Songs & Stories Podcast

Many Atheists, Agnostics, and Christians, despite their stark differences, have the common ingredient of being “Ex-Evangelical.” Within the faith of Christianity, the scales have been tipped (credit the November 2016 Presidential Election) to cause a large sect of Christianity to bow out of evangelicalism. How important is it for this movement to grow? Self-identified nerd and Ph.D. in Russian history (Stanford), Christopher Stroop is an Ex-Evangelical and started the movement #EmptyThePews. He is a compelling voice for evangelicalism to pack its bag and go the hell back to where it came from. Matt’s eccentric personality is reflected in his parenting as he shares a story on his refusal to allow his daughter to comply.   Links & Sponsors: badchristianmedia.com thebcclub.com emerymusic.com Lyft: lyft.com/BADCHRISTIAN Indochino: indochino.com code BADCHRISTIAN

NewSpring Church, according to Toby's Damn News, has declining attendance and income due to its parting with founding Pastor Perry Noble, who is now getting a divorce. Is Perry a "bad guy?" Is he a victim? Either way, we wish him well, and truly feel bad for what he is going through. Toby can't stop eating Halloween candy, but wonders if Halloween traditions will go away soon.   Links & Sponsors: badchristianmedia.com thebcclub.com emerymusic.com Blue Apron: blueapron.com/BADCHRISTIAN Hubble: hubblecontacts.com

Cops escorted Pastor and author Jonathan Martin off the Liberty University campus during a JOHNNYSWIM show while he was hanging with his friends in the greenroom. He was banned for life from Liberty University for planning a prayer meeting and opposing Trump and Jerry Falwell Jr. What’s the condition of the church when opposing points of view aren’t even welcomed?  What role does authoritarianism play in the church?  Before any of this conversation starts, Matt and Toby dissect Joey’s current depressive state.   Links & Sponsors: badchristianmedia.com thebcclub.com emerymusic.com MVMT: mvmt.com/BCPOD Naturebox: naturebox.com/BADCHRISTIAN Casper: casper.com/BCPOD

Movie director, Spencer T. Folmar, wants to use film to present the hope he’s found in Jesus.  Many Christians aren’t buying his intentions however given the colorful language, including the monstrous “F word,” that’s replete through his films.  We talk “constructive nudity,” “senseless violence,” “The Passion of Christ” and the potential of Christians making REAL movies.   Links & Sponsors: generationalsins.com badchristianmedia.com thebcclub.com emerymusic.com Pre-Order Phinehas "Dark Flag": darkflag.merchnow.com

Author and host of radio show and podcast “Unbelievable?” talks faith, atheism, and how the two groups misunderstand one another.  He’s maintained an open mind to learn, and has had his faith stretched by some of these brilliant atheists, but still maintains his Christian faith. Justin, along with Matt, Toby, and Joey talk significantly about moral relativism. Toby realizes just how much he believes in Jesus; and oil leaks are always bad. . . unless it’s a bible.   Links & Sponsors: badchristianmedia.com thebcclub.com emerymusic.com unbelievablebook.co.uk Zip Recruiter: ziprecruiter.com/BADCHRISTIAN

Making what you believe clear is something that you'd think all churches would like, but apparently George Mekhail's "Church Clarity" project has stirred up some unrest among churches since they score a church's transparency on where they stand with LGBTQ issues. Joey claims the hashtag #thatsnotme after coming out as no longer Evangelical.   Links & Sponsors: churchclarity.org badchristianmedia.com thebcclub.com emerymusic.com mattandtobyband.com Zip Recruiter: ziprecruiter.com/BADCHRISTIAN

Shame, pain, and humiliation shouldn’t be words commonly used by women to describe sexual encounters. Teen girls shouldn’t feel obligated to return the favor by sexually fulfilling boys who take them out on a fun date.  Labiaplasties (surgery of trimming the labia) shouldn’t be on the rise, but even that sex education class in middle school discusses “ejaculation and orgasms” for guys, but “risk and danger” for the ladies.  Young girls are being cultured to forfeit pleasure, freedom, and confidence in the bedroom.  Peggy Orenstein is trying to change these cultural attitudes towards, practices and expectations for women and sex.   Links & Sponsors: badchristianmedia.com thebcclub.com emerymusic.com Stamps.com: code BADCHRISTIAN Tooth & Nail Records

Matt’s logical brain was discombobulated by a synergistic experience he had this weekend at a Kings Kaleidoscope show which made him realize there might be more to this human experience than can be emulated by AI despite having tried VR for the first time just two days prior. Toby takes Matt’s explanation of reality farther than most would, but reveals the inevitable generational gap where “back in the day” will mean when physical vacations and relationships were primary over VR and pod life.   Links & Sponsors: badchristianmedia.com thebcclub.com emerymusic.com mattandtobyband.com breakitdownpod.com Beachbody: text BAD CHRISTIAN to 303030 Policy Genius: policygenius.com Lyft: lyft.com/BADCHRISTIAN

Despite his conservative upbringing, Brandan Robertson’s first book deal was canceled due to him being vocal about affirming LGBTQ after studying the topic intensively for two years. He eventually came out as bisexual himself, and has become an influential writer for TIME Magazine, Huffington Post, NBC, as well as the author of multiple books on sexuality. Also on this episode, we talk Harvey Weinstein, sexual favors for gain, and Matt’s theory on a future “celebrity death boom.”   Links & Sponsors: brandanrobertson.com badchristianmedia.com thebcclub.com emerymusic.com mattandtobyband.com Zip Recruiter: ziprecruiter.com/BADCHRISTIAN Brooklinen: brooklinen.com code BADCHRISTIAN Blue Apron: blueapron.com/BADCHRISTIAN

Toxic masculinity, good and healthy masculinity, men and women's ministries; do we pigeonhole folks to a certain brand of masculinity and femininity? Can this be harmful? One thing is for sure, thinking through all of this is much more complex than we give it credit for. Toby ends things with a “things that make me mad list,” including his laments on not being able to let out “sad farts."   Links & Sponsors: badchristianmedia.com thebcclub.com emerymusic.com mattandtobyband.com Hubble: hubble.com Naturebox: naturebox.com/BADCHRISTIAN Indochino: indochino.com code: BADCHRISTIAN