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.

Christena Cleveland, Ph.D. is a social psychologist, public theologian, author, and activist. She is the founder and director of the Center for Justice + Renewal which supports a more equitable world by nurturing skillful justice advocacy and the depth to act on it. An award-winning researcher and author, Christena is a Ford Foundation Fellow who has held faculty positions at several institutions of higher education — most recently at Duke University’s Divinity School, where she was the first African-American and first female director of the Duke Center for Reconciliation, and also led a research team investigating self-compassion as a buffer to racial stress. In 2022, she published her second full-length book, God is a Black Woman (HarperCollins), which details her 400-mile walking pilgrimage across central France in search of ancient Black Madonna statues, and examines the relationship among race, gender, and cultural perceptions of the Divine.  Her work has been featured in a number of major media outlets including the History Channel, PBS, Essence Magazine, the Washington Post, NPR, and BBC Radio.

Christena Cleveland, Ph.D. is a social psychologist, public theologian, author, and activist. She is the founder and director of the Center for Justice + Renewal which supports a more equitable world by nurturing skillful justice advocacy and the depth to act on it. An award-winning researcher and author, Christena is a Ford Foundation Fellow who has held faculty positions at several institutions of higher education — most recently at Duke University’s Divinity School, where she was the first African-American and first female director of the Duke Center for Reconciliation, and also led a research team investigating self-compassion as a buffer to racial stress. In 2022, she published her second full-length book, God is a Black Woman (HarperCollins), which details her 400-mile walking pilgrimage across central France in search of ancient Black Madonna statues, and examines the relationship among race, gender, and cultural perceptions of the Divine.  Her work has been featured in a number of major media outlets including the History Channel, PBS, Essence Magazine, the Washington Post, NPR, and BBC Radio.

FOR THE PAST TWO DECADES, DOUG PAGITT HAS BEEN LEADING THE CONVERSATION ON PROGRESSIVE FAITH AND POLITICS. Through creative, entrepreneurial and generative efforts, he works to enlist people to join in the hopes, dreams, and desires God has for a more beautiful world. 

A proud, concerned and hopeful American, Doug Pagitt is a social activist. He is Co-founder and Executive Director of Vote Common Good, a national political non-profit dedicated to inspiring, energizing, and mobilizing people of faith to engage in civic life. He’s also the guy responsible, in a way, for this podcast.

FOR THE PAST TWO DECADES, DOUG PAGITT HAS BEEN LEADING THE CONVERSATION ON PROGRESSIVE FAITH AND POLITICS. Through creative, entrepreneurial and generative efforts, he works to enlist people to join in the hopes, dreams, and desires God has for a more beautiful world. 

A proud, concerned and hopeful American, Doug Pagitt is a social activist. He is Co-founder and Executive Director of Vote Common Good, a national political non-profit dedicated to inspiring, energizing, and mobilizing people of faith to engage in civic life. He’s also the guy responsible, in a way, for this podcast.

David attended the Parliament of the World's Religions in Chicago this past September. This episode features micro-interviews with attendees from various parts of the world. The significance of the Parliament of the World's Religions in its hometown, where it has been bringing people together on the shores of Lake Michigan for 130 years, was celebrated. This year, the return to in-person gatherings enriched this legacy, bringing together new people and collective hope. Attendees from 95 countries made this the most internationally attended event in the history of the Parliament. Our shared call to conscience was celebrated, with diverse voices of faith, spiritual, and political leaders engaging in discussions at the forefront of threats to freedom, democracy, and human rights worldwide.

David Hayward, aka The Naked Pastor, is a pastor turned artist, engaging in painting, drawing, and contemplating the essence of true freedom and authenticity. For those intrigued by concepts such as deconstruction, spiritual exploration, freedom of thought, and the quest for one's genuine self, they are encouraged to join him on his journey of discovery.

In clarification, his moniker, NakedPastor, may prompt curiosity, but it's not a literal representation. In other words, he’s not really naked. Rather, it symbolizes his commitment to uncovering and sharing the unfiltered truth, even when it exposes vulnerability. While he once served as a pastor, he has dedicated the past decade to creating art and fostering freedom within his community.

David Hayward, aka The Naked Pastor, is a pastor turned artist, engaging in painting, drawing, and contemplating the essence of true freedom and authenticity. For those intrigued by concepts such as deconstruction, spiritual exploration, freedom of thought, and the quest for one's genuine self, they are encouraged to join him on his journey of discovery.

In clarification, his moniker, NakedPastor, may prompt curiosity, but it's not a literal representation. In other words, he’s not really naked. Rather, it symbolizes his commitment to uncovering and sharing the unfiltered truth, even when it exposes vulnerability. While he once served as a pastor, he has dedicated the past decade to creating art and fostering freedom within his community.

In this episode, Brian D. McLaren inspires us to be gentle but also know when to “shake the dust from our feet” when we find ourselves in a rut while trying to connect with people.  is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for "a new kind of Christianity" - just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good. He is an Auburn Senior Fellow, a contributor to We Stand With Love, and a leader in the Convergence Network, through which he is developing an innovative training/mentoring program for pastors and church planters.

Brian is widely appreciated for his ability to communicate in print and in spoken word with kindness.

In this episode, Brian D. McLaren inspires us to be gentle but also know when to “shake the dust from our feet” when we find ourselves in a rut while trying to connect with people.  is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for "a new kind of Christianity" - just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good. He is an Auburn Senior Fellow, a contributor to We Stand With Love, and a leader in the Convergence Network, through which he is developing an innovative training/mentoring program for pastors and church planters.

Brian is widely appreciated for his ability to communicate in print and in spoken word with kindness.

Matt, known as “Change Maker Matt,”  is a blind man who has become passionate about promoting disability dignity during the pandemic. Like many of us who experienced isolation during this time, he emerged with a newfound drive for advocacy. Matt has a longvism, serving as history of acti a DEI consultant, Restorative Justice facilitator, culture curator, and professional speaker. He strives to make positive change a reality, one purpose at a time. 

Matt reaches out to his community through “The Change Maker Podcast."

Matt, known as “Change Maker Matt,”  is a blind man who has become passionate about promoting disability dignity during the pandemic. Like many of us who experienced isolation during this time, he emerged with a newfound drive for advocacy. Matt has a longvism, serving as history of acti a DEI consultant, Restorative Justice facilitator, culture curator, and professional speaker. He strives to make positive change a reality, one purpose at a time. 

Matt reaches out to his community through “The Change Maker Podcast."

In this eye-opening episode, Kerry + David speak with the Rev. Rob Schenck, an American Evangelical clergyman who has ministered to elected and appointed officials in Washington, D.C. and serves as president of a non-profit organization named for Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He is the subject of the Emmy Award-winning 2016 Abigail Disney documentary, The Armor of Light. Schenck stated that he was part of a group that paid Norma McCorvey (also known as Jane Roe from the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision) to lie that she had changed her mind and become against abortion. In 2022, Schenck testified before the House Judiciary Committee concerning his allegation that a member of the Supreme Court leaked information about a pending case before the Court.

In this eye-opening episode, Kerry + David speak with the Rev. Rob Schenck, an American Evangelical clergyman who has ministered to elected and appointed officials in Washington, D.C. and serves as president of a non-profit organization named for Dietrich Bonhoeffer. He is the subject of the Emmy Award-winning 2016 Abigail Disney documentary, The Armor of Light. Schenck stated that he was part of a group that paid Norma McCorvey (also known as Jane Roe from the landmark Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision) to lie that she had changed her mind and become against abortion. In 2022, Schenck testified before the House Judiciary Committee concerning his allegation that a member of the Supreme Court leaked information about a pending case before the Court.

Vivian Storm was discovered in 2009 at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh during obtaining her Masters in Educational Leadership.  Taking a chance at completely owning her talents, she entered a Drag show at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. There she fall in love with the art of illusion and performance.

Her quest to spread love has afforded her the opportunity to perform in some incredible, loving, and inclusive spaces. She has a great love for hosting and performing on College and University stages because of the overwhelming since of love, curiosity, self-growth and exploration. People are there simply because they want to be there and that is an amazing feeling. You can learn more about her and her work at www.vivianstorm.com.

Vivian Storm was discovered in 2009 at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh during obtaining her Masters in Educational Leadership.  Taking a chance at completely owning her talents, she entered a Drag show at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. There she fall in love with the art of illusion and performance.

Her quest to spread love has afforded her the opportunity to perform in some incredible, loving, and inclusive spaces. She has a great love for hosting and performing on College and University stages because of the overwhelming since of love, curiosity, self-growth and exploration. People are there simply because they want to be there and that is an amazing feeling. You can learn more about her and her work at www.vivianstorm.com.

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Randy Woodley. Dr. Woodley addresses a variety of issues concerning American culture, faith, justice, race, our relationship with the earth, and Indigenous realities. He recently retired as Distinguished Professor of Faith and Culture and Director of Intercultural and Indigenous Studies at Portland Seminary, Portland Oregon. His expertise has been sought in national venues as diverse as Time Magazine, The New York Times, Politifact, Christianity Today, The Huffington Post, and Planet Drum: A Voice for Bioregional, Sustainability, Education, and Culture. Randy identifies strongly with issues of eco-justice, diversity, and racial justice. He has found the sweet spot of sharing difficult truths, in the spirit of love and acceptance through his teachings and writings. Randy’s authentic and timely messages dig to the root of our own imbalanced and unjust systems in an effort to restore us all to ways of harmony.