The Cult of Christian Pop Music

Aug 26, 2025

Join former Christian pop singer Julianna Glasse, now a philanthropist, and author Joelle Kidd as they navigate the complex world of Christian pop music. They explore the genre's surprising resurgence in mainstream culture, unveiling the clever tactics behind its success. The conversation covers the emotional toll on artists, especially women, and the cult-like dynamics of the industry. Personal anecdotes reveal a blend of nostalgia and critical reflection on the messages and identity found within 2000s Christian tunes, promising a thought-provoking listen!

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INSIGHT

Evangelism By Pop

Contemporary Christian music intentionally adopted pop structures to evangelize broader audiences.
This strategy turned ministry into a profitable cultural product that mirrored secular pop trends.

INSIGHT

Algorithms Amplify Worship Sounds

TikTok and streaming playlists blur genre boundaries and expose secular listeners to Christian-influenced songs.
Algorithmic promotion helps Christian tracks cross into mainstream charts without explicit religious framing.

ANECDOTE

Perks And Penalties Of Leaving

Julianna Glasse described being raised and performing as a Christian pop singer for 11 years and signing doctrinal contracts.
Leaving cost her publishing deals and propelled her to found This Is What Happens When Women Read.

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Bless up, culties. We descend from the heavens in tandem with the reign of Backflippin’ Benson Boone and Ordinary Alex Warren to share with you an episode to lift your spirit and put music in your soul! But not just any music, these tunes must be self deprecating, they’ve gotta be anthemic, they need building major chords and choral vocal FX like you’ve never seen before. Get stomping and clapping, it’s time to discuss Christian Pop Music. Whether you were a Point of Grace stan since before that was even a thing, jammed to Flyleaf during carpool growing up, or have cried melodramatically to a Switchfoot at some point in your life, there’s no denying Christian music’s massive reach has undoubtedly changed the landscape of pop music and influenced countless lives. This week, Amanda and Reese are breaking down the worship-to-radio pipeline, the blurred lines between faith and fame, and why so many of these bops SLAP (even if you’re not saved). Helping them navigate the not so pure world behind the pearly gates of the christian music industry is former Christian pop DIVA, current philanthropist and founder of the organization This Is What Happens When Women Read, Julianna Glasse (@juliannaglasse), ANDDDD author of the fresh-off-the-gutenberg ’90s/’00s Christian cultural autopsy Jesusland, Joelle Kidd.

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