Episode 394

with Megan Phelps-Roper, Joe Kwaczala, Xiomara Torres, and Chastity Brown

Host Luke Burbank and announcer Elena Passarello write their respective epitaphs; Megan Phelps-Roper, writer and former member of the Westboro Baptist Church, recounts how she left the notorious hate-driven cult and found the path of redemption; comedian Joe Kwaczala pokes fun at online dating as a short man; Xiomara Torres recounts how she became a Multnomah County judge after aging-out of foster care; and singer-songwriter Chastity Brown performs "Boston."

Megan Phelps-Roper
Writer

Megan Phelps-Roper has learned to say no to the haters. In 2012, the writer and activist split from the notorious Westboro Baptist Church – the church that was founded by her grandfather, Fred Phelps. She details her decision to take action and overcome divisions in her searing memoir UNFOLLOW: A Memoir of Loving and Leaving the Westboro Baptist Church. She’s spoken about her departure widely on Twitter (which she credits with allowing her to have conversations with other people that opened her eyes), radio, and in her own TED Talk, which has been viewed over eight million times. She’s a model of what can happen when you start listening to others and start changing your beliefs – from hate to love. Website • Twitter

Joe Kwaczala
Comedian

Comedian Joe Kwaczala will rock your world. Originally from Pittsburgh, he started doing comedy in Chicago and has now made his way over to Los Angeles. Chosen as one of Comedy Central’s “Up Next” Comics to Watch in 2017, his Comedy Central Stand Up Presents half-hour special will air on the channel this year. He’s performed across the country, written for The Onion News Network, Clickhole, and MAD Magazine, and in 2018 released thirty-one sketch comedy videos in one day. In addition to his comedic work, Kwaczala knows everything about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and has a podcast about it called “Who Cares About The Rock Hall?” Website • Twitter

Xiomara Torres
Judge

Judge Xiomara Torres has lived a dramatic and uplifting life thus far. Born in El Salvador, Torres immigrated to the United States as a child, went through the foster care system, and attended the University of California, Berkeley, before earning her law degree at Lewis and Clark. The first in her family to attend college, Torres interned with U.S. District Court of Oregon Judge Anna Brown and worked in Washington, DC for Senator Conrad Burns of Montana and Congressman Esteban Torres (no relation) of California. Following law school, Torres worked as a judicial clerk at a firm in Portland, representing indigent juvenile clients before being named to the bench in 2017. Website

Chastity Brown
Singer-Songwriter

Chastity Brown grew up surrounded by country and soul. Based in Minnesota with roots in Tennessee, she played saxophone and drums and found her passion for music while attending a gospel church. Following a chance encounter with a white supremacist prior to one of her shows, Brown was inspired to write the song “Mad Love,” a statement of pride that serves as an anthem for forgiveness and self-acceptance. Brown’s style of melding folk, roots, and soul music with topical and resonant lyrics makes her music the sound of our current times. Listen • Twitter