With millions of downloads, hundreds of hours of soundtracked content, and an overall emphasis on the cultural history behind famous works of literature, Literature and History is one of the most popular independent podcasts on its subject. Starting with Sumerian cuneiform in 3,100 BCE, Literature and History moves forward in chronological order through Assyriology, Egyptology, the Old Testament, Ancient Greece and Rome, the birth of Christianity, and the early Middle Ages. The show's curren ...
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Doug Metzger Podcasts
Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power is an investigative podcast exploring the rise of the Vineyard movement - from a humble network of churches to a sprawling global empire. Through in-depth research and firsthand accounts, this series examines how power, influence, and ambition shaped the movement's evolution, often at the expense of those who trusted it most. From its early days under John Wimber to its modern-day scandals, Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power uncovers the hidden costs of empire-building ...
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The podcast that transports you to the ancient world and back, with some good conversation along the way. It's not just about ancient Greece. It's about a huge chunk of human history that the Greek texts give us access to: from Egypt and Babylon, to Persia, to Carthage and Rome, we'll sail the wine-dark sea of history with some expert guides at the helm. Topics will include archaeology, literature, and philosophy. New episode every month.
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Comic Keren Margolis and homosexual Tommy O'Malley are both power tops who co-host Unhireable, the biological child of the podcast Race Wars. Every week, Keren and Tommy talk to fellow smart attention seekers about the culture. You're welcome.
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Episode 120: The Rashidun Caliphate
2:24:45
2:24:45
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2:24:45The Rashidun caliphate, from 632-661, completely changed the history of the world. Learn the story of the greatest imperial expansion of the first millennium, together with the complex political and theological history behind it. Episode 120 Quiz: https://literatureandhistory.com/quiz-120/ Episode 120 Transcription: https://literatureandhistory.com…
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While production continues on Season Two of Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power — which takes a broader look at evangelical movements beyond the Vineyard — John shares a full, uncut conversation with Pastor Doug Warburton, his own pastor and a leader within the ELCA Lutheran Church. In this episode, Pastor Doug offers valuable perspective from a tradition…
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While Season Two of Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power is in production, John shares one of his full, uncut interviews — this time with Pastor Brian Metzger, one of the most outspoken critics of Vineyard USA’s handling of cases like Duluth Vineyard. In this candid and deeply personal conversation, Brian reflects on his years within the Vineyard Movement,…
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Episode 119: The Qur'an, Part 3: Origins
2:19:04
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2:19:04The Qur'an has deep roots in the Bible and in the unique religious climate of Late Antique Mecca. Learn about its many references to the Bible and ancient Arabian religion in this episode. Kevin Stroud's The History of English: https://historyofenglishpodcast.com/ Episode 119 Quiz: https://literatureandhistory.com/quiz-119/ Episode 119 Transcriptio…
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Episode 118: The Qur'an, Part 2: Ordinances
2:17:06
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2:17:06Learn about the foundations of Islamic Law in the Qur'an - the 350 or so verses that tell believers what they're required to do, and what's prohibited. Episode 118 Quiz: https://literatureandhistory.com/quiz-118/ Episode 118 Transcription: https://literatureandhistory.com/episode-118-the-quran-part-2 Bonus Content: https://literatureandhistory.com/…
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Episode 117: The Qur'an, Part 1: Overview
2:06:58
2:06:58
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2:06:58Learn the basics of the Qur'an - its size, structure, how and when it came together, and the book's most important contents. Episode 117 Quiz: https://literatureandhistory.com/quiz-117/ Episode 117 Transcription: https://literatureandhistory.com/episode-117-the-quran-part-1 Bonus Content: https://literatureandhistory.com/bonus-content Patreon: http…
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Episode 116: The Life of Muhammad, Part 3: Conquest
2:04:10
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2:04:10During the final years of the Prophet Muhammad's life and the immediate aftermath of his death, the Muslims conquered Mecca, the first caliph Abu Bakr came to power, and the stage was set for the great Islamic conquests of the seventh century. Episode 116 Quiz: https://literatureandhistory.com/quiz-116/ Episode 116 Transcription: https://literature…
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64 Plato's Republic: Full Summary and Explanation w/ Gina White
1:19:21
1:19:21
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1:19:21Plato's Republic isn't just a cornerstone of Western thought—it's a mirror reflecting the challenges of our own time. In this episode of Ancient Greece Declassified, host Lantern Jack teams up with scholar Gina White to deliver a one-stop, accessible guide to this timeless work—exploring its big ideas, enduring impact, and eerie relevance to today'…
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Full Interview: Melody Winderweedle
1:18:01
1:18:01
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1:18:01Episode Summary: In this powerful and unfiltered conversation, former Vineyard pastor Melody Winderweedle shares her story of being quietly removed from leadership—not for misconduct, but for daring to lead with integrity, inclusion, and pastoral care. In the wake of a high-profile abuse scandal, Melody pushed for transparency, advocated for LGBTQ …
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Episode 115: The Life of Muhammad, Part 2: Community
2:15:39
2:15:39
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2:15:39Between 622 and 628, Muhammad and the first Muslims made a home from themselves in Medina, fended off assaults from the Quraysh and others, and changed the course of history forever. New Spotify Bonus Content Channel: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/lahbonuscontent/subscribe New Patreon Store: https://www.patreon.com/literatureandhistory/s…
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63 The Spartan Strategy for Acquiring and Wielding Power w/ Eric Robinson
1:00:41
1:00:41
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1:00:41How did Sparta—a mere city-state with an agrarian economy and barely any economic growth to speak of—rise to become the supreme power in ancient Greece? We investigate in conversation with renowned historian Eric W. Robinson, author of the forthcoming book "Spartan Legend." ------------------ Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/greecep…
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Thank you to everyone who submitted questions! If you have additional questions not answered in this episode please send them to [email protected] or via our contact form on www.spoiledfruitpod.com Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/spoiled-fruit-faith-and-power/exclusive-content Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com…
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Episode 114: The Life of Muhammad, Part 1: Cobwebs
2:21:52
2:21:52
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2:21:52An orphan and caravan trade agent, Muhammad (570-632) lived a fairly ordinary life up until the age of 40. Then, everything changed. New Songs Page: https://literatureandhistory.com/songs/ Episode 114 Quiz: https://literatureandhistory.com/quiz-114/ Episode 114 Transcription: https://literatureandhistory.com/episode-114-the-life-of-muhammad-part-1 …
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In this full-length interview, Spoiled Fruit sits down with Ken Wilson, founding pastor of Vineyard Church of Ann Arbor and one of the movement's earliest and most respected leaders. For decades, Ken was known as a thoughtful, compassionate voice within the Vineyard - until he did something few pastors dared to do: publicly express support for LGBT…
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62 Marcus Aurelius and the Kingdom of Gold w/ Judith Stove
41:35
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41:35Marcus Aurelius became emperor of Rome in 161 AD and went on to win several wars against the northern barbarians. But it wasn't his military exploits that earned him everlasting fame. Rather, it was his philosophical mind and the writings he left behind. In this episode, we are joined by author and scholar Judith Stove to explore the character, wri…
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In Part 2, JT Meyer recounts the aftermath of his decision to speak out. Despite his loyalty to the movement and attempts to engage in good-faith dialogue, JT was met with silence, isolation, and ultimately, exile from the Vineyard. He reflects on what he learned, the pastors who quietly supported him, and what a healthier, more just church could l…
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In Part 1 of this two-part interview, former Vineyard pastor JT Meyer shares his journey into the Vineyard movement - from his early pastoral calling to his commitment to creating a more inclusive and honest spiritual community. JT walks us through the formative experiences that shaped his theology and pastoral style, and the growing tension he fel…
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Full Interview - The Anderson Family
1:04:41
1:04:41
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1:04:41In this emotional and unfiltered interview, we hear from Heidi Anderson and her children - former members of Mile High Vineyard, led by current Vineyard USA National Director Jay Pathak. When two of Heidi's children bravely came forward to report abuse, they went to one of the people they felt safest with: their youth group leader. But that leader …
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In this powerful and eye-opening conversation, Dr. Paula Swindle helps us put words to the pain many have experienced but struggled to name. A scholar, psychologist, and trauma-informed spiritual care provider, Dr. Swindle brings deep insight into how religious systems - like Vineyard USA - can engage in spiritual bypass, silence dissent, and retra…
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Chapter 8: The God Card - Power, Control, and the Death of Accountability
34:30
34:30
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34:30In the season finale of Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power, we examine the final stage of Vineyard USA's transformation from grassroots revival to centralized authority. This chapter traces how real crisis - like the abuse scandal in Duluth - were used to justify a long-planned internal reorganization, giving a small group of leaders near-total control o…
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Antarah ibn Shaddad, a killer, a lover, and an epic hero, was also one of early Arabic literature's most famous poets. Parker's Song: https://youtu.be/bTVWrxfb5wk Episode 113 Quiz https://literatureandhistory.com/quiz-113/ Episode 113 Transcription: https://literatureandhistory.com/episode-113-antarah-ibn-shaddad Antarah's Poetry: War Songs (Librar…
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This is the full interview with Mandy Cavoto who, along with her husband Matt, were a part of the worship team at Mile High Vineyard in Denver, Colorado. Many opens up about the spiritual abuse, the patterns of manipulation, and gaslighting she experienced there. She also reflects on her deep grief for the community she once loved, the cost of stay…
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In this extended interview, former Vineyard pastor Reagan Waggoner shares his deeply personal journey from trusted leader to outspoken critic of Vineyard USA's handling of spiritual abuse, institutional accountability, and the controversial ReOrg process. Reagan candidly discusses: The troubling dynamics he observed in Vineyard's national leadershi…
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Chapter 7: Crisis as Currency — How Vineyard Leveraged Collapse to Consolidate Power Content Warning: This episode includes references to spiritual abuse, institutional manipulation, and suicide. Listener discretion is advised. In Chapter 7, we examine how Vineyard USA used crisis—real and perceived—to reshape its power structures under the banner …
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📄 Show Notes: In this episode of Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power, John sits down with Tom and Adey Wassink—former Vineyard pastors who led a thriving congregation in Iowa until their decision to fully affirm LGBTQ+ people placed them at odds with national leadership. Their story is one of love, loss, resilience, and rebirth. In this powerful conversat…
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Chapter 6: Love the Sinner, Silence the Pastor
26:52
26:52
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26:52Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power 🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts 🔗 www.spoiledfruitpodcast.com What happens when pastors stay committed to a movement that no longer wants them? In this episode, we hear directly from former Vineyard pastors who sought to create churches that were fully welcoming and affirming of LGBTQ individuals—only to fin…
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🎙️ Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power – Chapter 5: “The Appearance of Change” After years of warning signs, three independent investigations were launched—GRACE, Trusted HR, and Guidepost Solutions—each tasked with uncovering what went wrong in churches like Duluth Vineyard and Causeway Coast Vineyard, and within Vineyard USA itself. In Chapter 5, we tak…
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Announcements: Next Tour, Seeking Video Editor, Connect on Social Media, Patreon update
3:52
3:52
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3:52Some announcements for those of you who care about what's happening at AGD behind the scenes...
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📍 Episode Summary: In this episode of Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power, host John interviews Rebecca Hopkins, an investigative journalist renowned for her in-depth reporting on abuse and misconduct within evangelical churches. Rebecca discusses the challenges of investigating religious institutions, the patterns of abuse she has uncovered, and the impo…
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61 Who is Lantern Jack? (Doug Interviews Me)
1:04:24
1:04:24
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1:04:24I chat with friend and fellow podcaster Doug Metzger about how I first became fascinated with the ancient world and share some of the adventures I had on the way to getting a PhD in Classical Philosophy. ------------------ Support AGD on Patreon: patreon.com/greecepodcast ------------------ Timestamps [01:25] Why I started AGD [05:15] Why Stoicism …
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Full Interview: Attorney Spencer T. Kuvin Esq.
38:02
38:02
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38:02🎙️ Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power – Full Interview: Spencer Kuvín In this special bonus episode, we share the full, unedited interview with Spencer Kuvín, the Florida-based attorney representing multiple victims in the ongoing civil litigation connected to Duluth Vineyard, Vineyard USA, Michael and Brenda Gatlin, and Jackson Gatlin. Spencer brings no…
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Episode 4: “God Told Me So” When personal revelation becomes a shield for power, who pays the price? In this episode of Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power, we examine the rise of Alan and Kathryn Scott—from their beginnings at Causeway Coast Vineyard in Northern Ireland to their controversial takeover of Anaheim Vineyard, the flagship church of the Viney…
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🎙️ Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power – Full Interview: Kris Sauter In this special bonus episode of Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power, we share the full, unedited interview with Kris Sauter, former youth pastor at Duluth Vineyard. Kris worked closely with the Gatlin family for years. In this conversation, he speaks candidly about what he witnessed from the i…
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Episode 112: Pre-Islamic Arabic Poetry
2:19:43
2:19:43
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2:19:43Prior to the dawn of Islam, the Arabian Peninsula had a great poetic tradition, with many genres, and many poets who are still celebrated and studied today. Episode 112 Quiz https://literatureandhistory.com/quiz-112/ Episode 112 Transcription: https://literatureandhistory.com/episode-112-pre-islamic-arabic-poetry/ Song https://www.youtube.com/watch…
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🎙️ Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power – Full Interview: Ryan Bauers In this full-length interview episode of Spoiled Fruit: Faith & Power, we sit down with Ryan Bauers, former Vineyard pastor in Duluth, Minnesota, who in 2014 formally raised concerns to Vineyard USA about Michael and Brenda Gatlin—years before their son Jackson was placed into leadership…
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Episode Summary: In this episode, we examine the devastating consequences of unchecked power within the Vineyard Movement, focusing on the story of Jackson Gatlin—son of Duluth Vineyard’s senior pastors Michael and Brenda Gatlin. We explore the early warning signs ignored by leadership, the conflicts of interest that allowed Jackson to rise uncheck…
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