What if you’ve read the Bible, studied the Bible, wrestled with the Bible, deconstructed and reconstructed your theology… and now you’re wondering: What do I do with the Bible NOW?

Maybe the answer isn’t to study harder or dig deeper. Maybe it’s time to meditate.

Download this episode’s beautiful Companion Study Guide (with key points, scriptures, journal prompts, reflection questions, notable quotes, a guided meditation, small group discussion questions & more).

⎯ READY TO GO DEEPER? ⎯

If this stirred something in you, don’t just watch — take the next step.

Join Michele’s online community, New Creation Academy

Join Martin’s online community, The Gathering

⎯ SUPPORT THE PODCAST ⎯

Love our free content and want to support the show?

Grab some fabulous, custom-designed, snarky Unhinged merch, t-shirts, mugs, and other digital resources from our Fourthwall shop! Your purchase helps keep our podcast free and ad-free for everyone. Thank you!

⎯⎯ ABOUT THIS EPISODE ⎯⎯

What happens when Bible study stops feeding you the way it used to?

For years, many of us were taught that spiritual maturity meant going deeper and deeper into Bible study — more theology, more research, more doctrines, more conferences, more books, more answers.

But what if there comes a point in our spiritual development when the way we engage with scripture is supposed to change?

In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele and Martin conclude their Simply Jesus series by exploring three ways we engage with scripture throughout our spiritual journey:

DISCOVERING — the wonder and curiosity of spiritual childhood

STUDYING — the wrestling, questioning, researching, and rethinking of spiritual youth

MEDITATING — the contemplation, integration, and daily wisdom of spiritual parenthood

Together, they explore the difference between discovering, studying, and meditating on Scripture, why these stages naturally overlap, and why finding yourself longing to return to the simplicity, wonder, play, and beauty of Simply Jesus may not mean you’re going backward at all. It might actually mean you’re growing up!

⎯⎯ BINGE THE VIDEOS ⎯⎯

Pt 1: What If You Never Had a Spiritual Childhood? | Ep31

Pt 2: The Spiritual Vaccine Against Toxic Theology | Ep32

Pt 3: Stop Eating Dove’s Dung: Developing Your Spiritual Taste Buds | Ep33

Pt 4: The Kindness of God Leads to a Higher Mind | Ep34

Pt 5: Are You Spiritually Malnourished? The 3 Spiritual Vitamins Every Christian Needs | Ep35

Pt 6: What Do I Do With the Bible Now? Discovering → Studying → Meditating | Ep36

Full Series: Simply Jesus (full playlist on YouTube)

⎯⎯ ABOUT OUR SHOW ⎯⎯

Michele Kus, M.A. is a Chicago-based life coach, spiritual formation teacher, DJ, and music producer who is passionate about helping people rediscover the beauty of God. Blending theology, neuroscience, creativity, and personal growth, she creates spaces where people can let go of fear-based religion and discover the freedom, wholeness, and joy of a grace-filled life with God.

Dr. Martin Trench, originally from Scotland, is a spiritual teacher, inspiring speaker, author, coach, and self-described part-time theologian with more than 40 years of ministry experience. He has authored several books and is passionate about helping people break free from toxic religion and discover a life-giving, liberating relationship with God.

Together they host Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction — a teaching-forward podcast for spiritual rethinkers who want thoughtful and honest conversations, plenty of laughter, and a fresh look at faith.

If you enjoy Unhinged and want to help spread our message, remember to LIKE, COMMENT, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE the love!

Take us along when you’re on-the-go! Follow this podcast on your favorite podcast player!

⎯⎯ FIND OUR STUFF ⎯⎯

Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Spotify

Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Apple Music

Martin’s books on Amazon

⎯⎯ CONNECT WITH US ⎯⎯

Michele’s YouTube (New Creation Meditations)

Michele’s YouTube (Grace Remixed)

Martin’s YouTube

Michele’s Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | website

Martin’s Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | website

Thanks for getting UNHINGED with us! We’ll see you again on the next one!

⎯⎯ CHAPTERS ⎯⎯

00:00 The 3 Stages of Spiritual Growth: Milk, Meat, & Bread

04:02 Spiritual Children Are Discovering Scripture

07:09 Spiritual Youth Are Studying Scripture

18:38 Spiritual Parents Are Meditating on Scripture

23:31 Is Returning to Simply Jesus Actually Spiritual Maturity?

32:07 Never Lose Your Childlike Wonder

What if you’ve been spiritually malnourished... not because you didn’t love God, but because you were fed the wrong spiritual diet early in your Christian life?

Download this episode’s beautiful Companion Study Guide (with key points, scriptures, journal prompts, reflection questions, notable quotes, a guided meditation, small group discussion questions & more).

⎯ READY TO GO DEEPER? ⎯

If this stirred something in you, don’t just watch — take the next step.

Join Michele’s online community, New Creation Academy

Join Martin’s online community, The Gathering

⎯ SUPPORT THE PODCAST ⎯

Love our free content and want to support the show?

Grab some fabulous, custom-designed, snarky Unhinged merch, t-shirts, mugs, and other digital resources from our Fourthwall shop! Your purchase helps keep our podcast free and ad-free for everyone. Thank you!

⎯⎯ ABOUT THIS EPISODE ⎯⎯

What if the foundation of a healthy Christian life isn’t striving harder… but feeding on the right spiritual nutrients?

In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele and Martin continue their Simply Jesus series by exploring what Peter called the pure spiritual milk of the gospel.

Together they unpack three essential “spiritual nutrients” every believer needs from the very beginning:

Vitamin K — the Kindness of the Father

Vitamin F — the complete Forgiveness of the Father

Vitamin L — the unconditional Love of the Father

Along the way, they discuss what Jesus meant when he declared, “Tetelestai” (“It is finished”), why God’s kindness — not fear, shame, or condemnation — is what truly transforms us, and how many Christians have unknowingly been raised on “spoiled milk” instead of the nourishing goodness of the real gospel.

If you’ve ever struggled with guilt, performance, fear-based religion, or wondering whether God is quietly disappointed in you, this conversation offers a refreshing invitation to rediscover the heart of the Father — and to experience the freedom that comes from knowing you are already fully loved, completely forgiven, and forever welcomed into His arms.

⎯⎯ BINGE THE VIDEOS ⎯⎯

Pt 1: What If You Never Had a Spiritual Childhood? | Ep31

Pt 2: The Spiritual Vaccine Against Toxic Theology | Ep32

Pt 3: Stop Eating Dove’s Dung: Developing Your Spiritual Taste Buds | Ep33

Pt 4: The Kindness of God Leads to a Higher Mind | Ep34

Pt 5: Are You Spiritually Malnourished? The 3 Spiritual Vitamins Every Christian Needs | Ep35

Full Series: Simply Jesus (full playlist on YouTube)

⎯⎯ ABOUT OUR SHOW ⎯⎯

Michele Kus, M.A. is a Chicago-based life coach, spiritual formation teacher, DJ, and music producer who is passionate about helping people rediscover the beauty of God. Blending theology, neuroscience, creativity, and personal growth, she creates spaces where people can let go of fear-based religion and discover the freedom, wholeness, and joy of a grace-filled life with God.

Dr. Martin Trench, originally from Scotland, is a spiritual teacher, inspiring speaker, author, coach, and self-described part-time theologian with more than 40 years of ministry experience. He has authored several books and is passionate about helping people break free from toxic religion and discover a life-giving, liberating relationship with God.

Together they host Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction — a teaching-forward podcast for spiritual rethinkers who want thoughtful and honest conversations, plenty of laughter, and a fresh look at faith.

If you enjoy Unhinged and want to help spread our message, remember to LIKE, COMMENT, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE the love!

Take us along when you’re on-the-go! Follow this podcast on your favorite podcast player!

⎯⎯ FIND OUR STUFF ⎯⎯

Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Spotify

Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Apple Music

Martin’s books on Amazon

⎯⎯ CONNECT WITH US ⎯⎯

Michele’s YouTube (New Creation Meditations)

Michele’s YouTube (Grace Remixed)

Martin’s YouTube

Michele’s Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | website

Martin’s Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | website

Thanks for getting Unhinged with us! We’ll see you again on the next one!

⎯⎯ CHAPTERS ⎯⎯

00:00 He Is a Father Who Loves His Children

03:12 ALL of Your Sins Are Forgiven

11:45 The Three Nutrients Every New Believer Needs

14:07 When VBS Serves Spoiled Spiritual Milk

19:58 Kindness, Forgiveness, and a Loving Father

If your journey with Jesus began with fear instead of kindness, this conversation may just change the way you experience God forever.

Download this episode’s beautiful Companion Study Guide (with key points, scriptures, journal prompts, reflection questions, notable quotes, a guided meditation, small group discussion questions & more).

⎯ READY TO GO DEEPER? ⎯

If this stirred something in you, don’t just watch — take the next step.

Join Michele’s online community, New Creation Academy

Join Martin’s online community, The Gathering

⎯ SUPPORT THE PODCAST ⎯

Love our free content and want to support the show?

Grab some fabulous, custom-designed, snarky Unhinged merch, t-shirts, mugs, and other digital resources from our Fourthwall shop! Your purchase helps keep our podcast free and ad-free for everyone. Thank you!

⎯⎯ ABOUT THIS EPISODE ⎯⎯

Many Christians have been taught that the goal of spiritual growth is to leave the “milk” behind and move on to the “meat” of the Word as quickly as possible. But what if we’ve misunderstood what the pure spiritual milk actually is?

In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele and Martin continue their Simply Jesus series by exploring one of the most overlooked themes in the New Testament: spiritual childhood.

Together they unpack why Peter tells believers to crave the pure spiritual milk of the Word, why so many Christians were spiritually malnourished from the very beginning, and why the kindness of God — not fear, shame, or performance — is meant to be the foundation of every healthy spiritual life.

If you’ve ever wondered why fear-based religion leaves people exhausted, anxious, or constantly striving to earn God’s approval, this conversation offers a radically different vision of the gospel — one rooted in safety, trust, and the goodness of God.

⎯⎯ BINGE THE VIDEOS ⎯⎯

Pt 1: What If You Never Had a Spiritual Childhood? | Ep31

Pt 2: The Spiritual Vaccine Against Toxic Theology | Ep32

Pt 3: Stop Eating Dove’s Dung: Developing Your Spiritual Taste Buds | Ep33

Pt 4: The Kindness of God Leads to a Higher Mind | Ep34

Full Series: Simply Jesus (full playlist on YouTube)

⎯⎯ ABOUT OUR SHOW ⎯⎯

Michele Kus, M.A. is a Chicago-based life coach, spiritual formation teacher, DJ, and music producer who is passionate about helping people rediscover the beauty of God. Blending theology, neuroscience, creativity, and personal growth, she creates spaces where people can let go of fear-based religion and discover the freedom, wholeness, and joy of a grace-filled life with God.

Dr. Martin Trench, originally from Scotland, is a spiritual teacher, inspiring speaker, author, coach, and self-described part-time theologian with more than 40 years of ministry experience. He has authored several books and is passionate about helping people break free from toxic religion and discover a life-giving, liberating relationship with God.

Together they host Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction — a teaching-forward podcast for spiritual rethinkers who want thoughtful and honest conversations, plenty of laughter, and a fresh look at faith.

If you enjoy Unhinged and want to help spread our message, remember to LIKE, COMMENT, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE the love!

Take us along when you’re on-the-go! Follow this podcast on your favorite podcast player!

⎯⎯ FIND OUR STUFF ⎯⎯

Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Spotify

Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Apple Music

Martin’s books on Amazon

⎯⎯ CONNECT WITH US ⎯⎯

Michele’s YouTube (New Creation Meditations)

Michele’s YouTube (Grace Remixed)

Martin’s YouTube

Michele’s Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | website

Martin’s Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | website

Thanks for getting Unhinged with us! We’ll see you again on the next one!

What if bad theology isn’t something you have to debate on social media … but something you naturally learn to recognize the taste of? And what if the pure spiritual milk of the gospel develops spiritual taste buds that recognize fear, shame, and manipulation before they ever take root in you?

In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele Kus and Martin Trench continue their Simply Jesus series by exploring what happens when you’re firmly established in the goodness of God.

They unpack why a healthy spiritual foundation changes everything. When you’re deeply rooted in God’s unconditional love, forgiveness, union, kindness, and acceptance, unhealthy teaching simply doesn’t fit anymore. It doesn’t sound like Jesus… and it doesn’t taste right.

Through stories, humor, colorful analogies, and honest conversation, Michele and Martin explore discernment, union with Christ, the Father’s heart toward us, trusting your God-given discernment, and why people established in grace become much harder to manipulate.

If you’ve ever questioned teachings that left you feeling anxious, ashamed, exhausted, or afraid of God — or if you’re rebuilding your faith after leaving unhealthy religious systems — this episode offers hope that you can learn the difference between true spiritual nourishment and spiritual junk food.

Let’s become so deeply rooted in the love and kindness of God that anything inconsistent with the character of Jesus simply doesn’t taste right.

If you enjoyed this third part of our Simply Jesus series, FOLLOW the show and SHARE this episode with a friend!

Hey! Jump into Martin’s July challenge called “Simply Jesus” here inside his online community!

Purchase Martin’s books on Amazon.

Don’t miss the FULL VISUAL EXPERIENCE with scripture references, definitions, funny pics, random small animals, and of course our beautiful faces! Watch this episode or binge the entire series on our awesome Unhinged YouTube channel.

And remember to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE while you’re there!

-- READY TO GO DEEPER? --

If this stirred something in you, don’t just listen — take the next step.

Join Michele’s online community, New Creation Academy

Join Martin’s online community, The Gathering

-- SUPPORT THE PODCAST --

Love our free content and want to support the show?

Grab some fabulous, custom-designed snarky Unhinged merch or send us a donation (thank you!)

-- ABOUT OUR SHOW --

Unhinged is the podcast that helps you break free from toxic religion, rediscover the beauty of God, faith, and yourself — and laugh along the way. Let’s get Unhinged!

-- RESOURCES --

Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Spotify

Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Apple Music

Martin’s books on Amazon

-- CONNECT WITH US! --

Michele’s YouTube (meditations), YouTube (grace-based dance music), Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website

Martin’s YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website

CHAPTERS

00:00 Best Intro Ever :)

01:42 Welcome to Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction!

02:10 Listener Comments: The Spiritual Milk We Never Received

05:23 Union Changes Everything

08:32 One Spirit with God: No Distance and No Separation

12:32 You Are Loved, Safe, Valuable, & Lovable

17:37 When Bad Theology Doesn’t Fit

21:40 Stop Eating Dove’s Dung

23:32 Trusting Your God-Given Discernment

27:44 Developing Your Spiritual Taste Buds

What if the best protection against bad theology isn’t learning more ... but returning to the pure spiritual milk of the gospel? And what if that pure spiritual milk permanently inoculates you against fear, manipulation, and toxic preaching?

In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele Kus and Martin Trench continue their Simply Jesus series by exploring what they call the spiritual vaccine against bad theology.

They unpack why true spiritual maturity is built on a healthy foundation. They explain why the simple truths of God’s unconditional love, forgiveness, kindness, union, and acceptance are the pure spiritual milk that establishes us so deeply in Christ that unhealthy or toxic theology naturally tastes “off.”

Through stories, humor, and honest conversation, Michele and Martin explore why one-size-fits-all discipleship often falls short, the importance of understanding progressive revelation, how Jesus continually reshapes our picture of God, the problem with biblical “inerrancy,” and why returning to the simplicity of Christ can inoculate us against fear-based religion, performance, legalism, and manipulation.

If you’ve ever wondered why some teachings leave you anxious while others bring peace and freedom, or if you’re trying to rebuild a healthier faith after unlearning toxic beliefs, this episode offers a hopeful invitation to become deeply rooted in the goodness of God.

Because the healthiest Christians aren’t the ones who know the most — they’re the ones who have been nourished by the right kind of spiritual milk.

If you enjoyed this second part of our Simply Jesus series, FOLLOW the show and SHARE this episode with a friend!

Hey! Jump into Martin’s July challenge called “Simply Jesus” here inside his online community!

Purchase Martin’s books on Amazon (3 of them were mentioned on today’s episode!)

Don’t miss the FULL VISUAL EXPERIENCE with scripture references, definitions, funny pics, random small animals, and of course our beautiful faces! Watch this episode or binge the entire series on our awesome Unhinged YouTube channel.

And remember to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE while you’re there!

-- READY TO GO DEEPER? --

If this stirred something in you, don’t just listen — take the next step.

Join Michele’s online community, New Creation Academy

Join Martin’s online community, The Gathering

-- SUPPORT THE PODCAST --

Love our free content and want to support the show?

Grab some fabulous, custom-designed snarky Unhinged merch or send us a donation (thank you!)

-- ABOUT OUR SHOW --

Unhinged is the podcast that helps you break free from toxic religion, rediscover the beauty of God, faith, and yourself — and laugh along the way. Let’s get Unhinged!

-- RESOURCES --

Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Spotify

Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Apple Music

Martin’s books on Amazon

-- CONNECT WITH US! --

Michele’s YouTube (meditations), YouTube (grace-based dance music), Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website

Martin’s YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website

CHAPTERS

00:00 Welcome to Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction!

04:13 Why Martin Doesn’t Teach a One-Size-Fits-All Curriculum

09:02 The Atonement: Milk vs. Meat

10:16 Your Theology Shapes Your View of God

11:27 Pure Spiritual Milk Protects You from Toxic Theology & Bad Preaching

17:00 What is Progressive Revelation and Why Does It Matter?

18:30 The Problem with the Doctrine of Inerrancy of Scripture

22:02 The Spiritual Vaccine Against Bad Theology

25:23 This Week’s Reflection Question (Leave Us a Comment!)

What if the thing missing from your faith isn’t more theology... but a simple spiritual childhood?

And what if some of the questions keeping you exhausted don’t need answers right now — they just need to be left on the shelf?

In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele Kus and Martin Trench launch their new Simply Jesus series by exploring what happens when believers grow up too fast spiritually.

After hearing many listeners say, “I never had a spiritual childhood,” they unpack why so many Christians were rushed into doctrine, performance, ministry, and having all the right answers before they ever learned the simple foundations of faith.

Through stories, humor, and honest conversation, Michele and Martin discuss spiritual milk versus spiritual meat, inherited beliefs versus integrated beliefs, catechism versus altar calls, the problem with constant correction, and why healthy spiritual growth requires space to wonder, question, and … gasp! … even get stuff wrong!

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by religion, exhausted by theological debates, or pressured to have everything figured out, this episode is your invitation to slow down, return to the basics, and rediscover the simple goodness of God.

Sometimes the healthiest thing you can do is LEAVE IT ON THE SHELF!

If you enjoyed this first episode in our Simply Jesus series, FOLLOW the show and SHARE this episode with a friend!

Purchase Martin’s book, Secrets of Spiritual Growth.

Don’t miss the FULL VISUAL EXPERIENCE with scripture references, definitions, funny pics, random small animals, and of course our beautiful faces! Watch this episode or binge the entire series on our awesome Unhinged YouTube channel.

And remember to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE while you’re there!

-- READY TO GO DEEPER? --

If this stirred something in you, don’t just listen — take the next step.

Join Michele’s online community, New Creation Academy

Join Martin’s online community, The Gathering

-- SUPPORT THE PODCAST --

Love our free content and want to support the show?

Grab some fabulous, custom-designed snarky Unhinged merch or send us a donation (thank you!)

-- ABOUT OUR SHOW --

Unhinged helps you unlearn toxic religious thinking, rediscover a freer and healthier way of understanding God, faith, and yourself… and laugh a little along the way.

-- RESOURCES --

Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Spotify

Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Apple Music

Martin’s books on Amazon

-- CONNECT WITH US! --

Michele’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website

Martin’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website

CHAPTERS

00:00 Systematic Theology Show-and-Tell

00:44 Welcome to Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction!

03:02 What If You Never Had a Spiritual Childhood?

08:30 Why Constant Correction Hurts Spiritual Growth

11:57 Inherited Beliefs vs. Integrated Beliefs

13:33 Catechism vs. Altar Calls: Two Different Approaches to Conversion

14:23 Which Beliefs Should We Examine?

17:47 Leave It on the Shelf!

19:51 What’s one thing you wish someone had told you during your spiritual childhood?

What if spiritual maturity isn’t about learning more... but about coming home? And what if the final stage of spiritual growth looks surprisingly similar to the first?

In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele Kus and Martin Trench conclude their Secrets of Spiritual Growth series by exploring the often-overlooked stage of spiritual parenthood — the stage where faith becomes less about information, certainty, doctrine, and striving, and more about relationship, rest, wisdom, trust, and helping others grow.

Drawing from Martin’s three-stage framework of spiritual growth from 1 John 2, they unpack how the spiritual journey often comes full circle. Spiritual childhood begins with trust, wonder, dependence, and being loved. Spiritual youth is marked by learning, searching, wrestling, overcoming, and growing stronger. But spiritual parenthood isn’t simply more of the same — it represents a profound return to simplicity, peace, trust, and love but this time, with the wisdom of lived experience.

Through scripture, stories, humor, and honest conversation, Michele and Martin explore the difference between knowing about God and truly knowing God, the meaning of the Greek word gnosis, why relationship ultimately matters more than ideology, and why spiritual maturity is less about accumulating answers and more about learning to live from a place of deep rest and trust.

They also discuss why many people who deconstruct their faith may actually be operating from a place of spiritual maturity rather than immaturity, why spiritual parents often feel disconnected from youth-focused church culture, and why many churches struggle to address the needs of believers who have moved beyond the spiritual youth stage.

If you’ve ever felt like you’ve outgrown religious arguments, endless doctrinal debates, or the need to have all the answers — and instead find yourself longing for something simpler, deeper, and more relational — this episode may feel a lot like coming home.

If you enjoyed this episode, FOLLOW the show and SHARE this episode with a friend!

Purchase Martin’s book, Secrets of Spiritual Growth.

Don’t miss the full visual experience! Watch this episode or binge the entire series on our awesome Unhinged YouTube channel.

And remember to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE while you’re there!

-- READY TO GO DEEPER? --

If this stirred something in you, don’t just listen — take the next step.

Join Michele’s online community, New Creation Academy

Join Martin’s online community, The Gathering

-- SUPPORT THE PODCAST --

Love our free content and want to support the show?

Grab some fabulous, custom-designed snarky Unhinged merch or send us a donation (thank you!)

-- ABOUT OUR SHOW --

Unhinged helps you unlearn toxic religious thinking, rediscover a freer and healthier way of understanding God, faith, and yourself… and laugh a little along the way.

-- RESOURCES --

Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Spotify

Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Apple Music

Martin’s books on Amazon

-- CONNECT WITH US! --

Michele’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website

Martin’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction & Recap of the Spiritual Growth Stages

03:04 What Is Spiritual Parenthood?

03:29 Gnosis: Knowing About God vs. Knowing God

06:29 The Parenthood Stage Is about Relationship

08:35 Why Spiritual Parents Often Feel Out of Place in Church

10:42 The Hero’s Journey: How Healthy Spiritual Growth Comes Full Circle

17:32 Every Stage Has Value: No Need To Rush!

20:26 Raised in Church vs. Finding Faith Later in Life

26:13 Final Thoughts: Coming Back Home

What if the real battle isn’t the one you’ve been fighting? And what if your biggest spiritual problem isn’t the devil at all?

In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele Kus and Martin Trench continue their Secrets of Spiritual Growth series by exploring the spiritual youth stage — the stage of growth characterized by strength, passion, conviction, spiritual warfare, wrestling with scripture, and learning to overcome personal challenges.

Together, they unpack why many churches rush believers into this stage as quickly as possible — and then unintentionally build entire church cultures around it. As a result, many Christians spend years or decades focused on fighting external enemies, resisting temptation through willpower, and endlessly searching for deeper spiritual “meat” without ever discovering what comes next.

Through scripture, stories, humor, and honest conversation, Michele and Martin explore the difference between “fighting the devil” vs finding inner healing, why becoming whole weakens temptation more effectively than willpower, and how spiritual maturity involves learning to recognize when the real battle is happening within.

They also tackle the idea of “real meat vs fake meat” — how some doctrines are constructed from stitched-together verses rather than from healthy interpretation, and they examine why spiritual parents sometimes feel disconnected from church culture when it’s aimed primarily at spiritual youth.

If you’ve ever wondered why church sometimes feels obsessed with battles, enemies, growing stronger in the Word, and overcoming the devil — this episode may shed some light on that!

Purchase Martin’s book, Secrets of Spiritual Growth.

If you enjoyed this episode, FOLLOW the show and SHARE this episode with a friend!

Don’t miss the full visual experience! Watch this episode or binge the entire series on our awesome Unhinged YouTube channel.

And remember to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE while you’re there!

-- READY TO GO DEEPER? --

If this stirred something in you, don’t just listen — take the next step.

Join Michele’s online community, New Creation Academy

Join Martin’s online community, The Gathering

-- SUPPORT THE PODCAST --

Love our free content and want to support the show?

Grab some fabulous, custom-designed snarky Unhinged merch or send us a donation (thank you!)

-- ABOUT OUR SHOW --

Unhinged helps you unlearn toxic religious thinking, rediscover a freer and healthier way of understanding God, faith, and yourself… and laugh a little along the way.

-- RESOURCES --

Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Spotify

Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Apple Music

Martin’s books on Amazon

-- CONNECT WITH US! --

Michele’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website

Martin’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website

CHAPTERS

00:00 Welcome to Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction!

01:31 The Spiritual Youth Stage Explained

03:53 Are Demons Really Your Biggest Problem?

05:54 Why Spiritual Parents Often Drop Out of Church

07:20 Temptation: Fighting It or Healing It?

08:45 Wrestling with Scripture: Learning & Healing

14:14 Real Meat vs Fake Meat Doctrines

16:34 Why Most Pastors Are Still in the Spiritual Youth Stage

18:00 Final Thoughts on the Spiritual Youth Stage

Why do so many Christians feel pressured to become “spiritually mature” before they’ve even learned to rest in God’s love?

In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele Kus and Martin Trench continue their Secrets of Spiritual Growth series by unpacking why many churches unintentionally rush believers past the foundational childhood stage of spiritual growth — creating pressure, confusion, fear, and performance-based Christianity in the process.

Together, they unpack how churches often rush new believers past the “milk” stage of spiritual development and into pressure-filled teachings about spiritual warfare, end times, tithing, performance, and more — trying to get them “caught up” spiritually.

Through scripture, stories, humor, and honest conversation, Michele and Martin explore why healthy spiritual growth cannot be forced — and why skipping the foundational childhood stage of trust and love can create confusion, fear, exhaustion, spiritual striving, and unhealthy views of God that affect believers over the long haul.

Real spiritual growth is not about becoming hyper-spiritual as quickly as possible… but about allowing our connection with God to gradually transform us over time.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by church expectations, pressured to spiritually “grow up” too quickly, or like you skipped over the foundational stage of simply learning to trust God’s love — this episode is for you.

Purchase Martin’s book, Secrets of Spiritual Growth.

If you enjoyed this episode, FOLLOW the show and SHARE this episode with a friend!

Don’t miss the full visual experience! Watch this episode on our awesome Unhinged YouTube channel.

And remember to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE while you’re there!

-- READY TO GO DEEPER? --

If this stirred something in you, don’t just listen — take the next step.

Join Michele’s online community, New Creation Academy

Join Martin’s online community, The Gathering

-- SUPPORT THE PODCAST --

Love our free content and want to support the show?

Grab some fabulous, custom-designed snarky Unhinged merch or send us a donation (thank you!)

-- ABOUT OUR SHOW --

Unhinged helps you unlearn toxic religious thinking, rediscover a freer and healthier way of understanding God, faith, and yourself… and laugh a little along the way.

-- RESOURCES --

Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Spotify

Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Apple Music

Martin’s books on Amazon

-- CONNECT WITH US! --

Michele’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website

Martin’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website

CHAPTERS

00:00 Welcome to Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction!

02:46 1 John 2 and the “Milk, Meat & Bread” Stages of Spiritual Growth

08:40 The Three Stages in 1 John 2: Childhood, Youth, Parenthood

10:16 The Problem With Skipping the “Milk” of Spiritual Childhood

12:55 What Spiritual Children Need Most

16:31 Why New Christians Feel Pressured to “Catch Up”

21:26 Don’t Rush Through Spiritual Childhood

24:13 Final Thoughts on Healthy Spiritual Growth

Why do so many Christians feel spiritually exhausted — even when they’re trying their hardest to grow?

In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele Kus and Martin Trench launch their new Secrets of Spiritual Growth series by unpacking what Martin calls “the bait-and-switch” of modern Christianity — the subtle shift from grace, simple connection with God, and organic spiritual growth into pressure, performance, striving, and burnout.

Many Christians begin their faith journey hearing about forgiveness and transformation through Jesus… only to slowly feel trapped in a cycle of trying harder, fixing themselves, performing, and wondering if they’re ever truly enough.

Through scripture, stories, and honest conversation, Michele and Martin explore the difference between transformation that happens organically through connection with God versus behavior modification driven by fear, pressure, and religious performance.

Real spiritual growth is about letting our connection with God gradually transform us into the people we were always intended to be.

If you’ve ever felt burned out by religion, exhausted by spiritual pressure, or quietly wondered why faith stopped feeling life-giving — this episode is for you.

If you want the full visual experience, watch this episode on our Unhinged YouTube channel. (And remember to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE while you’re there!)

-- WHAT YOU’LL LEARN --

If you’ve ever…

… then this will help you:

--

Purchase Martin’s book, Secrets of Spiritual Growth.

-- READY TO GO DEEPER? --

If this stirred something in you, don’t just watch — take the next step.

Join Michele’s online community, New Creation Academy

Join Martin’s 30-Day Spiritual Growth Challenge inside his online community, The Gathering

-- SUPPORT THE SHOW --

Love our free content and want to keep it ad-free?

Grab some snarky Unhinged merch or send us a donation (thank you!)

-- ABOUT OUR SHOW --

Unhinged helps you unlearn toxic religious thinking and rediscover a freer, healthier way of understanding God, faith, and yourself.

-- RESOURCES --

Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Spotify

Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Apple Music

Martin’s books on Amazon

-- CONNECT WITH US! --

Michele’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website

Martin’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website

CHAPTERS

00:00 Welcome to Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction!

01:19 The Christian “Bait & Switch” Explained

07:44 Why So Many Christians Feel Spiritually Exhausted

11:07 The Shift From Grace to “Discipline” & Striving

14:33 The Living Things of the Kingdom of God Grow Naturally

17:42 Separation Only Exists in Our Minds

19:05 The Christian Life Is a Partnership, Not a Performance

23:13 Becoming Who You Were Always Intended to Be