I'm Jen - a white, cisgendered, straight-identifying, American-born woman with a history of Christian and conservative influences. My lived experience is one of solid economic security and educational privilege. All of this shaped the lens through which I viewed life for the majority of my adult years - and it created a comfortable echo chamber where “my existing views were neatly reinforced and alternative ideas were rarely considered…”
This no longer works for me.
I decided to pursue meaningful work, passion projects, and relationships that would serve as "antidotes to the echo chamber." This podcast is part of that work. Rather than put people in stereotypical boxes - I want to grow more curious and open minded. This means listening deeply to another person’s perspective, especially those who differ from me. It means challenging my old paradigms and assumptions.
I pursue this on a public platform because I want to foster this mindset shift in our culture. My guests and I believe that conversations heard here will spur more healthy exchanges, marked by a spirit of inquiry with and for the people in our lives (especially those whom we don’t know or understand yet).
Join the conversation.
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I'm Jen - a white, cisgendered, straight-identifying, American-born woman with a history of Christian and conservative influences. My lived experience is one of solid economic security and educational privilege. All of this shaped the lens through which I viewed life for the majority of my adult years - and it created a comfortable echo chamber where “my existing views were neatly reinforced and alternative ideas were rarely considered…”
This no longer works for me.
I decided to pursue meaningful work, passion projects, and relationships that would serve as "antidotes to the echo chamber." This podcast is part of that work. Rather than put people in stereotypical boxes - I want to grow more curious and open minded. This means listening deeply to another person’s perspective, especially those who differ from me. It means challenging my old paradigms and assumptions.
I pursue this on a public platform because I want to foster this mindset shift in our culture. My guests and I believe that conversations heard here will spur more healthy exchanges, marked by a spirit of inquiry with and for the people in our lives (especially those whom we don’t know or understand yet).
Join the conversation.
From Amish to Empowered; one voice liberates others
Listen for REAL
1 hour 3 minutes 36 seconds
11 months ago
From Amish to Empowered; one voice liberates others
I am “on the couch” in conversation with Saloma Fisher who lived until age 32 in a conservative Amish community; we covered stuff that shocked me right out of my own misconceptions. Yes, there are the typical things many are aware of…no cars, modern conveniences, outside influences, music, or TV. BUT, the drinking, partying and “bed courting” that begins for some Amish youth around age 16? Lesser known.
Saloma and I also talk about what being ex-communicated from your family and community feels like along with how she started over as a single parent with an 8th grade education and no knowledge of how to pay bills, take a job, and so on.
Saloma loves deeply and is a woman of incredible faith despite being told she was going to “hell” in a community where you can only hope to be good enough through your works to merit heaven.
She helps me understand the coexistence of being oppressed and living fearfully in a prescribed role AND feeling safe and secure in a loving community and faith practice. While she does not speak for every person who identifies as Amish - her experience is illuminating and provides incredible hope to any person who dreams for bigger things and is determined to have a sense of control in their own life.
Listen for REAL
I'm Jen - a white, cisgendered, straight-identifying, American-born woman with a history of Christian and conservative influences. My lived experience is one of solid economic security and educational privilege. All of this shaped the lens through which I viewed life for the majority of my adult years - and it created a comfortable echo chamber where “my existing views were neatly reinforced and alternative ideas were rarely considered…”
This no longer works for me.
I decided to pursue meaningful work, passion projects, and relationships that would serve as "antidotes to the echo chamber." This podcast is part of that work. Rather than put people in stereotypical boxes - I want to grow more curious and open minded. This means listening deeply to another person’s perspective, especially those who differ from me. It means challenging my old paradigms and assumptions.
I pursue this on a public platform because I want to foster this mindset shift in our culture. My guests and I believe that conversations heard here will spur more healthy exchanges, marked by a spirit of inquiry with and for the people in our lives (especially those whom we don’t know or understand yet).
Join the conversation.
