Belonging: Gender, Sex & Spirituality

Belonging: Gender, Sex & SpiritualityFor our tenth and final episode, we are honored to welcome Rabbi Marianne Van Praag, a respected spiritual leader, teacher, and advocate for meaningful dialogue at the intersection of faith, identity, and human connection.In this powerful conversation, Rabbi Marianne explores how Jewish tradition, sacred texts, and religious practice engage with questions of gender, sexuality, belonging, and spiritual expression. Drawing on her experience as a rabbi, she reflects on the evolving relationship between ancient wisdom and contemporary understandings of identity, and how faith communities can create spaces of inclusion, dignity, and compassion.Together, we discuss the role religion plays in shaping our understanding of ourselves and one another, the tensions and possibilities that emerge when tradition meets social change, and how spirituality can serve as a pathway to deeper belonging.Join us for a thoughtful and inspiring finale as we explore what it means to honor both tradition and transformation in the pursuit of a more connected and compassionate world.🎧 Episode 10 featuring Rabbi Marianne Van Praag is available now.

Episode 9 of Belonging: Gender, Sex & Spirituality is now live. 🎙️✨This week, we’re joined by Puneet K. Bindlish — researcher, educator, and scholar of spirituality, leadership, and lived religion — whose work bridges ancient wisdom traditions with modern conversations around identity, humanity, and belonging.In this powerful episode, we explore:• India’s understanding of the third gender and gender fluidity• The spiritual concept of Tritiya Prakriti• Ancient wisdom traditions and their relevance today• Spirituality beyond binaries• What it truly means to belong on a collective and human scaleThis conversation invites us to rethink identity not as something rigid, but as something deeply human, expansive, and interconnected.Now streaming on all platforms. 🌍#BelongingPodcast #GenderAndSpirituality #TritiyaPrakriti #ThirdGender #GenderFluidity #Spirituality #AncientWisdom #PodcastLaunch #Belonging

Episode 9 of Belonging: Gender, Sex & Spirituality is now live. 🎙️✨This week, we’re joined by Puneet K. Bindlish — researcher, educator, and scholar of spirituality, leadership, and lived religion — whose work bridges ancient wisdom traditions with modern conversations around identity, humanity, and belonging.In this powerful episode, we explore:• India’s understanding of the third gender and gender fluidity• The spiritual concept of Tritiya Prakriti• Ancient wisdom traditions and their relevance today• Spirituality beyond binaries• What it truly means to belong on a collective and human scaleThis conversation invites us to rethink identity not as something rigid, but as something deeply human, expansive, and interconnected.Now streaming on all platforms. 🌍#BelongingPodcast #GenderAndSpirituality #TritiyaPrakriti #ThirdGender #GenderFluidity #Spirituality #AncientWisdom #PodcastLaunch #Belonging

In Episode 8 of Belonging: Gender, Sex & Spirituality, hosts Mpho Tutu van Furth and Marceline Tutu van Furthwelcome Thupten Jinpa — Buddhist philosopher, compassion researcher, and the longtime English translator to Dalai Lama.From a small Tibetan community to becoming one of the world’s leading voices on compassion and contemplative wisdom, Jinpa’s journey is one of identity, displacement, purpose, and profound spiritual transformation. Navigating life between cultures, languages, and belief systems, he reflects on what it means to remain rooted in humanity while embracing change, difference, and deeper understanding.In this deeply moving conversation, Jinpa shares how spirituality can become a bridge rather than a barrier — inviting us into greater empathy, self-awareness, and connection with one another. Together, the conversation explores how gender, sexuality, and spirituality intersect with our universal longing to be seen, accepted, and to belong.This episode is a powerful reminder that belonging is not about fitting into a single identity — it is about compassion, authenticity, and learning how to hold space for ourselves and others with grace. 🎙️✨

In Episode 8 of Belonging: Gender, Sex & Spirituality, hosts Mpho Tutu van Furth and Marceline Tutu van Furthwelcome Thupten Jinpa — Buddhist philosopher, compassion researcher, and the longtime English translator to Dalai Lama.From a small Tibetan community to becoming one of the world’s leading voices on compassion and contemplative wisdom, Jinpa’s journey is one of identity, displacement, purpose, and profound spiritual transformation. Navigating life between cultures, languages, and belief systems, he reflects on what it means to remain rooted in humanity while embracing change, difference, and deeper understanding.In this deeply moving conversation, Jinpa shares how spirituality can become a bridge rather than a barrier — inviting us into greater empathy, self-awareness, and connection with one another. Together, the conversation explores how gender, sexuality, and spirituality intersect with our universal longing to be seen, accepted, and to belong.This episode is a powerful reminder that belonging is not about fitting into a single identity — it is about compassion, authenticity, and learning how to hold space for ourselves and others with grace. 🎙️✨

When Law Erases Culture: What Ghana’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill ThreatensIn this week's episode of Belonging: Gender, Sex and Spirituality, we had the privilege of speaking with a Ghanaian traditional priestess and healer whose story has stayed with me.Her words challenge one of the most persistent—and harmful—claims shaping currentdebates in Ghana: that queerness is “un-African.”It is not.Within many indigenous spiritual traditions, gender and sexuality have long beenunderstood as fluid, relational, and deeply connected to the spiritual world. As she explained, spiritual embodiment can include same-sex intimacy, gender variance and roles shaped by one’s relationship with a deity.In her words:“It has been like that before Christianity came, before colonization came.”This matters.Because the proposed anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Ghana is not only about regulating identity—it risks criminalizing indigenous knowledge systems and spiritual practices thatpredate colonial influence.It is important to name this clearly: much of the stigma now directed at LGBTQ+ communities is itself a legacy of colonial-era Christianity, which labeled traditional practices as “evil” and reshaped cultural norms accordingly.Today, that history is being codified into law.And the consequences are real.The communities most at risk include traditional practitioners—many of them women—who already face marginalization, limited access to formal education, and vulnerability to exploitation. As fear grows around the pending bill, so too does the risk of violence, surveillance, and silencing.“If this bill should be passed, we don’t know what will happen… a lot of bad things will be happening to us.” Naa Busuafi told us.At stake is more than policy.At stake is whether a society remembers its own cultural and spiritual complexity—or allows it to be erased.At stake is whether belonging is defined narrowly through law, or more expansivelythrough history, humanity, and relationship.For those of us working in fields like leadership, human rights, healthcare, education, and faith communities - this moment calls for thoughtful engagement.It calls for: Listening to indigenous voices, recognizing the layered impacts of colonial history.Supporting those working on the ground to educate and protect vulnerable communities and perhaps most importantly, it calls for humility.Because sometimes the most important thing we can do is not to speak for others—but to ensure that their voices are heard.#Belonging #HumanRights #Leadership #Inclusion #Africa #LGBTQ #CulturalHeritage

When Law Erases Culture: What Ghana’s Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill ThreatensIn this week's episode of Belonging: Gender, Sex and Spirituality, we had the privilege of speaking with a Ghanaian traditional priestess and healer whose story has stayed with me.Her words challenge one of the most persistent—and harmful—claims shaping currentdebates in Ghana: that queerness is “un-African.”It is not.Within many indigenous spiritual traditions, gender and sexuality have long beenunderstood as fluid, relational, and deeply connected to the spiritual world. As she explained, spiritual embodiment can include same-sex intimacy, gender variance and roles shaped by one’s relationship with a deity.In her words:“It has been like that before Christianity came, before colonization came.”This matters.Because the proposed anti-LGBTQ+ legislation in Ghana is not only about regulating identity—it risks criminalizing indigenous knowledge systems and spiritual practices thatpredate colonial influence.It is important to name this clearly: much of the stigma now directed at LGBTQ+ communities is itself a legacy of colonial-era Christianity, which labeled traditional practices as “evil” and reshaped cultural norms accordingly.Today, that history is being codified into law.And the consequences are real.The communities most at risk include traditional practitioners—many of them women—who already face marginalization, limited access to formal education, and vulnerability to exploitation. As fear grows around the pending bill, so too does the risk of violence, surveillance, and silencing.“If this bill should be passed, we don’t know what will happen… a lot of bad things will be happening to us.” Naa Busuafi told us.At stake is more than policy.At stake is whether a society remembers its own cultural and spiritual complexity—or allows it to be erased.At stake is whether belonging is defined narrowly through law, or more expansivelythrough history, humanity, and relationship.For those of us working in fields like leadership, human rights, healthcare, education, and faith communities - this moment calls for thoughtful engagement.It calls for: Listening to indigenous voices, recognizing the layered impacts of colonial history.Supporting those working on the ground to educate and protect vulnerable communities and perhaps most importantly, it calls for humility.Because sometimes the most important thing we can do is not to speak for others—but to ensure that their voices are heard.#Belonging #HumanRights #Leadership #Inclusion #Africa #LGBTQ #CulturalHeritage

Belonging Episode 6 with Dr Anima AdjepongAs Ghana moves closer to passing one of the world’s harshest anti-LGBTQ+ laws, Dr. Anima Adjepong reminds us: Ghana is not a monolith.Alongside repression, there are pockets of resistance — quiet acts of care, courage, and solidarity that refuse silence.Because this bill doesn’t just criminalize identity — it criminalizes support itself.Silence is not neutral🎙️http://linkedin.com/in/anima-adjepong⁠

Belonging Episode 6 with Dr Anima AdjepongAs Ghana moves closer to passing one of the world’s harshest anti-LGBTQ+ laws, Dr. Anima Adjepong reminds us: Ghana is not a monolith.Alongside repression, there are pockets of resistance — quiet acts of care, courage, and solidarity that refuse silence.Because this bill doesn’t just criminalize identity — it criminalizes support itself.Silence is not neutral🎙️http://linkedin.com/in/anima-adjepong

Episode 5 of belonging: gender, sex & spirituality is here.In this deeply reflective conversation, Imam Amar Alfikar joins us to explore the intersections of faith, identity, and the human search for belonging. Together, we unpack how gender and sexuality are understood within spiritual spaces, the tensions that can arise, and the possibilities for compassion, inclusion, and transformation.This episode invites you to sit with complexity, challenge assumptions, and reimagine what it means to belong - to ourselves, to our communities, and to the sacred.Listen now.

Episode 5 of belonging: gender, sex & spirituality is here.In this deeply reflective conversation, Imam Amar Alfikar joins us to explore the intersections of faith, identity, and the human search for belonging. Together, we unpack how gender and sexuality are understood within spiritual spaces, the tensions that can arise, and the possibilities for compassion, inclusion, and transformation.This episode invites you to sit with complexity, challenge assumptions, and reimagine what it means to belong - to ourselves, to our communities, and to the sacred.Listen now.

@sarojini.nadarA powerful conversation on gender & spirituality - more specifically the danger of theology in the wrong hands, including it's potential for justice in the right ones.Join us for this weeks Episode of Belonging! Please like & subscribe!!!https://belonging-gender-sex-spirituality.start.page

@sarojini.nadarA powerful conversation on gender & spirituality - more specifically the danger of theology in the wrong hands, including it's potential for justice in the right ones.Join us for this weeks Episode of Belonging! Please like & subscribe!!!https://belonging-gender-sex-spirituality.start.page

Episode 3 of Belonging is here!In this conversation, Mark Gevisser joins us to explore identity, queerness, and what it truly means to belong - in South Africa and beyond.Join us for this weeks episode that is - Honest, Thought-provoking & Necessary.WATCH BELONGING EPISODE 3 NOW!

Episode 3 of Belonging is here!In this conversation, Mark Gevisser joins us to explore identity, queerness, and what it truly means to belong - in South Africa and beyond.Join us for this weeks episode that is - Honest, Thought-provoking & Necessary.WATCH BELONGING EPISODE 3 NOW!

“Exploring gender, sex, and sexuality identities in an African context” Exploring The SOGI (sexual orientation and gender identity) universe because dignity and belonging are central to ethical care.⁠https://desmondtutuhealthfoundation.org.za/admin-dthf/news/lgbtqi-sogi-universe/⁠

“Exploring gender, sex, and sexuality identities in an African context” Exploring The SOGI (sexual orientation and gender identity) universe because dignity and belonging are central to ethical care.⁠https://desmondtutuhealthfoundation.org.za/admin-dthf/news/lgbtqi-sogi-universe/⁠

Introducing Belonging: Gender, Sex & Spirituality. Hosts Mpho Tutu van Furth and Marceline Tutu van Furth introduce Belonging - a podcast exploring identity, spirituality, and the human search for connection.Across differences of culture, race, and belief, they ask a simple but profound question: What allows us to belong — to ourselves and to one another?Welcome to Belonging!

Introducing Belonging: Gender, Sex & Spirituality. Hosts Mpho Tutu van Furth and Marceline Tutu van Furth introduce Belonging - a podcast exploring identity, spirituality, and the human search for connection.Across differences of culture, race, and belief, they ask a simple but profound question: What allows us to belong — to ourselves and to one another?Welcome to Belonging!

Coming March 5!