From the Hill

In today’s episode, I interview Dr. Jamie Conniff of Duluth, MN. Dr. Conniff is a family physician at Essentia Health and teaches in the Duluth Family Medicine Residency Program. His expertise in both teaching and practicing medicine is with a particular focus on LGBTQ health and for providing gender-affirming healthcare. He has previous research experience on improving access and quality of care for transgender people and is particularly interested in training rural physicians to care for transgender patients. Together we are going to explore gender identity beyond the binary. We will dig into scripture and lean into Dr. Conniff’s medical experience when it comes to caring for, and loving our, transgender and non-binary siblings. For so many Christians, I think there’s this idea that if you are a person of faith, you cannot believe in science; as if trusting in science somehow goes against “what God says in the Bible” and God’s design of creation. So, what happens when we deconstruct our binary way of thinking and take a “both/and” approach to study gender? I invite you into this conversation and challenge you to stay curious. Together, we will explore that there is more nuance and beauty to God’s creation than what we ever thought would be possible.

In this episode, we get to sit down with Jolene Loetscher. Jolene is an entrepreneur, advocate, community builder, and changemaker. Jolene graduated top of her class from Northwestern University and received her MBA in Global Executive Leadership from the University of Nebraska. She is a Presidential Leadership Scholar, an active alumna of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, and recently named to the Civil Society Fellowship, a partnership of ADL and the Aspen Institute ​Jolene lives in Sioux Falls, South Dakota with her husband, Nate Burdine, their daughter, Liberty, and pug, Mayhem Awesome. Today’s conversation is full of learning. Together we will learn how to find the joy from devastating pains and losses and use those moments in our lives to inspire real action for change. CW: Please note that this episode contains conversations around sexual abuse and sexual assault. If you, or someone you may know, have been affected by abuse or assault, please know that this episode may trigger past traumatic events. Please click here for resources from RAINN. The National Sexual Assault Hotline is available 24/7: Telephone: 800.656.HOPE (4673) Online chat: online.rainn.org Music by: Tangled Blue

On this episode I talk with Julian Beaudion. Julian has been a State Law Enforcement officer with the State of South Dakota for over 10 years. He is a community activist, small business owner, husband, and father to three beautiful children. On this episode we talk about community policing, racism in America, and how we can come together to heal as a nation. Julian is a public servant at heart. He cares deeply about our communities and those whom he is entrusted to care for and protect. Guest Musicians: Kevin and Mara Stillson