Podcasts about exvangelical

We've walked through the theology, the scripture, the Greek and Hebrew — but today we're doing something refreshingly simple: Common sense.We explore the everyday wisdom that makes it absolutely clear: being LGBTQ — and loving who you love — is not sinful. Not even close.No clobber passages. No theological gymnastics. Just real life, real love, and real clarity.We break down:

We can't believe it but here we are with our ONE HUNDREDTH EPISODE of And Also With You! If this podcast has helped you grow in your faith, would you consider supporting us with a donation?  DONATE HERE VIA PAYPAL, VENMO, OR APPLE PAY: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/AQ74PDBMBXYVA +++ Like what you hear? We are an entirely crowd-sourced, you-funded project.  SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/AndAlsoWithYouPodcast There's all kinds of perks including un-aired live episodes, Zoom retreats, and mailbag episodes for our Patreons! +++ Our Website: https://andalsowithyoupod.com Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andalsowithyoupodcast/ ++++ MERCH: https://www.bonfire.com/store/and-also-with-you-the-podcast/ ++++ More about Father Lizzie: BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/762683/god-didnt-make-us-to-hate-us-by-rev-lizzie-mcmanus-dail/ RevLizzie.com https://www.instagram.com/rev.lizzie/ https://www.tiktok.com/@rev.lizzie Jubilee Episcopal Church in Austin, TX - JubileeATX.org  ++++ More about Mother Laura: https://www.instagram.com/laura.peaches/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mother_peaches ++++ Theme music: "On Our Own Again" by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue). New episodes drop Mondays at 7am EST/6am CST! 

Erica Smith is an award-winning sexuality educator, advocate, and author from rural Pennsylvania, where she grew up casually Christian, went to public school, learned sex ed from a gym teacher, and somehow became the most responsible teenage sexual health nerd with birth control, condoms, spermicide, and library books before having sex for the first time. In this episode we talk about purity culture, religious sexual shame, high-control groups, Christian nationalism, marital consent, "duty sex," the pressure placed on both women and men in evangelical purity teachings, and why healing from purity culture is not just about learning sex ed, but reconnecting to your body, your signals, your autonomy, and your right to desire without fear. Join the live watch party on YouTube today, episode release day, at 5p PT / 8p ET: https://www.youtube.com/@birdsandbeesdontfck   Want to hear Reddit stories? Join the afterparty over on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/cw/birdsandbeesdontfck   FCK LIKE THE MOVIES Where to find Erica: Website: https://www.purityculturedropout.com Instagram / Threads: @ericasmitheducates Book: The Purity Culture Recovery Guide: Shame-Free Sex Ed You Deserve   Where to find Arielle: Instagram: @birdsandbeesdontfck TikTok: @birdsandbeesdontfck Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/cw/birdsandbeesdontfck   Like my cuffs AND my vibrator necklace? Me too. Get $15 Off Crave Pleasure Jewelry Here: https://lovecrave.com/arielle   Episode Cheat Sheet 00:37 Why purity culture impacts everyone regardless of religious upbringing 02:01 Reclaiming spiritual language, God, universe, source, and finding meaning outside of shame 03:35 Erica's rural Pennsylvania upbringing and not coming from purity culture or evangelical Christianity 06:52 Conservative Judaism, kosher, Shabbat, fear of God, and the god of religious sexual shame 10:13 Why controlling sex is the central power tool in high-control groups and cults 13:15 Twin Flames, New Age purity culture, divine feminine and masculine, and forced relationship roles 15:11 Non-monogamy, the one-person mythology, and not knowing ethical non-monogamy was an option 18:22 The pressure on children to save souls and why evangelical recruitment causes anxiety 20:15 AIDS education, high school sex ed, birth control, Cosmo handouts, and a raw egg as a fake baby 23:35 Family planning at 16, condoms, spermicide, Planned Parenthood, teen pregnancy, and pre-internet sex ed 26:03 Curiosity as the common thread among sex educators and talking explicitly with friends about sex 30:26 From women's studies to abortion clinic counselor, September 11th, anti-abortion terrorism, and fake anthrax 33:46 Seventeen years doing sex ed and HIV prevention with incarcerated youth in Philadelphia juvenile detention 35:09 Exvangelicals, deconstruction, the 2016 election, and the mass exodus from evangelical Christianity 39:28 Wedding night trauma, the flip-the-switch expectation, marital rape, duty sex, and long-term sexual dysfunction 43:09 Consent in marriage, the every-72-hours myth, Christian patriarchy, and denying women the right to say no 46:14 Rape culture, dissociation, blaming wives for husbands cheating, and the harm purity culture does to men 48:41 Duty sex, maintenance sex, intimacy dates, responsive desire, and why sex should never be expected 50:06 Men in purity culture, being taught you are a sex demon, bounce your eyes, and associating desire with disrespect 53:01 How purity culture silences body signals around consent, danger, hunger, and attraction — and somatic healing 56:08 Why purity culture is not a thing of the past, Christian nationalism, fascism, voting, and bodily autonomy 01:01:07 Where to find Erica Smith, The Purity Culture Recovery Guide, and purity culture recovery support groups

Send us Fan MailBen and Adam chat with three-time Bread and Rosaries returnee, Damon Garcia, about his new book, You Don't Need a Calling. They talk about purpose, vocation, and why 'calling' can feel like religious version of productivity culture. Damon's book is available from all good booksellers and also some bad ones. Or just visit Damon's website: DamonGarcia.comSupport the showEverything Bread and Rosaries does will be free for everyone forever, but it does cost money to produce so if you wish to support the show on Patreon, we'd love you forever!Music credits at this link

Today, Leslie sits down with Pastor Joe Smith, who leads Maison Church in Gainesville, Florida — a progressive, welcoming congregation formed from a merger of two churches. Joe shares his faith deconstruction journey, beginning in the Free Will Baptist tradition, where childhood teachings instilled deep fear of hell and the rapture. He traces his gradual shift away from fundamentalism, sparked by the birth of his daughter in 2002 and questions about gender hierarchy, accelerated by the political climate, and deepened during the COVID-19 shutdown when he had time to deeply study queer inclusion theology through books like Unclobbered and Changing Our Minds. The conversation explores themes of religious trauma, Christian nationalism, HSPs (highly sensitive people) and deconstruction, evolving views on sin and repentance, universalism, and the difference between certainty and faith — with both Leslie and Joe reflecting candidly on their own journeys out of fear-based religion and into a more inclusive, love-centered spirituality. You can find Joe on Instagram! Honoring the Journey is hosted, produced and edited by Leslie Nease and the artwork for the show is also created by Leslie Nease.Pick up Leslie's book, Honoring the Journey: The Deconstruction of Sister Christian here.Interested in working with Leslie as your Life/Faith Transitions Coach? Check out her website and learn more about what she offers! https://www.leslieneasecoaching.comIf you'd like to be a part of the Honoring the Journey Team on Substack, click here! You can find her work and also support her financially if you desire.Would you like to leave a voicemail for Leslie? Click here!If you are looking for community as you deconstruct or just a place to go and enjoy the company of people who are seekers, learners and who are looking to connect with the Divine without religious baggage, please join the Private Facebook Community! Leslie is very passionate about connection and community, so if that sounds like you, please come join us! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Religion is wrong, you are not broken. You are beloved. A viral meme claimed your smallest sin is “infinitely offensive” to a holy God — but don't worry, Jesus covers you.We're calling that what it is: spiritual shame dressed up as devotion.In this episode, we dismantle the idea that you're a cosmic disappointment and reclaim a deeper truth:You were never vile.You were never a liability.You are already beloved.The truth is, when God looks at you, when God sees you, you are perfect.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

What does the raucous laughter of Nicki Minaj and Billy Graham have to do with 14th century saint? Find out in PART TWO of our MOST requested episodes ever -- diving deep into the question "Who is Saint Julian of Norwich???" Author of Revelations of Divine Love, coiner of the phrase "All Shall Be Well," and delighter in God's delight, St. Julian is such a powerful visionary and leader we needed two episodes to do her justice. We're joined again by the The Rev. Dr. Amy Laura Hall, one of Lizzie's professors from her time at Duke Divinity School. In part two, we explore "Christ as our true mother," the nature of the devil, and we see how Julian has echoes for us to consider in today's religious landscape. We also get a little teaser for Dr. Hall's new book, out in May 2026, called ERECTING THE PULPIT: MUSCULAR CHRISTIANITY FROM TEDDY ROOSEVELT TO DONALD TRUMP. Amy Laura Hall is Associate Professor of Christian Ethics and Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies at Duke University, where she has taught since 1999. She is the author of four books, including Conceiving Parenthood: American Protestantism and the Spirit of Reproduction (2007) and Laughing at the Devil: Seeing the World with Julian of Norwich (2018). A noted authority on Christianity and culture in the U.S., Hall has also contributed provocative essays on Protestantism and politics to Religion Dispatches and Religion News Service. Resources mentioned in this episode: Laughing at the Devil: Seeing the World with Julian of Norwich by Amy Laura Hall https://www.dukeupress.edu/laughing-at-the-devil Revelations of Divine Love by Julian of Norwich trans. by Elizabeth Spearing https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/261039/revelations-of-divine-love-by-julian-of-norwich-translated-by-elizabeth-spearing-introduction-and-notes-by-a-c-spearing/ Julian of Norwich and the Mystical Body Politic of Christ By Frederick Christian Bauerschmidt --https://undpress.nd.edu/9780268022082/julian-of-norwich/ The Writings of Julian of Norwich A Vision Showed to a Devout Woman and A Revelation of Love Edited by Nicholas Watson and Jacqueline Jenkins -- https://www.psupress.org/books/titles/0-271-02547-6.html?srsltid=AfmBOoopOJOEaY69eupR8Rx1uxzSJyVJpaSpLJKpJoHSPKAQ9ry8HPJY Rev. Dr. Amy Laura Hall's works: FORTHCOMING: Erecting the Pulpit: Muscular Christianity from Teddy Roosevelt to Donald Trump https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/erecting-the-pulpit-9798216383475/ Laughing at the Devil: Seeing the World with Julian of Norwich by Amy Laura Hall https://www.dukeupress.edu/laughing-at-the-devil https://arcmag.org/home-movies-for-holy-week/ +++ Like what you hear? We are an entirely crowd-sourced, you-funded project.  SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/AndAlsoWithYouPodcast There's all kinds of perks including un-aired live episodes, Zoom retreats, and mailbag episodes for our Patreons! +++ Our Website: https://andalsowithyoupod.com Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andalsowithyoupodcast/ ++++ MERCH: https://www.bonfire.com/store/and-also-with-you-the-podcast/ ++++ More about Father Lizzie: BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/762683/god-didnt-make-us-to-hate-us-by-rev-lizzie-mcmanus-dail/ RevLizzie.com https://www.instagram.com/rev.lizzie/ https://www.tiktok.com/@rev.lizzie Jubilee Episcopal Church in Austin, TX - JubileeATX.org  ++++ More about Mother Laura: https://www.instagram.com/laura.peaches/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mother_peaches ++++ Theme music: "On Our Own Again" by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue). New episodes drop Mondays at 7am EST/6am CST! 

So many people are asking the same question right now:What can I actually do that makes a difference?In this episode, we slow things down and get practical.Not perfect. Not performative. Not someday. Now.We share five real, tangible ways you can show up for LGBTQ+ people — as an ally, a parent, a friend, a neighbor, and a human being. From advocacy andvoting, to supporting queer creators and businesses, to getting involved locally,listening deeply, and sharing affirming resources that change lives.You don't have to do everything. You just have to do something. And the best time to start—or to ramp it up—is now.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

What does Rage Against the Machine and motherly images of God have to do with a 14th century saint?  Turns out ... a LOT. We are (finally) doing one of the MOST requested episodes ever -- diving deep into the question "Who is Saint Julian of Norwich???" And in order to dive into this saint whose revelatory witness of radical love, the wounds of Christ, and laughing at the nothingness of the devil, we have called in an expert: The Rev. Dr. Amy Laura Hall, one of Lizzie's professors from her time at Duke Divinity School.  This conversation was so rich that we had to split into two parts, so join us this week for PART ONE where we get a lay of the land of 14th century England, the bubonic plague, feudalism and its violence, and in this despairing time how Saint Julian received an incandescent vision of Christ's love for the whole world.  Amy Laura Hall is Associate Professor of Christian Ethics and Gender, Sexuality, and Feminist Studies at Duke University, where she has taught since 1999. She is the author of four books, including Conceiving Parenthood: American Protestantism and the Spirit of Reproduction (2007) and Laughing at the Devil: Seeing the World with Julian of Norwich (2018). A noted authority on Christianity and culture in the U.S., Hall has also contributed provocative essays on Protestantism and politics to Religion Dispatches and Religion News Service. Resources mentioned in this episode: Laughing at the Devil: Seeing the World with Julian of Norwich by Amy Laura Hall https://www.dukeupress.edu/laughing-at-the-devil Revelations of Divine Love by Julian of Norwich trans. by Elizabeth Spearing https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/261039/revelations-of-divine-love-by-julian-of-norwich-translated-by-elizabeth-spearing-introduction-and-notes-by-a-c-spearing/ Julian of Norwich and the Mystical Body Politic of Christ By Frederick Christian Bauerschmidt --https://undpress.nd.edu/9780268022082/julian-of-norwich/ The Writings of Julian of Norwich A Vision Showed to a Devout Woman and A Revelation of Love Edited by Nicholas Watson and Jacqueline Jenkins -- https://www.psupress.org/books/titles/0-271-02547-6.html?srsltid=AfmBOoopOJOEaY69eupR8Rx1uxzSJyVJpaSpLJKpJoHSPKAQ9ry8HPJY Rev. Dr. Amy Laura Hall's works: FORTHCOMING: Erecting the Pulpit: Muscular Christianity from Teddy Roosevelt to Donald Trump https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/erecting-the-pulpit-9798216383475/ Laughing at the Devil: Seeing the World with Julian of Norwich by Amy Laura Hall https://www.dukeupress.edu/laughing-at-the-devil https://arcmag.org/home-movies-for-holy-week/ +++ Like what you hear? We are an entirely crowd-sourced, you-funded project.  SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/AndAlsoWithYouPodcast There's all kinds of perks including un-aired live episodes, Zoom retreats, and mailbag episodes for our Patreons! +++ Our Website: https://andalsowithyoupod.com Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andalsowithyoupodcast/ ++++ MERCH: https://www.bonfire.com/store/and-also-with-you-the-podcast/ ++++ More about Father Lizzie: BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/762683/god-didnt-make-us-to-hate-us-by-rev-lizzie-mcmanus-dail/ RevLizzie.com https://www.instagram.com/rev.lizzie/ https://www.tiktok.com/@rev.lizzie Jubilee Episcopal Church in Austin, TX - JubileeATX.org  ++++ More about Mother Laura: https://www.instagram.com/laura.peaches/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mother_peaches ++++ Theme music: "On Our Own Again" by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue). New episodes drop Mondays at 7am EST/6am CST! 

Send us Fan Mail(REPRISE) Ken welcomes back to the podcast the originator of the hashtag that launched a movement: #exvangelical, Blake Chastain. They discuss his new book, Exvangelical and Beyond: How American Christianity Went Radical and the Movement Fighting Back. An undergraduate at an evangelical university in Central Indiana, Blake had questions - about the Bible, the exclusive truth claims, the identification with conservative politics, the indifference to Earth care, to race, to social justice, and finally, the full-on embrace of MAGA Trumpism. It was a crisis of faith. When his hashtag went viral, CBS called him for a life-changing interview. Blake started The Exvangelical Podcast. In a wide-ranging conversation, Ken and Blake explore the history of evangelicalism and the contributing factors that have led to the evangelicalism we know today. SHOW NOTESPurchase Blake's Book on Amazon | Ken's Most Recent SubstackOriginally Aired November 15, 2024Support the showBecome a Patron - Click on the link to learn how you can become a Patron of the show. Thank you!Ken's Substack PageThe Podcast Official Site: TheBeachedWhiteMale.com

The sermon may (or may not) be your favorite part of the service, but did you know not all Christian services have a sermon? And there are as many definitions of what a sermon "is" as there are preachers. So we dive into what a sermon is in the most basic terms, and then get into what a sermon is for us, and what we think makes the best kind of sermon.  +++ Like what you hear? We are an entirely crowd-sourced, you-funded project.  SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/AndAlsoWithYouPodcast There's all kinds of perks including un-aired live episodes, Zoom retreats, and mailbag episodes for our Patreons! +++ Our Website: https://andalsowithyoupod.com Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andalsowithyoupodcast/ ++++ MERCH: https://www.bonfire.com/store/and-also-with-you-the-podcast/ ++++ More about Father Lizzie: BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/762683/god-didnt-make-us-to-hate-us-by-rev-lizzie-mcmanus-dail/ RevLizzie.com https://www.instagram.com/rev.lizzie/ https://www.tiktok.com/@rev.lizzie Jubilee Episcopal Church in Austin, TX - JubileeATX.org  ++++ More about Mother Laura: https://www.instagram.com/laura.peaches/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mother_peaches St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh, PA ++++ Theme music: "On Our Own Again" by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue). New episodes drop Mondays at 7am EST/6am CST! 

What happens when the questions you've been taught to silence refuse to stay quiet? Today on Honoring the Journey, Leslie talks with Jen Nielsen (@allthoseopposed), who shares her powerful journey out of the LDS Church—the doubts that started it, the cost of following them, and why she's chosen to speak out. This is a story of courage, clarity, and reclaiming your voice.    Honoring the Journey is hosted, produced and edited by Leslie Nease and the artwork for the show is also created by Leslie Nease.Pick up Leslie's book, Honoring the Journey: The Deconstruction of Sister Christian here.Interested in working with Leslie as your Life/Faith Transitions Coach? Check out her website and learn more about what she offers! https://www.leslieneasecoaching.comIf you'd like to be a part of the Honoring the Journey Team on Substack, click here! You can find her work and also support her financially if you desire.Would you like to leave a voicemail for Leslie? Click here!If you are looking for community as you deconstruct or just a place to go and enjoy the company of people who are seekers, learners and who are looking to connect with the Divine without religious baggage, please join the Private Facebook Community! Leslie is very passionate about connection and community, so if that sounds like you, please come join us! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

We've been told for years: be the resistance.But what if that's why so many people fighting for love and inclusion feel exhausted?Inspired by a talk from Glennon Doyle, this episode flips the whole idea:We are not the resistance. We are the river.The current of belonging has always been moving — widening across history no matter who tried to stop it. Our role isn't just to argue or brace against the world… it's to step into that flow, find our place in it, and live the kind of life that invites others into the water too.Joy isn't a distraction from advocacy. It's one of its most powerful tools.Because fear can demand compliance — but only love creates movement.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

Easter is proclaimed in the Easter Vigil with a famous chant called "The Exsultet," and while we have lots of other famous chants and proclamations, this one is really special and has a wild backstory. So for Eastertide this year, we're excited to welcome Mother Laura back from her maternity leave and dive right into this liturgical, theological, and social history! Special thanks to The Rev. Kira Austin-Young who so expertly chanted the Exsultet for us! +++ Like what you hear? We are an entirely crowd-sourced, you-funded project.  SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/AndAlsoWithYouPodcast There's all kinds of perks including un-aired live episodes, Zoom retreats, and mailbag episodes for our Patreons! +++ Our Website: https://andalsowithyoupod.com Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andalsowithyoupodcast/ ++++ MERCH: https://www.bonfire.com/store/and-also-with-you-the-podcast/ ++++ More about Father Lizzie: BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/762683/god-didnt-make-us-to-hate-us-by-rev-lizzie-mcmanus-dail/ RevLizzie.com https://www.instagram.com/rev.lizzie/ https://www.tiktok.com/@rev.lizzie Jubilee Episcopal Church in Austin, TX - JubileeATX.org  ++++ More about Mother Laura: https://www.instagram.com/laura.peaches/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mother_peaches St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh, PA ++++ Theme music: "On Our Own Again" by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue). New episodes drop Mondays at 7am EST/6am CST! 

Lent begins with the story of Jesus being tempted in the wilderness by Satan. But ... what is temptation? As we come to the end of our 40 days of Lent now in Holy Week, we take a moment to truly ask of God and ourselves what temptation is, and is not. Join friend of Rev. Lizzie and the pod, The Rev. Angela Tyler-Williams. We're excited to welcome Rev. Laura back from maternity leave next month! Please pray for her continued rest and recovery in the meantime :)  +++ Like what you hear? We are an entirely crowd-sourced, you-funded project.  SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/AndAlsoWithYouPodcast There's all kinds of perks including un-aired live episodes, Zoom retreats, and mailbag episodes for our Patreons! +++ Our Website: https://andalsowithyoupod.com Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andalsowithyoupodcast/ ++++ MERCH: https://www.bonfire.com/store/and-also-with-you-the-podcast/ ++++ More about Father Lizzie: BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/762683/god-didnt-make-us-to-hate-us-by-rev-lizzie-mcmanus-dail/ RevLizzie.com https://www.instagram.com/rev.lizzie/ https://www.tiktok.com/@rev.lizzie Jubilee Episcopal Church in Austin, TX - JubileeATX.org  ++++ More about Mother Laura: https://www.instagram.com/laura.peaches/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mother_peaches St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh, PA ++++ Theme music: "On Our Own Again" by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue). New episodes drop Mondays at 7am EST/6am CST!  Cover art today is a sketch by Rembrandt of the Temptation of Christ. 

People can't give what they don't have, and many people simply don't have approval to give. But remember, this has nothing to do with you.   When faced with the rejection and disapproval of others, it's important to separate your well-being from someone else's approval. It's just their opinion, and it doesn't have to mean anything to you.   It's not about your worth in any way whatsoever, it is about but their lack of approval, and the fears and false teachings that fuel that.How can we break free from the approval of others?Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

The Samaritan Woman, also called The Woman at the Well, appears in John 4 in a long discourse with Jesus under the noonday sun. She famously has had many husbands and is currently "with" a man who is "not her husband," and yet ... she is also a pivotal evangelist, preacher, and leader for the early Jesus movement. We heard her story in Lent 3, Year A, so we're taking a moment dive deeper into this text and what it might to say to us who are reclaiming our Christian faith for modern Christian life.  Join friend of Rev. Lizzie and the pod, The Rev. Angela Tyler-Williams!.  We're excited to welcome Rev. Laura back from maternity leave next month! Please pray for her continued rest and recovery in the meantime :)  +++ Like what you hear? We are an entirely crowd-sourced, you-funded project.  SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/AndAlsoWithYouPodcast There's all kinds of perks including un-aired live episodes, Zoom retreats, and mailbag episodes for our Patreons! +++ Our Website: https://andalsowithyoupod.com Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andalsowithyoupodcast/ ++++ MERCH: https://www.bonfire.com/store/and-also-with-you-the-podcast/ ++++ More about Father Lizzie: BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/762683/god-didnt-make-us-to-hate-us-by-rev-lizzie-mcmanus-dail/ RevLizzie.com https://www.instagram.com/rev.lizzie/ https://www.tiktok.com/@rev.lizzie Jubilee Episcopal Church in Austin, TX - JubileeATX.org  ++++ More about Mother Laura: https://www.instagram.com/laura.peaches/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mother_peaches St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh, PA ++++ Theme music: "On Our Own Again" by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue). New episodes drop Mondays at 7am EST/6am CST!  Cover art for this episode from Wikimedia commons, Carl Heinrich Bloch - Woman at the Well. 

Today on Honoring the Journey, we have a powerful conversation with Josh Harris, author of "I Kissed Dating Goodbye," as he shares his journey of reckoning with the impact of purity culture. Harris openly discusses how he came to recognize the harm caused by his influential book after years of hearing stories from people affected by its teachings, ultimately leading him to unpublish it and apologize publicly. The conversation explores the difficult process of deconstructing deeply held beliefs, navigating church leadership failures and sexual abuse mishandling, his own marriage ending, and stepping away from evangelicalism. We reflect on the challenges of leaving rigid certainty for authentic faith, the importance of self-compassion during deconstruction, the dangers of algorithmic rage and groupthink, and the freedom that comes from holding beliefs with open hands rather than dogmatic certainty, emphasizing that healing and growth are possible even after significant mistakes. Find and follow Josh on Instagram! Honoring the Journey is hosted, produced and edited by Leslie Nease and the artwork for the show is also created by Leslie Nease.Pick up Leslie's new book, Honoring the Journey: The Deconstruction of Sister Christian here.Interested in working with Leslie as your Life/Faith Transitions Coach? Check out her website and learn more about what she offers! https://www.leslieneasecoaching.comIf you'd like to be a part of the Honoring the Journey Team on Substack, click here! You can find her work and also support her financially if you desire.Would you like to leave a voicemail for Leslie? Click here!If you are looking for community as you deconstruct or just a place to go and enjoy the company of people who are seekers, learners and who are looking to connect with the Divine without religious baggage, please join the Private Facebook Community! Leslie is very passionate about connection and community, so if that sounds like you, please come join us! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Saint Brigid of Kildare is steeped in myth to people of Christian and Pagan faith, and she's one of the three patron saints of Ireland. Known for being an abbess who led orders of men and women; a nun who celebrated the Mass; a woman who shared a bed with her "anam cara" or "soulmate," fellow nun Darlughdach; for making a pregnancy miraculously disappear; and, bamboozingly, for being the patron saint of computers ... there's a lot to unpack about this fiery lady. Join friend of Rev. Lizzie and the pod, The Rev. Angela Tyler-Williams, for a spirited conversation about saints, who tells the sacred stories of our faith, and why this Irish goddess-slash-saint still has good news for us in the liminal spaces today.  We're excited to welcome Rev. Laura back from maternity leave next month! Please pray for her continued rest and recovery in the meantime :) More on Saint Brigid: Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul - John Philip Newell - https://materialmedia.com/product/sacred-earth-sacred-soul/ Catholics for Choice - St. Brigid prayer card - https://www.catholicsforchoice.org/resource-library/prayer-cards-st-hildegard-and-st-brigid/ https://www.cta-usa.org/perspectives/st-brigid-of-kildare-patroness-of-reproductive-justice Britannica - https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Brigit-of-Ireland https://www.asn.org.uk/st-brigid-of-kildare-patron-saint-and-irelands-first-abortionist/  +++ Like what you hear? We are an entirely crowd-sourced, you-funded project.  SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/AndAlsoWithYouPodcast There's all kinds of perks including un-aired live episodes, Zoom retreats, and mailbag episodes for our Patreons! +++ Our Website: https://andalsowithyoupod.com Our Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andalsowithyoupodcast/ ++++ MERCH: https://www.bonfire.com/store/and-also-with-you-the-podcast/ ++++ More about Father Lizzie: BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/762683/god-didnt-make-us-to-hate-us-by-rev-lizzie-mcmanus-dail/ RevLizzie.com https://www.instagram.com/rev.lizzie/ https://www.tiktok.com/@rev.lizzie Jubilee Episcopal Church in Austin, TX - JubileeATX.org  ++++ More about Mother Laura: https://www.instagram.com/laura.peaches/ https://www.tiktok.com/@mother_peaches St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh, PA ++++ Theme music: "On Our Own Again" by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue). New episodes drop Mondays at 7am EST/6am CST! 

Today on Honoring the Journey, Leslie chats with Halli Carbrey (@hallifaith.liberated) about leaving high control religion. Halli shares her story of growing up in a small, insular group called the Lord's Recovery, experiencing excommunication with her then-husband in 2019, and navigating the complex process of deconstruction while raising three children. The discussion explores themes of religious trauma, purity culture's impact on sexuality, the struggle to find identity beyond rigid belief systems, and the journey toward self-trust and authentic spirituality. Both women reflect on questioning deeply held beliefs, the loss of community when leaving religion, and finding healing through vulnerability and connection. Halli, who transitioned from being a Christian couples therapist to a religious trauma and sex coach, emphasizes the importance of rest, unconditional self-love, and creating safe spaces for others wrestling with similar experiences. Find Halli on Instagram! Honoring the Journey is hosted, produced and edited by Leslie Nease and the artwork for the show is also created by Leslie Nease.Pick up Leslie's new book, Honoring the Journey: The Deconstruction of Sister Christian here.Interested in working with Leslie as your Life/Faith Transitions Coach? Check out her website and learn more about what she offers! https://www.leslieneasecoaching.comIf you'd like to be a part of the Honoring the Journey Team on Substack, click here! You can find her work and also support her financially if you desire.Would you like to leave a voicemail for Leslie? Click here!If you are looking for community as you deconstruct or just a place to go and enjoy the company of people who are seekers, learners and who are looking to connect with the Divine without religious baggage, please join the Private Facebook Community! Leslie is very passionate about connection and community, so if that sounds like you, please come join us! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Loving queer kids today requires honesty: they are growing up in a world that actively questions their right to exist, to be safe, and to belong. In this episode, we speak plainly to parents, caregivers, and allies about what LGBTQ+ kids need — not someday, but right now — in a cultural and political climate that is increasingly hostile.We confront the real harm caused by silence and “good intentions,” challenge adults to move beyond private support into public protection, and name advocacy as a non-negotiable part of love. This episode is a call to action for anyone who claims to care about queer kids.Because love that doesn't protect is not love — it's abandonment.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

For part 12 of 12 on “What is the Nicene Creed?” we unpack these lines:"We look for the resurrection of the dead,and the life of the world to come.Amen."**cues up "The Final Countdown" by Europe**So... what is the world to come? What does it have to do with the resurrection of the dead? +++Like what you hear? We are an entirely crowd-sourced, you-funded project. SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/AndAlsoWithYouPodcastThere's all kinds of perks including un-aired live episodes, Zoom retreats, and mailbag episodes for our Patreons!+++Our Website: https://andalsowithyoupod.comOur Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andalsowithyoupodcast/++++MERCH: https://www.bonfire.com/store/and-also-with-you-the-podcast/++++More about Father Lizzie:BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/762683/god-didnt-make-us-to-hate-us-by-rev-lizzie-mcmanus-dail/RevLizzie.comhttps://www.instagram.com/rev.lizzie/https://www.tiktok.com/@rev.lizzieJubilee Episcopal Church in Austin, TX - JubileeATX.org ++++More about Mother Laura:https://www.instagram.com/laura.peaches/https://www.tiktok.com/@mother_peachesSt. Paul's Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh, PA++++Theme music:"On Our Own Again" by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue).New episodes drop Mondays at 7am EST/6am CST! 

Baptism is considered THE entrance to Christian faith -- but Christians vary widely in practice and belief on what baptism does, who it is for, and why we do it. So for part 10 of 12 on “What is the Nicene Creed?” we unpack this lines:"We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins."So we wade into the muddy waters of the River Jordan to ask: what is sin, what does it mean to be forgiven, and how does this apply when some people are literally infants when they are baptized? What does God do when we are baptized? And why is this significant that it only happens once? +++Like what you hear? We are an entirely crowd-sourced, you-funded project. SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/AndAlsoWithYouPodcastThere's all kinds of perks including un-aired live episodes, Zoom retreats, and mailbag episodes for our Patreons!+++Our Website: https://andalsowithyoupod.comOur Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andalsowithyoupodcast/++++MERCH: https://www.bonfire.com/store/and-also-with-you-the-podcast/++++More about Father Lizzie:BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/762683/god-didnt-make-us-to-hate-us-by-rev-lizzie-mcmanus-dail/RevLizzie.comhttps://www.instagram.com/rev.lizzie/https://www.tiktok.com/@rev.lizzieJubilee Episcopal Church in Austin, TX - JubileeATX.org ++++More about Mother Laura:https://www.instagram.com/laura.peaches/https://www.tiktok.com/@mother_peachesSt. Paul's Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh, PA++++Theme music:"On Our Own Again" by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue).New episodes drop Mondays at 7am EST/6am CST! 

“We can disagree and still love each other” is often framed as maturity or respect — but what happens when that disagreement puts real people at risk? In this episode, we confront how “just disagreeing” about LGBTQ+ lives, identities, and inclusion stops being neutral and starts becoming dangerous.We examine the real-world consequences of polite harm, the myth of neutrality, and the cost of silence when injustice is dressed up as belief or civility. This is a call to move beyond comfort and into responsibility — for families, allies, and anyone who claims to love LGBTQ+ people.Because love that refuses to protect is not love at all.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

For part 10 of 12 on “What is the Nicene Creed?” we unpack this lines:"We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church."... which can feel strange, or outright ironic, when you are in a church that doesn't get along with ... the church across the street. How can we proclaim we are ONE church when Christianity is so obviously divided? How could the church 1700 years ago claim this, when division goes back to James and John vying to sit at the right hand of Jesus when he came into glory? We bring in scholar and priest, The Rev. Dr. Valerie Bailey, to speak with us and muddle through what it means to (1) be a church in the tradition of the apostles and (2) aspire for such holy unity. The Rev. Dr. Valerie Bailey Fisher The Rev. Valerie Bailey Fischer serves at Williams College as the chaplain.  She has more than 11 years of college chaplaincy experience, nearly a decade in ordained ministry and strong foundations in experiential education and social justice. Raised in the African-American Pentecostal tradition, Bailey Fischer joined the Episcopal Church as a young adult. She has a B.A. from Penn State and an M.Div. from Union Theological Seminary. She is completing a dissertation in Anglican studies and U.S. Episcopal Church history at General Theological Seminary.+++Like what you hear? We are an entirely crowd-sourced, you-funded project. SUPPORT US ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/AndAlsoWithYouPodcastThere's all kinds of perks including un-aired live episodes, Zoom retreats, and mailbag episodes for our Patreons!+++Our Website: https://andalsowithyoupod.comOur Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andalsowithyoupodcast/++++MERCH: https://www.bonfire.com/store/and-also-with-you-the-podcast/++++More about Father Lizzie:BOOK: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/762683/god-didnt-make-us-to-hate-us-by-rev-lizzie-mcmanus-dail/RevLizzie.comhttps://www.instagram.com/rev.lizzie/https://www.tiktok.com/@rev.lizzieJubilee Episcopal Church in Austin, TX - JubileeATX.org ++++More about Mother Laura:https://www.instagram.com/laura.peaches/https://www.tiktok.com/@mother_peachesSt. Paul's Episcopal Church in Pittsburgh, PA++++Theme music:"On Our Own Again" by Blue Dot Sessions (www.sessions.blue).New episodes drop Mondays at 7am EST/6am CST! 

Meliea of Lunar Aligned reads a Lunar New Year of the Fire Horse 2026 card spread from the Soul Trees oracle deck by Allyson Williams Yee.Referenced in this Episode:Soul Trees & Soul Seeds | Allyson Williams YeeInteract with Lunar Aligned via:Email | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok SEND US A TEXTSupport the Show | Buy Me a CoffeeLeave Us A Voicemail | 980.355.9665 Interact with Mediocre Mystic:Web | Email | Substack | X Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube Subscribe & Follow | Rate & ReviewApple | Spotify | Substack | YouTubeMusic by '86 Aerostar | Logo by Bizri Creative Group

Today we honor the journey of Jeremy Johnson, host of the Slutty Grace podcast, as we explore our parallel journeys of religious deconstruction. Both of us were raised in evangelical fundamentalist Christianity, and we discuss how we moved from rigid theological certainty to a more expansive, grace-centered faith. Jeremy shares his path from youth pastor to questioning core doctrines like total depravity, hell, and exclusionary salvation, catalyzed by reading Brian McLaren and experiencing diverse Christian traditions. Jeremy chats about how his childhood religious teachings shaped his self-worth, his eventual separation of faith from institutional paychecks, and his discovery that God's love might be far more generous and inclusive than he was ever taught. The conversation touches on the nature of sin, human connectedness, and the freedom found in embracing mystery and curiosity rather than doctrinal certainty.Find Jeromy at Slutty Grace Podcast! Honoring the Journey is hosted, produced and edited by Leslie Nease and the artwork for the show is also created by Leslie Nease.Want to get updates/announcements and a FREE Deconstruction Journaling Prompt PDF? Sign up for Leslie's Monthly Newsletter! You can do that HERE.Pick up Leslie's new book, Honoring the Journey: The Deconstruction of Sister Christian here.Interested in working with Leslie as your Life/Faith Transitions Coach? Check out her website and learn more about what she offers! https://www.leslieneasecoaching.comIf you'd like to be a part of the Honoring the Journey Team on Substack, click here! You can find her work and also support her financially if you desire.Would you like to leave a voicemail for Leslie? Click here!If you are looking for community as you deconstruct or just a place to go and enjoy the company of people who are seekers, learners and who are looking to connect with the Divine without religious baggage, please join the Private Facebook Community! Leslie is very passionate about connection and community, so if that sounds like you, please come join us! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Valentine's Day can be beautiful for some — and deeply complicated for others. In this episode, we make space for those who feel unseen, pressured, or left out by traditional narratives of love.We explore why romantic love is often treated as the ultimate measure of worth, how that harms LGBTQ+ people and their families, and what it means to reclaim a broader, more honest definition of love. This is an invitation to opt out of shame, redefine belonging, and remember that your life, your timing, and your way of loving are already enough.Because love was never meant to be narrow — it was meant to make room.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

Send us a textWelcome back to today's podcast, a place where we share stories of awakenings—those moments when life disrupts the script and invites us into deeper truth, healing, and courage.Today's conversation is especially timely and tender. My guest is Susan Reedy, a Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in trauma recovery and resiliency. Susan works with people navigating grief and loss, traumatic experiences, life transitions, and anxiety—and she also trains other therapists in the skills of trauma-informed care, including the Trauma Resiliency Model.Susan's own story includes powerful awakenings: growing up in the Worldwide Church of God under Herbert W. Armstrong, the long work of de-programming from religious control, and her early work with traumatized children. We'll talk openly about religious trauma, a theme that shows up often on this podcast, and connect it to broader cultural and political stress many of us are carrying right now.We'll also revisit the Altadena fires—how quickly they spread, the scope of destruction, and the deeply human stories of loss that followed. Along the way, Susan helps us understand what trauma is, why trauma therapy matters, and what healing and wellness can actually look like after everything falls apart.SHOW NOTESSupport the showBecome a Patron - Click on the link to learn how you can become a Patron of the show. Thank you! Ken's Substack Page The Podcast Official Site: TheBeachedWhiteMale.com

You've heard the false teachings. You've read the posts. You've seen the statements of faith declaring, “Marriage is between one man and one woman.”This episode is for every LGBTQ+ person harmed by those words — and for every Christian parent who affirms their child, yet still hears that sentence reverberating through their church, their family, and their faith.Let's be clear: no one should believe the Bible condemns them — or their child — because of that claim.Because it isn't biblical. It isn't historical. And it isn't truth.In today's episode, we expose the lie and shatter the myth of “traditional marriage” and the fantasy of the "perfect" family — replacing it with what Scripture actually reveals: love, covenant, justice, and grace.Beloved, this truth belongs to you!Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIn this episode of Faithful Politics, we sit down with Heather Cronk, founder of Project 21:12, to talk about what happens after people leave evangelical Christianity—and why that story matters politically, socially, and morally. Heather shares her own journey through fundamentalism, seminary, deconstruction, and organizing, and explains why roughly 15 million Americans now identify as exvangelicals. We discuss why LGBTQ treatment is one of the leading reasons people leave evangelical churches, how Christian nationalism distorts faith into a tool of power, and why organizing—not just healing—is central to accountability. The conversation wrestles honestly with Jesus, doubt, labels, and pluralism, while asking a forward-looking question: if this movement becomes visible and organized, how might it reshape the national conversation about faith and democracy?Relevant LinksProject 2112: https://project2112.orgGuest Bio Heather Cronk is a longtime community organizer and the founder of Project 2112, an initiative focused on connecting and organizing Americans who have left evangelical Christianity. After deconstructing from fundamentalist evangelicalism more than two decades ago, Heather spent years working across progressive movement spaces, bringing organizing tools to issues of power, accountability, and harm. Through Project 2112, she works to make exvangelicals visible, connected, and equipped to challenge the political and social damage caused by authoritarian forms of religion—while building healthier forms of community and public engagement.Support the show

You've heard it repeated by nonaffirming Christians and right-wing politicians: “traditional values.”But listen closely — and notice what's missing.Honesty. Fidelity. Compassion. Justice. Kindness.So what are “traditional values,” really? Whose tradition are we talking about? From which era? From which culture? From which Bible — and whose Christianity?In this episode, we expose the myth of “traditional values,” how the phrase became a political weapon instead of a moral compass, and what real, Jesus-shaped values actually demand of us.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

As we step into a new year, we name the truth of this moment for LGBTQ+ lives and rights — without panic, without denial, and without losing hope. We talk about what's happening now, what 2026 may bring, and how we respond with courage, clarity, and love.This episode is for LGBTQ+ people, parents, allies, and anyone who refuses to let fear dictate the future.We unpack the political landscape, the shifts happening inside faith communities, the fierce resilience of LGBTQ+ youth, and the real, practical ways each of us can show up — for ourselves, for our families, and for the generations coming next.This is not a warning. It's a roadmap.A reminder that you are not powerless — and an invitation to love boldly in 2026.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

In this episode of the 'Talk of Iowa' book club, author Sarah McCammon and expert readers discuss 'The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church.' The book is a blend of memoir and reporting, focusing on McCammon's life growing up in an evangelical church in Missouri and attending an evangelical college before parting ways with the church as a young adult. McCammon also writes about the experiences of other so-called "exvangelicals." (This episode was originally produced April 15, 2025.)

Heather Cronk joins The Great Battlefield podcast to talk about her path that led her to progressive organizing and founding Project 21:12, which is building community and organizing capacity for millions of Exvangelicals.

Kayse Melone is an exvangelical turned secular humanist activist, and she has much to say about her former faith, women in activist spaces, and political indoctrination.INTERVIEW VIDEOKayce's YouTube pageBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/thethinkingatheist--3270347/support.

Today, since Christmas is coming up, we will talk about lemons and blackberries.I know, I know – what does THAT have to do with Christmas?I want to tell you a couple of stories from my life that involved lemons and blackberries, and what I learned about abundance?At this time of year, when we all make our lists of things we want, and of things to give, maybe it is the perfect time to really understand abundance.This is going to be fun and sweet... cause, you know, blackberries! Yum.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

Every December, a loud minority swear they're being hunted by carollers, coffee cups, and secular toddlers armed with “Happy Holidays.” So is the War on Christmas real, or just a profitable bit of political theatre? We drag the opportunistic pundits, the purity-culture merchants, and the mall Santas who think they're frontline soldiers—because this “war” has everything except reality.We're taking a skeptical look at:The Meltdown: How “Happy Holidays” became a slur.The Merch: Purity-culture Christmas capitalism and the grifters cashing in.The Reality: Inconvenient historical facts about the holiday's actual origins.Includes original comedy sketches, irreverent history, and our trademark blasphemous chaos!If you like your holidays with skepticism, satire, and a little unholy cheer, you're in the right cult. Join the SIMSH Congregation: • Follow, rate, review, and spread the word • Support the show & unlock bonus content on Patreon • Summon us directly via email if you feel spiritually compelledOr just scream into the void on our behalf. It all helps.Send us a textSupport the showWelcome, Sinners! We're building a cult — the good kind. No robes, just laughs. Catch every blasphemous episode: Listen Here Wear your heresy: Merch Store Support the pod & unlock Hoots songs: Patreon Your reviews, shares, and smart-ass comments keep the cult alive.

Was Jesus kind of a stand-up comedian?I mean think about it... A priest, a rabbi, and Jesus walked into a bar. Only Jesus recognized the setup for a joke. I never really thought about Jesus being funny or not. I mean, we've heard the stories 1000 times and... I usually smile at the funnier parts, but I never exactly said, Jesus is really funny!Then I found a little book that really opened my eyes.I will share that with you today as we talk about how funny, profoundly funny, Jesus was. We sure could use a few laughs right now.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

This episode is different. It's sacred. The Transgender Day of Remembrance is a day to honor and remember the transgender people whose lives were stolen by violence, hatred, and neglect. We wish we didn't need a day like this. We wish the world were already safe and affirming for our trans family and friends. But the reality is, many lives are lost each year—and too often, those lives are ignored, erased, or dismissed. So today, we stop. We pause. We remember. We honor. Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

You are talking about this and then it happens: someone pulls out a Bible verse and declares that God is against transgender people.You've heard it from pulpits, from politicians, maybe from your own family.But, Beloved, here's the truth: the Bible does NOT say what these people claim it does. In fact, what the Bible does say about this is actually fully affirming!So today, we dig in and set the record straight about what the Bible doesn't say, what it does say, and why this matters so much right now!Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

Politicians and pundits have made trans rights one of their top wedge issues. They stir up outrage, and push legislation designed to divide, distract, and control.We've all seen it: bills banning gender-affirming care, bathroom access, policing pronouns, especially in state legislations. Leaders pushing them claim it's about “protecting children” or “upholding values.” But, it's not! This is about consolidating power through fear.And while trans people feel the sting of this, the harm doesn't stop with them. It ripples outward, touching every one of us.Because when anti-trans rhetoric spreads, it erodes compassion, truth, and freedom—for everyone.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

Let's talk about God! Our favorite subject… Or is it?? It would be—or could be—if we hadn't been lied to about God. Well, our job at FreedHearts is to make you feel better about God — or have no feelings about God, that's fine. But what we DON'T want is for you to have bad feelings about God because they're usually connected to bad feelings about yourself – and none of that is true! Today we tell you a story as a contrast to God—about Alfred Hitchcock. Hitchcock is known as the Master of Suspense. Just in time for Halloween!This is going to be fun!Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

Jesus' message was clear: the kingdom of God is here and now. His anger burned toward those in power who oppressed the vulnerable. His focus was justice, compassion, and service — NOT personal salvation formulas.Yet so much of today's theology on LGBTQ issues, sin, salvation, and authority doesn't come from Jesus at all — it comes from Paul.So we ask: are Christians really following Paul instead of Jesus?Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

Today's episode is a heartfelt message to non-affirming Christians — or one you can share with them.It's a message of hope and courage: you do NOT need to be afraid to support LGBTQ+ people and same-sex relationships.Yes, the climate feels hostile. Yes, fear is loud. But truth is louder. Prejudice is crumbling. Walls are falling. Pastors are rethinking long-held beliefs. Parents are choosing their child over false doctrine.This is what faith is meant to be. Not about fear. Not about control. But about love — radical, unstoppable love.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

In this episode, Cameron shares his powerful story of serving for sixteen years at one of Arizona's largest megachurches, a place where faith, control, and fear collided. From witnessing the enforcement of “alignment” policies to experiencing personal retaliation and deep spiritual betrayal, Cameron opens up about what it meant to lose his community while finding his voice. His courage sheds light on how systems of power can twist spiritual language to maintain control and how healing begins with truth.Support the show

Today's episode is both deeply personal and powerfully relevant to the moment we're living in.We're talking about coming out — as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer — in a time when hostility and attacks are escalating. This isn't just theory — it's raw, real, and urgent.All of this in honor of National Coming Out Day on October 11th! Plus, we're sharing a major announcement about a bold new chapter for FreedHearts — one we can't wait for you to hear.This conversation is about courage, truth, and love in the face of fear. You don't want to miss it.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

Last week, we talked about healing—the kind that doesn't just change us, but changes the world. The healing that makes us more kind, more loving, more empathetic.But here's the truth: while we're doing this sacred work, there is a battle raging around us. A relentless stream of fear, attacks, and psychological warfare designed to wear us down, to make us give up hope.So how do we stand strong in the middle of all that? How do we keep our hearts from breaking under the weight of it?Today, I have a story for you. It's not just powerful—it's one of the most powerful stories I've ever heard about finding courage, resilience, and unshakable love in the face of fear. You do not want to miss this.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

How are you doing? Many of us are wondering, with the barrage of news and developments, what do we do? Beloved, our job is really not to save the world because we can't do that, not in the way we think. So, what CAN we do?We can help save the world in a different way. We can do our own work and move ourselves into more spiritual openness and maturity, to grow and do the healing work that's inside of us to do. And that's no small thing! Collectively, that's the best thing we can do to save the world because it helps us be more kind, more empathetic, more loving. Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

Chrissy Stroop, a leading voice in the #Exvangelical movement, brings historical insight and personal experience to a conversation that traces the Christian right's rise to power from the Reagan era to its disturbing alignment with Russian authoritarianism today. This week's bonus show explores how evangelical leaders used strategic alliances, particularly the anti-abortion movement, to unite conservative Christians and Catholics under a single political banner. Stroop explains how this coalition gained momentum during Reagan's presidency and has since embedded itself deeply into U.S. policymaking. Particularly troubling is the influence of Christian nationalists on education through the deregulation of homeschooling, often leaving children vulnerable due to lack of oversight. Stroop also highlights how Christian nationalism, once cloaked in calls for "religious freedom," now openly embraces authoritarian tactics. The alignment with Vladimir Putin's regime, admired by many on the far right, underscores a global trend toward anti-democratic ideologies under the guise of defending “traditional values.” Yet, amidst the bleak realities, Stroop points to reasons for hope. Grassroots activism is on the rise, as communities across the country push back against oppressive legislation and public protests grow more frequent. Organizers are working tirelessly to safeguard democracy and protect civil liberties, especially for marginalized groups targeted by these far-right movements. The episode is a sobering reminder of how deeply Christian nationalism is embedded in American history, but also a call to action. As this bonus show emphasizes, defending democracy requires vigilance, public engagement, and an unwavering commitment to truth. EVENTS AT GASLIT NATION: NEW DATE! Thursday July 31 4pm ET – the Gaslit Nation Book Club discusses Antoine de Saint Exupéry's The Little Prince written in the U.S. during America First.  Minnesota Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon.  Vermont Signal group for Gaslit Nation listeners in the state to find each other, available on Patreon.  Arizona-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to connect, available on Patreon.  Indiana-based listeners launched a Signal group for others in the state to join, available on Patreon.  Florida-based listeners are going strong meeting in person. Be sure to join their Signal group, available on Patreon.  Have you taken Gaslit Nation's HyperNormalization Survey Yet? Gaslit Nation Salons take place Mondays 4pm ET over Zoom and the first ~40 minutes are recorded and shared on Patreon.com/Gaslit for our community Want to enjoy Gaslit Nation ad-free? Join our community of listeners for bonus shows, exclusive Q&A sessions, our group chat, invites to live events like our Monday political salons at 4pm ET over Zoom, and more! Sign up at Patreon.com/Gaslit! Show Notes: Chrissy Stroop is a co-founder of the independent media site The Flytrap: https://theflytrap.beehiiv.com And she writes the newsletter The Bugbear Dispatch: https://www.bugbeardispatch.com/ Check out her work there  Right-wing extremism and homeschooling go hand in hand by Chrissy Stroop https://flux.community/chrissy-stroop/2023/08/right-wing-extremism-and-homeschooling-go-hand-in-hand/ Washington Post Editorial Board: Donald Trump's weapons freeze on Ukraine could bring catastrophe https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2025/07/02/ukraine-russia-war-trump-weapons-freeze-missiles/ Palantir's Builds Big Brother for Trump: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/30/technology/trump-palantir-data-americans.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Tk8.on-Q.rokoAAstmOw5&smid=url-share