Give Me 1 Reason Give Me 1 Reason

This guy has my heart, he is one of my first generation ‘Cup’ kids, a youth center I operated in 2003 – 2009. When I Went to college in my 40’s he was in my first philosophy class and observed in first person my religious mind being blown. Brad is talented beyond words. A musician, member of several bands through the years, one was the up-and-coming Christian pop group Alakrity in the 2000’s. He is now a podcaster and hosts The Album Concept hour along with having a part in several others. More importantly Brad is passionate about social justice and lives out his convictions daily. We discuss BLM, wealth inequality, using your privilege to make a difference, radical resistance, and the state of the church. Brad also shares his desire to hold on to the person and story of Christ though is no longer a Christian. No matter who you are, you will find something in this conversation to make you think. Last but not least it is recorded in Brad’s lovely podcast studio, so the sound quality is wonderful! Thank you Brad for the honor!

These two young people are articulate and humorous as they honestly share with me what it means to be a trans person. Their stories of coming out to their family are different, yet they both are seeking to find common ground with those they love, yet at the same time standing up for their unique personal identity. We mused about religious belief and the relevance of prayer. I attempted to make the case that God is a ‘they’ and we laughed about pronoun mishaps as they sought to educate me further. We discussed ‘dead names’ and how healing it is to be fully immersed in your identity. As I left this conversation, I was completely smitten by these beautiful humans and their desire to help create a world of radical acceptance for all.

Bobby Mann is one of the many reasons I appreciate young people. He grew up in a small town in the Midwest as he puts it ‘in a fairly non diverse bubble.’ As he entered college, many things that he had thought formerly did not make sense to him anymore and he has gained a richer experience coming to understand and embrace diversity. He has an audacious goal for his gen z generation, that they would be the ones to eradicate racism. His enthusiasm and passion make you believe it could be a possibility. Thank you, Bobby, for a pandemic interview as the world goes crazy!!

Do not miss this one, Brandon is a friend I met when I was a non trad 42 year old church lady headed to college and he was an 18 year old metal head in my philosophy class. Our journeys have collided at different points in our lives the last 14 years and here we are.

He honestly tells me what he thought of my worldview and comments in class those eons ago as well as how philosophy sent him on a long strange trip of doubt, belief and then back to doubt. Articulate and engaging, Brandon is honest and non judgmental but at the end of the day, only wants to believe what is true.

Islam, Psychedelics and the meaning of life....just a few of the things we discussed. I loved this conversation and gleaned so much from it, I hope you do as well

This is my guy...a precious young man I have had the privilege of running into a few times the last couple of years. His light and energy is contagious. He let me know he wanted to talk to me after hearing my last episode on Dogma Debate. I honestly had no idea where he was coming from and was surprised to say the least. Richie is honest, forthright, heartfelt and deeply sincere as he lays out what he believes and then tells his story which left me in tears.
I must tell you I foolishly recorded this in a bar and the back noise is frustrating though my producer worked hard to minimize it. I must say it is so worth it!!!
Again,, had no idea before I entered this one what it would entail and I am so proud of it and him 3

A story about....A Christian mom who is a pastor talks with her atheist sons...they ask the hard questions and she is challenged in her core as she second guesses the way she raised them...in the end there is nothing but love.
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This was again hard for a parent to hear but important for a parent to hear. I listen as my two oldest tell me why they have left the faith as I search for reasons and answers to their questions.

Sometimes it is painful and challenging to your worth as a parent to have these honest conversations yet I am very proud of the fact we can have them. Human suffering, the problem of evil, why God is not worthy of our worship and why wont I give in and give up my faith in light of their seemingly reasonable rejection of the God of the Bible are just a few of the things discussed. Hard to hear till the very end and it ends not resolved but we all learned more about each other and I am good with that.

I affirmed their religious past and why I felt we did the best thing for them at the time, the things that seemed silly now yet I still defended them.

This was done in the middle of the night over Christmas and again...whiskey ;)thankfully

To my sons, I love you forever, I'll like you for always...as long as I'm living...(you know the rest)