Kansas City Oasis

About the speaker: Garrett S. Griffin is a political writer, activist, and author. He was born in Kansas City, studied at Missouri State University, and earned a graduate degree in history education from Rockhurst University. He formerly worked with special needs students in Grandview, Missouri, where he currently lives. You can find all his writings at gsgriffin.com. *By participating in this event, you agree to abide by the Oasis Code of Conduct (https://www.kcoasis.org/about-oasis/code-of-conduct/).  

*By participating in this event, you agree to abide by the Oasis Code of Conduct (https://www.kcoasis.org/about-oasis/code-of-conduct/).

Helen Austen is President/Co-Founder of the Oasis Network and Executive Director/Founder of Kansas City Oasis. as well as a social entrepreneur, community organizer and national speaker. She holds a master’s degree in Human Services and a graduate certificate in Professional Counseling. With a vision for an alternative to faith-based community, Helen founded Kansas City Oasis in early 2014. In response to a growing demand for Oasis communities in other cities, Helen co-founded and became the president of The Oasis Network, the affiliate organization that helps to launch and support Oasis communities across North America. Helen’s non-profit work has been featured in...

James Morgan is a former full-time evangelical pastor who de-converted after 20 years of systematic Bible study and church work. He now sells cybersecurity and lives a beautiful life with his wife, Michelle. Between them, they have seven children. *By participating in this event, you agree to abide by the Oasis Code of Conduct (https://www.kcoasis.org/about-oasis/code-of-conduct/).

Kathie is a Licensed Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist. She loves to travel and experience new cultures and different beliefs but Kansas City is home. Kathie has over 10 years of experience working with grief and loss in the mental health field. She worked extensively with adoption and infertility at a local adoption agency. Prior to that, she gained experience working with children and families at the Boys & Girls Clubs and working for the state to reunify family systems. Upon pursuing private practice, she found passion in bringing a level of authenticity, acceptance, and kindness to a...

Tricia Bushnell joined the Midwest Innocence Project in December 2013. Prior to coming to Kansas City, she served as clinical faculty at the Frank J. Remington Center’s Wisconsin Innocence Project, University of Wisconsin-Madison. There she supervised students in the investigation and litigation of innocence cases involving both DNA and non-DNA evidence. She also spearheaded a program to bring social work students into the criminal clinics. She speaks about this and her cases at the annual Innocence Network Conference. She earned her Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law, where she was an Arthur Garfield Hays Civil Rights and Civil...

Featured Speaker: Leo d'Entremont Community Moment: Melanie Bolinger Musical Guest: TBA Kids: Thank-You Day Leo d'Entremont is a biologist, Army veteran, EMT, published author and an avid karaoke singer who just happens to be a transgender man. His views on gender dynamics and sexism in western society are informed by the unique perspective of a person who has been treated as both female and male. He is currently working on a book about gender issues in America called "Other Side of the Fence." *By participating in this event, you agree to abide by the Oasis Code of Conduct (https://www.kcoasis.org/about-oasis/code-of-conduct/).

Featured Speaker: Marilee Harrison Community Moment: Lindsay Vanzandt Musical Guest: TBA Kids: Bubbles! About the speaker: Marilee Harrison graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in Psychology from the Wichita State University, and received a Master of Social Work Degree from the University of Kansas. She is retired from a career in psychotherapy, specializing in trauma and abuse issues. Her emergence from a fundamentalist religious background and clinical trauma experience augment her understanding of the harm inflicted on the vulnerable through the misuse of religion. She maintains an abiding commitment to social justice, equality, and secular community, and has acted...

Featured Speaker: Carrah Q, "Winter is Coming!" Community Moment: Will Manning Musical Guest: Seaforms https://www.facebook.com/SEAFORMS/ Kids: Indoor obstacle course Welcome to the joy of winter!!! How do you feel about the cold, dark and bare season? Were you taught that sunny is good and cloudy is bad? This season has so much to offer us in the way of connection and inner growth. The Old Traditions in Pagan circles give us great wisdom in how to approach winter from a personal empowerment perspective. This talk will explain the Pagan Wheel of the Year and how it reflects the human journey...

Featured Speaker: Mike Aus, "The Real Christmas Story" Community Moment: TBA Musical Guest: Clearly Guilty https://www.facebook.com/ClearlyGuilty/ Kids: Surprise happy notes Mike Aus is the executive director and founder of Houston Oasis, and the co-founder and director-at-large of the Oasis Network. A native of Baltimore, Maryland, and a graduate of the University of Michigan, Mike spent four years teaching English in Japan and then nearly 20 years as a pastor. After realizing he could no longer affirm the dogmas of religion, Mike came out as a nonbeliever on MSNBC’s “UP With Chris Hays” in March 2012. After that, Mike and some others...