007: I'm a Bear, I'm Meant to Be Hibernating
LOAM
"I'm a Bear, I'm Meant to Be Hibernating" Subtitle: Exploring Confession and the Spiritual Practice of Lent Episode Overview In this episode, Anthony Parrott and Tonetta Landis-Aina discuss the spiritual practices of Lent, with a particular focus on the often overlooked practice of confession. They explore their personal histories with liturgical traditions, why Lent remains meaningful to them today, and how confession serves as an important spiritual practice for both personal growth and collective liberation. Key Points Personal histories with Lent: Anthony and Tonetta share their journeys...
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006: I Set Up a Mic This Morning, the Lord Be Praised
LOAM
Subtitle: Power With, Not Power Over: The Co-Pastoring Journey Episode Overview In this episode, Anthony Parrott and Tonetta Landis discuss the concept of co-pastoring - sharing pastoral leadership equally rather than following traditional hierarchical church leadership models. They explore what drew them to this model, what makes their partnership work, practical aspects of implementing co-pastoring, and whether this approach is suitable for all church contexts. Key Points Origins of their co-pastoring relationship: How Anthony and Tonetta came to work together and why they chose equal...
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005: I Memorized Chapters and Became a Jackass
LOAM
Tonetta and Anthony discuss John 2, where Jesus goes full home-renovation-show on the temple tables. Anthony confesses he memorized scripture as a child only to become "a jackass" while Tonetta laments that revival might require actual disruption, not just a worship concert that went on too long. The pastors conclude with life updates: Tonetta forced her family to read books while Anthony discovered the revolutionary concept of "base layers" for winter running, which Tonetta firmly believes is "of the devil." Show Notes: Anthony and Tonetta discuss the story of Jesus flipping tables in the...
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004: I Might Go Back to My Lesbian Romance Soon
LOAM
Subtitle: Not a Farming Podcast Anthony and Tonetta introduce themselves. They explain why they named their podcast "Loam" after a type of nutrient-rich soil. The pastors discuss how soil serves as a metaphor for creating healthy spiritual environments. Send your questions, feedback, and topic ideas to Follow the LOAM Podcast on Instagram. Anthony is @PastorParrott on all the socials. Follow Topics covered: Personal introductions and backgrounds Definition and properties of loam soil Critique of mechanized/industrialized approaches to ministry Non-coercion as a core value...
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003: I'm Betraying My Savior a Little Bit
LOAM
#003: I'm Betraying My Savior a Little Bit Send your questions, feedback, and topic ideas to [email protected] Tonetta talks about being a speaker at 16 in front of 800 people. Anthony talks about hearing God's voice in middle school. The pastors talk about feeling invisible in their profession. Key Topics Discussed: Early Ministry & Calling Early experiences preaching/teaching as teenagers - Sensing divine calling at a young age - Gender barriers in ministry - Navigating seminary and education Identity & Ministry - Being LGBTQ+ in church leadership - Representation in pastoral roles -...
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002: Life Is Too Short for Bad Toilet Paper
LOAM
Anthony shares memories of living in poverty and foster care. Tonetta grew up in a middle-class family with a dad who knew how to work the system. The pastors explore how churches can ask for money without being manipulative. They agree that life is too short for single-ply toilet paper. Links and Show Notes Submit Feedback at Follow us on Instagram Topics Discussed Personal money stories and family backgrounds The evolution of credit card usage Church fundraising practices - both ethical and problematic The spirituality of fundraising Stewardship and the common good Alternative...
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001: Bring Your Chickens
LOAM
LOAM Episode 1: "Bring Your Chickens" What is church? In this debut episode of LOAM, co-pastors Tonetta Landis-Aina and Anthony Parrott explore the essence, tensions, and beauty of Christian community. From underground churches in Yemen to food pantries in Iowa, they unpack personal experiences that have shaped their understanding of what makes church... church. Key Conversations - The "isness" of church: Beyond programs and buildings - Church as a fellowship of difference - The power of marginality in Christian community - Tension between institutional structures and authentic relationships...
info_outline"I'm a Bear, I'm Meant to Be Hibernating"
Subtitle: Exploring Confession and the Spiritual Practice of Lent
Episode Overview
In this episode, Anthony Parrott and Tonetta Landis-Aina discuss the spiritual practices of Lent, with a particular focus on the often overlooked practice of confession. They explore their personal histories with liturgical traditions, why Lent remains meaningful to them today, and how confession serves as an important spiritual practice for both personal growth and collective liberation.
Key Points
- Personal histories with Lent: Anthony and Tonetta share their journeys from non-liturgical upbringings to embracing Lenten practices
- The importance of alternative liturgies: How the liturgical calendar offers a counter-cultural way of measuring time apart from the dominant calendar of empire
- Lent as wilderness: Understanding the desert experiences of faith as normal and necessary spiritual cycles
- The value of darkness: How Lent reclaims darkness as a space where God moves and works
- Confession as practice: The tension between unhealthy guilt and the necessary practice of taking responsibility
- Collective confession: The importance of public confession paired with assurance for communal healing
- The dangers of avoiding confession: How avoiding self-reflection can lead to calcified hearts and unjust systems
Notable Quotes
- "We are formed by calendars in time, whether we like it or not." - Anthony
- "The question is not if we are being spiritually formed, it's what is forming us." - Anthony
- "Wilderness is a really healthy part of the life of faith." - Tonetta
- "If you do not create... alternative routines and practices, you will be formed by the values of the empire." - Tonetta
- "Confession as willingness to take responsibility to name what is wrong... is really important for the health of the soul." - Tonetta
- "If you cannot be vulnerable in confession... it endangers your heart." - Tonetta
- "Confession should drive us towards renewal and recreation and collective liberation." - Anthony
What They're Watching
- Tonetta: "Loot" with Maya Rudolph on Apple TV+
- Anthony: "Severance" on Apple TV+
Resources Mentioned
- Barbara Brown Taylor's book "Learning to Walk in the Dark"
- The liturgical year wheel
- The Ignatian Examen practice
- Willie James Jennings' "The Christian Imagination"
Connect With Us
- Instagram: @loam.fm
- Tonetta Landis on Instagram: @TonettaLandis
- Anthony Parrott online: @PastorParrott
- Submit feedback and questions: [email protected]