Unchurchable

Tim Fall - Running for Judge

When Tim Fall mentioned that he had some availability for podcast interviews, I was pretty darn quick to put my hand up and say "pick me!" His is a fair, reasonable voice in an often polarised and adversarial world. It stands to reason, then that the man is a judge! What ensued was a conversation about the validity of Judea-Christian claims on ethics, equality in church, and how a Christian should respond when those above us don't act in ways that are ethical or befitting of a Christian. Tune in! Its one you won't want to miss.

Phil Drysdale - Deconstructing Faith and Surviving It

When Phil Drysdale first started speaking at churches on the topic of deconstruction, it didn't take him long to realise it was happening in epidemic proportions. Years on, he has devoted his professional life to supporting the people who started pulling at the thread of doctrine and institutional Christianity and ended up holding a ball of twine but finding themselves with nothing to stand on. So what is deconstruction, what does the research say about it, and how do you survive it? Its all on todays session (along with some interesting stuff on the fear of hell!)

Cait West: faith, feminism and leaving patriarchy

Cait West grew up inside a form of Christian patriarchy that many wouldn't have even heard of - the stay-at-home-daughter movement. This form of conservative Christianity protected male headship to the point where courtships were quite strict and women were meant to serve men in the home. Her deconstruction into a more empowered version of faith and femininity involved leaving behind that movement. Now she is a University graduate, a writer taking on big topics, and has a job in publishing - proof that self-empowerment is possible even when the stakes are high.

Zach Cave: Purity Culture, Klinefelter Syndrome and Trauma Recovery

Trauma recovery is difficult enough when it is a single issue. But when you layer complex trauma with purity culture, religious pressure, murder, suicide, Klinefelter syndrome (also known as being Intersex), you have a potential recipe for disaster. Zach Cave is now a therapist, and has waded his way through difficult waters. His wisdom and discoveries on the journey to recovery make for a surprisingly calming and hopeful podcast episode. I hope you enjoy it.

Keith Kristich: Contemplative spirituality, finding silence and connecting with God within

Many of us have grown up in a Christian tradition with many good things about it: activities, study groups, upbeat worship, active prayer traditions are more. But the downside to this is that, when we deconstruct our faith or find ourselves unable to engage with church, there can be a feeling of distance from God. Enter contemplative spirituality. Not only is it the antithesis of activities-based faith, but it includes simple ways we can set up our days to pour from a full emotional and spiritual cup rather than an empty or exhausted one. 

Blair Rabun - Talk Purity To Me

Contains adult content:

Arguably, one of the most memorable movements of the 1990's or 2000's was the purity movement. Marked by songs like DC Talk's "I Don't Want It" and Rebecca St. James' "Wait for me," and of course Joshua Harris's book (now pulled from circulation) "I kissed dating goodbye." But how did this movement contribute to body shame and the ongoing experience of sexual desire for those who grew up in it? That is a story still unfolding, and the topic of today's episode.

Erica Smith - Navigating sex and reclaiming sexuality post purity culture

When I read the term "Purity Culture Dropout" on Erica Smith's instagram page - I knew I had to talk to her, because frankly, this isn't a topic I'm comfortable with. And it should be. I'm in my thirties now! Purity culture was a significant movement during my formative years as it was for people all over the world. That, combined with all too common "abstinence only" sex education left a lot of people with gaps. Gaps in knowledge about their bodies, about consent, about what is and isn't "normal" and how to navigate their way through the psychological gifts that keep on giving - those of shame related to sex and sexuality. Erica Smith is fabulous, and knowledgeable, and its an important session today. 

RATED M Ya'll! 

Kevin Garcia Bad Theology Kills

A chat with Kevin Garcia is always insightful, fun, challenging (in a good way) and a bit mind-bending. This session is no different. The original intent was to have Kevin stop by and talk about their new book "Bad Theology Kills" - and perhaps there is no better time in history to have this book-baby out there in the world. But in true Kevin style, we couldn't help but extend the conversion far beyond that - deconstruction, spellcraft, sex, sexuality, civil rights revolutions and the power of red lipstick. Curious? Give it a listen.

Mike Phillips: Religious Trauma Recovery and Reclaiming Your Core Self

No episode of this podcast has had as wide-reaching topic material within it as this one. We talk about cults, toxic groups, the Black Lives Matter movement, dominions, toxic evangelicalism, sexuality, trauma recovery, and the reclaiming of your core identity and autonomy after religious trauma. Obviously, there are a few trigger warnings built into this episode, but its truly an unmissable one as so much of it pertains to the big issues of 2020! Be safe. Be well. Be empowered to reclaim your spirituality and self-expression.

Tonya Nash - Autism, faith and inclusion

Tonya Nash, the pioneer behind the Autism Faith Network, takes us on an insightful journey through the challenges faced by families and churches when it comes to making church a beautiful experience for families and carers of people with autism or other disabilities. She offers up some simple guidance that can so beautifully enrich the experience of these amazing people, and help us treat them with the dignity and inclusion they deserve.