Cradle Catholics raised on the prairie of Northwest Iowa, Connie Koeck and Beth Derr are true Midwest gals. Educators, moms, and church choir members, these women credit the influence of their parents - James' grandparents - for shaping them to be active in faith and good works. As we discuss their past, present, and future, the sacredness of life and our life stories is evident. Each of us are children of God. Each of us has gifts and talents. And each of us can learn to laugh if we know to not take ourselves too seriously!

These are James' aunties, Aunt Connie and Aunt Beth. We are grateful to them for Zooming in from Dyersville, Iowa! This is God Talk.

Trying to balance the soul enriching formation of small town country folks with the hustle and bustle of big city adulting. James gives insight into his self and soul by exploring his vocational call to Christian ministry, his self-actualization as a gay man, and his sacred call to serve the Lord and His Church/Creation. From Kentucky to Los Angeles, James details the conscious transformation he has went through in his life. This is a story about finding your true self in Christ; discovering the confidence to choose you (accepting your whole self), and overcoming self-hatred. This is God Talk! #catholicchurch #gaycatholic #gaychristian #vocation #vocationstory #faith #faithjourney #selfactualization #lgbt #lgbtq #happinessjourney #catholicpodcast #kentuckystory #losangelesstory

How do we bring our questions to God, about God, and how do we question the “answers”? In this episode we unpack the things we are taught and told about faith, religion, and spirituality, in attempt to make sense of it all. Do we believe in God in the ways we were told we are "supposed to", and how has that changed for us over time?

Family trauma is explored; church hurt is re-examined, and our embedded theologies are deconstructed through religious education and human experience. As you watch, think about what you believe, why you believe that, and how those beliefs either add to or subtract from the quality of your life and the world around you. This is Sara's story. This is God Talk.

#evangelical #exvangelical #fundamentalist #christianity #church #familytrauma #religioustrauma #agnosticism #agnostic