- Stella McCormick: Surviving a Single Family Cult
Author Stella McCormick has written a powerful memoir, Deliver Us From Mother: Faith, Fear, and the Family Cult That Broke Me. The story she tells in the book and shares with us on the podcast is one of surviving a single family cult, purity culture, sexual assault and desconstruction.
Stella is more than a survivor. She has thrived. Today she is a sexual assault advocate for the Army where she helps other victims of sexual assault process their experience.
Links
Stella on TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@stella_mccormick
Amazon Paid Links
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Amazon Commissions Earned:
Deliver Us From Mother: Faith, Fear, and the Family Cult That Broke Me
Interact
Show Notes
https://gracefulatheist.com/2026/09/14/stella-mccormick-surviving-a-single-family-cult/
Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group!
Support the podcast
Patreon https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheist
Paypal: paypal.me/gracefulatheist
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/graceful-atheist-podcast/donations
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyS2E210 - 1h 11m - Sep 14, 2026 - Clearly Written By Boys
Karis Burkowski and David Fitzgerald have written an amazing book called Clearly Written by Boys: A Woman’s Guide to the Bible. The book takes this question seriously:
What if women mattered, really mattered, to the authors that wrote our Bible? Not just the queens and concubines, harlots and handmaidens, and barren women in need of a son’s miraculous birth; not just the unnamed mothers, wives and daughters; but all women?
Clearly Written for Boys is a book about the Bible, and Christianity, and the problematic relationship both have had with women throughout their histories. Karis and David come from Christian backgrounds and are “cleaning up their own house.”
Join me in hearing from these two amazing authors and the critical message they have about women in Biblical history and for women of today.
Links
https://www.clearlywrittenbyboys.com
Amazon Paid Links
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Amazon Commissions Earned:
Clearly Written By Boys: A Women's Guide to the Bible
Interact
Show Notes
https://gracefulatheist.com/2026/07/20/steve-ghikadis-humanism-from-the-heart/
Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group!
Support the podcast
Patreon https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheist
Paypal: paypal.me/gracefulatheist
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/graceful-atheist-podcast/donations
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyS2E209 - 38m - Aug 10, 2026 - Steve Ghikadis: Humanism From the Heart
Steve Ghikadis is the author of Humanism From the Heart: Building Bridges Beyond Belief.
Steve Ghikadis is a Humanist Officiant, who conducts secular marriages, memorials, and many more meaningful life-affirming celebrations.
Raised as a freethinker, Steve has been married to a Christian for over a decade. He and his wife, Cindy, believe in the importance of bridging the gap between believers and non-believers. Their two young children are being raised in an interfaith household and are free to choose their own path.
He serves as an Ambassador for Humanist Canada, Recovering from Religion, and Sunday Assembly.
Links
Website:
Facebook profile:
https://www.facebook.com/share/14bX5omASis/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Amazon Paid Links
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Amazon #CommissionsEarned:
Humanism From the Heart: Building Bridges Beyond Belief
Interact
Show Notes
https://gracefulatheist.com/2026/07/20/steve-ghikadis-humanism-from-the-heart/
Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group!
Support the podcast
Patreon https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheist
Paypal: paypal.me/gracefulatheist
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/graceful-atheist-podcast/donations
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyS2E208 - 1h 11m - Jul 20, 2026 - Julia: Deconstructing JWs and Suburbia
Julia tells her story of deconstructing the Jehovah's Witnesses and the expected life of suburbia.
Julia was torn between two grandmothers: an evangelical and a Jehovah's Witness. She became a Jehovah's Witness and was all in. She got married and had kids and supported her husband who was an elder. That is when the boredom set it. She wanted more, she wanted to travel and be a need-greater. Before they were to leave to Ecuador, her husband tragically died of cancer refusing blood transfusions along the way.
Julia's life became messy as she started a long process of deconstruction. This included low-lights like having her children tell on her to the elders. And highlights going out on her own to travel and meet people's needs with out dogma.
Today Julia is free. She kayaks, bikes and travels internationally. She says "I wake up every day thinking, 'I love this world, and I love this life.'"
Interact
Show Notes
https://gracefulatheist.com/2026/06/29/julia-deconstructing-jws-and-suburbia/
Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group!
Support the podcast
Patreon https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheist
Paypal: paypal.me/gracefulatheist
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/graceful-atheist-podcast/donations
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyS2E207 - 51m - Jun 29, 2026 - Humanism and AI
The Consciousness Delusion
In this solo episode I discuss Artificial Intelligence. Should we agree with Richard Dawkins that Claude is conscious? Probably not, for several reasons. I talk about how LLMs work, why I don't think they are conscious and how a humanist should respond.
Topics:
- (Semi) Technical description of how Large Language Models work
- LLMs are trained on the sum total of human hopes and fears
- Why all the intelligence in AI systems is from human sources
- Why I do not believe LLMs can be conscious in principle
- The Hype problem
- The Humanistic response to AI
Links
Show notes
https://gracefulatheist.com/2026/06/07/humanism-and-ai/
Here are several source material links from my research for this episode:
- When Dawkins met Claude Could this AI be conscious?
- https://unherd.com/2026/05/is-ai-the-next-phase-of-evolution/?edition=us
- ELIZA and the missing secretary
- https://theconversation.com/my-search-for-the-mysterious-missing-secretary-who-shaped-chatbot-history-225602
- Alan Turing and the Turing test
- https://academic.oup.com/mind/article/LIX/236/433/986238?login=false
- Metaphors for how the brain works
- https://mechanism.ucsd.edu/bill/teaching/w14/phil151/metaphorsandconceptionsofbrain.pdf
- Alison Gopnik on Sean Carroll’s pdocast
- https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2025/03/17/308-alison-gopnik-on-children-ai-and-modes-of-thinking/
- Neil deGrasse Tyson on the Late Show with Steven Colbert
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Qon72VKH30
- AI as normal technology
- https://knightcolumbia.org/content/ai-as-normal-technology
Counter points to my argumetns on LLMs:
- Are LLMs conscious?
- https://preposterousuniverse.com/podcast/2026/08/10/363-chandra-sripada-on-how-llms-and-humans-are-cognitive-cousins/
- Do LLMs plan?
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=locKEKxG3os
Interact
Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group!
Support the podcast
Patreon https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheist
Paypal: paypal.me/gracefulatheist
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/graceful-atheist-podcast/donations
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyS2E206 - 48m - Jun 7, 2026 - Liam: A friend and a Friend
Liam is a friend and a colleague of many years. He is a member of the Religious Society of Friends often called Quakers. Liam and I have shared deep conversations before and after my deconversion. I respect the way Liam holds and lives out his beliefs.
You might be surprised. The British Liberal Quakerism Liam lives out on a daily basis is very close to my version of Humanism, Secular Grace. He is a great example of a religious humanist who cares about people over dogma.
Links
Quakers in Britain: https://www.quaker.org.uk/
Quaker Faith: https://www.quaker.org.uk/faith/read-about-quaker-faith
Quakers in USA: https://www.fgcquaker.org/
American Friends Service Committee (Charity): https://afsc.org/
Interact
Show Notes
https://gracefulatheist.com/2026/05/24/liam-a-friend-and-a-friend/
Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group!
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/
Support the podcast
Patreon https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheist
Paypal: paypal.me/gracefulatheist
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/graceful-atheist-podcast/donations
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyS2E205 - 58m - May 24, 2026 - Doubt is Antimemetic
I recently read Antimemetics: Why Some Ideas Resist Spreading by Nadia Asparouhova and it blew my mind. Just reading the intro I knew I needed to do an episode on the subject. Almost everything about deconstruction and deconversion is antimememetic. It is a significant idea that resists spreading. Listen to the episode to find out how.
All of the following are antimemetic:
- Doubt
- Deconstruction
- Deconversion
- Atheism
- Humanism
- Secular Grace
Links
https://gracefulatheist.com/2026/05/03/doubt-is-antimemetic/
SNL Skit: Mom Confession
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wQhY5CMMl4
Amazon Paid Links
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Amazon #CommissionsEarned:
Antimemetics: Why Some Ideas Resist Spreading
There is No Antimemetics Division
Interact
Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group!
Support the podcast
Patreon https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheist
Paypal: paypal.me/gracefulatheist
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/graceful-atheist-podcast/donations
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyS2E204 - 36m - May 4, 2026 - Friends and Family: Mark Anthony Diaz
Mark Anthony Diaz is the author of Reedkeeper's Journey and one of my best friends. Mark and I grew up together. We had the same sarcastic friend group in high school. We did ministry together. Crucially, Mark stuck with me after my deconversion.
Mark is a person of deep conviction, and while he's a talented EMT, author, and podcaster, it's his personal journey that truly resonates. Growing up with severe asthma made for a challenging childhood, but Mark's story is one of overcoming.
Mark is very much a believer and I respect Mark's faith. Mark lives up to the honesty contest ethos of the podcast. I wanted to have him share his life's story with us because I believe every human being's story is powerful.
Search for his serial podcast "Readkeeper's Journey" wherever you get your podcasts.
Links
Read Keeper's Journey: The only way back is forward
Apple:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reedkeepers-journey/id1529380366
Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/5echbOBs2MXtlHolNMe0rz?si=e06f0385c8d94cad
Interact
For quotes, recommendations, transcripts and more see the full episode show notes
https://gracefulatheist.com/2026/04/19/friends-and-family-mark-anthony-diaz/
Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/deconversion
Support the podcast on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheist
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/#deconstruction/
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/graceful-atheist-podcast/donations
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyS2E203 - 50m - Apr 20, 2026 - Colin Ryan: Epic Tiny Victories
Welcome back Colin Ryan, author, storyteller, comedian and survivor of Bipolar 2, OCD and ADHD. Colin has written Epic Tiny Victories: A hopeful story about depression anxiety and reframing your life. It is hilarious, honest and poignant.
Colin describes in the book growing up Evangelical, purity culture and his deconstruction process.
Join us as we catch up on where Colin's deconstruction journey is at. We discuss his mental health journey. Colin tells stories from the book.
Get Epic Tiny Victories today.
Links
http://www.epictinyvictories.com/
https://www.colinryanspeaks.com/
2020 Deconversion Anonymous episode of GAP
https://gracefulatheist.com/2020/11/29/colin-deconversion-anonymous/Chapters
00:00 Graceful Atheist Podcast Intro
01:36 Welcome back Colin Ryan
03:50 Deconstruction Journey since 2020
15:27 Epic Tiny Victories and we were all 11
29:44 Impact of therapy on Colin's Life
47:49 Mental Health takes work
52:36 The book process and how to get ETV
64:40 Final thoughts on the episode
66:43 Secular Grace thought of the WeekInteract
For quotes, recommendations, transcripts and more see the full episode show notes
https://gracefulatheist.com/2026/03/29/colin-ryan-epic-tiny-victories/Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/deconversionSupport the podcast on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheistSecular Grace
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/Deconversion
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/Deconstruction
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/#deconstruction/
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/graceful-atheist-podcast/donations
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyS2E202 - 1h 8m - Mar 30, 2026 - 10 Year Deconversion Anniversary
Reflections on ten years of deconversion. I re-tell my deconversion story and reflect on what has changed and what has stayed the same.
Links
Apostate: Stories of Deconversion
Interact
For quotes, recommendations, transcripts and more see the full episode show notes
https://gracefulatheist.com/2026/03/08/10-year-deconversion-anniversary/Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/deconversionSupport the podcast on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheistSecular Grace
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/Deconversion
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/Deconstruction
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/#deconstruction/
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/graceful-atheist-podcast/donations
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Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyS2E201 - 57m - Mar 9, 2026 - Matthew Taylor: Why We PodcastMathew Taylor, co-host of Still Unbelievable!, returns to the podcast to discuss why we podcast.Links
Matthew on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/vteclimey
Confessions of a YEC blog:
https://confessionsofayec.wordpress.com/
"God takes the good people early" post:
https://confessionsofayec.wordpress.com/2012/03/08/god-takes-the-good-people-early/
Reason Press:
https://reasonpress.net/
"Still Unbelievable!" the book:
https://reasonpress.net/SU1EPodcasts:
Still Unbelievable!
https://anchor.fm/still-unbelievable
Ask An Atheist Anything
https://anchor.fm/reasonpress
Previous episode
https://gracefulatheist.com/2019/06/20/matthew-taylor-confessions-of-a-young-earth-creationist/
Interact
For quotes, recommendations, transcripts and more see the full episode show notes
https://gracefulatheist.com/2023/12/30/matthew-taylor-why-we-podcast/
Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/deconversion
Graceful Atheist Podcast Merch!
https://www.teepublic.com/user/gracefulatheistpodcast
Support the podcast on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheist
Secular Grace
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/
Deconversion
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/
Deconstruction
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/#deconstruction/
Attribution
"Waves" track written and produced by Makaih Beats
https://makaihbeats.net/
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/graceful-atheist-podcast/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE200 - 1h 8m - Dec 30, 2023 - Sara: Christian HumanismThis week's guest is Sara. Sara grew up in a Canadian Mennonite community and embraced it wholeheartedly. She was surrounded by evangelical Christianity and she thrived.
As a young adult, she married and followed her husband into ministry. While he led, she helped as was expected of her. It didn't occur to her until years later how little her own leadership skills had to be set aside.
Sara's husband started deconstructing his beliefs before she did, but as he was learning, she was also learning. Years later, she knew he'd become an atheist before he did.
It wasn't easy, but they made space for one another to learn and grow and move down their own paths. Today, Sara is a spiritual director for others and doesn't have a specific label for herself, and it works just fine.
"There's a whole host of ways of being in the world…"
Links
Sara's website
https://prairiethistle.ca/
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/prairiethistle
Interact
For quotes, recommendations, transcripts and more see the full episode show notes
https://gracefulatheist.com/2023/12/17/sara-christian-humanism/
Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/deconversion
Graceful Atheist Podcast Merch!
https://www.teepublic.com/user/gracefulatheistpodcast
Support the podcast on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheist
Secular Grace
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/
Deconversion
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/
Deconstruction
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/#deconstruction/
Attribution
"Waves" track written and produced by Makaih Beats
https://makaihbeats.net/
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/graceful-atheist-podcast/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE199 - 1h 1m - Dec 18, 2023 - Beth: Deconstruction from the Moral MajorityThis week's guest is Beth. Beth grew up in a fundamentalist Christian home that revered James Dobson, Jerry Falwell and all those who created the "Moral Majority." Her father was a pastor whose sermons centered on the End Times and protecting their families from the "shifting culture," (read: all the movements happening in the 60's and 70's).
As a teen, she lived a double life, keeping plenty of secrets from her parents. However, as a young adult, followed all the rules with the expectation that the "umbrella of God's protection" would take care of her. It didn't.
It took decades of trying to do what was "right" and watching the promises of the Church come to naught before she finally took the leap out of Christianity. She now identifies as SBNR—spiritual but not religious. Beth is now able to trust her own judgment and make decisions that are best for her. No "umbrella of protection" needed.
Interact
For quotes, recommendations, transcripts and more see the full episode show notes
https://gracefulatheist.com/2023/12/10/beth-deconstruction-from-the-moral-majority/
Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/deconversion
Graceful Atheist Podcast Merch!
https://www.teepublic.com/user/gracefulatheistpodcast
Support the podcast on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheist
Secular Grace
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/
Deconversion
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/
Deconstruction
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/#deconstruction/
Attribution
"Waves" track written and produced by Makaih Beats
https://makaihbeats.net/
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/graceful-atheist-podcast/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE198 - 50m - Dec 11, 2023 - Andrew: Dino Dad ReviewsArline interviews this week's guest, Andrew. Andrew is a self-named atheist "paleo-nerd." He grew up home-schooled in a fundamentalist church in southern California. His whole schooling was religious and that included Young Earth Creationism.
In high school, Andrew struggled with his shy nature and some depressive episodes. The church didn't seem to have room for people like him. As a young adult, finally making his own decisions and living a life without fundamentalism everywhere, Andrew saw how much he could accomplish on his own. He had had the resources inside him but hadn't known it.
Now, as an atheist, he's figuring out what life looks like for himself. It includes a wife and kids, online friends, lots of dinosaurs, and a happiness that isn't perfect or perpetual but is enough.
Links
Dino Dad Reviews
https://dinodadreviews.com/
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/dinodadreviews/
Interact
For quotes, recommendations, transcripts and more see the full episode show notes
https://gracefulatheist.com/2023/12/03/andrew-dino-dad-reviews/
Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/deconversion
Graceful Atheist Podcast Merch!
https://www.teepublic.com/user/gracefulatheistpodcast
Support the podcast on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheist
Secular Grace
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/
Deconversion
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/
Deconstruction
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/#deconstruction/
Attribution
"Waves" track written and produced by Makaih Beats
https://makaihbeats.net/
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/graceful-atheist-podcast/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE197 - 54m - Dec 4, 2023 - Racquelle: Deconstruction from SDA and Conspiracy TheoriesArline interviews this week's guest, Racquelle. Racquelle grew up in Canada in the Seventh Day Adventist church. Conspiracy theories were common in her household. Some of them she bought into.
Throughout her life she went through periods of doubt but something kept bringing her back to Church. A sense of obligation and expectation never left her.
Eventually, Racquelle deconverted from her faith and deconstructed the conspiracy theories. She now has an interesting perspective on the deconstruction process.
Links
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/racquelle.pilon
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/racquelle_p/
Interact
For quotes, recommendations, transcripts and more see the full episode show notes
https://gracefulatheist.com/2023/11/26/racquelle-deconversion-from-sda-and-conspiracy-theories/
Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/deconversion
Graceful Atheist Podcast Merch!
https://www.teepublic.com/user/gracefulatheistpodcast
Support the podcast on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheist
Secular Grace
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/
Deconversion
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/
Deconstruction
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/#deconstruction/
Attribution
"Waves" track written and produced by Makaih Beats
https://makaihbeats.net/
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/graceful-atheist-podcast/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE196 - 1h 8m - Nov 27, 2023 - Andy Neal: Andy Films and HikesArline interviews this week's guest, Andy Neal of Andy Films And Hikes fame. He is self described as a "plus size hiking influencer."
Andy tells his story of deconstruction, acceptance of his body and his joy in nature. He is an inspiration to all to get outdoors and experience nature.
Links
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/andyfilmsandhikes/
Link Tree
https://linktr.ee/AndyNeal
Interact
For quotes, recommendations, transcripts and more see the full episode show notes
https://gracefulatheist.com/2023/11/19/andy-neal-andy-films-and-hikes/
Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/deconversion
Graceful Atheist Podcast Merch!
https://www.teepublic.com/user/gracefulatheistpodcast
Support the podcast on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheist
Secular Grace
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/
Deconversion
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/
Deconstruction
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/#deconstruction/
Attribution
"Waves" track written and produced by Makaih Beats
https://makaihbeats.net/
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/graceful-atheist-podcast/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE195 - 1h 5m - Nov 20, 2023 - Natalie: Pentecostal to Mormon to AtheistNatalie from New Zealand tells Arlene here story. She grew up Pentecostal participating in church. In her young adulthood she converted to Mormonism.
She saw that as woman her role was limited and was finding it difficult to accept the church's perspective on LGBQT issues.
Eventually Natalie deconverted. She is thankful for her kids' sake who later came out as queer. Natalie now finds time in nature and the forest life giving.
Interact
For quotes, recommendations, transcripts and more see the full episode show notes
https://gracefulatheist.com/2023/11/12/natalie-pentecostal-to-mormon-to-atheist/
Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/deconversion
Graceful Atheist Podcast Merch!
https://www.teepublic.com/user/gracefulatheistpodcast
Support the podcast on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheist
Secular Grace
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/
Deconversion
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/
Deconstruction
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/#deconstruction/
Attribution
"Waves" track written and produced by Makaih Beats
https://makaihbeats.net/
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/graceful-atheist-podcast/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE194 - 1h 3m - Nov 13, 2023 - Jeff: Deconstruction of a Southern Baptist MinisterJeff grew up in his words "a very religious household." He attended a large Southern Baptist church.
In college he fell in love with the seriousness of Calvinism after reading John Piper's Desiring God. He left seminary early to become a minster because he felt time pressure to be "on mission" for God.
After three pastors he knew committed suicide in one year, Jeff began to deconstruct.
Today he is agnostic and finds therapy and mindfulness helpful in his life.
Links
Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/Backwoodspiper
Interact
For quotes, recommendations, transcripts and more see the full episode show notes
https://gracefulatheist.com/2023/11/05/jeff-deconstruction-of-a-southern-baptist-minister/
Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/deconversion
Graceful Atheist Podcast Merch!
https://www.teepublic.com/user/gracefulatheistpodcast
Support the podcast on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheist
Secular Grace
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/
Deconversion
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/
Deconstruction
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/#deconstruction/
Attribution
"Waves" track written and produced by Makaih Beats
https://makaihbeats.net/
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/graceful-atheist-podcast/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE193 - 1h 13m - Nov 6, 2023 - Megan: Catholic to Evangelical to AthiestThis week's guest is Megan. Megan grew up in a fundamentalist Catholic home with an irrationally religious mother and an absent father. As a teen, she was invited to an evangelical bible study after school and after some serious "love bombing" by the youth group, she was a part of a community.
"You get 'loved bombed' when you walk into a new church or into a new youth group, and they make you feel like you are the most welcome you will ever be and that your community is so indeed of you and your specific experience…"
Evangelical Christianity worked well for Megan for years. She had questions and concerns but nothing that made her leave for good until she knew one of her kids was possibly LGBTQ. That was when she knew she'd have to figure out the religious future of her family.
Now, she is an atheist and has never been more free. She's living out secular grace, sealing up her boundaries, and being the whole person she 's always needed to be.
Interact
For quotes, recommendations, transcripts and more see the full episode show notes
https://gracefulatheist.com/2023/10/29/megan-catholic-to-evangelical-to-atheist/
Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/deconversion
Graceful Atheist Podcast Merch!
https://www.teepublic.com/user/gracefulatheistpodcast
Support the podcast on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheist
Secular Grace
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/
Deconversion
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/
Deconstruction
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/#deconstruction/
Attribution
"Waves" track written and produced by Makaih Beats
https://makaihbeats.net/
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/graceful-atheist-podcast/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE192 - 1h 3m - Oct 30, 2023 - Kris: Former Christian Leader to the Least of TheseThis week's guest is Kris. Kris grew up in a home with much wounding and suffering, an irreligious home that would shape her desire for God as a young adult. She became a christian when she was 22—a "poor, broken young mom."
For years, Christianity worked well for her. She found community, built a family, made friends. Church gave her a place to use her abilities and passions, but there was always a glass ceiling.
In 2017, she and a friend went to a "biblical archeology" seminar. For the first time, Kris was learning from professors, not pastors, and the questions started coming. It wasn't long before Kris realized she couldn't go to church or be in a home group. She didn't have the language for what was happening, but now she knows it was the beginning of her deconstruction.
A strong leader with a kind and compassionate heart—and a love for Ozzy Osbourne—Kris is enjoying the life she's found beyond religion.
Interact
David's intevew on Harmonic Atheist
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMKNwVRzlJk
For quotes, recommendations, transcripts and more see the full episode show notes
https://gracefulatheist.com/2023/10/22/kris-former-christian-leader-to-the-least-of-these/
Join the Deconversion Anonymous Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/deconversion
Graceful Atheist Podcast Merch!
https://www.teepublic.com/user/gracefulatheistpodcast
Support the podcast on Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/gracefulatheist
Secular Grace
https://gracefulatheist.com/2016/10/21/secular-grace/
Deconversion
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/
Deconstruction
https://gracefulatheist.com/2017/12/03/deconversion-how-to/#deconstruction/
Attribution
"Waves" track written and produced by Makaih Beats
https://makaihbeats.net/
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/graceful-atheist-podcast/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacyE191 - 1h 4m - Oct 23, 2023
