What's up, Real Humans! On this episode, Tristan chats with his favorite human, Nancy Reyes Frazier, aka Real Human #6. They have been married for almost eleven years and met as graduate students at Dallas Theological Seminary. In the episode, they explore her formation in music and theology. She is working to complete her dissertation about first-century commensality and the apostle Paul's Christological imagination.

This is understandably a two-part episode. In part 2, Tristan wraps up his conversation with Nancy as she shares her experience as a Mexican American female in theology and provides insights and encouragement for those who want to follow in her path.

Hope you enjoy!

Nancy's Bio

Nancy Piedad Reyes Frazier’s research interests are found at the intersection of theology and cultural phenomenology, particularly as it relates to Christology, revelation, and communal ethics.

Listen and Watch Nancy

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PcGu-TMqKco

Read Nancy

www.sacredrootsministry.org/spiritual-classics/the-interior-castle

www.fathommag.com/stories/the-new-mestiza

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What’s up Real Humans! In this episode of the Real Humans Podcast, Tristan speaks with Real Human #5, Ayorkor Adjei (@ayorkor_adjei) about how using sign language early in her life prepared her for a future of working to bridge the gap between the hearing and the Deaf.

Ayorkor spent the first 11 yrs of her life in the Bronx, NY. During this time, she learned sign language from her older brother, who is hard of hearing, so that they could communicate with each other. This makes her the sibling of a deaf adult or SODA.

Fast forward, now she utilizes her ASL interpreting skills in various settings, such as religious, theatrical, musical, educational, medical, Video Relay Service (VRS), and conferences. She particularly comes alive when interpreting music in Christian worship settings.

Ayorkor’s passion comes through as we dive deep into what it was like for her growing up with a sibling who is hard of hearing, jump roping double-dutch (her other passion), and how she is working to help hearing parents connect and build relationships with their children who are deaf or hard of hearing.

We laugh a lot in this episode. So get ready! Enjoy the conversation.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Ayorkor’s early experiences in the Bronx

• Growing up with a sibling who is hard of hearing

• The nickname that has followed her into adulthood

• Her Ghanian mom advocating for her brother in the American healthcare system

• Acculturation and Codeswitching (in the deaf and hard of hearing community…YES!)

• Personal and professional costs of pursuing her passion

• The importance of parents having expectations for their children with disabilities

• How God has used Ayorkor in ASL work

Resources

Instagram: www.instagram.com/ayorkor_adjei/

Website: www.shineandsignforchrist.com

National Association for the Deaf: https://www.nad.org/

Deaf Action Center of North Texas: https://dactexas.org/

Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Education: www.in.gov/health/cdhhe/

Please Subscribe and Review

Have you subscribed to my podcast? I’d love you to subscribe if you haven’t yet.

Also, please drop me a review and honest rating on your preferred platform. Your feedback helps me improve the podcast and grow as a real human.

Select ‘Ratings and Reviews’ and ‘Write a Review’.

What’s up Real Humans! On this close-out episode, Tristan wraps up his time with Real Human #4, Dr. Eva Bleeker, aka "Chaplain Eva". She goes deeper into the powerful impact of narrative-oriented care in her academic research, chaplaincy care, and teaching. Chaplain Eva also shares how engaging her own story or narrative wreckage equipped her to walk alongside others in hospitals, in the classroom, and in life.

Guest Bio

Chaplain Eva is a board-certified professional chaplain with a decade of experience in acute care hospitals and an assistant professor at Denver Seminary. Her research sits at the intersection of pastoral care, narrative identity, and practical theology. She holds a Master of Science in Narrative Medicine from Columbia University, two Master of Arts degrees from Dallas Theological Seminary (Christian Education and Media and Communication), and a doctorate from Baylor University. Through her teaching, Chaplain Eva aims to integrate pastoral theory, empirical data, and the biblical text.

In this episode, you will hear:

• The intersection of her research interests and Life Story

• The importance of narrative wreckage catchers

• Redemptive/Reparative themes in care work

• Leading a new generation of stopping church hurt

• Moving into the academy during a season of discouragement

• What not to tell yourself

This episode is dedicated to the Rev. G. William “Bill” Bryan (1936-2018)

voice.dts.edu/article/bill-bryan-tribute

Connect with Chaplain Eva

evableeker.com/

Resources

• Ronda Cooper - The Story Catchers

• Dan McAdams

• Dr. Arthur Frank - The Wounded Storyteller, narrative wreckage

Please Subscribe and Review

I’d love you to subscribe to this podcast if you haven’t yet. Also, drop an authentic review or 5-star rating on your preferred podcast platform. Your honest feedback helps to improve this podcast and me to improve as a real human. Select ‘Ratings and Reviews’ and ‘Write a Review’. It’s quick and also helps spread the word about the podcast. Thanks!