{"podcast":{"title":"You Can Be Both","slug":"you-can-be-both-7576307","podcast_index_feed_id":7576307,"rss_url":"https://anchor.fm/s/10b47a908/podcast/rss","website_url":"https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/you-can-be-both","image_url":"https://d3t3ozftmdmh3i.cloudfront.net/staging/podcast_uploaded_nologo/44742130/44742130-1762547217244-a90f5ddea203c.jpg","author":"Lauren Lanzaretta","episode_count":36,"summary":"You Can Be Both is hosted by singer/songwriter Lauren Lanzaretta, who shares honest conversations about being both gay and Christian—two identities often seen as incompatible. The podcast creates space for LGBTQ+ people of faith to find healing, community, and a deeper connection with Christ while fully embracing who they are. As a first step to your healing journey, I recommend the “LGBTQ+ Healing & Resource Guide” - go to www.youcanbeboth.com for this and other resources. Join the You Can Be Both Community App https://youcanbeboth.mn.co/plans/1984569?bundle_token=a02f1c1a95e905aa187210545","last_synced_at":"2026-07-05T14:19:26.748663+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/you-can-be-both-7576307"},"episode":{"title":"Can You Be Trans and Christian? One Former Megachurch Pastor Says Yes — and She’s Running for Office","slug":"can-you-be-trans-and-christian-one-former-megachurch-pastor-says-yes-and-she-s-running-for-office","published_at":"2026-02-22T16:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/you-can-be-both-7576307/can-you-be-trans-and-christian-one-former-megachurch-pastor-says-yes-and-she-s-running-for-office","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/you-can-be-both-7576307","url":"https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/you-can-be-both/episodes/Can-You-Be-Trans-and-Christian--One-Former-Megachurch-Pastor-Says-Yes--and-Shes-Running-for-Office-e3fe0jq","audio_url":"https://anchor.fm/s/10b47a908/podcast/play/115851322/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-1-22%2F418569159-44100-2-76ffdc3ecbd21.mp3","summary":"Can you be transgender and Christian? What happens when a megachurch pastor comes out as trans? And why is she now running for public office? In this powerful episode of You Can Be Both, host Lauren Lanzaretta sits down with Joanna Whaley, a former evangelical megachurch pastor who was outed, fired, and subjected to 15 years of conversion therapy — and is now running for the Michigan House of Representatives. Joanna shares: • What 15 years of conversion therapy did to her mental health • The real experience of gender dysphoria • What it felt like to lose her job after being outed • Why she still identifies as a Christian • How Christian nationalism impacts LGBTQ people • Her response to rhetoric from Donald Trump and the rise of anti-trans legislation • Why she believes we’re in a “100-year battle” for LGBTQ inclusion in the church • Why she's running for Michigan House of Representatives Joanna previously served at one of America’s largest megachurches, including Life Church, and holds a seminary degree focused on liberation and queer theology. Today, she works as a clinical chaplain and advocates for LGBTQ+ Christians seeking faith without shame. If you’ve ever wondered: • Is being LGBTQ a sin? • What does the Bible really say about trans people? • Can you follow Jesus and affirm queer identities? • How do you survive coming out in evangelical spaces? This conversation is for you. 💬 “You are not a problem for God.” That message alone could change someone’s life. ⸻ 📌 Resources Mentioned • LGBTQ Healing & Resource Guide: https://www.laurenlanzaretta.com/youcanbeboth • Support Joanna’s campaign: https://www.joannawhaley.com/ If this episode encouraged you, don’t forget to: 👍 Like 🔔 Subscribe 📤 Share with someone who needs hope You can be LGBTQ. You can love Jesus. Y…","meta_description":"Can you be transgender and Christian? What happens when a megachurch pastor comes out as trans? And why is she now running for public office? In this powe…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":4759,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/you-can-be-both-7576307/episodes/can-you-be-trans-and-christian-one-former-megachurch-pastor-says-yes-and-she-s-running-for-office/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/you-can-be-both-7576307/can-you-be-trans-and-christian-one-former-megachurch-pastor-says-yes-and-she-s-running-for-office.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}