Afleveringen
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This week we’re talking about the developing story surrounding pastor Robert Morris of Gateway Church, a multi-campus Texas monstrosity boasting over 100k congregants. Cindy Clemishire is a brave woman who has accused Robert Morris of molesting her from 1982 to 1987, beginning when she was just 12 years old. Although she has sought justice against Morris multiple times, Cindy has watched in frustration and despair as he dodged nearly all consequences for his actions and become a prominent national figure in the Evangelical world. All that began to change just a couple of weeks ago thanks to this blog post… Let’s hope that Cindy finally gets the justice she deserves for the disgusting crimes perpetrated against her!
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Well this is embarrassing, but due to insurmountable technical difficulties with the Comfort Inn WIFI, we weren't able to finish recording this week's episode. However, we have a story in the works for next week that I'll bet many of you have been following. Tune in next Tuesday as we discuss the disturbing allegations surrounding Pastor Robert Morris of Gateway Church in Dallas, TX. Have a great week!
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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This week we’re joined by Ryan George, author of “Hurt and Healed by the Church: Redemption and Reconstruction After Spiritual Abuse.” Ryan was listening to a podcast one day when he heard a heartbreaking story of sexual abuse about a pastor, a pastor who happened to be his father. It’s hard to imagine being hit with such a devastating revelation, but it set off a chain reaction that forced him to square himself with his own physical abuse at the hands of his dad. In his book, Ryan recounts the full story of his upbringing, coping with his father’s crimes, doing what he can to help the victims his dad had hurt, and how he found spiritual healing in what some might think is an unlikely place: the church. We really enjoyed talking with Ryan, and we hope you enjoy the discussion (it begins at 44:00)! Find his book “Hurt and Healed by the Church: Redemption and Reconstruction After Spiritual Abuse” through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and many other book retailers, check out his podcast Everyday Adventures, and follow Ryan on Instagram (@ryplane).
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Colorado is a magical place to so many people, and for so many different reasons! Some venture into the mountains to get glazed on big box weapons-grade weed in a puddle of pine sap, some scour Denver for the latest fast casual slop hut bastardizing ethnic cuisine, but me? I’m here to visit one of the last great vestiges of Christian Americana left in these United States of Tanger Outlets: the Focus on the Family world headquarters in beautiful Colorado Springs! While I was disappointed to find that Whitt’s End and the Welcome Center were closed for renovations, Grandpa Dobby made sure that the bookstore was open and ready to take my money. Sam and I chat about all the fun things I found in the store, and one brand in particular that caught my attention called Hold Fast. I’m not sure how to describe their clothing other than that I expect their t-shirts will become a staple of Kid Rock’s wardrobe after the terminal cirrhosis prompts him to join Greg Locke’s biblical manhood Bible study. However, they are doing big things for their brave-but-beleaguered “Big Brother,” Israel. We take a look at some strange organizations with vague goals supported by t-shirt purchases from Hold Fast and have a good time talking about our recent travels. Enjoy the show and have a great week!
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This week we’re joined by our friend Kavin to talk about his experiences as a short term foster parent! Foster care is an important service that really doesn’t get the attention it deserves. The fact of the matter is that kids across the world through no fault of their own find themselves in difficult, scary situations where they are taken out of their home, away from their families, and placed in the care of strangers. The reasons vary a lot more than I was aware of. They can involve everything from respite to abuse and can last anywhere from a few days to the rest of their childhoods. Regardless of the situation, think about how you would feel to be 6 or 8 years old and suddenly be placed in a strange house with people you don’t know. Could you relax? Could you go to sleep? Could you find it in yourself to trust that these people have your best interest at heart? It’s a pretty frightening position for a youngster, and extremely delicate for the family taking care of them. Over the last year, Kavin and his family have cared for over 20 children through short term foster care. As you will hear, this is a labor of love that requires a lot of his family, but one that they are passionate about. I think you’ll find this discussion informative! If you’d like to learn more about becoming a foster parent, the rules and requirements in your state, or simply some ways to help children in foster care, go to www.adoptuskids.org
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This week Jeremiah joins us to talk about God’s mightiest warrior and recent 700 Club guest, Terry Eugene Bollea, aka Hulk Hogan! We’re all suckers for a juicy testimony, right? Well nobody in recent memory can spin a yarn quite like the Hulkster. Terry is on fire for God and anxious to spread the good word with what time he has left before he takes Hulkamania all the way to the Pearly Gates! He’s a truly electric personality, just don’t go thinking too hard about his stories…
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This week we’re excited welcome Andy Prince from Manchester Orchestra back to the show! Last time he was on, we talked about his upbringing in a Florida panhandle Christian community, and his involvement in an Evangelical movement know as the Brownsville Revival. This time around we discuss his early music career and change in lifestyle, as well as his work with an organization called Upward Intuition. Upward Intuition started as a group of people raising funds and support for a public skatepark in downtown Pensacola, which saw the opening of the Blake Doyle Skate Park. Now they hope to expand their reach and help create more places for kids in other communities to skate, hang out, and build friendships. It’s a really cool organization, and one that Andy has poured a lot of himself into! Follow Upward Intuition and Andy on Instagram (@upwardintuition & @andyprince), and keep an eye out for new music and tour dates from Manchester Orchestra (@manchesterorchestra)!
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This week, we’re talking about a few different disastrous stories that we just can’t look away from. First, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem continues to make headlines as journalists sift through the ridiculous claims in her upcoming book, “No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward.” The latest pull quotes had us in tears, and her response to criticism makes it all the more fun! Next up, we discuss the disturbing case of Mica Miller, a young woman who allegedly “unalived” herself in the midst of a messy separation from her husband, Pastor John Paul Miller of Solid Rock Ministries in Myrtle Beach, SC. There is a lot to this story, and given the possible allegations of abuse, the pastor’s relationship with another woman in the church, and his absolutely bizarre behavior in the wake of his wife’s tragic death, internet sleuths are working overtime trying to find out what kind of person John Paul Miller is and whether or not he had anything to do with Mica’s sudden demise. Lastly, we’re as captivated as everyone else is by the public war between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. Sam lays out a timeline for the attacks, and highlights some of the more ruthless portions of each diss track. We hope you enjoy the show!
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This week we’re joined by our esteemed assistant pastor Jeremiah to discuss our the details of our presidential cardiac arrest covenant. We’ve vowed before God and man that if Biden and Trump simultaneously, uh… “come to the clearing at the end of the path,” we will plant a church and dedicate our lives to soliciting donations for it. We also talk about the most irritating team-up ever between Richie the Barber and Mike Servin, and finally, the bizarre and upsetting revelations from South Dakota Governor and Trump VP hopeful Kristi Noem’s upcoming book, “No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward.” Kristi wants everyone to know that she’s rough, tough, and ain’t got no qualms about acting like a psychopath, and she has the entire internet lighting torches and sharpening pitch forks. All this and more on this week’s episode of Growing Up Christian!
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This week we’re joined by Courtney Bandeko and Benjamin Ironside Koppin to discuss their brand new film, Pastor’s Kid! Based on a true story, Pastor’s Kid follows a young woman who, reeling from a traumatic event, finds herself parsing through her complicated feelings about faith, family, and forgiveness. The film presents a raw, honest view of what it’s like to sift through the overlapping web of imparted beliefs, life experience, and relationships (familial and otherwise) that are woven into our feelings about faith. Who among us can’t relate to that? We really enjoyed this movie, and I think you will too! Follow the official Pastor’s Kid pages on Instagram (@pastorskidmovie) and Facebook (…/pastorskidthemovie), follow Benjamin on Instagram (@benjamin_koppin), and Courteney on Instagram (@bandekoot), and check out the trailer here!
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This week we’re talking about ambulance-chasing billboard lawyers, the Israeli bombing of the Iranian consulate in Damascus, the retaliatory strike on Israel, and the dangerous upwelling of militarist rationale in the West. Then it’s time to crack the lid and peak in at the ever-devolving toilet kingdom that Steven Crowder has ruled with an iron fist… up until recently, that is. When last we discussed our free speech warrior chieftain, he was dealing with the fallout from a leaked video where a cigar-smoking Steven berated his pregnant wife for wanting to use the family car (Dave Ramsey said they only needed one, you know). However, in the wake of this negative attention, some former employees of Louder With Crowder have spoken up about the toxic work environment and ugly, vindictive tendencies that Steven has exhibited over the years. One of the people speaking out is Jared Monroe, aka Not Gay Jared, a former friend, cohost, and “surprisingly good kisser,” according to Mr. Crowder. God this is getting weird. All this and more on this week’s episode of Growing Up Christian!
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This week we’re joined once again by scholar, activist, and all-around great guy, Dr. Luke Wilson! For those of you who haven’t heard our earlier conversations with Luke, he was a fellow student at Liberty University and one of their most troublesome conversion therapy victims. He’s with us this week to discuss one of the most infamous falls from grace in modern Christian history: Pastor Ted Haggard. Ted has founded multiple successful Colorado churches, helmed a couple of huge Christian organizations, shaped national and state policy and legislation, but most interestingly to us, he’s practically penned the Gospel of “How Not to Handle a Scandal.” This story is soooo nuts, and I’m glad we got to cover it with our buddy Luke! Follow Luke on Instagram (@lukeslamdunkwilson) and X (@wilson_fw), and for the rest of his story, check out our earlier episodes with him (Ep. 12 – Conversion Therapy Speed Dating, and Ep. 40 – “Pray Away” and the Gospel Coaltion’s Persecution Complex).
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This week, we’re joined by Jeremiah to discuss Easter rituals, grocery store fruit theft etiquette, and the universal unpopularity of Sam’s musical tastes, for starters. Then we wade into Charlie Kirk and the gang’s poignant political, cultural, and spiritual assessments of the situation in Haiti. Charlie is the founder of Turning Point USA, and the host of a right wing talk show. What’s he look like, you ask? Picture an early 30’s youth leader that “felt called” to marry one of his parishioners on her 18th birthday. Got it? Okay, now enlarge the head, shrink the face, and slap the hind quarter of a labradoodle a little too far back on his scalp… You got it, right? All jokes aside, Charlie and his gaggle of nincompoops are a joke, and their notions of history are ridiculous. Grab a drink and prepare for some spit-takes!
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Our guest this week is returning author, podcaster, and activist, our good friend Amber Viola! Aside from catching up and chatting about church gossip and missions trips, we spent some time discussing the release of her first book, “72 Hours of Hell: My Time in the VA.” Amber is a Navy veteran, and we’ve talked at length in past episodes about her advocacy on behalf of US military veterans. When it comes to mental health and self-harm, veterans represent a particularly vulnerable community. In this jaw-dropping personal account, Amber gives readers an inside look at what it’s like seeking voluntary mental health treatment from the Veterans Health Administration. It’s a harrowing story that shines a light on the VA’s shortcomings, and one that we think everyone should hear. Amber is one of our favorite people we’ve met through the show, and we are always excited to talk to her! Follow her on Instagram (@amber_viola), check out her podcast Politics But Make It Fashion on all streaming platforms, and find her new book “72 Hours of Hell: My Time in the VA” on Amazon and Kindle!
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This week we’re hanging out with Jeremiah and laughing about dripping dip spit from your tracheotomy hole, the Great Texas Pornhub War of 2024, and drafting a more entertaining and era-appropriate method of selecting public servants (think Most Extreme Elimination Challenge, but the winner gets to be county treasurer and the loser drowns in a big stinking porridge pond). If you like the show, leave us a review and share it with a friend, and if you haven’t joined our Discord yet, you can find a link to it in our Instagram bio. Enjoy the episode!
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This week we’re excited to welcome back activist, writer, and friend of the show, Charles McBryde! Charles has done extensive work with Mission Kharkiv, an NGO working to collect and transport lifesaving chronic and anticancer medication to besieged Ukrainian cities, and has been an outspoken supporter of the Ukrainian people since the start of the war. He has also garnered a lot of attention for his outspoken support of the Palestinian people and scathing criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza. 5 months into the war in Gaza, over 30,000 Palestinians have been killed, half the country lies in smoldering piles of rubble, countless cultural and religious sites have been destroyed, and the UN is sounding the alarm over the inevitable catastrophe of famine and starvation taking hold on the 2m residents of Gaza now huddled in southernmost section of the country. Throughout the war in Ukraine and now Gaza, Charles is one of the people we’ve looked to for honest, though-provoking commentary. You can follow him on Instagram and TikTok (@charlesmcbryde), X (@mcbrydecampbell), and we highly recommend subscribing to his Substack, Refuse Dystopia!
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Our guest this week is screen printer and designer Zach Merrill of Action Tees! Zach is an old friend of Sam’s that grew up in church like many of us. After getting married young and struggling to find his footing in all aspects of his life, Zach charted his own course away from the stifling expectations of his upbringing and conservative outlook. Stepping back from the edge with a new lease on life, he was free to take creative risks and try new things. Through his company, Action Tees, Zach makes some really unique apparel thanks to his unconventional screen printing methods and eye for design. His work has drawn the attention of some really cool artists like CZARFACE, and we can’t wait to see where he goes from here! Follow Zach on Instagram (@zachmerrill_), TikTok (@zmerrill), and go to www.shopzachmerrill.com to preorder upcoming apparel drops and info on commissions!
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This week is all about church boomers tangling with technology! There has been a plethora of stories involving older religious figures embarrassing themselves on the internet, and we selected a few of our favorites to discuss. We have the hapless head honcho of Hillsong’s “hacked account” tweets, the band of benevolent nuns burgled by bogus AI bishops, and finally, the salacious self-sabotage of a sanctimonious Catholic shock jock. Strap on those boots, Christian soldiers! We’ve got muck to rake…
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Our guest this week is musician, producer, and artist Angel Marcloid, also known as Fire-Toolz! Angel grew up in church, and has seen their relationship with faith evolve substantially, over the years. Whether you’re talking about their music, visual art, or adventurous, open-minded approach to spirituality, Angel is a fascinating person and Fire-Toolz is a truly unique passion project! For links to anything and everything, go to www.linktr.ee/fire_toolz!
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This week we’re joined once again by our good friend and fantastic comedian, Spencer Bland! We kick things off talking about the “He Gets Us” Super Bowl commercial that’s caused an absolute uproar. Tempers are flaring on all sides of this one… Then we trudge into the slippery, slimy, putrid swamp that is Christian Healthshare - a controvertial and uniquely-American industry bodysurfing a wave of partisan indignance, legislative corruption, and spiritual bankruptcy toward the rocky shores of financial insolvency. The past 15 years has seen healthshare participation swell from less than 50k to well over a million members in spite of the fact that 1) it’s not healthcare, 2) it’s largely unregulated, and 3) it’s full of conartists and charlatans. While there are plenty of people who are plenty happy with their healthshare plans, the whole industry stinks… stinks like a butt. We love hanging out with Spencer, and we’re big fans of his comedy! Follow him on Instagram and YouTube (@spencerspicy), TikTok (@spencerspicyy), and visit www.godsfavoritecomedian.com for show dates and his comedy special “Dinner at 4pm!”
Articles Referenced:
A Christian Ministry Promised An Obamacare Alternative. The FBI Says Its Leaders Pocketed $4 Million And Left Members With Thousands In Unpaid Medical Bills
A Christian Health Nonprofit Saddled Thousands With Debt as It Built a Family Empire Including a Pot Farm, a Bank and an Airline
P.S. Shoutout to the listener that turned us onto such an interesting topic. Thanks for the suggestion!
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