⭐️ Episode 6 (Part 2)

Theology of K-Pop Demon Hunters: When the Music Fights Back

If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet: pause this episode and go do that first. Seriously. I’ll wait. 😇

In Part 2, we go deeper—into the theological gut-punches hiding in a sparkly K-Pop demon hunter movie. This episode is longer than usual on purpose, because I did what I do best: hyperfixated spiritually, emotionally, and academically until the Gospel started shouting at me through song lyrics.

We’re talking:

Grab your coffee. Or your rosary. Or both. (Both feels right.)

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🎶 What We Cover (Segment Breakdown)

Segment 1 — Recap + Where We’re Going

A quick Part 1 check-in, plus a warning: you’re about to witness my full “ADHD + Adderall + Catholic theology + St. Thérèse won’t let me half-say anything” powers.

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Segment 2 — “Golden”

Sanctification, Refinement, and the Lie of Arrival

“Golden” sounds like a confidence anthem… but spiritually, it’s about becoming, not arriving.

We talk about:

Scripture referenced:

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Segment 3 — “Takedown”

Spiritual Warfare, Righteous Anger, and the Limits of Rage

This is my spiritual warfare hype song. It’s giving: Ephesians 6 but make it choreography.

We talk about:

Scripture referenced:

Key line:

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Segment 4 — “Free”

Confession, Repentance, and the Courage to Be Seen

This is where the movie stops shouting and starts telling the truth.

We talk about:

Scripture referenced:

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Segment 5 — “Your Idol”

Idolatry, Temptation, and the Counterfeit Savior

The most theologically dangerous song in the whole movie—because it sounds like prayer.

We talk about:

Scripture referenced:

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Segment 6 — “What It Sounds Like”

Conversion, Resurrection, and New Creation

This one wrecked me. Ugly crying. Living-room theology meltdown.

We talk about:

Scripture referenced:

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🌹 Saint Quote to Begin

“Let us sing the song of our souls, even if it trembles.”

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🪵 Your Turn to Chop — Listener Reflection Guide

Episode: “K-Pop Demon Hunters — Voices in the Battle (Part 2)”

1) “Golden” — The Light Within the Dark

Lyric Focus: “You don’t have to shine to be golden.”

2) “Takedown” — Confronting the Enemy

Lyric Focus: “No mercy when the lies come crawling in.”

3) “Free” — Facing What’s Broken

Lyric Focus: “We can’t fix it if we never face it.”

4) “Your Idol” — The False Gods We Feed

Lyric Focus: “You know I’m the only one who’ll love your sins.”

5) “What It Sounds Like” — Redemption’s Song

Lyric Focus: “The scars are part of me, darkness and harmony…”

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📬 Connect

Got questions, thoughts, pushback, or a “Kristen… you are unwell but I loved it” reaction?

🔥COMING SOON:

Saints had humor.

We’re talking shame, joy, and why laughter can be armor.

🪵 Mini Episode 1: What Even Is Septuagesima?

Preparing for Lent — not by acting yet, but by paying attention.

“While we have time, let us do good.”

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Lent has a way of sneaking up on us.

We sprint through Christmas, limp through January, and suddenly Ash Wednesday is tapping us on the shoulder asking if we’re ready to give up chocolate again — and we’re… not.

In this first Choppin’ Wood mini episode, we slow things down and step into a lesser-known (but deeply wise) season of the Church: Septuagesima.

Septuagesima comes from the Latin septuagesimus, meaning seventieth, and marks roughly seventy days before Easter. Traditionally, it begins a quiet three-week period the Church used to help prepare souls for Lent before Ash Wednesday ever arrives.

In the Traditional Calendar, Septuagesima is its own season. In the Ordinary Form, we remain in Ordinary Time — but the wisdom behind Septuagesima is still very much alive.

This isn’t a season for penance yet.

Think of it like stretching before a marathon.

In this episode, we talk about:

And yes… we talk about why it’s probably not chocolate that’s standing between you and holiness.

These mini episodes are meant to be liturgical nuggets — short reflections tied to the Church calendar, the seasons we’re moving through, and the quiet wisdom that often gets lost when life is loud and fast.

They’re not meant to replace the longer episodes.

If you’ve ever felt like:

These mini episodes are for you.

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🌿 Your Turn to Chop — Reflection Questions

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Thanks for joining me for the very first Choppin’ Wood mini episode.

Until next time —

⭐️ Episode 5 — Theology of K-Pop Demon Hunters: Singing Back the Darkness (Part 1)

Saint Quote to Begin

“Music is a fair and glorious gift of God. Only the devil hates it.”

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Episode Summary

If you had told me a few months ago that I’d be recording a Catholic theology episode about a K-pop demon-hunting movie, I would’ve laughed — nervously — and reached for holy water.

And yet… here we are.

In this episode, we step into K-Pop Demon Hunters not as passive consumers, but as Christians practicing discernment. What starts as a flashy pop-culture phenomenon turns out to be a surprisingly rich meditation on shame, identity, division, surrender, and redemption.

This is Part One of a two-part series. In this episode, we focus on the story — the characters, the central conflict, and the deep theological themes running underneath the neon lights and choreography.

In Part Two, we’ll slow way down and analyze the songs themselves — because the music preaches.

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What We Cover in This Episode

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Key Theological Threads

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Scripture Referenced

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Your Turn to Chop 🪵

Take this into prayer this week:

If you can, take one small step:

Don’t erase it.

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Coming Up Next

🎶 Part Two drops next week — where we dive deep into the soundtrack:

We’ll talk sanctification, spiritual warfare, confession, idolatry, and resurrection — lyric by lyric.

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Stay Connected

Questions? Thoughts? Pushback? A “Kristen, you are unwell but I loved it” reaction?

📩 Email: [email protected]

Thanks for chopping this pile of wood with me.

Episode 4: “Not Now, God"

If St. Augustine praying “make me chaste… but not yet” has ever felt a little too relatable, this episode is for you. Today we’re diving into the spiritual (and hilariously everyday) reality of procrastination — from fossilized granola bars in my 12‑passenger van to the deeper ways we tell God, “Later, I promise.”

We’ll talk about the difference between delay and disobedience, why perfectionism’s twin sister is named Procrastination, and how grace refuses to wait until we “feel ready.”

This episode is equal parts conviction and comfort — and a reminder that holiness starts right where we are, crumbs and all.

Grab your coffee, your metaphorical axe, and maybe a trash bag for the backseat.

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🌲 REFLECTION QUESTIONS 

1. “Later, Lord…”

2. Delayed obedience

3. The lie of “I’ll be more ready later”

4. Perfectionism vs. Procrastination

5. Grace in the now

6. Your van moment

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🌲 SHOW NOTES 

Saint Quote:

In this episode, we’re tackling one of the most relatable struggles of all time: procrastination. From the disaster zone of my 12‑passenger van to the spiritual habit of telling God, “I’ll get to it later,” we explore how delay affects our peace, our prayer, and our trust.

What we talk about:

Mentioned:

For your prayer time:

⭐ Episode 2 — Following the Direction Given

In this episode, Kristen shares how the Holy Spirit redirected her plans for Episode 2 — and how the start of a new year often invites us not to add more, but to pay attention to what God has already been doing.

She reflects on a year marked by unexpected pruning: slow reveals, dramatic moments, and the kind of spiritual stripping that forces us to let go of what we’ve been leaning on. Instead of striving, God invites surrender. Instead of resolutions, He offers revelation.

Kristen talks about choosing a word, a virtue, and a saint for the year — not as self‑improvement goals, but as a way of noticing where the Holy Spirit is already moving. With humor, honesty, and a surprise Instagram confirmation (plus a Hobby Lobby cameo), she shares how the Lord led her to her word for 2026: fulfillment.

If you’ve been feeling stretched, pruned, redirected, or uncertain as the new year begins, this episode offers companionship, clarity, and a gentler way forward.

🌿 YOUR TURN TO CHOP — Reflection Questions

Before rushing into the rest of your day, take a moment to pause and simply notice.

Here are a few gentle questions to sit with:

1. Looking back on this past year…

Where do you see signs of pruning?

2. What has God already been revealing about your weak or tender places?

Not to shame you, but to invite healing and support?

3. Is there a word, phrase, or posture that keeps returning quietly?

Something that feels more like an anchor than a goal?

4. Is there a saint, scripture, or theme that won’t leave you alone?

How does it feel to stop dismissing it and simply notice?

5. Where might God be inviting you to remain instead of strive?

Where is the call less about doing more and more about being honest?

A decade long whisper, a persistent saint, and a family mantra led Kristen to finally say yes to starting Choppin' Wood. A funny, heartfelt story of calling, confirmation, and courage.

Kristen Dean, a revert to the Catholic faith, invites listeners to Choppin' Wood — a candid podcast about trying to live faithfully amid the noise of family life.

With encouragement, honesty, and humor, Kristen shares the struggles and joys of becoming saints imperfectly. Choppin' Wood launches January 12th — follow now wherever you listen.