Barely Christian, Fully Christian

Why are some folks so fearful of thinking of God as Mother? Is it useful to think of God as Mother even for those of us who are not mothers, whether by choice or circumstance? How can maternal imagery for God help us through loss, longing, and grief? Join Anni and author Elizabeth Berget for a conversation around these themes and more.

Today, we celebrate the love, courage, devotion, and glory of Mary Magdalene. Anni is accompanied by world-renowned teacher, mystic, and sacred activist Andrew Harvey and together they explore the treasure trove of his new book, The Magdalene Revolution.

What happens when we "train up a child" in the way James Dobson thinks we should? Author Marissa Franks Burt and Anni discuss the tragic fruit of high-control parenting so common in Christian spaces.

Shabs has a captivating story of struggle and liberation. Today she shares about leaving an abusive marriage in Pakistan, fighting for her rights, losing and recovering custody of her children, wrestling with her Islamic faith, and finding the truth about her own essence—and everyone else’s. As it turns out, we’re all the same.

With so much uncertainty everywhere we look, how can we maintain hope? Join Anni and author Kaethe Schwehn for a delicious conversation about the stories we rely on and how we find our way in the midst of tragedy and chaos. Spoiler: it might be tealights.

What's one thing we can do to break the spell of divisive thinking? Join Anni and Gary Alan Taylor for a discussion about breaking free from the confines of dualistic thinking taught in evangelical spaces, plus some other pretty useful stuff.

Are you familiar with the doctrine of male headship? That system that prioritizes the leadership, voice, and decision-making of men in homes and churches? Join Anni and friends Dawn and Leah for a critical look at what this doctrine means, what it costs, and what we should do about it.

How can we know who’s right and who’s wrong? Is there any hope for Christian Nationalists? My friend and classmate Daniel Rogers shares his experience with the cognitive dissonance he encountered as a Bible-thumping fundamentalist that ultimately led him to a whole new way of being and loving. The catalyst? Fruit. Our conversation is sometimes goofy, sometimes profound, but always comes back to Jesus’ teaching: you shall know them by their fruit.

How do we change our minds and hearts? The Rev. Dr. David N. Moore, Jr. believes in the power of storytelling to catalyze our awakening. But what about when, despite our best efforts, people refuse to budge? David challenges Anni to expect to encounter our modern-day Judases, and to use her time to find chosen family instead of trying to make everyone happy in the name of diplomacy and unity. Drawing from Jesus’ teachings about judgement, David asserts that what will ultimately save the world is self-aware folks properly judging the world and calling for justice.

What is the actual Good News? Join Anni and author, activist, and visionary Lisa Sharon Harper for a poignant conversation about honoring God’s image in all of humanity.

Dr. Christy Bauman and Anni discuss embodied theology—what it means to be a woman following Christ, leaning into our intuition, and listening for the Divine Feminine. Dr. Christy shares a helpful tool for women to reclaim our intuition and live into the fullness of what our bodies know. Drawing deeply from womanist theologians and scholars, she offers a fresh look at what many of us have long sensed but struggled to put into words: there’s absolutely nothing wrong with us.

Join Anni and Bekah for a conversation about what it means to be exactly human sized. We will learn from the archetypal story of the bleeding woman and dying girl, and hear about Bekah's transformative new book.

Anni and lifelong best friend Serena explore the beautiful reality of our belovedness.

Intersex author, poet, artist, bridge-builder, and secular ritualist Eric K. Carr shares his experience, wisdom, and love of mystery.

Celeste Davis joins Anni for a timely conversation about separating our disdain for the patriarchal system we live in from the men we share our lives with.

Spencer and Anni discuss knowing what we need, loving the whole self, and holding space for possibility when hope is too hard. Spencer's musical medicine and deep wisdom are just what the world needs.

Anni and guest Ally Markotich explore the divine gifts of creating and being.

Welcome to Season 2! Anni shares some fun news and gives an update for what’s ahead.

Food, mind, body coach Jill Gentry shares her story story of healing from disordered eating and unpacks diet culture within Christianity. This is part 1 of 3 in this series.

Anni talks with Rabbi Mark Sameth about his book The Name: A History of the Dual-Gendered Hebrew Name for God and what this means for us.

Anni and her sister Katy Bandy discuss finding the Divine Feminine, the mental health implications of living under patriarchy, what we need from the Masculine, and living with awareness of our mortality.

Anni talks with friend Carl Wilkens who willingly remained in Rwanda during the genocide of 1994. Together, they explore themes of anger, healing, restoration, and connection.

Singer-songwriter Wyn Doran, nominated Female Performer of the Year, talks and sings about healing trauma, loving all the versions of herself, and finding her way into the Divine Feminine.

Singer-songwriter John Hatfield brings his rich, meaningful tunes and musings about non-violence, suffering, and the Divine Feminine.

Anni talks about healing from the disease of taking care of others at her own expense. She shares The Chocolate Story and her journey away from Christianity’s sometimes pathological messaging of forgetting about ourselves.

Kristin and Anni discuss all things Heroine’s Journey, Intuition Work, and the Divine Feminine. Kristin leads Anni on a guided tour of her own Intuition and shares about a practice called “Intuition Dates.”

Rob and Anni dive deeper into Where’d You Park Your Spaceship? Lots of spoilers in this episode, so if you haven’t read the story yet and plan to, get yourself a copy and enjoy, then come back. If not, still listen. Lots of good stuff here about life in our universe (and others) and how to be authentically ourselves.

Rob and Anni discuss “the myth of busy,” the “thisness” of us all, and his latest book Where’d You Park Your Spaceship? No spoilers in this episode.

Beloved author, poet, playwright Carol Lynn Pearson talks about moving from the “rocky plains of patriarchy into the promised land of partnership” and revering Mother God as well as the Father and Jesus.

Writer and theologian Colette Eaton explores relating to the Divine Feminine, finding God in nature, and being an authentic follower of Jesus.

Anni talks about what she means by calling God “Mama,” how she got here, and why it’s so important that we connect with the Divine Feminine.

Many of us have experienced deep wounding at the hands of Christians—whether that be harsh judgement, exclusion, neglect, or outright abuse. In this episode, Anni addresses the hurt caused by followers of Jesus.

Anni dives right in, opening up about a painful chapter in her story. “Vulnerability begets vulnerability,” she says, hoping listeners might be inspired to share courageously in their own lives.

Explore with Anni what it means to identify as barely, yet fully, Christian.