PODCAST · religion
Queer Theology Podcast
by Brian G Murphy & Shannon TL Kearns
The longest running podcast for and by LGBTQ Christians and other queer people of faith and spiritual seekers. Hosted by Fr. Shannon TL Kearns, a transgender Christian priest and Brian G. Murphy, a bisexual polyamorous Jew. and now in its 10th year, the Queer Theology Podcast shares deep insights and practical tools for building a thriving spiritual life on your own terms.Explore the archives for a queer perspective on hundreds of Bible passages and spiritual traditions as well as dozens of interviews with respected LGBTQ leaders like Amy-Jill Levine, Namoli Brennet, Joy Ladin, Emmy Kegler, Trey Pearson, Dr. Pamela Lightsey (and a few cis, straight folks too). We also have series on Matthew, Mark, and Galatians, as well as topics like Sunday School Sex Ed, Scary Things You Might Have Been Taught In Church, and so much more!
Episodes
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A Faith That Finds Us Where We Are
In this episode, we queer Luke 15:1–10 and Jesus' parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin. This is a familiar parable but what if we reimagine what it means to seek, find, and celebrate the people who are hurting or searching for belonging? Rather than viewing these stories solely through…
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From Fear to Hope
There seems to be so much fear out there right now and Fr. Shannon takes this episode to explore the role fear plays in our faith, our bodies, and our relationships. Reflecting on his own upbringing in a church rooted in fear (going to hell, being left behind in the rapture, and even the Y2K end...
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Redemption Without Permission
We queer the passage, Galatians 1:11–24 for this week's episode. Through the lens of redemption, transformation, and trusting your own calling we reflect on past versions of faith that now feel uncomfortable or harmful, and how Paul's story offers a powerful reminder that our past does not have…
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Reading the Bible Through Queer Eyes Book Launch!
It's a special episode this week as we celebrate the launch of our brand-new book, "Reading the Bible Through Queer Eyes: Good News for LGBTQ+ People from Genesis to Revelation." We have been doing this work for more than a decade and we're super excited to finally see it in book form! If you've...
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Economic Justice: Queering Matthew 20: 1-16
This week we queer Matthew 20:1–16, the familiar parable of the laborers in the vineyard, and uncover a lesson that is deeply concerned with labor, wages, economic justice, and generosity. This passage is often taught as a story about salvation and getting into heaven, but when we explore what...
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When Scripture Queers Itself
For this episode, we queer the text from the Wisdom of Solomon. This is a deuterocanonical Jewish text that reflects on wisdom as something active, relational, and continually calling us toward growth. This is one of those passages that just seems to queer itself by inviting us to seek wisdom…
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There Are No Insiders and Outsiders: Isaiah 56 and Romans 11
We queer two powerful biblical texts—Isaiah 56 and Romans 11—to explore who gets to belong, what salvation means, and what Scripture has to say about immigrants and outsiders. We unpack the Bible's repeated call to welcome and care for immigrants, challenge the ways anti-immigrant and white...
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Queering Ruth: Chosen Family and Belonging
In this episode, we look at Ruth 1:1–18 and the powerful, often-overlooked queerness of Ruth and Naomi's relationship. Rather than reading the passage primarily as a lesbian love story, we consider how Ruth's radical commitment to Naomi challenges traditional ideas about family, loyalty, and...
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Stay, Go, or Find Another Way
In this episode, we tackle the complicated question of when to stay, when to take a break, and when to leave a religious tradition. Our own journeys are very different, but there are definitely similarities. There was a point when we started questioning Christianity, stepping away from church,...
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Moving Beyond Affirmative Ministry with Queer Theology: Brent Saccucci Interview of Brian
Brian was recently interviewed by Brent Saccucci (@brentsaccucci) from the University of Lethbridge to talk about Queer Theology and how it differs from affirmative ministry and we're going to share that interview with y'all! In this interview, Brian challenges the idea that queer people need to...
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The Sin of Sodom & Gomorrah?
Because we're the QueerTheology Podcast, of course we're going to dive into Isaiah 1:10–18. This is a familiar and powerful passage. Just the words, "Sodom and Gomorrah" evoke a reaction because of their use in evangelical Christian religion. But we invite you to challenge common assumptions…
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Toward Pride With Rev. Don Abram
This episode features a powerful conversation between Rev. Don Abram and Brian on reimagining care as an abundant resource rather than a scarce commodity. Don Abram (@towardpride) is a Chicago-based social innovator and founder of Toward Pride, leading work that advances the well-being of Black...
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Taking Ownership of Your Faith Life
In this episode, Fr. Shannon reflects on growing up in a high-control evangelical religion where every aspect of faith and how he was supposed to show up, was laid out for him. It was a long journey to untangle those deeply ingrained beliefs, but when we explore how harmful messages and…
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Hard Passages
What do you do when you come across difficult passages in the Bible? In this episode, Fr. Shannon explores how to engage with challenging texts, especially those often used to condemn LGBTQ people, as well as passages that portray God as violent, or seem to support slavery, or take a negative…
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Bridging the Rivers of Difference with Dr. Catherine Meeks
Fr. Shannon is joined by author Catherine Meeks on the pod this week to talk about self-interrogation, discernment, and what it means to move beyond being an ally toward becoming a committed co-resistor and fellow pilgrim in the work of collective liberation. Catherine Meeks, PhD, is the founder…
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Bottoming for Jesus with Michael R. Speciàle
Brian is joined by his longtime friend, Michael R. Speciàle (@speciale.mr) on this pod this week for an interview that is funny, provocative, and moving. Michael is a writer, performer, and cultural strategist based in Los Angeles. He grew up between Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington,...
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Holding Boundaries When Your Family Won't Change
In this episode, Fr. Shannon reflects on the grief and complexity of navigating a strained relationship with family after coming out. After a recent trip home, he shares the painful realization that no amount of patience or perfectly crafted theological arguments can change people who are…
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Conversion Therapy Dropout with Timothy Shraeder Rodriguez
Timothy Schraeder Rodriguez (@timothy.s.rodriguez) joins Brian on pod this week to discuss his debut memoir, "Conversion Therapy Dropout," and his journey through eight years of conversion therapy, evangelical megachurch culture, sobriety, and spiritual reconstruction. Tim spent almost a decade…
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Reclaiming Ritual
June 14, 2026 Libsyn: Timestamp: Reclaiming Ritual In this episode, Fr. Shannon reflects on how we can reconnect with spiritual practices after being hurt by faith communities or religious experiences. Following a personal experience that left him with hurt feelings (see episode 642!), he…
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Laughing Through Religious Trauma with Kevin James Thornton
We're so excited to welcome comedian, author, and internet storyteller Kevin James Thornton (@kevinjamesthornton) to the Podcast this week to talk about his new memoir, Big Gay Baby: On Beginnings, Endings, and Being Unapologetically Yourself. Kevin reflects on the accidental TikTok videos that...
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Can We Trust Our Experiences With The Divine?
On this week's episode, Fr. Shannon responds to listener questions that touch on some of the core themes of his (and Brian's!) work and ministry. He explores what Jesus meant by the "narrow path," reframing it not as a difficult and exclusionary road toward a distant heavenly reward, but as the...
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Prophetic Queer Plays with Jason Tseng
Brian is joined by long-time friend, Jason Tseng (they/them), @queeriously on the pod this week for a joyful and inspiring conversation about queer spirituality, storytelling, and moving through the world as a queer Christian. Jason, a queer, non-binary Chinese-American playwright based in New…
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The Radical Simplicity of Micah 6:1-8
This week we queer one of our favorite passages, Micah 6:1–8, and explore one of the Bible's clearest calls to justice: "do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God." It often feels like messages of the prophets continue to resonate so deeply today, especially in a world…
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Can You Fall Out of God's Favor?
In this episode, Father Shannon shares a deeply personal and recent story about being denied Communion by a Catholic priest despite identifying as Catholic himself and serving as an ordained priest in the Old Catholic tradition. Reflecting on the pain and rejection that surfaced in this…
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All Are Gathered In: Isaiah 56:1, 6-8 & Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
We queer two chapters in this week's episode and explore God's expansive vision of belonging and justice that is the throughline between them. Both passages challenge insider/outsider binaries and emphasize that God's covenant community is open to all. Especially, in these passages, immigrants…
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Everyone Wants a Village… but Nobody Wants to be the Villager
In this episode, we explore the idea that everyone needs a village or that everyone wants to build community. The thing is, when it comes to actually being the Villager.. no one wants to put in the effort. Or they think it needs to be a big effort. Or cost alot. Or look perfect. But that is not…
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Finding Eternal Life Now: Mark 10:17-31
In this week's episode we queer Mark 10:17–31 and look at some of Jesus' most challenging teachings. The ones that really make you think about how difficult it would be to let go of wealth, privilege, and certainty in order to follow a more expansive, justice-centered vision of love. There is…
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Queer Bible Study: Colossians 1:1–2
Fr. Shannon brings us this week's episode and it is the first in a series on the books of Colossians. In this first episode on book 1 of Colossians, he invites us into the deeply human world of letter writing and explores how this ancient text started as a letter to a real community navigating...
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How Easter Inspires Us To Work For The Reconciliation of All Things
It's Easter Sunday so we dive into the messy, complicated, and deeply meaningful questions surrounding resurrection, belief, and what it all means in the world today. We explore the literal vs. metaphorical resurrection of Jesus and broader questions about God, suffering, and the reconciliation…
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Searching for Divine Approval Through Sex with Jonah Wheeler (@ShowOffJonah)
Brian shares part of his interview with Jonah Wheeler on the podcast this week. Together they explore the complex intersections of sex, spirituality, and personal history, unpacking how formative experiences, particularly around desire, power, and validation, shape the ways we show up in intimate...
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When Safety is at Stake: Organizing in a Time of Crisis with Samantha Boucher
This week, Fr. Shannon sits down with Samantha Boucher, (@sceboucher) a trans activist and political organizer with deep roots in Appalachia, to explore how growing up in a rural, conservative community shaped her approach to justice, belonging, and advocacy. Samantha shares her journey from...
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Pleasure is Political
In this episode, Brian explores a provocative idea: what if your orgasms were a form of activism? In a world that often tries to make people (especially queer folks, women, and non-monogamous people!) feel small, ashamed, or powerless, reclaiming pleasure can be a radical act of resistance. Brian...
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The Story of Bob: an Interview with Steven C. Law
For this episode, Fr. Shannon talks with author Steven C. Law to explore the life and legacy of Rev. Robert W. Wood, a WWII veteran, United Church of Christ pastor, and author of the groundbreaking 1960 book, "Christ and the Homosexual." Steven is a writer whose work bridges faith and cultural...
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When Jesus Came Out - Queering the Transfiguration
In this episode, we answer a listener question and then queer Matthew 17:1–9 for the second Sunday in Lent. The Transfiguration as a powerful coming out story and when we reflect on Jesus taking his closest friends up the mountain, revealing something radiant and vulnerable about his identity…
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Bible Nerd Starter Pack
In this solo episode, Fr. Shannon is sharing his curated list of favorite books about theology, prayer, memoir, the Bible, and in-depth study- which is perfect for anyone looking to deepen their faith with a queer and justice-centered lens. He reflects on the texts that have shaped his theology…
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Queering Lent 2026
A guided audio experience for this time of reflection and renewal as we work toward collective liberation. Signup at queertheology.com/lent
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Torah as Liberation with Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg
In an inspiring episode, Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg (@rabbidanyaruttenberg) returns to the podcast to explore what it means to treat our lives, and our world, as sacred texts in a time of rising fascism, burnout, and moral confusion. Shaped by decades of organizing, she challenges the false divide...
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In The Beginning We Were Good
We're going back to the beginning for this episode as we dive into Genesis 1–3 to unpack how dominant Christian narratives of "the fall" and "original sin" have shaped theology, politics, and our sense of human worth. Reflecting on our evangelical upbringings, we explore how starting the story…
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After the Arrest: Faith Under Occupation
In this episode, we return to our roots and queer the passage, Matthew 4:12–23 by exploring Jesus's turn toward public ministry in the wake of John the Baptist's arrest and what that moment of political repression reveals about courage, solidarity, and collective action. In light of the state...
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Butt Sex, Baptism, and the Divine with Rev. Alba Onofrio
In this episode, Brian is joined by the inimitable Reverend Sex @reverand_sex (Alba Onofrio), executive director of Soulforce (@souforceorg), for a conversation about queer faith, spiritual violence, and the liberative possibilities of sex-positive theology. Rev. Alba Onofrio is a theologian and...
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Lesbian Nuns, Punk Rock, and God with Margot Douaihy
Fr. Shannon is joined this week by author Margot Douaihy (@NeonMargot), and this is very exciting for him since he is a huge fan of her Sister Holiday series! Margot is a professor of creative writing at Emerson College as well as the author of the award-winning, nationally bestselling Sister...
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Reclaiming the Wisdom That Christian Patriarchy Tried to Bury with Angela Herrington
We're excited to welcome @angelajherrington back to the podcast to talk about her new book and overcoming Christian patriarchy. For over a decade, Angela has helped women break free from the grip of Christian patriarchy and reconnect with the wisdom they were taught to silence. She is a...
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Building Routines That Actually Serve Us
It's a New Year 🎉and in this first episode of 2026, we reflect on highlights from 2025. From book releases and big life transitions, to moves, new jobs, and shifting rhythms. What has kept us grounded has been our approach to goals and intentions that have evolved as needed. It's why we keep...
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Queering the 10 Commandments
In this episode, we respond to a listener question about how to challenge harmful uses of the Hebrew Scriptures without falling into anti-Semitism or Christian supersessionism. As Christians, we can't rely on the New Testament to "fix" or dismiss the Old Testament and we unpack common...
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The Lamp the Light the Path, Psalms 119:105-112
This week, we respond to a thoughtful listener question from Tumblr about whether progressive Christians can understand the Bible as uniquely authoritative, or whether it should be treated as inspired work alongside other great works of literature and poetry. We look at how different Christian...
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Queering Hanukkah
As we come to the beginning of Hanukkah, Brian invites us to reimagine the Festival of Lights as a celebration of resistance, resilience, and the sacred spark within every queer body. When queering Hanukkah, we can explore how the Hanukkah story itself is rooted in defiance against erasure, and…
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Moving Past Terrible Theology
In this episode we dig into why leaving harmful churches isn't enough, you also have to unlearn the bad theology you absorbed along the way. We talk about how lingering fear, shame, reactivity, or discomfort around sex, Scripture, or Christian community can reveal where old beliefs are still...
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Preview: Queering Advent
A guided audio experience for this time of waiting, dreaming, and preparing as we hope for and work toward liberation and salvation. Rituals and liturgical seasons like Advent are invitations for us to re-center on what is most important to us. This winter, journey with us through Advent to…
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An Advent Reflection for Uncertain Times
Father Shannon kicks off the Advent season with a solo episode where he reflects on the meaning of Advent as both a spiritual and practical season of preparation. During this time of rising threats for trans, non-binary folks, and immigrants, uncertainty and fear hangs over us. Fr. Shannon offers...
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Called to Treason, Matthew Chapters 14-16
This episode dives into Matthew Chapters 14-16 and the rich political, communal, and spiritual tensions woven throughout. We unpack the death of John the Baptist, the feeding miracles, Jesus walking on water, debates about purity, the encounter with the Canaanite woman, and Peter's declaration of...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The longest running podcast for and by LGBTQ Christians and other queer people of faith and spiritual seekers. Hosted by Fr. Shannon TL Kearns, a transgender Christian priest and Brian G. Murphy, a bisexual polyamorous Jew. and now in its 10th year, the Queer Theology Podcast shares deep insights and practical tools for building a thriving spiritual life on your own terms.Explore the archives for a queer perspective on hundreds of Bible passages and spiritual traditions as well as dozens of interviews with respected LGBTQ leaders like Amy-Jill Levine, Namoli Brennet, Joy Ladin, Emmy Kegler, Trey Pearson, Dr. Pamela Lightsey (and a few cis, straight folks too). We also have series on Matthew, Mark, and Galatians, as well as topics like Sunday School Sex Ed, Scary Things You Might Have Been Taught In Church, and so much more!
HOSTED BY
Brian G Murphy & Shannon TL Kearns
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Queer Theology Podcast have?
Queer Theology Podcast currently has 360 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Queer Theology Podcast about?
The longest running podcast for and by LGBTQ Christians and other queer people of faith and spiritual seekers. Hosted by Fr. Shannon TL Kearns, a transgender Christian priest and Brian G. Murphy, a bisexual polyamorous Jew. and now in its 10th year, the Queer Theology Podcast shares deep insights...
How often does Queer Theology Podcast release new episodes?
Queer Theology Podcast publishes regularly with 360 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Queer Theology Podcast?
You can listen to Queer Theology Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Queer Theology Podcast?
Queer Theology Podcast is created and hosted by Brian G Murphy & Shannon TL Kearns.
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