The Conversation Jesus Wants Us to Have Podcast

Guest: David Albert, Activist We discuss: how the health of our democracy is threatened by an unholy marriage of politics and compromised religious beliefs; the importance of everyone who identifies as Christian, or just a fan of Jesus, to courageously move themselves out of atmospheres of irresponsibility, hate, and disinformation; why ego-motivated justifications for religious and political abus...

I this episode, I ask us to consider: if Jesus would be disappointed that we have apathetically allowed our representative form of government to become a bitter contest between rival teams, when we're all supposed to be actively on the same team of democracy; whether partisan politics lends itself to bettering our nation and the lives of our citizens; that one-sidedness is devoid of the honesty an...

Guest: Leslie Crawford, Esquire We discuss: we must acknowledge our past in order to change our present and future.   We are all members of the human race with different color skin and characteristics; we do not have a race problem, we have a racism problem; that the rules have been rigged against black and brown communities; and why Jesus, who had dark skin, would tell us that to love him we must...

Guests: Kimberlee Williams and Debby Irving, Authors We discuss: how, as white, brown, and Black women, we are wired to protect our sense of belonging, which keeps us in the bubble of our own experiences; that historically, the role of women of color has been to serve, comfort, protect, coddle, nourish, and elevate white women;   how we can boldly disrupt that pattern; and the need for all women t...

Guest: Debby Irving, Author We discuss: the importance of white people realizing that they benefit from a prejudicial system simply because they are white; the truth about how the economic and social playing fields were never level between white people and those who are black and brown; how systemic racism is woven into every political, social, institutional, and religious structure; and the diffe...

Guest: Dawn Wilson, Television Producer, Planet Activist We discuss the difference between dominance over the earth and good stewardship of the natural world. We imagine what Jesus would say about putting profits over people and the planet. We question why we are leaving our waste for future generations to clean up and dumping our toxic practices onto our children and theirs. And what each of us c...

Guest: Reverend Tim Moody We discuss: how our hesitancy to question what we are taught about the Bible and Christianity keeps us like children who never mature into our personal spiritual potential; examine how Jesus confronted those who were abusive, greedy, and power-hungry; champion the importance of introspection to determine if our behavior, and that of our fellow human beings, aligns with wa...

I'm gay. So was Leonardo da Vinci, whose masterpieces Mona Lisa and The Last Supper are revered around the world as representations of our best artistic expression. Michelangelo was also gay. His fresco on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and sculptures of the David and Pieta are also considered among humankind's best works of art. These two men made huge contributions to the world. They did so i...

Guest: Reverend Tim Moody We discuss: whether the small world of our beliefs reflects the vast world God created by: returning to a time over 2,000 years ago when Christianity began; examining the origins of the Bible and Christianity; recognizing that Jesus questioned and challenged those in authority who were abusive and controlling; investigating why we're subjected to fear-based indoctrination...

Guests: Revs. Roger Paynter and Tim Moody We discuss: what Christ, overall, would think of Christianity; why Christianity must be focused on love; why Christians must lead the way to help the marginalized, the forgotten, the abused of society; and why Christianity and Christians must be universally focused on how to love ourselves, others, and all life, as Christ loved.

Guest: Rose In this episode, Rose, who had an abortion sixty years ago, joins me to discuss a woman's right to choose. She found herself pregnant after allowing her boyfriend to pressure her into having unprotected sex. She was twenty and unmarried. At the time, abortion was illegal in the United States. She had to go to Mexico and endure a barbaric and painful procedure. For the first time, she s...

Guest: Christopher Pelch We discuss: the importance of men and boys being willing to make adjustments to their personal mindsets and perceptions about women and girls; the idea that what we learn from the entertainment industry and society about gender dynamics is not how life plays out, if we desire to create healthy, equality-focused relationships; the difference between wanting to BE right and...

Guest: Tina Rubin We discuss: how, as young girls and women, we were programmed to fit into the box established by a society that viewed men and boys differently than women and girls; the opportunity men and boys have to elevate women's access to equal standing in the workplace, in religious institutions, in government, and society in general;   the way strong, empathetic, and respectful fathers a...

Guest: Reverend Britt Skarda Reverend Skarda and I discuss: ancient and deeply rooted attitudes of God being male helped create and continue to perpetuate damaging male/female dynamics; centuries after Jesus' death, these dangerous and misguided dynamics are profoundly ingrained within both genders; why many people who say they love and follow an inclusive Jesus believe patriarchal dominance throu...

Guest: Dr. Paula Stone Williams Dr. Williams, and I discuss: the importance of sharing our stories with the goal to find common ground.   For the first 60 years of her life, Williams identified as male; after bravely coming out as transgender she was swiftly fired from a position as an evangelical Christian leader; the male privilege she once had, and how she's being treated now as a woman; and eq...

Does admitting I have not only seen a UFO but also have been visited by little grey and majestic white (alien) forms of life make me crazy, weird, or just plain delusional? Or does it simply mean I have had experiences that are not the same as other peoples? I ask us to consider that we don't and can't all have the same experiences in life. Which means we can be open and understanding of what othe...

Guest: Dr. Gail Simon-Boyd, Psychologist Dr. Boyd and I discuss: why one of the strongest things we can do for ourselves is to ask for help healing emotional trauma; how sharing with someone, whether a professional, friend, or spiritual guide, is a positive way to release wounding; the importance of realizing that healing is a journey of self-love and respect; and why healing involves learning to...

Guests: Edie and Bill In this episode, Edie and Bill, parents of two sons, join me to discuss: the idea that to love one another, it is important to let go of the expectations we have for how others should be; the most important aspect of who we are and who our children are - our character. In other words, how we live the Golden Rule in daily life; the responsibility parents have to teach children...

I've been making lasagna for many years. I should be really good at it by now, because with practice we do get good at whatever we invest our time and energy in. But just because we get really good at something doesn't mean we've perfected it. No matter how skilled we are at whatever we're skilled at, we can always find ways to improve. And that is why it's healthy to focus on becoming proficient...

Guest: Catherine Catherine and I discuss her brother, Owen's, suicide. She candidly speaks about the impact that had on her, the reasons behind why she believes Owen took his own life, and how she has kept his memory alive. We have a joy and love-filled conversation about a timely and important topic.

Guest:   Janice Janice and I discuss:   how childhood abuse shapes our feelings of unworthiness; the importance of being honest with ourselves about our behavior; the role faith has in taking our power back from abuse and addiction; how, by being the observer of our thoughts, we can stop being mean to ourselves and others; and why, by healing ourselves, we help heal the world.

Guest: Steve Hasenberg, spiritual psychotherapist Empathy is our Jesus-like superhero power because when we are empathetic we know what it feels like to be afraid, or to have joy, or to grieve. But empathy is not the same as sympathy. Sympathy is easy to express because it is a concern for others that is more from the head, while empathy is a heart-connection to what other people go through. When...

Guest: Johanna Bruner, Nurse Practitioner We discuss that different types of viruses are found in different parts of the world and they don't spread without us. Such as the case with the deadly Ebola Virus Disease found in Africa that can spread throughout the world from one person. We discuss the science behind the development of vaccinations and the desire of scientists to prevent the spread of...

The goal of all world religions is the pursuit of truly knowing who we are and our reason for being. We are physical beings capable of fantastic feats of strength and endurance. We are intellectual beings who create scientific, medical, and technological marvels. We are emotional beings with an extraordinary capacity for sensitivity. We experience ourselves and our surroundings through the senses...

Guest: Lauren Haze, Professional Dancer and Wellness Expert We discuss the important ways breathing deeply adds to the quality of our life.   We talk about being mindful and connected with both the present and our bodies, to help eliminate stress and anxiety. How the simple act of calling in light energy and love frequency with our breath reminds us that our bodies are home to our eternal soul. An...