Hoping against Hope: What keeps us going in troubled times - a podcast by Avery Smith

The world is a scary place right now — particularly for trans people. Our youth are being targeted. Our bodily autonomy is under threat. We are made into scapegoats by extremists who want to eradicate us. In these tumultuous times, where is the hope?

In this special episode, you'll hear from people of various genders and faith experiences about what keeps them going — from Higher Powers to the power of storytelling; and from friendship & solidarity to the natural world.

Click here for an episode transcript.

Talking points:

(0:00) Complicating hope — not to be confused with toxic positivity, and not at odds with hopelessness

(4:30) Naiomi Gonzalez (she/they): hope in lamentation and bringing fears & pain to God

(10:40) Avery (they/ze): hoping against hope that Cop City will never be built

(15:29) Amir (he/him): chronic pain & the power of a friend who shares your experience

(17:05) K Kriesel: (they/them): When an old support system ceases to support you — K’s journey from white feminism into “the chaos of the physical world”

(20:50) Avery: the power of rallies – even when they “fail”

(24:40) Eric Sharp (he/him) rewatches The Good Place for encouragement and reminders that there are no easy answers

(28:12 - 34:22) Rosie’s (she/her) temple is nature and scripture is poetry; ending with “Good Bones” by Maggie Smith

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Where to find some of this episode's guests:

- Naoimi Gonzalez is on Instagram and Substack @faithfullyradicalchristian, on Tiktok @faithfullyradical, on Twitter @faithfullyradi1.

- K Kriesel is at kkriesel.com and on Instagram and Facebook @kkrieselart. Click here for K's Google Doc of Nonbinary spiritual resources. Listen to episode 65 for a full conversation with K.

- Eric Sharp practices therapy at Best Life Mental Health Services in Louisville, Kentucky. Listen to episode 53 for a full conversation with Eric.

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Learn about and Support the Movement to Defend Atlanta's Forest & Stop Cop City:

- https://defendtheatlantaforest.org/

- This Twitter thread contains basic 101 in the form of shareable infographics.

- The Atlanta Solidarity Fund helps pay for lawyers and bail for arrested defenders.

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Blessed  Are the Binary Breakers is part of the Rock Candy Podcast Network. Find more shows at www.rockcandyrecordings.com.

This show's theme song is "Aetherium" by Leah Horn. This episode also makes use of "The Encouragement Stick" and "Reality Cartwheeled" by Doctor Turtle.

Further episodes of Blessed Are the Binary Breakers

Further podcasts by Avery Smith

Website of Avery Smith