God is Better Than You Think

Why are there so many narcisstic leaders in churches? Why do so many churches cover up scandal? Wade Mullen is an expert on crisis management in Christian organizations, and one of the ONLY people in the world who has actual research about the problem. There is a five minute run in this podcast that might be the most important moment on this podcast series so far. I really hope you listen. Love this podcast? Donate here! It gives me permission to take time out to keep doing it and also feed my family! https://venmo.com/Josh-PeaseAlso, buy Wade's book! https://www.amazon.com/Somethings-Not-Right-Decoding-Abuse/dp/1496444701

O. Alan Noble, hat-wearer, professor, author, and all around smart person, talks about mental health, our increasing disconnect from each other, and what being a "disruptive witness" looks like. We also laugh a lot. Buy Alan's book! https://www.ivpress.com/disruptive-witness Support this YouTube channel:https://venmo.com/Josh-Pease

Did you know the religious left was instrumental in passing the affordable care act? Did you know the predate the religious right by decades? All this and more with the amazing Jack Jenkins. Donate here: https://venmo.com/Josh-Pease Buy Jack's book: http://www.jackjenkins.me/american-pr... Find Jack on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jackmjenkins

The internet reception in this audio gets a little spotty, and there are a couple brief musical interludes while Becky bribes her kids to stay upstairs while she records. Apologies! Fresh off a move back to the U.S., Becky talks with me about how Christianity has misunderstood the science AND theology of emotions and has harmed many people in the process. BUT, the good news is that God is way more interested in our emotional world than we think.

Sheila talks about purity culture, how the book "Love and Respect" is harming people, how women can have more orgasms, whether sex toys are a good idea, and uses the "c" word more than a few times (no not that one, the other one). If you want to learn more about how to have a healthy sex life in your marriage, make sure you don't miss this episode! 5:00 - How Sheila got her start as the "sex lady." 7:45 - "We had terrible sex when we first got married." 11:40 - How we see God impacts our view of sex (complete with in detail discussion of women's anatomy) 18:55 - the prosperity gospel roots of purity culture 21:17 - what purity culture does to a women's self-image 25:00 - how the church stifles women's orgasms 31:00 - Christians have double the rates of involuntary vaginal spasming 35:00 - Equating sex with obligation and duty 37:00 - a better definition of sex 40:00 - the penis is a multitool, but the clitoris isn't 42:25 - the popular Christian marriage books that harm women 46:00 - And, normalize marital rape 50:00 - Christian male entitlement 55:00 - what to do if your sex life SUCCCCKKKS 58:30 - Vibrators: good or bad? 1:00:10 - When the guy has the lower libido 1:03:40 - Why is God better than we think? 1:08:00 - Calling out the church and feeling spiritually homeless

From an early age Bridget knew there was something different about her, but it wasn't until college she realized what that difference was: she was gay. This is her story of reconciling her sexuality, spirituality, and religious upbringing, and wherever you *think* this story is going ... you're probably wrong. This is a must watch interview for anyone who has been wrestling publicly or privately with human sexuality and Christianity. Bridget is almost certain to challenge your position, no matter what that position is.

Kaitlyn talks about the power of understanding both sides (even if you disagree), a theology of politics, and how the church needs to tell better stories. SHOW NOTES: 1:00 - Kaitlyn's debate team roots 9:15 - the cutthroat world of seminary, and the transition to full time ministry 13:14 - "it's not that churches are TOO political, it's that they are insufficiently political." 18:22 - the impossibility of being "separate from the world." 22:00 - churches need to learn to tell better stories 26:45 - the stories our worship songs tell us 28:00 - "our church's statement on race relations was that we baptized a black man" 32:17 - confession as political activism 35:50 - the stories our news, shows, podcasts, and preaching tell us 42:00 - churches are priming people to believe conspiracy theories(!) 43:13 - why is God better than we think? 48:00 - how to pray for Kaitlyn

The super smart, funny, and inspiring Kat Armas sits down to talk about how the Bible is more nuanced than we think, and the faith of desperate, overlooked people can change nations. LINKS: The Protagonistas Podcast: https://katarmas.com/theprotagonistaspodcast Kat on Twitter: twitter.com/kat_armas Kat on IG: instagram.com/kat_armas SHOW NOTES: Kat's background: 2:52 When you're perpetuating and protesting abusive power structures: 6:05 The Bible talks often about systemic oppression. 9:04 The Bible is more nuanced than you think. 12:02 America has a lack of nuance baked into its cultural DNA 15:40 What to do when God tells you to go seduce a man 19:09 Why understanding the Bible's complicated subtlety matters 24:10 Abeulita theology & the famine stopping power of desperate faith 31:35 The anonymous heroes of the faith we never talk about 38:25 Why Gen Z is our world's best hope

Jemar talks about racism, evangelicalism, and Christianity's historical complicity in white supremacy.

A church Chad helped plant and lead had become one of the most influential megachurches in the greater Denver area. He'd arrived at the pinnacle of success. When all of a sudden, questions he'd dodged asking for years began to surface, ultimately leading to him stepping away from his role at the church to de-and-reconstruct his faith. If you've ever felt like the questions you have about Christianity are too big or too scandalous for the churches around you, I REALLY hope you watch this interview. SHOW NOTES: 0:01 - Unlike J. Lo, we ain't hustlers 4:00 - Ego isn't all bad, actually 9:01 - Cognitive dissonance and repressed questions 14:30 - the mysterious side of God 20:00 - Questions pastors aren't supposed to ask 25:00 - an angry God who kills his son so he can put up with us 29:20 - space, grace, and reconsidering the prodigal son 33:15 - how to doubt well 39:04 - When the Jesus who all of a sudden feels new and exciting is also a Jesus your not sure your church community can accept 51:30 - Why is God better than we think?