Rev. Breanna Illéné and Pastor Kelsey sit down to talk Christian Education, what it means to be ecumenical in our faith and embrace the many Christian traditions we carry, and raising children who have a faith that is wider and broader than a particular denomination. About Breanna Breanna is the Curator of Content and Ecumenical Innovation Coordinator and her role includes communications; identifying, celebrating and sharing innovative ministries (particularly those involving ecumenical cooperat...
Jul 11, 2022•41 min
"How do you know I don't have to pray 50x a day in this particular way in order for my family not to die in a fire? Well, I don't, but we're goingt o take the chance that this is OCD and we're going to take the chance that we know that God is a loving God, and we're going to lean into that." Contrary to popular misconception, OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) is not just about cleaning and organizing; OCD is often a very debilitating "doubting disorder" that tries to convince folks they are ba...
Jul 04, 2022•50 min
Doubt can be incredibly lonely. In a world that tends to value a faith that resembles certainty, it can be very isolating to feel like you have more questions than answers. So many of us struggle in those quiet moments when God feels far away and the foundation of our faith feels unstable. Perhaps you, also, have looked with envy at those who have such a "strong faith" that they have absolutely no uncertainty. Maybe you have wondered: why can't I have faith like that? Why do I have so many quest...
Jun 27, 2022•39 min
NOTE: This episode was recorded and published BEFORE the final Supreme Court decision was released, effectively overturning Roe v. Wade and stripping folks with a uterus of their rights. For many folks, it felt like the earth shook when Politico published the leaked draft of the Supreme Court's case on Roe v. Wade. Reproductive Justice activists turned up their microphones and voices for louder advocating for reproductive rights. There are a lot of questions we ask have about what the work of Re...
Jun 20, 2022•38 min
"When I speak of resilience, and when I speak of celebrating Juneteenth, it is recognizing that Pastor Kelsey and I get to have this conversation today as equals, as co-laborers in the Gospel of Jesus Christ." Over 150 years after Juneteenth was first celebrated by Black communities in the United States, it was finally recognized as a national holiday in 2021. Artistic Theologian, Alexus Rhone, curated a storytelling event a few years ago to celebrate Juneteenth, primarily focused on resilience....
Jun 13, 2022•1 hr 12 min
Happy Pride Month!! Preacher, activist, and drag queen, Marge Erin Johnson, joins us this week to kick off Pride and to talk about the ways God loves every single part of us. She shares the depth of grace we receive when we enter into a sanctuary for Drag Church, because it offers the message that you are welcome exactly as you are. About Marge Marge Erin Johnson (she/her) is a preacher, activist, and drag queen currently residing in the neighborhood of Washington Heights in NYC. Originally a qu...
Jun 06, 2022•47 min
“You don’t need a seminary degree to talk with your kids about Jesus. But it can be nice to have a friend with one.” Pastor Meredith Miller is here to be that friend for us - talking us through how to have hard faith conversations with our young ones. Even if you aren’t a parent, Meredith is such a good resource full of wisdom that all of us can learn from. Kids ask really tough questions that a lot of us adults wonder about, too. Join us as we tackle some of those big questions from little kids...
May 30, 2022•1 hr 2 min
“We all have mental health, just like we have medical health, physical health, financial health and wellness. We need to start normalizing that we all have it.” - Dr. Dominique Pritchett Dr. Dominique Pritchett is an exceptional licensed therapist, speaker and mental wellness consultant. After experiencing burnout and discrimination in her career, she opened Beloved Wellness Center , the first and only private mental health practice in Wisconsin curated for Black women and girls. As an extension...
May 23, 2022•49 min
On a recent trip to Hawaii, Pastor Kelsey encountered so much beauty in learning about Hawaii's history and the practices of Indigenous Hawaiians, but also the heartbreak of the impact colonialism has on the islands. Upon the recommendation of several colleagues, Kelsey reached out to Rev. Jazzy Bostock, a kanaka maoli woman who pastors two churches on Oahu. It is our privilege to hear about the ways Rev. Jazzy interweaves her identity as a native Hawaiian and a practicing Christian. She speaks ...
May 16, 2022•51 min
This week I sat down with Sheila Whittenberg, a children's minister in Berlin, Germany that has been at the train station welcoming in refugees from Ukraine. In this episode, she shares some heartbreaking stories, but also where she is seeing God and finding hope. . . . About Sheila in her own words: Artist, Contemplative and Advocate for children. That's me. I live in Berlin, Germany with my husband, two crazy teenagers, and a Cockapoo named Lucy (who is also my painting pal). I explore the int...
May 09, 2022•52 min
Rev. Becca Middeke-Conlin (she/her/hers) is the Director of Evangelical Mission (DEM) and Associate for Youth and Young Adult Ministry in the Arkansas Oklahoma Synod. Pastor Becca has served congregations in Connecticut and Pennsylvania where she has developed a passion for youth ministry and social justice. Over the last few years she has been the founder and lead organizer of two events in the North East Pennsylvania Synod: We Love, a day of worship and workshops to help congregations be more ...
May 02, 2022•38 min
This week Pastor Kelsey sits down with Rev. Shane Montoya to discuss the many creation stories found within the bible, leading to a conservation about ecotheology, the intersection of climate change and racial justice, and how we can better care for Earth and for one another. May this conversation lead you to think about how we are all connected. Rev. Shane Montoya (He/His) is a United Church of Christ Minister, Florida Man, and Pastor of the Miami Shores Community Church. He lives in slightly c...
Apr 25, 2022•36 min
What does it look like to practice and believe in resurrection when the world around us feels bleak and dim? What does it look like to live out Easter in our lives when the powers of empire stand against us, as they did against Christ? What does it mean to practice Easter in a Good Friday world? Minister Blyth Barnow shares a message of gritty hope and resurrection, in honor of her favorite holiday: Easter! A word from Minister Blyth Barnow (she/her): I went to seminary to learn how to hold spir...
Apr 18, 2022•32 min
Happy Good Friday! Friend of the podcast, Rev. Krista Zimmerman, has a special treat for us and delivers a sermon on Good Friday in today's bonus episode!
Apr 16, 2022•11 min
Whether you’ve been going to church your whole life or are brand new to this whole Christianity thing, we can all afford the opportunity to learn and reflect on the meaning of Holy Week. Rev. Leah Rumsey is here to break down what each of the days of Holy Week are, why they are important, and how God is still speaking to us through them. Join us in conversation about Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and, of course, Easter Sunday. About Rev. Leah Rumsey Rev. Leah Rumsey i...
Apr 11, 2022•39 min
Mystics are not just a thing of the past. We all can embrace the mystery of God and the way of Christ in the world today. Kevin Sweeney, a pastor in Honolulu with his wife Christine, is here to share his journey within mysticism. He shares his journey of releasing ego, surrendering into God’s love, and embracing the wild journey life truly is. Kevin also shares about his new, forthcoming book, “The Making of a Mystic: My Journey with Mushrooms, My Life as a Pastor, and Why It’s Okay For Everyone...
Apr 04, 2022•55 min
The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) is one of the most well-known parables. Movies, musicals, plays, and books have been made and we think we have it all figured out. But today, we're going to peel back another layer. For further reading on this parable, we encourage you to check on the following resources: Short Stories by Jesus by Amy-Jill Levine (book) Love and Lostness by Debie Thomas (short essay) Connect with Us: Sign up for our Weekly Devotional emails Follow us on Instagram or Facebook Give...
Mar 30, 2022•17 min
“What I do know is that an unremarkable day can be full of wonder if we pay attention.” Take a moment to think about how you feel when you’re slouching. The word “radiant” is probably not the first word that comes to mind. But in her new book, Slouching Toward Radiance , Heidi Barr shows us that we can feel radiant even when slouching. Her words are one of comfort and blessing, allowing us to feel seen. In today’s episode, Heidi shares how complicated joy can be, and where she finds it even on t...
Mar 28, 2022•34 min
Recent studies estimate that 1 in 4 people are disabled in some way, which is an indicator that we need to bring issues of ableism and disability justice to the fore-front. This week we we have on Allison Connelly-Vetter and Bekah Maren Anderson who do a lot of amazing advocacy work around disability justice. They break down some of the harmful ways we have interpreted scripture - especially Jesus' healing stories! - and show us a way that is more inclusive and celebratory of disable folks. Alli...
Mar 21, 2022•50 min
About Kia An unapologetic agitator, Kia Speaks creates content that pushes the conversation forward. From digital campaigns and multimedia projects to thought-provoking articles, visuals and speeches, Kia tells stories that challenge, provoke, and move audiences into action. With over 15 years of communications experience, Kia has created award-winning digital campaigns that produced national and international media coverage, interviewed New York Times best-selling authors, Grammy-award winning ...
Mar 14, 2022•39 min
If you are able, place your hands out in front of you with your palms up and open. It's a posture for both giving and receiving. It's also the posture for transformational leadership. The traditional understanding of leadership was transactional: see what I am doing, listen, and follow me. The landscape of leadership has been slowly changing over the last few decades into a more transformational kind of leadership, which is more about coming alongside people rather than standing out in front. Re...
Mar 07, 2022•44 min
Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent. As we go into this season, remember how this past Sunday was Transformation Sunday. The day in which we remember how Jesus went to the mountain with his disciples and transformed. Even in the darkest times we are able to find God. Look for God today, whether it's in the eyes of a child, in the blooming of our spring flowers, or in the vast beauty of nature.
Mar 02, 2022•14 min
We are all made in God’s image - the imago Dei - but many folks in western culture are taught, both implicitly and explicitly, that they are not. In her new book, A Brown Girl’s Epiphany , Rev. Aurelia Dávila Pratt shares her story of embracing her belovedness with a call to all of us to work towards healing. She names the harmful theological belief systems, particularly the ones rooted in white supremacy, and offers a more abundant, loving vision of what the world can be if we embrace the truth...
Feb 28, 2022•51 min
Reverend Jenny Sung is a free range Pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. We cover a multitude of topics, but we dove pretty deep into the trauma the Asian community, specifically the Asian American community, has been experiencing lately. Rev. Jenny shares her own experience and context, but does such a brilliant job of drawing a wide lens so we can see the interconnectedness of racism among all people of color, while at the same time honoring the individual experiences of peopl...
Feb 21, 2022•42 min
What story would you tell if you were given permission to tell the truth? Anna Darian is a professional storyteller helping us discover the power of our voice and owning our story. She shares her story, and how each of us can find ourselves in the stories of others. We talk about the universality of storytelling and its value, what it means to find truth in our own story, and we even got metaphysical at one point about what truth actually is. But ultimately, this episode is about the universal s...
Feb 14, 2022•1 hr 2 min
“The yoga stays the same so that you can change.” In this episode, yoga teacher Holly Hancock talks us through the various ways that yoga intersects with her faith and her striving for social justice. They may seem worlds apart, but there are a multitude of parallels of practicing yoga and practicing Christianity. Both yoga and Christianity teach us how to be in relationship with others, with ourselves, and with the being who created us. They offer guiding principles to help us grow and evolve. ...
Feb 07, 2022•46 min
People who struggle to find God in a church often find God in nature. For Rev. Corey Turnpenny, she thought, "Why can't we have both?" and started Church in the Wild , a church that worships outdoors every Sunday. They hike together, breath in the outside air, and worship while embracing the views of God's creation. . . . Rev. Corey Turnpenny (she/her) is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church. In 2019, Corey felt the Spirit’s call to plant an alternative church for those who, like her...
Jan 31, 2022•43 min
Right now there is a lot of uncertainty and grief in the world. Many of us find ourselves searching for hope and longing for grace. If you feel like you are wandering around in the dark, wondering where the light is, maybe you need a reminder that God is all around you and always with you. Today's episode is a reminder of where we can find God as we search for hope and long for grace. Be sure to get your copy of our Lenten devotional, Searching for Hope and Grace. Pre-order now at dancingpastor....
Jan 28, 2022•7 min
Women play an integral part in history, including in biblical history. In many contexts, they are seen as mere side characters, and often aren’t even recognized with a name. However, we know that women are not just sidebars: they are main characters. They love, they birth, they lead, they prophesy, they teach, they heal, they wage war, and they testify. Author and Episcopal priest Rev. Alice Connor is here to share some of these women’s stories with us today. She recently wrote the book, Fierce:...
Jan 24, 2022•52 min
Abortion access and reproductive freedom are hot topics in the political sphere, especially among people of faith. What many folks don’t know, is that a majority of faith leaders and practitioners are in support of reproductive rights and safe access to abortion services. Rev. Angeal Williams, a lead organizer for SACReD (Spiritual Alliance of Communities for Reproductive Dignity) is on the podcast today to share exactly why that is. She offers definitions for terms we hear often, like “reproduc...
Jan 17, 2022•56 min
