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What happens when we expand our vision of God beyond Father to include Mother? Shelley Shepard and I journey into territory many find unfamiliar yet deeply healing as we explore divine motherhood and its transformative potential.

This conversation travels through personal stories of our relationships with our mothers and how these experiences have colored our spiritual understanding. We examine how limiting God to masculine imagery creates barriers for many who've experienced trauma or difficult relationships with fathers, while embracing feminine divine aspects opens pathways to deeper connection. As we share, "Mothering is too huge a job to relegrate to one person," suggesting our spiritual lives benefit from seeing the sacred feminine expressed through earth, community, and divine presence.

The conversation crescendos as we read the Lord's Prayer from the New Zealand Anglican Prayer Book—beginning with "Eternal Spirit, Earth Maker, Pain Bearer, Life Giver, Father and Mother of us all"—demonstrating this expanded theology already exists within Christian traditions worldwide. We reference Jesus using feminine imagery and mystical teachers like Julian of Norwich who embraced God's mothering qualities centuries ago.

Perhaps most powerfully, we suggest God transcends gender entirely, with the various expressions—Father, Mother, Spirit—serving as different access points for different human needs. The episode concludes with a beautiful prayer to Mother God, granting listeners permission to experience the divine in healing, expansive ways that honor their unique spiritual journeys.

Has your understanding of the divine felt incomplete or limiting? This conversation might just unlock doors to spiritual healing you never knew existed. Join our community of spiritual explorers at expansionisttheology.com as we continue reimagining faith for wholeness, inclusion, and love.

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What if everything you thought you knew about sin and separation from God was based on a misunderstanding? What if the true spiritual journey isn't about managing sin but remembering your divine nature?

Shelley Shepard and Heather Drake dive into a spicy conversation about religious labels that have historically limited our spiritual experience. Through exploring Mary Magdalene as "the new Eve," they uncover a powerful alternative narrative—one where humans were never truly separated from the divine in the first place.

Shelly and Heather challenge listeners to question inherited religious frameworks with the same question God asked Eve: "Who told you that?" This simple query opens the door to examining how certain theological constructs may have disconnected us from our birthright of divine communion. Drawing from both biblical narratives and apocryphal texts like the Gospel of Mary, they reveal how Mary Magdalene understood a profound truth—that transformation comes through presence with the divine, not through moral perfection or religious rule-following.

"Sin is what separates you from God, but there isn't anything that separates us from God," Heather explains, offering a radical reframing of traditional theology. This perspective invites listeners to put down the burden of sin management and instead embrace what Jesus actually taught: oneness with divine love.

The conversation weaves between scripture, personal reflection, and spiritual insight to illuminate a path beyond religious trauma toward wholeness. Their message is ultimately one of liberation—that we can release limiting labels and experience what Mary Magdalene knew in her bones: we are "made of God, made of love," and nothing can separate us from this fundamental truth.

Visit expansionisttheology.com to join our community and continue exploring how returning to divine wholeness transforms not just our spiritual lives, but our entire experience of being human.

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What happens when the sacred spaces of our childhood reveal themselves to be breeding grounds for exclusion? Cara Meredith joins us to unpack her three-decade journey through evangelical church camp culture and the awakening that led to her powerful new book.

From her first experience as a 9-year-old camper in 1988 to her final speaking engagement at a family camp in 2018, Cara's relationship with Christian camping environments evolved from wholehearted participation to thoughtful criticism. The turning point came when she witnessed firsthand the harm inflicted on LGBTQ+ individuals, women, and people of color within these supposedly sacred spaces.

"When it comes to the God who is love, when it comes to this God that I am meeting and promoting, who does no harm—if that is who I truly believe that God is, that God is a God of love and that God then calls us to be people of love and people who do no harm, then these two don't align," Cara explains, describing the dissonance that eventually led her away from evangelical camping environments.

We explore how church camps often present a singular male image of God, reinforcing complementarianism, purity culture, and even elements of white Christian nationalism. Yet paradoxically, these same natural settings hold profound potential for authentic spiritual connection. As Heather reflects, "We were so close to the divine, we were so close to the mystery... Earth is our first monastery."

The conversation moves beyond mere criticism to envision a better way forward—one where camps might become truly inclusive spaces that honor the sacred in everyone. Cara's journey reminds us that loving something deeply sometimes means being willing to criticize it, not out of bitterness but from a profound hope for transformation.

Anyone who has experienced church camp—whether fondly or painfully—will find resonance in this honest exploration of how seemingly benign religious institutions can both form and harm us, and how we might reclaim what is beautiful while addressing what has caused damage.

You can find out more about Cara Meredith by visiting her website https://www.carameredith.com

You can purchase her new book Church Camp at https://ggpbooks.com/book/9798889831006 or your favorite local bookstore.

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Imagine stepping into a story that has been told for generations, only to discover there's another way of seeing it entirely. Shelley and Heather invite us to reconsider the foundation stories that have shaped women's spiritual identity for centuries. Beginning with a delightful childhood tale of "stealing" Mary Magdalene from the Sunday school flannel graph, they explore how limiting narratives about Eve have been used to constrain women's spiritual authority and leadership throughout history.

The magic happens when they reframe Mary Magdalene's garden encounter with the risen Christ as a powerful counternarrative to Eve's garden story. Where Eve was cast out, Mary is commissioned. Where Eve brought "sin" into the world, Mary brings resurrection news. This reframing offers women a spiritual lineage of power, authority, and divine calling rather than shame and limitation.

Through thoughtful scriptural analysis and personal reflection, Shelley and Heather show how the Gospel of John deliberately positions Mary Magdalene as a new Eve figure – the "apostle of the new and greatest hope" as Pope Francis called her when establishing her feast day in 2016. They invite listeners to practice what they call "holy imagination" – the ability to see beyond limited interpretations to uncover buried truths about women's place in the divine story.

This conversation isn't just theology – it's liberation. By reclaiming Mary Magdalene's position as first witness to resurrection and commissioned messenger, women can find a spiritual ancestor who represents their full humanity and divine calling. The hosts challenge all listeners to "make the beautiful the story" by focusing on the original blessing of being made in God's image rather than narratives of curse and shame.

What would change in your spiritual life if you embraced Mary Magdalene as your spiritual ancestor rather than a "fallen" Eve? Listen and discover how resurrection stories can transform your relationship with sacred texts and spiritual authority.

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What if the cosmic significance and divine orchestration of our lives were revealed in an ancient text? Together, we'll unravel the profound connection between the vast universe and our everyday experiences. Focusing on Mary 6:1-2, we'll discuss Peter's acknowledgment of Jesus' extraordinary love for Mary Magdalene and her unique spiritual perception.

Moreover, we venture into the transformative role of women in early Christianity, through the lens of the Gospel of Mary. We ponder why Mary Magdalene might have been entrusted with unique teachings from Jesus and explore her openness, vulnerability, and deep attentiveness. This discussion extends to other influential women in Jesus' life, like his mother Mary, and the reverence they commanded. Closing our episode, we delve into the boundless nature of unconditional love, illustrating how it transcends judgments and liberates us. Embrace this heartfelt exploration and find inspiration to deepen your relationship with the Spirit of God.

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Its a great, great day here and we are just thrilled to share the mic with Shannon Evans. In her latest book, "The Mystics Would Like A Word," Shannon highlights the profound legacy of women mystics like Marjorie Kemp, Catherine of Siena, and Teresa of Avila who trusted their own souls despite living in deeply patriarchal contexts. Their witness offers guidance for contemporary spiritual seekers navigating questions of institutional belonging and spiritual authenticity.

Perhaps most powerfully, Shannon compassionately addresses those facing criticisms for expanding their spiritual horizons. Reminding us of Jesus's teaching that "the kingdom of God is within you," she validates our capacity to trust inner spiritual guidance. This isn't about the idea of rejecting external wisdom but recognizing that discerning truth is part of our spiritual birthright—we were created with an inner compass worthy of trust, the Holy Spirit.

Ready to explore feminine spirituality and mystical wisdom? Buy THE MYSTICS WOULD LIKE A WORD from your favorite local bookstore, and be inspired.

You may also be interested in buying Shannons other books Rewilding Motherhood and Feminist Prayers For My Daughter.

You can also find more information about Shannon Evans here https://www.shannonkevans.com/

You can also read other brilliant things Shannon is writing by subscribing to her Substack https://shannonkevans.substack.com/

If you were interested in what you heard us talk about today you can connect with our community at expansionisttheology.com where we continue expanding our understanding of the divine beyond historic limitations.

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What if everything you thought you knew about sin was actually keeping you from experiencing true joy? In this thought-provoking episode, Shelley and Heather challenge conventional religious narratives around sin, offering a liberating perspective that centers on love rather than separation.

The conversation begins with a simple yet profound question: Do we need to confess sin to experience joy? This launches us into an exploration of original blessing versus original sin, inviting listeners to consider themselves as fundamentally loved and connected rather than inherently flawed and separate. Drawing from mystics like Julian of Norwich and scriptural wisdom, the hosts redefine sin not as moral failure but as "the essence of that which falls short of God's love."

For those who have felt burdened by religious systems focused on "sin management," this episode offers a healing alternative. Together, the hosts examine how confession can become not a burden but an awareness of both "what we have done and what we have left undone," particularly in addressing systemic injustice.

Through the parable of the Good Samaritan and Jesus's consistent challenging of religious laws, we see how love transcends boundaries and categories. The episode culminates in a moving reading of 1 Corinthians 13, reminding us that love remains when all else fades away.

Whether you're deconstructing from harmful religious teaching, seeking a more expansive spirituality, or simply curious about a different perspective on sin and love, this conversation invites you to return to love as your center. Join the community at expansionisttheology.com and discover how embracing original blessing can transform your relationship with yourself, others, and the divine.

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What happens when we put down the stories that have limited us and pick up a pen to write our own? In this illuminating conversation with renowned author Laurie Beth Jones, we journey through the liberating practice of questioning inherited narratives and crafting something more authentic.

Laurie Beth challenges us to recognize Jesus as the ultimate "plot twist" in spirituality—not a conquering king but a baby born to poverty who consistently broke social barriers. She invites us to examine biblical texts with fresh eyes, questioning interpretations that have marginalized women for centuries. "Just because it's written down in scripture doesn't mean it's accurate," she reminds us, opening doorways to more expansive understanding.

The conversation weaves through powerful examples of women who refused to accept limiting narratives, like Joan of Arc who, against all odds, became history's most successful military general. Despite facing death threats from her own family, Joan told "a better story" about herself and her calling—a powerful template for modern women seeking to break free from constrictive expectations.

Perhaps most compelling is the invitation to see ourselves differently. As one workshop participant realized, "I'm not the broken seashell in the jar—I'm the unsinkable cork." This shift in perspective represents the heart of telling a better story: recognizing our inherent worth and refusing to be defined by others' limitations.

Whether you're questioning religious teachings, seeking to understand your purpose, or simply wanting to view your life through a more empowering lens, this conversation offers practical guidance for crafting narratives that heal rather than harm. Join us in exploring how, when we change our stories, we change our world.

Visit us at expansionisttheology.com for more content and to join our online community.