The Deconstructionists

Angela Harger Thompson — “Worst T*ts Ever,” Part 2We return for the concluding half of our conversation with Angela Harger Thompson, actor, filmmaker, and author of Worst Tits Ever.Across this two-part interview, Angela’s story invites us to consider how trauma and controlling relationships can affect our understanding of ourselves—and what it can mean to reclaim our own narrative. Her memoir brings honesty and dark humor to experiences often surrounded by shame and silence.Join us for the conclusion of a conversation about survival, the power of storytelling, and the person whose life extends beyond what happened to her.If you haven’t heard Part 1, we recommend starting there.Content note: This two-part conversation includes discussions of sexual assault, drugging, abusive relationships, coercive control, and trauma. Please take care of yourself while listening.Learn more:Visit Angela Harger Productions to learn about Angela’s work and memoir, Worst Tits Ever.Join the mailing list for This Is Who We Become for guest announcements and launch updates. Every life has a before. Every life has an after.Special music provided by Forrest Clay from his Recover EP.If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, confidential support is available through the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or rainn.org.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Angela Harger Thompson — “Worst T*ts Ever,” Part 2We return for the concluding half of our conversation with Angela Harger Thompson, actor, filmmaker, and author of Worst Tits Ever.Across this two-part interview, Angela’s story invites us to consider how trauma and controlling relationships can affect our understanding of ourselves—and what it can mean to reclaim our own narrative. Her memoir brings honesty and dark humor to experiences often surrounded by shame and silence.Join us for the conclusion of a conversation about survival, the power of storytelling, and the person whose life extends beyond what happened to her.If you haven’t heard Part 1, we recommend starting there.Content note: This two-part conversation includes discussions of sexual assault, drugging, abusive relationships, coercive control, and trauma. Please take care of yourself while listening.Learn more:Visit Angela Harger Productions to learn about Angela’s work and memoir, Worst Tits Ever.Join the mailing list for This Is Who We Become for guest announcements and launch updates. Every life has a before. Every life has an after.Special music provided by Forrest Clay from his Recover EP.If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, confidential support is available through the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or rainn.org.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Angela Harger Thompson — “Worst T*ts Ever,” Part 1Actor, filmmaker, and author Angela Harger Thompson joins The Deconstructionists for the first half of a candid conversation about her memoir, Worst Tits Ever, and the experiences that changed her life.Angela shares her story of surviving sexual assault, navigating an abusive relationship, and finding herself on a sailing journey that became an increasingly unsafe situation. We explore the difficulty of recognizing abuse from inside a relationship, the shame and self-doubt that can follow trauma, and what it means to tell your story in your own words.With honesty and dark humor, Angela brings us into a conversation about survival, identity, and reclaiming a voice that others tried to silence.Content note: This episode includes discussions of sexual assault, drugging, abusive relationships, coercive control, and trauma. Please take care of yourself while listening.Learn more:Visit Angela Harger Productions to learn about Angela’s work and memoir, Worst Tits Ever.Join the mailing list for This Is Who We Become, the next chapter after The Deconstructionists. Every life has a before. Every life has an after.Continue Angela’s story in Part 2.Special music provided by Forrest Clay from his Recover EP.If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, confidential support is available through the RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE (4673) or rainn.org.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Part Two of our conversation with Dr. Janet Kellogg, we explore the growing loss of trust in medicine and science—and what happens when that distrust opens the door to misinformation.From unsupported claims connecting Tylenol to autism to the broader consequences of rejecting medical expertise, we examine why these ideas gain traction, how fear can travel faster than evidence, and why simply telling people they’re wrong rarely rebuilds trust.We also discuss the need to hold institutions accountable for genuine failures without abandoning science altogether—and what honesty, humility, and transparency might contribute to restoring public confidence.New Podcast Coming Soon!Our new podcast, This Is Who We Become, explores the moments that divide a life into “before” and “after”—and the people we become because of them.Visit https://thisiswhowebecome.com and join the mailing list for upcoming guest announcements, launch updates, and more.Connect with The Deconstructionists:Website: https://thedeconstructionists.comAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dr. Janet Kellogg Ray, a biology educator and author exploring faith and evolution. She traces life’s arc from ancient aquatic ancestors to Homo sapiens. Short takes cover fossils, genomes, anatomy, and why human evolution feels threatening to some believers. The conversation probes how humans fit inside the tree of life and what being made in God’s image might mean.

A farewell update about winding down a decade-long run and the remaining plans through 2026. Reflections on why the conversation started, the guiding philosophy, and how the space around deconstruction has shifted. Critique of emerging trends like celebrity experts and commercialization. Introduction of a new project exploring life-changing before-and-after moments and how people transform.

What does it really mean to be present with another person?In Part Two of John's conversation with Rev. Sally Pelinka Miller, the discussion moves beyond defining modern chaplaincy and into the heart of spiritual care itself.Rather than offering easy answers or trying to fix people's pain, today's chaplains often practice something much more difficult: accompanying people through uncertainty, grief, trauma, and profound life transitions. In a culture that values certainty, productivity, and quick solutions, this conversation explores the transformative power of simply showing up.Rev. Sally shares how contemporary chaplains understand their work—not as experts dispensing wisdom, but as compassionate companions helping people navigate some of life's most sacred and challenging moments.Together, John and Rev. Sally discuss:Why presence can be more powerful than having the right words.What chaplains can teach all of us about listening.The role of empathy, curiosity, and accompaniment in spiritual care.How grief, suffering, and meaning intersect.Why human connection is becoming increasingly valuable in an age shaped by technology and AI.What it looks like to care for people across different faiths, beliefs, and worldviews.How we can all become better companions to those who are hurting.Whether you're a person of faith, someone deconstructing long-held beliefs, or simply interested in becoming more present for the people around you, this conversation offers practical wisdom and a hopeful vision of what compassionate care can look like.Guest:Rev. Sally Pelinka Miller, MDiv, MA (DMin candidate), is a Board Certified Chaplain (APC), an ACPE Certified Educator, and Manager of Clinical Pastoral Education at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. She is the author of the forthcoming New Images of Spiritual Care, which highlights the diverse voices and innovative practices shaping contemporary chaplaincy.Follow The DeconstructionistsIf you enjoyed this conversation, we'd love your support. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, leave a rating or review, and share this episode with someone who might find it meaningful.Follow us on social media for episode clips, behind-the-scenes content, and updates on upcoming conversations exploring faith, doubt, history, psychology, and what it means to be human.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What comes to mind when you hear the word "chaplain"?For many of us, it's an older Christian minister carrying a Bible into a hospital room to pray with patients. But what if that image no longer reflects the reality of modern spiritual care?In Part One of this conversation, John sits down with Rev. Sally Pelinka Miller, board-certified chaplain, ACPE Certified Educator, and Manager of Clinical Pastoral Education at Johns Hopkins Hospital, to explore how chaplaincy has transformed over the past several decades.Today's chaplains come from an extraordinary range of religious and philosophical traditions—including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Humanism, Unitarian Universalism, and more. Rather than focusing on converting people or providing religious answers, modern spiritual care emphasizes presence, curiosity, accompaniment, and compassionate listening during life's most vulnerable moments.Together, John and Rev. Sally discuss:Why most of us have an outdated picture of what a chaplain is.The fascinating history and evolution of chaplaincy.What board-certified chaplains actually do.Why spiritual care is about far more than religion.How hospitals care for patients with widely different beliefs and worldviews.The shift from authority and hierarchy toward relationship and mutuality.Why "being present" can sometimes be more healing than having the right answers.Whether you're deeply religious, spiritually curious, deconstructing your faith, or simply interested in what it means to care well for another human being, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on one of the most misunderstood professions in healthcare.Guest:Rev. Sally Pelinka Miller, MDiv, MA (DMin candidate) is a Board Certified Chaplain (APC), an ACPE Certified Educator, and serves as Manager of Clinical Pastoral Education at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. She is currently writing New Images of Spiritual Care, a book exploring the diverse voices and evolving practices shaping modern chaplaincy.Follow The DeconstructionistsIf you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Your support helps more people discover thoughtful conversations about faith, doubt, spirituality, history, and the questions that matter most.Follow us on social media for episode clips, behind-the-scenes content, and updates on upcoming interviews.Website: www.thedecontructionists.org Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheDeconstructionistsPodcastAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What if one of the Bible's most famous stories isn't really about a hero and a villain?For centuries, many of us have been taught to read the story of Jacob and Esau through a familiar lens: Jacob, despite his flaws, is God's chosen son, while Esau becomes little more than the cautionary tale of the brother who "despised his birthright." But what happens when we slow down, revisit the text, and listen to voices from within the Jewish tradition?In this episode of The Deconstructionists, John explores one of Genesis' most fascinating—and misunderstood—relationships. Drawing on insights from Rabbi Jonathan Sacks in Essays on Ethics and Not in God's Name, as well as reflections from Rabbi David Wolpe, this conversation examines how the story of Jacob and Esau challenges simplistic readings of Scripture and invites us into a richer understanding of reconciliation, identity, and what it means to become fully human.Rather than reading Genesis as a collection of moral fables with obvious heroes and villains, we consider the possibility that the biblical authors were doing something far more profound: exposing the cycles of sibling rivalry, fear, favoritism, and violence that have echoed throughout human history.Along the way, we explore why Jacob spends so much of his life wrestling—not only with God, but with himself—and why his eventual reunion with Esau may be one of the most emotionally powerful moments in all of Scripture.Could it be that the real transformation wasn't simply Jacob becoming Israel... but two brothers finally seeing one another clearly?In This EpisodeWhy Jacob and Esau are far more complex than they're often portrayedThe ancient Near Eastern world behind the Genesis narrativeWhy Jewish interpretations often differ from traditional Christian readingsWhat Rabbi Jonathan Sacks means when he argues that Genesis repeatedly challenges sibling rivalryHow Not in God's Name reframes stories of election and chosennessThe surprising significance of Jacob's wrestling match before meeting EsauWhy Jacob sends gifts ahead of himself—and whether they are simply a bribe or something deeperRabbi David Wolpe's reflection on mirrors in the ancient world, and how Jacob and Esau may have seen themselves in one another after decades apartThe emotional power of forgiveness and reconciliation in Genesis 33What Jacob and Esau still have to teach us about family, conflict, identity, and grace todayBooks ReferencedRabbi Jonathan Sacks — Essays on EthicsRabbi Jonathan Sacks — Not in God's Name: Confronting Religious ViolenceAdditional insights discussed from the teachings of Rabbi David WolpeA Few Questions We ExploreWas Jacob always intended to be understood as the hero of this story?What does it really mean to be "chosen" in Genesis?Why does the Bible spend so much time telling stories about rival siblings?What changes when we read Genesis through the lens of Jewish scholarship?Is reconciliation ever possible without first confronting who we've become? Like the music? Check out Forrest Clay anywhere you find your music! The song featured on this episode is "Does God" off his Recover EP. Love the work we're doing?! Support us by joining the Patreon family here: https://www.patreon.com/c/thedeconstructionistspodcast/membershipStay up on all things Deconstructionists here: www.thedeconstructionists.org Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Part 2 of our conversation with grief coach, author, and podcaster Shelby Forsythia, we dive deeper into her brand-new book, Of Course I'm Here Right Now.Most of us want to help when someone we love is grieving. The problem is that we've never been taught how. Instead, we fall back on clichés, platitudes, and well-meaning advice that often leaves grieving people feeling even more isolated.Shelby argues that what grieving people need most isn't fixing, solving, or explaining. They need presence.In this episode, we explore why grief makes people uncomfortable, how our culture's lack of grief literacy creates secondary losses, and the surprisingly simple phrases that can help someone feel seen and supported during life's hardest moments.Whether you've experienced profound loss yourself or want to be a better support for someone who has, this conversation offers practical wisdom, compassion, and a fresh way of understanding grief.In This EpisodeWhy grief isn't a problem to solveThe hidden ways people become isolated after lossWhat NOT to say to someone who is grievingWhy "at least..." statements often do more harm than goodThe difference between helping and fixingHow grief changes friendships and relationshipsThe role of presence versus adviceThe importance of grief literacy in modern culturePractical phrases anyone can use to support a grieving friendWhat inspired Shelby to write Of Course I'm Here Right NowWhy grief can become one of life's greatest teachersAbout Shelby ForsythiaShelby Forsythia is a grief coach, author, podcast host, and founder of Life After Loss Academy. After losing her mother at a young age, she became what she calls a "student of grief," dedicating her work to helping people navigate life after devastating loss. She is the author of Permission to Grieve, Your Grief, Your Way, and her newest book, Of Course I'm Here Right Now: Three Actually Helpful Things to Say to Someone Grieving. Connect with ShelbyWebsite: Shelby Forsythia Official WebsiteBook: Of Course I'm Here Right NowPodcast: Coming Back Podcast ArchiveSupport The DeconstructionistsIf you're enjoying these conversations, consider supporting our newly relaunched Patreon. Members receive:Ad-free episodesExtended conversations and bonus contentVideo versions of select interviewsEarly access to new episodesExclusive Patreon-only contentJoin us at:The Deconstructionists PatreonFollow The DeconstructionistsWebsite: www.thedeconstructionsits.org Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/thedeconstructionistspodcastIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and review wherever you listen to podcasts. It helps others discover the show and supports independent creators.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy