Episode 79.
In this conversation, Cassidy and I talk about her evolving, contemplative spiritual expression and identity as a queer Christian. We also touch on her view of scripture and incorporating various theologies and poetry as she finds comfort in paradoxes. Thanks go to the Elevate Podcasting Summit recently hosted by BYU Radio, where we met and recorded this conversation.


Highlights:
· Cassidy Hall's Spiritual Journey and queer Christian spirituality.

· Exploration of Faith: Embracing spiritual paradox; seeking expansive belonging.

· Influence of mystics and desert elders

· Contemplative spirituality: Silence holds paradox, presence, absence.

· Engagement with Queerness in Christianity

· Cassidy's evolving faith practice

· Acceptance of uncertainty and communal prayer river.

References:
Audrey Lorde – Uses of the Erotic (essay)

Bio:
Rev. Cassidy Hall (she/her), MA, MDiv, MTS, is an author, award-winning filmmaker, podcaster, ordained in the United Church of Christ, and author of Queering Contemplation: Finding Queerness in the Roots and Future of Contemplative Spirituality. She is the cohost of the Encountering Silence podcast and the creator of the Contemplating Now and Queering Contemplation podcasts. Her films include In Pursuit of Silence and Day of a Stranger. Cassidy is widely published and currently resides in Indianapolis, where she is studying for her doctorate degree. You can learn more about her at cassidyhall.com

Social Media links for Cassidy:
Website – www.cassidyhall.com
Book – Queering Contemplation
Instagram – instagram.com/casshall

Social Media links for Méli:
Website – Talking with God Project
LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
Facebook – Meli Solomon


Transcript:


Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise: Is your way similar or different? Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore? Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet.

Comments? Questions? Email Méli at – info@talkingwithgodproject.org

The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/

Episode 78.
Father Aaron Solberg joined me to talk about his personal experience converting from the Orthodox Judaism of his childhood and his current practice of Christianity in a remote Canadian village. These are experiences few of us have, so it's wonderful to hear his stories. Although Aaron is a priest, he is not speaking here as a representative of his Anglican church.


Highlights:
· Jewish practice seen as "legalistic," leading to feelings of obligation and guilt.

· Importance of structure and discipline.

· Appreciation for communal aspects of both Jewish and Christian services.

· Shift from fear-based obedience to love-driven practices in Christianity.

· Human struggle with discipline and imperfection.

Bio:
Father Aaron Solberg is an Anglican priest, composer, husband, and father living in the Canadian North. A convert from Judaism, he originally worked as a conductor and cellist in Germany before feeling a calling to ministry. After studying theology, he served in Baker Lake, Nunavut, (in the Canadian Arctic) and now leads St. John's Anglican Church in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. He is the father of two young boys and writes about family life and faith, fostering a deeper understanding of spirituality within his community. In his free time, he focuses on writing and composing new music for various ensembles.

Social Media links for Aaron:
Website – www.thesolbergs.family
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/theanglicanfamily/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/theanglicanfamily
TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@theanglicanfamily

Social Media links for Méli:
Website – Talking with God Project
LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
Facebook – Meli Solomon


Transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1851013/episodes/15900688-discipline-as-a-necessary-struggle-aaron-solberg


Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise: Is your way similar or different? Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore? Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet.

Comments? Questions? Email Méli at – info@talkingwithgodproject.org

The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/

Episode 77.
This is the second of a two-part series with my guest is Aviva Stein. In part one, we talked about her Jewish practice at UMass Amherst, where she is now a senior. Part two covers her engagement on campus in support of Israel and the dynamic on campus last year around the Israel/Palestine issue. She describes several conversations where she gained new perspectives and understanding.

These kinds of conversations have been difficult both on and off campus, especially this past year. That said, I for one remain committed to interreligious dialogue, and learning from each other. So, if you or someone you know is a Muslim student who might be willing share their experience, please get in touch. You can reach me through my website – www.talkingwithgodproject.org.

Bio:
Aviva graduated from Gann Academy, the Jewish day school in Waltham MA, in 2021, and is now a senior at UMass Amherst, majoring in Food Science. At UMass, Aviva is involved in both the Food Science Department and in Hillel, the campus organization supporting Jewish students.

Aviva serves on various executive boards and committees related to both Food Science and Jewish life, and has earned numerous awards for her work. Most recently she received the 2023-2024 StandWithUs Movement Builder Award for Creativity and Impact, an award based on her deep understanding of the campus climate.

Highlights:
· Aviva's campus involvement and the Israel-Palestine issue

· Finding common ground and the importance of active listening.

· Increasing understanding and the ability to connect amid disagreements

· Understanding pro-Palestinian students' pain and perspective

· Disruptions and activities led by Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP)

Social Media links for Aviva:
UMass Hillel website – https://www.umasshillel.org
StandWithUs website – https://www.standwithus.com
StandWithUs Instagram @StandWithUs and @StandWithUs_Campus
Newman Catholic Center on UMass Amherst - https://www.newmanumass.org
Office of Religious and Spiritual Life – https://www.umass.edu/orsl/
Students for Justice in Palestine – https://www.nationalsjp.org

Social Media links for Méli:
Talking with God Project website
LinkedIn – Meli Solomon
Facebook – Meli Solomon


Transcript: https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1851013/episodes/15815911-on-campus-protest-or-conversation-aviva-stein


Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise: Is your way similar or different? Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore? Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet.

Comments? Questions? Email Méli at – info@talkingwithgodproject.org

The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project – https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org/