Speaker, songwriter, and children’s author BJ Jenkins joins Blake to discuss the challenges and joys of teaching children about the Bible. BJ shares her journey from a music evangelist to writing books and creating curriculum aimed at simplifying deep biblical concepts for kids. She emphasizes the importance of modeling faith at home, encouraging parents to actively demonstrate practices like prayer and Bible reading. She highlights creative methods, such as prayer tents and prophetic art, to te...
Dec 18, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 13Ep. 333
Content creator, entrepreneur, and mom, Amy Bernhard joins Blake to discuss their transformative journeys in motherhood and how shifting their mindsets has shaped their experiences. They reflect on breaking free from toxic hustle culture and finding fulfillment beyond societal expectations of success. Both share how they transitioned from prioritizing external validation, like career achievements and social recognition, to focusing on being present and intentional with their families. They also ...
Dec 11, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 13Ep. 332
This week on Confessions of a Crappy Christian, Blake delves into navigating challenging political conversations, particularly with individuals who trust mainstream media. She explains the importance of discerning whether such discussions are worthwhile and provides insights to help you articulate your perspective effectively. She critiques the mainstream media’s trustworthiness, citing examples of misinformation and bias. The episode also addresses misconceptions about Donald Trump, including f...
Dec 04, 2024•1 hr 6 min•Season 13Ep. 331
Author, speaker, and podcast host Alex Kocman joins Blake to discuss the complexities of immigration from a Christian perspective and the church's role in addressing societal challenges. They explore how biblical principles provide guidance on loving neighbors, understanding nations, and maintaining ordered affections. Alex emphasizes the importance of discerning scripture to navigate nuanced conversations and counter manipulative narratives. Together, they challenge oversimplifications and enco...
Nov 27, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 13Ep. 330
Former NFL linebacker, three-time All-American, and College Football Hall of Famer David Pollack joins Blake to share his inspiring journey of perseverance and faith. After a career-ending neck injury and later being let go from ESPN, Pollack reflects on how these setbacks allowed him to pivot toward impactful new roles, such as coaching youth sports and writing his new book, The Won’t Quit Kid. He emphasizes the importance of valuing relationships, particularly in marriage, sharing heartfelt le...
Nov 20, 2024•49 min•Season 13Ep. 329
Pastor, author and speaker Mark Batterson joins Blake to discuss his new book, A Million Little Miracles. Building on themes from his earlier work, Mark dives into the idea of everyday miracles, exploring how small moments of beauty and gratitude can transform our lives. The conversation highlights how acknowledging these smaller blessings—like breathing or witnessing the changing colors of leaves—can help us see the world through a lens of wonder and gratitude. Mark encourages listeners to cult...
Nov 13, 2024•52 min•Season 13Ep. 328
Listen in to this special post-election episode where Blake provides an in-depth reflection on the recent election results. Join her to discuss initial expectations and preparations, the surprising outcome, and the ensuing public and personal reactions. The episode highlights the polarized nature of public discourse, the challenges of maintaining personal relationships amidst political divides, and the critical role of faith in navigating these challenging times. Thankfully Blake has walked thro...
Nov 11, 2024•36 min•Season 13Ep. 327
In this special pre-election edition of Confessions of a Crappy Christian, Blake reflects on the anticipation and uncertainty surrounding the upcoming election, emphasizing the importance of being spiritually prepared for any outcome. While addressing concerns about potential policy impacts and media influence, Blake underscores that true strength and hope are rooted not in politics but in faith. Citing Philippians 4:12-13 and Isaiah 40:31, Blake shares that waiting on the Lord—through seeking, ...
Nov 04, 2024•54 min•Season 13Ep. 326
Mother-daughter duo Clarissa and Fiona Moll join Blake to discuss their journey of grief after losing Rob, Clarissa's husband and Fiona's father, in a tragic hiking accident. They talk about how their experience led them to write the book Hurt Help Hope, which serves as both a guide and a resource for others walking through grief. Clarissa reflects on the importance of having conversations about death, even before tragedy strikes, and how those discussions provided a sense of direction amidst lo...
Oct 30, 2024•46 min•Season 13Ep. 325
Writers Meseidy Rivera and Rachel Reeves (from Here Are the Headlines) join Blake to discuss the importance of voting, particularly for Christians, and criticize those abstaining from elections due to dissatisfaction with candidates. They highlight concerns about religious freedom, free speech, and media censorship, emphasizing that Trump, despite his flaws, is more likely to protect these rights than Harris. Throughout, the hosts stress the importance of civic responsibility and choosing hope a...
Oct 23, 2024•1 hr 20 min•Season 13Ep. 324
Writer, author, and creator of Scribble Devos Whitney Lowe joins Blake to discuss her new devotional, Set Your Eyes Higher, which focuses on four key themes: identity and insecurity, wisdom and humility, capacity and burnout, and scarcity and abundance. Whitney explains that the devotional aims to move beyond surface-level Christianity by addressing real-life struggles through a lens of scripture. They emphasize the value of devotionals as accessible "on-ramps" to deeper scripture engagement, es...
Oct 16, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 13Ep. 323
Psychologist, author, and speaker Dr. Camden Morgante joins Blake to discuss the effects of purity culture, particularly on women, and the misconceptions and shame that many have struggled with because of it. Dr. Camden defines purity culture as a movement, especially prominent in the 1990s and 2000s, that promoted abstinence before marriage using fear and shame. They discuss how the movement's rigid rules led to shame, especially when individuals didn’t follow them, and the lasting emotional da...
Oct 09, 2024•50 min•Season 13Ep. 322
Author, speaker, and podcaster Jordan Raynor joins Blake to discuss his children's picture book, The Royal in You. The conversation begins with an exploration of Raynor’s personal journey and misconceptions about heaven, which led him to write this book. He explains that many Christians dread eternity due to false teachings about heaven being a place of endless worship without purpose. Jordan emphasizes the biblical vision of heaven as a renewed earth, where we will work, create, and reign along...
Oct 02, 2024•53 min•Season 13Ep. 321
In this solo episode, Blake discusses the history of the CIA's controversial MK Ultra program, which explored mind control and behavior modification through drugs, hypnosis, and psychological manipulation. The episode begins by referencing recent events that reignited the discussion around government secrecy and censorship. She emphasizes the long-term effects on unsuspecting U.S. citizens, who were subjected to non-consensual experiments with devastating consequences. The episode ultimately que...
Sep 25, 2024•49 min•Season 13Ep. 320
Wife and mom, Brittany Poppe joins Blake to share her deeply personal story of healing and transformation after experiencing an abortion in her youth and the emotional, spiritual, and psychological aftermath she experienced. She describes how her faith journey was not linear and how each time she shares her story, it brings her closer to healing. The conversation highlights the often overlooked emotional and mental health effects of abortion on women and the importance of redemption and recovery...
Sep 18, 2024•59 min•Season 13Ep. 319
In this special episode of Confessions of a Crappy Christian, we delve into the complex conversation surrounding gun reform following recent tragic events. Addressing both sides of the debate, I share my perspective on the nuances of proposed legislation, including red flag laws, universal background checks, safe storage requirements, and restrictions on high-capacity magazines and assault weapons. As a Christian and a constitutionalist, I express my concerns about the potential infringements on...
Sep 13, 2024•33 min•Season 13Ep. 318
The host of the Blurry Creatures podcast, Nate Henry and Luke Rodgers return to the podcast to discuss their commentary on the Book of Enoch, discussing its significance and its alignment with biblical texts. They highlight the importance of the book’s content, its translations, and the inclusion of prophecies that foreshadow the coming of Christ. The conversation also touches on why the Book of Enoch, despite its influence on early Jewish and Christian thought, was not included in the biblical ...
Sep 11, 2024•1 hr 24 min•Season 13Ep. 317
Founder of Talitha Coffee, Jenny Barber joins Blake to share her journey of combining a passion for coffee with a mission to combat human trafficking. Jenny and her husband have been involved in anti-trafficking efforts for over 15 years, spurred by personal experiences and a desire to help others break free from exploitation. They realized that many survivors struggled to reintegrate into society due to a lack of education and employment opportunities. In response, they created Talitha Coffee, ...
Sep 04, 2024•51 min•Season 13Ep. 316
Author and speaker Dawn Spicer joins Blake to discuss a heavy and often overlooked topic within the church: infidelity. She shares her personal journey of having an affair, the subsequent unraveling of her life, and the long path of restoration that followed. They discuss the void that led Dawn to seek fulfillment outside her marriage and the importance of recognizing and addressing those feelings before they lead to destructive decisions. Through her story, they highlight the significance of au...
Aug 28, 2024•1 hr•Season 13Ep. 315
Writer, author, and online educator Hannah Brencher joins Blake to discuss her journey with unplugging from technology and the importance of finding a balance between being present online and in real life. She shares how burnout, particularly as a new mom during the pandemic, led her to embrace a lifestyle of unplugging, which she initially resisted but ultimately found necessary for her mental health. Hannah explains how her journey inspired her to start the "Thousand Hours Plugged" challenge a...
Aug 21, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Season 13Ep. 314
Therapist and writer, Sam Jolman joins Blake to discuss the harmful effects of purity culture on both men and women, especially those raised in the church. Sam shares his personal journey of grappling with his own sexuality and the challenges within his marriage. They explore how men, often left without proper guidance on sexuality, struggle to integrate their sexual desires in healthy ways. The conversation explored how shame can distort our understanding of our bodies and sexuality, and highli...
Aug 14, 2024•57 min•Season 13Ep. 313
TV host, author, and producer Cynthia Garrett joins Blake to discuss the lies women are told regarding their bodies, sexuality, and empowerment. She shares her journey from making common dating mistakes and ignoring biblical teachings on sex to embracing God's design for sexuality. She emphasizes how media, particularly shows like Sex and the City, have distorted societal views on relationships, leading many to adopt unhealthy behaviors. The conversation critiques the feminist and sexual revolut...
Aug 07, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 13Ep. 312
Author and speaker Christy Boulware joins Blake to discuss teenage anxiety and mental health. The conversation centers on how anxiety manifests differently in teenagers compared to adults, highlighting symptoms such as insomnia, headaches, stomachaches, and a tendency to isolate. Both Blake and Christy share their personal experiences with anxiety from childhood through adulthood, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing anxiety in teenagers. They also stress the critical role pa...
Jul 31, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 13Ep. 311
Pro-life activist, speaker, and podcaster Seth Gruber joins Blake to discuss the current cultural and political climate, criticizing the church's passive approach to issues like abortion and gender ideology. Seth argues that the church has allowed itself to be sidelined, contributing to the rise of secularism and the moral decay in America. They emphasize the need for Christians to be bold and uncompromising in their beliefs, matching the zeal of those pushing progressive agendas. Seth also intr...
Jul 24, 2024•1 hr 13 min•Season 13Ep. 311
In this solo episode, Blake reflects on her personal journey of faith, grappling with long-held beliefs about happiness and holiness. Raised in a church environment that emphasized suffering and purity culture, she explores how these teachings shaped her understanding that God prioritizes holiness over happiness. However, a profound realization comes when she discovers Psalm 128, which directly states that happiness is a blessing for those who fear the Lord and walk in His ways. This revelation ...
Jul 17, 2024•44 min•Season 13Ep. 309
Author of “I Am a Woman”, Jennifer Strickland joins Blake to discuss the complex and often controversial topic of what it means to be a woman. They delve into how this seemingly straightforward question has become contentious in modern society, particularly among Christians who believe the answer is clear. Jennifer shares her motivation for writing her book, which stemmed from observing the women's marches and the conflicting messages about womanhood. She emphasizes the importance of reclaiming ...
Jul 10, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Season 13Ep. 308
Political commentator and strategist Brilyn Hollyhand joins Blake to discuss their mutual love for politics, sharing insights and predictions about the current political climate. Brilyn shares his unique story of how he became interested in politics during the 2016 debates and how he believes the younger generation can bring positive change. They also talk about the challenges of engaging the youth in politics and the importance of having intergenerational conversations to bridge the divide. Thi...
Jul 03, 2024•58 min•Season 13Ep. 307
Pastor, apologist, author, and speaker Sam Allbery joins Blake to discuss his new children's book, "God's Go-Togethers," which aims to help parents navigate conversations about marriage and sexuality with their young children. Pastor Sam shares his journey, including his struggle with same-sex attraction and his decision to become a pastor and author. He emphasizes the importance of instilling a positive, biblical framework for marriage in children early on, rather than focusing solely on prohib...
Jun 26, 2024•40 min•Season 12Ep. 306
Join Blake, a proud Louisianan and devoted Christian, as we dive into Louisiana’s groundbreaking legislation requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every state-funded classroom. This episode offers an in-depth look at the intersection of faith, politics, and education in our beloved state. Discover why this law, part of a larger educational reform package, has stirred both support and controversy. We'll explore it through three lenses: as Christians, historically, and culturally, to u...
Jun 21, 2024•22 min•Season 12Ep. 305
Author, influencer and ex-New Age follower Caroline Dooner joins Blake to share her journey from disordered eating and new age spirituality to Christianity. Despite dabbling in witchcraft and the occult, seeds were planted that kept pointing her to Jesus as the answer. A Christian conspiracy theorist's testimony of going from a New Age psychic medium to a Jesus follower through supernatural experiences started chipping away at Caroline's worldview. Ultimately, Caroline found that calling on the ...
Jun 19, 2024•1 hr 51 min•Season 12Ep. 304
