Embodied Spirituality

My Only Job is to be a Great Ancestor w/ Joel Sommer

In this episode, Hailey welcomes Pastor Joel Sommer for an enriching conversation about spiritual agency and ancestral responsibility. They explore the delicate balance of nurturing children's spiritual curiosity while allowing them to forge their own paths, and discuss the surprisingly relevant question: "Is the Holy Spirit anxious?"
 
Joel brings his unique perspective as a Mestizo pastor, drawing from his Filipina and Jewish-German American heritage to explore what it means to be a worthy ancestor for future generations. This episode offers insights for parents and anyone interested in creating a legacy of authentic spirituality.
 
Joel Sommer is the Pastor of Vision and Formation at Access Church in Portland, OR. His work bridges diverse spiritual traditions, informed by his multicultural background and love for indie hip-hop, spoken word poetry, and silent retreats. Together with his wife Sabrina, an anti-racist educator, they parent three sons while modeling intentional spiritual formation.
 
RESOURCES mentioned:
Illustrated Kid's Ministry
8 Kids Books to Teach Children about an Expansive, Inclusive God
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Please consider rating, subscribing, reviewing or referring friends to this podcast. One or all of these things will go a long way in ensuring the sustainability of this show. 
 
If you have any comments, questions or suggestions please reach out through the contact page on my website - haileymitsui.com
 
Below are ways you can stay connected to Hailey's work:
 
Learn more - haileymitsui.com
Sign up for my newsletter - subscribepage.io/haileymitsui
Follow me on instagram - @haileymitsui

Christian Zionism w/ Jonathan Brenneman

In this special and urgent episode, Hailey welcomes Jonathan Brenneman, co-founder of Christians for a Free Palestine, for a critical discussion on Christian Zionism and its far-reaching implications. Moving beyond typical theological discourse, this essential conversation examines how Christian Zionism is being wielded to support both the genocide in Gaza and the rise of Christian Nationalism in the United States.
 
This episode serves as both a moral imperative and clear call to action, this episode provides vital context and concrete steps for engagement. Join us for this crucial dialogue that bridges faith, justice, and active solidarity with Palestinians, while exploring how Christians can effectively advocate for peace and human dignity.
 
This conversation serves as both a call to understanding and a pathway to action, offering listeners practical guidance on how to connect with Christians for a Free Palestine and raise their voices against injustice.
 
Jonathan is a Palestinian American Christian and co-founder of Christians for a Free Palestine. Jonathan was a frontline activist of Community Peacemaker Teams (CPT) (formerly Christian Peacemaker Teams) Palestine project in Hebron/Al-Khalil. After his time with CPT he completed a Master’s at the University of Notre Dame’s Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies. Jonathan was the Israel/Palestine Partners in Peacemaking Coordinator for Mennonite Church USA, where he facilitated the writing, passing, and implementation of the Seeking Peace in Israel and Palestine Resolution. Jonathan’s work connects the Palestinian decolonial struggle with those of other indigenous peoples and challenges theologies of domination. 
 
Resources mentioned in podcast:
https://christiansforafreepalestine.com/
https://www.mitriraheb.org/
https://sabeel.org/
A Palestinian Theology of Liberation - https://orbisbooks.com/products/a-palestinian-theology-of-liberation
Please consider rating, subscribing, reviewing or referring friends to this podcast. One or all of these things will go a long way in ensuring the sustainability of this show. 
 
If you have any comments, questions or suggestions please reach out through the contact page on my website - haileymitsui.com
 
Below are ways you can stay connected to Hailey’s work:
Learn more - haileymitsui.com
Sign up for my newsletter - subscribepage.io/haileymitsui
Follow me on instagram - @haileymitsui

Transcend and Include w/ Leonetta Elaiho

In this episode, Hailey is joined by creative contemplative Leonetta Elaiho. They talk about their shared history as little-church-worker-bees and the process of transcending and including all parts of themselves and their journey. Leonetta shares how centering queer Black women has breathed new life into her spirituality and activism and the spiritual practice that feels most alive to her right now - gazing. 
 
This heartfelt episode weaves together themes of identity, spiritual awakening, and the courage to forge authentic paths of faith. Whether you're questioning your own spiritual journey or curious about inclusive approaches to spirituality, this conversation offers fresh perspectives on finding sacred ground in unexpected places.
 
Leonetta is a creative contemplative that thrives at the intersection of culture, spirituality, and social justice, where she advocates for radical inclusion. As a consultant and spiritual companion, she supports BIPOC leaders' wellness and liberation through teaching and operational leadership, healing modalities, and spiritual care. She is the founder and CEO of Beautifulle (pronounced beauty-fully) where you can learn more about her work.
 
Learn more about Leonetta and her work on her website here: https://www.beautifulle.com/
Please consider rating, subscribing, reviewing or referring friends to this podcast. One or all of these things will go a long way in ensuring the sustainability of this show. 
 
If you have any comments, questions or suggestions please reach out through the contact page on my website - haileymitsui.com
 
Below are ways you can stay connected to Hailey’s work:
Learn more - haileymitsui.com
Sign up for my newsletter - subscribepage.io/haileymitsui
Follow me on instagram - @haileymitsui

Ecosystem of Desire w/ David Gate

In this episode, Hailey is joined by poet David Gate for a deep dive into his lifelong exploration of spirituality. They discuss how wrestling with faith has shaped his journey, the role of community as a form of spiritual practice, and his thought-provoking insights on the power of desire. David shares personal stories and reflections, offering listeners a fresh perspective on living authentically in pursuit of spiritual and emotional fulfillment. This conversation promises inspiration for anyone curious about the intersections of faith, longing, and human connection.
David Gate is a poet, writer and visual artist that hails from London, UK and now resides in the mist of the ancient Blue Ridge Mountains in Asheville, North Carolina.
His work centers around care for the individual (heart, mind, body & soul) and the nurture of community (culture, the earth &  environment, the dignity of others and spiritual communities)
 
You can connect with David on his website (davidgatepoet.com), Substack (substack.com/@davidgatepoet) and on Instagram (@davidgatepoet). 
 
Please consider rating, subscribing, reviewing or referring friends to this podcast. One or all of these things will go a long way in ensuring the sustainability of this show. 
 
If you have any comments, questions or suggestions please reach out through the contact page on my website - haileymitsui.com
 
Below are ways you can stay connected to Hailey’s work:
Learn more - haileymitsui.com
Sign up for my newsletter - subscribepage.io/haileymitsui
Follow me on instagram - @haileymitsui

Expanding the Bubble w/ Kaitlin Curtice

On today’s episode Hailey talks with Kaitlin Curtice about growing up Evangelical, the incredible freedom that is possible when we shed labels that no longer serve us, the joy of hearing a prayer in her ancestral potawatomi language and the opportunities we have to heal on behalf of and for our ancestors. 
 
Kaitlin Curtice is an award-winning author, poet-storyteller, and public speaker. As an enrolled citizen of the Potawatomi nation, Kaitlin writes on the intersections of spirituality and identity and how that shifts throughout our lives. She has written many books including, Native, Living Resistance and the first two installments of her children’s series Winter’s Gifts and Summer’s Magic. 
 
You can connect with Kaitlin at her website (kaitlincurtice.com) and on Instagram (@kaitlincurtice). 
 
Please consider rating, subscribing, reviewing or referring friends to this podcast. One or all of these things will go a long way in ensuring the sustainability of this show. 
 
If you have any comments, questions or suggestions please reach out through the contact page on my website - haileymitsui.com
 
Below are ways you can stay connected to Hailey’s work:
Learn more - haileymitsui.com
Sign up for my newsletter - subscribepage.io/haileymitsui
Follow me on instagram - @haileymitsui

Who am I now? w/ Leann Jenkins

In this episode Hailey is joined by fellow spiritual director Leann Jenkins to talk about her personal journey integrating her Southern Black Church roots and the expansive practices of Christian Mysticism. We wonder together, “Who am I know?” and “How can I learn to trust myself?”.
 
You can connect with Leann and learn more about her practice at leanndjenkins.com.
 
Please consider rating, subscribing, reviewing or referring friends to this podcast. One or all of these things will go a long way in ensuring the sustainability of this show. 
 
If you have any comments, questions or suggestions please reach out through the contact page on my website - haileymitsui.com
 
Below are ways you can stay connected to my work:
Learn more - haileymitsui.com
Sign up for my newsletter - subscribepage.io/haileymitsui
Follow me on instagram - @haileymitsui

A Quick Introduction

In this inaugural episode of Embodied Spirituality, we explore the core questions that drive the podcast: Where does spirituality fit as our worldview expands? How do we rebuild trust in our own inner voice when we’ve been conditioned to distrust it?
 
Host Hailey Mitsui opens up about her personal journey and the heart behind the podcast, inviting listeners into a shared space of exploration and healing. Join us as we set the stage for what’s to come—discover more at haileymitsui.com or on Instagram @haileymitsui.