Still Processing

Cait’s story is so honest and vulnerable, and full of wisdom. You will love her. Enjoy and share with others!Next gatherings: Schuyler Bailar, “Trans Inclusion, Radical Body Acceptance, and Mental Health,” Nov 5, Port 393, Holland, 7pm (6pm book signing), buy tickets; Nov 6, Fountain Street Church, Grand Rapids, 7pm (6pm book signing), buy ticketsPlease share the information for our next events, in Holland and Grand Rapids, with Schuyler Bailar, and please purchase tickets if you plan to attend either event. Get full access to Still Processing with Joshua Vis at www.stillprocessing.org/subscribe

Next gathering: “Escaping Patriarchy,” with Cait West, October 22, 6pm book signing, 7pm interview, Port 393, Holland, MICait West, our next guest, wrote this incredible memoir: Rift: A Memoir of Breaking Away from Christian Patriarchy. She also appeared in Kristin Du Mez’s short documentary on sexual abuse and control in the Protestant church. She is an inspiration.Last Thursday’s Still Processing was incredible. It was honest. It was profound. It was real. I’ll never forget it. You will love it, because you will love Britt Hartley.I highly recommend her first book, No Nonsense Spirituality: All the Tools, No Faith Required, as well as her upcoming book (March 2027), Everything is Stupid, the World is on Fire, and Nothing Matter: A Nihilist Survival Guide. In our time together, Britt referenced and explained a viral TikTok that she made. Here it is. Get full access to Still Processing with Joshua Vis at www.stillprocessing.org/subscribe

Next gathering: “No Nonsense Spirituality,” with Britt Hartley, Oct 1, 7pm, Port 393, Holland, MIPlease click here and get a ticket (they are free), if you plan to attend.I have shown you some of Britt’s more provocative takes over the years. She has shown a fearlessness in her work that I deeply admire. But Britt is also consistently kind, compassionate, and humble. You will love her. And she has so much to teach us about the importance of spirituality. Because even outside of religion, we need spirituality. Get full access to Still Processing with Joshua Vis at www.stillprocessing.org/subscribe

My dad and I had a conversation about the Hasan Piker controversy and American politicians’ cowardice and ignorance. Piker stated that the human rights violations of the state of Israel are making antisemitism much worse. Jewish Americans and others who vocally support and defend Israel are making the problem of antisemitism much worse. This is undoubtedly true, and it is also undoubtedly immoral to defend the state of Israel. Get full access to Still Processing with Joshua Vis at www.stillprocessing.org/subscribe

My dad and I sat down for a conversation instigated by the story of Julia Curlee, a former CIA analyst who was unceremoniously fired by the Trump Administration for being transgender. She’s an amazing person, one of our finest. We used clips from the two Bulwark podcasts listed below. You can also read this article that Julia Curlee wrote for the Atlantic.This one is for Subsribers only, I believe. Get full access to Still Processing with Joshua Vis at www.stillprocessing.org/subscribe

Marlin and I sat down to discuss the current political and cultural moment. We used some clips from an interview that Timothy Snyder, scholar of American history and author of On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century, had with Katie Couric. Here’s a link to that interview. Get full access to Still Processing with Joshua Vis at www.stillprocessing.org/subscribe

Next Gathering: “Author, Educator, and Storyteller, Matthew Eicheldinger” September 3, 7pm, Port 393, Holland, MIMuch thanks to Angela for her important work, and for coming to Holland to share it with us. We had a wonderful conversation.At one point, Angela mentioned seeing a TikTok that I made about Jesus and Mamdani, which went viral. Get full access to Still Processing with Joshua Vis at www.stillprocessing.org/subscribe

Here are the details for next week’s gathering: “Faith Deconstruction in Canada,” with Angela Bick, Aug 6, 7pm, Port 393, Holland, MISo I obviously had the phone pointed too far down, but that only affects things at the very end. Apologies. I decided to get a closer shot, and didn’t doublecheck it. My dad and I had a wonderful conversation. I hope you enjoy it. And finally, here is a definition of atheism that resonates with me right now. Get full access to Still Processing with Joshua Vis at www.stillprocessing.org/subscribe

Next Gathering (next week Thursday!): “Faith, Meaning, Acceptance, Freedom, Love, Fear, Control, Death,” with Josh and Marlin, July 23, 7pm, Port 393, HollandJoel and I discuss art, imagination, creativity, and more. Enjoy! Get full access to Still Processing with Joshua Vis at www.stillprocessing.org/subscribe

Next gathering details: “Creativity, Resistance, and Joy,” with Joel Schoon-Tanis, July 9, 7pm, Port 393, Holland, MIKate and I had a wonderful conversation on Michigan politics, national politics, Israel/Palestine, and immigration. It was a great night.Artist and activist, Joel Schoon-Tanis joins Still Processing on July 9. As we all struggle with meaning, hope, rage, sadness, joy, and helplessness, it is imperative that we look to art and creativity for inspiration. As the creative director of Still Processing, I have spent the last four years intensely reimagining myself and my relationship to reality, ultimately leading me out of Christianity and religion. Together, Joel and I will unpack our own creative processes and explain how imagination is critical for resistance and for a life of joy and purpose.Art is not a luxury, as Ethan Hawke powerfully explains. Get full access to Still Processing with Joshua Vis at www.stillprocessing.org/subscribe