Episodes
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In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by author, speaker, and writer Shannan Martin to discuss themes from her book Start With Hello: (And Other Simple Ways to Live as Neighbors). Themes like:
Simple, practical ways to begin reconstituting connection and community after years of collective distancing, disconnection, and divisionThe importance of noticing homogeny in our existing relationships, in those we interact with & follow on social media, and in those whose books we readThe difference between entertaining and hospitality and how to practice hospitality without pressure to perform or be/present yourself as perfectand more!Guest Bio: Shannan Martin, author of Start with Hello, The Ministry of Ordinary Places, and Falling Free, is a speaker and writer who found her voice in the country and her story in the city. She is a voracious reader, a wannabe-gardener, a news-geek, a thrift store-stalker, a justice-fighter, and an aficionado of not-too-spicy salsa. Shannan works as a cook at a community kitchen and falls asleep most nights thinking about breakfast. She and her family live as grateful neighbors in Goshen, Indiana. You can find her on IG, Twitter, and Threads @shannanwrites or on her website at shannanmartin.com
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In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by Episcopal priest -- and former rector of Kelly's local parish church -- Rev. Catherine Thompson to explore various aspects of the Episcopal church like:
The origins of the Church of England, the Anglican Communion, and the Episcopal Church in the US
The differences between the Episcopal Church and the ACNA (Anglican Church in North America)
The theological beliefs and practices in the categories of: God, mankind (LGBTQIA+ affirmation, egalitarianism, social justice issues, etc.), sin/salvation, heaven/hell, prayer, church polity/governance, sacraments & gatherings, the Bible, and more!
To watch/listen to Mother Catherine's first appearance on the Let It Matter Blog during the Women of Valor series where we discuss Priscilla (and Paul/women in ministry): https://youtu.be/19skhNT4-cE
To become a Patreon Partner with the podcast, go to Patreon.com/letitmatterpod and join us for as little as $4/mo (USD)!
Guest Bio: The Rev. Catherine Thompson serves as the Priest-in-Charge of All Saints’ Episcopal Church in Frederick, Maryland, a community of believers dedicated to growing in their love of God and love of their neighbors. She finds joy in learning and discovering new things, particularly in the area of congregational development. She also enjoys reading, traveling and spending time in nature. She holds degrees from Vassar College and Virginia Theological Seminary. She is married to Mark. They have two adult children and a 19-year-old poodle, named Mia, who offers daily lessons on the nature of unconditional love.
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In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by scholar and professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary, Nijay Gupta (DPhil) to discuss themes from his book Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church, in particular:
looking closer into the three main issues (used by those seeking to uphold or defend complementarianism/patriarchy) that come from Genesis 1-3: the created order, the use of the word "helper", and the fall/curses
looking at the broader context of the Roman world -- Roman households, social & socioeconomic dynamics, gender roles, etc. -- which is the backdrop to the New Testament and has a huge influence on what is written in there, and which we are too far removed from today to know instinctually
comparing the narrative + the greeting/commendation/salutation passages (which show Paul's ministry and convictions to be in partnership with many women for the sake of the gospel -- and described as deacons, apostles, missionaries, leaders of house churches, teachers, mothers in the faith, etc) with the specific prohibitions in 1 Timothy 2 and 1 Corinthians 14-- and how to reconcile all of it together without rewriting history..... and much more!
Guest Bio: Dr. Nijay Gupta, DPhil. (he/him) is a professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary and is an author, scholar, and Bible translator. His most recent book is called Tell Her Story: How Women Led, Taught, and Ministered in the Early Church. He recently co-edited the second edition of Dictionary of Paul and His Letters, and has written & contributed to numerous other books, commentaries, and academic articles in theological journals. He lives in California.
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In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by Kat Armas, author of the new book Sacred Belonging: a 40-Day Devotional on the Liberating Heart of Scripture, to discuss:
What it means to “repattern, reweave, and reimagine” Scripture and how doing so gives us fresh insights and leads us toward liberation
Why creation, Holy Spirit, wisdom, the body, and the feminine are five areas which are so ripe for (& in need of) decolonization
How translation and language can impact our understanding and interpretation of Scripture (with a fascinating conversation about John 1:1 in Spanish, English, Greek, and in extra-biblical uses by the Greeks.)
and much more!
Guest Bio: Kat Armas (she/her) is a Cuban-American writer and speaker, and host of The Protagonistas podcast, where she highlights stories of everyday women of color, including writers, pastors, church leaders, and theologians. She is the author of Abuelita Faith: What Women on the Margins Teach Us About Wisdom, Persistence, and Strength which came out in 2021 and Sacred Belonging: A 40-Day Devotional on the Liberating Heart of Scripture which released this month! Kat has also written for Christianity Today, Sojourners, Relevant, Christians for Biblical Equality, Fuller Youth Institute, Fathom magazine, and Missio Alliance. She has an MDiv and MAT from Fuller Theological Seminary, she speaks regularly at conferences on race and justice and lives in Nashville, TN with her family. You can find her on IG and Twitter @kat_armas and on her website at katarmas.com
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**Content Warning for this Episode: We discuss topics like sexuality, reproductive healthcare, abortion access, contraception, and more. Please proceed with caution if needed.
In this episode, I am joined by Rev. Jes Kast to discuss various aspects of the women's reproductive healthcare conversation (including abortion, contraception, sex education, etc.). Jes is an ordained minister of Word and Sacrament in the United Church of Christ, and pastor of a UCC church in Pennsylvania, where she lives with her wife. She is also a member of the National Clergy Advocacy Board for Planned Parenthood, which you can read more about here. You can find Jes on IG, Threads, and Twitter @revjeskast.
Link to: Where Do We Go From Here Podcast Episode 108: The Big One About Abortion
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This week's Guest: Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes is a prominent psychologist, theologian, and author whose work focuses upon healing the legacies of racial and gender oppression. She is a professor at Columbia Theological Seminary and the author of Sacred Self-Care, I Bring the Voices of My People, and Too Heavy a Yoke. You can find her on Twitter and IG @drchanequa or on her website at drchanequa.com
In this episode, we discuss themes from Dr. Walker-Barnes' new book, Sacred Self-Care.
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In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by writer and fellow podcast host, Morgan Strehlow, to discuss the wisdom and best practices they've picked up throughout their time navigating the job market in various industries, roles, and times. They share best practices related to: job hunting and navigating the job market, salary negotiations, asking for promotions, setting workplace boundaries, office dynamics, personal values, etc. Guest Bio: Morgan Strehlow (she/her) is a literary agent and freelance writer who spent the first decade of her career as a creator, administrator, and researcher in the sports industry. Now she comes alongside authors from longing to book launch, cultivating courage, clarifying their message, and offering advocacy, accountability, and soul care through the writing and publishing process. Morgan also hosts Sanctuary Woman, a contemplative podcast for weary Christians recovering from purity culture and navigating a curious faith. When she's not writing or working with writers, Morgan stays busy as mom to Seth and partner to Sean, in their new home state of Pennsylvania. You can find her on Twitter, IG, and Threads @morganstrehlow or on her website at morganstrehlow.com
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In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by author and spiritual director, Danielle Shroyer, to discuss:
-what the word blessing truly means and how original blessing is the truest thing about us as humans
-how the doctrine of original sin is unhelpful and unncessary to understanding human nature, sin, and our relationship to God
-ways we have cartoonized and flattened the biblical account of Genesis 1-3, and what is actually there in the text when we look closer, and so much more!
Guest Bio: Danielle Shroyer is a spiritual director, author, speaker, and former pastor. She currently serves as Spiritual Director in Residence at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, where she creates formation resources and experiences rooted in wisdom spirituality. Danielle is a graduate of Baylor University and Princeton Theological Seminary and was a founding member of the emerging church movement. She is the author of three books, most recently Original Blessing: Putting Sin in its Rightful Place. A 2nd Dan taekwondo black belt and a yoga enthusiast, she and her husband Dan have two college aged children. They live in Dallas with their two rescue dogs and a patio of feral cats. You can find her at danielleshroyer.com, or on Instagram at @DanielleShroyer.
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In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by author, speaker, and songwriter, Amanda Held Opelt, to discuss themes found in her new book, Holy Unhappiness, such as:
-what the emotional prosperity gospel is and how we see it manifest in our lives of faith and how it doesn't hold up to be true
-work, marriage, children and how those things promise meaning and ultimate joy, but in reality are still difficult and don't often prove to be the cure-all for bad feelings, and how delight is the invitation to us in those bad feelings
-calling, community, and our bodies all being places where platform and "perfection" promise belonging, and how neither platform nor this fragile belonging will safeguard from feeling unfulfilled or difficult emotions, and how humility can shift how we see those things
-sanctuary (the church), suffering, and sanctification all promising to protect us from sinking into darkness, isolation, or despair when in fact they can't, and how hope can be the key to keeping our heads above water in those times.
Guest Bio: Amanda Held Opelt is an author, speaker, and songwriter. She writes about faith, grief, and creativity, and believes in the power of community, ritual, shared worship, and storytelling to heal even our deepest wounds. Amanda has spent 15 years serving in the non-profit and humanitarian aid sectors. She lives in the mountains of Boone, North Carolina, with her husband and two young daughters.
Twitter | Instagram | Website | Spotify
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In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe, is joined by embodiment coach, somatic practitioner, author, and former Miss Canada, Tara Teng, to discuss:
what it means that our bodies are a revolutionhow the “unholy trinity” of white supremacy, colonialism, and patriarchy — as well as even some bad interpretations of scripture — have caused so many of us to become disembodiedwhat healing/coming back home to ourselves looks like, feels like, and how we know it’s happeninga guided embodiment practice to help us all see our bodies as our best teachers, and more!Guest Bio: Tara Teng (she/her) is an Embodiment Coach who works in the intersections of spirituality and sexuality. Aside from her 1:1 coaching, Tara hosts women’s circles, workshops, online classes and retreats on the topics of embodiment, justice, sexuality, and relationships. Tara's first book, “Your Body is a Revolution: Healing Our Relationships with Our Bodies, Each Other and the Earth” is now available everywhere from Broadleaf Books. She also has spent ten years working to advance the socio-economic status of women, diminish sexual violence and end human trafficking alongside collaborative work with community stakeholders, lawmakers, and some amazing organizations. Beyond her work, Tara is a TEDx Speaker, a former Miss Canada and was named Canada’s “Woman of the Year” in 2011. She is also a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee medal in recognition of her vast human rights work. In her personal life, Tara is a mother to three young children. She lives, works and plays on the unceded traditional territories of the Kwantlen, Matsqui, Katzie and Semiahmoo First Nations. You can find her on Twitter and IG @misstarateng or on her website at tarateng.com
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In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by author and co-founder/executive director of Theological Horizons, Karen Wright Marsh to discuss:
the importance of wonder as a spiritual practice (or discipline) -- even when we are in low seasons (maybe especially then)the importance of adapting new spiritual practices to actually fit into our lives and work for usspecific faith leaders of the past like Thomas Merton, Sts. Francis and Clare of Assisi, and Brother Lawrence who invite us into new exercises and practices of wonderAdditional Resource: Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life by Dacher Kelter, PhD.
Guest Bio: Karen Wright Marsh is the founding director of Theological Horizons, a ministry at the University of Virginia that hosts lectures, spiritual studies, dialogues, and mentoring initiatives. She is the author of Vintage Saints and Sinners: 25 Christians Who Transformed My Faith, which was named an Outreach Resource of the Year, a Logos Booksellers Book of the Year, and a Foreword INDIES finalist. Karen holds a degree in philosophy from Wheaton College and a degree in linguistics from the University of Virginia. She lives with her professor husband, Charles Marsh, at the Bonhoeffer House in Charlottesville, Virginia. You can find her on Instagram @karenwrightmarsh or on her website at karenwrightmarsh.com
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In this episode, host, Kelly Wolfe, shares her own personal faith story with Kate Boyd including:
•how her first major faith evolution helped prepare her for the second
•the factors at play in her transition out of & away from Evangelicalism
•how she arrived in the Episcopal church
•what she has found beautiful as well as challenging within the Episcopal church
•what advice Kelly has for fellow travelers along the road of their faith evolution(s), and more!
My thanks to Kate Boyd, author of the book An Untidy Faith, who joined me as a guest host for this episode.
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In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by Certified Sex Therapist, Michelle Mower, to discuss:
the differences between regular therapy, sex therapy, and sexological bodywork
who sex therapy is for (hint: any and everyone regardless of relationship status, sexual history or experience level, gender identity, or sexual orientation)
how sex therapy can help (i.e., how to give and remove consent, how to talk about STIs, exploring your sexual orientation/identity, taking ownership of your own pleasure and sexuality, how to have healthy communication about sex, overcoming shame, working out your own sexual values, and more!)
the particular ways that sex therapy can help us untangle from purity culture
practical tips for learning to discover what sensations you enjoy, finding your voice, asking for consent, etc.
and more!
Workbook Michelle mentions toward the end of our conversation: The Conscious Sexual Self Workbook: Fritchle, Melissa Jebian: 9781500810863: Amazon.com: Books
Guest Bio: Michelle Mower is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Associate, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist- Associate, and a Certified Sex Therapist. As a marriage and family therapist, she observes interpersonal dynamics and assists couples and families to create unique relationships that work for them. Michelle uses a sex-positive approach with clients to address sexual concerns and facilitate a deeper understanding and acceptance of an individual's sexuality. She uses narrative, existential, and solution-focused therapeutic processes which are tailored to each individual, couple, or family. Michelle is certified in both levels 1 and 2 of the Gottman Institute’s Method Couples Therapy, is a National Certified Counselor, a member of the Texas Counselor Association and the Texas Association of Marriage and Family Counselors. She is currently pursuing a PhD in counselor education at Sam Houston University.
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In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by (returning Let It Matter Podcast guest) Devi Abraham, for a conversation-style episode where we discuss the (mostly) evangelical myth that we - as people and in particular as women - are untrustworthy in our decision making, instincts, intuition, wisdom, etc. Guest BioDevi Abraham is a writer, thinker and cohost of the Where Do We Go From Here? podcast which invites listeners to untangle sex, self and community for a new generation of Christians and to Leave behind purity culture and save what matters. Her writing has been featured in Religion News Service, Sojourners, and ABC Everyday, and she also teaches writing workshops in Melbourne. Devi has a Bachelor’s degrees in Journalism and History and loves reading, cooking, and gardening. You can find her in the evenings watching clips of Stephen Colbert on YouTube and eating dark chocolate. She and her husband live in Melbourne, Australia with their three sons, and two pet rabbits. You can find her on Twitter and IG @devi_writes and the WDWGFH podcast @wheredowegopod Join the Let It Matter Podcast Patreon Partner Community at Patreon.com/letitmatterpod
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In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by author, spiritual companion, and fellow podcast host, Lisa Colón DeLay to discuss themes from her book, The Wild Land Within, about ways to fill out and cultivate our inner landscapes and spiritual formation — including reincorporating Eastern or Orthodox understandings into our western worldviews, liberation theology and listening to voices from the non-dominant culture, and contemplative prayer practices, including tips for Neurodivergent/ADHD folks who may struggle with contemplative practices, and so much more!Guest Bio: Lisa Colón DeLay (she/her) is a Puerto Rican author, broadcaster, creator, teacher, spiritual companion, and passionate creative collaborator. She is the author of The Wild Land Within: Cultivating Wholeness Through Spiritual Practice, and since 2015 has been the host of the Spark My Muse podcast. Lisa’s projects center around enriching the invaluable spaces within each person and the spaces and ways that connect us—for healing within relationships, families, communities, and in the world at large. She has a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Communication Design and a Master’s degree in Spiritual Formation, and currently lives in Philadelphia PA. You can find her on Twitter @lisadelay, IG @lisacolondelay, or on her website at lisadelay.com
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In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by author, historian, scholar, public theologian, and preacher, Dr. Diana Butler Bass to discuss:-Diana's personal story as a woman, scholar, and theologian before that was widely accepted within much of American Christianity -the recent history of American evangelicalism and the shift made between the 70s and 80s onward, which draws a straight line to the state of evangelicalism we see today-whether or not certainty in our faith is in itself a virtue, what makes it so enticing, and what the focus of our certainty can/should be-how to cultivate curiosity in our personal lives of faith, and much more!Guest Bio: Diana Butler Bass, Ph.D., (she/her) is an award-winning author, popular speaker, inspiring preacher, and one of America’s most trusted commentators on religion and contemporary spirituality. She holds a doctorate in religious studies from Duke University and is the author of eleven books. Her bylines include The New York Times, the Washington Post, CNN.com, Atlantic.com, USA Today, Huffington Post, Spirituality and Health, Reader’s Digest, Christian Century, and Sojourners. She has commented on religion, politics, and culture in the media widely including on CBS, CNN, PBS, NPR, CBC, FOX, Sirius XM, TIME, Newsweek, Rolling Stone, and in multiple global news outlets. Diana lives in Alexandria, Virginia with her husband, her puppy, and their sometimes-successful backyard garden. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram @dianabutlerbass, on her website at dianabutlerbass.com or subscribe to her fantastic weekly newsletter/writing called The Cottage at dianabutlerbass.substack.com
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In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by lesbian therapist and Christian, Candice Czubernat, to discuss LGBTQIA+ allyship. -in the language, words, terminology, and pronouns we use-in the societal and political sphere -in the Church and in our homes (whether or not there is anyone "out" - that we know of)-and in the environments that we create and contribute to around us, and so much more!
In this ep, Candice mentions the non-profit org she recently founded called Affirming Therapy, which raises funds for LGBTQIA+ folks who need affirming therapy services but can’t afford it. To donate one time or setup a recurring monthly donation, go to https://www.mightycause.com/donate/Christian-Closet-Foundation
Additional Links/Resources from this Episode:
- "My Kid Came Out. What Do I Do Next?" episode of Where Do We Go From Here? podcast
-Candice's Therapy and Coaching Practice, The Christian Closet
-Michelle Obama's book referenced in this episode is called The Light We Carry
Guest Bio: Candice Czubernat (she/her) identifies as a lesbian and a Christian, she has been a therapist for 17 years and is the founder of the LGBTQ affirming counseling and coaching practice, The Christian Closet, as well as the teletherapy organization Progressive Christian Counseling. In both ministries, she and her team meet with people from all over the world for online telehealth sessions as they navigate the many intersections of life with a Christian faith. She has also recently launched and is the executive director of Affirming Therapy, a non-profit whose main goal is to raise funds for LGBTQ+ people who can't afford mental health services.Candice is a graduate of The Moody Bible Institute and The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. She lives in a small mountain town in southern California with her wife, the love of her life, Crystal, and their 8-year-old boy/girl twins Deacon and Dylan. You can find her on IG @lesbiantherapist or @lgbtq_affirming_therapy or on her website at candiceczubernat.com.
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In this episode, host, Kelly Wolfe, is joined by Lyndsey Medford, author of the recently released book My Body and Other Crumbling Empires as:-Lyndsey shares her experience with chronic illness (a rare autoimmune disorder diagnosed in childhood, in remission for several years in older adolescence/early adulthood, and which has returned), disability, and how she has learned to see her illness/disability as a potentially lifelong companion, rather than an enemy. We also discuss:—how our bodies can become sites of Divine revelation, and how she has been met, and ministered to, by God through her body;—burnout, self-care, and when we might need to be looking deeper into the ways we order our lives to better honor our human limitations;— ideas like communal sin/ unintended consequences, and how Shalom (wholeness and integrity found also in community) can help us work toward righting our collective wrongs… and lots more!If you have feedback, questions, or comments about this episode, we want to hear them! Join the conversation on Twitter @letitmatterpod and @kellykwolfe, on IG @letitmatterpodcast , or on the Contact Form on letitmatter.com To partner with the show on Patreon or for more information about it, head over to Patreon.com/letitmatterpod Guest Bio: Lyndsey Medford is a writer, activist, and sometimes disabled person. She lives with a rare autoimmune disorder in the American South and is the author of My Body and Other Crumbling Empires: Lessons for Healing in a World That is Sick. She writes and speaks about spirituality and justice from a disabled and feminist perspective in the tradition of the Christian mystics. She holds a master of theological studies degree from Boston University School of Theology. She and her husband live in Chattanooga, Tennessee. You can find her on Twitter and IG @lyndseymedford or on her website at lyndseyvmedford.com
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In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by author, Catholic contemplative writer, and retreat leader, Shannon K. Evans, to discuss:
some of the harms caused by "white feminism" and how BIPOC (especially women of color), LGBTQIA+ folks, those in poverty, etc are able to reveal blindspots in white feminism that we need to learn from,
Shannon's experience being a feminist in a Christian tradition almost entirely led (in an official capacity at least) by men and how she makes that work for her faith,
what sparked the invitation in Shannon's faith to re-imagine God in the feminine, as a Mother, and in other ways that allow her to relate to God in new ways, including with the use of Marian imagery and theology,
who her book, Feminist Prayers for My Daughter, is truly for -- and it's far more of us than just mothers of daughters.
Additional Links mentioned in the episode:
Instagram Live with Shannon and Casey Stanton (of Discerning Deacons) discussing the recent developments within the Catholic Church's listening synod & voting body
Rewilding Motherhood: Your Path to an Empowered Feminine Spirituality by Shannon K. Evans on Amazon
Our Lady of Peace (which Kelly pointed to during the recording with Shannon and has hanging on her wall) and Our Lady Undoer of Knots (mentioned by Kelly in the conversation on ways that Marian imagery helps us relate to God in the feminine), both by Modern Saints by Gracie. Both are shown on this page which contains all of Gracie's Marian imagery & devotions.
Guest Bio: Shannon K. Evans (she/her), a writer in the contemplative Catholic tradition, is the author of Rewilding Motherhood: Your Path to an Empowered Feminine Spirituality and Embracing Weakness. She is the social media editor for National Catholic Reporter, a retreat leader for the Jesuits of the U.S. and Canada, a regular contributor to Franciscan Media, and has written for U.S. Catholic, America, and Geez (Jeez) magazines. Shannon speaks regularly at churches, small groups, conferences, and retreats on topics related to motherhood, prayer, and justice, and leads groups in guided meditation. She is a mother of five and lives in Ames, Iowa. You can find her on Twitter @ShannonKayEvans, on Instagram @ShannonKEvans, and on her website at www.shannonkevans.com
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In this episode, host Kelly Wolfe is joined by Quaker pastor, Hannah Mullikin Lutz to explore various aspects of Quaker faith & spirituality like:
The origins of Quakerism and defining characteristics
Quaker theology and practice around things like: God, mankind, egalitarianism, pacifism, sin, prayer, governance, gathering, the Bible, etc.
and more!
To become a Patreon Partner with the podcast, go to Patreon.com/letitmatterpod and join us for as little as $4/mo (USD)!
Guest Bio: Hannah Lutz (she/her) is a Quaker pastor living in southwest Ohio with her husband and three dogs. In addition to her work as a pastor, Hannah works for the wider body of Quakers as her yearly meeting’s office administrator and coaches middle school track. For fun, Hannah enjoys hiking, biking, writing, and reading good books. You can find her on IG @hannahmullikinlutz
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