Books, Bible, Beer, and Queer

Author Kenneth McIntosh wrote "Water from an Ancient Well, Celtic Spirituality for Modern Life" over a decade ago and in this episode we explore how the wisdom that can come from these healing and "thin" places, is especially relevant today. In this season of change, challenges, and turmoil throughout the globe, the lessons from ancient times can bring us solace.

Although he's in his 80's, singer/songwriter Ken Medema is still rolling out improvised, heartfelt messages of Christ-centered social justice.Thank you, Ken, for sharing your time and your talent with all of us at Wild Goose, and thank you for sitting down in a small tent, on a hot day, surrounded by the nearby noises of people cooking, talking and singing, to share your message with me and the BBBQ listeners.

I recently flew to North Carolina to be reminded that the best beer is from Michigan. Ok, not quite accurate.  I've always wanted to talk to the people in charge of beer at a Christian festival, and now I have! Many thanks to Betsy McGeorge and her daughter, Kristen, the Beer Team co-leads at Wild Goose Festival, for their commitment, their time, and yes, for bringing the best beer.  

Flamy Grant’s new album, Church, has hit the top 10 on iTunes Country chart!  Woot! That’s right, a top 10 country album by an Appalachian drag queen.    At the same time, Flamy’s home region in North Carolina has been devastated by the aftermath of hurricane Helene. I was honored to score an early-morning interview with Flamy Grant at Wild Goose Festival 2024. They have so much to share, not only through their immense talent to write, perform, and entertain. They are improving our world by being present and standing in the gap for social justice and human rights.  Thank you, Flamy Grant! As you listen to this episode of BBBQ, please consider supporting Beloved Asheville for hurricane Helene relief efforts and the Campaign for Southern Equality to support human rights in the South.  You can follow Flamy on social media or find them online at flamygrant.com. 

There's only one way to equal the excitement of seeing Madonna live at the United Center on a Friday night ........that's seeing Spencer LaJoye on Saturday! Both musicians are gifted beyond imagination, know how to mix theology, sexuality, and gender into a single concert, or even a single song, and both were born and raised in Michigan. I was lucky enough to share this weekend with two good friends and my son, and they've joined me in this episode to share a glimpse with you.

Author Kenneth McIntosh recently published the book, Oak and Lotus: Celtic Christian Spirituality in the Light of Eastern Wisdom. In this episode Joyce talks with Kenneth about his inspiration for writing it, his hopes for readers, and an upcoming webinar opportunity to engage with others on this intersectional journey of faith traditions. Author Bruce Epperly had this to say about the book, "When you read this book, you take a voyage of discovery and venture toward far horizons. This is one of the most inspirational books you will read on interspirituality and the universal wisdom of the Celtic sages.”

Wild Goose Festival is a place where surprises happen, organic experiences leap out for you, and joy abounds. I wanted to meet the Beer and Hymn Sing crew, so I approached one of them after a session. Lucky me, they said "yes!" We found an empty tent in the midst of busy sessions and food vendors, I set up my laptop and a mic, and voilà! In this episode meet four members of the 2023 Beer & Hymn Sing crew, hear clips from an evening session, and learn how you can start Beer & Hymn sing sessions through your church.

Wild Goose Festival guests and co-creators bring us one-time special moments. And for me, interviewing Spencer LaJoye was one of those. Spencer is a folk/pop singer songwriter, violinist, and vocal loop artist in who believes everyone is made of the good stuff. A 2021 Kerrville New Folk Songwriting Competition winner, LaJoye (luh-JOY) makes music to tell the truth and return to their body as a queer person in recovery from American Christian evangelicalism. Learn more about me at joycestandsup.com and learn more about Spencer at spencerlajoye.com

Comedian Kristen Becker is changing lives of LGBTQ+ youth one Summer of Sass at a time.

Joyce talks with film festival programmer and emerging producer Greta Hagen-Richardson about her recent projects, the importance of representation, and shows to watch this year.

I discuss with Kenneth McIntosh his latest title, “Hope in an Age of Fear: Wisdom from the Book of Revelation” along with another 2020 release, “Soul of the Green Man.” Both books can be found, along with McIntosh’s other titles, at anamcharabooks.com.

In this episode I talk about the importance of local congregations officially becoming Open and Affirming. Included is a message I recently shared with my congregation in Southwest Michigan.