> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://the-wicked-truth.ghost.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Claiming a Place In Your Context
- URL: https://the-wicked-truth.ghost.io/claiming-a-place-in-your-context/
- Published: 2026-02-23T16:15:55.000Z
- Updated: 2026-02-23T16:15:54.000Z
- Description: Dr. Brian Ammons and I continue our conversation about Wicked, vocation, faith, art, embodiment, individualism, and the false gods that stand in the way of our vocations.
- Author: Suzanne Ross
- Tags: wicked musical, defying gravity, elphaba, queer theology, queer theory, mimetic theory, peacebuilding, conflict transformation, cynthia erivo, jesus christ superstar, faith and art

Once again, I'm joined by Dr. Brian Ammons for [Part 2 of our conversation on *Wicked* for *Third Things First!*](https://youtu.be/8DciTFw1aOc?ref=the-wicked-truth.ghost.io)

In this episode, Brian and I continue our conversation about *Wicked*, "Defying Gravity," and what happens when Elphaba’s story is read as a spiritual and vocational journey rather than as a solo rebellion anthem. 

Drawing on queer theory, ministry experience, and mimetic theory, we look at how the Grimmerie functions as a sacred text in Oz, and also as a communal tradition that *claims Elphaba* into its rushing current rather than simply empowering her to “go it alone.” We touch on how Elphaba’s otherness becomes a gift for seeing what others refuse to see, why defiance grounded in deeper truth is different from hyper‑individualistic resistance, and how the casting of Cynthia Erivo’s Elphaba (and even her Jesus Christ Superstar performance) reshapes questions of race, gender, power, and embodiment. 

Along the way, we reflect on how "false gods" contest our sense of vocation, and how we might build identities *with others* instead of *against our idols*.  
  
If you care about Wicked, theology, queer spirituality, or peacebuilding, this episode invites you to see “defying gravity” as a call into a larger, older, wiser community of hope!

🔗 You can learn more about Dr. Brian Ammons through his work at [The Porch!](https://www.theporchcommunity.net/coaching-spiritual-direction?ref=the-wicked-truth.ghost.io)  
📹 As always, you can watch this episode on [our YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/@thewickedtruthsr?ref=the-wicked-truth.ghost.io), or listen on [Spotify ](https://open.spotify.com/show/5g8nVbDX52iQPtyiF60rKR?ref=the-wicked-truth.ghost.io)and [Apple Podcasts!](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wicked-truth-third-things-first/id1872146191?ref=the-wicked-truth.ghost.io)  
👍 Wherever you watch or listen, please like, subscribe, comment, and share if you believe art can help mend our divided world!