Permission To Be

Join us as we talk with Johnathan Williams and discuss his new book, She's My Dad: A Father's Transition and a Son's Redemption. "Jonathan is the Lead Pastor of Forefront Church in Brooklyn, New York. He serves on the board of W/ Collective, an organization dedicated to starting progressive Christian Churches. He also serves on the board of Left Hand Church in Longmont, Colorado. He holds an M.Ed from Eastern University in Urban and Multicultural Education. Jonathan is a popular writer who covers religion and spirituality, current trends, and LGBTQ inclusion and justice. Jonathan has written for the Huffington Post, Faithfully Magazine,The Christian Standard, and more. Jonathan has been featured in The New York Times, The Christian Post, and Rebel Storytellers." Click here to find out more about Jonathan and for this episodes show notes.

"We have forgotten who we are, and so we have forgotten how to be."  ~ Madeleine L'Engle "Learning to Be is not easy. There is so much to be said about this process of self-discovery and self-acceptance." Amy describes herself as a bisexual, Chinese American, who is an aspiring writer, mom, wife of a theologian, Episcopalian, Exvangelical, novice therapist, grad student, and lover of stories. Click here to find out more about Amy and for this episodes show notes. To find more of Amy's writing click here.  

"By rejecting our internal knowledge we are drowning out the voice that is telling us where to go." - Elizabeth Jeffries "As Elizabeth Jeffries deconstructed her conservative evangelical Christian faith, she found herself searching for a way to find meaning in her life, even in the absence of theological certainty. " "In her upcoming book, Through the Kaleidoscope: How Exploring Cell Biology Transforms My Relationship With God, Elizabeth explores how her laboratory experience in cell biology has formed the foundation of the new sense of meaning she has come to find in life, after the deconstruction of her conservative evangelical Christian faith." ​Elizabeth's book releases July 14th! Order your copy by clicking here. Click here to find out more about Elizabeth and for this episodes show notes.

Kevin Garcia is an author, speaker, podcaster and so much more! Our conversation with Kevin was authentic, full of laughter and truly a gift. Kevin has wisdom and depth that everyone can glean from no matter your gender or how you identify.  Kevin's work has spanned the globe, reaching thousands through their writing, podcast and YouTube channel.  *Also joining us for this episode is guest co-host, Tommy Algood. You can learn more about Tommy by clicking here. Click here to find out more about Kevin and for this episodes show notes.

"Paula Stone Williams knew from a young age that she was transgender. But as she became a parent and prominent evangelical pastor, she feared that coming out would mean losing everything." - TED Dr. Paula Stone Williams is a sought after speaker and pastor at Lefthand Church in Longmont, Colorado. Paula travels extensively, speaking on LGBTQ issues, spirituality and gender equity. "Paula Stone Williams has been featured at hundreds of events in over 30 states and five countries.  Her TEDxMileHigh speech on gender equity has had over two million views, and her TEDWomen 2018 talk has already had over one million views.  Paula has been profiled in the New York Times, the Denver Post, Huffington Post, Colorado Public Radio, New Scientist Magazine, and Radio New Zealand.  She has consulted with the Denver Post, NPR’s Radiolab, PFLAG and the W/ Collective." - PaulaStoneWilliams.com Click here to find out more about Paula and for this episodes show notes.

​"She writes as a feminist working to dismantle whiteness, a disposition that emerged from sticking near to Jesus Christ for almost four decades." Melissa Florer-Bixler is an author, the pastor of Raleigh Mennonite Church, a graduate of Duke University, and Princeton Theological Seminary. Join us as we talk about the realties of U.S. history, the importance of recognizing and standing with marginalized communities, and her newly released book, Fire by Night: Finding God in the pages of the Old Testament.  Click here to find out more about Melissa and for this episodes show notes.  

Michael Gungor (Vishnu Dass) is the co-host and executive producer of The Liturgist Podcast. Vishnu is also the host and creator of the podcast "This"which shares the same name as his second book that was recently released. Join us as we discuss Embodiment, Ego and Vishnu's new book, THIS: Becoming Fee. "You cannot function as a human being without some sense of ego." - Vishnu Click here to find out more about Vishnu and for this episodes show notes.

Dr. Robyn Henderson-Espinoza is an Activist Theologian, Transqueer Latinx Scholar, Filmmaker and author of the soon to be published work, Activist Theology. During our profound discussion Dr. Robyn talks about how "Supremacy Culture really is the tap root to the oppressor".  For additional show notes and ways to learn more about Robyn via Social Media, go to BeckaEppley.com/Podcast. Click here to find out more about Robyn and for this episodes show notes.

Author, Patrice Gopo, has written a profound collection of essays entitled, All the Colors We Will See. Patrice was born and raised in Anchorage, Alaska by her parents who immigrated from Jamaica.  In this episode Patrice not only shares about her essays but she also talks about importance of story and the barriers that can be removed when we look beyond ourselves.  *​During our conversation Patrice mentions Isabel's Wilkerson's book,Warmth of the Other Suns, which you can find by clicking here. You can also learn more about the Charlotte Center for the Literary Arts by clicking here. For additional show notes and ways to learn more about Patrice via Social Media, go to BeckaEppley.com/Podcast.  

"What if science, faith & technology could work together to create a better world?" Micah Redding is the founder and Executive Director of the Christian Transhumanist Association, and host of the Christian Transhumanist Podcast. Micah is a TEDx Speaker and his been featured in such publications as the Huffington Post, Wired, and BBC World Service. For additional show notes and ways to learn more about Micah via Social Media, go to BeckaEppley.com/Podcast.

Finding Permission to BE is the inaugural episode. We are so excited to begin this season of connecting humanity by sharing individual journeys to authenticity. During this episode Co-Host, David and Becka share their journeys in finding "Permission to BE". To learn more about Becka and David please visit BeckaEppley.com.