I was a Teenage Fundamentalist. An Exvangelical podcast.

This is it, the final episode of IWATF! Join us as we reflect on five transformative years of storytelling, growth, and community. In this farewell episode, we share our personal journeys, the impact of the podcast, and our plans for the future. With gratitude and a touch of nostalgia, we say goodbye, leaving behind a legacy of connection and understanding. Thank you for being part of our story.  ...

Join Brian, Troy, and Sharon as they delve into the fascinating and often unknown history of the modern speaking in tongues phenomena. From personal experiences to Church history insights, this episode explores the significance of tongues in Christian practices and its impact on believers. Whether you're a sceptic or a believer, this conversation promises to challenge your perspectives and deepen...

In this episode, Troy and Brian welcome new co-host Sharon Madere, discussing her background and experiences with Last Days Ministries. The conversation explores the evolution of the Jesus People Movement, the financial dynamics of Keith Green's ministry, and the shift from idealism to conservatism within evangelicalism. They delve into the impact of Trump on American politics, the role of nationa...

Troy and Brian welcome Sarah Steel, the brilliant host and creator of the award-winning podcast Let's Talk About Sects . Sarah delves into the complex world of high control groups and cults, sharing insights from her extensive research and personal interviews. Together, they explore the psychological impact of cults, the challenges of leaving such groups, and the importance of storytelling in unde...

In this episode, we delve into the unique upbringing of comedian Jeremy Alder, who was raised in a fundamentalist Christian household. Jeremy shares his experiences of being homeschooled in Texas by missionary parents who distrusted mainstream culture, leading to a childhood without TV or the internet. He reflects on the challenges and unexpected benefits of such a sheltered upbringing, and how it...

Brian and Troy sit down with Tracy, a former pastor turned psychologist, to explore her transformative journey from religious leadership to a life of authenticity and self-discovery. Tracy shares her experiences of grappling with faith, the challenges of deconstructing long-held beliefs, and the empowering path to finding her true identity. Join us as we delve into Tracy's story of resilience, the...

Troy and Brian engage in a deep conversation with Cara Flame, an Australian experiential and creative arts therapist, about her journey from being a teenage fundamentalist to becoming an advocate for those recovering from religious trauma. Cara tells of her experiences in the Esther Foundation, a Christian Fundamentalist organisation, and how it shaped her views on sexuality, shame, and identity....

In this episode, we visit Hillsong's mothership in Baulkham Hills so you don't have to! We unpack the atmosphere, the music, the offering, the supposed miracles, the sermon and the continued exploitation of volunteers. Join us as we reflect on the evolving, yet somehow still familiar landscape of the 'new' Hillsong and its diminishing impact on those of us who have left the faith. Key takeaways: A...

Troy and Brian chat with journalist and author Claire Hoffman about her book Sister Sinner , which explores the life and mysterious disappearance of Aimee Semple McPherson, a pioneering figure in American evangelicalism and Pentecostalism. The discussion covers Claire's own upbringing in a transcendental meditation community and then explores the complexities of McPherson's life, her scandalous di...

Brian & Troy used to be loyal megachurch leaders. They’re not anymore. This podcast explores life in and after Christian Fundamentalism. --- We're on YouTube here. Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here. Our blog is here . Join the conversation and connect with others here . The transcript of this episode is here. All our other links are here .  Doubting your beliefs? Have q...

We engage in a deep conversation with Luke Wilson, a Canadian scholar, about his experiences growing up in a fundamentalist environment and the impact of conversion therapy on LGBTQ+ individuals. Luke shares his journey from being a teenage fundamentalist to confronting his sexuality, his time at Liberty University, and the harrowing experiences of conversion therapy. The discussion highlights the...

In this episode, Troy welcomes Ryan James, and together they tell the story of his brother Jonas James and his struggles with identity, music, drugs and Christianity. They explore the complexities of family dynamics, childhood trauma, and the impact of mental health on Jonas' journey. The conversation explores a complex individual who navigated various phases of spirituality, community, and person...

In this episode, Troy and Brian welcome Josie McSkimming, and discuss her new memoir, 'Gutsy Girls: Love, Poetry and Sisterhood.' The conversation delves into Josie's experiences growing up in a volatile family environment, her journey through fundamentalism, and the influence of her sister, renowned poet Dorothy Porter . They explore themes of resistance, creativity, and the complexities of famil...

In this episode, Troy and Brian engage with Sarah Bacaller, editor of the book, ' Apostate: Stories of Deconversion '. They explore Sarah's background in fundamentalism, her academic pursuits in philosophy, and her reflections on the ethical implications of church authority. The discussion delves into personal narratives of deconversion, the impact of evangelical theology on mental health, and the...

Dr. Cath McKinney is the Professional Supervision Program Director at the University of Divinity in Australia. Her background includes extensive experience as a group relations consultant, a prison chaplain and inner-city minister. In this episode, Cath shares her journey from a complex religious upbringing to her experiences in church leadership, motherhood, and academia. She discusses the challe...

Kicking off the first episode of 2025, Troy and Brian revisit their conversion stories...after four years of Exvangelical podcasting. They explore their early lives, the vulnerabilities that led them to embrace fundamentalist Christianity, and the roles of community and belonging in their experiences. The conversation delves into the impact of identity, and the emotional manipulation often present...

In our second episode back in 2021, troy talked a little about his pre-conversion home life and his experience of two Christian camps. It was at the second camp where he found himself speaking in tongues and started to wear the label, 'born-again'.  As part of our 2025 Down Under Summer Series, we're replaying our best episodes. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did.      --- We're on YouTube h...

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 life and still continues to impact who he is today...

We'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're on YouTube here. Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here. Our blog is here . Join the conversation and connect with others here . The transcript of this epi...

We 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 all her life fit into her new reality. We talk with...

We'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 political arenas, shaping not only modern Evangelical cul...

Did 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 scholars, progressive Christians, Exvangelicals and At...

In 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 Distinguished Professor at the University of North Caroli...

Following 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're on YouTube here. Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here. Our blog is here . Join the conversation and connect with others here . The transcript of this episo...

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 website  D.L.'s website STRONGWILLED (substack.com)...