"Ok, I'll Go First".

From the moment I started this project, I knew I wanted to reach out personally to clergy so I could give them a voice, hear their stories, and let them know they weren't alone. I've enjoyed moving the conversation forward and highlighting how clergy often feel alone in their struggles.

Now I want to give those clergy a voice directly. The next phase of the Don't Swim Alone Project will be a podcast. I'll be interviewing clergy and the people who have promised to support them. But this presents a real challenge. How honest can a priest be about their struggles when those struggles may be coming from the people they serve or who supervise them? How open will they feel to hold the Church as a whole accountable? I've decided that to find out, we have to try. We have to have the courage to be honest so that real change can happen.

My belief has always been that I won't ask others to do something I am not prepared to do first. So the first interview on this podcast will be me. My good friend and podcast partner, the Rev. Dave Marshall, agreed to interview me so viewers and interviewees can know what to expect.

I hope that you enjoy hearing my story. And if any of my story resonates with you, I hope you'll consider coming on the podcast.