Best Exfundamentalist Podcasts (2025)

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Lunar Aligned: Summer 2025 Oracle Reading 22:27

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20h ago22:27

22:27

Meliea of Lunar Aligned reads a 6 card spread from the Soul Trees oracle deck by Allyson Williams Yee. Referenced in this Episode: Soul Trees & Soul Seeds | Allyson Williams Yee Interact with Lunar Aligned via: Email | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok SEND US A TEXT Support the Show | Buy Me a Coffee Leave Us A Voicemail | 980.355.9665 Interact with M…

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Shame-Sex Attraction: Surviving Conversion Therapy (with Dr Lucas Wilson) 1:05:54

9d ago1:05:54

1:05:54

I finally caught up with Lucas Wilson after months of emailing each other to set up this interview. And am I ever glad that I did! We had a fantastic conversation that I truly believe you will enjoy and learn a lot from. Lucas--or Luke--originally hails from Toronto, Canada, and as a young man ended up attending Jerry Falwell's Liberty University, …

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Vance Boelter: A Christian Assassin Radicalized by the New Apostolic Reformation 1:29:14

23d ago1:29:14

1:29:14

Recently, a listener asked me if I would explore the potential connections between Vance Boelter--the gunman who recently killed 2 Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota, and wounded 2 more--and the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). The question posed was this: "Was Vance Boelter radicalized by his experiences within the NAR?" Beyond that, how do we know…

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Project Esther: Weaponizing Antisemitism to Take Away Rights 1:07:35

1M ago1:07:35

1:07:35

Although Chris Shelton and I just did an episode on Project Esther recently, there were a lot of details that we didn't have time to dive into. As the story develops, and more information comes out, there have been some truly concerning developments that have taken place. Thus, in this special episode, I'm bringing you all the details behind Projec…

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Bonus Episode: The Cult of Trump and Project Esther (with Chris Shelton) 1:07:25

2M ago1:07:25

1:07:25

In this special bonus episode, former Scientologist Chris Shelton and I take a deep dive into a controversial new development in Trumpworld: Project Esther. This story originally broke a few weeks ago in The New York Times, and has now been picked up in other media outlets. The brainchild of The Heritage Foundation, authors of Project 2025 and majo…

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Design Flaw - The 1st IBLP Principle of Design 12:30

2M ago12:30

12:30

On this episode I'm beginning this series of my story with the Institute in Basic Life Principles or IBLP - which you may recognize from the Amazon documentary featuring the Duggar family from TLC's 19 Kids and Counting. They may have been on a reality tv show, but this is my story of how these teachings played out in my day to day real life. This …

1
The Real Conversation Jesus Wants Us To Have (with Regina Cates) 41:24

2M ago41:24

41:24

This week's episode features an insightful conversation with Regina Cates, author of the book The Real Conversation Jesus Wants Us To Have: A Call To Bravery, Peace, and Love. At first, when I heard the title of the book, I was understandably sceptical. I figured Regina was just another progressive Christian trying to rehabilitate the church, the g…

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Not So Shiny. Not So Happy. The Duggars & The Downers - My Story with Bill Gothard & The IBLP 8:25

3M ago8:25

8:25

On this episode I'm presenting the prologue of my story with the Institute in Basic Life Principles or IBLP - which you may recognize from the Amazon documentary featuring the Duggar family from TLC's 19 Kids and Counting. They may have been on a reality tv show, but this is my story of how these teachings played out in my day to day real life. Thi…

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The 7 Mountains Mandate: The Dangerous Plan to Christianize America and Destroy Democracy (with Matthew Boedy) 49:24

3M ago49:24

49:24

Christian nationalism, by its very nature, is anti-democratic. I have come to believe that not only is this true, but it poses a serious threat to democracy not just in America, but indeed the world. With Donald Trump back in power--aided and abetted by another overwhelming majority of evangelicals--we are seeing the guardrails blown through and de…

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Helping People To Escape From Christianity (with Tim Mills) 1:19:11

4M ago1:19:11

1:19:11

It's finally arrived! This week's long-overdue discussion is here, featuring a super informative and helpful conversation with Tim Mills, host of "The Harmonic Atheist" podcast and YouTube channel. As a faithful Christian virtually all of his life, Tim has an unbelievable testimony--and this is not just about how dedicated he was both to God and th…

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Change Your Life Script: Dealing with Limiting Beliefs (with Austra Putnina) 54:52

4M ago54:52

54:52

This episodes features a wide-ranging and super helpful discussion with Austra Putnina, host of the "Chase The Impossible" podcast. Originally from Latvia, Austra now lives in Estonia--and has an amazing backstory. Ever struggle with the impostor syndrome? Ever struggle with those "tapes" that seem to play all the time in your mind? The ones that h…

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Two Chapters From My Book "Not So Shiny Not So Happy People!" 19:10

5M ago19:10

19:10

I'm excited to be sharing the next two chapters from my book that came out last September. It's called Not So Shiny Not So Happy People: How Bill Gothard, Church, and Family Taught Me Christianity Doesn't Work, and was edited by my good friend Tim Sledge. If you haven't picked up a copy of the book yet, hopefully hearing these two chapters will mak…

1
Sleep Like Starfish with Rachelle Atkins 43:57

5M ago43:57

43:57

On this episode Grace interviews Rachelle Atkins. She's sharing her story highlighting excerpts from her memoir Sleep Like Starfish. Sleep Like Starfish chronicles how a couch-surfing, disassociated teenage high school dropout with debilitating chronic illness, a constant loop of intrusive thoughts, and a haunting abandonment wound goes on to marry…

1
What Happens When Jesus Isn't Enough? (with Rob Connelly) 56:43

5M ago56:43

56:43

This episode features an insightful conversation with former Southern Baptist Convention pastor--and now exvangelicala life coach and guide--Rob Connelly. After spending 37 years as a dedicated evangelical Christian, serving as a worship leader and pastor, Rob finally deconstructed his faith and walked away from it all. He's now sharing not only hi…

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Quieted Mind: If You Don't Understand, You Can't Love 10:21

5M ago10:21

10:21

James of Quieted Mind offers a dharma talk reflecting on the connection between understanding suffering and the ability to be able to truly love. Referenced in this Episode: Please Call Me By My True Names by Thich Nhat Hanh Interact with Quieted Mind via: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube SEND US A TEXT Support the Show | Buy Me a Cof…

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Should You Be Concerned About Trump's Project 2025 Agenda? (with Chris Shelton) 1:14:13

6M ago1:14:13

1:14:13

In this episode I'm joined once again by my very good friend, Chris Shelton, to revisit the issue of Trump's Project 2025 agenda. How concerned should you be, going forward? Last summer I started alerting listeners about the dangers posed by Project 2025's Mandate for Leadership, all designed as part of The Heritage Foundation's "presidential trans…

1
Lunar Aligned: First Quarter 2025 Lunar New Year Tarot Reading 7:30

6M ago7:30

7:30

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Holy Terror Classic Edition: Catching up with Conway & Siegelman - A MindShift Sequel 1:09:45

6M ago1:09:45

1:09:45

Welcome to the first episode of The Dismantling Doctrine Podcast for 2025! This inaugural episode features a catch-up conversation with two old friends, Flo Conway and Jim Siegelman. They are the authors of the classic 1978 work on cults and mind control entitled Snapping: America's Epidemic of Sudden Personality Change. Their research into cult ps…

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Trailer: Welcome to Mediocre Mystic 1:35

7M ago1:35

1:35

Hey Y'all! Grace here. If you, like me, have survived fundamentalism, I welcome you to this wholly irreverent space. A sanctuary of sorts for those of us who have broken free from all kinds of toxic, high-demand groups. Often in the process of deconstruction, we find ourselves left with a void held for the casseroles and the cobblers. You know, the…

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Interspirituality: Ten Words To Make The World A Better Place (with Lauryn Axelrod) 50:47

8M ago50:47

50:47

For this final podcast of 2024, I recently connected with Lauryn Axelrod--she's an interfaith/interspiritual minister, chaplain, spiritual director, and teacher out of Vermont. This is an especially poignant interview, as I've talked to several people this year about concepts of spirituality. Lauryn's suggestion that incorporating "Ten Words" into …

1
Rift: Breaking Away From Christian Patriarchy (with Cait West) 46:53

8M ago46:53

46:53

I recently caught up with returning guest Cait West, who has just come out with a great book entitled Rift: A Memoir of Breaking Away From Christian Patriarchy. Cait grew up in what is called the "stay-at-home-daughters" movement, which is a version of Christian patriarchy that, while seemingly extreme, is gaining traction in a lot of Christian hom…

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Blue Jellyfish Syndrome: Mental Health After Leaving Religion and an Abusive Marriage (with Karen Unrue) 54:27

8M ago54:27

54:27

This week's guest features author Karen Unrue, whose book Blue Jellyfish Syndrome: How To Break Free From Stigma and Maintain Hope While Living With a Mental Illness is a great resource for those who have left either controlling religion or abusive relationships behind. But simply escaping is far from the end of the story. We can still be triggered…

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Bonus Episode! The Violent Take It By Force: Christian Nationalism is a Threat to American Democracy (with Matthew D Taylor) 1:01:19

9M ago1:01:19

1:01:19

In this special election special bonus episode, I reached out to returning guest Matthew D Taylor, who has just come out with a brand-new book called The Violent Take it by Force: The Christian Movement that is Threatening Our Democracy. For those who are still undecided about their vote in the upcoming election, this is a must-listen. Given the fa…

1
Mindful Maraschino: The Practice of Intentional Intuition with Meliea Black 8:38

9M ago8:38

8:38

On this episode we're pausing to ponder the particular seed of truth on the topic of trusting our own intuition - cherry picked by Meliea Black. I invite YOU, cherry cobbler congregants, to drop me a voicemail or a text at 980.355.9665. Tell me about one of your own favorite practices - pretty please with a cherry on top! Referenced in this Episode…

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Resilience Is Your Birthright with Meliea Black - October 2024 Tarot Reading 13:18

9M ago13:18

13:18

On this episode I'm reflecting on Meliea's 2024 October tarot reading of the 10 of Air card from the Angel Tarot deck. Referenced in this Episode: Angel Decks on Etsy Interact with Lunar Aligned via: Email | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok SEND US A TEXT Support the Show | Buy Me a Coffee Leave Us A Voicemail | 980.355.9665 Interact with Mediocre Mys…

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Paradise Undone: A Novel of Jonestown (with Annie Dawid) 47:32

9M ago47:32

47:32

This week's episode takes an in-depth look at the tragic murder/suicide that took place in Jonestown, Guyana, in 1978. Cult leader Jim Jones was responsible for not only controlling and manipulating his numerous dedicated followers, in the end, he forced nearly 1000 of them to commit suicide or be murdered. In the wake of this tragedy that occurred…

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Breaking! Updates to Project 2025 and the Cult of Trump (with Chris Shelton) 58:21

9M ago58:21

58:21

If you've been following the storyline of what's happening to Project 2025, The Heritage Foundation, and Trump's presidential campaign, then you'll be familiar with some of what Chris Shelton and I discuss in this episode. There have been a number of important developments in this ongoing narrative, as Project 2025 began to be increasingly exposed …

1
Quieted Mind: Be Something for Peace 12:57

10M ago12:57

12:57

James of Quiet Mind offers reflection on the latest escalation in the middle east & guidance on how we can help. Referenced in this Episode: When Asked Whose Side I'm On | Alicia T Crosby Good Citizens | Thich Nhat Hanh Global Citizen: Israel-Palestine: How to Help Victims of the Conflict Artist Spotlight: Listen to Walk Each Other Home Interact wi…

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The Way: Meaningful Spirituality for a Modern World (with Larry Jordan) 46:34

10M ago46:34

46:34

How many of us have left religious beliefs behind, but have not entertained the idea that we might be able to find an aspect of spirituality that is truly meaningful? For those of us who've left controlling religions, it can be incredibly difficult even to entertain the notion that there might even be any aspect of spirituality that is appealing to…

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Tim Sledge Interviews Me About My New Book "Not So Shiny Not So Happy People!" 50:36

10M ago50:36

50:36

For the first time ever, my show has been hijacked! My very good friend Tim Sledge, who is the editor and publisher of my new book, Not So Shiny Not So Happy People: How Bill Gothard, Church, and Family Taught Me Christianity Doesn't Work interviewed me recently about my book. Aside from me, there is nobody else on Earth who knows more about my boo…

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Inside Out with Meliea Black - September 2024 Tarot Reading 14:45

11M ago14:45

14:45

On this episode I'm reflecting on Meliea's 2024 September tarot reading of the 3 of Thunder card from the Gentle Tarot deck. Referenced in this Episode: Gentle Tarot | Mari in the Sky Interact with Lunar Aligned via: Email | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok SEND US A TEXT Support the Show | Buy Me a Coffee Leave Us A Voicemail | 980.355.9665 Interact …

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Not So Shiny Not So Happy People: "The Terror of an Empty House" Chapter Reading 25:25

11M ago25:25

25:25

I'm excited to announce that my new book, Not So Shiny Not So Happy People: How Bill Gothard, Church, and Family Taught Me Christianity Doesn't Work is now available as of today!! The book is available as a paperback, Kindle EBook, and Audible Virtual Voice versions now. In this special episode, I'm reading the Preface chapter to the book, which is…

1
Quieted Mind: Dark Times and the Present Moment 9:42

11M ago9:42

9:42

James of Quieted Mind shares reflections on our current era, and guides a meditation for hope finding peace and happiness available in the present moment. Artist Spotlight: Listen to The Wakeup Call Interact with Quieted Mind via: Web | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube SEND US A TEXT Support the Show | Buy Me a Coffee Leave Us A Voicemail |…

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Making Friends with the Giant with Meliea Black - August 2024 Tarot Reading 12:09

11M ago12:09

12:09

On this episode I'm reflecting on Meliea's 2024 August tarot reading of the Harvest of Stones card from the Gentle tarot deck. Referenced in this Episode: Gentle Tarot | Mari in the Sky Interact with Lunar Aligned via: Email | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok SEND US A TEXT Support the Show | Buy Me a Coffee Leave Us A Voicemail | 980.355.9665 Interac…

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Creating Peace: Enduring Suffering Without God (with Dean Krosecz) 41:28

11M ago41:28

41:28

For those of us who came out of fundamentalist Christianity, what happens when things go badly wrong in our lives? Do you have the temptation to pray, read the Bible, seek out a wise Christian counselor to discover answers for why this is happening to you? Within evangelicalism, the problem of suffering is a huge issue. There always has to be "an a…

1
A Well-Trained Wife: My Escape from Christian Patriarchy (with Tia Levings) 48:56

11M ago48:56

48:56

A few months ago I caught up with author Tia Levings to discuss her new book, A Well-Trained Wife: My Escape from Christian Patriarchy. Tia is perhaps best known for her viral TikTok video, "Fundy Baby Voice"--and she knows what she's talking about. A product of the Bill Gothard "cult without walls," Tia was raised in the "modesty culture" and taug…

1
Taking Our Thoughts On A Walk with James Buckley - Meditation 5:22

12M ago5:22

5:22

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It is What You Say AND How You Say it with Meliea Black - July 2024 Oracle Reading 7:25

12M ago7:25

7:25

On this episode I'm reflecting on Meliea's 2024 July oracle reading of the Communication card from the Soul Trees deck. Referenced in this Episode: Soul Trees & Soul Seeds | Allyson Williams Yee Interact with Lunar Aligned via: Email | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok SEND US A TEXT Support the Show | Buy Me a Coffee Leave Us A Voicemail | 980.355.966…

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Hurt and Healed by the Church: Redemption and Reconstruction After Spiritual Abuse (with Ryan George) 50:31

12M ago50:31

50:31

Months ago I had a great conversation with author and adrenaline junkie, Ryan George. Following on in the trend of interviewing more progressive Christians--after chatting with Keith Giles recently--this seemed like a great time to drop this episode. Although he's been able to reclaim a version of Christianity for himself, Ryan and I found that we …

1
Quieted Mind: Return to the Breath 7:24

1y ago7:24

7:24

1
Leaning Into the Deconstruction Thing (with Keith Giles) 54:28

1y ago54:28

54:28

This week's conversation features author, podcaster, and "freelance theologian" Keith Giles, who--although definitely no evangelical Christian--has moved past even being a progressive Christian. What does that make him? I don't know exactly, but it does make for a fascinating conversation with someone who has deconstructed his former fundamentalist…

1
What Would Bubba Sue (AKA The Cat in Black / The Boy Named Sue) Do? with Meliea Black - June 2024 Oracle Reading 8:21

1y ago8:21

8:21

On this episode I'm reflecting on Meliea's 2024 June oracle reading of the Inspiration card from the Soul Trees deck. Referenced in this Episode: Soul Trees & Soul Seeds | Allyson Williams Yee Interact with Lunar Aligned via: Email | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok SEND US A TEXT Support the Show | Buy Me a Coffee Leave Us A Voicemail | 980.355.9665 …

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Surviving Roy Masters' "Foundation of Human Understanding" Cult (with Marissa Hackett) 45:32

1y ago45:32

45:32

This week's episode features a fascinating conversation with Marissa Hackett, who grew up in a right-wing cult started by controversial radio host, Roy Masters. Originally starting out in the early 1960s, Masters spread his message nationwide through his radio show, tapes, and book sales. Based originally out of Los Angeles, Masters bought a ranch …

1
Normal Really is Just a Setting on Your Dryer with James Buckley - Dharma Talk 6:44

1y ago6:44

6:44

1
The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church (with Sarah McCammon) 50:28

1y ago50:28

50:28

In this conversation with journalist and author Sarah McCammon, we discuss her book that just came out in March, called The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church. Not only does Sarah do a masterful job of explaining why so many "exvangelicals" have left the white evangelical church behind, she shares her own story …

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Let it Go, Y'all with Meliea Black - May 2024 Oracle Reading 8:01

1y ago8:01

8:01

On this episode I'm reflecting on Meliea's 2024 May oracle reading of the Release card from the Soul Trees deck. Referenced in this Episode: Soul Trees & Soul Seeds | Allyson Williams Yee Interact with Lunar Aligned via: Email | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok SEND US A TEXT Support the Show | Buy Me a Coffee Leave Us A Voicemail | 980.355.9665 Inter…

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Bonus Episode! We Have Ruined God: My Journey Out of Religion and Into Unconditional Love (with Dr Sheri Pallas) 54:15

1y ago54:15

54:15

In this special bonus episode, I caught up with returning guest, Dr Sheri Pallas, as we discussed her brand-new book that just dropped on the 2nd of May, 2024. It's titled We Have Ruined God: My Journey Out of Religion and Into Unconditional Love, and from the conversation we had, it sounds like a fascinating and intriguing book. Why should people …

1
Quieted Mind: Perfect is an Illusion 6:36

1y ago6:36

6:36

1
Dismantling Doctrine Part 1 with Anna and Kari Jo of the Heretical Hippies Podcast! 39:26

1y ago39:26

39:26

I truly hope that you enjoy this great collaborative episode I recently did with Anna and Kari Jo, hosts of the fantastic Heretical Hippies podcast! We covered a lot of ground about their backstory, deconstruction of their former faith, and what they are doing--and believing--currently. I believe this will be a helpful discussion for all those who …

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Unmasking Project 2025: A Threat to American Democracy (with Jenny Cohn) 55:16

1y ago55:16

55:16

Once again I'm joined by investigative journalist Jenny Cohn, who does a lot of writing for the Bucks County Beacon. Jenny has been on the show before and in this instance, I reached out to her because she's done a lot of work exposing and unmasking the agenda behind Project 2025. What if Donald Trump were to win the presidential election in Novemb…