Best Deconversion Podcasts (2025)

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GFNs13 - Nicole's Deconversion Reposted 28:33

Play Pause

22h ago28:33

28:33

This is the corrected and reposted version of Nicole's solo podcast. We used a completely new download of the file and did not use any truncation or compression on it at all to limit issues with tempo. Please send all feedback to Nicole directly using the contact info she gives at the end of the episode. All of the GFN ladies appreciate your care a…

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Episode 140 - Sean McDowell and WLC miss the point on Rhett's deconversion 50:47

19d ago50:47

50:47

In this episode of Still Unbelievable!, Matthew reviews Sean McDowell and William Lane Craig being shitty about Rhett's deconversion. When Christian apologists review the deconversion of a high profile Christian, it's a given that they will miss the point on the things they say and misdirect their adoring Christian fans on the negative aspects of C…

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17% Point Drop: Why Americans Are Leaving Religion (Gallup Data) 11:11

4h ago11:11

11:11

Send us a text Gallup reports a 17% point drop in Americans who say religion is important in daily life. This is one of the largest declines recorded globally in the last decade, and it signals a massive cultural shift in America. In this episode of the Mike Drop, Mike Smithgall analyzes the #Gallup data, breaking down why this 17% drop is happenin…

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Breakfast with a Heathen EP5: Hungry Babies & The Cost of Faith: Sex, Consent, and Religious Hypocrisy. 44:03

8h ago44:03

44:03

Send us a text This week, we dive into the deep and often hypocritical intersections of faith, social welfare, and personal ethics. The discussion opens with the shocking findings from the viral TikTok experiment where churches denied basic aid like baby formula to the needy, contrasting this with the impending government shutdown and asking: Where…

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Faith, Fear, and the Mayor of New York 8:41

2h ago8:41

8:41

Send us a text shared a meme of the Twin Towers asking, “Has New York forgotten?” Mike Smithgall digs into what that reaction says about us. He opens with a story that sounds like 9/11—but isn’t—and exposes the double standard in how we label religious violence. From the Oklahoma City bombing to modern Islamophobia, this Mike Drop looks at how fear…

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Breakfast With Heathen Ep4 - From “Have a Blessed Day” to “You Cherry Picked That”: A Candid Talk on Faith and Frustration 55:04

9d ago55:04

55:04

Send us a text In this episode of Breakfast with a Heathen, Mike answers real questions from listeners about debating religion, losing friendships, and navigating those awkward “bless your heart” moments. From being told you’re “taking scripture out of context” to realizing you never truly believed, this discussion explores how atheists and agnosti…

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Why the Parties Switched Sides — and How Religion Made It Possible 10:55

4d ago10:55

10:55

Send us a text The Republican Party once led the fight against slavery. Today, it’s home to America’s Christian nationalist movement. What happened? In this episode, Mike breaks down how religion shaped every stage of the political party realignment, from Lincoln’s abolitionist Republicans to the rise of the evangelical right. Religion didn’t cause…

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Breakfast With a Heathen EP3 - Prayer, Apologetics, Mixed-Belief Love, and Leaving Faith 56:47

4d ago56:47

56:47

Send us a text Pour a cup and hang out with Mike Smithgall for a Sunday morning Q&A. You’ll hear my take on “I’m praying for you,” why Christian apologetics fascinates and embarrasses, and a story about a friendly young-earth creationist who pushed me to think harder. We get into belief in a god without religion, the rise of the “nones,” and why a …

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Nowhere News - EP30 1:09:49

21d ago1:09:49

1:09:49

Happy Halloweenies! [email protected] Music courtesy of Tim Callendar and used with permissionBy Greetings from Nowhere

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GFN75 - Here Comes Halloween 1:57:45

19d ago1:57:45

1:57:45

Happy Halloween everyone! [email protected] Music courtesy of Yoo Soo via Songfinch and used with permission.By Greetings from Nowhere

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Faith on the Blackboard , The Real Agenda Behind Ten Commandments Laws 10:13

22d ago10:13

10:13

Send us a text In this episode, Mike Smithgall examines the growing push to hang the Ten Commandments in public classrooms and the larger campaign to rewrite history under the banner of “heritage.” He explains how Christian nationalism turns nostalgia into propaganda, and why real heritage requires facing uncomfortable truths. Question: How should …

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Breakfast With A heathen Ep2: How Religion Warps Politics, Parenting, and the Way We Think 48:09

17d ago48:09

48:09

Send us a text This Breakfast with a Heathen episode covers a range of questions from faith and politics to parenting and personal belief. We start with how religion was never out of U.S. politics—Trump only made it obvious—and look at what happens when faith becomes a tool for control rather than reflection. We talk about the idea that atheists “b…

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Nowhere News - EP29 1:06:40

27d ago1:06:40

1:06:40

No Kings! [email protected] Greetings from Nowhere

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Prayer as Propaganda: How Pete Hegseth’s “Department of War” Video Rewrites Scripture 12:29

28d ago12:29

12:29

Send us a text In this episode, Mike Smithgall dissects Pete Hegseth’s viral Lord’s Prayer video and its disturbing fusion of religion and state power. Using biblical analysis and historical parallels from Sinclair Lewis and Eugene Debs, he explains how Christian nationalism repackages faith as propaganda and patriotism as obedience. This episode a…

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Nowhere News - EP28 1:14:35

29d ago1:14:35

1:14:35

Accidental dog poop [email protected] Greetings from Nowhere

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Breakfast with a Heathen - Ep 1: Coffee, Questions, and the Cost of Honesty 1:06:08

1M ago1:06:08

1:06:08

Send us a text Mike Smithgall, the unelected mayor of Atheistville, sits down with coffee to answer your questions about atheism, belief, and honesty. From telling your Christian mom you’re an atheist to why arguing with believers never works, this Sunday Q&A takes on faith, comfort, family, and finding peace without religion. No sermon, no shoutin…

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Morality Without God: How Religion Hijacked Our Conscience 13:26

1M ago13:26

13:26

Send us a text If morality comes from God, why do moral progress and religious doctrine so often collide? Mike Smithgall breaks down the myth that we need divine authority to be good. This episode examines empathy’s evolutionary roots, the failures of fear-based morality, and the evidence that secular societies thrive without divine command. It’s a…

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Episode 139 - Lee Strobel tries to make a case for heaven 31:34

1M ago31:34

31:34

In this episode Matthew reviews a conversation that Lee Strobel had with Justin Brierley in April 2022. In that discussion Lee tried very hard to make a case for heaven, and Matthew examines the points he makes and revealing why his case is utter bunk. It literally is wishful thinking gone wild. The original you tube video of the conversation is at…

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Nowhere News - EP27 1:01:31

1M ago1:01:31

1:01:31

Put some respect on that man's name. [email protected] *music courtesy of Tim Callender and used with permissionBy Greetings from Nowhere

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Nowhere News - EP26 1:09:29

1M ago1:09:29

1:09:29

Happy birthday Shawn! [email protected] *music courtesy of Tim Callender and used with permissionBy Greetings from Nowhere

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The Supreme Court’s Next Test: Faith vs. Facts 15:22

1M ago15:22

15:22

Send us a text A counselor in Colorado claims her “sincerely held beliefs” give her the right to counsel LGBTQ+ minors out of who they are. The state says that’s harmful pseudoscience. She says “First Amendment.” And now, the Supreme Court will decide. Host Mike Smithgall breaks down Chiles v. Salazar, exposing the tactics behind the legal argument…

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From Pulpit to Prison: An Atheist’s Journey Through Faith, Identity, and Redemption with Mike Gonzalez 1:31:18

1M ago1:31:18

1:31:18

Send us a text In this candid conversation, Mike shares his path from a devout Lutheran youth leader and Boy Scout to an openly bisexual atheist who rebuilt his life after addiction, prison, and deep personal conflict. We discuss the pressures of growing up in a conservative religious environment, wrestling with questions about faith and morality, …

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The Retreat of Faith: How Science Replaces Supernatural Claims 10:53

1M ago10:53

10:53

Send us a text Religious faith often leans on mysteries as proof of God. But when science explains those mysteries, faith loses ground. In this episode, I trace the history of the god-of-the-gaps argument, from Zeus’s lightning to modern debates over consciousness. I show why this strategy fails, and why atheism is better framed as trust in curiosi…

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This Isn’t About Jesus: How Christian Nationalism Became a Political Weapon 9:42

2M ago9:42

9:42

Send us a text Church attendance is plummeting, yet calls for America to be a “Christian nation” are growing louder. In this Mike Drop episode, we unpack the paradox: why Christian nationalism is gaining steam even as religion fades. It’s not about faith, it’s about identity, fear, and power. From empty pews to political pulpits, we explore how bra…

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Nowhere News - EP25 57:42

2M ago57:42

57:42

Concerts and dinosaurs, oh my! Special guest star: Christina's Dad. [email protected] Greetings from Nowhere

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The Rapture That Wasn't: September's Failed Doomsday Prediction and the Psychology of Apocalyptic Belief 15:50

2M ago15:50

15:50

Send us a text This week's failed rapture prediction joins a long list of embarrassing doomsday dates, but it reveals something deeper about human psychology and social media manipulation. We explore the 200-year history of rapture theology, the pattern of failed predictions from 1988 to today, and why TikTok has become the new frontier for apocaly…

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From Pastor to Atheist: The Pain and Power of Deconstruction 16:38

2M ago16:38

16:38

Send us a text 🎙 Podcast Description What happens when faith unravels? In this episode, former pastors and believers reflect on the loneliness of leaving religion, the emotional toll of deconstruction, and the importance of finding community. You’ll hear stories of loss, resilience, and the shift from magical thinking to evidence-based reality. Whe…

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Leaving Church Doesn’t Have to Be Lonely: Building Atheist Community That Sticks 19:32

2M ago19:32

19:32

Send us a text In this episode, we focus on why many secular and humanist meetups don’t last. We hear from longtime organizers about how they rebuilt the social network that people lose after leaving religious institutions. They share how snacks, casual brunches, movies in the park, and simple conversation act as the glue. We look closely at the Bl…

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Nowhere News - EP24 55:15

2M ago55:15

55:15

We are not concerned with the deceased. May you have coitus with your own internal emotions. [email protected] Greetings from Nowhere

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Episode 138 - Gavin Ortlund Shoots Christianity in the foot. 15:49

2M ago15:49

15:49

Episode 138 - Gavin Ortlund takes 5 minutes to Shoot Christianity in the foot. This episode is the audio only of a video review that is available on the Still Unbelievable! YouTube channel. See show notes for a link. the original https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QWcKjIKf0k did the universe begin? https://youtu.be/4Ps9-u0KfG4?si=1ew1M2-TI8rODbkq app…

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Antifa, Atheism, and the New War on Free Thought 15:37

2M ago15:37

15:37

Send us a text The U.S. government is testing the limits of the First Amendment. In one week, Pam Bondi promised prosecutions for “hate speech,” the FCC threatened ABC over Jimmy Kimmel’s jokes, and Trump labeled Antifa a terrorist organization. In this Mike Drop, I argue why labeling ideas as terrorism is a dangerous precedent. We explore the iron…

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Free Speech or Hypocrisy? Pam Bondi’s “Hate Speech” Crackdown 11:30

2M ago11:30

11:30

Send us a text This week’s Mike Drop examines Attorney General Pam Bondi’s claim that the Justice Department will “target hate speech.” Mike Smithgall unpacks what the law actually says, highlights the hypocrisy of both left and right on free expression, and explains why consistency is the only real protection for free speech. With Trump’s rhetoric…

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After Charlie Kirk: Unpacking Political Martyrdom, Violence, and the Future of American Democracy 1:00:17

2M ago1:00:17

1:00:17

Send us a text This week, we tackle the assassination of political commentator Charlie Kirk and its broader implications for American democracy. Our discussion covers Kirk's rise as a major figure in Christian nationalist movements, the immediate political reactions to his death, and the troubling patterns of political violence in the United States…

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Dangerous Predictions: How End Times Beliefs Influence Politics and Culture 12:09

2M ago12:09

12:09

Send us a text For centuries, religious leaders have predicted the end of the world — and for centuries, they’ve been wrong. In this episode, our panel discusses failed prophecies, the cultural fascination with apocalypse narratives, and the political consequences of end times obsession. We also explore how these beliefs fuel dangerous thinking, fr…

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From Silence to Strength: Why Atheists Need a Political Voice with Larry Warren 6:13

2M ago6:13

6:13

Send us a text In this episode, we reflect on growing up without the language or community to identify as an atheist — a reality that left many of us isolated before the internet connected like-minded people. Our conversation explores how religious communities reinforce their beliefs weekly, while atheists lack the same infrastructure or political …

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Nowhere News - EP23 56:50

2M ago56:50

56:50

We have gone bicoastal baby! Scott is now the East Coast correspondent for Nowhere News. [email protected] *Music courtesy of Tim Callender and used with permissionBy Greetings from Nowhere

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My Body, My Choice - But Only Sometimes: Deconstructing the Religious and Political Hypocrisy Behind America's Growing Vaccine Resistance Movement 19:36

2M ago19:36

19:36

Send us a text Mike examines Florida's groundbreaking decision to eliminate all school vaccine mandates, exposing how genuine religious concerns have been hijacked by political movements. With vaccine exemptions at record highs and measles cases surging, this episode unpacks the dangerous intersection of Christian nationalism, selective bodily auto…

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Conversations on Death, Grief, and Saying Goodbye Without Religion 10:13

2M ago10:13

10:13

Send us a text This segment explores one of the most difficult questions atheists face: what do you say to someone who is dying when you don’t share their faith in heaven or an afterlife? Our panel shares personal experiences with parents and loved ones, the challenge of offering comfort without false promises, and why listening often matters more …

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Throwing Out “Sin”: Building Secular Ethics Beyond Religion 19:55

2M ago19:55

19:55

Send us a text What does the concept of sin mean if you remove God from the picture? In this episode, atheists wrestle with the idea of sin, exploring whether it should be redefined or abandoned altogether. They discuss cultural norms, ethical responsibility, and the role of sin as a tool of control in religious communities. The conversation also d…

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Nowhere News - EP22 32:54

2M ago32:54

32:54

Christina and Scott managed to find some happy.By Greetings from Nowhere

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GFN74 - Anniversary 1:42:55

3M ago1:42:55

1:42:55

Christina has been traumatized by her vacation. TJ has new kittens and Nicole is being supportive.By Greetings from Nowhere

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Prayer Works In Your Head, Not In Heaven: Understanding Religious Ritual Through Science 11:18

2M ago11:18

11:18

Send us a text This episode examines prayer from a psychological rather than theological perspective. While prayer doesn't produce supernatural results, it does provide genuine benefits through mechanisms like structured self-reflection, ritual comfort, and social connection. We explore the placebo effect in religious practice, the neuroscience of …

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The Unholy Roundtable: What Is Sin Without Religion? Atheists Redefine Morality, Ethics, and Truth 2:06:43

2M ago2:06:43

2:06:43

Send us a text This Roundtable asks big questions about life after faith. What does “sin” mean when you leave religion behind? How do atheists define morality, deal with religious influence in medical spaces, and navigate the pain of deconstruction? The panel unpacks hypocrisy, cultural double standards, and the struggle to speak openly about unbel…

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Slavery, Scripture, and Skepticism: A Black Atheist Questions the Bible’s Morality 18:31

2M ago18:31

18:31

Send us a text In this powerful conversation, we explore the deep contradictions between Christian scripture and the lived Black experience, especially when it comes to slavery. Our guest shares her personal journey from belief to atheism, shaped by critical questioning within the church and a confrontation with biblical passages that justified sla…

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Episode 137 - Religious Trauma with Anna Clark Miller 1:28:20

2M ago1:28:20

1:28:20

1) Anna Clark Miller - services, podcast, and book https://www.empathyparadigm.com/martyrshewrote https://www.empathyparadigm.com/ https://www.amazon.co.uk/Religious-Trauma-Survival-Guide-Professionals/dp/B0CHL5FGBM 2) Beyond Belief: the Coercive Power of High Control Religions https://www.questioninglds.com/lds-articles/g6m1k7bpggn42irn5oyoirpwb16…

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From Episcopalian Choir Boy to Confident Atheist: Larry Warren tells his story 1:40:47

2M ago1:40:47

1:40:47

Send us a text Meet Larry Warren, a man whose journey from Episcopalian choir boy to confident atheist mirrors the experience of countless Americans who quietly questioned their faith for decades before the internet gave them the tools to understand their doubts. Larry's story is refreshingly relatable—no dramatic deconversion moment, no religious …

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Catholic School Shooting: Identity, Media Narratives, and Secular Perspectives 58:25

3M ago58:25

58:25

Send us a text This episode examines the tragic Catholic school shooting and the reactions that followed. We unpack the immediate framing of the suspect’s identity as trans and atheist, and the way partisan lines shape the headlines. We also reflect on questions of justice, punishment, and personal morality in the aftermath of violence. Viewer Ques…

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Why “God Told Me To Do It” Can’t Stand in Court 11:42

3M ago11:42

11:42

Send us a text In this Mike Drop episode, Mike Smithgall explores Penn Jillette’s sharp observation that courts recognize insanity as a defense, but never “God told me to do it.” Why? Because the law must rest on evidence, not revelation. Mike unpacks the secular foundation of law, the distinction between mental capacity and religious belief, and t…

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Why Leaving Religion Can Feel Like Betraying Your Race: Cynthia McDonald's Atheist Journey 1:40:47

3M ago1:40:47

1:40:47

Send us a text What happens when faith and identity collide? Cynthia McDonald shares her powerful journey from Christian belief to unapologetic atheism—and how that decision sparked unexpected reactions within her community. In this episode of "Ask an Atheist," we talk about religion in Black culture, breaking free from indoctrination, and what it …

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What If I’m Wrong? Pascal’s Wager, Satan’s Tricks, and Deconstructing Faith 13:34

3M ago13:34

13:34

Send us a text In this episode, we explore the question many wrestle with while deconstructing: What if I’m wrong? We look at Pascal’s Wager, the idea of being deceived by Satan, and how authoritarian religious systems discourage critical thought. The discussion ranges from absurdities like Noah’s Ark to the deeper problem of outsourcing reasoning …