Sacred Rebel Voices is a podcast for courageous living.
Hosted by Jerry Zehr, Sacred Rebel Voices weaves together two complementary offerings:
Thought-provoking conversations with artists, authors, spiritual leaders, and culture-shapers, and short reflective meditations—Whispers of the Sacred Rebel—designed to ground, encourage, and awaken fierce love.
Across interviews and whispers alike, this podcast explores what it means to live with courage, compassion, and integrity when fear, division, and burnout feel ever-present. These are honest conversations and quiet moments.
When fear begins shaping how we see our neighbors, hearts slowly harden—and communities fracture.In this episode of Sacred Rebel Voices, I sit down with Erin Hoagland, Executive Director of the Center for Interfaith Cooperation in Indianapolis, to talk about polarization, interfaith dialogue, and how we build community trust in divided times.We explore: • Why fear narrows our vision• How curiosity disrupts polarization• Practical ways to engage across religious and cultural differences• What community healing looks like at the local levelThis isn’t a sentimental call for unity. It’s a grounded conversation about courage, faith, civic life, and staying open-hearted when suspicion feels easier.If you care about bridging divides, strengthening community relationships, or practicing interfaith cooperation in a polarized culture, this conversation is for you.
19 Mar 2026
Carrie Newcomer on the power of Music, Healing, and Real Transformation
Music can comfort us—but can it actually change us?In this reflective and wide-ranging conversation, Carrie Underwood explores the deeper power of music—not just as something that soothes pain, but as something that invites transformation.We talk about: • Why healing alone isn’t enough• The difference between emotional release and real growth• How faith and creativity intersect• What it means to move through hardship instead of just surviving itCarrie shares personal insight into how music has shaped her own journey—and how it can become a catalyst for courage, resilience, and deeper wholeness.In a divided and anxious world, this conversation asks a timeless question:Is music simply a balm… or is it a bridge to becoming someone new?If you’ve ever turned to a song in your darkest moment, this episode is for you.
12 Mar 2026
Jeff Worrell on Civility, Leadership and Courage- Project Civility
In a time when outrage is rewarded and division is profitable, what does real courage look like?In this conversation with Jeff Worrell, founder of Project Civility, we explore why civility is not weakness—but strength. From national polarization to local leadership, Jeff shares how courageous dialogue can reshape communities, restore trust, and invite people back to the table.We talk about faith, personal responsibility, and the quiet bravery required to engage those we disagree with. What does it mean to lead with humility? How do we model respect in a culture that thrives on conflict? And can civility become a movement rather than just a slogan?If you care about rebuilding trust, strengthening communities, and living with integrity in divided times, this conversation is for you.—Sacred Rebel Voices is a space for thoughtful conversations at the intersection of faith, leadership, and cultural renewal.Subscribe for more reflections on courage, compassion, and community.
6 Mar 2026
"More Than Magic- Ron Diamond on laughter ,Illusion, and the Joy That Heals"
Ron Diamond has spent over 35 years bringing wonder to audiences through magic, illusion, and mentalism — and with nearly 22,000 performances under his belt, his passion for joy is stronger than ever.In this conversation, Ron shares how magic is more than entertainment — it’s a pathway to laughter, healing, and human connection. We explore the discipline behind performance, the art of creating awe, and why play and wonder still matter deeply in a world that often forgets how to pause and smile.Ron’s lifelong motto captures the heart of his work:“The body heals with play, the mind heals with laughter, and the spirit heals with joy.”This episode is a reminder that magic isn’t just something you watch — it’s something you can live.Whether you love illusion, storytelling, or simply need a little reminder of joy, this conversation will leave you smiling.
27 Feb 2026
They Said It Wouldn't Work- The Mayor Who Built a City of the Future
What do you do when everyone tells you your vision for a city is impossible? In this episode, Jim Brainard shares how he turned a town of 25,000 into a global model for urban living by choosing beauty over bureaucracy."Jim reflects on the early resistance he faced, the courage required to invest in beauty and public space, and the deeper philosophy behind building not just infrastructure—but community. From roundabouts and arts districts to civic identity and long-term thinking, this conversation explores what it means to lead with imagination in a culture that often rewards short-term wins.This isn’t just a story about urban planning. It’s about moral vision, public trust, and the quiet rebellion of choosing patience, creativity, and hope in a world addicted to speed and spectacle.Jim’s journey reminds us that sacred rebellion doesn’t always look like protest. Sometimes it looks like planting trees, building plazas, and believing—year after year—that people deserve a more beautiful place to belong.
20 Feb 2026
"This Should Alarm Us All" Chaplain Fired After Speaking Out on ICE Detention
What is the cost of conviction? Elizabeth Diop served as a chaplain at Children's Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a gentle presence for children in crisis.
Then, she attended a rally for Ayman Soliman. Days later, she was out of a job.In this episode of Rebel Voices, Elizabeth talks about her mission at the Children’s Hospital, the interview that changed everything, and what happens when your professional world Collides with your personal conscience.
This is a raw look at the fallout of standing for what you believe in."
13 Feb 2026
He was detained by ICE for 73 days .Then the community spoke. The Ayman Soliman Story.
Ayman Soliman was a beloved chaplain at the Children's Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, until he was suddenly detained by ICE. For 73 days, his life and future were held in the balance—until his community decided they wouldn't stay silent.In this episode of Sacred Rebel Voices, we sit down with Ayman to hear the raw, untold story of his detention and the incredible power of collective action. This isn't just a story about the immigration system; it's a testimony of faith, resilience, and what happens when love refuses to back down.✨ Join the ConversationIf Ayman’s story moved you, please Like this video and Subscribe to our channel to help us amplify more voices of courage.Comment below: What does "sacred resistance" look like to you? We'd love to hear your thoughts on Ayman's journey.#immigration #justice #inspiration #sacred
13 Feb 2026
When Ministry Wasn't an Option: Diane Zehr on Calling and Courage
In this conversation, Diane Zehr reflects on what it means to answer a call when the path ahead is unclear—or when the door itself seems closed.Drawing on her own journey in ministry, Diane speaks honestly about calling, courage, resistance, and faithfulness, and about what it takes to keep saying yes when the world (or the church) says no.This is part of Sacred Rebel Voices, a series of conversations with people who embody fierce love, moral courage, and quiet resistance in a fearful world.If this conversation resonates, you’re invited to listen slowly—and to consider where your own calling may be asking for courage.New conversations are released regularly.If you find meaning here, consider subscribing or sharing with someone who might need this today.#SacredRebelVoices#spiritualcourage #ministry #womeninministry
26 Jan 2026
Fierce Love in a Fearful World
When fear is loud, and division feels inevitable, fierce love can feel like the most daring choice of all.
In a time shaped by anxiety, polarization, and uncertainty, love is often mistaken for softness or retreat. Yet the love our world most needs is not passive—it is courageous, grounded, and willing to stay present when fear urges us to harden or withdraw.
This Whisper of the Sacred Rebel is an invitation to return to fierce love—not as sentimentality, but as a steady, resilient commitment to compassion, truth, and shared humanity.
We reflect on what it means to choose love that listens deeply, stands firmly, and refuses to surrender to fear.
This is a short reflection meant to be received slowly—perhaps with a breath, a pause, or a moment of stillness.
You don’t have to meet fear with force. You can meet it with love.
22 Jan 2026
Calling the Bluff: What Poker's Greatest Director Matt Savage Can Teach us About Life
What does it take to create order in a world of high-stakes gambling and "wild west" rules? Today on Sacred Rebel Voices, we sit down with a true legend of the game: Matt Savage, the Executive Tour Director of the World Poker Tour (WPT). Matt didn’t just join the poker world; he revolutionized it. From his humble beginnings as a chip runner to becoming the man who literally wrote the rules of modern poker, Matt’s story is one of persistence, integrity, and the courage to challenge the status quo.In this episode, we "call the bluff" on the poker industry to uncover universal lessons about leadership and human nature. Whether you’ve never held a deck of cards or you’re a seasoned pro at the final table, Matt’s journey from the floor to the Hall of Fame offers a masterclass in how to lead with transparency and why "standardizing the game" is a metaphor for life.In this interview, we explore:The Rebel Journey: How Matt transitioned from the entry-level "chip runner" role to the industry's most respected authority.Changing the Game: The birth of the Tournament Directors Association (TDA) and the uphill battle of convincing the world that poker needed a standard set of rules.Integrity Under Pressure: How he handles the weight of being the ultimate arbiter in a world where millions of dollars are on the line.The Human Element: Why Matt remains dedicated to helping recreational players feel comfortable and welcome at the table.Connect with Matt Savage:Twitter: @SavagePokerWorld Poker Tour: WPT.comSubscribe to Sacred Rebel Voices for more interviews with the people who have the courage to change the rules of the game.#MattSavage #WPT #Poker #Leadership #SacredRebelVoices #WorldPokerTour #Integrity #CareerJourney
22 Jan 2026
Civility Without Silence: Alexandra Hudson on Courage, Conviction, and the Soul of Democracy
In this episode of Sacred Rebel Voices, Jerry Zehr sits down with Alexandra Hudson—author of The Soul of Civility and founder of Civic Renaissance—for a thoughtful conversation about what civility really means in a fractured public life.Rather than politeness or silence, Alexandra invites us to consider civility as courage: the willingness to engage across difference without surrendering conviction, dignity, or truth.
Together, Jerry and Alexandra explore how civility can become a form of moral resistance, a practice of fierce love, and a way of showing up faithfully in a fearful world.
This conversation is part of Sacred Rebel Voices, a series of deep, reflective dialogues with thinkers, artists, and leaders who are reimagining what it means to live with courage, compassion, and integrity today.
19 Jan 2026
The Courage to Live Your Own Story
In a world that often rewards conformity and silence, living your own story can feel risky—even dangerous. We learn early which parts of ourselves are welcome, and which parts are safer to hide or leave unexplored.
This Whisper of the Sacred Rebel is an invitation to live from your own truth—not to perform it, defend it, or prove it, but to inhabit it with honesty and courage.
We reflect on what it means to honor your lived experience, to make choices that align with who you truly are, and to trust that your story is still unfolding.
This is a short reflection meant to be received slowly—perhaps with a breath, a pause, or a moment of stillness. You don’t have to live your story all at once. But you don’t have to live someone else’s either.
15 Jan 2026
The Man Who Planned to Bomb a Mosque- and Then Joined it (The Richard McKinney Interview
What happens when a man fueled by 25 years of combat rage and a deep-seated hatred decides to build a bomb to destroy a local mosque? For Richard "Mac" McKinney, that was the plan—until he walked through the doors of the Islamic Center of Muncie and met the very people he intended to kill.
In this episode, I sit down with Richard McKinney, the subject of the Academy Award-nominated documentary Stranger at the Gate. Mac shares the raw, unfiltered details of his transition from a U.S. Marine struggling with PTSD and Islamophobia to a man who eventually converted to Islam and became the president of the mosque he once targeted.
Key Topics We Discuss:
The "Recon" Mission: The day he walked into the mosque with a hidden agenda, he was met with a life-changing welcome.
The Transformation: What it felt like to have his prejudices dismantled by simple acts of kindness.
Life After 'Stranger at the Gate': How he handles his past today and his mission to bridge divides in a polarized world.
If you’ve ever wondered if genuine change is possible for someone lost to extremism, this interview is a must-watch.
12 Jan 2026
When Letting go is the Strongest Choice- Whispers of the Sacred Rebel
In a world that rewards control and constant effort, surrender is often misunderstood as weakness. This short reflection invites you to consider a different truth: that real strength sometimes begins when we loosen our grip.
In this Whisper of the Sacred Rebel, we explore strength in surrender—learning when to release what we cannot carry alone, and how letting go can open us to trust, freedom, and quiet courage.
Take a breath. You don’t have to hold this all by yourself.
8 Jan 2026
Becoming the First: Faith ,Courage and a Woman's Yes- Rabbi Sandy Sasso
Rabbi Sandy Sasso is one of the first women ordained as a rabbi in American Judaism and the first woman rabbi in Reconstructionist Judaism. But this conversation is not simply about being first—it’s about what it takes to listen deeply, to trust an inner call, and to step forward when no clear path exists.
In this episode of Sacred Rebel Voices, Jerry Zehr sits down with Rabbi Sasso to explore faith, courage, and awareness—how awareness of self, tradition, and the sacred can open new possibilities for leadership, inclusion, and blessing.
Together, they reflect on the cost and gift of breaking barriers, the role of compassion in moments of resistance, and what it means to live a life of faithful presence in a changing world.
This is a conversation for anyone who has felt called beyond what was expected of them—and chose to say yes.
5 Jan 2026
Joy as Rebellion
In a world that often feels heavy and exhausting, joy can be a quiet act of resistance.
This short reflection invites you to pause, breathe, and reconnect with joy as a source of courage, healing, and hope.
25 Dec 2025
An Invitation to Courageous Living
In this brief opening, host Jerry Zehr shares the heart behind the podcast and invites listeners to join a journey of courage, compassion, and hope.
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