While Natalia is galavanting in Paris, Emmy brings on her longtime bestie Catherine to talk about vocation, parenting a leukemia patient during a pandemic, the lack of good contemporary music in ELCA churches, and how grace shows up in everyday life. Support the show: http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Natalia welcomes professor and author Jennifer Powell McNutt to talk about her new book and to talk (*GUSH*) about Mary Magdalene and why she is awesome.   Links:  Jennifer’s book: http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/the-mary-we-forgot/417641  Jennifer’s Substack: https://jenniferpowellmcnutt.substack.com/  Holly Carey’s book: https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802879158/women-who-do/  Socials: @jpowellmcnutt on most of the things  

Emmy and Natalia talk about what Christians are mad about now (spoiler: it’s Halloween).  What’s the history, why is it not about the devil at all? And how does this kind of moral panic happen anyway?  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian   You’re Wrong About - Satanic Panic https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-satanic-panic/id1380008439?i=1000465289932 CC 243 - Witchy Season https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/243-the-witchy-season/id1422007489?i=1000630680657   

Emmy and Natalia answer another very timely listener question about the pastoral call process and how it works and how you know it’s right or not right.  Support the show! http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian Matthew’s Book!: https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506497044/The-End-Is-the-Beginning  

Emmy and Natalia continue their journey through the sacraments with the Rite of Confirmation. Is it a sacrament or a ritual? Why do we do it? Do we have to do it? Are we more or less holy depending on our confirmation status? So many good questions to dig into.  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian

Emmy and Natalia answer a listener question about what it means that we’re all loved the way we are and how our lives are supposed to be for a “purpose.”  What purpose? Is that really true? Or is it just a holdover from some toxic early 2000s theology?  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

Emmy and Natalia keep the sacramental conversation going with confession - what is it and do we need and why do we do it and does it even matter if it’s not officially a sacrament for everyone?  Patreon: www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian

Emmy and Natalia do a little more sacramental conversation and then move into a current topic of political anointing. Does God anoint candidates? How do we talk to people who believe certain people are anointed for a particular political position and others are not?  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

Emmy and Natalia continue the conversation from open tables and communion last week into talking about baptism this week. What’s it for? Do we need it? What’s the right way? We don’t have all the answers, but we do have some opinions! http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

Emmy and Natalia answer a listener question about communion - what it’s for, who it’s for, and why we do it. We also get introduce a new segment called “What are Christians mad about this week” and Emmy gives us another fun fact in Christian history.    Links and Notes:  Books talked about in this episode: “Eat This Bread” by Sara Miles, “Searching for Sunday” by Rachel Held Evans   www.facebook.com/groups/cafeteriachristian www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian   

Emmy and Natalia are back after our long time apart and we do our best to catch up on the latest news and what we’re up to and why Christians are mad about so many things right now. Links:  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

Natalia finally takes Emmy (and all of us) to school about Mary Magdalene and why she is awesome. (AND why we should all love her as much as Natalia does.)  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Links:  https://www.elizabethschrader.com/about-7  Lecture: https://youtu.be/_b3Y3cJ0Ic8  Book: Mary Magdalene Revealed by Meggan Watterson  “All the Marys” Sermon by Diana Butler Bass: https://dianabutlerbass.com/wp-content/uploads/All-the-Marys-Sermon.pdf

Nora opens her Bible and tackles some verses given to her by Natalia, and then Natalia reacts to it. Digressions include Amos cookies, and noisy children. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian Find other shows on the network at http://alterguild.org

Emmy and Natalia welcome Kate Bowler to talk about life and faith and hard things and hope in the midst of uncertainty. We laugh, we cry, we solve all the things! Order Kate's new book today: No Cure for Being Human. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Support us at our Patreon page.  Visit our website or follow us on Instagram @cafeteriachristian Learn more about our network of podcasts, Alter Guild.

Pastor Emmy Kegler, friend of the pod, friend of God, introduces bam bam Christians and takes on the clobber verses that people use to wound and harm LGBTQ people. Find more about Emmy's work and pre-order her new book at www.emmykegler.com. Want to support Cafeteria Christian? Visit our Patreon page at www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Follow us on Instagram or join our Facebook page @cafeteriachristian

Natalia welcomes episcopal priest and tiktok reverend Lizzie McManus-Dail to talk about second-wave deconstruction, internet theologians, and why joy is at the core of everything.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Follow Lizzie: rev.lizzie on all the things  Jubilee Episcopal Church in Austin Texas: https://www.jubileeatx.org/  Lizzie’s podcast: And Also With You - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/and-also-with-you/ Pre-order Lizzie’s book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0593850874?psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&ref_=chk_typ_imgToDp

Natalia welcomes back Ellie Roscher to talk about body stories and why it matters for us to learn our own and not just why but also HOW.  Links:  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian Ellie’s website: www.ellieroscher.com Ellie’s online community: www.plumwellness.com  Previous Episodes:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/239-tiny-things-and-holy-ground/id1422007489?i=1000627457949  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/embodiment-as-a-spiritual-practice/id1422007489?i=1000603083063  Embodied Path Part 1 : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-embodied-path-w-ellie-roscher-pt-1/id1422007489?i=1000586974702  Part 2: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-embodied-path-with-ellie-roscher-part-2-embodied-church/id1422007489?i=1000590690026  Part 3: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-embodied-path-with-ellie-roscher-pt-3/id1422007489?i=1000594710923

Natalia shares a chapter from “A is for Alabaster” from Dr Anna Carter Florence, reflecting on a lesser known scripture story from a new perspective.    www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

Natalia and Jesse talk about some of the things on their minds with graduation season, education, teachers, and then move into a conversation about rest and sabbath, cults, and community. We cover a lot of ground, because our trays are full! (again, sorry Jesse) Links:  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian Event for MN Cafeterians - Faith on the Rocks: https://www.facebook.com/share/r/GWvF9cLZPvrNcsbH/

Natalia welcomes back Colleen Lindstrom to talk about summer stress and how it is somehow busier and why that’s not always better. What if we did less? What if we stopped going for the gold and didn’t seize every day this summer?    Colleen info:  www.bronzemedallife.com Link to previous episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/249-the-bronze-medal-life-w-colleen-lindstorm/id1422007489?i=1000635475829   

Natalia welcomes Pastor Aaron Fuller all the way from Bratislava Slovakia to talk about moral injury and why it might be the key to understanding why we are the way we are, and what to do about it. http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Links: https://wrestlinginspiredfaith.blog/ Books Aaron Recommended:  Truth and Repair, by Judith Herman If I Betray These Words, by Wendy Dean  

Natalia welcomes spoken word poet, creator, and author Joe Davis to talk about art, creativity, and why it matters to reconnect to the inner creative force within all of us.  Joe’s info: www.joedavispoetry.com New Book: Unearthing Us - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unearthing-us-joe-davis/1145510356?ean=9781506499994  Join the Practice: https://www.joedavispoetry.com/product-page/finding-your-freedom-practice-holistic-wellness-through-the-arts

Natalia welcomes author and NPR Political Correspondent Sarah McCammon to talk about her new book “The Exvangelicals, Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church.”  Links:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmccammon_journalist/   Substack: https://sarahmccammon.substack.com/   www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

We welcome back Mr Jesse Ross to the pod! Yey! Jesse and Natalia do a bit of catching up and then go down a rabbit hole of microagressions and how we respond and what systems want us to do and what is our work to do.    Notes: Want more Jesse?   mrjesseross.com Insta: mrjross Linked in: Jesse Ross    Kamala and Drew video: https://www.tiktok.com/@hotspotmedia/video/7363420275884543275    www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

Last week Natalia and producer Matthew led an event called Renew and wanted to share a part of it with you all. On Sunday evening, April 21, we gathered 6 incredible speakers to share their thoughts on why they haven’t quite given up on the Bible, at least not yet. We decided to share 3 of the 6 with you this week. So here you have Joe Davis, Matthew Ian Fleming, and Dr. Anna Carter Florence, sharing from their own voices of persistence.  Notes:  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian www.churchanew/renew  

Natalia welcomes friend of the pod friend of God Meta Herrick Carlson to answer some wide ranging “Ask Us Anything” questions submitted by listeners! Links:  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian   www.metaherrickcarlson.com  

Emmy and Natalia welcome our favorite producer Matthew to talk about his new book and the book of Revelation and why we all have unlearning/learning to do and sure it’s a scary book of the Bible but not for the reasons we think.  Links:  Pre-Order Matthew’s book: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-end-is-the-beginning-matthew-ian-fleming/1144500240 Renew Event in Minneapolis: https://churchanew.org/voices www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian

Emmy and Natalia tackle a listener question about whether or not God picks favorites, and why we like to think this way, particularly in the face of difficult things.  Links:  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian www.facebook.com/groups/cafeteriachristian  

Blessed Holy Week to you, Cafeterians! In lieu of our usual episode, this week we wanted to share a sermon from friend and colleague Amy Courts Koopman. Amy is a gifted preacher and musician, and she often writes songs as sermons. This time, she wrote both, and it is just too good not to share with all of you.  Links: www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  http://www.amycourts.com/   or follow Amy: https://www.instagram.com/amycourts/ 

Emmy and Natalia tackle a listener request to talk through Atonement Theories (with a CC flair) which feels particularly relevant as we’re in Holy Week.   Links: www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Wikipedia page to do more digging on theories:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Atonement_in_Christianity Instagram for Parenting through faith: https://www.instagram.com/meredithannemiller/

Emmy and Natalia talk about the challenges of Holy Week with our Jewish siblings - In this fraught and tender time, how can we go through Holy Week with the intention of honoring our neighbors faith and doing no harm?    Links -  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian Video about the Trinity and St Patrick: https://youtu.be/KQLfgaUoQCw?si=_p-j__Pv3sXRMpBY

Emmy and Natalia talk about the “big tent” ideology that is prevalent in so many churches and why it might not be as good as we think it is to say “all are welcome.”  Support the show at: www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

Emmy and Natalia tackle a listener question about what to do when the Bible contradicts itself, and why there are four Gospels but one Jesus.  Links:  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian Emmy teaching at St John’s in Lakeville MN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYxdPUiURE8&list=PLkvWuOAW_KuQaEWbITdBF56T2RMcEg6Ce&index=4   

Natalia and Emmy tackle two news stories from the last week and what they have to say about our faith in public life and politics. It’s a longer episode, but both stories deserve the time and conversation. We hope you’ll continue talking with us about it in our facebook group or instagram. Also, note that this episode refers to infertility, IVF, abortion, and suicide, so if any of those topics are tender for you - please do what you need to do to care for yourself and your well-being. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Natalia welcomes returning guest and friend of the pod Angela Denker. Angela is an author, pastor, and speaker with expertise in the area of “maga Christianity” and white Christian nationalism. As nationalism makes its way to a bigger platform during this election year, Angela helps us understand what it is we should listen for and speak against.  Links:  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian Angela’s website: https://www.angeladenker.com/ Angela’s substack: https://angeladenker.substack.com/  Rob Reiner Movie: Angela’s Recommended follow list:  Jemar Tisby - https://jemartisby.com/ Anthea Butler - https://antheabutler.com/  Dante Stuart - https://www.dantecstewart.com/  Starlette Thomas - https://racelessgospel.com/who/   

Emmy and Natalia talk about Lent, why we love the sad season, but also why it has been a challenge for us to love it in the past. Suppor the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Episode 258 Post Date: February 5 Title: Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth? (no) Emmy and Natalia talk about the Bible, and why it can be fraught but why it’s worth it to do the work to not just read but understand it.  Links:  www.queergrace.com www.myjewishlearning.com Live Show! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cafeteria-christian-podcast-live-show-tickets-779779440297?aff=oddtdtcreator

Emmy and Natalia begin to tackle a few listener questions about the big C Church and Lutherans and “nones” and why calling churches non-denominational and post-denominational both miss the mark.  Links:  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian Live Show Tickets:  https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cafeteria-christian-podcast-live-show-tickets-779779440297?aff=oddtdtcreator An Altar In The World - CC Book Club Signup: https://forms.gle/2uAvnb5Jcyuo6dp57 Renew (April 21 event): https://churchanew.org/renew2024 

Emmy and Natalia talk about call stories in the Bible and why being “called” might not mean what we think it means.    Links:  MLK Jr Christmas Sermon on Peace: https://onbeing.org/blog/martin-luther-kings-last-christmas-sermon/  Live Show Feb 8 - Ticket link  Become a Patron: www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian

Emmy and Natalia are back after a break and talking about the pressure to be new and resolved and how it doesn’t quite land for where we are right now.  Links: www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Anne Helen Peterson article: https://annehelen.substack.com/p/the-right-kind-of-busy An Altar in the World Book Study Signup: https://forms.gle/2uAvnb5Jcyuo6dp57  Live Show Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cafeteria-christian-podcast-live-show-tickets-779779440297?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl 

Emmy and Natalia tell the Christmas story in three ways, so that you can take time to enter this story and season in the way that makes the most sense to you. Even at Christmas, you can always take what you like and leave the rest.    Links:  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian The Daily Taylor Swift Episode: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/15/podcasts/the-daily/the-year-of-taylor-swift.html  Emmy’s Sermon: www.emmykegler.com/a-messy-first-christmas/ Live Show Tickets! : https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cafeteria-christian-podcast-live-show-tickets-779779440297?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl  Enchanted, Taylor’s Version: https://open.spotify.com/track/3sW3oSbzsfecv9XoUdGs7h?si=0058d4aefc6242e1  

Natalia welcomes back returning guest Janice to talk about humanity and supremacy, why music is the best and worst way to feel all the things, and why it matters.  Find and Follow Janice: @ godhasnotgiven on all the things, God Has Not Given podcast, Bad Words podcast, and many other creative projects.  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

Emmy and Natalia talk December and holidays and feast days and eventually get to Solstice, Blue Christmas, and Longest Night.  Notes: www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian

Natalia welcomes Ashton Whitmoyer-Ober, also known as Enneagram Ashton, to talk us through an enneagram overview and also why it is such a great tool to help you know yourself and others better.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Links:  Ashton’s website: https://enneagramashton.com/  Enneagram image: https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/enneagram-types  Tests Ashton recommends:  RHETI: https://tests.enneagraminstitute.com/ Truity: https://www.truity.com/test/enneagram-personality-test   

Emmy and Natalia celebrate 250 episodes, and reflect on how we’ve changed, why we’ve changed, and where we see ourselves going forward.  Links:  Patreon: www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Lapsed Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/natalia-terfa-emmy-kegler-of-cafeteria-christian/id1575313872?i=1000635527686   

Natalia and Emmy welcome back Colleen Lindstrom to talk about striving for less and why it might be exactly what God intended. http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Natalia welcomes back Mr Jesse Ross to talk about those moments when conversations turn offensive and what to say when we don’t know what to say, especially as we head into the holiday season where gatherings can be fraught.  Links:  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian www.mrjesseross.com  

Emmy and Natalia welcome back Meta to talk about her new book, to read some blessings and tell stories, and laugh together around this weird and wonderful and sometimes not so wonderful time of year.   Links:  Patreon - www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian Hiyam: www.tabashsouvenirs.com Meta’s website: www.metaherrickcarlson.com Eye on the Magi: https://www.amazon.com/Eye-Magi-Justin-Lind-Ayres/dp/B0CHKTDZHL   

Emmy and Natalia talk about God experiences, when they happen, how they happen, and what we are supposed to do with them - especially if they happened a long time ago, in a stage of faith we’ve left behind, or what we do if we haven’t ever had one at all. Digressions include the  Eras Tour, Teens Encounter Christ, and jello salad.   Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Links:  Enchantment - Katherine May: https://bookshop.org/p/books/enchantment-awakening-wonder-in-an-anxious-age-katherine-may/18582677?ean=9780593329993  Join the CC Book Club (Current): https://forms.gle/Pd1st3aZH5DRgYBb9   

Emmy and Natalia respond to a few listener questions about the violence and suffering in Israel and Palestine, and what our role as people of faith is in times when things feel scary and hopeless.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Links:  “The Children Are Ours” - https://camillehernandez.substack.com/p/the-children-are-ours  Talmud Sanhedrin 39b - https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/114677?lang=bi

Emmy and Natalia try to process the news from this week, as violence and terror in Israel and Palestine are front and center for most of us. We decided to share a conversation our dear friend and colleague and friend of the pod Meta Herrick Carlson had earlier this year with a woman we met and became friends with - Hiyam Tabash. We hope you’ll listen, and we hope you’ll do some learning through trusted sources and experts instead of algorithms - so we included a list of resources we trust below.  Links Danger of a Single Story - TED talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story?language=en  Full resource page from our Holy Land Trip: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1J8tZ66qUpuGTcwMXTl_kOtGnYfKOtWXL7rje9S2L3QY/edit?usp=sharing  Pantsuit Politics: https://www.pantsuitpoliticsshow.com/show-archives/2016/12/30/primer-israel-and-palestine  https://www.pantsuitpoliticsshow.com/show-archives/2023/10/11/the-october-7th-terrorist-attack-in-israel  https://www.pantsuitpoliticsshow.com/show-archives/2023/10/3/the-turmoil-in-israeli-democracy-with-yair-rosenberg  https://www.patreon.com/posts/nightly-nuance-51185243  People or Orgs to follow/listen to/learn from:  Jewish Voices for Peace: https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/  Bishop Azar and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land: www.elcjhl.org   Mitri Raheb: https://www.mitriraheb.org/ ( he’s on socials too) Hiyam’s store: https://tabashsouvenirs.com/  Hiyam’s documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ZjRRs-v6eI   

Emmy and Natalia unpack some of the baggage around Halloween and where it comes from and why it matters to simply be aware of the ways we celebrate (and don’t celebrate) this season.  Suppport the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Links:  Spooky season - mpr: https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2017/10/24/559502238/this-halloween-what-does-it-mean-to-call-something-spooky  Michael Hobbes and Sarah Marshall: https://rottenindenmark.org/2019/10/31/halloween-re-release-urban-legends-spectacular/   

Natalia welcomes back Whitney Logan to talk about psychotherapy and Jungian analytics as they relate to Taylor Swift and the Eras tour and why collective transcendent experiences matter more than ever.  Links:  Whitney’s last CC episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cc-group-therapy-with-whitney-logan/id1422007489?i=1000577663827  Whitney’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hidden-world/id1531481438  Support the show at www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian

Natalia and Emmy welcome the lovely Sarah Bessey to talk about faith and writing and community and gathering and why it all matters.  Cafeteria Christian Support through Patreon: www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian Sarah Bessey Links: Field Notes: https://sarahbessey.substack.com/  Essay: Someone Else’s Conversion: https://sarahbessey.substack.com/p/someone-elses-deconversion-dbf Evolving Faith: https://evolvingfaith.com/conference Podcast EF Season 2: https://evolvingfaith.com/podcast/season-2

Emmy and Natalia tackle a set of lectionary texts that have been misused and misunderstood long enough. How can we read an ancient text in a new age?  Donate: www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

Natalia welcomes back Ellie Roscher to talk about how our habits and tiny things will change the world, if we just notice them. Donate: www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian Embodied Path Part 1 : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-embodied-path-w-ellie-roscher-pt-1/id1422007489?i=1000586974702  Part 2: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-embodied-path-with-ellie-roscher-part-2-embodied-church/id1422007489?i=1000590690026  Part 3: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-embodied-path-with-ellie-roscher-pt-3/id1422007489?i=1000594710923 Ellie’s Website: www.ellieroscher.com

Natalia and Emmy tackle the theology of heaven and hell from a variety of angles and their own unique perspectives and beliefs. CW: Some discussion of sexual assualt. If that is something that you do not want to listen to for any reason, it happens in the discussion of Judith, around 24 minute mark for about two minutes. Patreon:  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Join the conversation: facebook.com/groups/cafeteriachristian  

Emmy and Natalia tackle a grab bag of topics that are in the cultural zeitgeist and what they have to do with Jesus, faith, and life, and also why they all lead back to the idea that maybe we’re just performing and not really living. Patreon:  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Anne Helen Peterson’s article on BamaRushTok: https://annehelen.substack.com/p/culture-study-meets-bama-rushtok

Emmy and Natalia are back together and thinking about ritual and what makes one and why we should have some more!  Links: Patreon:  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Nora’s shop: https://shop.feelingsand.co/products/give-it-a-rest-vinyl-mirror-sticker

Jesse and Natalia talk about Montgomery and why it offered us a bit of hope, and what it has to do with the church and how we respond to each other. Patreon:  www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian

Join Rev. Miriam Samuelson Roberts and Rev. Andrea Roske-Metcalfe for a question and answer segment. If you missed their dynamite Why Church? episode, go back and listen! Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

On our final episode of Why Church? we will hear from Colleen Lindstrom and Rev. Megan Torgerson. Our host Emmy Kegler introduces each segment and will offer her own reflection this week. Settle in and breathe deep.  Support the podcast at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

On our third offering of Why Church? we will hear from Rev. Andrea Roske-Metcalfe and Rev. Miriam Samuelson Roberts. Our host Natalia Terfa introduces each segment and will offer her own reflection this week. Settle in for two compelling visions of a church becoming. Support the podcast at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

On our second installment of Why Church? we will hear from Dr. Michael Chan and Ellie Roscher. Our host Natalia Terfa introduces each installment. Settle in for two compelling visions of a church becoming. Support the podcast at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

On our first installment of Why Church? we will hear from Meta Herrick Carlson, Jesse Ross, and Matthew Ian Fleming. Our host Emmy Kegler introduces each installment. You won't want to miss a beat. Support the podcast at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Emmy and Natalia talk about the upcoming July series and why we think it’s important to talk about church and what it is and what it means and why/if it still matters.    Join the discussion: www.facebook.com/groups/cafeteriachristian  Support the pod: http://Patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

Emmy and Natalia are back together just in time to wrap up Pride month with an epic Emmy rant about the phrase “all are welcome” and why it is never true and why maybe we should stop saying it altogether.  Links: Reconciling Works: https://www.reconcilingworks.org/ Support the pod: http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian   

In 2017, a ten-year-old girl named Rebekah went viral when she appeared at a rally with a simple sign: “I’m the scary transgender person the media warned you about.” Her mom and dad, Jamie and ELCA pastor Chris Bruesehoff, had been raising Rebekah with her two younger brothers in a relatively safe “bubble of protection” where most people Rebekah met were kind and affirming. Suddenly, they were in a national spotlight. Six years later, Jamie joins Emmy for a special episode on trans kids, parental activism, and what gender-expansive people can teach all of us. Links:  Preorder Jamie’s book, Raising Kids Beyond the Binary: https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506488646/Raising-Kids-beyond-the-Binary   Watch Rebekah’s story on the Marvel Hero Project: https://www.rebekahbruesehoff.com/marvel Order Rebekah’s book, A Kids Book About Being Inclusive: https://www.amazon.com/Kids-Book-About-Being-Inclusive/dp/1951253892 Follow Jamie’s work on Insta, FB, & (ugh) Twitter @jamiebruesehoff and at jamiebruesehoff.com Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian Venmo Us: @cafeteriachristian    

CW: Sexual Assault and Harassment  Emmy and Natalia welcome back Janice Lagata to talk about the new Hillsong Docuseries and how power is always, always the problem.  Links: Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian Venmo us: @cafeteriachristian      

Emmy and Natalia talk about AI and ChatGPT and what it all might mean for faith and church.    Links:  Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian Venmo Us: @cafeteriachristian    

Natalia and Emmy talk about grind and hustle culture as it pertains to the busyness of May, and also about rest, sabbatical, and how we just aren’t as important as we think we are.    Links:  Support the show: http://www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian Venmo Us: @cafeteriachristian  Natalia’s blog post for Church Anew on Digital Community: https://churchanew.org/blog/posts/natalia-terfa-digital-communities-are-embodied-communities  Tricia Hersey’s Book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/rest-is-resistance-a-manifesto-tricia-hersey/18255493?ean=9780316365215   

Natalia, Emmy, and Jesse start talking about church and end up talking about community organizing instead. We’ve always wanted a soapbox built for three and we finally built it!    Links:  Support the Show: http://www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian Venmo: @cafeteriachristian    

Emmy and Natalia do their best to bring back the word “fraught” as we talk about Mother’s Day and all the baggage it carries, particularly in the church, and why it is the perfect day to take what you like and leave the rest.    Links:  Support the Show: http://www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian Order Meta's Books: www.metaherrickcarlson.com   Previous Mother's Day episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/un-happy-mothers-day/id1422007489?i=1000520807402  

Natalia and Jesse talk about vocation and imposter syndrome and how we aren’t who we used to be and also how that’s really, really ok.    Support the Show: http://www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

Natalia and Emmy welcome Pr Elle Dowd to talk about all things woo, and why all of it can be good, and healthy, and yes, even holy. Digressions include parenting future hope, and American Girls & Religion.  Support the Show: http://www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian See our home altar picture slide show on Instagram: @cafeteriachristian  Elle’s website: www.elledowd.com Find Elle on social media: @hownowbrowndowd  Listen to Elle's previous CC Episode (136): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/baptized-in-tear-gas-with-guest-elle-dowd/id1422007489?i=1000531466284  Books Mentioned: Strega Nona - Tomie DePaolo Baptized in Tear Gas - by Elle DowdItalian Folk Magic - Mary Grace Fahrun Enchantment - by Katherine May Dear Revolutionaries - Lenny Duncan  

Natalia finally takes Emmy (and all of us) to school about Mary Magdalene and why she is awesome. (AND why we should all love her as much as Natalia does.)  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Links:  https://www.elizabethschrader.com/about-7  Lecture: https://youtu.be/_b3Y3cJ0Ic8  Book: Mary Magdalene Revealed by Meggan Watterson  “All the Marys” Sermon by Diana Butler Bass: https://dianabutlerbass.com/wp-content/uploads/All-the-Marys-Sermon.pdf

Emmy, Natalia, and Jesse gather to talk about the Biblical story of Thomas and why his doubts are not bad, but essential to our own faith and uncertainty.   Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Links:  Church Anew Evening with Kate Bowler: https://churchanew.org/an-evening-with-kate-bowler  Artist referenced for her Mary Magdalene iconography: Tanya Torres - artbytanyatorres.com  

Emmy and Natalia tackle an age-old question submitted by a listener, just in time for Holy Week: Why did Jesus have to die?    Books mentioned in this episode:  The Crucified God - by Jurgen Moltmann Proverbs of Ashes - by Rebecca Ann Parker and Rita Nakashima Brock Saving Paradise - by Rebecca Ann Parker and Rita Nakashima Brock (added by Matthew :0) The Cross and the Lynching Tree - by James Cone   Links: ChurchAnew Evening with Kate Bowler: https://churchanew.org/an-evening-with-kate-bowler  Google Form for CC Book study: https://forms.gle/1sAnydcittPhPNPY6

Emmy brings her bestie Austen Hartke on to discuss the new edition of his book Transforming: The Bible & The Lives of Transgender Christians, plus anti-trans laws, actual gender transitioning for kids, and the online support network Transmission Ministry Collective. Emmy only goes off the rails a couple times, please clap. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian    Explicit tag for one use of “b.s.” Links: - New edition of Transforming! Get yours now before the spring book group starts! https://bookshop.org/p/books/transforming-updated-and-expanded-edition-with-study-guide-the-bible-and-the-lives-of-transgender-christians-austen-hartke/18386029?ean=9780664267865 - Transmission Ministry & Disciples Alliance Trans Day of Visibility & Action (March 31): http://disciplesallianceq.org/tdov/ - New book from Jamie Bruesehoff, mom of Rebekah: https://bookshop.org/p/books/raising-kids-beyond-the-binary-celebrating-god-s-transgender-and-gender-diverse-children-jamie-bruesehoff/19577561 - Transmission Ministry Collective: https://transmissionministry.com/ - ACLU Legislative Tracking: https://www.aclu.org/legislative-attacks-on-lgbtq-rights - Substack on trans legislation and life: https://erininthemorn.substack.com - Combating Anti-Transgender Disinformation: https://politicalresearch.org/2023/01/27/combating-anti-transgender-disinformation - Find Austen’s work at austenhartke.com  

Emmy and Natalia welcome Dr Michael Chan for a wide-ranging talk about Old Testament theology and how to read and understand the Bible in light of our faith and the faith of others.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Links to things we talked about in this episode: How to find Dr Chan: email: [email protected], insta: @chanofthewoods  Articles and Books by Dr Chan: Exploring the Bible: Introducing the Old Testament:  Article on Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah:    Other books/resources mentioned by Dr Chan: Rethinking Sex by Christine Emba:  Jesus and the Forces of Death by Matthew Thiessen:  Jewish Study Bible:  Resurrection and Restoration of Israel: John Levenson  

Emmy, Jesse, and Natalia tackle a listener question about faith and grace and good works. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Ellie Roscher comes back to talk more about being embodied and learning the truth of who we are and what that means for us in our interactions with each other.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian Links: www.Ellieroscher.com  www.plumwellness.us  

Emmy and Natalia talk about Lent, why we love the sad season, but also why it has been a challenge for us to love it in the past. Suppor the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Emmy and Natalia climb up on a big ol soapbox to talk about the recently started ad campaign that many of us heard about and saw last Sunday.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian Links for show notes: Kate Bowler at Church Anew Event: https://churchanew.org/katebowler   

Jesse Ross joins Natalia and Emmy to talk about why February can’t just be about Black History, and what we can do to move forward.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Show notes: Jesse Ross: https://gofund.me/f9f85654  Nashlie Sephus: https://www.jxntechdistrict.com/ ; https://www.instagram.com/phenomenashlie/   

Emmy and Natalia answer a listener question about blessing and why we have fully misunderstood what blessing was always meant to be.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Links: Good Enough, by Kate Bowler: https://www.moonpalacebooks.com/item/UPeceejxZgfKPLiDzN6JCQ Church Anew Event with Kate Bowler: https://churchanew.org/an-evening-with-kate-bowler

Episode: 208 Post Date: January 30 Title: Holy Land Q&A  Emmy and Natalia are back together! Join us this week as we sit down and Emmy asks all kinds of questions about Natalia’s trip to the Holy Land.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Links:  https://www.eliastours.com/tours/embodied-women-in-the-holy-land#overview

Join Natalia Terfa, Meta Herrick Carlson, and other guests on a journey through the Holy Land. Below is an outline and guide if you would like to follow along. You can see images of each of the places mentioned at the Cafeteria Christian Instagram page linked below @cafeteriachristian Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Intro  Road to Cana and call to prayer Golan Heights and Hebron Stream Meta and me at the Court of Nemesis Mount of Beatitudes  Jordan River  Nativity Bell   Bells with Call to Prayer Angels we have heard on high at Shepherd’s Field  City of Jericho and Call to Prayer Jericho at Elisha’s Spring  Dead Sea Float Eden Guest part 1  Mount of Olives and call to prayer Explanation of Upper Room Clip Upper Room Church Tomb of David Explanation of Western Wall Celebration  Celebration at the Western Wall  Western Wall  St Anne’s Impromptu Singing Eden at Peter’s Dungeon Meta reading Ps 88 It is Well With My Soul Outro

Ellie joins us for the third time in this three part series on becoming re-embodied in all the places and ways and spaces. This time we talked about pleasure and freedom and how they are good and so so beautiful.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Book mentioned: The Myth of Normal, by Daniel Mate and Gabor Mate  Ellie’s website: www.ellieroscher.com also plumbwellness.us

Emmy and Natalia talk about rest and renewal and sabbath and snow days. Why is rest so hard? Why doesn’t anyone let us do it? Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Emmy and Natalia take a break from the deep and mind-blowing episode content for a little light and fluffy content. You’ll hear about the best and worst of Christmas music and learn that Emmy and Natalia DO NOT agree on what those are.  Note: We’ll be taking a break for thde holidays with our families, so there will be no episode on January 2. We’ll be back in your ears January 9th!  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Emmy and Natalia welcome Ellie Roscher back to talk about church and faith and why it’s work to stay in our bodies when we are in worship. Join us for another episode of Emmy and Natalia being mind-blown in real time.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Find Ellie at www.ellieroscher.com and join her healing and wellness work at www.plumwellness.us

Emmy and Natalia welcome Rev. Andrea Roske-Metcalfe to wonder what our churches and our world would look like if we let children take the lead. Andrea brings a wealth of experience as the founder of the Pray-ground movement, a Moth Story Slam Grandslam champion, and indeed a champion for children in the full life of the church. You won't wan to miss this episode. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Emmy and Natalia talk about how we are spending our Advent season this year making room and creating space by doing less. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Join us for a special episode of Cafeteria Christian as we walk down memory lane with special guests, all of your hosts, Natalia Terfa, Emmy Kegler, Nora McInerny, Jesse Ross, and even the guy pushing the buttons behind the scenes, Matthew Ian Fleming. Hear what our guests and patrons have to say about this community and share your own. Don't miss it. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Emmy and Natalia welcome guest Ellie Roscher to talk about her new book and why learning to reconnect to our bodies is so important. You’ll get to hear Ellie blow our minds in real time multiple times this episode. Stupid Joy™ Kate Bowler makes a return this week and Natalia manages to bring up Turkish Television once again.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Links: www.ellieroscher.com www.plumwellness.us

Emmy and Natalia talk about brown fall, and why it’s so hard on our emotional, mental, spiritual, and physical well-being, and what we can do about it (hint: it’s less). Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian   

Emmy and Natalia talk about a theme that showed up in our in person and online Bible study this last month - does God take sides? How do we know if we’re on God’s side or if God is on ours? Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Emmy and Natalia talk about the very public week for antisemitism and why it isn’t just “not nice” but dangerous and wrong. This leads us to the dangers of Christian nationalism, and why it matters to speak up and out against this kind of Christianity. Tangents include Halloween, Luther and the Reformation (obviously), and why your vote actually matters.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Links:  Vote.gov Video Natalia talked about: https://youtu.be/UnAcrbmEEPc

Emmy and Natalia have a chat about faith and science and why it’s not a zero-sum game. This leads them into a broad range of topics about evolution, community, listening, curiosity, and why questions aren’t going to ruin everything, we promise. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

EMMY IS BACK!!! YEY!!! Natalia and Emmy catch up a bit about what is on their respective trays, take a moment to gush about soup season, and talk about why everyone’s faith is feeling a little weird right now.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Natalia welcomes back Angela Denker, pastoral colleague and author of the newly edited and re-released “Red State Christians” to talk about Christian Nationalism and what it is doing to our families, communities, and churches.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Show notes:  https://www.angeladenker.com/ https://angeladenker.substack.com/

6 years ago, Rachel and Jacyln lost their brother to an overdose, making them join a growing but often invisible club they never wanted to be a part of. Together they have created an organization that is so important and holy and we are so honored to share what they do with you all.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Links: www.openframe.us Give to Hurricane Ian Relief: https://togetherrising.org/give/  or https://wck.org/   

Janice Lagata joins Natalia to talk about power, authority, the loss of autonomy in church, and how to reclaim it. And then we spend time unlocking toxic theology memories from the early 2000s in preparation for the newest season of Janice’s podcast: Bad Words.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Links to follow Janice https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bad-words/id1595748686  Janice’s email: [email protected]  Reclamation Collective: https://www.reclamationcollective.com/

Natalia is joined by author and spiritual director Danielle Shroyer to talk about listening to your soul, why spiritual direction isn’t just for clergy, and how original sin is total crap.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Links: www.danielleshroyer.com  www.beasoulninja.com https://www.sdicompanions.org/

Natalia welcomes Beth Silvers of Pantsuit Politics to talk about faith and church and why nuance is as important in these places as it is in politics.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Links:  https://www.pantsuitpoliticsshow.com/  Beth’s new instagram handle for faith and life conversations is @a.new.elder

Natalia welcomes producer and not a dudebro Matthew Ian Fleming to talk about deconstruction and reconstruction and that large messy space in between the two.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Links:  Jesus and John Wayne: https://wwnorton.com/books/9781631495731   Church Anew Article about GenZ: https://churchanew.org/blog/posts/josh-packard-faith-like-a-spiral  Natalia and Nora’s Alter Guild Episode: https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-f6pgy-93a457 

Natalia welcomes psychotherapist Whitney Logan to the podcast to talk about faith and therapy and healing and why it’s all so, so intertwined.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Find Whitney’s podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hidden-world/id1531481438  Find Whitney on instagram here: @whitneyiswriting   

Natalia welcomes back Meta Herrick Carlson to talk about her new book, Ordinary Blessings for Parents. They laugh and cry and yes, talk about Turkish television, but only for a little bit (promise).  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Links:  Meta’s Website: http://metaherrickcarlson.com  Holy Land Trip: https://www.eliastours.com/tours/embodied-women-in-the-holy-land Alter Guild Jacob and Esau Episode: http://alterguild.org   

Earlier this month Emmy announced via social media that she was resigning her congregational pastoral call, and a lot of you had questions. So we’re taking a little time to talk about burnout and leaving and what it means to leave a church when you are the pastor. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Link: CNN article: https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/10/health/burnout-changing-brain-wellness/index.html#:~:text=Burnout%20can%20enlarge%20the%20amygdala,in%20danger%2C%20researchers%20have%20discovered.

Emmy and Natalia welcome Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg to the podcast to talk about Judaism and sacred texts and Danya’s new book.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Resources and links:  www.myjewishlearning.com   https://lifeisasacredtext.substack.com/   

Jesse and Emmy and Natalia talk about stupid joys and then Natalia asks Emmy and Jesse a question about being an ally and what it REALLY means to them. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Emmy and Natalia talk about space and the new images from the James Webb Space Telescope and why vastness can inspire a strange combination of awe and fear, and what that has to say about God.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Emmy and Natalia talk about how scripture has been used for shame and fear and how we might engage our faith in a better way. Tangents/digressions include: CS Lewis, Venn Diagrams, and Monopoly. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Emmy and Natalia talk about how things feel particularly difficult right now, and how we even begin to celebrate Independence Day when a lot of us feel less free this year than ever before.  Support the show at http://partreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Show Links: New Mexico Religious Coalition for Reproductive Rights: https://nmrcrc.org/ Together Rising Fund: http://Togetherrising.org/give  SisterSong: https://www.sistersong.net/  Indigenous Women Rising: https://www.iwrising.org/ 

Emmy and Natalia welcome the first Native Female Theologian in the ELCA - Dr Kelly Sherman Conroy, to talk about land acknowledgements and summer vacations, and how to be an ally to indigineous people everywhere.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Links for this episode: Kelly’s Website: http://kellysconroy.com  Sacred Sites Tours: http://www.mnchurches.org/what-we-do/healing-minnesota-stories Website for learning about the land: http://native-land.ca  

Emmy and Natalia answer some various listener requests to talk about happenings in various church systems, including the ELCA, the UMC, and the SBC; And then expand it out to a wider lens of why this matters and what to do when systems fail us.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  More info: https://whathappenedinthesps.weebly.com/

Emmy and Natalia welcome special guest Colleen Lindstrom to break down one specific and particular pop culture current event and why it matters to Christians and people of faith. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Emmy and Natalia take some time to process this terrible no good very bad week and what our faith has to say to us right now.  Also Emmy takes us on a journey in Fun Facts in Christian History and Natalia reminds us of the importance of our stupid joys right now.  Want to join our patreon page? www.patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Emmy and Natalia talk about conversations on the internet and how to disagree in the midst of hot take nation. Digressions include Chicken Soup for the Soul, Luther’s Catechism, and a new segment called: Write it down, Emmy was wrong. Support us at our Patreon page. Visit our website or follow us on Instagram @cafeteriachristian Learn more about our network of podcasts, Alter Guild.

Emmy and Natalia talk about why they love scripture but are freaked out by people who love scripture, and why we decided to start CCBS (Cafeteria Christian Bible Study), in person and online.  Support us at our Patreon page. Visit our website or follow us on Instagram @cafeteriachristianLearn more about our network of podcasts, Alter Guild. Previous Bible Episodes: What the Bible? https://five.libsyn.com/episodes/view/9837797 Let’s Get Biblical: https://five.libsyn.com/episodes/view/9562187

Emmy and Natalia tackle a listener's voicemail about the toxicity of Mother’s Day and how we can celebrate or not celebrate and be kind all around while doing it. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Previous Mother's Day episodes: https://five.libsyn.com/episodes/view/19028843 https://five.libsyn.com/episodes/view/14354609 

Emmy and Natalia set aside the plan for the week to talk about arrow slinging and receiving that is happening right now and what we can do to rebuild our resilience after a few years of deficits. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Links discussed: https://annehelen.substack.com/p/the-expanding-job?s=r  https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/05/social-media-democracy-trust-babel/629369/ 

Jesse and Natalia welcome back Janice Lagata to talk about Hillsong and broken systems and why power and the church can’t coexist.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Natalia is joined by her daughter Layla to talk about faith and life and why being a pastor’s kid is hard sometimes. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Natalia and Emmy put on their pastor hats to talk about Holy Week and why it’s fraught and how we might apply our take what you like and leave the rest lens to this set of days in the church. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Emmy takes us on an exploration of gender identity, what it means to be trans or nonbinary, and what that might reveal for the church and for each of us. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Relevant Readings https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/01/young-trans-children-know-who-they-are/580366/ https://www.vox.com/2016/6/6/11853060/transgender-children-parents https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/press/ncvs-trans-press-release/

Emmy and Natalia try to pull a hodgepodge of topic ideas together into one cohesive episode and learn that a lot of things are true at the same time because everything is broken. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Emmy and Natalia talk about how hard it is to be a human right now, and how we’re just not good at being messy and whole out in the world, and in church.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Show link: Anne Helen Peterson - https://annehelen.substack.com/p/a-case-of-zoom-dysmorphia?s=r

Emmy and Natalia talk through a listener question about trans kids and anti-trans legislation going around the country.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Links:  https://freedomforallamericans.org/legislative-tracker/ Liam’s TTFA episode: https://www.ttfa.org/episode/2022/02/22/liam-and-the-letters  Austin’s article: https://www.christiancentury.org/article/critical-essay/nonbinary-gender-and-diverse-beauty-creation

Emmy, Jesse, and Natalia tackle two slightly related listener questions and they take turns getting fired up about life and church and bad things and the theology of it all. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Emmy, Jesse, and Natalia are back together to talk about current events and how to participate in the season of Lent when everything already feels pretty lent-y. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Natalia welcomes special guest and human ray of sunshine Pr Jenny Sung for a conversation about free-range church, baptism, and #stopasianhate. Content warning ⚠️ Discussion of hate crimes against Asian American and Pacific Island people. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Emmy and Natalia talk about Valentines Day and Love and unpack the myths and legends around both. Emmy showed up with research and Natalia unintentionally made a new segment so buckle up yall!  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Natalia and Emmy answer a follow up question about marriage and the Bible and talk about their own weddings and also go on some tangents about Turkish weddings (Natalia) and the Bronte sisters (Emmy). Listen to the song Emmy references here. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Emmy goes rogue with an hour-long Fun Facts In Christian History to take us on a deep dive about what the Bible ~really~ says about sex.    Resources: DEEP BIBLE DIVES * Unprotected Texts: The Bible's Surprising Contradictions About Sex and Desire by Jennifer Wright Knust  * God & Sex by Michael Coogan * The Joy of Text: Where Real Sex Meets Jewish Law   UNPACKING PURITY CULTURE * Damaged Goods by Dianna Anderson * Shameless by Nadia Bolz-Weber * #ChurchToo by Emily Joy Allison   NEW SEXUAL ETHICS  * Good Christian Sex * Beyond Shame by Matthias Roberts * Sex + Faith: Talking with Your Child from Birth to Adolescence

Emmy and Natalia continue the spicy conversation around sex, especially how the church has been a place that perpetuates shame rather than naming our beautifully created selves. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian

Nora, Emmy, and Natalia start a conversation about how we talk to our kids and ourselves about sex, purity culture, and why women are amazing. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Nora and Natalia are back together for a meandering but eventually meaningful conversation about performing and perfection in the new year. Digressions include Camp Nowhere, Priest Daddy, and Nora’s journey with the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Emmy, Jesse, and Natalia talk about upcoming conversations around tables where not everyone might agree, how to respond, how to set boundaries, and how to be an ally in the moment. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

CONTENT WARNING: don’t listen with kids who believe in Santa! Emmy and Natalia tackle Christmas myths and stories and historical accuracy and Emmy goes on some epic rants that are not to be missed. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Emmy and Natalia answer a listener question about a loss of faith and how we navigate untangling our struggles with other humans and the church from God. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Emmy and Natalia gush about Advent and why they love it and what it’s for and about and why you might want to consider thinking about it differently this year. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Jesse, Natalia, and Emmy talk about niceness and how it impedes our ability to be anti-racist, how the work is not yet done, and how it all relates to our tagline - take what you like, and leave the rest.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Emmy and Natalia talk about how life is hard and how our brains handle it differently and what our faith has to say about all of it.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Jesse, Emmy, and Natalia talk about some of the reactions to last weeks’ episode, and we talk about our listener appreciation month and what fun things we have in store! Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Natalia and Nora are back together again (in Arizona!) and boy did we have some THINGS to talk about. Nora tells us what’s on her tray, talks to her dogs, and tries to convince Natalia to move to Arizona, and Natalia talks about her existential crisis as we linger in pandemic life. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Natalia and Emmy tackle a listener question and Emmy brings in another new segment based on a tiktok trend and we take quite a detour into the world of pugs. Yes, the dog.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Natalia, Jesse, and Emmy tackle a listen question and take turns climbing up on soapboxes about how the good news is twisted into something else. Jesse throws shade at Natalia in fair or foul, and Emmy brings an epic “on this day in Christian history.” Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Emmy and Natalia welcome Kate Bowler to talk about life and faith and hard things and hope in the midst of uncertainty. We laugh, we cry, we solve all the things! Order Kate's new book today: No Cure for Being Human. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Jesse, Emmy, and Natalia tackle a listener question about deconstruction, Jesse brings CCM to fair or foul, and Emmy unveils a new segment! Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Jesse, Natalia, and Emmy answer a listener question about church and what it would look like if we could start from scratch and build whatever we want. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

Emmy gives us an extra special excerpt from her upcoming book “All Who Are Weary.” Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Special guest Kristina from @thedtrblog joins Jesse and Natalia to talk about deconstruction and faith and why church should look more like a 12 step program than a business. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Jess and Natalia come together to talk about anti-racism in the church and what we can do to be change makers in our churches and communities. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Jesse and Natalia come to talk about how they’re doing right now, and how they are finding ways to cope and take care of themselves - turns out they have a shared theme of boundary setting to manage their feelings about the world right now.  Jesse also brings back his new and recurring segment “fair or foul” about all things back-to-school. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Emmy gets left alone with a mic this week and tells about having to do the two worst things possible: put down her phone, and ask for help. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Emmy and Natalia welcome special guest Elle Dowd to the podcast to talk about being white ladies in this time and place in the revolution.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Jesse and Natalia welcome back Janice Lagata to talk about deconstruction and megachurches and why heierarchy is antithetical to Jesus and BOY DID WE HAVE SOME THINGS TO SAY.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Natalia and Emmy have a rabbit-hole filled discussion on the Olympics and why they are the best and also why capitalism ruins everything. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  Listen to our friends at For the Love of the Games here. 

Natalia and Emmy tackle an often asked listener question about how they became pastors, if they like it, and what they do exactly. (Spoiler: we don’t know either) Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian

Jesse and Natalia tackle a listener question about patriotism and idolatry just in time for the 4th of July holiday weekend.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Jesse, Emmy, and Natalia talk about Winston Smith, Deona Marie, Minneapolis, and Juneteenth and how they are all connected. What’s on your tray makes a comeback in honor of Nora’s love for the segment, and we all learn something new.  Support our work at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

A quick mini episode to remind you that you are loved. Find a quiet place, and listen to the gorgeous words of Sarah Bessey. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Nora, Natalia, and Emmy talk about emerging from the pandemic while staying connected to who we’ve become, and how we are more than we do.  Digressions include: the number 7, cults, and playing with hair. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Jesse, Natalia, and Emmy answer a listener question about community and the church while taking turns on soapboxes so buckle up yall.  Digressions include: ordination, false summer, and why bed nests are the best. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian

Emmy and Natalia welcome back “very special guest” Meta Herrick Carlson to talk about faith in the pandemic and emerging from the spiritual fog we’ve all been in this year.  Digressions include: how to people, quirks, and the Goosebumps books. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

The whole crew is back together! It took us 15 minutes to get on an actual topic but we did it. We talk through the difficult to navigate topic of what is happening right now in Gaza and why we don’t have to have answers or fully understand it to care about what is happening. Digressions were frequent, and include: showering, pandemic parenting, tabs v tags, and duck duck grey duck.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Natalia and Jesse talk about anger and sideways grief and how we’re all just low-level simmering pots of rage and what the antidote might be. Digressions include parental hoarding, cereal, and how Jesse can now be referred to as “Mr Make-it-happen” Support the show at our Patreon Page here. Follow us on Instagram @cafeteriachristian Find out more about the Alter Guild Podcasting Network.

An episode from our archive for you this Mother's Day. Natalia and Emmy share their disappointment with typical Mother's Day celebrations in churches and invite stories from listeners and colleagues that explore the wide variety of feelings for people on this day. Support us at our Patreon page.  Visit our website or follow us on Instagram @cafeteriachristian Learn more about our network of podcasts, Alter Guild.

Nora, Natalia, and Emmy welcome Dr Anna Roth for some group therapy and talk about “languishing” and the challenge of being a person right now. Digressions include adhd, high school boyfriends, and what’s on your tray.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian Links:NYT article: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/19/well/mind/covid-mental-health-languishing.html Atlantic article: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2021/03/bring-back-the-nervous-breakdown/617788/

Jesse, Emmy, and Natalia come together at the end of a wild week in MN to talk about hope and how it is the strangest word with a lot of different feelings attached to it. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian 

Natalia, Jesse, and Emmy sit down to talk about some hot Christian gossip (hot xtian goss, ™ Nora McInerny) around Rachel Hollis and what it actually means to “do the work.” This episode was recorded April 9, 2021, prior to the murder of Daunte Wright and the presence of the National Guard in Minneapolis both in reaction to the resulting protests and in preparation for reactions to the closing arguments in the Chauvin murder trial. We encourage you to follow us on Instagram for Natalia & Jesse’s immediate reaction to Daunte’s murder as well as for what you can do to help local organizations. Natalia is coordinating hotel housing for those directly in the line of protests and increased police force in Brooklyn Center, and you can support that on GoFundMe at https://www.gofundme.com/f/emergency-housing-for-brooklyn-center .

Natalia welcomes back special guest Asma Mohammed to talk about Ramadan as this holy month begins.  Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian  

We left Nora alone in her office with a mic. Honesty and hilarity ensued. Emmy swoops in at the end to bat cleanup. Digressions include: Life transitions, hair extensions. Support the show at http://patreon.com/cafeteriachristian