Exploring the world inside and outside the evangelical subculture, one conversation at a time. "Exvangelical" is a shared starting point with many destinations; it acknowledges the impact (predominantly white/white-led) evangelicalism has had on our lives, but does not dictate our current or future beliefs & practices. On this podcast, you'll hear stories of people who've left evangelicalism for other branches of Christianity, for other spiritual traditions, and for none at all. All paths ar ...
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Brian and Troy used to be loyal Christian megachurch leaders. They’re not anymore. This podcast explores life in and after fundamentalism.
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Additional content from Exvangelical & Blake Chastain. Originally published in @anchor. Learn more about Exvangelical at exvangelicalpodcast.com, and follow Blake on Twitter @brchastain. Follow the show on Twitter @exvangelicalpod. Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/exvangelicalpod/support
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Let's go right back to the beginning. In Season 1 Episode 1, Brian recounted his conversion story. "No bibles, no preaching, no god-bothering!" These were the conditions he put upon his two brothers, who had recently converted to Pentecostal Christianity, if he were to visit them while on holidays. What happened next would change the course of his …
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128 - I Blew the Whistle on my Dad’s Church with Kit Kennedy (2025 hiatus repeat)
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1:13:30In 2023, we talked with Clare Heath-McIvor, an exvangelical blogger and podcaster who has been operating under the pseudonym 'Kit Kennedy' since a dramatic and shunning-esque exit from her pastor father's church in 2016. In 2022, she and her ex-husband (a gay conversion therapy survivor) became whistleblowers for a 60 Minutes Australia political an…
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S04E71 - Fear of Hell (2025 hiatus repeat)
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1:06:02We came out of the gate swinging for this first episode of Season 4, and unpacked some of the most problematic and ridiculous aspects of the doctrine of eternal torment, aka Hell. We also gave some suggestions on how to overcome the fear of Hell. The resources suggested in this episode are: Christian That All Shall Be Saved: Heaven, Hell, and Unive…
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The Good Books: The NAR & Trump's Return to Power with Dr. Matthew Taylor
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1:14:02In this episode of The Good Books, I spoke with Dr. Matthew D. Taylor, author of The Violent Take It By Force: The Christian Movement That Is Threatening Our Democracy. We talk about the growth of independent charismatic Christianity, the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and its role in J6 and ongoing support for Trump, and what's happened in the fi…
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In this minisode recorded on MLK Day/Inauguration Day 2025, I consider where counterpublics might be able to thrive in today's media landscape. I've written about counterpublics before in my book, and in my newsletter. Programming Note: I have work-related travel over the next two weeks, but will have more interviews and longer episodes to share st…
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117 - The Season 5 Finale with Brian & Troy
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1:06:47We'd love you to tune in as we say goodbye to 2024 and look forward to 2025. We look back on some of our best episodes of 2024, and even a couple of our worst. We'll definitely be back later in 2025, so see you then! We'll be back with new episodes in April 2025! --- Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here. Join the conversation an…
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116 - From Loss to Purpose with Desiree Richter
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1:05:17We think you'll really connect with this episode. In 2000, Desiree Richter's two-year-old son Elijah died in a tragic domestic accident. The world as she knew it was dismantled along with her understanding of her place in it, leaving her to figure out how to parent her remaining children and how the fundamentalist Christian faith she'd practiced al…
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115 - Star-Spangled Jesus with April Ajoy
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1:13:16We're excited to welcome April Ajoy back to our show. April is an influencer, content-creator, podcaster, and all-around troublemaker for the Christian right. She grew up in the heart of American Evangelicalism as an Evangelist’s kid and she is insightful and astute at illuminating the ways Christian Nationalism has infiltrated churches and politic…
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In this episode I talk about what's next for this show and for, well, all of us. Some of my comments are from my latest newsletter missives: Well, here we are - Post Ev Post Coming Soon: (More of) The Good Books - Post Ev Post Exvangelicals, nones, secular Americans are undertapped in fight against Christian nationalism - RNS Subscribe to my newsle…
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114 - Some Standing Here Shall Not Taste Death - The Failed Return of Jesus
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1:05:07Did Jesus predict his own return in the lifetime of his disciples and first century Christians and get it wrong? Was he simply one of many failed first-century Jewish apocalyptic preachers? Did Paul and other writers of the New Testament share Jesus' view and get it wrong too? In this episode, Troy and Brian unpack some of the reasons why many scho…
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113 - Armageddon Isn’t Coming with Bart Ehrman (repeat)
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1:23:29In preparation for our upcoming episode on the failed second coming of Jesus, we decided to replay this interview with one of our Exvangelical heroes, Bart Ehrman. If you haven't yet heard this interview then you're in for a treat, and if you have heard it before, we know you'll love it all over again. Dr Bart D. Ehrman is the James A. Gray Disting…
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In this quick episode, I talk about the 2024 US Election. Show notes: My latest entry at The Post-Evangelical Post Emily Joy Allison addressing white exvangelicals on Instagram. Kristin Du Mez: Preparing for Tuesday Robert P. Jones: The Survey Findings Keeping Me Up at Night - Buy my book: Exvangelical & Beyond: How American Christianity Went Radic…
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Neurodivergence In and Out of Church with D.L. & Krispin Mayfield Part 2
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1:01:40Following on from Part 1, we continue our chat about neurodivergence with podcast faves Danielle (D.L.) & Krispin Mayfield. Krispin's website D.L.'s website STRONGWILLED (substack.com) STRONGWILLED (the podcast) We'll be back with new episodes in April 2025! --- Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here. Join the conversation and con…
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On the back of Troy's recent ADHD diagnosis, we talk about neurodivergence with podcast faves Danielle (D.L.) & Krispin Mayfield. Danielle's tells of their own Autism diagnosis and Troy opens up about how ADHD impacted him in the Church and now that he's deconstructed. The Mayfield's also talk about their latest project, Strongwilled. Krispin's web…
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From the Archive: Reza Aslan
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1:09:11Today I'm publishing an archival episode with Reza Aslan, who called my book Exvangelical & Beyond "[a]n insightful exploration of faith, identity, and activism in a nation at the crossroads of religious fervor and social change…At once alarming and hopeful, this is a book that every American must read, regardless of religious affiliation.” Exvange…
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110 - You can take the girl outta fundamentalism...with Dr Laura Anderson
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1:16:00Dr. Laura Anderson is a licensed psychotherapist, trauma resolution coach, religious trauma consultant, speaker, author, and educator. We talk with her about how when we leave fundamentalism, fundamentalism doesn't necessarily leave us, and its toxicity seems to manifest in other ways. Laura's links: Laura Anderson | Religious Trauma Expert When Re…
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My book, Exvangelical & Beyond: How American Christianity Went Radical and the Movement That's Fighting Back, is out TODAY, wherever books are sold. Buy here or at your local bookstore. In this short episode, I express my gratitude for this opportunity and share my hopes for this book. Read an excerpt today in TeenVogue, and read my newsletter abou…
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Cait West is a survivor of the Christian patriarchy movement and advocate for survivors of spiritual abuse. In this episode, we talk about her experiences and her book, Rift: A memoir of breaking away from the Christian Patriarchy. She shares her story of hope for those who want to break free from high control environments. Links Cait West's websit…
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108 - Let's Go Back to Great Big AOG Part 2
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1:16:28Following on from Part 1, we continue our recount of a recent Sunday service at Great Big AOG. We dive into the sermon and challenge the f*ck out of his claims and assertions and ask just how reliable are the supposed miracle stories that the pastor told. Judging by the amount of laughter, this two-parter is easily up there with our most fun episod…
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In this minisode, I talk about the 2023 Census of American Religion published by PRRI. This is an adaptation & expansion of my latest post at The Post-Evangelical Post. Exvangelical & Beyond comes out in under a month! Pre-order now! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https:…
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It's been nearly 30 years since our last visit to Great Big AOG, and in this episode, we go back for a Sunday service. Join us as we recount the weird and bizarre antics and carry-on of these modern Pentecostals. We also introduce you to Brian's significant other, Michelle, as she joined us on our expedition back into the world of church. You'll la…
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Today's guest is the author Tia Levings, writer of the new book A Well-Trained Wife: My Escape from Christian Patriarchy. You may also know her from the Amazon docuseries Shiny Happy People and her newsletter The Anti-Fundamentalist. Her memoir is visceral and powerful, and just joined the bestseller list. Buy it here (this link supports the show).…
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106 - Navigating 'the Gray' with Sharon and Tracey from the Feet of Clay Podcast
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1:29:59In this episode, we are joined by Tracey and Sharon from the podcast, Feet of Clay—Confessions of the Cult Sisters. We talk about the black and white thinking of fundamentalism and how to leave it behind and embrace 'the grays' and nuances that pervade most of what life throws our way. Links: Feet of Clay—Confessions of the Cult Sisters Tracey & Sh…
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105 - Leaving Christian Friends and Family Behind (Our Stories Part 34)
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1:15:31When you leave church and/or the faith, what do you do about those who choose to stay? How do you navigate, maintain or even grieve those you leave behind? Troy and Brian share their own stories and give some advice on this very tricky part of deconstructing. We'll be back with new episodes in April 2025! --- Want more? Check out our exclusive Patr…
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My book, Exvangelical & Beyond: How American Christianity Went Radical and the Movement That's Fighting Back, will be coming out in just under a couple of months on 9/24/24. The publisher, Tarcher Perigee, has opened up applications to join the Launch Team! Up to 50 people will be chosen to receive an early digital download of the book, as well as …
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104 - Troy Loses His Faith (Our Stories Part 33)
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1:09:48Troy chronicles the events immediately leading up to and after he lost his faith in Jesus. He describes the factors that influenced his decision and how it felt to be finally free of the mental gymnastics he needed to apply to remain a Christian. Links: So long, and thanks for all the guilt! (Troy's deconversion blog) Internet Infidels » a drop of …
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Tyler Huckabee Talks X-Men
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1:13:25In this episode, I talk to Tyler Huckabee from Clusterhuck. We go deep into the X-Men comics, especially the Krakoan Era (the most recent status quo in the X-Men line that ran from 2019-2024. Start with the House of X / Powers of X collected edition.) This is just a fun nerdy time. Subscribe to Tyler's newsletter, Clusterhuck. - Book News: I will b…
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103 - Death with Zenith Virago
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1:12:05We talk with Zenith Virago, a highly respected celebrant, educator, public speaker and author and self-proclaimed Deathwalker. She is the founder of the Natural Death Care Centre and was named Byron Bay's Citizen of the Year in 2021 in recognition of her important work. Links: Zenith Virago, Deathwalker Training Natural Death Care Centre Zenith on …
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The Good Books: TImothy Morton, author of Hell: In Search of A Christian Ecology
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1:28:41In this episode, I got to speak to Timothy Morton. They are the author of over 20 books, including their most recent, Hell: In Search of A Christian Ecology. Timothy is a recent convert to Christianity after decades exploring Buddhism and other philosophies, and their prior book Hyperobjects was very helpful in the development of my manuscript. We …
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102 - Community After Leaving Church with Bart Campolo & John Wright
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1:05:21We talk with the hosts and producers of the Humanize Me podcast, Bart Campolo and John Wright, about leaving fundamentalist communities behind and whether it is possible to find new communities afterwards. Bart Campolo is an American humanist speaker, writer, former pastor, and son of Tony Campolo, the well-known Christian pastor and speaker. John …
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The Good Books: Cait West, author of Rift
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1:06:04Today I'm sharing my recent conversation with Cait West, author of Rift: A Memoir of Breaking Away from Christian Patriarchy. This is a great debut memoir from West and a wonderful addition to this growing genre of books. I was very grateful to be able to talk to her. You can buy the book (and support this show) by using this affiliate link. Tarche…
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101 - God of the Mind with Rob Haskell
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1:29:48Rob Haskell was born to missionary parents, spending his childhood in Argentina. He later attended Bible College and seminary before reevaluating his beliefs and embracing critical thinking over religious orthodoxy in 2015. We speak with Rob about his new book, God of the Mind: an eXvangelical Journey, a personal exploration of the intellectual inc…
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100 - Life After Church with Brian & Troy (Our Stories Part 32)
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1:16:17Here it is! The 100th episode! Brian and Troy continue with their own deconstruction stories and share what life was like after having left church...and Jesus. Did they completely fall apart? Did they return to their sin like a dog to its vomit? Tune in and find out. Links: So long, and thanks for all the guilt! (Troy's deconversion blog) Internet …
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The Good Books (Re-Release): Asian American Apostate, Scott Okamoto
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1:18:08May has been busy! Today I'm highlighting a conversation I had last year with Scott Okamoto, author of Asian American Apostate. In an extended intro, I also share the news about the cover reveal of my forthcoming book, Exvangelical & Beyond. You can pre-order it here. Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter: postevangelicalpost.com Follow me on Threa…
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If there's one religious sounding label that Troy is willing to wear, it's 'Buddhist'. In this episode we speak with Ted Meissner, the Executive Director of the Secular Buddhist Association, and the host of The Secular Buddhist Podcast. Ted explains Secular Buddhism and how it contrasts with the more traditional forms of Buddhism. Ted's links: Secu…
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098 - What About Progressive Judaism? with Michel Laloum
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1:05:58In this episode, we explore Progressive/Reformed Judaism with Michel Laloum, Cantor at Temple Beth Israel Synagogue in Melbourne, Australia. He was ordained as a Cantor at the Progressive Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion and completed Rabbinic studies at the Academy for Jewish Religion, Jewish Theological Seminary and New York Un…
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The Good Books: Hell Is a World Without You by Jason Kirk
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1:09:08In today's episode I talk to Jason Kirk, author of the novel Hell Is a World Without You. If you ever wanted to know what it was like to be a hormonal evangelical teenage boy in the late-90s/early oughts (or want to revisit your mindset if you were that teenage boy), this is the book for you. This is a fun conversation. You can purchase the book th…
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