Because We're Not the Same
By Nathan Raymond Rae
Because We're Not the SameApr 20, 2020
Bonus Episode 002: Indefinite Hiatus
This episode is meant to mark the official announcement that Because We're Not the Same is going on indefinite hiatus, with reasons detailed as to why that decision was made.
Episode 037: Wealth, Sacrifice and Inequality
This week, Nathan brings on his friend Shylo Rosborough to talk about their thoughts on the books Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance and Salt and Light by Eberhard Arnold, and how those books address poverty, community, spirituality, and personal responsibility. With Nathan having a traditional conservative perspective and Shylo taking a more liberal viewpoint, will the two be able to have a reasonable discussion with each other on these issues?
To learn more about the books discussed in the episode, you can check out the following links:
To learn more about Shylo, you can check out their social media:
Episode 036: The Power of Friendship
This week, Nathan brings on his friend Katie Perri(n) to talk about encouraging friends, toxic relationships, and a few personal horror stories involving work and sports.
Episode 035: Materialism and Spiritualism (Breakdown and Rebirth)
This week, Nathan brings on his best friend William O'Sullivan to talk about their perspectives on faith and rationalism, and how they were able to rebuild their friendship after a three-year estrangement, even when both of them don't always see eye to eye.
Episode 034: Finding Hope in the Divided States of America
This week, Nathan brings back his good friend Jamie Newman to talk about the political dumpster fire that is known as the United States of America, and to what extent it's possible to reach out to liberals and conservatives with a mindset that is reflective of the Kingdom of God. Prophecies and visions are also touched upon.
If you want to know more about Jamie and his connection with Nathan, it is highly recommended you listen to Episode 010: Process in order to get more of the bigger picture.
Episode 033: Dr. Saby, Medicine Woman
This week, Nathan brings on his friend Julie Saby to talk about her life as a wholesome, passionate, small-town doctor-in-training who happens to be working in an environment where a pandemic is happening in the background. (It's actually a pretty chill conversation.)
Episode 032: Redemption Quest
This week, Nathan brings on his friend Varun to talk about his life as a child of East Indian immigrants, his turn to juvenile delinquency, the chance he got to rebuild through pursuing a career as a flight attendant and finding faith, and the dream he has of becoming a police officer even when the odds are against him.
Episode 031: The Five Sides of Being a Furry
This week, Nathan brings on his friend NadTheFox to have a serious, respectful, semi-meaningful conversation about what it means to be a furry, from wearing fursuits in the heat of Florida to talking about the kind of impact such a lifestyle would have on one's children.
To learn more about Nad, you can find him on:
Episode 030: "Heresy" - Part II
We have officially run out of ideas and jumped the shark, as Nathan brings back his good friend Philip Nadurak, the Noble Heretic, to talk about what makes a heretic, and how heresies can be redeemed.
Please note that this is considered a direct continuation of Episode 007: "Heresy", with references to Episode 009: LGBT Christianity and Episode 023: Life is a Holy Romantic Musical Comedy. If you have not listened to these episodes before, it is highly recommended that you do so in order to gain a better understanding of some of the things we are talking about.
Episode 029: The Blessing of 2020
Samir is back, and here to talk with Nathan about how 2020 ended up being an unironically good year for them both, even as the world was going downhill.
Episode 028: Going Off the Rails With Theology
Every week, Nathan brings on a guest to ask them about how God has been working in their life; this week, as Nathan speaks with his friend Sean, that question sparks a spirited discussion about salvation, heaven, homosexuality, transgenderism, the apocalypse, and having an infinite mindset, completely derailing whatever plans there were for the original topic.
Episode 026: Saved From Sex Addiction
Episode 025: Pursuing Holiness in the Middle of Quarantine
In a bizarre plot twist that could only come from the black comedy known as life, Nathan and his roommate Caleb have become quarantined in their bedrooms because of a COVID scare, and thus they have taken it upon themselves to record a podcast episode in the most needlessly complicated way possible: Through a Zoom call. In this episode, they talk about how to pursue God even when it feels like he's derailing your plans, and how to influence people for the better through your character.
Resources Mentioned During the Episode:
Access Granted - Free Audiobook (the book Nathan won at the church service)
Joe Rogan Experience #1419: Daryl Davis (black guy who convinced people to drop out of the KKK, mentioned by Caleb)
Episode 024: Autism
This week, Nathan brings on his longtime friend Sparks Narud to talk about their experiences living with High Functioning Autism, and how they've been able to overcome their social weaknesses to find contentment and success in their lives.
If you want to learn more about Sparks, you can follow his YouTube channel here.
(Note: Due to a questionable internet connection, there are severe audio issues with this episode, although enough has been preserved so that the content is as coherent as possible.)
Episode 023: Life is a Holy Romantic Musical Comedy
This week, Nathan brings on his friend Lauren-Renee Howard to talk about their mutual quests to find romance through the guidance of divine revelation, as well as discussing how one can encourage and prophesy through spontaneous interpretative dance. No, really.
Episode 022: Life in the C-Movie Industry
Time for something a little different: This week, Nathan brings on actress, magazine publisher, and total stranger Jill Maria Robinson to talk about her career working on short films and TV shows in Alberta, the slow reawakening of her Christian faith, and the discovery of her biological family after spending so many years as an adopted child.
If you want to learn more about Jill or her work, you can check out the following links:
Episode 021: Don't Close the Book on Your Story
This week, Nathan brings on his friend Heather Yanos to talk about living in ghetto neighbourhoods, moving from city to city, why people shouldn't think of committing suicide, and her pursuit of becoming a screenwriter. Somehow it all manages to be upbeat and funny in spite of all the darkness.
Episode 020: What Doesn't Kill You Makes You a Writer
This week, Nathan brings on fellow author and podcaster Joshua Pantalleresco to talk about the crap he's been through in life that almost led to his death, how he's been able to maintain strength and hope as the world is going downhill, what his creative process is like, and what eight rules he's followed which have helped him to find success, among many other topics.
If you want to learn more about Joshua or his work, you can check out the following links:
Episode 019: Eritrea
This week, Nathan brings in his friend Fenotiel "Fen" Sibhatu to talk about her experience as an Eritrean immigrant to Canada, an Orthodox Christian who occasionally attends a Pentecostal Church, and her desire to pursue social work in helping the homeless community.
Episode 018: The House of Presence
This week, Nathan brings in his friend Rocko Jankowski to talk about his time attending the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry (AKA Hogwarts for Pentecostal Christians), and how that experience led to him setting up a church that aimed to show others what the presence of God feels like. It's a story that involves miracles, preaching battles, an amazing church that is absolutely not part of a cult, and a special house that's so holy that it causes people to get slain in the Spirit whenever they enter it.
If you wish to learn more about Rocko and his church, you can check out the following links:
Website: https://presenceyeg.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/presenceyeg/
Bonus Episode 001: #ReleaseTheSnyderCut
Due to guests cancelling at the last minute and Nathan having to go through oral surgery to get his wisdom teeth removed, there won't be a regular episode of Because We're Not the Same this week, but instead we'll be focusing on some bonus content, namely a piece of cut side-conversation between Nathan and Philip Nadurak, as they talk about DC movies and speculate on whether or not the Snyder Cut will ever come out.
If you're interested in hearing a wider conversation between these two gentlemen, then you can check out Episode 007: "Heresy", where we delve into topics such as fornication and adding to the canon of Scripture.
Episode 017: Hermeneutics
Hermen-a-what?? According to the dictionary, it's the study of the methodological principles of interpretation, especially that of Biblical texts, and it's also the topic of discussion that Nathan is having in this episode with aspiring counselor, Bible college student and fellow church-goer Gordon Clark. From Hell to homosexuality, from creation to revival, nothing is off the table when it comes to this particular discussion of ministry and studying the Bible.
Episode 016: Short-Term Missions
What's it like doing short-term mission work in a country that puts you far beyond your comfort zone? And how far are you willing to go in order to keep up with that type of ministry? Those are the kind of questions we'll be taking a look at on this episode of the podcast, as Nathan brings on his friend Ricky Sommerfeld to talk about his experiences doing short-term mission work in Ecuador, as well as briefly touching on him getting certified as a Christian Life Coach.
Links to Resources Mentioned:
Inca Link: https://www.incalink.org/
Bob Goff: https://bobgoff.com/
Garmin Fenix 5 Plus: https://buy.garmin.com/en-CA/CA/p/603267/pn/010-01988-04
Ricky Sommerfeld Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/this_is_rsom/
Ricky Sommerfeld E-Mail Address: rickysommerfeld@gmail.com
Episode 015: Student Ministry
This week, Nathan talks with his friend Roseline Kapongo about her dream to reach university students through a ministry called Crossover. We talk about the origins of Crossover, and what its vision for the future happens to entail.
If you want to learn more about Crossover, you can check the following links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossovercanada/
Crossover Conference Registration: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/crossover-2020-registration-106278716502?aff=efbevent
Episode 014: Glaube und Dienst
After a six week hiatus, we are back as Nathan brings in his friend Martin Diez to talk about his spiritual evolution and ministry journey across the USA and Germany.
Episode 013: #GeorgeFloyd
2020 is the year that keeps getting worse, and thanks to the worldwide wave of riots and protests that have sparked off in response to the murder of George Floyd, Samir and Nathan have something worth talking about on this week's episode. What are their takes on police violence against racial minorities? How do they think that justice needs to be served in this type of situation? Can a black dude and a white dude have a civil conversation about these difficult topics and somehow not get angry at each other? Let's take a listen to find out.
Out of respect for the tragedy that has happened, this episode is not sponsored.
Resources Referenced:
Sermon featuring church member describing their visit to Heaven and Hell
Washington Post article highlighting income disparity between black and white people in Minneapolis
Mini-documentary featuring John Piper talking about how he used to be racist
Episode 012: Rest
In response to Nathan staying up at ungodly hours and overworking himself on projects, both he and Samir sit down to have a chat on what it means to rest and relax - even when it's at a time when you feel like there are more important things to do.
Episode 011: Disagreements
Samir's back from vacation, and here to talk about a recent conflict he had with Nathan that tested their loyalty to each other and threatened to end their friendship for good. How did they make it through the storm? Take a listen and find out!
Episode 010: Process
This week, we attempt to go back to normal as Nathan brings in his friend Jamie Newman to talk about circumstantial encounters, unexpected miracles, the process of sanctification with God, and what it's like to do ministry in the spiritual wasteland of Portland, Oregon, a city better known for hipsters and Antifa than the holy presence of the Almighty.
Episode 009: LGBT Christianity
This week, we're continuing to do what we can to jump the shark over a canyon, while covered in glitter and setting ourselves on fire, as Nathan brings in his friend Gary Simpson to have a reasonable discussion about what it means to be both queer and Christian, and how one can justify themselves as such when it otherwise appears to be impossible. Can they both be friendly without resorting to throwing slurs at each other? Is it safe for an audience to listen to without feeling attacked? Perhaps it's worth listening to find out.
If you want to find out more about Gary Simpson or the work he's put out, here are some links to click on:
Websites:
Created Gay: https://createdgay.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/created_gay/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CreatedGay
Episode 008: Socialism
This week, with Samir still on vacation, Nathan attempts to incinerate the credibility of the show by bringing in his die-hard Marxist comrade Corey Knight to have a serious, hour-long discussion on whether socialism has any value as an ideology in comparison to capitalism, looking back on its history and seeing how it can be viable right now in a world gone wrong.
Episode 007: "Heresy"
Samir is taking a bit of a vacation, but the show must go on - and so Nathan has brought in his friend Philip Nadurak, the Noble Heretic, to discuss some difficult questions: If the Gifts of the Holy Spirit are for today, then what is the purpose of modern apostleship? Is there a possibility of adding new books into the canon of Scripture? And if fornication is a sin, then what's the Biblical justification for such a view?
If you want to find out more about Philip Nadurak or the work he's put out, here are some links to click on:
Websites:
Medium Blog: https://medium.com/@philipnadurak
The Noble Heretic Podcast: https://anchor.fm/thenoblehereticpodcast
E-Books:
Episode 006: Natural Gifts
In the aftermath of Nathan losing yet another job, both he and Samir take some time to talk about the gifts and skills people can have, and what might be the right environment to utilize those abilities.
Episode 005: Black Culture/White Culture
In this episode, we finally take advantage of the racial diversity present among us, as Samir and Nathan talk about what drives black people and white people to pursue wealth in Western culture, and whether such a pursuit ends up being worth it.
Episode 004: Opportunity
It's the end of world as we know it, and we feel fine! Coronavirus panic has hit the world, but are there still opportunities left to take advantage of? That's the question Samir and Nathan aim to address in this episode, as we get into a discussion on how to potentially make money as a result of the stock market crashing.
Disclaimer: Many of the financial observations and suggestions made by Nathan during this episode are the thoughts of an amateur economist. No matter how much you might agree with what he says, if you're interested in making money as a result of the stock market crashing, please seek out the advice of someone who's both trustworthy and experienced enough to know what they're talking about.
Episode 003: Acceptance
In this episode, Samir and Nathan discuss their thoughts on what makes for a loving, accepting church in the Christian community, with Nathan sharing experiences from his own churchgoing experiences, both good and bad.
Episode 002: Disappointments
In this episode, Samir and Nathan talk about Samir's dissatisfaction with his current status in life, his meandering quest to go to the Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry, and what it means to live a life of purpose - and how that purpose is defined.
Episode 001: Introduction
This is where it all begins: In this episode, Samir and Nathan talk about who they are, how they both met, and what inspired them to begin this podcast.