Bermuda has a new podcast, Crockpot Convos, which last month stirred the pot with an episode on faith.

It’s a family affair – my nieces Selita Daniels and Chelsea Crockwell and I launched it as a no-judgment, safe space where topics of personal and community relevance could be discussed.

The conversations are casual and encourage open and respectful dialogue.

“Juanae, Chelsea and I have always had inspiring conversations and we all share a passion for empowering others,” Selita explained. “We have different perspectives on many topics, which generate these amazing thought-provoking conversations.

“One day I thought, why not share these with the world.”

Once it was decided that we would go forward with the idea Selita purchased a few simple tripods and microphones.

We then began filming right in the dining room of our family homestead where many thought-provoking, real-life conversations have taken place through the years.

The episode on faith was our fourth. It aired on July 6 and was an opportunity for us to express our differing views on God and religion and share our personal journeys into faith. The feedback from the episode has been rewarding and supportive and we hope that it encourages people to search their own hearts to truly understand why they believe and practise what they do – or why they don’t.

“We decided to clear the air about faith early because it is one of the many topics where we all differ and our faith will be displayed in many of the conversations that we have, as faith is the foundation of many of our opinions and certainly of our beliefs,” Selita said.

Added Chelsea: “It’s important for the people engaging in our conversations to understand the root or the why of where our thought process and experiences derive from and why we have such differing perspectives.”

The three of us Crockwell girls were raised with strong Christian influences – specifically a Seventh-day Adventist background – and attended the Bermuda Institute for most of our education. However, as adults our faith has evolved and taken different shapes.

Selita describes herself as a “follower of Jesus”. In our podcast she explains that while she is a baptised Adventist, her faith is less impacted by religion and more about her personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Chelsea shares these sentiments, but further identifies herself as a Seventh-day Adventist and a “Biblical commandment keeping” Christian.

I am the “wild card” among the trio. While I do believe in God I no longer identify with any specific doctrine or belief system. My understanding is that religion is as much a cultural phenomenon as it is a spiritual one; I find value in learning and honouring the truths of various beliefs.

Acknowledging that our current positions on faith are a direct result of our individual life experiences, the three of us also shared how we have arrived where we are.

There were tense moments in the episode as we discussed our differing ideas of creation, the origin of religion and raising children in faith – although a complicated dialogue, it did not cause any ill feelings between us.

Selita believes our mutual love and respect is what allows us to be able to have such difficult chats without compromising our relationship.

“We definitely have a strong love and respect for each other. We can agree to disagree when necessary and there is never any love lost.”

Chelsea agreed.

“We genuinely love each other in the Biblical meaning of love. Although we may not always agree, I know the advice they share with me and support me with is always with my best interest at heart, and vice versa. I trust these ladies. They are not just my family, sisters, they are my best friends, and in my truth-telling tribe.”

New “Convos” drop bi-weekly and the hosts go live every other Tuesday to talk with subscribers about the latest topic and answer questions. To date, the podcast has covered purpose and breaking down social standards of beauty. There has also been a special Father’s Day episode and an episode on grief in memory of the late Shawn Crockwell.

Our hope is to grow the podcast and continue to share and engage the community and inspire others to sit down and have hard conversations, with love. Catch up on the faith episode here: https://youtu.be/AojvPDK90tc. Follow Crockpot Convos on Instagram and YouTube @crockpotconvos