Jerrad Christian, a software engineer and Navy veteran, is back on the campaign trail, after losing his freshman congressional race in 2024, now running a grassroots campaign to unseat U.S. House of Representatives Troy Balderson, a Republican for Ohio's 12th District, and recipient of corporate PAC money and billionaire donors. Jerrad’s here to make change and give the power back to the people of the state. He doesn’t pull any punches. He tells it like he’s sees it. Even his merchandise proudly boasts, he doesn't "give a F*** about Billionaires." His "HOT" takes are only matched by some hot sauces in this discussion, as Matt and Jerrad partake in some spicy sauces over some delicious pierogies; an Ohio staple.

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Mike Maeshiro joins the podcast to share his experience as a former pastor recovering from religious toxicity. Mike is gay, an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, and a queer theology enthusiast. He is a former instructor at Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry, best known for his class, “Discerning of Spirits.” He now teaches on emotional health and redemptive deconstruction as a consultant and coach for gay men recovering from evangelicalism. As a social media influencer, he highlights the issues he sees from his perspective and our cultural problems with homophobia, transphobia and Christian hate. Matt and Mike read through some of his messages and DMs from those unwilling to accept Mike as a gay man who preaches love and acceptance. In Mike's own words, “Humans matter more than theology."

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What does "Community" look like to you? Is it your neighborhood, favorite sports fans, or fellow churchgoers? Whoever your tribe is and whatever your common interests and values, community is vital to our well-being. Matt brings some of his fellow Cleveland organizers and content creators to share their ideas and experiences with building community. John Skrtic of the Cleveland Public Library has spent 20 years profiling Clevelanders and their stories. Brian Lachman is the force behind The People's Flag of Cleveland, along with his new Foodbank fundraising organization, Homegrown Help. And Kristin Mulcahy, aka KristininCleveland, creates content and organizes events for people of all ages, including KidsinCleveland Yoga. We rarely see more than the polished event photos and videos, or testimonials from the successes along the way. But building true community is messy. It's hard. It's sometimes grueling. And not every villager helps create the village. The more we find ourselves divided by geography, politics, or social media, the harder it becomes to find the courage to allow ourselves to be vulnerable enough to enter into some of these spaces and relationships. For humans, though, we need fellowship, engagement and belonging. It's not about surviving, it's about thriving.

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