This extremely helpful episode features a conversation with returning guest Andrew Jasko, a Princeton-seminary trained former minister who walked away from the faith years ago and now as a therapist, is devoting his life to helping people heal from religious trauma syndrome (RTS). Andrew's blog is helpfully titled "Life After Dogma," and that is exactly what we focus on in this episode--what is trauma, generally  speaking? And then, what exactly is religious trauma, and how can you begin to cope with it? How does religious dogma affect us in terms of trauma, and is there life after we leave it behind? One aspect of healing is to discover spirituality--which is something that doesn't necessarily appeal to all people who come out of cults or fundamentalist religions. But in this episode, regardless of your beliefs about it, you'll find help and resources in dealing with your own RTS. Support Independent Media like MindShift Podcast on Patreon! Contact Information Andrew's Blog Life After Dogma Follow Andrew on Twitter @AndrewJasko Follow me on Twitter @MIndShift2018

This special bonus episode is a chat with Dr John Fea, professor of American history at Messiah College in Pennsylvania--and although he's an evangelical, he is a prominent voice who has been speaking out for years about what he terms the "court evangelicals" surrounding Donald Trump.  Dr Fea is also the author of multiple books and articles, but I wanted to focus on two works: first, his 2011 book Was America Founded as a Christian Nation: A Historical Perspective, and his more recent work, Believe Me: The Evangelical Road to Donald Trump (2018). Dr Fea and I dissect not only the myths of Christian nationalism, but discuss the role that dominion theology and power politics have shaped the Christian Right and evangelical support for Donald Trump. Help Support Independent Media Like MindShift Podcast on Patreon! Contact Information The Way of Improvement Leads Home Blog Follow Dr John Fea on Twitter @JohnFea1 Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018

This week's episode features Heath Brown, associate professor at CUNY and author of the upcoming book Homeschooling the Right: How Conservative Education Activism Erodes the State, which is expected to drop in early 2021. Heath has done a tremendous amount of research into not just homeschooling, but specifically the world of Christian homeschooling. What he has uncovered in the ultra-secretive world is that while they don't want to be studied or monitored by state or government controls, at the same time they are having an increasingly outsized political influence in terms of legislation. Moreover, conservative homeschooling groups are increasingly making use of homeschooled children and young people both to influence, and work as free labor for, conservative political campaigns. Learn more about these trends in this fascinating discussion with Heath Brown! Support MindShift Podcast on Patreon! Contact Information Follow Heath on Twitter @HeathBrown Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018 Like the MindShift Podcast Facebook Page

This special bonus episode features author, filmmaker, artist and activist Frank Schaeffer, son of Francis Schaeffer--the hugely influential intellectual evangelical and anti-abortion activist. Frank, along with his famous father, helped to launch the evangelical anti-abortion movement back in the 1970s and 80s with their film series "Whatever Happened to the Human Race?"  As we discuss the backstory of how abortion came to be the biggest single-issue topic for Republican and evangelical voters of today, Frank fills us in on the details--and helps explain why the confirmation of Amy Coney Barrett to the US Supreme Court poses such a threat to all Americans. Help Support Independent Media like MindShift Podcast on Patreon! Contact Details Follow Frank on Twitter @Frank_Schaeffer "Let Me Be Frank" film about Frank Schaeffer on Vimeo Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018 Like the MindShift Podcast Facebook Page

Is it possible to have a respectful dialogue between an atheist and an evangelical Christian?   Matthew Taylor, this week's guest and co-host of the Still Unbelievable podcast, thinks that it is possible--provided, of course, that you separate the beliefs from the believer.   In addition to exploring that concept, Matthew and I trade backstories in our old evangelical days, comparing notes and dissecting Christianity as objectively as we can. We also talk about the importance of community after leaving religion behind.   Help Support the Ongoing Work of MindShift Podcast on Patreon!   Contact Details Follow Matthew on Twitter @vteclimey Reason Press Website  Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018   Like the MindShift Podcast Facebook Page

In this special bonus episode, I have a conversation with Peter Montgomery, Senior Fellow at Right Wing Watch.   Peter has diligently been researching and writing on the Christian Right, dominion theology, evangelical politics, and more for the last 2 decades. As such, he is the perfect person to speak with now, just weeks before the election.   We are seeing more than ever the levels of rabid support for Donald Trump among evangelicals--and as Peter states, on the hyper-charismatic side of the equation, "it's on steroids now."   They've gone into overdrive, and are making some absolutely unbelievable claims about what they believe God will do--both with Trump and the unprecedented appointment of Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court.   Help Support MindShift Podcast on Patreon!   Contact Details Follow Peter on Twitter @petemont Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018   Like the MindShift Podcast Facebook Page

This special bonus edition features sociologist Andrew Whitehead, co-author along with Sam Perry of the informative book Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States.   As you'll recall, Sam was my guest a few months ago as we discussed the findings of their research of Americans as it relates to Christian nationalism in their book. I reached out to Andrew to have a discussion about not just the upcoming election and the chaos surrounding it, but also the recent news of the possibility of Trump installing an unprecedented third Supreme Court justice before the election.   To what extent is Christian nationalism informing both the folks who intend not only to vote for Trump in November (possibly for the second time), but also their support of Amy Coney Barrett and their hopes for overturning Roe v Wade?   Turns out...it's a huge driver. Listen in for more information!   Help Support the Show on Patreon!   Contact Information Follow Andrew on Twitter @ndrewwhitehead   Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018   Like the MindShift Podcast Facebook Page

In this episode with Steven Tiger, author of Doctrine Impossible, I'm hearkening back to my old days as an evangelical pastor and Bible college teacher and revisiting the subject of Christian theology. Today, however, neither of us are seeking to defend what in many cases is quite a monstrous set of beliefs--and view of God that is revealed in the pages of the Bible. What are the implications of so much of classic Christian doctrine?  Tune in to our chat to find out! Support MindShift Podcast on Patreon! Contact Information Follow Steve on Twitter @SteveTiger999 Steven's Website https://www.rationality-and-faith.com/ Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018

This week's guest features Paul Kivel, author of Living in the Shadow of the Cross: Understanding and Resisting the Power and Privilege of Christian Hegemony. Since the fateful decision by Emperor Constantine in the 4th Century CE to make Christianity the official state religion of Rome, Christianity has enjoyed unprecedented power, cultural and religious dominance--the very definition of "hegemony." And this is true not just in the West, where it's been most powerful, but indeed worldwide, as Christianity provided the ideology and force to go along with much of the efforts to colonize the world in the 18th-19th centuries. It's still seen today worldwide--politically, socially, culturally, religiously, and in many other ways. Paul and I will give you the tools not only to understand what Christian hegemony is, and the dangers it poses--we'll also discuss how you and I can successfully resist it. Support Independent Media like MindShift Podcast on Patreon! Contact Information Paul Kivel's Challenging Christian Hegemony Website Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018

In this bonus episode, ex-Scientologist and host of the Sensibly Speaking Podcast--Chris Shelton--drops in for a deep dive into the cult psychology of QAnon.   What is QAnon, and who exactly is "Q," its enigmatic leader? Chris and I not only answer those questions, but further, we unpack the appeal of this growing internet cult movement from a cult psychology point of view.   If you have friends, family members, or coworkers who are into QAnon--then this episode will help you not only make sense of the movement, but it will give you the critical tools by which to engage this dangerous cult.   Support MindShift Podcast on Patreon!   Contact Information Follow Chris on Twitter @sheltondesigner Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018   Link to The MindShift Podcast Facebook Page