The Taboo Podcast

In this return visit to the podcast, Samuel breaks down more paranormal encounters he had as a teenager. What was following Samuel and his sister while they were exploring the New Mexico desert? What does pure evil feel like? Why do we experience strange dreams? Also, why did Hyram pray to a goat-man and did Ian have a malicious visitor in the corner of his room?

In this episode, Ian and Hyram are in conversation with their friend Lexi who talks about her relationship to MMA. Lexi and Ian talk about the heartbreaking effects of bodily injury and physical limitations, and how this creates fear of giving up on a dream. They also discuss how Jiu-Jitsu and Kickboxing has changed their lives through learning humbleness, calmness, and persevering through defeat/failure. How did MMA help Lexi cope with addiction? Does Jiu Jitsu make you fearless? How do you cope when the one sport you love is taking away from you due to injury?

In this episode, Hyram and Ian's self-reflection conversation is continued and leads to even deeper revelations. Could the present moment contain your past and future? Why is the present so important? Why do mindfulness techniques highlight the present so much? Does gratefulness play a role? How does frustration play a part in this? Also, who the hell is sticky fingaz and what do waffles have to do with anything?

In this episode, Ian and Hyram check in on where they are at in life. Inspired by a private conversation these two had, Hyram and Ian revisit the topics discussed in that conversation. They talk about how much has changed since the beginning of this year, and what they have learned so far. Topics discussed include depression, resilience, taking chances, and more! 

In this exciting conversation, Noel returns to talk in more detail about witchcraft. What is kitchen witchcraft? Is there an overlap with witchcraft and Christianity? Topics discussed include casting spells, Placebo Effect, Religion, Motivational Interviewing, Hex, Tarot cards, Voodoo, and the Supernatural. Watch out! Dr. Ian and the JewMex are in the house and things get a bit sexual...

In this episode, Hyram and Ian interview Ian's childhood best friend Samuel; who has had several paranormal encounters. Samuel tells ghost stories including a potential possession of his younger brother in an abandoned home, and a strange encounter of a ghost charging him. Other stories include Samuel's sister's strange sleep walking behavior, a paranormal encounter with a dead best friend, and strange dreams that may play a role into past trauma. Also, how did Samuel square up with a stranger in front of a Chipotle?  

In this episode, Hyram and Ian revisit the death of Ian's cousin and how a recent family visit brought back these feelings of sadness and grief. They also discuss their current problems of feeling stuck or being set back in life and how life can just be shitty. However, they also find ways to deal with these strong emotions. Is the key gratitude and optimism? Or perhaps moving forward despite feeling pain and frustration?  NEVER BE DISCOURAGED. NEVER GIVE UP!

In this episode, Noel returns to talk about her personal experiences in witchcraft. She also breaks down what witchcraft is, how it impacts her life, debunks some of the stigma associated with it, and how it brings her back to her cultural heritage.  Also, Hyram gets "Nice and Crispy" in this episode and why is Ian called the "Samoan Jaguar"? If you want to learn more about belief in witchcraft, check out this cool article discussing societal development and how it impacts belief in witchcraft.  

Koning, N. (2013). Witchcraft beliefs and witch hunts: An interdisciplinary explanation. Human Nature, 24(2), 158–181. 10.1007/s12110-013-9164-1 

In this episode, Ian and Hyram discuss their supernatural stories. Do you believe in ghosts? How about demons or the devil? Did Ian's mom see the devil? Was Hyram chased by a demon? What is the supernatural and how does it play a part in the tangible world? We had a lot of fun telling these real stories and we hope you do too in this new series. 

In this episode, Hyram, Ian, and Austin return to the podcast to talk about their rise and fall in religion. This trio goes deep in how religion played a vital role in their lives, how it ultimately left them unsatisfied, and how they adapted to lives without religion. Topics discussed include Christianity, Latter Day Saints, coping with faith crises, suicidal ideation, authentic devotion, falling in love with Jesus, and flat affect. 

Want to Learn More on Religion and Psychology? Here are two interesting articles 

Article 1 (Prejudice and Homosexuality in Christianity) I copied and pasted the main points of the article.

Variables/terms:

Religious Coping : First, religious coping theory assumes that individuals proactively search for meaning, evaluate situations in the context of what they view as significant, and cope in order to preserve and protect those significant values,

Hypotheses: higher levels of perceived desecration (stressor) will predict greater prejudice (response) after controlling for personological variables and general religiousness. Second, we hypothesize that positive and negative religious coping with perceived desecration will be associated with lower and higher prejudicial views, respectively. Third, we hypothesize that personological variables, exposure to LG individuals, and exposure to messages of desecration will predict perceptions of LG individuals as desecrators of Christian beliefs.

Results

First, this study demonstrates that perceptions of LG individuals as desecrators of Christianity are relatively common. Over three quarters (77%) of the sample reported exposure to at least one desecration item and more than half (66%) of participants endorsed agreement with at least one desecration item.

Second, participants who viewed LG individuals as desecrators of Christianity reported higher levels of anti-LG attitudes

Third, this study indicates that the way in which individuals cope with perceived desecration is related to prejudice. Specifically, positive religious coping or responses indicative of love and compassion was associated with less hostility and perceived conflict and with the belief that LG individuals deserve greater civil rights

On the other hand, negative religious coping predicted higher levels of hostility, perceived conflict, and immorality and the belief that LG individuals do not deserve greater civil rights.

Fourth, this study also identifies predictors of perceived desecration. Notably, greater exposure to messages of desecration from church, family, and media is associated with greater agreement with perceptions of desecration.

Discussion/explanation

First, these results suggest that the information individuals are exposed to about LG individuals impacts their attitudes. This information can come from messages about LG individuals (e.g., messages of desecration) and from contact with LG individuals (e.g., learning from LG individuals).

Article 2 The usefulness of mindfulness in trauma based rumination in a Christian population.

Knabb, J., Vazquez, V., & Pate, R. (2019). “Set your minds on things above”: shifting from trauma-based ruminations to ruminating on God. Mental Health, Religion & Culture, 22(4), 384–399. 10.1080/13674676.2019.1612336