Honoring the Journey

Today we honor the journey of Mary B. Safrit, a writer, podcaster, and content creator, to explore her story of growing up in the Bible Belt, navigating faith, queerness, and deconstruction. Mary B. shares candid reflections on her upbringing, spiritual journey, and the challenges and growth that come with embracing her identity and leaving behind people-pleasing tendencies. Together, MaryB & Lesl...

Preorder John's new book HERE! Key Ideas from this episode: * John Fugelsang’s background: son of former nun and Franciscan brother, raised in a progressive Catholic household. * Discussion of his new book, "Separation of Church and Hate," which critiques the weaponization of Christianity by right-wing fundamentalists. * Exploration of how fundamentalism distorts the teachings of Jesus and promote...

Today we engage in a profound conversation with guest Amanda Darrow, who shares her experiences growing up in Utah as a queer, Jewish/Catholic woman in a predominantly LDS community. We also discuss the emotional challenges, societal pressures, and the journey of self-acceptance Amanda faced, including her struggles with internalized homophobia and coming out. Together, we explore themes of inclus...

Today we honor the journey of Brian Recker, an influential figure in the Deconstruction community. Leslie and Brian dive into a heartfelt and candid discussion about Brian's journey away from fundamentalism and evangelicalism, sharing personal and relatable stories and reflections on faith, spiritual growth, and empathy. They explore the challenges and revelations that come with deconstruction, th...

Today we have a powerful and heartfelt conversation with guest Sharon “Rocky” Roggio, a filmmaker known for her impactful work on the documentary "1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture." We delve into Sharon's journey of navigating her identity as a lesbian within an evangelical Christian upbringing, her inspiration behind creating the documentary, and the challenges and triumphs she faced...

Today we get to chat again with author Keith Giles! We talk about his latest book, "The Quantum Gospel of Mary." Keith delves deep into the intriguing intersection of spirituality and quantum physics, explaining complex concepts in an easy to understand way. We also discuss the misunderstood figure of Mary Magdalene, her significant, often overlooked role within early Christianity, and how her por...

Today we welcome back Keith Giles, who previously shared his powerful faith and deconstruction journey in episode five. Keith recently wrote a book with his friend and co-owner of Quoir Publishing, Matthew Distefano, called “Reading Romans Right.” Leslie asks Keith, “Why would you write a book by that name? Are people actually reading Romans wrong? ” Apparently, the answer is yes. Keith shares the...

In this episode we welcome the acclaimed singer-songwriter Derek Webb. The conversation delves into Derek's musical beginnings, his experiences as a member of Caedmon's Call, and his transition to a solo career marked by songs that challenge the status quo of Christian music. Derek shares personal stories about his relationship with faith, highlighting his journey of deconstruction and advocating...

In this episode, we honor the journey of Kevin Sweeney, who has a fascinating and unconventional spiritual journey. Once a pastor and now a hospice chaplain and author, Kevin shared his profound experiences, including a life-changing moment while taking mushrooms at the age of 18 that led him to what he believes was a direct encounter with God. We delved into his background, his transition from in...

This episode underscores the transformative power of pain and adversity. Lauren Cibene, author of Tiger in a Lifeboat, openly and vulnerably shares her life journey and how a seemingly insurmountable crisis and emotional turmoil can eventually lead to profound personal growth and self-realization. Through her experience of deep pain, questioning, and despair, Lauren experienced a metamorphosis, em...

Join us as we honor the journey of Joe Boyd, a former pastor turned actor, movie producer, and deconstruction advocate, who shares his remarkable journey from traditional ministry to questioning foundational beliefs. Joe recounts how his discovery of deconstruction led him to leave the pulpit and explore his passion for performance and storytelling, eventually establishing a career in the creative...

In today’s episode, Leslie welcomes back Jim Palmer, a former evangelical mega church pastor turned advocate for religious deconstruction and non-religious spirituality. They delve into Jim's transformative journey from his early religious experiences to his crisis of faith and subsequent shift towards helping others navigate religious trauma and existential health. Jim shares insights from his re...

In this episode of "Honoring The Journey,"we welcome guest Jay Aedo, an author of children's books and a teacher of practical philosophy. The conversation delves into Jay’s unique and thought-provoking perspectives on storytelling, particularly how he reinterprets conventional Bible stories to teach children about personal responsibility. Jay discusses the impact of his religious upbringing as a J...

Today, we honor the journey of Plumb, the recording artist who Leslie used to play on the air when she was in Christian Radio. The conversation unveils Plumb’s transformative journey from her evangelical roots to becoming a fierce advocate for authenticity, kindness, and marginalized communities. Plumb shares her struggles with conformity, her evolution in beliefs about love and religion, and the...

Gary Mai, an inspiring podcaster and member of the LGBTQIA community, is our guest today on Honoring the Journey. Gary shares his compelling life story, marked by early childhood trauma, struggles with identity, and a long, arduous journey towards self-acceptance. The discussion delves into Gary's experiences growing up in a conservative religious environment, grappling with his sexuality, and ult...

Today on Honoring the Journey, we have a deep conversation with Mike Maeshiro, a former ministry leader at Bethel and founder of the NUMA Foundation. We discussed his extraordinary journey of leaving evangelicalism, coming to terms with his sexuality, and navigating the complexities of his faith and identity within a conservative Christian framework. Mike shared deeply personal stories about his t...

Today, we welcome back Logan Barone to delve into the controversial topic of astrology, especially in the context of an evangelical upbringing. We discuss the historical and biblical underpinnings of astrology, contrasting them with the misconceptions held within certain religious communities. The conversation shifts to the significance of the Age of Aquarius, exploring its impact on spiritual awa...

In this episode, we meet Logan Barone, a spiritual life coach, bestselling author, and former evangelical minister who underwent a transformative spiritual journey. The discussion delves into Logan's personal experiences, which catalyzed his deconstruction from rigid religious beliefs toward a spiritual awakening that emphasizes living in the present moment and embracing inner divinity. Key applic...

In this episode of "Honoring the Journey," Leslie welcomes Mary Terhune to discuss her profound experiences of spiritual awakening and transformation, as detailed in her book "Out of the Blue." Mary shares her journey from traditional religious upbringing to experiencing divine revelations that redefined her understanding of consciousness and healing. Listeners will gain insights into the importan...

Today we honor the journey of Zach Lambert, the lead pastor and founder of Restore Church in Austin, Texas. Leslie & Zach chat about his background, exploring his spiritual journey from a disenchanted youth in a conservative Southern Baptist environment to becoming a progressive church leader focused on justice, inclusivity, and a holistic interpretation of the gospel. They also discuss the challe...

Today on Honoring the Journey, Leslie interviews Peter Fenton, delving into his journey from their serendipitous meeting through his evolving identity and professional pursuits. Peter, a playwright, director and screenwriter shares his unique perspective shaped by a complex upbringing in a conservative evangelical environment. The conversation weaves through Peter's childhood loves, like Mario Par...

Today on "Honoring the Journey," we welcome Amanda Carroll, a fellow-former-Christian Radio gal who Leslie met online and realized quickly that she wanted to know more about her faith and life journey! Amanda is the founder of the Single Mom Collective, a podcast and online community dedicated to empowering single mothers. Amanda shares her inspiring story, detailing her extensive career in radio,...

In this episode of "Honoring the Journey," we honor the journey of Paul Young, the renowned author of "The Shack." Leslie expresses her excitement about finally having Paul on the show, sharing a personal anecdote about how his book profoundly impacted her spiritual journey after a challenging experience on Survivor China. They discuss the controversy surrounding "The Shack" in evangelical circles...

Today on Honoring the Journey, you’ll meet Daniel Bannoura, a Palestinian theologian, scholar, podcaster, and entrepreneur, who shares his captivating personal journey. From his lucid childhood memories in Bethlehem and Indiana to his poignant accounts of the Gulf War, Daniel discusses his multifaceted career and profound insights on faith, politics, and activism. The conversation delves into his...

In this episode of "Honoring the Journey," Leslie welcomes her friend Shannon Hunt. They delve into Shannon's unique perspective on life, highlighting how their friendship, despite Shannon being an atheist and Leslie having a religious background, has been enriching and transformative. The conversation explores Shannon's journey from her challenging upbringing in the LDS faith to her eventual depa...