About Elia & Marshall

Elia Singer (they/them) is the co-host of the Wonder Queer Podcast. They are a teacher who has worked with teenagers, adults and youngins in three countries. Their students include the incarcerated, the underhoused, new immigrants, adults getting high school diplomas, and working class - intercity teens. They are also an Interfaith/Interspiritual Minister. Elia will get their ten year Al-anon chip this year, has held many service positions and sponsors two fabulous queer sponsees. Elia finds their Spiritual community in Al-anon fellowship, One Spirit, The Church of Religious Science (Oakland) and their Judaic ancestry. They are currently training as a hospital Chaplain.

Elia grew up in the projects north of Toronto, Ontario (Jane-Finch Corridor) with their dad, a first generation Jew, and their Protestant mother who was blantantly and consistently anti-semitic. It is this deep schism that informed both their passion for social justice and their spirituality. After many years of digging deep, asking for help and seeking they are deeply grateful to be out of the murk.

Elia also loves being part of the Wonder Queer Podcast and Queering the Way Course because both offer people a chance to let go of confusing and painful messages and divinely tap into bigger, more loving and joyous places.

Marshall K Hammer (she/they) is one of the two hosts of the Wonder Queer Podcast. She is a Reiki Practitioner who works with animals and people and an Interfaith/Interspiritual Minister. She also served on the NC Chapter Board for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and facilitates monthly support groups for those who have lost loved ones to suicide. Marshall is a grateful leader and recipient in her 12 Step Fellowship, Adult Children of Alcoholics & Dysfunctional Families. She finds her spiritual community there and at One Spirit. Marshall is currently facilitating a spirituality topic group at a local addiction recovery center.

Marshall grew up in the southwestern part of Virginia, called “the Bible Belt.” Though she experienced bright spots in religious community, she was skeptical of the overwhelming messages that seemed to say access to God was lost to those who are gay. She has spent years recommitting to her spiritual path, rejecting the notion that queer folx can’t have spirituality. Marshall loves being part of the Wonder Queer Podcast and Queering the Way Course because they offer people a chance to shed false and hurtful messages and divinely tap into what actually works for them.