Reclaiming and Expanding Catholic Belief – Nathan Bakkan

Reclaiming and Expanding Catholic Belief – Nathan Bakkan

Author: Meli Solomon, the Talking with God Project January 5, 2022 Duration: 38:34

Episode 2.
Nathan and I talk about how they celebrate and integrate all the messy complicated parts of their religious, personal and professional life.  From a Roman Catholic family to a Master of Divinity from Boston University, to Spiritual Director at Still Harbor, and that's just part of the story.   Combining his trans and queer identity to providing spiritual accompaniment as a witch,  elements of his Christian upbringing remain, an acknowledgement that you can leave the church but it never leaves you completely.


Social Media links for Nathan:
Instagram: @noa_253
Website: www.noabakken.com
Website: www.stillharbor.org


Social Media links for Méli:
Email – info@talkingwithgodproject.org
LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/melisolomon/
Talking with God Project –  https://www.talkingwithgodproject.org


Transcript:
https://www.buzzsprout.com/1851013/episodes/9831441-2-nathan-bakkan-reclaiming-and-expanding/edit

Follow the podcast!
The Living Our Beliefs podcast offers a place to learn about other religions and faith practices. When you hear about how observant Christians, Jews and Muslims live their faith, new ideas and questions arise:  Is your way similar or different?  Is there an idea or practice that you want to explore?  Understanding how other people live opens your mind and heart to new people you meet.     


Comments? Questions? Email Meli at:
info@talkingwithgodproject.org

The Living Our Beliefs podcast is part of the Talking with God Project


Hosted by Meli Solomon of the Talking with God Project, Living Our Beliefs: Exploring Faith & Religion in Daily Life is a conversation about the practical realities of spiritual life. This podcast moves beyond abstract theology to examine how ancient traditions from Judaism, Islam, and other spiritual paths actually inform our modern routines, decisions, and relationships. Each episode delves into the nuanced spaces where belief meets action, exploring the challenges and rewards of aligning deeply held values with everyday behavior. You'll hear from a variety of voices discussing how they navigate this integration, whether through ritual, ethical choices, or community engagement. The discussions are grounded in real-life experience, focusing on the tangible ways faith provides meaning, fosters connection, and shapes identity in a contemporary context. Rather than offering simple answers, this series invites reflection on the ongoing, personal work of weaving spiritual principles into the fabric of daily existence. It’s for anyone curious about how others live out their convictions and seeking inspiration for their own journey toward a more coherent and purposeful life, all through thoughtful, accessible dialogue.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 101

Living Our Beliefs: Exploring Faith & Religion in Daily Life
Podcast Episodes
A Muslim in Practical Theology – Saiyyidah Zaidi [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:41
Episode 31. Saiyyidah brings her experience of Practical Theology to life in this engaging conversation. Landing in the field by accident, then choosing to remain, she views the staunchly white Christian British arena wi…
A Jew in Germany – Oliver Bradley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:57
Episode 30.Coming from a multi-cultural and inter-religious home, finding his way into Jewish expression has been a process. This flowered after moving to Germany, soon after the Berlin Wall fell in 1989, and coinciding…
Bonus – Authenticity in Spirituality (with Orneita Burton) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:11
Episode 29. Orneita Burton, a professor at Abilene Christian University in Abilene Texas, speaks about Authenticity in Spirituality. This intention to be genuine in our relationship with God involves reflection, reading…
Health as a Jewish Priority – Moishe Dov Chanin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:51
Episode 28.Moishe Dov is a life-long and dedicated member of the Chabad-Lubavitch Orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn, New York. He speaks from the heart of his journey through addiction and subsequent sobriety. With r…
A Mormon Following in God's Footsteps – Margaret Agard [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:43
Episode 27.As a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as LDS and the Mormon church, Margaret lives her faith deeply. In this lively conversation, she speaks openly about learning to hear t…
A Muslim Grateful to God – Nayma Tasnim Islam [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:27
Episode 26.Nayma speaks from the heart in describing the ups and downs of her journey – growing up in Bangladesh and moving to America with her family after university. Despite the challenges of immigrating, she has pers…
Pictures of Your Jewish Soul – David Green [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:40
Episode 25.The meaningless Judaism of his childhood Conservative synagogue, and the depressing results of chasing pop music fame, prompted a search for the ‘truth’ of Judaism. Since studying Talmud in Jerusalem in his 20…
The Qur’an and Islamic Covenants – Halim Rane [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:04
Episode 24. Halim’s faith is grounded in the Qur’an and its message of God’s existence and as guide for living. His research into Mohammed’s covenants, including those in the Qur’an, show their authenticity, predominantl…
The Lord Will Provide, A Christian View – Allyson Hilliard [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:09
Episode 23. A practicing Baptist Christian, Allyson brings her faith into all that she does. As a physician, co-founder of the apparel company Be Bougie, Deacon at her church and active volunteer in her sorority, not to…
Bonus – Tahara, a Jewish Tradition (Barbara Neustadt) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:10
Episode 22.In this Bonus episode, Barbara Neustadt talks about Tahara, the sacred Jewish tradition of washing and preparing a body for burial. As co-President of the Community Hevra Kadisha of Greater Boston, and a membe…