Open Hands

With Firmness and Flexibility, Hannah

Hannah is currently in graduate school to become a clinical therapist, while also diving into her work as an animal communicator and energy worker. Hannah communicates telepathically and energetically with animals and humans, both on earth and in spirit, and works as a bridge to interpret information and subtle energies. Born and raised in the Midwest within the United Methodist tradition, Hannah has often encountered mystical and spiritual experiences with curiosity and confusion. She now works to liberate herself and others (and even their animals) from oppressive cycles of shame and anxiety, while also facilitating spaces for all beings to step into their intuitive bodies with love, confidence and embodiment. With firmness and with flexibility, Hannah honors her religious upbringing and family while also holding the tension of religious trauma and new age spiritual bypassing. She seeks and affirms honest, grounded, embodied, and active spiritual and religious spaces for her to work with kindness and with justice for all beings.

Following Your Path, Rhaema Friday

Rhaema Friday discusses the complexity of her religious upbringing and the process of repairing her relationship with her family after her dissent. She shares how she arrived at the spiritual path of Unitarian Universalism, and what she carries with her still from her faith of origin.

A Tree Planted by the River, Jacqueline Ramales

Jacqueline Ramales explores how a better understanding of her mental health led to a deeper sense of spiritual connection and purpose. She shares the beauty of her Mexican heritage, and the passion she has for creating spaces in which others feel empowered and seen. 

A Cool Hang, Joel Sephy Gleiser

What do bidets and nihilism have in common? Not much, but in this episode Joel Sephy Gleiser and I somehow make the connection. He also shares his experience around growing up Jewish, and how his spiritual beliefs have changed over time. It's a cool hang.

The Stories We Hold, Abby Ellis

This week, Abby Ellis shares the story of her own embodied healing through her time at the Allender Center. She explores the value of attunement, containment, and repair within our narratives in order to embrace a more wholehearted life.

Keep the Light On, Keith LaMar

Keith LaMar is an extraordinarily gifted speaker, writer, artist, and activist who is currently on death row in solitary confinement for crimes he did not commit. He shares the story of his spiritual journey with us, and what it means to “keep the light on” through all of life’s difficulties. Keith is scheduled to be executed in 2023 and has been in solitary confinement for 27 years. After listening today, please go to keithlamar.org to learn more about how you can support him at this time. 

Open Hands, Kate Walsh

Kate Walsh shares her thoughts on love and grief after having both her parents pass in her twenties. She explores how living in the “both and” has allowed her to lead a wholehearted life, one that is inclusive of both faith and questioning.  

Open Hands, Jason Fulford

From honoring his cousin Eric Garner’s life to fighting for Keith Lamar who is currently on death row for crimes he did not commit, Jason Fulford reflects on the power of storytelling within the social justice movement. He shares how things like running, meditating, and openly speaking about mental health have allowed him to change the narrative and create meaningful community.

Open Hands, Fatima Walker

Fatima shares her experiences around being a black woman, Lucumí priest, and therapist. 

Open Hands, Elise Thibodeaux

Elise shares her story around recovery, divorce, and the path to self-acceptance.