Ep. 155 Benjamin Perry and Cantor Sharon Brown-Levy: How Do Our Emotions Draw Us Closer to God?

This week, conversations about emotions and music, and how both are necessary to bring us closer to God. Benjamin Perry, author of "Cry, Baby: Why Our Tears Matter" encourages us to rethink how we view crying. Steve chats with Benjamin Perry about his new book "Cry, Baby: Why Our Tears Matter," published by Broadleaf Books, May 2023. Ben Perry's work focuses on the intersection of religion and politics. Their writing can be found in outlets like The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Slate, The Huffington Post, Sojourners, Bustle and Motherboard and he has appeared on MSNBC, Al Jazeera, and NY1. They hold a degree in psychology from SUNY Geneseo and a Masters of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary. In the second half of the show, Steve connects with Cantor Sharon Brown-Levy from Kol Ami, the Salt Lake-based Jewish Conservative and Reform Congregation. Cantor Brown-Levy discusses how she became a cantor and the importance influence of her parents in her religious and musical life.