We Were Christian Kids with Justin Randall and Calvin Arsenia

Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) take a look back on the entire We Were Christian Kids journey since beginning the podcast in December. They reflect on why they started, what they've learned and where they are now. And they also have an announcement to make. We love you all!

Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) are joined by Mark Manning (@wednesday_midday_medley)! Mark is a radio DJ and producer for KKFI 90.1 FM, queer advocate, theatre artist and performer. He also leads a community garden program for schools in Kansas City, Kansas. They discuss both growing up in and leaving the church, creating art that directly counters bigotry, coming out of the closet and being an advocate for queer youth. We love this episode and you will too!!

Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) are joined by amazing guests Marley Allenbrand (@marleyann) and Anna Dimmel (@annadimmel). We talk about -- naturally -- Christian upbringings, both evangelical and Catholic. We also discuss coming out, doing it safely, and working toward healing internalized homophobia. Best of all, we hear all about Marley and Anna's beautiful relationship!!! AND (bonus) -- Anna interprets a dream for Calvin. This episode is very special!!!

Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) discuss being "gayvangelical," a term Calvin coined (we think, we didn't Google it). How is the coming out process, the finding of new community and the attempt to bring others into your understanding similar to the conversion experience for evangelicals? And can we be PROUD gayvangelicals? Maybe -- we might make shirts!!! We also dive into some emails and voicemails from our listeners. Yay!

Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) do the cringiest thing ever: they dive back into their super-Christian Facebook statuses from 2008, when they were seniors in high school and deeply brainwashed. This episode is hilarious if you like hearing what two nerds sound like!! They also dig into the background around each post... what they were probably thinking when they wrote each status. Praise God!

Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) are joined by the hilarious Max Crumm (@maxcrumm) in this delightful interview. They hear a new perspective: being a Christian kid but knowing it wasn't a good fit all along. Also! Worship leading, coming out, and what the church needs to do right now. This is fun!!!

Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) sit down with host of The Gayly Dose podcast, Helmut Domagalski (@helmut_smile)! They talk about his youth in the Church of Christ, his journey to coming out, and what it's like being a gay dad in 2021. We also discuss the beauty of being queer and the unique gift it affords us!!

It's Pride month!!! So Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) are sharing their coming out stories in all their Christian-kid detail! They also discuss what "pride" means to them and how being their authentic selves has changed how they see the world. They are glad to be gay, baby!!!

Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) are joined by Anna Joy Walker, who grew up in a number of charismatic churches and went on to be a leader in ministry at an internationally-known 24/7 house of prayer and worship. She discusses trauma - largely religious - and the journey to recovering from traumatic experiences. We talk about a type of therapy called EMDR and how experiences from childhood are sometimes stored in the body until healed. Also: getting drunk in the Holy Spirit! This is a fascinating episode!!!

Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) talk about allll the things they were forbidden to do as Christian kids. Some were self-imposed (in Calvin's case) and some were off-limits by parental mandate. Harry Potter, Aladdin, Halloween, all non-Christian music and of course anything SEX related... we go down the list. See if you can relate! Remember to rate, review and subscribe!

Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) react to the 2006 documentary, "Jesus Camp," which focuses on a charismatic Christian summer camp for kids. It's, uh... triggering, because they identify with so much in the film. From teaching kids to evangelize, leading them in worship and speaking in tongues, and compelling them "take back America," there are manyyy subjects to discuss. Watch the film if you haven't! Write and call in if you've had similar experiences! Let's talk about it.

Well, this episode is amazing. Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) talk with author, minister and activist Brandan Robertson (@brandanrobertson), and boy do they learn a lot. They discuss the Bible and homosexuality (and how it's not actually mentioned!), progressive Christianity, and being willing to embrace uncertainty. They also dive into the resurrection and the Apostle Paul. Guys, get into it!!!

Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) are joined by long-time pal and amazing human Harleigh Ellsworth (@dearharleigh)! They talk about coming out, purity rings, spiritual experiences (gold dust!) and what it was like to grow up in the spotlight of church ministry. They also, OBVIOUSLY, discuss what it was like being the daughter of iconic Christian superhero, Bibleman (think Batman but... Bible). One for the ages!!!

Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) go through an actual LIST of crazy shit their pastors said in the past. From talking about Brokeback Mountain mid-sermon to telling crowds of millennials they are the "chosen generation," things got weird. Let's review! Also, write in and tell us crazy shit YOUR pastors have said. We wanna hear it.

Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) talk about family stuff! Relating to still-Christian family members and friends, maintaining relationships when you fundamentally disagree, creating art and content that your loved ones don't approve of, and staying sane through it all. All that and more! Follow us at @christiankidpod Write in at wewerechristiankids@gmail.com Call us at 913-283-4616

Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) read emails and listen to voicemails from their beloved listeners once again! They discuss growing up gay in the church and unwiring the teachings that were instilled at a young age. This is a particularly heartfelt episode. We are a community! We love you guys. Please write in at wewerechristiankids@gmail.com or give us a call at 913-283-4616.

Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) talk with Enrique Chi and Diego Chi (@iamdiego) from the band Making Movies (@mkngmvs). They discuss leaving the church, creating music and connecting with audiences, as well as the harm Christianity has wrought on humanity. Stream their new single, "Listening Wind" now!!

Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) talk about sex positions! Wait, no, they talking about actually BEING a missionary. Youth group mission trips, extended stays as a missionary, and just generally trying to convert people around the world. They also discuss how problematic that is! Yikes! We know more now! Follow us at @christiankidpod !

Comedian and writer Zach Zimmerman (@zzdoublezz) joins Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) to talk about devouring the Bible as a youth, the vast idea of eternity, and he even does a MAGIC TRICK. This is a fun one!!! Find Zach's comedy album "Clean Comedy" on iTunes and Spotify!

When the pastor says your eternity hangs in the balance, that it's heaven or hell, and to come down to the stage if you want to get saved -- that's what we're talking about! Altar calls, man. The fear tactics they employ and how the effects of them can linger years later. Calvin also discusses a "salvation play" he saw as a child, and how it scared the hell out of him (literally). We laugh, we lament, we come up with a drag show. Tune in! Follow us! @christiankidpod @imjustinrandall @calvinarsenia

Actor and Renaissance man JJ Bozeman (@jjbozeman) joins Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) to talk about his journey as a Christian Kid. They get into psychological warfare in the church, being both gay and Christian -- and gay and NOT Christian, and how being queer led them to more deeply examine and question their faiths. Plus: their Chipotle orders!!

This episode is alllllll about the listeners. Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) tune into listener voicemails and emails and it is an amazing time. They talk about being a kid in church, gay marriage and original sin, just to name a few things. If you're a listener, call in or write us!! We love hearing from you! 913-283-4616 wewerechristiankids@gmail.com

Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) are joined by Grace Semler Baldridge (@gracebaldridge) who recently spent four days at the top of the iTunes Christian music chart with her new EP "Preacher's Kid." They talk about Grace's upbringing in the church, an emergence of queer music in the Christian music industry, and how accepting our authentic self can help us connect with ourselves, others, and even God. This conversation is incredible and Grace is amazing. Stream "Preacher's Kid EP" now!

Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) reminisce on times of singing worship music in church. They chat about different music styles, raising hands while singing (or not), and also -- Calvin sings for us! Like four different songs! If worship music ever got you in your FEELINGS, this episode is for you. Follow us! @christiankidpod @imjustinrandall @calvinarsenia

Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) are joined by actor, singer-songwriter and life coach Brian Falduto (@brianfalduto)! They discuss questioning religion in college, searching for who you really are, and developing your own spirituality in adulthood. Brian also shares the inspiration behind his song "God Loves Me Too" and talks about what led him to begin working as a life coach. They also sing a bit while recalling favorite worship songs!!! It's fun! Follow us: @christiankidpod Call in: 913-283-4616 Email: wewerechristiankids@gmail.com

Justin Randall and Calvin Arsenia go deep in this episode. They discuss what "purity culture" was to them, how sex was often presented as an entirely "bad" and sinful thing, and whether they still feel the lasting effects of that conditioning. Plus Calvin tells the tale of his purity ring. And the episode is funny too, don't worry!

Best friend of the pod, Kasey Hammeke, joins Justin Randall and Calvin Arsenia to talk about their high school days together (largely spent in prayer). She shares her story of deconversion, having children, and how a church program she gave years of her life to turned out to be manipulative and destructive in many ways. They also talk about how BOTH Justin and Calvin ended up being gay and how Kasey had no idea!!! Follow Kasey on Instagram at @ksealou

Justin Randall and Calvin Arsenia explore the end of the world! They discuss the "Left Behind" series (both hilarious and terrifying), praying for Jesus to return and how the rapture was taught to them since they were tiny children. They also listen to a caller's experience with End Times teachings. Also: Jesus in space!

Justin Randall and Calvin Arsenia have their first guest! Aaron Goldenberg is an actor, comedian, content creator and TikTok star and he comes on the pod to talk about his history with the church. They discuss the stigma of switching churches/denominations, coming out of the closet, and what life is like after the structure and security of religion is removed. Follow Aaron everywhere at @aarongoldyboy

Justin Randall and Calvin Arsenia get REAL in this one, and open up about their high school evangelism, telling people they were going to hell, a disastrous morning at Bible study, and other things they regret. They also take a call from a listener in their first "Testimony Time!" segment and discuss their experience with the coming out process. Listen to this one if you wanna hear people getting honest, baby!

It's a Christmas episode of We Were Christian Kids! Justin Randall and Calvin Arsenia talk about MARIAH CAREY, childhood Christmas traditions, Santa Claus (and more importantly "Santa Daddy"), and having to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. They also discuss how their family Christmas dynamic shifted as they grew up and came out, and how they feel about the whole holiday now (Spoiler: Justin loves it?). Also: favorite Christmas movies! Ho ho ho.

Justin Randall and Calvin Arsenia get INTO their church camp experiences, from "naked night" (see: homoerotic) and falling victim to pranks, to prayer and worship and spiritual experiences. They also discuss hell (fun!) and the fear of going there, as well as prayer lists filled with the names of their peers. As always, they talk about sexual confusion and the mixed experience they had with spirituality as kids. Follow us: @christiankidpod @imjustinrandall @calvinarsenia

Justin Randall and Calvin Arsenia talk speaking in tongues, fasting, getting saved, family dynamics, being sheltered, trying to *pray the gay away* and much more in this week’s (very first!) episode of We Were Christian Kids.