The Deconstruction Zone

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In the Deconstruction Zone, Emily and her pastor Danny will navigate the gray of following Jesus while unlearning and rethinking what they were taught about him. Join in for lots of laughter and processing of big topics and our own stories. Whether you

Danny Lybarger


    • Sep 11, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 40m AVG DURATION
    • 102 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Deconstruction Zone

    Ep.101: The Changing Seasons of Life

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2024 37:33


    Ep.100: A Conversation on The Next Generation

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2024 82:33


    Let's talk NEW GENERATIONS here on episode 100!

    Ep.99: Back to our roots

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 50:14


    This week the DZ team explores their earliest and most recent bouts with deconstructing their own faiths.

    Ep.98: Politics Suck

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2024 42:26


    Ugh... not another group of marginally informed folks chatting about politics! But really, this week, Danny, Sadie, Kyle, and JT take an honest and vulnerable stab at discussing the sensitive intersection of faith and politics. Listen with care!

    Ep.97: Dam those Beavers

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 23, 2024 66:46


    This week, Danny, JT, and Kyle help Sadie prepare for her upcoming sermon at The Well, as they unpack the topic of ecological justice and stewardship.

    Ep.96: Liberal Babbel

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2024 70:52


    Dark comedy, liberal Babbel, and pancake handholds. A lot will be covered for sure!

    Ep.95: A Good Ol' Summer Beach Off

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2024 87:01


    This week, the new DZ begins! Join Danny, Sadie, Kyle & JT for their first of many, unhinged roundtable discussions!

    Ep.94: Our Villain Origin Story

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2024 54:30


    We all have origin stories - and depending on who you talk to - it might make you a hero or a villain! This week Danny takes a break, and Sadie is joined by J.T. for this super interesting episode of the DZ! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.93: Honey I Deconstructed The Kids!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 25, 2024 36:08


    This week Sadie and Danny dive into the wide topic of parenting and deconstruction. It's worth a listen whether you're a parent, kid, grandparent, or fun uncle. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.92: What if church becomes too painful?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2024 40:22


    This week, Danny and Sadie explore what happens when the pain of church feels too heavy. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.91: Are Megachurches Evil?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2024 55:38


    Join Danny and Sadie, and they have a spirited discussion on the value, issues, and nature of small, medium, and mega-churches across the country. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.90: Pastors Are People Too!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2024 44:51


    This week, Danny and Sadie unpack the burden of pastoral leadership and boundaries and answer the question, "Should Christians [and Christian leaders] have boundaries at all?" --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.89: The Blind Leading The Blind

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2024 39:21


    This week, Danny and Sadie explore the nuanced perspective around the prism of deconstruction. Both Danny and Sadie have deconstructed before becoming pastors (and have since as well!), but now they are looking at this conversation from a different vantage point. This week, they'll explore the importance of perspective and nuance in understanding deconstruction's greater meaning, impact, and experience. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    blind leading both danny
    Ep.88: A New Journey Begins

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2024 42:30


    The Deconstruction Zone is officially back in action, joined by one familiar face, and one new(ish) one! For this next season of The DZ Danny will be joined by Sadie Murbarger as his new co-host! Make sure you check it out! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep. 87: DZ + PPP Crossover

    Play Episode Listen Later May 14, 2024 88:21


    This week, Danny and the fellas from The Progressive Pastor Podcast chat about life, faith, Christian lingo, and deconstruction. Check it out! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.86: A Conversation with Colby Martin on Inclusion

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2024 69:11


    Check out our conversation with author, pastor, and speaker Colby Martin! Colby wrote Unclobber and The Shift, two books designed to help individuals better understand the bible, faith, and how to move from closed, to inclusive theology. Listen now and enjoy! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.85: The Progressive Pastor Podcast Crossover

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2024 42:11


    This week Danny is joined by Kyle and J.T. from the new Progressive Pastor Podcast. Today they'll chat about the head, the heart, and their blindspots in deconstruction. Give it a listen now! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.84: Should I Grow Where I'm Planted?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2024 19:32


    This week Danny explores a listener's question about whether to say where she's in ministry, or go somewhere else? Many of us wrestle with the same things in faith. Whether has a vocation, or follower of Jesus. Regardless of how we get there - it's a good question to explore! Let's all dive in together on this week's episode of the DZ! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.83: Deconstructing Pentecostalism

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2024 32:02


    This week Emily is joined by a friend of the pod, Austin Lucas. Together they unpack his unique upbringing and deconstruction process and its connection to the Pentecostal church. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.82: What's heavier: Good or Evil?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2024 14:51


    This week Danny and Emily have a quick episode where they dip a toe into the concept of good, evil, and morality. Next week we have a deeper dive into morality - and we want to hear from you! Email Danny at danny@thewell636.org with your thoughts and questions about morality (or any future topic ideas!). --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.81: Cry Night at YoungLife Camp

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2024 41:53


    This week on the DZ Emily and Danny explore the complexity of emotion, cults, Christian camp, and religion as a whole. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.80: 2023 DZ Wrapped

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2024 40:26


    Lets take a look back at the year behind us and examine all the good, bad and ugly that came with it! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.79: Are there any unforgivable sins?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2023 44:38


    This week Emily and Danny explore how far inclusion extends and ask the question, can you lose your seat at the table? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.78: Is Jesus a Narcissist?

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 38:56


    Sorry about the sound quality - we have a few issues, but this is a one-week issue. Also, the longer you listen, the better it sounds! Now to the topic: This week Emily raises the question, is Jesus a narcissist? If he's only a man, maybe? If he's also 100% God, Danny doesn't think it's possible. What do you think? Listen and drop your thoughts in the comments now! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.77: Do Our Beliefs Impact Others

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2023 32:25


    As an inclusive pastor, Danny is often told that "the blood of those he leads astray is on his hands." Whether you're a pastor, or not-religious at all - or somewhere in between - we likely all ponder the impact of our beliefs on others. This week Dustin and Danny unpack this and more! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.76: Deconstructing Church Burnout

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2023 41:41


    Have you been burnt out on Jesus & the Church? This week Dustin and Danny explore some of their experiences with that, and other thoughts on organized religion. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.75: Deconstructing Spiritual Warfare

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2023 31:18


    Do you believe in spiritual warfare? Is it real? How do we handle it in our world today? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.74: Emily Zell From The Well is Going to Hell

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2023 25:16


    This week Emily and Danny take an episode to unpack some questions from Instagram! After listening, make sure you take a moment and answer the poll on Spotify and leave us what questions you have and topics you'd like covered in the episodes to come! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep. 73: What is Indoctrination?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2023 33:32


    Let's chat about indoctrination! What is is? Is it inherently bad? Is everyone kind of doing it? This and more will be unpacked on this weeks episode of The Deconstruction Zone!  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.72: Taking on The Woke Mob

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2023 35:57


    Oftentimes those deconstructing Christianity think the “correct” end is progressivism. This week two self-professing progressives deconstruct the negative impacts of both progressive and conservative theology & politics as they relate to one's faith. We don't know much, but we are positive somebody will hate this episode… --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.71: Halloween Special

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2023 31:11


    Join us for this special halloween episode of The Deconstruction Zone! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.70: Rebellion vs. Freedom

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2023 36:06


    This week we digest 1am drunk tweets about own deconstruction! Don't skip this one! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.69: Secrets vs. Boundaries

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2023 33:49


    This week Danny and Emily explore the relationship between secrets and boundaries. Is there a difference? Are they the same? Let's dig in!  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.68: What is Discipleship?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2023 46:58


    Emily and Danny Join in on the LIVE UMC Communications Podcast-a-thon and chat about the topic of discipleship. Listen and learn more now!  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.67: Does God answer prayers?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2023 34:58


    Danny likely tore his ACL for a second time. A friend asked him why he wasn't praying that the injury would be healed by God, even if he thought he had torn it. So the question is, did Danny tear his ACL because he didn't pray for a full recovery? Would God even heal him that way if he prayed for that? Should we pray like that? Or does God look at prayer differently than we do? Let's discuss today on the Deconstruction Zone!  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.66: It can't be BAD if it feels so GOOD

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2023 37:49


    What do you think about the phrase, “I'm allowed to do what's best for me, even if it upsets people?” This week Danny and Emily process the several dynamics that go into determining good, bad, ugly, or indifferent. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.65: Has Emily Been Kicked Off The Pod?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2023 42:53


    After a month of being off the Pod Emily makes her return to the Deconstruction Zone. But will her return be long-term or short-lived? Listen to find out! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.64: Finding Peace (Just Hit Record)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2023 35:03


    In Emily's final week on Podcast Sabbatical, Danny and Producer Dustin try something new. This week we have a crossover episode with Dustin's personal Podcast called, Just Hit Record (go and find it anywhere you get your podcasts!).  This week's conversation revolves around finding peace. Something we all likely are striving to find! You can learn more about and listen to Dustin's podcast, Just Hit Record here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-hit-record/id1583064264 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.63: Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2023 32:42


    Have you ever asked yourself why often the worst things imaginable happen to some of the best people you know? Did God allow it? Did God cause it? And above all how do we reconcile evil and brokenness in our world - especially when it impacts the ones we love. This week Danny and producer Dustin do their best to unpack this question and more. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.62: Does God Evolve?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2023 35:52


    Progressive Christians often say that God's sense of justice, inclusion and love is evolving. More Conservative Christians would likely disagree - stating that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. This week Danny and Producer Dustin tackle this difficult, nuanced,, and important topic. Listen and don't forget to weigh in with your own thoughts! --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.61: Deconstructing Christianese

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2023 40:03


    The Christian shorthand known as Christianese is often more frustrating than it is helpful. This week Danny and Producer Dustin unpack their experience and understanding of common Christian phrases as together they search for a deeper understanding. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message

    Ep.60: Mailbag Special!

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2023 48:36


    This week Emily & Danny dive deep into some emails and DM's from the DZ faithful! Make sure you send any you have in as well - who knows… it may make the next email corner!  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/support

    Ep.59: The Christian Bubble: A DZ Back to School Special

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2023 45:55


    Time to go back to school! The academic year is upon us and that means all our lives are about to shift from summer mode to academic mode. This week, Danny and Emily will be unpacking the intersection between church, school, and everything else in between.  --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/support

    Ep.58: Shiny Happy Podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2023 51:05


    Have you seen the new(ish) Prime Docuseries, Shiny Happy People? We HAVE! Now it's time to unpack it. Inside we'll chat about Dating, Fundamentialism, Cults and more.fundamentalism --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/support

    Ep.57: Reconstruction is low key Awkward

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2023 38:52


    Deconstructionawkwardness is a bear. Reconstruction is awkward. How do you navigate the heaviness and awkwarness of stepping back into the rubble of what you just tore apart? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/support

    Ep.56: A love letter to our haters

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2023 38:48


    Here is the reality... Emily and Danny understand that this pod isn't for everyone. But a unique phenomenon they've experiences, is the well-sized portion of their audience that "hate-listen" to the podcast. That being said, whether you love, hate, or are indifferent while you listen to the pod, this episode is for you.  This week you can expect to hear a lot of nuggets about faith, deconstruction, and how to navigate tense relationships while also setting healthy boundaries in your deconstructing. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/support

    Ep.55: Finding support in deconstruction

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2023 56:41


    Deconstruction can be lonely and isolating. Finding support can be difficult. So here's the question: how do you build systems and find support while deconstructing? --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/support

    Ep. 54: Smashing The Patriarchy & Redefining Gender Roles

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2023 29:05


    This week Danny and Emily unpack the nuance and complexity of gender roles. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/support

    Ep.53: Go Shawty... It's Yo Birthday (Part 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2023 32:27


    Happy first birthday to The Deconstruction Zone Podcast! Here is part 2 of our B-Day Episode! This week's episode was recorded live at Danny's annual church conference for UMC clergy and lay people in Missouri (The Missouri Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church). Danny and Emily took this unique opportunity to interview other UMC pastors to get their thoughts on the deconstruction movement. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/support

    Ep.52: Go Shawty... It's Yo Birthday (Part 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2023 26:50


    Happy first birthday to The Deconstruction Zone Podcast! This week's episode was recorded live at Danny's annual church conference for UMC clergy and lay people in Missouri (The Missouri Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church). Danny and Emily took this unique opportunity to interview other UMC pastors to get their thoughts on the deconstruction movement. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/support

    Ep.51: Debating Secondary Issues

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2023 45:15


    This week Emily and Danny explore the concept of primary and secondary theological issues. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deconstructionzone/support

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