In this episode, I'm joined by my friend James Early. James is a Bible teacher, speaker, blogger, and podcaster. He grew up in Amarillo, TX, and received his BA from Vanderbilt University. He gives talks and conducts workshops on the Bible covering a wide range of topics to churches and groups as well as online. Since October 2008, James has conducted weekly Bible study workshops at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, CT. He started The Bible Speaks to You Podcast in October 2019, n...
Mar 06, 2022•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 87
My good friend, Karl Forehand, had a stroke in January 2022. A month later, he and his wife, Laura, joined me for a conversation about the stroke, Karl's recovery, ongoing therapy, hopes for the future, and Karl's first ever fiction book which is releasing March 22, 2022. If you are able, please help Karl and Laura as they navigate this difficult season in which Karl is unable to work by contributing to the online fundraiser we've started for them here . You can connect with Karl and Laura via t...
Mar 03, 2022•50 min•Ep. 86
I'm joined on this episode by two of our favorite apostates, Matthew J. Distefano and Keith Giles. We discuss the recent criticism of deconstruction by many within evangelicalism. Are any of their criticisms fair? How should we respond when we feel unfairly attacked? Matthew J. Distefano is an author, podcaster, and Patheos columnist. His latest book is entitled " The Genesis of Violence ". Keith Giles is an author, speaker, podcaster, and Patheos columnist. His latest book is entitled " Jesus U...
Feb 25, 2022•49 min•Ep. 85
In this episode co-hosted by Ashley Robbins, we discuss the hurt caused by toxic church institutions and a possible way forward taking the best of church community but leaving behind the many destructive aspects that have wounded so many. Ashley Robbins is an ex evangelical trying her best to honor real gospel. She is a purity culture insurgent. She describes herself as a loud, loving, and shaky voice. You can connect with Ashley on Facebook and Instagram . This conversation continues over on th...
Feb 07, 2022•51 min•Ep. 84
In this conversation, we speak with activist and former pastor Joshua Lawson about his compelling work with people who struggle with substance use disorder. We dive into the roots of addiction, the hidden cost of the "war on drugs" and how each of us can make a difference in this fight. Joshua's excellent book, The Face of Addiction, is available here . You can connect with Joshua on Facebook and Instagram . Join this conversation over on our Messy Conversations FB group . Please rate and review...
Jan 13, 2022•33 min•Ep. 83
We're kicking off season three today with a special introduction by our friend, Ashley Robbins! My guest this week is prolific author and podcaster, Keith Giles! In this conversation, we discuss our cultural addiction to violence and what we can do to break the cycle of violence in our context. Keith's latest book is Jesus Unarmed: How the Prince of Peace Disarms Our Violence . It's the final book in his popular 7 volume "Jesus Un" series and I think he has saved the best for last! Register for ...
Dec 22, 2021•51 min•Ep. 82
In this conversation, I talk to my friend, Todd Vick, about his continuing spiritual journey and how we set about reconstructing our mind after deconstruction. Todd Vick is an author, podcaster, and former pastor. His latest book is entitled "The Reconstructing of Your Mind" and it was published by Quoir. You can connect with Todd on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram. If you haven't already, be sure to check out Todd's podcast, The Reconstruction Rebel . If you enjoy the conversations that we'r...
Dec 13, 2021•44 min•Ep. 81
Recently, I had a beautiful and life giving conversation with my friend, Joe Machuta. In this conversation, we discuss Joe’s eclectic spiritual journey as well as his stubborn love for Jesus. It really is worth an hour of your time and I sincerely hope you will check it out! I know that this conversation will stretch many of us theologically, but that’s never a bad thing! If you'd rather watch this conversation on video, you can do that here . Connecting with Joe MachutaJoe Machuta is a writer a...
Nov 23, 2021•52 min•Ep. 80
In this brand new episode, I talk to my good friends, Jon and Nat Turney, about God, church, spiritual evolution, and their new podcast, This is Not Church. This is a fun conversation that I think you're really going to enjoy so be sure to check it out. Don't miss Jon and Nat's podcast, This is Not Church . You can follow Jon and Nat and their podcast on Facebook. Their private FB group is worth joining! Thanks for listening! Please rate and review the podcast on your app of choice and consider ...
Jun 24, 2021•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 79
We're back! I really missed podcasting so my retirement was short-lived. In this brand new episode, we talk to author Karl Forehand about making the transition from "doing" to "being" and from "reacting" to "responding". I'll be joining the conversation over on Karl and Laura's podcast, The Desert Sanctuary , on a monthly basis starting this month. We'd love for you to listen in and then join the conversation on their private FB group here . You can order Karl's new book, Being , here.The book a...
Jun 02, 2021•47 min•Ep. 78
In this brief uncut message, Jason talks about the myth of safety and how to look for signs of health in our relationships and communities. Books referenced in this episode: "Being: A Journey Toward Presence and Authenticity" by Karl Forehand "Before You Lose Your Mind: Deconstructing Bad Theology in the Church" edited by Keith Giles Check out the following communities online: The Desert Sanctuary This is Not Church We'd really appreciate it if you'd take time to subscribe to this podcast and ra...
May 31, 2021•23 min•Ep. 77
In this finale episode, I ask bestselling author Keith Giles some of the questions that I've heard most often from folks who are deconstructing. Why did Jesus have to die? What happened on the cross? What do I do with the resurrection? Where did this monster version of God come from? What does it mean to be born again? And many other questions. Near the end of the conversation, Keith turned the tables and asked me a few questions about my experiences creating The Messy Spirituality Podcast and w...
Apr 11, 2021•57 min•Ep. 76
In this episode, we speak with author Anita Grace Brown about how her practice of yoga has deepened her connection with Jesus and the world around her. Anita helps prepare hearts and minds for a loving relationship with Mother/Father/God/Creator by facilitating practices like yoga, prayerful meditation, and chants. Her strength in moving toward human suffering, and witnessing it, has allowed her to glimpse profound healing in relationships. Surrendered to Christ, her faith is forged through an E...
Mar 04, 2021•33 min•Ep. 75
In this episode, I talk to two of my favorite voices on social media, Derek and Rachel Myers from "Your Favorite Heretics". We have an open and heartfelt conversation about walking away from toxic faith and finding healing. To engage more with Rachel, Derek, and their work, you can follow Your Favorite Heretics on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , and Youtube . While you're on social media, please follow our podcast on Facebook , Twitter , and Instagram . Check out my weekly Patheos column here ....
Feb 22, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 74
We kick off season two with a beautiful conversation with author, speaker, and podcaster Jonathan Puddle. Jonathan Puddle is an award-winning writer, speaker, husband and father who hosts the popular interview show, The Puddcast . Having traveled the world and lived in many nations, Jonathan teaches from a culturally rich & spiritually inclusive framework. Before becoming a writer, Jonathan spent 10 years in charity leadership and administration, and he remains a visionary thinker with a str...
Feb 16, 2021•50 min•Ep. 73
My guest for this "Messy Conversations" BONUS episode is Matthew J. Distefano. Matthew is a brilliant writer, theologian, musician, podcaster, social worker, and Patheos contributor. He is one of four co-hosts of the insanely popular Heretic Happy Hour podcast and also hosts a solo podcast called "Apostates Anonymous". He is the author of the Amazon bestselling books Heretic!, All Set Free, From the Blood of Abel, Devoted as F*ck, and the multi-volume "The Bonfire Sessions" co-written with Mike ...
Dec 13, 2020•57 min•Ep. 72
In this episode, we welcome our good friends, Karl and Laura Forehand, as we explore practical ways to keep our peace in chaotic times. This conversation was real and raw and I think you'll really enjoy it. Laura Forehand is an educator, author, podcaster, mom, grandmother, and so much more. Her podcast is "The Whole Brain Teaching Podcast".Karl Forehand is a former pastor, podcaster on "The Desert Sanctuary", and is the award winning author of "Apparent Faith" and the forthcoming book, "Being"....
Dec 06, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 71
In this heartfelt and moving conversation, author Keith Giles and I discuss his transition from holding a view of eternal conscious torment (burning forever in hell) to annihilationism and then to his current view of patristic universalism. We also discuss common objections to ultimate redemption. Keith is one of four co-hosts of the insanely popular Heretic Happy Hour podcast. He has written several excellent books including Jesus Untangled, Jesus Unbound, Jesus Unveiled, Jesus Unexpected, and ...
Dec 03, 2020•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 70
Welcome to the season one finale of The Messy Spirituality Podcast: "Exiles on Main Street" featuring Brian Zahnd. Brian serves as Pastor of Word of Life Church in St. Joseph, Missouri. He is also the author of several incredible books such as: " Water to Wine ", " Beauty Will Save the World ", " Farewell to Mars ", " Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God ", and his timely book for the moment we're currently in " Postcards From Babylon ". In this conversation, we discuss Brian's spiritual evoluti...
Oct 27, 2020•1 hr 11 min•Ep. 69
Episode 58 of the podcast features part two of our interview with our most requested guest ever, Dr. C. Baxter Kruger! Baxter is a theologian, writer [and fishing lure designer] and the Director of Perichoresis Ministries. He is a native of Prentiss, Mississippi. He and his wife Beth have been married for 30 years and have four children. A life long student of psychology, he has degrees in political science, divinity, and earned his PhD. from Kings College, Aberdeen University in Aberdeen, Scotl...
Oct 21, 2020•1 hr•Ep. 68
Episode 57 of the podcast features our most requested guest ever, Dr. C. Baxter Kruger! Baxter is a theologian, writer [and fishing lure designer] and the Director of Perichoresis Ministries. He is a native of Prentiss, Mississippi. He and his wife Beth have been married for 30 years and have four children. A life long student of psychology, he has degrees in political science, divinity, and earned his PhD.from Kings College, Aberdeen University in Aberdeen, Scotland under Professor James B. Tor...
Oct 11, 2020•58 min•Ep. 67
Welcome to episode 56 of the podcast featuring the one and only Karl Forehand. Karl is a former pastor and is the award winning author of the wonderful book, "Apparent Faith" for which he won a 2020 Christian Indie Award. He and his wife, Laura, host The Desert Sanctuary podcast and website. He writes a thought provoking column for Patheos and, somehow, still finds time to be one of my best friends in the world. He is the creative force behind the wildly successful Nomad Conference and Too Many ...
Sep 22, 2020•48 min•Ep. 66
Episode 55 of the podcast features author Julie Ferwerda. Julie is an inspirational writer who seeks to help others experience transformational healing by overcoming fear and developing awareness of their invincible connections to God, self, and others. She is the author of several books including, Raising Hell: Christianity's Most Controversial Doctrine Put Under Fire , and One Million Arrows: Raising Your Children to Change the World . She currently works as both a travel ER nurse and a wellne...
Sep 13, 2020•48 min•Ep. 65
Episode 54 of the podcast features Ashley Robbins. Ashley is an artist and cosmetologist who works full time at a major university. She grew up in a conservative Church of Christ where she remained until leaving that religious system last September. She is currently undergoing a spiritual evolution and is hoping to uncover a better spiritual path. You can connect with Ashley on Facebook and Instagram . You can follow the podcast on Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter . The conversation from this ...
Sep 06, 2020•29 min•Ep. 64
Episode 53 features my good friend, Keith Giles-back for a record breaking fifth visit! Keith is the prolific author of incredible books like: Jesus Untangled, Jesus Unbound, Jesus Unveiled, and Jesus Undefeated. He is one of four co-hosts of the Heretic Happy Hour podcast, writes a popular column for Patheos, and teaches a variety of courses that help lead people away from toxic theology and towards freedom. His new book, Jesus Unexpected: Ending the End Times to Become the Second Coming, relea...
Aug 25, 2020•56 min•Ep. 63
Welcome to episode 52 of the podcast featuring Author and Speaker Dr. Thomas Jay Oord. Dr. Thomas Jay Oord is a theologian, philospher, and scholar of multi-disciplinary studies. He is an award-winning author or editor of twenty-five books and an award-winning professor. Oord directs the Northwind Theological Seminary doctoral program in Open and Relational Theology. He also directs the Center for Open and Relational Theology. Oord is known for his contributions to research on love, open and rel...
Aug 16, 2020•37 min•Ep. 62
Welcome to Episode 51 of the podcast featuring pastor and writer Steven Barber. Steven is a 29 year old United Methodist Pastor who is currently on sabbatical. He has been married to Megan, his wife who is also a United Methodist Church Pastor, for seven years. They have a beautiful daughter, Gwenivere, who will be turning three later this month. Steven is pursuing his Masters of Intercultural Studies and Church Planting at Asbury Theological Seminary. He is in the process of launching a new min...
Aug 09, 2020•38 min•Ep. 61
In this message shared live at Eternal Hope Church in Mary Esther, FL, Jason talks about the power of trusting in the love of God and how it frees us from fear and insecurity. A video of this message is available on the Eternal Hope UCC Facebook page . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 05, 2020•34 min•Ep. 60
Episode 49 features PK Langley. PK was a senior pastor who walked away from religion and learned how to love. She created over three hundred cartoons to express her journey of awakening and they are posted for free on langleytown.com. She works in the mental health field and is completing her master's in mental health counseling. In this conversation, we discuss knowing Jesus in a deep, personal way, finding scripture in all of life, the joy and heartbreak of coming out, and the coming kingdom c...
Jul 20, 2020•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 59
My guest in episode 48 is my friend, Chris Eaker. Chris is a husband, father, former engineer, academic librarian, musician, and spiritual director who lives in Knoxville, TN. He graduated from Georgia Tech in 2000 with a degree in civil engineering and in 2013 from the University of Tennessee with a degree in informational sciences. He received his Certificate in Spiritual Direction from Richmont Graduate University in May 2020 and now offers a contemplative and reflective style of spiritual di...
Jul 13, 2020•45 min•Ep. 58
