Episode 81.
When you are swamped by tragedy and darkness, when all you are seeing is broken and the worst that society has to offer, what does your faith offer you? For Will Berry, a paramedic for 14 years, his Christian faith provides a loving God, and the presence of light in the situation, perhaps his own God-given skills and ability are the light in the darkness.

This is the first half of my conversation with Will. The second half will be released in two weeks.

Highlights:
· Will Berry's religious background – core beliefs and changing denominations

· The tension between the theoretical understanding of faith and real-world challenges.

· God is all-powerful; faith bridges the mysterious gaps.

· Being compassionate and attentive in emergencies.

· Handling chaotic situations involving crime, addiction, and mental health.

· The role of faith in providing light in dark situations – being an instrument of light and hope

Bio:
Will Berry has been in EMS for 14 years. He currently works as a flight paramedic in North Carolina, but has spent the majority of his career as a paramedic on an ambulance responding to 911 calls in a busy city. He has been a Christian since a young age and is heavily influenced by his faith and spiritual journey. He is married and is the father to two young girls. In addition to working in EMS he has been a whitewater rafting guide, ski patroller, and wilderness guide in the rocky mountains.

Social Media links for Will:
Instagram – @emscast
EMSCast podcast (co-hosted with Ross Orpet)


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 80. [Bonus.]
Wedding ceremonies are universal and central to many religious and cultural groups. But they vary widely. In this conversation with four guests from different religious traditions – Judaism, Mormonism, Islam and the Baha'i faith – we explore the role of the officiant, who that is, the role of the Divine, contracts and other things. This conversation grew out of the Elevate Podcasting summit hosted by BYU Broadcasting. Steve Perry, host of their In Good Faith podcast, has joined me in co-hosting this discussion.


Highlights:
· Is a religious leader required?

· Role of the Divine in wedding ceremonies

· Marriage contracts

· Cultural and religious

· Till death do us part or for eternity

References:
Islamic marriage contract – Khutbah Nikah
Jewish marriage contract – Ketubah
Jewish Ketubah examples – Ketubah.com
Sharon Brous – The Amen Effect

Social Media links for guests:
Steve Perry, co-host – In Good Faith podcast
Uzma Jafri – Mommying While Muslim podcast
Uzma Jafri, Instagram – @mommyingwhilemuslimpodcast
Uzma Jafri – Mommying While Muslim website
Nava Kavelin – Podcrushed podcast
Lex Rofeberg – Judaism Unbound podcast
Carl Youngblood – Mormon Transhumanist Association website

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 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: https://www.buzzsprout.com/admin/1851013/episodes/16023262-queering-contemplation-and-finding-a-home-in-christianity-cassidy-hall


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/