Religious Dropouts

Ep 35: Catching Up: Life, Church, and Celebrating Pride

Welcome back, Dropouts! After a short break, Chelsea and Brandon return just in time for Pride Month, bringing their raw, unfiltered takes on life updates, church drama, and personal transformations. In this episode, they dive deep into their journey away from traditional religious norms, sharing stories of personal growth, the struggle for acceptance, and the quest for a church that resonates with their evolved beliefs. Whether they’re discussing Brandon’s "racked brain" or Chelsea’s venture into app development for church seekers, this episode is packed with laughter, candid confessions, and the duo's trademark unhinged commentary. Tune in to catch up with your favorite dropouts as they tackle life, faith, and everything in between with their usual flair and deep dives into the complexities of being true to oneself in a changing spiritual landscape. Stay until the end for a new song from Of the Land! Show Notes: Of the Land on Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/artist/6hg70ulbsTWaH4nl3i5S4H] Important Stuff: * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: religiousdropouts.com⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.religiousdropouts.com/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Religious Dropouts Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠ [venmo.com/religiousdropouts] * Call (419) 548-8565 to leave us a voicemail * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Chelsea⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [linktr.ee/chelseamacadam]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [linqapp.com/bham116] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Brandon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [linqapp.com/bham116] The Religious Dropouts Podcast is a production of Religious Dropouts LLC

S2 E9: Droppin' Out with Jen Crowder Noricks

In this week's episode of Religious Dropouts, hosts Chelsea and Brandon sit down with the inspiring Jen Noricks, a queer woman and mother of a queer teenager. Jen shares her journey from growing up in a religious community that didn't accept her identity to becoming a beacon of hope and support for the LGBTQ+ community. As a psychotherapist, minister, and president of PFLAG Livonia, Jen discusses the importance of creating safe spaces, the power of affirming identities, and the intersection of faith and queerness. Through personal stories, including the impactful tale of her uncle's faith and queerness, Jen offers insights into the challenges and triumphs of being true to oneself in a sometimes unaccepting world. This episode is a profound exploration of love, acceptance, and the journey to self-discovery, offering encouragement and support to those navigating their own paths. Show Notes: The Trevor Project [https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2022/] Important Stuff: * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: religiousdropouts.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.religiousdropouts.com/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Religious Dropouts Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠⁠ [venmo.com/religiousdropouts] * Call (419) 548-8565 to leave us a voicemail * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Chelsea⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [linktr.ee/chelseamacadam]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [linqapp.com/bham116] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Brandon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [linqapp.com/bham116] The Religious Dropouts Podcast is a production of Religious Dropouts LLC

S2 E8: A Season Recap

This episode is a blend of heartfelt reflections, quirky banter, and profound insights. Brandon and Chelsea, your hosts from "Religious Dropouts," forego the usual guest feature to share an intimate catch-up with you. They dive into everything from the cringey to the profound, including a hilarious take on "Love is Blind" and moving excerpts from favorite books. It's a array of emotions, from laughter over Spy Kids references to deep discussions on self-love, religious trauma, and embracing one's authentic self. This episode is a cozy chat among friends, exploring the highs and lows of life, faith, and everything in between. Join them as they navigate the complexities of personal growth, societal norms, and the transformative power of true self-acceptance, all while keeping it real and relatable Show Notes: Untamed by Glennon Doyle [https://untamedbook.com/] Connect with Kevin Miguel Garcia [https://www.thekevingarcia.com/] Connect with Tamice Spencer Helms [https://www.tamicenamaespeaks.com/] Connect with Courtney Gill [https://www.instagram.com/iamcourtneygill/] Connect with Matthew Paul Turner [https://matthewpaulturner.com/] Connect with Paula Stone Williams [https://paulastonewilliams.com/] Connect with Pastor Heather Boone [https://www.oaksvillage.net/] Connect with Ken & Teresa Garner [https://lovemorelessfear.com/] Have a Beautiful Terrible Day! by Kate Bowler [https://katebowler.com/books/have-a-beautiful-terrible-day/] Important Stuff: * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: religiousdropouts.com⁠⁠⁠ [https://www.religiousdropouts.com/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Religious Dropouts Tip Jar⁠⁠⁠ [venmo.com/religiousdropouts] * Call (419) 548-8565 to leave us a voicemail * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Chelsea⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [linktr.ee/chelseamacadam]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [linqapp.com/bham116] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Brandon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [linqapp.com/bham116] TIMESTAMPS: Welcome/Catch Up As Friends (00:00) Kevin Miguel Garcia Episode Recap (12:08) Tamice Spencer-Helms Episode Recap (14:42) Courtney Gill Episode Recap (18:30) Matthew Paul Turner Episode Recap (24:44) Paula Stone Williams Episode Recap (28:47) Pastor Heather Boone Episode Recap (35:02) Teresa & Ken Garner Episode Recap (37:53) Love is Blind Season 6 (44:15) Have a Beautiful Terrible Day! (47:38) The Religious Dropouts Podcast is a production of Religious Dropouts LLC

S2 E7: Droppin' Out with Ken & Teresa Garner

In this heartfelt episode of "The Dropout Dialogues," Brandon and Chelsea sit down with Ken and Teresa Garner, a couple whose journey through faith, questioning, and ultimately leaving their church positions, paints a poignant picture of courage, change, and the search for authentic community. Ken and Teresa share their experiences of being part of the Church of the Nazarene, from embracing ministry and theological education to facing the challenging realities of institutional expectations versus personal convictions. Their story delves into the complexities of navigating faith, inclusivity, and the pain of leaving behind a life's work for integrity and love. This conversation is a powerful exploration of transformation, the importance of asking hard questions, and the beauty of finding "your people" in unexpected places. Join us as we uncover the depths of what it means to choose love over fear, even when it costs everything. Show Notes: Connect with Ken & Teresa [https://www.lovemorelessfear.com/] Important Stuff: * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: religiousdropouts.com⁠⁠ [https://www.religiousdropouts.com/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Religious Dropouts Tip Jar⁠⁠ [venmo.com/religiousdropouts] * Call (419) 548-8565 to leave us a voicemail * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Chelsea⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [linktr.ee/chelseamacadam]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [linqapp.com/bham116] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Brandon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [linqapp.com/bham116] The Religious Dropouts Podcast is a production of Religious Dropouts LLC

S2 E6: Droppin' Out with Pastor Heather Boone

In this episode of the podcast, hosts Chelsea and Brandon sit down with Pastor Heather Boone, a figure celebrated for her unwavering commitment to social justice and her impactful work in the homeless community. Pastor Boone shares her journey of leaving a traditional ministry path to focus on serving the marginalized and building Oaks Village, a multifaceted ministry addressing homelessness, addiction, and poverty in Monroe, Michigan. Through stories of transformation, the importance of community involvement, and the power of faith in action, Pastor Boone illustrates the profound difference one person's dedication can make. The conversation also touches on the challenges of advocacy and the necessity for more comprehensive support systems for the vulnerable. This episode is not just a testament to Boone's remarkable contributions but also a call to action for listeners to engage with their communities and make a tangible difference. Show Notes: Oaks Village [https://www.oaksvillage.net/] Donate to Oaks [https://account.venmo.com/u/oaksvillage] Important Stuff: * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website: religiousdropouts.com⁠ [https://www.religiousdropouts.com/]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Religious Dropouts Tip Jar⁠ [venmo.com/religiousdropouts] * Call (419) 548-8565 to leave us a voicemail * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Chelsea⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [linktr.ee/chelseamacadam]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [linqapp.com/bham116] * ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with Brandon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [linqapp.com/bham116] The Religious Dropouts Podcast is a production of Religious Dropouts LLC