Numinous Names: Stories of name changes across genders, cultures, and faiths

Blessed Are the Binary Breakers

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3+ y ago 52:15

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Let's hear some stories from various people — trans & cis, Jewish, Christian, & Sikh — about how gender, faith, and culture have played a role in the names they use. How do names isolate us, or connect us; harm us, or heal us? And what does religion teach us about honoring one another's chosen names?

Click here for the episode transcript.

Talking Points:

(0:00 - 6:40) Introducing the topic; part of Avery's own experience
(6:41 - 9:45) Judaism: biblical name changes, honoring new names
(9:46 - 18:03) Eli's story: how the prophet Elijah helped Eli choose their name
(18:04 - 22:36) Adrian's story: finding the right name; "dark richness"
(22:37 - 26:19) Mychel Vandover's story: a renaming ceremony in a supportive church
(26:20 - 30:16) Name changes in religious orders: Buddhism & Catholicism
(30:17 - 33:40) Sister Jean Ann's story: how a nun got her name
(33:41 - 39:14) Khalsa names in Sikhi: names that remove caste & resist injustice
(39:15 - 48:21) Pauahi's story: a fiery name binding her to her Hawaiian lineage & activism
(48:22 - end) Wrapping up: more stories to come!

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Blessed Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows, such as Brown Suga Diaries, at www.rockcandyrecordings.com.

This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "Mod 4" and "Dreamer" by Jeremy SH Griffith; as well as Rabbi Ahuva Zache's version of "Eliyahu Hanavi" at The YouTube Rabbi.

86 episodes

#Religion #Avery Smith