The Amalgamation with Bruce Reyes-Chow

E77 The Cross and the Olive Tree: A Conversation with John and Samuel Munayer

🧑🏽 Your Host, Bruce Reyes‑Chow

Rev. Bruce Reyes‑Chow is a 3rd‑generation Filipino/Chinese American speaker, writer, and coachsultant exploring topics of faith, leadership, activism, culture, race, and technology. An ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA), he is the author of six books, most recently Everything Good about God is True: Choosing Faith. He and his wife live in San Jose, CA, surrounded by too many animals and houseplants.

✊🏽 About Our Guests

John Munayer is a Palestinian theologian from Jerusalem and holds degrees from King’s College London, the University of Edinburgh, and VU University Amsterdam. John is currently involved in interreligious activism and the founder and editor of the Journal of Palestinian Christianity at the Bethlehem Bible College. He is also a PhD candidate at the University of Edinburgh, researching the political theology of the Palestinian laity in relation to the Holy Fire ceremony.  

Samuel Munayer is a Palestinian theologian from Jerusalem and holds degrees from Durham University and Exeter University. Samuel works as an advocacy and access officer for a humanitarian organisation that works in Gaza and the West Bank. 

He recently co-authored with John the article entitled, “Decolonising Palestinian Liberation Theology: New Methods, Sources, and Voices.”

🎧 Episode Summary

In this episode of the Amalgamation Podcast, Bruce Reyes-Chow sits down with Palestinian theologians John and Samuel Manay. Hailing from Jerusalem, both are accomplished in their respective academic journeys and have co-authored the article 'Decolonizing Palestinian Liberation Theology.' They discuss their latest book, 'The Cross and the Olive Tree: Cultivating Palestinian Theology Amid Gaza,' and share insights on the importance of the olive tree, the concept of Nakba, and the unique nature of Palestinian theology. The episode also touches on their personal backgrounds, the influence of their diverse upbringing, and their joint efforts to contribute to their community’s theological discourse. Despite the challenges, including the ongoing violence in Gaza, they emphasize building a resilient and collaborative future.

🔗 Episode Links & Resources

🎙️ Episode Summary

In this powerful conversation, host Bruce Reyes-Chow sits down with Dr. Liz Theoharis and Charon Hribar to discuss their new book We Pray Freedom: Liturgies and Rituals from the Freedom Church of the Poor. Together, they explore how ritual, prayer, song, and community become vital tools in the fight against poverty and injustice. Despite the darkness of our current moment—from rising authoritarianism to devastating policy cuts—Liz and Sharon remind us that hope is not naive. It's real, attainable, and already blooming in grassroots movements across the country.

From free dental clinics in churches to Jericho walks around detention centers, they share concrete examples of communities living into a vision of abundance and justice. They challenge us to move beyond performative allyship, to sing together, to take action together, and to remember: we get there together or we don't get there at all.

This is a conversation about reclaiming faith traditions rooted in liberation, staying grounded in difficult times, and the radical possibility that poverty could actually end—if only we had the political will.

🤝🏽 About Our Guests

Here is the trailer for Episode 76 of The Amalgamation Podcast: We Pray Freedom: A Conversation with Charon Hribar and Liz Theoharis

✊ About Our Guest

Flamy Grant is a shame‑slaying, hip‑swaying, chart‑topping drag performer and singer‑songwriter who blends folk, gospel, and roots music to tell stories of resilience, faith, and liberation. Based in Asheville, North Carolina, Flamy’s work reimagines the intersections of queerness and spirituality — challenging religious trauma and reclaiming sacred belonging through art and performance.

Her debut album Bible Belt Baby soared to #1 on the iTunes Christian chart and was named one of the Top Ten Queer Country Albums of 2023. Her 2024 follow‑up CHURCH hit #8 on the iTunes Country chart, cementing her as a vital new voice in progressive spiritual music. A winner of the 2023 Kerrville New Folk contest and nominee for Artist of the Year at the 2025 International Folk Music Awards, Flamy uses her platform to advocate for inclusion, authenticity, and the divine within us all.

(Her name is a nod to pop icon Amy Grant — a joyful act of reclamation and reverence.)

🎧 Episode Summary

In this episode, host Bruce Reyes‑Chow sits down with Flamy Grant for a conversation that’s equal parts fabulous and faith‑filled. Together, they explore the intersections of drag, spirituality, and authenticity — and how art can become a sanctuary for the marginalized. From performing in churches to topping the Christian charts in full drag, Flamy shares her journey of reconciling queerness and faith while unlearning shame and embracing joy.

This is a powerful, funny, and deeply human conversation about what it means to reclaim the sacred on your own terms.

✨ Episode Highlights

• How drag became a spiritual practice and source of healing.
• What it means to find holiness in queerness.
• The story behind Bible Belt Baby and CHURCH.
• Navigating the backlash and beauty of being a drag artist in Christian spaces.
• How to build communities rooted in radical inclusion and joy.

🔗 Episode Links & Resources