In this episode with Jay Bohanon, we follow his journey through religion and how curiosity shaped his mission to help people understand different beliefs without fear or judgment. We discuss the weaponization of religion, the impact of interpretation on beliefs, and how understanding others’ perspectives fosters connection and grace. Jay also shares his love for Kansas, lessons from his travels, and the power of treating everyone with empathy, even when viewpoints differ. Tune in to see how curiosity, compassion, and connection can transform how we understand religion, culture, and the world.

Key Takeaways:

Curiosity is the foundation of growth – Asking questions early teaches you to seek answers and understand the world. When adults don’t have the answer, looking for information in books or other sources helps you learn on your own and build confidence.

Religion and beliefs are often more similar than different – Despite diverse practices, many religions share foundational principles such as values, morality, and community. Recognizing similarities allows for empathy, reduces fear of “otherness,” and promotes connection across cultural or spiritual differences.

Different paths can lead to the same truth – People may practice their beliefs in different ways, but at the core, many religions share similar values. Understanding this helps you focus on your own personal spirituality rather than getting stuck on differences.

Passion grows from early experiences – Developing a deep love or commitment often starts in childhood through exposure and meaningful experiences. Early engagement, whether through family, school, or community traditions, can ignite a lifelong passion to represent, improve, or change the perception of something important to you.

Values and Identity Evolve Over Time – Our values and sense of self are not fixed. They change as our lives, experiences, and priorities shift. What mattered in one season may not matter in the next. Allowing ourselves grace to evolve helps us grow, connect with others, and resist rigid systems that try to control or limit personal growth.

Helpful Resources:

• Be aware of how religion can be used for control – Organized religion can sometimes shift from its original teachings and be used to wield power over people. Understanding that interpretations, traditions, and texts can be manipulated helps you critically examine beliefs and recognize when dogma is being weaponized rather than guiding genuine spiritual growth.

• Culture and religion are deeply intertwined – Cultural context shapes the interpretation and practice of religion. Many conflicts or misunderstandings attributed to faith are actually rooted in culture rather than core spiritual teachings. Distinguishing between the two can clarify misconceptions and reduce unnecessary division.

• Focus on Shared Humanity to Bridge Divides – Changing harmful uses of religion or beliefs doesn’t come from arguing or proving someone wrong. It starts by seeing others as people, showing grace, and building genuine connections. By finding common values and what everyone truly wants, we can work together and create understanding over time.

About the Guest

Jay (he/they) is a diversity, equity, and inclusion professional with over ten years of social justice advocacy. They help workplaces become more equitable through workshops, keynotes, and programs on LGBTQ+ inclusion, psychological safety, belonging, and allyship. Jay has created award-winning programs, educated employees at multiple organizations, and cohosts the podcast Religiously Literate.

Follow Jay on Social media

Website: https://www.jaybohanon.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaybohanon/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jbo.bohanon

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Hosted by: Dr. Maiysha Clairborne

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