Included: The Podcast

Included
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Conversations toward a greater understanding of the inclusive love of Jesus, unpacking the mystery and wonder of the Word of God, for those seeking an affirming equitable Salvation Army… for others. Thanks for joining. We invite you to take a posture of listening, and exploring, as we seek, together, the good news for the whosoever.

  1. Sep 21

    When Belonging Breaks: Losing Church But Holding Faith

    Imagine if the leaders of your church met to discuss intimate details about your daughter, restrict her participation and erase her from its membership, without speaking to her, or you. Lia, from Chicago USA, was a lifelong Salvationist. So were her parents, Angelina and Jason. "Army through and through," as Angelina puts it. Lia became a senior soldier (uniformed member) because faith expressed through service mattered to her. She was a gifted musician, repeatedly representing The Salvation Army at the Rose Parade. Then she came out as transgender, and was told she could no longer be a soldier, could no longer participate in the Parade, could no longer be a part of her Corps (church) band and would lose all aspects of her leadership and participation. There is nothing in The Salvation Army's Orders & Regulations that says a transgender person cannot be a soldier. Transgender soldiers serve in corps around the world. There was no policy basis for the decision made about Lia, no consultation with her or her family, no explanation given. Despite senior leaders of The Salvation Army meeting to discuss Lia's situation, nothing would be put in writing and there would be no path to appeal. The decision was final.  This happened to a young person at one of the most vulnerable moments of her life, coming into her own identity, inside the only church she had ever known. What followed has been two years of silence from The Salvation Army leadership, while a family who had given their lives to this movement lost their belonging, their community, and nearly their faith. In this episode, Kris and Christina sit with Angelina and Jason as they talk about what it costs when a church cannot see the gifts of the person blossoming in front of it, and about the faith that, somehow, they have held onto. Prior to the recording and publication of this episode - over many months, beginning in December 2024 - the Included Team attempted to make contact with International Headquarters, USA National Headquarters and USA Western Territorial Headquarters to advocate for, garner pastoral support for and seek answers for Lia. No response was received.

  2. May 17

    Hidden in Plain Sight: Good News Through Diversity | Captain Kris Halliday

    “Look for the man carrying the clay jar. Follow him.” It’s a tiny line in the Gospel of Mark that most people miss — yet it may completely reshape how we think about belonging, diversity and the way of Jesus. In this thoughtful and hope-filled reflection, Captain Kris Halliday from Australia explores two often-overlooked figures in Scripture: the man carrying the jar before the Last Supper, and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8. What if the people pushed to the edges of religion were never outside the story of God at all — but were helping carry it forward? A reflective episode about faith, exclusion, dignity, discipleship and the radically inclusive movement of Jesus.

  3. 12/06/2025

    “I apologise”. Chick Yuill Addresses Battle Orders

    In one of the most powerful moments in the story of Included, Chick Yuill joined a global webinar in 2021 to discuss the harmful writing in Battle Orders.  Throughout the 90’s, and still in some places today, Chick’s training manual was the key learning material for new Soldiers (members) of The Salvation Army.  In it are words that are etched in the minds of LGBTQIA+ Salvationists around the world, words which not only harmed them directly, but led to countless others being emboldened in homophobia.  It’s a legacy that Chick is not proud of and in this replay of that 2021 online conference, Chick offers a heartfelt apology and takes us through his journey of exploration since - explaining that were he to write it again today, it would be a very different message. He then offers a bold and prophetic vision for the future of The Salvation Army.  We’re thankful to Chick for his humility, for his grace is joining us for this conversation  and for his openness to continual dialogue.  If you’d like to chat with someone from the Included team about anything in this discussion, reach out at team@includedpage.com The original video of this conversation and more LGBTQIA+ affirming content is available on our webpage  www.includedpage.com or Facebook.com/includedpage

  4. 11/24/2025

    From Advocacy to Aftermath: Shifts, Struggles & Hope with Sally Goldner (AM) and Matt Glover

    In this episode we explore what has changed — and what hasn’t — for trans and gender-diverse people across decades of advocacy. Sally Goldner (AM), a long-time advocate and educator whose work has shaped transgender, gender-diverse and bisexual inclusion in Australia, reflects on the progress, backlash and personal cost of visibility over the years. We also speak with Matt Glover, a counsellor specialising in the intersection of faith, sexuality and trauma, whose support for marriage equality led to his dismissal as a Baptist pastor and reshaped his calling. Together they help us understand the ongoing struggles, the deep wounds caused by harmful church responses, and the pathways toward support, healing and hope — for those navigating identity, for their families and allies, and for faith communities seeking to do better.

    From Advocacy to Aftermath: Shifts, Struggles & Hope with Sally Goldner (AM) and Matt Glover

  5. 10/31/2025

    Gender Expansive Faith - Finding the Divine in Diversity

    In this inspiring episode, author Steff Fenton invites us to see transgender people as God’s gift to the church and the world. Drawing from their book Gender Expansive Faith, Steff shares how transness and queerness reveal divine creativity and expand our understanding of what it means to be made in God’s image.   From untangling deficit narratives to celebrating the strength, beauty, and spirituality of queer community, Steff reminds us that God is a diverse creator—and that our stories can lead and teach the church something sacred.   “It’s hard out there right now to be ourselves,” Steff says, “but you reflect divinity. You have a superpower within you to bring healing to our world.”   Join us for a conversation about faith beyond the binary, belonging, and becoming like the One who exists within—and beyond—gender. If you’d like more info about this episode, the Included team or you’d like to chat with someone for support, reach out at team@includedpage.com

  6. 10/23/2025

    From Evangelical to Empowered: Mike Maeshiro on faith, freedom and the fight to exist in Trump's America

    Mike Maeshiro’s story moves from evangelical platforms to a new kind of pulpit: one that preaches honesty, hope, and the power of telling your own story out loud. Inspired by pop lyrics and the pursuit of love without fear. Ex-evangelical pastor, now advocate and influencer Mike Maeshiro opens up about coming out, deconstructing faith, and learning to live out loud in the ruins of certainty. With a little prod from a Taylor Swift anthem, Mike found himself and used his voice to encourage others struggling to reconcile their sexuality with what the chruch was telling them.  In a world of political chaos and spiritual confusion, Mike offers a vision of faith grounded in honesty, wholeness, and justice. His story reminds us that deconstruction doesn’t have to mean destruction; it can be an act of courage, compassion, and clarity — rebuilding something truer than before. When faith becomes fear and politics become idols, what’s left? For Mike, it’s the rediscovery of love, freedom, and belonging. This is an episode for anyone who’s ever wondered if they could still find God — or themselves — after leaving certainty behind. If you'd like to get in touch with someone from the INCLUDED team, we're at team@includedpage.com Mike's page is at www.mikemaeshiro.com/

    From Evangelical to Empowered: Mike Maeshiro on faith, freedom and the fight to exist in Trump's America

  7. 01/16/2025

    Trans-figuration: Rev. Dr. Katy Valentine

    In this compelling episode, we chat with Rev. Dr. Katy Valentine, a theologian and pastor with deep expertise in theology regarding gender identity. Together, we explore the intersection of scripture, gender, and inclusion, unpacking the often-overlooked stories in the Bible that champion radical acceptance. Dr. Valentine sheds light on the historical and theological underpinnings of transgender inclusion, the harm caused by exclusionary practices, and the transformative power of unmasking our authentic selves in faith communities. Whether you’re rethinking your views or standing as an ally, this conversation will inspire and equip you to embrace the full diversity of God’s beloved creation. If you'd like to get in touch with us to talk further, you can email us anytime at team@includedpage.com We mention a discount code in the chat, here's the info!  For those who live in the continental United States: Promo Code: TRANSBIBLICAL40 40% discount on www.wjkbooks.com Ends May 15, 2025. Outside of USA: email customer service department at customer_service@wjkbooks.com and we would honor the discount

  8. 02/29/2024

    Trans Spirit Flourishing - Josephine Inkpin, Australia's first transgender priest

    Josephine Inkpin has been referred to as one of the most influential queer faith leaders in Sydney's history. She is a priest, theologian and activist. Currently a minister of the Uniting Church is Australia, she was previously a member of the Anglican Church and was the church's first openly transgender priest. She chats with Kris and guest host Sharon Priestly about a lifetime of pushing boundaries to live, and thrive as a queer person of faith Josephine's blog is at https://www.transspirit.org/

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About

Conversations toward a greater understanding of the inclusive love of Jesus, unpacking the mystery and wonder of the Word of God, for those seeking an affirming equitable Salvation Army… for others. Thanks for joining. We invite you to take a posture of listening, and exploring, as we seek, together, the good news for the whosoever.

Information

  • Creator
    Included
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2022 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Included: The Podcast

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