Taylor Draper served as a pastor at a church in the United States for 10 years. However, she was fired after coming out as a Lesbian.In this conversation we speak about Taylor’s experience as a pastor, getting fired for being gay, trying to do fellowship with other Christians and what her relationship with Jesus is like.Watch on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqfZBwGfPs8&t=5sFind Taylor here: https://www.instagram.com/taylorpdraper/Get in touch with me (Melody) Twitter: https://twitter.com/melodyrachelkInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodyrachelkYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@melodyrachel

Graham Linehan is an Irish comedy writer who co-created the sitcoms Father Ted, Black Books, and The IT Crowd. He is also very outspoken about transgender activism and the conflict he sees between trans rights and women's rights. In this episode, I explore Graham's motivations for addressing transgender issues, try to seek some common ground and understand why he feels so strongly about his perspective. https://twitter.com/GlinnerGet in touch with me (Melody) Twitter: https://twitter.com/melodyrachelkInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodyrachelkYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@melodyrachel

Austin Crute is an actor and musician, best known for his roles in the Netflix series Daybreak and the film Booksmart. Austin is also Gay and Christian and is the son of a pastor.In this episode, we talk about what it was like for Austin growing up gay as a pastor's kid, his coming out journey, what made Austin think he was going to hell, what his relationship with Jesus is like and how he finally came to terms with being Gay and Christian.Find Austin Here:https://twitter.com/AustinCrutehttps://www.instagram.com/austincruteCheck out this episode on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnazBsI9BW4Get in touch with me (Melody) Twitter: https://twitter.com/melodyrachelkInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodyrachelkYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@melodyrachel

This episode's guest is Autumn. Both Autumn and I identify as Christians and experience attraction towards women. However, while I acknowledge and act on this attraction, Autumn has chosen not to. In this conversation, we delve into her reasoning behind this and have a debate about our differing perspectives. Check this episode out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nib6KkeFS6g&t=1593sGet in touch with me (Melody) Twitter: https://twitter.com/melodyrachelkInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodyrachelkYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@melodyrachel

Richie Hardcore is an educator, speaker and mental health advocate. He works in sexual violence prevention and advocates for a healthy approach to masculinity. He’s also a Muay Thai boxing trainer and uses his own lived experience to try and create positive change.In this chat, we delve into Richies mental health advocacy work and how he navigates the radicalisation of Social Justice spaces. We examine the effectiveness of radical approaches within the Social Justice movement and look at alternative strategies for creating real change. We also talk about institutional capture and the mental health toll of cancel culture.Find Richie here:https://www.richiehardcore.com/https://www.instagram.com/richiehardcoreGet in touch with me (Melody) Twitter: https://twitter.com/melodyrachelkInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodyrachelkYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@melodyrachel

Brad Polumbo is an independent journalist and a YouTuber. He covers all the craziest things on the internet, in our politics, and in the LGBT community, from a centre-right, moderate perspective.In this conversation, we discuss how Brad got started as a YouTuber, getting banned from TikTok, a critique of the overreach of LGBT radicalism, Self-ID laws and how to stay nuanced when people are being extreme.Check this episode out on Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyphAywTYwMFind Brad here:https://twitter.com/brad_polumbohttps://www.youtube.com/@Brad_PolumboGet in touch with me (Melody) Twitter: https://twitter.com/melodyrachelkInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodyrachelkYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@melodyrachel

Dara Macdonald is a free-speech enthusiast and the director of the Free Speech Union Australia.In this episode, we explore Australia's free speech laws, discuss its importance in a functional society, does limiting speech prevent violence, and the purpose of Free Speech Union Australia.Links:https://daramacdonald.substack.comhttps://twitter.com/FSUofAustraliahttps://freespeechunion.auGet in touch with me (Melody) Twitter: https://twitter.com/melodyrachelkInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodyrachelkYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@melodyrachel

Traidy Naidoo is a Gay Christian friend of mine who started his Christian ministry when he was living in South Africa. He is a solicitor in NSW who has worked extensively in the not-for-profit sector and currently, he works at his disability and mental health organisation which he founded called; Chosen Family Australia.In this episode, we explore Traidy's journey from believing being gay was a sin and embracing celibacy to discussing the misuse of scripture for political purposes. We also delve into the purpose of the Bible, the nature of a relationship with Jesus, and how one can come to know God.Check this episode out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VogeV7Cjj7c&t=28sGet in touch with me (Melody) Twitter: https://twitter.com/melodyrachelkInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodyrachelkYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@melodyrachel

Brent Morden is a New York-based music director, composer, and vocalist and is the managing director of Fair In The Arts - an organisation promoting Fairness, Understanding and humanity in Arts.In this conversation, we discuss how liberal values have diminished in the arts, self-censorship, cancel culture, alternative ways to provide an advantage to disadvantaged groups, Fair In The Arts as an organisation and how you can become a part of it.Check out this episode on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7-Pfm2MKGU&t=915sFind Brent Here:https://www.instagram.com/extramordenary/Fair In The Arts Website:https://www.fairforall.org/fair-in-the-arts/Join Fair In The Arts:arts@fairforall.orgGet in touch with me (Melody) Twitter: https://twitter.com/melodyrachelkInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodyrachelkYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@melodyrachel

Dr. David Bennett has a doctorate in theology and is a postdoctoral research fellow in Oxford University's Theology and Religion Faculty. He is an author and theologian covering various topics, including theology, desire, beauty, gender, theodicy, suffering, ethics, and sexuality.In this episode, we explore David's transition from a Christian-hating gay activist to a Jesus-loving celibate Christian. I ask if celibacy should apply to all gay Christians and what LGBT inclusion in the church should look like.Check it out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9-9gYc-QK0&t=27sFind David here:https://www.instagram.com/davidacbennett/https://www.dacbennett.comGet in touch with me (Melody) Twitter: https://twitter.com/melodyrachelkInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodyrachelkYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@melodyrachel

For the final episode of the year. I thought I would do a solo episode and recap of what I’ve learned so far!I discuss why I started the podcast, the 3 main themes I talk about, the biggest things I've learned so far, overcoming procrastination and what’s in store for 2024.Feel free to check this out on YouTube. Get in touch with me (Melody) Twitter: https://twitter.com/melodyrachelkInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodyrachelkYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@melodyrachel

Lincoln Russ is a fundamentalist Christian, evangelist and street preacher.In this episode, we talk about Lincoln’s ministry, fornication, why he believes having sex outside of marriage is so bad, his thoughts on sexual promiscuity and what he believes a true Christian looks like. This is my second time talking to Lincoln, and although we both believe in Jesus, our views differ tremendously. I am interested in understanding why he believes what he believes and whether his literal interpretation of the bible stands any ground, I also offer some counterexamples to some of his points and put forth my own perspective.Get in touch with me (Melody) Twitter: https://twitter.com/melodyrachelkInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodyrachelkYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@melodyrachel

A.J. Hendry is a Youth Development Worker and housing advocate working to end Youth homelessness in Aotearoa, New Zealand.He is also the curator and creator of the blog and podcast When Lambs Are Silent, where he explores the intersection between faith and justice.In this conversation we talk about: how he got started working in Youth homelessness, rehabilitation and restorative justice for young offenders and how being a Christian intersects with his advocacy.Find A.J here:https://twitter.com/AeJayHendryhttps://substack.com/@revolutionlettershttps://whenlambsaresilent.wordpress.com/Get in touch with me (Melody) Twitter: https://twitter.com/melodyrachelkInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodyrachelkYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@melodyrachel

Sall Grover is the Founder & CEO of ‘giggle’, a female social networking app. She is currently being taken to Federal Court for not allowing transgender women on the app. In this conversation, we talk about the creation of her Female-only app ‘giggle’, why she created it, why she feels like single-sex spaces are important and why she believes transgender women shouldn’t be in female-only spaces.Find Sall Here:https://twitter.com/salltweetsGiggle Crowd Fund Here: https://gigglecrowdfund.com/Get in touch with me (Melody) Twitter: https://twitter.com/melodyrachelkInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodyrachelkYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@melodyrachel

Dr. Robert Gnuse is the James C. Carter, S.J./Bank One Distinguished Professor of the Humanities in the Religious Studies Department. He received his Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University in the area of the Old Testament and is the author of 12 books and approximately 80 articles in biblical studies.In this episode, we discuss an article he wrote titled: “Seven Gay Texts: Biblical Passages Used to Condemn Homosexuality.” Below are the Seven Texts we discuss: Noah and Ham (Genesis 9:20-27)Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:1-11)Levitical laws condemning same-sex relationships (Leviticus 18:22, 20:13)Two words in two Second Testament vice lists (1 Corinthians 6:9–10; 1 Timothy 1:10)Paul’s letter to the Romans (Romans 1:26-27)Check this episode out on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXkLi7THAh4&t=2sGet in touch with me (Melody) Twitter: https://twitter.com/melodyrachelkInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodyrachelkYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@melodyrachel

Michelle Pollino is a writer, reporter, journalist, and filmmaker.Michelle caught my attention because she wrote an article for FAIR In The Arts called The Fracturing Is Necessary - which is also the title of her forthcoming memoir. In this episode, we talk about what compelled her to write The Fracturing Is Necessary, what is dividing us in society, how Michelle thinks the lies she was told as a young gay woman are being rebranded as truth to young gay people today, and how we can live in a more compassionate world.Link to The Fracturing Is Necessary: https://fairforall.substack.com/p/the...Find Michelle Here:https://www.michellepollino.comhttps://twitter.com/MichellpollinoWatch the episode on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q_eGs9qmFOE&t=1364sGet in touch with me (Melody) Twitter: https://twitter.com/melodyrachelkInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodyrachelkYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@melodyrachel

My Guest today is Emilie Dye. Emilie is a writer, political commentator, Heterodox thinker and an atheist.During our conversation, Emilie and I explore our Christian backgrounds, reflecting on how it led her to become an atheist and how it led me back to Jesus.We debate current understandings and misunderstandings of Christianity, the difference between religion and spirituality and what a relationship with Jesus looks like.Find Emilie here:https://twitter.com/Emilie_DyeGet in touch with me (Melody) Twitter: https://twitter.com/melodyrachelkInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodyrachelkYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@melodyrachel

Karl is a queer (gay) Christian pastor at Crave Church in Sydney. He is a published academic specialising in New Testament Studies and holds a PhD in Theology and a Masters in Philosophy.In this episode, we dive into the complex and often debated topic of homosexuality in the Bible. We discuss Karl’s upbringing in a Pentecostal Church, how he reconciled his faith to his sexuality, the historical context of the vice lists in the bible and the ex-gay Christian Movement.Check out Crave Church here:https://www.cravemcc.comGet in touch with me (Melody) Twitter: https://twitter.com/melodyrachelkInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodyrachelkYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@melodyrachel

Ben Appel is a writer based in New York City and has a book coming out titled; Cis, White Gay, about his liberation from the Church of Social Justice.In this episode, I discuss with Ben what it was like growing up in a Christian, fundamentalist community, why he pretended to be straight when he was younger, how the LGBT community has changed over the years, and how should we respond to young people who want to go on puberty blockers.Find Ben here:https://twitter.com/benappelhttps://www.benappelwrites.com/Get in touch with me (Melody) Twitter: https://twitter.com/melodyrachelkInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodyrachelkYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@melodyrachel

Nico is a Gay Christian, Musician, Actor, Film Producer and a Writer from Colorado, US.In this conversation, we gain insights into Nico's personal experience of coming out as gay in a church-dominated environment, being in the closet, how we hear the voice of God and when he realised that God accepted his identity as a gay man.Find Nico here:https://www.instagram.com/iamyanyezhttps://www.yanyezmusic.comGet in touch with me (Melody) Twitter: https://twitter.com/melodyrachelkInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/melodyrachelkYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@melodyrachel