Haystacks

Welcome to Haystacks, a podcast for fringe and former Adventists. A place where people see you and get you ‘cause we can relate. Haystacks Podcast Co-hosts, Bonnie and Rajeev, are both are generational Adventists and were Adventist educators for years. Though they’ve left “the fold,” they still carry some baggage. Haystacks Podcast is part recovery, part healing. Part support, part commiseration. Part honoring our roots and part venting. So grab your haystack and let’s talk!

One foot in. One foot out. 06/08/2021

One foot in. One foot out. Bonnie and Rajeev discuss the complicated and frustrating dynamic of straddling multiple lines between the SDA world and the rest of the world. They get into a pointed disagreement and although common ground was found, agreement was not necessary. Join the conversation and send in your one foot in / one foot out moments to haystackspodcast@gmail.com /episode/index/show/haystackspodcast/id/19394165

What about Jesus? With Herb Montgomery 05/10/2021

What about Jesus? With Herb Montgomery Bonnie and Rajeev sit down with Herb Montgomery of Renewed Heart Ministries to discuss his journey into and out of Seventh-day Adventism and how he found a very different Jesus and how God "changed." /episode/index/show/haystackspodcast/id/19048931

Adventist to Atheist Pipeline 03/08/2021

Adventist to Atheist Pipeline Bonnie and Rajeev discuss the appearance that atheism is frequently the first-stop post-adventism. They explore why that might be the case and how their own stories connect to that reality. They also debunk some commonly held notions in the SDA tradition and teaching about atheists. /episode/index/show/haystackspodcast/id/18242930

Wired for Conspiracy 02/09/2021

Wired for Conspiracy On January 6, 2021 the scene at the United States Capitol got Bonnie and Rajeev thinking about what it takes for people to fall victim to conspiracy theories. In a flash they recognized the multiple points of connection in their SDA upbringing that groomed them, and millions of others, to be accepting of absurd ideas as fact and salvific. /episode/index/show/haystackspodcast/id/17874647

Coming Out Is Always On Time 01/11/2021

Coming Out Is Always On Time Bonnie and Rajeev have a conversation with their younger son Nik. Nik reflects on his formation (firs in the SDA / Seventh-day Adventist community and then beyond) around sex, gender, and sexuality and talks about his coming out experience. Nik also offers an excellent set of advice to parents, children, and allies. /episode/index/show/haystackspodcast/id/17506175

Homosexuality And Adventism 12/08/2020

Homosexuality And Adventism Bonnie and Rajeev explore the anti lgbtq stance of the Adventist church; a stance that is built upon biblical literalism even though a deeper exploration reveals the bible is not anti-loving relationships or sex...but it is clearly anti woman in many places. /episode/index/show/haystackspodcast/id/17104412

What we miss most? 11/10/2020

What we miss most? Bonnie and Rajeev reflect on the current times - a pandemic, a recent major election and a new president-elect. All this made them think of things they miss, including things they miss about Adventism. Fond memories flow but yield way to the shadow side at every turn. /episode/index/show/haystackspodcast/id/16749338

Katherine Stewart "Power Worshippers" 10/12/2020

Katherine Stewart "Power Worshippers" Bonnie and Rajeev have an excellent and disturbing conversation with Katherine Stewart. Katherine Stewart has been reporting at the intersection of religion, politics, policy, and education for over a decade. Katherine Stewart has been on Public Radio, Sojourners and Salon.com. /episode/index/show/haystackspodcast/id/16374530

Jesus is coming, look busy. End Times 09/05/2020

Jesus is coming, look busy. End Times Bonnie and Rajeev are joined by their son Julian, a graduate of UC Davis. He studied ancient languages and cultures. The 3 recall nightmares, feelings of security and many bizarre attempts at logic to make sense the End Times teachings in the Seventh-day Adventist church. As ex-SDA's each hold varying degrees of understanding on what should be carried forward and what should be left behind. Ultimately they recommend therapy, comparative study and self-care as a way to cope and find health and stability. /episode/index/show/haystackspodcast/id/15901028

Alone In Community 08/10/2020

Alone In Community Bonnie and Rajeev discuss feeling alone in community. Where one feels isolated and abnormal, forced to pretend to be accepted. Being fully authentic in SDA community is nearly impossible. As ex Seventh-day Adventists, Bonnie and Rajeev reflect back and find it is both troubling and re-traumatizing. Harsh memories range from classmates with mental health crises treated as if they were demon-possessed instead of getting proper medical/mental health treatment to ridiculous focus over dress codes. /episode/index/show/haystackspodcast/id/15502478

Divorcing Your Church 07/13/2020

Divorcing Your Church Bonnie and Rajeev start this episode by sharing their love story. It all started on the church steps at freshman orientation at Columbia Union College. They recount the process of leaving Seventh-day Adventism. As teachers in SDA schools it was not just losing church it was also losing a profession. As time went by healing happened and some friendships were preserved. /episode/index/show/haystackspodcast/id/15123782

Haystacks Preview & Invitation 07/07/2020

Haystacks Preview & Invitation Haystacks preview, trailer, with Bonnie and Rajeev. Former Seventh-day Adventists (SDA). /episode/index/show/haystackspodcast/id/15123104

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