Deconstructing the Myth

Today I have such a fun chat in store for you all with comedian and podcast host Sydney Davis Jr. Jr. We talk about her journey leaving Christianity, discovering her passion for podcasting, and we bond over our love of giving others a platform to share their stories. Instagram: @sydneydavisjrjr Podcast: Growing Up Fundie

Today I talk with Austin Noll about American Christian culture and how it influenced him deeply in his Los Angeles nondenominational church setting. We discuss why churches can be so harmful and how he believes they might redeem their purpose in a more healthy way. Instagram: @austin_noll Book: A Jumble of Crumpled Papers Podcast: The Crumpled Papers Podcast

Today’s guest is podcast host, author, and mother Liz Enns Petters who chats with me about her childhood anxiety and how it intersected with deconstruction, what it’s like to have a well known a parent in academic theological scholarship, and how parenting during faith transitions has been for her. Instagram: @lizzennspetters @deconstructedmamas Facebook: Deconstructing Mamas Lizz Enns Petters, The Deconstructed Mama Podcast: Deconstructing Mamas Book: Deconstructing Hell

Today’s conversation is with Michael Lecey who I found over at his podcast, A Certain Wandering. Michael shares his deconstruction story as well as how he’s now discovering a rich new spiritual walk. As a therapist and spiritual director who has experienced deconstruction and church hurt first hand, Michael seeks to walk people safely through the thresholds of their lives especially concerning religious and spiritual shifts. thethresholds.com @michaelecy Podcast: A Certain Wandering https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-certain-wandering-podcast/id1581636154

My guest today Esther Goetz shares her story of growing up as a missionary kid who is now a deconstructed adult. She shares her experiences and wisdom about how to navigate a shifting faith in light of being a parent and someone who receives criticism for her public deconstruction platforms. We have such a great chat in store for you! estherjoygoetz.com @estherthedollymama @momsofbigs Facebook: Deconstructing Mamas Moms of Bigs Esther, the Dolly Mama Deconstructing Mamas podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deconstructing-mamas/id1612182466

Today I get to chat with singer/songwriter Alanah Sabatini who is a former evangelical worship leader. We discuss her deconstruction, how it impacted her songwriting and life, her new single “True Colors,” and more! Instagram @alanah.don’t.wanna TikTok Alanahsabatini.bandcamp.com Discord https://discord.com/invite/6Gfdkw77m8 True Colors (Hymn Rewrite of ‘Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing’

My guest today is Grace Dellis—the creator and curator of Hyssop + Laurel, a grassroots arts and literary magazine for religious deconstructionists. We discuss her deconstruction journey, the intersection between trauma and religion, and the bridge that art can make for creatives leaving behind toxic religous systems and idealogies. Instagram: @gracedellis @hyssopandlaurel hyssopandlaurel.com Her chapbook “Signs and Wonders”: https://bottlecap.press/products/wonders

Today’s guest is podcaster, speaker, former pastor, and musician Matt Kendziera who shares his story of being kicked out of the urban church he started and suddenly finding himself on the outside looking in and deciding to try a new approach. We discuss his new book Bring it Home: The Adventure of Finding Yourself after Being Lost in Religionand on how to keep joy in the middle of our deconstruction experiences. Check out www.mattkendziera.com Podcast: Chasing Goodness https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chasing-goodness-formerly-jesus-never-ran-faith-that/id1456202761 Amazon Link to “Bring it Home” https://a.co/d/2ECZ2C8 Audible Link https://www.audible.com/pd/Bring-It-Home-Audiobook/B0BVPQ46M4?action_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp

Today’s guest is Keith from @unnecessarynoisesman . As a neurodivergent who found the Evangelical environment he grew up in to be extremely detrimental for his mental and social health/development, Keith shares some of his darkest moments, how he found the way through them, and how he hopes to build a brighter future for those who may find themselves in similar situations through a unique community called Arcem. We discuss his views on the dangers of corporate religion, the importance of personal spirituality and development, and new ways to think about religion outside of the framework we’ve always known. Follow him on Instagram at @unnecessarynoisesman

Cynthia Vacca Davis, author of “Intersexion: A Story of Faith, Identity, and Authenticity,” discusses her experiences navigating the tensions and gray areas of Evangelical spaces while sharing the story of her intersex friend. They delve into the challenges of defining others by physical appearance and explore the speaker's unexpected transition to a permanent faculty position. They also reflect on theological struggles and the power of stories in seeking truth and understanding.