This Week In Heresy

Lupa GreenWolf joins us in this episode to discuss alternate ways to be an environmentalist and how every little bit helps. How do we navigate the complexities of environmentalism and activism, particularly if someone is a city-dweller and rents their house or apartment? How do we acknowledge that sometimes people can’t do what other people think they should be doing for activism for many reasons: from disability to matters of food justice? We talk about how it’s important to acknowledge one’s strength, how to be responsible when working with others, and how to be mindful of the small things that can help the planet. We also discuss Lupa’s Tarot of Bones project, and the nature of our own ancestors and mortality.     Lupa GreenWolf is a Pagan author, artist and amateur naturalist in Portland, OR. She creates artwork out of bones and other natural materials, and is the author of several books on nature spirituality. She has a Master's degree in counseling psychology and recently completed requirements for cert

In this episode we’re joined by Dee Shull to talk about the concept of hospitality and the inclusion of gender variant people in rituals. How do we show hospitality to those who are different? What is a responsible way to be inclusive, even if your group doesn’t represent as a diverse group as the members would like? How do we create as safe a space as possible?    N.B.: This episode was recorded shortly after Pantheacon 2015. There were also technical problems with the sound (my own fault, really) that have since been fixed. My wife, who is my sound engineer, worked a miracle on this episode, however, there will be some lingering weirdness with the audio. And finally, when we discuss “Dianics” in this episode, we are referring to Z. Budapestian Dianics, who are generally trans-exclusionary. Dee Shull is a decidedly eclectic pagan whose praxis includes some generic Wiccan-flavored elements, heathen practice, animism, and ecstatic work (they prefer the term over “shamanic”). They works most closely with Brighi

In this episode we’re joined by Lauren Renee Hotchkiss, seminarian and musician, to talk about the role of music in spiritual practice, both Christian and Pagan. How does music touch our hearts? What music touches our spirit, and how can music help us through the difficult times? We also talk about activism, including the recent Bay Area protests for #blacklivesmatter, and about how both in the Pagan and Christian community we have our extremists.  Lauren Renée Hotchkiss is a Christo-Pagan musician, writer, and seminary student who attends the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley. She has played all around the Bay Area, and is currently playing in the band at Grace North Church in Berkeley for Sunday services and monthly labyrinth services, and in Chapel and Taize services at The Pacific School of Religion. She also plays regularly in the Taize services at Newman Hall, Berkeley, and the Metropolitan Community Church in San Francisco. As a Pagan, she is an experienced priestess, cantor and musician who has w

This week we’re joined by Diane Miles, who is a Bishop in the Old (Independent) Catholic Church. Diane describes what the Old Catholic church is and how it compares to the Roman Catholic Church and Gnosticism. We also talk about power, change, hope, and how religions need to evolve in order to make it into the future. Diane Miles is a Bishop of the Old Catholic Church, a Reiki Master, a registered nurse, and interfaith chaplain, and a medium. Diane works out of Berkeley with a partner through the Church of Holy Sophia in Practice. She is available for Celtic Catholic services and Sufi practice.    Links Email: drmiles@sbcglobal.net or sophiainpractice@yahoo.com (preferred) Website: http://sophiainpractice.com Books On Death and Dying: What the Dying Have to Teach Doctors, Nurses, Clergy and Their Own Families by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Wishes Fulfilled: Mastering the Art of Manifesting by Dr. Wayne Dyer

This week we are joined by Xochiquetzal Duti Odinsdottir. We not only talk more about the events of Pantheacon 2015, but we also talk about how the progressive movement deals with issues of race. How do we open our eyes to how racism works in our society? What is the future of racism and social justice in America? How do we crack the lenses that we’ve been given by history and by our faiths so that we can see outside our smaller communities and groups?   Xochiquetzal Duti Odinsdottir is genderqueer, AFAB, Mexican (born Stateside), mujerista, social activist, and Witch. Xochiquetzal does a lot of work in joining the Sacred and the Profane. They were recently elevated to High Priest/ess in Treebridge Tradition and are currently trying to figure out what that means (besides MORE work).   Links Xochi’s email: contact@sacredprofanity.com Xochi’s Website: SacredProfanity.com Sacred Profanity Facebook Page   Books Bringing Race to the Table edited by Crystal Blanton, Taylor Ellwood, and Brandy Williams

In this episode, we are joined by Crystal Blanton, priestess, social worker, and author, to talk about not only the events that happened at Pantheacon 2015, but also about why the discussion about racism in the Pagan community is important. We also talk about the wider issues of racism in America, and the realities of living as a Person (and Pagan) of Color.  Crystal Blanton is a High Priestess, clinical counselor/social worker, graduate student in a Social Work program at a California State University and a published author. She writes and coordinates the Patheos blog “Daughters of Eve”, is a writer for Sage Woman Magazine, is a monthly columnist for The Wild Hunt, and on the board of Solar Cross Temple. She has been a practicing Pagan for the last 12 years, worked in Social Services for 17 years, and currently provides clinical intervention services to disenfranchised youth in Oakland schools. She has had the privilege of traveling as a guest at Pagan Spirit Gathering in 2012, and Sacred Harvest Festival in

This week we talk to Dave Menefee, alchemist and author, about alchemy, specifically plant alchemy. David explains what alchemy is, and how it differs from allopathic (western) medicines. We talk about why allopathic medicine is dragging it’s feet about the mind-body connection and how alternative medicines take more of the whole person into account. We also talk about the Philosopher’s Stone and Dave’s new book, “The Soul Thief.” N.B.: Dave mentions in the interview a CD for sale by the Philosophers of Nature. Unfortunately, the CD and website are no longer available. If anyone has any information about this CD, please post in the comments.  This episode was recorded in front of a live audience on February 13, 2015 in the st4r.org/Circle of Cerridwen suite at Pantheacon.  David Menefee lives on a 41-acre ranch with his partner Rachel Anderson in rural northern California. David alternates between working from his home office on websites for non-profit organizations and writing short stories and novels. He is

This week we talk with Joe Decker, photographer and co-creator of the website God Hates Shrimp. We not only talk about how the website came to be, but we also talk about the role of humor and satire in social commentary. Where is the line between free speech and hate speech? How do we navigate tragedies like the Charlie Hebdo shootings when one has problems with the content the paper was producing? This episode was recorded in front of a live audience on February 13, 2015 in the st4r.org/Circle of Cerridwen suite at Pantheacon.    Joe Decker is a nature photographer, author and educator living in Northern California. His work has been exhibited across the country from the Smithsonian to LACDA in Los Angeles, and he has been awarded artist residencies in Petrfiied Forest National Park, Iceland, Svalbard, Antarctica and Greenland.  He is the author of The Tuesday Composition, published by Flatbooks Publishing. He is also the co-creator of the website God Hates Shrimp with the late Ryland Sanders.    Links God H

In this third episode that coincides with Pantheacon, we talk to P. Sufenas Virius Lupus about the evolution of gender in regards to Deity. Do the Gods really care about their, and our, gender? Can we create new deities that are inclusive and that work for us? How have we evolved in our thinking around gender? How does pagan isolationism contribute to issues of gender and inclusion? We also talk about how sharing and listening to the stories of people can put a human face onto the “other.” (And there’s some Buffy spoilers for the uninitiated.) P. Sufenas Virius Lupus is a metagender person, and the founding member, Doctor, Sacerdos, Magistratum, and Mystagogos of the Ekklesía Antínoou (a queer, Graeco-Roman-Egyptian syncretist reconstructionist polytheist religious group dedicated to Antinous, the deified lover of the Roman Emperor Hadrian and other related gods and divine figures), a contributing member of Neos Alexandria, and a Celtic Reconstructionist in the traditions of filidecht and gentlidecht, amongst o

In this bonus TWIH episode, we welcome Sister Krissy Fiction, a Sister of Perpetual Indulgence from Portland, OR. We talk about what it takes to be a Sister, what the sisters do, and how Sister Krissy Fiction came to be. We also delve into gender non-conformance, theology, and how the pagan community is evolving.  This is second in a series of interviews that coincide with Pantheacon. Sister Krissy Fiction, the nun that got nailed, is a Gnostic, Pagan, drag clown nun.  In the past she has been a minister in the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Church and in the United Church of Christ.   These days she is a practicing Gnostic, a devotee of Antinous and a member of an Alexandrian Witchcraft coven. She has been  a fully professed member of the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence for 8 years and is the Prioress of the Order of Benevolent Bliss in Portland, OR.   Links Sister Krissy’s Facebook Email: sisterkrissy@gmail.com Twitter: @sisterkrissy Blog: http://promulgatethis.wordpress.com Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence:

This week we are joined by Emily Carlin to talk about the intersectionality of paganism and race and how the modern witchcraft movement is just beginning to really address it’s “whiteness.” How do we navigate the intersections of religion and race? Is secrecy inhibiting the conversation? What is the difference between responsible use of another culture’s magickal practices and cultural appropriation? Emily Carlin is an eclectic witch and attorney based in Seattle, Washington. She specializes in defensive magick, community building, and pop culture magick. Emily blogs at blacksunmagick.blogspot.com and teaches online at Shadowkrafting.com and at Pagan events in the Puget Sound area.  This episode is part of a series of episodes that coincide with Pantheacon held in San Jose, CA over President's Day Weekend. Click here for the complete Pantheacon schedule. Also, be sure to stop by the st4r.org/Circle of Cerridwen suite in room 966 to say hello! Links Emily's Website: http://www.e-carlin.com Emily’s Class Websit

This week I had the privilege to interview Janet Farrar and Gavin Bone, who I consider elders of my own witchcraft tradition. In this extended episode we talk about the evolution of witchcraft from its roots with Gerald Gardner to modern times. We also talk about why secrecy isn’t necessarily a good thing, the differences between witchcraft in the US and Europe, how to do syncretism responsibly, why lineage doesn’t matter, why gendered polarity isn’t necessary, and what it means to be a priest of any tradition.    Janet Farrar: Janet was initiated by Alex and Maxine Sanders in 1970. Janet Owen (later Farrar) became involved in the Craft after a friend started regularly visiting the Sander’s. Janet, being from a Christian background, went along to dissuade her friend from becoming involved, but was impressed by the moral structure that Wicca had and joined the Sander’s Coven.  It is here she met her husband to be and co-author, Stewart Farrar, who initially became involved around Alex Sanders as a reporter for

This week we have Rev. Mark Townsed, author of several books including “Jesus Through Pagan Eyes”. We talk about his journey through both the Church of England and Druidry, and being a multi-faith practitioner.    (Apologies for the Skype noise. Trans-atlantic Skyping has it’s issues!) Mark Townsend is a magician with a difference! He is a Priest, though he NEVER pushes his religious or spiritual beliefs onto others. Rather, he uses magic to awaken people to their own inner ‘spark of magic’ - their own beauty. Mark served as an Anglican Priest for over a decade but more recently decided to resign his membership of the Church of England so he can offer his services in a broader, more eclectic and independent way. He is now a member of the Progressive Christian Alliance and, in 2011, will also be transferring his Priestly Orders to an Independent Episcopal Church with a fully inclusive and open ethos.  With regard to his magic, Mark combines mind-bending effects with mythology, storytelling and a dose of zany h

In this week’s interview, we talk with Connie McEntee, a good friend of mine and a transgender woman about her process of transitioning. We talk about how the impact of her transition changed her life and her relationships with her family and children. Her transition also empowered her spirituality, not only in her own spiritual path, but in her spiritual communities. We also discuss how community and place can determine how smooth a person’s transition can be, and how not all communities are supportive.  (Apologies for the cat meowing. My cat Bitta is old and didn’t like the closed studio doors, apparently.)   Connie McEntee is a second degree Wiccan priest and first year Christian seminarian at the Pacific School of Religion. Born and designated male in San Francisco then raised in South San Francisco, she began gender transition at age 41. She's the author of the queer young adult novel Waking for Hours, and hopes to have her second YA novel published in late 2015.   Links Connie’s Facebook Connie’s Tumblr

In this episode, Chris Hockley talks about his new ministry, “the found altar,” which is an online support for progressive small churches and clergy. How can we connect with each other instead of being in competition with each other? How do we work within our differences instead of fighting over doctrine?   Chris Hockley is the founder of the found altar, a ministry dedicated to progressive spirituality and progressive spiritual practice. Originally from Laramie, WY Chris graduated from Dakota Wesleyan University with a double degree in Theatre and Religion/Philosophy. Chris is currently a student at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA where his spouse Tammy is also pursuing an MDiv.   Links   the found altar the found altar Facebook page Chris’ Email: thefoundaltar@gmail.com Chris’ Facebook Page

This week on the show we are joined by Reverend Malcolm Byrd to talk about the impact of the systemic issues that leads to the events in Ferguson and New York City. We discuss how the internet has changed the face of social justice and has allowed more awareness of the broken-ness of the systems that are meant to protect us. We also discuss the issue in progressive movements of “one true way” -ism, and why utilizing all types of activism is important. Does the activism happening during this season help us find hope, even when it seems there is none? (Note: This show was recorded on Christmas Eve.) Reverend Byrd is a Long Island, New York native, yet he spent his formative years living in Detroit, Michigan and Gastonia, North Carolina where he completed his Secondary Education. Reverend Byrd entered the ministry in 1998 at age 14 and was licensed as an exhorter by Presiding Elder H.L. Hall at the Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church in Gastonia, NC. Reverend Byrd attended Livingstone College, a historically black colleg

Guy S. Johnson joins us this week to talk about the intersections of ministry, race, gender, and why it’s important to specifically discuss why #blacklivesmatter. What do we do with a system that is broken on so many levels? How do we talk about saving the lives of people of color without addressing poverty, food scarcity, the education system, and the criminal justice system? Guy and I delve into the depths of why #blacklivesmatter is about more than what we are told it is in the media.   Guy S. Johnson is a singer, an activist, a writer, a foodie, and most importantly, a minister. A graduate of the Lancaster Theological Seminary and Dominican University, he can best be described as “real”. His love of God and God’s people is without question. Guy believes that strangers are simply “friends he has yet to meet.” He LOVES people. He shares his life with his partner, Robert Davis, in Leesburg, Virginia, and serves as the Pastoral Associate at the Grace United Church of Christ in Frederick, MD, where Dr. Robert

This week we have my friend and fellow priest, Denise Cicuto, who has been running a memorial ritual called Spirit Babies for the last several years. This ritual is for anyone of any gender who has experienced the loss of a child through abortion, still birth, miscarriage, or for any other reason. Denise shares her personal story and why she believes this ceremony is important. This podcast is in conjunction with the next Spirit Babies ceremony which will be held on December 20, 2014 at City of Refuge UCC in Oakland, CA. For more information, please see the Spirit Babies website.  Denise Cicuto is a Witch and Healer. She is a second degree Priest in the Circle of Cerridwen, a coven in the Open Source Alexandrian tradition. She was raised in the Catholic Church and then went to find her own way for a while. Between the Worlds Church made her realize that she could still have Jesus in her life while being a practicing pagan. Denise is also a Licensed Acupuncturist and Chinese Herbalist. NOTE: ANY anti-abortion

In this week’s episode, we talk to Lizann Bassham about how she became both a Christian minister and a Reclaiming witch, and her journey embracing both/and. We also talk about how both communities (Pagan and Christian) react to multi-faith practice and how humanity is at a spiritual crossroads. Lizann Bassham has a B.A. in Psychology from San Francisco State University and an M.Div. from Pacific School of Religion.  She is an ordained minister of The United Church of Christ and an active witch in the Reclaiming Tradition. Lizann has taught courses for the Graduate Theological Union and Pacific School of Religion and written curriculum on religion and the arts, sexuality and spirituality, and youth ministry. She has worked with Progressive, Evangelical, and Catholic Christian groups, and has been a guest Cantor for a Reconstructionist Synagogue. She currently serves as Campus Pastor at Pacific School of Religion and as a trainer for the FaithTrust Institute on healthy clergy boundaries. She directed a small pe

In this week’s episode we talk with Dany Atkins about invisible disabilities and how they can be dismissed, not only in society in general, but in the Pagan community in general. People can get annoyed when confronted with their lack of thought about how to accommodate people who have disabilities. How can clergy be more responsible about accommodating for the disabilities we can’t see? Dany Atkins is a nationally known writer, educator, and activist on a variety of issues including body image, sexuality and diversity issues. She has given workshops and lectures around the country and abroad on a variety of topics. She has also been guest editor of issues of the Journal of Lesbian Studies, Journal of Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Identity and Journal of Bisexuality. She also served on the editorial board of the Journal of Lesbian Studies and the Journal of Bisexuality. She was the founder and Chair of the Body Image Task Force and is the former Research Chair for the National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance