Shows
Mind Your Mind SpeaksS5EP12: Conversation with Kelly MellenIn this special Pride Month episode, Irene Barton, Executive Director of Cobb Collaborative, is joined by Kelly Mellen—former Cobb Collaborative Communications Director, advocate, mother of two, long-time Cobb County resident, and current team member at Making Things Right (MTR).
Founded in 2021 by Brian Nietzel, Making Things Right is a nonprofit working to rethink and transform the Christian response to LGBTQ+ people. Their mission is to create space for honest conversation, patient understanding, and meaningful support for LGBTQ+ individuals—especially within faith communities.
Kelly shares more about MTR's outreach efforts, including the MT...
2025-07-0331 min
Good Faith WeeklyGood Faith Weekly, 06/6/2025 - Pride Month + Kelly Mellen & Brian NietzelA weekly podcast exploring stories at the intersection of faith and culture through an inclusive Christian lens.
This week: Mitch and Missy sat down with Brian Nietzel and Kelly Mellen of Making Things Right to kick off Pride Month.
Kelly Mellen joined Making Things Right in March 2024 as Marketing Director. Since then, her role has expanded alongside the organization’s growth to manage their key initiatives and daily operations. If asked to identify her ”why”, she would tell you that she is compelled to be on the right side of history in seeing all people treate...
2025-06-0659 min
1946 The Culture Shift TourCourage in the Bible Belt: Thought-Provoking Conversations That Challenge & ChangeIn Episode 6, Part 1, the team travels to Sarasota, Florida, a key stop on their tour due to its deep ties to Moms for Liberty and conservative politics. With the support of Harvest Church and KK Burchell, the team navigates faith, LGBTQ+ rights, and Christian Nationalism in a community resistant to these conversations. Despite initial concerns from a local pastor, the event received overwhelmingly positive engagement, even among conservative attendees.The Hijacking of Faith for Political GainThe episode explores how religion has been weaponized to shape public policy. Pastor Dan Minor shares how his LGBTQ+ advocacy put him...
2025-02-0154 min
This Week In College Viability (TWICV)This Week in College Viability (TWICV) for October 2, 2023Headlines and linksWhatever it is, I’m against it. IHE New book by former Macalaster College President Brian RosenbergWhat qualities do college leaders need to lead major institutional restructuring? Ricardo Azziz in Higher Ed DiveSt. Norbert College Layoffs Blamed On Enrollment Decline and Budget Issues Rachel Charniak WTAQ 1360 AM radioWelcome to Kendom: 13% of students escape from Emporia State after ex-Koch exec’s takeover | Opinion The Wichita Eagle Dion Lefler More Colleges, Universities Announce Budget Cuts Amid Financial Woes Forbes Michael NietzelGet your link to the 2023 Co...
2023-10-0321 min
Use Your WordsThat tension between knowing what is right, and supporting the legal rights of those I disagree with.It's already hard enough to stick to your convictions, but sticking to them when you have to support people you disagree with morally makes it even stickier. While Aaron is not available for this week's episode (yay fall illness) Paul takes over the microphone solo to talk about this tension of being able to support people to be able to legally protest/say things that he disagrees with at the same time sticking to his own convictions. For example, a protestor protesting for more lgb policies, Mike Lindell and his narratives surrounding the 2020 elections, and a few others.
2023-09-2757 min
Unpacked PodcastShoulder to Shoulder: A wrap-up on the series with Kevin Castanheiro, Evan Dewald and Tara LinsleyThis week on Unpacked we wrap up the Shoulder to Shoulder series with a bonus episode to reflect on the incredible series we've been on together and explore some of the valuable feedback and insights we've received from our listeners and guests. We uncovered important themes of forgiveness and courage and learned from remarkable individuals who have experienced harm or alienation from their communities, yet have found paths to healing while honoring their own unique experiences. We share our personal insights, discussing what we've learned about ourselves during this series too. As we wrap-up this series, we wa...
2023-08-291h 05
Unpacked PodcastShoulder to Shoulder: We are more the same than we are different with guests Steph and LisaThis week on Unpacked we chat with guests Stephanie and Lisa, retired house flippers and a sweet couple. Stephanie and Lisa share their emotional stories of coming out, navigating the challenges of finding forgiveness with their parents and compassion for their families. They share the struggles they faced, the triumphs they celebrated, and the important life lessons they've learned along the way. Stephanie and Lisa shed light on what they wish more people understood about the LGBTQ+ community and foster a deeper understanding of diverse identities. Their insights highlight the importance of creating safe spaces and supportive communities for...
2023-08-151h 10
Unpacked PodcastShoulder to Shoulder: Embracing Tensions: A pastor's journey to acceptance and diversity with guest with Bill WThis week on Unpacked we chat with guest Bill White, Co-Pastor at City Church in Long Beach. Bill shares his extraordinary journey from a conservative evangelical pastor to a place of acceptance and theological diversity. Join us for an authentic and thought-provoking conversation that delves into the heart of embracing differences and holding space for diverse perspectives.Bill spent 25 years fully immersed in the evangelical world, serving as a missionary, parachurch staff, and pastor. Life took an unexpected turn when his two children bravely identified as gay, prompting him to shift his perspective towards a more post-evangelical...
2023-08-081h 00
Unpacked PodcastShoulder to Shoulder: Everyone deserves love a parents perspective of embracing a child in the LGBTQ+ community with guest Diane MortonThis week on Unpacked we chat with guest Diane Morton, Retired Special Ed Teacher and mother to a transgender person. Diane's experience as a mother of a trans child brings to light the fears and worries that many parents face when their child comes out as transgender. Through her story, Diane demonstrates her journey of acceptance, growth, and unwavering love. As a former teacher who specialized in working with special needs students, she shares the parallels between advocating for her students and supporting her trans child. Diane's unique perspective sheds light on the importance of creating inclusive spaces, where...
2023-08-011h 01
Unpacked PodcastShoulder to Shoulder: Embracing Love, reconciliation and exploring the quieter middle with guest Brian NietzelThis week on Unpacked we chat with guest Brian Nietzel, Founder of Making Things Right. Making Things Right is a space to invite and equip Christians to better love and serve the LGBTQ+ community. Brian shares his mission to create new conversations and relationships between Christians and the LGBTQ+ community. We chat with Brian about his story of being gay and loving Jesus, why reconciliation between the LGBTQ+ community and the church is important, his concept of the quieter middle of people who are on the fence and how we can bridge the gap. He challenges us to ask...
2023-07-251h 00
Other People's ShoesAgree To DisagreeTo "agree to disagree" is a phrase used when two or more individuals hold different opinions or viewpoints on a particular topic, and they decide to end the discussion or argument without trying to convince each other to change their stance. It acknowledges the existence of a fundamental disagreement while emphasizing mutual respect and the willingness to move past the disagreement without harboring ill feelings or prolonging an unproductive debate. My guest today is Brain Nietzel. Brian today shares about one of today’s most divisive, hot-button topics—Christianity and the LGBTQ+ community—extreme voices seem to lead the convers...
2023-05-1748 min
Introducing MeBrian: Equipping Christians to Love and Welcome the LGBTQ+ CommunityBrian Nietzel is a gay man committed to his faith and love for Jesus. He grew up in the Evangelical Church and struggled with his sexuality, then later in life found his peace with God. He is now happily married to his husband Dan and is a proud father. He founded the organization Making Things Right to invite Christians to reimagine their relationship with LGBTQ+ people.
Connect with Brian’s Work: makingthingsright.org
Donate to the podcast: https://ko-fi.com/introducingmepodcast
Want to share your story and be a guest...
2023-05-0248 min
Making Things RightTrailer: Making Things Right, The PodcastThe 'Making Things Right' podcast series brings Brian's white paper on healing and reconciliation to life through real conversations. In this series, you’ll hear collaborative conversations where friends and thought-leaders representing varied perspectives gather with a common purpose: to share and listen, to find new empathy, and to serve the LGBTQ+ community. These conversations will provide insights and ideas to help you find your place at the table and your unique role in making things right.
Visit BrianNietzel.com to download Brian's full white paper.
2021-10-2001 minMaking Things RightWhat Matters MostMaking Things Right with the LGBTQ+ Community.
The kick-off episode! B.T. Harman joins Brian to introduce and discuss the key concepts of "Making Things Right" and set the stage for this podcast series.
Guest: B.T. Harman
2021-10-2054 minMaking Things RightThree ChaptersBrian's Story.
A deeply personal episode where Brian's 30-year friend Sara interviews him on the chapters of his life and the evolution of his faith, with Sara's observations as she walked alongside.
Guest: Sara Renner
2021-10-2055 minMaking Things RightKnowing Our StoriesLetting LGBTQ+ Experiences Impact You.
The first step in "making things right" is empathy. This episode features statistics and stories of LGBTQ+ experiences, including three brave friends sharing both hurts and healing with church and family.
Guests: Caleb Hudson, Jana Warner, Matt Nightingale
2021-10-201h 25Making Things RightCrossroadsNavigating Turning Points in Life and Faith.
This episode features two stories of Christian parents whose kids came out as LGBTQ+, and their journeys to reconciling their deep love for their kids with their faith.
Guests: Greg & Lynn McDonald, Staci Frenes
2021-10-201h 00Making Things RightThe Quieter MiddleAn Invitation To Re-examine.
Author and theologian Dr. David Gushee joins Brian in a discussion for those wanting to examine what they believe. Dr. Gushee brings his personal and theological journey to help us dig in on what the Bible and Christian history are calling us to.
Guest: Dr. David Gushee
2021-10-2056 minMaking Things RightOne Table, Part 1Different Perspectives With a Common Cause.
Thought-leaders representing both Christian & LGBTQ+ communities join Brian to solution together. This episode is about moving out of the conversation into action and practical application, and addresses real hesitations and hurdles to that.
Guests: Jennifer Knapp, Keith Malon Wilson, Debbie Causey, Ory Cook
2021-10-2054 minMaking Things RightOne Table, Part 2Different Perspectives With a Common Cause.
Thought-leaders representing both Christian & LGBTQ+ communities join Brian to solution together. This episode is about moving out of the conversation into action and practical application, and addresses real hesitations and hurdles to that.
Guests: Alan Chambers, Sandi Harman Waldrop and Justin Lee
2021-10-201h 00