Geekyjustin Live

Social psychologist Dr. Cameron Brick shares what he’s learned about our us-vs.-them culture from living in three different countries. In a world this divided, how do we tackle the shared problems of humanity? For more: http://geekyjustin.com Support this podcast: http://patreon.com/geekyjustin

Dr. Lee Drutman, author of “Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop,” thinks he knows why Americans are so politically polarized—and he has a solution that might fix the whole problem. But will Americans go for it? Video of this episode: https://youtu.be/HHYKSF5GVA4 CGPGrey video series mentioned in this episode: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbidsuZsGmyh-XwOKrT0SIAtqIuSO7YzF

The Farlows are co-founders of Sanctuary, an organization helping churches welcome LGBTQ people. In this week’s wide-ranging conversation, we talk about how and why they do this work as straight people, the significance of diversity in worship, what science fiction has in common with prophecy, and how the Southern Baptist church where James and I grew up together has affected our understanding of the world today. For more: http://geekyjustin.com Support this podcast: http://patreon.com/geekyjustin

In her new book Scripture, Ethics, and the Possibility of Same-Sex Relationships, author Karen Keen takes a scholarly look at how church history, theology, and Bible interpretation impact people’s views on same-sex marriage and relationships. This week, she joins me on the show to talk about her findings and discuss her thoughts on a previous show I recorded with Alan Chambers. For more: http://geekyjustin.com Support this podcast: http://patreon.com/geekyjustin

Ron Belgau and I are both gay Christians who disagree with each other about marriage and same-sex relationships. I'm "Side A" (fully affirming of gay couples) and he's "Side B" (supporting celibacy for gay Christians). We have been friends for 20 years, and in that time, we've learned how to stay friends despite major disagreements on important issues. In this week's GeekyJustin Live, we talk about how we've made that work and why. For more: http://geekyjustin.com Support this podcast: http://patreon.com/geekyjustin

Pastor Candace E. Hardnett of Agape Empowerment Ministries is used to hearing people talk about the Bible as bad news for certain groups of people. But she believes the Bible is good news for everyone, especially those who are oppressed, and in this episode, she explains why. For more: http://geekyjustin.com Support this podcast: http://patreon.com/geekyjustin

For decades, Exodus International claimed "change is possible," leading many to believe that gay people could become straight. But in this interview, former Exodus president Alan Chambers admits that attempts to "pray away the gay" never worked, and explains why he now opposes conversion therapy. For more: http://geekyjustin.com Support this podcast: http://patreon.com/geekyjustin

After Tyler Clementi's suicide in 2010, his mother was devastated—and sunk into depression herself. In this week's interview, Jane Clementi discusses how she's coped with tragedy and what she's doing to motivate people across the country to stand up against bullying and prevent anyone else from having to experience what her son went through. (Note: If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) any time of day or night or chat online at suicidepreventionlifeline.org.) For more: http://geekyjustin.com Support this podcast: http://patreon.com/geekyjustin

Author of "Homosexuality and the Death of the Church," Pastor Romell Parks-Weekly isn't some raging homophobe, as his title might suggest. He's gay himself, and he's got an interesting theory about the coming "death," as he puts it, of the modern church. In this week's GeekyJustin Live, he explains his view in a lively conversation ranging from homophobia and the Black church to the Golden Girls. For more: http://geekyjustin.com Support this podcast: http://patreon.com/geekyjustin

Carmarion D. Anderson, founder of Black Transwomen, Inc., is also a minister from a Pentecostal Holiness background! In this interview, she gets to "preach" as she shares her thoughts on faith, race, and gender identity—and offers tips for how others can be better allies in a world where black trans women are disproportionately likely to be victims of violence. For more: http://geekyjustin.com Support this podcast: http://patreon.com/geekyjustin

Fifty years ago, Marsha Stevens-Pino helped to usher in the age of contemporary Christian music, then became the first CCM performer to be openly gay. This week, celebrating the 50th anniversary of her music ministry, she reflects back on her life, tells funny stories, and shares a bit about her own geeky side. For more: http://geekyjustin.com Support this podcast: http://patreon.com/geekyjustin

Openly gay writer/speaker Julie Rodgers went through an ex-gay program, worked at Wheaton (a conservative Christian college), and ultimately came out as gay and fully affirming. In this week's GeekyJustin Live, Julie answers questions about how to heal from spiritual trauma and keep moving forward in life without being defined solely by one's past. For more: http://geekyjustin.com Support this podcast: http://patreon.com/geekyjustin

Sally Gary grew up in the Church of Christ, a denomination where being gay is particularly difficult. Today, she's responsible for a growing movement of LGBTQ-friendly community spaces—some specifically for Christians, others open to all. In this week's live Q&A, Sally shares practical advice for creating community wherever you are, whoever you are. For more: http://geekyjustin.com Support this podcast: http://patreon.com/geekyjustin

In this special episode, I’m live in person with my dad, as we discuss what it was like for him as a Southern Baptist deacon, discovering his son was gay and learning to think in new ways about issues he’d always thought were settled. For more: http://geekyjustin.com Support this podcast: http://patreon.com/geekyjustin

Australian Anthony Venn-Brown says he's "quite possibly the oldest living conversion therapy survivor in the world." He's the author of "A Life of Unlearning" and founder of Ambassadors and Bridge Builders International, and on this week's GeekyJustin Live, we talk about the challenges he went through coming out in the Stonewall era, trying to be straight, and ultimately fighting to change the church's perspective on homosexuality. For more: http://geekyjustin.com Support this podcast: http://patreon.com/geekyjustin

Kevin Neuner, pastor of Spark Church in Palo Alto, discusses the state of modern Christianity and how Christians can avoid the bad theology that has damaged the reputation of today's church. For more: http://geekyjustin.com Support this podcast: http://patreon.com/geekyjustin

Heidi Weaver-Smith, founder of LOVEboldly, shares her experiences standing in the gap between conservative Christians and LGBTQ folks—and answers the critics who say the "middle ground" is unhelpful or even dangerous. For more: http://geekyjustin.com Support this podcast: http://patreon.com/geekyjustin

Greg and Lynn McDonald had their world turned upside down when they discovered their son was gay. Now, years later, they have a book to help other Christian parents avoid the mistakes they made. This week on GeekyJustin Live, I talk to them about what they learned and the advice they have for other families. For more: http://geekyjustin.com Support this podcast: http://patreon.com/geekyjustin

United Methodist campus minister Joey Heath-Mason joins me to discuss the latest developments in the United Methodist Church's attempt to resolve a longstanding division on LGBTQ people and issues, on the next-to-last night of a conference intended to do just that. What will happen now? And is there hope for those wanting more grace and nuance in the conversation? We discuss a way forward. For more: http://geekyjustin.com Support this podcast: http://patreon.com/geekyjustin

Journalist/author Jeff Chu joins me to share his wisdom and stories, from the untold stories of LGBTQ people in Africa to his up-close experience with the hate group Westboro Baptist. Also, what makes an "evangelical," and is it time to retire that term? For more: http://geekyjustin.com Support this podcast: http://patreon.com/geekyjustin