Welcome back to another episode of The Collective Table podcast - the ultimate female perspective on Jesus, justice, and joy! Today’s episode both closes out season 8 AND kicks off Pride month with a conversation with Jonathan Merritt about his new children’s book, My Guncle and Me. In this inclusive and heartwarming picture book, main character Henry Higgleston struggles with being deemed an oddball by the other kids at school. But when his fabulous gay uncle arrives for a weekend with his pup Jimmy Chew in tow, Guncle is on a mission to teach Henry that what makes him different makes him special. This joyful story that celebrates family and self-acceptance will make every reader feel seen and loved.

Jonathan Merritt is one of America’s most popular writers on issues of faith and culture. He is author of several critically-acclaimed books, including Learning to Speak God from Scratch: Why Sacred Words are Vanishing - and How We Can Revive Them, named “Book of the Year” by the Englewood Review of Books. He is also a regular contributor to The Atlantic, Religion News Service, and The Week.

Discover more about Jonathan at https://www.jonathanmerritt.com/

X: https://x.com/jonathanmerritt

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JonathanMerrittWriter/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonathan_merritt/

Seekers & Speakers Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/seekers-speakers/id1423339325?mt=2

Stay connected with The Collective Table on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.collective.table/

Explore the mission of The Collective Table further at https://www.thecollectivetable.org.

Episode edited by Claire Watson. Learn more at https://podswithclaire.com.

This week, join Chelsea and Dana in a conversation with Rabbi Sharon Brous as they discuss her national bestselling book, The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend our Broken Hearts and World. She is the senior and founding rabbi of IKAR, a leading edge Jewish community based in Los Angeles.

Learn more about Rabbi Sharon here: https://ikar.org/team/rabbi-sharon-brous/

Follow Rabbi Sharon on social media:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharonbrous/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RabbiSharonBrous/

X: https://twitter.com/sharonbrous?lang=en

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@sharonbrous

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@weareikar

Learn more and purchase her book here: https://ikar.org/the-amen-effect/

Rabbi Sharon’s TED Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/sharon_brous_it_s_time_to_reclaim_religion?language=en

Stay connected with The Collective Table on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the.collective.table/

Explore the mission of The Collective Table further at https://www.thecollectivetable.org

Episode edited by Claire Watson. Learn more at https://podswithclaire.com

This week, join Chelsea and Dana in a conversation with pastor Trey Ferguson - a thinker, theologizer, writer, speaker, teacher, preacher, and creator. His new book, Theologizin’ Bigger: Homilies on Living Freely and Loving Wholly encourages readers to re-engage their imaginations, and to construct theologies that speak to our current contexts, just as people of faith have done throughout history.

Discover more about Trey and his impactful work at https://www.pastortrey05.com/

For a closer look at Trey’s ministry and work, follow him @PastorTrey05 on socials: https://www.instagram.com/pastortrey05/?hl=en

https://www.tiktok.com/@pastortrey05

https://twitter.com/pastortrey05

https://www.facebook.com/realpastortrey05

Purchase the book, shop merch, follow Trey's podcasts, and more at https://linktr.ee/pastortrey05

Stay connected with The Collective Table on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/the.collective.table/

Explore the mission of The Collective Table further at https://www.thecollectivetable.org.

Episode edited by Claire Watson. Learn more at https://podswithclaire.com.