Growing Up Christian

Joining us once again is comedian and musician, Mike Valdes! This time, we're taking a trip into the Old Testament as Sam recounts the story of Samson: a guy with wooly blue balls and red, slippery hands. He lifts doors, tells jokes, beats people to death, and is just an all around sweetheart of a guy. Mike is a ton of fun, and always gets us cackling! Follow him on Instagram (@mikevaldes), Tiktok (@officialmikevaldes), and check out his new merch at www.bonfire.com/store/mikevaldes!

This week, Jeremiah joins us to talk about Avatar: The Way of Water, movie morality, dyed-in-the-wool idealogues and extremists, and then we’re cracking open my high school copy of “Jesus Freaks” coauthored by the immortal CCM trio DC Talk, and Voice of the Martyrs! I’ll bet more than a few of you got a copy of “Jesus Freaks” in your Christmas stocking, back in the day. I know that when I was a kid, I had to put it down because I found it too disturbing. We’re going to take a look at a few of the stories from the book, and see what the more grizzled, cynical, hairy versions of our selves glean from their accounts. Enjoy the show, and remember to review us on Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts, and join our Discord to jump into the conversation!

Our guest this week is recording artist, author, and podcaster Brady Goodwin Jr., otherwise known as Phanatik! Brady was a member of one of the best Christian hip hop groups ever, The Cross Movement. Brady made headlines last year when he publicly stated that he was no longer a Christian. His new book, “Let There Be Gaslight: Does the Bible Tell the Truth About Our Creation, Fall, and Redemption?” caused quite a stir, and has prompted a big response from the Christian community (just take a look at the response videos on YouTube). We were thrilled to talk with Brady about his musical career, academic pursuits, and his eventual deconstruction! You can find his book on Amazon, and follow him on Instagram (@phanatik_of_cm), Facebook (facebook.com/brady.p.goodwin), and Twitter (@Phanatik).

This week, we’re excited to welcome back ex-Mormon podcaster and our friend, The Existential Ginger! It’s been a little while since we’ve sat down with Charisse, and what better way to reconnect with old pals than a good old fashioned potluck Bible study? Each of us brought a story that we found inspirational, heart-warming, and full of practical life lessons to share with each other (although I do want to specify that the Book of Mormon is NOT a part of the divinely ordained King James Version, and I refuse to recognize it or learn anything from it). We had a blast hanging out with Charisse again, and you will, too! Find her on all socials @theexistentialginger, and stream her show The Existential Ginger wherever you listen to podcasts!

Our guest this week is Matt Phillp, who cohosts a fantastic podcast called “Tell Me About Your Father” (along with Erin Hosier, who we talked to on Ep. 60)! Matt grew up between Australia and the US, and was exposed to Christianity as a boy after his father passed away. He attended a prestigious catholic school, where as a young gay kid interested in the arts, he faced more than a little pushback. Matt joins us to discuss the similarities and differences between Christian culture in the US and Australia, how he made his way through school and out of the faith, and the ways in which his attitudes toward religion have changed, over the years. You can find Matt on Instagram and Twitter (@MattPhillp), and you can find Tell Me About Your Father on Instagram (@tellmeaboutyourfather), on their website (www.tellmeaboutyourfather.com), and stream the show wherever you listen to podcasts!

Face it: your family’s Christmas traditions are a little bland. You exchange Bed, Bath & Beyond gift cards, eat a turkey that’s so dry it might as well be insulation, and then lay around in the living room listening to your grandpa snore-fart while watching an inflatable Bart Simpson headbang in the gail force NYC wind… Why not spice it up, this year?? There are innumerable fascinating, strange, and disturbing Christmas traditions around the globe, and it’s high time we start joining in the rituals! So this week we’re looking at some lesser known holiday lore! Plus, Sam talks about what he feels is the most touching and inspirational films of all time: It’s a Wonderful Life!

As always, if you enjoy the show, we’d sure appreciate it if you left us a good review wherever you listen to it! Thanks, and have a happy holiday!

Our guest this week is musician and seasoning salt tycoon Tori Johnson, aka Uncle T! Tori joins us to discuss her upbringing in a charismatic mega church, the accident that changed her life, grappling with sexuality, and how any responsible parent would sooner see their kid become a juggalo than a raver. It was a fun conversation, and you should go check out her website (www.hellounclet.com), and her music page (@your.uncle.t) on Instagram! Side Hustle Salts can be found on Instagram (@sidehustlesalt) and at the official website (sidehustlesalt.com).

This week Sam, Casey, and Jeremiah take a hard look at the recent Balenciaga scandal involving kids with S&M teddy bears, unsettling court documents used as photo props, and the resulting backlash and its effects. It’s a lot of weird. Some would argue it’s too much weird.

Of course, we wouldn’t feel right without spending some time in the Word with you folks, so we’re going back to the book of Mordecai… Oops I mean the book of Esther! Maybe you remember the parts of this story that they covered in Sunday school, but I’ll bet they skipped some of the more gruesome details. So take a break from whittling your favorite impaling pole (it’s sharp enough, man), and enjoy the show!

Pssst… if you like the show, we’d sure appreciate it if you’d leave us a review wherever you listen to it, and share it with a friend or 10. Long days and pleasant nights, traveler 🤠

Our guest this week is the fantastically-talented singer, songwriter, and creator, Ian McConnell! Months ago, we stumbled across a video of Ian performing a song called “Important,” and we knew from the lyrics that we had to talk to him. Ian spent a lot of time in church, as a kid, and really enjoyed it. However, life experience led him to question the validity of his faith. We think Ian may be one of the most positive and enjoyable people we’ve talked to, and we had a blast discussing everything from worship music, to psychedelics, to god’s righteous judgement on you filthy masturbators. If you haven’t checked out Ian’s music, it’s a must! Follow him on TikTok  and Instagram (@ianmcconnellmusic), YouTube (@ianmcconnell), and listen to his music on all streaming platforms!

But first, we absolutely MUST talk about the scandal surrounding FTX and its founder/CEO Sam Bankman-Fried. In less than a decade, SBF went from average joe to crypto billionaire. He was lauded as a visionary philanthropist and quirky genius, but over the course of a few days, he lost his entire fortune, and was laid bare as a crony capitalist scam artist. Believe me, the inevitable Netflix documentary about this debacle is going to be amazing!

This week we’re joined once again by the fabulous April Gloria (Casey’s wife), and we’re jumping back in the Word, folks! Grab a pad and pen, because we’re studying the heavenly sex offenders known as the Nephilim, and the story of Esther. I’m telling you, these Bible stories just keep getting better with distance… Follow April on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok (@_aprilgloria)!