We only see the world the way we've been trained to see it, these are our lenses. Lenses podcast is an opportunity to see the world through someone else's lenses by listening to their story. It's an opportunity to learn to see life in a less restricted way. Lenses podcast is mostly for other white, heterosexual, cis-gendered, Christian influenced, American males like me. This particular set of lenses is considered privileged due to us holding most of the positions of power and influence in religion, government, and even our own homes. Because of this we seldom feel the need to see from anyone else's point of view. This is a chance for us to sit down, shut up, and listen. Maybe we'll come to see the world can be much more colorful and beautiful than we knew.
Part 2 - Melissa Opel continues her story from evangelical Christianity, to marrying her wife, Becca, to becoming a Buddhist minister.
Melissa Opel is a member of the LGBTQIA+ community and a volunteer minister at the Spokane, Washington Buddhist Temple. Her story is equal parts moving and compelling to me as someone who used to think I knew what was best for everyone else.
A special election episode with five of our past guests; Danielle Estelle Ramsay, Rebecca Rossi, Brittany Lovely, Joel Rodriguez, and Fitz Emerald Fitzpatrick. Listen in as they share how this election directly affects them and their many, varied communities.
Sam and Rebecca are married, and there was a day when they didn't think that would be possible.
Brandon Rapez-Betty is loud, proud and unapologetically gay...and it took him nearly 30 years to realize it.
Fitz Emerald Fitzpatrick is a white, middle class, formerly homeless, queer, non-binary person living with a mental illness/disability and a pantheist, interfaith witch. This is the second conversation with Fitz where we dig into what exactly a pantheist, interfaith witch is. This conversation definitely provided a brand new set of lenses for me!
Fitz Emerald Fitzpatrick is a white, middle class, formerly homeless, queer, non-binary person living with a mental illness/disability and a pantheist, interfaith witch. This is one of my most fun conversations yet!
Brittany Lovely is a multi-racial, formerly incarcerated, educated, woman with a driving passion for justice that orients every aspect of her life.
Joel Rodriguez is becoming an American citizen and he wants us to understand the world is bigger than our back yards.
Rebecca Rossi is a radical feminist, atheist, lesbian; and she just wants to help make the world a better place.
Danielle is a queer, slam poet, feminist, Methodist pastor, and woman of color...and she is the reason I started this podcast.
Pam Johnson is an African American woman working for equality and raising awareness of inequality in our school systems. She works with at-risk students at a last chance alternative high school in Seattle, and when you see this world through her lenses you will see there is much work yet to be done.
Ursula Lovely graciously shares her life as a single, black woman existing in a hostile world. Be careful looking through her lenses...there is a responsibility that comes with seeing things as they really are.
Sam is a lesbian and one of the most grounded individuals I have ever known. Having glimpsed life through her lenses challenged me to think about the assumptions I still hold because of my own more privileged lenses.
We all wear lenses that were given to us in childhood. You didn't have a choice. You probably haven't even realized it. We can never remove these lenses yet they color every detail, thought, opinion, and reaction we have of the world we live in. This is a podcast to explore those lenses and listen to the stories of those who are offering us new sets of lenses to add to our own. Who knew the world was as bright and beautiful as it is...?
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