Shift Happens

Brad is the Author of Preparing for War: The Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism and What Comes Next and is the co-host of the political podcast Straight White American Jesus. In this interview Brad talks about his Christian upbringing in Orange County, California and how that shaped his worldview. He talks about coming out of Christian Nationalism, why we see violence directed at the...

Today, Joe talks to Candice Czubernat. Candice Czubernat is a therapist and founder of The Christian Closet, an LGBTQ affirming counseling, coaching and spiritual direction organization. She is also the founder of Gloriously Queer a conference for LGBTQ people of faith developed by LGBTQ people of faith. Joe talks to her about her upbringing within the church, discovering her queerness later in li...

This week we have David Hayward, otherwise known as the Naked Pastor. David was kind enough to talk about his time in the ministry and how he came to be known as the Naked Pastor. Joe talks to him about how his artwork has touched and inspired so many people, especially those within the LGTBQ+ community. His painting and drawings challenge the status quo and gives room for all people in places of...

This week Joe talks with Erin Green of REAP LGBTQ. REAP is the only law firm in the country working to end legalized discrimination against queer people in Christian colleges and universities. Erin talks about her story growing up in the evangelical church, her experiences attending Christian Colleges and how she ended up being an activist. Erin also shines a light on the shocking fact that our ta...

This week Joe talks to Zach and Tyler. Zach & Tyler walk us through their strict fundamentalist upbringing, going to bible colleges, meeting and marrying their girlfriends, meeting at a Side B conference and  coming to terms with who they are. It's an emotional ride, so make sure you have your tissues handy. If you'd like to get in touch with Zach and Tyler you can connect with them...

This week Joe talks to Ellen Mennell. Ellen talks to us about growing up in a strict Lutheran home that wasn’t all it looked like, traveling the world as a YWAM missionary, coming out during those missions and how she has come to explore the idea of God across multiple traditions. If you’d like to connect with Ellen, follow her on Instagram . And if you’d like to read more about her story, you can...

Noemi Uribe (she/they) is an organizer and health policy analyst advocating to make healthcare a human right in the US regardless of immigration status. They currently work at Mathematica Policy Research as an Advisory Services Analyst where she seeks to provide qualitative and quantitative research with an emphasis on health equity. They joined the MA Commission on LGBTQ Youth in 2020 and is serv...

Molly is our first two time guest. If you missed her first episode, make sure you go back and listen to where she came from and how she untangle horribly toxic theology: Molly's first episode .  In this episode, Molly talks to Joe about internalized homophobia. You will be surprised how she approaches the topic and talks about how it can even serve you in the right circumstances. Molly also g...

Zack has spent the last decade writing about the interplay of faith and politics in the public sphere on his eponymous blog, Substack, and Patheos as well as contributing articles to multiple publications. He’s also made appearances in Rolling Stone, The Boston Globe, Huffington Post, and various other media outlets. Zack’s work culminated in the launch of his first book, Unraptured, in 2019 which...

Susan Cottrell is an international speaker whose TEDx talk has 1.6 million views. OutSmart magazine called her “The Mother of All MamaBears.” The Advocate dubbed her “our favorite affirming matriarch.” She is a prominent voice for the LGBTQ community, a public theologian and through her nonprofit organization—FreedHearts—Susan expresses her authentic love for the LGBTQ+ community and families; and...

Molly Downs-Stoller is  a gay, Christian, Marriage and Family Therapist who lives in San Diego with her wonderful wife Sue and their dog Sir Andrew James.  She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Point Loma Nazarene University and a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of San Diego. Molly talks with Joe about her growing up Catholic but entering the world of e...

In this episode of Shift Happens, Joe talks to April Ajoy. You may have seen her many hilarious skits on Tik Tok, Instagram or Facebook. She talks about her roots in Christian Nationalism, being on the Jim Baker show, her brother coming out to her and her husband coming out as non-binary. April has a limited episode podcast called "The Non-Binary Marriage" that tells the whole story of t...

Madison Morrigan is a Leadership Coach, Creative Consultant, writer, facilitator and host of the Everything Belongs podcast. She uses self-inquiry, emotional alchemy & embodiment to guide folks back to self-belonging, full expression and living their liberation. Madison shares with us her journey as a high achieving evangelical Christian who checked all the right boxes. She talks about her tim...

Dr. David P. Gushee (PhD, Union Theological Seminary, New York) is an ethicist, pastor, author, and advocate. He is the Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics at Mercer University , and Chair of Christian Social Ethics at Vrije Universiteit (“Free University”) Amsterdam, and Senior Research Fellow, International Baptist Theological Study Centre . Dr. Gushee talks to us about his jo...

Elizabeth's story is a long and complicated one. She worked for racial equality while a college student in Mississippi, in the 60's but her work for the queer community didn't start until her husband came out in the 70's. Through all the ups and downs, Elizabeth has let love guide her and it hasn't steered her wrong yet.  Elizabeth is the Vice Chair of the PFLAG Gainesvill...

Shelby was part of Joe's very first church in northern Missouri.  Shelby talks about discovering she was gay, hiding that all through school and moving half way across the country to find herself and her relationship with God.  To help support the ongoing work of Shift Happens, click HERE. Wild Goose Festival is a transformational community grounded in faith-inspired social justice. Click the...

Joni talks about growing up in ultra conservative churches in northern Missouri, healing from the trauma, discovering her sexuality and what it looks like to be part of Christian cults. If you would like to contact her or learn about her work you can visit her website here:  Grow GCI To help support the ongoing work of Shift Happens, click HERE. Wild Goose Festival is a transformational community...

Author, theologian Tom Oord and Alexa Oord join us to discuss their book Why the Church of the Nazarene Should be Fully LGBTQ+ Affirming. They both talk about how the book was put together, why it's needed and the hope for a better, more loving path forward. To learn more about their work visit lovingnazarenes.com To order a copy of the book: Why the Church of the Nazarene  To read the book a...

Tamara Perry-Lundardo is the Gainesville Pride Center Board President, an author, speaker and the Voice of Equality award winner from Equality Florida. She has spent the past 10 years fighting for LGBTQIA+ rights and inclusion. Tamara shares with us her story of fully coming out later in life, learning to be who God created her to be and how that empowers the work she does now. To learn more about...

Joe talks to Mike Maeshiro. Mike is a former staff member of Bethel church and now is a consultant and life coach for queer and deconstructing Christians. Mike share with us about some intense spiritual experiences as he learns that God was never trying to "fix" him. His story is as encouraging as it is challenging. To learn more about Mike and his coaching you can click the links: NUMA...

Joe talks to Brent Roberts. Brent was the college superstar during their days together at their ministry school. He was on stage for all the things and up front representing the school. None of us knew that he was in a life long struggle with his sexuality. Join us as we walk through Brent's story and how he reconciled his faith and sexuality. You can find Brent on Facebook Brent Roberts and...

We introduce who we are, what we're about and why we're doing this.  To help support the ongoing work of Shift Happens, click HERE. Wild Goose Festival is a transformational community grounded in faith-inspired social justice. Click the link to get all the info about this year's festival. Make sure to use the code A - MZN at check out for a $50 discount on any single adult ticket. S...