God & Other Delicacies

Joslyn DeFreece

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

Fatima Djelmane Rodriguez

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

Jeff Newburg

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

Deb Richard

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

Randy J. Goodwin

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

Joshua Martinez

His mothers' paranoia; her life as a traveling evangelist, exorcist and faith healer; a sad and shameful discovery; the separation and ultimate reconnection with his father; Josh's evolution of faith, and his journey of forgiveness.
  
 
A commercial, music video and short film producer for over 15 years (Elton John, Paul McCartney, Kelly Clarkson, Gatorade, Google, Beats by Dre, "Atlanta", "Neighbors"), Joshua Martinez has one of those stories that's almost too incredible to believe.  Telling it for the first time ever publicly, Josh's story is enthralling, mystifying, heart-wrenching and hopeful.
 
 
Josh's mother is a faith-healer, exorcist, and preacher who moved her family constantly throughout his youth, interpreting her dreams as literal messages from God which often told her to begin her ministry again in a new place.  Her dreams told her many other things too, things that it took Josh years to unravel and understand.  It is an astounding life journey, and Josh tells it compassionately, openly, kindly, and with forgiveness.  It is an honor to share it with you, and it's not one to miss.
 
 
Josh was raised in the world of televangelists.  Here are links to videos of the preachers he mentions in the show:    
Benny Hinn  
Kenneth Hagin  
John Osteen  
& Kenneth Copeland (a Covid-19 classic)  
 
 
Josh's Official Website: producedbyjosh.com  
Josh's Instagram: @joshmartinez83    
 
 
Official Website: nicholasdagosto.com  
Instagram: @nicholasdagosto  
Twitter: @nicholasdagosto  
Music by Sean Whalen, Art by Alexandra Delano

Michael Jedrzejewski

Living with terminal brain cancer; thanking God for every day of his life; how all we can control is our reaction to an event; finding sobriety as a younger man; a spiritual connection with his Grandmother; and the fullness of every day.
 
Michael J. has worked primarily as a television, film and stage writer (Drunk History, Dog Bites Man, Viral on Full Screen, the original Vice Studios), but he also has two graduate degrees (University of Michigan and Pepperdine University), has worked as a tour guide in Rome, started his own theatre company in Los Angeles with friends, and speaks fluent Polish (he moved to the States with his parents when he was two years old).  Michael shares about how his Grandmother introduced him to the idea of God, what it was like to be an immigrant and only child born to parents who were also both only children, and how he found sobriety.  But the event that stopped time for him, and is now the dominant and guiding force of his life, was his diagnosis with brain cancer in 2016. 
 
To be the listener on the receiving end of Michael's story, as he reflected openly on the journey and state of his life, was a genuine honor.  His sincere and humble message of gratitude for each day of life we are given is profoundly moving, and the wisdom he shares regarding how our power resides only in our reaction to life events is deeply impactful.  This conversation meant a great deal to me.  I hope you'll find it equally as resonant.
 
Michael has honed a skill I very much desire - the consistent production of the perfectly hard-boiled egg.  Someday I will be the student to his master, and learn his ways.  Until then, here's a recipe that'll probably get you close enough: Hard Boiled Eggs
 
Michael J's Facebook: Michael Jedrzejewski
 
Official Website: nicholasdagosto.com
Instagram: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow
Twitter: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow  
Music by Sean Whalen, Art by Alexandra Delano

Eric Blume

The challenges of being gay in the Catholic Church; his difficult relationship with his father; processing his husband's cancer diagnosis; candid discussions with his mother about religion; and why comedy is more than just laughs. 
 
Eric Blume (Writer/Director/Producer at Comedy Central, Netflix, truTV, Funny Or Die!, Cartoon Network; Commercial Director for J. Crew, L'Oreal, Axe) is the guest this week, and he and Nick are old friends, having met doing promotional stuff on Comedy Central for FIRED UP (a long time ago).  Eric was raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as a Roman Catholic, although he doesn't practice the tradition today.  He has affection for his Catholic education, and a loving relationship with his mother who still practices it, but Eric shares that he just never really connected deeply with the faith.  Nor did he appreciate the rejection and judgement from the Church that came along with his being gay.  Eric opens up about his difficult relationship with his father, the scare he went through when his husband David was diagnosed with cancer, and why comedy is more than just laughs.  Eric is funny, irreverent, kind, generous and revealing throughout the conversation, which makes for a special episode.  It was a joy to dig in with an old friend.  
 
At one point we discuss the mystery of the Catholic Trinity, and the difficult to discern nature of the Holy Ghost/Holy Spirit.  Here's a link that emphasizes the Holy Spirit as being a God-person: Who Is The Holy Spirit? 
Looking for a deeper dive?: Explaining the Trinity
And here is a link to works by the poetry professor Eric speaks of warmly in the episode: Bruce Weigl
 
Eric's Official Website: theericblume.com
Eric's Instagram: @theericblume
 
Official Website: nicholasdagosto.com
Instagram: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow
Twitter: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow  
Music by Sean Whalen, Art by Alexandra Delano

Krysta Rodriguez

A diagnosis of breast cancer at 30 years old; her physical and spiritual transformation; growing up an Orange County Christian; stories from Broadway and Hollywood; and the dawning of her self-realization, independence, and new life perspective.  
 
Actor, singer and Broadway star Krysta Rodriguez (Stage: In The Heights, The Addams Family, First Date, Spring Awakening... Screen: Smash, Chasing Life, Quantico, Daybreak) generously hops on the phone with Nick from her place in New York City, and she tells a powerful story about her evolution of faith, and the physical and spiritual transformation she undertook after battling breast cancer at just 30 years old.  Nick and Krysta became friends during their time on Trial & Error together, but they actually met a few years before that on a pilot, just a few months before Krysta would get her cancer diagnosis.  It's an extraordinary journey to listen to, and Krysta is funny, honest, raw, revealing and self-assured as she confidently guides us through her faith and doubt, the centering existential threat of cancer, and the self-revelations of her survival.  It's an absolute honor to share her story with you.
 
At one point, Krysta speaks about the blog she wrote regarding her year battling cancer.  Here's the link: ChemoCouture  
And here is a link to a powerful interview with Krysta (fit with a tweet and picture of the two of us from Trial & Error) where she talks about what womanhood means in the face of cancer and chemotherapy: TheBreastCancerSite.com   
Finally, and gleefully, here is the link to an episode of the Christian Kids' TV show that Krysta performed on when she was oh so young: Colby's Clubhouse (Note: I chose this one because Krysta has the starring storyline of the episode, even though the film quality is gritty; but there's a wealth of great Krysta stuff all over these episodes, and it is delightful to watch how her talent stands out next to her peers.)  
 
Krysta's Instagram: @krysta_rod
 
Official Website: nicholasdagosto.com
Instagram: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow
Twitter: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow  
Music by Sean Whalen, Art by Alexandra Delano

John Bobek

Spirituality in music; the death of his mother; his father's life with Parkinson's Disease;  the Fibonacci Sequence; how everyone who has ever lived still exists in some form on Earth today; and discovering new things about old friends.
 
Nick's dear friend, John Bobek (A Series Of Unfortunate Events, American Crime, The West Wing, singer-songwriter), visits the show this week, and he shares about the spirituality he finds in music, his father's battle with Parkinson's Disease, and the loss of his mother eight years ago.  Nick and John met as theatre students at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and their friendship has blossomed over the 15+ years they've spent together in Los Angeles.  The easy familiarity of the conversation reflects that, but that doesn't mean Nick wasn't surprised by many of the new things he discovered about his old friend.  It's a deeply heartfelt episode, full of love and affection for life and family and art, and it's an honor to share his story with you.  (p.s. Be sure to stay for the Easter Egg at the end of the episode to learn how John got his nickname...) 
 
John's been making beer bread.  Here's a link to a recipe: NYT Cooking
At one point, John shares about his affection for a brilliant mathematical discovery (from the Middle Ages) regarding patterns in everyday life and nature... here's a link: The Fibonacci Sequence
John is inspired by the idea that energy cannot be created nor destroyed and, because of that, a part of everyone who has ever lived still exists in some form on Earth today.  Here's a link to an article that speaks to this idea, and the comfort it may provide: The Physics of Death
Finally, I used to do a goofy YouTube series with my buddy, Evan Gaustad.  Here's a link to an episode that featured John: Unhistorical Skypenactments
 
John's Instagram: @jonbonjobek
John's Bandcamp for Music: John Bobek
John's Twitter: @johnbobek
 
Official Website: nicholasdagosto.com
Instagram: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow
Twitter: @nicholasdagosto #GodsDelicateShow  
Music by Sean Whalen, Art by Alexandra Delano