalk Returns January 2022 but get ready for two brand new mini series. #WeNeedToTalk-Motherhood  and #WeNeedToTalk-Faith and Politics.