Growing Up Christian

This week, we’re talking about a few different disastrous stories that we just can’t look away from. First, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem continues to make headlines as journalists sift through the ridiculous claims in her upcoming book, “No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward.” The latest pull quotes had us in tears, and her response to criticism makes it all the more fun! Next up, we discuss the disturbing case of Mica Miller, a young woman who allegedly “unalived” herself in the midst of a messy separation from her husband, Pastor John Paul Miller of Solid Rock Ministries in Myrtle Beach, SC. There is a lot to this story, and given the possible allegations of abuse, the pastor’s relationship with another woman in the church, and his absolutely bizarre behavior in the wake of his wife’s tragic death, internet sleuths are working overtime trying to find out what kind of person John Paul Miller is and whether or not he had anything to do with Mica’s sudden demise. Lastly, we’re as captivated as everyone else is by the public war between Drake and Kendrick Lamar. Sam lays out a timeline for the attacks, and highlights some of the more ruthless portions of each diss track. We hope you enjoy the show!

This week we’re joined by our esteemed assistant pastor Jeremiah to discuss our the details of our presidential cardiac arrest covenant. We’ve vowed before God and man that if Biden and Trump simultaneously, uh… “come to the clearing at the end of the path,” we will plant a church and dedicate our lives to soliciting donations for it. We also talk about the most irritating team-up ever between Richie the Barber and Mike Servin, and finally, the bizarre and upsetting revelations from South Dakota Governor and Trump VP hopeful Kristi Noem’s upcoming book, “No Going Back: The Truth on What’s Wrong with Politics and How We Move America Forward.” Kristi wants everyone to know that she’s rough, tough, and ain’t got no qualms about acting like a psychopath, and she has the entire internet lighting torches and sharpening pitch forks. All this and more on this week’s episode of Growing Up Christian!

This week we’re joined by Courtney Bandeko and Benjamin Ironside Koppin to discuss their brand new film, Pastor’s Kid! Based on a true story, Pastor’s Kid follows a young woman who, reeling from a traumatic event, finds herself parsing through her complicated feelings about faith, family, and forgiveness. The film presents a raw, honest view of what it’s like to sift through the overlapping web of imparted beliefs, life experience, and relationships (familial and otherwise) that are woven into our feelings about faith. Who among us can’t relate to that? We really enjoyed this movie, and I think you will too! Follow the official Pastor’s Kid pages on Instagram (@pastorskidmovie) and Facebook (…/pastorskidthemovie), follow Benjamin on Instagram (@benjamin_koppin), and Courteney on Instagram (@bandekoot), and check out the trailer here!

This week we’re talking about ambulance-chasing billboard lawyers, the Israeli bombing of the Iranian consulate in Damascus, the retaliatory strike on Israel, and the dangerous upwelling of militarist rationale in the West. Then it’s time to crack the lid and peak in at the ever-devolving toilet kingdom that Steven Crowder has ruled with an iron fist… up until recently, that is. When last we discussed our free speech warrior chieftain, he was dealing with the fallout from a leaked video where a cigar-smoking Steven berated his pregnant wife for wanting to use the family car (Dave Ramsey said they only needed one, you know). However, in the wake of this negative attention, some former employees of Louder With Crowder have spoken up about the toxic work environment and ugly, vindictive tendencies that Steven has exhibited over the years. One of the people speaking out is Jared Monroe, aka Not Gay Jared, a former friend, cohost, and “surprisingly good kisser,” according to Mr. Crowder. God this is getting weird. All this and more on this week’s episode of Growing Up Christian!

This week we’re joined once again by scholar, activist, and all-around great guy, Dr. Luke Wilson! For those of you who haven’t heard our earlier conversations with Luke, he was a fellow student at Liberty University and one of their most troublesome conversion therapy victims. He’s with us this week to discuss one of the most infamous falls from grace in modern Christian history: Pastor Ted Haggard. Ted has founded multiple successful Colorado churches, helmed a couple of huge Christian organizations, shaped national and state policy and legislation, but most interestingly to us, he’s practically penned the Gospel of “How Not to Handle a Scandal.” This story is soooo nuts, and I’m glad we got to cover it with our buddy Luke! Follow Luke on Instagram (@lukeslamdunkwilson) and X (@wilson_fw), and for the rest of his story, check out our earlier episodes with him (Ep. 12 – Conversion Therapy Speed Dating, and Ep. 40 – “Pray Away” and the Gospel Coaltion’s Persecution Complex).

This week, we’re joined by Jeremiah to discuss Easter rituals, grocery store fruit theft etiquette, and the universal unpopularity of Sam’s musical tastes, for starters. Then we wade into Charlie Kirk and the gang’s poignant political, cultural, and spiritual assessments of the situation in Haiti. Charlie is the founder of Turning Point USA, and the host of a right wing talk show. What’s he look like, you ask? Picture an early 30’s youth leader that “felt called” to marry one of his parishioners on her 18th birthday. Got it? Okay, now enlarge the head, shrink the face, and slap the hind quarter of a labradoodle a little too far back on his scalp… You got it, right? All jokes aside, Charlie and his gaggle of nincompoops are a joke, and their notions of history are ridiculous. Grab a drink and prepare for some spit-takes!

Our guest this week is returning author, podcaster, and activist, our good friend Amber Viola! Aside from catching up and chatting about church gossip and missions trips, we spent some time discussing the release of her first book, “72 Hours of Hell: My Time in the VA.” Amber is a Navy veteran, and we’ve talked at length in past episodes about her advocacy on behalf of US military veterans. When it comes to mental health and self-harm, veterans represent a particularly vulnerable community. In this jaw-dropping personal account, Amber gives readers an inside look at what it’s like seeking voluntary mental health treatment from the Veterans Health Administration. It’s a harrowing story that shines a light on the VA’s shortcomings, and one that we think everyone should hear. Amber is one of our favorite people we’ve met through the show, and we are always excited to talk to her! Follow her on Instagram (@amber_viola), check out her podcast Politics But Make It Fashion on all streaming platforms, and find her new book “72 Hours of Hell: My Time in the VA” on Amazon and Kindle!

This week we’re hanging out with Jeremiah and laughing about dripping dip spit from your tracheotomy hole, the Great Texas Pornhub War of 2024, and drafting a more entertaining and era-appropriate method of selecting public servants (think Most Extreme Elimination Challenge, but the winner gets to be county treasurer and the loser drowns in a big stinking porridge pond). If you like the show, leave us a review and share it with a friend, and if you haven’t joined our Discord yet, you can find a link to it in our Instagram bio. Enjoy the episode!

This week we’re excited to welcome back activist, writer, and friend of the show, Charles McBryde! Charles has done extensive work with Mission Kharkiv, an NGO working to collect and transport lifesaving chronic and anticancer medication to besieged Ukrainian cities, and has been an outspoken supporter of the Ukrainian people since the start of the war. He has also garnered a lot of attention for his outspoken support of the Palestinian people and scathing criticism of Israeli actions in Gaza. 5 months into the war in Gaza, over 30,000 Palestinians have been killed, half the country lies in smoldering piles of rubble, countless cultural and religious sites have been destroyed, and the UN is sounding the alarm over the inevitable catastrophe of famine and starvation taking hold on the 2m residents of Gaza now huddled in southernmost section of the country. Throughout the war in Ukraine and now Gaza, Charles is one of the people we’ve looked to for honest, though-provoking commentary. You can follow him on Instagram and TikTok (@charlesmcbryde), X (@mcbrydecampbell), and we highly recommend subscribing to his Substack, Refuse Dystopia!

Our guest this week is screen printer and designer Zach Merrill of Action Tees! Zach is an old friend of Sam’s that grew up in church like many of us. After getting married young and struggling to find his footing in all aspects of his life, Zach charted his own course away from the stifling expectations of his upbringing and conservative outlook. Stepping back from the edge with a new lease on life, he was free to take creative risks and try new things. Through his company, Action Tees, Zach makes some really unique apparel thanks to his unconventional screen printing methods and eye for design. His work has drawn the attention of some really cool artists like CZARFACE, and we can’t wait to see where he goes from here! Follow Zach on Instagram (@zachmerrill_), TikTok (@zmerrill), and go to www.shopzachmerrill.com to preorder upcoming apparel drops and info on commissions!