Best Steven Lacey Podcasts (2025)

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Elyse Bouvier - Unfolding Faith Film 56:53

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1h ago56:53

56:53

Elyse Bouvier - Unfolding Faith Film Divorced: Christianity Today, Canadian filmmaker Elyse Bouvier joins me to talk about her journey out of Christianity, and how it became the topic of her film Unfolding Faith, which will be released online for free streaming by The NFB – National Film Board – in Canada this month. Here’s a short synopsis of Elys…

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Dr. Pavna K. Sodhi (Part2) - Navigating Internalized Racism in 3rd-Generation Punjabi-Sikh Immigrants 57:14

23h ago57:14

57:14

Dr. Pavna K. Sodhi (Part2) - Navigating Internalized Racism in 3rd-Generation Punjabi-Sikh Immigrants Welcome to Part 2 of my interview with Dr. Pavna K. Sodhi. Dr. Sodhi joins me again to share her knowledge about Punjabi-Sikh teachings, values, practices, and experiences. Today, we discuss internalized racism and how it can force 3rd-generation P…

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Dr. Sarah Farrell - Shattering Into a Whole 58:27

15d ago58:27

58:27

Dr. Sarah Farrell - Shattering Into a Whole Divorced: Christian Fundamentalism Sarah M. Farrell, PhD, MSW, LICSW is a researcher, academic, and clinical social worker (who sometimes fancies herself a stand-up comedian). She has over a decade of clinical practice experience with diverse clientele. Having grown up in a deeply insular religious group …

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Lacey Bond - From Bible Study to Sex Ed, Part 2 1:03:36

1M ago1:03:36

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Lacey Bond - From Bible Study to Sex Ed, Part 2 Divorced: Christianity CW: Frank discussion about sex Lacey Bond (IntimacyLacey) is a Certified Sex, Relationship, and Intimacy Coach and sex/kink educator based in Los Angeles. She's dedicated to helping people heal from Purity Culture, growing healthy relationships with other people and developing a…

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Timmy Joe Gibson - Former Tongue Talkin, Holy Rollin, Bible Thumper 58:38

1M ago58:38

58:38

Timmy Joe Gibson - Former Tongue Talkin, Holy Rollin, Bible Thumper Divorced: Christianity Timmy Gibson, is a former fundamental evangelical Bible thumping tongue-talking Holy Ghost Rollin Pastor. After graduating Bible College, Timmy spent 30 years teaching and preaching the Bible, with his main message being that the only way to escape the eterna…

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Lacey Bond - From Bible Study to Sex Ed, Part 1 55:32

1M ago55:32

55:32

Lacey Bond - From Bible Study to Sex Ed, Part 1 Divorced: Christianity CW: Frank discussion about sex Lacey Bond (IntimacyLacey) is a Certified Sex, Relationship, and Intimacy Coach and sex/kink educator based in Los Angeles. She's dedicated to helping people heal from Purity Culture, growing healthy relationships with other people and developing a…

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David Hayward - The Naked Pastor, Revealed 51:28

2M ago51:28

51:28

David Hayward - The Naked Pastor, Revealed Divorced: Christianity My guest today is known by many of you for his powerful cartoons and paintings related to deconstruction from Christianity. I’m speaking with my fellow Canadian, David Hayward, who is an ex-pastor turned full-time artist. David is also known as The Naked Pastor. He's been blogging ab…

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Pamela Jones - Escaping a Deadly Polygamous Cult 1:16:15

2M ago1:16:15

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Pamela Jones - Escaping a Deadly Polygamous Cult DIVORCED: FLDS Cults TW: Brief mention of CSA and child abuse in this episode In 1965, PAMELA JONES was born in Los Molinos, Mexico, into a polygamous Mormon cult known as The Church of the Firstborn of the Fullness of Time. As the eldest daughter of 13 children, she left school at age 11 to care for…

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Selected Novels | Catherine Lacey on Evan S. Connell 41:22

2M ago41:22

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On this episode of Selected Novels, Jess and Zach talk to Catherine Lacey about Evan S. Connell’s Mrs. Bridge. Want more from The Point? Subscribe here at 50% off the normal rate.By The Point Magazine

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Tara Jean Stevens - Heaven Bent 1:00:45

2M ago1:00:45

1:00:45

Tara Jean Stevens - Heaven Bent Divorced: Pentecostalism CW: Sexuality discussed Today I’m speaking with fellow Canadian Tara Jean (TJ) Stevens, the host and creator of Heaven Bent, a podcast docuseries with a special focus on Pentecostal and Charismatic movements. In addition to her successful podcast, TJ has also been a morning show favourite on …

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Karrah Youngblood - Exposing A Predator: Wildfire 52:53

2M ago52:53

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Karrah Youngblood - Exposing A Predator: Wildfire TW: Violence and sexual assault Karrah Youngblood is a professional artist, single mom, and unexpected memoirist from Oklahoma. She never planned to be an activist, but standing up to the man who hurt her — and so many others — turned into a fight she couldn’t walk away from. Karrah is now telling h…

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Pamela Nickel Williams - Scientology: When Lies Are True 1:11:43

3M ago1:11:43

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Pamela Nickel Williams - Scientology: When Lies Are True DIVORCED: Scientology TW: Incest Pamela Nickel Williams was born into Scientology. Her parents were early Scientologists who worked closely with L. Ron Hubbard, Scientology’s founder, at the first Church of Scientology in the late 1950s. Pamela and her parents were practicing members of the c…

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Selected Essays | Ellen Wayland-Smith on Siddhartha Mukherjee 36:24

3M ago36:24

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On this episode of the podcast, Jess and Zach return to Selected Essays to talk to Ellen Wayland-Smith about Siddhartha Mukherjee’s “My Father’s Body, at Rest and in Motion,” published in the New Yorker in 2018. Craving more essays? Subscribe to The Point here at 50% off the normal rate.By The Point Magazine

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Allie Monday - Erotic Photographer & Worshiper of Women 57:07

4M ago57:07

57:07

Allie Monday - Erotic Photographer & Worshiper of Women DIVORCED: Fundamentalism TW: Eating disorder mentioned briefly My guest today was one of our sponsors for Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture 2025. Allie Monday is an erotic photographer and the creator of Ladygroove, a body-led portrait experience rooted in healing, sensuality, and…

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Cynane Shay - Tinfoil Hats and Lizard People PART TWO 1:07:32

4M ago1:07:32

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Cynane Shay - Tinfoil Hats and Lizard People PART TWO DIVORCED: Christianity TW: Antisemitism, violence, and satanism are all mentioned in this episode. Today, nuclear engineer and writer Cynane Shay joins me for Part 2 of our conversation, "Tinfoil Hats and Lizard People." Our discussion today is based on research Cynane has conducted over the pas…

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Cynane Shay - Tinfoil Hats & Lizard People PART ONE 1:02:34

4M ago1:02:34

1:02:34

Cynane Shay - Tinfoil Hats & Lizard People PART ONE DIVORCED: Christianity Cynane Shay is a nuclear engineer living in South Carolina. Her childhood in White Christian Nationalism normalized conspiracy theories like Obama Birtherism and the Biblical apocalypse; but 2020, with COVID and Qanon, finally made her realize something was deeply wrong. Now…

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Selected Novels | Bruce Holsinger on Stoner 42:36

5M ago42:36

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On this episode of Selected Novels, Jess and Zach talk to the novelist and English professor Bruce Holsinger about John Williams’s Stoner. Want more from The Point? Subscribe here at 50% off the normal rate.By The Point Magazine

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Alyona Smoky - A Beautiful Liberation 1:03:12

4M ago1:03:12

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Alyona Smoky - A Beautiful Liberation CW: War in Ukraine Alyona Smoky was born and raised in Ukraine, where her mother joined a high-control, conservative evangelical church when Alyona was young. As a result of family stressors, Alyona shouldered much of the emotional burden in her family as a child, and she grew up very quickly in a chaotic and e…

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Michelle Moffitt - From Abuse to Freedom 52:43

4M ago52:43

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Michelle Moffitt - From Abuse to Freedom CW: Sexual Assault Michelle Moffitt Rogers is a licensed therapist, Enneagram expert, and author. In this episode, Michelle shares her story and explores the psychological impact of spiritual abuse, the complexities of leaving both faith and a toxic marriage to a pastor, and what healing looks like on the ot…

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Steve Ghikadis - Humanism from the Heart 53:09

5M ago53:09

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Steve Ghikadis - Humanism from the Heart Steve Ghikadis is a Humanist Officiant who conducts secular marriages, memorials, and many more meaningful life-affirming celebrations. Raised as a freethinker, Steve has been married to a Christian for over a decade. He and his wife, Cindy, believe in the importance of bridging the gap between believers and…

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Forest Benedict, LMFT - Porn Is Not the Problem 56:17

5M ago56:17

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Forest Benedict, LMFT - Porn Is Not the Problem Divorced: Evangelical Christianity CW: Frank discussion of porn, sex, and self-pleasure Forest Benedict is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California and Washington states who specializes in religious trauma and sexual shame. Forest began his career as a Christian who was passionate about …

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Selected Novels | Joanne McNeil on J.G. Ballard 46:51

5M ago46:51

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On this episode of Selected Novels, Jess and Zach talk to the novelist and cultural critic Joanne McNeil about J.G. Ballard’s Concrete Island. Want more from The Point? Subscribe here at 50% off the normal rate.By The Point Magazine

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Pavna K. Sodhi, EdD - Exploring the Intersections of Punjabi-Sikh Cultural/Religious Identity - Part 1 58:22

5M ago58:22

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Pavna K. Sodhi, EdD - Exploring the Intersections of Punjabi-Sikh Cultural/Religious Identity - Part 1 As a humanist and mental health clinician, I'm interested in learning about other cultures and belief systems. To that end, Dr. Pavna K. Sodhi graciously agreed to join me on the Divorcing Religion Podcast to share her knowledge about Punjabi-Sikh…

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Unquestionable Calvin - From Religion to Conspiracies to Reality 54:36

6M ago54:36

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Unquestionable Calvin - From Religion to Conspiracies to Reality DIVORCED: Christianity and Conspiracies My guest today is Calvin Smith, whom you may recognize from his YouTube channel Unquestionable Calvin. Calvin was exposed to both Christianity and supernatural ideas from an early age. Eventually he rejected Christianity but firmly believed mult…

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Tessi Muskrat, M.A. - Free To Explore: Sexuality After Purity Culture 55:07

6M ago55:07

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Tessi Muskrat, M.A. - Free To Explore: Sexuality After Purity Culture Divorced: Evangelical Purity Culture A native woman of Cherokee and Irish descent, Tessi Ynada Muskrat holds a master’s degree in counseling psychology and is a doctoral student researcher at the University of Missouri. Co-founder of the international Purity Culture Research Coll…

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Patti & Nancy, Apostate Sisters - Life After a Doomsday Cult 1:30:46

6M ago1:30:46

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Patti & Nancy, Apostate Sisters - Life After a Doomsday Cult DIVORCED: Worldwide Church of God CW: Mature themes Today I’m excited to interview Patti and Nancy, who recently interviewed me on their popular APOSTATE SISTERS YouTube channel! Patti and Nancy are sisters deconstructing their upbringing in the Worldwide Church of God Christian doomsday …

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Quantas Ginn, MBA, MS, LMFT-S, CST - Sex Therapy for Purity Culture Survivors 53:49

6M ago53:49

53:49

Quantas Ginn, MBA, MS, LMFT-S, CST (he/him) - Sex Therapy for Purity Culture Survivors My guest today is Quantas Ginn. Quantas is a Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) professor teaching courses on Human Sexuality and MFT theories. His research interests include interracial relationships, perinatal parenting, and the intersection of religion and sexu…

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Selected Novels | Jessi Jezewska Stevens on Thomas Mann 44:28

7M ago44:28

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On the fourth episode of Selected Novels, Jess and Zach talk to the novelist and short story writer (and Point contributor) Jessi Jezewska Stevens about Thomas Mann’s The Magic Mountain. Want more from The Point? Subscribe here at 50% off the normal rate.By The Point Magazine

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Dr. Kayden Vargas - From Conservative Christian to Nonbinary Psychologist 59:32

6M ago59:32

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Dr. Kayden Vargas (they/he) - From Conservative Christian to Nonbinary Psychologist TW: Brief references to CSA Dr. Kayden Vargas (they/he) is a trans nonbinary poet, parent, and psychologist located in the traditional homelands of the Yakama Nation. Their poetry revolves around themes of small-town living, bicultural/bilingual/biracial life, traum…

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Glenda Jordan - Powerful Polyamory 1:13:30

7M ago1:13:30

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Glenda Jordan - Powerful Polyamory DIVORCED: Southern Baptist Christianity My guest today is a model, artist, and entertainer - and she will be speaking at the Shameless Sexuality: Life After Purity Culture event in Seattle this May! Glenda Jordan lives in Las Vegas these days but grew up on a farm south of Nashville, Tennessee - where she was indo…

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Jeremy de Tolly - Liberate Your Voice 56:52

7M ago56:52

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Jeremy de Tolly - Liberate Your Voice My guest today is rock and roll musician, and heart-centered communication coach, Jeremy de Tolly. Jeremy works with those who have deeply shut-down voices, whose voices often became blocked starting in their childhoods. He understands the significance that parenting, school, and culture can have on our voices,…

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Lauren Elise Rogers - Sex Ed for You! 55:48

7M ago55:48

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Lauren Elise Rogers - Sex Ed for You! DIVORCED: Fundamentalist Christianity CW: Frank discussions of s3x Lauren Elise Rogers is a Certified Holistic Sexuality Educator and Embodied Intimacy & Relationship Coach. She is the founder of Sex Ed for You, where she provides clear, compassionate, and comprehensive guidance on intimacy, relationships, and …

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Dr. Josie McSkimming - Gutsy Girls 1:00:11

7M ago1:00:11

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Dr. Josie McSkimming - Gutsy Girls DIVORCED: Christianity Today’s guest is Dr. Josie McSkimming, who joins us from Australia. She has previously been a guest on the Divorcing Religion Podcast and was also a speaker at CORT2023. Dr. McSkimming is a clinical social worker with more than 35 years experience – and personal experience with religious tra…

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Selected Novels | Adam Ehrlich Sachs on Gustave Flaubert 49:42

8M ago49:42

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On the third episode of Selected Novels, Jess and Zach talk to the novelist Adam Ehrlich Sachs about Flaubert’s final, unfinished novel, Bouvard and Pécuchet. Want more from The Point? Subscribe here at 50% off the normal rate.By The Point Magazine

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Hip-Hop Artist, Seven J - Betrayed by Christianity 1:08:48

8M ago1:08:48

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Hip-Hop Artist Seven J - Betrayed by Christianity DIVORCED: Christianity TW: Discussion of suicidal ideation Raised in the heart of Jacksonville, FL, amidst the grit and hustle of the city's most notorious zip code, Seven J emerged as a powerhouse in the world of hip-hop. His music is a testament to his roots, blending raw, lyrical prowess with har…

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Emily Hedrick - Resiliency in Tough Times 54:59

8M ago54:59

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Emily Hedrick - Resiliency in Tough Times DIVORCED: Mennonite Evangelicalism Emily Hedrick is a resilience coach specializing in religious trauma and compassion fatigue. A former Mennonite pastor, she holds an M.Div., is an ICF-accredited coach, and is a certified Forward-Facing (R) coach. In addition to being a former guest on the Divorcing Religi…

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Ann Russo, LCSW - Sexuality & Religious Trauma 56:45

8M ago56:45

56:45

Ann Russo, LCSW - Sexuality & Religious Trauma DIVORCED: Fundamentalist Christianity My guest today is Licensed Clinical Social Worker ANN RUSSO. As the founder and director of AMR Therapy, Ann is a mental health advocate, educator, and thought leader specializing in addressing complex and often stigmatized topics such as religious trauma, sexual e…

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Janice Formichella - Estranged 1:07:41

8M ago1:07:41

1:07:41

Janice Formichella - Estranged DIVORCED: Mormonism TW: References to abuse Janice Formichella is a breakup coach and the host of the podcasts Sex and the Solo Girl and Breakups, Broken Hearts, and Moving On. She is passionate about helping people from all backgrounds to beat their breakup, overcome loneliness, and make the end of a relationship the…

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Selected Novels | Clare Sestanovich on Marilynne Robinson 47:17

9M ago47:17

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On the second episode of Selected Novels, Jess and Zach talk to Clare Sestanovich, writer and managing editor of the Drift, about Marilynne Robinson’s first novel, Housekeeping. Want more from The Point? Subscribe here at 50% off the normal rate.By The Point Magazine

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Beth Granger - Leaving the Cult Was Only Half the Battle 1:03:45

8M ago1:03:45

1:03:45

Beth Granger - Leaving the Cult Was Only Half the Battle DIVORCED: Anglican Cult Warning: This episode may be triggering for those who experienced abuse in childhood and adolescence. Beth Granger was the first staff-child born at Grenville Christian College, an elite private boarding school in Canada that was actually a cult - from which she did no…

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Marla Taviano - From Missionary to Heretic 52:51

9M ago52:51

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Marla Taviano - From Missionary to Heretic DIVORCED: Christian Fundamentalism Author Marla Taviano knows what it's like to lose it all. In this poignant and humorous conversation, she shares about her missionary husband's infidelity while in the field, the loss of her marriage, and relinquishing some cherished beliefs. She also discusses the power …

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The decline of Aaron Rodgers (with Leif Weatherby) 1:02:40

9M ago1:02:40

1:02:40

On this episode of The Point podcast, Zach Fine takes a break from Selected Essays and Selected Novels to discuss another important, if less literary, topic: American football. Zach is joined by Leif Weatherby, the author of an essay just published this week in The Point about the career of Aaron Rodgers against the backdrop of U.S. empire in decli…

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Luis Cornejo - Born this way! 54:32

9M ago54:32

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Luis Cornejo - Born this way! DIVORCED: Chrisitan Fundamentalism My guest today is Luis Cornejo: A Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Certified Sex Therapist, and the founder of Queer Magic Entertainment LLC. He also hosts the Queer Magic Podcast. A proud first-generation Guatemalan and Mexican American, Luis is passionate about empowering the L…

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Jamin Coller - Almost A Cult 59:59

9M ago59:59

59:59

Jamin Coller - Almost A Cult TW: Mentions of suicidality My guest today is Jamin Coller – and if you got Rapture Anxiety after watching the 1970s Christian cult movie A Thief in the Night, you’ve already met Jamin’s dad! After th e movie, his dad started a fundamentalist church. A seminary graduate, pastor’s kid, and true believer, Jamin spent his …

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Selected Novels | Lillian Fishman on Edith Wharton 1:00:24

10M ago1:00:24

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On this episode—our very first!—of Selected Novels, Jess and Zach talk to novelist (and writer of our 2024 advice column, Higher Gossip) Lillian Fishman about Edith Wharton’s novel Age of Innocence. Want more from The Point? Subscribe here at 50% off the normal rate.By The Point Magazine

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Strong Women in Secular Spaces: Annie Laurie Gaylor - Religion is Killing American Women 48:00

9M ago48:00

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Strong Women in Secular Spaces: Annie Laurie Gaylor - Religion is Killing American Women Annie Laurie Gaylor is co-founder and co-president of FFRF – the Freedom from Religion Foundation. In addition to being a long-time women's rights activist, Annie Laurie is an accomplished author. Her book, Woe to the Women: The Bible Tells Me So, was first pub…

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Malkie Schwartz - From Fundy to Freedom Fighter 46:30

10M ago46:30

46:30

Malkie Schwartz - From Fundy to Freedom Fighter Divorced: Ultra-orthodox Judaism In her early 20s, Malkie Schwartz chose to leave her ultra-orthodox Jewish community. Within 3 years, she founded Footsteps, the first organization in North America to help people who wish to leave the ultra-Orthodox Jewish community and live in mainstream society. Foo…

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Strong Women in Secular Spaces: Carol Merchasin - Suing Predatory Spiritual Leaders 56:43

10M ago56:43

56:43

Strong Women in Secular Spaces: Carol Merchasin - Suing Predatory Spiritual Leaders Carol Merchasin is an attorney who leads a practice group litigating sexual misconduct in religious, faith-based and spiritual communities at McAllister Olivarius. She is an experienced investigator who has conducted dozens of workplace investigations, including tho…

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Strong Women in Secular Spaces: Mandisa Thomas - WTF, USA?! 52:40

10M ago52:40

52:40

Strong Women in Secular Spaces: Mandisa Thomas - WTF, USA?! My guest today is activist and speaker Mandisa Thomas. Although never formally indoctrinated into belief, Mandisa was heavily exposed to Christianity, Black Nationalism, and Islam. In 2011, Mandisa founded Black Nonbelievers, Inc., as a non-profit, secular organization. Its goals include e…

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Lonnie Mann - Gaytheist 59:07

10M ago59:07

59:07

Lonnie Mann - Gaytheist Divorced: Orthodox Judaism Lonnie Mann grew up Orthodox Jewish in New York. It's a strict, difficult lifestyle for anyone; but Lonnie found additional challenges growing up as he realized he was gay, and struggled to reconcile his faith and sexuality. Ultimately, Lonnie managed to leave the community. Eventually, he wrote a …