Poema Podcast

Today author, YouTuber and public theologian Damon Garcia is my guest, as we explore the call of Jesus to social activism. Damon shares his own spiritual journey, and how he discovered a Jesus who takes sides with the marginalised and the oppressed and who fights for their liberation. Damon then explores how we need to follow this example, in the oppressive systems we currently find ourselves in, and take a stand for marginalised, oppressed peoples. 

Today my friend author, podcaster and tik tok star Rev Brandan Robertson joins me to talk about his new book 'Dry Bones and Holy Wars'. In this episode he and I explore how the teachings of Jesus can inspire us bring social and spiritual renewal in a world engulfed by toxic systems of oppression, and where there is so much grief, trauma, inequality, and marginalisation. Brandan talks about what a healthy, deconstructed Jesus spirituality can look like, and how the community of Jesus followers need to reform, evolve and grow to be able to bring about the social and spiritual renewal the world so desperately needs. 

**TW: Eating disorder**   This week author, podcaster & speaker Jackie Gronlund (she/her) is my guest. Jackie shares her story, talking about her relationship with her body, and learning self acceptance.  Jackie talks about the challenges of living with an eating disorder and other coping mechanisms and escapes, and how this impacted her life, spirituality, relationships with others. and her relationship with her body. Jackie shares her journey of discovering healing through a healthy relationship with her body, and how this helped her find peace in herself and in her true identity - and how we can do the same.   Find more of Jackie's work at jackiegronlund.com

Today my friend, podcaster, coach, speaker and author Rev Sarah Heath returns to Poema! In this episode we catch up with what she's been up to, and she shares the story of how she chose to leave working in ordained ministry to create a life which was truly her own, and becoming fully embodied in her vocation and her life.  Sarah talks about the challenges of moving out of ordained ministry, and the risks, the difficulties - and the rewards, of choosing to live fully in tune with ourselves. Sarah also shares how these choices have been influenced by, and have themselves impacted her own spiritual journey. Sarah's story is  a great example of what it means for us create our own lives and tell our story our own way, and how this can transform us.

I'm honoured to be joined by Thomas Floyd LCMHC, a psychologist and therapist. He tells us a little of his story, and then we explore the connections between the process of deconstruction and issues of co-dependency and attachment types in relationships of all kinds  We talk about how toxic religious systems can teach us co-dependency and unhealthy attachment models, and how we can unlearn these to have healthy relationships and communities. 

Honoured today to be joined by my friend Erin Green M.Div (she/they). Erin is a queer activist and scholar. Today their share their story of deconstruction, and discovery and exploration of their queer identity. They discuss how they reconciled the two, how this impacted their life, faith & relationships, in particular their relationship with Christianity & the church, and finding healthy community. 

Today I'm joined by Sarah Kimble, as we continue my exploration of pop culture with a discussion on the book / movie "Pride & Prejudice".  We explore the cultural context it was written and how this impacts how we read and interact with the story and characters. We also discuss the character of Mr Darcy and make the argument that he may well be autistic, and explore examples of this, and how this would explain much of his character and his behaviour/interactions in the book. We also talk about how that can help us understand the story and have more empathy with him. This was such a fun episode, with some great insights. Hope you enjoy it!

This week I'm joined by Dr Amy Marschall. Dr Amy is a licensed psychologist and certified in telemental health, working with children aged 2-18 and experienced and qualified in giving ADHD & autism diagnoses. She's also authored or co-authored several books.  In this episode she talks about her experiences working with children with ADHD and autism. She shares about how her reaction to the dramatic changes in her lifestyle during lockdown ultimately led her to the discovery and diagnosis of her autism and adhd, and how she has spoken to over 45 people with the conditions to understand their experiences - a project she is still working on. Dr Amy also talks about the issues with getting a diagnosis, especially as an adult, and how her clients had even noticed. She also discusses how this has impacted her work and her hopes to end stigma and ableism around these conditions, the biggest misunderstandings around ADHD & Autism, and the challenges of getting a diagnosis and being honest about this condition

My pop culture series continues today with my friend Melissa Weissenberger returning to the show to discuss the movie 'Free Guy'. We explore the numerous themes of the movie and how they relate to our own personal journeys. We also discuss how it's a metaphor for being trapped in toxic systems and becoming aware of them, breaking free from the control of others and discovering your own identity, and so much more. This was such a fun episode to make & I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

This week I'm joined by author and poet Marla Taviano, who shares her story about her faith deconstruction, the end of her marriage, and how she found a way to survive and create a new life. We talk about her recently released book of poetry called 'Unbelieve: Poems on the Journey to Becoming a Heretic', and the creative process behind it. Marla shares how creativity has become a path to healing & expressing the trauma, grief and pain of her experiences, exploring the questions she had, and lessons she is still learning and unlearning. 

This week I welcome back my friend Irene M Cho to the podcast, and we continue our series on pop culture with an examination of the Godfather trilogy, and the arc of Michael Corleone.  We explore his personal journey and his unhealthy responses to grief and how they defined him - and how they can define us. We also discuss the generational trauma carried through the Corlene family, and how generational trauma can do so much damage to individuals and families without proper healing work, take us away from our true selves, and lead to tragedy. 

As Poema Podcast returns, I'm joined by my friend Kevin M Nye, and we talk about his book 'Grace Can Lead Us Home: A Christian Call to End Homelessness'. Kevin has worked in the area of homelessness for many years, and today we discuss this is more detail. Kevin talks about the many myths and misunderstandings around those experiencing homelessness and how these can cause such damage. He also explores the many ways the problem has been tackled, and shares some more new & more helpful approaches which he believes can bring about genuine change.  The core of Kevin's perspective, is how by simply humanising those who experience homelessness and loving and showing grace towards them, is the first step to reducing homelessness.

Nicki Pappas, author and podcaster, joins me today to share her deconstruction story. She shares how her lived experiences and rise of Trump challenged her to leave toxic evangelicalism behind, and begin work on what she calls 'broadening the narrative'. Nicki talks about the the impact this journey has had on her relationships, her marriage, and her mental health. She shares lessons she's learned on her journey, and the process creating spaces in her own life, and in her creative work, for wider conversations. She tells us how she is exploring new ways of exploring our spirituality, new perspectives, which give us freedom to grow and heal.

Today I'm joined by author April Fiet, who talks to us about healthy and unhealthy rhythms of life, including harmful ones which have often pushed on us by toxic religion and capitalism. April shares, sometimes from from her own story, how we can leave these unhealthy rhythms behind, and find healthier rhythms to our lives which connect more us to spirit, and ourselves. She shows us how we can leave perfectionism behind, and how every moment can become sacred.

My friend K.J. Ramsey joins me to talk about her new book, 'The Lord is my Courage', The book and this conversation explore how we can discover courage and deeper spiritual connection as we step through faith deconstruction and into freedom from toxic religious systems & the spiritual abuse many of us experienced there. KJ tells us some of her own experiences of this journey, talking about the impact spiritual abuse toxic religion & leaving it behind can have on our mental and physical health, and relationships. She then shares how the creative process with this book & her own exploration of this Psalm both liberated, healed, and helped her find a new depth to her connection with the divine - and how it can do so for us.

Today on I'm honoured to be joined by my friend Jarred, who tells me his story of discovering his queer identity, and deconstruction, which led him into witchcraft and paganism.  He shares how this has transformed his life, relationships and spirituality, and some of the challenges he's faced along the way, including the response to his embrace of his true identity and leaving his Christian faith behind. He is both courageous, honest and compassionate in how he tells us his story and the sharing the wisdom he's learned. 

Today my beloved friend Kacey returns to the show, to bring us up to date with their story, including their coming out as non-binary and bi, and the impact this has had on them, their life and family, and how her partner supported them with this. Kacey and I explore the concept of identity and the constructs which can restrict us, and the impact of good embodiment work. And then move to explore how we can live free of those identities and live a healthy, thriving life where we can be fully ourselves. 

I'm honoured to welcome back my friend, author & activist (and now tik-tok star), Brandan Robertson today. In this episode we talk about his journey in the last year, becoming an advocate for LGBTQIA+ inclusion on Tik Tok & being featured in Rolling Stone. He also shares his lived experience of unlearning his white male privilege, doing anti-racist work and its role in his deconstruction and personal journey, and the importance of this for all white people. He uses the metaphor of Jesus laying his divinity aside as a metaphor for laying privilege permanently aside for the betterment and liberation of ourselves, and the world.

Today I'm joined by my friend Rhea, who shares their personal spiritual, creative and personal transformation. They share about how their deconstruction, healing and journey impacted their creativity.  Rhea also explores what true, authentic creativity looks like outside toxic systems of control and oppression, and beyond capitalist structures which demand results, numbers, money and approval. The answer is inspiring and liberating. 

In this episode joined by Natalie and Heather, to share the story of Natalie's transitioning to a trans woman, and the impact it had on her wife Heather and the family. They share about the challenges they've faced both within and outside their family, and how its impacted their spirituality and relationships.  We also talk about our shared love of Doctor Who, and in particular the concept of regeneration as a metaphor for both personal transformation and the process of transitioning. Natalie and Heather are courageous, wonderful people with a powerful story, its an honour to share their story today.