The Misfit Amish

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
 

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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