In this episode, Fred interviews Jennifer Hall - Disciples of Christ Worship Leader, Music Educator & Reiki Master. Learn more at: https://www.reflectyourlight.com/ Meet Jennifer Hall: Hi! My name is Jennifer. I have been an elementary music teacher in the Kansas City, Kansas Public School District for 24 years. I was honored in 2019 by my school district to be chosen as the elementary teacher of the year. I have dedicated my entire career to bringing the joy of music to inner-city children and found a lot of fulfillment and life-purpose through the blessings of that job. In 2017, I was attuned to Reiki by my sister, Mary Bolan, who is a Disciples of Christ Christian Church Minister and a Reiki Master. During my Level II attunement, I had the most spiritual experience of my life during which I knew that offering Reiki Healing to others is my true calling. I made it my goal to perform 100 free reiki healing sessions so that I could truly hone my skills as I learned. I asked my “guinea pigs” to give me feedback as I developed my own style. After I felt confident in my abilities, friends and family started sending me referrals and I continued to offer healing through word-of-mouth (no website, business name etc.) only. In the fall of 2020, I started hearing the Holy Spirit speak to me that it was time to devote more time to my healing business so I quit teaching full-time and now teach Elementary Strings (violins, violas and cellos) 3 days a week and see clients two days a week plus occasional evenings and weekends. In 2014, I had treatment for Ovarian Cancer and used Integrative as well as Traditional Medicine to help me fully heal from that often-deadly cancer. At the time, I didn’t know about Reiki but I received massage, acupuncture, BodyTalk, chiropractic adjustments and worked with an Integrative Medicine M.D. who gave me Vitamin C infusions as well as nutritional and energetic supports. Many, many people prayed for me and supported me through that season. I learned a lot about worthiness, intentions, affirmations and faith. I am grateful that we have many healing modalities available to us today. This is a unique time in history to benefit from Eastern and Western medical and spiritual healing traditions.

In this episode, Fred interviews Hunt Priest - Former Episcopal Priest, Psychedelics Researcher, Advocate & Spiritual Director at: https://www.ligare.org/ Hunt is former rector of Saint Peters Episcopal Church, Savannah, GA. Hunt is founder & executive director of Ligare, focusing on the healing power of psychedelics in a legal Christian framework. Hunt was a participant in the Johns Hopkins/NYU “Psilocybin for Religious Leaders Study” in 2016. Meet Hunt: ...In early 2016, I was a fortunate participant in a psilocybin study involving religious professionals. My encounters with psilocybin opened me to the healing and consciousness-raising power of sacred plants and fungi and their connection to my own Christian practice. The epiphanies forever changed the trajectory of my work. Through Ligare, I want the healing potential of these sacred plants to be in the toolkits of all who are healers of bodies, minds, and souls. A significant part of my work, and Ligare’s, entails actively collaborating to bridge the knowledge gap between psychedelic research and religious and spiritual communities. Theses substances are powerful, so safety is of utmost concern.

In this episode, Fred interviews Author, Coach & Spiritual Director: Roger Wolsey about Growing Spiritually in the Prevailing Culture. Roger is the Author of the books - Discovering Fire: Spiritual Practices that Transform Lives & Kissing Fish: Christianity for People who Don't Like Christianity. Learn more at: www.rogerwolsey.com About Roger: Spiritual Director, Speaker, Author, Soul Friend, & Coach - I’m a guide for those navigating life’s twists, turns, and mysteries. I’ve spoken at The Wild Goose Festival (three times), The Embrace Festival, The Lion and The Lamb Festival, and Christianity 21. My writings have been published on Elephant Journal, Huffington Post, Sojourners; on Patheos as “The Holy Kiss," and increasingly on Medium and Substack. I’m the author of Discovering Fire and Kissing Fish, and I manage the Kissing Fish Book Facebook community. I am a regular contributor to the John Shelby Spong weekly newsletter "Progressing Spirit," and serve on the Board of Directors of The Center for Progressive Christianity aka - www.ProgressiveChristianity.org I’m also an experienced wedding officiant (including premarital counseling) and support grieving families through meaningful funeral, memorial, and celebration-of-life services. Those things are nifty, but I’m just a human, a fellow human being who’s learned many things the hard way in life. Now well into my 50s, I bring the wisdom of a midlife journey and a renewed sense of purpose to my life and work. ​ Over the years, I’ve explored a wide range of spiritual practices and personal development work, and I’m passionate about helping others discover the fullness of their lives to leave a legacy of love.

Sami Awad serves as Co-Director of Nonviolence International. He is based in Bethlehem, Palestine where he has been a leading advocate of nonviolent resistance to occupation and inspirational leader for building a shared future of Palestinians and Israelis based on equality and human rights.  Sami founded the Holy Land Trust in 1995 to work for a nonviolent future of Palestinian justice. At Nonviolence International, Sami leads our training and education programs on nonviolence that includes a focus on trauma resilience and leadership development.  He also leads our communications and development departments.  He is a graduate of the Peace and Conflict Resolution Department of the American University School of International Service. He is an author and well known inspirational speaker in many venues around the world. His new book is: "The Sacred Awakening: Reclaiming Christ Consciousness". https://www.amazon.in/Sacred-Awakening-PublishU-Sami-Awad-ebook/dp/B0FN4QW23B Learn More at: https://www.nonviolenceinternational.net/    

Check out the update video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xmxGi_7NOzg?si=l9FPcE7dfWUtPrFN From all of us at Spirituality Adventures: Thanks for listening and watching and your continued and new support of Spirituality Adventures! We couldn't do it without you! Be sure to share, like, subscribe and become a supporter at: www.spiritualityadventures.com We are excited for what is to come!    

In this episode Fred interviews Dr. Shaleen Kendrick, the creator of the cutting-edge Neuro-Relational Leadership™ model, which merges neuroscientific understanding with Enneagram wisdom to create cultures where humans can grow, thrive, and evolve. Shaleen's aim is to contribute to humanity's forward momentum by helping the integration of humanity’s three intelligence centers—mental (mind), instinctual (body), and emotional (spirit)—in unique ways and with interdisciplinary insights. This interdisciplinary model can be practically applied across various contexts to create growth and emergent abilities in individuals, organizations, and societal systems. NRL™ creates dynamic balance, adaptive functioning, and new emergent ability. https://www.shaleenkendrick.com/ https://www.nrintegration.com/  

Fred again welcomes lawyer Andrea Martinez from Netflix’s “Living Undocumented” who is passionate about the biblical mandate to care for immigrants. Andrea earned her law degree from American University in Washington, DC. She is founder of Martinez Immigration Law which focuses exclusively on providing high quality, honest legal representation for immigrants. Andrea sees her work as a ministry and a calling from God, and her story is truly compelling. Listen to this brand new interview as Andrea again shares her hope and passion for a group of people who are special to the heart of God. https://www.martinezimmigration.com/ Living Undocumented Documentary: https://youtu.be/WSGBP-Z4UXI?si=MP7Bo7gtW1GAqYGP AIRR https://airrkc.org/ Become A Patron: https://patron.podbean.com/spiritualityadventures  

In this episode Fred interviews author and coach, Dave Lundgren, author of the book: "An Answer: Where Science and Spirituality Converge in the Truth". https://www.facebook.com/davelundgren.connect

Bradley Jersak is an author and teacher based in Abbotsford, BC. He currently serves as the Principal of St. Stephen’s University (SSU.ca) in New Brunswick, where he continues as the Dean and faculty member of SSU’s School of Theology & Culture. He also teaches peace studies courses with JFI.SSU.ca and is a regular Open Table Conference crew lecturer. He is also part of the Plain Truth Ministries team, where he serves as Pastoral Scholar. He writes, edits, and does layout for CWR magazine, CWR press, and the CWRm blog. Through his books and seminars, Brad shares the good news that God is Love, perfectly revealed in Jesus Christ, and that God’s love heals wounded hearts and empowers us to heal this broken world.

Resources: 1. Defending Democracy from Its Christian Enemies - by David P. Gushee https://a.co/d/j92Sl1j 2. The Anabaptist Story - by William R. Estep https://a.co/d/35cKkjh 3. Renaissance and Reformation - by William R. Estep https://a.co/d/hMsTfuG  

In this episode, Fred interviews Progressive Christian Pastor Josh Scott https://www.joshscott.co/ , author of Parables: Putting Jesus's Stories in Their Place, and Cross - Examined: Reading the Bible in Times of Division. Josh (he/him) has been a pastor for more than two decades. He currently serves as the Lead Pastor at GracePointe Church https://www.gracepointe.net/ in Nashville. The focus of his work is reimagining, reframing, and reclaiming faith through a Progressive Christian lens. You can read his latest thoughts at https://www.joshscott.online/. He lives near Nashville with his wife, Carla, and five kids. #progressivechristianity #postevangelical #religioustrauma #christiannationalism #lgbtqchurch

In this episode, Fred interviews Executive Director of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians: Brian Ellison. https://www.covnetpres.org/ Brian Ellison has served since 2012 as Executive Director of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, leading its mission of strengthening the Church through equipping and engagement, advocating and educating for the full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people in the Church’s life and leadership. Brian also serves as stated clerk of the Synod of Mid-America. He has served previously as pastor of Parkville Presbyterian Church (near Kansas City, Missouri) and as stated clerk of Heartland Presbytery. He has previously served the national Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in numerous roles, including as moderator of the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission, the Committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investment and the Stated Clerk Review/Nomination Committee. His writing on matters of faith and theology has appeared in numerous church and independent publications. A graduate of Harvard University and Princeton Theological Seminary, Brian also is host/contributor at NPR affiliate KCUR-FM. He and his partner, Troy Lillebo, live in Kansas City with their two dogs, the recalcitrant Willoughby and the dopey Sage. Brian is available for working with congregations, councils and groups of interested Presbyterians about inclusion of LGBTQIA+ people, fostering and navigating difficult conversations, organizing and advocating for transformation, and on the Covenant Network of Presbyterians and its mission. Contact him at brian@covnetpres.org. Helpful Resources from this Episode: 1. God and the Gay Christian - Matthew Vines: https://a.co/d/aUyGsxo 2. Bible, Gender, Sexuality: Reframing the Church's Debate on Same-Sex Relationships - James V. Brownson: https://a.co/d/7THPlNT 3. The Bible's Yes to Same-Sex Marriage: An Evangelical’s Change of Heart - Mark Achtemeier: https://a.co/d/ci0SlpD 4. Transforming: The Bible and the Lives of Transgendered Christians - Austen Hartke: https://a.co/d/iLfYsNi  

In this episode, Fred interviews author, pastor, and political director of Vote Common Good: Robb Ryerse.  https://www.robbryerse.com/ https://www.votecommongood.com/ https://www.thegospelaccordingtodonaldtrump.com/ After pastoring in fundamentalist churches for a decade, in 2006, Robb and his wife Vanessa co-founded Vintage Fellowship in Fayetteville Arkansas. He retired from pastoral ministry in 2021. Robb is the Political Director of Vote Common Good. ​Vote Common Good urges religiously-motivated voters to use the common good as their primary voting criterion. Vote Common Good trains Democratic candidates to speak authentically about their faith and about how political issues are connected to progressive faith. ​In 2018, Vote Common Good went on a 31-stop bus tour urging religiously-motivated to help flip the House. In 2020, Vote Common Good went to all 50 states asking people to bring change to politics through faith, hope, and love.  

In this episode, Fred interviews artist and pastor, David Hayward, https://nakedpastor.com/ Hey, I'm David. I’m a pastor turned artist painting, drawing, and thinking about what it takes to be free...to be you. If you’re interested in deconstruction, spiritual journeying, freedom of thought, or looking for your authentic self, you’re welcome to join me while I search too. In case you’re wondering, I’m not actually naked. The idea behind my name, NakedPastor, is to seek to tell the naked truth - no matter how vulnerable it feels. I used to be a pastor but I’ve been creating art and working towards freedom with this community for over 10 years now.

In this episode, Fred interviews artist, musician and advocate, Genesis Be, https://genesisbe.com/ Learn more: https://www.peoplenotthings.com/ Genesis Be harnesses the power of art to heal divided communities and challenge oppressive archetypes. Raised in south Mississippi, Be has had to navigate the prison of identity in a state whose history is rife with racial violence, homophobia and suppressive systems. Be’s work focuses on bridge building, racial healing, civil discourse and healing divided communities. Be is directly influenced by her grandfather, civil rights activist Reverend Clyde Briggs. Her paintings, poetry and music serve as her platform for self exploration, radical self expression and self examination. Her artistry transcends entertainment, serving as a catalyst for civil dialogue and action rooted in human connection and compassion. As an outspoken creative and advocate for human rights and collective liberation, she lobbied to have the Confederate flag removed from the design of the Mississippi state flag. Be continues to inspire and ignite difficult conversations that resonate far beyond the stage and gallery. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, VICE, Billboard and more. As Global Ambassador for Moral Courage ( https://www.moralcourage.org/ ), Be teaches leaders how to have productive dialogue around polarizing issues, how to stand your ground while creating common ground. She is the subject of the documentary "Mississippi Turning" (unreleased) and continues the fight to improve race relations in her home state of Mississippi. She is the founder of Strive Till I Rise and People Not Things.

In this episode, Fred interviews Rev. Dr. Casey T. Sigmon, Project Director and architect of Pause/Play: https://www.pauseplaycenter.com Casey is the Assistant Professor of Preaching and Worship and Director of Contextual Education at Saint Paul School of Theology. She is ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She is a co-founder of TheoTechnics, a team consisting of a theologian, practical theologian, and audio video engineer helping congregations make decisions about implementing technological tools with theological discernment. Casey’s first book, Engaging the Gadfly: How to Move from Reactionary to Reflective Hybrid, Online, and In-Person Preaching in the Digital Age comes out later this year!

In this episode, Fred interviews Liz Charlotte Grant, author of "Knock at the Sky: Seeking God in Genesis After Losing Faith in the Bible”.