JUUst Breathe - A Unitarian Universalist Podcast

We are excited to have you join us for the Season Finale of our journey through the Deeper Joy Community Building map. Today we’re arriving at the Canyons of Deeper Sharing!  In this episode, we are joined by Kitty Kalebarn and Lenore Bajare-Dukes to explore the Canyons - where we practice vulnerability in sharing and receiving the gifts of community, whether that is witnessing one another's...

In this episode, we are joined by Rev Erin Walter and Rev Justin Almeida to explore the Healing Spring — a place of rest, repair, and reconnection. If the Stretching River is where we grow through challenge, the Healing Springs are where we pause, tend to what’s been stirred up, and reconnect to what sustains us. The springs are made up of many pools: some for individual healing, some for collecti...

In this episode we are excited to be joined by Lillian Drab Braddick and Moritz to explore the Stretching River — a place where communities face challenges, decisions, and opportunities that ask something new of them. Sometimes those things that stretch us are challenges that arise naturally — in thinking about congregations this might be a board leadership transition, a new minister or staff pers...

In this episode, we are joined by Jen Shattuck and Lena McCain to explore the Forest of Affirmation — a place where community pauses to notice and affirm what’s growing.   Click these links to learn more about Deeper Joy and Whole Church Religious Education .  Instagram / Youtube / Facebook Music:  "Where Do We Come From," by Brian Tate performed by Rev Christopher Lamb

Our exceptional panelists Soyal Smalls and Mylo Way examine the times in community where boundaries, access and exclusion can actually be utilized to seed more belonging in our communities. We mentioned: Priya Parker Generous Exclusion Click these links to learn more about Deeper Joy and Whole Church Religious Education .   Instagram / Youtube / Facebook Music:  "Where Do We Come From,"...

Today we’re stepping into Bonding Harbor — the place on the Deeper Joy map where we begin to come together as a group. It’s that early moment where we learn names, get a sense of the group’s energy, move together through shared tasks and even play, and begin building the trustworthiness that makes community possible. Bonding Harbor is where we learn what we can do together. Panelists Shannon Harpe...

When we are getting to know new people or new communities, we look for spaces where our stories feel that they are safely received. In Deeper Joy , this is represented by Opening Up Beach - a phase in community building that is about the courage to bring parts of ourselves forward as well as the care of receiving them.  Our panelists, Reverends Tandi Rogers and Darrick Jackson, will share their ow...

Covenant is at the core of who we are as Unitarian Universalists.  How can a Whole Church approach to religious education help us practice living into covenant across generations?  Since we center covenant instead of creed in our approach to religious life, what difference does that make for how we aspire to live together in community?   These questions and so much more will be explored with panel...

Guest panelists and long time collaborators, Jennica Davis-Hockett and Joy Berry, meet with Ember to discuss why Unitarian Universalists are embracing a whole church religious education approach and are deepening community connections across generations through a new, amazing resource called Deeper Joy. Instagram: @juustbreathepod Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/juustbreathelive Facebook: https:/...

Episode 9 of JUUst Breathe explores the central tenet of all our Shared Values…LOVE - with fabulous panelists Avery Miller Fabregas and Rev Dr. Sofia Betancourt, the President of the UUA!   We are really excited to conclude this season of JUUst Breathe with a bang! Instagram: @juustbreathepod Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/juustbreathelive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/33558507414120...

Interdependence is a condition of our very being, whether or not we notice it.   How we choose to engage it has an impact on the world and also on our congregational systems.  What are some ways we’re really challenging ourselves in the spirit of building Beloved Community, to be truly radically welcoming, and to foster relationships beyond our congregational walls?   Give this episode a listen to...

We are each other’s harvest: We are each other’s business: We are each other’s magnitude and bond. -- Gwendolyn Brooks We declare that every person has the right to flourish with inherent dignity and worthiness, and we covenant to use our time, wisdom, attention, and money to build and sustain fully accessible and inclusive communities.  Our esteemed guests ponder what Unitarian Universalism might...

Cornel West said that "Justice is what love looks like in public."   Our panelists, Lisa Garcia Sampson and Antoinette Scully - two of our UU state action network leaders, discuss what we can do to continue to build Beloved Community during these very trying and challenging times times, while also dismantling the oppressive systems that keep all of us from being truly free. Youtube: http...

This episode features a conversation with panelists Rev Kimberly Quinn Johnson and Rev Joanna Fontaine Crawford focusing on the importance of missionalism as an approach in our efforts to be generous, with time, talent, and the treasure of our transcendent faith.  Don’t miss this lively conversation with our fabulous hosts. Resources: Unitarian Universalism and Missionalism - Rev Joanna Fontaine C...

This episode, we are joined by Rev Jonipher Kwong and longtime UUA youth and emerging adult staffer Jennica Davis-Hockett to examine transformation in our faith.  How are we formed in this faith by transforming ourselves and by being change agents our wider world?  What are we willing to both embrace and let go of in pursuit of transcendence?  Our panel will have answers.  Instagram:  instagram.co...

We sit down with religious educators Kat Good and Alessandra Nysether-Santos to dive into our new shared values, starting with pluralism - all about the DEI, and not ashamed to admit it! Trolls World Tour: ​​ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uLKzCrT5Qsw https://wagingnonviolence.org/2024/11/10-things-to-do-if-trump-wins/   Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/juustbreathelive Instagram:  https://www. i...

Panelists Dr Glen Thomas Rideout, Nico Van Ostrand, and Rev Kayla Parker discuss with our hosts the wonders of a shared ministry approach in congregational life.  What does it take?  What are the benefits?  What obstacles may need addressing?  Come find out more from these fabulous spiritual leaders in our movement! Instagram:  instagram.com/juustbreathepod Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/juustbr...

Hosts Ember Kelley and Joy Berry discuss the “Why’s” of a Whole Church Approach to RE (Religious Exploration).  Hot off the presses and fresh from General Assembly’s vote to accept Article II.  Our shared values find a new home in a multigenerational approach to ministry.  instagram.com/juustbreathepod Other links https://www.youtube.com/@unitarianchurchofstatenisl1261/shorts   Youtube: https://ww...

Quiana Denae Perkins, Kathy Smith, and Jenn Blosser join our hosts to discuss the ins and outs of the new proposed Article II changes to our UUA bylaws that are coming up at this summer's General Assembly.  It's a hot topic right now and the conversation is sweltering! Links: https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-ii-study-commission 5 Jagged Rocks: https://docs.google.com/...

Ep 3.5 | April 2024 Join Rev Tyler Coles and Rev Dayna Edwards as they explore the critical importance of faith development and its role in driving forward paradigmatic shifts for congregations toward greater equity, health, and vibrancy. Music:  "Where Do We Come From," by Brian Tate performed by Rev Christopher Lamb

Members of the National Emerging Adult Taskforce (NEAT) and Young Adult Revival Network (YARN) talk about these important ministries and how to better engage and support this vital demographic in our UU communities. Music:  "Where Do We Come From," by Brian Tate performed by Rev Christopher Lamb

What is "Threshold Conversations?"  How did it start?  What are its purposes and goals? January's episode is a flashback of sorts as we delve into the origins of Threshold. Come listen to Rev Marisol Caballero and our co-host, running double duty as panelist- Joy Berry, as they discuss the origins of Threshold Conversations, the Unitarian Universalist religious education initiative...

Meet religious educators Dana Lundquist, Marena McGregor, and Rev Sierra Marie Gerfao.  All three grew up UU, with two of the three participating in COA as youth, while all three now teach COA in their present congregational roles.  To a person, they each have incredibly salient and unique perspectives on this milestone program.  You'll be amazed at yet another mind blowing conversation unpac...

It's a new season of JUUst Breathe!  As we bid goodbye to Shannon, we say hello to our new co-host, Joy Berry.  It's bittersweet.   But what isn't bittersweet is the amazing conversation about Coming of Age with our sensational panel: Rev Dr Gregory Carrow Boyd Cameron Young Rev Leia Durland Jones We talk about it all, including about how Unitarian Universalism is in its own adolesc...

Co-host Shannon Harper pulls double-duty (while other co-host Eric Bliss continues to enjoy a sabbatical break) in this discussion with Marissa A.  Gutiérrez Vicario, Founder and Executive Director of "Art and Resistance Through Education (ARTE)" on empowering youth to become "Artivists": activists who use art to make positive change. Music:  "Where Do We Come From,"...