My Gay Church Days
By George Azar
My Gay Church DaysMay 04, 2022
Update with My Gay Church Days and Version 2
I know. I've been MIA. Between my day job and writing Version 2 of the book, I've had little interest or motivation for the other things I love to do.
This episode gives you a rundown of what's been happening with Version 2 of the book and an inside scoop on the trajectory of releasing it!
SPECIAL GUEST - Archie Messersmith-Bunting
Archie reaches students personally as he openly and honestly shares his own struggle with addiction and clinical depression. He weaves research of top therapists and addiction specialists into his storytelling, allowing audiences to understand and feel the potential for loss and pain. He guides attendees to a place of self-reflection, encouraging them to find balance and reclaim the power of the emotional baggage that often controls their lives.
Season 2 Premiere Guest: TOT - Part 2
SEASON 2 PREMIERE, PART 2!!!!
Tatyanna (TOT) is an amazing musician who recently deconstructed her faith during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her insights and perspective is critical in these times, and I am happy to share her with you!
Be sure to check her out here:
Season 2 Premiere Guest: TOT - Part 1
SEASON 2 PREMIERE!!!!
Tatyanna (TOT) is an amazing musician who recently deconstructed her faith during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her insights and perspective is critical in these times, and I am happy to share her with you!
Be sure to check her out here:
My Struggle with Erectile Dysfunction
If you struggle with ED, you are not alone.
SPECIAL GUEST: Barrett Carroll - PART 2
Barrett is one of a kind! Being raised in a controlled and abusive environment, Barrett found refuge in the entertainment industry. As a child actor, Barrett was introduced to perspectives that were far-removed from the worldview instilled in him through his experience of homeschooling and isolation. Although acting brought it's own set of challenges, Barrett was introduced to a wide variety of different experiences, forming his way to eventually leaving his controlled environment to pursue a life devoted to helping others heal from their traumas.
From Barrett's website: I came to a position where I knew something had to change. It was never about becoming rich or famous for me. It was about creating things that mattered. I wanted to put purpose into pain and create art that did the same. For many years I lived a life filled with secrets and hardships. I had gone through seasons of great success and great failures. As soon as I seemed to be heading in the right direction, I would quickly get pulled away by a different hardship or.... opportunity as I now choose to look at it. I have an unusual story as many of you know. I grew up in a type of small evangelical based cult within a very abusive home. I never received a proper education until I attended college. I struggled with severe depression, Complex PTSD, anorexia and anxiety. During my childhood I was not aware of the depth of the trauma that I was experiencing. I grew up in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. I had some extended family that worked in entertainment and recognized my abilities at a young age. This led to me eventually working in commercials, Indie films and regional theatre for several years before attending college. I attended Baldwin-Wallace University and The University of Oklahoma where I received my Bachelors of Music in Musical Theatre. I worked at Disney World briefly after graduation but was shaken to my core during that time by the death of 8 of my friends within a year and a half as well as continued family conflict back in Oklahoma. During my time in Florida, I almost lost my own life due to an unexpected sickness and physical complications. After battling, health issues and depression alone, I found myself at the start of a spiritual awakening.
---
An accomplished author, actor, and friend, Barrett has so much to offer the world.
Be sure to check out Part 2, releasing on Wednesday, May 4th.
Also, you can connect with Barrett's work here:
Website
Book: The Acorn's Journey
SPECIAL GUEST: Barrett Carroll - PART 1
From Barrett's website: I came to a position where I knew something had to change. It was never about becoming rich or famous for me. It was about creating things that mattered. I wanted to put purpose into pain and create art that did the same. For many years I lived a life filled with secrets and hardships. I had gone through seasons of great success and great failures. As soon as I seemed to be heading in the right direction, I would quickly get pulled away by a different hardship or.... opportunity as I now choose to look at it. I have an unusual story as many of you know. I grew up in a type of small evangelical based cult within a very abusive home. I never received a proper education until I attended college. I struggled with severe depression, Complex PTSD, anorexia and anxiety. During my childhood I was not aware of the depth of the trauma that I was experiencing. I grew up in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. I had some extended family that worked in entertainment and recognized my abilities at a young age. This led to me eventually working in commercials, Indie films and regional theatre for several years before attending college. I attended Baldwin-Wallace University and The University of Oklahoma where I received my Bachelors of Music in Musical Theatre. I worked at Disney World briefly after graduation but was shaken to my core during that time by the death of 8 of my friends within a year and a half as well as continued family conflict back in Oklahoma. During my time in Florida, I almost lost my own life due to an unexpected sickness and physical complications. After battling, health issues and depression alone, I found myself at the start of a spiritual awakening.
---
An accomplished author, actor, and friend, Barrett has so much to offer the world.
Be sure to check out Part 2, releasing on Wednesday, May 4th.
Also, you can connect with Barrett's work here:
Website
Book: The Acorn's Journey
Spirit(s)-Filled Episode with Alana Sweetwater
SPECIAL GUEST - Jesse Cale - PART 2
SPECIAL GUEST: Jesse Cale - PART 1
Jesse Cale, also known as McSwagger, was born on May 19th, 1990, in Columbus, Ohio. He is a singer, musician, artist, composer, YouTuber, and former member of Maker Studios (now Disney Digital). He has worked with several other YouTube musicians, including Tessa Violet, Dodie Clark, and Emma Blackery.
Instagram: @jessecale
Twitter: @jessecale
Growing Up Christian
YouTube
Chapter Release - Chapter 5 - Thought: Homosexuality from MGCD
While writing the book, I often went down rabbit holes on subjects I wanted to incorporate or expand upon in my story. I realized that my desire to go deeper into essential topics would have significantly changed the dynamic of my storyline. Then it dawned on me: I could write particular "thought" chapters! At the start of writing the book, I outlined these "thoughts" - subject title and a brief description. As ideas came up for these sections, I'd revisit whichever caught the inspiration and add more to the thought until it was a full-fledged chapter!
I chose to release Chapter 5, "Thought: Homosexuality," because it is a meaningful conversation that should be had in Evangelical spaces. Beliefs like "homosexuality is likened to other mental illnesses" are alive and well in the churches that don't accept LGBTQ+ individuals.
I talk about how my self-hatred was derived mainly from a passage in Romans 1. Learning about this passage manifested my greatest insecurities by denying my sexual expression and acceptance - as is taught in churches today!
"Thought: Homosexuality" also outlines the journey of my attempted reconciliation of faith with my sexuality, resulting in abandoning my faith.
I hope you enjoy this episode! If you are interested, you can check out the full audiobook here:
Audible
Google Play
Audiobooks.com
And 50+ other sources!
SPECIAL GUEST - Eric Feltes
Eric defies these norms. His faith and sexuality have inspired so many, and I am so fortunate to have him on this week's episode. Eric is raw and honest about his struggles of finding life, meaning, and individuality amongst the voices of others. He constantly sets an example of what it means to be a human with elevated beliefs about Christianity, and he helps so many find the same peace and love.
Through creativity, courage, and authenticity, Eric Feltes cultivates connection and shares stories to inspire others to love themselves and the world around them. In his professional life, he does this through acting and Life Coaching. Through his coaching program, Eric helps other gay men free themselves from Church shame, a topic in which he has a great deal of firsthand experience. Eric lives in Los Angeles with his dog Cadence and 20 houseplants. He enjoys hiking, reading, and writing.
Be sure to check out Eric's work and social media accounts:
www.LifeCoachingbyFeltes.com
Instagram: @ericfeltes
SPECIAL GUEST - Matt Bays
Antagonist vs. Inquisitors
SPECIAL GUEST: Lucas Wilson - PART 2
Lucas holds an MA in English from McMaster University, as well as an MTS from Vanderbilt University. An Invisible History Project Fellow, Lucas is finishing his interdisciplinary PhD in Comparative Studies at Florida Atlantic University. His academic work has appeared in Canadian Jewish Studies, Flannery O’Connor Review,, and in edited collections published by The MLA, SUNY Press, and DIO Press. He also has a forthcoming article in The Journal of Jewish Identities and a forthcoming book chapter about Liberty University’s gay conversion therapy program (published through The University of Alabama Press). His public-facing work has appeared in The Advocate, Queerty, LGBTQ Nation, and Religion Dispatches, among other venues. He is currently a Sessional Lecturer at University of Toronto.
On top of his many accomplishments, Lucas is a wickedly hilarious, sharp, and brilliant advocate. I was beyond honored to have spent some time with him, and I am so happy to bring this podcast to you!
How to connect with Lucas:
Instagram: @lukeslamdunkwilson
Twitter: @wilson_fw
Articles:
The Advocate: www.advocate.com/commentary/2021/5/13/gay-man-says-he-was-tormented-liberty-university-now-hes-suing
Queerty: www.queerty.com/jerry-falwell-jr-plays-gay-students-suffer-universitys-conversion-therapy-20200122
LGBTQ Nation: www.lgbtqnation.com/2020/04/liberty-universitys-board-trustees-remove-jerry-falwell-jr-schools-president/
Religion Dispatches: religiondispatches.org/liberty-universitys-in-house-conversion-therapist-retires-but-will-the-christian-school-cease-this-discredited-practice/
Academic Work:
Canadian Jewish Studies: cjs.journals.yorku.ca/index.php/cjs/article/view/40243
Flannery O’Connor Review: www.academia.edu/40368495/Of_Gossip_and_Gaze_The_Shift_from_Symbolic_to_Social_Exclusion_Seen_through_a_Post_Holocaust_Aesthetic_in_Flannery_O_Connor_s_The_Displaced_Person_
SPECIAL GUEST: Lucas Wilson - PART 1
Lucas holds an MA in English from McMaster University, as well as an MTS from Vanderbilt University. An Invisible History Project Fellow, Lucas is finishing his interdisciplinary PhD in Comparative Studies at Florida Atlantic University. His academic work has appeared in Canadian Jewish Studies, Flannery O’Connor Review,, and in edited collections published by The MLA, SUNY Press, and DIO Press. He also has a forthcoming article in The Journal of Jewish Identities and a forthcoming book chapter about Liberty University’s gay conversion therapy program (published through The University of Alabama Press). His public-facing work has appeared in The Advocate, Queerty, LGBTQ Nation, and Religion Dispatches, among other venues. He is currently a Sessional Lecturer at University of Toronto.
On top of his many accomplishments, Lucas is a wickedly hilarious, sharp, and brilliant advocate. I was beyond honored to have spent some time with him, and I am so happy to bring this podcast to you!
How to connect with Lucas:
Instagram: @lukeslamdunkwilson
Twitter: @wilson_fw
Articles:
The Advocate: www.advocate.com/commentary/2021/5/13/gay-man-says-he-was-tormented-liberty-university-now-hes-suing
Queerty: www.queerty.com/jerry-falwell-jr-plays-gay-students-suffer-universitys-conversion-therapy-20200122
LGBTQ Nation: www.lgbtqnation.com/2020/04/liberty-universitys-board-trustees-remove-jerry-falwell-jr-schools-president/
Religion Dispatches: religiondispatches.org/liberty-universitys-in-house-conversion-therapist-retires-but-will-the-christian-school-cease-this-discredited-practice/
Academic Work:
Canadian Jewish Studies: cjs.journals.yorku.ca/index.php/cjs/article/view/40243
Flannery O’Connor Review: www.academia.edu/40368495/Of_Gossip_and_Gaze_The_Shift_from_Symbolic_to_Social_Exclusion_Seen_through_a_Post_Holocaust_Aesthetic_in_Flannery_O_Connor_s_The_Displaced_Person_
SPECIAL GUEST: Andrew Pledger - PART 2
I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Andrew Pledger. Andrew is a talented photographer and an aspiring psychologist. He was recently expelled by Bob Jones University after his segment with Joshua Harris had caught the attention of the university leadership team. He has not been discouraged; rather, encouraged to press harder into pursuing his desire to help others release from the power of systems of control. This is Part 1 of a two-part series. I could have spoken with Andrew for days, and he will definitely be back on the podcast! What a remarkable human being. Here is how you can connect with Andrew:
Instagram: @4ndrewpledger
Website: pledgermedia.mypixieset.com/
Blog: 4ndrewpledger.wordpress.com/
Hire him: imageconnect.usa.canon.com/photographer/andrewpledger
www.fiverr.com/andrewpledger29/composite-photos-with-photoshop
SPECIAL GUEST: Andrew Pledger - PART 1
This is Part 1 of a two-part series. I could have spoken with Andrew for days, and he will definitely be back on the podcast!
What a remarkable human being.
Here is how you can connect with Andrew:
Instagram: @4ndrewpledger
Website: pledgermedia.mypixieset.com/
Blog: 4ndrewpledger.wordpress.com/
Hire him:
imageconnect.usa.canon.com/photographer/andrewpledger
www.fiverr.com/andrewpledger29/composite-photos-with-photoshop
Astronomy is My Religion
SPECIAL GUEST: Scarlett - Purity Culture & Reconstructing
Scarlett inspires me to be a better person. Going through her reconstruction, this podcast highlights the harmful effects of the purity culture doctrine. Scarlett also gives us some vital points to ponder, highlighting the reconstruction path she is currently on.
SPECIAL GUEST - Andrew Barker - Going Beyond Christianity
Learn more about Andrew!
Instagram: www.instagram.com/tarotwithandrew/
Website: www.tarotangel444.com/
Special Guest: Alana Sweetwater (Victoria) - Transcending Religion
This podcast highlights the beauty of finding your truth amongst the voices of others. Alana has lived her life more radically and more accessibly than any religious person I know. I am so happy to share this wonderful gem with you and her thought-provoking, revolutionary insights!
NOTE: The 30-minute music at the end of the podcast was by none other than the wonderful Alana Sweetwater!
To learn more about Alana Sweetwater, please visit her links here:
Instagram: @alanasweetwater
Podcast: The Warrior Empath on Spotify
Music Website: alanasweetwater.com/