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E*van*cynical - someone who has been let down by the evangelical church. Join us as we dive deep in to the stories of real, everyday people and how the church has let them down and where they are now in their spiritual journey. Join other "Cynics" at pa

Eric Schwartz


    • May 20, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 8m AVG DURATION
    • 110 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The evancynical's podcast is a must-listen for anyone who grew up in the evangelical church or is interested in hearing stories of healing and transformation. The host, Eric, brings a caring and listening approach to his role as a pastor, making this podcast a loving way to share faith. The courage of the storytellers and their hope for continued spiritual growth shines through in every episode. From stories of trauma and pain to stories of survival and celebration, this podcast covers it all.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is the wide range of stories and faith journeys that are shared. Each episode features raw and authentic conversations that delve into the formative experiences people have had with the evangelical church. Eric does a wonderful job interviewing his guests, providing them with a safe space to freely tell their stories without fear of judgement. This creates an environment where listeners can deeply resonate with many of the shared experiences.

    Another great aspect of this podcast is that it offers confirmation for those who have deconstructed their faith or found their own spiritual path. Hearing similar stories from others adds to the validation that individuals are not alone in their journey. Eric's hosting skills and genuine interest in learning make him an exceptional guide through these discussions.

    While there are no major drawbacks to this podcast, some listeners may find that it focuses heavily on critiquing the evangelical church rather than exploring other perspectives or practices within Christianity. However, this is not necessarily a negative aspect for everyone, as it provides an important platform for those who have been left with trauma, questions, and pain by the church.

    In conclusion, The evancynical's podcast is an extraordinary platform that paves the way for individuals to share their stories and find healing. Eric's compassionate approach as a pastor makes this podcast a loving way to explore spirituality and faith journeys. Whether you grew up evangelical or not, this podcast offers amazing stories of healing and transformation that will uplift listeners.



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    Latest episodes from evancynical's podcast

    Episode 106 - Susan Bradley

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2025 65:19


    My old friend stops by to discuss her unique journey in finding Christ through a campus ministry which may have been a cult. 

    Episode 105 - Geoffrey Roche

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 48:59


    Episode 103 - Salvation with Dr. Steve Simmons

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2025 71:15


    If Christianity is essentially a branch of Judaism, which does not have a notion of Heaven, Hell, or Salvation, how did we to a place whether you're in or you're out? That's what frequent guest Dr. Steve Simmons and I discuss in today's episode!

    Episode 103 - The Boys are Back Pt. 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 8, 2025 72:18


    Ryan, Mike, and I discuss what community looks like whether you're in the church or have left it. 

    Episode 102 - The Boys are Back!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 25, 2025 54:07


    For the first time in almost 4 years Ryan Keller, Mike Petrow, and I are back together! Listen in for a great conversation about what community looks like when you're in and have left the church. 

    Episode 101 - Regan Caruthers

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2025 51:15


    Regan and I discuss how Yogaic spirituality informs her Christianity!

    Episode 100 - Brian McLaren Returns!

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2025 39:09


    Author and speaker, Brian McLaren returns to discuss the future of the church in the light of recent cotroversies and the political climate. 

    Episode 99 - Marc Richter

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2025 65:29


    Old friend and fellow nerd, Marc and I discuss everything from Broadway week to his conversion back to Catholicism from Evangelicalism. 

    Ryan Keller Re-Release

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 28, 2025 79:24


    Even though I absolutely love every episode, I thought I would share one of my favorite conversations!

    Episode 98 - Alaina Hannah

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2025 69:57


    A special, mystery guest, but IYKYK! 

    Episode 97 - "Shame-Sex Attraction" with Lucas Wilson, PhD

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2025 79:24


    Lucas Wilson and I discuss his new book "Shame-Sex Attraction" which chronicles various painful stories of conversion therapy. Below is more info about the book.    "We are survivors. We were subjected to dehumanizing practices by people who sought our erasure. We believe telling our stories is both powerful and political. This edited collection brings together the experiences of those who have been subjected to queer conversion therapy - it is an effort to expose conversion practices for what they are - pseudoscientific, bogus, ineffective, and wildly traumatic - and to recognise and listen to survivors. With contributions from Gregory Elsasser-Chavez, Chaim J. Levin, Lexie Bean, Syre Klenke, and many more from across the LGBTQ+ spectrum - this is an attempt to ensure that what happened within these pages cannot - and will not - happen to future generations"   Find the book here

    Episode 96 - Author Liz Charlotte Grant

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2024 82:10


    Author Liz Charlotte Grant stops by to discuss her new book "Knock at the Sky: Seeking God in Genesis after Losing Faith in the Bible" amongst other evangelically stuff. Purchase the book below or from your favorite local book store!   Knock at the Sky: Seeking God in Genesis after Losing Faith in the Bible

    Episode 95 - "Cognitive Dissonance" with Austin Snover

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 3, 2024 82:01


    Episode 94 - Hope Found with Nate Smith

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2024 56:04


    My good friend Nate Smith, who you met on Episode 24, returns with a life update. He and I once again toy around with idea of starting a point/counterpoint about the merits and qualities of the Fast and the Furious franchise!

    Episode 93 - Heather Gorman and Mark Nelson

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2024 65:51


    In this episode Heather, Mark, and I discuss how golden retrievers are like Ted Lasso and more importantly their new book Lunchroom Theology.  "In a world fraught with polarization and division—where we form separate tables based on political beliefs, skin color, economic status, theological ideas, and personal preferences—can we find a way to live differently, more aligned with the ways of Jesus? In Lunchroom Theology, Heather Gorman and Mark Nelson confront our societal and theological rifts, and by weaving together scriptural and sociological insights, they expose the many ways our contemporary divisions are mirrored by the church today. Drawing extensively from the life of Jesus and the practices of his early followers, they propose a better way to live in the lunchroom. They beckon us to embody Jesus' John 17 prayer for oneness and to think faithfully and creatively about how to push tables together in our fractured world."   Click Here to Purchase Lunchroom Theology

    Episode 92 - Jessica Morris Returns Pt. 2!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2024 25:57


    Episode 91 - Jessica Morris Returns!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 8, 2024 71:14


    My good friend Jessica Morris shares some life updates specifically her perspective on church. 

    Ep. 90 - "What the Hell?!" with Sue Pizor-Yoder

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2024 54:26


    Sue returns to discuss one of the issues that leads to deconstruction and how we can practically interpret the doctrine of Hell. 

    Episode 89 - Flux Pt. 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2024 58:53


    Episode 88 - Flux Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 27, 2024 91:29


    In this week's episode, my guest Flux and I discuss how his mental health has impacted his perception of reality and where spirituality, neuroscience, and philosophy have helped him develop a model and framework for his life. 

    Episode 87 - Riddick Weber Returns

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 13, 2024 81:41


    In light of the Robert Morris scandal, Dr. Riddick Weber is back, to discuss how denominational churches differ from non-denominational in their approach to accountability for their pastors. 

    Episode 86 - Dr. Riddick Weber

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2024 83:02


    Dr. Riddick Weber, Moravian professor extraordinaire, stops by to discuss an observation he's made about deconstruction journeys, and how they are less about theology and more about soteriology(doctrine of salvation). 

    Episode 85 - James Powers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2024 92:32


    James and I discuss banana slugs, his time in the Orthodox Church, and his coming out after being in a straight marriage.

    orthodox church james powers
    Episode 84 - Pastor Robert Morris Scandal with Dr. Heather Evans

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2024 95:15


    Dr. Heather and I discuss the recent developments in the Robert Morris abuse scandal.     Below is a link to a very helpful interview, which we referenced, with Bob Hamp.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWawzm11P74

    Episode 83 - Jim Masessa

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2024 93:18


    Start this one off with a bang...actually a whisper. Jim and I make it through a recording snafu and finally discuss his history growing in mainline christianity, to his time in youth group with yours truly, and ultimately to a place of atheism. 

    Episode 83 - Rick Dobrowolski

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2024 65:28


    My good friend Rick Dobrowlski and I discuss the pros and cons of the megachurch movement. 

    Episode 81 - Dr. Heather Evans & Catherine Wallace

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2024 83:24


    My good friends, Dr. Heather Evans and Catherine Wallace discuss where the church has gone wrong in addressing mental health and how it can do it better. 

    Episode 80 - Johnny Walsh Returns!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2024 79:09


    The man that started it all, Johnny Walsh returns to chat where he is on his spiritual journey since we recorded the very first episode of Evancynical. 

    johnny walsh
    Episode 79 - Josh Scott

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2024 67:43


    Nashville pastor, Josh Scott and I discuss why people are afraid of faith shifts, why he still pastors, and his recently released book "Context".      https://www.amazon.com/Context-Putting-Scripture-Its-Place/dp/1791032095/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3APUSJKE6JFJV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.cMGkDRh3U8TDajze0gano7cb8Tby8GhSpnqj5KOf683wQY0UMGNx9Tw0DrYLBapiKw9HfjAm__F9L85qDdtjztNyOszhm4jw-vSWnNYvVoEmKm7qySBSKZgLOlJWHdLadbYKmmH9PG3c1Z1OXCEppBxDaK6-yVZIpaF6EZjN6BzW_zoOn5ntDcct9te6feIyKit62pVlkLasw3ZI7Jy2JA.1MAMNVHZh_u06fgQoUYFTqe3vWRVTQwK8vZSbnuxymI&dib_tag=se&keywords=josh+scott+context&qid=1712945324&sprefix=josh+scott%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-1

    Episode 78

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2024 22:04


    In this episode I chat with you about Matthew 18:20 and why Jesus is only present when there are two or three of you! 

    Episode 77 - Why Did Jesus Die?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2024 81:55


    Theologian in residence, Dr. Steve Simmons guides us through the  muddy waters of different atonement theories. 

    Episode 76 - Minisode - Am I a Cynic?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2024 12:34


    Episode 75 - Ryan Keller and Mystery Guest

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2024 81:43


    We discuss everything from empanadas, Voltron, and modern praise and worship culture. 

    Episode 74 - Cynthia Simmons

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 30, 2024 54:57


    What does a good church look like? That's what Cindy and I discuss, among other myriad of topics from a bit of purity culture to complementarianism(the idea women can't be pastors).

    cynthia simmons
    Episode 73 - Adam Fox

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2024 77:19


    Adam and I discuss our favorite Friends characters, speaking in tongues, mystery, and his journey of being in heterosexual marriage while struggling with his sexuality. 

    Episode 72 - Maria Greco and Rachel Grindle

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2024 58:05


    Maria, Rachel, and I continue our conversation about purity culture. 

    Episode 71 - Purity Culture with Maria Greco and Rachel Grindle

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 59:19


    The purity culture series continues as we discuss what is purity culture, their experiences, and its impact on young people. 

    Episode 70 - Jeremy Lau Returns

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2023 50:30


    Jeremy and I discuss purity culture, its spiritual ramifications, and his experience with it as he struggled with his sexuality. 

    Episode 69 - Megan Krueger

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2023 72:39


    Megan and I discuss purity culture and her experience of being in a marriage with a partner who was struggling with their sexuality. 

    Episode 68 - Naomi Quinones

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2023 88:51


    Naomi and I discuss growing up in the church, purity culture, her time in a toxic relationship, and how she finally escaped. 

    Episode 67 - Austin Greco

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2023 90:16


    My good friend Austin stops by(finally!) and we discuss his life as a pastor's kid, his time as a youth pastor working in an unhealthy environment, and being the lesser halves in our marriages. 

    Episode 66 - Sue Pizor Yoder and Steve Simmons

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2023 87:24


    Sue and Steve return to discuss their important book about religious "nones" and "dones",  Hear Us Out.   https://www.amazon.com/Hear-Us-Out-Questions-Belonging/dp/1506489192/ref=sr_1_1?crid=268QOKUK8PN56&keywords=hear+us+out+six+questions+on+belonging+and+belief&qid=1694095975&sprefix=hear+us+out%2Caps%2C126&sr=8-1 

    Episode 65 - The Secrets of Hillsong Ep. 3 Rewatch

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2023 71:21


    We start out this heavy episode with a riveting conversation about Christian education sports, the proper way to pronounce basil, and a plea to send me an email. 

    Episode 64 - Secrets of Hillsong Rewatch Pt. 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2023 65:06


    Heather, Maria, and I discuss our favorite coffee tumblers and episode two of The Secrets of Hillsong. 

    Episode 63 - Secrets of Hillsong Rewatch

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2023 81:48


    Dr. Heather Evans, Maria Greco and I discuss our takeaways from episode 1 of The Secrets of Hillsong. 

    Episode 62 - Jeremy Lau

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2023 74:50


    My good friend and I discuss his journey as a bisexual Christian and clobber verses used to marginalize gay Christians. 

    Episode 61 - Matt Mardis-Lecroy

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2023 70:36


    Matt and I discuss his upbringing in an evangelical denomination, how theology enlarged his faith, and the intersection of deconstruction and reformed theology. 

    Episode 60 - Dr. Steve Simmons Revisited

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2023 79:44


    Steve is back to discuss one of my FAVORITE topics...how to interpret the Bible!

    Episode 59 - Rachel Grindle and Maria Greco

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2023 75:43


    Rachel, Maria, and I chat about the ramifications of burning turkey bacon and more importantly, students are deconstructing their faith and how they are faring. 

    Episode 58 - Gloria Beth Amodeo

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2023 61:45


    Beth and I discuss her time growing up in a dysfunctional family, her conversion and ultimate deconstruction out of Evangelicalism, Star Wars(of course), and her new book God's Ex-Girlfriend(link below).   https://www.amazon.com/Gods-Ex-Girlfriend-Memoir-Leaving-Evangelical/dp/1632461471/ref=sr_1_1?crid=24BC85SDRXEZ6&keywords=god%27s+ex-girlfriend&qid=1683818838&sprefix=%2Caps%2C93&sr=8-1     

    Episode 57 - Father Andrew Stephen Damick

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2023 108:48


    Father Andrew and I discuss what drew him to Orthodox Christianity from the Baptist tradition, beauty, and Chick tracks(if you know, you know).  Here are some links to Father Andrew's work... https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-areopagus/id1227136686 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-lord-of-spirits/id1531206254 https://www.amazon.com/Introduction-God-Encountering-Orthodox-Christianity/dp/1936270994/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1682519951&sr=8-1 https://www.amazon.com/Bearing-God-Ignatius-Antioch-God-Bearer-ebook/dp/B077JGJLRB/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1682519951&sr=8-3 https://www.amazon.com/Arise-God-Gospel-Christs-Defeat/dp/1955890021/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1682519951&sr=8-4 https://www.amazon.com/Orthodoxy-Heterodoxy-Complicated-Religious-Landscape/dp/1944967176/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1682520242&sr=8-5    

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