[We'll continue this conversation LIVE on 2/2.  You are welcome to join us. ]

Bekah McNeel joins to talk about her book, "Bringing Up Kids When Church Lets You Down: A Guide for Parents Questioning Their Faith."   Joey recounts the angst of feeling ill-equipped to guide his kids spiritually through recent years and the peaceful place he and his kids have landed.  Bekah outlines a correlation between the doctrine of hell and unhealthy parenting,  shares the power of repentance and apology with our kids, and gives a snapshot of her book that covers all the bases of parenting amidst deconstruction and questioning of faith.

How do we teach our kids reverence for God without  instilling the "stern and stoic being" narrative we were taught?  How do we guide our kids in their interactions with pop culture without being legalistic?   Why can all parents take a deep breath and not parent out of fear?

Bekah McNeel / Website / Twitter /  Book
Joey Svendsen / Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / E-mail

Thanks //  Derek Minor (theme song) and Joel Hamilton / Joel Hamilton + friends for PWNA music.

e-mail us.

Send a text to the crew (we may read these on air)

Be a Patron / Tip the Host (Venmo)

Why is it not this simple?  Why is "not knowing any better"  a legitimate excuse?  Or is it?  Is the "absentee father" even a black problem?  Joey discusses these questions with three black friends (regulars on the show) and hears two of their stories of not being cut out for drug dealing, one of them losing an incredible career opportunity due to his color, and one heart-breaking story of divorce, child support and jail time.  The three also reflect on  the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. and what he means to them personally. 

We also talk about when white people try to talk "black things" to black people, including Joey trying to talk basketball to black men he's meeting for the first time. 

Get The Bear Feed (exclusive podcast for patrons of the show)

Robbie Madison / Web / Instagram
Stoy Prioleau / FB / Music (Riggy Roc - where ever you stream your music)
Antonio Seabrook / FB
Joey Svendsen / Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / E-mail

Podcast Socials
PWNA Discussion Facebook Group / YouTube

e-mail the PWNA team here.

Thanks //  Derek Minor for theme song of PWNA and Joel Hamilton / Joel Hamilton + friends for music in this episode.

Send a text to the crew (we may read these on air)

Be a Patron / Tip the Host (Venmo)

[chapter markers are listed at bottom & inserted in audio for your listening convenience]

As the topic of conversation centers around a specific instagram post by a specific person, this is a general conversation about “spitfire social media Christians," why their words don’t resemble love, and if a militant tone is the most loving approach when one believes vehemently that opposing positions are not only wrong but also endangering the health and/or rights of a whole demographic of people by the billions (babies, women, etc).

We get into some abortion talk, dissect how evangelicals typically view the theology behind "homosexuality being a sin," but the main topic at hand?  Where is the fine-line between speaking boldly from convictions and letting anger compromise the beauty of Jesus' teachings to "love our neighbor," and to "bless those who curse me."

Get The Bear Feed (exclusive podcast for patrons of the show)

Liz Miller / Instagram / Memoirs
Amy Alderman / Facebook
Ellen Mauro / Instagram
Jed Payne / Instagram / Podcast
Hayne Griffin / Instagram
Matt Oxley / Web  / Twitter
Joey Svendsen / Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / E-mail

Podcast Socials
PWNA Discussion Facebook Group / YouTube

e-mail the PWNA team here.

Thanks //  Derek Minor for theme song of PWNA and Joel Hamilton / Joel Hamilton + friends for music in this episode.

0:06
A "mini sermon" / "joey rant"

6:06
intro to episode

10:55
description of Bear Feed

11:38
The Bear Feed commercial

14:10
description of Bear Feed II

16:20
Middle Finger to My Old Church, What's Love Got to Do With It

49:26
clips of exclusive content common on the Bear Feed.

Send a text to the crew (we may read these on air)

Be a Patron / Tip the Host (Venmo)

Maybe the best New Year's Resolution one can make: Get good friendships.

Elizabeth Gillespie, licensed therapist of 11 years, focusses her practices on helping people find healing for trauma, through healthy human connection. She did a Tedx Talks (2022) that outlines the scientific data behind this bold statement she made in this episode: “You are probably going to die sooner, faster, and be far less healthy if you don’t have close relationships.”  

You heard her.  It’s a matter of survival, folks.

We talk through this innate need and discuss why finding healthy relationships is so challenging for people. She outlines the ingredients of life-giving relationships, explains why giving someone their space is usually not a good thing,  and differentiates between having a healthy need for people and being co-dependent.  

So, eat better, exercise, keep track of that cholesterol, get regular mammograms and maintain good relationships with people. Your life literally depends on it.

Love the show?  We would love your support as a patron.
*All patrons have optional access to the Bear W/ Community.
About / Video / Join

On Today's episode:
Elizabeth Gillespie  / Website / TEDx Talk / Facebook
Joey Svendsen, host / Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / E-mail

Podcast Socials
PWNA Discussion Facebook Group / YouTube

e-mail the PWNA team here.

Thanks //  Derek Minor for theme song of PWNA and Joel Hamilton / Joel Hamilton + friends for other music in this episode. 

Send a text to the crew (we may read these on air)

Be a Patron / Tip the Host (Venmo)

[Continuing a tradition that goes back to Christmas 2019 in episode 208 and continues in episode 272 and episode 329, Pastor With No Answers Podcast remembers those who are grieving this Christmas because of great loss]

Shonte Jones, family of this podcast suffered great loss at the beginning of the year when her 40-year old brother, "Rico" Jones, passed away due to lung complications as a result of COVID-19.   She discusses what her grief looks like not even a year later and shares the contributions therapy has made to her survival, whether she's mad at God, and the profound impact of having close connections with people who truly care.  The three also talk the puzzlement they share at those who want to rush others through the grieving process that actually never ends.   

Love the show?  We would love your support as a patron.
*All patrons have optional access to the Bear W/ Community.
About / Video / Join

On Today's episode:
Shonte Jones / Facebook
Amy Alderman, host / Facebook
Joey Svendsen, host / Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / E-mail

Special Thanks to Rosie Thomas for the Christmas Music
Web / Instagram / Spotify / Apple Music

Podcast Socials
PWNA Discussion Facebook Group / YouTube

e-mail the PWNA team here.

Thanks //  Derek Minor for theme song of PWNA. 

Send a text to the crew (we may read these on air)

Be a Patron / Tip the Host (Venmo)

Twenty-seven years since the last time they hung as friends (and classmates) at James Island High, Stoy Prioleau, Antonio "Hype" Seabrook and Joey Svendsen caught up on episode 361 - My Childhood Friends [the Black ones].  As kids, they never processed together things like racism, privilege, systemic racism, what it's like to be black, and what it's like to be white.  As adults, they reflect on their childhoods with a lot more insight and life experience.  

In this episode, the conversation continues as they reflect on being a kid at Christmas as a middle class white kid with dad at home and as a black kid growing up with a single mother trying to keep food on the table.   

Joey rakes it in annually while Stoy and "Hype" tell some "Christmas morning heartbreak" stories.  It was pretty common in the black community for their peers to get no gifts at all on Christmas.  

What was it like as a black kid, when all the best toys (G.I. Joe, He-Man) you play with are depictions of white people?   Different entertainment, different food, even different looking Christmas Trees, Stoy was always eager to come back home and report on the lavish Christmases he experienced in the families of the white girls he was hanging with at the time.  Stoy and "Hype" also share how they reflect on their absent fathers during the holidays.

Love the show?  We would love your support as a patron.
*All patrons have optional access to the Bear W/ Community.
About / Video / Join

On Today's episode:
Stoy Prioleau / FB / Music (Riggy Roc - where ever you stream your music)
Antonio Seabrook / FB
Joey Svendsen (host) / Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / E-mail

Podcast Socials
PWNA Discussion Facebook Group / YouTube

e-mail the PWNA team here.

Thanks //  Derek Minor for theme song of PWNA on all other episodes.

Send a text to the crew (we may read these on air)

Be a Patron / Tip the Host (Venmo)

Becoming a Christian as a 15-year old, KJ-52's career started when the music industry was nothing like it is now.  From the early days of opening up for acts like Tribe Called Quest and appearing on a radio show of Dj Khaled's (before he was DJ Khaled) to finding some unexpected traction in the Christian music industry with his letter to Eminem in the song "Dear Slim," Joey and KJ-52 not only reminisce about the old school Christian Rap and Tooth and Nail Records days, they talk a little faith and mental health.  KJ-52 (real name, Jonah Sorrentino) is also now a full-time Pastor. 

Go support his newest album, "Still Standing" (Kickstarter), inspired by the havoc Hurricane Ian has had on him and his people in Florida.

Love the show?  We would love your support as a patron.
*All patrons have optional access to the Bear W/ Community.
About / Video / Join

On Today's episode:
KJ-52 / Kickstarter / Instagram / Website
Joey Svendsen (host) / Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / E-mail

Podcast Socials
PWNA Discussion Facebook Group / YouTube

e-mail the PWNA team here.

All music on this episode appears courtesy of KJ-52 and is from his newest album, "Still Standing."

Thanks //  Derek Minor for theme song of PWNA on all other episodes.

Send a text to the crew (we may read these on air)

Be a Patron / Tip the Host (Venmo)

[this episode originally aired on 10/10/20]

John Mark McMillan and Joey Svendsen enjoy their time with Pastor and Author Brian Zahnd, asking him a little about everything. What does Brian Zahnd think of the POTUS (Donald Trump) and if asked, would he serve on his spiritual advisement board?

Brian Zahnd believes strongly in the church. He points out the problems with both the "Christian right" and "Christian left," highlighting how Jesus wouldn’t serve either of their agendas; because frankly, He has his own. The church, he says, is a part of the world that's “already changed by Christ.” Until we let this sink in, Zahnd concludes that Christians will continue to seek hope in what their political party can accomplish, none of this having anything to do with the more important Kingdom work we are to value above all.

Brian and John Mark also have an interesting take on why many artists are disinterested in politics. And of course, we get into some theology: atonement theories, Christian universalism, the gospel in its fullness.

Love the show?  We would love your support as a patron.
*All patrons have optional access to the Bear W/ Community.
About / Video / Join

On Today's episode:
Brian Zahnd / Site / Twitter
John Mark McMillan / Site / Instagram / Store (SALE!)
Joey Svendsen (host) / Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / E-mail

Podcast Socials
PWNA Discussion Facebook Group / YouTube

e-mail the PWNA team here.

Thanks //  Derek Minor for theme song and Joel Hamilton / Joel Hamilton + friends for other music.

Send a text to the crew (we may read these on air)

Be a Patron / Tip the Host (Venmo)

Josh Porter (formerly known as Josh Dies of the band Showbread), author of the new book "Death to Deconstruction," shares his story of christian fundamentalist upbringing and deconstruction of faith. Full of bitterness towards the church, he later discovered deep issues of personal pride (quite common for youngsters his age) that contributed greatly to being on this path. 

Having now returned to an orthodox (as in what people would describe as not progressive) faith, he is also a pastor at a non-denominational church. 

As Joey and Josh likely see faith and deconstruction very differently, they enjoyed a full's episode worth of discussing what they both agreed on,  including the needed adjustments for the church to make, in order for it to recapture the ways of Jesus.

Josh appeals to the need of having Jesus' ability to maintain convictions (and true beliefs), while still having a welcoming heart for all to "come to the table of fellowship," including those who aren't even sure where they stand with faith altogether.  He shares practically what this looks like as a pastor.   

The two may or may not have also done some reminiscing of those glorious yesteryears of discovering the "listening bliss" of punk rock music. 

Love the show?  We would love your support as a patron.
*All patrons have optional access to the Bear W/ Community.
About / Video / Join

On Today's episode:
Josh Porter  / Instagram / Web / Book / Podcast
Joey Svendsen (co-host) / Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / E-mail

Podcast Socials
PWNA Discussion Facebook Group / YouTube

e-mail the PWNA team here.

Thanks //  Derek Minor for theme song and Joel Hamilton / Joel Hamilton + friends for other music.
 

Send a text to the crew (we may read these on air)

Be a Patron / Tip the Host (Venmo)

[Please listen with caution. Lots of sexual abuse talk]

Randy, and his wife Cynthia Lail (both dear to Joey's heart), carry with them a beautiful faith that will bring back memories to many listeners who have deconstructed some and no longer see things in the light of traditional, evangelical christian lenses. 

As a child, Randy was a victim of sexual abuse [and trafficking] at the hands of one who was supposed to be his protector.  The result was a warped view of sexuality and a monstrous sexual addiction that would continue far into his marriage with Cynthia.

Desperate for healing, these two were ready with open hands for whatever means God would chose to do it.  For starters, Randy is convinced Jesus spoke to him.  His deceased mom also.  And this happened all under the influence of an 8-hour ecstasy trip (under doctor supervision) where he also discovered the extent of his sexual abuse.  The rawness and transparency demonstrated in this episode is something to aspire to.

"That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10).

Praise and glory to a Savior who rescues us from our past and redeems beyond our expectation, more than we can ask or imagine.  


Love the show?  We would love your support as a patron.
*All patrons have optional access to the Bear W/ Community.
About / Video / Join

On Today's episode:
Randy Lail / Facebook
Cynthia Lail / Facebook
Joey Svendsen (co-host) / Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / E-mail

Podcast Socials
PWNA Discussion Facebook Group / YouTube

e-mail the PWNA team here.

Thanks //  Derek Minor for theme song and Joel Hamilton / Joel Hamilton + friends for other music.
 

Send a text to the crew (we may read these on air)

Be a Patron / Tip the Host (Venmo)