Evelyn, Veronica, and Cade compare the wildly different messages men and women receive in Catholic spaces—porn-and-purity men’s talks vs. dignity-and-modesty women’s talks—then track how those scripts shape deconstruction, dating, and identity. From Theo-bro debate culture to confession-as-streaks, “feminine genius” to closeting strategies, we unpack power, fear, and why over-intellectualizing feelings keeps people stuck—and how to get free.

00:00 Small Group02:05 Gendered Experiences in Catholicism05:47 Men's Emotional Expression and Social Dynamics13:26 Purity Culture and Confession26:12 Social Hierarchies and Virtue in Catholic Circles38:36 Catholic Ideals and Sexuality49:43 Experiences of Queer Women in the Church59:01 Challenges of Dating in Catholic Culture01:01:05 Over-Intellectualizing Catholic Teachings01:07:08 Autism and Hyperfixations in Religious Contexts

We sit down with Cherie - aka “The Canceled Christian” - to unpack life inside high-control evangelical spaces: homeschooling, purity culture, and rules at Pensacola Christian College, plus the cracks that formed during 2020 and after Dobbs. Cherie shares how she and her husband deconstructed together, why empathy (not outrage) moved her most, and practical advice for taking it slow, finding a “deconstruction buddy,” and keeping whatever spirituality still fits.

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00:00 Small Group: Rose and Thorn

02:17 Cherie's Background and Deconstruction Journey

04:23 Navigating Marriage and Deconstruction

06:12 College Experiences and Questioning Beliefs

15:25 Working at Starbucks and Meeting Non-Christians

25:18 Starting on Social Media and Shiny Happy People

28:23 Understanding Cult Dynamics

33:43 Navigating Political and Religious Tensions

36:45 Personal Deconstruction Journeys

43:49 Advice for Those Deconstructing

We unpack the parts of Catholicism we still love and live by: the dignity of every person, preferential option for the poor, workers’ rights, solidarity, and care for creation. We get honest about where politics eclipsed the Gospel, why those same values led us out, and how community, ritual, silence, and values-based living still shape our daily lives—queer-affirming, neighbor-minded, and deeply human.

00:00 Small Group: Rose and Thorn

02:02 Positive Influences from Catholic Upbringing

04:12 The Value of Human Dignity

07:02 Reflections on Relationships and Complementarity

11:01 Building Community and Self-Sacrifice

13:07 Catholic Social Teaching: Core Values

19:04 Solidarity and Care for God's Creation

25:12 Community, Rituals, and Traditions

27:39 Navigating Spirituality Beyond Catholicism

36:37 The Importance of Silence and No Phone Time

43:24 Values-Based Living and Personal Growth

Franciscan University has launched a $10 million “Homeland Mission” in Washington DC — partnering with groups like the Heritage Foundation and the Museum of the Bible. In this episode, Evelyn and Veronica unpack how the project connects to a broader movement of Christian nationalism, the donors behind it, and what it signals about the growing Catholic presence in U.S. politics. From prayer breakfasts to policy influence, this conversation explores faith, money, and power in America’s capital.

00:00 Small Group: Rose and Thorn

03:22 Franciscan University's Homeland Mission Details

07:36 Donor Contributions and Impact

10:21 Event Highlights and Alumni Involvement

14:14 Philanthropy and Broader Contributions

17:28 Residential Facilities for Students in DC

19:57 Project 2025 and Trump's Influence

21:15 Catholicism and Conservative Politics

25:41 Immigration and Long-term Political Strategies

30:36 Concerns About Right-Wing Catholic Politics

Join us as we unpack Life Teen’s State of Catholic Youth in America (2024) — breaking down “the five cries of youth,” the XLT/adoration model, summer camps, Steubenville ties, and the report’s framing of anxiety, gender dysphoria, politics, and phones. This episode is for devout parents, deconstructors, and anyone curious about how Catholic youth culture really works.

Read along with us as we discuss LifeTeen's "2024 Report on The State of Catholic Youth in America."

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Veronica walks us through Chiles v. Salazar—the Supreme Court challenge to Colorado’s conversion-therapy ban. We unpack what the law actually prohibits (licensed claims to change orientation or gender identity), what it explicitly allows (client-led support and identity exploration), why “professional conduct” is regulate-able, and how amicus briefs—from Catholic orgs to ex-Exodus leaders — frame the stakes for LGBTQ+ youth, families, and faith communities.

Thank you so much for being here! Follow us @leavelaughlovepod on Instagram and TikTok and join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠our Patreon community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to stay up to date!

Happy feast day to both of our confirmation Saints! Today we dive into the life of St. Francis & the legacy he left behind

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Join us for our thoughts on Chapters 1 & 2 of the YOUCAT

Thank you so much for being here! Follow us @leavelaughlovepod on Instagram and TikTok and join ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠our Patreon community⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to stay up to date!

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"The Great Controversy" by Ellen White showed up on Veronica's doorstep... and we have thoughts

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Join us as we talk through the chaos of the week & all the tangents it brought us on