Snarky Faith

Matthew J. Distefano joins me fresh off his debate with Andrew Wilson on LGBTQ inclusion in the church — a long, combative exchange that quickly became about much more than a handful of clobber passages. We talk about what Matt expected going into the debate, what surprised him once it started, and what it feels like trying to have a nuanced theological conversation inside an online culture built...

In this episode of Snarky Faith , Stuart talks with comedian, writer, and SiriusXM host John Fugelsang about his new book Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person's Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds . https://amzn.to/4b8yKKF John grew up Catholic, spent years working in comedy and media, and has become one of the most recognizable voices c...

Most people who leave religion do not just leave behind doctrine. They leave behind ritual too. The prayers. The candles. The songs. The moments that gave shape to grief, fear, celebration, guilt, forgiveness, and change. In this episode, Stuart talks with Jeremy Steele about his new book, Rituals for Heretics and People Who Aren’t Sure About God ( https://amzn.to/4mzdL7R), and why ritual still ma...

What happens when faith stops chasing certainty and starts making room for mystery? In this conversation, Stuart is joined by editor and foreword writer Keith Giles, along with contributors Mo Thomas and Nish Dubashia, to discuss Volume One of Quantum Theology ( https://amzn.to/4ctuHYv) . The conversation explores the strange overlap between spirituality, mysticism, and ideas found in quantum phys...

Most versions of faith are built to keep things stable, predictable, and controlled. That’s kind of the problem. In this episode, Stuart sits down with Jeremy Jernigan to talk about his book The Edge of the Inside ( https://amzn.to/4dFlzlQ ) and the idea that real spiritual growth doesn’t happen in the center of organized religion—it happens out on the edges, where things are less certain and a lo...

This week on Snarky Faith , Stuart talks with Chris Jones, host of the Spiritual Hot Sauce podcast, about a question a lot of people are quietly asking right now: what if Jesus and the religion built around him aren’t the same thing? Chris approaches faith from the other side of deconstruction — not trying to rebuild the same structure, but trying to strip it down. He makes a distinction between w...

In this episode, Stuart sits down with journalist and author Becky Garrison to discuss her book Gaslighting for God ( https://amzn.to/4tVpXTs), a satirical but deeply serious exploration of spiritual narcissism and religious manipulation. Together they examine a pattern many people recognize but struggle to name: the use of faith language to override conscience, silence dissent, and shift blame on...

Welcome back to The Archetype Thread —think Carl Jung meets late-stage capitalism: myth, satire, and a little soul work, all rolled into one. This week’s episode: The Tower Falls. The Tower represents collapse—of ego, illusion, ideology, and institutions that mistook height for integrity. It’s not just chaos. It’s revelation. It’s the moment the scaffolding gives way and we’re forced to face what...

EPISODE NOTES In this conversation, we explore: What Michael wishes someone had said to him at the start of his own unraveling The hardest truth most people discover during deconstruction Why religious trauma is embodied, not just intellectual The difference between losing faith and losing safety Why anxiety, panic, and depression are often nervous system responses—not faith failures The gap Faith...

Welcome to The Archetype Thread —think Carl Jung meets late-stage capitalism: myth, satire, and a little soul work, all rolled into one. This week’s episode: The Fool Rules. The Fool was never meant to rule, but here we are. We’ll explore how parody turned into policy, why outrage became our national pastime, and what happens when a culture built on entertainment mistakes mockery for leadership. W...

Trump’s back in office, and it’s officially time to get serious. This week, we dive into what his return means for democracy, humanity, and faith, as we grapple with the fallout of an election fueled by evangelical hypocrisy and the erosion of decency. From reproductive rights to racial justice, LGBTQ+ protections to environmental survival, the stakes couldn’t be higher. But despair isn’t an optio...

In this week's episode of Snarky Faith, we’re turning up the heat with a “Snarkfire and Brimstone sermon” that takes aim at the bizarre fusion of faith and authoritarian politics. First, we kick things off with the Christian Crazy segment, highlighting the most ridiculous soundbites from the week. Then, we delve into the so-called new Christian orthodoxy of MAGA-land, where Trump isn’t just a cand...

Join Stuart for an engaging discussion with Corey Nathan, host of the podcast "Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other." Corey, a Jewish stockbroker turned Christian entrepreneur, believes that it's possible to have proactive and fun conversations about politics and religion without resorting to hatred. In this episode, Corey shares his experiences and the lessons he's learned from...

This latest episode of Snarky Faith features a compelling conversation with Liz Cooledge Jenkins, whose new book, "Nice Churchy Patriarchy: Reclaiming Women’s Humanity from Evangelicalism," offers a critical yet hopeful look at the entrenched patriarchal norms in evangelical Christianity. Jenkins takes us on a journey through her own experiences within the church, detailing the subtle forms of mis...

Get ready for a mind-bending episode of Snarky Faith as we dive deep with Keith Giles into his latest book, 'The Quantum Sayings of Jesus.' Discover how Giles blends quantum physics with the mystical teachings of Jesus, challenging conventional religious narratives with a fresh, provocative perspective. Giles brings the often overlooked Gospel of Thomas into the spotlight, proposing that its crypt...

In "Finding Jesus," Herb Montgomery takes readers on a deep dive into the often-overlooked aspects of Jesus' message, spotlighting his call to radical love, justice, and solidarity with the marginalized. Our upcoming interview will explore the journey behind Montgomery's provocative reinterpretation, discussing the ways in which this book seeks to not only reshape our understanding of the Christia...

This week on Snarky Faith, we're thrilled to have Jon Turney, the author of In an engaging blend of literary scholarship and accessible philosophy, Matthew J. Distefano offers readers a fresh perspective on J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved creation, focusing on the unassuming yet profoundly wise Hobbits.  Through the application of mimetic theory, the book examines how desires are influenced and shaped by...

This week on Snarky Faith, we're thrilled to have Jon Turney, the author of  RJ the Astronaut , for a revealing conversation about his groundbreaking novel. Turney opens up about the inspiration behind RJ's character — an astronaut embroiled in a profound existential and spiritual journey across the cosmos. The discussion unveils the depths of questioning and understanding that form the core of th...

Join me as I take you on a wild journey through the latest episode of Snarky Faith. Brace yourselves for a rollercoaster ride as I open up about my personal journey through grief and loss in the bleak landscape of 2024, where political turmoil looms large. But that's just the beginning! In this episode, we fearlessly dive into the absurdities of American Christianity with the Christian Crazy segme...

In this episode of Snarky Faith, we sit down with Dr. Jonathan Foster, a theologian and author, to discuss his latest work, "Indigo - the Color of Grief." This book is more than just words on a page; it's an immersive journey through the depths of sorrow and the resilience of the human spirit. Dr. Foster shares his personal experience with the tragic loss of his daughter and how it shaped his pers...

In today's episode of Snarky Faith, we're venturing into a space that's often skirted around with discomfort or outright hostility. That's right—we're digging into the delightful mess that is religious diversity, but not in the way you might expect. We're not here to throw shade or to spotlight the foibles of faith; instead, we're talking about the rich gifts that diversity brings us, especially w...

Brace Yourselves, This is Theology Unfiltered Hey Snarky Faith listeners, brace yourselves! We've got a treat for you—a theological espresso shot that'll jolt you awake, whether you're ready for it or not. I sat down with Dillon Naber Cruz, the mind behind Theological Musings: Collected Essays of a Tattooed Theologian, Vol. 1 , and let me tell you, this isn't your run-of-the-mill theology talk. Th...

The Forehands: Not Your Typical Spiritual Guides Let's get one thing straight: Karl and Laura Forehand aren't here to sell you the same old, tired spiritual clichés. Nope, they're here to wrestle—wrestle with beliefs, wrestle with trauma, and maybe even wrestle with you a bit. So, buckle up, because this episode of Snarky Faith is about to get real. Deconstruction: More Than Just a Buzzword Ah, de...

We've got a special treat for you today. We're diving deep into the murky waters of faith, spirituality, and the church with none other than Nat Turney, the author of the provocative book "Seeds of De(con)struction." Trust us, this is one episode you don't want to miss. The Book That's Shaking the Foundations "Seeds of De(con)struction" is not your typical faith book. It's a raw, unfiltered look a...

Join me again on Snarky Faith. Our guest is none other than Michael Camp, the author of "Breaking Bad Faith," a book that's as much a mental workout as it is a spiritual journey. Join us for our conversation - it's a fun ride.  In this episode, we dive headfirst into the turbulent waters of religious and social issues, with Camp serving as our fearless guide.  His new book, "Breaking Bad Faith," i...