Jera Brown and David Britton Discuss Their Spiritual Evolutions

Radical Soul

In a special episode of Radical Soul, my partner David Britton interviews me for a change! He asks me about growing up as a pastor’s kid and my move away from Christianity.

For the past fifteen years, we’ve been there to witness each other’s spiritual evolutions. The result is a unique glimpse into the ways two people who love each other can impact each other, as well as what remains stable about someone’s personality or essence in the midst of massive change.

During the interview, David jokes that the subtitle for this podcast could be “Spirituality, Whatever That Is Anyway,” and he’s completely right. Spirituality — whatever it is — is so often a source of hope, comfort, and meaning to others, that to rigidly define it in a way that takes away that hope, comfort, and meaning would be an act of violence.

I offered a definition of what it means to me, which was “divine mystery and connection to the unknown.” But if you asked me tomorrow, I’d probably offer a different answer.

I feel the same about defining queerness or justice or even love: these big topics that define us, how we understand ourselves, and how we interact with the world. I once heard activist Loretta Ross speak at a conference and one of the things she said that stuck with me is that a community that forces its members to believe all the same things is a cult. Instead, let’s wrestle with big ideas together and leave space for difference.

About David Britton

David Britton grew up watching Marx Brothers movies (which his mother loved) and Mystery Science Theater (which his mother hated). He is a comedian, writer, and actor who has performed all over the United States. He has written for the Hard Times, The Daily Dot, and other publications. He recently starred as Reinfield in several sold out performances of Dracula, on Bannerman Island. His newest comedy album “Possum Pals” is a split with comedian Megan Gilbert and can be heard wherever you listen to the things you listen to. Learn more at davidbrittoncomedy.com

More From Jera

I was recently interviewed by my friend Addie Herschel for her Alchemy of Art Podcast about being a sexuality writer. We talk about being “obsessed” with sexuality, what makes a relationship codependent, and all of my projects in the works!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit radicalsoul.substack.com