Poema Podcast

Poema S8 021 | Natalie & Heather on Transitioning & Doctor Who

In this episode joined by Natalie and Heather, to share the story of Natalie's transitioning to a trans woman, and the impact it had on her wife Heather and the family.
They share about the challenges they've faced both within and outside their family, and how its impacted their spirituality and relationships. 
We also talk about our shared love of Doctor Who, and in particular the concept of regeneration as a metaphor for both personal transformation and the process of transitioning. Natalie and Heather are courageous, wonderful people with a powerful story, its an honour to share their story today.

Poema S8 020 | A Conversation with Molly Hale (Mollyamorous)

Today I welcome Molly Hale (@Mollyamourous) to the podcast. We had a great conversation about deconstruction, embodiment, polyamory, blended families, healthy sexuality and choosing yourself. 
It was both a fun, inspiring and enlightening conversation, and Molly actually interviewed me at times which was really great! This was different to any other episode I've recorded in the best of ways. 

Poema S8 019 | Megan Crozier (The Pursuing Life) On Leaving Toxic Religion

Today I'm joined by Meghan Crozier (@ThePursuingLife on twitter) who tells her story. She talks about her experiences in evangelicalism and what drove her to begin her deconstruction journey, and where it has taken her. 
Meghan goes on to share just how this process has impacted different areas of her life, including her relationships, marriage, and work. She also talks about how it opened her eyes to oppressive and systemically racist systems & her own response to this revelation.
She reveals just how much she has had to learn, unlearn or relearn as part of this journey, and how much bigger this work is than just a faith deconstruction or change of belief. 

Poema S8 018 | Carly M Button Tells Her Story

I'm honoured to welcome Carly Button to my podcast today. Carly, with great tenderness and courage, shares her own story. 
She speaks about moving to Canada as a child, her upbringing and worldview she was taught to believe, having to hide her nationality and identity. She then moves on to talk through her faith deconstruction, spiritual journey, embracing her native heritage and coming out.
I'll let the story speak from itself. But I'm certain it will deeply move you, challenge, discomfort and inspire you. It was an honour to bear witness to Carly sharing her story.

Poema S8 017 | Jo Luehmann on Indoctrination Into Toxic Systems & Abusive Behaviours

Today writer and activist Jo Luehmann joins me to explore how indoctrination to oppressive systems can impact our behaviours and lead to different forms abuse, prejudice & racist behaviour.
We discuss the roots of capitalism, going back to its colonial roots and links to archaic institutions in the UK and Europe, such the royal family. Jo shares how we can become so indoctrinated into these systems we often can't see how we're causing harm.
Then they cover how to unlearn these systems and be teachable in healthy ways so we can actually help tear down these systems, heal ourselves and love others well.

Poema S8 016 | April Kling Meyer on Reclaiming Our Creativity & Dream Journalling

This week, my friend April Kling Meyer joins me to discuss and explore how we can reclaim our authentic creativity from the control of capitalism and toxic systems. 
We share our experiences of this and how we found creative freedom, and how to get more in tune with our intuition and authentic voice. April also shares about the power of journalling our dreams, and how this helps us connect with our deeper, truer selves, our spirituality and what we're here for.

Poema S8 015 | Ali ’Anxious Bi Queen’ On Gender Identity & Autism

Today I'm honoured to be joined by my friend Ali, who tells us their story.
They share about exploring and discovering their true gender identity and how this journey intertwined with faith deconstruction, discovering witchery, and being autistic.
It's a powerful and inspiring story. Ali has such courage and this a story we all need to hear.
(Oh, and we both love Taylor Swift and Ali makes Taylor Swift memes so this obviously that came up...)

Poema S8 014 | Andre Henry on All the White Friends I Couldn’t Keep

I'm honoured today to be joined by author, activist and musician Andre Henry. In this episode we talk about his new book, "All The White Friends I Couldn't Keep". 
Andre talks about the power dynamics of systemic racism and it's origins, in particularly discussing the oppressive systems of the British empire, which was built on the breaking of black bodies. He also challenges the cultural assumptions we make which are often impacted by racial cultural conditioning, and the type of change we need, and how it can be achieved. 
This episode is discomforting in an absolutely necessary sense, and a must listen. 
*Please note, we had some technical issues with the recording so my track runs over Andre's on occasion - this is a tech issue which I couldn't resolve but I hope the spirit of the conversation comes through.

Poema S8 013 | Mandy Capehart on Restorative Grief

Today I'm joined by Mandy Capehart, a trauma-aware licenced grief coach, who shares her own experiences of grief, the lessons she learned and how we can have a healthy relationship with our grief. 
Mandy shares different practices she's found for helping her process grief and how she helps others to do the same. She makes the point we are different, all manifest our grief in unique ways, so the ways we process it will always be unique for each of us - and all of them belong.
Mandy also discusses how griefing ties in with the experience of faith deconstruction and our unique spiritual journeys - and how she experienced this herself.

Poema S8 012 | Trace Bell asks Tina Olsen & James about Death, Consciousness & After Death

My dear friends Tina Olsen and Trace Bell return to the podcast today, and Trace asks both myself and Tina to share our stories of grief and loss. We then explore this in the context of a fresh understanding of human consciousness, of our bodies living in our consciousness, and consciousness continuing after physical death.
Both Tina and myself have some transcendent experiences to share with the consciousness of family members who have passed. We share little incidents from their lives and what seem random stories from our lives and from experiences with movies we've seen since which suggest there is more going on with our consciousness than just our bodies. We also talk about the science which could suggest this might be true.
Trace adds his own perspective as someone exploring and learning about consciousness, and getting to know the consciousness of someone who has passed.
This is a fascinating conversation which opens up a lot of questions and possibilities..I'd encourage you as you listen to open yourself up to new ideas and questions yourself.