Heaven Bent

She fed the poor, healed the sick - and mingled with the KKK. On this episode, Tara Jean will explore the connections between Aimee Semple McPherson and Christian Nationalism. Also, how did Aimee influence some of the most powerful women preachers of the future? Paula White, Tammy Faye Bakker, and Kathryn Kuhlman will all come up.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

By the mid-1920s, Aimee Semple McPherson had it all — a megachurch, a radio empire, and a captivated nation. But in May 1926, she vanished. Was she kidnapped? Was it a hoax? Or had she simply run away from it all? This episode also examines the grand jury investigations, ensuing media circus, and, a turning point in Aimee’s ministry — when the lines blur between faith, power, and scandal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1923, Aimee Semple McPherson founded America's first megachurch, Angelus Temple, in Los Angeles, California. But how did this farm girl from Ontario become the most famous preacher in North America? How did she turn her sermons into showstoppers? And how did she influence the way religion & politics are entangling today? This the first episode in a series that will examine both her rise to fame and her role in one of the biggest unsolved mysteries in American religious history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sean Feucht, a prominent worship leader and key figure in Christian Nationalism, discusses his recent connection to protests in Los Angeles and the fallout from former team members who have launched public criticism against him. He emphasizes the defiant spirit of his 'Let Us Worship' tour, which has sparked intense debate during the pandemic. The conversation dives into the unique influence of Bethel Church, exploring its blend of personal growth and civic engagement amidst political unrest and health controversies.

At the beginning of the 20th century, evangelicalism was seen as a dying movement within Christianity. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, came Aime Semple McPherson. Aimee mixed religion with Hollywood-level showmanship to amass a global following and bring evangelicalism to the forefront. A lone female preacher in a sea of men, she founded America's first megachurch and became a pioneer televangelist. But what did it take to build a following of that scale? And who helped her get there? The answers will reveal a complicated history about the fight to put faith back in American politics*Starts June 16th, 2025 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A researcher from the University of Georgia recently asked Tara Jean to be a part of a study. It's focus was on content creators whose work impacts people who are leaving or questioning a belief or community that define a large part of someone's identity. So, normally, she's the one doing the interviewing, but not on this episode. Why did Tara Jean start making Heaven Bent? Who is her podcast for? Is she a documentarian? An ally? A meddler? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If there's a "file of evidence" that proves prophet Shawn Bolz is a fraud, why didn't anyone alert the public? On the final episode of this miniseries, Jubilee's journey from victim to whistleblower. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jubilee married Ted because prophet Shawn Bolz said that's what God wanted. But would God want Jubilee to marry a man who would nearly kill her? Also, how did 'Purity Culture' override Jubilee's abilities to trust her own instincts?? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shawn Bolz, an acclaimed modern-day prophet, shares his compelling insights into the world of prophetic ministry. He navigates the complexities of ethical challenges and the commercialization of spiritual services in today’s churches. A personal testimony from Jubilee raises questions about the impact of prophetic words. The conversation dives deep into the balance between vulnerability in storytelling and the weight of prophecy on personal relationships, highlighting a community’s emotional journey intertwined with divine revelations.

A modern-day prophet. A low-tech hoax. And the shocking cover-up that kept it secret for years.Over three episodes, host & creator Tara Jean Stevens spotlights Shawn Bolz. He's a well-known figure in charismatic Christianity, once celebrated for delivering personal prophecies with astounding accuracy. But Tara Jean has come upon new evidence suggesting his divine insights actually came from the internet.At the center of the story is Jubilee, a woman who says one of Bolz’s prophecies nearly got her killed.*S6 starts April 28th, 2025. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.