Poema Podcast

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. 

Poema S8 034 | Sarah Kimble on Pride & Prejudice and Autism

Today I'm joined by Sarah Kimble, as we continue my exploration of pop culture with a discussion on the book / movie "Pride & Prejudice". 
We explore the cultural context it was written and how this impacts how we read and interact with the story and characters.
We also discuss the character of Mr Darcy and make the argument that he may well be autistic, and explore examples of this, and how this would explain much of his character and his behaviour/interactions in the book. We also talk about how that can help us understand the story and have more empathy with him. This was such a fun episode, with some great insights. Hope you enjoy it!

Poema S8 033 | Dr Amy Marschall on Being a Psychologist with ADHD & Autism

This week I'm joined by Dr Amy Marschall. Dr Amy is a licensed psychologist and certified in telemental health, working with children aged 2-18 and experienced and qualified in giving ADHD & autism diagnoses. She's also authored or co-authored several books. 
In this episode she talks about her experiences working with children with ADHD and autism. She shares about how her reaction to the dramatic changes in her lifestyle during lockdown ultimately led her to the discovery and diagnosis of her autism and adhd, and how she has spoken to over 45 people with the conditions to understand their experiences - a project she is still working on.
Dr Amy also talks about the issues with getting a diagnosis, especially as an adult, and how her clients had even noticed. She also discusses how this has impacted her work and her hopes to end stigma and ableism around these conditions, the biggest misunderstandings around ADHD & Autism, and the challenges of getting a diagnosis and being honest about this condition. 

Poema S8 032 | Melissa Weissenberger on Free Guy, Deconstruction & Identity

My pop culture series continues today with my friend Melissa Weissenberger returning to the show to discuss the movie 'Free Guy'.
We explore the numerous themes of the movie and how they relate to our own personal journeys.
We also discuss how it's a metaphor for being trapped in toxic systems and becoming aware of them, breaking free from the control of others and discovering your own identity, and so much more. This was such a fun episode to make & I'm sure you'll enjoy it!