God & Other Delicacies

Leaving his Evangelical faith and family; the similarities of atheism and fundamentalism; doubt; confusion; regret; new life; and the love of music and writing.   Jonathan Buchanan works in film production, and has been a prop master since 2007.  He is also a musician, and he writes, sings and plays guitar in his anti-folk band Campfire Cassettes.    Listen to his music on Spotify: Campfire Cassettes   Jonathan introduced me to a term that was core to his Evangelical belief system growing up: Eternal Security Jonathan briefly references a famous Christian songwriter I had never heard of before, Keith Green, who died in a tragic plane crash at 28.  Listen to Keith Green on Spotify    Jonathan's Instagram: @jonathanbuchanancomedy Campfire Cassettes Instagram: @campfirecassettes   Official Website: nicholasdagosto.com Instagram: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow Twitter: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow  LinkedIn: Nicholas D'Agosto  Music by Sean Whalen, Art by Alexandra Delano

Reflections on suffering; God's apparent absence and/or disregard; death; the moment he decided to become a Jesuit; and the intersection of art and spirituality.   Joe Hoover, SJ is a religious brother in the Society of Jesus, or the Jesuits, working primarily in the arts.  He is an actor, playwright and essayist, and his first book - "O Death, Where Is Thy Sting: A Meditation on Suffering" - will be released December of 2020 from Orbis Books.  He is also the poetry editor at America Magazine.     At one point, Joe mentions one of his early heroes: Dorothy Day, a progressive Catholic activist. Here is a link describing one of the cornerstones of Jesuit training: The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius And for good measure, once again, his new book: "O Death, Where Is Thy Sting: A Meditation on Suffering" from Orbis Books   Joe's Facebook: Joe Hoover   Official Website: nicholasdagosto.com Instagram: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow Twitter: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow  LinkedIn: Nicholas D'Agosto  Music by Sean Whalen, Art by Alexandra Delano

Sobriety; racism; spirituality in music; acceptance; the influence of his Indian heritage; his love of Indian mythology; and lots of humor.   Utkarsh Ambudkar (The Mindy Project, Pitch Perfect, Barbershop: The Next Cut, Free Guy, Marry Me) is a professional actor, writer, rapper and musician.  A South-Asian American of Indian descent, born in Maryland to immigrant parents who are both progressive scientists as well as quiet practitioners of prayer, Utkarsh possesses a unique perspective on spirituality and culture.  He is also charming, funny, kind, quick-witted and thoughtful, which makes for a delightful and insightful episode between these two old friends (who met on the set of the film Rocket Science 15 years ago). Utkarsh has done a great deal of positive self-reflection, and he speaks reverently about the spiritual growth and awareness he has achieved after giving up drugs and alcohol and articulating and accepting a loving God-force into his day-to-day.  He speaks about the different religious worlds both in India and the U.S. that have been available to him throughout his upbringing, and yet somehow were never imposed upon him.  He speaks about his love and proclivity for music and rhyme, what that meant to him growing up, and what it means to him today.  And he also makes Nick laugh many times throughout the episode, the loudest of which probably came after he revealed to Nick what his quiet, loving God-voice said to him after his cable went down.  It's a beautiful episode, and I hope you enjoy it.   Utkarsh is a successful and prolific independent musician, with two new albums set to drop in the next six months or so.  Find him at the following link, or wherever you get your music:  Utkarsh on Spotify Also, Utkarsh mentions how his grandmother is a practitioner of Jainism.  Here's a link describing some of the basic tenets of the Jain belief system: Jainism at a Glance   Utkarsh's Instagram: @utktheinc Utkarsh's Twitter: @utktheinc   Official Website: nicholasdagosto.com Instagram: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow Twitter: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow  LinkedIn: Nicholas D'Agosto  Music by Sean Whalen, Art by Alexandra Delano

Cancer survivor (twice!); her mothers' last moments and words; her fathers' difficult last years; the importance of live theater; a new purpose born of survival; and Jin Shin Jyutsu.   Kitty Swink (The Fosters, Crossing Jordan, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Patty Hearst, In The Mood) is a professional actor, and Co-Artistic Director of The Antaeus Theatre Company (where I am a member).  Kitty opens a window for us into her nuclear family, and the extraordinary pairing that was her father and mothers' marriage.  With deep affection, charm and lots of humor, Kitty tells about her mothers' final days, spent at home in the embrace of her loving family.  What is captured in her telling is the poignant, sweet, authentic, hilarious, ludicrous, magical and mysterious nature of the final moments of a human life.  Kitty opens up about the complexities of her fathers' last years too, as well as her own brushes with death, having now been a cancer survivor twice over.  It is a sublime hour, spent in reverence for life, and in meditation on what gives it meaning.     Kitty speaks about a healing art that she credits, alongside the work of her oncologists, with saving her life after cancer and bringing her back to full health: Jin Shin Jyutsu  At one point, Kitty tells a heartwarming story about me and one of her dear friends and mentors who passed away in 2013: Joe Ruskin   Kitty's Facebook: Kitty Swink Kitty's Twitter: @KitSwink Kitty's Instagram: @kittyswink   Official Website: nicholasdagosto.com Instagram: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow Twitter: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow  LinkedIn: Nicholas D'Agosto  Music by Sean Whalen, Art by Alexandra Delano

Overcoming regret; second chances; Living in Truth; purpose in art; and the transformative power of theater.   John Apicella (The Call of the Wild, Seinfeld, Freaks and Geeks, Twin Peaks, Friends, The West Wing) is a professional actor, and a fellow (and founding) member of The Antaeus Theatre Company (which is how we met).  John opens a window for us into his childhood and early adulthood from the vantage point of the man grown wiser from that lived experience.  In turns sweet and sad, and always compellingly honest, John shares the regrets he has, and the remorse he feels, for some early mistakes he wishes he could take back.  But what emerges from the painful process of taking responsibility for his past actions is an artist with an ethos oriented toward "Living in Truth", and a man whose spirituality is framed by love, connection, and community.    John has a deep love for the transformative power of theatre, and here is a link to an article about one of his favorite playwrights and activists: The great Václav Havel    At one point, John delights me by introducing me to an old profession which was still around when he was a kid in Chicago: The Ragpicker   John's Facebook: John Apicella   Official Website: nicholasdagosto.com Instagram: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow Twitter: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow  LinkedIn: Nicholas D'Agosto  Music by Sean Whalen, Art by Alexandra Delano

Transgender female artist/activist reflects on suicide, addiction, shame in the church; the discovery of her true self; and the privilege of authenticity and a loving perspective.    Joslyn DeFreece (Strange Angel, Daily Show, Comedy Central, CNN) is an actor, writer, and Trans activist.  Joslyn tells a heart-wrenching and deeply compelling story about the evolution of her life, her spirituality, and her transgender identity.  It is a story marked by moments of extraordinary pain, fostered in part by the shame she endured from the community around her as she struggled to fit what made her "different" into the norms of her society.  Her battles with suicide, addiction, and depression thankfully give over to a life filled with healing artistic expression, self-confidence, love and hope.  It is an absolutely remarkable and inspiring conversation, and I cannot express enough how grateful I am for her willingness to share so openly and vulnerably about her life, her faith, and her transition.  It is a wonderful and powerful (50th) episode.        Here are some links to definitions regarding some key gender terms: Cisgender Transgender Non-Binary Joslyn performed in the inaugural "Pride Players" show (now celebrating 21 years!) in Omaha, NE at The Rose Theater.  Here's their link: Pride Players    Joslyn's Instagram: @joslyn.defreece  Joslyn's Twitter: @defreecejoslyn  LGBTQ Instagram: @lgbtq   Official Website: nicholasdagosto.com Instagram: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow Twitter: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow  LinkedIn: Nicholas D'Agosto  Music by Sean Whalen, Art by Alexandra Delano

Fractured childhood with Muslim father & Catholic mother; faith as social justice; activism; silence & reconciliation; and her love for her Boyle Heights community.   Fatima Djelmane Rodriguez is the Executive Director of Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times, a non-profit charity which works to create a positive, long-lasting impact on children with cancer and their families by providing fun, safe, cost-free, year round camp programs.  And since September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, there couldn't be a more fitting guest for this week's show. Fatima reveals a spiritual journey that has always had faith at the center of it, but which found its' ultimate expression in causes of social justice and activism rather than traditional dogma or religious academia.  She also has a marked grace, calm, and sense of humor as she unveils what is at times a tumultuous and fractured childhood.  Born to a Father of Muslim faith, and a Catholic Mother, a religiously-minded Fatima not only had to navigate the complexities of that faith dichotomy, but act as the go-between for parents who divorced before she entered high school.  She speaks about the years of silence between her father and herself, and their ultimate reconciliation on matters of faith.  And she talks about her love for being a part of a profession focused on healing and connection, and how much it means to her to have found her beloved community and home in Boyle Heights.      Here are links to a few Boyle Heights institutions that are dear to Fatima's heart: Dolores Mission Church  Proyecto Pastoral Homeboy Industries   Fatima's Instagram: @fatima_d   Official Website: nicholasdagosto.com Instagram: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow Twitter: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow  LinkedIn: Nicholas D'Agosto  Music by Sean Whalen, Art by Alexandra Delano

Christian faith deconstruction; divorce; his mothers' death; therapy, and becoming a therapist; honesty; and his new novel.     Jeff Newburg is a therapist, a lifelong artist, and an old friend of Nick's from their days in a Meisner acting program back when they were in their twenties.  Jeff's latest creative focus has been the completion of his first novel - Shame Baseball - which tackles Christian faith deconstruction.  Jeff at one time identified as an Evangelical, and Born Again Christian.  Through an immense amount of personal work and growth, and illuminated by fatherhood, his mothers' death and his recent divorce, Jeff has left his previous Church home and embarked on an entirely new life journey.  It's an extraordinary share, confident and vulnerable and kind, and there's even a moment so unexpected and sincere it knocks Nick for a loop.  It was a genuine joy and honor to reconnect, and listen to his story.     Here's where you can buy Jeff's book!: Shame Baseball (There will be an audiobook too!) And here's a link to the Johnny Cash song Jeff and I talk about in the episode: If I Give My Soul (written by Billy Joe Shaver, from the Unearthed Box Set)   Jeff's Twitter: @JeffNewburg Jeff's Instagram: @JeffNewburg Jeff's Official Website: Jeffrey Newburg   Official Website: nicholasdagosto.com Instagram: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow Twitter: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow  LinkedIn: Nicholas D'Agosto  Music by Sean Whalen, Art by Alexandra Delano

Champion pro golfer on purpose and leadership; retiring mid-round!; rejection; and her new book "Trust: Understanding My Why".   Deb Richard is a five-time LPGA Tour Champion, an executive coach, a philanthropist, the CEO of Burlap Leaders, and the author of "Trust: Understanding My Why," which translates the lessons of golf into successful pathways in leading.  Deb is deeply passionate about inspiring people to realize their inherent value and discover a purpose in life that is focused on helping others as much as it is spiritually self-enriching.  Driven in her youth by an overwhelming desire to achieve her dream of becoming a champion golfer, she could not have foreseen that it was the very achievement of that dream that would lead to a transformation of her life's purpose and values.  Deb tells the story of the dramatic moment when she retired from professional golf, as well as the painful experience that came not long after her retirement when she realized she would have to leave the LPGA completely, and embark on an entirely new personal and professional life journey.  It's an inspiring listen, full of enduring faith outside of any religious context, and it was an honor to listen to her journey.   Here is a link to the charity youth camp in Rochester, NY, that made such a transformative impression on Deb as a young golfer: Rochester Rotary Sunshine Campus   Deb's LinkedIn: Deb Richard  Deb's Twitter: @BurlapDeb   Official Website: nicholasdagosto.com Instagram: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow Twitter: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow  LinkedIn: Nicholas D'Agosto  Music by Sean Whalen, Art by Alexandra Delano

The burden of Pentecostalism; racism; success in Hollywood; divorce; separation from his children; his renewal of faith and hope; and his love for his Omaha, Nebraska home.   Randy J. Goodwin is a professional television and film actor (Showtime's "Fast Track", UPN's "Girlfriends", Greys Anatomy, 911, American History X), as well as a writer, director and producer.  He's also a man of deep faith, with a long spiritual journey that at times represented his greatest obstacle, and at others his greatest source of strength.  Raised in a Pentecostal Church in Omaha, Nebraska (Randy and I are both alumni of Creighton Preparatory School), Randy's early dreams were stonewalled by the overbearing rules laid down by his faith community.  Today, after two divorces, a tragic separation from two of his children, and having finally severed ties with that negative early church influence, Randy is more content and creatively inspired than at any point in his life.  It is a passionate and heartfelt story, full of surprising twists and turns.  It was an honor to be on the ride.     Here's an in depth article explaining the historical value and meaning of the family-owned barbershop Randy mentioned in the show: Goodwin's Spencer St. Barber Shop  Here's an article about "The Tragic Title Fight That Changed Boxing", which was an inspiration for Randy's movie "The Job": Kim Duk-Koo v. Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini And finally, here's a link to Saddleback Church, home of Pastor Rick Warren, where Randy is a faithful member: Saddleback Church     Randy's Instagram: @randyjgoodwin   Randy's Official: rjgood.com   Official Website: nicholasdagosto.com Instagram: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow Twitter: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow   Music by Sean Whalen, Art by Alexandra Delano