The Friary – Details, episodes & analysis

Justin Telthorst joins The Friary to talk faith, sexuality, and what it means to love a Church that often doesn’t know what to do with you. A gay Catholic and former missionary, Justin founded Empty Chairs to create space for LGBTQ+ Catholics to stay rooted without compromising their dignity. In this honest and hope-filled conversation, we explore spiritual resilience, why he hasn’t left the Church, and how healing begins when we make room for every soul at the table.

Website: Empty Chairs - https://www.empty-chairs.org/

Instagram: @emptychairshome

Keywords: LGBTQ Catholic, faith and sexuality, inclusion, Church change, Empty Chairs, Franciscan spirituality, spiritual belonging, Justin Telthorst, pastoral care

Can you stay rooted in a faith tradition even when you disagree with some of its teachings? What does it mean to follow your conscience and still be faithful?

In this episode, Brother Jay talks with Salina Bear: a Catholic feminist, lay theologian, and content creator about the complex and often misunderstood role of conscience in the life of faith. Together, they explore what it means to honor tradition without surrendering the call to think, question, and grow.

From Salina’s own journey into Catholicism to her bold engagement with feminist theology and moral discernment, this conversation invites listeners into a deeper reflection on belonging, obedience, and the spiritual life beyond fear.

Whether you're Catholic, curious, conflicted, or somewhere in between, this episode offers space to wrestle with your own questions—and maybe even make peace with them.

About our guest:

Salina Bear is a Catholic feminist, lay theologian, and content creator whose work centers on passionate exploration of Catholic tradition. She writes at the intersection of contemplative faith, feminist theology, and creative living, with a particular commitment to combining love of tradition with critical thinking. With bold honesty and deep inquisitiveness, Salina gently invites fellow believers out of fear and into spiritual formation. When she’s not reading papal documents, she’s probably rearranging her furniture, sipping an iced coffee, playing Baldur’s Gate 3, or getting lost in a very large fantasy novel. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and their cat, Blue. Find her on TikTok @salina.bear and on Substack @salinabear.

Is it possible that God is showing up... where you least expect it?

In this gentle and slightly mischievous episode of Neon Alchemist, Brother Jay takes us on a contemplative stroll through sidewalk violets, kitchen sinks, cab rides, and even a Taco Bell — yes, really — to explore the idea that the whole world might be sacramental.

Rooted in the earthy spirituality of St. Francis, the poetry of Mary Oliver, and a good dash of holy humor, this episode invites you to notice the sacred in the overlooked and ordinary. Along the way, you'll hear short stories of surprise encounters with grace, reflections on what a sacrament really is, and a reminder that sometimes God doesn't kick the door down... sometimes God just quietly rises through the cracks.

If you've ever felt a flicker of holiness in a weedy garden, a hospital hallway, or a spoonful of lentils, this one's for you.

In this tender reflection, Brother Jay shares his quiet return to the Christian path through sacred rhythms, the Daily Office, and the healing mystery of the Eucharist. For anyone who has wandered, wondered, or felt too far from faith, this episode offers a gentle invitation to come home—not with certainty, but with peace. You were never lost. The table was always set. And you are already welcome.

What if the wilderness isn’t punishment, but invitation? In this episode, we wander through the spiritual landscapes of uncertainty, doubt, and dryness—those seasons when the old compass stops working and the path disappears beneath our feet. Drawing from Jesus’ 40 days in the wilderness, the wisdom of mystics, and our own very human struggles, we ask: What happens when we stop trying to get somewhere and just let the wilderness do its work?

This is for anyone who's feeling spiritually stuck, tired, or in-between. There’s wisdom here, in the sand and silence. You’re not lost—you’re being reshaped.

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This episode explores what happens after spiritual deconstruction—when the dust settles and the work of rebuilding begins. With warmth, wit, and honesty, it reflects on how faith can be reclaimed, reimagined, and reconstructed without shame or fear. For anyone navigating a new spiritual path or finding beauty in old truths with fresh eyes, this episode offers insight and encouragement.

What does it mean to follow Jesus in a Sufi way? In this episode of Neon Alchemist, I sit down with poet and beekeeper Chris Isa Muscat, whose journey is shaped by the mystical heart of God. We explore his spiritual path, the wisdom of Sufi and Christian mystics, and how love and longing fuel the search for the Divine. Tune in for a deep, soulful, and poetic conversation.

In this episode the Neon Alchemist interviews Luke Bricker, a former pastor who grew up in evangelical mega-churches. Bricker recounts his journey of deconstructing his inherited faith. He discusses his early beliefs, teenage rebellion, and the experiences that led him to a different understanding of Christianity and spirituality. The conversation explores his transition from traditional evangelicalism to a more interspiritual perspective, touching on topics like his views on Jesus, spiritual practices like meditation, and his current work in spiritual direction. Bricker also shares insights on navigating deconstruction, including its impact on relationships and community.

Bricker is currently a minister of the Current Collective which can be found at https://thisiscurrent.org

What exactly is a spiritual coach, and how does coaching help people navigate life’s toughest challenges? In this episode, Neon Alchemist sits down with Tamisha Arrendell, a spiritual coach specializing in working with men and relationship dynamics. From breaking unhealthy patterns to finding deeper connection and purpose, we explore how spiritual and life coaching works, why it’s not just therapy with incense, and how real transformation happens when people are ready to do the inner work. Insightful, engaging, and maybe a little uncomfortable (in the best way)—this is a conversation you don’t want to miss!

An Ash Wednesday service with a casket at the center sets the stage for this episode on Lent, mortality, and the unexpected pull back toward Christianity. Exploring the history and traditions of Lent with humor and honesty, this episode dives into the struggle of returning to faith after past wounds—why it’s terrifying, why it’s compelling, and why the smells, bells, and Jesus himself just won’t let go. A mix of deep reflection and lighthearted storytelling, this is Lent like you’ve never heard it before.