
58 episodes

Sweetbitter | Queer Christianity & the Bible Sweetbitter Podcast
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- History
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4.6 • 148 Ratings
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An investigative history podcast with a focus on queer & women’s history. Each season, we explore a different corner of history, using literary works or historical figures as a starting point to discuss a broader story of erasure of people with marginalized identities.
In our second season, we bring you a high-seas adventure full of surprises as we uncover the queer & women's history of pirates. Gay love and even marriage were more common in the 17th-century world of pirates than we might expect, and history is full of cross-dressing, swashbuckling pirates who broke gender norms and created their own queer culture. We explore the stories behind these radical rebel and discuss why have those stories been erased for hundreds of years.
Season 1 delves into the truth and controversy surrounding Sappho; her life, the Isle of Lesbos and her relevance today.
Produced in partnership with 3SM.
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Roe vs Wade and the American God
While we get back on schedule for season 3, we'd like to share this episode with you from May last year. It's a conversation between Alyse, Leesa & Carl Joseph-Black about the leaked Roe v Wade papers, the law and religion in America.
We'll be back to our regular programming soon and hope you enjoy this in the meantime.
And May the 4th be with you!
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Acts 8:26-40
Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, ‘Go to that chariot and stay near it.’ Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?’ Philip asked. ‘How can I,’ he said, ‘unless someone explains it to me?’ So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: ‘He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth. In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.’ The eunuch asked Philip, ‘Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?’ Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus. As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?’ And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.
In our seventh episode, we discuss the queer figure of the Ethiopian eunuch, and explore the experiences of intersex and ace Christians. Thank you to our guests this week, Marissa Adams, Stephanie A. Budwey, and Madison Stafford.
As always, you can find us on Twitter and Instagram at @sweetbitterpod. You can support us on Patreon at patreon.com/sweetbitter.
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Mark 5:1-20
As always, you can find us on Twitter and Instagram at @sweetbitterpod. You can support us on Patreon at patreon.com/sweetbitter.
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1 Samuel 18:1-4
After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.
In our fourth episode, we discuss the story of David and Jonathan, and ways that queers can reclaim their Christianity. We also hear personal stories from queer Christians, describing how they returned to their faith after experiences of exclusion and prejudice. Thank you to our guests this week. Our song this week is Great is Thy Faithfulness, performed by Ellie & Leesa.
As always, you can find us on Twitter and Instagram at @sweetbitterpod. You can support us on Patreon at patreon.com/sweetbitter.
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Matthew 5:1-12
Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them. He said: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
In our third episode, we discuss the Beatitudes and queerer ways of understanding Jesus. What is the role of social justice in Christianity, and vice versa? How can we understand Jesus as both a religious and political figure? Thank you to our guests this week, Reverend Florentino Cordova, Reverend Altagracia Perez-Bullard, and Reverend Jeanelle N. Ablola. Our song this week is His Eye Is on the Sparrow, performed by Ellie & Leesa.
As always, you can find us on Twitter and Instagram at @sweetbitterpod. You can support us on Patreon at patreon.com/sweetbitter.
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Psalm 139:14
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.
In our third episode, we discuss queerer ways to read the Bible, focusing on a passage that reminds us we are “fearfully and wonderfully made.” How can queer folks find healing and liberation through new perspectives on scriptural texts? Thank you to our guests this week, Reverend Florentino Cordova, Reverend M Jade Kaiser, Tim Schaefer, Reverend Jakob Hero-Shaw, Pastor Dawn, Reverend Altagracia Perez-Bullard, and Reverend Jeanelle N. Ablola. Our song this week is The Gift of Love, performed by Ellie & Leesa with accompaniment by Blair Greene.
As always, you can find us on Twitter and Instagram at @sweetbitterpod. You can support us on Patreon at patreon.com/sweetbitter.
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Customer Reviews
The podcast I didn’t know I needed
What a treasure find! Ellie, Leesa, and Alyse are so entertaining and fun to listen to. I feel like I’m at a casual hangout while still learning a lot about Sappho and pirates. They have a wide range of experts and reputable guests on the show that really delve deep into relevant topics.
I listen to Sweetbitter on my drive to and from work everyday and it just puts me in a better mood! They always make me laugh, too.
My ear is really picky with people’s voices, so I don’t normally listen to podcasts, but I couldn’t pass this one up. Sweetbitter is fantastic! Can’t wait for season 3 :D
This podcast is so needed!
After finally being fed up with how little I knew about Sappho, I decided to search for a Sappho podcast and was surprised to find just the one (as the hosts describe)! Coincidentally I have also been super curious about what ~actually~ happened in pirate history so… I came for Sappho and stayed for the pirates!
The hosts do an incredible job telling stories and making history vividly come to life. Sappho and Grace O'Malley would be proud ;)
P.S. hello from Boston, as well!
So much new & fab construction
I’d been low-key curious for awhile about what Sappho actually wrote, so I thought I’d check this out. (The pirate eps are calling to me for sure).
The Sappho info is great, the poetry reading and deciphering is FANTASTIC for any history person.
But what keeps my coming back forever is how well constructed this podcast is. Anyone putting together an interview show that wants to explain stuff, and keep the audience interested - this is a great example.
For people just looking for a good listen - this is one of the best.