Rabbi Arthur Gross-Schaefer is a rabbi, a lawyer, a legal ethicist, a C.P.A., a mediator, a retired law professor, a writer, an advocate for Israel, a voice for peace in the Middle East, a husband, a father, a friend and a deeply committed Jew. He has been a rabbi in Hollywood, Ojai, and at USC Hillel. He once served as a rabbi at Congregation B’nai B’rith in Santa Barbara and has an active involvement with them and the other local Jewish congregations as well.  Arthur and his wife Laurie have been friends with host David and his wife Diane for about 15 years. Arthur identifies as a Zionist, which contrasts with David’s views. Their differences have been clarified since Oct. 7, 2023.

Listen in as David and Kerry wrap up Season 2!

St. Croix Vineyard Church asked to leave Vineyard Association over its support of LGTBQ+ Christians. Listen in to this conversation with the Reverend Peter Fitch as we discuss that event and what it really means to love our neighbors.

St. Croix Vineyard Church asked to leave Vineyard Association over its support of LGTBQ+ Christians. Listen in to this conversation with the Reverend Peter Fitch as we discuss that event and what it really means to love our neighbors.

Mpho Tutu van Furth was born in London, England. She is a preacher, teacher, writer and retreat facilitator, and is an Episcopal priest. Shortly after her marriage to Marceline van Furth in 2016, she handed in her licence to officiate in the South African Anglican church, as it does not permit its priests to marry same-sex partners. Tutu van Furth is canonically resident in the USA. She is the daughter of anti-apartheid activists Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and Leah Tutu. Tutu van Furth was the founding director of the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, which is dedicated to supporting projects and initiatives that promote peace and reconciliation for the flourishing of people and the planet.

Jon Paul Robles is an ordained priest and co-pastor for the Sacred Commons Church (Youngstown, Oh). He is the director of The Greater Youngstown Community Dialogue On Racism and a coordinator for Mahoning Valley Sojourn to the Past.

He is currently a grad student of Theology & Culture at St. Stephen’s University with a thesis that merges the philosophy of Simone Weil, poverty, and funk. His work orbits issues of justice, the human condition, and public theology embedded within intricate social and religious frameworks.

As a grandchild of Mexican-Americans who migrated from Texas to the Midwest, an Oklahoma Osage crop duster and a Steel Magnolia from Kansas, he identifies as third-culture and finds that his work is birthed from the convergence of their stories.

Jessica Williams (she/her) is a pastor, theologian, and mother of three teens. She holds a Masters degree from St. Stephen's University where she works as SSU's Registrar and occasionally lectures as faculty; she is also a pastor at St. Croix Church, and an Officiant for Elope New Brunswick. Jess welcomes the healing/transformative process of writing, (be it for sermons, ceremonies, lectures, or poetry) and she will always be learning what it means to be a lifelong student of Love.

Kinship Commons creates experiential and transformative gatherings toward the flourishing of marginalized people. Started by four women of color, we are passionate about expanding imagination, integrating multiple traditions and cultivating new ways of being that are life-giving, healing, and generative. We seek to lead people toward kinship with one another and with God.

It’s co-directors are Angie K. Hong and Julie Tai.

Angie Hong is a critical convener, engineer of human momentum, mama to two boys, a cat, and a dog. Creating liturgies with thought and action is my jam. Julie Tai ia a musician, performance art designer, and dinner party host. Putting together meaningful gatherings around story and food is what gets me up in morning.

Dayna uses they/them pronouns and identifies as a queer, gender nonbinary therapist working in California with LGBTQIA+ adolescents, young adults and individuals. They believe it is an honor to witness the journeys of folks who entrust them with their stories. Dayna frequently works with folks traversing anxiety, depression and PTSD symptoms, immigration history, and folks navigating cross cultural demands within a hierarchical and hyper-individualistic culture.

Outside of the therapy space, Dayna spends time running around with their partner, dogs and kids.

Shame-slaying, hip-swaying, singing-songwriting drag queen Flamy Grant is a powerhouse vocalist and award-winning songwriter based in Asheville, NC. Blending folk, gospel, and roots, Flamy immerses audiences in a theatrical, therapeutic, and wholly original experience of intrepid storytelling and song, all delivered through the evocative art of drag.

The Rev. Dr. Mitzi Smith is a womanist professor, biblical scholar, justice advocate, and author who was educated at Howard University School of Divinity and Harvard University. She promotes critical thinking, social justice, progressive biblical interpretation, and the religion of the Jesus who prioritized “the least among us” and who demonstrated compassion, mercy, and love of God, self and other human beings. As a Black woman, she encourages herself and other Black women and communities to love all of themselves—their voices, spirits, bodies, knowledge production, the Spirit—in a world that so often has not and does not value and/or love them.

Mahip Rathore, PhD. lives in Santa Barbara with wife Lena Sclove & baby Aashray. He is a counseling psychologist in private practice, an adjunct faculty for a Psy D program at Pacifica Graduate Institute, and a meditation teacher in the community. He grew up in central India, and practiced law before transitioning to psychology. He wrote a thesis on cultivating wisdom by coping with life difficulties, and a dissertation on the impact of meta-cognitive aspects of mindfulness on self-transcendence. Mahip has completed five 10-day Vipassana meditation courses under the tradition of Sri S. N. Goenka. He has been studying Advaita Vedanta (an ancient Hindu tradition on Non-duality) for several years with Jim Gilman, a direct disciple of Swami Chinmaynanda. Mahip is passionate about teaching the application of mindfulness into daily life to alleviate human suffering. In therapy, Mahip enjoys integrating an open, non-directive, empathic person-centered approach with mindfulness-based techniques. He likes to explore one's sense of self using a psychodynamic lens, in a space of unconditional positive regard, and offer ways of loosening one’s attachment with the self and self-centric narratives or tendencies.

You can find him at: https://www.mindfulnesswithmahip.com/

https://www.instagram.com/mindfulnesswithmahip/

https://insighttimer.com/mahip

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvxIMiptr5G4S5Yo5N_oq-Q

Mahip Rathore, PhD. lives in Santa Barbara with wife Lena Sclove & baby Aashray. He is a counseling psychologist in private practice, an adjunct faculty for a Psy D program at Pacifica Graduate Institute, and a meditation teacher in the community. He grew up in central India, and practiced law before transitioning to psychology. He wrote a thesis on cultivating wisdom by coping with life difficulties, and a dissertation on the impact of meta-cognitive aspects of mindfulness on self-transcendence. Mahip has completed five 10-day Vipassana meditation courses under the tradition of Sri S. N. Goenka. He has been studying Advaita Vedanta (an ancient Hindu tradition on Non-duality) for several years with Jim Gilman, a direct disciple of Swami Chinmaynanda. Mahip is passionate about teaching the application of mindfulness into daily life to alleviate human suffering. In therapy, Mahip enjoys integrating an open, non-directive, empathic person-centered approach with mindfulness-based techniques. He likes to explore one's sense of self using a psychodynamic lens, in a space of unconditional positive regard, and offer ways of loosening one’s attachment with the self and self-centric narratives or tendencies.

You can find him at: https://www.mindfulnesswithmahip.com/

https://www.instagram.com/mindfulnesswithmahip/

https://insighttimer.com/mahip

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvxIMiptr5G4S5Yo5N_oq-Q

Jenna Tosh is the president of Planned Parenthood California, and offers important insights into women’s fundamental health rights in this conversation with Kerry + David.

After spending years living in a fundamental Christian faith as a worship leader, Ian Mitchell Dyer came out and his entire life shifted. The journey to his most authentic self was not easy, but it was totally worth it. Now, he coaches other people struggling with their true sexual identity to find peace, self-love, and joy. Learn more about him on Instagram at @mitchellgermanodyer.

Rev. Dr. Alex Awad was born and raised in Jerusalem. After graduation from St. George’s High School, he studied in Europe and then moved to the United States. He finished a BA degree at Lee University and an MA in Education at North Georgia University. He received an MA in Missions and Evangelism from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. For the last 26 years Rev. Awad with his wife Brenda served as missionaries with the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church in Israel/Palestine. Until recently he was the pastor of an international church in East Jerusalem and taught courses at Bethlehem Bible College, where he served as a faculty member, dean of students, and board member. In June 2015, Rev. Awad was awarded an honorary doctorate at Bethlehem Bible College’s annual commencement. Until his retirement in June 2015, Rev. Awad directed the Shepherd Society which is the humanitarian arm of Bethlehem Bible College. Many needy Palestinians seek the help of the Shepherd Society in meeting emergency needs such as food, medicine and employment.

~ Philip Farah was born in Jerusalem in 1952, four years after his family was driven out of their home in what became Israeli West Jerusalem. He received his education at the Anglican St. George’s School in Jerusalem and later studied political science at the American University of Beirut. He returned to Jerusalem to teach at several schools in the West Bank and at Birzeit University. Philip was active in the nonviolent struggle against the Israeli occupation; he was among Palestinian progressives who pioneered relations with anti-occupation Israelis. Philip came to the United States at the age of 27 to continue his university education, earning a PhD in Natural Resources and Environmental Economics from the University of New Mexico. He has lived and worked in several countries in the Middle East. He currently works as an economist in Washington, DC, and lives in Vienna, VA with his wife and three children. He is a founding member, in 2000, of the Washington Interfaith Alliance for Middle East Peace and the Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace. Philip has addressed audiences across the United States on Middle East peace and justice issues, and he has occasionally blogged on the Huffington Post.

Cassidy Hall (she/her/hers) (MA, MDiv, MTS) is an author, award-winning filmmaker, podcaster, ordained minister in the United Church of Christ, and leading voice in 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.  Her forthcoming book, Queering Contemplation, Finding Queerness in the Roots and Future of Contemplative Spirituality is set for release in May of 2024. Cassidy is widely published and currently resides in Indianapolis, where she is studying for her DMin degree. Her new book, Queering Contemplation, explores the question: What would it mean to queer contemplation? To disentangle contemplative spirituality from heteronormativity, patriarchy, and Eurocentricity –– and instead engage with openness, curiosity, and a little weirdness?

Anna is a bold and unapologetic fighter for Florida families and every day people. Born and raised in Orlando she’s the daughter of working class immigrants who came to Florida from Iran in search of the American Dream. Anna went to Orange County Public Schools and then to the University of Central Florida. She earned dual degrees as an undergrad and graduate student, works as a nonprofit professional and is now getting her PhD in Public Affairs.

A bridge builder, Anna flipped her legislative seat in 2018 and won her re-election by an overwhelming majority in 2020 and 2022. She made history as the first Iranian-American elected to any public office in Florida and has championed critical issues like economic justice, environmental protection, equality for all, funding for public schools, human trafficking and sexual assault prevention, and support of arts and culture funding. A track record of kind sacrifice, endless hard work, and iron-clad values, Anna is known across the state and nation as a leader who is unbothered, unbossed, and committed to the people of Florida.

Frank Schaeffer is a New York Times bestselling author of more than a dozen books. Frank is a survivor of both polio and an evangelical/fundamentalist childhood, an acclaimed writer who overcame severe dyslexia, a home-schooled and self-taught documentary movie director, a feature film director of four low budget Hollywood features Frank has described as “pretty terrible.” He is also an acclaimed author of fiction and nonfiction and an artist with a loyal following of international collectors who own many of his paintings.

Frank has been a frequent guest on the Rachel Maddow Show on NBC, has appeared on Oprah, been interviewed by Terri Gross on NPR’s Fresh Air and appeared on the Today Show, BBC News and many other media outlets. He is a much sought after speaker and has lectured at a wide range of venues from Harvard’s Kennedy School to the Hammer Museum/UCLA, Princeton University, Riverside Church Cathedral, DePaul University and the Kansas City Public Library.