The Forbidden Apple: LGBTQ+ SPIRITUALITY

Happy anniversary!!!  365 days of the Forbidden Apple!  Pelayo and Melissa discuss their feelings and get personal as we unwrap a wonderful year. We share our goals and ambitions for this new year. Thank you for joining us on this journey and we promise to make this year even better. Don't forget to sink your teeth into: www.theforbiddenapplepodcast.com  

Brian McComak is the C.E.O. of Hummingbird Humanity, a company that makes workspaces more inclusive. He uses personal stories to make businesses understand the power of diversity. Brian shares how he learned that he was HIV positive and how he came to accept it.  Listen to learn more about inclusion, diversity, belonging, and the concept of equity. To learn more about the field of inclusivity: htt...

This is an extract from our series "7 Weeks of Purpose" series. Rev. Luther Young, and Nathanial Green from Q Christian talk to us about the "Unchanged Movement". We explore the term "Trauma Porn" and the best way to shut down conversations with unwelcoming folks.  Rev. Young shares the history of the complexities of being queer and black.  To learn more: https://lutheryoung.com/ www.unchangedmove...

We are honored to have Kevin Whiteneir, an interdisciplinary artist and art historian whose work focuses on the relationship between gender and queer experiences as they relate to race, the effects of (neo)colonialism, and its parallels with magic, religion, and witchcraft. This is an extract from our  "7 Weeks of Purpose" series. We discuss how to use rituals to fight racism, and the best way to...

This guided meditation by Marisa Viola is for all of us feeling stressed, scared, or anxious. Marisa Viola, who is a meditation teacher at MNDFL and runs an LGBTQ sit, joined us for our mindfulness session of "7 Weeks of Purpose". We stand with the black community and will participate in the necessary change and action towards the achievement of equal rights for black folks. We stay committed to b...

Author and venture capitalist Arlan Hamilton shares her journey from sleeping on airport floors to funding her own venture capital fund "Backstage Capital". She discusses having faith in people's potential and the lessons she learned from growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness. Arlan shares how to turn being underestimated into your greatest advantage. You can learn about Arlan's story in her book "It...

Comedian Leah Forster joins us to talk about her journey of being raised in an ultra-orthodox community to finding her own meaning and connection to Judaism. She shares the pain of living a double life and the joy of finally being her authentic self. Leah discusses the scandal of having her show canceled in a kosher restaurant because of her sexuality. Listen to find out how she dealt with it and...

Introducing our Zoom series "7 weeks of purpose". We will be going live every Sunday from May 10th to June 21st, 2020. We will bring together community, ask advice from old and new friends, and explore a wide variety of perspectives on purpose, faith & spirituality. These conversations will leave us with practical tools, skills, and resources to help us deal with uncertainty, be present, and give...

Life coach extraordinaire Frank Paul Vignola shares how his own journey and rough childhood led him to become a men’s life coach. Frank incorporates his background as an actor and performer to help him understand and guide his clients. Join us to get some tips on confidence and listen to Frank's simple but powerful mantras to get out of our heads. Check out Frank's site: https://www.lifecoachingny...

Have you watched "Unorthodox" on Netflix?  Pelayo interviews Melissa about her experience consulting and appearing in the viral Netflix series. We dig into her experience leaving the community, and how it differs from Esty Shapiro's experience in the series. We are excited to continue these conversations on the role of women in the ultra-orthodox community, the particularities of arranged marriage...

Mark Julien presents the graphic novel "Justin Case and the Closet Monster". The novel was a 10-year project that he used to come out to his late father. He uses his creative drawings to share his struggles of reconciling faith and being queer. He opens up about the meaning of "the monsters living in our closet" and how he found his inspiration. Check out Mark Julien's designs on https://justincas...

Rev Yolanda and, Rev. Glen Ganaway join us to introduce us to “A course in miracles” the book that guides their lives. They created the ministry “ the Mighty Companions” which includes a weekly meeting to discuss lessons from a course in miracles and their monthly "Church of the 2 drink minimum". Rev Yolanda opens up about becoming a music minister and coming to terms with her gender identity.  Re...

Jennifer Crawford talks to us about the pains of growing up, their recovery, and finding a higher power. They open up about how CBT led them to be fully present whilst competing in Masterchef Canada. They share the way they connect to their newly-discovered Jewish heritage through cooking and baking traditional Jewish food. Check out their recipes and get in touch: https://www.instagram.com/jennif...

Musician, writer, and Grammy Award nominee, Mary Lambert, joins our podcast as we discuss the darker shades of success and fame. She opens up about her childhood traumas and finding her connection to music through the church. Since parting ways from her music label, she has leaned into her inner voice and was able to genuinely create the music she really wanted. We talk about mental health and the...

Mary Rutt and Shelly Johnson from the "Latter Day Lesbian" podcast share what inspired them to do their amazing podcast, create an incredibly supportive community. They open up about their path to breaking away from the high-demand religions they were raised in and how much their lives have changed in the last couple of years. We highly recommend listening to their podcast available on all streami...

Rev. Dr. Deb Berman is the founder of "Pride Ministry", a spiritual community for BDSM, Kink, and Poly folks. She is also an affirming psychotherapist with a focus on the alternative community. Rev. Deb’s progressive interfaith/interspiritual ministry is committed to the spiritual healing of alternative souls. She works to ensure the spiritual necessities of alt folks are covered. She also teaches...

We welcome filmmaker and writer Nora Berman. Nora grew up practicing Buddhism following the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh. We discuss how as a child she would attend the Dharma center with her Jewish father and Christian mother and struggled with the idea of “non-attachment”. Her favorite part was walking meditation which continues to be a source of connection for her. Nora opens up about her journ...

In this Forbidden Apple mixer, we explore how we use storytelling through photography, music, and spoken word for social change in the LGBTQ Movement. Do you want to join us? Email info@theforbiddenapplepodcast.com Sink your teeth into… www.theforbiddenapplepodcast.com

We met Garden State gay's guardian Senator Loretta Weinberg at the Teaneck Film Festival, where she supported the screening of “Framing Agnes” a film reenacting stories of transgender people from the 1950’s. We discuss her fight for human and LGBTQ rights within the State of New Jersey. She shares what kept her going through 50 years of politics. To check out the film   “Framing Agnes” please visi...

Melissa and Pelayo analyze the future of religion and discuss how new technologies and online communities have reshaped traditional aspects of religion. From meditation apps to astrological communities, it is clear that human beings are continuously looking for a connection with something greater than themselves. Where does one find community? What are the "new rules" of morality? Who guides and i...

Martin Cowart, CEO of Financial Heart Space, provides a truly holistic approach to financial health, planning, and wealth management. Although money and spirituality may not seem to have much in common, Martin uses shadow work with his clients to reconnect mind, body, and spirit. We explore how he resolves inner conflicts and fear-based money blocks that limit our freedom to be happy, healthy, and...

Rev.  Elizabeth Edman, an openly queer Episcopal priest and political strategist who has been expanding people’s understanding of faith and sexuality for over 25 years. She shares her personal journey and the hurdles she had to overcome to become an openly queer priest. Having a strong sense that God always loved her, she lived and worked on the front lines where religion meets sexuality.   She op...

Logan Rozos is an actor known for his role in "David Makes Man". He has received the Parity Award for his work in LGBTQ/Faith activism. Logan joins us to discuss his search for identity as a trans man as well as the evolution of his faith through time. We explore the concept of grace and talk about how forgiveness can be challenging. Check out Logan in "David Makes Man": http://www.oprah.com/app/d...

Peter M. Krask, creative director and photographer talks about his creative process and how his queerness is deeply connected to his work.  We discuss the interconnections between desire, queerness, and creation, as well as the roots of the word "blessing". Listen to hear how his experience in a monastery helped him say yes to living authentically. Want to learn more about his creativity guide? ht...

We wanted to be the first ones to wish you a Happy New Year. Melissa and Pelayo share how to "religiously" stick with your New Year's resolutions, what worked for them last year, and the opportunities the new year brings.   Share your new year resolutions with us and sink your teeth into...     www.theforbiddenapplepodcast. com   @theforbiddenapplepodcast