I Read Something Bad

A bonus episode for Holy Week!

Join Kate, Sarah, Liz, and special guest Grace Kelley (actual poet, not the princess) as we dive into the world of biblical poetry and why it might be the most revolutionary part of Scripture that your church Bible study conveniently skips over.

Turns out when you start paying attention to the poetry that makes up a whopping THIRD of the Bible, all those neat theological boxes start looking pretty flimsy.

Topics Covered:

* Why poetry makes up 33% of the Bible yet gets treated like the awkward cousin at family gatherings—and how recognizing poetic genres changes EVERYTHING about biblical interpretation (sorry, literal-only folks)

* How many of Scripture's most powerful female contributions come through poetry (Miriam, Hannah, Mary's Magnificat)—and why that matters for understanding whose voices patriarchy has systematically silenced

* Why Proverbs 31, the acrostic masterpiece about WISDOM, has been weaponized into a spiritually abusive checklist that would require a small army of household staff to accomplish (spoiler: it's an embodiment of wisdom, not a prescription for women)

* Reimagining Psalm 22 as Jesus singing a song of comfort passed down from childhood—and why seeing this as abandonment rather than divine connection misses the entire point (Just in time for Holy Week)

* How patriarchal readings of scripture have conveniently overlooked the abundance of feminine, maternal, and non-gendered imagery for God tucked away in those poetic passages most churches skim through

Careful, friends! This episode might just leave you feeling liberated to bring your emotions and imagination to Scripture, questioning why we've been afraid of "poetic language" leading us astray, and noticing how tiny they make women's pockets compared to men's.

The patriarchy is EVERYWHERE. 💁‍♀️📚✨

P.S. Huge thanks to Grace Kelley for sharing her poetic wisdom and reading from her new book Daughter of Breath, which pushes back against church-sponsored patriarchy and reclaims spirituality from those who've weaponized scripture. We're totally buying extra copies for our pastors and friends! 🔥

Timestamps:

04:12 The Role of Poetry in Healing and Expression

08:48 Biblical Poetry and Its Interpretation

23:29 The Intersection of Poetry and Patriarchy

29:32 Proverbs 31 Revisited

33:41 The Importance of Context in Biblical Interpretation

37:07 Psalm 22: Jesus' Cry on the Cross

45:14 The Feminine Imagery of God

51:24 A Poem on Patriarchy (and Pockets)

Join Kate, Sarah, and Liz as we dive into A Court of Mist and Fury, where we're discovering that this isn't just about sexy faeries with wings (though we're here for that too) — it's actually a master class in recognizing red flags, valuing your own agency, and finding healing after trauma.

Turns out Sarah J. Maas might be doing more for women's emotional intelligence than all those "Biblical Womanhood" conferences combined. Who knew?

Topics Covered:

* How Feyre's journey from decorative Spring Court trophy to High Lady of the Night Court is basically a guidebook for recognizing when you're being treated like property instead of a person (and why the "he's just protective" excuse is garbage)

* Why it takes Rhysand's "wait, you get to make your own choices" approach for us to collectively realize how messed up Tamlin's control issues actually were — and why these patterns are so sneaky in real life patriarchal spaces

* How having actual power and choice in your relationships dramatically affects your mental AND physical health (nursing school confirms: feeling powerless literally makes you sick!)

* Why the Night Court's approach to community might be the church model we actually need — where people are valued, differences are celebrated, and everyone gets a voice (even when disagreeing with the High Lord)

* The uncomfortable truth about why THOSE chapters hit different — they show what happens when emotional intimacy precedes physical intimacy in relationships built on mutual respect (something purity culture conveniently forgot to mention)

Careful, friends! This episode might just have you reconsidering power dynamics in your relationship, seeking out a real "inner circle" of safe people, and realizing that your endless inner monologue isn't annoying — it's just part of processing trauma. The audacity of a fantasy novel teaching us this stuff! 💁‍♀️📚✨

P.S. Remember our famous quote: "If reading these books makes you realize things about your relationship, the books didn't create the problem — they just revealed what was already there. That's like saying the MRI gave you the tumor it discovered." Harsh but true! 🔍

Timestamps:

02:33 Power and Agency in Relationships

20:44 Patriarchy and Feminism in the Story

29:15 Healing from Trauma

35:14 The Pain of Fractured Relationships

35:56 Inner Monologue and Self-Reflection

38:38 Chosen Family and Healing

42:28 Emotional Intimacy and Safe Relationships

57:10 The Power of Storytelling

01:07:16 Jesus and the Importance of Being Seen

Today your Matron Saints of Spice are diving into why imagination gets treated like the awkward cousin of faith — even when it's the secret ingredient that makes our spiritual lives actually interesting and effective. We're breaking down why your fantasy novel might just be more revelatory than that dusty theology textbook, and no, we're not apologizing.

Topics Covered:

* How creative thinking is basically spiritual resistance training, transforming biblical narratives from flat text to living, breathing revolution

* Exposing how "escapist" stories are actually sophisticated tools for questioning power, developing critical spiritual thinking, and reimagining what's possible beyond rigid religious frameworks

* Unpacking why that playful, curious imagination you were told to "grow out of" is actually your direct line to understanding God's wildly creative heart

* Why asking dangerous questions and refusing to accept the first spiritual answer you're given is basically a holy intervention in your own faith journey

* How creative storytelling can be a more powerful form of theology than a thousand dry sermons — and why some religious gatekeepers might be low-key terrified of that truth

Watch out! This episode might just lead you to spend more time daydreaming and more energy asking questions that challenge comfort, tradition, and authority. Don’t say we didn’t warn you. 💁‍♀️📚✨

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome to the iRead Something Bad Podcast

01:06 Exploring the Role of Imagination

16:53 Imagination in the Bible

26:28 The Importance of Story and Myth

32:50 Embracing Childlike Wonder in Adulthood

37:30 Imagination and Personal Healing

41:19 The Stabilizing Effect of Dogma

46:15 Fantasy and Virtue Ethics

56:11 God Welcomes Your Weird

58:30 Imagination as a Revolutionary Act

Your Matron Saints of Spice are back, and this time we're diving headfirst into the thorny world of Sarah J. Maas! 💫

Join Kate, Sarah, and Liz as we unpack A Court of Thorns and Roses - that spicy fantasy novel your church friends might raise eyebrows at that is often the gateway to the world of romantasy … but we're here to tell you contains more theological insight than meets the eye!

We're blending fae courts with faith questions because who says you can't find spiritual wisdom between steamy scenes? 📚✨

Topics Covered:

* One-sided covenants and the toxic aftermath - How Feyre's impossible promise to her mother mirrors the unhealthy expectations we see in families, relationships, and yes, even your favorite megachurch 👀

* Creating healing spaces (and why your "self-care isn't selfish" coffee mug is actually theological) - The revolutionary importance of environments that allow for rest and creative expression when recovering from trauma

* Racism dressed as tradition - How the human/fae prejudice in ACOTAR makes us question which "traditions" we might be clinging to that are actually just prejudice in fancy clothing

* Reading fiction as spiritual rebellion - Why losing yourself in a fantasy world might actually be teaching you to read scripture with fresh eyes (and why that makes some people nervous!)

Warning: This episode might leave you questioning power structures, reaching for more "inappropriate" books, and possibly reexamining your entire approach to faith formation. We're not sorry! 💁‍♀️🔥

Timestamps:

01:00 Purpose and Vision of the Podcast

03:00 Diving into A Court of Thorns and Roses

04:02 Themes of Covenant and Promises

05:24 Healthy Choices and Relationships

08:07 Spiritual and Systemic Reflections

24:59 Safe Spaces for Growth and Healing

44:08 Racism and Classism in ACOTAR

54:35 Conclusion and Call to Action

Your Matron Saints of Spice are back, and we're unpacking the side-eye your TBR pile gets from society!

Join Kate, Liz, Sarah, Jenai, and special guest Morgan Strehlow (who blessed us with our podcast name) as we dive into why men's violence-packed entertainment gets called "epic" while our books get dismissed as "fairy smut" — even when they contain less spice than your average Oscar-nominated film.

Topics Covered:

* Sarah's revealing poll proving there's a serious double standard when it comes to how we talk about men's vs. women's entertainment choices

* Why reading for pleasure is a radical act in a world that expects women to be productive, selfless, and contributing to capitalism at all times

* How fantasy fiction isn't just "escapism" — it's giving us language to question power structures, develop critical thinking, and yes, reimagine what's possible in our spiritual lives

* The political nature of "silly little books" that help us ask big questions (and why certain people might be threatened by women who learn to wonder)

* Why the "man cave" is in the house but the "she shed" gets banished to the backyard, and other perfectly normal ways society values men's hobbies over women's 🤔

Careful, friends! This episode might just leave you unapologetically enjoying things because you want to, questioning your Bible study approach, and ready to smash some hierarchies. The horror! 💁‍♀️📚✨

Timestamps:

02:39 Men's vs. Women's Entertainment

05:34 Sex and Violence in Media

11:19 Purity Culture and Female Sexuality

20:29 The Double Standard in Entertainment

26:34 Empowerment Through Fiction

32:28 Curiosity in Reading and Faith

32:56 The Importance of Asking Questions

35:59 The Role of Fiction in Developing Empathy

39:58 Fiction's Impact on Biblical Interpretation

46:22 Smut vs. Spice

51:12 Gendered Perceptions of Hobbies

54:19 The Value of Enjoying Fiction

Grab your favorite “heretical” romantasy novel and settle in, because we're back for round two of theological dragon-riding shenanigans!

In this episode, we're diving deeper than Violet's trust issues into everything from weaponized forgiveness to MLM boss babe venin ("Hey girl!").

Join us as we explore how Ridoc's humor is actually emotional intelligence in disguise, why Dane still needs to work on his redemption arc (sorry not sorry), and how ancient texts might be trying to tell us something about power that makes certain religious leaders nervous.

Careful. You may just walk away questioning your seminary reading list, developing strong opinions about Jonathan Edwards, and an overwhelming urge to start coding secret messages into your journal for future generations. 🐉✨

Timestamps:

03:39 Ridoc’s Humor and Who’s the “Glue” in the Iron Squad?

11:14 Sawyer, Resilience, and Internal Shame

22:08 Dane’s Redemption?

31:36 Weaponized Forgiveness and Relational Repair

34:45 The Power of Memory and Who Shapes the Story

41:26 Slaveholder Theology

56:30 Theophanie and the Effect of Meeting God

Through the lens of Rebecca Yarros's Onyx Storm, we explore questions about faith, scripture, and community. Starting with reflections on finding surprise and delight in sacred texts (without decoding hidden messages or building conspiracy boards), we examine how fantasy literature helps us approach Scripture with fresh eyes. Through rich metaphors about divine presence and the complex ways we relate to the sacred, we tackle the critical distinction between peacekeeping and true peacemaking, examining how isolation and moral superiority often masquerade as peace while perpetuating broken systems.

Warning: Side effects may include questioning your approach to community, developing strong opinions about religious isolation, and an overwhelming urge to adopt a sassy baby dragon who's always hungry. 🐉✨

00:48 Initial Reactions

03:55 Finding Surprise and Delight in Scripture

12:04 Metaphors for God and Atonement Theories

26:30 Peacekeeping vs Peacemaking

40:50 Enmeshment and Differentiation

49:33 Community and Found Family

In this episode, we're diving deeper than Violet's bond with Tairn (and that's saying something) into the deliciously complex world of War College politics, ancient texts that might be lying to us, and propaganda that hits a little too close to home.

Join us as we connect the dots between dragon rider drama and real-world faith challenges, from purity culture to Christian nationalism (because apparently, fantasy books are getting a little TOO real these days). We're tackling everything from theological manipulation to female pleasure, with just enough dragon-riding action to keep your prayer group suspicious.

Timestamps:

02:35 Secrecy and Trust

14:13 Dehumanization at Basgiath

21:06 Power Dynamics and Trust

22:54 Translation and Interpretation

28:48 Propaganda and Media Literacy

33:20 Theological Self-Protection and Exploitation

34:05 Wesley's Quadrilateral and Propaganda

34:45 Historical Context: Hitler's Propaganda

36:10 Rapture Anxiety and Theological Propaganda

39:00 Christian Nationalism and Current Politics

44:30 Purity Culture and Female Pleasure

51:00 Anticipating the Next Book: Onyx Storm

Today, your Matron Saints of Spice are diving into the steamy world of women's desires (don't worry - we warned the prayer chain). From purity culture to pleasure reading, we're unpacking why some fantasies are "acceptable" (looking at you, Hallmark) while others get shunned.

Join us as we explore how fantasy books give women language for desire, tools for healing, (rightfully) high expectations, and permission to imagine a world where we don't have to hide any part of our selves.

Timestamps:

01:02 Exploring Women's Desires in Fantasy Literature

03:01 The Role of Fantasy in Empowering Women

04:19 Purity Culture and Fantasy Books

05:38 Acceptable vs. Unacceptable Fantasy

09:49 Imagination and Biblical Stories

23:56 Healing Through Stories

29:51 Coping Mechanisms in Literature

30:33 Challenging Purity Culture

32:10 Sexual Agency and Language

33:56 Navigating Sexual Education

38:52 Empowerment Through Fiction

47:34 Fantasy as a Safe Space

50:44 Reimagining Gender Roles

53:00 Conclusion

IIn anticipation of the third installment of the Empyrean Series, we’re diving deep into the book that spawned a thousand spicy romantasy book obsessed readers (and dragon riders in their hearts) … Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros.

Join us as we go beyond the spice to explore how Rebecca Yarros’ books are secretly packed with spiritual wisdom (no, really!).

From the Fourth Wing plotlines that took us on an emotional rollercoaster to surprisingly deep conversations about power, community, and disability representation, sometimes the holiest discussions start with a little dragon-induced swooning.

Come for the spice, stay for the surprisingly profound theological insights ... and maybe a few mentions of Xaden, because honestly, who could blame us?

01:04 The Book That Started It All: Fourth Wing

03:03 Diving into Character Dynamics

05:10 Exploring Themes of Empowerment and Control

14:23 Disability Representation in Fourth Wing

19:32 Culture Wars and Loyalty Tests

36:52 Reframing the Holy Spirit’s Voice

43:37 The Doctrine of the Trinity and Mutual Indwelling

52:05 Final Thoughts and Farewell