Concierge Minister Podcast

Are you parenting your parent? Isn't it interesting how the tide has changed, and now you are taking your parent to doctors' visits, helping them with their budget, and being firm with making important life decisions? It can be exhausting as your parent's age! Join me in an educational conversation with Carol-Ann Hamilton, author of Coping with Un-Cope-able Parents. Here is a link to Hamilton's book: Watch the YouTube video

S3 Ep 5 Conversations With My Inner Atheist It is normal to doubt what you have learned about the Bible. Most people feel guilty for even having those ideas that make them wonder about the biblical narrative. In this episode, Kumar discusses some problematic issues related to religion, theology, ethics, and the will of God. Dr. Randal Rauser is an associate professor of historical theology at Taylor Seminary in Edmonton, Alberta.

S3 Ep 4 Transitions: Ministering to the Transgender Community Identified as male at birth and after living most of her life presenting as a cisgender male, Randi re-entered a new world as the person she has always been. Listen to Randi's incredible journey of transitioning (at least on the outside) into a woman. She provides clarity on what led to this brave decision. In addition, she offers excellent advice on how to relate to our transgender friends and family.

There are only four books in the New Testament that tell the story of Jesus. While they share different perspectives of Jesus' life on earth, they are very similar. In fact, 97% of the stories found in Mark can be found in at least one or two of the synoptic gospels. In this episode, Kumar talks with Geoff Crowley, a pastor and adjunct professor of Jesus and the Gospels. Put on your geek glasses, and get ready for a fantastic ride.

S3 Ep 2 Living on Borrowed Time Kleyton Feitosa has been battling cancer for ten years. It took his leg, changed the course of his career, and has now metastasized to his liver. He was given two years to live - four years ago. Listen to his inspiring story on how he chooses to live each day with purpose.

I get sick when I see how so-called Christians have taken over our name. I am embarrassed to identify with this group of vicious, judgemental people. And yet, I love Christ. Many parts of Christianity feel like it has been hijacked and replaced with something I don't recognize. Author Brian McLaren has written a book for those who feel like we are on edge. Should we jump off the cliff or hang on for a bit longer? This book may be the most important book you read this year (no hyperbole). I hope this conversation with McLaren will resonate with your spiritual journey. Do I Stay Christian? Get his book HERE Visit Brian's website Watch the Interview HERE

S2 Ep 13 The Good Girls/Guys Guide to Sex Finally, two books that address sexuality without shame. Sheila and Keith discuss some of the tough topics many couples face. The one big mistake that Christian couples make on the honeymoon that makes her 25% more likely to experience vaginismus, or sexual pain The reasons behind the 47 point orgasm gap between Christian men and women and how to help bridge it Why do 71% of men and 52% of women think he does "enough" foreplay--even when she doesn't reach orgasm How porn affects the 49% of marriages where he is still at least occasionally using it

The Wisdom of the Heart S2 Ep 12 We are complex people. There are so many reasons we act out or speak in a particular manner. For many of us, we have not discovered our inner self. This work requires introspection, therapy, and self-awareness. Marc Alan Schelske, author of The Wisdom of the Heart shares his very personal story and the work he put into himself to understand his behavior better and live an authentic life.

Shall We Lent? Season 2 Episode 11 Millions of faithful pilgrims will begin a contemplative spiritual journey on Wednesday. "Lent" is the forty days leading up to Easter. This is a solemn period for reflection, as you prepare your heart to remember the great sacrifice Jesus made for the human race. Kumar speaks to Rev. Bryant Osvig, Chaplain at American University and Scholar in Residence about this ancient tradition.

S2 Ep10 Does Your Marriage Suck? Congratulations! You survived Valentine's Day. One study suggests that divorce filings increase by 17% after the holiday. Find out what Sara Kuburic, also known as The Millennial Therapists says about strengthening your relationship. Sara is nationally known for her column in USA Today, and has 1 million IG followers.

S2Ep9. How do dreams impact our life? Are they our subconscious working in the background? Are they pointing to something in the future? Dreams are featured throughout the ancient scriptures, used by God to relay important messages. Do they still have that influence in modern-day life? In this episode, Kumar speaks to Cynthia Cavali, Ph.D, an expert in human systems and organizational development.

Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD) affects millions of people every year. The lack of sun, changing of seasons can influence the body and brain chemistry. In this episode of the Concierge Minister podcast, Kumar talks to Dr. Jennifer Yoon, a board-certified psychiatrist, on how SAD can impact a person's day-to-day life and what they can do to address this form of depression.

S2Ep7 Reading the Bible in One Year with Gerald (Roy) Christo The first time I read the Bible through was 1991 - yes, I was an overachieving Bible-thumping teenager. I must admit, that there are large portions of the Bible that are boring - especially if you don't know the context. Meet my friend, Noy, who will complete reading the Bible on December 31. We talk about why he did it - especially live online - and some of the lessons he learned along the way. Enjoy! #goals

It seemed like life couldn't get any better for April. She had just completed a Ph.D. and was now asked to serve as the pastor of one of the most beloved congregations in New York City. And yet, in a short period of time, she left the sought-after job, went through a divorce after recognizing she needed to be genuine with who she is – a lesbian, and found herself living on a friend's couch, in search of a job. After reading White Knuckle Love and knew I must invite April to join me for a conversation on my podcast. Her insight and vulnerability will shine a light on the power of living an authentic life.

The holidays can be a mixed bag, especially when you are grieving the loss of a loved one. There is an expectation to smile and lean into the celebration - even though you are still feeling the loss. This webinar was presented on December 3, via Zoom. The holiday season is upon us. While most people are in celebration mode, the special season can create tensions for people who have lost a loved one. In this webinar, you will learn: How to recognize the emotions that may be pent up inside Creating safe boundaries with families and friends Tips on surviving social events that you must attend Developing an arsenal of coping skills to get through this period About the Expert Presenters Marjorie Brimley Hale is a high school teacher and a freelance writer in Washington DC. She is also a mother of three and a remarried widow. Marjorie lost her first husband, Shawn, to colon cancer when she was 38 and has since connected with thousands of other young widows through her blog, DCWidow.com. She has also written for the Washington Post, Vox, the Cut, and Modern Loss, along with a number of other publications. She writes and speaks about losing her mother to suicide at 19, becoming a widow at 38, and parenting alongside her widowed father for the two-and-a-half years following her first husband's death. Marjorie recently married her husband, Chris on a farm near his hometown in Maine, and she continues to chronicle her life and their family twice-weekly on the blog. Kumar Dixit, D.Min, BCCC, BCPC, Dixit earned his doctorate in Leadership Excellence from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, DC. He is a board-certified pastoral counselor and board-certified clinical chaplain through The College of Pastoral Supervision & Psychotherapy. He has authored dozens of magazine and journal articles and published a book called Branded Faith: Contextualizing the Gospel in a Post-Christian World. He has served as the director of Bereavement at The Washington Home and Community Hospices. Click here to read an article on holiday grief by Kumar. Dr. Jen Yoon is a board-certified psychiatrist. She attended Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine in Richmond, Va. Her residency training was at the University of Maryland and Sheppard Pratt. She currently practices medicine in Texas. Alexander Raspberry earned his Master's of Divinity from Vanderbilt University. He currently serves as a Territory Marketing Manager with Golden Rule Hospice, out of Atlanta Georgia. Alex is an ordained minister, having served as the Director of Youth Ministries for a congregation of over 20,000 and a board-certified chaplain through the College of Pastoral Supervision and Psychotherapy. He is a published author, The God Xperience: There's A Lot More Than Just A Sunday Service. Alex previously has served as a chaplain and the Spiritual Care Director for Washington Home Community Hospice, Washington D.C.

Rethinking Christian Purity Culture S2 Ep4 Kumar has a candid conversation with Sheila Gregoire, author of The Great Sex Rescue. In her book, Gregoireaddresses some of the major dysfunction in sexuality in Christian culture. Her team oversaw the largest study on sexuality and opinion among women in Christianity, with over 20,000 participants. Do women have lower sex drives than men? Women typically only experience a climax 40% of the time through vaginal intercourse. Why do Christian women experience sexual pain similar to the same number of women who have been sexually abused? How can Christian culture re-address the purity message without debasing and demeaning women? This interview is a meaningful conversation that is a must listen!

Season 2 Episode 3. What is the best way to get into college? What are some of the unknown scholarships you should know? What exactly is the admissions committee looking for in candidates? Dr. Reginald Garcon shares excellent advice on getting into college without taking fake photos on a row machine. Here is a link to Dr. Garcon's book.

S2 Ep 2 When Annie found out she had breast cancer, her life completely changed in an instant. How do you support someone who is terminally ill? What should you say? What shouldn't you say? What exactly does that person need from their friends and community? In this intimate conversation, Annie shines a light on a very difficult topic.

S2 Episode 1 An interview with Bart Campolo - Bart was on the rise as one of the evangelicalism rising stars. The son of famed, Tony Campolo, Bart announced he no longer believed in God and left Christianity. Today he serves as a humanist university chaplain. In this episode, Kumar asks Bart about his journey, and where he finds goodness in this world.

S1 Ep 14 After 40 years of marriage, Mike had three and a half weeks to say farewell to his wife, Gayle, after discovering cancer had already ravaged her body. The former speaker/director of Faith for Today television shares how he healed from his overwhelming grief, and discusses what his life, including a new marriage, looks like today.

S1 Ep 13 Black Hawk Down The child of a preacher and the lead singer of Hawk Nelson, one of the most successful Christian bands, Jon Steingard shared a lengthy post on his Instagram page in May 2020 that he was no longer a Christian. In this episode, Kumar discusses the thought process that led Steingard to his life-changing decision. How to support us. Visit Patreon.com/conciergeminister to make a contribution to this ministry. Learn more about how you can become a member of the Concierge Minister site.

Beautifully Broken S1 Ep 12 In this crossover episode of Church for Atheists, Michael and Kumar interviewing Reema Sukumaran, author of, Beautifully Broken, a memoir. Reema shares her experience surviving domestic childhood abuse by her mentally unstable father. She continues to share about the rape of a pastor that she trusted as a counselor. Reema's story is sad and alarming but will remind you of human resiliency and a little girl's faith in God. Warning: Themes of violence, domestic abuse, and rape. If you are someone you know needs support, please contact the National Sexual Assualt Telephone Hotline. 800.656.HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area. How to support us. Visit Patreon.com/conciergeminister to make a contribution to this ministry. Learn more about how you can become a member of the Concierge Minister site.

Unequally Yoked S1 Ep 11 The Bible has some serious advice about not marrying people with who you do not share the same values of faith. 2 Corinthians 6:14 admonishes the saints not to be "unequally yoked," a catchphrase tossed around in Christian circles. In this episode, Kumar talks to Leela, a social media influencer, and Christian about her relationship with an atheist. How to support us. Visit Patreon.com/conciergeminister to make a contribution to this ministry. Learn more about how you can become a member of the Concierge Minister site.

S1 Ep 10 God created something called the Sabbath because he knew we would be workaholics, and fail to take a break to memorialize his creation. The Sabbath is a time in space where your body and soul are allowed to commune with God. It is a restorative process. Listen to Chaplain David Balto, a practicing Jew explain how the Sabbath illuminates his faith today. How to support us. Visit Patreon.com/conciergeminister to make a contribution to this ministry. Learn more about how you can become a member of the Concierge Minister site.

S1 Ep 9 God Ain't Your Pillow Pet In this episode; you'll listen in to one of Kumar's teaching on worship based on Isaiah 6:1. The big idea is to remember how big God is. Sometimes we try to contextualize him by thinking of him as a soft teddy bear. But we need to realize how huge and inescapable he is. He is a spirit that even the angels bow down to. In the same, we must remember the grandeur of God and his supernatural ability to heal us. How to support us. Visit Patreon.com/conciergeminister to make a contribution to this ministry. Learn more about how you can become a member of the Concierge Minister site.

I Have Cancer S1 Ep 8 Rachel was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colorectal cancer this past January. She was given 6 months to live. In this upcoming Church for Atheists podcast, she shares in raw, vivid details what it's like to be told you are going to die, and how she copes, even though she doubts the existence of God. We all have our doubts, and perhaps a complicated relationship with God. This interview will remind you that we are all on a unique journey. How to support us. Visit Patreon.com/conciergeminister to make a contribution to this ministry. Learn more about how you can become a member of the Concierge Minister site.

Why is the Bible so Boring? S1 Ep 7 Let's be honest. The Bible can be hard to read. These ancient stories sometimes feel like irrelevant history that is hard to relate. How can you read the Bible with fresh eyes, and feel the energy the writer's had when they first penned the words? Scholar and Bible teacher, Kessia-Reyne Bennett shares insight on reading the Bible through a new lens. How to support us. Visit Patreon.com/conciergeminister to make a contribution to this ministry. Learn more about how you can become a member of the Concierge Minister site.

Fix Your Stupid! S1 Ep 6 Many times, we repeat the same mistake repeatedly but keep asking the wrong questions to solve our problem. Author Carl Rafey shares some simple solutions on what you can do to Fix Your Stupid so that you can live your best life. Listen in on the conversation as The Concierge Minister discusses some practical steps towards the life you envisioned for yourself. Patreon Page If you want to support Concierge Minister you can make a contribution through the Patreon page. Also, learn to become a monthly supporter of the Concierge Minister. Thanks for helping us share positive and powerful stories that help people live their best life.

The Power of the Creed S1 Ep5 Have you ever wondered how Christian's formed their belief system? Today we take for granted doctrines like monotheism, or salvation, incarnation. The truth is that the early church fathers had a "board meeting" in 325 AD and put together an invaluable doctrine, just four paragraphs long that summarized the beliefs of the universal church. Author Mark, Nauroth discusses the origin and development of the creed, and how this 1700-year-old document still shapes the Christian faith today. It's not just a historical artifact, but rather a living document that still breathes meaning into our lives. Here is a LINK to his book, Power of the Creed. You can also support the Concierge Minister by making a contribution through Patreon.

The Business of Friendship S1 Ep 4 Have you noticed that most of your friends evolved from work? Some of our best friendships start from the workplace. It makes sense since this is where we spend most of our waking hours. In this episode, friendship expert Shasta Nelson discusses how you can embrace a healthy workplace friendship. Click here to view Shasta's latest book, The Business of Friendship.

Seven Things You Should Stop Telling Yourself S1 Ep 3 In this episode, Kumar talks with Robert Kennedy III, a popular podcaster and entrepreneur. Robert shares 6 things you need to stop doing. Sometimes we build habits and take on unhealthy thoughts that can be destructive. This conversation is to help motivate you, and also provide clarity in what's important to you. You can also listen to Robert's podcast called, The RK3 Show.

Kumar and Michael (from Church for Atheists Podcast) interviewed Ryan Bell about his journey from the pastor of an evangelical church to Atheists. Ryan shares how he came to that decisions, and the fall out that came from that tumulous time.

Finding God in All Things S1 Ep 2 Kumar has a conversation with Samir Selmanović, Ph.D. regarding his book, It's All About God. They discuss finding beauty in all things, including other religions. We have so much to learn from others.

Do I Really Believe That? S1 Ep 1 Have you ever realized that everything you grow up believing may not be true? Join Kumar's conversation with Rev. Samantha Tuttle as she shares her journey from spiritual deconstruction to a reconstruction of faith.