
You Have Permission
So many of us have been given bad answers to good questions -- questions about God, suffering, prayer, fate, science, justice, and more -- often by people with pure intentions. But we needn't stop with those pat answers. You have permission to take both Christianity and the modern world very seriously, and this podcast will introduce you to people from across the Christian spectrum engaging these timeless and difficult questions in various ways.
Latest episodes

Feb 19, 2024 • 1h 22min
People Are Different And That Makes Us Anxious (#238)
Dan welcomes back Dr. Steven Sandage and Sarey Martin Concepcion to talk about the natural anxiety produced by the reality of differences between people, especially differences between entire cultures. It is possible to cultivate “cultural humility,” a respectful and curious posture necessary for proper care in many fields, including all types of healthcare. Cultural humility is labor and attention-intensive, requiring emotional reserves that can sometimes be provided through spiritual resources. Incentive structures for both individuals and institutions are often, however, set in opposite to the cultivation of such humility.Stephen’s Episode “What Does a Healthy Spiritual Leader Even Look Like? (#209)”:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/you-have-permission/id1448000113?i=1000627460605Steve’s Faculty Page: https://www.bu.edu/sth/profile/steven-j-sandage/Edwin Friedman’s Book “Generation to Generation”:https://lifeandleadership.com/book-summaries/friedman-generation-to-generation/_____________Follow Dan on IG: www.instagram.com/dancoke/Or Twitter: twitter.com/DanKochFaith deconstruction resources: www.soyouredeconstructing.com/Edited by Josh Gilbert (joshgilbertmedia.com -- he is accepting more work!)Join the Patreon for exclusive episodes (and more) every month: patreon.com/dankochEmail about the "sliding scale" for the Patreon: youhavepermissionpodcast@gmail.comYHP Patron-only FB group: tinyurl.com/ycvbbf98Website: www.dankochwords.com/yhp.htmlJoin Dan's email list: www.dankochwords.com/Artwork by sprungle.co/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 12, 2024 • 1h 5min
Masculinity: Protecting the Vulnerable? (#237)
In this latest episode focused on masculinity and unique modern problems facing men and boys, Dan talks with moderate evangelical radio host Brant Hansen about his book from a couple years back, which focuses on an alternative vision of masculinity that is nonetheless rooted in mainstream Christian understandings of gender. They discuss bell curve distributions of traits, biological differences between statistically average members of each biological sex, and Brant’s primary thesis that masculinity is about protecting the vulnerable and cultivating goodness for individuals within one’s own sphere of influence.Brant’s Amazon Author Page:https://www.amazon.com/stores/Brant-Hansen/author/B00P49MTEW?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=trueBrant’s Book “Life is Hard, God is Good, Let’s Dance”: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Hard-Good-Lets-Dance-ebook/dp/B0BYYXTNQ2Brant & Sherri Oddcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1923-theyre-both-trays/id903615429?i=1000644214176https://cure.org/_____________Follow Dan on IG: www.instagram.com/dancoke/Or Twitter: twitter.com/DanKochFaith deconstruction resources: www.soyouredeconstructing.com/Edited by Josh Gilbert (joshgilbertmedia.com -- he is accepting more work!)Join the Patreon for exclusive episodes (and more) every month: patreon.com/dankochEmail about the "sliding scale" for the Patreon:YHP Patron-only FB group: tinyurl.com/ycvbbf98Website: www.dankochwords.com/yhp.htmlJoin Dan's email list: www.dankochwords.com/Artwork by sprungle.co/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 5, 2024 • 1h 4min
Dan's Favorite Films & TV of 2023 (#236)
In stride with recent episodes focused on I Think You Should Leave and Shiny Happy People, Dan shares his favorite TV series and films of 2023. Yes, he's a few weeks late, but his wife just had a baby in December! The information may yet prove useful to you, dear listeners. Dan shares what he loved the most and why, including any psychological or theological angles he enjoyed._____________Follow Dan on IG: www.instagram.com/dancoke/Or Twitter: twitter.com/DanKochFaith deconstruction resources: www.soyouredeconstructing.com/Edited by Josh Gilbert (joshgilbertmedia.com -- he is accepting more work!)Join the Patreon for exclusive episodes (and more) every month: patreon.com/dankochEmail about the "sliding scale" for the Patreon:YHP Patron-only FB group: tinyurl.com/ycvbbf98Website: www.dankochwords.com/yhp.htmlJoin Dan's email list: www.dankochwords.com/Artwork by sprungle.co/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Feb 2, 2024 • 27min
GGCH: Under The Christmas Tree (#235)
The guys are joined by Josh’s girlfriend Emily for a direct report on Gilbert Christmas Tree Sleepover 2023. Dan, Josh and Tony also play a round of “Bar, Bank, Church, or Dispensary,” consider ways they are becoming like their dads, and discuss Tony’s “no politics on hunting trips” rule.If you'd like to WATCH this episode, you now can by joining the Patreon: patreon.com/dankoch_____________Follow Dan on IG: www.instagram.com/dancoke/Or Twitter: twitter.com/DanKochFaith deconstruction resources: www.soyouredeconstructing.com/Edited by Josh Gilbert (joshgilbertmedia.com -- he is accepting more work!)Join the Patreon for exclusive episodes (and more) every month: patreon.com/dankochEmail about the "sliding scale" for the Patreon:YHP Patron-only FB group: tinyurl.com/ycvbbf98Website: www.dankochwords.com/yhp.htmlJoin Dan's email list: www.dankochwords.com/Artwork by sprungle.co/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 29, 2024 • 1h 9min
Still Christian: Tyson Motsenbocker & John Van Deusen (#234)
In the inaugural “Still Christian” episode (more to come!), Dan talks with two of his favorite songwriters, personal friends Tyson Motsenbocker and John Van Deusen, who in addition to their own solo recording careers also play in Telephone Friends together. Dan explains the genesis of this new episode type, and all three talk about the reasons they consider themselves Christian, what the word “Christian” means to them, and the role their faith plays in their lives. In fact, the genesis of the idea for these “Still Christian” episodes came during a conversation Dan had with John at Tyson’s wedding reception, a story which Dan shares.Dan's favorite tunes by John and Tyson: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7mdo7jHBJXcYUiB8wXzcrK?si=2b3d7e68500c43f9Telephone Friends Spotify Page: https://open.spotify.com/artist/765e7kZUsgfGp40uxNCxE9?si=pEOaSqGGR2ei7CK-K5Nl1wTyson's Book "Where the Waves Turn Back": https://www.amazon.com/Where-Waves-Turn-Back-Pilgrimage/dp/1546003444_______________________Follow Dan on IG: www.instagram.com/dancoke/Or Twitter: twitter.com/DanKochFaith deconstruction resources: www.soyouredeconstructing.com/Edited by Josh Gilbert (joshgilbertmedia.com -- he is accepting more work!)Join the Patreon for exclusive episodes (and more) every month: patreon.com/dankochEmail about the "sliding scale" for the Patreon:YHP Patron-only FB group: tinyurl.com/ycvbbf98Website: www.dankochwords.com/yhp.htmlJoin Dan's email list: www.dankochwords.com/Artwork by sprungle.co/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 25, 2024 • 36min
Looking for Meaning in "I Think You Should Leave" (#233)
Is there deep meaning to be found in absurdist comedy? Can shows like I Think You Should Leave prompt us into deep waters, or do they merely trigger shallow laughter and enjoyment? Returning guests Matt Wright and Kristen Tideman join Dan this week to find out as they discuss the first season of the Netflix comedy hit (and possibly Dan’s all-time favorite comedic television show) I Think You Should Leave.I Think You Should Leave:https://www.netflix.com/title/80986854Matt's Spotify Artist Page:https://open.spotify.com/artist/4B4Remkbm9pHdBjZSeNfGC?si=API5fMyaSPWlBMtmNJI_vQMatt's Band "Telephone Friends" Artist Page:https://open.spotify.com/artist/765e7kZUsgfGp40uxNCxE9?si=a7KdANkmT5abDEvCcYspfA_____________Follow Dan on IG: www.instagram.com/dancoke/Or Twitter: twitter.com/DanKochFaith deconstruction resources: www.soyouredeconstructing.com/Edited by Josh Gilbert (joshgilbertmedia.com -- he is accepting more work!)Join the Patreon for exclusive episodes (and more) every month: patreon.com/dankochEmail about the "sliding scale" for the Patreon:YHP Patron-only FB group: tinyurl.com/ycvbbf98Website: www.dankochwords.com/yhp.htmlJoin Dan's email list: www.dankochwords.com/Artwork by sprungle.co/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 22, 2024 • 1h 15min
Horror, Exorcisms & the Fear of God (#232)
Does interaction with scary media "open us up to spiritual influence?" What do professional exorcists think that exorcism is actually "doing" for the possessed? Is there a legitimate role for "the fear of the Lord"? What are the benefits of telling and re-telling horrifying stories? Fuller Seminary's Kutter Callaway joins Dan this week to discuss questions like this and they discuss his podcast Be Afraid.Kutter’s website:https://www.kuttercallaway.com/Be Afraid Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/be-afraid/id1704761081Kutter’s Devotional “Don’t Look Away: The Horrors of Holy Scripture”: https://www.alabasterco.com/products/dont-look-away-the-horrors-of-holy-scripture___________________________________________Follow Dan on IG: www.instagram.com/dancoke/Or Twitter: twitter.com/DanKochFaith deconstruction resources: www.soyouredeconstructing.com/Edited by Josh Gilbert (joshgilbertmedia.com -- he is accepting more work!)Email about the "sliding scale" for the Patreon: youhavepermissionpodcast@gmail.comYHP Patron-only FB group: tinyurl.com/ycvbbf98Website: www.dankochwords.com/yhp.htmlJoin Dan's email list: www.dankochwords.com/Artwork by sprungle.co/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 15, 2024 • 46min
Trump 2024 Anxiety (#231)
Speaking as much to himself as to listeners, Dan goes through three common thinking errors, known in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy as “cognitive distortions,” that he sees in news coverage around the possibility of a Donald Trump victory in 2024. Recognizing these distortions in the media as well as our own thoughts about the election and its results can 1) reduce our anxiety and 2) align our thoughts more fully with the reality that the future is uncertain but unlikely to be as catastrophic as we often assume. More episodes should come and will focus on additional cognitive distortions, as well as acceptance work.___________________________________________Follow Dan on IG: www.instagram.com/dancoke/Or Twitter: twitter.com/DanKochFaith deconstruction resources: www.soyouredeconstructing.com/Edited by Josh Gilbert (joshgilbertmedia.com -- he is accepting more work!)Email about the "sliding scale" for the Patreon: youhavepermissionpodcast@gmail.comYHP Patron-only FB group: tinyurl.com/ycvbbf98Website: www.dankochwords.com/yhp.htmlJoin Dan's email list: www.dankochwords.com/Artwork by sprungle.co/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 8, 2024 • 1h 12min
I Don't Believe in That God: Joy Vetterlein (#230)
Listen to former worship director and pastor's kid Joy Vetterlein as she discusses her journey of leaving the evangelical church, the challenges of starting over, and the need for more understanding of spiritual abuse. Explore her lack of concern about going to hell, skepticism of evangelism tactics, and the importance of feeling secure in her body. Discover her process of challenging beliefs, embracing personal discernment, and seeking healing outside traditional religious practices. Also, learn about the correlation between spirituality and depression and her hope for her children's sense of safety and purpose through spirituality.

Jan 2, 2024 • 1h 5min
When Religion Hurts You (#229)
Dan is joined by Dr. Laura Anderson, a fellow spiritual abuse/religious trauma researcher whose new book When Religion Hurts You is a pretty great and concise summary of what is known today about religious trauma and its effects on humans. They define terms like “religious trauma” and “spiritual abuse” and talk about the benefits of religion, the failures of pop psychology, the difference between PTSD and Complex PTSD, and more.Laura’s Book “When Religion Hurts You: Healing from Religious Trauma and the Impact of High-Control Religion”:https://drlauraeanderson.com/bookLaura’s Website: https://drlauraeanderson.com/https://www.traumaresolutionandrecovery.com/Laura’s Podcast - Sunday School Dropouts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sunday-school-dropouts/id1689312239The Varieties of Religious & Spiritual Abuse Episode with Paula Swindle (#90): https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/you-have-permission/id1448000113?i=1000498837671Saved By the City Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/saved-by-the-city/id1557930520___________________________________________Follow Dan on IG: www.instagram.com/dancoke/Or Twitter: twitter.com/DanKochFaith deconstruction resources: www.soyouredeconstructing.com/Edited by Josh Gilbert (joshgilbertmedia.com -- he is accepting more work!)Email about the "sliding scale" for the Patreon: youhavepermissionpodcast@gmail.comYHP Patron-only FB group: tinyurl.com/ycvbbf98Website: www.dankochwords.com/yhp.htmlJoin Dan's email list: www.dankochwords.com/Artwork by sprungle.co/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices