Advertise on podcast: Wholly Ourselves

In this episode, I sit down with my friends Brian Nietzel and Barnabas Lin, whom I met through Oriented to Love, to talk about our journeys with faith, sexuality, and church. We discuss why "sides" can be a helpful starting language but become a problem when they harden into boxes, and what it looks like to trust one another's sacred conclusions while still asking thoughtful questions. Along the way, we share what we wish other queer Christians understood about our experiences, and where you can find Brian's work with Making Things Right and Barnabas's upcoming book, Christianity Is Dying a Bible Verse at a Time.   Become a Patron: https://patreon.com/whollyourselves Preorder Becoming Wholly Ourselves (coming out June 8th)  Subscribe to Josh's Monthly Substack: https://whollyourselves.org/#substack Ask a question or send a message: https://www.whollyourselves.org/podcast Credit: Our Theme Song is "Leave it All Behind" by The Transient Friends

Keith Wildenberg, co-founder of Building Catholic Futures, comes on the podcast to discuss some of the frameworks of faith and formation that Build Catholic Futures is developing in their work to support the faith of LGBTQ Catholics.    Check out their work at https://buildingcatholic.org/   Become a Patron: https://patreon.com/whollyourselves Subscribe to Josh's Monthly Substack: https://whollyourselves.org/#substack Ask a question or send a message: https://www.whollyourselves.org/podcast Credit: Our Theme Song is "Leave it All Behind" by The Transient Friends

Ashley Murphy, the youth director on staff with Josh, joins him on the podcast to talk about lessons from ministry on caring for the least of these.    Become a Patron: https://patreon.com/whollyourselves Subscribe to Josh's Monthly Substack: https://whollyourselves.org/#substack Ask a question or send a message: https://www.whollyourselves.org/podcast Credit: Our Theme Song is "Leave it All Behind" by The Transient Friends

Josh shares a recent sermon from Pentecost, analyzing the parable of the generous landowner and what it teaches about inclusion in the church.    Become a Patron: https://patreon.com/whollyourselves Subscribe to Josh's Monthly Substack: https://whollyourselves.org/#substack Ask a question or send a message: https://www.whollyourselves.org/podcast Credit: Our Theme Song is "Leave it All Behind" by The Transient Friends

Meg Baatz — the OG guest of Life on Side B and co-founder of Kaleidoscope — joins Josh to talk leadership in faith and sexuality spaces. Fresh off stepping away from her role at Kaleidoscope, Meg unpacks the real difference between influence and leadership, why trust in pastors and institutions has collapsed across generations, and what integrity looks like when your public and private life are on the line. They close with advice for anyone desiring to lead as well as those let down by a spiritual leader. Subscribe Meg Baatz's Substack to follow her journey going forward: https://substack.com/@megbaatz Become a Patron: https://patreon.com/whollyourselves Subscribe to Josh's Monthly Substack: https://whollyourselves.org/#substack Ask a question or send a message: https://www.whollyourselves.org/podcast Credit: Our Theme Song is "Leave it All Behind" by The Transient Friends

It's Pride Month! Rachel and Josh sit down for a discussion about Pride Month, its origins, their evolving relationships with the celebrations, and the reaction of Christians to the month.   Become a Patron: https://patreon.com/whollyourselves Subscribe to Josh's Monthly Substack: https://whollyourselves.org/#substack Ask a question or send a message: https://www.whollyourselves.org/podcast Credit: Our Theme Song is "Leave it All Behind" by The Transient Friends

Rachel and Josh talk about purity culture, where it comes from, the ways it impacted them differently and the residual effects of it in our world today.    Become a Patron: https://patreon.com/whollyourselves Subscribe to Josh's Monthly Substack: https://whollyourselves.org/#substack Ask a question or send a message: https://www.whollyourselves.org/podcast Credit: Our Theme Song is "Leave it All Behind" by The Transient Friends

Josh sits down with Dr. Beth, spiritual director and teacher at Kairos University, to explore  spiritual direction. Together they unpack what spiritual direction actually is, how it differs from therapy and pastoral care, and why creating sacred space for God to speak is more powerful than any advice or answer a director could give. Whether you're curious about finding a spiritual director or considering becoming one yourself, this conversation will leave you with a deeper understanding of what it means to slow down, release control, and trust the Spirit. Become a Patron: https://patreon.com/whollyourselves Subscribe to Josh's Monthly Substack: https://whollyourselves.org/#substack Ask a question or send a message: https://www.whollyourselves.org/podcast Credit: Our Theme Song is "Leave it All Behind" by The Transient Friends

Bill Henson, president of Posture Shift Ministries, joins Josh on the podcast to discuss the rising trends of culture war on LGBTQ issues in churches, the signs and impacts, and how best to respond to promote a gospel and missional posture. Check out Posture Shift's article "The Identity Crisis" here: https://postureshift.com/theidentitycrisis/ Posture Shift will be presenting at Exiles in Babylon later this month if you plan to be there be sure to connect with them and attend their presentation. Become a Patron: https://patreon.com/whollyourselves Subscribe to Josh's Monthly Substack: https://whollyourselves.org/#substack Ask a question or send a message: https://www.whollyourselves.org/podcast Credit: Our Theme Song is "Leave it All Behind" by The Transient Friends

A new Supreme Court ruling on conversion therapy could have far-reaching consequences—not just for LGBTQ people, but for how we understand therapy itself. In this episode, Josh and Rachel break down what actually happened, why it matters, and how it impacts faith, mental health, and the lives of queer Christians.   Become a Patron: https://patreon.com/whollyourselves   Subscribe to Josh's Monthly Substack: https://whollyourselves.org/#substack   Ask a question or send a message: https://www.whollyourselves.org/podcast   Credit: Our Theme Song is "Leave it All Behind" by The Transient Friends

We all want deeper relationships but few are willing to pay the cost. Josh and Lin explore the hidden dynamics of commitment, loneliness, and the surprising ingredients of lasting community. Check out Church of the Sojourners: https://churchofthesojourners.org/ Nurturing Communities Network: https://www.nurturingcommunities.org/   Become a Patron: https://patreon.com/whollyourselves Subscribe to Josh's Monthly Substack: https://whollyourselves.org/#substack Ask a question or send a message: https://www.whollyourselves.org/podcast Credit: Our Theme Song is "Leave it All Behind" by The Transient Friends

This week, Josh is back for a solo episode with follow up thoughts from the last three interviews discussing sexual identity, Christian acceptance, and generational trauma. He then gives thoughts on the Epstein Scandal and what the response of many Christian leaders says about the state of Christian credibility on matters of sexuality. Check out Russel Moore's article that Josh referenced here: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/11/church-sexual-abuse-crisis-epstein-files/ For more information on the statistic about child sex abuse by pastors that Josh referenced: https://premierchristian.news/us/news/article/nearly-200-christian-leaders-accused-of-child-abuse-in-2025-says-report Become a Patron: https://patreon.com/whollyourselves Subscribe to Josh's Monthly Substack: https://whollyourselves.org/#substack Ask a question or send a message: https://www.whollyourselves.org/podcast Credit: Our Theme Song is "Leave it All Behind" by The Transient Friends

In this episode, Josh sits down with Dr. Sandra Anderson, therapist, author, and HIV advocate, to explore transgenerational trauma, epigenetics, and the ways shame and unhealed wounds echo across generations. Together they discuss how healing happens through radical acceptance, spiritual renewal, and the church becoming an ICU of love where people are restored to wholeness. Learn more about Dr. Anderson's work at sandramariaanderson.com Become a Patron: https://patreon.com/whollyourselves Subscribe to My Monthly Substack: https://whollyourselves.org/#substack Ask a question or send a message: https://www.whollyourselves.org/podcast Credit: Our Theme Song is "Leave it All Behind" by The Transient Friends

In this episode, Josh is joined by Karen Keen, biblical scholar, spiritual director, and co-editor of Christlike Acceptance Across Deep Differences, for a rich conversation on faith, sexuality, and disagreement in the church. Together they explore how Christians can hold truth and dignity together, cultivate resilience in conflict, and remain rooted in Christ while navigating deep theological differences. Learn more about Karen's work at https://karenkeen.com/ If you are interested in organizations engaging in conversations across theological beliefs, check out Oriented to Love and The Colossians Forum.   Become a Patron: https://patreon.com/whollyourselves Subscribe to My Monthly Substack: https://whollyourselves.org/#substack Ask a question or send a message: https://www.whollyourselves.org/podcast Credit: Our Theme Song is "Leave it All Behind" by The Transient Friends

In this episode, Josh sits down with Dr. Mark Yarhouse, professor of psychology and head of the Sexual & Gender Identity Institute at Wheaton College, to talk about his and Dr. Julia Sadusky's new book Emerging Sexual Identities. Together they discuss how sexual identity language is changing, why younger generations are using new terms, and how churches can respond with curiosity and pastoral wisdom.   Become a Patron: https://patreon.com/whollyourselves Subscribe to My Monthly Substack: https://whollyourselves.org/#substack Ask a question or send a message: https://www.whollyourselves.org/podcast Credit: Our Theme Song is "Leave it All Behind" by The Transient Friends