The Spiritual Brewpub

Matthew Distefano joins Michael to talk about the sequel to his book "Heretic," called "Heretic Too." It's provocative, insightful, humorous, and healing. We discuss the book and the many issues he addresses therein as an exvangelical, including what it means to follow Jesus, sexuality, women in the "church," corporal punishment, the nature of sin, the doctrine of hell, violent the

Today, we are in for a special treat with our guest, Laci Nikita Bean. Laci is a Certified Religious Trauma Recovery Coach, a co-host of the Deadly Faith Podcast, and Author of the recently released book, "Leaving the Sanctuary: Discovering Life Beyond the Boundaries of Religion." You'll learn her story coming out of a full-blown church cult and finding freedom through deconstructi

Matthew Taylor is a senior scholar at the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies. As a specialist in American Christianity, Islam, Christian extremism, and religious politics, he wrote the newly released book, The Violent Take It By Force: The Christian Movement That is Threatening our Democracy. Matthew joins Michael to discuss the book, the charismatic/apostolic mov

Michael chats with Gloria Beth Amodeo (goes by Beth) on her journey into and out of evangelical Christianity. Learn how a charming, insecure girl from a troubled family became a NYC evangelist for a Christian fundamentalist movement that sought to govern her every thought and action. We discuss Beth's book, God's Ex-Girlfriend, a wry, poignant, and unflinchingly honest memoir that

Michael has a conversation with Larry Jordan, author of The Way: Meaningful Spirituality for a Modern World. Larry deconstructed conservative Christianity, left 25 years of investment banking, and then dedicated his life to serve the world. Working for the Red Cross, helping Veterans, teaching children in Africa and now serving in Rotary International, a non-religious, non-politica

Through serving 10 years at San Quentin, Dorsey Nunn witnessed firsthand how completing a prison sentence does not guarantee the end of restrictions to freedom, especially for people of color and low-wage workers. Nunn has been a recognized leader in the criminal justice reform movement for nearly forty years. He joins Michael to share his experiences getting a life sentence when h

A former educator in evangelical and public schools, Dan Henderson joins Michael to discuss his new book and "The Spiritual Journey to Anti-Racism: A Travel Guide for White People." Dan explains a subtle, normally overlooked version of white privilege and the critical distinction between being nonracist and antiracist. He puts us squarely in the shoes of black and brown Americans,

Keith Giles joins us to share about his new book, The Quantum Sayings of Jesus: Decoding the Lost Gospel of Thomas. Learn the history of this sacred Christian text, how to read it through the lens of divine oneness, and some of its noteworthy encouraging sayings. We also talk about how the New Testament was compiled, e.g., before the NT canon was finalized in the 4th century, there

Does your picture and understanding of God need to be redeemed? Listen to Michael's conversation with JD Myers and decide. Myers, a former pastor and current prison chaplain, has laid out a way to differentiate between a retributive and restorative God. Join us as JD answers these thought provoking questions: Why do most Christians misunderstand the concept of sin? What are the

Michael is joined by podcast hosts Sharon Madere and Tracey Phalen, former Last Days Ministries (LDM) / Keith Green cult members who are breaking the silence about the culture of authority, abuse, and control so often found in evangelical/fundamentalist spaces. Hear their stories coming into LDM, becoming indoctrinated, working with Keith and Melody Green, and how they realized and