Permission To Be

Join Becka Eppley and Tommy Allgood for part one of their conversation with Corey Gaston, a local Charlotte leader and educator. Corey's work focuses on proximity, looking at... "the relationships that do or do not exist and some thoughts that may help bring you closer to others within your community, churches, neighborhoods, civic organizations, etc.." CLICK HERE to find out more about Corey and for this episode's show notes.

 "Do we believe we have worth? Do we believe we deserve to be free?"- Tina Strawn Join us for Part 2 of our conversation with Tina Strawn. We talk about the unraveling of life and the hope to be discovered when we open up to receive the humanity in others. CLICK HERE to find out more about Tina and for this episode's show notes.

Our conversation with Tina truly encompasses the heart of the Permission to BE Podcast. Join us for part one, Living Free, as we talk about fundementalism, ex-wife grief, and Covid-19.  CLICK HERE to find out more about Tina and for this episode's show notes.

What do Christianity and Queerness have to say to each other? Join Becka and David for this thought proking conversation with theologian and author, Linn Marie Tonstad. CLICK HERE to find out more about Linn and for this episode's show notes.

Part two of Becka and Tommy's converstation with Corey Leak deep dives into equity, the realities of white saviorism, and how we are choosing to show up in the world. CLICK HERE to find out more about Corey and for this episode's show notes. *Links mentioned in this Episode: Legacy Trips - Tina Strawn White Homework - Tori Williams Dougless

Corey is a writer, artist, and gifted communicator. Join Becka, Tommy and Corey for part one of "Hope In The Age of Empire" CLICK HERE to find out more about Corey and for this episode's show notes.

Bree Stallings uses her art as a vehicle to raise "awareness for many causes that affect her life and those closest to her such as economic mobility, sexual health advocacy, displacement and homelessness and environmental consciousness." Tobeseenandcelebrated.com  Click here to find out more about Bree and for this episode's show notes.

Join Becka and Tommy as they talk with Dr. Hillary McBride about the effects of disembodiment and oppression on our everyday lives. "It's the task of adulthood to understand where we have come from." - Hillary McBride.  Click here to find out more about Hillary and for this episode's show notes.

We are kicking off the new year with a candid conversation about racism, rooting out whiteness and sugarcoating. Join Becka and new co-host Tommy Algood as they talk openly about their friendship and what lead Tommy to join the Permission to BE podcast.  Click here to find out more about Tommy and for this episode's show notes.

“The function of a belief in a persons life is often radically different than the nature of the belief or the content of the belief.” - Doug Pagitt "Doung Pagitt is an American author, pastor, social activist and executive director of Vote Common Good. A leading voice for progressive Christianity, Doug makes frequent national media and speaking appearances. His new book, Outdoing Jesus, is available now from Eerdmans Publishing." Click here to find out more about Doug and for this episode's show notes.

“There is privilege in being able to talk about self-care. There is privilege in talking about gratefulness" - Sarah Heath Join host Becka Eppley and guest Reverend Sarah Heath for a conversation on vulnerability, ageism,  authenticity and so much more. Click here to find out more about Sarah and for this episode's show notes.

Greg Jarrell is an author, saxophonist, and co-founder QC Family Tree, a community of rooted discipleship in the west Charlotte neighborhood of Enderly Park. In his most recent published work, A Rife of Love, he talks about surprising teachers, tragic losses, and unexpected gifts. Click here to find out more about Greg and for this episodes show notes.

Join Becka Eppley, co-host Tommy Allgood, and guest Lauren Wilde for a conversation on embodiment, deconstruction of spiritual beliefs and what it truly means to be a witch. "Lauren began her Spiritual path in the Christian Church, teaching, healing, and preaching for nearly a decade until she fell through the cracks of her own faith in 2015. Like so many others that endure this experience, she found herself in the depths of pain, confusion and depression at the loss of her faith." Click here to find out more about Lauren Wilde and for this episodes show notes.

"As an author, speaker, disability advocate, and trauma survivor, Stephanie Tait aims to do what she believes is sorely lacking in our trending conversations around Christianity – to partner sound theology and practice with the unashamed acceptance of struggle in the present tense."   Join us for this heart felt and vulnerable conversation about how trauma from a religious upbringing can draw us back to the divine.   Click here to find out more about Stephanie Tait and for this episodes show notes.

In this episode J Mase III shares first hand experiences of the dire effects that supremacy culture has on the black trans community. J Mase also talks about how the system of white supremacy consistently protects white innocence at all costs. "J Mase III is a Black/trans/queer poet & educator based in Seattle, by way of Philly. He is the author of “If I Should Die Under the Knife, Tell my Kidney I was the Fiercest Poet Around”, as well as “And Then I Got Fired: One Transqueer’s Reflections on Grief, Unemployment, and Inappropriate Jokes about Death”. " Click here to find out more about J Mase III and for this episodes show notes.

Science Mike, aka Mike McHargue, is a speaker, author, podcaster and a patron saint to the deconstruction crowd.  Mike is a founding member of The Liturgist Podcast and is the host of Ask Science Mike. Join us for a conversation full of laughter, curiosity, and heart.  SNEAK PEAK: Mike reads, a never heard before, excerpt from his UPCOMING BOOK and shares the tentative release date!  Click here to find out more about Science Mike and for this episodes show notes.

"Rev. Dr. Alexia Salvatierra is a national leader in immigrant justice, co-founder of the New Sanctuary Movement, the Evangelical Immigration Table and M25 (Matthew 25/Mateo 25). She is a Lutheran Pastor with over 40 years of experience in congregational and community ministry, including church-based service and community development programs, congregational and community organizing and legislative advocacy." Our conversation with Pastor Alexia was deeply impactful and eye-opening. As human beings we need to acknowledge the deep of amount of fear that is currently being fostered towards people seeking asylum in our country.  We are created for community, not only in our cities but on a global scale. There is still hope, but we have to choose love over our fears everyday. Click here to find out more about Rev. Dr. Alexia Salvatierra, and for this episodes show notes. *Please note content may not be appropriate for all ages.

"Mike Watson has inspired, engaged, and touched the hearts of thousands of people. Through the development of his heart-centric philosophy Mike has shifted the hearts and minds of a variety of individuals, including high school and college students to CEOs and artists. The heart-centric philosophy is predicated on the intuitive understanding, and scientific support that our heart speaks so as to inform our purpose, in leadership and life." Join us for this inspiring conversation as we take a deeper look at want to means to live intentionally and with purpose. Mike talks about how each of our lives can be inspiration for those around us when we realize who we truly are, verses who society tells us we should be. Click here to find out more about Dr. Mike Watson, and for this episodes show notes.

"I see faith in the irreverent, miracles in the ordinary, and beauty in the margins." -Cindy Wang Brandt This episode is jammed packed with intriguing conversations from parenting while deconstructing your spiritual beliefs, Purity Culture and more. Cindy Wang Brandt is the author of the recently released book, Parenting Forward: How to Raise Children with Justice, Mercy and Kindness. In addition to being an author, Cindy also hosts her own podcast, Parenting Forward and is the founder of the hugely popular Facebook Group: Raising Children Unfundamentalist. Don't Miss out on the upcoming online "Parenting Forward Conference" in September 2019, click here for more information. Click here to find out more about Cindy Wang Brandt, and for this episodes show notes.

Join us for an amazing thought provoking conversation about anti-racism education with Dr. Lucretia Berry. "Dr. Berry is an anti-racist consultant and educator, the author and facilitator for What LIES Between Us Journal & Guide, and loves to create offerings and content to help meet Brownicity’s goals. She received her Ph.D. in Education (Curriculum & Instruction) from Iowa State University." "Browncity,an organization Dr. Berry and her husband founded, is family-focused and dedicated to advocacy, education, and support for racial healing and antiracism. Think of Brownicity in a similar way that you would think of green, sustainable living— but instead of addressing choices and systems that are detrimental to nature and the environment, we are overcoming beliefs and systems that are detrimental to our shared humanity." Click here to find out more about Dr. Berry, Brownicity, and for this episodes show notes.