

I Hate James Dobson
Jake & Brooke
Dr. James Dobson is a clinical psychologist, founder of Christian media empire Focus on the Family, a spiritual advisor to every Republican President since Reagan, and a paragon in the Evangelical Christian movement. And he's a massive dick.Join therapists Jake (a former Evangelical) and Brooke (who knows almost nothing about Evangelical culture) as they read and tear apart Dobson's works. Get ready to laugh, cry, and rip your hair out as we explore the very many reasons why I Hate James Dobson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 27, 2025 • 1h 30min
Episode 43: Dare 2 Share
Strap in, friends, we've got a live one on our hands today. Coming at you straight from 2006/Jake's personal trauma: "Dare 2 Share" by Greg Stier. This episode, Jake and Brooke dissect the book's... imaginative uses of the English language and discuss its potential impact on a young person's relationship to Wellbutrin.Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetterLicense code: 9OT2MTBHWWSRZP5S Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 13, 2025 • 1h 16min
Episode 42: The 5 Love Languages
This episode is about the 5 love languages! Get ready to hear Jake nerd out about couples therapy and why this book is... fine. Jake and Brooke made this gift as an act of service to spend some quality time with you, readers, so be sure to give them words of affirmation in the reviews. I wasn't able to make "physical touch" fit in this joke.References:Cook, M., Pasley, J., Pellarin, E., Medow, K., Baltz, M., & Buhman-Wiggs, A. (2013). Construct validation of the five love languages. Journal of Psychological Inquiry, 18(2), 50-61.Egbert, N., & Polk, D. (2006). Speaking the language of relational maintenance: A validity test of Chapman's Five Love Languages. Communication Research Reports, 23(1), 19-26.Eisen, K. (2025, July 16). Is The Origin of Love Languages Problematic? Coveteur.com. https://coveteur.com/love-languagesFlicker, S. M., Sancier‐Barbosa, F., Clemons‐Castanos, C., Field, S., Jackson‐Zambon, S., Phelan, M., & Impett, E. A. (2025). How Many Love Languages Are There? Examining Chapman's Five Love Languages Using a Bottom‐Up Approach. Journal of marital and family therapy, 51(4), e70072.Impett, E. A., Park, H. G., & Muise, A. (2024). Popular psychology through a scientific lens: Evaluating love languages from a relationship science perspective. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 33(2), 87-92.Surijah, E. A., & Kirana, C. T. (2020). Five love languages scale factor analysis. Makara Human Behavior Studies in Asia, 24(1), 56-72.Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetterLicense code: 9OT2MTBHWWSRZP5S Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 29, 2025 • 1h 27min
Episode 41: James Dobson Isn't The (Only) Problem
Oh boy there's nothing I love more on a Monday morning than a heaping helping of context! On this episode, Jake and Brooke take a journey through the forces that are bigger than Dobson, to focus on the real problem. Spoilers, it's capitalism again. References:Lakhani, N. et al., (2021, July 14). Revealed: the true extent of America’s food monopolies, and who pays the price. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ng-interactive/2021/jul/14/food-monopoly-meals-profits-data-investigationn.a. (n.d.) National Christian Charitable Foundation. SourceWatch. https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/national-christian-charitable-foundation/Stein, C. (2025, September 11). Charlie Kirk in his own words. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/11/charlie-kirk-quotes-beliefsMusic from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetterLicense code: 9OT2MTBHWWSRZP5Shttps://uppbeat.io/t/richard-bodgers/bingo-crazyLicense code: XRE0PJJK46DUNEK6 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 15, 2025 • 1h 6min
Episode 40: Dungeons & Dragons
Make a constitution saving throw, readers, or else you might take some psychic damage as Jake, Brooke, and Boyfriend talk about Dungeons and Dragons! Focus on the Family made a very special episode of Adventures and Odyssey that Jake forces their loved ones to experience and talk about why people were so bothered about Dungeons and Dragons. It gets nerdy.Read David Griffin's Blog "The Prodigal" here: https://davegriffin.me/2022/05/the-prodigal/References:60 Minutes. (1985, September 15). Dungeons and Dragons [Video]. CBS News. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm_2S8E_UOI&t=2sJones, S. (2022, Spring). Castles & Capitalists. Dissent Magazine. https://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/castles-capitalists/McCusker, P. (1990, August 4). Castles and Cauldrons, Part 1. [Radio Broadcast]. Focus on the Family.McCusker, P. (1990, August 11). Castles and Cauldrons, Part 2. [Radio Broadcast]. Focus on the Family.n.a. (2014, April 11). The great 1980s Dungeons & Dragons panic. BBC.com. https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26328105Nowakowski, T. (2023, March 31). 14 Fun Facts About Dungeons & Dragons. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/14-fun-facts-about-dungeons-dragons-180981905/Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetterLicense code: 9OT2MTBHWWSRZP5S Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 1, 2025 • 1h 12min
Episode 39: Life on the Edge
On this episode, Jake and Brooke are joined by Boyfriend to discuss a smorgasbord of Dobsonisms as they discuss his book and video series "Life on the Edge". If you can't traumatize the ones you love for the sake of #content, you are a better person than I.Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetterLicense code: 9OT2MTBHWWSRZP5S Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 22, 2025 • 19min
Bonus: Dead Dob Day
Does the air smell a little sweeter today? Do you find yourself with a little extra pep in your step? Did every person you know text you about the death of an almost 90-year-old man? Yeah me too.In this bonus, emergency episode, Jake and Brooke are joined by Corina to process the news of the death of Dr. James Dobson. Not to speak ill of the dead, but thank goodness. What a jerk. Say hi to Ted for us, Dobby boy!Listen to "Lessons from the Couch" wherever you get your podcasts!Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetterLicense code: 9OT2MTBHWWSRZP5S Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 18, 2025 • 1h 13min
Episode 38: Creationism, Ken Ham, and Kevin
It's a family affair on this episode of I Hate James Dobson, as Jake and Brooke are joined by Kevin - Jake's older brother, a rocket scientist*, and one cool guy. It's exciting! What's less exciting is that they are talking about creationism. Boo. A family that laughs about shared trauma together stays together?References:Answers in Genesis. (2014, February 4). Bill Nye Debates Ken Ham - HD (Official) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6kgvhG3AkIBoston, R. (2019, July 31). Ken Ham's Ark Park Floats On A Sea Of Taxpayer Subsidies. Americans United. https://www.au.org/the-latest/articles/ark-park-moneyInspiring Philosophy. (2022, January 7). The Origins of Young Earth Creationism [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLcNTAi0Cw4Lucke, J. (2023, October 26). Mike Johnson defended Noah's Ark attraction in Kentucky before becoming U.S. House speaker. Kentucky Lantern. https://kentuckylantern.com/briefs/mike-johnson-defended-noahs-ark-attraction-in-kentucky-before-becoming-u-s-house-speaker/#:~:text=By:%20Jamie%20Lucke%20-%20October%2026,U.S.%20Rep.Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetterLicense code: 9OT2MTBHWWSRZP5S Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aug 4, 2025 • 1h 22min
Episode 37: Shiny Happy People Season 2
This episode is a case study in going with the flow as both Jake and Brooke made last-minute pivots to cover the new season of Shiny Happy People. It's like a greatest hits of I Hate James Dobson - and Brooke learns the real reason for the season. Plus, the episode is just a vibe, really.Works Cited:Crist, O. et al. (Directors). (2025, July 23). Shiny Happy People Season 2: A Teenage Holy War. [Docuseries]. Amazon Prime Video. https://www.amazon.com/Shiny-Happy-People-Teenage-Holy/dp/B0FD3G7PP7Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetterLicense code: 9OT2MTBHWWSRZP5S Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 28, 2025 • 1h 27min
Episode 36: Duggars Part 2
Welcome back, readers! It's good to see you again! It's less good to get back to talking about the Duggars though. In this episode, Jake tells Brooke about the history of the Duggars as political figures, and weaves the story of their cult leader, Bill Gothard. They do not have particularly kind things to say about that man - or really anyone in power in these stories. Turns out staying under their umbrellas leads to destruction! (Is that anything?)References:Challis, M. (2023, June 7). How the new documentary series Shiny Happy People intersects with mainstream Christianity. BaptistNews.com. https://baptistnews.com/article/how-the-new-documentary-series-shiny-happy-people-intersects-with-mainstream-christianity/Crist, O. & Nason, J. W. (Directors). (2023, June 2). Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets [DocuSeries]. AmazonPrime. https://www.amazon.com/Shiny-Happy-People-Duggar-Secrets/dp/B0B8TR2QV5Duggar, J., et al (2023). Counting the Cost: A Memoir. Gallery Books.Duggar, J., Duggar, M. (n.d.) Our Story. DuggarFamily.com. https://www.duggarfamily.com/our-story/Espada, M. (2023, June 2). The True Story Behind the Duggar Family Docuseries Shiny Happy People. Time.com. https://time.com/6284603/shiny-happy-people-duggar-family-true-story/Gurley, A. (2023, July 19). Who is Bill Gothard? Everything to Know About the Institute in Basic Life Principles Founder. People.com. https://people.com/who-is-bill-gothard-the-institute-in-basic-life-principles-founder-7506014Radnofsky, C. (2022, February 6). Ministry that once nourished Duggar family's faith falls from grace. NBCNews.com. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/ministry-nourished-duggar-familys-faith-falls-grace-rcna14024Timeless truths from God's Word for our lives and relationships. IBLP.org. https://iblp.org/basic-life-principles/Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetterLicense code: 9OT2MTBHWWSRZP5S Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 21, 2025 • 1min
New Episode Next Week
As my mom says, hug your babies Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


