PART 1 of 2: Many Christians wonder how it is possible to be LGBTQ+ affirming in light of what most people assume to be a clear anti-Gay message in the bible. In this special 2-part episode, Kelly examines how affirming Bible scholars view the 6 verses in the Bible that deal with same-sex relationships in the context of their time and place, and question whether these really are sweeping prohibitions of all same-sex relationships, or are about specific issues in a certain time–including violence, idolatry, and religious difference–that may not apply to modern LGBTQ+ people and relationships. (TW: Sexual Assault)

Dr. Ryan Joseph Allen, Author, Speaker, and Transformational Coach, talks with us about his life’s journey, which began with depression, addiction, shame, and alienation, and led him through a rollercoaster of ups and downs before he connected with God through the most unlikely of evangelists: His drug dealer. Dr. Allen shares with us how his experiences inspired him to break destructive cycles, embrace his authentic self–including his LGBTQ+ sexual identity, and to work with others to support, motivate, and lead them to love. Allen is the author of “My Drug Dealer Brought Me to God,” (available on Amazon and other booksellers) and works extensively in the nonprofit sector to help improve the lives of others.

Using Mark’s recent retreat at Holy Cross Monastery as a launching off place, we explore how mysticism, meditation, and contemplative traditions like monasticism can help answer questions, inform our beliefs, and offer insights into the divine that are deeper and more profound than those we find everyday churchgoing or scripture study alone.

How do you re-engage with God after deconstruction? How do you get over some of those major hurdles–the violence, exclusion, injustice and other problems that make traditional theology hard to swallow? Thomas Oord–theologian, writer, professor, and director of the Center for Open and Relational Theology–talks with us about the book that he and Tripp Fuller just released, God After Deconstruction. Together, these innovative theological minds systematically address the top problems that people have with modern Christianity, and take on each of them head-on. Oord offers thoughtful responses to many of the burning issues that are driving people away from churches, and presents some of the concepts of Open and Relational Theology, which many are finding as a reasonable yet faithful way of encountering God all over again.

We are so blessed to talk with Dr. Thema Bryant, psychologist, minister, and sacred artist, about the connections between mental health and faith, and how both can work together...

This week we talk with none other than Rhett Wilson: layman, craftsman, family man, and the inheritor of a rich religious legacy of “the Donalds,” a family of ministers,...

We talk with Keith Giles, a former pastor who “left the church to follow Jesus,” and author of “The Quantum Sayings of Jesus” and several other books that challenge...

We had an energetic and inspiring conversation with Meg Calvin, author, speaker, and coach who works with “Spiritually Attuned Go-getters” to write, publish, and market best-selling books on Amazon...