The Space Between

In this bonus episode William has a conversation with Melanie from Holy Heretics and Katherine from Uncertain Podcast to discuss why swear words, smoking and tattoos were considered to be sinful within evangelicalism despite the severe lack of condemnation found in the pages of scripture.  They discuss the cultural influences and power differentials that made swearing, smoking and having tattoos clear indicators of where an individual was in their walk with God.  They also discuss how all this relates to class and gender and how the Church often takes more of a steer from culture than it likes to admit when it comes to morality.  

In this episode William talks with David Bennett.  David is a DPhil candidate at Oxford University originally from Sydney Australia. William talks to David about his conversion to Christianity, how he ended up in academia and specifically studying theology and his thesis for his doctorate, "Queering the Queer".  Additionally they also discuss what it means to be a celibate gay Christian, what the Church of England terminology of side A and side B means, how the Church has failed those who feel called to celibacy and often turned relationships and marriage into an idol.

You can connect with David here: 

In this episode William speaks with the author of The Gospel for the Privileged Nehemiah Olson.  They discuss the concept of privilege when it comes to economic status, race and sexuality, how the Church either dismisses or fails to acknowledge when they have these types of privilege and what the gospel is and what it has to say to both the privileged and the oppressed. 

In this episode William talks with Staci Frenes.  Staci is a songwriter, author and speaker and she joined us here on the podcast to discuss her new book "Love Makes Room: And Other Things I Learned When My Daughter Came Out". In this episode we talk about Staci's experience in conservative evangelical Churches when her daughter came out to her as a lesbian.  We discuss the ways in which theology detached from practice and experience can harm people, especially the LGBTQ+ community, the ways in which the Church can get better at talking about LGBTQ+ issues, the role of scripture and stories in how Staci came to an affirming viewpoint and more.  

You can connect with Staci here:

In this episode William speaks with Ross Greer.  Ross is a Member of Scottish Parliament for the Scottish Green Party. In this episode William and Ross discuss the role of faith in politics, what Christianity has to say when tackling the climate crisis, the differences between white American religious nationalism and Scottish nationalism, combatting reactionary right wing politics and how Ross' Christian faith leads him to be a socialist and helps to energise his political action.  

Here is where you can connect with Ross:

In this episode William speaks with Allison Tash Montgomery.  Allison is a coach specialising in the intersection of gender, sexuality and spirituality.  In this episode William and Allison discussed how we define gender, sexuality and spirituality, spiritual practices which help enable a more embodied and confident sexuality, purity culture, how sexuality and spirituality are connected and how to be an ally if you are not LGBTQ+.  

You can connect with Allison here: 

In this episode William speaks with Kurtis about how the Church in America and globally is changing, how the deconstruction movement is a good thing for the Church, Kurtis's recent article published by Relevant Magazine and a relationship centric rather than belief centric Christianity both with others and with God.  

In this episode we have a round table (zoom) discussion about community during and after deconstruction or a significant faith change.  

Featured in this episode is:

In this episode William speaks with Joey the host of Dismantle Podcast.  They talk about the complexities, challenges and benefits of remaining part of a Church or religious community even when your beliefs are changing; when to leave harmful Churches and communities; creating good conversations and fostering healthy dialogue with those with whom we disagree; dealing with emotional and spiritual fatigue when going through deconstruction or doubt; and setting boundaries for when you don't have the energy to have those healthy and necessary conversations.  

Episode Links:

TRIGGER WARNING: This Podcast contains discussion of sexual assault, rape, FGM, human trafficking and violence against women.  

In this episode William talks with Meghan Tshanz about her upcoming book 'Women Rising'.  Meghan is also the host of the 'Faith and Feminism Podcast'.  Meghan shares her experience as a missionary and how this experience revealed to her the ways in which the patriarchy, violence against women and the Church can be found to link together.  She shares how the church's teaching on gender roles and women are part of the problem and that they contribute to things such as rape culture, trafficking and FGM.  Meghan also shares a blueprint of what it means to fight injustice against women and what it means to uphold a biblical standard of equality.   

Links: 

In this episode Katy and William share some of their thoughts and experiences of money and the Church.  This episode covers what tithing is and the history of the concept, different political and economic structures and how those are relevant to faith and the Church, the prosperity gospel and more.  Also at the end of the episode there are some short clips where some friends of the podcast share their thoughts on the Church and money.  

Contributors to this episode: 

This week William speaks to Lucy Davies from @aqueersearchforfaith about her experience being raised catholic and coming out as lesbian.  We discussed pope Francis recent statements about the LGBTQ+ community, the complexities of existing as a Christian in the LGBTQ+ community and as a queer person in the Church.  We also talk about how coming out has affected Lucy's relationship with God, devotional life and spiritual practices. 

Find a link to Lucy's instagram and the resources mentioned in the podcast below: 

This week William talks with Tim from 'The New Evangelicals'. In this episode William and Tim talk about what it means to be an evangelical, whether evangelicalism is worth saving, whether it is possible for the often negative connotations of evangelicalism with conservative American politics to be overcome and what reform and change would look like in the Church.  

If you enjoy Tim's perspective and the discussion you can find him here:

In this episode William talks with Brittney Moses.  Brittney is the host of the faith and mental wellness podcast and is a research assistant at UCLA studying psychology.  In this episode William and Brittney discuss mental health and faith, the Church at its best and worst when it comes to mental health and other topics such as spiritual bypassing and finding healthy community.  

Please find links to Brittney's work below: