PODCASTS
These days, there is a seemingly unfathomable amount of podcast content being produced every day. Sifting through all of it to find specific topics can be a pretty daunting task. We’ve done some of that work for you by creating this list of podcast episodes, including links to Apple, Spotify, and Amazon Music where available.
First are a handful of shows that specifically discuss LGBTQ+ inclusion in the church. Most are created by queer Christians and provide first-hand insights into the experiences and challenges that they face in church spaces. A few key episodes are highlighted for your perusal.
Following that are episodes touching on inclusion from podcasts that explore a variety of topics.
For a condensed introduction to LGBTQ+ inclusive and affirming models of church and Christian practice, click the link below for a curated list of ten of our favorite podcast episodes on the topic (Spotify only).
10 Episode Playlist
Description: This Little Light of Mine is no longer just about healing—it’s about leading yourself through the fires of religious trauma and reclaiming your life, your voice, and your worth. Join me, James Powell—leadership coach, speaker, and survivor of religious and cultural shame—as we explore the hard-won leadership lessons forged in the crucible of spiritual rejection and identity erasure. Through raw personal stories and vulnerable conversations with other LGBTQ+ survivors, trauma healers, and seekers, we’ll uncover the path from surviving to sovereignty—where you no longer ask for permission to exist, belong, or lead. You are worthy. You are powerful. And you are already enough.
This Little Light Of Mine
World’s First LGBTQ Baptist Church
Welcome to the first episode of This Little Light of Mine. My name is James Powell and I’m thrilled to have you join me on this personal journey of healing, discovery and possibility.
Save Our Kids
We need to save our kids. We can no longer afford to ignore the psychological, spiritual, emotional and mental abuse that the church inflicts on children when they teach that any of God’s children are less than, unworthy of love or unable to love in the way that God has designed them to love.
I Was Wrong – with author Rev Michael Coren
In today’s episode I’m joined with best-selling author, columnist, Anglican cleric and former nightly television and radio host, Michael Coren. Michael and I will be talking about his book Epiphany and “what went wrong” on his journey from being the posterboy of Catholic conservatism towards his profound spiritual and personal change of heart towards the queer community.
Gospel Gaslighting
Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation in which a person or a group covertly sows seeds of doubt in a targeted individual or group, making them question their own memory, perception, or judgment, often evoking in them cognitive dissonance and other changes, including low self-esteem. In short, gaslighting is another’s attempt to question your ‘Knowing’ or to question your ‘Truth’. The antidote to gaslighting is vulnerability and intimacy. It’s taking off the armor. It’s going off script and having a heart-to-heart conversation. It’s radical transparency, it’s mucky, it’s messy and it’s emotional… because… guess what… we are emotional beings!
All Aren’t Welcome
I always dreamed that there would be peace on the other side of the rainbow. I thought that once I was fully out to my family, there would be no more secrets, and everything would be good. Coming out of the closet with my family simply meant that I was no longer hiding one aspect of my life. People talk about having a huge weight lifted from their shoulders after coming out, for me, my anxiety and depression increased. What I’m learning and experiencing is that ‘coming out’ is not a one-time event only for LGBTQ2S+ humans. Coming out is an ongoing lifetime process for every single one of us.
Description: Welcome to the I Tried to Be Straight Podcast! We both grew up in Christian culture where being gay wasn’t acceptable. After years of struggling with our sexualities, we both recently came out of the closet. We’re here to unpack those journeys, and learn more about the struggle of accepting your sexuality in a culture where it’s not ok to be gay. We’re entering into the stories of others, digging into theology, learning more about gay culture, and trying to give you a little insight into just how hard it is to try to be straight.
I Tried to Be Straight
The Gay Pastor’s Kid: Nate’s Story
Nate shares the story of his life as a gay, pastor’s kid and shares his struggles with self-worth growing up, going to Bethel School of Ministry, working for Jesus Culture, and finally coming out as a gay Christian.
How I Reconciled My Faith and My Sexuality: Susie’s Story
Susie’s story of coming out as bi in her evangelical Christian community, where the church is her family. She shares the ups and downs of living in the tension of accepting herself and holding onto her faith.
Evangelical Pastor Gives Up Everything to Accept LGBTQ – Brian Recker
Speaker and ex evangelical pastor Brian Recker shares why he couldn’t keep rejecting gay people in his church, and how he lost everything when he started accepting them.
Can I Be In Gay Culture and Still Be a Christian? Brandan Robertson
Brandan Robertson explains in his new book Queer & Christian, where he challenges traditional interpretations of Scripture that have long excluded LGBTQ+ people. Instead, he uncovers the Bible’s true message of love, justice, and radical inclusion. More than just a reclamation of the Bible, this book is a call to reclaim the rightful place of queer people at God’s table. Whether you’re seeking clarity, healing, or a deeper connection to your faith, Queer & Christian offers the tools to build a more inclusive and affirming Christian community.
How Do We Show Christians that Being Gay is a Part of Us? – Gilbert Gonzalez Jr.
When Gilbert Gonzalez Jr. fell in love with God, he was told he couldn’t be both gay and Christian. Years later, he’s learned that faith and identity don’t have to be enemies. In this episode of I Tried to Be Straight, Gilbert shares how he reconciled his faith, embraced his truth, and now fights for a church that fully affirms LGBTQ+ believers.
ADDITIONAL PODCAST EPISODES
Religion On The Mind
(formerly You Have Permission)
To Be Gay Affirming (#10)
This is a tricky one, especially for those who have a genuine desire to take the Bible seriously. The argument for inclusion that J. R. Daniel Kirk presents, however, is one that I find convincing, and it is the best one of the many that I have read or heard (including by Matthew Vines, Gene Robinson, and others). Richard Hay’s compassionate argument against affirmation is also presented. Many podcasts on this topic tend to focus on the emotional aspect of the issue, on the increased risk of suicide among queer teens, etc. I think those have their place, but for many Christians, we simply NEED a good argument about what to do with this stubborn text — the Bible — that really does seem to stand against homosexual activity. Daniel presents such an argument.
Why Are Christians so Bad with Queer People? (#280)
In this episode, I sit down with previous-guest-turned-colleague Joy Vetterlein to explore the intricate relationship between disgust psychology, Christian faith, and attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals. We discuss how evolutionary disgust mechanisms influence reactions to sexuality, and the challenge of balancing intuitive responses with consciously held values. The conversation delves into personal experiences of conservative Christian upbringing, the importance of integrating mind and intuition, and finding a middle ground through discernment. We examine how disgust psychology affects Christian interactions with LGBTQ+ individuals, questioning whether such reactions are divine guidance or natural responses requiring examination. The episode emphasizes the crucial role of critical thinking and self-reflection in navigating complex moral and social issues, regardless of one’s religious beliefs.
The Bible For Normal People
(a.k.a. Faith For Normal People)
Episode 14: Matthew Vines – The Bible and The Gay Christian
On this episode of the Bible For Normal People, Pete and Jared talk with Matthew Vines, author of God and the Gay Christian, about the complexities of biblical interpretation surrounding human sexuality.
Episode 319: Matthew Vines – The Bible Isn’t Against Gay Marriage
In this week’s episode of The Bible for Normal People, Pete and Jared welcome back Season 1 favorite Matthew Vines to discuss how conversations about the Bible and same-sex relationships have shifted over the past decade. Matthew revisits common biblical arguments against same-sex marriage and offers thoughtful counterpoints grounded in Scripture and church history. The conversation explores how a deeper understanding of the Bible’s context can invite Christians to think more expansively about faith, love, and partnership.
[Faith] Episode 39: Candice Czubernat – Religious Trauma & LGBTQ+ Christians
In this episode of Faith for Normal People, Pete and Jared discuss religious trauma with Candice Czubernat, a therapist and founder of The Christian Closet. Together they identify religious trauma, examine how it especially affects LGBTQ+ people, and explore pathways for healing.
[Faith] Episode 55: Matthew Paul Turner – The Challenge of Raising Kids with the Bible
In this episode of Faith for Normal People, Pete and Jared are joined by Matthew Paul Turner, co-author of the new kids’ book “What Is the Bible?” alongside the late Rachel Held Evans. Matthew opens up about how parenting has shaped him, from questioning his own beliefs to embracing a more open, loving approach. He talks about learning from his kids, unlearning old mindsets, and creating a space where curiosity and kindness lead the way.
The New Evangelicals Podcast
13. My Child Just Came Out. Now What? How Love Makes Room with Staci Frenes
I sat down with Staci Frenes, author of Love Makes Room, which documents Staci’s journey of moving from a non-affirming to an affirming position when her daughter came out. Staci and I talk about the painful journey of losing friends in the Evangelical Church over this decision and how she and her daughter have found healing on the other side along with understanding that God’s love is bigger and wider than what we are sometimes lead to believe.
15. Hijacked by Fundamentalism, Christian Humanism and a Better Path Forward with David Gushee.
David is well known in academic circles for writing several textbooks that are still widely used in colleges today including the book Kingdom Ethics. However, over time, David found himself more at odds with the fundamentalist take over the evangelicalism and when he wrote his LGBTQ affirming book, changing our minds, he was promptly kicked out. Since then David has spent his time writing After Evangelicalism and giving the deconstruction community better language for what they’ve experienced.
33. What I Learned Living as a Man and a Woman with Paula Stone Williams
On this episode Tim talked to author, pastor and speaker Paula Williams. Paula transitioned from a man to a woman and has a unique perspective on what she has learned since transitioning. Tim and Paula talk about her former job as a CEO and president of a church planting network and what life is like now as she advocates for women’s rights and equal pay in the workplace.
37. Queer Eye for the Straight Pastor: With Bridget Eileen Rivera
Bridget Eileen Rivera, author of Heavy Burdens: Seven Ways the LGBT Community Experiences Harm From the Church sits down with Tim to discuss how culture and the Religious Right’s agenda influenced how Evangelicals were taught to view queerness.
107. Being Queer Is My Super Power // with Coach Yeamah Logan
Coach Yeamah Logan, social media content creator, sexuality coach and author of the book, Heal Fear and Shame About Your Sexual Orientation, sits down with Tim to discuss her profession and her faith.
369. TNE TALKS: Being a Trans Woman in an Age of Hostility with Billie Hoard
In this TALKS Episode, Tim engages in a profound conversation with Billie Hoard, a trans woman and theologian, about the intersections of theology, politics, and culture, particularly focusing on the concept of disgust theology. They explore how disgust influences societal interactions, particularly in the context of Christian nationalism and the political landscape affecting transgender individuals.
MAGA Isn’t Afraid of Trans People. It’s Disgusted By Them.
In today’s episode, Tim Whitaker engages in a conversation with Billie and Paul Hoard about their new book Eucontamination. The discussion dives into the theory of disgust and the innovative concept of ‘good contamination,’ describing how Jesus is seen as a transformative contaminant for good. They explore how disgust influences societal behaviors, particularly within evangelical circles, and how Jesus’ embrace of those considered ‘impure’ subverts traditional notions of purity.
A Pastor and a Philosopher Walk Into a Bar
LGBTQ, the Church, and Why We’re Affirming
This is a very personal episode (as much as it can be for a couple of straight white dudes). In this episode, we chat about where we came from, where we are now, and how we got there. Within that conversation, we touch on the Bible, philosophy, science, reason, the beauty in the LGBTQ community, and much more.
LGBTQ Christians, Shame, and Love: Interview with Dawne Moon and Theresa Tobin
In the conclusion of our four-part series on LGBTQ people and the church, we speak with Drs. Dawne Moon, a sociologist, and Theresa Tobin, a philosopher, who research and write collaboratively about the experiences of LGBTQ Christians in non-affirming church spaces. This conversation is frank, profound, heartbreaking, and, somehow, funny. We discuss their concept of “sacramental shame” and how it’s used against LGBTQ people, what binary gender has to do with sexuality, the origin of gender complementarianism, whether it makes sense to be egalitarian but non-affirming, the importance of relationship for identifying love, how love and pride are related, and more.
Why the Church Should Be LGBTQ+ Affirming With Tom and Alexa Oord
Tom Oord is back! Dr. Thomas Oord and his daughter Alexa compiled and edited a book called “Why the Church of the Nazarene Should be Fully LGBTQ+ Affirming.” We wanted to talk to them about the book because everyone in the church (not just the Church of the Nazarene) is talking about human sexuality and whether or not the church should be LGBTQ+ affirming.
Jonathan Merritt on Family, Evangelicalism, and Children’s Books
Jonathan Merritt joins us to discuss his children’s book My Guncle and Me. We also discuss what it was like to grow up with a dad who was the president of the SBC, his experience being involuntarily outed, and how to maintain relationships across serious ideological and personal divides.
What Conservative LGBTQ+ Christians Can Teach Us About Love
Dawne Moon and Theresa Tobin are back to discuss their book Choosing Love, which represents the culmination of their research over the last several years into the community of conservative LGBTQ+ Christians. This book expands on many of the topics we covered in our first conversation while adding insightful material on the varied ways this community understands their conservative Christian identity, how it intersects with other aspects of their identities, how they understand and practice love, the relationships between love, justice, politics, theology, and activism, and much more.