Life on Side B

S1E4 | Dean on Mixed Orientation Marriage

Today, I am talking with Dean Samuels about his experience as a queer man married to a straight woman. In recent years, heterosexual marriages which involve one or more persons with non-straight sexual orientations have come to be referred to as "mixed-orientation marriages." Dean is here sharing his experience in heterosexual marriage as a man primarily attracted to men as well as sharing advice for others navigating mixed orientation marriages or interested in pursuing one. 
Dean is a pastor at a church in the midwest, has been married for more than 5 years, is the father to a beautiful little girl, and is also a contributing author to the blog, Your Other Brothers. You can read his writings on the Your Other Brothers blog here.
Also, in case you are looking for a resource to help with mixed-orientation marriages, Dean did not mention it in the episode but he really recommends couples check out The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman. While the book does not discuss mixed orientation marriages specifically, it holds a lot of great advice and principles that have helped Dean navigate his own marriage. You can buy it on Amazon here.
Theme Music credit: "Driven to Success" by Scott Holmes

S1E3 | Josh and Michelle on Family and Friendship

Today's episode is a little different. Josh is joined by one of his best friend, Michelle Newbold. This week, Josh is sharing a little bit about his story of navigating sexuality and faith, and Josh and Michelle are discussing what it looks like to find community and belonging among family, both biological and adopted, and friends. 
You can follow Michelle on instagram @themichellenewbold or follow her at themichellenewbold.com.
Theme Music credit: "Driven to Success" by Scott Holmes

S1E2 | Melinda on Intentional Community

Today, we are talking with Melinda Melone about the intentional community she is a part of in San Francisco, CA. Melinda's community is an absolute challenge for our western understanding of community. Community is about more than simply worshiping and or living in the same building. As she explains, "We are not called to simply do church but be church." She also shares about her experience arriving to living as a Side B Christian and the way her community helps her find intimacy and belonging.
Melinda is a member of the Church of the Sojourners, an intentional Christian community in San Francisco. She has spoken at gay Christian conferences such a Q Christian Fellowship, Revoice and E3, and presented workshops at children's ministry conferences such as Faith Forward and Weaving Our Gifts on how to make churches more welcoming for LGBTQ youth and families. She also serves on the QCF Side B Advisory. She is the mom of a grown son, and works as a Montessori educator and administrator. 
Theme Music credit: "Driven to Success" by Scott Holmes

S1E1 | Meg on Communal Living

For the pilot episode of Life on Side B, we are talking with Meg Baatz about her experience in communal living, which is the idea of many different Christians both single and married coming together to live under one house and share life together. Meg has great stuff to share and most of all wants to show that God never meant the Christian life to be lived alone. No matter if you are straight and cisgender or LGBT+, this message is one everyone needs to hear!Meg is the Director of Communication and Creative Design at Lead Them Home, a ministry equipping the Church to enhance care for LGBT+ people. She lives in Denver, CO, with her spiritual family and co-leads a small group through her local church. 
The book Meg mentioned is called "All but Invisible" by Nate Collins.
Theme Music credit: "Driven to Success" by Scott Holmes