Piet Ceanadach is a teacher of Paganism, especially the Wiccan and Druid-Craft paths. He is a third-degree Gardnerian High Priest and author of fiction based on Celtic Mythology. He lives in Glasgow. Piet has a great deal of knowledge of religion and spirituality and is a humble teacher and guide. In this episode, Piet shares specifically about his pre-pagan life as a Jehovah's Witness, including a period of personal tragedy. He speaks about many things he is grateful for having received from the JW's and a number of things he is very much happy to have left behind.  Piet's book 'The Daughters of Danu' is available from Moon Books https://www.johnhuntpublishing.com/moon-books/authors/piet-ceanadach and all the usual online places. Piet's new book will be published soon. Piet was also keen to share his late wife's Siusaidh's books https://www.johnhuntpublishing.com/moon-books/authors/siusaidh-ceanadach Jude opens the podcast with the poem 'Spring' by Mary Oliver which you can read here https://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/Poets/O/OliverMary/Spring/index.html

Mark Townsend  (he/him) is an Independent priest, a celebrant, magician, and author of several books including 'The Gospel of Falling Down'  I had a wonderful conversation with Mark about his life and experiences as a Church of England (and now independent) priest and celebrant and about the ministry of being f**k ups for Christ! We spoke about the privilege of being alongside people in their vulnerable and transitional moments, about how our own vulnerabilities and mistakes are the root and strength of authentic ministry. https://www.marktownsendministry.co.uk  Jude reads from 'The Wild Offering Oracle - a 52 Card Deck on Giving it all to God!' by Tosha Silver, and published by Hay House. 

Genevieve (they/them) is the founder of Queer Christians Brighton https://www.facebook.com/queerchristiansbtn Instagram: @queerchristiansbtn I had a wonderful, frank, moving conversation with Genevieve about issues relating to inclusion (or lack of it) in the church, and what it means to be affirmed and affirming. As part of their work with Queer Christians Brighton, (UK)  Genevieve is currently 'reviewing' inclusive churches, 'Trip Advisor' style for their followers.  Content Warning for a frank discussion of mental health, suicide, and 'conversion therapy'  Support Resources Grassroots - Suicide Prevention- Find help now Galop  - The UK’s LGBT+ anti-abuse charity UK based LGBTQ+ Christians seeking inclusive church might want to look at One Body One Faith and Diverse Church MindOut Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans & Queer Mental Health Service - UK LGBTQ- Inclusive Organisations listed on Stonewall UK Resources for LGBTQ People of Faith listed on Stonewall UK

I had a great conversation this week with Stuart Delony. We cover quite a bit of ground  from talking around what it means to 'walk out' the path of Jesus to the purpose of preaching, to the role of ministry, to worship being more than a good song!  Stuart describes himself as a storyteller, seeker, sojourner, question-asker, and provocateur. He’s a former pastor and the creator and host of Snarky Faith Radio, a podcast for the spiritually disenfranchised. It's a space to irreverently wrestle through life, culture and spirituality.  Stuart has a Masters of Global Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary and lives in Chapel Hill, NC with his wife and kids.   Website: www.SnarkyFaith.com  Facebook: www.facebook.com/snarkyfaith  Twitter: @snarkyfaith   Instagram: @stuartdelony

I had a delightful conversation in this episode with Marc-Henri Sandoz Paradella, who is a psycho-spiritual counsellor, meditation teacher and author of the book Toxic Jesus. Marc lives in Lausanne, Switzerland, and was an evangelical pastor before he began to ask questions...  An experience of cancer in 2018, which caused him to have his leg amputated, led to what he describes as a 'reverse epiphany' where the idea for 'Toxic Jesus' was born.  We talked about the understanding of Grace, about an authentic (non-bypassing) spirituality and about finding ways back to faith after 'deconstruction'. Marc's website is https://en.marchenrisandoz.com/ The book 'Toxic Jesus' can be found in all the usual online outlets.  I read the poem 'Buddha in Glory' by Rainer Maria Rilke which you can read here https://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/Poets/R/RilkeRainerM/BuddhainGlor/index.html Marc read quotes from 'Also Sprach Zarathustra' (Thus Spake Zarathustra) a  treatise by Friedrich Nietzsche, and from the Apocryphal 'Gospel of Thomas'. 

We're back! The first episode of FUBF for 2022 with Mairtin McNamara.  I spent a wonderful, gentle and mindful hour speaking to Mairtin, who is an Irish martial artist and movement practitioner living and working (as an engineer) in Antwerp, Belgium.  Mairtin spoke about his early immersion in Catholicism, and about giving the 'perfect' confession. Our conversation moved into compassion, what it means to be 'decent' in our interactions, and how our spiritual practice informs all of that. A rich and engaging conversation that I am sure will give you food for thought.  I shared the poem 'How to Be Alone', by Padraig O'Tuoma. A Poetry Film by Leo G Franchi of Padraig reading his poem can be found here https://youtu.be/HgZT6UJocRs Mairtin shared one of his own poems 'Walls' which you can see at https://www.instagram.com/p/CARLml_BEo5/?utm_medium=copy_link&fbclid=IwAR0DXLTliK4J5xOWJDDDxgoKSu85BMxuN0wsVAJw7uF9DEdY4YF9YH9AxGw He is also running a  weekend workshop - "Re-Awakening, Care & Touch" -  with Rachel Blackman in Brighton on 30th April & 1st May 2022 link below. https://vibrantbeing.vibrantbody.co.uk/courses/re-awakening-care-touch-a-weekend-workshop?fbclid=IwAR07ybBdLwQZj-Qr2f-HD-Y7El3I-kbF4duqxjUD53N8oFSRk9OxJLydPRQ

This is our fourth and final 'reflections' episode for the period of Advent and Midwinter, and it is a wonderful double feature! Roger Wolsey - who was the very first guest on the podcast returns with a  really beautiful reflection on the Advent candle themes of hope, love, joy, and peace. Roger is a United Methodist pastor based in Colorado, and author of the book 'Kissing Fish - Christianity for People Who don't Like Christianity'  We then hear from Chris Brown - a UK-based freelance facilitator specialising in LGBTQ+ inclusion, mental health, and suicide prevention - who joined me back in episode 5. Chris reflects on this period of Midwinter and the themes of the Winter Solstice, and ends with a lovely song/duet with Hannah-Rose Tristram.    Episode 1 with Roger Wolsey - https://anchor.fm/fkdupbyfaith/episodes/Episode-1-with-Roger-Wolsey-e10htdr Episode 5  with Chris Brown - https://anchor.fm/fkdupbyfaith/episodes/Episode-5---with-Chris-Brown-e127aio Roger's website: https://www.rogerwolsey.com Chris's website: http://www.chrisbrown.uk.com/ Hannah- Rose Tristram's website: https://getbrightonsinging.com The FUBF theme music is by David Goodall https://soundsmove.com The piano accompaniment of 'In The Bleak Midwinter' is from the UMC https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/piano-accompaniment-recordings

In this, the third of our special episodes for the period of Advent and midwinter, we hear from Jack Mason-Goodall, who was a guest on episode 15. You can listen to that episode again here https://anchor.fm/fkdupbyfaith/episodes/Episode-15---With-Jack-Mason-Goodall-e187594/a-a6kk44k Jude begins this episode with a reflection on candles,  and Jack shares an utterly gorgeous reading of the poem 'Until we Could' by Richard Blanco. You can read more about the origin of the poem at 'Freedom to Marry' here http://www.freedomtomarry.org/blog/entry/watch-freedom-to-marrys-until-we-could-by-inaugural-poet-richard-blanc

In this second of our special episodes for the period of Advent and midwinter, we hear a wonderful reflection from Oskar Marchock. Oskar was my guest on episode 7 which you might want to listen to again here https://anchor.fm/fkdupbyfaith/episodes/Episode-7---With-Oskar-Marchock-e134alg Jude shares the poem 'O Radix' by Malcolm Guite which you can read on Malcolm's blog here https://malcolmguite.wordpress.com/2020/12/19/o-radix-a-third-advent-reflection-and-sonnet-9/ You can hear the episode of the Church Times podcast which features this and the other antiphons here https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2021/26-november/audio-video/podcast/listen-again-malcolm-guite-o-come-o-come-a-journey-through-the-advent-antiphons The FUBF theme music is by David Goodall https://soundsmove.com The piano version of 'O Come Emmanuel' is by K. Jason French on Bandcamp https://kjasonfrench.bandcamp.com/track/o-come-o-come-emmanuel-solo-piano

A slight detour for FUBF for a few weeks. Indulge us.  For the period of Advent, a few previous guests are recording reflections on the themes of hope, healing, reconciliation and forgiveness. In this first, beautiful and mindful reflection, we hear from Dawn Lister, who was my guest back in episode 4. Dawn is a Yoga and Mindfulness teacher and co-owner of Anahata Yoga Centre in Leigh on Sea. She is a Mum and a writer who is currently working on a memoir about her experiences of growing up as a Jehovah's Witness. The poem Jude shares is 'The Gift' by Mary Oliver The FUBF theme music is by David Goodall https://soundsmove.com  The piano accompaniment of 'In The Bleak Midwinter' is from the UMC https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/articles/piano-accompaniment-recordings