Poema Podcast

Poema S9 006 | Amanda Held Opelt on the Black Death, COVID & Cultural Grief

In this week's episode author Amanda Held Opelt joins me to discuss the cultural and historical impact of the Black Death during the 1300's. 
We discuss the collective grief and trauma experienced by the countries impacted by the Black Death, and the longer term consequences for the church, culture and ultimately the history of western culture.
We explore the consequences of collective cultural grief and trauma, and talk about what the potential long term impact of COVID has and potentially will be for the world and our culture as a whole. 

Poema S9 005 | Marla Taviano on Schitts Creek & Deconstruction and LGBTQI Inclusion

In today's episode we return to our irregular pop culture series, with author Marla Taviano joining me to discuss the popular show - and one of our favourites - Schitts Creek. 
We talk about the various character arcs, and how these explore personal deconstruction and transformation after a major life change. We also explore the culture of the show which normalised LGBTQ inclusion and was such an inspiration to the LGBTQ community.
This was such a fun episode to record, any fan of the show will enjoy it (and even those who don't know the show). 

Poema S9 004 | Maria Francesca French on Safer than the Known Way

I'm honoured to be joined today by my friend, colleague Maria Francesca French today. Maria is a professor, theologian, author and coach, exploring all things Christian and post-Christian. 
Today she shares her personal journey, and talks about her first book, Safer than the Known Way, and we discuss together the root of the term deconstruction.
We explore the concept of event, and how event begins an unravelling which takes us on a journey into what is called deconstruction, which goes way beyond the boundaries of religion and belief, and helps us explore, question and understand our very identity.
This was such a great conversation, Maria has such knowledge, wisdom and lived experience in this area. 
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I highly recommend checking out Maria's book 'Safer than the Known Way', available at all online booksellers now.
 

Poema S9 003 | Nikki Pappas on Leaving Toxic Religion

**Trigger warning: religious abuse, toxic religion**
Today author and podcaster Nikki Pappas joins us to talk about her book "As Familiar As Family: Leaving Toxic Religion".
Nikki tells us her powerful story of how she experienced abuse as love from a young age, being brought up in an evangelical family, being groomed for unhealthy relationships and toxic religion. 
She talks about she finally broke free of toxic religion, the challenges and the cost - and the freedom she discovered. 

Poema S9 002 | Damon Garcia on The God who Riots

Today author, YouTuber and public theologian Damon Garcia is my guest, as we explore the call of Jesus to social activism.
Damon shares his own spiritual journey, and how he discovered a Jesus who takes sides with the marginalised and the oppressed and who fights for their liberation.
Damon then explores how we need to follow this example, in the oppressive systems we currently find ourselves in, and take a stand for marginalised, oppressed peoples. 

Poema S9 001 | Brandan Robertson on The Call for Social & Spiritual Renewal

Today my friend author, podcaster and tik tok star Rev Brandan Robertson joins me to talk about his new book 'Dry Bones and Holy Wars'.
In this episode he and I explore how the teachings of Jesus can inspire us bring social and spiritual renewal in a world engulfed by toxic systems of oppression, and where there is so much grief, trauma, inequality, and marginalisation.
Brandan talks about what a healthy, deconstructed Jesus spirituality can look like, and how the community of Jesus followers need to reform, evolve and grow to be able to bring about the social and spiritual renewal the world so desperately needs. 

Poema S8 038 | Jackie Gronlund on Depression, Eating Disorders & Embodiment

**TW: Eating disorder**
 
This week author, podcaster & speaker Jackie Gronlund (she/her) is my guest. Jackie shares her story, talking about her relationship with her body, and learning self acceptance. 
Jackie talks about the challenges of living with an eating disorder and other coping mechanisms and escapes, and how this impacted her life, spirituality, relationships with others. and her relationship with her body.
Jackie shares her journey of discovering healing through a healthy relationship with her body, and how this helped her find peace in herself and in her true identity - and how we can do the same.  
Find more of Jackie's work at jackiegronlund.com

Poema S8 037 | Rev Sarah Heath on Making Space & Creating A Life Beyond Ordained Ministry

Today my friend, podcaster, coach, speaker and author Rev Sarah Heath returns to Poema! In this episode we catch up with what she's been up to, and she shares the story of how she chose to leave working in ordained ministry to create a life which was truly her own, and becoming fully embodied in her vocation and her life. 
Sarah talks about the challenges of moving out of ordained ministry, and the risks, the difficulties - and the rewards, of choosing to live fully in tune with ourselves.
Sarah also shares how these choices have been influenced by, and have themselves impacted her own spiritual journey.
Sarah's story is  a great example of what it means for us create our own lives and tell our story our own way, and how this can transform us.

Poema S8 036 | Thomas Floyd LCMHC on Attachment, Co-Dependency & Deconstruction

I'm honoured to be joined by Thomas Floyd LCMHC, a psychologist and therapist.
He tells us a little of his story, and then we explore the connections between the process of deconstruction and issues of co-dependency and attachment types in relationships of all kinds 
We talk about how toxic religious systems can teach us co-dependency and unhealthy attachment models, and how we can unlearn these to have healthy relationships and communities. 

Poema S8 035 | Erin Green M.Div on Deconstruction, Sexuality & Identity

Honoured today to be joined by my friend Erin Green M.Div (she/they). Erin is a queer activist and scholar.
Today their share their story of deconstruction, and discovery and exploration of their queer identity.
They discuss how they reconciled the two, how this impacted their life, faith & relationships, in particular their relationship with Christianity & the church, and finding healthy community.