Poema Podcast

Poema S7 020 | Rev Dr Kate Hanch PhD on Reclaiming Women's Voices & Finding Hope

Today Rev Dr Kate Hanch PhD, comes on the show to talk about her study on prophetic humility through the lens of women, and marginalised women. 
Fully acknowledging her own inbuilt bias and white privilege, she talks about how we need to centre women in conversations around theology, and historical women theologians whose voices have been silenced due to patriarchy. 
Dr Kate then moves on to talk about how and where she is finding hope in these difficult times we're living in and how her faith helps her face challenges.  And then she talks about finding joy in the midst of pain, and lessons we can learn from periods of struggle.
 
 

Poema S7 019 | Bob Doto on Sitting with Spirits

Today I welcome writer and speaker Bob Doto to the show. In this episode we explore how we can have a form of relationship with the spirits of those who have passed.
Bob explains how he discovered and experienced how we can encounter spirits and do spirit work through the lens of biblical hermeneutics, magical and mindfulness practices, shadow work, and self-inquiry. 
Bob shows having a relationship with the spirits of those who have passed is not only possible within the all Christian traditions, but is inherent to the faith as a whole - and we discuss exactly how this fits in with the practices and experiences of lament and grief.

Poema S7 018 | Caroline McGraw on Why You Don't Owe Anyone

Today author and coach Caroline McGraw joins me to talk about her new book and why "You Don't Owe Anyone".  
Caroline explains to us how often we feel obligated to the world around us, feel we "owe" people and put impossible expectations on ourselves, and the unhelpful roles we can sometimes assign ourselves. We explore the dangers of perfectionism and how to free ourselves of it.
We also discuss why it's so important to name what we're carrying - fear, trauma, mistakes - and face up to it in order to be transformed and grow. And why continually pursuing growth is so important.
Finally, Caroline gives us some practical steps we can take to begin this journey in our own lives. 
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Pre-Order Carolines book here (& get some amazing pre-order bonuses): 
https://awishcomeclear.com/james-prescott

Poema S7 017 | Sarah Bessey & Lisa Sharon Harper on the Rhythm of Prayer

Today I'm joined by author & speaker Sarah Bessey, and speaker, author, podcast host and activist Lisa Sharon Harper, to talk about the new collaborative book they've worked on and contributed to, along with many others, 'A Rhythm of Prayer'.
We talk about the background to the creation of the book in the context of the events of the last 12 months - global pandemic, the murder of George Floyd, the US Presidential election and the weight this book carries and the message it wants to send us in these times of grief & uncertainty. 
We talk about the inspiration for Lisa's own contribution, Sarah's reasons for creating this book and the importance of new liturgies for a new time - and the significance of all of these voices being women. 
"A Rhythm of Prayer" is available now at all online booksellers. 

Poema S7 016 | James' Story - hosted by Becky Castle Miller

In this special episode, I sit with Becky Castle Miller and tell my own story.
A story of childhood trauma, multiple grief experiences, and a journey through the unhealth of certainty and spiritual abuse, into deconstructing not just my faith, but my life and my identity.
It's a story of transcendent spiritual experiences, betrayal, suicidal ideation and nearly losing it all.
A journey of healing, transformation and embodiment. 
My story. 

Poema S7 015 | Kelly Wolfe on Lust, Desire and Faith

Today my friend Kelly Wolfe joins me, to talk about sex, desire, lust, masturbation and healthy ways we can connect these with Christian faith. 
We talk about the damage purity culture and shame has done to so many people, and how we need to unlearn this and begin to talk about these subjects openly and honestly, and be honest about our desires and how our bodies work, and need to express themselves sexually. 
Kelly talks openly about how masturbation in the right context can be a healthy expression of our sexuality - and how and why this fits with the way of Jesus and honours how we were created.
Finally, Kelly also discusses the difference between lust and desire, and why we should have no shame in discussing and ethically exploring our sexuality - and why this is a beautiful, divine gift.  
 

Poema S7 014 | Dr Hillary McBride PhD on Grief & the Language of Our Pain

I'm delighted to be joined today by Dr Hillary McBride PhD, therapist, researcher, author and former co-host of The Liturgists podcast (this episode was recorded before she announced her departure).
We just started talking and let the conversation flow - it began by Hillary sharing her own journey and about the experience of being a therapist during a pandemic. 
Hillary and I also talked about where following our curiosity can take us in our lives, conversations, art and our own personal journeys.
She also talks about growth, and how we can often find growth & meaning even in the midst of hardship. Hillary then shares how we need to become familiar with the language of our own pain, and how this can be helpful in our journeys of growth and healing. 
We end by exploring grief in more depth, and how historically we have dealt with grief as a culture and how we can use the energy of grief on a broader scale to bring about cultural change. 
This was hands down one of my all time favourite conversations for the podcast, Hillary is inspiring, wise and encouraging. I'm excited for you to hear this. 
 
 

Poema S7 013 | Anita Grace Brown is a Kamikaze Yogi

Today I'm joined by Yogi and author Anita Grace Brown to hear her story and talk about her work exploring the connections between Christ, Yoga and how this intertwines with our journey of growth.
Anita shares with us how we can use yoga and the story of Jesus to help us enter healthy state of centeredness. She tells us how the human soul might just be God's muscle which we need to work on strengthening - and if we do, we could be transformed. 
Anita believes we are more resilient than we think, and more conscious than we think - and today we explore this.
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Anita's book Kamikaze Yogi is available now!

Poema S7 012 | Dr Robyn Henderson-Espinoza, Ph.D. on Activist Theology, Compassion & Connection

Today I'm joined by Dr Robyn Henderson-Espinoza, Ph.D, Transqueer Activist Latinx Scholar, Public Theologian, and host of the Activist Theology podcast.
Dr Robyn tells their story about their lived experience of living with autism, how they became aware of their diagnosis, and not just freedom it brought but also the grief of realising how this may have impacted others pre-diagnosis. 
They then talk about what this time of lockdown and a global pandemic can teach, and how we can use this time to connect with ourselves each other. We also talk about the pandemic has amplified the flawed, unequal system of capitalism we all live in. Dr Robyn shares how our relationships have been impacted by this mindset, by a transactional model over one of connection and compassion.
Dr Robyn then explores his work, and what action he's been taking & we can take to subvert the system and bring about a more compassionate, connected world.
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Find more of Dr Robyn's work at www.irobyn.com 

Poema S7 011 | Dr Khaleah Bradshaw on Black Women, Patriarchy & Singleness

I'm honoured to be joined by Dr Khaleah Bradshaw, who shares her own story, and also talks about her experiences and research on patriarchy and singleness within the black community. 
We talk about the challenges all single people face, and why it's better to wait and find a partner who's a good match, than rush in. We also discuss how the challenges of breaking down patriarchal systems which can shame people for singleness. 
This was a fun and insightful conversation, which will challenge and inspire.