The Foothills Deeper Pod

The Lifesaving Power of Mutual Aid

We're kicking off our new series, Terms of Service: The fine print of community. In this episode, Rev. Sean shares how mutual aid is a powerful tool for care and an essential component of spiritual life. Then, Rev. Dr. Sheryl Johnson joins Rev. Sean for a conversation about how the finance and stewardship practices of many congregations espouse neoliberal values and entrench white privilege and what we can do to change that.
2:13: Rev. Sean's sermon "No Masters, No Flakes"27:04 Conversation with Rev. Dr. Sheryl Johnson
Find Sheryl Johnson's Book here: https://www.fortresspress.com/store/product/9781506482965/Serving-Money-Serving-God
 

Bonus Episode: Gender Question Box

Rev. Sean Neil-Barron, Rev. Gretchen Haley, and religious educators Lauren Farley and Eleanor VanDeusen answer questions about gender submitted by community members.Some questions we answer are:
How can we center all the different needs in the fight for gender equity?Will we be targeted for taking a pro-trans and nonbinary stance?How are cis-gender kids affected by movements focusing on gender-expansive kids?

How to combat misinformation about trans and nonbinary people

In this episode, we empower you with talking points to counter right-wing gender propaganda.As Unitarian Universalists, we believe that we are all connected and that when the dignity and liberation of some are threatened, we are all called to act. So how can we respond to the wave of anti-trans, anti-nonbinary legislation that is sweeping the country? How can you, as one person, combat this wave of hate and harm? By starting with a seemingly small thing. Your voice. Your voice matters. Rising up and raising your voice can change a heart, a mind, and even save a life. 

Gender (Un)Stuck: Finding liberation from gender roles (+ an intro to gender creative parenting)

Even those of us deeply committed to gender liberation can find ourselves stuck in the sticky web of gender roles. How might we move towards greater freedom – for ourselves and for all of us? Rev. Elaine explores the strangeness of gender roles: the things that don’t fit, the things that actually (and perhaps weirdly) do, and how we might move with our anger, our curiosities, and our pleasures.
 
Plus an intro to gender creative parenting!

How do we become better men?

Let's talk about men. We know traditional conceptions of masculinity are outdated but there aren't any handholds for thinking about masculinity in a new way. So this week, we explore how we become better men - how we can invite ourselves into a more nuanced relationship with what it means to be a man.
We also tackle WHY - in the midst of so many pressing contemporary issues - we're taking the time to focus on gender.

Kissing God, Transforming Gender with special guest queer theorist Kathryn Bond Stockton

Leading queer theorist and nationally recognized author Kathryn Bond Stockton joins us to tell a strange story, with import for everyone. Why did a queer, trans-feeling, non-binary, going-to-be-gay kid need to become Evangelical for a spell so as to return to Unitarian values? Beginning with thoughts about what God is, this talk ties together words and kisses—for us all.Plus Rev. Sean welcomes guest Evin Carvill Ziemer to tackle our gender box. Ask a question at https://foothillsuu.org/genderquestions.
 
3:54 Sermon24:36 Answering our Gender Question Box. 

The Strangeness of Gender

As Unitarian Universalists, we proclaim that all genders are sacred and all people are worthy of love and belonging. But living that commitment requires us to learn, unlearn, and deepen our practice of true radical inclusiveness. This episode, we're kicking off our new series GenderFluent during which we'll work together to become more:
Curious about gender – yours and other people’s – without judgment or assumption
Conversant learning new vocabulary and ways of thinking and talking about gender. No longer letting fear of missteps stop important conversations.
Courageous to speak up and fight back against ideas, laws, and policies that tightly define gender or dehumanize trans and nonbinary people. Courageous to affirm your gender, whatever it is, and to embrace others.
Conversation between Sean & Gretchen about gender: 8:16Sermon "Strange but Sacred": 26:13A Prayer for Gender Freedom: 1:25

Right On Time: How to manage regret

How can we manage regret and the desire to have a do-over? Revs. Elaine and Sean guide us in navigating these human experiences.