In this episode of Important Context, Ryan Sides sits down with Pastor Mike Walrond, Senior Pastor of First Corinthian Baptist Church in Harlem, to ask a foundational question: Is there biblical justification for queer people belonging fully in the church — without framing queerness as sin?

Pastor Mike traces how his theology evolved from an anti-queer upbringing and the culture he encountered early on, toward a more ethically consistent, deeply studied, and radically affirming approach to ministry. He shares pivotal moments that reshaped his thinking — including the difference between allowing presence and truly offering equitable access to leadership, dignity, and belonging.

Together, you dig into church hurt, deconstruction, and what it means to seek spiritual community after harm. Using his memorable “restaurant vs. learning how to cook” analogy, Pastor Mike offers a practical way for listeners to evaluate faith spaces with discernment rather than despair.

This conversation is part of Ryan’s broader arc exploring what faith can look like for queer people who are navigating grief, longing, anger, curiosity, and hope — especially within the Black church tradition.

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shortly after his year at Harvard Divinity School and just before taking sabbatical in London, jarrett hill discusses his time at HDS, how it's shaped his artistry and re-shaped his relationship with the Black church.

jarrett hill

An Artist Lives Here: jarrett hill on Queerness, the Black Church, and Coming Alive at Harvard Divinity School

When Gospel Music Slaps (And Leaves A Mark)

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In part two of this conversation on polyamory, host Ryan Sides reconnects with his former therapist, Dr. Karissa Doster-Hoffman, to explore what it looks like to navigate nontraditional relationships from both lived and clinical perspectives. Together they dig into the challenges of jealousy, new relationship energy, uneven enthusiasm, and the difference between boundaries and rules.

Drawing on her work as a trauma-informed therapist, Dr. Karissa shares practical tools for building emotional intelligence, naming feelings with precision, and setting boundaries that honor both yourself and your partners. Ryan reflects on lessons from his own experiences, including the complexities of metamour dynamics and what happens when communication falls short.

Whether you’re poly, curious, or simply working to build healthier relationships, this episode offers candid insights, real-world examples, and reminders that the work starts within.

Production Note:

Soulfully Rooted Wellness is no longer an affiliate of DHTC, however, the wonderful owner of that private practice remains in practice: Courtney Butts, LCSW-S

You can find the practice's Dr. Karissa leads with her husband here:

dnhtc.org —> DHTC

BPOQe.org —> BPOQe

wholehealingtherapy.org —> WHT

-Facebook (DHTC; BPOQe; WHT)

-Instagram (@dnh_tc ; @bpoqe_dnhtc ; @wht_dnhtc)

-TikTok (@bpoqetherapy)

-LinkedIn (Doster & Hoffman Therapy and Consultation, PLLC)

And the books that were mentioned (Bookshop links, support local bookstores!!)

Polysecure by Jessica Fern

Polywise by Jessica Fern & David Cooley

The Ethical Slut by Janet W. Hardy & Dossie Easton

Follow Important Context on social media!

Instagram - @ImportantContextShow

Tik Tok - @ImportantContext

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We're talking about polyamory! For Black and brown queer people, and queer people in general, polyamory, open relationships and dating in nontraditional relationship structures has been a really sticky topic. In part 1 of this 2-part episode, Ryan Sides speaks with his former therapist, Dr. Karissa Doster-Hoffman, about what what his experience in poly relationships have been like, things he's learned through trial and error and what are some tools to develop in ANY relationship.

These are Ryan's experiences and may not be yours; but if they aren't yours (or if they are!) let us know at wave@byryansides.com

Production Note:

Soulfully Rooted Wellness is no longer an affiliate of DHTC, however, the wonderful owner of that private practice remains in practice: Courtney Butts, LCSW-S

You can find the practice's Dr. Karissa leads with her husband here:

dnhtc.org —> DHTC

BPOQe.org —> BPOQe

wholehealingtherapy.org —> WHT

-Facebook (DHTC; BPOQe; WHT)

-Instagram (@dnh_tc ; @bpoqe_dnhtc ; @wht_dnhtc)

-TikTok (@bpoqetherapy)

-LinkedIn (Doster & Hoffman Therapy and Consultation, PLLC)

And the books that were mentioned (Bookshop links, support local bookstores!!)

Polysecure by Jessica Fern

Polywise by Jessica Fern & David Cooley

The Ethical Slut by Janet W. Hardy & Dossie Easton

Follow Important Context on social media!

Instagram - @ImportantContextShow

Tik Tok - @ImportantContext

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the inaugural episode of Important Context, host Ryan Sides sits down with two friends in the Dead Dad Club to explore life after loss and how grief shapes us. Writer and strategist Robert (Rob) Herring III, and journalist and educator Niki McGloster navigate the messy, tender terrain of loving, grieving, and learning from the memory of their beautifully complex fathers.

Follow Important Context on social media!

Instagram - @ImportantContextShow

Tik Tok - @ImportantContext

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.