Episodes

  • Olivia Jackson: Why Christians Deconstruct

    Olivia Jackson: Why Christians Deconstruct

    Olivia Jackson shares insights from her extensive research into faith deconstruction, which is detailed in her book (Un)Certain: A Collective Memoir of Deconstructing Faith (link). She discusses the common patterns and surprising findings among Christians who have undergone significant shifts in…

  • Tim Alberta: Reject Trump, Embrace Jesus

    Tim Alberta: Reject Trump, Embrace Jesus

    Tim Alberta (link), a political commentator and author, discusses his Christian upbringing and how it has influenced his views on politics. He emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and discernment, urging people to avoid blindly subscribing to a particular camp or…

  • Tiffany Yecke Brooks: Spiritual Anxiety & Religious Trauma

    Tiffany Yecke Brooks: Spiritual Anxiety & Religious Trauma

    Tiffany Yecke Brooks (link) shares her story of deconstruction and the cracks she started seeing in her fundamentalist evangelical upbringing. She discusses the concept of being gaslighted by God and the pressure to conform to a specific formula of faith. Tiffany…

  • Thomas Jay Oord: Open Relational Theology

    Thomas Jay Oord: Open Relational Theology

    In a compelling discussion with Thomas Jay Oord, we are introduced to the intricate concept of open relational theology, which presents a refreshing divergence from traditional views of the divine. Oord meticulously unpacks this perspective, illustrating a God who is deeply…

  • Dr. Laura Anderson: Sex, Dating, Courtship and Trauma

    Dr. Laura Anderson: Sex, Dating, Courtship and Trauma

    Dr. Laura Anderson discusses the topic of religious trauma and its impact on individuals. She explains that religious trauma is not the thing that happened, but rather the way our bodies and nervous systems respond to religious experiences. Dr. Anderson emphasizes…

  • David Fitch: Is God’s Love Coercive?

    David Fitch: Is God’s Love Coercive?

    We venture into an illuminating yet challenging dialogue with David Fitch, a seasoned pastor and professor at Northern Seminary. His latest book, Reckoning with Power: Why the Church Fails When It’s on the Wrong Side of Power, serves as the backdrop…

  • Elaine Pagels: Trump and Doubting Thomas

    Elaine Pagels: Trump and Doubting Thomas

    Listen to the renowned religious scholar Elaine Pagels (link). Known for her profound work on the Gnostic Gospels and early Christian history, Pagels brought her unique insights into the contentious dynamics of early Christian texts, particularly focusing on the potential rivalry…

  • Peter Rollins: The Philosophy of Deconstruction

    Peter Rollins: The Philosophy of Deconstruction

    How can philosophy help those deconstructing Christianity? Explore the transformative potential of embracing uncertainty in your spiritual journey.

  • Anna Gazmarian: Religious OCD and Mental Illness

    Anna Gazmarian: Religious OCD and Mental Illness

    We delve into the complex intersection of faith, mental health, and religious OCD with Anna Gazmarian, author of Devout: A Memoir of Doubt. Anna shares her personal journey through the challenges of confronting her mental health diagnosis within the church, her…

  • Did Noah’s Ark Actually Happen?

    Did Noah’s Ark Actually Happen?

    In this thought-provoking episode of Almost Heretical, we tackle the intriguing query: “Did Noah’s Ark Actually Happen?” Join us as we navigate through the depths of biblical stories, their historical credibility, and their profound impact on contemporary faith. Our journey is…

  • Genesis 6:1-4: Nephilim Secrets Unveiled

    Genesis 6:1-4: Nephilim Secrets Unveiled

    Curious about the Nephilim and the “sons of God” mentioned in Genesis 6:1-4? Join Nate and Shelby as they delve into ancient texts like the Book of Enoch, exploring the implications these stories have on gender dynamics and biblical narratives.

  • Eve and the Apple – Genesis 3

    Eve and the Apple – Genesis 3

    Join us as we delve into Genesis 3 and explore its long-lasting impact on women. We’ll tackle big questions like: Did God really say what we’ve been told? And why isn’t the serpent identified as Satan? We’ll discuss how much of…

  • Genesis 2:24 – Marriage, Gender, and Homosexuality

    Genesis 2:24 – Marriage, Gender, and Homosexuality

    Is Genesis 2:24 an institution of heterosexual marriage? Does it matter? In this episode, we tackle these questions and play devil’s advocate to help you respond to the pushback you may be facing. We challenge traditional views and ask: How should…

  • Adam and Eve: Rethinking Genesis 2:7

    Adam and Eve: Rethinking Genesis 2:7

    Did you ever wonder why Satan is never mentioned in the Garden of Eden? Prepare to have your mind blown as we dive into the untold complexities of Genesis 2:1-18. This episode uncovers surprising interpretations, challenges common myths, and may forever…

  • How was light created before the sun? – Genesis 1:6-31

    How was light created before the sun? – Genesis 1:6-31

    What have we been missing in the creation story? What does the Sun being created before “Light” mean? Why do we have two different creation stories? Join us as we reexamine Genesis 1:6-31.

  • Rainn Wilson Religion, Spirituality and the Meaning of Life

    Rainn Wilson Religion, Spirituality and the Meaning of Life

    Rainn Wilson (aka Dwight Schrute) talks about his new book Soul Boom. What does he think of Jesus and Christianity?

  • Neil deGrasse Tyson – Christianity and the Cosmos

    Neil deGrasse Tyson – Christianity and the Cosmos

    Neil deGrasse Tyson joins us to talk about the science found in the Bible. Should Christians make decision based on a religious text? If we could go back in time, could we prove if Jesus rose from the dead? What would…

  • Many Creation Stories – Genesis 1:1-5 (Part 1)

    Many Creation Stories – Genesis 1:1-5 (Part 1)

    In Genesis 1:1-5, we encounter intriguing aspects that invite deeper reflection. We explore the use of the pronoun “us” in the early chapters, raising questions about its connection to the Trinity and the presence of Jesus in the garden. Additionally, we…

  • Sex, Orgasm, Masturbation and Purity Culture with Sheila Gregoire

    Sex, Orgasm, Masturbation and Purity Culture with Sheila Gregoire

    We delve into the orgasm gap, the impact of evangelical teachings on sex, and the harm caused to marriages and women with sex researcher Sheila Gregoire. Uncover the truth behind popular evangelical books such as “Every Man’s Battle,” “For Women Only,”…

  • Sarah Bessey – Navigating an Evolving Faith

    Sarah Bessey – Navigating an Evolving Faith

    What does it mean to have a faith that evolves, and are there any limits to that change? How did Rachel Held Evans influence Sarah Bessey’s own faith journey, and what might we be missing from Rachel’s voice today? What challenges…