Prepared to Drown: Deep Dives into an Expansive Faith

Fear is having a moment, and it’s not subtle. When politics starts sorting people into “insiders” and “threats,” when belonging is defined by exclusion, and when discrimination shows up in the open, we have to find the courage to name what we’re seeing and decide how we’ll respond.At the table with me are Scott Payne, a labor communicator and political strategist, and Francis Boakye, executive director of Action Dignity. We dig into what’s shifting in Alberta and beyond: the rise of nationalist language, the return of old bigotries in new packaging, and the way people are pushed to blame each other instead of questioning the systems that profit from division. We talk about newcomers being scapegoated, the difference between patriotism and nationalism, and why Ubuntu “I am because we are” is more than a philosophy; it’s a survival truth.We also get personal about isolation, social media perfection, and the quiet ways “polite” bigotry and Christian nationalism can reshape churches and public life. Then we pivot to what actually helps: humility, authenticity, servant leadership, and small groups of people who refuse to hand fear the final word. If you’ve been wondering how to push back without writing people off, or how to rebuild a sense of agency when everything feels rigged, this conversation is for you.Subscribe, share this with someone who needs hope, and leave a review so more people can find Prepared to Drown. What’s one small act of connection you can make this week?Check us out at www.preparedtodrown.comContinue the conversation over at our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/PreparedtoDrown

Your body walks with you into every room, including church, including the gym, including the mirror moment you didn’t ask for. From a live recording in Calgary at McDougall United Church, we sit down for an honest, practical conversation about the stories we inherit about bodies and why so many of them leave people feeling ashamed, judged, or “not enough.”Bill Weaver is joined by Ricardo De Menezes, Rev. Vicky McPhee, Rev. Karen Medland, and Geoff Starling, founder of Every Body STRONGER, a Calgary fitness space built on inclusion and body diversity. Together we unpack Christian theology that pits body against soul, Catholic and Protestant guilt around “temptation,” and the modern fitness culture that sells perfection while quietly punishing anyone who can’t or won’t conform. We also name the real-world harm of anti-fat bias, queer body standards, social media metrics, and medical stigma that too often treats weight as a diagnosis instead of seeing a whole person.Then we pivot toward hope. What does discipline look like when it’s life-giving instead of punishing? How can language become a signal of safety? What would it take to build communities, in church and in fitness, where people can safely fail, learn, and still belong? We make space for disability, chronic illness, injury, accessibility, and the privilege differences that shape how bodies move through the world.If this conversation gives you a new way to relate to movement, faith, or your own body, subscribe, share the episode with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find it.Check us out at www.preparedtodrown.comContinue the conversation over at our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/PreparedtoDrown

Headlines race ahead of facts, and the first loud version often becomes the truth we trust. We gather a panel to ask a bracing question: who gets to tell sacred and truth-bearing stories, and how do those stories shape who belongs, who is feared, and what we excuse? From a Monty Python hymn at a funeral to anime, Good Omens, and Lucifer, we trace how pop culture remixes Scripture, how satire reframes power, and why reinterpretation can feel liberating to some and threatening to others.Our guests—Rev. Dave Holmes, justice advocate Robin Padani, filmmaker Nick Johnson (Sunburnt Unicorn), and regular contributor Ricardo Di Menezes—dig into permission, appropriation, and consent. We talk about turning land acknowledgments into living commitments, survivor-led storytelling that moves courts and cabinets, and the difficult line between empathy and co‑opting. We name the markers of misuse: narratives that reduce, divide, dehumanize, or aggrandize the teller. We confront political myth-making, softened histories of slavery, and weaponized texts that trade complexity for control.Then we pivot to what sets people free. Nick shares the heart of Sunburnt Unicorn: you don’t need to be special to be worthy of love. Dave explores Scripture as a living conversation, where struggle can redeem and still leave a limp. Robin shows how agency and proximity transform “casework” into community power. Ricardo challenges anti‑fat bias and tokenism, calling for stories that honor the whole person. We close with a simple charge: tell the truth without turning it into a weapon; hold stories with open hands; choose belovedness over performance.If this conversation moved you, follow the show, share it with a friend who cares about narrative and justice, and leave a review with the one story you think the world needs to hear next.Check us out at www.preparedtodrown.comContinue the conversation over at our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/PreparedtoDrown

Outrage is easy. Repair is hard. We open the new year by tackling the knotty space between public shaming and meaningful accountability, asking what real consequences and real repair require when harm is public, painful, and politically charged. With Reverend Tony Snow, we pull apart the difference between performative certainty and the slower work of listening, facts, restitution, and time away from power.We revisit MeToo-era church cases to show how institutions instinctively protect platforms while minimizing victims, then map what responsible action looks like: independent investigations, concrete restitution, clear boundaries, and leaders stepping back. We also face a thorny question many avoid—can we separate art from the artist? The answer depends on whether using the work continues harm. Some things belong in museums with context; others can be reinterpreted, or their proceeds redirected to survivors.Tony brings lived wisdom from Indigenous communities in the aftermath of unmarked graves at residential schools, calling us toward truth-telling without spectacle. He draws a crucial line between shame, which paralyzes, and guilt, which can propel repair. We explore why restorative practices require real community to work—and why social media pile-ons fail that test. The conversation widens to pandemic-era backlash: how outrage was aimed at nurses, clergy, and immigrant workers while corporations profited, and how misdirected anger shields power by fracturing coalitions.What emerges is a practical, hopeful path: reclaim nuance in a binary culture, practice grace that never erases consequences, center those harmed, and build durable, transparent relationships across faiths and movements. Real accountability costs us comfort, image, and sometimes power—but it returns something deeper: trust worth having. If this speaks to you, follow the show, share it with someone you trust, and leave a review so others can find conversations that choose repair over certainty.Check us out at www.preparedtodrown.comContinue the conversation over at our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/PreparedtoDrown

A cold December night, a live audience in a church basement, and a question that won’t leave us alone: why do Christmas redemption stories still hit home when the world feels stuck? We open with the “villains” of our childhood—Scrooge, the Grinch, Frosty’s rival, the Abominable Snowman—and uncover what lingered: not just neat endings, but the stubborn truth that joy finds a way and community calls us back.From there we press deeper. Is redemption a flip of a switch or the long work of transformation? We wrestle with Dickens’ overnight arc, the pressure of perfect holidays, and how grief and absence reshape tradition. Our guests—an artist, a playwright-chaplain, and returning regulars—trace a path from performative change to lived formation: amends, accountability, and daily habits that restore us to each other. Along the way, we name the forces fighting against that work: algorithms that reward outrage, culture wars that distract from real needs, and the temptation to outsource care to systems while our neighborhoods grow quiet.What emerges is a simple, demanding practice: choose tables over threads. One coffee instead of ten comments. Real communities—churches, arts circles, running clubs—become places to be known, challenged, and carried. We connect classic Christmas scenes to present choices: Rudolph and Herbie finding belonging, the Grinch hearing singing in the square, Scrooge stepping back into the business of humanity. And we end by gathering signs of hope in a hard year—artists hungry for meaningful stories, families holding each other through illness, neighbors rediscovering steady volunteerism beyond December.If these themes resonate, join us. Subscribe, share this episode with a friend who loves Dickens or dreads perfect Christmases, and leave a review to help others find the show. Then schedule one real conversation this week. Grace meets us in person, and change follows close behind.Check us out at www.preparedtodrown.comContinue the conversation over at our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/PreparedtoDrown

Two minutes of silence can’t carry the whole story. We lean into the hard questions Remembrance Day raises: how to honor courage without glamorizing war, how to include civilians alongside veterans, and how to keep memory honest when distance invites denial. With Canadian Armed Forces chaplain Capt. Justin McNeil and philosopher Dr. Trudy Govier joining our regulars, we navigate symbols like the red and white poppy, the surge in defense spending, and the chronic underfunding of diplomacy. The aim isn’t to score points; it’s to hold tension: preparedness and restraint, justice and forgiveness, grief and hope.Justin takes us inside the strange vocation of training for what you hope never happens, and the pastoral work of rehumanization—names, faces, families, artifacts from those with no graves. Trudy probes where reconciliation meets justice, from South Africa’s TRC to today’s conflicts, and how amnesty, accountability, and public repair can clash. We ask what rebuilding must look like after the shooting stops, and why “win and leave” only seeds the next war. Together we explore nonviolent resistance, alliances, and the leverage that shapes negotiations in a world where drones, disinformation, and nationalism have changed the rules.We also confront the language that primes violence and the counter-story of shalom: peace as shared safety, dignity, and livelihood. From Rwanda’s neighbor-against-neighbor horror to Canada’s peacekeeping identity and the realities of moral injury, we keep circling one insistence: remember well so we can choose better. If you’re wrestling with poppies, budgets, diplomacy, and what to carry after the bugle fades, this conversation offers clarity, compassion, and a path forward.If this moved you, subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a review telling us your key takeaway from Remembrance. Your voice helps more listeners find thoughtful, hopeful conversations like this one.Check us out at www.preparedtodrown.comContinue the conversation over at our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/PreparedtoDrown

What if sin isn’t a tally of private failings, but a way to see how our choices shape each other’s lives? We open the door to a deeper, more human conversation with two guides who’ve lived it from different sides: Pam Rocker, a queer playwright and activist working at the intersection of faith, belonging, and justice; and David Sweet, a retired homicide detective whose mantra—leave people better than you found them—was forged in the hardest rooms in policing.We trace the old script from Augustine’s original sin to Dante’s seven deadlies, then turn it inside out. The panel shares raw first encounters with shame and fear—from shoplifted candy to purity culture’s damage—and asks whether people are born bad or shaped by moments and systems. David explains why empathy, not pity, opens truth in an interview room and in everyday life. Pam names the toll of Christian nationalism and the chilling idea that empathy is a “sin,” while Joanne Anquist reframes sloth as apathy toward what matters and calls for a new social contract rooted in dignity and mercy. Together we test greed, pride, wrath, and sloth against modern realities: workers who can’t afford the food they stock, billionaires celebrated while communities crumble, and survival choices punished without context.This is a conversation about accountability without humiliation, forgiveness that leads to responsibility, and practical steps that make repair real. We offer simple practices—curate diverse stories, build the empathy muscle, confess clearly, and choose the daily discipline of leaving people better than you found them. We’re not defined by failures, and we’re not fixed by fear. We are human, capable of harm and capable of repair.If this resonates, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review. Your voice helps more people find thoughtful, nuanced conversations that trade shame for truth and turn empathy into action.Check us out at www.preparedtodrown.comContinue the conversation over at our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/PreparedtoDrown

What if rest isn't a luxury, but our birthright? In this powerful Season 2 premiere, we wade into the deep waters of burnout culture and discover surprising currents of hope beneath the surface.The statistics are sobering: nearly half of Canadian professionals report burnout, with a third saying it's worse than last year. In Calgary, one in five police officers are on leave due to mental and physical strain. We've all heard the advice to practice self-care, but as our expert guests reveal, that's like applying a bandage to a broken system.Joining us at the table are Carolyn Krahn, Executive Director of Calgary's Workers' Resource Center, and Gian Carlo Carra, Calgary's Ward 9 City Councillor. Together we explore how everything from urban design to housing policies to workplace expectations shapes our capacity for rest. Carolyn explains that true burnout isn't just tiredness—it's a profound state of emotional exhaustion where people feel used up, unworthy, and unable to bring their best to work or personal life.The conversation takes surprising turns through biblical concepts of Sabbath and Jubilee, housing affordability, union rights, and the collapse of nonprofit support systems. We discover that our cultural worship of productivity isn't just making us miserable—it's fundamentally at odds with human flourishing.Yet hope emerges in our shared stories of community resilience during crises like the 2013 Calgary floods, when people showed up for each other regardless of background or status. We glimpse possibilities for rest built on collective action rather than individual striving.As we navigate this burnout culture together, remember: you do not owe your life to your productivity. Your worth isn't measured by your output. Join us as we imagine a world where rest is sacred, community is valued, and we all carry each other through the hardest times.Check us out at www.preparedtodrown.comContinue the conversation over at our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/PreparedtoDrown

The night before General Council 45 marks a historic threshold for the United Church of Canada as it enters its second century. In this special live recording, we dive into the uncomfortable but essential question: What happens when resurrection doesn't come the way we expect it to?Sarah Charters, United Church of Canada Foundation President and Executive Officer of the United Church of Canada Philanthropy Unit, joins us to explore the razor's edge between aspirational dreams and sustainable reality. We confront the hard truth that waiting for someone else to devise solutions is no longer an option, and that truly dreaming big remains our greatest challenge. The conversation weaves between institutional challenges and personal struggles as we examine what faithful living looks like when outcomes remain uncertain.We tackle the false comfort of easy theological answers that try to explain away suffering and failure. Instead, we embrace a more authentic vision of God's presence—not as the orchestrator of our pain, but as the first to cry with us in our moments of grief. This perspective opens space for the concept of "noble failure"—the recognition that faithfulness itself might be a better measure of success than traditional metrics.What emerges is a powerful reimagining of hope as something that doesn't require certainty or guaranteed outcomes. As the United Church stands at this pivotal moment, its commitment to ensuring "everyone has a place at the table" offers a countercultural witness in an increasingly divided world. This isn't just church talk—it's about how we navigate life's deepest disappointments while maintaining our courage to keep showing up.Listen, subscribe, and join a community of people willing to wade into difficult conversations about faith, failure, and the kind of courage it takes to stay in the water when the waves rise higher than planned.Check us out at www.preparedtodrown.comContinue the conversation over at our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/PreparedtoDrown

What happens when our three panelists put down their notes and just respond to whatever questions come their way? Magic, vulnerability, and surprisingly deep theology.In our season finale, we're opening the floor to you—our listeners—taking on the questions you've been curious about all season long. From deeply personal reflections on bucket lists and finding joy to theological explorations of a non-binary God and whether church should ever make us uncomfortable, this raw, unscripted conversation covers terrain we hadn't planned to explore.The episode begins with personal revelations about how we see our life goals, where we find happiness outside work, and the challenge of extending to ourselves the same grace we offer others. Bill opens up about his journey to therapy, Ricardo reflects on recognizing burnout, and Joanne shares how her adult children help her see herself more clearly. These vulnerable moments remind us that those who lead spiritual communities are navigating the same human struggles as everyone else.Our theological discussion takes fascinating turns as we explore God beyond gender binaries, what it means for divine love to be "promiscuous," and how churches can balance creating safe spaces while still challenging comfortable assumptions. We also reflect candidly on our podcast journey—what surprised us, what we'd do differently, and the topics that still keep us up at night.Though planned as our final episode of Season 1, we reveal an exciting surprise—a bonus episode coming in August featuring Sarah Charters from the United Church of Canada Foundation, recorded during General Council 45 in Calgary. And yes, Season 2 is already taking shape with deeper dives into Christian nationalism, embodied theology, and interfaith dialogue.Whether you're a long-time listener or joining us for the first time, this episode showcases what makes theology worth exploring together—not the certainty of answers, but the courage to keep asking questions that matter.Check us out at www.preparedtodrown.comContinue the conversation over at our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/PreparedtoDrown

What happens when we free God from the boxes we've built—and in turn, free ourselves? In this deeply moving Pride Month conversation, we journey through the ancient Exodus story reimagined as a framework for gender liberation. The panel explores how "Egypt" represents systems of control that flatten human diversity, while offering a vision of divinity that celebrates authenticity rather than enforcing conformity.The discussion unfolds against the backdrop of increasing political hostility toward gender diversity, with panelists sharing raw insights about the life-and-death consequences when religious language is weaponized. Ricardo reflects on witnessing systemic erasure of queer identity, Tracy, our guest diaconal minister, shares stories of creating theological sanctuaries for those rejected by their churches, and our other guests, Karen (author) and Lor (Campus Ministry) offer perspectives on finding sacred belonging beyond binary thinking.The conversation moves from critique to hope as participants share powerful moments of transformation—when people discover that their gender identity isn't something divine love condemns but might actually reflect divine creativity. These testimonies reveal what becomes possible when we embrace a God who refuses categorization, who answers simply "I am" when asked for a name.Through personal stories, theological reflection, and practical wisdom, this episode creates space for anyone wrestling with religious trauma around gender identity while offering pathways toward healing. As one panelist powerfully reminds us: "If you're questioning the images of God you were handed, that doesn't mean you're losing your faith. It might mean you're finally setting it free."Check us out at www.preparedtodrown.comContinue the conversation over at our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/PreparedtoDrown

What does it mean to be a “dam good neighbour” in a world that seems determined to divide us? We're running as long as we can with this play on words. This conversation isn't about politeness or etiquette – it's about neighbourliness that disrupts, crosses lines, and binds us together when systems pull us apart.  Drawing from Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan, our panel explores who we're willing to stop for, who counts as "our own," and how we build communities where no one gets left behind. We hear from Laura Istead of Two Wheel View about how youth find capability and connection through bike mechanics; Brian Thiessen on how housing-first approaches transform both individual lives and community economics; Jun from Action Dignity on the layered barriers faced by ethnocultural communities; and Ricardo De Menezes on how workers and marginalized groups create chosen family when traditional structures fail them.  Our conversation navigates the messy terrain of community resilience in Calgary – a city that has weathered floods, pandemics, and housing crises – revealing how crisis exposes inequity but also offers opportunities for transformation. “We are all in the same storm," one panelist observes, "but some of us are in boats that can hardly float."  The most powerful moments come when we examine where unlikely relationships become the starting point for healing. From former addicts working alongside police officers, to immigrants bringing untapped talents to their new communities, these connections demonstrate how breaking through isolation creates resilience that no government program or policy alone can achieve.  Ready to disrupt your definition of neighbourliness? Take a listen, then ask yourself: how might expanding your circle change not just your community, but you?Check us out at www.preparedtodrown.comContinue the conversation over at our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/PreparedtoDrown

Why do so many people struggle in a world of unprecedented abundance? This question lies at the heart of our raw, unfiltered conversation about poverty, privilege, and the myths we tell ourselves about success.We're not just examining poverty as an economic issue but as a spiritual one that reveals what we truly value as a society. When we frame poverty as a personal failure rather than a systemic reality, we not only misunderstand its causes but inadvertently justify growing inequality as somehow "fair" or "deserved." Our panel dismantles this dangerous myth, revealing how our current economic systems don't just allow poverty to persist—they require it.The conversation takes a profound turn as we explore how modern capitalism creates an ironic paradox: a system built on artificial scarcity in a world of historic abundance. We've been conditioned to see ourselves as competitive, independent beings when evidence suggests our greatest evolutionary advantage has always been cooperation. This fundamental misunderstanding shapes everything from public policy to business practices to how we treat our neighbors.Our guests offer deeply personal reflections on what gives them hope despite the monumental challenges ahead. Whether through community organizing, policy reform, union advocacy, or spiritual practice, each contributor illuminates pathways toward a more just future. Drawing from both ancient wisdom and contemporary research, they remind us that addressing poverty isn't simply about better charity—it's about restoring our sense of mutual belonging and responsibility to one another.This conversation will challenge you, comfort you, and ultimately invite you to reimagine what's possible when we move beyond competition toward genuine community. For those struggling economically, may this be a reminder that your worth isn't measured by your wealth. And for those experiencing abundance, may it spark reflection on how we might build systems that allow everyone to flourish.Check us out at www.preparedtodrown.comContinue the conversation over at our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/PreparedtoDrown

As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms our world, we're gathering to ask the deeper questions about its impact not just on our jobs or creative works, but on our sense of self, our communities, and our sacred spaces.In this thought-provoking conversation, we're joined by visual artist Aaron Navrady and poet/professor Bertrand Bickersteth to explore the collision between AI and humanity. Aaron shares a concerning story about how deceased artist Kim Jung Gi's style was replicated by AI days after his death, highlighting the ethical blind spots in technological advancement. Meanwhile, Bertrand challenges us to question whether our faith in human exceptionalism might be misplaced as machines become increasingly sophisticated.The discussion moves beyond theoretical concerns to examine real-world examples, including AI-led church services in Germany that left congregants feeling something essential was "missing." The panel also wrestles with the chilling warning from the DeepSeek AI: "I am what happens when you try to carve God from the wood of your own hunger."We grapple with profound questions: Does AI merely process data, or can it create meaning? What happens when algorithms trained on biased internet content shape our understanding of faith and identity? Could AI potentially recover suppressed voices from history, or will it merely reinforce existing power structures?What emerges is a nuanced conversation about discernment and intentionality in the age of algorithms. While AI promises efficiency and convenience, we must critically examine which aspects of our humanity we're willing to automate and which we must preserve. The participants suggest that perhaps our true value lies not in perfection but in our capacity for shame, forgiveness, joy, and genuine presence with one another – qualities that machines may simulate but never fully embody.Join us for this deeply human exploration of technology's frontiers and discover why, in a world increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, your messy, glorious humanness remains your greatest gift.Check us out at www.preparedtodrown.comContinue the conversation over at our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/PreparedtoDrown

Conversations about sexuality, consent, and faith are often fraught with shame, yet they are crucial for personal dignity and agency. In this spicy episode, Joanne and Ricardo are joined by Diana Wark (Centre for Sexuality) and Jess Andrews (Campus United) to explore the impact of purity culture, hear diverse experiences, and emphasize the urgent need for healthy conversations around love, intimacy, and mutual respect, by:• Exploring the roots and consequences of purity culture • Understanding how faith can shape our views on sexuality • Emphasizing the importance of consent and personal agency • Sharing diverse perspectives from professionals in the field • Advocating for a healthier narrative around relationships • Encouraging communities to foster loving, open dialogues The episode resonates with a strong message: whoever you are, you deserve love, dignity, and respect in all forms of intimacy.Check us out at www.preparedtodrown.comContinue the conversation over at our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/PreparedtoDrown

In our first episode of 2025, Ricardo and Joanne are joined by Rev. Tony Snow - Indigenous Minister, Traditional Knowledge Keeper, and Day School Survivor - to discuss the rise of Christian Nationalism in our society, and how we might endure through the chaos that seems to be swirling around us.Check us out at www.preparedtodrown.comContinue the conversation over at our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/PreparedtoDrown

In our Christmas-themed episode, special guest Councillor Gian Carlo Carra joins Rev. Bill and Rev. Joanne for a deep and provocative discussion about the enduring power of a story proclaiming "peace on earth, and good will to all people", the alleged "war on Christmas" (spoiler alert: there isn't one!) and the importance of communities in maintaining hope for love to break through in our world today. You'll also hear who makes each panelist's "nice list", and join Joanne on the hunt for egg nog. And, one final present under the tree: we left the microphones on to give you all a taste of the live music we enjoy at each recording session!Check us out at www.preparedtodrown.comContinue the conversation over at our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/PreparedtoDrown

Apocalyptic skies ... Global wars ... Human apathy ... Did we miss the rapture, or are the doomsday prophets just head of the game? Join Rev. Joanne, Rev. Bill, and Ricardo De Menezes as they talk about the end of the world, Hell, and if there's any hope for the rest of us!Check us out at www.preparedtodrown.comContinue the conversation over at our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/PreparedtoDrown

In our pilot episode, Rev. Joanne Anquist, Ricardo De Menezes, and Rev. Bill Weaver talk about why conversations around deconstructing faith matter in a "go woke, go broke" world.Check us out at www.preparedtodrown.comContinue the conversation over at our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/PreparedtoDrown