The Misfit Amish

Coffee with James

Join us for a conversation with James Schwartz about his new book:The Golden Age of Trance: & other stories’ by James Schwartz! Paperback now available - amazon.com/Golden-Age-Trance-other-stories/dp/B0H9FVGP19/ Cities have no accommodations for Amish hitching rails. Joe tethered his horse and buggy several blocks from the gay bar. James Schwartz returns with his seventh book from Alien Buddha Press, following acclaimed titles such as Motor City Mix (2022) and AMISH ALCHEMY (2026). The Golden Age of Trance and Other Stories is a fearless collection that explores identity, memory, desire, and the complicated search for belonging. Whether set beneath the flashing lights of Chicago nightlife or the quiet isolation of rural America, these stories pulse with emotional honesty, sharp wit, and unforgettable characters who refuse to fit neatly into anyone else's expectations. Schwartz writes with compassion for outsiders while never looking away from the contradictions that make them real. A poet, slam performer, speaker, and author, James Schwartz is the Lambda Literary Award nominated author of The Literary Party: Growing Up Gay and Amish in America and a Pushcart Prize nominee whose work has appeared in numerous literary journals. Bold, heartfelt, and impossible to forget, this collection further cements Schwartz as one of Alien Buddha Press's defining voices. The Golden Age of Trance: and other stories Hosted by Mary Byler, Abe Troyer, Old Order Amish. Produced by The Misfit Amish 2026 Funded by our Patreon Subscribers Art by BJK and Mary Byler

Coffee and Conversations

Join us for a conversation with Belinda about the life experiences of women in minority communities. If you want to help someone in need, Cynthia could really benefit from the power of community. This is the link to donate: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-keep-... Hosted by Mary Byler, Abe Troyer, Old Order Amish. Produced by The Misfit Amish 2026 Funded by our Patreon Subscribers Art by BJK and Mary Byler

Coffee with Friends: Plain Communities Response to Child Abuse

Join us for a conversation with Bri Stoltzfus about Steve Stutzman, Strait Paths and Plain Communities responses to disclosure of child abuse. The blog: https://www.themisfitamish.com/post/c... You may find Bri on Facebook: / bri.stoltzfus.2025 or TikTok: / missbriforpresident Hosted by Mary Byler, Abe Troyer, Old Order Amish. Produced by The Misfit Amish 2026 Funded by our Patreon Subscribers Art by BJK and Mary Byler

Coffee with Friends: Weylin

Join us for a conversation with Weylin Unruh, author of The Godly Face of Narcissm. Weylin was part of the Church of God in Christ Mennonites. He left the church and several years later published a book that examines behaviors that were normalized, but under scrutiny become potentially harmful. You may purchase a copy of the book here: https://a.co/d/07k4jINv Substack: https://substack.com/@wunruh?utm_sour... Hosted by Mary Byler, Abe Troyer, Old Order Amish. Produced by The Misfit Amish 2026 Funded by our Patreon Subscribers Art by BJK and Mary Byler

Rumspringa with Remii

Join us for a conversation with Remii from an Old Order Amish group that did practice rumspringa. Remii discusses her experiences, including early teens, and shares how she escaped. Remii had some unique challenges and needed assistance to establish her identity outside of her Amish community of origin because she did not have a social security number when she escaped. You may find Remii: youtube @Remiifirefly tiktok: @remii728 Hosted by Mary Byler, Abe Troyer, Old Order Amish. Produced by The Misfit Amish 2026 Funded by our Patreon Subscribers Art by BJK and Mary Byler

Inside the Misfit Amish: Debunking Myths About Child Welfare

Hosts Mary and Barbie dissect a Psychology Today article on working with Amish families, calling out misinformation and harmful recommendations related to child abuse, reporting, and cultural assumptions. The episode highlights cultural misunderstandings—about affection, assertiveness, gender roles, and community authority—while urging better cultural competence, survivor-centered practices, and respect for Amish people as individuals.

• Transcript
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Gossip with Barbie: Suddenly Amish

In this episode, we will discuss the new reality TV show Suddenly Amish and our thoughts about it! Is it gossiping or sharing useful information? Join two non-practicing Amish people, Barbie and Mary for your bi-weekly gossip sessions. Let us demonstrate by example how to share gossip properly as we talk about our experiences with life in the community and in dominant culture America. Gossip, done the right way, is always done the Amish way! Produced by The Misfit Amish 2026 Art by MB Funded by our Patreon Subscribers

Coffee with Bri & Madison

Join us for a conversation with Bri and Madison. Bri was adopted into an Amish Mennonite home as a child. Madison was raised Catholic. Madison and Bri met at the same Wilderness Way Camp! Hosted by Mary Byler, Abe Troyer, Old Order Amish. Produced by The Misfit Amish 2025 Funded by our Patreon Subscribers Art by BJK and Mary Byler

Gossip with Barbie and Mary 3

In this episode, we chat about food, candy, the traditions we have developed around the holidays, and more. We lament the materialistic traditions around this Holiday season. Know that if you are struggling, despite the feeling of isolation, you are not alone. Is it gossiping or sharing useful information? Join two non-practicing Amish people, Barbie and Mary for your bi-weekly gossip sessions. Let us demonstrate by example how to share gossip properly as we talk about our experiences with life in the community and in dominant culture America. Gossip, done the right way, is always done the Amish way! Produced by The Misfit Amish 2025 Funded by our Patreon Subscribers Art by MB

Coffee with Friends: We're not Wrong, You Are!

Join us for a conversation about the new book co-authored by Rosanna and Mary, in which we, as non-practicing plain women, share and contrast our lives! https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G4G4M2W4 Hosted by Mary Byler, Abe Troyer, Old Order Amish. Produced by The Misfit Amish 2025 Funded by our Patreon Subscribers Art by BJK and Mary Byler

Gossip with Barbie and Mary

Is it gossiping or sharing useful information? Join two non-practicing Amish people, Barbie and Mary for your bi-weekly gossip sessions. Let us demonstrate by example how to share gossip properly as we talk about our experiences with life in the community and in dominant culture America. Gossip, done the right way, is always done the Amish way! Produced by The Misfit Amish 2025 Funded by our Patreon Subscribers Art by MB

Gossip with Barbie and Mary

Is it gossiping or sharing useful information? Join two non-practicing Amish people, Barbie and Mary for your bi-weekly gossip sessions. Let us demonstrate by example how to share gossip properly as we talk about our experiences with life in the community and in dominant culture America. Gossip, done the right way, is always done the Amish way! Produced by The Misfit Amish 2025 Funded by our Patreon Subscribers Art by MB

Coffee with Friends: Adoption and Plain Mennonites

Join us for a conversation with Shelli and Love'Asia, who were both adopted and raised by Plain Mennonites. They share their perspective as non-white women raised in plain homes. Hosted by Mary Byler, Abe Troyer, Old Order Amish. Produced by The Misfit Amish 2025 Funded by our Patreon Subscribers Art by BJK and Mary Byler

Coffee with Friends: Shunning Discussion

Join us for a conversation with Lauren and Eleanor about shunning. A research study is currently being conducted about shunning. If you wish to participate in the research study, the survey is available here: https://stopmandatedshunning.org/survey Hosted by Mary Byler, Abe Troyer, Old Order Amish. Produced by The Misfit Amish 2025 Funded by our Patreon Subscribers Art by BJK and Mary Byler

Coffee with Friends: Stop Mandated Shunning Research

Join us for a discussion about the Stop Mandated Shunning project. Our guests today are Monica Velin Rodriguez. Monica is a former Jehovah's Witness who stopped believing at age 40 and lost 75 family members and hundreds of friends upon exiting. Now, an activist against mandated shunning as a method of coercive control in faith-based groups. https://www.facebook.com/share/1R4nYd... Currently, there is a research study being conducted. If you wish to participate in the research study, the survey is available here: https://stopmandatedshunning.org/survey https://www.tiktok.com/@smshunning?_t... Link to court case discussed about Amish Bishops: https://public.courts.in.gov/Decisions/api/Document/Opinion?Id=Np-BN7bGobUpWXDlVOpuWhmyjR9A4OWkGGLCnIgLmMxGhU1UeJercdCngNT7oHol0 https://www.theindianalawyer.com/articles/amish-men-who-told-woman-to-vacate-protective-order-against-husband-lose-appeal-of-intimidation-convictions Hosted by Mary Byler, Abe Troyer, Old Order Amish. Produced by The Misfit Amish 2025 Funded by our Patreon Subscribers Art by BJK and Mary Byler

Plain Rainbows: Michelle

Join us for a conversation with Michelle who was raised in various Anabaptist groups and published a book about growing up with a seeker father joining these groups. Judas Girl read an excerpt here: https://michellestewartauthor.com/2025/05/04/exerpts-from-judas-girl-a-sneak-peek/ Hosted by Mary Byler, Abe Troyer, Old Order Amish, and James Schwartz. Produced by The Misfit Amish 2025 Funded by our Patreon Subscribers Art by BJK and MB www.themisfitamish.com

Coffee with Kristen Part 4

Join us for part 4 with Kristen with an in-depth conversation about developmental trauma and long term trauma effects and trauma informed care! Hosted by Mary Byler, Abe Troyer and Old Order Amish Produced by The Misfit Amish 2025 Funded by our Patreon Subscribers Art by BJK www.themisfitamish.com

Coffee with Kristen Part 3

Join us for part 3 with Kristen with and in depth conversation about developmental trauma and long term trauma effects and trauma informed care! Hosted by Mary Byler, Abe Troyer and Old Order Amish Produced by The Misfit Amish 2025 Funded by our Patreon Subscribers Art by BJK www.themisfitamish.com

Coffee with Kay, Grace and Joe

Join us for a discussion with 3 former plain Mennonite siblings who all left the church, the education they received, leaving and assimilating into dominant culture! Hosted by Mary Byler, Abe Troyer and Old Order Amish Produced by The Misfit Amish 2024 Funded by our Patreon Subscribers Art by BJK www.themisfitamish.com

Coffee with Friends: Do Mennonites Shun?

Join us for a panel discussion with a variety of Mennonite raised folks, to discuss whether Mennonites practice shunning or not! Learn more about mandated shunning here: https://stopmandatedshunning.org/ Hosted by Mary Byler, Abe Troyer and Old Order Amish Produced by The Misfit Amish 2024 Funded by our Patreon Subscribers Art by BJK www.themisfitamish.com