Deconstructing the Myth

On today’s bonus episode I chat with Trey Ferguson—a pastor, author, and “theologizer” who writes and speaks publicly about faith and race. He provides such a refreshing view of Christianity, a curious faith, the intersection of technology and religion, and a reframing of what the Good News of Christ might be about after all. Website: https://www.pastortrey05.com Twitter: @PastorTrey05 Instagram:...

Today’s guest and I chat about her book “Giving Up God,” her journey of deconstructing, and then finding herself on the other side of Christianity as an awe-filled agnostic-atheist who sees life as full of opportunity and wonder now. Connect with Sarah on Instagram at @shayward writes and at her website sarahhennhayward.com Find her book “Giving Up God” at all major online book sales spots!

Thanks everyone for being a part of Season 3! In today’s episode I answer listener questions

Today's guest is spiritual director and professor Frank Rogers Jr. who, as a young adult, begin to be deeply tormented by the trauma of suppressed childhood sexual abuse. Wracked by depression, he was on the cliff edge of suicide. From intense despair, he set off on a quest—for answers, for sanity, for a credible God to see him through. We discuss his new book, Cradled in the Arms of Compassion, w...

Today I chat with Catherine Quiring, a licensed trauma therapist, self-trust coach, and exvangelical who helps exvangelicals learn to trust their desires and reconnect to their inner wisdom. She is the creator of the Trust Yourself Again Program: Reclaim your Inner Compass after Leaving Evangelical Subculture. Instagram @catherinequiring Courses: Trust Yourself Again: Reclaim Your Inner Compass Af...

What an inspiring chat I had with author and pastor Kevin Sweeney about his latest book “The Joy of Letting Go.” Kevin shares the various aspects of his spiritual journey, from the point of coming to God after mushrooms, to pursuing seminary yet feeling confined by the rigid parameters he found there set before him. We talk about how so much of the spiritual journey is really composed of the simpl...

Today I have such a fun chat in store for you all with comedian and podcast host Sydney Davis Jr. Jr. We talk about her journey leaving Christianity, discovering her passion for podcasting, and we bond over our love of giving others a platform to share their stories. Instagram: @sydneydavisjrjr Podcast: Growing Up Fundie

Today I talk with Austin Noll about American Christian culture and how it influenced him deeply in his Los Angeles nondenominational church setting. We discuss why churches can be so harmful and how he believes they might redeem their purpose in a more healthy way. Instagram: @austin_noll Book: A Jumble of Crumpled Papers Podcast: The Crumpled Papers Podcast

Today’s guest is podcast host, author, and mother Liz Enns Petters who chats with me about her childhood anxiety and how it intersected with deconstruction, what it’s like to have a well known a parent in academic theological scholarship, and how parenting during faith transitions has been for her. Instagram: @lizzennspetters @deconstructedmamas Facebook: Deconstructing Mamas Lizz Enns Petters, Th...

Today’s conversation is with Michael Lecey who I found over at his podcast, A Certain Wandering. Michael shares his deconstruction story as well as how he’s now discovering a rich new spiritual walk. As a therapist and spiritual director who has experienced deconstruction and church hurt first hand, Michael seeks to walk people safely through the thresholds of their lives especially concerning rel...

My guest today Esther Goetz shares her story of growing up as a missionary kid who is now a deconstructed adult. She shares her experiences and wisdom about how to navigate a shifting faith in light of being a parent and someone who receives criticism for her public deconstruction platforms. We have such a great chat in store for you! estherjoygoetz.com @estherthedollymama @momsofbigs Facebook: De...

Today I get to chat with singer/songwriter Alanah Sabatini who is a former evangelical worship leader. We discuss her deconstruction, how it impacted her songwriting and life, her new single “True Colors,” and more! Instagram @alanah.don’t.wanna TikTok Alanahsabatini.bandcamp.com Discord https://discord.com/invite/6Gfdkw77m8 True Colors (Hymn Rewrite of ‘Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing’

My guest today is Grace Dellis—the creator and curator of Hyssop + Laurel, a grassroots arts and literary magazine for religious deconstructionists. We discuss her deconstruction journey, the intersection between trauma and religion, and the bridge that art can make for creatives leaving behind toxic religous systems and idealogies. Instagram: @gracedellis @hyssopandlaurel hyssopandlaurel.com Her...

Today’s guest is podcaster, speaker, former pastor, and musician Matt Kendziera who shares his story of being kicked out of the urban church he started and suddenly finding himself on the outside looking in and deciding to try a new approach. We discuss his new book Bring it Home: The Adventure of Finding Yourself after Being Lost in Religionand on how to keep joy in the middle of our deconstructi...

Today’s guest is Keith from @unnecessarynoisesman . As a neurodivergent who found the Evangelical environment he grew up in to be extremely detrimental for his mental and social health/development, Keith shares some of his darkest moments, how he found the way through them, and how he hopes to build a brighter future for those who may find themselves in similar situations through a unique communit...

My conversation today is with Cynthia Vacca Davis about her book “Intersexion: A Story of Faith, Identity, and Authenticity” concerning her intersex friend Danny. We discuss how seeking to bring Danny’s story to the public caused unique tension in the Evangelical spaces Cynthia was a part of, as well as how to navigate the grey spaces of our faith by pressing into the core call to love others well...

In today’s episode we answer questions we received during this past season about the podcast and our own spiritualities.

“Should I read my Bible during deconstruction?” This week your host Liz Mall shares her thoughts and experiences concerning this commonly asked question.

In this week’s episode we discuss a confusing passage found in 2 Numbers 2:23-24 where the prophet Elisha curses a group of boys who just insulted him for being bald, which is followed by two bears emerging and mauling 42 of the youths. This passage brings up issues concerning translation errors and modern interpretative lenses imposed on an ancient text, as well as touching on the controversial t...

22. Today we discuss a troublesome Bible passage found in Genesis 22 where God tells Abraham to sacrifice his son as a burnt offering, and Abraham nearly carries out the command. While Isaac is spared at the last moment, this passage raises a lot of moral and theological questions, as well as questions about Abraham’s mental health and relationship to God.   Join us, Liz Mall (Biola M.A. in Christ...

This week, we take a break for our usual deconstruction series as Liz Mall shares her views on why deconstruction is so important for Christianity and NOT the enemy of the Evangelical church—unless the church insists on making it the enemy. Liz Mall has her Masters in Christian Apologetics and shares a vision for a new way of using apologetics to engage well in the faith deconstruction space, as w...

How does the concept of hell impact our minds and mental health, and how do our minds and mental health impact our view of hell? Join us, Liz Mall (Biola M.A. in Christian Apologetics) and historian Jenny White (Harvard M.A. in Museum Studies) as we begin to deconstruct the psychology of hell together by asking the tough questions and providing resources to get you started on your own journey of d...

For many who deconstruct, the Christian concept of hell is a big problem. In this three part series, we will deconstruct the concept of hell alongside you! For today’s episode, we discuss how people from different worldviews systemize ideas about judgement, evil, and cosmic justice. We look at views from atheists (naturalism), world religions, Judaism and early Christianity, and then we dive into...

For many who deconstruct their Evangelical faith, the topic of hell is a hot button topic—for good reason. The historical, logical, and moral issues surrounding the topic of hell are important for any Christian to dissect, whether they are deconstructing or not. For today’s episode, we discuss words and phrases that are commonly translated as “hell” in the Bible or are closely associated with the...

In 1 Corinthians 15:29, a confusing and often ignored Bible passage refers to baptizing dead bodies. Is this a passage Christians conveniently ignore? Does it have implications for baptism? Does baptism itself have implications of a cosmic fear of hell? Join Jenny White and Elizabeth Mall as we deconstruct this odd Bible passage. Check out our show notes and resources at https://www.dropbox.com/s/...