Discount Disciples Podcast (Formerly Christian AF)

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You made it to part two! Or maybe you skipped part one and are just diving in here. Either way, welcome to the unfiltered, mildly chaotic continuation of our conversation on quiet quitting church.

This time, we dig even deeper into the reasons people drift away from church and whether or not leadership should be diagnosing (or preventing) it. Some of the big questions we tackle:

• Are people quietly leaving because they’re being overlooked?
• Has the church made Sunday services more important than actual community?
• Is worship about preference or something deeper?
• Can you be part of a church community without attending on Sundays?
• How much of this is just…millennials avoiding confrontation?

From calling out consumer Christianity to debating whether leadership should be chasing people down when they leave, we cover it all—with a lot of sarcasm, some questionable analogies, and maybe even a half-decent insight or two.

So grab a drink, try not to ghost your church, and let’s wrap this up!

EPISODE DRINKING NOTES:

More Brewing – Baron Brown
Huntley, IL
English-Style Brown Ale | 5.5% ABV

Pilot Project Brewing – Serpenti
Milwaukee, WI / Chicago, IL
Italian Pilsner | 5.2% ABV

Woodford Reserve – Double Oak
Versailles, KY
Bourbon Whiskey | 45.2% ABV

Dunkin’ & Lavazza Coffee Blend
(For those of us still in denial about being adults.)

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Ever feel like you’re slowly backing out of a room, hoping no one notices? That’s quiet quitting—but not at your job. We’re talking about quietly quitting church. 🏃‍♂️💨

In this episode of Christian AF, Jesse, Jen, and Evan (joined by our buddy Creig) dive into why so many people are ghosting church communities without saying a word. Are we just bad at confrontation? Is church just another consumer product we discard when it stops working for us? Have we been trained to think of faith like an entertainment subscription we can cancel anytime?

We’re breaking down:

• Why people really leave churches.
• The rise of individualism and how it’s reshaped faith communities.
• Whether digital connections can replace in-person church life.
• The dangers of a “church as entertainment” model.
• How to build real, lasting community in a culture that thrives on isolation.

So grab a drink, and buckle up, while we talk about why church relationships are getting ghosted harder than a bad Tinder date.

EPISODE DRINKING NOTES:

Pilot Project Brewing – Serpenti
Milwaukee, WI / Chicago, IL
Italian Pilsner | 5.2% ABV

More Brewing – Baron Brown
Huntley, IL
English-Style Brown Ale | 5.5% ABV

Woodford Reserve – Double Oak
Versailles, KY
Bourbon Whiskey | 45.2% ABV

Dunkin’ & Lavazza Coffee Blend
(For when 10 AM is just too early for an old fashioned.)

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In this heretical hot take of the Christian AF Podcast, Jesse, Jen, and Evan crack open the tangled world of heresy—what it is, why it’s a big deal (or is it?), and how we’ve all probably dabbled in a little heresy ourselves. From universalism to fundamentalism, Americanism to the infamous "alien Jesus" theory, this episode is a chaotic deep dive into the beliefs we question and the ones that might actually define us.

We explore the allure of universalism (because who doesn’t love warm fuzzies?), the trap of American comfort as a heresy, and the weird obsession some people have with end-times theology.

If you’ve ever wondered if your personal theology might be grounds for heresy, this episode has got you covered. Bring your questions, your doubts, and maybe a drink or two because we’re questioning it all.

EPISODE DRINKING NOTES:

Pig Minds Brewing – Southy Bitch Slap
Machesney Park, IL
Pale Ale | 5.5% ABV

Jen's Coffee

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Happy New Year! 🎉 In this special year-end episode of the Christian AF Podcast, Jesse, Jen, and Evan tackle the big question: Why don’t we live like eternity is real? With 2025 kicking off, we reflect on how eternity (or our avoidance of it) shapes our decisions, relationships, and priorities.

The crew dives into everything from our cultural obsession with immediacy and distraction to the spiritual disciplines that help us slow down and focus on what really matters. They explore how our Western mindset often misses the mark, why slowing down might be the most countercultural thing we can do, and how living with an eternal perspective could change everything.

Oh, and there’s bourbon punch. 🍹 Grab your favorite drink, sit back, and join us for a conversation that’s both hilarious and heartfelt. Who knew eternity could be this entertaining?

EPISODE DRINKING NOTES:

Bourbon Christmas Punch

• 2 oz bourbon
• 3 oz cranberry juice (100% recommended)
• 2 oz ginger beer topper
• ½ oz cinnamon-orange simple syrup

Fezziwig Ale
Classic winter ale, perfect for reflecting on eternity.

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🎄 It's the most wonderful time of the year, and we're back with a brand-new episode! In this special holiday-themed discussion, Jesse, Jen, and Evan tackle some big theological questions (and a whole lot of Christmas banter). From debating the dual nature of Jesus—fully God, fully human—to sharing favorite Christmas cookies and holiday movies, we’ve got all the festive chaos you never knew you needed.

This episode dives deep into the mystery of Jesus' humanity and divinity. Was Jesus really tempted? Could he have sinned? And what does it mean to be fully human in light of his example? Along the way, we explore the challenges of understanding the Trinity, unpack what it means to strive for spiritual wholeness, and remind ourselves why the journey of faith is worth it.

Plus, you'll hear plenty of holiday tangents, including some bold Christmas movie opinions (sorry, It’s a Wonderful Life fans) and a heated debate over Christmas cookies. Grab a drink, your favorite holiday treat, and let’s unwrap the complexities of faith this season.

EPISODE DRINKING NOTES:

Sam Adams – Old Fezziwig Ale
Boston, MA
Winter Warmer Ale | 5.9% ABV

Black Coffee
The MVP of morning theology and late-night podcasting.

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Leadership and discipleship—two words we hear a lot in church, but do they really mean what we think they do? In this episode of the Christian AF Podcast, Jesse, Jen, and Evan dive into the messy overlap of leadership and discipleship in the church. Is leadership about casting the widest net, or is it about leading people deeper into faith? And when did discipleship become more about programs than relationships?

The crew takes a hard look at the history of leadership in the modern church, from the corporate-style CEO model to the disciple-making movement that often feels slower—but might actually be the fastest way to grow the Kingdom. Along the way, they explore how leadership has shifted away from spiritual formation and toward spreadsheets, stats, and shallow retention.

If you’ve ever wondered why the church sometimes feels more like a business than a body of believers, or how discipleship fits into your day-to-day life, this episode is for you. So grab a drink, lean in, and rethink what leadership and discipleship could look like in a healthier, more intentional church.

EPISODE DRINKING NOTES:

Colonel E.H. Taylor Small Batch Bourbon
Frankfort, KY
Straight Bourbon Whiskey | 100 Proof

Pig Minds Brewing – Vanilla Maple Stout
Machesney Park, IL
Stout | 6% ABV

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The election may be over, but the tension isn’t. In this episode of the Christian AF Podcast, Jesse, Jen, and Evan take a deep breath, grab their drinks, and tackle the big question: "Now what?" With post-election emotions running high, we explore how to navigate this moment as people of faith without spiraling into the usual political drama. We’re keeping it real and throwing in some sarcasm for good measure.

They dig into what it means to live out your faith in a politically divided world, why Christians can’t fall into the trap of making politics their "gospel," and how to keep things in perspective when everyone around you seems to be losing it. So grab a drink, take a deep breath, and join us for a timely, unfiltered look at what it means to truly embody a Christ-like response in a chaotic post-election world.

EPISODE DRINKING NOTES:

Pig Minds Brewing Co. – Bitch Slap
Machesney Park, IL
American Amber | 5.5% ABV

Velvet Robot Coffee
A blend of caffeine and coping mechanisms.

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Buckle up, because we're diving into some of the weirdest, most mysterious stuff the Bible has to offer – and it involves giants, fallen angels, and things that sound like they're straight out of a fantasy novel. This episode of the Christian AF Podcast tackles the Nephilim—yep, those elusive beings mentioned briefly in Genesis and Numbers that have sparked endless debates, theories, and, let's be honest, some hilarious conspiracies.

Jesse, Jen, and Evan explore who (or what) the Nephilim might have been, how they fit into the biblical narrative, and why some Christians are obsessed with them. We also dig into the weirdness of the Book of Enoch, the connection to fallen angels, and why you might want to take some of these stories with a grain of salt. And as always, we keep it real, honest, and a little irreverent—because what's a good Bible study without some sarcasm?

So pour yourself something strong, strap in, and get ready for a rollercoaster ride through ancient history, modern myths, and a few laughs along the way.

EPISODE DRINKING NOTES:

Maplewood – Charlatan American Pale Ale
Chicago, IL
American Pale Ale | 5.6% ABV

Topo Chico – Blueberry Hibiscus
The non-alcoholic star of the show.

Jesse's DIY Whiskey Mix
A questionable combo of bourbon, bitters, and a touch of "why not?"

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Ever thought about planting a church? Well, before you grab your Bible and shovel (metaphorically, of course), you might want to take a listen to this episode of the Christian AF Podcast. Jesse, Jen, and Evan unpack the "folly" of church planting, revealing why it's not always the holy grail it's cracked up to be.

We dive into the messy realities: the burnout, the big promises of fast growth, and the cold, hard stats showing that more churches are closing than opening. As always, there’s a healthy dose of sarcasm and plenty of tangents about beer, bands, and bad theology along the way. The truth? Maybe the key isn’t planting more churches but focusing on discipleship and community in ways that actually last.

So, before you quit your day job to start a mega-church, grab a drink and buckle up—this one’s going to challenge what you thought you knew about church planting.

EPISODE DRINKING NOTES:

Oskar Blues Brewery – 10 FIDY Imperial Stout
Colorado, USA
Imperial Stout | 10.5% ABV

Scorched Earth Brewing Company – German Helles
Algonquin, IL
Helles Lager | 4.7% ABV

Support the show

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Ever wondered what the heck a denomination is and why we even have them? Well, grab a drink and brace yourself because this episode of the Christian AF Podcast dives into the history, the misconceptions, and the modern-day relevance (or lack thereof) of church denominations.

Jesse, Jen, and Evan go deep into why denominations exist, how they started, and what they mean for us today. Whether you grew up Catholic, Lutheran, Baptist, or in the wild west of non-denominationalism, there's something in this episode that will make you question everything you thought you knew about the church. We also tackle the big question: is joining a denomination really that big of a deal? Spoiler: it depends.

So pour yourself a glass of something strong (or weak, we don't judge), sit back, and enjoy this rollercoaster of a conversation that might just change how you view the church.

EPISODE DRINKING NOTES:

Big Lake Brewing – Careless Whisper
Holland, MI
Hazy IPA | 6.7% ABV

Scorched Earth Brewing Company – German Helles
Algonquin, IL
Helles Lager | 4.7% ABV

Jesse’s Prohibition Lemonade
A mix of bourbon, Topo Chico Blueberry Hibiscus, Candy Cloud Lemonade, and a dash of bitters. It's just as extra as it sounds.

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