Queerology: A Podcast on Belief and Being

Chavonn Williams Shen on Facebook

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Chavonn Williams Shen Writes to Heal Dec 01, 2020

Show notes

Chavonn Williams Shen is a poet, artist, educator, and activist from Minneapolis.

Winner of the Still I Rise grant, first runner-up for the Los Angeles Review Flash Fiction Contest, and Best of the Net Award finalist, Chavonn is also a Pushcart Prize nominee, winner of the Mentor Series in Poetry and Creative Prose through the Loft Literary Center, and fellow through the Givens Foundation for African American Literature.

As a Tin House and VONA workshop alum, Chavonn’s poetry and prose have appeared in Yemassee, the Los Angeles Review, Permafrost Magazine, and Cosmonauts Avenue.

Chavonn uses art as a practice of resilience and resistance. By using and teaching poetry, writing becomes an act of healing.

When not teaching with the Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop, Chavonn’s time is spent obsessing over house plants.

Topics Discussed:

Faith Forms Identity: One foot in the north, one in the deep south as a storyteller
Ancient Text: Remix, adapt, and make stories more malleable
Career Path: Cognitive science and psychology versus English and writing
Fellowships: Apply for what you want - to be on stage, reading, and writing
Poetry and Therapy: Way to help people protest and heal from trauma
People’s Hands: Words and colors capture who they are and what they do
Reclaim Language: Carve out composition space without marginalized writers
Writing Exercises: Name everything and everyone around you that is true
Book of Prayer Poems: Writing poetry is spiritual practice for well-being
What does rest look like? Meditation and resistance

Links and Resources:

Chavonn Williams Shen

Chavonn Williams Shenn on Twitter

Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop (MPWW)

The Nap Ministry - Rest as Resistance

Q Christian Fellowship Virtual Conference (Code: Queerology2021 for $10 off)

Q Christian Fellowship Virtual Conference

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Tim Be Told on Love and Happiness Nov 17, 2020

Show notes

Tim Ouyang is a recording artist, producer, and songwriter. His band, Tim Be Told, is a contemporary Christian music group from the college-town of Charlottesville, Virginia.

Tim’s new album, Love and Happiness, focuses on his coming out journey and experiences with love, disappointment, disbelief, faith, hope, and God. Specifically, Like This song is the crown jewel on the album.

Tim has had quite a career since coming out and shares how things have fundamentally changed and shifted.

Topics Discussed:

Faith Forms Identity: Being gay was bain of existence and incredible blessing
Gain Clarity: Why am I different? Praying to God to change
Homosexuality is sinful? Contemplating suicide, know you’re loved and not alone
Are you gay? Parents’ accusations, violations of privacy change to affirmations
Theological Compromise: Remove leaders to not be seen or heard out of fear
Conflict Resolution: Don’t ignore struggles; confront and cope with pain, sadness
Like This Song: Taps into source of trauma from cultural and familial baggage
Christianity: Know the right God because his spirit changes you from inside out

Links and Resources:

Tim Be Told

Tim Be Told on Bandcamp

Tim Be Told on Instagram

Tim Be Told on Spotify

Love and Happiness Album

Like This Song

Collin Martin on Instagram

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Collin Martin Came Out to Cary Umhau First Nov 03, 2020

Show notes

In 2018, Collin Martin came out as gay. At the time, he was the only ‘out’ man in any of the big five American sport leagues or any top division professional men’s national soccer leagues.

Today, Collin is a professional soccer player as a midfielder for San Diego Loyal in the United Soccer League (USL) championship.

Also, Collin has played for D.C. United and Minnesota United FC in Major League Soccer (MLS) and for Richmond Kickers and Hartford Athletic in the USL.

Collin shares how Cary Umhau, a speaker, writer, and consultant, was influential in his coming out process.

Topics Discussed:

Faith Forms Identity: Gay or not, God completely loves you
Every Sunday, Different Church: Growing, learning, and realizing you’re gay
Inner Struggle: What to do with knowledge in an unwelcoming environment?
Boiling Point: Separating faith from sexuality until telling family and friends
Mentor/Mom’s Best Friend: Why Collin was comfortable coming out to Cary
Taco Time: Say what you have to say about being gay
People: Give those who love and support you a chance, despite the risk
Teammates: Promise to protest when something is wrong, not right

Links and Resources:

Major League Soccer (MLS)

Richmond Kickers

Hartford Athletic

United Soccer League (USL)

Burning Down the Fireproof Hotel by Cary Umhau

Breadcoin Organization

Q Christian Fellowship Virtual Conference

IPCC Special Report Emissions Scenarios

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Everybody Now Oct 20, 2020

Show notes

People have caused a turning point in the Earth’s natural history. Everybody Now is a podcast that focuses on what it means to be human on the threshold of a global climate emergency, in a time of systemic injustice and runaway pandemics.

Scientists, activists, farmers, poets, and theologians talk bravely and frankly about how our biosphere is changing, grief and hope in an age of social collapse, mass extinction, and taking action against all odds.

On October 19, Everybody Now will be released by podcasters all over the world as a collective call for awareness, grief, and loving action. Don’t think about doom, but what you can do about it.

Topics Discussed:

Do we need any more reminders? Turning points in Earth’s natural history
Tree of Knowledge: Cut down, remains turned into paper, and warnings burned
Heaven on Earth: Hopelessly in love with nature but sense of dread and panic
Climate Change: High levels of destruction; ecosystems survive or never recover
Agricultural Country: Farmers rely on and impacted by climate for growing crops
Environmental Movement: Philosophical arguments why climate change matters
Biological Annihilation: Dinosaurs to other species, mammals, animals go extinct
Pandemics threats continue due to modern living, fossil fuels, human behavior
Climate Breakdowns: Uneven and loss of access to human spaces, creatures
Capabilities: Change activities, habits, consumption, energy, and people involved
Book of Revelation: Misguided general awareness, grief over greenhouse gases
Grief vs. Despair: Difference between what will and won’t change
Impact on Faith: Life, intelligence, and interaction permeate everything
Active vs. Passive Mindset: You can still live, change, and care
Higher Emissions: Deliberate or willful ignorance where 50% comes from 10%
System of Enemies: Speak to power about practices, assumptions, interests
Civil Disobedience: Makes the change and sense when done with compassion

Links and Resources:

Everybody Now Podcast

Dr. Gail Bradbrook (Scientist and co-founder of Extinction Rebellion)

Kevin Anderson (Professor of Energy and Climate Change at University of Manchester)

Dámaris Albuquerque (Agricultural communities in Nicaragua)

Dr. Rowan Williams (Theologian, poet, and former Archbishop of Canterbury)

Pádraig Ó Tuama (Poet, theologian, and conflict mediator)

Rachel Mander (Environmental activist with Hope for the Future)

John Swales (Priest, activist, and part of a community for marginalised people)

Zena Kazeme (Persian-Iraqi poet and former refugee)

Flo Brady (Singer and theatre maker)

Hannah Malcolm (Anglican ordinand, climate writer, and organizer)

Alastair McIntosh (Writer, academic, and land rights activist)

David Benjamin Blower (Musician, poet, and podcaster)

Tim Nash (Nomad Podcast)

Tell the Truth and Ask People to Act Accordingly

Rising Up!

World Health Organization (WHO)

Rachel Carson

Francis Bacon

Kyl Myers’s TED Talk: Want gender equality? Let's get creative

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Kyl Myers is Raising Them Oct 06, 2020

Show notes

When Dr. Kyl Myers and their husband decided to have a child, they came to an unorthodox decision: they would not assign a gender to their baby. Dr. Kyl teaches the world how to raise children without gender-based shame, expectations, and limitations. Instead, she's an advocate for unconditional love so kids can live vibrant, authentic lives.

Kyl is a sociologist, educator, and advocate for Gender Creative Parenting. Her TED talk, Want Gender Equality? Let's Get Creative, encourages people to rethink childhood gender socialization.

Kyl’s new book, Raising Them: Our Adventure in Gender Creative Parenting documents their journey raising their child, Zoomer. She is the creator of the Raising Zoomer website & Instagram, a place where kids be kids in an environment where everything is for everyone.

Topics Discussed:

Faith and Religion: Mormonism shaped identity journey—for better and worse
Homophobia: Same-sex controversy, no promo homo laws, and conversion
Queer Community: Recognizing and finding one’s self is liberating
Social Justice: Fight for the underdog and against being ostracized
Education: Check your ignorance and think on your own to learn valuable things
Love and Marriage: Meet people, make choices, and question family values
Gender Creative Parenting: Commit to raising children by supporting diversity

Links and Resources:

Kyl Myers

Raising Them: Our Adventure in Gender Creative Parenting

Raising Zoomer

Raising Zoomer on Instagram

Worth It: Overcome Your Fears and Embrace the Life You Were Made For

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Brit Barron Thinks It's Worth It Sep 22, 2020

Show notes

Brit Barron is a teacher, speaker, and author of the recently released book, Worth It: Overcome Your Fears and Embrace the Life You Were Made For.

Brit grew up in an evangelical church and eventually became the pastor of a megachurch at only 26 years old. It was truly too soon to understand herself, her dreams, and her sexuality.

That is, until Brit met Sami, a woman who changed, saved, and transformed her entire life. Brit decided to leave the church, get married to Sami, and come out. Choosing freedom is always worth it—no matter the cost.

Currently, Brit and Sami live in Austin, Texas, with their dog, Charles Barkley, and a house filled with plants that they treat like children.

Topics Discussed:

Identity: Female, lesbian, kind of tall, kind of Christian, and somebody’s wife
Fighter’s Mentality: Pure, true, Christian narrative competes with other options
Metaphor: Spring is always coming and new life is being birthed
On a Rampage: Remember, more than one thing can be true at the same time
Harm, Hard Work, Half Reality: Racist people can still be nice
Closeted to Coming Out: Breaking boundaries while wrestling with fear for truth
Right or Wrong Choices? Stop or continue to take the next step toward healing

Links and Resources:

Brit Barron

Brit Barron on Instagram

Queerology: Brit Barron is Gloriously Queer

Queerology: Brit & Sami - YAY Packages!

Richard Rohr’s Center for Action and Contemplation

Miley Cyrus’s The Climb

For All Who Hunger: Searching for Communion in a Shattered World

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Emily Scott is Dreaming Dreams Sep 08, 2020

Show notes

Emily Scott is a church planter and Lutheran pastor who believes Christian practice holds out rich possibilities that call us to reach across boundaries in love, learn through discomfort, and build relationships that bring God's realm close.

Emily, who identifies as queer and genderqueer, is committed to building communities of faith that dismantle fear and hate, affirm LGBTQ+ people, and confront racial injustice.

Currently, Emily serves as the founding pastor of Dreams and Visions, an imaginative spiritual community of restoration that is rooted in the LGBTQ+ community.

Also, Emily is the author of the recently published book, For All Who Hunger: Searching for Communion in a Shattered World.

Topics Discussed:

Identity and Faith: Formed and shaped by privileges and influence of whiteness
Threads of Liberation: Bible stories make for constant coming out and emerging
Church Culture: Progressive path to walk or follow scripts to shut off yourself
Communion: Transcendent/transported expression of faith in God’s presence
Dinner Church: Deep symbols of faith bring people together to feast upon
Embedded Misogyny: Process and performance of being feminine or masculine
What to Wear? Pants, skirts, or whatever feels right and comfortable, not painful
Resurrection: Come back in a transformed state and leave behind past versions

Links and Resources:

Emily Scott’s Website

Dreams and Visions

St. Lydia's Dinner Church

Emily Scott on Instagram

Emily Scott on Twitter

Emily Scott on Facebook

Kinsey Scale

Queerology: Nadia Bolz-Weber is Trying Compassion

The Seated Nurse on Instagram

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Andrea Dalzell is The Seated Nurse Aug 25, 2020

Show notes

Andrea Dalzell was told she could never become a nurse because of her disability. Never tell Andrea what she can and can’t do.

At five years old, Andrea was diagnosed with Transverse Myelitis (TM), a neurological condition that causes paralysis. However, growing up using a wheelchair didn't stop her from pursuing a career in health care.

Today, Andrea is a registered nurse, disability advocate, and speaker. She studied biology and neuroscience in college to earn an associate’s and bachelor’s degree in nursing (RN, BSN).

As the first registered nurse who uses a wheelchair in New York City, thousands of clinicians, caregivers, and wheelchair users follow Andrea’s career pursuits as The Seated Nurse on Instagram.

Unhidden and unapologetically, Andrea is a queer, black woman with a disability.

Topics Discussed:

Faith and Identity: Sometimes shifts or stays stagnate
Why me? Why God? Why a diagnosis transforms a person’s life
Doctors, Prayers, and Pain: Need to be cured and whole in normal society
Special Ed Student: Picked on and scolded because of physical disability
My Mom, My Advocate: Disability doesn’t define or determine ability
Rage and Rebellion: Going against society when not allowed to be normal
Accessibility: Find your voice and strength to ask for help as a human being
Why Nursing School? Holistic approach to whole patient, not their diagnosis
All About Me to Advocacy Work: People with disabilities want equal opportunities
Fake It to Make It: Understand that you’re worthy, deserving, and included
Love Yourself: Mental health is what’s most important, so take care of you

Links and Resources:

Transverse Myelitis (TM)

Ms. Wheelchair NY: ‘Life, Liberty And The Pursuit Of Access’

Beyond Shame Healing Day Hosted by Matthias Roberts