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Veterans of Culture Wars

Veterans of Culture Wars

By Zach Malm and David Lester

Conversation on the beliefs, history, culture and personal stories from Evangelical Christianity as engaged by veteran culture warriors and friends.
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072: The War on Christmas Movies: Alonso Duralde

Veterans of Culture WarsNov 29, 2022

00:00
01:37:42
108: Jewish Voices for Peace: Dr. Alice Rothchild and Abby Brockman

108: Jewish Voices for Peace: Dr. Alice Rothchild and Abby Brockman

With Israel's brutal war against Gaza still raging, Dr. Alice Rothchild and Abby Brockman join the VCW hall to talk about the horror of Israel's war, to talk about their interactions with Palestinian people and the hospitality they experienced as well as speaking about their perspectives on Jewish faith and values.


Read Dr. Rothchild's articles:

The Seattle Times: https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/in-israel-hamas-war-where-are-the-voices-of-the-healing-profession/


The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/09/opinion/children-mothers-pregnant-gaza.html


Support the show on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod


Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4Q


Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com

Mar 26, 202401:10:35
107: Theologizin' Bigger With Trey Ferguson

107: Theologizin' Bigger With Trey Ferguson

Pastor Trey Ferguson joins the VCW hall to talk about Theologizin' Bigger, his new book out now. We talk about theology and imagination, Biblical inerrancy including the 1978 Chicago statement, an Ark in Kentucky and much more.


Get Pastor Trey's book right here: https://www.lakedrivebooks.com/books/theologizin-bigger/


Listen to The New Living Treyslation right here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-living-treyslation/id1576078435


Listen to Three Black Men podcast right here: https://podcasts.apple.com/ph/podcast/three-black-men-theology-culture-and-the-world-around-us/id1535582503


Support the show on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod


Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4Q


Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com

Mar 12, 202401:04:60
106: Our Favorite Movies of 2023 Part 2 with Jeffrey Overstreet and Dr Mary McCampbell

106: Our Favorite Movies of 2023 Part 2 with Jeffrey Overstreet and Dr Mary McCampbell

Part 2 of the big annual pre-Oscars dive into our favorite movies of the year and the Oscar nominees. Part 2 covers the top 7 films on each our our top 10 lists, which we'd started going through toward the end of Part 1.

Jeffrey Overstreet returns and brings with him new VCW guest Dr Mary McCampbell, an author, professor, and speaker who focuses on the theological significance of popular music, film, and literature.


Subscribe to Mary's Substack The Empathetic Imagination: https://marymccampbell.substack.com/


Subscribe to Jeffrey's Substack Give Me Some Light:

https://jeffreyoverstreet.substack.com/


Read R. Scott Okamoto's blog on the Oppenheimer film right here (referenced in the episode): https://rscottokamoto.substack.com/p/ok-oppenheimer


Support the show on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod


Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4Q


Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com

Mar 07, 202401:54:34
105: Our Favorite Movies of 2023 Part 1 with Jeffrey Overstreet and Dr Mary McCampbell

105: Our Favorite Movies of 2023 Part 1 with Jeffrey Overstreet and Dr Mary McCampbell

Our big annual pre-Oscars dive into our favorite movies of the year and the Oscar nominees is back! Jeffrey Overstreet returns and brings with him new VCW guest Dr Mary McCampbell, an author, professor, and speaker who focuses on the theological significance of popular music, film, and literature.


Subscribe to Mary's Substack The Empathetic Imagination: https://marymccampbell.substack.com/


Subscribe to Jeffrey's Substack Give Me Some Light:

https://jeffreyoverstreet.substack.com/


Read R. Scott Okamoto's blog on the Oppenheimer film right here (referenced in the episode): https://rscottokamoto.substack.com/p/ok-oppenheimer


Support the show on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod


Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4Q


Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com

Mar 05, 202401:33:53
104: Warren Throckmorton on David Barton's Christian Nationalist Lies

104: Warren Throckmorton on David Barton's Christian Nationalist Lies

Warren Throckmorton returns to the VCW hall to talk about his new podcast Telling Jefferson Lies, a companion to the recently released updated version of his 2012 book with Michael Coulter, Getting Jefferson Right. We talk about the conservative pseudo-historian David Barton, and how he distorts history to uphold and further a White Christian Nationalist view of America. Also, Mark Driscoll shares his thoughts on the new Apple Vision Pro VR headset.


Check out Professor Warren Throckmorton's work on his website: https://wthrockmorton.com/

Listen to the "Getting Jefferson Right" podcast right here: https://gettingjeffersonright.com/


Support the show on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod


Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4Q


Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com

Feb 20, 202401:04:10
103: Mason Mennenga Sinks Into the Youth Group Couch

103: Mason Mennenga Sinks Into the Youth Group Couch

Dave reveals that he has moved from "still an evangelical" to "committed Christian", and Mason Mennenga joins the show to talk about process theology, being funny online, heavy Christian music, purity culture, and of course, Veggie Tales.


Follow Mason Mennenga and get into his work including podcasts, YouTube videos and more by going to his website: https://masonmennenga.com/


Support the show on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod


Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4Q


Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com

Feb 13, 202401:10:09
102: God Gave Rock and Roll to You: Dr. Leah Payne

102: God Gave Rock and Roll to You: Dr. Leah Payne

Dr Leah Payne joins the show to talk about the her brand new book God Gave Rock and Roll to You: A History of Contemporary Christian Music. Also, Zach reveals the results of his research into exactly when and where in Disneyland Carman became a Christian.


Buy Leah's book:

https://www.amazon.com/God-Gave-Rock-Roll-You/dp/0197555241

Support the show on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod


Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4Q


Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com

Feb 06, 202401:07:11
101: Holly Jolly X'masu and Christmas Underground: Scott Leopold and Jim Goodwin

101: Holly Jolly X'masu and Christmas Underground: Scott Leopold and Jim Goodwin

Niche Christmas music enthusiasts Scott Leopold of the Japanese Christmas music podcast "Holly Jolly X'masu" and Jim Goodwin of the contemporary indie rock Christmas music blog "Christmas Underground" help spread some Christmas cheer around the VCW hall by podcasting loud for all to hear. Scott shares a couple of his favorite songs he's covered on his podcast and we all talk about the what real meaning of "the real meaning of Christmas" means to us.


Check out Christmas Underground, and read Jim's review of Zach's record here: https://christmasunderground.com/2020/09/11/zach-malm-the-darkest-time-of-year-2017-2020/


Subscribe to Holly Jolly X'masu here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/holly-jolly-xmasu/id1506110098

Support the show on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod


Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4Q


Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com



Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Dec 12, 202301:07:52
100: Leaving the Fold with Dr Marlene Winell

100: Leaving the Fold with Dr Marlene Winell

Dr. Marlene Winell is the author of the highly influential book Leaving the Fold: A Guide for Former Fundamentalists and Others Leaving Their Religion, and originated the term "Religious Trauma Syndrome", which she defined as "the condition experienced by people who are struggling with leaving an authoritarian, dogmatic religion and coping with the damage of indoctrination". We talk about that struggle, what it can be like for people experiencing it and why it can be a good thing for people to leave religion.


Check out Dr Winell's work at https://www.journeyfree.org/


Support the show on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod


Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4Q


Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com



Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Dec 05, 202301:10:17
099: Dave White of Linoleum Knife on Fundamentalism, Coming Out, Movies, and Christmas

099: Dave White of Linoleum Knife on Fundamentalism, Coming Out, Movies, and Christmas

Dave White, co-host of the movie podcast Linoleum Knife, visits the VCW to talk about his background with Evangelical Christianity and coming out. We discuss some of his favoritie movies of the year (so far) and also Christmas.


Listen to the Linoleum Knife podcast right here: https://podcasts.apple.com/id/podcast/linoleum-knife/id403079737


Linoleum. Knife episode featuring Zach and Dave talking about the movie: Jesus Revolution. https://podcasts.apple.com/id/podcast/lk-special-jesus-revolution-with-veterans-of-culture-wars/id403079737?i=1000601675619


Support the show on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod


Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4Q


Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester



Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com



Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Nov 28, 202301:28:02
098: Chris and Mendi Tackett are For Public Schools and Against Christian Nationalism

098: Chris and Mendi Tackett are For Public Schools and Against Christian Nationalism

Advocates for education, Chris and Mendi Tackett join the VCW hall to talk about current attempts to weaken and dismantle the public school system. We discuss "school choice" (moving toward privatizing education) and the ramifications if that type of policy was more widely adopted. David Barton also comes up as we dialogue about his many ways to inject pseudo-history into school textbooks.


Follow Chris and Mendi on Twitter:

@cjtackett

@mentack


Check out Chris Tackett's link tree featuring information on books being removed from libraries at schools to campaign finance tracking in Texas. https://linktr.ee/cjtackett


Support the show on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod


Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4Q


Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester



Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com



Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Nov 21, 202301:13:10
097: Death Doula: Virginia Spotts on Grief, Loss, Religious Trauma, Queerness, and Horror

097: Death Doula: Virginia Spotts on Grief, Loss, Religious Trauma, Queerness, and Horror

Podcast performer and producer Virginia Spotts (The Sheridan Tapes) stops by the VCW hall to talk about her Evangelical story, including her time at Mark Driscoll's Mars Hill Church, and Acts 29 church after that. She talks about realizing she was suffering from religious trauma as well as deep grief and loss (due to extremely painful life experiences) and how she navigated a path forward.


Listen to The Sheridan Tapes podcast right here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sheridan-tapes/id1508614133


Support the show on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod


Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4Q


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Nov 14, 202301:19:08
096: A Palestinian Christian Speaks on the Horror in Gaza: Rula Khoury

096: A Palestinian Christian Speaks on the Horror in Gaza: Rula Khoury

Rula Khoury, who is Palestinian-American-Christian, stops by the VCW hall to speak boldly about what is happening in Gaza and the West Bank with the current war. She talks about her family's history and we also talk about Christian Zionism (often fueled by forms of dispensational theology in America) which make it far more difficult for people to find pathways to peace for Palestinians and Israelis.


Books Rula Recommended:

*The Hundred Years' War on Palestine: A History of Settler Colonialism and Resistance, 1917-2017 by Rashid Khalidi

*The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine by Ilan Pappe

*The General's Son: Journey of an Israeli in Palestine by Miko Peled


Other Podcasts regarding Palestine/Israel:

*The New Evangelicals Podcast (Tim Whitaker) interviews Dr. Kevin Carnahan on the history of the conflict: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/176-understanding-israel-and-palestine-pt-1-blame/id1557794865?i=1000630800157

*The New Evangelicals Podcast (Tim Whitaker) interviews Palestinian-American Daniel Bannoura. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/178-understanding-israel-and-palestine-pt-3/id1557794865?i=1000631185579

*Saved by the City Podcast (Roxanne Stone and Katelyn Beaty) interview Greg Khalil. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-israel-gaza-and-the-hope-for-peace-greg-khalil/id1557930520?i=1000632651766

*The Ezra Klein Show Podcast on Israel declaring war in Gaza. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/israel-is-giving-hamas-what-it-wants/id1548604447?i=1000631712100

*The Ezra Klein Show Podcast interviewing a pollster who surveyed Gazans prior to the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/she-polled-gazans-on-oct-6-heres-what-she-found/id1548604447?i=1000633572018


Support the show on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod


Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4Q


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Nov 07, 202301:16:10
095: Power, Fear, and Violence: Andrew Whitehead on Christian Nationalism and American Idolatry

095: Power, Fear, and Violence: Andrew Whitehead on Christian Nationalism and American Idolatry

Dr. Andrew Whitehead stops by the VCW hall to chat about his new book "American Idolatry" chronicling the current manifestations of Christian Nationalism in our country. He talks about the main pillars of Christian Nationalism: power, fear and violence. He also discusses how Christians can think about the Great Commission minus a colonial mindset or nationalistic aims.


Pickup a copy of the book right here: http://www.bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/american-idolatry/412521


Listen to the 4-part podcast "American Idols" right here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/american-idols/id1706355168


Support the show on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod


Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4Q


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Oct 31, 202358:25
094: REAP On God's Campus: Erin Green and Paul Carlos Southwick

094: REAP On God's Campus: Erin Green and Paul Carlos Southwick

Erin Green and Paul Carlos Southwick of REAP (The Religious Exemption Accountability Project) visit the VCW hall to talk about their work organizing and fighting for LGBTQ+ equality at overwhelmingly white, taxpayer-supported religious schools and colleges, and their new podcast for the Axis Mundi network, On God's Campus.


Learn more about REAP at https://www.thereap.org/


Listen to On God's Campus right here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-gods-campus-voices-from-the-queer-underground/id1711256663


Support the show on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod


Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4Q


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Oct 24, 202359:18
093: RL Stollar on Child Liberation Theology and Homeschooling

093: RL Stollar on Child Liberation Theology and Homeschooling

R.L. Stollar joins the show to talk about his new book The Kingdom of Children: A Liberation Theology, the homeschooling movement, and his work as an advocate for homeschool survivors. We discuss Mr Rogers, considering scripture stories involving children through the child's perspective, such as the binding of Isaac, and whether evangelism is an inherently traumatic environment for children.


Pre-Order the book here:

https://www.eerdmans.com/Mobile/Products/8283/The-Kingdom-of-Children.aspx

Visit R.L. Stollar's Website to read more, including his answers to some questions we didn't have time to include in the episode:

https://rlstollar.com/

A Survival Guide for Homeschool Alumni

https://rlstollar.com/2023/06/13/a-survival-guide-for-homeschool-alumni/


Support the show on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod


Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4Q


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Oct 10, 202301:26:60
092: The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy: Robert P Jones

092: The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy: Robert P Jones

Founder and president of the Public Religion Research Institute and author Robert P Jones joins the VCW hall to talk about his New York Times bestselling new book The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy and the Path to a Shared American Future, which traces the underknown but outsized impact of the Doctrine of Discovery on minority and marginalized groups throughout American history into the present day.


Buy the book right here: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Hidden-Roots-of-White-Supremacy/Robert-P-Jones/9781668009536

Read Robert P Jones' Substack right here: https://www.whitetoolong.net/

Follow Robert P Jones on X (Twitter): @robertpjones


Support the show on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod


Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4Q


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Oct 03, 202301:02:45
091: Josh Larsen Gives Us Nightmares

091: Josh Larsen Gives Us Nightmares

Film critic Josh Larsen (Filmspotting, Think Christian) joins us to discuss his new book Fear Not! A Christian Appreciation of Horror Movies. We discuss frightful movies which have left a lasting impression and given him a deeper understanding of spirituality and human nature, covering multiple subgenres of horror, including slashers, psychological horror, found footage and more.


Buy the book Fear Not! right here: https://wipfandstock.com/9781666738520/fear-not/


Follow Josh Larsen on X (Twitter): @larsenonfilm

Visit Josh Larsen's website: larsenonfilm.com

Check out Think Christian: thinkchristian.net

Listen to Filmspotting: https://www.filmspotting.net/


Support the show on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod


Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4Q


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Sep 26, 202301:04:36
090: Back from Summer Break with Tiki Drinks

090: Back from Summer Break with Tiki Drinks

Zach and Dave are changing lightbulbs and deep cleaning the carpets of the VCW Hall, getting it ready for the new season. They talk about trips they took this summer (including Zach's visit to a naked spa and the body positivity/body neutrality/embodiment stuff that involves), while also discussing Zach's recent realization that after 41 years of not liking beer or wine, and only kinda liking cider, what he really likes is Tiki drinks. Also, the Barbie movie. This episode is a preview of the sort of content people will experience if they sign up to be a patreon. Zach and Dave plan on releasing a Patreon-only episode once a month going forward.


Support the show on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod


Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4Q


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Sep 12, 202343:04
089: The Adventures of Mr. Whitaker: Tim Whitaker (The New Evangelicals)

089: The Adventures of Mr. Whitaker: Tim Whitaker (The New Evangelicals)

Podcaster and social media star Tim Whitaker, with The New Evangelicals, expands on his story with Evangelical Christianity including his process of becoming LGBTQIA affirming. He discusses attending the Asbury Revival and also going to Charlie Kirk's Turning Point USA conference. We also talk about where we think Evangelicalism is headed in the future.


Follow The New Evangelicals on Twitter: @newvangelicals

Check out The New Evangelicals website: https://www.thenewevangelicals.com/


Support the show on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Jul 04, 202301:01:46
088: American Prophets of the Religious Left: Jack Jenkins

088: American Prophets of the Religious Left: Jack Jenkins

Religion News Service national reporter Jack Jenkins joins the VCW to talk about his most recent book "American Prophets: The Religious Roots of Progressive Politics and the Ongoing Fight for the Soul of the Country". We contrast the religious right and the religious left and discuss progressive political movements of the last 20 years and how they surprisingly were inspired by religious faith in many cases.


Buy a copy of Jack Jenkins' book right here: https://www.jackjenkins.me/american-prophets.html


Check in with Jack's journalism work right here: https://www.jackjenkins.me/


Read Jack's Religion News Service articles right here: https://religionnews.com/author/jackjenkins/


Follow Jack on twitter: @jackmjenkins


Support the show on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Jun 27, 202301:21:55
087: DisneyLand Mayfield: DL and Krispin Mayfield

087: DisneyLand Mayfield: DL and Krispin Mayfield

DL "DisneyLand" Mayfield (at least for the purposes of this episode) and Krispin "Krispin" Mayfield join the show to talk about Disneyland, which Zach recently visited and is very excited to discuss and use as a jumping off point for talking about embodiment, being present, time and growth, our evangelical childhoods, neurodivergent experiences, fear, high control religion, and more, but also just a lot of specific talk about Disneyland.


Follow their Disneyland account on Instagram: @highly_sensitive_disney

DL's Substack "Healing is My Special Interest": https://dlmayfield.substack.com/

Check out Krispin's book Attached to God: A Practical Guide to Deeper Spiritual Experience: https://www.amazon.com/Attached-God-Practical-Spiritual-Experience/dp/0310363799

Check out DL's latest book Unruly Saint: Dorothy Day's Radical Vision and its Challenge for Our Times: https://www.amazon.com/Unruly-Saint-Dorothy-Radical-Challenge/dp/1506473598/


Support the show on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Jun 06, 202301:32:50
086: Come & See the Great Films: Elijah Davidson

086: Come & See the Great Films: Elijah Davidson

Author and film lover, Elijah Davidson, joins the VCW hall to share his Evangelical story and also talk about his new book "Come & See: A Christian Guide to the Greatest Films of All Time". We discuss some of these historic films and also chat about the Christian movie industry.


Pick up the book right here: https://elijahdavidson.com/books/come-see/


Get portions of the book for free in your email: https://elijahdavidson.com/come-and-see/


Follow Elijah on Twitter: @elijahdavidson


Support the show on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com


Podcast music by Zach Malm

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May 30, 202301:40:32
085: The Psychology of Christian Nationalism: Dr. Pamela Cooper-White and Dr. Marcia Pally

085: The Psychology of Christian Nationalism: Dr. Pamela Cooper-White and Dr. Marcia Pally

Dr. Marcia Pally (author of White Evangelicals and Right-Wing Populism: How Did We Get Here?) returns to the VCW hall with her friend, Dr. Pamela Cooper- White. We discuss Dr. Cooper-White's new book, "The Psychology of Christian Nationalism: Why People Are Drawn In And How to Talk Across the Divide".


Buy Dr. Pamela Cooper-White's book right here: https://www.fortresspress.com/store/product/9781506482118/The-Psychology-of-Christian-Nationalism


Follow Dr. Marcia Pally on Twitter: @marcia_pally

Buy Dr. Pally's book right here: https://www.routledge.com/White-Evangelicals-and-Right-Wing-Populism-How-Did-We-Get-Here/Pally/p/book/9781032134826


Support the show on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

May 02, 202301:22:52
084: Culture War on Trans People: Billie Hoard

084: Culture War on Trans People: Billie Hoard

Writer, advocate and teacher Billie Hoard joins the VCW to share her story within Evangelicalism, her exit from those spaces and finding herself in a Mennonite church as an anarcho-pacifist. She also discusses coming out as trans to her family and school where she teaches. We also talk about how trans people have become targets in the ferocity of the Right's culture war.


Follow Billie on Twitter: @Billieiswriting

Check out Billie's blog and her writing about Preston Sprinkle's book "Embodied": http://heavenandearthquestions.blogspot.com/2022/10/the-sweetest-poisons-preston-sprinkle.html


Listen to The New Evangelicals Podcast interview of Billie Hoard and Dr. Paul Hoard on disgust theology: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/133-wtf-is-disgust-theology-with-billie-and-paul-hoard/id1557794865?i=1000604934217


Mentioned on the podcast, "How a Campaign Against Transgender Rights Mobilized Conservatives": https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/16/us/politics/transgender-conservative-campaign.html


Support the show on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com


Podcast music by Zach Malm

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Apr 25, 202301:11:44
083: Asian-American Apostate: R. Scott Okamoto

083: Asian-American Apostate: R. Scott Okamoto

Writer and podcaster R. Scott Okamoto returns to the VCW hall to talk about his new memoir Asian-American Apostate: Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University (out on April 18th, 2023). He discusses the process of getting it published, responds to some of the early reviews, and we of course talk about the book itself, which chronicles his experiences and observations from a good portion of his life spent teaching English at an evangelical university.


Buy the book: https://www.lakedrivebooks.com/books/asian-american-apostate/

Listen to Scott on the Chapel Probation podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chapel-probation/id1604103239

Go to Scott's website: https://www.rscottokamoto.com/

Follow Scott on Twitter: @RSokamoto


Support the show on Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com


Podcast music by Zach Malm

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Apr 18, 202301:29:44
082: Tales from the Union Gospel Mission: Kyle Reynolds

082: Tales from the Union Gospel Mission: Kyle Reynolds

Former pastor for 15 years and former employee at Seattle's Union Gospel Mission (UGM), Kyle Reynolds comes by the VCW hall to share his Evangelical story and faith journey. We discuss how he became LGBTQ affirming as a straight pastor then talk about his work at UGM as well as the work that UGM does in Seattle. Within that work at UGM, we discuss Seattle's homelessness crisis.


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Apr 04, 202301:13:07
081: Too Punk For the Christians and Too Christian For the Punks: Jeff Suffering

081: Too Punk For the Christians and Too Christian For the Punks: Jeff Suffering

Jeff Bettger (AKA Jeff Suffering) stops by to talk about his recently reformed 1990s Tooth and Nail band Ninety Pound Wuss, as well as his time playing music and being a pastor at Mars Hill Church in Seattle. We talk about his musical history, including Raft of Dead Monkeys, Suffering and the Hideous Thieves, and Team Strike Force, an early and very important band in the story of Mars Hill. He talks about discovering punk rock as a teenager, seeing Jesus as an anarchist, and his uncomfortable creative life as someone "too punk for the Christians and too Christian for the punks". He also talks about religious trauma and times he's experienced panic attacks as a result of his experience with Mars Hill. 

Find out more about what's happening with Ninety Pound Wuss here: https://linktr.ee/ninetypoundwuss


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm



Mar 28, 202301:31:23
080: Learning to Speak God from Scratch: Jonathan Merritt

080: Learning to Speak God from Scratch: Jonathan Merritt

Religion reporter and book author Jonathan Merritt joins the VCW to share his Evangelical story that includes the trauma of being outed in 2012. We also discuss the ethics of publicly outing people (who are harmful to the LGBTQ community), death anxiety from certain religious backgrounds, and his fascinating *newest* book "Learning to Speak God from Scratch".


Buy the book here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/learning-to-speak-god-from-scratch-jonathan-merritt/1126434908#/


Connect with Jonathan Merritt:

Website: https://www.jonathanmerritt.com/

Twitter: @jonathanmerritt

Instagram: @jonathan_merritt

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/JonathanMerritt


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Mar 21, 202358:50
079: The Power Worshippers: Katherine Stewart

079: The Power Worshippers: Katherine Stewart

The VCW hall was honored to host author and journalist Katherine Stewart to talk about her religious background and how she fell down the rabbit hole of covering Christian Nationalism specifically through the religious right's attempts to radically alter or eliminate public education. She also talks about being trained in journalism craft by Wayne Barrett who covered Donald Trump for years but sadly died right before his inauguration.


Connect with Katherine Stewart on Twitter: @kathsstewart

Get a copy of Katherine Stewart's book right here:  https://katherinestewart.me/books/the-power-worshippers/


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Mar 14, 202301:12:34
078: The Best Movies of 2022: Sarah Welch-Larson and Jeffrey Overstreet (Part 2)

078: The Best Movies of 2022: Sarah Welch-Larson and Jeffrey Overstreet (Part 2)

Every year, around this time, Jeffrey Overstreet joins us to talk about our favorite movies of the preceding year. This year we are very happy to have Sarah Welch-Larson joining the discussion as well. On part 2 of our Best Movies of 2022 mega-episode, we talk about our personal top 10 movies from 2022.


Connect with Sarah Welch-Larson on Twitter:  @dodgyboffin

Listen to Sarah Welch-Larson with co-host Kevin on the "Seeing and Believing" Podcast: https://christandpopculture.com/category/podcast/seeing-and-believing/

Buy Sarah Welch-Larson's book "Becoming Alien" right here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/becoming-alien-sarah-welch-larson/1138609607


Connect with Jeffrey Overstreet on Twitter: @overstweet

Read Jeffrey Overstreet's Substack right here: https://substack.com/profile/8438708-jeffrey-overstreet

Buy Jeffrey Overstreet's books including "Through a Screen Darkly" right here: https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780830743155


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Mar 07, 202301:53:46
077: The Best Movies of 2022: Sarah Welch-Larson and Jeffrey Overstreet (Part 1)

077: The Best Movies of 2022: Sarah Welch-Larson and Jeffrey Overstreet (Part 1)

Every year, around this time, Jeffrey Overstreet joins us to talk about our favorite movies of the preceding year, the Oscar nominees, and so forth. This year we are very happy to have Sarah Welch-Larson joining the discussion as well. On part 1 of our Best Movies of 2022 mega-episode, we talk about the Academy Award nominees for Best Picture and some smaller, somewhat idiosyncratic films that didn't make our personal top 10 lists but we felt were notable and worth sharing. On the next episode, the 4 of us count down our individual top 10 lists and share our thoughts on all of them.


Connect with Sarah Welch-Larson on Twitter:  @dodgyboffin

Listen to Sarah Welch-Larson with co-host Kevin on the "Seeing and Believing" Podcast: https://christandpopculture.com/category/podcast/seeing-and-believing/

Buy Sarah Welch-Larson's book "Becoming Alien" right here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/becoming-alien-sarah-welch-larson/1138609607


Connect with Jeffrey Overstreet on Twitter: @overstweet

Read Jeffrey Overstreet's Substack right here: https://substack.com/profile/8438708-jeffrey-overstreet

Buy Jeffrey Overstreet's books including "Through a Screen Darkly" right here: https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780830743155


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Feb 28, 202351:58
076: Dave Ramsey (Non) Solutions: Amy Fritz

076: Dave Ramsey (Non) Solutions: Amy Fritz

Podcast host and writer Amy Fritz joins us to talk about her Evangelical story and how her family moved from Minnesota to Tennessee as her husband Nathan took a job at Ramsey Solutions. She talks about how she came to realize that Ramsey Solutions was a toxic environment and that led her to thinking about untangling her faith from other unhealthy personalities, organizations and ideas.


Follow Amy Fritz on Twitter: @amyfritz


Listen to the Untangled Faith podcast right here: https://untangledfaithpodcast.com/


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Feb 21, 202301:08:30
075: To Be Religious or Not to Be Religious: Professor David Dark

075: To Be Religious or Not to Be Religious: Professor David Dark

Professor and author Dr. David Dark joins the VCW hall to talk about his reframed and expanded new book "Life's Too Short to Pretend You're Not Religious".  We discuss the definition of "religious" vs "spiritual but not religious", Hollywood's portrayal of Christians and/or religious people, why to "love a person is to love a process" and also that love takes a neighborhood.


Buy the book here: https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506481661/Lifes-Too-Short-to-Pretend-You-re-Not-Religious


Connect with Dr. David Dark here:

On Substack: https://daviddark.substack.com/

On Twitter:  @daviddark


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Feb 14, 202301:11:43
074: Fighting a Demon on Mount Everest with Dr. Matthew Taylor

074: Fighting a Demon on Mount Everest with Dr. Matthew Taylor

Dr. Matthew Taylor joins us to discuss his recent podcast series Charismatic Revival Fury, released through the Straight White American Jesus podcast.  We talk about central figures of the New Apostolic Reformation like C Peter Wagner and Che Ahn, the connection to the "signs and wonders" charismatic movement led by John Wimber, Matthew's concept of "prophetic memes", January 6th as a religious event, the increasingly intense and violent rhetoric of the spiritual warfare movement, and that time charismatics climbed Mount Everest to battle a powerful demon called The Queen of Heaven, and how that connects to January 6th.


Connect with Dr. Matthew Taylor:

Twitter: @taylormatthewd

Website: https://icjs.org/people/matthew-d-taylor/


PDF of C Peter Wagner's "Confronting the Queen of Heaven": https://sbicconnect.fun/download/c-peter-wagner-confronting-the-queen-of-heaven-peter-wagner-pdf/

Documentary on Operation Ice Castle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3mcFlybs5w

Alissa Wilkinson on Columbine, the Cassie Bernall myth, and evangelical martyrdom fantasies: https://www.vox.com/culture/2017/4/20/15369442/columbine-anniversary-cassie-bernall-rachel-scott-martyrdom



Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com

-Buy VCW merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/VCWHall


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Jan 31, 202301:27:26
073: Jingle Bell Rocks: Mitchell Kezin

073: Jingle Bell Rocks: Mitchell Kezin

We talk with Mitchell Kezin, director of the documentary Jingle Bell Rocks!, which is about primarily left-of-center Christmas music, and features interviews with Reverend Run of Run-DMC, John Waters, Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips, Low, and others. We talk about Christmas music as part of the rituals that people create to give extra meaning to this time of year, from putting on the music that you have to hear in order for it to really feel like Christmas, to making mixes and playlists to share with friends, something Mitchell has been doing since 1990. We also discuss Mariah Carey's failed attempt to have herself legally declared the Queen of Christmas.

See the trailer for Jingle Bells Rocks! here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBL6SQuaA8E

Buy the DVD or rent a stream directly from Mitchell here:

https://mitchellsmerrymix.com/jinglebellrocks/


Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com

-Buy VCW merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/VCWHall


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Dec 13, 202201:32:58
072: The War on Christmas Movies: Alonso Duralde
Nov 29, 202201:37:42
071: See You at the Polls: Brad Onishi on The Red Wave that Wasn't, January 6th, and the Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism

071: See You at the Polls: Brad Onishi on The Red Wave that Wasn't, January 6th, and the Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism

Co-host of the podcast, Straight White American Jesus, Brad Onishi returns to the VCW hall to talk about his forthcoming book (January 6, 2023) "Preparing for War: The Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism- And What Comes Next".  While we are all seeing a rise in Christian Nationalism in our present political moment, Brad traces the history of how we got to this religious and political moment while examining his own roots being raised in southern California.  We discuss the Barry Goldwater campaign, the conspiracies of the John Birch Society, Richard Nixon and the merging of conservative Evangelism fully with right-wing populism during the Ronald Reagan presidency.  Over the course of this history we begin to see that, in the Trump-era, nothing really has changed that much.

At the end, we also share some thoughts on the passing of Mimi Parker of Low, in light of our recent conversation with her husband Alan Sparhawk. 


Pre-order the book Preparing for War right here:  https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506482163/Preparing-for-War

Listen to Straight White American Jesus right here: https://straightwhiteamericanjesus.com/


-Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com

-Buy VCW merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/VCWHall


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Nov 15, 202201:32:24
070: New Apostolic Reformation (NAR): Dr. Andre Gagne

070: New Apostolic Reformation (NAR): Dr. Andre Gagne

From Concordia University in Montreal, Dr. Andre Gagne joins the VCW hall to share his story with Evangelicalism which included being a pastor for 10 years. We define Christian Nationalism and discuss the growing movement in America.  Then we take a deeper dive into the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), the 7 Mountain Mandate, some of the personalities pushing these ideas and how this connects to our contemporary politics.


Mentioned on the Pod:

NPR's Terry Gross interviews C. Peter Wagner on the New Apostolic Reformation: https://www.npr.org/2011/10/03/140946482/apostolic-leader-weighs-religions-role-in-politics#:~:text=Transcript-,C.,of%20the%20New%20Apostolic%20Reformation.

Representative Lauren Boebert says that church should direct the government:  https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3540071-boebert-says-she-is-tired-of-separation-between-church-and-state-the-church-is-supposed-to-direct-the-government/

Pennsylvania gubernatorial candidate, Doug Mastriano, promotes Christian Nationalism: https://www.newyorker.com/news/on-religion/a-pennsylvania-lawmaker-and-the-resurgence-of-christian-nationalism


-Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com

-Buy VCW merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/VCWHall


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Nov 08, 202201:31:52
069: Harvest Festival 2022: Christian Nightmares

069: Harvest Festival 2022: Christian Nightmares

Rapture and hellfire and influencers, oh my! Prepare to be terrified by the spookiest episode of the year. The shadowy figure behind the Christian Nightmares social media accounts joins us to talk about the things that traumatized him as an evangelical kid, and the things that scare, amuse, and confound him now about contemporary evangelical culture. We also talk a little about Mark Driscoll, who recently claimed that the real reason he quit Mars Hill rather than face any consequences for his actions is that the elders of the church were planning to falsely accuse him of adultery. 


Follow Christian Nightmares on social media:

Twitter: @ChristnNitemare

Instagram: @christian_nightmares

Tumblr: https://christiannightmares.tumblr.com

Substack: https://christiannightmares.substack.com


-Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com

-Buy VCW merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/VCWHall


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Oct 31, 202201:19:25
068: I'll See You Tomorrow: Dr. Heather Thompson Day

068: I'll See You Tomorrow: Dr. Heather Thompson Day

Author, Podcaster, Communications Professor and interdenominational speaker Dr. Heather Thompson Day joins the VCW hall to share her story with Evangelicalism and talk about her new book (written with her husband Seth Day) "I'll See you Tomorrow".  Dr. Day discusses how lonely and disconnected our society is and how we can have meaningful friendships and relationships.  We also talk about radical forgiveness.


Buy the book, "I'll See You Tomorrow", here:  https://www.heatherthompsonday.com/seeyoutomorrow


Connect with Dr. Heather Thompson Day

Website: https://www.heatherthompsonday.com/

Instagram: @heatherthompsonday

Twitter:  @heathertday


-Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com

-Buy VCW merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/VCWHall


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Oct 25, 202256:33
067: Banned From Christian Bookstores: Matt Johnson on Tooth & Nail, Roadside Monument, and Mars Hill Church

067: Banned From Christian Bookstores: Matt Johnson on Tooth & Nail, Roadside Monument, and Mars Hill Church

Matt Johnson, former Mars Hill elder and drummer in the "Christians in a band not Christian Band" bands Roadside Monument, Blenderhead, and Raft of Dead Monkeys talks with us about the pre-Mars Hill 1990s Seattle Christian punk community, centered around Calvary Chapel in the University District, where Damien Jurado, Dave Bazan and many others also attended. We talk about his time in those bands, particularly Roadside Monument, who recently played a reunion show at Furnace Fest. We also talk about his 17 years at Mars Hill, what it was like being on staff as it was imploding, and the lingering trauma of that experience.


-Buy Matt Johnson's book "Getting Jesus Wrong" right here: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/getting-jesus-wrong-matt-johnson/1124724146

-Matt Johnson writes in Mockingbird while looking back at his experiences at Mars Hill Church and after: https://mbird.com/religion/17-years-at-mars-hill-life-after-disillusionment/

-Follow Roadside Monument on Instagram: @roadsidemonumentband

-Read about and see a video of their 2017 Seattle reunion show: https://www.npr.org/sections/allsongs/2017/06/19/532960633/roadside-monument-15-years-and-2-700-miles-later-reunite-a-lost-seattle


-Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com

-Buy VCW merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/VCWHall


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Oct 18, 202201:24:43
066: Hope and Faith: Alan Sparhawk of Low

066: Hope and Faith: Alan Sparhawk of Low

In this special and occasionally heavy episode, we were honored to have Alan Sparhawk from the band Low visit the VCW hall to chat about his music, his religious journey with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and faith and hope. We discuss how faith and hope are different but play together, moments of transcendence, and the feeling of bumping into something holy. Knowing that Zach is a cancer survivor, Alan wanted to talk about the biggest thing happening in his life right now, as his wife and bandmate Mimi is currently undergoing treatment for ovarian cancer. We were so grateful for this conversation, and for Alan's openness and desire for authentic connection during a very difficult time, and hope you'll join us in sending love, positive thoughts, prayers, or whatever you see fit in support of Mimi.


Low performances:

The Murder of Crows live at Sacred Heart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gb6Rube7YUg

Low performing "Murderer": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhJAR6UZsCk


Twitter and Instagram: @lowtheband

Label site: https://www.subpop.com/artists/low

The band's site: https://www.chairkickers.com/


-Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com

-Buy VCW merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/VCWHall


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Oct 11, 202201:50:36
065: Psychoanalyzing Evangelicalism: Dr. Paul Hoard

065: Psychoanalyzing Evangelicalism: Dr. Paul Hoard

Trigger warning: In this episode, we discuss sexual abuse toward minors.

Dr. Paul Hoard joins the VCW hall to discuss his journey with Evangelicalism and how Evangelicals have interacted with psychology. We chat about cheap forgiveness vs true forgiveness, Sigmund Freud and Jesus casting out demons.


Connect with Dr. Paul Hoard on Twitter:  @Hoardpaul

Website:  https://paul-hoard.clientsecure.me/


Articles regarding a professor who abused students at Grace College:

https://julieroys.com/report-sex-abuse-claims-substantiated-founder-grace-college-music-dept/

https://www.christianpost.com/news/founder-of-grace-colleges-music-department-was-serial-predator.html


Information on Nouthetic Counseling:

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/two-sides-of-the-counseling-coin/


-Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com

-Buy VCW merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/VCWHall


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Oct 04, 202201:19:10
064: The Science of Mermaids: Tori Williams Douglass

064: The Science of Mermaids: Tori Williams Douglass

Podcaster and soon-to-be-author Tori Williams Douglass joins the VCW hall for a wide-ranging discussion of her own story of being homeschooled in a fundamentalist Christian environment and going to Northwest College. She traces her journey to becoming an anti-racist educator working with businesses, churches and other organizations. We talk in detail about Critical Race Theory, the rightwing freakout over a black mermaid, Phyllis Schlafly, body positivity and body neutrality. Finally, Tori gives us a sneak preview of her forthcoming book.


Connect with Tori:

On Twitter- @toriglass

Instagram- @toriglass


Listen to Tori's Podcasts:

*White Homework- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/white-homework/id1481083774

*Go Home Bible, You're Drunk- https://www.irreverent.fm/show/go-home-bible-youre-drunk/


-Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com

-Buy VCW merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/VCWHall


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Sep 27, 202201:47:12
063: R. Scott Okamoto Puts Us on Chapel Probation

063: R. Scott Okamoto Puts Us on Chapel Probation

Note: Listening to this episode will not count toward your required chapel credits. Host of the Chapel Probation Podcast and soon-to-be author R. Scott Okamoto stops by the VCW hall to share his Evangelical story including his years teaching, deconstructing, and encountering racism at Azusa Pacific University, a school that claims to be "God First" since 1899.  We talk about Christian colleges and universities, prosperity gospel theology and if Christian colleges actually are a factor in some students deconstructing their faith once they enter the "real world".


Connect with Scott on Twitter:  @rsokamoto

Visit Scott's website:  rscottokamoto.com

Listen to the Chapel Probation Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/chapel-probation/id1604103239

Listen to a Chapel speech by Scott at Azusa Pacific University back in the past (referenced during the show):  https://vimeo.com/95769927?fbclid=IwAR2mAZ9zs3ale4tZcls4V60jxUCBiTqJs5m-ewBdlw5OKnZymZuxibOgv4Y


-Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com

-Buy VCW merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/VCWHall


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Sep 20, 202201:22:37
062: Restorative Grief: Mandy Capehart

062: Restorative Grief: Mandy Capehart

Grief coach, author, and founder of the Restorative Grief Project, Mandy Capehart joins the VCW hall as we talk all about grief in its many forms, including anticipatory and disenfranchised/ambiguous grief, grief guilt, grief brain, grief as a non-linear experience, why the "5 stages" aren't helpful for understanding grief, and how churches often fail to support grievers, particularly through spiritual bypassing and through terminating cliches. Finally, we talk about how people can be better "grief supporters" when people in our lives are dealing with unimaginable loss.


Buy Mandy Capehart's book "Restorative Grief: Embracing Our Losses Without Losing Ourselves" right here: https://www.mandycapehart.com/book-restorative-grief/


Connect with Mandy Capehart on her website and various social media platforms: https://www.mandycapehart.com/


Listen to her podcasts: Uncomfortable Grace Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/uncomfortable-grace-podcast/id1541028115)

Restorative Grief Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/restorative-grief-with-mandy-capehart/id1583949156)


-Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com

-Buy VCW merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/VCWHall


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Sep 13, 202201:42:13
061: The Deadwood Bible: Matt Zoller Seitz

061: The Deadwood Bible: Matt Zoller Seitz

Matt Zoller Seitz, Editor at Large of RogerEbert.com, joins the VCW hall to talk about "The Deadwood Bible: A Lie Agreed Upon", his new book on the HBO series Deadwood, as well as its fascinating and complex creator David Milch. We talk about grief, addiction, recovery, certainty, Terrence Malick, and Matt shares his changing thoughts on spirituality and faith while having experienced unimaginable loss. Toward the end, Matt talks a bit about encountering Wes Anderson at the beginning of his career, including being on set during the filming of Bottle Rocket.


Buy "The Deadwood Bible" right here: https://mzs.press/Deadwood-Collection-c136338555

Connect with MZS on Twitter: @mattzollerseitz

Read MZS's film reviews here: https://www.rogerebert.com/contributors/matt-zoller-seitz


-Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com

-Buy VCW merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/VCWHall


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Aug 23, 202201:44:30
060: Hillsong of Trumpet the Bloodhound: Roxanne Stone

060: Hillsong of Trumpet the Bloodhound: Roxanne Stone

Managing editor of Religion News Service and co-host of the award-winning podcast Saved By the City, Roxanne Stone joins the VCW to talk about her Evangelical story, how the last 5 years have affected her faith, the urban/rural divide in America including on faith issues, how she broke the news about Hillsong NYC Pastor Carl Lentz's resignation because of an affair, and her experience going from writing about religion at Christian publications to writing about it at a secular news outlet. Also, we talk a bit about the Seven Mountains Mandate, the New Apostolic Reformation, and the Passion translation of the Bible.


Listen to Saved By the City with Roxy and Katelyn Beaty right here:  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/saved-by-the-city/id1557930520


Connect with Roxanne Stone:

Twitter:  @roxyleestone

instagram:  @roxyleestone

Religion News Service: https://religionnews.com/tag/roxanne-stone/


-Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm


Jul 05, 202201:08:01
059: Stumbling Cracks: George Azar on His Gay Church Days

059: Stumbling Cracks: George Azar on His Gay Church Days

Author George Azar joins the VCW hall to talk about "My Gay Church Days", his self-published memoir of converting to evangelicalism as a teenager, becoming a pastor and thinking of himself as "struggling with same-sex attraction", his experience at Exodus International (the most notorious gay conversion organization in the world before it disbanded in 2012), and eventual acceptance of himself as a gay man and exit from evangelicalism.

Connect with George Azar:

Twitter:  @mygaychurchdays

Instagram:  @mygaychurchdays

Website: (Where you can order the book) https://www.mygaychurchdays.com/


-Check out Zach's music by going to:  https://muzach.bandcamp.com


Twitter:

Twitter: @vcwpod

Zach- @muzach

Dave- @Davejlester


Podcast music by Zach Malm

Logo by Zach Malm

Jun 28, 202201:15:28