Best Insipid Podcasts (2025)

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Let's Talk About: Power 1:09:21

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5M ago1:09:21

1:09:21

What do you think? Text me and let me know! Jesus gave away power. What does that actually mean...? What does it really mean to have power—and what happens when we hoard it? In this thought-provoking conversation, historian and theologian Dr. Bradley Melle (Freestyle Theology) sits down with international human rights advocate Rev. Joash Thomas to …

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Let's Talk About: Meditation 1:14:45

6M ago1:14:45

1:14:45

What do you think? Text me and let me know! Can meditation heal spiritual wounds? In this episode of Freestyle Theology, Brad and Brielle unpack their journeys with depression, anxiety, meditation, and spiritual growth. They explore how mindfulness, breathwork, and even sung Scripture can help Christians reconnect with their bodies and cultivate a …

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Let's Talk About: Today's Evangelical Tantrum 1:00:26

7M ago1:00:26

1:00:26

What do you think? Text me and let me know! In this raw and wide-ranging episode, Brad is joined again by Rev. Joash Thomas to explore the emotional and spiritual roots of what Brad calls the “evangelical tantrum”—the reactive, fear-fueled backlash of white conservative Christianity in the face of cultural change. Why do some Christians in America …

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Let's Talk About: The New American Theocracy 57:23

7M ago57:23

57:23

What do you think? Text me and let me know! What if the rise of Christian nationalism in the U.S. isn’t just political—but the fruit of a long, coordinated theological strategy? In this episode of Freestyle Theology, Dr. Bradley Melle sits down with Margaret Bronson, the force behind Deconstruction Doulas, to uncover the disturbing roots of America…

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Let's Talk About: Christianity & Colonialism 57:37

7M ago57:37

57:37

What do you think? Text me and let me know! What If Colonialism Lives On—in Our Bodies, Beliefs, and Churches? In this wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Bradley Melle is joined once again by Rev. Joash Thomas for an in-person deep dive into Christianity, colonialism, and inherited trauma. From intergenerational disease to theological rigidity, they ex…

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Let's Talk About: Modern Fragmentation 50:20

8M ago50:20

50:20

What do you think? Text me and let me know! Why does everything feel so fractured—and has it always been this way? In this solo episode, Dr. Bradley Melle dives deep into the 500-year story of fragmentation in the Western world, from the shattering of medieval consensus in the Reformation to today’s tribalism, polarization, and nostalgia-fueled pol…

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Let's Talk About: Christian Supremacy 55:44

9M ago55:44

55:44

What do you think? Text me and let me know! Church historian Bradley Melle chats with Rev. Joash Thomas about Christian supremacy, colonialism, and trauma in the church. Brad and Joash dive into how Christianity's history—from Constantine to today's Christian nationalism—has often prioritized power, dominance, and control, leading to deep historica…

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Let's Talk About: Love & Safety 1:03:21

1+ y ago1:03:21

1:03:21

What do you think? Text me and let me know! In this episode of Freestyle Theology, Dr. Bradley Melle and Brielle Goheen dive into the complexities of love and its manifestation within church communities. They explore the idea of love as a multifaceted and often misunderstood concept in religious circles, emphasizing the importance of clear communic…

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Let's Talk About: Residential Schools as Church History 1:20:31

2y ago1:20:31

1:20:31

What do you think? Text me and let me know! In this enlightening episode of "Freestyle Theology," Dr. Bradley Melle, a historian of Global Christianity, dives deep into the history of colonialism, Indigenous Christianity, and the impact of residential schools. Joining forces with John Simon and Thomas Duell from the "Church History for Chumps" podc…

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Let's Talk About: Church Unity 56:14

2y ago56:14

56:14

What do you think? Text me and let me know! Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of Freestyle Theology! I'm Dr. Bradley Melle, a religious historian, and in this episode, I'm joined by Dave Witt, the network developer of True City Hamilton. We dive deep into the multifaceted topic of church unity, exploring its roots, evolution, and implica…

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Let's Talk About: Personal Development 55:57

2y ago55:57

55:57

What do you think? Text me and let me know! Today, Dr. Bradley Melle and Brielle Goheen discuss the self-help industry, personal development, and the body's systems of survival, all with attention to a practical spirituality. Don't miss it!By Bradley Melle

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Let's Talk About: Mary, the Prophet 51:20

2y ago51:20

51:20

What do you think? Text me and let me know! We've gotten Mary wrong. Dr. Bradley Melle and Danielle Steenwyk-Rowaan grapple together about Mary, the Magnificat, submission, the toppling of the rich, and the exaltation of the poor.By Bradley Melle

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Let's Talk About: Antioch 48:58

2+ y ago48:58

48:58

What do you think? Text me and let me know! One of my favourite topics coming at you this week! Let's talk about unity, conformity, and the bold, cross-cultural risks taken in the 1st century at Antioch.By Bradley Melle

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Let's Talk About: Pilgrimage 1:06:48

2+ y ago1:06:48

1:06:48

What do you think? Text me and let me know! 15 years after successfully completing the Camino de Santiago together, Dr. Bradley Melle and Mike Doyle are in the studio this week to discuss pilgrimage. Tune in for some fascinating takes on relics, crusades, folk Catholicism, sacred space, and even the mall. Follow @freestyletheology on Instagram if y…

1
Let's Talk About: Individuality 58:28

2+ y ago58:28

58:28

What do you think? Text me and let me know! Dr. Bradley Melle and Brielle Goheen discuss individuality, myths about individualism, the frustrations of Jesus, and the characteristics of real, complicated, healthy communities. Follow @freestyletheology on Instagram if you have any thoughts to share!By Bradley Melle/ Brielle Goheen

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Let's Talk About: Celtic Christianity (Part Two) 51:04

2+ y ago51:04

51:04

What do you think? Text me and let me know! Brad, John, and Tom are back at it for Part Two of our conversation on Celtic Christianity. Today we dig further down into the Celtic Christ, the challenge of syncretism, the wild wandering of the Celtic monks, the strange wisdom of Simon the Stylite, the Saxon Christ, and the modern fascination with all …

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Let's Talk About: Celtic Christianity (Part One) 45:35

3y ago45:35

45:35

What do you think? Text me and let me know! This week, join Brad for a special two-part episode on Celtic Christianity! Coming at you this time around from Tucson, Arizona, Dr. Bradley Melle talks with Thomas Duell and John Simon about all things Celtic and Christian. As a co-release between Freestyle Theology and John & Tom's Church History for Ch…

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Let's Talk About: Metaphor 55:18

3y ago55:18

55:18

What do you think? Text me and let me know! The doctors are in, again! Brad and Erin are back at it, this week talking about metaphor, the movement of peoples, images for God, and the rational Christianity of the Enlightenment.By Bradley Melle

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Let's Talk About: Words 59:32

3y ago59:32

59:32

What do you think? Text me and let me know! Join Brad and Dr. Erin Goheen Glanville in a wild and winding discussion about words, listening, anger, and the Logos!By Bradley Melle

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Let's Talk About: The Gnostics 48:03

3y ago48:03

48:03

What do you think? Text me and let me know! Brad talks ancient Roman mystery cults, Gnosticism, and the rivalries of early Christianity (c. 100-300 AD)By Bradley Melle

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Let's Talk About: Fear & Forest 41:20

3y ago41:20

41:20

What do you think? Text me and let me know! Dr. Bradley Melle and Brielle Goheen discuss the fear of the forest, civilization, colonialism, the disorienting comforts of the Big Box Store empire.By Bradley Melle

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Let's Talk About: Desire 30:16

3y ago30:16

30:16

What do you think? Text me and let me know! Is desire the source of suffering or the mark of a healthy human being? Chris and Brad talk Buddhism, Christianity, happiness, dissatisfaction, and contentment.By Brad Melle & Chris Gonzalez

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Let's Talk About: Doubt 35:25

3y ago35:25

35:25

What do you think? Text me and let me know! Chris and Brad talk doubting God, self-doubt, the beautiful vision, and finding the energy to endure.By Brad Melle & Chris Gonzalez

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Let's Talk About: Depression & Rest 31:13

3y ago31:13

31:13

What do you think? Text me and let me know! Brad and Chris talk depression, work, processing emotions, and God's Sabbath rest.By Brad Melle & Chris Gonzalez

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Let's Talk About: The End of Time 31:08

3y ago31:08

31:08

What do you think? Text me and let me know! Chris and Brad talk Advent, the cycle of birth and death, the return of Christ, and the rebirth of the UniverseBy Brad Melle & Chris Gonzalez

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Let's Talk About: The Sages 30:14

3y ago30:14

30:14

What do you think? Text me and let me know! This week Brad and Chris talk about Muhammad, the Buddha, and a way Christians can relate to the revered figures from other faiths.By Brad Melle & Chris Gonzalez

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Let's Talk About: Babel 33:30

3y ago33:30

33:30

What do you think? Text me and let me know! Chris and Brad talk the Tower of Babel, PhDs, cultural diversity, and Indigenous Christianity.By Brad Melle & Chris Gonzalez

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Let's Talk About: Guilt 32:53

3y ago32:53

32:53

What do you think? Text me and let me know! Chris and Brad talk about the weird Christian obsession with guilt and how we use it to control others and attempt to control God.By Brad Melle & Chris Gonzalez

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Let's Talk About: God-Bearing 28:50

3y ago28:50

28:50

What do you think? Text me and let me know! Join Chris and Brad as Advent begins talking about bearing the Image of God, Mary the Theotokos, and increasing our capacity to bear difficult thoughts and feelings.By Brad Melle & Chris Gonzalez

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Let's Talk About: Imagination 28:47

3y ago28:47

28:47

What do you think? Text me and let me know! Brad and Chris talk imagination, theology, and the Image of God Freestyle Theology is a branch of Daily Breadth: Christian Meditation that Works. dailybreadth.appBy Brad Melle & Chris Gonzalez

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Too Beautiful Announcement

3+ y ago

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We're back! For a quick update/announcement on some fun things! You know those live events we talked about for two years… well….By Ryan Miller, Heidi Miller

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Dog Vomit 33:53

4y ago33:53

33:53

That whole thing about dogs and vomit and people repeating the same harmful things sends Ryan and Heidi talking about their own lives and where they are eating their own vomit and maybe a time or two they stopped. Enjoy the word vomit and hopefully let's all stop eating so much of our own vomit. (That's a lot of vomit.)…

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Love Fear Love 10:36

4y ago10:36

10:36

A quick little chat about fear and love and the here and now. You know… all that stuff.By Ryan Miller, Heidi Miller

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Thanks=Giving 26:17

4y ago26:17

26:17

A Bonus Holiday Podcast! Ryan and Heidi talk about thanksgiving and Ryan tries to say why he's not super happy with it, while Heidi tries to say he should maybe not be so negative and Ryan tries to explain it better and Heidi wonders if it's kinda of a downer but she admits she's tired and, yeah, by the end there seems to be some good news found.…

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Well, well, well... 13:49

4y ago13:49

13:49

All about the well analogy. The one that says it's not about the wells but the water. And it's definitely one of the best out there. We also could have gone with it is "well" with my soul for this one but that might have caused too much PTSD.By Ryan Miller, Heidi Miller

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Red and Blue 18:05

4y ago18:05

18:05

Some thoughts about two kinds of people and the way they see the world. Or want to see the world. Or think about the world. Or want to think about the world. Maybe it's just what is interesting.By Ryan Miller, Heidi Miller

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Eyes Not Tombs 17:39

4y ago17:39

17:39

Some thoughts about the small topic of the resurrection. Did it really happen, like that? Or is it possible there is, maybe, a better way that involves seeing more than empty tombs?By Ryan Miller, Heidi Miller

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Anger Management 31:39

4y ago31:39

31:39

Ryan and Heidi are back! And they've got a whole quiver full of podcasts already recorded with them, so the good times are going to go for a while. The first episode is about Ryan being "angry at the church" and some explanations about why that's true or not. Warning: emotion in this one!By Ryan Miller, Heidi Miller

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A New Wager (SWIG Episode 1) 16:56

4+ y ago16:56

16:56

Unfiltered, unedited, just a walk and talk about a subject… let's see where it goes. Ryan walks and talks about a new kind of wager regarding Mother Earth in the first experiment of this.By Ryan Miller, Heidi Miller

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Love and Deconstruction 1:13:50

4+ y ago1:13:50

1:13:50

Danea (love_and_deconstruction on the Insta) has a story. From a pastor's kid in a Lutheran Church, to Mars Hill, to Jerry Falwell Jr. to… well, she just removed all the Bibles from her house. This is a powerful, raw, and very fresh story and it will connect on so many levels. Soak it in and let it sit. For real.…

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Angry Church Kid 1:21:56

4+ y ago1:21:56

1:21:56

Another awesome interview, this time with Karissa, the Angry Church Kid. You might think she's angry, because of her name, but she's actually very kind and inspiring and… well... yeah a little angry at some stuff too. Enjoy fireflies and summer camps and more!By Ryan Miller, Heidi Miller

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The Wanderer 1:04:40

4+ y ago1:04:40

1:04:40

Meet Abi (aka The Wanderer). She grew up in The Brethren Church. Being curious and a woman (in a world where women weren't allowed to have much of a voice) she started asking questions pretty early on and she hasn't stopped. From summer camps, worship music, and women covering their heads to… there probably isn't even a god. Or is there? Meet Abi. …

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The Baby Isn't in the Bath 42:34

4+ y ago42:34

42:34

You know that don't throw out the baby with the bathwater? Well screw that if the baby hasn't been in there the whole time. Throw out that water.By Ryan Miller, Heidi Miller

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The only lesson I remember from college almost 30 years later. (Audio Only) 24:09

4+ y ago24:09

24:09

This is the audio taken from the video The only lesson I remember from college almost 30 years later - available at lightslikeus.com/wonder.By Ryan Miller, Heidi Miller

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The one big mistake of Christianity that ruins everything. And how to fix it 40:03

4+ y ago40:03

40:03

Ryan has a theory that involves stories and characters and Thomas Paine and his own life. It's a big statement but hear it out because "fix Christianity" might mean something different then you think, but also because it might just save the world.By Ryan Miller, Heidi Miller

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Talking to My Self (Audio Only) 16:30

4+ y ago16:30

16:30

This is the audio taken from the video Talking to My Self - available at lightslikeus.com/wonder.By Ryan Miller, Heidi Miller

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What Now 19:07

4+ y ago19:07

19:07

New Intro! And a bit of a new purpose moving forward - or maybe just a more understood and explained purpose. And some more about that.By Ryan Miller, Heidi Miller