Today, Ashley and I talk about finding community that fuels you. Ashley Nadine Lopez is the founder of Life Curious Women, a thriving platform empowering millennial and Gen Z women leaders to build confidence, pursue their passions, and live purpose-driven lives. As an on-camera actor, podcast host, speaker and advocate for holistic personal growth…

Today, Jenai Auman and I talk about reclaiming our agency after experiencing othering and religious trauma. Jenai Auman (she/her) is a Filipina American writer, artist, and author of Othered. She draws from her years in church leadership as well as her trauma-informed training to write on healing and holistic spiritual formation. She received her b…

Today, Ian Morgan Cron and I talk about why the twelve steps are for everyone. Ian is a bestselling author, psychotherapist, Enneagram teacher, Episcopal priest, and the host of the popular podcast Typology. His books include the Enneagram primer The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery, which has sold over one million copies an…

CW: Ayana and I discuss some tender topics today, including mental health, pregnancy loss, and postpartum psychosis. If you are struggling, please reach out to a hotline such as the NAMI Helpline (1-800-950-6264) or a trusted mental health professional. If you are in extreme distress, please seek immediate medical care. Today, Ayana Lage and I talk…

Today, Amber Flannery Field (she/her) and I talk about the journey from nihilism to hopeful action and community. Amber is a New York City tour guide. New York Magazine named her among their "things we love about New York," and CBC Radio called her "the only good tour guide in New York City." She does video essays on race, community, and New York o…

Today, Emma Claye (she/her) and I talk about persistence in the midst of rejection. You can follow Emma on social media @emmaclaye. Listen to Emma's music wherever you stream music. Join the Found Family crew on Substack! Support the showDoor MaryB. Safrit

Today, David Jay (he/him) and I discuss how we can push back on the systems that make us feel lonely. Get your copy of Relationality wherever you buy books! Check out resources and all the things at relationalitybook.com. Send David an email with your thoughts and stories at [email protected]. AVEN is still alive and well! Check it out at…

Today, Natalie Naudus (she/her) and I talk about the beauty and necessity of queer stories. You can follow Natalie on Instagram, TikTok, and X @natalienaudus. Get your copy of Gay the Pray Away wherever you get books or audiobooks. Get monthly spicy sapphic stories on Natalie and her girlfriend's Patreon, Sapphic Sparks. Join the Found Family Crew …

Today, Kat Vellos (she/her) and I discuss very practical ways to make friends outside of church. You can sign up for Kat's newsletter at weshouldgettogether.com. Here are the links for Kat's blog post, "Organic Friendship 101" and her Platonic Action Lab. (No link? Both are easy to find on her website!) Follow her on IG @katvellos_author. Join the …

It's the week of Thanksgiving! For this solo episode, I'm giving you my best hosting hacks--eight of them, to be specific. After two decades of getting people together, one decade in food service, and a lifetime of inclusive Southern Hospitality, there's a lot I've learned the hard way. This episode gives you eight of them to save you the headache!…

Today, Annie Parsons (she/her) and I talk about her journey to motherhood while unmarried. You can follow Annie on Instagram @hootenannie Join the Found Family crew on Substack at marybsafrit.substack.com. Support the show

Today, Adam Evers (he/him) and I talk about the very human world of queer Christian dating, friendship, and community. You can follow Believr on social media @believrapp. Download Believr at believr.app/download. If you have a success story or feedback, shoot Adam an email, [email protected]. Join the Found Family crew on Substack. Support the show…

Today, I'm talking to GG Renee Hill (she/her) about how a creative mindset can help us build the lives we want. You can find GG on Instagram @ggreneewrites. Check out her free resources at allthemanylayers.com/ggreneewrites. She's on Linked In as GG Renee Hill. Get free writing prompts by subscribing to her Substack at thelayers.substack.com. Join …

In light of the imminent election, I decided to gift y'all the extended cut of my interview with Kaitlyn Schiess (she/her) from back before our rebrand. It's a dynamite conversation about the importance of community and how mutuality in our community can help combat political overwhelm. Kaitlyn Schiess is a writer, speaker, and theologian. She is t…

Today, Lilly Dancyger (she/her) and I talk about all the ways our female friendships teach us how to love. Lilly Dancyger is the author of First Love: Essays on Friendship (The Dial Press, 2024), and Negative Space (SFWP, 2021). She lives in New York City, and is a 2023 NYSCA/NYFA Artist Fellow in nonfiction from The New York Foundation for the Art…

TW: abuse, mention of ex-gay, fatphobia Today, Haley Osier (she/her) and I talk about how she went from ex-gay fundamentalist evangelical to an out lesbian singer-songwriter and the album she wrote about it. You can listen to Haley's music wherever you stream. Just search for Haley Osier. Follow Haley on social media @haleyosier. Join the Found Fam…

Today, Joash Thomas (he/him) and I talk about liberating faith practices and the systemic barriers that get in the way. Also Chai. We talk about Masala chai quite a bit. Joash Thomas is an international speaker, global human rights leader and justice & liberation theologian. Born and raised in India, Joash ran a political consulting and lobbying fi…

TW: homophobia, transphobia, suicidal thoughts Today, April Ajoy (she/her) tells her story of leaving Christian Nationalism. We also dig into what it's like being part of a queer family in the Southeastern US. April is a content creator and podcast host who uses humor to shine light on harmful, toxic, and sometimes just weird traits of American Eva…

You're going to be hearing from me today on a topic that's very close to my heart. This episode is for the folks who feel like their church doesn't know what to do with them. Get a FREE sixty-minute coaching session by filling out this interest form! You can follow me on Instagram and TikTok @maryb.safrit. If you enjoyed this episode, I send out a …

Today, you'll hear the story of a theologian who was put on trial for herasy by his denomination for promoting queer affirming theology. Thomas Jay Oord, PhD, (he/him) is a theologian, philosopher, and scholar of multidisciplinary studies. He is a best-selling and award-winning author, having written or edited 30+ books. Academic Influence ranks hi…

Nina Badzin and I are answering one of the most pressing questions she gets about friendship... plus how to make friends outside your church community, why communication matters so freaking much, and more! Nina Badzin (she/her) is the host of the podcast Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship. She’s been writing about friendship since 2014, co-l…

Today's episode is a practical, delightful discussion of identity, exploration, confidence, and clothing with a color expert who wants to help you love yourself as you are, no matter who you are. Lindsey Myers (she/her) founded Created Colorful in 2020 while navigating being a new mom. Pouring any energy she had into her kids, Lindsey slowly realiz…

This episode is about why found family matters when the world is on fire. If you're feeling fatigued and prone to isolation when the ish hits the fan, this episode is for you! If you like this episode, you should sign up for my Substack and get a free message like this one delivered to your inbox on the last Tuesday of every month. It's totally fre…

Today, we're getting super practical for folks who are looking for new pals who might become found family but aren't part of a church community and don't have a million dollars. If you like this episode, you should sign up for my Substack and get a free message like this one delivered to your inbox on the last Tuesday of every month. It's totally f…

We're taking a break from interviews for the month of July. But don't worry, we have some solo episodes lined up for you! The first is the story of the Sunday I left my former church for the last time and attended Pride for the first time. If you like this episode, you should sign up for my Substack and get a free message like this one delivered to…