Hear It From Me

Poet and theologian, Pádraig Ó Tuama’s work centers around themes of language, power, conflict and religion. Working fluently on the page and in public, he is a compelling poet and skilled speaker, teacher and group worker. He presents Poetry Unbound with On Being Studios. From 2014-2019 he was the leader of the Corrymeela Community, Ireland’s oldest peace and reconciliation community. With undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in theology, multiple professional qualifications in conflict mediation (specializing in groups), he also holds a PhD (Poetry & Theology) from the University of Glasgow. For the Autumn terms of 2024-28, he is a visiting scholar at the center for Cooperation and Conflict Resolution at Columbia University. When BBC journalist William Crawley introduced Pádraig on the stage to deliver a TEDx talk on Story, Crawley said, "He's probably the best public speaker I know." Profiling Ó Tuama in The New Yorker, journalist and poet Eliza Grizwold wrote “Poetry, for him, is the language the heart speaks not when it reaches for some externalized divinity but when it seeks to understand itself.”https://www.padraigotuama.com/press

With a 40 year career in teaching history and religion, Daniel Henderson has the grounding of being a life-long mid-westerner, and having traveled extensively. Dan has a passion for history and historic sites. He has published a personal story of his own faith journey called, "Confessions of a Recovering Evangelical."On this episode Dale talks to Dan about his leaving evangelical Christianity and the Christian Nationalism behind it's impending implosion.⁠https://www.danhendersonauthor.com/

Kim Belew is a multifaceted artist and spiritual leader whose powerful message of healing and empowerment resonates deeply with audiences nationwide. A musician, speaker, and survivor, Kim's journey is a testament to the transformative power of self- discovery. After a profound awakening inspired by The Four Agreements, Kim channeled her healing into creating music and inspirational talks. Her courageous work includes a TEDx talk detailing her experience as a child sex trafficking survivor, a testament to her commitment to breaking the silence around this issue. As the Spiritual Leader of New Thought Unity of Cincinnati, Kim provides spiritual guidance and also consults with various communities, including law enforcement and medical professionals, using music and connection to raise awareness and promote love. Kim 's innovative workshops offer authentic and open conversations for growth and transformation. Her original music has garnered numerous awards and nominations, with her recent achievement as a finalist in the 2025 Empower Music and Arts contest further solidifying her position as a leading voice in the field.⁠https://www.kimbelew.com/#/Kim's TEDx talk

With an immense focus on empowering and uplifting marginalized communities; photographer, digital artist, educator, public speaker, and author of The Queer Allies Bible, NV Gay of Mx. Gay’s Creative Direction draws inspiration through their life experiences as a transgender individual. Their work explores topics of the human condition bolstered by the words and lived experiences of NV’s subjects. With intent on treasuring individualistic self-expression, NV exposes the raw wounds of prejudice and abuse, while advocating for the inherent beauty in being human.Pronouns (They/She)Based in Columbus, Ohiowww.mxgay.org

With a 40 year career in teaching history and religion, Daniel Henderson has the grounding of being a life-long mid-westerner, and having traveled extensively. Dan has a passion for history and historic sites. He has published a personal story of his own faith journey called, "Confessions of a Recovering Evangelical."On this episode Dale talks to Dan about his book "The Spiritual Journey to Anti-Racism: A Travel Guide for White People." Dan discusses the white supremist script that is handed down and runs in the background of our society.https://www.danhendersonauthor.com/

David Hayward and his wife Lisa live near Saint John, NB, Canada, and they have three grown children. He has a B.A. in Bible and Theology, a Masters in Theological Studies in New Testament, and a Diploma of Ministry. He was ordained to the ministry and served local churches… teaching and providing pastoral care for about 30 years.• He left the ministry in 2010. People suggest he's now an “online pastor”… a pastor to the pastor-less. He does love helping people find their own way on their own spiritual growth journeys. This means he is an LGBTQ ally, a feminist, and super progressive in his theology.• He's been the NakedPastor since 2005, and like any graffiti artist, he uses his images and words to challenge the status quo of religion and to offer hope for those who struggle and suffer under it.• He believes in spiritual independence and helps people empower themselves to achieve it. The healthiest people are independent, autonomous, self-ruling, and independent people form healthy interdependent relationships rather than codependent ones. Community is important to him, but it requires healthy individuals to form. His online community The Lasting Supper is one. You’re invited!• He makes my art and words available all over the Internet. His cartoons, Sophia drawings, images of Christ, books, The Lasting Supper, and speaking are all a part of his toolkit for helping others.nakedpastor.com

Ron Clemens is retired after a 42 year career in Social Work and Education. He filled a variety of positions from direct service to Administrative and Executive. He also taught at the University of Cincinnati for 27 years. He navigated all of those spaces as an out Black, Gay man at a time when the world was even less friendly to us as currently.While he has retired professionally, he continues to be active in the Queer Community. His current involvements include Board membership with the Buckeye Flame, Caracole’s Program Committee and Program Chair with Cincinnati Black Pride. He also does freelance writing with The Buckeye Flame. He continues to do volunteer and fundraising work through Tri-State Leather, a social/educational organization for those who wish to explore the kink and fetish lifestyles. He’s a new Associate Member of ONYX Great Lakes, a leather/ kink education/support organization for BIPOC Queers.His constant companion in his years with the community has been his camera. In his senior years, he plans to continue his activism through his lenses, writing and continuing to live an open life. He firmly believes the most powerful form of activism is authenticity and listening to your spirit.He runs his own Photography business, RacXposure.

Thomas Jay Oord, Ph.D., is a theologian, philosopher, and scholar of multi-disciplinary studies. Oord directs the Center for Open and Relational Theology and doctoral students at Northwind Theological Seminary. He is an award-winning author and has written or edited more than thirty books. A gifted speaker, Oord lectures at universities, conferences, churches, and institutions. He is known for his contributions to research on love, science and religion, open and relational theology, the problem of suffering, and advocacy for the full inclusion of queer people. Website: thomasjayoord.com

Nico Lang (they/them) is a nonbinary award-winning journalist with over a decade of experience covering the transgender community’s fight for equality. Their work has appeared in major publications, including Rolling Stone, Esquire, The New York Times, Vox, The Wall Street Journal, Salon, Harper’s Bazaar, Time, The Washington Post, and the Los Angeles Times. Lang is the creator of Queer News Daily and previously served as the deputy editor for Out magazine, the news editor for Them, the LGBTQ+ correspondent for VICE, and the editor and cofounder of the literary journal In Our Words. Their industry-leading contributions to queer media have resulted in a GLAAD Media Award, 10 awards from the National Association of LGBTQ Journalists (NLGJA), and three awards from the Los Angeles Press Club, including the 2023 Online Journalist of the Year. Lang is also the first-ever recipient of the Visibility Award from the Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund (TLDEF), an honor created to recognize their impactful contributions to reporting on the lives of LGBTQ+ people.

Derek Webb takes listeners on a journey through his thought-provoking musings about the nature of faith, doubt, and the significance of Jesus in our lives.“My general creative ethic tends to be, ‘what I need and cannot find, I make.’“I’ve always liked to say, the word “Christian," when applied to anything other than a human being, is a marketing term."After 10 years in the Christian folk rock band Caedmon’s Call, 20 more years of solo albums (the majority of which were heavily preoccupied with God & Jesus, heaven & the Bible), it’s only now, as he no longer identifies as “certain of anything”, that he finds himself finally and ironically embracing the very thing he bristled at in those early years: ministry. “While I used to write mainly for myself, using words & melodies to work my way out of complex emotional or theological situations,” says Webb, “now I think just as much or more about, well, you.”Visit Derek's website here: https://www.derekwebb.com/

Jim Obergefell, the named plaintiff from the landmark US Supreme Court marriage equality case Obergefell v. Hodges, is a speaker on LGBTQ+ equality and civil rights represented by Keppler Speakers. He co-founded Equality Vines, the first cause-based wine label, to support equality organizations with premium wines. Jim is also a Producer on the JustMarried Project, consisting of an eight-episode documentary series, podcast series, and coffee table book.Jim is a board member of Family Equality and Equality Sandusky, and he sits on advisory boards for the GLBT Historical Society and Mattachine Society of Washington, DC. He is a past SAGE board member and former Family Equality staff member. Jim co-authored the book Love Wins, published by William Morrow, and he has written essays, Op-Eds, and book forewords, chapters, and afterwords. Jim enjoys choral singing, reading, travel, painting, and photography. 

Cherie Cooper-Darragh has a love of the arts that led her to a lifelong love of theatre. She has directed high school, college, and community theatre in southwest Ohio for twenty years. Her work as as a director and performer has won DayTony and Orchid awards. She enjoys acting, singing, watercolor painting, jewelry making, and writing. Her latest endeavor was as playwright and performer in the Bare Boards Theatre production of The Reindeer Games. 

Cathy Studer is the award-winning author of Broken to Beautifully Whole, and a mental health advocate, child abuse prevention advocate, and speaker. As an advocate and speaker, she is passionate about helping children and adults unlock, cultivate, and reach their full potentials by developing stronger mental and emotional health. She lives in Oho with her husband and their yellow lab, Levi. Cathy Loves spending time with her two adult children and grand dogs. You can find her in these places: Website: www.cathystuder.com Facebook; https://www.facebook.com/cathystuder4/ Linkedin; https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathy-studer-73a6b7198/ Instagram; https://www.instagram.com/cathystuder4/

In this episode, the tables are turned as Dale is interviewed by John-Michael Lander about his experiences in the United Methodist Church. Visit Dale's website at ⁠DaleLykins.com⁠ and subscribe to his blog, ⁠The Unlearning Blog⁠.

In this episode, the tables are turned as Dale is interviewed by John-Michael Lander about his childhood experiences surrounding abuse. Visit Dale's website at DaleLykins.com and subscribe to his blog, The Unlearning Blog.

In this episode, the tables are turned as Dale is interviewed by John-Michael Lander about his Mixed Orientation Marriage. Visit Dale's website at ⁠DaleLykins.com⁠ and subscribe to his blog, ⁠The Unlearning Blog⁠.

Gigi earned her BS in Early Childhood Education, MS in Exceptional Persons, and Special Education Supervisory Certification from Bloomsburg University. She retired from a career of 32 years in the field of special education: the first 9 years as a special education teacher, and the remaining as a special education supervisor with BLaST Intermediate Unit 17. Working with students with special needs was her passion. Once a victim who has emerged a strong survivor, now Gigi’s passion is to share her journey of healing and, more importantly, her message of hope, to survivors of all ages. Gigi has been a speaker for Resilient Voices out of the Office of Victim Advocate, and a member of the Speakers Bureau for RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) since 2018. Whether she is speaking to high school students, college students, those in residential treatment facilities, or inmates during an Impact of Crime Class, she is committed to sharing her journey as an example to those who need to know; no matter what you have endured, you deserve to heal and take your power back. Her book, “From Within, My Path of Hope and Healing from Sexual Abuse” was released in January 2022. She has spoken in person to over 1,200 people across the state, and her podcasts on YouTube have reached just under 23,000 views. The most important message she has for survivors is this, “NO ONE has the right to extinguish the light that shines within you. Hope, Healing and Empowerment are possible at any age.” You can visit Gigi's website at www.gigikilroe.com

John Callas is a veteran filmmaker with over 40 years of experience. He's worked on everything from feature films like "No Solicitors" to trailers for blockbusters like "Spaceballs" and "Glengarry Glen Ross." He's also directed commercials for major brands like Kellogg's and McDonalds, and even worked on the title sequence for "A Few Good Men." John has also been recognized for his work with awards like an Emmy nomination for his television series "Bobby's World" and an MTV Award for Best Concept for a Glenn Frey music video. He's a member of the Directors Guild of America and holds a Master's Degree from Occidental College. John's extensive experience covers all aspects of filmmaking, from directing to writing and producing. He's a true multi-talent who has worked with some of the biggest names in the industry. You can visit his website at johncallas.com.

John-Michael Lander is a former Olympic diving contender and sexual abuse survivor. As a 14-year-old Olympic-bound athlete, the adults entrusted in John-Michael’s training groomed and trafficked him into silence. Through writing, speaking, and consulting, he helps individuals and organizations identify the Predatory Grooming Trifecta©. John-Michael is a certified Trainer and Life Coach for the Self-Talk Institute and helps people realize that by “Changing their Self-Talk, they can change their programming. Changing their programming, they can change their lives.”  How our choices affect, direct, program us, and influence everything we say and do. He is the founder of An Athlete's Silence. He has previously been featured in Time Magazine, USA Today, on CBC Canada Tonight with Ginella Massa, CityNews Winnipeg with Mark Neufeld, Safe Sports International, and The National Coalition to End Sexual Exploitation Global Summit. He worked on the Athlete's Bill of Rights, and was a discussion panelist for Netflix film, Athlete A. He recently was interviewed for the George Clooney Production company for a documentary regarding the sex scandal of a doctor and a university.    SOCIAL MEDIA and LINKS Email: johnmichael.lander@gmail.com TedTalk: An Athlete's Silence | John-Michael Lander | TEDxDayton - YouTube An Athlete’s Silence Website: anathletessilence.com John-Michael's personal website: https://johnmichaellander.com/ Instragram: @johnmichaellander Facebook: John-Michael Lander

Creating space for people to be seen, heard and known makes Caleb David come alive. His love for the Front Range community, partnership, and connecting with people has helped Caleb to become one of the leading brokers in the Colorado Springs market. He provides reliable expertise in office, medical, retail, industrial and land markets. As an investor and owner of commercial real estate himself, Caleb brings a unique perspective and solid advice to his local, national and international clients. With almost 20 years in the non-profit sector, Caleb’s desire is to use his platform and resources to bring awareness to social justice issues and to vulnerable and oppressed people on the margins. He is the Founder and President of The Table Initiative, a non-profit organization dedicated to building relationships between global communities. He was also the recipient of the Golden Rule Young People’s Goodwill Ambassadorship Award presented by Dr. Clyde Rivers and Ambassador Mussie Hailu in 2014 for his work and commitment to the people of Ethiopia. An epicurean at heart, Caleb loves traveling and sitting down to a delicious meal with friends and family.