I was a Teenage Fundamentalist. An Exvangelical podcast.

093 - (On Hiatus) Leaving Christian Fundamentalism with Dr Josie McSkimming

Continuing our hiatus series, we revisit one of our most downloaded episodes where we talked with Dr Josie McSkimming, author of Leaving Christian Fundamentalism and the Reconstruction of Identity.  She shares her own story as a teenage fundamentalist within Sydney Anglicanism and her ongoing clinical work with those leaving Fundamentalist Christianity.
To contact Josie, please visit her website: https://mcskimming.com.au/ 
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 
 

092 - (On Hiatus) Did You Ever See a Real Healing or Miracle?

Continuing with our series of hiatus repeat episodes, we revisit our 2021 Season 2 discussion on miracles and healings. Brian and Troy asked, did you ever see a real or verifiable miracle or healing when you were still a Christian? 
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

091 - (On Hiatus) Narcissists and Psychopaths in Church

In this hiatus repeat episode, we revisit our 2021 Season 2 discussion on the prevalence of narcissists and psychopaths in Pentecostalism and our experiences with these kinds of people. We asked why the Church attracts these people and if Pentecostalism actually helps to create them.
Warning: This episode touches on issues concerning psychological abuse. If you are in Australia and require support, please reach out to Lifeline on 13 11 14.
The articles mentioned in this episode:
Narcissistic Personality Disorder
7 Characteristics of the Modern Psychopath
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

090 - (On Hiatus) Christian Contemporary Music

In this hiatus repeat episode, we revisit our 2021 Season 2 kick-off where we remembered some our favourite CCM artists, Brian's time as support crew for DC Talk's Australian tour, and a few songs that used to really move us. We think you'll enjoy this episode, even if you heard it the first time around.
The links to the songs mentioned in this episode are:
Living in Laodicea - https://youtu.be/g_8Pas8qoWc 
Asleep in the Light - https://youtu.be/7XeEL0mRBHo 
Creed - https://youtu.be/jy4JA5uStB0 
Maranooka - https://youtu.be/7f-JdFPazMo 
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

089 - Divorcing Religion with Janice Selbie

In our final episode for 2023, we talk with Janice Selbie, a former fundamentalist Evangelical Christian of over 40 years and now a counsellor and specialist in the area of religious trauma. Janice shares her own story and the work she does with others in helping heal the pain caused by religious trauma. This is the first of a two-part episode we did with Janice. You can find part two on Janice's The Divorcing Religion Podcast.
In this episode, Janice referenced Steven Hassan's BITE Model of Authoritarian Control.
You can connect with Janice via these links:
Religious Trauma Syndrome Therapy | DivorcingReligion
The Divorcing Religion Podcast
Conference on Religious Trauma (CORT)
Janice on YouTube
Janice on Instagram
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

088 - I was a Teenage Christian Nationalist with April Ajoy

We talk with April Ajoy, a well-known viral TikToker, YouTuber and podcaster. She describes herself as a “recovering conservative, humorously detoxing religion.” Raised as a pastor's kid, April was deep in Evangelicalism to the point of working for The 700 Club and singing her original song, America Say Jesus on The Jim Bakker Show. While deconstructing from fundamentalism, she walked away from her Christian nationalist beliefs and began to make irreverent and funny videos lampooning modern Evangelical culture and church life. 
You can connect with April on:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aprilajoyr 
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aprilajoy 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprilajoy 
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

087 - God Hates Divorce

Brian & Troy take a look at how divorce is presented in the New Testament and how the Church has handled it over the last 2000 years. Our hosts also reflect on their own experience and ask, do Jesus and the Bible really offer adequate guidance for the 21st century. Spoiler alert, no.
The resources suggested in this episode are:
Christian views on divorce - Wikipedia
A Theology of Divorce – Religion Online
Ep #69 - Troy Story II: Leaving My Marriage...and Church
Ep #75 - Brian Walks Away from his Marriage
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

086 - I was a Teenage Preacher But Now I’m an Atheist with Dan Barker

Dan Barker served as an evangelical Christian preacher and composer for 19 years before leaving Christianity in 1984. He and his wife Annie Laurie Gaylor are the current co-presidents of the Freedom from Religion Foundation, and he is co-founder of The Clergy Project. In this fascinating chat, he shares his journey out of faith and why he identifies as an Atheist today. 
You can connect with Dan and his work at:
Freethought Radio Podcast
Freedom From Religion Foundation - Freedom From Religion Foundation
The Clergy Project
Dan Barker: Books
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

084 - God is a Narcissist with Catherine Quiring

Catherine Quiring describes herself as a reformed people-pleaser, Exvangelical and an aspiring advocate for anti-oppressive spirituality. She is a licensed Mental Health Counsellor, and Self-Trust Coach. Catherine tells Brian and Troy why she believes the Evangelical god is a narcissist and that the symptoms experienced by those who have experienced covert narcissistic abuse are extremely similar to those experienced in high-control religious settings.
You can connect with Catherine via:
Her website: www.cqcounseling.com 
Instagram: @catherinequiring
Facebook: @cqcounseling
The book she referenced in this episode was Breaking Their Will: Shedding Light on Religious Child Maltreatment : Heimlich, Janet
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

083 - Troy Deals with his Religious Trauma in Singapore (Our Stories Part 31)

Picking up where he left off in Episode 79 - Troy Deals With His Religious Trauma in Korea, Troy journeys to Singapore in search of his next adventure. In this episode, he continues to unsuccessfully park his religious trauma and finds himself in a very glamourous scene in Singapore. He falls hard for a Chinese woman and they return to Australia to start a new life, but Troy is soon confronted by his religious baggage.
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

082 - Cult Hacking with Stephen Mather

After Troy and Brian appeared on Stephen's podcast, Cult Hackers back in 2021, Stephen now brings his expertise to talk about cults from an organisational psychology perspective. He shares how organisational models help us understand cult leadership, coercive control dynamics and why people join and stay.
You can find Stephen's podcast here: Cult Hackers and his website here: culthackers.com 
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

081 - I was a Published Christian Author with D.L. and Krispin Mayfield

Krispin and D.L. Mayfield are a husband-and-wife team and hosts of the Prophetic Imagination Station. Both were missionaries and published Christian writers who have recently been very public about their deconversion from Christianity. Brian and Troy talk with them about their deconversion journey and its impact on their careers and marriage.
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

080 - Marc Fennell Wasn’t a Very Good Teenage Fundamentalist (Leaving Part 18)

Marc Fennell is an award-winning Australian journalist and documentary maker who was once a teenage fundamentalist...but he claims he was not a very good one. He has just released a documentary about Australian Pentecostalism called The Kingdom where he confronts his own past spent in church. Brian & Troy talk with Marc about why he left and why he’s remained largely silent about his religious past until now.
You can learn all about Marc here: marcfennell.com
The Kingdom is available to stream in Australia here and will be available to international audiences soon.
---
Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 
 

079 - Troy Deals with His Religious Trauma in Korea (Our Stories Part 30)

Picking up where he left off in Episode 64 - Troy Story II, Troy left the Church & his Christian marriage and headed off to live & work in South Korea. In this episode, he recounts his largely unsuccessful attempts to deal with his religious trauma by parking his religious issues and indulging in the maladaptive coping strategies of casual sex and alcohol abuse.
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

078 - Oh No, Ross & Carrie Were Teenage Fundamentalists

Ross Blocher and Carrie Poppy have a hugely popular podcast where they join religions, undergo alternative medical treatments, and hunt for ghost, goblins, demons, and deities...so you don't have to! If it has an extraordinary claim attached to it, they'll check it out and report on it. In this episode, Brian and Troy talk with them about their teenage fundamentalism and what they have discovered about some of the wild claims of Christianity and other religions. 
You can connect with Ross and Carrie through their website: ohnopodcast.com and their podcast: Oh No, Ross and Carrie.
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

Trailer: I was a Teenage Fundamentalist. An Exvangelical Podcast.

Brian and Troy used to be loyal Christian megachurch leaders. They’re not anymore. This honest and often hilarious podcast peeks behind the curtain at the weird, the worrying, and sometimes traumatic world of Evangelicals & Pentecostals.
Shortlisted for the 2022 Australian Podcast Awards.
Find out more at iwasateenagefundamentalist.com/ 

077 - I Blew the Whistle on my Dad’s Church with Kit Kennedy (Leaving Part 17)

Clare Heath-McIvor is an exvangelical blogger and podcaster who has been operating under the pseudonym 'Kit Kennedy' since a dramatic and shunning-esque exit from her pastor father's church in 2016. In 2022, she and her ex-husband (a gay conversion therapy survivor) became whistleblowers for a 60 Minutes Australia political and religious expose on her father's City Builders Church and its tactics in Australian conservative politics. 
Trigger warning: This episode touches on issues concerning depression and suicide. If you are in Australia and require support, please reach out to 1800RESPECT by phone or online at www.1800respect.org.au/ or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
You can connect with Clare at www.unchurchablepodcast.com. If you want to explore her whistleblowing story, then see the links below:
60 Minutes Australia - Praying For Power: Caring church or crazy cult
The Age Newspaper #1 - Liberal Party Candidate Agent for Ultra-Conservative Church, Family Says
#2 - Speaking in Tongues, Exorcisms and Control: Life in City Builders
#3 - Inside City Builders, the Pentecostal Sect with Lofty Political Goals
#4 - Ultra-Conservative Candidate won’t sit in the party room if elected 
#5 - Shame on you: Liberal Party figure caught using fake 007 pics and fake identity for dirty tricks
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

076 - Keith Green Arranged My Teenage Marriage (Keith Green Part 2)

Following on from Episode 072 Was Keith Green a Cult Leader?, we interview Sharon Madere. She was 'led to the Lord' by Keith and experienced the 'baptism in the Holy Spirit' experience with Keith in the 1970s. She lived at the Last Days Ministries commune in California and later in Texas in the 1980s. In this episode, Sharon tells her stories and claims Keith Green arranged her teenage marriage to Martin Bennett, one of the three elders of LDM. 
Correction: In this episode, Sharon says she remained with LDM until 1985. She wishes to correct this and state she stayed with LDM until early-1987.
You can find their podcast here: Feet of Clay—Confessions of the Cult Sisters and follow Tracey & Sharon on Instagram. 
Melody Green's biography of Keith Green and memoir of life at Last Days Ministry, No Compromise is available here.
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

075 - Brian Walks Away from his Marriage...and Jesus (Our Stories Part 29)

Following on from Episode 53 - The Cairns Christ, Brian recounts the breakdown of his marriage and the end of his faith in Jesus. Ladies and gentlemen, Brian has left the building. 
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

074 - Armageddon Isn’t Coming with Bart Ehrman

No one had as profound an impact on Troy's deconstruction as Dr Bart D. Ehrman, the James A. Gray Distinguished Professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. An expert on the New Testament and the history of Early Christianity, he has written or edited thirty books, numerous scholarly articles, and dozens of book reviews. Six of his books have been on the New York Times Bestseller list. Brian and Troy talk to Bart about his own teenage fundamentalism and his upcoming book, Armageddon: What the Bible really says about the end. In this conversation, Bart delves into the most misunderstood—and possibly the most dangerous—book of the Bible, Revelation. 
You can connect with Bart via his blog: The Bart Ehrman Blog, his website: Bart D. Ehrman, and his podcast: Misquoting Jesus. 
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

073 - I was a Pentecostal Theologian with Shane Clifton (Progressive Christians Part 5)

Shane Clifton taught Theology and Ethics at one of Australia's leading Pentecostal Bible Colleges from 1999 to 2018. During this time Shane had an accident that left him with a C5 spinal cord injury (quadriplegia) which radically altered his life and his faith. After a lengthy and traumatic fight over academic freedom and his support for LGBTQI+ inclusion in the church, he left the college and his Pentecostal denomination. Shane is today an honorary associate at the Centre for Research Development and Policy at the University of Sydney and Director, Policy with the Australian Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation against People with Disability.
You can connect with Shane via his blog: Shane Clifton – Riding the current.
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

072 - Was Keith Green a Cult Leader? (Keith Green Part 1)

Keith Green was one of CCM’s most revered and loved music superstars of the 1970s and 80s. Spoiler alert! Tracey Phalen thinks he was a cult leader! She was a member of Keith and Melody Green's Last Days Ministries in the 1980s. She joined as a teenage fundamentalist and left after five years of living and serving on the Texas ranch. In this episode, Tracey shares her story and helps Brian and Troy deconstruct Keith Green and Last Days Ministries.
You can find their podcast here: Feet of Clay—Confessions of the Cult Sisters and follow Tracey & Sharon on Instagram. 
Melody Green's biography of Keith Green and memoir of life at Last Days Ministry, No Compromise is available here.
---
Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

071 - Fear of Hell (The Afterlife Part 2)

In this first episode of Season 4, Brian & Troy unpack some of the most problematic and ridiculous aspects of the doctrine of eternal torment, aka Hell. They also give some suggestions on how to overcome your fear of Hell.
The resources suggested in this episode are:
Christian
That All Shall Be Saved: Heaven, Hell, and Universal Salvation: Hart, David Bentley
Grace Saves All: Christianity and Universal Salvation Podcast
Love Wins: At the Heart of Life’s Big Questions : Bell, Rob
Post-Christian
Heaven and Hell: A History of the Afterlife : Ehrman, Bart D
Bart Ehrman on the Humanize Me Podcast
Am I Going to Hell?: Bart Ehrman
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

070 - Falling Out with a Teenage Fundamentalist

Elgen Strait is the host of Falling Out, a podcast about and for people who grew-up in, and later left, abusive cults. Elgen was born and raised in the Unification Church, a.k.a. the Moonies. Elgen invited Troy & Brian on to his special Christmas episode, where they swapped stories and examined the similarities and differences between the Pentes and the Moonies. They also talked about how both groups celebrate Christmas and some of the wackier beliefs.
You can find Elgen's podcast here: https://pod.link/1550448436 
---
Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Email: hhandhillsong@gmail.com 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

069 - Season 3 Q&R Finale

This is it, the end of Season 3! Troy & Brian reflect on 2022 and some of the milestone episodes they released. They also field listener questions from social media and reveal what they have planned for Season 4 in 2023.
In this episode, Brian suggested the following from one of his favourite podcasts, Oh No, Ross and Carrie.
How the Ross Stole Christmas: Jesus’ Birth Narrative Edition:  https://pod.link/425328515/episode/6eef1d266ef352aba825b9db256e4f72 
---
Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Email: hhandhillsong@gmail.com 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

068 - The Graceful Atheist (Leaving Part 16)

David Ames is an American secular humanist who hosts a podcast promoting the idea of 'secular grace' after deconstruction and deconversion. An Assemblies of God Bible College graduate and a former AOG youth leader, David now gives a platform to others to tell their stories of transition from a life-altering faith to doubt to deconstruction to deconversion.
David's Graceful Atheist Podcast is available here: https://pod.link/1456800368 and find his episode with us here: https://pod.link/1456800368/episode/c24f38abd34de28363b8ac477c6dfbc8
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Email: hhandhillsong@gmail.com 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

067 - Cheers to Leaving with Molly & Rachael (Leaving Part 15)

This is a special crossover episode with Molly & Rachael of the Cheers to Leaving Podcast. They are both children of the house church movement, purity culture survivors, ex-Jesus Freaks and now Exvangelical podcast hosts. Join us as we swap stories and compare scars.
Trigger warning: This episode touches on issues concerning depression and self-harm. If you are in Australia and require support, please reach out to 1800RESPECT by phone or online at www.1800respect.org.au/ or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
For part 2 of this episode, please check out their podcast here: https://pod.link/1568302029 
All their links are here: https://linktr.ee/cheerstoleaving 
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Email: hhandhillsong@gmail.com 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

066 - Protesting Christian Hierarchies with Dave Andrews (Progressive Christians Part 4)

When journeying through the Progressive Christian scene, Brian was deeply impacted and influenced by Chrisitan Anarchist, Dave Andrews. Dave is particularly interested in radical spirituality, incarnational community and the dynamics of personal and social transformation. He is also the author of many books and articles. In this chat, Dave shares how he was excommunicated from YWAM in the ealry-1970s and about the interfaith work he did with Muslims in Asia.
Trigger warning: This episode contains a lot of Christian phrases and lingo that may trouble some listeners.This episode also touches on issues concerning depression and self-harm. If you are in Australia and require support, please reach out to 1800RESPECT by phone or online at www.1800respect.org.au/ or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
You can connect with Dave Andrews via his website: http://daveandrews.com.au/ 
---
Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Email: hhandhillsong@gmail.com 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

065 - Heaven Bent Season 3 with Tara Jean Stevens

Tara Jean is the creator and host of one of Troy and Brian's favourite podcasts, Heaven Bent. She has just released Season 3 which is a mix of religious history and true crime. She gives a behind the scenes look at the new season and a sneak peek into Season 4. She chatted here back on Episode 22 where she talked about the Toronto Blessing.
Find Heaven Bent here: https://frequencypodcastnetwork.com/podcasts/heaven-bent/ 
---
Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Email: hhandhillsong@gmail.com 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

064 - Troy Story II: Leaving My Marriage...and Church (Our Stories Part 28)

Following on from our previous episode, Troy Story, Troy recounts leaving his Christian marriage and his final exit from Church and Evangelicalism. It's a really heavy episode, so be warned.
Trigger warning: This episode touches on issues concerning depression and suicide. If you are in Australia and require support, please reach out to 1800RESPECT by phone or online at www.1800respect.org.au/ or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
---
Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Email: hhandhillsong@gmail.com 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

063 - Troy Story: I was an Urban Missionary (Our Stories Part 27)

In this episode, Troy continues to recount his journey away from Pentecostalism. He remembers packing up his church-plant and joining a self-proclaimed post-modern inner-city Church of Christ.
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Email: hhandhillsong@gmail.com 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

062 - Gay at Great Big AOG with Andrew (Leaving Part 14)

In this episode, Brian & Troy catch up with Andrew, a fellow traveller from their time at Great Big AOG. Andrew recounts his struggles being deep in the closet at church and how he later came to accept his sexuality and then live openly as a gay man. 
Trigger warning: This episode touches on issues concerning depression and suicide. If you are in Australia and require support, please reach out to 1800RESPECT by phone or online at www.1800respect.org.au/ or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
ABBI serves individuals, churches, denominations, leaders and religious organizations in a respectful and non-confrontational way along their journey to understand LGBTI people, their community, and relationships. Their website is here: www.abbi.org.au
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Email: hhandhillsong@gmail.com 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

061 - I was a Female Fundamentalist with Bree (Leaving Part 13)

Bree was born into Pentecostalism. She claims to have filled her Christian Bingo card by doing most things a good Christian girl should do, including marrying a pastor's son and being a superstar on the overhead projector. She remembers what it was like as a girl in a culty Word of Faith church and then later as a woman in Great Big CCC (aka c3).
Bree's blog is found here: http://breemorel.com/ 
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Email: hhandhillsong@gmail.com 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

060 -Theological Jenga Part 1 with Clint Heacock (Leaving Part 12)

This is a special crossover episode with Dr Clint Heacock of the Mindshift Podcast. Clint was a teenage fundamentalist, pastor, Bible College teacher, and completed a PhD on the Book of Ezekiel and preaching. We ask him how he came to jettison his Christian faith after being so dedicated for so many decades.
For part 2 of this episode, please check out Clint's podcast here: https://mindshiftpodcast.co.uk/?p=3315 
---
Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Email: hhandhillsong@gmail.com 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

059 - Spiritual Warfare (The Devil & Demons Part 2)

Brian & Troy do a deeper dive into the ideas of Spiritual Warfare. This is the Pentecostal and Charismatic Christian belief that society and the broader world is controlled by Satan and his demon hordes and that these can be defeated by prayer. 
The News.com.au article mentioned in this episode is found here: https://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/news/gold-coast-mayor-tom-tates-spiritual-adviser-says-the-home-of-the-arts-had-a-demonic-stronghold/news-story/021bd0254312bf15d1ee15ab1d4b69a3 
We invite you to support the podcast on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/IWATF 
---
Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Email: hhandhillsong@gmail.com 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

058 - Do I Stay Christian? with Brian McLaren (Progressive Christians Part 3; Leaving Part 11)

Brian McLaren was a Charismatic Evangelical pastor for twenty-four years. Now he's an author, activist, public theologian, and arguably the poster boy for Progressive Christians everywhere. In this episode, Troy and Brian chat with Brian McLaren about his new book, Do I Stay Christian? which gives reasons why people should stay but also why people should leave. You'll really enjoy this interview regardless of how you now define your spirituality (or lack thereof).
You can find Brian's book here: https://www.amazon.com.au/Do-Stay-Christian-Disappointed-Disillusioned/dp/1250262798 
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Email: hhandhillsong@gmail.com 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

057 - Troy Busts a Cult (Revival Centres & Revival Fellowship) (Our Stories Part 26)

Troy recounts how his desire to find out about the history of the Revival Centres/ Revival Fellowship and the evolution of their beliefs turned into an obsession that not only took him to university, but also helped bring the truth about the cult to others damaged by them.
If you would like to explore the research and counter-Revival Centre work, see the links below:
http://revivalprophecy.blogspot.com/ 
https://revivalcentresblog.wordpress.com/ 
http://revival.aimoo.com/ 
---
Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Email: hhandhillsong@gmail.com 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

056 - Tom Tilley Doesn’t Speak in Tongues Anymore (Leaving Part 10)

Well-known Australian journalist Tom Tilley has interviewed some of the most influential people in the world. What was not so well-known until recently was that Tom grew up as the oldest son of a Pentecostal pastor. In this episode, Troy and Brian chat with Tom about his memoir, Speaking in Tongues, and how his Pentecostal upbringing shapes who he is now.
You can find Tom's book here: https://www.harpercollins.com.au/9780733341021/speaking-in-tongues/ 
If you would like to explore the research and counter-Revival Centre work, see the links below:
http://revival.aimoo.com/ 
https://revivalcentresblog.wordpress.com/ 
http://revivalprophecy.blogspot.com/ 
---
Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Email: hhandhillsong@gmail.com 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

055 - IndoctriNation with Rachel Bernstein (Leaving Part 9)

Brian and Troy talk with Rachel Bernstein, a licensed therapist who specialises in cult intervention and re-acclimation. She is the host and producer of the podcast IndoctriNation which explores cults, manipulators, and protecting yourself from systems of control.
This episode is the second of a crossover we did with Rachel. You can hear her interviewing us on her podcast here: https://www.podpage.com/indoctrination/ You can also connect with Rachel here: https://rachelbernsteintherapy.com/ 
---
Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Email: hhandhillsong@gmail.com 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

054 - Deconstruction with Phil Drysdale (Leaving Part 8)

Brian and Troy chat with Phil Drysdale about Deconstruction, which he defines as the process of questioning one’s core foundational beliefs and upon finding these are flawed, discarding them. Phil asserts that deconstruction most often comes from a place of passionate faith where religious questions go unanswered and where people are forced to explore new beliefs.
You can connect with Phil at PhilDrysdale.com and on Instagram @PhilDrysdale. 
---
Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Email: hhandhillsong@gmail.com 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

053 - The Cairns Christ. A Brian Story (Our Stories Part 25)

In this episode, Brian continues to recount his post-Pentecostal journey. He remembers the joys and pains at the start of his deconstruction process while living in Cairns in Australia's far north.
---
Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Email: hhandhillsong@gmail.com 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

052 - Recovering from Religion with Dr Darrel Ray (Leaving Part 7)

Dr Ray is an atheist psychologist and author who specialises in the secular treatment of religion-induced trauma. He founded the non-profit organisations Recovering from Religion and the Secular Therapy Project. He is also a regular speaker at the Conference on Religious Trauma. Most importantly, he is the current High Priest of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Email: hhandhillsong@gmail.com 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

051 - Troy Becomes a Bapticostal Too (Our Stories Part 24)

As Brian did in Episode 45, Troy recounts his short-lived time in the Baptist Union. It was here that he started a homegroup made up of a few Pentecostal refugees and reengaged the pop culture around him.
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Email: hhandhillsong@gmail.com 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

050 - Reflections on our Philip Yancey Interview (Progressive Christians Part 2)

In Episode 49, Brian & Troy spoke with best-selling Evangelical author, Philip Yancey. In this episode, they reflect on that conversation and what it brought up for them. What do Exvangelicals do about Evangelicals who are really good people? You may not agree with the conclusions the hosts reach, but hopefully you resonate with their honesty.
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Email: hhandhillsong@gmail.com 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

049 - Philip Yancey was a Teenage Fundamentalist

Brian & Troy talk with best-selling Evangelical author, Philip Yancey about his memoir, 'Where the Light Fell', that chronicles his time growing up fundamentalist. They also talk with Philip about how his books impacted them as they journeyed out of fundamentalism into more moderate versions of Christianity in the late-90s.
You can find Philip's new book here: https://www.amazon.com.au/Where-Light-Fell-Philip-Yancey/dp/0593238508/ 
---
Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Email: hhandhillsong@gmail.com 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

048 - Jobs for the Boys! Nepotism in Megachurches (Leadership Part 5)

If there's one thing that characterises megachurches in Australia and around the world, it's nepotism. Brian & Troy cite some tangible examples of nepotism in the Australian Christian Churches and Hillsong and discuss why this needs to change and what members can do about it.
Note: It is this New York Post article that reported Michael Guglielmucci, 'and his spouse, or “Team Gug,” should resign their roles at his father Danny’s church, Edge Church International, and sell their home and relocate to Port Adelaide.' 
---
Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Email: hhandhillsong@gmail.com 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

047 - (BONUS) Houstons, we have a Hillsong problem (Leadership Part 4)

In this special bonus episode, Brian & Troy discuss the recent moral allegations brought against Brian Houston of Hillsong, by the online publication Crikey. 
The Crikey article we quote is here: https://www.crikey.com.au/2022/03/18/brian-houston-revelations-hillsong/ 
Warning: This episode touches on issues concerning sexual misconduct and sexual harassment. If you are in Australia and require support, please reach out to 1800RESPECT by phone or online at www.1800respect.org.au/ or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Email: hhandhillsong@gmail.com 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

046 - Elle Hardy and the Pentecostals Who Want to Take Over the World

Elle Hardy is an accomplished Australian journalist who wrote Beyond Belief: How Pentecostal Christianity is taking over the world. Brian and Troy chat with Elle about how and why she undertook this project and what she discovered about the global Pentecostal phenomenon.
You can find her book at all the usual places online and access Elle's website here: https://www.hurstpublishers.com/book/beyond-belief/ 
---
Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Email: hhandhillsong@gmail.com 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

045 - Brian Becomes a Bapticostal (Our Stories Part 23)

Brian journeys away from Pentecostalism and fundamentalism to a more moderate Baptist space. He remembers being pulled back into Pentecostalism and even trying it back on for size, only to find it no longer fit.
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Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Email: hhandhillsong@gmail.com 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

044 - Frank Schaeffer is an Atheist Who Believes in God Part 2

In this second of two episodes, we continue our chat with Frank Schaeffer, author and son of the late theologian and Evangelical author, Francis Schaeffer. While Frank was once a teenage fundamentalist, he now describes himself as an atheist who believes in God. Frank talks about his new book, Fall in Love, Have Children, Stay Put, Save the Planet, Be Happy, a well-researched and entertaining bridge to living happier lives and to a better future.
You can access Frank's website here: https://www.frankschaeffer.com/ and his podcast here: https://pod.link/1570357787
---
Transcript of the episode is here.
Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
Email: hhandhillsong@gmail.com 
Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/