In this episode of the Q-MindBody Podcast, Darren Main sits down with Rev. Jim Mitulski, legendary former pastor of Metropolitan Community Church in San Francisco’s Castro District during the darkest years of the AIDS crisis.✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please drop a comment, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs a little inspiration today.RESOURCESJim on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mitulskiCongregational Church of the Peninsula: http://ccpeninsula.org/Q-MindBody Resources & Community https://darrenmain.net/qmb-connectConnect with Darren Main https://darrenmain.net/followThe Gay Men’s Sangha https://www.darrenmain.com/gay-mens-yoga-sanghaQ-MindBody on GayWellness https://gaywellness.com/qmindbody-podcastFREE STUFF!FREE Meditation Course: Mindfulness for Busy Minds- Anyone can learn to meditate—even you!
https://darrenmain.net/free-meditation-courseFREE Book: Inspired Practice: Wisdom From the Heart of India: A collection of quotes from Modern teachers and ancient texts.https://darrenmain.net/inspired-practice-bookFREE Yoga Class: Join Darren for a Free online practice. https://darrenmain.net/first-class-free

What happens when a fundamentalist Baptist pastor deconstructs his faith, walks away from evangelicalism, and becomes a fierce ally for LGBTQ people?In this episode of Q-MindBody, Darren talks with Brian Recker, former pastor and author of Hell Bent, about how fear of hell, Christian nationalism, and purity culture have shaped the spiritual trauma so many queer men carry. Brian shares his journey from independent fundamentalist roots and non-affirming ministry to becoming a public voice challenging the religious right, Christian nationalism, and the weaponization of “love the sinner, hate the sin.”✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please drop a comment, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs a little inspiration today.RESOURCESBrian Recker's Website: https://www.brianrecker.com/Brian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/berecker?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==Read Hellbent: https://amzn.to/4iFxv7X✨Q-MindBody Resources & Community https://darrenmain.net/qmb-connectConnect with Darren Main https://darrenmain.net/followThe Gay Men’s Sangha https://www.darrenmain.com/gay-mens-yoga-sanghaQ-MindBody on GayWellness https://gaywellness.com/qmindbody-podcast

This episode takes a necessary detour into a hard truth: anti-Asian bias inside gay men’s spaces. Darren talks with writer Kyle Chang about the lines between “preference” and prejudice, from app bios to club doors to the casual “you’re cute… for an Asian.” Kyle shares early experiences, how media shapes desire, and what both non-Asian and Asian queer men can actually do: examine biases, widen exposure, respond with respect, and practice self-worth rather than hierarchy. ✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please drop a comment, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs a little inspiration today.RESOURCESKyle's Article on Gay Asian Discrimination: https://laist.com/news/essays/how-one-gaysian-man-navigated-racism-and-romance-to-ultimately-say-asian-guys-are-hotKyle on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsmejiakaiQ-MindBody Resources & Community https://darrenmain.net/qmb-connectConnect with Darren Main https://darrenmain.net/followThe Gay Men’s Sangha https://www.darrenmain.com/gay-mens-yoga-sanghaQ-MindBody on GayWellness https://gaywellness.com/qmindbody-podcastFREE STUFF!FREE Meditation Course: Mindfulness for Busy Minds- Anyone can learn to meditate—even you!https://darrenmain.net/free-meditation-courseFREE Book: Inspired Practice: Wisdom From the Heart of India: A collection of quotes from Modern teachers and ancient texts.https://darrenmain.net/inspired-practice-bookFREE Yoga Class: Join Darren for a Free online practice. https://darrenmain.net/first-class-free