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Chapel Probation

Chapel Probation

By Scott Okamoto

As a Dauntless Media podcast, this is a companion to Scott's forthcoming book about losing faith while teaching at an evangelical university. This podcast will feature former students and faculty of Azusa Pacific University. They will tell stories of racism, sexism, hatred towards the LGBTQ community, and early alt-right shenanigans. Other guests outside of the APU world will also be invited to share their experiences. Join the growing Chapel Probation community on Instagram, Discord, and Facebook. Support the Chapel Probation mission by joining the Patreon for bonus content. rscottokamoto.com
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REPOST: After Hours #5 Keiko Agena (Gilmore Girls) and Shin Kawasaki- Heroes of the Asian Kids at APU

Chapel ProbationMar 12, 2024

00:00
49:36
REPOST: After Hours #5 Keiko Agena (Gilmore Girls) and Shin Kawasaki- Heroes of the Asian Kids at APU

REPOST: After Hours #5 Keiko Agena (Gilmore Girls) and Shin Kawasaki- Heroes of the Asian Kids at APU

Despite this episode containing some incredible music by Shin and the presence of Keiko, a bonafide Gilmore Girl and TV/Movie star, very few people heard this, comparatively. So before season 4 gets going, I wanted to give newer listeners a chance to hear from two of my favorite people on the planet: Shin Kawasaki and Keiko Agena.

Even as the show Gilmore Girls was winding down, Keiko Agena came to APU to participate in the first ever Asian club campus-wide event. Her husband, Shin Kawasaki came, too, joining several of our friends who came to support the Asian American students at APU. Keiko and Shin are two of my favorite people in the world, and they went on to come to APU for the next 6 years until I left. In this XL episode of After Hours, they reminisce about their memories of the events and the students, and they talk about some of the episodes of Chapel Probation. Shin's music has elevated this podcast for both seasons, and we get to hear him perform at a recent concert in Little Tokyo. 

You can support Shin's music by purchasing it on Bandcamp here.

You can purchase Keiko's book, No Mistakes: A Perfect Workbook for Imperfect Artists here.  And if you are interested in letter writing to encourage people to vote, check out Vote Forward, an organization Keiko has worked with for the past few elections.

Chapel Probation is part of the Dauntless Media Collective

Music by Shin Kawasaki

Join the Chapel Probation Patreon  to support Scott and for bonus content.

Join the Chapel Probation Facebook group to continue the conversations.

Follow Scott on Instagram and Twitter

You can subscribe to Scott's newsletter and learn more about the book, the blog, and performances at rscottokamoto.com


Mar 12, 202449:36
REPOST: After Hours #3 Jenny Yang- The Acclaimed Actor and Comedian Remembers...APU?

REPOST: After Hours #3 Jenny Yang- The Acclaimed Actor and Comedian Remembers...APU?

Repost in honor of The Brothers Sun, a series that was just cancelled despite being hugely popular. All the love to Jenny Yang.


Before Jenny Yang became a big-time comedian and Buzzfeed sensation, before she became a writer for television, and before she was cast as one of the stars of The Brothers Sun, a Netflix dramedy starring Michelle Yeoh, Jenny was a brand new comic, looking for stage time. I had her perform at APU for the Asian club, APASO, and the head of Student Life liked her so much, he booked her for the big APU comedy night, giving Jenny her first full-length set of 45 minutes. Sure, APU was kinda pissed to later find out that Jenny was not, in fact, christian, but Jenny absolutely destroyed the audience. So much so, that I had an extra 5 or 6 students trying to crash my classes for the next few semester simply because of my association with her. 

Jenny was always so supportive of my work at APU, giving her time and talents to the APASO group, singing with my band, and doing standup. So I brought her onto Chapel Probation After Hours to reminisce our days of slogging through evening 210 freeway traffic to help out the Asian kids at APU. 

Chapel Probation is part of the Dauntless Media Collective

Music by Scott Okamoto, Jenyi, and Shin Kawasaki and Wingo Shackleford

Join the Chapel Probation Patreon  to support Scott and for bonus content.

Join the Chapel Probation Facebook group to continue the conversations.

Follow Scott on Instagram and Twitter

You can subscribe to Scott's newsletter and learn more about the book, the blog, and performances at rscottokamoto.com

Mar 05, 202435:05
New Collab Coming Repost: Chapel Probation s3- Priska- From PK to the Two Horny Goats Podcast

New Collab Coming Repost: Chapel Probation s3- Priska- From PK to the Two Horny Goats Podcast

UPDATE: Get to know Priska if you haven't already. She will be collaborating with Scott to bring you a BIPOC-centered, AAPI-flavored podcast about leaving evangelical Purity Culture. Coming soon!

About 11 years ago, I went to a Tuesday Night Cafe and saw a young woman in her early 20's perform there for the first time. Priska's voice and playing floored us as she performed her original songs, and she immediately became part of our community as an incredible singer/songwriter and all-around amazing human. As I got to know her, I discovered that she was in the process of deconstructing her faith, and we bonded over our shared love of music and our leaving christian faith.

From trauma experienced as a young woman worship leader to navigating family dynamics with her still-christian family, Priska has experienced the full range of life in deconstruction.

This is a special episode that features 5 songs from Priska's 2018 EP, State Change, which you can buy on itunes. She is working on a new EP that will be out soon.

Chapel Probation is part of the Dauntless Media Collective

Join the Dauntless Media Discord for more conversation with all the podcast communities.

Scott's book, Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, JenyiAzeem Khan, and Shin Kawasaki and Wingo Shackleford

Join the Chapel Probation Patreon  to support Scott and for bonus content. 

Join the Chapel Probation Facebook group to continue the conversations.

Follow Scott on Instagram and Twitter and Substack

You can subscribe to Scott's newsletter and learn more about the book, the blog, and performances at rscottokamoto.com

Feb 24, 202401:19:58
Chapel Probation s3 Valentine's Day Special

Chapel Probation s3 Valentine's Day Special

It's a bromance that eclipses the love of women. It's playful, raw, and unabashed. God has made men in his image, and that image is good, so young christian men at evangelical schools not only proudly display their dicks and balls, they create ways to interact with them. In this episode, we look at the practices and we laugh a little, but we also worry that this entitled, rather domineering display of manhood might have sadder and more insidious implications. These are christian men, after.

We are joined by Tori and Justin on the Go Home Bible, You're Drunk podcast, Nate Nakao of the Full Mutuality podcast, and Jeremiah and Julia of the Sexvangelicals podcast. And go back to some old clips of this subject and even revisit some guests to talk more about dicks and balls.

At the end there is a bonus segment with Hope and Nicole and BJ, reacting to the episode as only they can.

Chapel Probation is part of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dauntless Media Collective⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dauntless Media Discord ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for more conversation with all the podcast communities.

Scott's book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jenyi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Azeem Khan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shin Kawasaki⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wingo Shackleford⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chapel Probation Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to support Scott and for bonus content. 

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chapel Probation Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ group to continue the conversations.

Follow Scott on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can subscribe to Scott's newsletter and learn more about the book, the blog, and performances at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rscottokamoto.com⁠

Feb 13, 202401:51:20
Chapel Probation s3 Wrap
Feb 06, 202416:46
Chapel Probation s3- Angela Herrington- From Wesleyan to Deconstruction Author

Chapel Probation s3- Angela Herrington- From Wesleyan to Deconstruction Author

You've probably heard of or seen Angela Herrington through her online events or the Faith Deconstruction Cafe on Facebook, and you might have wondered, what is her back story? Well here it is. Angela has a book due out Feb 20, How to Deconstruct Your Faith Without Losing Yourself, and she did time on Chapel Probation to tell her story of coming out of just about every Wesleyan school in Indiana, including seminary, to becoming a valuable resource for people leaving toxic religious faith.

Chapel Probation is part of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dauntless Media Collective⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Dauntless Media Discord ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for more conversation with all the podcast communities.

Scott's book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Jenyi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Azeem Khan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Shin Kawasaki⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Wingo Shackleford⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chapel Probation Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to support Scott and for bonus content. 

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Chapel Probation Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ group to continue the conversations.

Follow Scott on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can subscribe to Scott's newsletter and learn more about the book, the blog, and performances at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rscottokamoto.com⁠

Jan 30, 202401:13:38
Chapel Probation s3- Jon Turney- A Life of Searching for Truth

Chapel Probation s3- Jon Turney- A Life of Searching for Truth

Jan 23, 202401:16:50
Chapel Probation s3- The Sexvangelicals- Jeremiah and Julia

Chapel Probation s3- The Sexvangelicals- Jeremiah and Julia

Christian colleges often tout their illustrious alumni who accomplish great things in the christian world. Jeremiah and Julia won't likely be listed in such lists for Abilene Christian or Calvin college. That's because they are licensed sex therapists who promote sexual wellbeing in all of its forms. Their podcast, the Sexvangelicals, is a great look into unpacking religious trauam when it comes to sex and sexuality, and a resource for people looking to expand their understanding of sex and sexuality. Here they talk about their religious backgrounds and how they found their way out to do the very important work they do today.

In the conversation, Soulforce comes up, so here's the episode with AE Scott who went on the early bus rides and helped form the community that would become Haven at APU.

And for more sex therapy resources, check out Erica Smith and Dr. Tina Schermer Sellers.

Chapel Probation is part of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Dauntless Media Collective⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Dauntless Media Discord ⁠⁠⁠⁠for more conversation with all the podcast communities.

Scott's book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University⁠⁠⁠⁠ is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Jenyi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Azeem Khan⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Shin Kawasaki⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Wingo Shackleford⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Chapel Probation Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠ to support Scott and for bonus content. 

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Chapel Probation Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ group to continue the conversations.

Follow Scott on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can subscribe to Scott's newsletter and learn more about the book, the blog, and performances at ⁠⁠⁠⁠rscottokamoto.com⁠

Jan 16, 202401:21:08
Chapel Probation s3- Justin Gentry- Former Pastor to Go Home, Bible, You're Drunk

Chapel Probation s3- Justin Gentry- Former Pastor to Go Home, Bible, You're Drunk

Another podcasting hero of mine, Justin Gentry, does time on Chapel Probation. He talks about his time at Indiana Wesleyan and his epic attempt at being a pastor before deciding his humanity and care of others were more important than his faith. After leaving fundamentalist christian faith, Justin has used his voice and perspective, teaming up with Sarah Heath on the RevCovery Podcast and Tori Williams Douglass on the Go Home, Bible, You're Drunk Podcast. Both are popular shows and both offer incredible healing and growth for their respective audiences. Perhaps most importantly, Justin works out to remain a physically fit specimen of a human. Inspiring.

Chapel Probation is part of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Dauntless Media Collective⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Dauntless Media Discord ⁠⁠⁠⁠for more conversation with all the podcast communities.

Scott's book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University⁠⁠⁠⁠ is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Jenyi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Azeem Khan⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Shin Kawasaki⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Wingo Shackleford⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Chapel Probation Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠ to support Scott and for bonus content. 

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Chapel Probation Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ group to continue the conversations.

Follow Scott on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can subscribe to Scott's newsletter and learn more about the book, the blog, and performances at ⁠⁠⁠⁠rscottokamoto.com⁠

Jan 09, 202401:20:10
Chapel Probation s3- Esther Tseng- Food and Social Justice after Faith

Chapel Probation s3- Esther Tseng- Food and Social Justice after Faith

Esther Tseng is a badass food blogger and writer who wrote the article, The Silence of My White Friends After Atlanta, back in 2021. She captured what a lot of us were feeling during a time when our AAPI community felt targeted by rabid, ignorant MAGA Trumpers. But before she became a renowned food writer and social justice advocate, Esther grew up in a fundamentalist christian home that hindered her growth as a human. Through progressive church and therapy, she found her way out of faith altogether, finding identity in community and food. Check out her Instagram to experience her journey of food and culture.

Chapel Probation is part of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Dauntless Media Collective⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Dauntless Media Discord ⁠⁠⁠⁠for more conversation with all the podcast communities.

Scott's book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University⁠⁠⁠⁠ is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Jenyi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Azeem Khan⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Shin Kawasaki⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Wingo Shackleford⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Chapel Probation Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠ to support Scott and for bonus content. 

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Chapel Probation Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ group to continue the conversations.

Follow Scott on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can subscribe to Scott's newsletter and learn more about the book, the blog, and performances at ⁠⁠⁠⁠rscottokamoto.com⁠

Jan 02, 202401:14:38
Chapel Probation s3- Tim Mills- The Harmonic Atheist (BJU)

Chapel Probation s3- Tim Mills- The Harmonic Atheist (BJU)

It may seem a little harsh to post an episode the day after xmas with the creator of the Harmonic Atheist youtube channel, it just kinda worked out that way. Tim Mills is a self-described atheist who, like so many others this season, devoted his life to absolute adherence to fundamentalist Christianity. But his quest for the truth ultimately led him right out of faith, despite the horrible cost of losing friends and family. But he's doing good work, hosting the conversations that need to be had and pointing out the dangers of fundamentalist religion.

Here's the link to the Bill Zuersher video mentioned in the episode

UPDATE: in the original version of this episode during the first break, I incorrectly said that the bible was not written in Greek. I was dead wrong. I apologize. I misremembered some Bart Ehrman passages about the futility of learning the original languages because we still don't know who wrote them and we don't have anything close to original manuscripts. That's what happens when I rant about something I read 20 years ago. I've corrected the rant.

Chapel Probation is part of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Dauntless Media Collective⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Dauntless Media Discord ⁠⁠⁠⁠for more conversation with all the podcast communities.

Scott's book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University⁠⁠⁠⁠ is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Jenyi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Azeem Khan⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Shin Kawasaki⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Wingo Shackleford⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Chapel Probation Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠ to support Scott and for bonus content. 

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Chapel Probation Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ group to continue the conversations.

Follow Scott on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can subscribe to Scott's newsletter and learn more about the book, the blog, and performances at ⁠⁠⁠⁠rscottokamoto.com⁠

Dec 27, 202301:19:52
Chapel Probation s3- Ryan Mulkowski- IFB, Pensacola, Liberty to Loss of Faith

Chapel Probation s3- Ryan Mulkowski- IFB, Pensacola, Liberty to Loss of Faith

Once again, we have someone who did everything humanly possible to be a devout, devoted christian only to walk away from fundamentalist, White nationalist christianity. Ryan Mulkowski, the host of the Some Random Thoughts podcast did time on Chapel Probation to share his story of coming up through the violent IFB cult to a soul-crushing semester at Pensacola, to seminary at Liberty to fully extricating himself from the toxic cultiness of those worlds. His life is now dedicated to helping people heal and grow as their true selves.

And since it's the week before christmas, let's do a little Scott piece about the dark side of Christmas and all holidays.

Chapel Probation is part of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Dauntless Media Collective⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Dauntless Media Discord ⁠⁠⁠⁠for more conversation with all the podcast communities.

Scott's book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University⁠⁠⁠⁠ is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Jenyi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Azeem Khan⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Shin Kawasaki⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Wingo Shackleford⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Chapel Probation Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠ to support Scott and for bonus content. 

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Chapel Probation Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ group to continue the conversations.

Follow Scott on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can subscribe to Scott's newsletter and learn more about the book, the blog, and performances at ⁠⁠⁠⁠rscottokamoto.com⁠

Dec 19, 202301:18:00
Chapel Probation s3- Jered- Simpson College to Social Justice Math
Dec 12, 202301:05:44
Chapel Probation s3- "Special K"- An Anonymous Listener Tells Her Story for the First Time

Chapel Probation s3- "Special K"- An Anonymous Listener Tells Her Story for the First Time

"K" had the unique experience of growing up Southern Baptist in Southern California. She went to UCLA fully intending to maintain her deeply held fundamentalist Christian faith and sought to fortify her faith by learning as much as she could from campus ministries and local churches. But K realized she was not satisfied with the answers to her questions. It wasn't even close. After a few powerful realizations, she had to give in to what her heart and a mind were telling her: The bible was flawed, and she faced a crisis of faith. But this is a story with a happy ending after some twists and turns. It's sure to inspire.

Chapel Probation is part of the ⁠⁠⁠Dauntless Media Collective⁠⁠⁠

Join the ⁠⁠⁠Dauntless Media Discord ⁠⁠⁠for more conversation with all the podcast communities.

Scott's book, ⁠⁠⁠Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University⁠⁠⁠ is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, ⁠⁠⁠Jenyi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Azeem Khan⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠Shin Kawasaki⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Wingo Shackleford⁠⁠⁠

Join the ⁠⁠⁠Chapel Probation Patreon ⁠⁠⁠ to support Scott and for bonus content. 

Join the ⁠⁠⁠Chapel Probation Facebook⁠⁠⁠ group to continue the conversations.

Follow Scott on ⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠

You can subscribe to Scott's newsletter and learn more about the book, the blog, and performances at ⁠⁠⁠rscottokamoto.com⁠

Dec 11, 202301:33:24
Chapel Probation s3- Kit- IBLP to SBC to Freedom

Chapel Probation s3- Kit- IBLP to SBC to Freedom

Kathleen, aka Kit, will tell you she was infantilized by her parents from time her family entered the IBLP world until she was in her early 20's. In the patriarchal, abusive, and oppressive world of IBLP, going to a Southern Baptist Convention college was a breath of fresh...er air. Freshness being relative in this metaphor, Kit, found freedom in SBC college and even got up the courage to finally break free of her bizarrely overprotective parents who really just wanted to keep her as a little girl until she could be handed off to a husband. Through health scares and personal growth, Kit finally deconstructed her faith and, spoiler, found an abundant life on the outside.

Chapel Probation is part of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Dauntless Media Collective⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Dauntless Media Discord ⁠⁠⁠⁠for more conversation with all the podcast communities.

Scott's book, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University⁠⁠⁠⁠ is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, ⁠⁠⁠⁠Jenyi⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Azeem Khan⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Shin Kawasaki⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Wingo Shackleford⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Chapel Probation Patreon ⁠⁠⁠⁠ to support Scott and for bonus content. 

Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Chapel Probation Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ group to continue the conversations.

Follow Scott on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can subscribe to Scott's newsletter and learn more about the book, the blog, and performances at ⁠⁠⁠⁠rscottokamoto.com⁠

Dec 05, 202301:09:05
Chapel Probation s3- Sarah Hayward- Author of Giving Up God
Nov 21, 202301:06:12
Chapel Probation s3- Ryan Stollar- Child Liberation Theology

Chapel Probation s3- Ryan Stollar- Child Liberation Theology

Ryan "RL" Stollar is an invaluable online presence, writing about homeschooling and child liberation theology on his blog and for many online publications. His new book, The Kingdom of Children, is a must-read for those of us interested in fighting the fundamentalist christian parenting movements that seek to indoctrinate children with harmful ideologies. With resources like Ryan, we can use the Bible against the evangelicals.

The bonus segment is a rendition of an old blog post I did when my kids were young. In it, I decry parenting norms and call for an end to Christmas. You know. That whole thing.

Chapel Probation is part of the ⁠⁠Dauntless Media Collective⁠⁠

Join the ⁠⁠Dauntless Media Discord ⁠⁠for more conversation with all the podcast communities.

Scott's book, ⁠⁠Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University⁠⁠ is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, ⁠⁠Jenyi⁠⁠⁠⁠Azeem Khan⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠Shin Kawasaki⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Wingo Shackleford⁠⁠

Join the ⁠⁠Chapel Probation Patreon ⁠⁠ to support Scott and for bonus content. 

Join the ⁠⁠Chapel Probation Facebook⁠⁠ group to continue the conversations.

Follow Scott on ⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Twitter⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Substack⁠⁠

You can subscribe to Scott's newsletter and learn more about the book, the blog, and performances at ⁠⁠rscottokamoto.com⁠

Nov 14, 202301:16:16
Chapel Probation s3- Simon Graham- Deconstructing Whiteness and Patriarchy

Chapel Probation s3- Simon Graham- Deconstructing Whiteness and Patriarchy

Nov 07, 202301:16:38
Chapel Probation s3- A Conversation with Jo Luehmann

Chapel Probation s3- A Conversation with Jo Luehmann

I bonded with Jo Luehmann last year over our shared love of comedian Atsuko Okatsuka, and I even had the honor of introducing Jo to Atsuko. Two epic women for sure. In this bonus episode while I'm on vacation, Jo and I talk about our books while sitting on a bench in Central Park just a stone's throw from one of Turmp's towers. Jo's forthcoming book, Predatory God is due out next year, and she's currently in the editing phase, which can be a soul-crushing part of the writing process. From the haunting voices of our past selves to the patriarchal and White-dominated world we all live in, it can be tough to fight through our traumas to write a book. But Jo is doing it. She even wrote one of the endorsements for my book.

As we talked about our books, we get deep into our lives and our processes, and I hope you enjoy this candid, vulnerable conversation between to friends and writers.

Chapel Probation is part of the ⁠Dauntless Media Collective⁠

Join the ⁠Dauntless Media Discord ⁠for more conversation with all the podcast communities.

Scott's book, Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, ⁠Jenyi⁠⁠Azeem Khan⁠, and ⁠Shin Kawasaki⁠ and ⁠Wingo Shackleford⁠

Join the ⁠Chapel Probation Patreon ⁠ to support Scott and for bonus content. 

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You can subscribe to Scott's newsletter and learn more about the book, the blog, and performances at ⁠rscottokamoto.com⁠


Oct 31, 202348:54
Chapel Probation s3- PDX Ben- Vanguard to Seminary to Great Dad
Oct 24, 202301:13:58
Chapel Probation s3- Kristin Luna- A Sister 9 from APU

Chapel Probation s3- Kristin Luna- A Sister 9 from APU

Back at APU with another of the badass Sisters 9 writing group. Kristin Luna, aka K-wing, was such an important person to me. She was part of the group of students who saw me and welcomed me in as a fellow fringe/bad person at APU. I remembered my mentor professors who let me into their personal lives at UC San Diego, and I allowed myself to be that professor with them. And Kristin being an amazing writer meant we spent a lot of time workshopping her work and talking about life. I saw her go through some of the toughest times of her life, but I also saw her meet her now husband Nik. I even went to their wedding in the Bay Area.

But we've never really talked much about the christian stuff before, so this was an amazing chance to unpack all the turmoil and all the great times we had as we went through it.

At the end, there is a special "Band of my Deconstruction" segment with Sugarcult, who Kristin and I went to see once in Bakersfield, where she was living with her father at the time.

Chapel Probation is part of the Dauntless Media Collective

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Scott's book, Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, JenyiAzeem Khan, and Shin Kawasaki and Wingo Shackleford

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Oct 17, 202301:28:38
Chapel Probation s3- Timothy Cooper- Newly Deconverted and Kicking Ass after Masters College

Chapel Probation s3- Timothy Cooper- Newly Deconverted and Kicking Ass after Masters College

I spend way too much time trying to figure out how fundamentalist, conservative White folks become enlightened and caring of the world around them. We may never know, but meeting Tim Cooper has given me hope. Tim deconverted slowly over time and taught himself to interrogate first his faith and then his worldview. And in a relatively short time, he has become an incredible human being, far from his religious and White-centered past. As recently as 2022, he was still trying to live as a christian, but no more. After going to Masters College, he asked all the questions even as he repeatedly doubled down on his faith. And then he decided to stop doubling down. And the world is better for it.

Sketch-Alert: After hearing Tim talk about how Masters is known as a school that is "serious" about the bible, I let some King Louie inspire me to come up with a sketch based on Monty Python moments. A bunch of christian college admins go on a talk show to decide whose school is the most serious about the bible. CONTENT WARNING: The usual offensive material we are known for.

Chapel Probation is part of the Dauntless Media Collective

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Scott's book, Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, JenyiAzeem Khan, and Shin Kawasaki and Wingo Shackleford

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Oct 10, 202301:28:10
Chapel Probation s3- Nat Turney-Author of The Seeds of De(CON)struction.
Oct 03, 202301:19:26
Chapel Probation s3- Jon Carl Lewis- Sex Education for All of Us

Chapel Probation s3- Jon Carl Lewis- Sex Education for All of Us

Jon Carl Lewis went to Princeton, but he sought out the repressive Christian elements he grew up with, hoping to "pray the gay away." But, he deconstructed after some horrific and lonely times to progressive forms of Christianity, eventually finding his way to leather bars in Boston and a life of sexual liberation. He has written and taught about sex and sexuality, even in largely White spaces like the Wild Goose Festival, using all of his life experiences to help others deconstruct their guilt-ridden purity culture pasts find liberation through their bodies and their sexuality.

Here are links to Jon Carl's work:

https://linktr.ee/joncarllewis

https://joncarllewis.substack.com/ - Ramblings (of a Queer, Christian Contemplative)

https://calendly.com/joncarllewis - I'd like to let people know that I'm available to talk about anything they'd like to explore spiritually (and sexually--but not with me). First hour is free. And that's often all some people want, although I'm open to providing professional spiritual companionship on an ongoing basis.

Bonus Segment: Songs of My Deconstruction

I look back at a moment that and a concert that changed me as a young college student for the better. The Indigo Girls, "Closer to Fine."

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Music by Scott Okamoto, JenyiAzeem Khan, and Shin Kawasaki and Wingo Shackleford

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Sep 26, 202301:18:14
Chapel Probation s3- Xeres Villanueva- From APU into the Mystic

Chapel Probation s3- Xeres Villanueva- From APU into the Mystic

Xeres survived APU as a neuro-divergent Filipina woman and went on to explore personal and generational healing through community activism and explorations into the mystical aspects of religion. Leaning into her culture and her identity have helped her to find ways to help others with her project, The Estuary Moments. And I've had the privilege of knowing and witnessing Xeres' development from her freshman year to now, almost 15 years later. She is a staff member of the beloved Tuesday Night Cafe, an arts and activism space in Los Angeles.

You can read more about Xeres' work in Inheritance Magazine.

Chapel Probation is part of the Dauntless Media Collective

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Scott's book, Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, JenyiAzeem Khan, and Shin Kawasaki and Wingo Shackleford

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Sep 19, 202301:01:24
Chapel Probation s3- Paul aka "The Fictitious Prof" and the Divine in Music

Chapel Probation s3- Paul aka "The Fictitious Prof" and the Divine in Music

Paul Kirz is a classically-trained pianist and musician from Souther California who went to APU. Thankfully, his rigorous training, practicing, and performing in the Music Department kept him so busy that he didn't get the full brunt of all the usual racism, bigotry, and conservative fundamentalism of the school. And as the concept of the divine has come up in the past few episodes, Paul learned to find the divine in music and art as he deconstructed his faith. This episode features Paul's original music throughout, so be prepared to get your groove on.

Paul is part of the AAPI arts and activist community in Los Angeles and has been known to attend and perform at the Tuesday Night Cafe, Scott's beloved home community.

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Scott's book, Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University is available now!

Music by Paul the Fictitious Prof

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Sep 12, 202301:05:04
Chapel Probation s3: Father Shannon TL Kearns- A Transition to the Divine

Chapel Probation s3: Father Shannon TL Kearns- A Transition to the Divine

Shannon Kearns grew up in a fundamentalist family and church knowing he was outside of the parameters of acceptable christian living. He resolved to live as a celibate queer woman and become a youth pastor, and even did so for a time. But he eventually found a fuller life and a viable faith by transitioning. It was this new perspective as a man secure in his identity that unlocked the missing elements of christian faith and a life fully-lived.

Shannon's book, In the Margins: A Trans Man's Journey With Scripture, gives us 9 examples of scripture celebrating life in our bodies and identities.

Chapel Probation is part of the Dauntless Media Collective

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Scott's book, Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, JenyiAzeem Khan, and Shin Kawasaki and Wingo Shackleford

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Sep 05, 202301:09:54
Chapel Probation s3- Brandon Flanery: Sex and the Divine after YWAM
Aug 29, 202301:16:33
Chapel Probation s3- Heather Owens: IBLP/ATI Survivor

Chapel Probation s3- Heather Owens: IBLP/ATI Survivor

Heather Owens was literally born of IBLP/ATI indoctrination, the result of her parents deciding to resume filling up their "quivers" for christs by having "reversal babies." We are grateful that Heather is here, though, and her story sheds more bad light on the IBLP/ATI world with its systemic abuse of babies and children and its shielding of powerful men who groom and assault women.

Heather may have been born with some health issues, but her three-valve heart is strong, as you'll hear. From dutiful, yet repressed, childhood to an out and proud bisexual woman living free, Heather's story will inspire all who find themselves climbing out of oppressive religious culture.

This week we have a very special Songs of My Deconstruction with the incredible music of IBLP/ATI bringing Scott back to faith, which he then rejects with demonic results.

Chapel Probation is part of the Dauntless Media Collective

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Scott's book, Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, JenyiAzeem Khan, and Shin Kawasaki and Wingo Shackleford

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Aug 22, 202301:03:31
Chapel Probation s3- Andrew Pledger: Surviving BJU

Chapel Probation s3- Andrew Pledger: Surviving BJU

Andrew Pledger grew up in a Christian fundamentalist cult (IFB) that led him to attend Bob Jones University. He knew he was gay, and he knew things were not right with the faith that criminalized his very existence. But as a young man, he had no options to escape his family's control or the bizarre, abusive rules of BJU. At first, Andrew tried to put his head down, follow the rules, and get out with a degree. But BJU, a global pandemic, and his own development as a human made that impossible. He pushed back, got expelled, and has been speaking out ever since. Through it all, Andrew found his voice, and he's using it to help bring healing to survivors and attention to the dangers of these christian institutions that harm so many people.

Andrew is the creator and host of Surviving BJU, which is set to premier on August 23. You can also listen to Andrew's previous podcast, Speaking Up.

Chapel Probation is part of the Dauntless Media Collective

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Scott's book, Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, JenyiAzeem Khan, and Shin Kawasaki and Wingo Shackleford

Join the Chapel Probation Patreon  to support Scott and for bonus content. 

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Aug 15, 202301:27:10
Chapel Probation s3- Em Torres: The Life She Wrote

Chapel Probation s3- Em Torres: The Life She Wrote

Before Chapel Probation and before Asian American Apostate existed, Em Torres invited me to come onto her podcast, The Life She Wrote. I had written her a theme song, but other than that, I didn't have anything public out there, but Em saw me as someone with something to say. I'll always be grateful for that.

Em went to Vanguard University for a year, trying her best to follow God's will, but when it became financially impossible for her to continue there, she started to question what God's will even meant. She attended and worked at churches that were trying to be "relatable" and "contemporary," but the cracks in the shiny surface became something she couldn't ignore.

Today Em lives with her husband and kids and is trying to be the supportive parent her own parents could never be because of their fundamentalist beliefs. And she's doing great.

Chapel Probation is part of the Dauntless Media Collective

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Scott's book, Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, JenyiAzeem Khan, and Shin Kawasaki and Wingo Shackleford

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Aug 08, 202301:37:53
Chapel Probation bonus segment: OK, Oppenheimer

Chapel Probation bonus segment: OK, Oppenheimer

CW: descriptions of nuclear war

I wrote a longer version of this in my substack, but here is something I wanted to say on this platform. I had to stop and regroup a few times, and I even had to omit a few lines because I just couldn't say them out loud.

But I'm not OK with Oppenheimer. I'm not saying anything against anyone who enjoyed it, as I'm sure it's a well-crafted movie. I'm just thinking big picture and how this historical figure is now viewed as an Oscar-worthy film, a complex genius, and media partner with Barbie. He's not a "destroyer of worlds" as the movie poster says. He's just a murderer of Japanese people.


Chapel Probation is part of the Dauntless Media Collective

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Scott's book, Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, JenyiAzeem Khan, and Shin Kawasaki and Wingo Shackleford

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Aug 02, 202305:54
Chapel Probation s3- Jazz Robertson- Follow the Drums to Deconstruction

Chapel Probation s3- Jazz Robertson- Follow the Drums to Deconstruction

Jazz Robertson grew up and came of age playing drums in churches. From CCM to gospel, she found connection to musicians and music which kept her involved in church. But the connection to the bible and God never quite happened, despite her best efforts. But like a lot of us, she held on to the music in church until she just couldn't anymore. For both of us, music kept us in church and it led the way out and into the world.

You'll hear clips of our jam session and learn about the bond between musicians, which is something you do not hear much these days. Best of all, you'll hear Jazz talk about her life during and post faith. She's just so damn cool.

Jazz is also a co-host for the Multiple Sources podcast, which is currently on hiatus, but is well-worth a listen.

Chapel Probation is part of the Dauntless Media Collective

Join the Dauntless Media Discord for more conversation with all the podcast communities.

Scott's book, Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, JenyiAzeem Khan, and Shin Kawasaki and Wingo Shackleford

Join the Chapel Probation Patreon  to support Scott and for bonus content. 

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Aug 01, 202301:18:33
Chapel Probation s3- Jessica Goforth- IBLP/ATI Nightmare Survivor

Chapel Probation s3- Jessica Goforth- IBLP/ATI Nightmare Survivor

If you've watched the documentary, Shiny Happy People, you know some of the horrific details of the Institute in Basic Life Principles (IBLP) and the Advanced Training Institute (ATI). Both are systems that drive a cult that became mainstream when The Learning Channel aired too many seasons of that insipid bullshit about the Duggar family. America ate that shit up and made the Duggars the placid faces of IBLP. Sickening. We've since learned of the abuse and grooming of young women to be used by the men in power at IBLP/ATI. Content Warning: a lot of talk of abuse coming.

Jessica Goforth's family got in early with IBLP, and her parents converted to the cult, thus ensuring Jessica's teen years would be spent in an abusive family and later an abusive "training center." This one is hard to listen to, so take care of your own mental health as you listen.

Jessica is also a co-host of the Leaving the Village podcast that should be restarting soon. The podcast covers the stories from inside IBLP/ATI and will feature some of the people from Shiny Happy People.

Chapel Probation is part of the Dauntless Media Collective

Join the Dauntless Media Discord for more conversation with all the podcast communities.

Scott's book, Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, JenyiAzeem Khan, and Shin Kawasaki and Wingo Shackleford

Join the Chapel Probation Patreon  to support Scott and for bonus content. 

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Jul 25, 202301:35:36
Chapel Probation s3- Tim Mathis- Asbury to "Dirt Bag" Living

Chapel Probation s3- Tim Mathis- Asbury to "Dirt Bag" Living

Think you know about evangelical revivals? Did you hear about the one at Asbury this year? This episode with author and life adventurer, Tim Mathis, will shed new light on how revivals erupt, so to speak. I promise you, it's not what you think. Or if it is, you're probably a regular listener of Chapel Probation.

Tim Mathis shares his personal stories and observations of his time at Asbury, and he makes a compelling case that revivals and repressed sexuality are connected. We even have a sketch to explain it.

CW-The sketch is R-rated, so be advised. Thanks to Ashley Dunston for playing the lead. Thanks to my nephew, Luke, for being the opening boy voice. And thanks to Owen, Ethan, Audrey, and their friends, Waseem, Shaunt, and Maria for lending their voices to the madness.

And finally, Tim talks about his life as a self-described "Dirt Bag" which he writes about in his book, The Dirtbag's Guide to Life: Eternal Truth for Hiker Trash, Ski Bums, and Vagabonds. Tim's first book, I Hope I Was Wrong About Eternal Damnation, was about his decision to leave faith for a more fulfilling life.

Chapel Probation is part of the Dauntless Media Collective

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Scott's book, Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, JenyiAzeem Khan, and Shin Kawasaki and Wingo Shackleford

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You can subscribe to Scott's newsletter and learn more about the book, the blog, and performances at rscottokamoto.com


Jul 11, 202301:17:04
Chapel Probation s3: Gail- Full Mutuality in Life and Podcasting

Chapel Probation s3: Gail- Full Mutuality in Life and Podcasting

One of the best people I've met in the past couple years doing this work is Gail, the co-host of the Full Mutuality Podcast. I want everyone who listens to Chapel Probation to also get to know the other podcasters in our Dauntless Media group, and Gail is one of the founding members. From rough family beginnings to foster care, Gail grew up in Canada in highly religious settings. But she, like her fiance, Nate Nakao, deconstructed to become an amazing human with a heart for all people. We talk about her story and her life and perspective today.

Gail and Nate had me on Full Mutuality back in April when my book came out, and Nate was a guest here in season 2 where he talked about his time at Bob Jones. If you haven't already, you gotta get to know these great people.

Chapel Probation is part of the Dauntless Media Collective

Join the Dauntless Media Discord for more conversation with all the podcast communities.

Scott's book, Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, JenyiAzeem Khan, and Shin Kawasaki and Wingo Shackleford

Join the Chapel Probation Patreon  to support Scott and for bonus content. 

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Jul 04, 202301:21:35
Chapel Probation s3- The Religious Exemption Accountability Project (REAP) Erin Green and Paul Southwick

Chapel Probation s3- The Religious Exemption Accountability Project (REAP) Erin Green and Paul Southwick

I admit it. There was a time I has zero hope for the LGBTQIA students and faculty at evangelical schools. But that was before REAP came on the scene bringing legal firepower to the fight against the inhumane bigotry and discrimination all evangelical schools are guilty of promoting and enforcing. The tide is turning now. Paul Southwick started REAP after working with trans students at an evangelical school, and Erin Green, an established queer activist on evangelical campuses in her own right, joined up to make one hell of a badass duo. You'll hear how Paul and Erin started out and how they do their thing. And you'll even have an opportunity to join a new religion that can have the same religious exemptions as christians, but you'll have to worship Erin...I mean we get to worship Erin. White nationalist, cis-het christians beware!

You can read about the work REAP has done and is doing here.

You can donate to REAP here.


Chapel Probation is part of the Dauntless Media Collective

Join the Dauntless Media Discord for more conversation with all the podcast communities.

Scott's book, Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, JenyiAzeem Khan, and Shin Kawasaki and Wingo Shackleford

Join the Chapel Probation Patreon  to support Scott and for bonus content. 

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Jun 27, 202301:28:58
Chapel Probation s3- Janice Lagata: Inside Hillsong "College" and Hillsong NYC

Chapel Probation s3- Janice Lagata: Inside Hillsong "College" and Hillsong NYC

You've seen (hopefully) The Secrets of Hillsong. You lamented how it centered Carl Lentz cosplaying Zoolander at his "corporate" job (That wasn't just me, right?). And you were introduced to Janice Lagata, if you didn't already know her work. So forget Carl and listen to Janice tell her story of attending Hillsong "College" in Australia and being part of the beginning of Hillsong NYC. More importantly, listen to her talk about getting out and moving on. Janice's podcasts, God Has Not Given, and Bad Words, are great resources for all of us moving on from evangelical faith.


Update: Due to copyright law, despite not being monetize and me providing free publicity for the record company, I had to remove the following segment.

This week, Scott's Songs of My Deconstruction segment takes us back to the beginning of his love for music with the incomparable Stevie Wonder.

Chapel Probation is part of the Dauntless Media Collective

Join the Dauntless Media Discord for more conversation with all the podcast communities.

Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, JenyiAzeem Khan, and Shin Kawasaki and Wingo Shackleford

Join the Chapel Probation Patreon  to support Scott and for bonus content. 

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Jun 20, 202301:23:40
Chapel Probation s3- "Holly" Survived the Worst of EV and Catholic Culture
Jun 13, 202301:14:30
Chapel Probation s3- Peter Fenton- From Wheaton to Off-Broadway

Chapel Probation s3- Peter Fenton- From Wheaton to Off-Broadway

Peter Fenton is a young man just 6 years out of college at Wheaton, and he is killing it. His creative output for this year alone is incredible, and his past life as an evangelical has served to fuel his creative energy. He's got a film he produced making the festival rounds, and his play, Abandon All Hope is set to premier at the Rougue Theater Festival Off-Broadway this Saturday night. A lot has happened in a short amount of time for Peter professionally and personally. His faith, his sexuality, and his career path have all been affected by his deconstruction, and a lot of it can be traced back to his time at Wheaton.

The bonus segment this week is a minor rant from Scott about the Texas battle to mandate a 10 Commandments in every public school classroom. As someone who loves public schools and once taught in them, myself, I have some thoughts. Question: can you list all 10 Commandments? I didn't think so. UPDATE: thankfully Texas Bill 1515, which sailed through the Texas senate, stalled in the House and didn't get a vote before the deadline. You can read about it here.

Chapel Probation is part of the Dauntless Media Collective

Join the Dauntless Media Discord for more conversation with all the podcast communities.

Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, JenyiAzeem Khan, and Shin Kawasaki and Wingo Shackleford

Join the Chapel Probation Patreon  to support Scott and for bonus content. 

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Jun 06, 202301:23:18
Chapel Probation s3- Marla Taviano: From Cedarville Fundamentalist to White Girl Learning

Chapel Probation s3- Marla Taviano: From Cedarville Fundamentalist to White Girl Learning

You've probably come across Marla Taviano on Instagram or Twitter where she posts as "White Girl Learning," a book-promoting persona that focuses on BIPOC writers and authors. In this episode, Marla talks about her early days as a dedicated evangelical Christian, blissfully unaware of the bigotry and oppression BIPOC people face and her experiences and relationships that helped her see the world as it is in all its beauty and tragedy. After some missionary work and a wrenching divorce, Marla now lives a joyous life elevating marginalized voices and celebrating a life of wonder.


UPDATE: Spotify has informed me that using this song is a violation of copyright, so I had to take the segment down. It was never monetized. Just free advertisement for the record company and Rush.

Today's bonus segment is another Songs of My Deconstruction where I share my love for a band called, Rush. Because of the amazing musicality and heartfelt lyrics, Rush was part of my faith journey. They were also part of my deconstruction, as I saw the world through their eyes, musically and poetically. The video I mention in the segment can be seen here.


Chapel Probation is part of the Dauntless Media Collective

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Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, JenyiAzeem Khan, and Shin Kawasaki and Wingo Shackleford

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May 30, 202301:21:34
Chapel Probation s3- Dr. Sara Moslener: Purity Culture Writer and Researcher

Chapel Probation s3- Dr. Sara Moslener: Purity Culture Writer and Researcher

Dr. Sara Moslener was once a Pro-life, abstinence-only culture warrior who won awards for her fundamentalist activism, but she deconstructed and became one of the foremost researchers of purity culture and its harmful effects on society. From Calvin College to Claremont Graduate University, Dr. Moslener has become an academic force exposing the dangers of purity culture. Her first book, Virgin Nation: Sexual Purity and American Adolescence , put her on the radar of everyone interested in the creepy history of purity culture, and she has a new book coming out next year called, After Purity. She is an incredible speaker and conversationalist, and she is definitely funnier than Brad Onishi.

At the end of the episode, I give my plug for my book as part of AAPI Heritage Month and talk about how the audience of this podcast is revolutionary simply for listening to Chapel Probation.

Chapel Probation is part of the Dauntless Media Collective

Join the Dauntless Media Discord for more conversation with all the podcast communities.

Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, Jenyi, Azeem Khan, and Shin Kawasaki and Wingo Shackleford

Join the Chapel Probation Patreon  to support Scott and for bonus content. 

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May 23, 202301:25:34
Chapel Probation s3- Jeff Karow: The Reluctuant Moody Grad
May 16, 202301:12:58
Chapel Probation s3- Dr. Julie Ingersoll: From Christian Reconstructionist to Religious Studies Professor

Chapel Probation s3- Dr. Julie Ingersoll: From Christian Reconstructionist to Religious Studies Professor

Dr. Julie Ingersoll is an expert fly fisher and fly fishing writer, but that's not why you're here. Dr. Ingersoll is also a researcher and scholar of religious studies, and she has been a leading voice in exposing American evangelicalism as a threat to democracy and a pluralistic society. Like me, she deconstructed decades ago, forging her own identity as a scholar and as a human outside of the confines of American christianity. Interestingly, she was once a part of the Christian Reconstructionist movement, one of the movements that influenced today's dominionist groups, including the New Apostolic Reformation. We eventually get to how fly fishing can heal our damaged psyches, but not before Dr. Ingersoll speaks some hard truths about how many branches of christianity harm us all today.

Buy Dr. Ingersoll's book, Building God's Kingdome: Inside the World of Christian Reconstruction.

Update: Due to spotify flagging my segment on Songs of My Deconstruction, I had to remove it.


Chapel Probation is part of the Dauntless Media Collective

Join the Dauntless Media Discord for more conversation with all the podcast communities.

Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, Jenyi, and Shin Kawasaki and Wingo Shackleford

Join the Chapel Probation Patreon  to support Scott and for bonus content. 

Join the Chapel Probation Facebook group to continue the conversations.

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You can subscribe to Scott's newsletter and learn more about the book, the blog, and performances at rscottokamoto.com

May 09, 202358:02
Chapel Probation s3- Lily Rose Atherton- Lily is Winning- APU

Chapel Probation s3- Lily Rose Atherton- Lily is Winning- APU

Lily was a founding member of the Sisters 9, a group of writers, musicians, and artists, who carved out a space for themselves as free-thinkers devoted to lives filled with art and exploration. Naturally, she was an enigma at a place like APU, and she quickly deconstructed her faith, replacing it with a mission to bring uncensored art to the campus through zines and an open mic event called, "The Line." Clad in a dingy pink Bunny suit, she stood before the entire school during chapel and announced her event as a place to express unfiltered thoughts and expressions. Like me, she caught the attention of the school and had to answer for it all. But Lily began distancing herself from evangelical people and all faith, even fleeing SoCal when she graduated to live completely untethered from christianity in San Francisco. Dealing with her rough upbringing and religious trauma helped her become the person, the mom, and the artist she is today.

A couple of new components to Chapel Probation in this episode: a new sketch of a "children's" bible story program (1:11:30) about a terrifying story of Zipporah and Moses. My wife Geri and my son Owen helped out. And we have some bonus content at the end of the episode.

Chapel Probation is part of the Dauntless Media Collective

Join the Dauntless Media Discord for more conversation with all the podcast communities.

Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University is available now!

Music by Scott Okamoto, Jenyi, and Shin Kawasaki and Wingo Shackleford

Join the Chapel Probation Patreon  to support Scott and for bonus content. 

Join the Chapel Probation Facebook group to continue the conversations.

Follow Scott on Instagram and Twitter and Substack

You can subscribe to Scott's newsletter and learn more about the book, the blog, and performances at rscottokamoto.com


May 02, 202301:26:34
Chapel Probation s3 Chrissy Stroop

Chapel Probation s3 Chrissy Stroop

We're back with Season 3!

We start the season with someone who helped Scott get started in the deconstruction world, Dr. Chrissy Stroop. Everyone who listens to this podcast is likely familiar with Chrissy's work, but she joins us to talk about her educational experiences and how they shaped who she is today.

Dr. Stroop is a co-editor in the groundbreaking Empty the Pews anthology of stories of deconstruction.

Support Dr. Stroop by joining her Patreon here.


Update: Despite not being monetized, Spotify has flagged my Songs of Deconstruction segment as violating copyright, so it had to be deleted.


Asian-American-Apostate- Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University is available now!

Chapel Probation is part of the Dauntless Media Collective

Join the Dauntless Media Discord for more conversation with all the podcast communities.

Music by Scott Okamoto, and Jenyi

Join the Chapel Probation Patreon  to support Scott and for bonus content. 

Join the Chapel Probation Facebook group to continue the conversations.

Follow Scott on Instagram and Twitter and Substack

You can subscribe to Scott's newsletter and learn more about the book, the blog, and performances at rscottokamoto.com

Apr 25, 202347:56
Season 2 Wrap- Asbury Wins Chapel Probation!!!

Season 2 Wrap- Asbury Wins Chapel Probation!!!

Just a quick finale to an amazing season. Thank you to everyone who came on Chapel Probation and thank you to everyone who has tuned in. 

Asian American Apostate: Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University is coming out soon, so stay tuned for pre-orders. 

Apologies to Blake Chastain for this Moonlight moment where I gave him the Chapel Probation award, but I gotta give it to Asbury. Warning: Unpopular Opinion herein. 

See everyone in Season 3 which should fire up in April!

Chapel Probation is part of the Dauntless Media Collective

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Music by Scott Okamoto, Jenyi, and Shin Kawasaki and Wingo Shackleford

Join the Chapel Probation Patreon  to support Scott and for bonus content. 

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You can subscribe to Scott's newsletter and learn more about the book, the blog, and performances at rscottokamoto.com

Feb 28, 202314:32
S2.E34: After Hours with Gloria Beth Amodeo- Author of God's Ex-Girlfriend
Feb 21, 202340:16
S2.E33: Sex-Positive Valentine's Day with Hope and Nicole

S2.E33: Sex-Positive Valentine's Day with Hope and Nicole

It's Valentine's Day. Yay. Whatever.

The topic that I get asked to cover most is purity culture. And while many of the guests on Chapel Probation have mentioned sex and sexual experiences, almost all the stories get told as cautionary tales that result in punishment or guilt or shame. Not fun. Sex and sexuality should be a normal part of human development, but if you add evangelical culture to the mix, it gets toxic. We were taught to deny our sexuality and fetishize our virginity as some kind of mark of Jesus on our soul. So how about we just talk about sex and sexuality without the guilt and shame. No embarrassment, even for the less good experiences, and no shame for our desires and identities.

So, I brought S2.E1 guests, Hope and Nicole to help me tell stories and talk about sex. We had a blast, and we could have talked all night, but Nicole had a hot date with her husband, so we got a solid hour-plus of stories, observations, and claiming our sexuality. 

Content Warning: Lots of frank, open talk of sex and sexual acts. Listener discretion is advised.

Chapel Probation is part of the Dauntless Media Collective

Join the Dauntless Media Discord for more conversation with all the podcast communities.

Music by Scott Okamoto, Jenyi, and Shin Kawasaki and Wingo Shackleford

Join the Chapel Probation Patreon  to support Scott and for bonus content.

Join the Chapel Probation Facebook group to continue the conversations.

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You can subscribe to Scott's newsletter and learn more about the book, the blog, and performances at rscottokamoto.com

Feb 14, 202301:11:02
S2.E32- After Hours with Ariel Climer
Jan 17, 202342:10