This week’s episode is a special Samhain edition of This Week in Heresy . This approximately one hour meditation is a journey to the Underworld and the Isle of Apples, under the protection of Inanna, to commune with the Beloved Dead. The music was written, composed, and performed by Sarah Thompson, also known as Mage of Machines . You'll recognize a little bit of this album as the show music for both This Week in Heresy and The Heretic Speaks . Some of you, if you had attended Pantheacon in 2013...
Oct 31, 2014•1 hr 9 min
In this episode, Ember Cooke describes what Heathenry is and talks about the different types of Heathen paths. Who are the Heathen (also known collectively as Norse) Gods? What do Heathens do? What does race have to do with Heathen practice, and why is that all people know of the Heathen traditions? Ember Cooke has been a member of Hrafnar and Seidhjallr for more than a decade, where she trained with Diana Paxson and Lorrie Wood to be a Seidhkona, Vitka, and Gythia. She founded the Vanic Conspir...
Oct 24, 2014•1 hr 3 min
This week we talk to Lon Sarver, devotee of Dionysus and polytheist. What is polytheism, and why does it matter? Are we too hung up on the meaning of words like Wiccan, polytheist, duo theist, and others? We discuss the emerging arguments about pagan theology and how it benefits, and doesn’t benefit, the community as a whole. Lon Sarver is a devote of Dionysos, polytheist, and editor living and working in the San Francisco Bay Area. He's been a tarot reader at the Ancient Ways store in Oakland, ...
Oct 17, 2014•1 hr 3 min
This week’s guest is Shavon Walker. In this episode we talk about the role of women in the Baptist church that she attends, feminism, and the differences of the roles of women between conservative and open and affirming African American churches. We also venture into why feminism is important for all genders, body image, sex education, and of course the Big Hats. (Because, Church Hats!) Shavon Walker is a self proclaimed foodie, and a former English teacher who just can't stop teaching. She can ...
Oct 10, 2014•55 min
This week’s guest is Tanesh Watson Nutall, TransSaints Chaplain and transgender minister at City of Refuge UCC. In this interview, Tanesh tells the story of her life and how her faith and prayer brought her to where she is today. This powerful testimony was recorded on location at City of Refuge UCC in Oakland, CA. Links Tanesh’s Facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/tanesh.watson?fref=ts Tanesh’s email: taneshwatson76@gmail.com City of Refuge UCC: http://cityofrefugeucc.org/ TransSaints: h...
Oct 03, 2014•1 hr 10 min
Valerie Walker, Feri tradition priestess and elder, joins us this week to talk about life, death, and navigating not only the Pagan community, but her own tradition. We also talk about her struggle with cancer, and how it has changed her practice. This episode was recorded at Valerie’s house (over tea) in San Francisco. Valerie Walker is an initiate of Starhawk (1976), an initiate of Niklas Gander and Willow Moon (2001), and informal student of Cora Anderson (2001-2008). She is the founder of th...
Sep 26, 2014•56 min
On this week’s episode, Athena Wallander returns to talk about the history of magick and grimoires in the Christian tradition. While most people try and deny that there is any connection between Christianity, the occult, and modern witchcraft (and other pagan groups), the reality is that they are quite strongly connected. We also discuss how to go about learning from and using grimoires and other magickal texts. For more about Athena, visit her website: http://www.enochian.org/faq.shtml Links Tw...
Sep 20, 2014•42 min
This week’s guest is my mother, Nancy Pond. Besides probably learning a little bit more about my childhood, we talk about what it means to be agnostic, and why being agnostic doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re still seeking. Mom and I also share personal stories about how God (however one defines God), and Love, is present in our lives. Nancy Pond is a devout Agnostic, but brought up Catholic. She has a BS in Business with a minor in Philosophy, and has an MBA. She is also an accomplished arti...
Sep 12, 2014•53 min
On this week’s episode, we continue the discussion with Rev. Philip Tanner, the Greek Geek, about the “gotcha verses” in the Bible that are used for condemning LGBTQIA people. In this episode, we also analyze why these verses are used, who uses them, and why it is important to know about context and translation issues. See Rev. Philip’s bio on our Regulars page where you will find links to his blogs and his new podcast. Links: Strong’s Concordance with Hebrew and Greek Lexicon: http://www.eliyah...
Sep 05, 2014•47 min
This week we have the first of two episodes with Rev. Philip Tanner, the Greek Geek, about the “gotcha verses” in the Bible that are used for condemning LGBTQIA people. We begin these episodes by talking about the verses themselves, and why they may not mean what you have been told they mean. See Rev. Philip’s bio on our Regulars page which includes links to his blogs and his new podcast. Links: Strong’s Concordance with Hebrew and Greek Lexicon: http://www.eliyah.com/lexicon.html BibleGateway (...
Aug 29, 2014•52 min
This week our guest is Ragen Chastain of the Dances with Fat blog . In this episode, we talk about how body policing and body shaming in a religious setting can do spiritual damage. Where does the religious body shaming come from? What is the responsibility of clergy when it comes to the health of their members? What are clergy telling people when they have “Biggest Loser” type contests in their churches? This episode coincides with the online Fat Activism Conference . The conference is complete...
Aug 22, 2014•1 hr 7 min
Sarah Thompson returns in this episode to talk about navigating pagan traditions and an asexual, especially when many traditions follow a fertility cycle based on the sexual union of a God and Goddess. How do we adapt and redact rituals and traditions in order to include those who don't fit into the narrative? What is a “Relationship” and does a committed, intimate relationship always have to lead to sex? You can learn more about Sarah on our Regulars page . Links Sarah’s Patheos Article: http:/...
Aug 15, 2014•51 min
This week we talk about the ins and outs about being a spiritual teacher with Athena Wallander. We explore the benefits, the ethics, and the pitfalls of teaching a spiritual tradition. For more about Athena, visit her website: http://www.enochian.org/faq.shtml Links: … Continue reading →
Aug 08, 2014•53 min
This week’s guest is Rev. Beth Parab (who I call Pastor Beth), an Episcopal priest, whose spouse is Hindu. We talk about being in a multi-faith family, teaching children, and practicing, more than one faith path, and the evolution of … Continue reading →
Aug 01, 2014•49 min
This week’s guest is Devin Hunter, host of the Modern Witch Podcast. In this episode, we, two witchy heretics, talk about evolutions in the greater Pagan community. We start with gender issues, then move on to pagan and witchcraft theology, … Continue reading →
Jul 25, 2014•53 min
This week we have Rev. Lee back to discuss body shame, disability, and how to be responsible and welcoming clergy around issues of the body. The biggest question is: If we say that ALL people are made in the image … Continue reading →
Jul 18, 2014•44 min
(Apologies for this episode being late! Life got in the way!) This week see the return of The Greek Geek, Philip Tanner! In this episode, we talk about the Bible and the problems with translation, context, and why we can … Continue reading →
Jul 11, 2014•43 min
This week’s co-host is Rev. Lee Whittaker, one of my very good friends from seminary, and a recent graduate of Starr King School for the Ministry. On this week’s show we talk about the “emerging church” and how the welcome … Continue reading →
Jul 04, 2014•40 min
This week’s co-host is Jae Howlett, one of my earliest friends in California and someone with whom I have had many discussions about spirituality and race. This week, we have a conversation about how Christianity, and other religions, can be … Continue reading →
Jun 27, 2014•41 min
My first in-studio guest is my wife, Sarah Thompson. She’s a for-reals rocket scientist, 3rd Degree priest and co-founder of the Circle of Cerridwen, and co-founder of the Witches’ Order of the Golden Dawn. She just started writing a column … Continue reading →
Jun 20, 2014•38 min
