
STRONGWILLED
DL and Krispin Mayfield host conversations about the personal and political impacts of Religious Authoritarian Parenting.
Latest episodes

Jun 22, 2025 • 1h 6min
Christian Zionism 101 (Again)
Today, we’re re-playing an episode from early 2024 about the origins of Christian Zionism — with an updated introduction (actually, two updated intros). Krispin & DL discuss the origins of Christian Zionism and how Christian publishing has shaped the course of history, including US foreign policy. The series originally had three episodes, and you can go back and listen to the other two episodes: one episode withJosh P. Hill and one episode with Kelley Nikondeha.Also, you can hear DL’s story about growing up in the midst of this kind of prophecy in this episode titled DL’s StoryYou can read about religious authoritarian parenting and also find the transcript for this podcast at strongwilled.substack.com.You can join our patreon community or join our substack to support this podcast and join our discord community. You can follow STRONGWILED on Instagram. You can follow Krispin on Instagram here.

Jun 9, 2025 • 1h 19min
Mocking Jay Part 1
Dive into a captivating discussion on the emotional depths of 'Mockingjay Part 1,' where themes of authoritarianism and rebellion unfold. Explore the psychological toll of leadership and the trauma faced by young characters caught in conflict. The hosts reflect on the impact of fear in childhood experiences and its relation to societal norms. They also emphasize the importance of empathy in resisting oppression, while balancing heavy themes with the joys of everyday life and personal growth. A thought-provoking journey awaits!

10 snips
May 26, 2025 • 49min
Catching Fire Part 2 (Hunger Games Series)
Dive into the dark dynamics of The Hunger Games as the characters grapple with trauma and the oppressive Capitol. The discussion unveils manipulation through the charming yet troubled Finnick, alongside emotional turmoil in Katniss as she navigates alliances and defiance. Mythological themes of sacrifice echo throughout, connecting ancient tales to modern narratives. Explore stark contrasts between excess in the Capitol and hunger in District 12, shedding light on ethical implications relevant to today’s society.

May 15, 2025 • 41min
Catching Fire Part 1 (Hunger Games Series)
Krispin & DL recap and discuss the second book/movie of The Hunger Games and talk about strategies of authoritarian governments. If you want to hear Part 2 of this episode earlier than the regular schedule, you can become a patreon subscriber and listen to part 2 today!Krispin mentions researchers who see corporal punishment as a symbol of devotion to God; he's referencing Susan B. Ridgley's journal article, "When pain becomes symbolic of commitment"You can read about religious authoritarian parenting and also find the transcript for this podcast at strongwilled.substack.com.You can join our patreon community or join our substack to support this podcast and join our discord community. You can follow STRONGWILED on Instagram. You can follow Krispin on Instagram here.

May 11, 2025 • 1h 17min
Hunger Games: Authoritarianism & Violence Against Children
Krispin & DL recap and discuss the first book/movie of The Hunger Games and talk about how James Dobson and President Snow use the same methods of control. Download Pranksters vs. Autocrats by Sophia McClennen and Srdja Popovic for free!You can read about religious authoritarian parenting and also find the transcript for this podcast at strongwilled.substack.com.You can join our patreon community or join our substack to support this podcast and join our discord community. You can follow STRONGWILED on Instagram. You can follow Krispin on Instagram here.

Apr 14, 2025 • 54min
When Your Partner Comes from a Religious Authoritarian Family
The hosts dive into the complex dynamics of growing up in religious authoritarian families. They explore how childhood trauma influences personal relationships and even today's political landscape. Personal anecdotes reveal the emotional challenges of navigating familial dysfunction while setting healthy boundaries. The conversation emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and support networks in breaking free from toxic patterns. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their experiences and advocate for healthier relationships.

Mar 17, 2025 • 1h 4min
Wild Faith: An Interview with Talia Lavin
TW: child abuse, corporal punishmentDL interviewed Talia Lavin, author of the phenomenal book Wild Faith: How the Christian Right is Taking Over America. You can follow Talia on bluesky and buy her book here. You can read about religious authoritarian parenting and also find the transcript for this podcast at strongwilled.substack.com.You can join our patreon comamunity or join our substack to support this podcast and join our discord community. You can follow STRONGWILED on Instagram. You can follow Krispin on Instagram here.

Feb 24, 2025 • 29min
Estrangement in Nazi Germany?
Delve into the emotional complexities of estrangement, linking past narratives from women in Nazi Germany with contemporary familial divides. Discover personal stories that highlight generational disagreements rooted in historical context. Explore the struggles of setting boundaries amid differing values, like homophobia and religious beliefs. Music serves as a healing tool, connecting personal growth with community support. Plus, learn about the importance of balancing creative pursuits for mental wellbeing during challenging times.

Feb 17, 2025 • 46min
DL' s Story of Estrangement
DL shares a heartfelt journey of estrangement from their parents, revealing how oppressive ideologies like authoritarianism can fracture familial bonds. The conversation touches on navigating identity after leaving Christianity and the emotional toll of conflicting beliefs, particularly around gender and identity. Amidst heavier themes, light-hearted moments emerge, centering on self-care and joy in daily life. The discussion calls for open communication to bridge divides, offering a deeper understanding of the complexities in family dynamics.

5 snips
Feb 3, 2025 • 54min
Focus on the (Estranged) Family
TW/CW: physical abuse, corporal punishment, emotionally abusive caretakerKrispin & DL discuss the second part of the the Adventures in Odyssey episode, a follow up to our podcast episode Spanking on Christian Radio released last fall.This Adventure's in Odyssey episode focuses on Mr. Whitaker’s troubled relationship with his adult daughter. Honestly, we couldn’t have written an episode that is so perfect at describing what it is like to try and be in relationship with religious authoritarian parents if we tried.You can check out show notes and more STRONGWILLED content at strongwilled.substack.com You can join our patreon comamunity to support this podcast and gain access extra episodes, our discord community, as well as the backlog of patreon-only episodes covering evangelical media, spiritual abuse, and more.You can follow STRONGWILED Instagram. You can follow Krispin on Instagram here.