Pray With our Feet

Spiritual Healing & Divine Intuition with Katrina Dilag, founder of Radical Visionary Collective

What if we broke away from fearing intuition, and began embracing it as another way God speaks to us? I recently sat down with Katrina “Trina” Dilag, founder of Radical Visionary Collective, 2x certified spiritual life coach, and social justice advocate.  We chat about healing as resistance to harmful systems, normalizing out-of-the box spirituality in churches, ditching toxic theology to develop an intimate relationship with God, and her latest offering, Intuition Activation, an 8 week c...

Talking Jesus + Climate Justice with Holly Petersen of Christian Climate Action

  The climate is in crisis, but that doesn’t mean change is impossible. I caught up with Holly Petersen, the inspiring co-founder of Christian Climate Action (CCA) about planet activism rooted in our faith. Christian Climate Action is a community of Christians supporting each other to take meaningful action for the planet. Inspired by Jesus Christ, guided by the Holy Spirit, and following the example of social justice movements of the past, CCA carries out acts of public witness, nonviole...

Breaking God out of Boxes with Jennifer Magnano (@TheBarefootPreacher)

I caught up Jennifer Magnano aka The Barefoot Preacher - writer, doula, maternal-child health advocate, and mother living with chronic illness. She honors the wild, holy work of local and global motherhood through resonant writing and speaking, companionship, resources & education. With personal experience of the chaos and complexity to exist throughout the caregiving years (in both our bodies and lives), Jennifer speaks with urgency; her goal to elicit a tender lived-response in humanity t...

Introducing our ASK Prayer Ministry - Faith + Action

The ASK: Prayer + Action ministry is a space for all of us to come together, communally, at the intersections of our Christian faith and activism; here we commit to praying together (virtually on Zoom) around a specific issue each month - climate justice, anti-racism, mental health, police brutality, violence and harm against people living on the margins ( immigrants, communities of color, our LGBTQ+ siblings, etc.), and taking a concrete action in the work towards the change we wish to see ...

When the World Feels Heavy: Connecting to Prayer & Meditation

We're living through intense times; each of us wading through persistent grief, whether due to mass shootings, threats to American democracy, escalating attacks on marginalized communities, or our day-to-day struggles. It's clear constant movement without recharging spiritually, takes its toll. In this episode, I share a short grounding meditation, designed to help center calm in the midst of chaos using an ever-present anchor God gave each of us, the breath. You'll also hear a prayer (sp...

Talking Liberation & Creativity with Spoken Black Girl (in honor of Women's Herstory Month)

  Before Women’s Herstory Month comes to a close, we’re sharing our conversation about Spoken Black Girl magazine Issue 4: The Freedom Issue 2023. Mom and I chatted with Rowana Abbensetts Dobson, founder and author (Departure Story), along with contributing writers Lillie Watson, Reign, and Adrienne Prather. We delve into the multiple ways Black women claim our liberation (collective and individual), the daily challenges we’re navigating, why we must remain uncompromising in defining ou...

Radical Soul Care with Amy Jackson, founder of The Perch Place

  We don't have to tell you the world is on fire, as folks of faith committed to making a difference, many of us find it hard to stop, and care for ourselves. It often feels like a luxury, but in the radical tradition of writer, speaker and thinker Audre Lorde, Amy Jackson, founder of The Perch Place (a soul care org. based in downtown Aurora) is calling us to water ourselves, and make space for rest so we can rise another day, working for a world where justice, mercy, and Christ's love rei...

Bonus Episode: Living Mindfully in Beloved Community with author Walt Shelton

Continuing our #SoulCare series, Mom and I caught up with a dear friend of the pod, Walt Shelton, about his latest book, Authentic Living in All Seasons: Focused, Fearless and Balanced, which calls us towards 3 elements of qualitative living: Focusing on the present moment (not stuck in the past or preoccupation the future). Not allowing fear to immobilize us. Beginning to ask, what can we do with fear? How can it fuel our actions for good? And "periodically identifying, refining, and bal...

REWIND: Answering God's Call for Anti-Racism with Writer and Activist Patricia A. Taylor

REWIND: In honor of Black history month, and this year's theme of resistance, we are revisiting past conversations with guests committed to the active and everyday work of resisting racism and the false ideology of white supremacy.    Anti-racism work is daily; it's a choice to embrace discomfort, the uncertainty of how folks around you will react, and a commitment to unapologetic truth telling. This week's guest, writer (founder of the blog, Some Thoughts From Your Black Friend), anti-ra...

REWIND: Centering Anti-Racism in the Church with Rev. Jacqui Lewis, Ph.D.

REWIND: In honor of Black history month, and this year's theme of resistance, we are revisiting past conversations with guests committed to the active and everyday work of resisting racism and the false ideology of white supremacy.    We sat down with Rev. Dr. Jacqueline J. Lewis, Senior Minister at Middle Collegiate Church, a 1,300-member multi-ethnic, welcoming, and inclusive congregation in New York City (and full disclosure, my home church, loves!) for a conversation which delved into...

Discussing James Baldwin's Radical Challenge: You Mean it or You Don't with writers Jamie McGhee & Adam Hollowell

Showing up in faith and action takes consistent work. None of us will ever have it “figured out,” but commitment keeps us on the path. Mom and I caught up with Adam Hollowell and Jamie McGhee, founders of Praying with Baldwin, to discuss their powerful book: You Mean It or You Don’t: James Baldwin’s Radical Challenge.   One of the most prolific writers and thinkers of the 20th century, Baldwin’s words continue to awaken us. Drawing from his extensive body of work -  fiction, poetry speech...

Centering Prayer, Finding God Within (with Keith Kristich, Closer Than Breath)

  What does it mean to live from the centered self in an off center world? We’re delving into this challenge in today’s chat with Keith Kristich, founder of Closer Than Breath, an online interspiritual community lifting up centering prayer and “the study of universal truths to deepen your relationship with God and develop peace within.” Keith is a commissioned teacher of Centering Prayer through Contemplative Outreach, trained with the Shalem Institute and certified Enneagram teacher thro...

Building community, Centering Christ with Jesus People

What if today’s church looked more like the early church described in the book of Acts - sharing resources, concerned not with power but being in genuine relationship with Jesus and one another? Jesus People, a church family of nearly 200 people, based in Chicago is living out this revolutionary call, and has done so since 1972. Mom and I chat with members Charlene and Tommy and discuss - - Jesus People’s intentional community where members live communally in a 10-story building in the ...

Season 4: God Calls us to Justice, Mercy and Humility

We're BACK with Season 4! We've missed you all. As you know, Mom and I choose a verse to guide us through each season, and this time it's wisdom from the book of Micah: "He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion), And to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]?" (Micah 6:8, Amplified Bible)  Throughout this episode we:...

Radical Empathy & Divine Intuition with Rev. Aurelia Dávila Pratt

  We're living through immensely challenging times, and it often feels isolating. In this epiosde, Rev. Aurelia Dávila Pratt reminds us our faith is a source of both strength and discovery, which can lead us to connect with our divine intuition, an inner knowing that flows from God.   She is the author of the fothcoming book: A Brown Girl's Epiphany: Reclaim Your Intuition and Step into Your Power, now available for pre-order. In addition to her writing, Rev. Aurelia is also a Pastor an...

Community Care, Chronic Illness & Activism with Angie Alt

Folks with invisible disabilities are often marginalized in our churches. "We don't know where to put them," Angie Alt says. She joins us this week to discuss her journey of  living with chronic illness (3 autoimmune diseases) while also navigating her faith journey, and showing up as an activist in these challenging times. Angie is author and co-author of the award-winning books The Alternative Autoimmune Cookbook and The Autoimmune Wellness Handbook. She created a groundbreaking series ...

Prayer + Mental Health Awareness with Dr. Angela L. Harris

What happens to the person who is connected to God, and still struggling with their mental health?  Mom and I caught up with Dr. Anglea L. Harris, founder of Harris 316 Consulting and Services who has made it her life's work to center faith, mental health  and holisitc wellness (mind, body and spirit).  Dr. Harris is a Mental Health Advocate, Workshop Leader, Motivational Speaker, Podcast Host, and Dog Mom to a pitbull mix named Lenni.  Dr. Harris has a Doctorate degree in Clinical Psycholog...

REWIND: Author Avril Somerville, Jesus Stood with the Marginalized

We're taking it back this week to a powerful conversation from Season 1 with writer, activist and faith warrior Avril Somerville. Born in the Commonwealth of Dominica, Somerville writes at the intersection of identity, community and love. She is the author of A Journey of Life on Purpose, a book of personal essays and poetry, and a forthcoming novel.  She is also an English teacher, wife and mother of three who lives in Pennsylvania. Avril is excited about her independent micro-press, Some...

Writer & Advocate Kevin Nye: Seeing Jesus in Folks Experiencing Homelessness

What does it mean for us to see Jesus in the faces of folks experiencing homelessness?  We chatted with writer Kevin Nye, who works in advocacy and homeless services. He is the author of the forthcoming book: Grace Can Lead Us Home: A Christian Call to End Homelessness.  He also writes on the intersections of theology, justice and equity, and pop culture. We discuss -  - How he felt God calling him beyond the pew and into the streets.  - The urgency of moving from a savior complex as p...

Talking Visual Art, Children's Ministry and Anti-Racism with Sheila Whittenberg

How do visual art, contemplative prayer, social justice & children's ministry all connect? We're thirlled to chat with Sheila Whittenberg, artist and children's minister  based Germany about the rich lessons God brings forth in places we least expect. We delved into -  Sheila's faith journey: beginning with an intense spiritual experience at age 4, which left  her assured of God's presence. How she discovered Ignatian spirituality which "insists God is present in our world and active in o...

Healing and Community with Latarsha Haughton, founder of Breaking the Silence...Healing the Pain

In honor of Women's History month, we're  highlighting ministries run by women. Our first conversation in this series is with Latarsha Haughton, a woman of deep faith, and the founder of Breaking the Silence Healing the Pain. Latarsha endured decades of trauma – including sexual and emotional abuse. With the help of God, prayer, and trauma-informed therapy after 30 years, she transformed pain into purpose, and now creates community for other survivors. She is also an author (Breaking the Sile...

The Urgency of Voting Rights in the U.S.

As Black History Month comes to a close, Mom and I sit down to discuss the ongoing attack on voting rights and voter suppression;  we also unpack the history of who received access to the ballot and who didn't, particularly folks in BIPOC communities. And we examine the denial of voting rights from a Biblical perspective, lifting up the prophet Isaiah's warning to the powerful rulers of his day: "Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor...

Standing up for Voting Rights - Ways to Get Involved

Being in Community with Folks Experiencing Homelessness with writer and advocate Kevin Nye

Breaking the Silence and Building Community with Latarsha Haughton, Speaker, Author, Transformational Life Coach

The Urgency of Voting Rights

As we celebrate Black History Month, we also lift up the urgency of continuing to speak up against injustice. And the current and continuous attack on voting rights cannot be ignored. Sit with us as we unpack some of the history around voting - who gets access to the ballot and who is denied. 

Faith and Activism with Rev. Bri-Anne Swan of Resistance Church

  I caught up with Rev. Bri-Anne Swan, founder of Resistance Church, minister at Jubilee United Church, and singer / songwriter. She has a heart for all those who have been told they do not belong (check out Rev. Bri-Anne's full bio here).  Resistance Church is a justice-focused, online ministry of Jubilee that reaches out to those for whom traditional church models are not always relevant or accessible.  Throughout our conversation we delved into: - Her own spiritual journey and re...

Special Episode: Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence, Dr. King's Radical Spirit

Mom and I are back after our 2021 holiday break, and we're celebrating Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by unpacking one of King's most radical and controversial speeches Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence, given one year before his assassination on April 4, 1968.  Focusing on three quotes (with clips), we'll explore how his prophetic words are ever-relevant, and a call for all of us to embrace the urgency of speaking up against injustice, despite the challenges. Resources for Furt...

Discussing Freedom Rising Salons (Monthly Virtual Series by Middle Church) with Rev. Amanda Hambrick Ashcraft

If ever there were a time to cultivate space for conversations that spark change, it is now! I chatted with Rev. Amanda Hambrick Ashcraft, Executive Minister for Justice, Education & Movement at Middle Church about their latest offering - a year-long monthly discussion series, Freedom Rising Salons, featuring "thought leaders, organizers, poets, artists and modern prophets reflecting on crucial justice issues, addressing our nation’s most pressing moral concerns, and what we all can do to r...

The heart-centered work of FLOGiving with founder Godfrey Molen

We sat down with Godfrey Molen whose passion for making a difference in the world and honoring the legacy of his late Mom, Florence, led to the founding of FLOGiving, a faith-based non-profit in our hometown of Baltimore. Florence, a woman of deep faith who valued giving back, often said "Up, up ever… down, down never," which means stay positive and leave your faith in God. Throughout this episode, we delved into -  - FLOGiving's multi-layered mission and vision: providing food, clothin...

Reclaiming the Faith with Dr. Obery Hendricks, author of Christians Against Christianity: How Right-Wing Evangelicals Are Destroying Our Nation and Our Faith

There is a growing crisis in the Christian faith today. Across the country, far too many church leaders are pledging allegiance to the false ideology of white supremacy, American nationalism, toxic greed and exclusion of folks living on the margins. We sat down with Dr. Obery Hendricks to discuss his most recent book - Christians Against Christianity: How Right-Wing Evangelicals Are Destroying Our Nation and Our Faith (Beacon Press, 2021).  Dr. Hendricks is a life long social activist, a...

Season 3: Standing up for the Least of These (Matthew 25:40)

We've missed you all! Mom and I are back with Season 3 of the podcast, and our guiding scripture is Mathew 25:40 (Whatever you have done to the least of these, you have done it to me). We're unpacking what it means to embrace our faith in the margins - from welcoming immigrants instead of erecting barriers to helping those experiencing homelessness and poverty, while committing to anti-racism in our church bodies and daily lives. We're excited to be in conversation with one another, and hos...

Bonus Episode: Breaking Down Barriers by Telling Our Stories with Caribbean Writer Rowana Abbensetts-Dobson

One of the most powerful ways we resist racism and de-center Whiteness as representative of all experiences is to tell our stories. Towards the end of June (Immigrant Heritage Month), I caught up with my good friend Rowana Abbensetts-Dobson, writer, founder of Spoken Black Girl and mental health advocate, about her debut novel: Departure Story, which highlights the Black immigrant experience through the eyes of Celestine Samuels, a young Guyanese woman immigrating to the U.S. to attend c...

Bonus Episode: Uprooting Gender Discrimination in the Church with Dr. Nicole Davis

In this bonus episode, Mom and I chat with Dr. Nicole Davis about the urgency of uprooting gender discrimination within the body of Christ. Her new book - Eve, Where Are You? Confronting Toxic Practices Against the Advancement of Women, is an essential read.  Within these pages, we come to understand why many women are discouraged, emotionally absent, leaving churches, or considering giving up religious pursuits altogether. Throughout the book, Dr. Davis thoughtfully contemplates the scri...

Unpacking the Film, White Savior: Racism in the Church (Juneteenth Weekend)

It's Juneteenth weekend, y'all!  And Mom and I are discussing an important documentary - White Savior: Racism in the American Church (directed by Aaron J. Christopher). Using a combination of interviews and research, White Savior traces the historic relationship between racism and American Christianity, present day segregation in churches and  and asks hard questions about racial reconciliation. The film is divided into chapters, Mom and I discuss four: Chap. 1 (White is Race), Chap. 2 (Th...

Resisting Racism is God's Work with Pastor Kelsey, Founder of Dancing Pastor Ministries

Pastor Kelsey challenges us to understand the multi-dimensional power of prayer as grounding our activist work, and offering a pathway to see God's spirit within everyone we meet. We also unpack the destructive rise of Christian nationalism, why there is such apathy and silence within churches (White evangelical congregations), and the power of art to break down barriers. She  sees creativity as deeply connected to the Holy Spirit, the artistic element of God. Pastor Kelsey is a trained d...

Mini Episode: Prayers of Power & Resistance

Far too often prayer is seen as passive. But we know, as Christians,  that speaking to God and listening to the voice of the Divine is powerful. During the month of May, we celebrate the National Day of Prayer in the U.S. We honor this time by sharing some powerful thoughts around the urgency of prayer as resistance from Rev. Fran Pratt (Ep. 3), and Rev. Heber Brown (feat. on Ep. 4 and Ep. 5),  Patricia Taylor (writer and antiracist activist feat. on Ep. 7), and Walt Shelton -  writer...

Bonus Episode: The Urgency of King's Last Book - Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?

Join us for this bonus episode where Mom and I delve into King's legacy of freedom fighting, and his last book, Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?  written in Jamaica (1967) away from the pressures of the civil rights movement.  Given all we are facing in the U.S., and around the world, we couldn't think of a better moment to release this bonus episode (originally recorded in January of this year).  We discuss King's first essay, "Where Are We?" Here he wrestles  with key ques...

Part 2 - Jesus is Synonymous with Social Justice, talking with author Walt Shelton

Join us for part 2 of our discussion with Walt Shelton, writer, columnist for Austin American-Statesmen), speaker, social justice advocate and environmental attorney. His new book The Daily Practice of Life: Practical Reflections Towards Meaningful Living centers Christ and mindfulness, while lifting up the urgency of living out our Christian faith by making a difference in the world. Walt reminds us: "Jesus is synonymous with social justice."  We delved into quite a bit, including:  - ...

Part 1 - The Necessity of Transformative Faith with Writer and Social Justice Advocate, Walt Shelton

What if we embraced our faith more deeply - moving towards a closer relationship with Christ? How could this shift our view of the world for the better? We're chatting with writer, columnist for Austin American-Statesmen), speaker, social justice advocate and environmental attorney, Walt Shelton about his new book: The Daily Practice of Life: Practical Reflections Towards Meaningful Living.  We delved into quite a bit, including:  - The importance of a mindful morning routine to ground ...

Bonus Episode: Kris, founder of Earth is an Island Designs (Sparking Change Through Creativity)

Creativity is a powerful tool for change. We caught up with Kris, founder of Earth is an Island Designs (our Season 2 sponsor!) about the beautiful ways art can spark change, rooting our activism in sacred community, loving kindness and the practice of mindfulness. And what it really means to put your money where your mouth is!  Check out our new tee shirt collaboration with Earth is an Island Designs: "Love is the Revolution." Use the code Invest20 to save 20% off! When you purchase you...

Answering God's Call for Anti-Racism Work with Writer & Activist Patricia A. Taylor

Anti-racism work is daily; it's a choice to embrace discomfort, the uncertainty of how folks around you will react, and a commitment to unapologetic truth telling. This week's guest, writer (founder of the blog, Some Thoughts From Your Black Friend), anti-racism activist / educator, podcaster (Upside Down podcast), Patricia A. Taylor is on the journey. We have long admired her work, and this conversation is full of thoughtful insights, we delved into: -  Her journey -  aligning her writ...

Bonus Episode: Wellness Practices for Activists with Ebony Westbrook, Meditation Coach and Vegan Chef

As activists, we carry so much - emotionally, physically and spiritually. Take a moment to breathe, grab your notebook and get these tips from my Ebony Westbrook, meditation coach, vegan chef, and multi-passionate creative. During this episode we delved into the benefits of meditation and mindfulness, caring for the body by listening to it deeply (with healthy eating practices, body scans using meditation), self awareness and more.  Born and raised in Los Angeles California, as a young ...

Rev. Dr. Heber Brown, III on Building Community with Radical Imagination & Faith (Part 2)

Tune in for Part 2 of our stimulating discussion with Rev. Dr. Heber Brown III, Senior Minister of Pleasant Hope Baptist Church, and founder of the Black Church Food Security Network.  We unpacked quite a bit during this episode, including:  - Understanding God stands on the side of the oppressed (through the lens Black liberation theology) and thinkers like  Rev. Dr. James Cone (The Cross and The Lynching Tree) and Howard Thurman, author of Jesus and the Disinherited (among other book...

Understanding Jesus as a Community Organizer with Rev. Dr. Heber Brown III, part 1

Jesus came to extend radical love and compassion to "the least of these," (Matthew 25:40) - people pushed to the margins of society. We chat with Rev. Dr. Heber Brown III, Senior Minister at Pleasant Hope Baptist Church, social entrepreneur and activist,  about how he centers social justice in his ministry, the significance of the black church - its origins, roots, pioneering thinkers and theologians - and why we must come to understand Jesus as a community organizer, who came to "preach th...

Speaking Justice into the World Through Prayer with Rev. Fran Pratt

Merry Christmas, Pray with our Feet Community! We caught up with Rev. Fran Pratt, pastor, writer, musician, and mystic about her deeply moving prayers which call us to the daily work of anti-racism, honoring the earth and uplifting the Beloved community. We delved into her faith journey -  leaving a fundamentalist evangelical background into progressive Christianity, prayer as both spiritual practice and art form, her powerful prayer: Litany for Racism in the U.S., the need for Christia...

Transforming the Church and Centering Anti-Racism with Rev. Jacqui Lewis, Ph.D.

What does it mean to reclaim Christianity, committing to the daily work of anti-racism, and revolutionary love of Jesus? We sat down with Rev. Jacqueline J. Lewis, Ph.D., Senior Minister at Middle Collegiate Church, a 1,300-member multi-ethnic, welcoming, and inclusive congregation in New York City (and full disclosure, my home church, loves!) for a conversation which delved into: - The need for each of us to make anti-racism a daily practice  - Rooting our minds and spirits in revoluti...

Season 2 is Here: Dismantling Racism in the Church

Welcome to Season 2 of the Pray with our Feet podcast! It's been a while since Season 1 wrapped, and we are excited to be in conversation with you all again. And, if you're on Instagram or Twitter, we regularly share there, too!  This season our theme is racism in the church: How do we dismantle it, along and also begin to move towards reconciliation? Throughout the season, we'll explore  -  - Racism in the Church (form a historical perspective), looking at    the early church. - R...

Talking Wellness, Radical Love, and Social Justice with Dr. Marisela Gomez

Join us for an illuminating conversation with Dr. Marisela Gomez about prioritizing wellness in daily life, centering spiritual messages rooted in love (Jesus and the Disinherited, Howard Thurman), being intentional about how we use social media, and the importance of listening to the body, a transformative practice which helps us heal from various forms of trauma and more.  Dr. Gomez is a mindfulness practitioner (ordained in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh’s Order of Interbeing), publi...

Caring for Ourselves and Changing the World with writer & founder, Rowana Abbensetts, Spoken Black Girl Publishing

Grab your smoothies, and join us for a great chat with Rowana Abbensetts, writer, mental health advocate and founder of Spoken Black Girl Publishing, about the power of centering wellness and self care as activists / change makers and parents.  Far too often, we push these practices to the back burner, but they are essential for our well being. As a lifelong writer, Rowana has made it her mission to help women heal through telling her own story and inspiring others to do the same. Spoken ...