PODCAST · religion
The Forbidden Apple
by Pelayo Alvarez & Melissa Weisz
Welcome to "The Forbidden Apple" podcast, where we explore the relationship between queer people and spirituality. Melissa Weisz, a former Orthodox Jew and Pelayo Alvarez a Spanish raised Catholic meet weekly and sink our teeth into "The Forbidden Apple". We interview LGBTQ artists, activists & clergy from unique religious backgrounds. Recent guests include Arlan Hamilton, Mary Lambert, Sushant Divgikar, Rev. Troy Perry, Ryan Cassata & Senator Weinberg. Join our conversations as we discuss overcoming prejudices, find common ground, and celebrate our differences.
Episodes
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Becoming an LGBT Global faith leader - Bishop Joseph Tolton (Part II)
In Part II of this Episode, Bishop Tolton talks about his mission of creating Interconnected Justice (ICJ)- a global racial justice movement in which the continent of Africa and its diaspora build an ecosystem of self-defined and determined advocacy. Bishop Tolton works directly with leaders to...
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Becoming an LGBT Global faith leader - Bishop Joseph Tolton (Part I)
Bishop Joseph Tolton is a legendary global faith leader and the Founder and President of Interconnected Justice - a global racial justice movement in which the continent of Africa and its diaspora build an ecosystem of self-defined and determined advocacy. Bishop Tolton shares the complexities of...
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A Queer Feminist Activist - Dr. Stella Nyanzi
The inimitable Dr. Stella Nyanzi is a Ugandan queer feminist activist, human rights advocate, poet, medical anthropologist, and scholar of sexuality, family planning, and public health. At the time of our recording, Stella speaks to us from Kenya where she is taking refuge due to the current…
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Raising the voice of sexual violence survivors with Mary Muthui TW Sexual Violence
Mary Muthui is a human rights activist from Kenya. She shares the stigma and violence she faced being noticeably queer, and what gave her the strength and courage to fight for herself and others. Mary talks to us about the practice of corrective rape- which is unfortunately common practice…
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A Media Pioneer from Angola - Coréon Dú
Coréon Dú is an award-winning Angolan recording artist, creative director, designer, screenwriter and producer. Coréon shares how he started creating much-needed entertainment for folks his own age in Angola, and how he became a leading voice on the forefront of change with his revolutionary...
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It Feels Good To Be Forbidden- Val Kalende
Val Kalende is an activist and founding member of Uganda's LGBTQ MOVEMENT. Val helped launch Freedom and Roam Uganda-FARUG. She shares how taking the risk to be visible has paid off in advancing LGBTQ rights in Uganda. Val opens up about her journey of going back into the closet after being a…
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Asylum, a manifesto for LGBTQ refugees with Edafe Okporo
Edafe Okporo is a global gay rights activist, the founder of Refuge America, and one of the most visible voices on the issue of displacement. Edafe grew up in Nigeria where religion played an important role in his childhood. Edafe shares how he was guided to pray the gay away and how he became a...
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African Rainbow Family with Aderonke Apata
Aderonke is a Nigerian LGBTQ Activist and the founder of African Rainbow Family charity- a UK-Based organization that supports LGBTIQ people of African heritage and the wider Black and Asian Minority Ethnic groups. Aderonke was born and raised in Nigeria where being gay is illegal. When she was...
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I ran away from God - Luzie from Kenya (TW: suicide, violence, homophobia)
Luzie talks about her struggle growing up as a Lesbian in Kenya. She opens up about the spiritual violence she suffered and being made to believe that it's demonic to be attracted to the same sex. Luzie shines a light on how gay clubs become a safe haven for many LGBTQ folks- drinking to numb the...
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Professor of Religious Studies in Zimbabwe - Ezra Chitando
Ezra Chitando is a Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Zimbabwe and co-author of “Reimagining Christianity and Sexual Diversity in Africa”. Ezra serves as Theology Consultant on HIV and AIDS with EHAIA, the Ecumenical HIV and AIDS Initiatives and Advocacy, of the World Council of...
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The story of a Refugee from Cameroon - Cedric Tchante (TW: Suicide,Violence, Homophobia)
Cedric Tchante is an activist, marketing coordinator and blogger from Cameroon, currently living in San Francisco. Cedric talks about growing up in Cameroon where being gay is illegal. He shares how he became a vocal activist and appeared in the documentary “Born This Way”. A first in Cameroon,...
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An LGBTQ artivist from Botswana - Katlego Kai Kolanyane-Kesupile
Katlego Kai Kolanyane-Kesupile is a performance artist, musician, writer and LGBT artivist from Botswana. She is known for being the first public figure from Botswana to openly identify as trans. Katlego is also the first-ever TED Fellow from Botswana. Katlego talks about the biggest…
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Life-saving work for LGBTQ folks in Uganda - "Biggie" from FARUG
Ssenfuka Joanita Warry (Biggie) is the Executive Director of Freedom and Roam Uganda FARUG which is a Lesbian, Bisexual and Queer diverse persons and women's rights organization based in Uganda. FARUG’s mission is to strengthen and mobilize the voice, visibility, and collective organizing power…
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Nigerian Gay Rights Activist - Bisi Alimi
Bis Alimi is a Nigerian gay rights activist, public speaker, blog writer, and HIV/LGBT advocate who gained international attention when he became the first Nigerian to come out on television. Bisi shares about how coming out on tv caused him to be driven out of his country and shaped his life and...
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The Forbidden Apple around the world series
After two years of exploring the relationship between LGBTQ people and religion, TFA is traveling abroad. In this new season we amplify LGBTQ voices from African countries. We will hear from people who have survived gender-based violence and corrective rape, live with HIV in Africa, and those who...
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Summer Break - with hosts Melissa Weisz & Pelayo Alvarez
On this final episode of The Nuanced Series, your hosts look back on the lessons learned throughout this season. From listening to others perspectives to giving ourselves permission to think differently, Melissa and Pelayo discuss how to engage in difficult yet meaningful conversations. Thank you...
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Cops at Pride - with your hosts.
Melissa and Pelayo discuss 2021 Pride and the decision of the organization that runs New York’s Pride to ban cops from the parade. Do you feel safer without cops at the Pride parade? We wanna hear from our community so let us know your thoughts on this via our Instagram @theforbiddenapplepodcast…
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“Homosexual” in the bible 1946 with Sharon “Rocky” Roggio
What if the word homosexual was never meant to be in the bible? Sharon Rocky Roggio, producer and director of the documentary film 1946 joins us to discuss the film that chronicles how the misuse of a single word changed the course of modern history. Rocky also shares her personal struggle and…
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Affirming LGBTQ youth with Ross Murray
Ross Murray from GLAAD, Yass, Jesus! podcast and the Naming Project is back on the pod! His new book ”Made, Known, Loved” shows congregations how to create a program that affirms LGBTQ youth. How can we transform religious spaces into more welcoming environments and guide future leaders? Listen…
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Comedy for social change with Carolyn Bergier
Today are joined by our favorite comedian Carolyn Bergier host of the podcast "Dyking Out". We discuss all things comedy: The limits, the pitfalls, and how smart comedy can be used for social change. Carolyn breaks down how to broach difficult topics with humor. Listen for a good time and expert...
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On the Catholic Church statement on Same-Sex Unions (BONUS)
Pelayo brings you a rant on the Catholic Church statement on same-sex unions and their impossibility to bless them. An answer to their "unjust discriminations" and being "unable to bless sin". This statement comes shortly after Pope Francis mentioning homosexuals are children of God and have a...
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Time for a religious reformation with Rev Liz Edman
Your hosts are joined by Rev. Liz Edman, queer priest, and author of “Queer Virtue”, to discuss the latest statement from the Vatican on Same-sex Unions. Liz explains the cycle of reformation of religious institutions every 500 years and shares her personal experience on creating change within...
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Your spiritual toolbox - Appreciation vs Appropriation with your hosts
Continuing with our "nuanced series" we discuss how to build your own spiritual toolbox.' Your hosts Pelayo and Melissa unpack the difference between appropriation vs appreciation. The question of the hour is " how do we learn from others and apply it in a respectful way to our lives? We look...
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“The Nuanced series": Ex-gays. With your hosts.
Melissa and Pelayo talk about the phenomenon of the “ex-gay’ and the effects it has on LGBTQ+ community. Can we live our truth without judging others or does our truth affect our humanity as a whole? How do we have nuanced conversations around things we are ideologically opposed to? We discuss…
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You are not your thoughts: Chris DiMeglio
Chris DiMeglio is a meditation teacher and professional musician. Chris opens up about the interconnections between coming out and starting his meditation practice. Chris shares how the work of Byron Katie and Shinzen Young help him when he’s in a stressful mindset and remind him to just observe...
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Bad with Money: Gaby Dunn
We welcome Gaby Dunn, author, comedian, you-tuber, and fellow podcaster from "Bad with Money" and "Just Between Us" Gaby shares how ritual, culture, history, and dark humor connects her to her Judaism. We discuss separatism, generational trauma, and how antisemitism is on the rise. Gaby talks…
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Bonus: Meditation with Marisa Viola (MNDFL)
This guided meditation by Marisa Viola is for all of us feeling stressed, scared, or anxious. Marisa Viola, who is a meditation teacher at MNDFL and runs an LGBTQ sit, joined us for our mindfulness session of "7 Weeks of Purpose". We stand with the black community and will participate in the...
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It's about damn time: Arlan Hamilton
Author and venture capitalist Arlan Hamilton shares her journey from sleeping on airport floors to funding her own venture capital fund "Backstage Capital". She discusses having faith in people's potential and the lessons she learned from growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness. Arlan shares how to…
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Jewish orthodox comedian: Leah Forster
Comedian Leah Forster joins us to talk about her journey of being raised in an ultra-orthodox community to finding her own meaning and connection to Judaism. She shares the pain of living a double life and the joy of finally being her authentic self. Leah discusses the scandal of having her show...
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7 Weeks of Purpose: with your hosts
Introducing our Zoom series "7 weeks of purpose". We will be going live every Sunday from May 10th to June 21st, 2020. We will bring together community, ask advice from old and new friends, and explore a wide variety of perspectives on purpose, faith & spirituality. These conversations will leave...
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The future of religion: with your hosts.
Melissa and Pelayo analyze the future of religion and discuss how new technologies and online communities have reshaped traditional aspects of religion. From meditation apps to astrological communities, it is clear that human beings are continuously looking for a connection with something greater...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to "The Forbidden Apple" podcast, where we explore the relationship between queer people and spirituality. Melissa Weisz, a former Orthodox Jew and Pelayo Alvarez a Spanish raised Catholic meet weekly and sink our teeth into "The Forbidden Apple". We interview LGBTQ artists, activists & clergy from unique religious backgrounds. Recent guests include Arlan Hamilton, Mary Lambert, Sushant Divgikar, Rev. Troy Perry, Ryan Cassata & Senator Weinberg. Join our conversations as we discuss overcoming prejudices, find common ground, and celebrate our differences.
HOSTED BY
Pelayo Alvarez & Melissa Weisz
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Forbidden Apple have?
The Forbidden Apple currently has 31 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Forbidden Apple about?
Welcome to "The Forbidden Apple" podcast, where we explore the relationship between queer people and spirituality. Melissa Weisz, a former Orthodox Jew and Pelayo Alvarez a Spanish raised Catholic meet weekly and sink our teeth into "The Forbidden Apple". We interview LGBTQ artists, activists &...
How often does The Forbidden Apple release new episodes?
The Forbidden Apple has 31 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Forbidden Apple?
You can listen to The Forbidden Apple 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 The Forbidden Apple?
The Forbidden Apple is created and hosted by Pelayo Alvarez & Melissa Weisz.
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