Celebrated Christian Children's author, Matthew Paul Turner, made waves in 2020 when he and his wife announced their divorce, and Matthew came out as gay. In this episode we talk about his journey and his faith.

Sydney Smanpongse is a Master of Public Policy student at the University of California, Los Angeles. They hold a Bachelor's degree in sociology and political science from the University of California, Irvine. As a Los Angeles native, they have witnessed firsthand the vast disparities that disproportionately affect individuals from various minority backgrounds. As a growing policy practitioner, they are passionate about the opportunity to improve the quality of life for people and their communities through social policy. Sydney is pursuing a career as a nonprofit policy analyst to address issues that have the greatest impact on low-income communities such as racism, labor rights, and lack of protections for the LGBTQIA+ community. 

In their free time, they enjoy cheering on Los Angeles' best basketball team (go Clippers!) and watching terrible movies. 

Kat Armas is a theologian and podcaster who loves to talk about her family’s migration from Cuba and her own experience as a Roman Catholic, then becoming dissatisfied and embracing the American evangelical experience, which eventually left her, if not empty, at least less than fulfilled and willing to take a second look at her religious roots. She wrote her story in a book she titled, “Abuelita Faith.” This book honors her faith in a more holistic way that can be especially helpful for people who are looking for more from their religious communities.

Kat Armas is a theologian and podcaster who loves to talk about her family’s migration from Cuba and her own experience as a Roman Catholic, then becoming dissatisfied and embracing the American evangelical experience, which eventually left her, if not empty, at least less than fulfilled and willing to take a second look at her religious roots. She wrote her story in a book she titled, “Abuelita Faith.” This book honors her faith in a more holistic way that can be especially helpful for people who are looking for more from their religious communities.

Dr. Watkins caught our notice in 2020 when he was announced as LGBTQ+ Nation’s “Hero of the Year.” He has a captivating gracefulness when talking about his work and also about church and religious implications in our times.

He is a public health professional and clinician deeply concerned about the mass trauma inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic. He firmly believes that communities will need new and creative pathways to healing to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. He also believes that to truly make ourselves whole, we must also address the age-old crisis of white supremacist delusion and systemic racism in meaningful ways.

In part 2 of this episode, David speaks with author, activist and pastor Doug Pagitt, who in addition to his accomplishments in the theological, literary and political realms can also take credit for introducing David and Kerry. This conversation centers on Good Friday (which was around the time it was recorded), its beauty, and the gaping holes in Western Theology. Doug also tackles the topic of God’s cruelty.

In this episode, David speaks with pastor, author + activist Doug Pagitt

In this Episode, David speaks with pastor, author + activist Doug Pagitt …

In this episode, David speaks with author, activist and pastor Doug Pagitt, who in addition to his accomplishments in the theological, literary and political realms can also take credit for introducing David and Kerry. This conversation centers on Good Friday (which was around the time it was recorded), its beauty, and the gaping holes in Western Theology. Doug also tackles the topic of God’s cruelty.

In part 2 of this very first introductory episode, David + Kerry talk about why we think it’s important to let people know that actually, God is really not an a**hole.

In this very first introductory episode, David + Kerry talk about why we think it’s important to let people know that actually, God is really not an a**hole.