Existential Happy Hour

Pausing at the end of a hot and lonely summer to talk about making meaning, making content, and falling in love with a planet that is bursting into flames.

Seven J is a speaker, a mentor, and artist. In this episode we listen to some tracks off of his latest album "Sunday Mourning" and hear his experience of racism and corruption and spiritual abuse in the name of the church.

I’ll give you a warning at the beginning, this is a painful story, and it may be difficult for those of us who have had abuse and trauma in our own lives. Seven speaks candidly and honestly about what he’s seen and experienced, including institutional religious abuse, racial violence, sexual exploitation of children, and suicidal ideation. So if you need to turn this off, or just take a break for a while, take it in chunks, I encourage you to listen to your body and give it what it needs to feel safe.

As you are able, I invite you to listen to this album, listen to this conversation, listen to this story. Bear witness to the sin of racism in the church. Listen to the evil done by Christianity in the name of God, in the name of Jesus. For many of us trying pick up the pieces and move on after betrayal in the church, there are parts of this story that will be very familiar, and as you listen I hope that you know that you are not alone.

This is Sunday mourning.
Links:
Spotify: Sunday Mourning Bandcamp: Sunday Mourning Soundcloud: Sunday Mourning Instagram: @sevenj_sjmTwitter: @sevenj_sjmCashApp: $SevenJSJMwinloseormaybe.com

Abby Norman is a pastor, author, and a dear friend. She also happens to be a Christian, which I used to be but am not anymore. In this episode talk about our diverging spiritual paths, and how we each navigate our relationships with religion ... with and without God.
Abby also talks about her new book "You Can Talk to God Like That", available May 19 wherever books are sold.
Follow Abby on Twitter: @AbbyNormanSays

In this episode I talk with Mike McHargue aka Science Mike aka the Cozy Robot about God and science and brains and belief. He answers questions about religious trauma, ethical frameworks, and making meaning in the absence of belief in God. Check it out!

In this special cross-over episode, me and Kevin continue a conversation we began on their podcast (A Tiny Revolution.) We talk about consciously uncoupling from Jesus, leaving church, finding God, and developing spiritual practices from a place of authenticity.