The Runaway Eve Book Club is once again in session. We're continuing our deep dive into the infamous "I Kissed Dating Goodbye", written by Evangelical darling of the 90s Joshua Harris. Yes, he's since renounced the book. Yes, he's since "apologized". But, as they say... "there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known". (It's the Bible. The Bible says that.) So we're taking Josh to task and discussing the ways he upheld and solidified the damaging and dangerous beliefs inherent to Christian dating and courtship, and holding him accountable for the ways this book has reverberated through many of our lives.

In this episode, I mentioned the book "A Single Revolution: Don't look for a match. Light one." by Shani Silver. Check her out and purchase the book here!

If you want to read along with "I Kissed Dating Goodbye", I would suggest using Daddy G to search for a free pdf copy, which is what I did. If you must purchase the book, please at least look for an indie bookstore to patronize. :)

If you like what you hear, don't forget to rate and review on your preferred listening platform! Join the community on Instagram at @runaway_eve. I'm always open to topic suggestions, ideas, and any other ways you want to collaborate.

What do Nine Inch Nails, Communism, blood being poured into a chalice, and kids playing Ring Around the Rosie have in common? If you guessed they’re all connected to the music video for one of the most popular Christian alternative songs of the 90s, you’d be correct! Today we are starting a two-part arc on martyrdom porn and the myth of Christian persecution in the United States. In Part 1, we will explore this phenomenon specifically through the lens of DC Talk’s Jesus Freak. The concept of the Jesus Freak is something that all Evangelicals are familiar with, especially if you lived through the 90s. It's nothing new, though—the idea of Christians suffering for Christ has its basis in the Bible, but the way this idea has been morphed to mythological heights is truly fascinating. Jesus Freak didn't plant the seed but it definitely threw fuel on the fire, a fire that transcended religion and took over popular culture and politics and only continues to grow. It is truly amazing how a religious group, so enmeshed in politics in this country that they have become synonymous with one of our two political parties, believes they are the victim. Is this divinely inspired suffering, or simply a self-fulfilling prophecy?

In order that they are referenced:

And of course, the Jesus Freak music video!

Join the Runaway Eve community and share your own stories on Instagram at @runaway_eve! If you like what you hear, tell your friends.

Once again the Christian Right is forcing their regressive, willfully ignorant, and scientifically baseless beliefs on a country that claims to uphold the separation of church and state. I’m pissed, so I need you to shut up and listen for a few minutes. Feel free to share this episode with whoever you feel like you need to.

Content warning: abortion, pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, medical speak, general patriarchal bullshit

Author’s note: around 9:39 I mention the right referring to themselves as “pro-choice”, I obviously meant “pro-life”

Join the Runaway Eve community and share your own stories on Instagram at @runaway_eve! If you like what you hear, tell your friends.

Jesus was a cult leader and the death cult lives on! In this episode I take a quick look at what Easter means to Evangelical Christians, and the historical context it is based on. That’s… pretty much it.

Author’s note: at one point I say that Evangelicals don’t celebrate Lent—I should not have made such a black and white statement, because that isn’t entirely true. Some denominations that fall within the “Evangelical” category do, and some participants of the religion, regardless of denomination, do. It just isn’t as prevalent as it is in other religions.

If you like what you hear, don't forget to rate and review on your preferred listening platform! Join the community on Instagram at @runaway_eve. I'm always open to topic suggestions, ideas, and any other ways you want to collaborate.

Sources and mentions:

Previously, we talked about how Evangelical Christianity’s guidelines and restrictions surrounding sex, love, and dating can be overwhelming, challenging, and damaging to young people navigating these practices within the culture. In a continuation of that conversation, we are looking at how adults in Evangelical Christianity approach these practices. Spoiler alert: it’s very similar to how teens and young adults are taught to approach them! Why is that? So many things come into play here. In this episode we are looking at dating practices that affect “older” people, as well as a few trends, beliefs, and attitudes that add to the challenges inherent in romantic relationships in Evangelical Christianity.

Content warning for patriarchal bullshit.

If you like what you hear, don't forget to rate and review on your preferred listening platform! Join the community on Instagram at @runaway_eve. I'm always open to topic suggestions, ideas, and any other ways you want to collaborate.

Sources in order they are mentioned: 

Join me for the first meeting of the Runaway Eve Book Club! We're taking a deep dive into the infamous "I Kissed Dating Goodbye", written by Evangelical darling of the 90s Joshua Harris. Yes, he's since renounced the book. Yes, he's since "apologized". But, as they say... "there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known". (It's the Bible. The Bible says that.) So we're taking Josh to task and discussing the ways he upheld and solidified the damaging and dangerous beliefs inherent to Christian dating and courtship, and holding him accountable for the ways this book has reverberated through many of our lives. 

If you want to read along, I would suggest using Daddy G to search for a free pdf copy, which is what I did. If you must purchase the book, please at least look for an indie bookstore to patronize. :)

If you like what you hear, don't forget to rate and review on your preferred listening platform! Join the community on Instagram at @runaway_eve. I'm always open to topic suggestions, ideas, and any other ways you want to collaborate.

Happy new year! I’m kicking off season two with a conversation about the Evangelical Christian concept of original sin—where it comes from, what it means, why I think it can be so damaging to those growing up in the faith… and how I think, to an extent, they kind of have a point. The idea for this episode came from an interesting Twitter thread and an even more interesting response from Evangelicals who, of course, took the opportunity to use the conversation (and reactions and responses to it) as "proof" of their very real and not at all imaginary "persecution". I share a couple moments from my own childhood, how I've grown, and where I'm at now with regard to this idea. I hope this episode encourages you to reframe the way you approach your relationship with your children, humans at large, and, maybe most importantly, yourself. 

If you like what you hear, don't forget to rate and review on your preferred listening platform! Join the community on Instagram at @runaway_eve. I'm always open to topic suggestions, ideas, and any other ways you want to collaborate.

Sources in order they are mentioned:

The tweet + subsequent thread:

Happy holidays! In the spirit of giving, I wanted to give you a proper finale, and one last Josh Duggar update. The trial happened, he was found guilty on both counts, and he currently sits behind bars awaiting sentencing. It’s a Christmas miracle! After our JD update, I go over some ways to cope with the holidays if you—like so many of us—just aren’t feeling it this year. I also give a brief overview of my plans for this little podcast in the coming year.

Typical Josh Duggar content warnings apply: CP, child abuse, etc.

If you like what you hear, don't forget to rate and review on your preferred listening platform! Join the community on Instagram at @runaway_eve. I'm always open to topic suggestions, ideas, and any other ways you want to collaborate.

Josh Duggar sued by porn star for sexual assault, Andrea Mandell

Josh Duggar’s Body Language Hints at Something Sinister | Establishing Baseline and Social Dynamic, “Observe” Youtube Channel

Prison pals? State trooper who let Josh off the hook is behind bars… for CP!, Melissa Cronin

What might be Josh Duggar's largest and most consequential reality check is about to take place, and things are happening fast. In this episode I go over the most interesting details of the lead up to his trial, which is set to start on November 30. Is this a reckoning for Josh and the whole Duggar clan? Or will this documented predator continue dodging accountability and any sort of real consequence? Start here to lay the scene.

Typical Josh Duggar content warnings apply: CP, child abuse, etc. 

If you like what you hear, don't forget to rate and review on your preferred listening platform! Join the community on Instagram at @runaway_eve. I'm always open to topic suggestions, ideas, and any other ways you want to collaborate.