Our episode this week is with our own Lizz Enns Petters, mom of two, author and podcast hostess. Our conversation is full of laughter, seriousness and our decision to have permission to explore our faith, along with Lizz's latest accomplishment of being published in a new children's Bible called God's Stories as Told by God's Children . We chat through these questions: 1. You recently contributed to the Bible for Normal People’s publication of a children’s Bible. Why did you want to be a part of...
May 27, 2025•51 min•Season 7Ep. 89
“There's a misconception that once you leave religion, you magically learn everything you missed about relationships and sex” - The Sexvangelicals Our episode this week is with Jeremiah Gibson and Julia Postema, sex and relationship therapists, coaching and podcast hosts specializing in recovery from high-control religion as it relates to relationships and sexual intimacy. Our conversation is full of candor, surprises and mic-drop moments over and over again. We were blown away by one thing that...
May 20, 2025•1 hr 16 min•Season 7Ep. 88
''Without women we don’t have Jesus. We don’t have Christianity. We don’t have any of it.” (Claire K. McKeever-Burgett) Our episode this week is with Claire K. McKeever-Burgett, mom of two and author of Blessed are the Women: Naming and Reclaiming Women's Stories from the Gospels. Our conversation is full of wisdom, both fierce and tender, and the reclamation of the divine feminine in all her forms. We chat through these questions: 1. Were there any particular women in the Bible whose stories de...
May 13, 2025•55 min•Season 7Ep. 87
'''Diligent study is precisely what got us here." Jamin Coller Our episode this week is with Jamin Coller, dad of six, podcaster and author of Dear Evangelicals . Our conversation is passionate, funny and so very eye-opening. We chat through these questions: 1. Your book, Dear Evangelicals , frames deconstruction not as rebellion, but as a painful act of integrity after "stumbling upon information we didn't want." How can parents reframe their children's deconstruction as integrity, not betrayal...
May 06, 2025•59 min•Season 7Ep. 86
'''Our job as parents is not to make other people comfortable with how we raise our kids, Our job is to make sure our kids grow up in a family where they’re comfortable being exactly who they are.'' Shelly Robinson Our episode this week is with Rachel Pinto-Martin, founder of Self Love, Healthy Boundaries Coaching, mom of two, former Mormon and fierce Queer ally and advocate. On this episode, we talk with Rachel about what it means to have self-love along with healthy boundaries and help our kid...
Apr 29, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Season 7Ep. 85
"Where did we ever get the notion that in order for children to behave better, they first have to feel worse?" Our episode this week is with Wendy Snyder, founder of Fresh Start Family, mom of two teens, podcaster and certified positive (or as she likes to call it), powerful parenting coach. On this episode, we talk with Wendy about what it means to be an empowered parent and how can we parent out of compassionate connection and NOT fear and force. We chat through these questions: 1. What is you...
Apr 22, 2025•58 min•Season 7Ep. 84
"In the end, Jesus proved that forgiveness is more powerful than punches and kicks. And in the end, love wins over hate." - Jared Neusch and Connor Shram in their book: Jesus vs. the Bad Guys Our episode this week is with two dads, one a corn hole champion and Biblical scholar (Dr. Jared Neusch) and the other a comedian and change-maker (Connor Shram), both authors of a new book perfect for this time of year, Jesus Vs. the Bad Guys: a Story of Love and Forgiveness. On this episode, we talk with ...
Apr 15, 2025•55 min•Season 7Ep. 83
You don’t have to the answers to why Jesus died to talk about Easter with your kids. (Sarah Swartzendruber) Our episode this week is with our resident Children's Pastor, childhood development expert, mom to two and Bible scholar, Sarah Swartzendruber. On this episode, we talk with Sarah about reimagining the Easter story by diving into atonement theories and practical ways we can talk about it with our littles, middles and bigs. We chat through these questions: 1. What's your current take on the...
Apr 08, 2025•1 hr 4 min•Season 7Ep. 82
The worst thing we ever did is pretend God isn’t the easiest thing in this Universe available to every soul in every breath. (Chelan Harkin) Our episode this week is with Chelan Harkin, mama to two and mystical poet extraordinaire. On this episode, we talk with Chelan about growing up in the Baha'i faith, the courage it takes to question what you've been told all your life, how our faith can align with our soul and especially how this all fleshes out in our parenting. We chat through these quest...
Apr 01, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Season 7Ep. 81
With regard to the question, “Do you believe in God?” I do not care much about your answer. But if I were to ask the last five people with whom you’ve interacted if you were kind, about those answers I care very much. (Rabbi Brian Zachary Mayer) Our episode this week is with Rabbi Brian Zachary Mayer, dad, author of the brilliant book, Highly Unorthodox Gospel, (also known as HUG), French Horn player and our very first Rabbi. On this episode, we talk with rB (as he refers to himself) about all t...
Mar 25, 2025•58 min•Season 7Ep. 80
Doubt is another word for imagination. (Liz Charlotte Grant) Our episode this week is with Liz Charlotte Grant, mom, author of the new brilliant book, Knock at the Sky: Seeking God in Genesis After Losing Faith in the Bible , artist and lover of the Bible. On this episode, we talk with Liz about all things related to seeking God through Scripture even as our faith continues to evolve. We chat through these questions: 1. What made you do a deep dive into Genesis specifically? 2. How do you contin...
Mar 18, 2025•45 min•Season 7Ep. 79
What we're learning is that God is comfortable with questions. In fact, our questions are often where God want to meet us. (Erin Hicks Moon) Our episode this week is with Erin Hicks Moon, mom, author of the new brilliant book, I've Got Questions, Zac Efron apologist (it's a thing y'all), and self-proclaimed Bible-nerd. On this episode, we talk with Erin about all things related to questioning, and why it's an necessary spiritual practice. Plus, we do find out more about why she has a obsession w...
Mar 11, 2025•49 min•Season 7Ep. 78
"Purity culture presents a false dichotomy: restraint or chaos. The real alternative? Sexual empowerment - the freedom to experience intimacy on your own meaningful terms." (Joshua Harris) Our episode this week is with Joshua Harris, former pastor and the author of I Kissed Dating Goodbye , released at the height of purity culture, and currently on an highly sacred, evolving spiritual path. Here's where he finds himself today: I used to have all the answers—chapter and verse. Now I’m happily unc...
Mar 04, 2025•55 min•Season 7Ep. 77
"When our faith shifts, sometimes stories that once felt magical like Christmas feel complicated. We can still feel empowered by the magical parts of the story while leaving room for age appropriate theology and curiosity with the story." (Sarah Swartzendruber) Our episode this week is with Sarah Swartzendruber, Sarah is a mama, pastor, kid's faith curriculum creator (Zippee) and cohort leader for Parenting After Deconstruction. Most of the parents who reach out to her know what they don't want ...
Dec 03, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 6Ep. 76
"I’m writing the story Bible I wish to see in the world. Not just for my daughter, not just for girls, but for all kids. Because when it comes to the love of God, everyone belongs.” Mariko Clark Our episode this week is with the author and illustrator of the new and wildly popular children's Bible story book, The Book of Belonging , Mariko Clark and Rachel Eleanor. Their passion to provide a resource for kids (and their parents) that is wildly inclusive, historically accurate and highly engaging...
Nov 26, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 6Ep. 75
"We never had certainty we just thought we did. We convinced ourselves we could absolutely be sure. Now we know the truth and the next step is to find peace in that uncertainty and maybe even be happy about it, to have patience with everything unresolved in your heart and try to love the questions themselves." Marla Taviano in her new book “Whole” (with a nod to words by Rilke) Our episode this week is with Marla Taviano, the author of several books, some of our favorites being her trilogy of po...
Nov 19, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 6Ep. 74
"Our fight is not against men but against the systems of imbalanced power that keep women and nonbinary people from flourishing in the fullness of our gifts and offering this world the best we have to offer.” Liz Cooledge Jenkins Our episode this week is with Liz Cooledge Jenkins, preacher, writer and author of the book, Nice Churchy Patriarchy . Liz has a gentleness, yet brilliance about her and this conversation couldn't have been more enlightening and engaging. Some of the topics we explore a...
Nov 12, 2024•49 min•Season 6Ep. 73
“If I widen the lens and see this concept from a new perspective, then yes, I do matter. I do have purpose. I’ve just redefined my view of purpose. I’ve taken the pressure off. And I’ve started to find fulfillment, contentment, and gratification in small actions that matter." Sarah W. Bragg Our episode this week is with Sarah W. Bragg, mom of two teens, author of the new book, Is Everyone Happier Than Me? , and podcast host. Sarah's humor, combined with her tenderness and strength, lends itself ...
Nov 05, 2024•52 min•Season 6Ep. 72
“Christian Nationalism is harmful to both Christianity and the country.” April Ajoy Our episode this week is with April Ajoy, author of the new book, Star-Spangled Jesus , former Christian Nationalist, podcast host and deconstructing mom of two. April has a fierce passion to recover from the wounds of toxic Christianity and how it plays out in the political arena and to help others do the same. If you feel like you would like to understand more about exactly what Christian Nationalism is and lea...
Oct 29, 2024•39 min•Season 6Ep. 71
“Your soul is waiting for you to say yes to it again.” Rachel Marie Martin Our episode this week is with Rachel Marie Martin, the ever-popular social media site called "Finding Joy." She is the author of three books, the biological mom of seven, the bonus mom to four and the daughter of church planters. Rachel has a fierce passion to be vulnerable and tell her story in all its "rawness." Why is she so raw? Because that’s her heart and in sharing she hopes you too unearth and celebrate your own b...
Oct 22, 2024•40 min•Season 6Ep. 70
Body and spirit marry in the chapel of the soul. They marry every minute of every day, in all activities and in all inactivity, in all thoughts and in all actions, or they marry not at all. (If) They don’t marry, we do not know sexuality with soul, and therefore our sexuality remains incomplete and insufficiently human. We do not find the soul of sex by spiritualizing the body but by coming to appreciate its mysteries and by daring to enter into its sensuousness. -- Thomas Moore Our episode this...
Oct 15, 2024•1 hr 10 min•Season 6Ep. 69
I found the freedom to take up space instead of trying to conform to a mold forged in the fire of the empire. The truth is that to become comfortable in my skin and with my scars, I had to leave a place where scars had to stay hidden. In the space of the wilderness, I learned to like all that was OTHER about me. And I hope you give yourself permission to like all that is OTHER about you, too. Jenai Auman Our episode this week is with Jenai Auman, a Filipina-American mom, author of the book, Othe...
Oct 08, 2024•1 hr•Season 6Ep. 68
One purpose of healing is to be able to experience joy. Our subconscious seeks what is familiar. Joy without guilt is not familiar to many. (Chelsea Haines) We start off Season Six (can you believe it?) with Chelsea Haines, otherwise known as @yourgutsygal and the founder of the Gut Health Agency. So many of you have asked "what do we do now" to move into a healthy and wholistic body/spiritual space, and if this is you, this podcast episode is for you. On this episode, we explore the idea of hea...
Oct 01, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 6Ep. 67
We tend to look for answers outside ourselves. From books. Church. From friends or family. Even from society. We are called deeper, to sink down inside ourselves, where what we need is intertwined with what the Divine has to offer us. The place where we can trust and rest and then go and do. (Esther Goetz) Our guest this week is our very own Esther Goetz. Esther is a deconstructing mama of four, an author and spiritual director, dedicated to helping you take your next step in the growth of your ...
May 21, 2024•46 min•Season 5Ep. 66
“We are meaning-making machines. Chaos is uncomfortable, and thinking that everything that happens to us is due to random chance feels cold and impersonal. The brain seeks out patterns and order when they are not necessarily present.” Sarah Henn Hayward Our guest this week is Sarah Henn Hayward. Sarah is a mom of two, an author and our first self-proclaimed agnostic/atheist on the podcast. To say that our conversation was fascinating and enlightening would be an understatement. On this episode, ...
May 14, 2024•59 min•Season 5Ep. 65
Promote what you love instead of bashing what you hate. - Malynda Hale Malynda Hale, mom, activist, singer, author and actress, is our guest this week. Malynda uses her voice through her music and social media presence as an educating activist to effect change within social justice, female empowerment, LGBTQ+ rights, the Black Lives Matter movement, Antisemitism and Progressive Christianity. On this podcast episode, we dive deep into lots of that, but we also spend our time hashing out how to tr...
May 07, 2024•56 min•Season 5Ep. 64
The Church needs to be called out and take responsibility for the damage it has done to people. The survivors should be heard. So no, I don't always talk about the good. Because until the darkness is exposed, and more people are removed from power that absolutely should not be in it, I will not be quiet. - Amber Schultz Amber Schultz, founder of Fundie Freed, a webcast devoted to telling religious trauma survivor stories, comes on the podcast as our guest this week. Amber is a single mama of thr...
Apr 30, 2024•51 min•Season 5Ep. 63
Deconstruction invites us to become really honest about what we believe, why we hold those beliefs sacred, how they influence the way we relate to our creator, and who is actually served by our beliefs. If we trust the process enough to lower our walls and honestly engage with our questions, deconstruction promises to reveal undiscovered bias, limiting beliefs, and any flawed doctrines that actively harm people. - Angela J. Herrrington Back for round two, Angela J. Herrington, comes on the podca...
Apr 23, 2024•56 min•Season 5Ep. 62
The question we need to ask is this one: Am I being pushed by fear or led by love? (Emily P. Freeman) We are absolutely thrilled to have Emily P. Freeman join us on the podcast this week. Emily is a New York Times best-selling author, a mom to three, a spiritual director and podcast hostess. Her most important work is to help create soul space and offer spiritual companionship and discernment for anyone struggling with decision fatigue and trying to make a life in the process. Emily vulnerably s...
Apr 16, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 5Ep. 61
I want to be a voice for the invisibles. (Leslie Nease) What do a Survivor contestant, deconstructing mama of four bigs, former Christian radio broadcaster, life and faith transitions coach, author and newly-minted podcast hostess have in common? They are all named Leslie Nease, our podcast guest this week. Leslie is quick-witted, well-spoken and passionate about coming alongside of people in their ever-evolving spiritual journeys and making sure they feel seen, heard and absolutely not alone. S...
Apr 09, 2024•59 min•Season 5Ep. 60
