This week we’re joined by podcaster, chef, and vocalist for Christian punk band, Dogwood, Josh Kemble! Josh joins us to discuss his upbringing in Catholicism and Evangelicalism, his days of touring in Dogwood, and his glowing passion for food and music, in general. He hosts a phenomenal podcast called “The Family? Cast: Punk Chef Pairings with Chef Josh Kemble,” which you can check out on your favorite streaming app!

We also want to let you know about a really cool project involving our friend Phil Wilmont from Ep. 49 – From Awana to Uganda: Seeking Warmer Weather & a Tussle With Tyranny.” He is part of a group of activist film makers working on “The Woman Who Poked The Leopard,” which is a documentary about Uganda's provocative feminist and academic Stella Nyanzi on her journey from Prison to Parliament, and what it means to be a single mother at the front lines of the liberation struggle in Uganda. This documentary is important, and you can help! Consider contributing to their fundraising campaign at www.indiegogo.com/projects/fund-this-film-the-woman-who-poked-the-leopard and follow them on Twitter @DrPoke !

Our guest this week is Sacramento-based comedian, John Morris Ross IV! John joins us to discuss Bible camp, traveling Evangelical grifters, his foray into Christian music, and much more. We had a great time talking to him, and you will enjoy the conversation! You can follow John on Instagram (@johnmorrisrossiv) and Twitter (@xjohnrossx), and check out his upcoming comedy dates at www.johnrossatstab.eventbrite.com!

But first, we absolutely HAD to talk about conservative firebrand hack, Jesse Lee Peterson. If you don't know who he is, well... we apologize in advance for bringing him to your attention. JLP is a reverend, conservative radio host, founder of BOND (Brotherhood Of a New Destiny), and Los Angeles-based pud that has garnered attention with his extreme views on race, gender, and politics. However, some recent accusations have resulted in many within the "manosphere" wondering if he's a hypocrite. Have a listen, and let us know what you think on our Discord! You can find the link in our Instagram bio. Enjoy!

This week we're joined by Chalice and Dex, two ordained Ministers of Satan from the Satanic Temple! You've probably heard about the Satanic Temple's activism through things like erecting Baphomet statues in contrast to Christian statues in that area, or maybe through their "After School Satan" program meant to contrast the many Christian after school programs. We were fascinated by some of the things they are doing to fight for the separation of church and state, reproductive and sexual rights, and what it means to be a secular Satanist. Spoiler alert - cable news and youth pastors don't exactly have a good grasp on it. Chalice and Dex have been leaders in the Satanic Temple for years, and they are the best possible people to explain what their branch of Satanism is all about. To find out more about the Satanic Temple, you can visit their website: www.thesatanictemple.com!

But first we welcome back our friend Blake, host of the Back In the Cool Day Podcast! Blake and his wife are both teachers in Texas, so the Uvalde school shooting is something that has weighed heavy on them both. In the introductory segment, Blake shares his thoughts on the gun violence epidemic that is plaguing the United States, we discuss the ideology behind gun ownership, and some potential ways to at least try to counteract these painful and tragic instances of domestic terrorism. 

If you're a fan of punk, emo, metal, hardcore, or just music as a whole, check out Blake's show, Back In the Cool Day. Follow them on Instagram (@backinthecooldaypodcast), and stream episodes wherever you listen to podcasts!

This week we're joined by an musician, humanitarian, and old friend of Sam's, Ben Sooy! Ben split his time between progressive churches and his fundamentalist school, while also grappling with some tough realities at home. He ended up attending Liberty University, intent on becoming a youth pastor. However, his ideas about God would undergo many changes that ultimately led him in a different direction. We had a great time talking with Ben, and we think you're going to enjoy this conversation, too. Check out his band, A Place for Owls, and follow them on Instagram and Twitter (@aplaceforowls)!

During the intro segment, we discuss passages from a wonderful book that is sure to be a blessing for you, "Hollywood Heroes: How Your Favorite Movies Reveal God" by Frank and Zach Turek! I saw the title, I read the overview, and I knew that I needed to read it. It's more or less a print version of that annoying thing your youth leaders would do, where they dissect the "Biblical themes" within an otherwise fun movie, and completely remove all of the escapism and enjoyment out of it. It's... a mess. Consider this a teaser for an upcoming full episode on this soul-sucking work of fundamentalist drivel!

Join our Discord, unless you hate joy and merriment, and leave us a five star review on your favorite streaming app regardless of whether you hate joy and merriment!

This week we’re joined by author, speaker, and Emergent Church pastor, Brian McLaren (the interview starts at 1:27:00)! His most recent book is entitled “Do I Stay Christian?: A Guide for the Doubters, the Disappointed, and the Disillusioned,” and in it, he attempts to help readers make a responsible, honest, ethical decision about their religious identity by asking some of the toughest and most common questions about their faith. Follow Brian on Twitter (@brianmclaren), visit www.brianmclaren.net for more resources and information, and pick up a copy of “Do I Stay Christian?” wherever books are sold!

…but first, we have to talk about last week. The SCOTUS decision to overturn Roe v. Wade rocked the country, and there’s been little else on most people’s minds. Rather than weigh in with opinions that we’re certain aren’t unique or profound, we thought it might be helpful to walk through the history of the anti-abortion movement in America. You might be surprised to hear that there hasn’t always been so much consensus on abortion among Christians, and that it only recently became such a galvanizing social issue. Our retelling is a bit muddled, at times, so for those of you who would like a more linear, cohesive account of the history, we highly recommend an episode of Throughline, an NPR podcast, called “The Evangelical Vote (2019).”

This week, we're joined by musician and author, Aaron Lunsford! Aaron is a veteran of the Christian heavy music scene, and his band As Cities Burn was and is a favorite among people like us. He joins us to discuss his entry into the church as a teen, the ark of his career in music, and some of the weird and funny things he saw while touring the country and playing music. We had a lot of fun talking to Aaron, and would encourage you to follow him on Instagram and Twitter (@darrenstains), check out his Substack (aaronlunsford.substack.com), and find his books "Backstage: How I Almost Got Rich Playing Drums in a Christian Hardcore Band" and "ACB: Two Point Zero: Come Now Sleep ---> Hell or High Water" anywhere books are sold!

Want to get in on the conversation? Join our Discord server! You can find the link in our Instagram bio (@growingupchristianpodcast).

I think we can all agree that the online discourse around most issues has gotten pretty contentious, and it has a tendency to push us into two groups: the righteous, and the wicked. Both sides view themselves as the former, and we tend to turn every debate into a kind of litmus test for the participants. “Christians who are Christ-focused are pro-life, pro-gun, anti-big government, and they vote accordingly.” Invert those stances, and you have the typical talking points for the other side. I don’t know about you, but the pressure to fit neatly into one of two sets of boxes, at times, leaves me feeling… disenchanted and disengaged with everyone. This week’s episode is a discussion about ideology, transparency, and the ways in which the most ambitious people on social media harness that righteous fury for good, and often times, for bad. Friend of the show Jeremiah joins in the conversation, and we try our best to tackle some of the pitfalls that come with talking about topics like abortion, guns, religion, and disenfranchised people. Whether you agree or disagree with us, you’re welcome to join in the conversation on Discord. You can find the link on our Instagram page, and we’d love to hear from you!

This week, we’re joined by missionary kid and lifelong Hong Kong resident, Ian! Ian’s family moved to Hong Kong when he was only two years old, and he’s spent most of his life there. Many of us that grew up in the church remember missionary families visiting periodically to raise support. Ian has lived on the other side of that equation, and he shares some hilarious stories about visiting small town America as a kid!

But first, we’re excited to welcome back creator and Casey’s wife April Gloria, who joins us to discuss another amazing example of purity culture literature, “Marriable: Taking the Desperate Out of Dating” by Hayley and Michael DiMarco! As you might expect, it’s filled with great advice, like “don’t marry your best friend unless you’re gay,” and “nice guys really do finish last.” Bring a notepad, because you’re going to need it! Follow April Gloria on Instagram and Twitter @_aprilgloria, and if you’re not in our Discord server, yet, you can find a link on our Instagram page!

This week, we welcome back activist, influencer, and humanitarian Charles McBryde (@charlesmcbryde on IG & TikTok)! Charles spent a month and a half in Ukraine working with Mission Kharkiv, a vital NGO that is focused on providing life-saving medical treatment to those affected by the ongoing Russian invasion. Healthcare needs in places like Kharkiv go far beyond battlefield aid for soldiers. Think about this: close to 12,000,000 people have been displaced by the war. Supply chains are in disarray, medication is in short supply, and for people with chronic ailments, these disruptions represent a daily threat to their lives and wellbeing. Mission Kharkiv is dedicated to getting those vital medications and treatments into the hands of those who need them most in war torn Ukraine, and they desperately need your help. Please consider going to www.missionkharkiv.com and donating to help fund lifesaving treatment for Ukraine’s most vulnerable populations! Your gifts will go a long way towards easing the suffering of people who have been victimized by this war of aggression.

If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love to hear from you! Become a member of our congregation on discord (link on our social pages). There, you can swap stories, ideas, and the funniest/most ridiculous parts of Christendom on the internet with some of the greatest people in and out of the church. And always, if you’re enjoying the show, we would love it if you could leave us a five-star review on your favorite streaming platform!

Our guest this week is musician and songwriter Kevin Klein of the alternative rock trio, Valleyheart! Kevin is a former Christian school kid whose relationship to faith has changed a lot, over the years. On June 3, Valleyheart is releasing a brand new, highly-anticipated album on Tooth & Nail records entitled “Heal My Head,” and we can’t wait to hear it! You can follow Valleyheart on Twitter and Instagram (@valleyheartma), and stream their most recent single, “Miracle,” wherever you listen to music!