December 15th, 2018
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! We’re discussing our social media timelines, how they’ve evolved (or not) and how they’re managed. What is our responsibility when it comes to ensuring our spaces evolve with our beliefs? How do we handle incidents where our past beliefs encounter our current beliefs? How do our relationships affect our responses? Navigating all of this can be tricky. Nick Gaines is here to help…when it’s time to Gather Your Friends.
December 8th, 2018
You know it. You love / loathe it. The Prosperity Gospel. This week, Amera and Mike discuss the history, impact and issues with this globalized phenomenon. The prosperity gospel boasts media empires and global brands but what is it based on? How does it work? Does it make sense with the rest of the bible it uses? We cover it all, including your problematic fave, Jamal Bryant.
December 1st, 2018
Recent events highlight a continuing problem in our churches. What are our standards and why are they important? Amera and Mike discuss the events surrounding the death of John Allen Chau, the self appointed missionary who proclaimed Christ to the inhabitants of the North Sentinelese islands. Then, they tackle the standards issue in the bible and what it looks like for us today. Standards have always been an issue. It’s time for an honest conversation about them and their function.
November 24th, 2018
This week we expand on the Language of the Oppressed conversation as we explore the cost of liberation. Once your language serves as the needed affirmation, how do you prepare yourself for the impending losses? Your liberation does not come cheap and your language may be the thing needed to propel you and gain the allies you will need along the way. It will ground you through the uncertainty of the journey. Nick Gaines walks us through this with some wisdom from Audre Lorde. It’s time to get free!
November 17th, 2018
Who calls for civility? Who does civil discourse benefit? This week, Amera and Mike are joined by Nick Gaines to explore the language of the oppressed. They uncover how powerful the language is both as a self affirmation and catalyst to liberation. Join them for the first part of this important discussion.
November 11th, 2018
This week, we wrap up our crossover series with our family over at The Brown Liquor Report.
We had an election! And it was grand. We provide hope through all the results and stories that followed. We're looking at the wins, losses, progress and what we can expect to happen next. Elections, appointments, protests, the Invincible RBG...it's a packed conclusion to our first crossover. If you missed the first 2 episodes, head over to The Brown Liquor Report and check out A Shot and A Prayer and The Ballot or the Bullet.
Grab your drink of choice, sit back, laugh and learn.
October 28th, 2018
This week, Amera and Mike explore the importance of a faith that affirms blackness. They address harmful and healthy depictions, why it is vital to the development of self-identity, and strategies for ensuring we construct healthy environments. With so many anti-black messages pressing into our collective consciousness, this isn’t just a fight in faith spaces. It is an interconnected effort to devalue so our efforts to affirm must also push back on multiple fronts.
Why do black Christians worship white Jesus? Why practice a faith given to you by slave masters? Amera and Mike deal with common arguments raised and how applying a little critical thought allows for richer and historically accurate dialog. There’s a lot to address in this one. Take the journey with them. Be affirmed.
October 22nd, 2018
BONUS EPISODE!!
This week we joined our homies at The Brown Liquor Report and Nicki Mayo to dig all the way into these elections. This is one of the most important elections in our lifetime and we're giving you all the information you need. It's perfect for standing in your early voting line.
October 20th, 2018
Amera and Mike discuss theology, what it means to define your own and why your personal theology is important.
October 13th, 2018
Amera and I are going back to church! This week we’re detailing our experiences. What did we do after leaving? What made us consider returning? What are the challenges of coming back? It’s homecoming season and we’re coming home.
