The Forbidden Apple: LGBTQ+ SPIRITUALITY

Pelayo and Melissa share their favorite part of their traditional holidays and discuss their first holidays away from their family. They reflect on the role of these special days. We wish all our listeners happy holidays!!! Do not forget to sink your teeth into ...  www.theforbiddenapplepodcast.com @theforbiddenapplepodcast

Katy Ray is a writer for Qutie App which prides to be a comprehensive and inclusive platform tailored specifically for the LGBTQ community. Katy is an educator who is passionate about broadening the US school curriculum to include LGBTQ issues.  Katie shares how she was unaccepted in her religious home which led her to find her own meaning of faith. Matthew Vines’ book “God and the Gay Christian"...

 Reporter, producer, and activist Luis Sandoval shares the impact of coming out on Univision TV Network.   Luis was driven to come out by the terrible story of Jamel Myles and the lack of representation of LGBTQ   in Latin Media. Luis was a recipient of a  GLAAD Media Award  in the category of Outstanding TV Journalism. He shares how he keeps a positive outlook in this current climate and strives...

Rev. Jeep Ries is an interfaith minister and spiritual coach. We discuss the importance of rituals and how to incorporate them throughout one's life. Rev Jeep shares her spiritual journey of healing her own wounds and honing her gifts to develop her own way of being of service. As a healer, her practice includes crystals, Reiki ,   Sound Healing ,  Chakra Therapy and  Shamanic Healing . Tune in to...

Joy Reed joins the Forbidden Apple Podcast to present her directorial debut “Little Miss Westie”.  "Little Miss Westie" follows Luca and Ren, two transgender siblings as they navigate puberty, school, family and transitioning during the Trump era. Ren is competing in the "Little Miss Westie" pageant; her older brother Luca is coaching her on posing, make-up, and talent. Joy opened up about growing...

Jamie Jones is the artist behind the pride flag mural at the entrance of the "Church of the Village". Jamie overcame a rough childhood,   drug dependency, and depression. She is now committed to being her full creative and healthy self, by writing, blogging, photographing, and painting. To Jamie sharing is healing. Follow Jamie's Journey on: http://www.blameitonjamie.com Sink your teeth into... ww...

Garrard Conley is a conversion therapy survivor and author of the New York Times best-selling memoir "Boy erased" , now a major motion picture. Garrard talks about the so-called "straight savior" and his opinion about conversion therapy leaders coming out. He shares his rituals for writing and how he uses his religious upbringing to fuel his stories. Tune in to hear us talk about the challenges of...

James Schwartz shares what it was like to grow up Amish as a little gay boy. James shares how trips to the library, drag queens, and poetry gave him a fresh start. Now living in Hawaii, he reflects on his journey from the culture of "Shunning" to the welcoming "Aloha". He tells us more about the rituals of the Amish community and breaks the myths about "Rumspringa ". Get in contact with James Swar...

Melissa and Pelayo discuss how their views on religious jargon have changed. They discuss concepts like miracles, angels, and choice over our own fate. We debate the difference between spirituality and religion. We also shed some light on the difference between welcoming vs. celebrating queer individuals. Thank you for sinking your teeth into... www.theforbiddenapplepodcast.com

Madison Hatch talks about her experience within the Mormon church. She shares about receiving contradicting answers regarding polygamy, the women’s role in the church, and the lack of transparency with 10% tithe donations.  Her own strong sense of justice and a school challenge to read the Bible as well as the Book of Mormon led her to leave the church and become an atheist.  Madison leaves us wit...

In this bonus episode our guest Jen Slumac reads an excerpt of her book "Soulnotskin" @soulnotskin www.theforbiddenapplepodcast.com

 Jen Slumac, daughter of a pastor, shares how she struggled with her sexuality and abused alcohol to numb the pain.  Jen discusses her road to recovery, reconnecting with God, and learning to trust herself. Listen to find out how she makes use of the tools she learned in recovery and how she applies it to her work as a prison counselor. Jen discusses her journey to self in her book " Soul Not Skin...

As a producer of queer events and promoter of LGBTQ culture, Sarose organized her most important event yet: her parent's interfaith wedding. Growing up Irish Catholic with a Jewish father, Sarose talks about her involvement with the Catholic community and reconnecting with her Jewish side by going on a Birthright trip. Due to their lack of acceptance after coming out, Sarose lost contact with her...

In our very first podcast collaboration we have the hosts of the Qurated podcast. Alex and Sam share how representation in the media helped them with their coming out, how they reach catharsis through the creation of music and connection and their vision of their podcast. Get in touch with the Qurated podcast: @qurated.podcast @afluppy @samgrahammusic Join our conversations, and sink your teeth in...

The most charming minister of worship, Jorge Lockward shares how he has been encouraging the church to not just affirm LGBTQ but celebrate them. Church of the village is leading the way of healing PTSD by taking out pews, having a queer artist paint a rainbow flag at the entrance to the church and using they/them pronouns when referring to God. Sink your teeth in this story of acceptance, healing...

Our favorite interfaith minister, Chani Getter, teaches us the meaning of spiritual counseling   and the importance of being witnessed in life's celebrations. She shares about coming out with the help of Ellen Degeneres and a dictionary. Join us as we discuss how Chani helps others going through transitions. To learn more about Chani Getter check her website.  https://www.chanigetter.com, Subscrib...

Catherine Montesi talks about the struggle of coming to terms with her sexuality while living in the bible belt. She shares how her Catholic school made her watch videos about purity and sexuality with slogans like "if it feels good to stop" We explore what made her abandon Catholicism and discuss her evolution in stand up comedy after coming out. Catherine Montesi: @dykewinslet Subscribe! Listen!...

After 26 years as an orthodox male, Josephine  Altzman decided to transition while remaining religious. Listen to learn more about the process and how her community and her family reacted. We also explore what orthodoxy means to her. Josephine shares her plans to become the first Trans Orthodox Rabbi.  Subscribe! Listen! Review! and Sink your teeth into...   THE FORBIDDEN APPLE PODCAST @theforbidd...

How does a Hasidic "Mishpacha" compare with a Catholic "Familia"? Melissa shares what was it like growing up as a woman in the Hasidic world as Pelayo opens up about his patriarchal grandfather and his aunt becoming a nun and marrying God. We discuss gender roles in religious spaces, clergy and marriage.  Sink your teeth into...   @theforbiddenapplepodcast      

Today we are joined by Brick City Native, Sontaia Briggs. Sontaia shares what lead her from public administration to theology. We learn about her experiences in seminary and her work as a queer faith activist. We discuss the importance of using inclusive language and rediscover the word “miracles”.  Get in contact with Sontaia Briggs: www.youuniversity.co https://www.instagram.com/sontaia_briggs/...

Your hosts Pelayo Alvarez & Melissa Weisz discuss ancient concepts of good and evil. We revisit and reimagine religious concepts from our upbringings to filter what's useful for personal growth. We discuss the saying "Hurt people, hurt people" and question the existence of an evil person. Join our conversations and sink your teeth into... The Forbidden Apple Podcast

Jeremy Lentz shares his journey from a young boy nervously preparing for his bar mitzvah - to an out and proud gay man called upon to read “the twilight people”, at a pride Shabbat, in his reform temple. Jeremy is the Executive Director of the Teaneck International Film Festival, showcasing feature films, shorts, and documentaries that highlight a variety of cultural and social justice issues. Jer...

We discuss how prayer helped us soothe as children and made us feel safe and connected to our families and communities. Today we go beyond the traditional understanding of prayer to include meditation, visualization, and mantras. Listen to find out more about the power of repetition and gratitude for self-growth. What is a prayer for you?  Share with us at: info@theforbiddenapplepodcast.com The Fo...

Screenwriter and director, Matilde Ascheri discuss her search for the right church as an 11-year-old  Siena, Italy.  Matilde created queer characters as a way to explore her sexuality and come out to her family. Listen to find out the rituals she uses to create. We discuss how we tackle telling real stories about queer people without falling into stereotypes. Do not forget to subscribe, share, and...

Moshe Henderson, a musical theatre director, explores his upbringing attending a non- denominational church in Seattle’s suburbs. He transformed the faith of his church into a passion for musical theatre. Moshe's motto is "no day but today". You can follow Moshe’s work: https://moshehenderson.webs.com And instagram @moshesgayhere   Do not forget to subscribe, share and take a bite into…   @theforb...