Finding My Religion

Send a text In the final episode of Season 3, we flip the script. My dad takes the mic to ask me the tough questions — the ones I’ve been dodging or quietly wrestling with since this project began. From growing up in the church to breaking away from its framework, from fearing hell to finding peace in uncertainty, this conversation is raw, reflective, and maybe even healing. We talk about what it...

Send a text In this episode, I talk with my dad about where he is today—years after stepping away from the church, years into recovery, and miles into a quieter, more mindful life. What started as a story about leaving religion has become something much more honest: learning how to live with uncertainty, how to be at peace in the present, and how to show up for the people we love. We talk about Bu...

Send a text On a quiet night around the campfire during a family camping trip, I sit down with my wife, sister, brother-in-law, and dad for an honest, unfiltered conversation about the podcast—and the personal truths it’s brought to light. Together, they unpack some of the most surprising revelations from the series, including: How Myles’ sister had no idea her parents came from different religiou...

Send a text In this episode, Myles and his dad Don continue their open and honest discussion about Don's faith journey. After leaving the ministry, Don struggled to find meaning and purpose, as his identity had been so wrapped up in being a pastor. He discusses how he gradually started to question his conservative Christian beliefs, as he was exposed to more scientific perspectives that contr...

Send a text In episode four, we talk to my dad about a pivotal moment in his life as a pastor: his church burning to the ground. This moment sparked a fundamental change in his life, his faith, and his career.  If you are someone you know is struggling with addition, please visit the Treatment Atlas Foundation: https://treatmentatlas.org/ Support the show https://linktr.ee/findingmyreligion https:...

Send a text In episode 3, my Dad and I discuss his life as a pastor. What goes into it? How did he come to that decision?  Support the show https://linktr.ee/findingmyreligion https://www.findingmyreligionpod.com myles@findingmyreligionpod.com

Send a text In episode 2, we dive into my dad's faith journey after marriage and kids. How did his interest in the Lutheran Church and Christianity grow so fast? What drew him in? And what was the moment he knew he wanted to be a pastor? Support the show https://linktr.ee/findingmyreligion https://www.findingmyreligionpod.com myles@findingmyreligionpod.com

Send a text In this season of FMR, we are focusing on my Dad's faith journey. In the first season we heard from him at a time in life when he was still figuring things out. Three years later, we focus our entire season on his religious path. Episode 1 covers my Dad's nervousness for this project. How are his former colleagues in the LCMS church going to perceive this? How will his former...

Send a text Join us as my sister-in-law, Leslie Carnaghan, PhD, takes us through her personal odyssey from a church-going youth to an atheist with a deep understanding of the human quest for community and spiritual fulfillment. Her insights, shaped by a rigorous scientific upbringing and an extensive career in public health, cast a fascinating light on the complex relationship between skepticism,...

Send a text When faith meets personal evolution, it's a story worth telling. Our latest episode features Phil Haslinger, a retired pastor and journalist whose spiritual journey took him from the roots of Catholicism to the embracing arms of the United Church of Christ. Phil candidly shares the tectonic shifts in his faith during the transformative Vatican II era, the conservative pivot within...

Send a text When Becky stepped away from her Catholic upbringing, she didn't just step into the unknown; she danced into the embrace of Wicca with a spirit of curiosity and a thirst for understanding. This episode takes you on a journey through her transformation into a Wiccan priestess, a tale that's as enlightening as it is unexpected. With her background in comparative religious studi...

Send a text Rida, a senior from the University of Wisconsin and an Interfaith Fellow, talks about growing up in the Muslim faith. As a practicing Muslim originally from India, she offers a unique perspective on the complex tapestry of her homeland's religious and cultural diversity. Her stories of personal faith, daily practices, and the nuanced challenges that religious minorities face speak...

Send a text Libby Cohen – a University of Wisconsin senior, talks about her Jewish community. Libby offers a personal lens into how her Jewish heritage shapes her world, from the roots of her Minnesota upbringing to her aspirations in speech pathology. Her dedication echoes through her roles as a teacher at her synagogue and as a participant in Jewish summer camps, providing us a glimpse into the...

Send a text Join us in the latest installment of Finding my Religion, where we take you on a raw, soul-searching journey through the labyrinth of faith. This episode features Jaden Schultz, a brave, Lutheran Protestant Christian sharing an intimate account of her faith journey after suffering the heart-wrenching loss of her father. Jaden's candid story resonates with the tumultuous struggle a...

Send a text Guest, James Pillay of the Center for Interfaith Dialogue at the University of Wisconsin, talks about his experiences as a recent Catholic convert. We also talk about his work in the fellowship program and why it's important to talk about the differences and similarities in what we all believe.   Support the show https://linktr.ee/findingmyreligion https://www.findingmyreligionpod...

Send a text John Mathey joins the podcast to talk about everything from teenage pregnancy, mental health and spirituality, to faith crisis. We talk about the  role of critical thinking in shaping our ideologies and the lasting effects of key historical events. Our narrative moves through the nuances of faith, politics, and personal growth, showcasing varying perspectives and experiences.  Support...

Send a text What happens when a staunch Catholic upbringing leads not to unwavering faith, but to thoughtful questioning and a journey toward atheism? Join us as we sit down with David, a former Catholic turned atheist, who guides us through his transformative spiritual journey. From his earliest memories of attending Mass to the thought-provoking encounters that led to his break with the Church,...

Send a text Have you ever considered how faith and spirituality shape our capacity for healing and resilience in the face of trauma? Join us in an intimate conversation with Katie Pyles - a devout Catholic, grief-stricken mother, and social worker with a deep understanding of restorative justice. Katie graciously gives us a glimpse into her childhood, her evolving faith journey, and the invaluable...

Send a text What happens when an embedded faith clashes with inner values? As we delve into this riveting conversation with our guest, Heidi Phelps, we grapple with questions about faith, Christianity, and the societal expectation to conform to a particular belief system. Heidi bravely shares her journey, from her great-grandparents' church involvement to her current struggles reconciling the...

Send a text Ever wondered how religion influences our food habits and day-to-day life? This week, we sat down with Christina Ward, author of Holy Food: How Colts, Communes, and Religious Movements Influenced What We Eat in American History to unravel this complex connection. Raised in a religiously diverse household, with a Roman Catholic mother and an agnostic father, Christina provides a unique...

Send a text Ever pondered the intriguing complexities of faith and religion? This episode, we're privileged to host Shay Quinn, a dog trainer and hunting guide whose unique spiritual journey will challenge your perspectives. From early skepticism of traditional religious narratives to a profound connection with nature, and finally, a deep personal faith, Shay's story is a testament to th...

Send a text Join the spiritual journey of Reverend Preston Fields, pastor of Salem Lutheran Church in Sycamore, Illinois, as he navigates his path from a Roman Catholic upbringing in Tennessee to the acceptance found in the Lutheran Church.  Support the show https://linktr.ee/findingmyreligion https://www.findingmyreligionpod.com myles@findingmyreligionpod.com

Send a text Ever felt the tug and pull of faith, the quest for identity in spirituality? You are not alone! Join us as we navigate the faith journey of Joe Ross, a man whose spirituality has taken various forms and directions. From Jehovah to Jesus, we journey with Joe through his religious evolution, his passion for golf and fatherhood, and his strength in supporting others. We are honored to hav...

Send a text Tim’s personal story continues as we delve into the impact of Christian Nationalism, the power dynamics within white evangelicalism, and the looming shadow of social media on faith. His courage in founding 'The New Evangelicals', despite fearing the audacious name, is testament to the strength of his conviction. He shares his struggle of leaving his church, the friendships lo...

Send a text I joined my own podcast to talk about what I believe. Hosted by my beautiful wife, Jordan.  Support the show https://linktr.ee/findingmyreligion https://www.findingmyreligionpod.com myles@findingmyreligionpod.com