Speaking In Church with Spencer Rose Taylor & Josephine Jael Jimenez

On this week's episode, we talk to ex-Mormon Brittany Woodbury about being a woman in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She also answers MORE of our burning Mormon questions, so if you still have questions, let us know for our next Mormon episode. She had lots of insight and lots to say, so don't miss out on this fan girl of an episode.

Guess what, Catholics are Christians too! Here at the Speaking in Church podcast, we cover all faiths. Deal with it. This week we are joined by singer-songwriter and artist, Jessica Gerhardt! She is a member of the Catholic Church and has a lot to say about the current state of the church and women's place in its evolution, if the Vatican chooses to undergo it. We talk about everything from Pro-Life Feminism to the current communion scandal in an episode where Spencer and Josie were in the learning seat, their favorite place to be.

Marky Mark Driscoll is making waves all over again, so we thought we'd revisit his original downfall with someone who was there when it all went down. Our friend Eleanor Stelter had the misfortune of attending the Bellevue campus of Mars Hill and was there before, during, and after the drama. We get deep into the why behind the demise and why Mark Driscoll is an asshole with influence that we were all affected by. If you're a fan of Mark's this probably isn't the episode for you, or maybe it really is.

If you ever want to rile these two ladies up, tell them how women should dress. On this week's episode, we talk about the unfortunate cultural phenomenon that is the Modest is Hottest song and video by Matthew West. We talk shit, we talk about how he has no clue what satire and parody is, and we even offer parenting advice despite neither of us having children quite yet. It's a funny episode with your two favorite opinionated gals. He shouldn't have gotten us started.

On this week's episode, we were joined by Martha Hoang to talk about all things chronic illness. As someone who was on the receiving end of a health miracle, Martha talks about daily life in and out of the church when you have chronic pain and health concerns. The three of us talk about ableism and how the world isn't built for everyone, while offering solutions and deep personal insights.

For more Martha:

This week, we are joined by Celia, our new friend with a fascinating life. From coming to the US from Germany because her parents wanted to homeschool her to marrying young, divorcing, and then reuniting with her partner, we dive in deep to her life in a Fundamentalist sect where breaking bread with the wrong people had huge consequences. We talk deconstruction in a whole new and fascinating light.

This week, we talk to yet another fellow APU alum. Not sorry 'bout it. Amber McMahon Flores is a Children's Pastor at a church where people... we real weird about her dating someone is a completely different department in this not-all-that-small church. She tells all the juicy, terribly, and downright almost unbearable stories all about the time when she and her now husband decided to tell their church that they were an item and we discuss how the situation could have been handled so much better. This is a story from the inside, so don't be a snitch. We're just giving advice here.

On this week's episode, we are joined by the new-seminarian Bethany Geringer! We talk all about the issue behind Women's and Men's Ministries and a few solutions to making them better for those who want to participate. We recount our backgrounds with these groups and how we would have felt more included/how they made us feel included. It's a fun episode for people of all faith stages!

In this week's episode, Josie sits down with Peter Lublink of BethanyKids to talk all things "missions" or "charity work." He outlines the amazing work that BethanyKids is doing and their ethical model for raising up pediatric care within communities in Africa. They really put their money where their mouth is and the two of them mouth off about ways that the church has failed through missions and how it can all be improved.

Content Warning: Mental Health & Abuse

This week on the podcast, Josie sits down with Abigail Schricker to talk all things Mental Health in the Church. We talk about everything from what they've done wrong and the few things they may have done right. As two people who have gone through plenty of therapy, we sure had a lot to say.

This week on the podcast, we talk about the platform Spencer loves and Josie doesn't understand: TikTok. It's full of the greatest deconstruction content that are both supportive and educational. We talk about the saint that in Abraham Piper who is challenging his father's theology in a peaceful and impactful way and we talk about how deconstruction doesn't look the same for everyone. Stay tuned until the end for a fun community update? We'll see.

Aaaaaaaand we're back! For the season opener, Josie and Spencer are talking about the new Netflix film, A Week Away! In true Speaking in Church fashion, Josie hated it and Spencer kind of sort of liked it! Listen to all of their hot takes about this Jesus-y Camp Rock knock off and all the music that Spencer didn't know existed in the Christian sphere.

This week, we talk to recording and worship artist Brianna Ibarra all about how artists are treated in the church. From the disrespect and lack of pay to how it can be done right, we leave no stone or perspective unturned. As creatives, we're not just complaining without offering solutions, so listen for all the free ideas we have to offer.

This week, we talk to Alfred Tovar all about spirituality and how he evolved his faith into something that would not only enable him to find ways to be a better person, but would also inspire him to start a non-profit that aims to help people do the same. 

What do you get when three women who went to church get together to talk about sex? Three very different experiences. Spencer and Josie are joined this week by the amazing advocate and activist, Caitlin Martin, for an in depth conversation about what they were and were not taught about sex in the church and how it has shaped their sex lives both inside and outside their marriages. All three women have similarities, but their differences may be something you've never thought about before.

Kaylee is on the frontlines of raising up a whole new batch of Christians and this week we talk about what that even means. The three of us reflect on our youth group days and all the things we were told, while thinking out loud about what can be done to teach young people how to not only be "Good Christians," but good people. In the midst of this huge topic, we talk about Kaylee and how this has affected her faith.

Some of us grew up believing that you had to be Republican if you were a Christian, some of us definitely did not. On this week's episode, we talk to creative, Ryan Berry, about growing up in the South and in a conservative context and how his beliefs changed since moving out of his hometown, both politically and spiritually. It's a riveting and fun conversation between three people who are trying to make since of how American politics can shape Christian beliefs.

This week, we talked to the incredible Laura Lacombe all about her life leading up to this episode, where she comes out as Queer to the world. We take it back to growing up in the church and how it contributed to her not realizing her sexuality and how it affected her coming out. This episode is near and dear to our hearts and inspiring beyond all belief. You do not want to miss this one.

New year, same us. In this week's episode, we reflect on our years and take some pretty long tangents in between. We know, you're tired of all this new year crap, and so are we, but closure is closure. Also, "planning" and dreaming for this new year while podcasting seems to really work out. Have a church related topic you're passionate about and want to talk to us about it on the podcast? Get in touch with us anywhere via the links below. We don't bite, we promise.

As the title would suggest, in this episode Spencer and Josie talk about the reasons why they love and/or hate Christmas. You can probably already guess who loves Christmas and who hates it, but in case you're new here: Josie hates Christmas a lot. They talk about the subtle childhood traumas, fond memories, slight cultural differences, and how creating new traditions during a pandemic Christmas is incredibly important for them. The real question is: Can Spencer convince Josie to believe in the magic of Christmas?! Don't get your hopes up.

Trigger Warning: Sexual Violence and Abuse

Human trafficking has made its way into the minds of many mainstream evangelicals, but do they actually know what they're talking about? They may not, but Josh Holm sure does. This week, we talk to human trafficking activist Josh Holm about what he's doing to bring awareness to the issue and how his art project/clothing line is influenced by the many stories he's heard from survivors and experts. Spoiler: Yes, there are people who are on the ground doing the work to fight human trafficking and you can too! Software engineer programs are a dime a dozen.

The episode that was always meant to be with a badass pastor who doesn't care about your crooked theology. This week, we talk to the amazing Hannah Geraci, pastor at Fellowship Church in Southern California, all about the nitty gritty theology and why people get it so so wrong. We cover all things from why those Timothy and Corinthian passages don't apply to you to how Mary Magdalene was not a prostitute, so we really need you to stop saying that was.

On this week's episode, we welcome the woman who brought the two of together, Bekah Hoogerwerf! Bekah was a committed Youth Pastor until she had had enough with the church she was working for and decided to part ways with working in ministry. She tells us all about the specific reasons why she left and all the straws that were heaved on the camels back. What it all worth it? Guess you'll have to listen to find out.

This election season is heavy for many. On this week's episode, Spencer and Josie offer up a space to process grief and anxiety. They talk honestly about how they're feeling and the anxieties and fears they are holding for the people they love who they feel will be greatly affected by the outcome of the United States 2020 election.

Warning: If you don't already know, Spencer and Josie lean heavily on the liberal side of things.

TRIGGER WARNING - Sexual and Spiritual Abuse

When you're a woman growing up in the Church, shame becomes your best friend. This week, Josie and Spencer talk to Bethany Geringer all about a few of the ways Evangelical culture shamed young girls and women into misogynistic rituals and lifestyles that left little room for self-love. Purity culture has definitely gone too far and we bring up ways to fix it (or get rid of it). From modesty classes to dress codes that only applied to the girls in youth group and purity ring revivals, we leave very few stones unturned.

Catch Bethany on Twitter and Instagram:

You know how Evangelicals like to go to different countries in Africa to volunteer at orphanages and some of them end up adopting a child or two? Yeah, that's not cool. In this episode, we tackled the topic of transracial adoption with transracial adoptee Sarah Williams. She tells us all about how the Church has helped create the vision of the "rainbow family" and how adopting children outside of your race can have lasting effects on their sense of identity.

This week, we chat with Kimberly Ramos all about the current climate of worship. Have you seen these huge traveling worship revivals on the news? Well, we talk about those and so much more. Listen as we reminisce on our universities chapel bands and how our cultures have shaped how we view all kinds of worship.

You can follow Kim on Instagram where she may or may not accept your follow request or follow her project re.coalition, a coalition of women reclaiming and reimagining the biblical narrative to call everyone to Christ's work of liberation. We're obsessed.