The Power of Presence: TransSOCIAL, My Sistah’s House & First Baptist Memphis
In this unforgettable episode of The Culture Shift Tour, hosts Brent Roberts and Sharon "Rocky" Roggio take listeners on an emotional and inspiring journey through Memphis, Tennessee. Arriving in the city with no local connections, they embrace the unexpected, leading to a series of powerful encounters that weave together history, advocacy, resilience, and cultural transformation.
This episode not only amplifies the voices of changemakers but also explores the cultural and historical significance of First Baptist Church of Memphis. Brent and Rocky reflect on the church's complex social landscape, emphasizing the importance of community, advocacy, and challenging cultural norms.
Listen Now and Be Inspired
Listen to Episode 7 of The Culture Shift Tour and be inspired by the incredible stories of Bridget Daniels, Kayla Gore, Carol Richardson, and Skip Howard.
Their voices and stories are a testament to strength of character, leadership, and the transformative power of connection.
A Moment of Serendipity at First Baptist Church
One of the most moving and unexpected moments unfolds at First Baptist Church, where cinematographer Eliot discovers a personal connection to the historic site. This serendipitous realization weaves together the past and present, adding depth to the episode and underscoring the spiritual interconnectedness of their mission.
Powerful Conversations with Changemakers
1. Bridget Daniels – TransSOCIALBridget Daniels shares her journey of advocacy through TransSOCIAL, an organization dedicated to supporting the transgender community with education, resource accessibility, and social support. In a heartfelt conversation, Bridget discusses:
The challenges faced by the transgender community in the South.
The power of visibility and representation in creating a more inclusive society.
How TransSOCIAL is bridging gaps and building safe spaces for marginalized voices.
2. Kayla Gore – My Sistah's HouseKayla Gore, co-founder of My Sistah's House, talks about her mission to create housing security for TLGBQ communities in Memphis, particularly transgender women of color. Her passion and advocacy shine through as she discusses:
The Tiny House Project, providing safe, permanent housing for vulnerable transgender individuals.
How My Sistah's House serves as both a community hub and a sanctuary, offering emergency housing and holistic support.
Her personal journey of strength and her vision for a more inclusive Memphis.
3. Carol Richardson – First Baptist ChurchCarol Richardson shares her groundbreaking journey as the first female pastor at First Baptist Church in Memphis, one of the city’s oldest and most historically significant institutions. Her leadership symbolizes progress and inclusivity within the Baptist community.
Breaking Historical Barriers – Carol reflects on the cultural and social implications of her role, challenging long-standing norms and inspiring future generations of female leaders.
Empowering Women in Leadership – Her story resonates as a powerful example of courage and change in a traditionally male-dominated space.
4. Skip Howard – Historian and ArchivistSkip Howard, the dedicated historian for First Baptist Church, takes listeners on a journey through time, preserving the church’s rich history and its role in shaping Memphis.
Preserving Cultural Legacy – His work as an archivist underscores the importance of storytelling and historical preservation in maintaining cultural continuity.
Connecting Past and Present – Through his narratives, Skip bridges generational gaps, ensuring the legacy of First Baptist Church remains vibrant and relevant.
#CultureShiftTour #Podcast #Memphis #TransSOCIAL #MySistahsHouse #FirstBaptistChurch #CarolRichardson #SkipHoward #SocialChange #CommunityImpact #Serendipity #CulturalChange #JourneyWest #Inspiration #RealTalk #HumanConnection
This episode demonstrates to the power of faith, community, and the beauty of unplanned connections. Join Brent and Rocky as they continue to challenge cultural norms and inspire meaningful change, one city at a time.
For more about the historical impact of First Baptist Church in Memphis, visit this article.
Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!
From the creators of the award-winning documentary, 1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture.
Hosts Brent Roberts and Sharon “Rocky” Roggio recap The 1946 Culture Shift Tour Across America in a 9 Episode Web-Series / Podcast. Check it out! www.1946themovie.com.
@mybrokerbrent https://www.instagram.com/mybrokerbrent/
@rockyroggio https://www.instagram.com/rockyroggio/
Crew - Filmed, Recorded and Edited by: Eliot Sandusky Peterson @eliotpeterson https://www.instagram.com/eliotpeterson/
Special Guests:
Kayla Gore - https://www.mshmemphis.org/
Bridget Daniels - https://transsocial.org/
Skip Howard - https://historic-memphis.com/memphis-historic/churches/churches.html
Carol Richardson - https://goodfaithmedia.org/profiles-in-goodwill-carol-richardson-cms-22509/
Mentions:
Matthew Shepard - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Shepard
Judy and Dennis Shepard -
Mikah Meyer https://www.mikahmeyer.com/documentary
Molly Wheat - https://www.instagram.com/tinybirdwings/
Rev. Dr. Catherine Spangler Kimmel - https://fbcmemphis.org/rev-dr-kathryn-kimmel-first-sunday-as-a-senior-pastor-at-fbc-memphis/
Second Chronicle 7:14
Psalm 40
Mount Olive Cathedral - https://www.mountolivecme.com/
Church Sponsors: First Baptist Church of Memphis - https://fbcmemphis.org/
Supported by UNCUT STUDIOS DTLA and Making Things Right the series amplifies marginalized voices and celebrates the resilience and unity of LGBTQIA+ communities.
UNCUT STUDIOS DTLA https://www.instagram.com/uncutstudiosdtla/
Step into a studio unlike any other, designed for bold visions and endless creativity.
Making Things Right http://makingthingsright.org/
Making Things Right is an initiative that seeks to rethink the Christian response and responsibility to LGBTQ+ people. You might be a friend or a parent of an LGBTQ+ individual, trying to reconcile your love for them with your beliefs. You may be a church leader looking for better ways to navigate an often divisive dialogue. For anyone weary of the debates and looking for more productive conversation, visit makingthingsright.org to learn more.
Love, Resilience, and the Fight for LGBTQIA+ Rights in Birmingham
In this emotional second part of Episode 6, Brent Roberts and Sharon "Rocky" Roggio continue sharing their transformative journey with 1946 Road Trip Team through the South, landing in Birmingham, Alabama. Known for its complex history of racial and social justice, Birmingham becomes the backdrop for deep conversations about love, activism, and the ongoing fight for LGBTQIA+ rights.
The episode features a heartfelt visit to the Unitarian Universalist Church, where Reverend Julie Conrady and her community create a safe, affirming space for queer individuals. We hear about a moving Glitter Blessing ritual, a powerful moment of healing and affirmation for those whose faith has often been a source of trauma. The episode highlights the power of inclusion, as Julie shares her journey from a sheltered upbringing to becoming a champion for LGBTQ+ rights, even in the face of criticism and adversity.
Alongside personal stories of coming out and living authentically, we hear from Ford Knox and Rodney Blaylock, a couple who traveled from Tennessee to join the crew. Their journey, from growing up in conservative environments to finding strength in their love for each other, provides a poignant reflection on the resilience it takes to live openly in a world that often misunderstands them.
The episode also addresses the dangers of Christian nationalism, as the team grapples with the misuse of religious texts to justify discriminatory policies. With heartfelt discussions and candid reflections, the crew challenges the political climate that threatens LGBTQIA+ rights, offering a hopeful message of unity, love, and a call to action for equality.
From heartfelt interviews to raw personal stories, Episode 6, Part 2 is a testament to the power of love, faith, and activism in the face of fear and division. Join the 1946: The Culture Shift Tour as they continue their journey, reminding us all of the importance of standing up for what is right—and that, no matter our differences, we are all worthy of love and dignity.
Winning Hearts and Awards: A Culture Shift in the South
Episode 5: Traversing the South and Embracing CommunityIn this episode, the team reflects on their journey through key southern states, including Louisiana, Florida, Mississippi and Arkansas. The adventure begins with a challenging road trip plagued by RV tire issues and extreme heat weather challenges, highlighting the resilience and humor needed on the road. Stops included a vibrant stay in Baton Rouge, where the team experienced the warmth of the community, explored the LSU campus, and enjoyed interactions with TikTok fans and local audiences.
The team’s mission to foster understanding was evident during screenings and Q&A sessions. They encountered audiences eager to challenge preconceived notions and embrace new perspectives on faith, sexuality, and identity.
In Pensacola, a highlight was engaging with the Stamped Film Festival and meeting advocates passionate about creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ individuals. The team celebrated powerful moments of acceptance, such as the support offered by “Mama Bears” to an engaged lesbian couple whose conservative parents had distanced themselves.
Finally, Jacksonville surprised the crew with its affirming spaces, including Riverside Baptist Church, a standout for inclusivity within the Baptist denomination. A poignant moment involved reconnecting with old friends, blending personal histories with shared commitment to advocacy.
Interwoven throughout the episode were reflections on the evolving journey, the unexpected kindness encountered, and the affirmation of the power of storytelling to transform hearts. The team also celebrated another Audience Award win at the Reel Queer Film Festival, a testament to their impactful work.
Reel Queer:
Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival - https://hsdfi.org/
Shift Church:
https://shiftgnv.com/all-things-shift
Shift Happens Podcast:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/shift-happens/id1689054326
Stamped Film Festival:
https://www.stampedfilmfest.com/
Pensacola Little Theatre:
https://www.pensacolalittletheatre.com/
Wild Goose Festival:
https://wildgoosefestival.org/
WJCT jacksonville NPR Radio - First Coast Connect with Dan Scanlan
From the Creators of 1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture.
Hosts Brent Roberts and Sharon “Rocky” Roggio recap The 1946 Culture Shift Tour Across America in a 9 Episode Web-Series / Podcast. Check it out! www.1946themovie.com.
@mybrokerbrent https://www.instagram.com/mybrokerbrent/
@rockyroggio https://www.instagram.com/rockyroggio/
Special Guests: Jeff Glickman, Theatre Director and Kathy Holsworth, Artistic Director Pensacola Little Theatre
@unconventionalpastorpaul https://www.instagram.com/unconventionalpastorpaul/
@freemomhugs https://www.instagram.com/freemomhugs/
@realmamabears https://www.instagram.com/realmamabears/
Church Sponsors: University United Methodist Church, Baton Rouge, LA
University Methodist Fellowship Hall universitymethodist.org
Riverside Church at Park and King Riversidetogether.org
Pastors: Mary Mikell (Baton Rouge)
Rev. Adam Gray and Rev. Amber Kearney - (Jacksonville)
Venue: Pensacola Little Theatre - www.pensacolalittletheatre.com
Hosts: Sid Williams-Heath - executive@pensacolalittletheatre.com
Aurora Osborn - StampedFilmFest.com
Crew - Filmed, Recorded and Edited by: Eliot Sandusky Peterson @eliotpeterson
Supported by UNCUT STUDIOS DTLA and Making Things Right the series amplifies marginalized voices and celebrates the resilience and unity of LGBTQIA+ communities.
UNCUT STUDIOS DTLA https://www.instagram.com/uncutstudiosdtla/
Step into a studio unlike any other, designed for bold visions and endless creativity.
Making Things Right http://makingthingsright.org/
Making Things Right is an initiative that seeks to rethink the Christian response and responsibility to LGBTQ+ people. You might be a friend or a parent of an LGBTQ+ individual, trying to reconcile your love for them with your beliefs. You may be a church leader looking for better ways to navigate an often divisive dialogue. For anyone weary of the debates and looking for more productive conversation, visit makingthingsright.org to learn more.
"Roadside Heroes and Mama Bears: A Journey Through Texas"
In Episode 4, the team travels from Oklahoma to Frisco, Texas, encountering unexpected challenges and heartwarming moments. Their journey begins with an RV blowout just shy of the Texas border, leading to a serendipitous encounter with a fan of 1946 who becomes their roadside hero. This chance meeting underscores the profound connections sparked by the tour’s mission.
Arriving in Frisco, the team meets with members of the Mama Bears, a group founded by Liz Dyer to provide support and advocacy for moms of LGBTQIA+ children. Liz shares the group's evolution from a small Facebook community to a nationwide movement of over 40,000 members, championing love and acceptance in the face of adversity. The evening highlights the power of grassroots activism and the resilience of families fighting for LGBTQIA+ rights, especially in regions grappling with book bans and restrictive legislation.
The episode also explores the transformative hospitality of their hosts, Shannon and Fred Hammond, a formerly conservative evangelical couple who share their journey of questioning faith and embracing inclusivity. Their story reflects the larger cultural shifts taking place across America, as individuals and families reckon with their beliefs and choose love over division.
Through moments of personal connection, laughter, and advocacy, Episode 4 illustrates the tour’s central message: change begins with understanding, and every conversation has the potential to heal, inspire, and create ripples of transformation.
Hosts Brent Roberts and Sharon “Rocky” Roggio recap The 1946 Culture Shift Tour Across America in a 9 Episode Web-Series / Podcast.
@mybrokerbrent @rockyroggio
Web-Series / Podcast Synopsis
Six protectors of LGBTQIA+ rights embark on a courageous RV journey across the American South, challenging Christian nationalism and misinformation with a powerful message of equality, love, and hope
Crew - Filmed, Recorded and Edited by: Eliot Sandusky Peterson @eliotpeterson
Church: Grace Avenue United Methodist
https://www.graceavenue.org
Sponsor: Makingthingsright.org @briannietzel and @uncutstudiosdtla
1946 The Movie
Mama Bears
https://www.realmamabears.org/
Carter Lee (Transcendence)
Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5GIDPKNXhseGW10INmuNRd?si=SHDNOAiJT2SEw1Mhc_iNeA&pi=-HTA84oNTeuoO
Socials
https://beacons.ai/tr4n5c3nd3nc3
The Collective Voice Podcast - Rocky’s Episode
Houston Public Media
https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/tag/1946-the-mistranslation-that-shifted-culture/
Reel Queer Film Festival. https://reelqueerfilm.org/
From Oklahoma with Love: Free Mom Hugs and the Fight Against Conversion Therapy
From Oklahoma with Love: Free Mom Hugs and the Fight Against Conversion Therapy
In Episode 3, the team continues their journey, leaving Phoenix for Oklahoma City on a grueling 15-hour RV drive. Along the way, they bond over shared road trip challenges, humorous mishaps, and deep conversations about faith, family, and activism. The episode provides a heartfelt glimpse into their personal connections and the resilience that fuels their mission.
Once in Oklahoma City, the team reflects on their experiences at the Mayflower Congregational Church, where they received an overwhelming turnout of over 250 people. They engage with community members, including Sara Cunningham, founder of Free Mom Hugs (FMH), and Katrina Kalb, founding board member of FMH, a survivor of conversion therapy and an advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights. Sara shares her transformative journey from conservative evangelicalism to becoming a powerful ally for her gay son and the broader LGBTQIA+ community. Katrina recounts her harrowing experiences with conversion therapy and the profound impact it had on her life, ultimately inspiring her advocacy work.
The episode also addresses critical issues facing the region, including Christian nationalism and the controversial push to mandate Bible teachings in public schools. Pastor Lori from the Mayflower Congregational Church highlights the dangers of religious coercion and the importance of fostering inclusive spaces rooted in love and acceptance.
Through powerful interviews and candid discussions, the episode emphasizes the transformative power of love, education, and allyship in combating hate and misinformation, making Oklahoma a pivotal stop in their journey of hope and advocacy.
Free Mom Hugs is a nationwide movement of love, visibility, and acceptance for the LGBTQIA+ community, founded by Sara Cunningham. Through simple acts of kindness like offering hugs at Pride events, and broader advocacy efforts, the organization empowers allies to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community, aiming to restore family relationships and create a more inclusive world through education and visibility.
From Temecula to Phoenix: Stories of Advocacy, Allyship, and Hope
S1E2 - From Temecula to Phoenix: Stories of Advocacy, Allyship, and Hope
Episode 2 Summary: 1946: The Culture Shift Tour Podcast
In Episode 2, the team reflects on their first stop in Temecula, California, a city blending progressive and conservative influences. They recount their visit to the Temecula Methodist Church, where they connected with Rachel Dennis, a former evangelical pastor turned LGBTQIA+ ally. Rachel shared her personal journey, navigating her daughter’s coming out, confronting harmful theology, and ultimately choosing affirmation and advocacy over fear and church doctrine. Her story highlights the impact of community rejection, the toll it takes on LGBTQIA+ youth, and the transformative power of affirming love.
The episode also delves into the broader themes of allyship and activism, showcasing the importance of support networks like Mama Bears and Free Mom Hugs. The team recounts their logistical challenges, humorous moments, and emotional encounters, emphasizing the resilience and hope that fuel their mission. Rachel’s courage to advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights within her conservative community serves as a powerful example of personal growth and standing up for marginalized voices.
Through intimate storytelling and heartfelt dialogue, the episode underscores the tour's mission to inspire meaningful change and foster understanding across divides.
Christian Nationalism and LGBTQIA+ Rights
Hosts Brent Roberts and Sharon “Rocky” Roggio recap The 1946 Culture Shift Tour Across America in a 9 Episode Web-Series / Podcast.
As the 2024 election approaches, six advocates for LGBTQIA+ rights unite on a bold road trip to counter Project 2025, a political agenda aimed at eroding hard-won liberties. Traveling through the deep South, these individuals screen 1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture—an award-winning documentary that explores how biblical mistranslations have fueled discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community. They conduct voter registration events, inspire marginalized voices, and engage in open discussions about the power of activism and the importance of standing up for one’s rights.
Throughout their journey, they share personal stories of resilience, reflecting on fear, heartbreak, and the courage it takes to live authentically in a polarized America. From betrayals by the church to societal pressures, each story paints a vivid picture of life on the margins. However, their collective hope shines as they confront misinformation, conduct candid street interviews, and advocate for equality. They remind viewers that for too long, the Bible has been weaponized against marginalized groups, threatening women’s rights, reproductive freedom, voter rights, and LGBTQIA+ equality.
Host: Brent Roberts and Sharon “Rocky” Roggio with Unconventional Pastor Paul
@mybrokerbrent, @rockyroggio, @unconventionalpastorpaul
special guests, Sara Cunningham, Dan McClellan, BhamProgressive, Rev. Diane McGehee https://beringchurch.org/
@freemomhugs, @bhamprogressive, @maklelan
Filmed, Recorded and Edited by: Eliot Sandusky Peterson @eliotpeterson
1946: The Culture Shift Tour - Trailer
The creators of the award-winning documentary 1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted Culture announce an impactful new web series/podcast, 1946: The Culture Shift Tour, launching November 3, 2024, with nine bi-monthly episodes airing Sundays at 1 pm Eastern.
Debuting just before the 2024 U.S. presidential election, The Culture Shift Tour follows six LGBTQIA+ advocates on a 15-city road trip to screen the film, challenge harmful biblical interpretations, and foster community conversations on resilience, identity, and equality. Through powerful storytelling, interviews, and grassroots activism, the series confronts cultural divides, Christian nationalism, and rising threats to LGBTQIA+ rights.
Listeners can tune in for episodes filled with personal stories along the road, local insights, and practical tools for standing up to harmful narratives.