Couch Communion

Topic: Biblical Womanhood and Gender Roles

In this episode, we discuss a little bit about the women who have inspired us, women's roles in church, and some of the biblical ladies who didn't wait around for men to tell them what to do. If Yael wanted to drive a tent stake through a man's head to save Israel, then she was gonna do it, okay?

Topic: Church Hopping

In this episode, we discuss some of the difficulties (and sometimes serendipity) surrounding hopping from one church to the next. We also discuss why it is so difficult and important to find community as young adults today. 

Topic: Questions and Doubt

Have you ever wondered why there is suffering in the world if God is loving? Have you ever read your bible and wondered how it could possibly all be true? Have questions about your faith ever made you feel scared and alone? US TOO! So let's talk about it! Having questions and doubts isn't just normal - it's straight up biblical. God can handle our doubts and questions, so lets just get them all out on the table. 

Topic: Purity Culture

[TW: sexual assault and sexual abuse---At the end of this episode we have provided some information and resources if you or someone you love has been impacted by these difficult topics. For those resources, skip to 1:06:37.]

Our first of two episodes concerning purity culture, sexual ethics, and the perception and placement of women in the church. We discuss the recent history of the purity culture movement and start to dig into the reasons why the toxic focus on how women are perceived is harmful to not only women, but everyone. 

TW: Discussion of child sexual abuse cases. Although the cases discussed in this episode have been debunked or overturned, we recognize the sensitivity of this topic overall. 

Topic: The Satanic Panic

In this episode we discuss the history and continued impacts of the American cultural and religious phenomenon dubbed the "Satanic Panic," that led faith communities everywhere to deem various topics and activities (like rock music, Dungeons and Dragons, and Harry Potter) as satanic or dangerous for children to interact with due to perceived connections to occult practices. 

Topic: The Prosperity Gospel 

[TW: discussions of terminal illness, death, and spiritual abuse]

We've got an extra long, extra spicy episode for you today! You know what we really hate? Bad theology, spiritual manipulation, and rich people who profit off of those who are less fortunate. And unfortunately, this episode involves all those things. We're discussing the prosperity gospel and all the toxicity of the Word of Faith movement. Come rage with us!

Topic: Church Youth Groups, Church Camp, & the "Cry Night"

In this episode we talk about youth group culture in our early years, the manipulation of young people in the church, and how "Cry Night" is really not the best way to prepare young Christians to have a strong, ever-evolving faith. 

Topic: Conspiracy theories in Christian communities

TW: Discussions of gun violence 

In this episode, we discuss some prevalent conspiracy theories that circulate in Christian communities, how they started, and why we think people cling to bizarre (and often damaging) stories despite widespread evidence to the contrary.