I was a Teenage Fundamentalist

Dr. Cath McKinney is the Professional Supervision Program Director at the University of Divinity in Australia. Her background includes extensive experience as a group relations consultant, a prison chaplain and inner-city minister. In this episode, Cath shares her journey from a complex religious upbringing to her experiences in church leadership, motherhood, and academia. She discusses the challenges her expulsion from a church community aligned with the God Squad Christian Motorcycle Club due to her advocacy for inclusivity. Through her experiences, she highlights the need for compassion and understanding in the face of religious trauma and the ongoing struggle for social justice within faith communities. ---We're now on video on YouTube here.Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Our blog is here.Join the conversation and connect with others here.The transcript of this episode is here.All our other links are here. Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone, and Recovering from Religion is here to help.

Kicking off the first episode of 2025, Troy and Brian revisit their conversion stories...after four years of Exvangelical podcasting. They explore their early lives, the vulnerabilities that led them to embrace fundamentalist Christianity, and the roles of community and belonging in their experiences. The conversation delves into the impact of identity, and the emotional manipulation often present in Christian environments. They reflect on the long-term effects of their conversions, emphasising the importance of vulnerability and belonging at the very beginning of their Christian journeys.LinksBrian's first conversion story episode is here.Troy's first conversion story episode is here. ---We're now on video on YouTube here.Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Join the conversation and connect with others here.All our links are here. Transcript of this episode is here.Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone, and Recovering from Religion is here to help.

In our second episode back in 2021, troy talked a little about his pre-conversion home life and his experience of two Christian camps. It was at the second camp where he found himself speaking in tongues and started to wear the label, 'born-again'. As part of our 2025 Down Under Summer Series, we're replaying our best episodes. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did.    ---We're now on video on YouTube here.Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Join the conversation and connect with others here.All our links are here. Transcript of this episode is here.Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone, and Recovering from Religion is here to help.

Let's go right back to the beginning. In Season 1 Episode 1, Brian recounted his conversion story. "No bibles, no preaching, no god-bothering!" These were the conditions he put upon his two brothers, who had recently converted to Pentecostal Christianity, if he were to visit them while on holidays. What happened next would change the course of his life and still continues to impact who he is today.As part of our 2025 Down Under Summer Series, we're replaying out best episodes. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did.  We'll be back with new episodes in April 2025!---Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Join the conversation and connect with other listeners here.All our links are here. Transcript of this episode is here.Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help.

In 2023, we talked with Clare Heath-McIvor, an exvangelical blogger and podcaster who has been operating under the pseudonym 'Kit Kennedy' since a dramatic and shunning-esque exit from her pastor father's church in 2016. In 2022, she and her ex-husband (a gay conversion therapy survivor) became whistleblowers for a 60 Minutes Australia political and religious expose on her father's City Builders Church and its tactics in Australian conservative politics. Trigger warning: This episode touches on issues concerning depression and suicide. If you are in Australia and require support, please reach out to 1800RESPECT by phone or online at www.1800respect.org.au/ or Lifeline on 13 11 14.You can connect with Clare at www.unchurchablepodcast.com. If you want to explore her whistleblowing story, then see the links below:60 Minutes Australia - Praying For Power: Caring church or crazy cultThe Age Newspaper #1 - Liberal Party Candidate Agent for Ultra-Conservative Church, Family Says#2 - Speaking in Tongues, Exorcisms and Control: Life in City Builders#3 - Inside City Builders, the Pentecostal Sect with Lofty Political Goals#4 - Ultra-Conservative Candidate won't sit in the party room if elected#5 - Shame on you: Liberal Party figure caught using fake 007 pics and fake identity for dirty tricksAs part of our 2025 Down Under Summer Series, we're replaying out best episodes. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did. We'll be back with new episodes in April 2025!---Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Join the conversation and connect with other listeners here.All our links are here. Transcript of this episode is here.Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help.

We came out of the gate swinging for this first episode of Season 4, and unpacked some of the most problematic and ridiculous aspects of the doctrine of eternal torment, aka Hell. We also gave some suggestions on how to overcome the fear of Hell.The resources suggested in this episode are:ChristianThat All Shall Be Saved: Heaven, Hell, and Universal Salvation: Hart, David BentleyGrace Saves All: Christianity and Universal Salvation PodcastLove Wins: At the Heart of Life's Big Questions : Bell, RobPost-ChristianHeaven and Hell: A History of the Afterlife : Ehrman, Bart DBart Ehrman on the Humanize Me PodcastAm I Going to Hell?: Bart EhrmanAs part of our 2025 Down Under Summer Series, we're replaying out best episodes. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did.   We'll be back with new episodes in April 2025!---Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Join the conversation and connect with other listeners here.All our links are here. Transcript of this episode is here.Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help.

In this Season 4 episode, we talked with Catherine Quiring, who described herself as a reformed people-pleaser, Exvangelical and an aspiring advocate for anti-oppressive spirituality. She is a licensed Mental Health Counsellor, and Self-Trust Coach. Catherine told us why she believes the Evangelical god is a narcissist and that the symptoms experienced by those who have experienced covert narcissistic abuse are extremely similar to those experienced in high-control religious settings.You can connect with Catherine via:Her website: www.cqcounseling.comInstagram: @catherinequiringFacebook: @cqcounselingThe book she referenced in this episode was Breaking Their Will: Shedding Light on Religious Child Maltreatment : Heimlich, JanetAs part of our 2025 Down Under Summer Series, we're replaying out best episodes. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did.  We'll be back with new episodes later in 2025!---Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Join the conversation and connect with other listeners here.All our links are here. Transcript of this episode is here.Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help.

We think this Season 3 episode is one of our best. We caught up with Andrew, a fellow traveller from our time at Great Big AOG. Andrew recounts his struggles being deep in the closet at church and how he later came to accept his sexuality and then live openly as a gay man. Trigger warning: This episode touches on issues concerning depression and suicide. If you are in Australia and require support, please reach out to 1800RESPECT by phone or online or Lifeline on 13 11 14.ABBI serves individuals, churches, denominations, leaders and religious organizations in a respectful and non-confrontational way along their journey to understand LGBTI people, their community, and relationships. Their website is here.As part of our 2025 Down Under Summer Series, we're replaying out best episodes. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did.  We'll be back with new episodes later in 2025!---Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Join the conversation and connect with other listeners here.All our links are here. Transcript of this episode is here.Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help.

This Season 2 interview was with another one of those people who still wear the 'Christian' label but who we can't bring ourselves to dislike. Anji Barker has 30 years' experience in neighbourhood-based community work in poor urban communities in Australia, Thailand and the UK. In this episode, she shares her own story of leaving fundamentalism and why she's happy to still call herself a 'follower of Jesus'.You can connect with Anji at https://newbigintrust.uk/ and find her book, Missionary Not Just A Position on Amazon.As part of our 2025 Down Under Summer Series, we're replaying out best episodes. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did.  We'll be back with new episodes later in 2025!---Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Join the conversation and connect with other listeners here.All our links are here. Transcript of this episode is here.Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help.

In Season 3 we were lucky enough to get to interview one of the poster boys for progressive Christianity, Brian McLaren. He was a Charismatic Evangelical pastor for twenty-four years and is now a progressive author, activist, public theologian. In this episode, we talked with Brian about his book, Do I Stay Christian? which gives reasons why people should stay but also why people should leave. You'll really enjoy this interview regardless of how you now define your spirituality (or lack thereof).You can find Brian's book here.As part of our 2025 Down Under Summer Series, we're replaying out best episodes. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did.  We'll be back with new episodes later in 2025!---Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Join the conversation and connect with other listeners here.All our links are here. Transcript of this episode is here.Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help.

In 2021, we kicked-off Season 2 by remembering our favourite CCM artists and a few songs. We invite you to sing and clap along at home.LinksLiving in Laodicea by Steve CampAsleep in the Light by Keith GreenCreed by PetraMaranooka by In the SilenceAs part of our 2025 Down Under Summer Series, we're replaying out best episodes. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did.  We'll be back with new episodes later in 2025!---Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Join the conversation and connect with other listeners here.All our links are here. Transcript of this episode is here.Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help.

In Season 3, we talked with Frank Schaeffer, author and son of the late theologian and Evangelical author, Francis Schaeffer. While Frank was once a teenage fundamentalist, he told us he describes himself as an atheist who believes in God. Frank told his back story and how he went from a founding member of the Religious Right to one of its harshest critics.Part two of this interview is here.You can access Frank's website here and his podcast here.As part of our 2025 Down Under Summer Series, we're replaying out best episodes. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did. We'll be back with new episodes later this year!  We'll be back with new episodes later in 2025!---Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Join the conversation and connect with other listeners here.All our links are here. Transcript of this episode is here.Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help.

One of the reasons we created the pod was to tell our own stories. In this episode from Season 2, we remember dating and marriage within Christian fundamentalism, how it was rarely egalitarian, over-spiritualised, and that it was usually monitored or even controlled by pastors and leaders.  Warning: This episode touches on issues concerning rape and domestic violence. If you are in Australia and require support, please reach out to Rape and Domestic Violence Services or Lifeline on 13 11 14.As part of our 2025 Down Under Summer Series, we're replaying out best episodes. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did.  We'll be back with new episodes later in 2025!---Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Join the conversation and connect with other listeners here.All our links are here. Transcript of this episode is here.Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help.

Our conversation with Philip Yancey in the last episode was such a head-f*ck, we felt we needed to reflect on the conversation and what it brought up for us. What do Exvangelicals do about Evangelicals who are really good people? You may not agree with the conclusions we reached, but hopefully you resonate with our struggles and honesty. If you missed it, our interview with Philip Yancey is here.As part of our 2025 Down Under Summer Series, we're replaying out best episodes. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did.  We'll be back with new episodes later in 2025!---Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Join the conversation and connect with other listeners here.All our links are here. Transcript of this episode is here.Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help.

In Season 3, we were thrilled when Evangelical author, Philip Yancey agreed to be a guest on the podcast and talk about his memoir, Where the Light Fell, which chronicles his time growing up fundamentalist. We also talked with Philip about how his books impacted us as we journeyed out of fundamentalism into more moderate versions of Christianity in the late-90s.You can find Philip's book here.As part of our 2025 Down Under Summer Series, we're replaying out best episodes. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did.  We'll be back with new episodes later in 2025!---Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Join the conversation and connect with other listeners here.All our links are here. Transcript of this episode is here.Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help.

We'd love you to tune in as we say goodbye to 2024 and look forward to 2025. We look back on some of our best episodes of 2024, and even a couple of our worst. We'll definitely be back later in 2025, so see you then! Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Join the conversation and connect with other listeners here.All our links are here. Transcript of this episode is here.Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help.

We think you'll really connect with this episode. In 2000, Desiree Richter's two-year-old son Elijah died in a tragic domestic accident. The world as she knew it was dismantled along with her understanding of her place in it, leaving her to figure out how to parent her remaining children and how the fundamentalist Christian faith she'd practiced all her life fit into her new reality. We talk with Desi about her Fundamentalist upbringing, the death of her son, leaving the faith, and rediscovering purpose after so much loss.LinksThe Presence of Absence: Kitchen table talks about parenting, leaving fundamentalism, and the very messy business of living with lossDesi on FacebookDesi on Instagram Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Join the conversation and connect with other listeners here.All our links are here. Transcript of this episode is here.Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help.

We're excited to welcome April Ajoy back to our show. April is an influencer, content-creator, podcaster, and all-around troublemaker for the Christian right. She grew up in the heart of American Evangelicalism as an Evangelist's kid and she is insightful and astute at illuminating the ways Christian Nationalism has infiltrated churches and political arenas, shaping not only modern Evangelical culture but also American public policy and international relations. Her new book is called “Star Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian Nationalism & Finding a True Faith.”LinksApril's first appearance on our showApril on InstagramApril's book Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Join the conversation and connect with other listeners here.All our links are here. Transcript of this episode is here.Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help.

Did Jesus predict his own return in the lifetime of his disciples and first century Christians and get it wrong? Was he simply one of many failed first-century Jewish apocalyptic preachers? Did Paul and other writers of the New Testament share Jesus' view and get it wrong too? In this episode, Troy and Brian unpack some of the reasons why many scholars, progressive Christians, Exvangelicals and Atheists give a resounding, 'Yes!' to these questions.Links'The Lowdown on God's Showdown' by Edward Babinski The article serves as the foundation for this episode and is the same one that Troy read, which persuaded him that Jesus would not return.Episode 113 - Armageddon Isn't Coming with Bart Ehrman Bart gives his scholarly perspectives on the Book of Revelation and the early Church's beliefs about the imminent return of Jesus.Episode 3 - It's the End of the World as We Know it In one of our earliest episodes, we talked about how we were peddled the end-time message from the very start of our time as fundamentalists.Episode 35 - F**cked Over at Country Town AOG Troy has his 'fridge revelation' that Jesus may not be coming so soon after all. Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Join the conversation and connect with other listeners here.All our links are here. Transcript of this episode is here.Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help.

In preparation for our upcoming episode on the failed second coming of Jesus, we decided to replay this interview with one of our Exvangelical heroes, Bart Ehrman. If you haven't yet heard this interview then you're in for a treat, and if you have heard it before, we know you'll love it all over again.Dr Bart D. Ehrman is the James A. Gray Distinguished Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. An expert on the New Testament and the history of Early Christianity, he has written or edited thirty books, numerous scholarly articles, and dozens of book reviews. Six of his books have been on the New York Times Bestseller list. Brian and Troy talk to Bart about his own teenage fundamentalism and his upcoming book, Armageddon: What the Bible really says about the end. In this conversation, Bart delves into the most misunderstood—and possibly the most dangerous—book of the Bible, Revelation. You can connect with Bart via his blog: The Bart Ehrman Blog, his website: Bart D. Ehrman, and his podcast: Misquoting Jesus.  Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Join the conversation and connect with other listeners here.All our links are here. Transcript of this episode is here.Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help.

Following on from Part 1, we continue our chat about neurodivergence with podcast faves Danielle (D.L.) & Krispin Mayfield. Krispin's website D.L.'s websiteSTRONGWILLED (substack.com)STRONGWILLED (the podcast) Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Join the conversation and connect with other listeners here.All our links are here. Transcript of this episode is here.Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help.

On the back of Troy's recent ADHD diagnosis, we talk about neurodivergence with podcast faves Danielle (D.L.) & Krispin Mayfield. Danielle's tells of their own Autism diagnosis and Troy opens up about how ADHD impacted him in the Church and now that he's deconstructed. The Mayfield's also talk about their latest project, Strongwilled.Krispin's website D.L.'s websiteSTRONGWILLED (substack.com)STRONGWILLED (the podcast) Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Join the conversation and connect with other listeners here.All our links are here. Transcript of this episode is here.Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help.

Dr. Laura Anderson is a licensed psychotherapist, trauma resolution coach, religious trauma consultant, speaker, author, and educator. We talk with her about how when we leave fundamentalism, fundamentalism doesn't necessarily leave us, and its toxicity seems to manifest in other ways. Laura's links:Laura Anderson | Religious Trauma ExpertWhen Religion Hurts You (book)Dr. Laura Anderson on Instagram Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Join the conversation and connect with other listeners here.All our links are here. Transcript of this episode is here.Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help.

Cait West is a survivor of the Christian patriarchy movement and advocate for survivors of spiritual abuse. In this episode, we talk about her experiences and her book, Rift: A memoir of breaking away from the Christian Patriarchy. She shares her story of hope for those who want to break free from high control environments.LinksCait West's websiteTears of Eden: Supporting survivors of Spiritual Abuse and Religious TraumaRift: A Memoir of Breaking Away from Christian Patriarchy : Amazon.comSurvivors Discuss Podcast – Monthly Panel Discussions About Surviving Toxic & High Control Religion Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Join the conversation and connect with other listeners here.All our links are here. Transcript of this episode is here.Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help.

Following on from Part 1, we continue our recount of a recent Sunday service at Great Big AOG. We dive into the sermon and challenge the f*ck out of his claims and assertions and ask just how reliable are the supposed miracle stories that the pastor told. Judging by the amount of laughter, this two-parter is easily up there with our most fun episodes so far.Links:Let's go back to Great Big AOG Part 1 Listen to the actual recording of the sermon we sat through and recount for you - Ps Dave Harvey |Originally recorded on Sunday, 21st July 2024 | 11:30AMHeaven Bent Podcast Season 2 is about Bethel Church Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Join the conversation and connect with other listeners here.All our links are here. Transcript of this episode is here.Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help.

It's been nearly 30 years since our last visit to Great Big AOG, and in this episode, we go back for a Sunday service. Join us as we recount the weird and bizarre antics and carry-on of these modern Pentecostals. We also introduce you to Brian's significant other, Michelle, as she joined us on our expedition back into the world of church. You'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll sing in tongues and raise your hands. Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Join the conversation and connect with other listeners here.All our links are here. Transcript of this episode is here.Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help.

In this episode, we are joined by Tracey and Sharon from the podcast, Feet of Clay—Confessions of the Cult Sisters. We talk about the black and white thinking of fundamentalism and how to leave it behind and embrace 'the grays' and nuances that pervade most of what life throws our way.Links:Feet of Clay—Confessions of the Cult SistersTracey & Sharon on Instagram Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Join the conversation and connect with other listeners here.All our links are here. Transcript of this episode is here.Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help.

When you leave church and/or the faith, what do you do about those who choose to stay? How do you navigate, maintain or even grieve those you leave behind? Troy and Brian share their own stories and give some advice on this very tricky part of deconstructing. Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Transcript of this episode is here.Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatfDoubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/

Troy chronicles the events immediately leading up to and after he lost his faith in Jesus. He describes the factors that influenced his decision and how it felt to be finally free of the mental gymnastics he needed to apply to remain a Christian.Links:So long, and thanks for all the guilt! (Troy's deconversion blog)Internet Infidels » a drop of reason in a pool of confusion Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Transcript of this episode is here.Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatfDoubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/

We talk with Zenith Virago, a highly respected celebrant, educator, public speaker and author and self-proclaimed Deathwalker. She is the founder of the Natural Death Care Centre and was named Byron Bay's Citizen of the Year in 2021 in recognition of her important work.Links:Zenith Virago, Deathwalker TrainingNatural Death Care CentreZenith on TEDx Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.Transcript of this episode is here.Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatfDoubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/

We talk with the hosts and producers of the Humanize Me podcast, Bart Campolo and John Wright, about leaving fundamentalist communities behind and whether it is possible to find new communities afterwards. Bart Campolo is an American humanist speaker, writer, former pastor, and son of Tony Campolo, the well-known Christian pastor and speaker. John Wright is a documentary filmmaker, freelance cinematographer, and media content producer whose work includes documentaries on various subjects, including the story of Bart's departure from the Christian faith. Links: Humanize Me Bart Campolo John Wright – Jux Media Bart's first appearance on IWATF -- Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.  Transcript of this episode is here. Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf  Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

Rob Haskell was born to missionary parents, spending his childhood in Argentina. He later attended Bible College and seminary before reevaluating his beliefs and embracing critical thinking over religious orthodoxy in 2015. We speak with Rob about his new book, God of the Mind: an eXvangelical Journey, a personal exploration of the intellectual incoherencies of evangelical Christianity, the psychological pressures that keep the faithful in the fold, and the price that honest seekers must pay in order to maintain its tenets. Links: Rob Haskell's website God of the Mind: An eXvangelical Journey : Amazon.com.au -- Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.  Transcript of this episode is here. Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf  Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

Here it is! The 100th episode! Brian and Troy continue with their own deconstruction stories and share what life was like after having left church...and Jesus. Did they completely fall apart? Did they return to their sin like a dog to its vomit? Tune in and find out. Links: So long, and thanks for all the guilt! (Troy's deconversion blog) Internet Infidels » a drop of reason in a pool of confusion Religion for Atheists: A non-believer's guide to the uses of religion -- Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.  Transcript of this episode is here. Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf  Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

If there's one religious sounding label that Troy is willing to wear, it's 'Buddhist'. In this episode we speak with Ted Meissner, the Executive Director of the Secular Buddhist Association, and the host of The Secular Buddhist Podcast. Ted explains Secular Buddhism and how it contrasts with the more traditional forms of Buddhism. Ted's links: Secular Buddhist Association The Secular Buddhist Podcast The Mindfulness Network Mindfulness-based stress reduction - Wikipedia -- Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.  Transcript of this episode is here. Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf  Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

In this episode, we explore Progressive/Reformed Judaism with Michel Laloum, Cantor at Temple Beth Israel Synagogue in Melbourne, Australia. He was ordained as a Cantor at the Progressive Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion and completed Rabbinic studies at the Academy for Jewish Religion, Jewish Theological Seminary and New York University. Temple Beth Israel Melbourne World Union for Progressive Judaism -- Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.  Transcript of this episode is here. Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf  Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

Tim Costello is an Australian social justice advocate, community leader, and a prominent figure in the Christian faith, albeit a progressive form. He is known in Australia for his public commentary on political and ethical matters, often offering a perspective informed by his Christian faith and commitment to social justice. In this episode we talk to Tim about his commitment to his faith, and what that looks like now, having left fundamentalism decades ago. Tim's links: Tim Costello - Wikipedia Tim Costello/ X (twitter.com) -- Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.  Transcript of this episode is here. Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf  Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

In this episode, we talk with Dr Eben Alexander, an American neurosurgeon and author. In 2008, he suffered a coma caused by a rare and mysterious bacterial meningo-encephalitis of unknown causes. We talk with him about his own near-death experience and his book, Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife. Dr Alexander's links: Eben Alexander Division of Perceptual Studies - University of Virginia School of Medicine Home - Scientific and Medical Network Home - The Galileo Commission Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies Inner Sanctum Center Sacred Acoustics After our recording, we came upon three articles in particular that make some serious allegations against Dr Alexander. One is from Esquire Magazine and another from writer, Sam Harris. These were both quite hostile. The third is from the Harvard Crimson, and while it is certainly not hostile, it does echo many of the allegations made in the Esquire article. Dr. Eben Alexander Proof of Heaven Investigation (esquire.com) This Must be Heaven by Sam Harris To Do No Harm | The Harvard Crimson (thecrimson.com) We contacted Dr Alexander about these articles and the allegations they make, and his assistant replied with the following links: First, Robert Mays, an NDE researcher and longtime leader of IANDS.org, wrote a thorough article criticizing the journalism of Esquire's author: JNDS_ Winter 2016 2PP.indd (unt.edu)  A peer-reviewed article published in the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease (flagship journal for physicians in neurology & psychology), by Bruce Greyson et al. It is about Eben's personal case, from the standpoint of a lifelong NDE researcher and colleagues: nmd50598 744..747 (virginia.edu) and more about the professors in the department, so you know their calibre of work and background: Faculty and Staff - Division of Perceptual Studies (virginia.edu) A reply from Eben during another interview, re: Sam Harris' allegations: Eben Alexander answers skeptics' criticisms (iands.org)  A valuable set of essays about consciousness, several of which cite Eben's case study in their work: Essay Contest - Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies. Start with the winning entry by Jeff Mishlove and then peruse other topics.  -- Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.  Transcript of this episode is here. Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf  Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/  Deconversion Therapy Podcast

We recently stumbled upon a podcast we thought you'd love. Sexvangelicals is a sexual health podcast and education platform with the mission to support relationships in reclaiming sexuality following adverse religious experiences. This is one of their episodes, The Sex Ed We Wish We Had: Consent, Part 1 of 2. We hope you enjoy it. If you want to connect with Sexvangelicals then find them here: Sexvangelicals (website) Sexvangelicals (podcast) -- Want more IWATF? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.  Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf  Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

We talk with Ani Zonneveld about Progressive Islam and the life she lives as a Progressive Muslim. Ani is a writer, singer/songwriter, and founder & President of Muslims for Progressive Values, an international human rights organization that advocates for social justice and equality for all, a strong supporter of freedom of expression and of conscience, women's rights and as an ally, LGBTQ rights.  -- Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.  Transcript of this episode is here. Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf  Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/  Deconversion Therapy Podcast

In this episode, we talk with writer Bernard Warnick about humanity's obsession with certainty and ask, is certainty attainable? Bernard spent nineteen years as a judge of the trial division and later the Appeal Division of the Family Court of Australia before retiring from the bench in 2010. He developed a deep interest in the reasoning process and researched the works of neurobiologists, cognitive scientists, philosophers, linguists and other thinkers for ten years, culminating in his book, Illusions of Certainty | thoughts about thinking. -- Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here.  Transcript of this episode is here. Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf  Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

We're back for Season 5! In this episode we review the highlights of Season 4, let you know about the changes we've made and where the podcast is heading in 2024. -- Transcript of the episode is here. Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf  Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/

Emily John Garcés is an artist, poet, ex-missionary with YWAM, all-round creative enthusiast, and author of the memoir, Hitchhiking with Drunken Nuns. In this final episode of Season 4, we speak with Emily about her life as a YWAM missionary in Argentina and the Netherlands, and her unique perspective on the world we share. Despite her fundamentalist past, Emily has a positive view of the world and describes her use of art as a way of 'bridging what cannot be seen with the visible world'.  Emily's links: Emily on Facebook Hitchhiking with Drunken Nuns The Quiet Woman -- Transcript of the episode is here. Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf  Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

Brian and Troy used to be loyal Christian megachurch leaders. They're not anymore. This new season explores life after Fundamentalism. Shortlisted for the 2022 Australian Podcast Awards. Find out more at iwasateenagefundamentalist.com/ and https://linktr.ee/iwatf  --- Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

Maggie Rowe is an author, writer, director, & producer. Her memoir, Sin Bravely: A Memoir of Spiritual Disobedience, was named to NPR's Best Books of 2017. In this episode, we speak to Maggie about her childhood where she describes being tormented by the fear of Hell and not being truly saved. At 19 years old she admitted herself to an 'evangelical psychiatric institution' where she found an unlikely ally who encouraged her to break free of the fears that held her back, and to go forth and 'sin bravely'.   Maggie's links: Maggie Rowe's website Sin Bravely: A Memoir of Spiritual Disobedience Easy Street: A Story of Redemption from Myself   If this episode raised issues or concerns for you or someone near to you, please contact Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14 - Crisis Support. -- Transcript of the episode is here. Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf  Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

Van Badham is an Australian playwright, novelist, journalist and activist who writes regularly for the Guardian. In this episode we speak with Van about her 2021 book QAnon and On: A Short and Shocking History of Internet Conspiracy Cults in which she investigates who is behind the internet cult and how it often intertwines with the world of Evangelical/Fundamentalist Christianity. She also tells about her year 'undercover' at Hillsong in Sydney. Van's links: Van Badham - Wikipedia QAnon and On QAnon | The Guardian The ‘prosperity doctrine' and neoliberal Jesusing | The Guardian -- Transcript of the episode is here. Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf  Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

In 2021 we spoke with Bart Campolo, a secular community builder, counsellor and writer who served as the Humanist Chaplain at the University of Cincinnati. He is the son of Evangelical celebrity preacher and author, Tony Campolo, with whom he made a movie about leaving Evangelical Christianity. You can connect with Bart at bartcampolo.org/ and find his podcast, Humanize Me on all good platforms. You can stream Leaving My Father's Faith here: https://campolofilm.com/  -- Transcript of the episode is here. Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf  Email: hhandhillsong@gmail.com  Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

In this flashback to Season 2, Troy and Brian remember how dating and marriage within fundamentalism weren't often egalitarian and were usually controlled by the pastors and leaders.  Warning: This episode touches on issues concerning rape and domestic violence. If you are in Australia and require support, please reach out to Rape and Domestic Violence Services via: https://www.rape-dvservices.org.au/ or Lifeline on 13 11 14. -- Transcript of the episode is here. Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf  Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

Continuing our hiatus series, we revisit one of our most downloaded episodes where we talked with Dr Josie McSkimming, author of Leaving Christian Fundamentalism and the Reconstruction of Identity.  She shares her own story as a teenage fundamentalist within Sydney Anglicanism and her ongoing clinical work with those leaving Fundamentalist Christianity. To contact Josie, please visit her website: https://mcskimming.com.au/  -- Transcript of the episode is here. Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf  Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/   

Continuing with our series of hiatus repeat episodes, we revisit our 2021 Season 2 discussion on miracles and healings. Brian and Troy asked, did you ever see a real or verifiable miracle or healing when you were still a Christian?  -- Transcript of the episode is here. Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf  Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

In this hiatus repeat episode, we revisit our 2021 Season 2 discussion on the prevalence of narcissists and psychopaths in Pentecostalism and our experiences with these kinds of people. We asked why the Church attracts these people and if Pentecostalism actually helps to create them. Warning: This episode touches on issues concerning psychological abuse. If you are in Australia and require support, please reach out to Lifeline on 13 11 14. The articles mentioned in this episode: Narcissistic Personality Disorder 7 Characteristics of the Modern Psychopath -- Transcript of the episode is here. Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf  Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

In this hiatus repeat episode, we revisit our 2021 Season 2 kick-off where we remembered some our favourite CCM artists, Brian's time as support crew for DC Talk's Australian tour, and a few songs that used to really move us. We think you'll enjoy this episode, even if you heard it the first time around. The links to the songs mentioned in this episode are: Living in Laodicea - https://youtu.be/g_8Pas8qoWc  Asleep in the Light - https://youtu.be/7XeEL0mRBHo  Creed - https://youtu.be/jy4JA5uStB0  Maranooka - https://youtu.be/7f-JdFPazMo  -- Transcript of the episode is here. Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf  Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/