Best Slate Church Podcasts (2025)

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A Postlude for 'When We All Get to Heaven' 31:00

Play Pause

10d ago31:00

31:00

As When We All Get to Heaven wraps up, Christina sits down with series host Lynne Gerber and producer Siri Colum. They discuss how the church has changed, the value of fleeting queer spaces, and what a decade or more spent working on this story has meant to—and taught—them. Get more Outward with Slate Plus! Join for weekly bonus episodes of Outward…

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10: AIDS Isn’t Over | When We All Get to Heaven 52:48

17d ago52:48

52:48

In the final episode of When We All Get to Heaven, we catch up on what’s happened in the many years between the emergence of effective treatment for AIDS in the late ‘90s and the fall of 2025, when we recorded this episode. We linger on a moment back in June 1999, when Jim was still pastor and called on the church to remember that AIDS wasn’t over.…

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9: AIDS Energy | When We All Get to Heaven 53:15

24d ago53:15

53:15

In 1996 everything changed. With the introduction of antiretroviral medications called the “AIDS cocktail,” people started getting better – some dramatically – and surviving AIDS became a real possibility. In the wake of these changes, MCC found itself taking stock of what they lost to AIDS and using what they learned to address larger social issue…

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8: Conversion | When We All Get to Heaven 1:00:23

1M ago1:00:23

1:00:23

In 1995 Rev. Jim Mitulski became HIV positive -- what's known as seroconversion. It was 14 years into the epidemic and people knew what HIV/AIDS was, how you got it, and how you could prevent it. And when Jim got sick, he got very sick. What was it like to become ill so publicly? How would the church and the community respond? And what could Jim po…

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7: Dress Rehearsals | When We All Get to Heaven 49:12

1M ago49:12

49:12

Scott and Bruce were the hottest couple in church. Scott, a hula dancer, seemed destined for Bruce, the hunky “lumbersexual,” and the church delighted when they got together. Their brief love affair sparkled before Bruce got sick and died. Their story is one of multiple “dress rehearsals”– when friends, family and lovers went through AIDS with thei…

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Interlude: Tired of Dying | When We All Get to Heaven 30:40

1M ago30:40

30:40

The Sunday after Magic Johnson announced his HIV-status, Jim Mitulski preached a sermon on being tired of people dying. We’re sharing it as an interlude, a pause, and an immersion into one moment in AIDS’ bleak midwinter. For images and links about this episode visit https://www.heavenpodcast.org/interlude. In the sermon Rev. Mitulski refers to ARC…

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6: Attacked | When We All Get to Heaven 1:03:30

1M ago1:03:30

1:03:30

San Francisco’s gay/lesbian community in the 1980s wasn’t just facing an AIDS crisis, they also struggled against ongoing anti-gay violence. In 1989, in the midst of a campaign to legally establish anti-gay violence as a hate crime, MCC San Francisco made headlines when their AIDS minister was attacked in her home. The city, the police department, …

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5: Healing Without a Cure | When We All Get to Heaven 56:46

2M ago56:46

56:46

When Rev. Ron Russell Coons got diagnosed with AIDS he thought a lot about what healing meant when death was certain. He pursued it in his strained and broken family relationships and he preached about it from the pulpit. Though he knew, without a doubt, that he would die from AIDS, Ron claimed that he believed in and had experienced healing. What …

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4: Friends in the Fire | When We All Get to Heaven 50:44

2M ago50:44

50:44

As MCC grew as a denomination, they tried to figure out if and how to relate to other churches. Would any befriend a queer church? And if so, would that friendship help other churches shift their perspective on homosexuality? These questions got harder as AIDS numbers grew—it made people more afraid yet friendship more vital. But sometimes friendsh…

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3: “A Church with AIDS” | When We All Get to Heaven 46:54

2M ago46:54

46:54

In the late ‘80s, two MCC San Francisco ministers wrote an article called “We Are the Church Alive, the Church with AIDS.” We wanted to know how a gay/lesbian church came to call itself “a church with AIDS.” The answers lie in the years before our audio archive begins. So we started asking people. We explore two stories in what’s likely a more comp…

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2: A New Gospel for Gay Sinners | When We All Get to Heaven 58:47

2M ago58:47

58:47

Why would an out queer person in the Gay Liberation Days of the 1970s go to church? What church would they go to? And why would they stay? In the 1960s, and ‘70s, the separation between God and gays was not as vast as it seemed. Rev. Troy Perry started the first Metropolitan Community Church in his Los Angeles living room. Tired of flying to LA eve…

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Making ‘When We All Get to Heaven’ 31:14

2M ago31:14

31:14

As Outward proudly presents the 10-episode series When We All Get to Heaven, from Eureka Street Productions, Christina and Bryan had the privilege of sitting down with series host Lynne Gerber. Lynne explains how 1,200 cassette tapes became a wealth of archival audio that infuses this series with so much vitality, joy, and shared mourning of queer …

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1: Setting The Table | When We All Get to Heaven 26:21

2M ago26:21

26:21

In 1993, more than 10 years into the AIDS epidemic, the Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco (MCC-SF) tries to remember all they’ve lost. We think about remembering too after encountering an archive of 1,200 cassette recordings of this queer church’s services during the height of the epidemic. Whether you’re a regular church goer or would…

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Introducing: When We All Get to Heaven 1:52

3M ago1:52

1:52

When We All Get to Heaven tells the story of one of the first LGBTQ-positive churches, the Metropolitan Community Church of San Francisco (MCC-SF), and how it faced the personal, social, and political trials of the AIDS epidemic, including the deaths of hundreds of its members. This 10-episode series uses historical tapes rescued from the church to…

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From What Next: Trans and Shut Out in Trump’s America 26:23

4M ago26:23

26:23

Trans rights and access to health care have been under attack on the state level for years, but the second Trump administration and the Supreme Court have accelerated a chilling effect at clinics across the country. Guest: Grace Byron, author of “The Grim State of Trans Health Care” and “The Bureaucratic Nightmares of Being Trans Under Trump” for t…

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From Hit Parade: The Hidden History of Queer Pop Icons Pt. 2 1:03:09

5M ago1:03:09

1:03:09

Outward is going on a little summer break, in the meantime we’re leaving you with a delightfully queer episode of Slate’s Hit Parade with Chris Molanphy called Mighty Real. This is part two—catch part one in our previous episode. Little Richard was rock ‘n’ roll’s flamboyant architect. Lesley Gore sang that no one owned her. Sylvester was a gender-…

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From Hit Parade: The Hidden History of Queer Pop Icons 1:00:30

5M ago1:00:30

1:00:30

Outward is going on a little summer break, in the meantime we’re leaving you with a delightfully queer episode of Slate’s Hit Parade with Chris Molanphy: Little Richard was rock ‘n’ roll’s flamboyant architect. Lesley Gore sang that no one owned her. Sylvester was a gender-fluid icon who helped define disco. Freddie Mercury made rock operatic, and …

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Archiving the Spirit of Ballroom with Michael Roberson 41:32

6M ago41:32

41:32

This week, Bryan is joined by theologian, activist, and ballroom historian Michael Roberson to discuss his new book, Ballroom: A History, A Movement, A Celebration. Roberson traces the rich legacy of the ballroom scene—from its origins in resistance and survival, to its role in shaping public health responses during the height of the AIDS crisis an…

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The Latest on Trans Rights in the Court and in Congress 52:22

6M ago52:22

52:22

In this episode of Outward, Bryan talks with Slate legal reporter Mark Joseph Stern about a federal judge’s sweeping and controversial ruling in United States v. Skrmetti, which could have massive consequences for access to gender-affirming care. Then, Christina sits down with Congresswoman Becca Balint to talk about what it means to advocate for t…

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Small-Town Pride Blooms 47:28

7M ago47:28

47:28

This week, Bryan talks with Christina about her new piece for Slate The Conservative Wave Is Having a Very Unexpected Effect on Pride which covers the power and politics of small-town Pride. Then, in the second half, they're joined by Van Knapp, co-founder of Canyon County Pride in Idaho, to talk about building queer joy in unlikely places. Learn m…

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America’s Gay Restaurants with Erik Piepenburg 42:55

7M ago42:55

42:55

This week, Christina Cauterucci is joined by Erik Piepenburg, author of Dining Out, a new book that explores the history of gay restaurants in the United States. Piepenburg traces how restaurants have long served as essential spaces for queer people as places to gather, connect, and express themselves at a time when most public spaces were hostile …

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Queer Travel Writing with Alden Jones 38:28

8M ago38:28

38:28

Outward’s Bryan Lowder and Christina Cauterucci talk to Alden Jones, editor of the new anthology, Edge of the World. With essays from Alexander Chee, Daisy Hernández, Edmund White, and more, the collection makes clear that queer travel writing isn’t just overdue—it’s transformative. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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Iowa’s Civil Rights Crisis with Hope Giselle and Dr. David Johns 41:49

8M ago41:49

41:49

This week, Bryan Lowder is joined by Hope Giselle and Dr. David Johns to discuss Iowa’s recent decision to strip trans people of key legal protections, making it legal to discriminate based on gender identity. They explore the broader implications of this rollback, drawing parallels to the historical dismantling of rights during Reconstruction and …

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How The Gay Rights Movement Became Trans- Exclusionary 37:07

8M ago37:07

37:07

In this episode, Christina Cauterucci speaks with Zein Murib, Fordham professor and author of Terms of Exclusion: Rightful Citizenship Claims and the Construction of LGBT Political Identity, about the historical roots of the marginalization of trans and bi people in the gay rights movement. Zein, who recently wrote the Slate piece "Why Are Trans Pe…

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Planning San Francisco Pride in a Shifting Political Landscape with Suzanne Ford 40:54

9M ago40:54

40:54

Christina Cauterucci speaks with Suzanne Ford, executive director of San Francisco Pride, about the goals and challenges of organizing Pride this year amid the corporate retreat from LGBTQ+ issues. They discuss the current political climate, how corporate sponsorship shapes the event, and how to maintain visibility and safety without losing politic…

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The New Lavender Scare with Christina Cauterucci 45:52

9M ago45:52

45:52

In this episode, Christina Cauterucci and Jules Gill-Peterson discuss Christina’s latest Slate article, The New Lavender Scare, which highlights the experiences of queer and trans federal employees grappling with the threat of retaliation, job loss, and a chilling political climate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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Renaissance Trans Theologies and History with Colby Gordon 39:06

9M ago39:06

39:06

In this episode of Outward, Jules Gill-Peterson sits down with Colby Gordon to talk about his new book, Glorious Bodies: Trans Theology and Renaissance Literature. Gordon digs into early modern religious texts that, instead of rejecting trans existence, actually provided ways to think about gender transformation—socially, surgically, and theologica…

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Should We Get Guns? 43:29

9M ago43:29

43:29

A gun won’t make you safer, but it will pull you into America’s deep-seated obsession with armed individualism. This week, Bryan, Christina, and Jules dig into The Washington Post’s “The Trans Americans Turning to Guns for Protection” and Defector’s “Don't Buy a Gun, Even If It Comes in Rainbow” to unpack the recent interest around queer gun owners…

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Why Love Isn’t Apolitical: Liberation and Rethinking Relationships 40:02

10M ago40:02

40:02

This week, Bryan Lowder sits down with activist and author Dean Spade to discuss his latest book, Love in a F*cked Up World. Together, they unpack how capitalism, white supremacy, and patriarchy shape our desires, the pitfalls of the “relationship escalator,” and why collective care might be the most radical love of all. From breaking free of toxic…

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Slapping Leather: The Untamed History of the Gay Rodeo 39:59

10M ago39:59

39:59

This week on Outward, host Christina Cauterucci talks to historian Rebecca Scofield about the new book, Slapping Leather: Queer Cowfolx at the Gay Rodeo. From rhinestone-studded chaps to the hard-won battles for inclusion, they explore how queer cowboys and cowgirls carved out space in the rodeo circuit, the gender politics at play in this communit…

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The “Protect the Children” Trap: How Trump Targets Trans Rights 36:52

10M ago36:52

36:52

Bryan Lowder sits down with journalist Nico Lang to discuss their recent article for Slate It Was Never About Protecting Kids on Trump’s Executive Order restricting gender-affirming care for minors. They examine how the administration is using “child protection” rhetoric as a cover for anti-trans policies, the real-world impact on trans youth and t…

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Chase Strangio on Trump’s Anti-Trans Policies 46:43

10M ago46:43

46:43

In this episode, Bryan Lowder and Christina Cauterucci sit down with ACLU lawyer Chase Strangio to unpack the strategy behind the latest legal fights over trans healthcare, passports, and military service. They explore how the language of Trump’s executive orders are more overtly cruel than his last administration, what this progression signals pol…

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Fuelled (Week 2) | Charlotte Wondergem

10M ago

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By Charlotte Wondergem

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A Trans Military Member Speaks Out 31:56

11M ago31:56

31:56

In this episode, Christina Cauterucci speaks with Sasha Buchert, Counsel and Nonbinary and Transgender Rights Project Director at Lambda Legal, and Geirid Morgan, a trans lieutenant commander in the Navy, about the Trump administration’s ban on transgender people serving in the military. Sasha walks us through Lambda Legal’s case challenging the ba…

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Fuelled (Week 1) | Fidelis Dube

11M ago

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By Fidelis Dube

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Creating A Home for Trans Surgery Recovery 42:45

11M ago42:45

42:45

This week, Jules Gill-Peterson sits down with Owen Dempsey, the founder of Quest Healing House, a post-op recovery home providing safe, affordable lodging and wraparound support for transmasculine people. They discuss how Quest House, began, the urgent need for trans-led recovery spaces, and how the project has grown to meet community needs. Dempse…

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Know. Grow. Overflow (Part 3) | Tim Petersen

11M ago

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By Tim Petersen

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Breaking Down Emilia Perez: Backlash, Awards Buzz, and Corporate Pride 40:46

11M ago40:46

40:46

Bryan, Jules, and Christina take on the troubling transphobia in Emilia Pérez, the movie that has received 13 Oscar nominations this awards season. They explore why it’s heavily nominated in this political climate. They also unpack the backlash to the film and the backlash to that backlash, exploring why some defend Emilia Pérez despite its flaws. …

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Know. Grow. Overflow (Part 2) | Tim Petersen

11M ago

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By Tim Petersen

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Meta’s New Rules: Embracing Homophobic and Transphobic Hate Speech 32:26

11M ago32:26

32:26

Host Christina Cauterucci sits down with WIRED senior writer Kate Knibbs to unpack Meta’s alarming internal shifts, including its embrace of right-wing ideologies, the elimination of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, and the policy changes that permit hate speech against gay and trans people. Together, they discuss why these changes …

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Know. Grow. Overflow (Part 1) | Tim Petersen

11M ago

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By Tim Petersen

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Bisexual Dads, Awkward Art, and Transphobic Families: Queer Advice 35:13

12M ago35:13

35:13

This we’re diving into the delightful chaos of queer life with an advice-packed episode! Bryan, Christina, and our guest host Outward Producer Palace Shaw, tackle the perplexing world of bisexual dads navigating dating apps, strategies for dealing with transphobic relatives during family gatherings, the dos and don’ts of art-gifting etiquette, and …

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Clean Slate | Tim Petersen

12M ago

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By Tim Petersen

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Conversion Therapy and Survival with Lucas Wilson 42:20

12M ago42:20

42:20

Bryan Lowder talks with writer and scholar Lucas Wilson about his new book, Shame Sex: Survivors’ Stories of Conversion Therapy. They chat about Wilson’s experience navigating same-sex attraction while on an evangelical path, experiencing conversion therapy, and the complicated relationships he experienced along the way. He also shares powerful sto…

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You Are What You Eat | Chris Rothmann

12M ago

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By Chris Rothmann

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Actor Jeff Hiller on Death Sex and Money 56:23

12M ago56:23

56:23

This week, we’re excited to share an episode of Death, Sex & Money with Anna Sale. In this conversation, Anna talks with Jeff Hiller, the gay actor known for his role in Somebody Somewhere. Jeff shares insights on his career, navigating faith and queerness, and finding joy in adulthood. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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Oh My Word (Part 5) | Tim Petersen

1y ago

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By Tim Petersen

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Joy | Tim Petersen

1y ago

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By Tim Petersen

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‘Queer’ on Screen: Luca Guadagnino’s Take on Desire, Loneliness, and Sex 39:35

1y ago39:35

39:35

This week, Christina Cauterucci and Bryan Lowder are joined by guest host Jeff Bloomer to discuss the new film Queer from director Luca Guadagnino based on William S. Burroughs’ groundbreaking novel of the same name. They explore the themes of desire, alienation, and the director’s approach to queer intimacy- and most importantly whether the sex sc…

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Daily Bread | Chris Rothmann

1y ago

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By Chris Rothmann