DIVINE and Diverse

By: Mark Dilcom
  • Summary

  • DIVINE & Diverse, a podcast spotlighting queer voices and allies who have reclaimed their divinity after religious abuse. Hosted by Mark Dilcom, Founder of the DIVINE ALL Along Foundation, this sacred space fosters transformative conversations on faith, identity, and resilience. Our guests share stories of struggle and triumph, offering hope to those on similar paths. From personal narratives overcoming religious trauma to dialogues with queer-affirming allies, each episode celebrates love, acceptance, and the human spirit. Tune in and discover the harmony of faith and identity.
    Mark Dilcom
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Episodes
  • Paul Darminio: Embracing the Divinity of Queer Folx Has a Price
    Nov 11 2024

    Mark speaks with Paul Darminio, about the challenges LGBTQ+ individuals face within religious spaces, touching on themes of love, acceptance, and the importance of safe environments for asking hard questions. They share personal experiences, discuss the harm of conversion therapy, and examine church dynamics, stressing the need for the church to evolve into a place of healing and unconditional love. The conversation underscores the pain caused by rigid structures and the hope for a more inclusive future in faith communities, along with Paul's personal challenges he faces staying in a denomination with doctrines that conflict with his beliefs.

    Key Takeaways:

    Safe spaces are essential for open, genuine questions.

    Open and relational theology provides a fresh perspective on God.

    Understanding theodicy is vital for maintaining faith through suffering.

    Personal experiences shape our grasp of diversity.

    Conversion therapy has enduring negative effects on individuals.

    LGBTQ+ youth face significant mental health challenges.

    The church should be a place of healing and love.

    Navigating family dynamics in a non-affirming church is difficult.

    Unconditional love lies at the heart of Jesus' teachings.

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    57 mins
  • Sean Hayden: His Story of Mental Crisis & How He's Paying It Forward
    Aug 28 2024
    On this episode of DIVINE & Diverse, my guest is Sean Hayden, actor, attorney, and host of the hit podcast series, Stage Combat: The Podcast. Sean and I have a deeply personal conversation about what happened to him on stage while performing, the resulting mental crisis, and how Sean has taken that experience to speak out about the troubling side of the theatre industry to bring awareness and support for the mental well being of theatre workers and promoting safe working practices. We also discuss the impact of religion on performers, Sean’s own experience growing up as a Southern Baptist as young gay person, and how some roles may trigger past religious trauma or abuse. Find out more about Sean and Stage Combat: The Podcast at Stage Combat (stagecombatthepodcast.com) and on Patreon at Stage Combat The Podcast | Cool stuff for actors/entertainment workers/their fans | Patreon 00:00 Introduction and Overview03:09 Sean's Journey and the Creation of Stage Combat07:09 The Importance of a Safe Work Environment09:07 Changing the Perception of the Performing Arts Industry14:04 Telling Other People's Stories18:00 Breaking the Stigma of Mental Health21:11 Advocating for Change in the Industry25:56 Transition to Personal Stories27:36 Sean's Experience with Religious Control28:55 Growing up in a Strict Baptist Environment32:22 Finding Refuge in Theater34:51 Exploring Faith and Spirituality38:06 The Importance of Community and Inclusivity48:20 Addressing Religious Abuse and Trauma in the Performing Arts51:59 Advocating for Change and Building a Community
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    54 mins

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