Growing Up Christian

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This week Jeremiah joins us to discuss a few fun topics from the recent allegations against America’s brown sweat-soaked mayor, Rudy Giuliani, our proposed ambulance-chaser business idea, and the greatest battle anthem ever scrawled onto a DUI court summons, “Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)” written by America’s pit-stained patriot poet, Toby Keith! I doubt you’ll blossom as a person because of this episode, but it was one of the most fun conversations we’ve had in a long time. Enjoy, and join the Discord!

This week we’re excited to welcome back comedian, podcaster, and writer, Spencer McRay Bland! Spencer is the cohost of Bop or Flop, a music-comedy podcast that revisits the Billboard Top Ten songs from a specific date in history and determines whether they bop or flop. This time around we’re looking at First Timothy, which is a controversial letter supposedly written by Paul to New Testament Dwight Schrute. Whoever wrote this book really went off, so consider this a trigger warning to any whoremongers, manslayers, or fake widows that are thinking about listening! You’ll see… Spencer is a fantastic comedian, and one of our favorite people we’ve met through the show! Follow him on Instagram and YouTube (@spencerspicy), TikTok (@godsfavoritecomedian), go to www.godsfavoritecomedian.com for live dates, and keep an eye open for his upcoming comedy special!

This week we’re joined by Sam’s childhood friend Jesse to discuss the story of Gideon, a very indecisive judge! God had to spend a lot of time convincing him he wasn’t going to let him be murdered, but in true Princess Diaries fashion, Gideon let’s his hair down, takes off his geeky glasses, and summons his inner hot girl bloodlust to become the maniacal tyrant God intended him to be. This is a fun story, and we always love hanging out with “Sam’s Jesse!” Enjoy the show, and join us on Discord (link in our IG bio).

Our guest this week is Angelo Fiaretti of Mighty! Angelo grew up in the Evangelical church outside Pittsburgh. We talk about his evolving feelings about faith, his time playing in the praise band, and how being open about normal teenage stuff eventually put him at odds with church leadership. Needless to say, their priorities seemed a little skewed towards the trivial… Angelo’s band Mighty is great, and they’re releasing a series of new songs over the next few months. You can follow them on Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter (@mightytheband), and stream their music on all apps!

This week, we’re joined once again by our good friend Jesse to discuss two absolutely wild historical tales of Manifest Destiny despair: the Donner Party and the Mormon Handcart Tragedy! The Ric Burns documentary about the Donner Party begins with this quote from Alexis de Tocqueville: “It is odd to watch with what feverish ardor the Americans pursue prosperity and how they are ever tormented by the shadowy suspicion that they may not have chosen the shortest route to get it. Americans cleave to the things of this world as if assured that they will never die, and yet are in such a rush to snatch any that come within their reach, as if expecting to stop living before they have relished them. They clutch everything but hold nothing fast, and so lose their grip as they hurry after some new delight.”

Our guest this week is comedian and writer for The Onion, Skyler Higley! Skyler was adopted into a Mormon family as a baby and grew up in Salt Lake City. Although he reveled in his faith as a youngster, being one of the few black kids in the church came with all sorts of challenges. Tokenism, racism, and old bigoted theology were just a few of the things that made Skyler wonder if the LDS church was the place for him. Nowadays, he’s a Chicago-based standup and comedy writer, and we absolutely love his work! Follow Skyler on Instagram and TikTok (@skylerhigley), Twitter (@skyler_higley), and stream his album SALTWATER on Spotify!

But first, Sam sits down with one of our favorite people in the world, comedian Mike Valdes! Follow Mike on Follow him on Instagram (@mikevaldes), Tiktok (@officialmikevaldes), Twitter (@iammikevaldes), and stream his podcast Childlike at Best!

This week we’re joined by singer-songwriter, author, LGBTQ advocate, and contemporary Christian music legend, Jennifer Knapp (interview begins at 35:00)! Jennifer grew up Christian-adjacent with a more tangential relationship to church. However, that all changed in her college years. In spite of her passion for spirituality, Jennifer found herself uncomfortable with many of the modern church’s teachings. That rift only grew as she took the CCM world by storm as a young touring musician, and the pressure of being a public figure within Christianity were tough on her. After stepping away from music for several years, Jennifer made a big splash in the public sphere when she spoke up publicly about her life as a gay Christian, and the church responded about the way you’d imagine… Jennifer is a courageous, wise, compassionate person, as well as a phenomenal musician. We had great time talking to her! Follow her on Instagram (@jenniferknappmusic), Twitter (@jennifer_knapp), and find info about her music, her book, appearances, and her Patreon on her website www.jenniferknapp.com!

This week, we’re taking a look at a truly horrific story from the book of 2 Samuel, and we should probably issue a trigger warning: this story revolves around sexual assault. King David’s house is a mess, and he’s raised a group of self-centered, psychotic brats. The first of his spawn’s name is Amnon, and, uh… he sucks. It becomes a real problem when he sets his sights on his half-sister, Tamar. Join us as we discuss this extremely dark story of hatred, callous cruelty, and sweet, sweet revenge on this week’s episode of Growing Up Christian!

Our guest this week is vocalist Andrew Corfield of Meliorist, a great metal band from Brisbane, Australia! Andrew started life in an extremely conservative Christian sect known as The Brethren, but his family eventually joined a more traditional Evangelical church. It was there that Andrew became deeply entrenched in Christianity. However, life and loss would challenge his beliefs, and he has channeled his changing perspective into his music. Meliorist is a fantastic band with a sound all their own, and their new album “Cascade” is on that you absolutely have to check out. Follow Meliorist on Instagram (@melioristau), visit their website (www.meliorist.com.au), and stream their entire catalogue wherever you listen to music!

This week we’re joined by Harleigh Ellsworth, who’s father is the legendary Christian kids show hero, Bibleman! Harleigh’s family has been involved in film and media throughout her life, and Bibleman was one of many projects that they worked on together. They wrote scripts, designed and built props, played multiple characters, appeared at events, and Harleigh also appeared in several of their productions. In fact, there’s a fun episode of Bibleman featuring young Harleigh as Riley Watson, a student who was tempted back into her old lifestyle thanks to a naughty hypnotic website created by the evil Luxor Spawndroth! Harleigh has a one-of-a-kind life story involving more than a few fascinating people, and we had a great time talking with her. Follow her on Instagram (@dearharleigh), and enjoy the show!