Shows
Curiously with Ericka GrahamJonathan Merritt on Compassion, Creativity, and Coming OutIn this episode, Ericka sits down with Jonathan Merritt as he talks about growing-up as the son of a Megachurch pastor while being gay. He recounts the harrowing experience of being publicly outed and how these early experiences shaped his life today. Jonathan discusses how difficult it is to trust again after trust has been broken, and he also shares how his communication and preaching styles often place him as a person struggling in his stories—not as the hero. When Jonathan creates he often has his audience in mind, and from this interview it is clear that he is...2025-04-1733 min
The Work of WarriorsWhat Makes You Different, Is Your Gift to the World, w/Author Jonathan MerrittIn this conversation, Kim Rapach and Jonathan Merritt explore the profound impact of literature, particularly children's books, on personal healing and identity formation. They discuss the complexities of family dynamics, mental health, and spirituality, emphasizing the importance of community and acceptance in navigating these challenges. Merritt shares his journey of reconciling his faith with his identity as a gay man, the role of grief in healing, and the significance of maintaining relationships despite disagreements. The conversation highlights the necessity of curiosity, compassion, and understanding in fostering meaningful connections and personal growth.2025-02-281h 27
The Enneagram JourneyJonathan Merritt (3) - Navigating Relationships, My Guncle and MeYour Enneagram Godmother and an Enneagram Guncle got together for this INCREDIBLE conversation!
If you don't know Jonathan yet, Enneagram 3, this is a wonderful introduction.
"...othering the other that othered them."
It'll make more sense after you hear him talk about it!
Jonathan is a writer on faith and culture, the author of Learning To Speak God From Scratch, Jesus is Better Than You Imagined, My Guncle and Me and a few other great reads. You can find him on Instagram @jonathan_merritt and online at jonathanmerritt.co...2024-11-011h 10
The Devoted Dreamers Podcast318 || [Solo] 3 Myths That Will Keep Your Big Dream in Limbo || Merritt OnsaFind show notes here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/318 🤩 Have a God-shaped dream? We have a monthly call where you can share with other Christian women about your dream. Sign up today for our next Community Conversation: https://merrittonsa.com/connect 🤩 Are you waiting for confirmation from God? You have a big dream but you’ve felt unsure about whether you should take the leap of faith to begin. You’re waiting for God to confirm the idea or give you insight about how you’ll proceed. Once you have confirmation, you’ll go for it, bu...2024-10-0926 min
That Sounds Fun with Annie F. DownsUnconditional Love with Jonathan Merritt and Dr. James Merritt - Episode 906Today on the show, you’re in for a good one. You’ve probably heard me talk about my friend, Jonathan Merritt, and today you’re going to get to know him AND his dad, Dr. James Merritt. These two have a really special relationship as father and son even though they don’t see eye to eye on a lot of things, including sexuality. Today we’re going to talk about their latest books The God Who Hears and My Guncle and Me, and we’re also going to talk about their relationship and how they’ve navigated their differen...2024-08-011h 20
This Is Not Church PodcastMy Guncle And Me: A Conversation With Jonathan MerrittThis Quoircast podcast episode is brought to you by Fire And Silk by Meghan Irene Turner. It is published by Quoir and is available now.In this episode we chat with Jonathan MerrittJonathan Merritt is one of America's most prolific and trusted writers on faith, culture and politics whose articles have appeared regularly in outlets such as The Atlantic, The New York Times, USA Today, Christianity Today, and The Washington Post. He is the author of numerous critically-acclaimed books including "Learning to Speak God from Scratch: Why Sacred Words are Vanishing and How We Can Revive Them," which was named "...2024-07-3059 minThe Devoted Dreamers Podcast310 || [Solo] How to Find Focused Time for Your Big Dream || Merritt OnsaFind show notes here: http://www.merrittonsa.com/podcast/310 💥 This episode is brought to you by Dream Believers – a new virtual community for inspiration, accountability & practical resources to bring your God-shaped dream to life! 💥 Beginners are welcome!! Join the waitlist at: merrittonsa.com/dreamco and let’s Go Together! Do you lack the free time to make your God-shaped dream a reality? It’s difficult to imagine when you’ll find a moment to type out the next chapter of your book, or plan that event you’ve been dreaming up, or really give s...2024-07-1727 min
Growing Up ChristianEp. 188 – My Guncle & Me w/ Author & Journalist Jonathan MerrittThis week we’re joined by award-winning author, journalist, and public speaker Jonathan Merritt! Jonathan wasn’t just a “pastor’s kid,” his father was the president of the Southern Baptist Convention. Steeped in conservative evangelicalism, his life took a turn during college when he decided he wanted to be a religion and spirituality writer. Jonathan lost himself in his work, publishing several books, writing articles for prominent publications, and earning two graduate degrees. From the outside looking in his life appeared to be on track, but nobody knew that this rising star in progressive Christianity was a closeted gay man. T...2024-07-021h 13
TypologyTrust and Let Go: Confronting Fear with Jonathan Merritt (Enneagram 3)Award-winning columnist and commentator on politics, spirituality, and culture, Jonathan Merritt returns to Typology to explore the challenges of authenticity, fear and his journey towards self-compassion. Jonathan opens up about his personal experiences reconciling his identity with his upbringing, the role fear has played in his life, and how he’s learning to trust and let go. We discuss his new children's book, "My Gunkle and Me," a heartwarming story that celebrates individuality and inclusivity. As Jonathan explains, “the ways in which you are different from the majority of people in this world. Those differences are not liabi...2024-06-2036 min
For The Love With Jen Hatmaker Podcast[ENCORE] Growing Up Evangelical and Gay with Jonathan MerrittJen Hatmaker revisits one of the most impactful and downloaded episodes from her "For the Love" podcast's 7-year history. In this powerful encore, she has a candid conversation with acclaimed writer and speaker Jonathan Merritt who publicly comes out as gay for the first time during their interview.Jen and Jonathan reflect on their intertwined journeys - she as an ally leaving the evangelical world, he as a prominent faith voice reckoning with his sexuality. Brace yourself for an emotional, insightful look at the joy and pain of Jonathan's coming out experience. This is one powerhouse episode...2024-06-121h 06
The Collective TableJonathan Merritt: My Guncle and MeWelcome back to another episode of The Collective Table podcast - the ultimate female perspective on Jesus, justice, and joy! Today’s episode both closes out season 8 AND kicks off Pride month with a conversation with Jonathan Merritt about his new children’s book, My Guncle and Me. In this inclusive and heartwarming picture book, main character Henry Higgleston struggles with being deemed an oddball by the other kids at school. But when his fabulous gay uncle arrives for a weekend with his pup Jimmy Chew in tow, Guncle is on a mission to teach Henry that what makes him...2024-06-0339 min
From the Front PorchEpisode 478 || Publishing a Book with Jonathan MerrittThis week on From the Front Porch, Annie chats with literary agent and author Jonathan Merritt! Jonathan’s new picture book, My Guncle and Me, available now, is delightful summer reading for families. Jonathan is Annie’s literary agent, and today they dig into the publishing world, his writing process and new book, and more.
To purchase the books mentioned in this episode, visit our website or or download and shop on The Bookshelf’s official app:
My Guncle and Me by Jonathan Merritt
From the Front Porch is a weekly podcast production of The...2024-05-2349 min
Found Family with MaryB. SafritHow Guncles Help Us Embrace Our Differences (feat. Jonathan Merritt)Today's episode is the story of a guncle finding family and finding himself through the imagination-expanding power of relationships. Jonathan Merritt (he/him) is an award-winning columnist and commentator on politics, spirituality, and culture. He is a contributing editor for The Week and has been featured on prominent national outlets including The New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and CNN. Jonathan has authored four critically-acclaimed books and has also served as a ghostwriter on dozens of others, many of which became New York Times bestsellers. Jonathan is a proud biological Guncle to five l...2024-05-1449 min
You Need TherapyGod, Your Guncle, & Mr. Rogers Walk into a Bar with Jonathan MerrittThis week, Kat is joined by the amazing Jonathan Merritt, who is about to release his first children's book, My Guncle And Me. Jonathan is an award-winning columnist and commentator on politics, spirituality, and culture. He is a contributing editor for The Week and has been featured on prominent national outlets including The New York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and CNN. He is also a profoundly kind, caring, and inspiring soul who helped create a space for a conversation about safety, love, & inclusivity. Listen to this episode to hear about what Jonathan calls the difference betwe...2024-04-2953 min
EvangelicalishBecoming a Guncle : From Publicly Outed to Proudly Out with Jonathan MerrittAuthor and award-winning columnist Jonathan Merritt joins Paul and April to discuss his journey from being publicly outed to being proudly out and his new children's book My Guncle and Me. He also talks about his own faith, his relationship with his pastor parents and his inspiration to write My Guncle and Me.
Buy the book: www.myguncleandme.com
Connect with Jonathan's work. www.jonathanmerritt.com
Follow Jonathan: @JonathanMerritt
Stay connected or support us by visiting our website: evangelicalish.com
Follow the Evangelicalish team on Tiktok, IG, FB & X...2024-04-2456 min
Holy Heretics: Losing Religion and Finding JesusMy Life and Faith After Evangelicalism W/Jonathan MerrittEpisode Summary:Interviewing Jonathan Merritt felt like having a conversation with myself. His journey out of white evangelical subculture is an almost mirror-image of my journey. My guess is, you’ll find a lot of correlation as well. Jonathan was a card-carrying evangelical who left his Southern roots and evangelical home to find faith, family, and freedom outside the confines and cult-like community of evangelical Christianity. His journey led him from certainty to contemplation, from winning to wisdom, from the shallow end of the pool into the deep waters of Ignatian spirituality, and from exclusion to...2024-04-0449 min
The Unburdened LeaderEP 99: Lead & Love Beyond Differences: The Work of Building Bridges with Jonathan MerrittHave you ended a relationship to get relief from tension and conflict?Do you struggle with developing a clear sense of boundaries around what’s your responsibility and what’s not, especially when feeling responsible for how others think and feel? When relationships are toxic, abusive, and oppressive and the other person does not have the interest or capacity to work on the relationship, ending the relationship can bring grief but also relief, emotional healing, and health.But when you regularly use emotional cutoffs to prote...2024-03-011h 20
Pirate Monk Podcast378 | Jonathan Merritt | How to Let Your Heart GrowOn this episode: Aaron and guest host Rob discuss breaking down walls and curiosity about others’ stories. Nate is on a cruise.
Our Guest: Jonathan Merritt is an author, journalist, coach, and speaker. Learning to understand how news and opinion differ and how they change the reader. Embracing and investigating fear. Not allowing fear to tear us apart, especially when considering fear and faith. Are you covering fear with joy? Learning to investigate the stories of fear in your life as you grow. Jonathan guides us through engaging in healthy discussion and debate. Seek first to understand, th...2023-08-031h 02
The SavvyCastHow to Become a Writer and Publish a Book with Jonathan MerrittThis week, Jonathan Merritt joins me to discuss all things writing and publishing. If you have ever been interested in the behind-the-scenes of publishing a book or have the desire to refine your own writing, you will surely enjoy this episode! Episode At A Glance: This week on The SavvyCast, Jonathan Merritt joins me to discuss all things writing, publishing, and ghostwriting. Jonathan is a widely celebrated author, cultural commentator, and ghostwriter. He is also an incredible writing teacher and has trained hundreds of young writers through one-on-one coaching, his online seminar, and writing courses. In this e...2023-07-0744 min![[B]OLD AGE With Debbie Weil](https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/f5f77674-ba38-4fbb-be3a-2d7220792750/e505ba0f-1cd7-46b4-899a-e8b1ce3d4321/3000x3000/screenshot-2023-06-30-at-16-17-49-jonathan-merritt.jpg?aid=rss_feed)
[B]OLD AGE With Debbie WeilJonathan Merritt on Personal Transformation and the Complicated Intersection of Faith and CultureToday, Debbie speaks to Jonathan Merritt, one of America’s most renowned writers on faith and culture.Debbie met Jonathan in the hot tub in Baja Mexico, but don’t get the wrong idea.They were both in Baja to attend a weeklong workshop organized by Modern Elder Academy. And as you’ll hear in this episode, "change and transformation" were very much on the agenda.You may have heard her talk about MEA. It’s billed as a midlife wisdom school whose core mission is to shift our negative mindset about aging. MEA is a...2023-07-0743 min
In the Waves with Mallory Wyckoff"God Is Midwife" with Jonathan MerrittIn this episode of In The Waves, I talk with Jonathan Merritt about his deeply painful experience of being outed by a colleague and friend. We discuss the generative capacity of pain to birth new life within and through us, and we explore how the simple phrase “and also” helps us integrate trauma and re-narrate our stories.
TW: In our conversation, we touch on the topics of physical and sexual abuse, so please care for yourself well.
Jonathan Merritt is one of America’s most trusted and popular writers on religion, culture, and politics. He is an a...2023-04-2648 min
Living Centered Podcast117 "Living Centered at the Intersection of Spirituality and Trauma" featuring Jonathan MerrittToday, Lindsey and Nicole sit down with writer and Onsite alum, Jonathan Merritt, to dig into a topic that’s not often discussed: trauma in spiritual environments. Through navigating his own spiritual journey and conducting extensive cultural research, Jonathan shares his unique perspective on spirituality as both wounder and healer. In this episode, Jonathan elucidates the significant impact spiritual direction has had on his life and the set of daily practices he has put in place to ensure his journey of healing is a lasting one. Full Show Notes Living Centered Program
Di...2023-04-171h 08
Veterans of Culture Wars080: Learning to Speak God from Scratch: Jonathan MerrittReligion reporter and book author Jonathan Merritt joins the VCW to share his Evangelical story that includes the trauma of being outed in 2012. We also discuss the ethics of publicly outing people (who are harmful to the LGBTQ community), death anxiety from certain religious backgrounds, and his fascinating *newest* book "Learning to Speak God from Scratch".
Buy the book here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/learning-to-speak-god-from-scratch-jonathan-merritt/1126434908#/
Connect with Jonathan Merritt:
Website: https://www.jonathanmerritt.com/
Twitter: @jonathanmerritt
Instagram: @jonathan_merritt
Linktree...2023-03-2158 min
Pivotal PeopleEp. 46: Author Jonathan Merritt--The Intersection of Faith and CultureSend us a textJonathan Merritt is one of America’s most popular writers on issues of faith and culture. He is author of several critically-acclaimed books, including "Learning to Speak God from Scratch: Why Sacred Words are Vanishing - and How We Can Revive Them" named “Book of the Year” by the Englewood Review of Books. Jonathan is an award-winning contributor for The Atlantic, a contributing editor for The Week, and a regular columnist for Religion News Service. He has published more than 3000 articles in respected outlets such as The New York Times, USA Today...2023-03-1626 min
The Vicars' CrossingSeason 7 Episode 4: Jonathan MerrittToday we welcome Jonathan Merritt - one of America’s most popular writers on issues of faith and culture. He is the author of several critically-acclaimed books, including Learning to Speak God from Scratch: Why Sacred Words are Vanishing – and How We Can Revive Them, named “Book of the Year” by the Englewood Review of Books. Jonathan is an award-winning contributor for The Atlantic, a contributing editor for The Week, and a regular columnist for Religion News Service. He has published more than 3000 articles in respected outlets such as The New York Times, USA Today, Buzzfeed, The Washingto...2022-11-071h 03