The Messy Spirituality Podcast

Messy Conversations-Faith After the Great Deconstruction with Brad Jersak

This is the raw, unedited interview audio of my recent conversation with Brad Jersak. We'll release the produced, edited version as an episode of The Messy Spirituality Podcast in December. This conversation seemed too important to sit on for 2 months, so I'm releasing it right away. We talked about everything from deconstruction, reconstruction, Christian nationalism in the Russian Orthodox church, talking to Jesus, and so much more.

Bradley Jersak is the Dean of Theology & Culture, a graduate studies program at St. Stephen’s University in New Brunswick, Canada. He also serves as an editor at CWRmagazine and Clarion-Journal.com. Bradley and his wife, Eden, have lived in the Abbotsford area of British Columbia since 1988, where they served as pastors and church planters for twenty years. Bradley is the author of a number of nonfiction and fiction books, including A More Christlike Word, A More Christlike God, A More Christlike Way, Her Gates Will Never Be Shut, Can You Hear Me?: Tuning in to the God Who Speaks, and The Pastor: A Crisis. He has an MA in biblical studies from Briercrest Bible College and Seminary, an MDiv in biblical studies from Trinity Western University/ACTS Seminary, and a PhD in theology from Bangor University, Wales. He was also a visiting scholar at the University of Nottingham, United Kingdom, for postdoctoral research in patristic Christology.

You can pre-order Brad's new book, Out of the Embers, here.

This conversation continues over on our Messy Conversations group on Facebook.

Become a patron over on Patreon to help us keep having great conversations like these!

Season Three-Episode 08: Should I Stay or Should I Go? with Brian McLaren

In this episode, I speak with one of my favorite authors, speakers, and thinkers-Brian McLaren.

Brian D. McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for “a new kind of Christianity” – just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good. He is a faculty member of  The Living School and podcaster with Learning How to See, which are part of the Center for Action and Contemplation. He is also an Auburn Senior Fellow and is a co-host of Southern Lights. His newest book is  Faith After Doubt (January 2021), and his next release, Do I Stay Christian? (May 2022) can be preordered now. His recent projects include an illustrated children’s book (for all ages) called Cory and the Seventh Story and The Galapagos Islands: A Spiritual Journey.

I talked to Brian about the process of decided to stay Christian...or not. We also talked about Brian's role in my own spiritual journey, his involvement in the Center for Action and Contemplation, and got a quick update on Father Richard Rohr.

Be sure to check out Brian's website here.

You can find Brian on Facebook and Twitter as well. 

Thanks so much for listening! We'd really appreciate your positive ratings and reviews on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen. 

You can sponsor the next episode of our show by donating via Cash App ($MessySpirituality) or Venmo (@messyspirituality).

This episode was mixed and engineered by Eric "The Podcast Doctor" Howell. 

Season Three-Episode 07: I Kissed Purity Culture Goodbye with Macey Berry

In this episode, Co-host, Ashley Robbins, and I talk to Macey Berry about her experience growing up in purity culture and the devastating impact it had on her life.

You can connect with Macey on Facebook.

Macey mentions the Your Favorite Heretics Facebook group during this conversation. This group was started by our friends, Derek and Rachel Myers. You can find them here.

You can connect with our co-host for this episode, Ashley Robbins, on Facebook here.

Season Three-Episode 06: Searching for the God Who Heals with James Early

In this episode, I'm joined by my friend James Early. James is a Bible teacher, speaker, blogger, and podcaster. He grew up in Amarillo, TX, and received his BA from Vanderbilt University. He gives talks and conducts workshops on the Bible covering a wide range of topics to churches and groups as well as online. Since October 2008, James has conducted weekly Bible study workshops at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, CT. He started The Bible Speaks to You Podcast in October 2019, now with listeners in 130 countries. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus. As the “Jesus Mindset Coach,” he helps people embrace the mindset of Jesus and rediscover their rights and ability to think, act, pray, love, and heal like Jesus. James lives in Bethel, CT with his wife. They have three grown children.

James has set up a special web page for Messy Spirituality listeners. You can find his podcast, social media, and the free resources he mentioned in the episode here.

If you'd like to help us produce future episodes of The Messy Spirituality Podcast, you can contribute via Venmo and Cash App at @messyspirituality.

Thanks so much for listening!
Jason Elam

Season Three-Episode 05: Surviving a Stroke with Karl and Laura Forehand

My good friend, Karl Forehand, had a stroke in January 2022. 

A month later, he and his wife, Laura, joined me for a conversation about the stroke, Karl's recovery, ongoing therapy, hopes for the future, and Karl's first ever fiction book which is releasing March 22, 2022.

If you are able, please help Karl and Laura as they navigate this difficult season in which Karl is unable to work by contributing to the online fundraiser we've started for them here.

You can connect with Karl and Laura via their website.

Karl recently wrote about his stroke on Patheos.

You can order Karl's brand new book, The Hotel, here-PLEASE WAIT TO PURCHASE IT ON MARCH 22, 2022. Thank you!

Season Three: Episode 04-Are the Critics of Deconstruction Right? with Matthew J. Distefano and Keith Giles

I'm joined on this episode by two of our favorite apostates, Matthew J. Distefano and Keith Giles. We discuss the recent criticism of deconstruction by many within evangelicalism. Are any of their criticisms fair? How should we respond when we feel unfairly attacked?

Matthew J. Distefano is an author, podcaster, and Patheos columnist. His latest book is entitled "The Genesis of Violence". 

Keith Giles is an author, speaker, podcaster, and Patheos columnist. His latest book is entitled "Jesus Unarmed: How the Prince of Peace Disarms Our Violence".

Together, Matthew and Keith co-host the Apostates Anonymous podcast. They are also co-hosts of The Heretic Happy Hour podcast. Keith also hosts the Second Cup with Keith podcast.

You can find Matthew's columns on Patheos here.

You can find Keith's columns on Patheos here.

Check out Keith's upcoming Awaken 2022 event in Nashville, TN here.

If you'd like to help us produce future episodes of the podcast, you can contribute via Venmo and Cash App at @messyspirituality.

Thanks so much for listening!

Season Three: Episode 03: The Church We Dream Of with Ashley Robbins

In this episode co-hosted by Ashley Robbins, we discuss the hurt caused by toxic church institutions and a possible way forward taking the best of church community but leaving behind the many destructive aspects that have wounded so many.

Ashley Robbins is an ex evangelical trying her best to honor real gospel. She is a purity culture insurgent. She describes herself as a loud, loving, and shaky voice.

You can connect with Ashley on Facebook and Instagram.

This conversation continues over on the Messy Conversations group on Facebook. It's a safe space to wrestle with questions of faith and doubt in a judgement free zone. Join us!

Please rate and review the show on your podcast platform of choice.

You can help us produce new episodes of the show by sponsoring an episode ($50) via Cash App ($messyspirituality) or Venmo (@messyspirituality). Thanks so much for your support!

Thanks for listening!

Season Three-Episode 02: Faces of Addiction with Joshua Lawson

In this conversation, we speak with activist and former pastor Joshua Lawson about his compelling work with people who struggle with substance use disorder. We dive into the roots of addiction, the hidden cost of the "war on drugs" and how each of us can make a difference in this fight.

Joshua's excellent book, The Face of Addiction, is available here.

You can connect with Joshua on Facebook and Instagram.

Join this conversation over on our Messy Conversations FB group.

Please rate and review this podcast on your platform of choice.

If you’d like to support the podcast and keep new episodes coming, you can donate via Cash App at $messyspirituality and Venmo at @messyspirituality.

Thanks so much for listening!

Season Three, Episode 01: Following Jesus Through Non-Violence

We're kicking off season three today with a special introduction by our friend, Ashley Robbins!

My guest this week is prolific author and podcaster, Keith Giles! In this conversation, we discuss our cultural addiction to violence and what we can do to break the cycle of violence in our context.

Keith's latest book is Jesus Unarmed: How the Prince of Peace Disarms Our Violence. It's the final book in his popular 7 volume "Jesus Un" series and I think he has saved the best for last!

Register for Keith's upcoming "Awaken 2022" event in Nashville, TN here.

You can follow Keith on Patheos, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Check out Keith's website here.

You can hear more from Keith on one of his podcasts: Heretic Happy Hour, Apostates Anonymous, and Second Cup with Keith. 

Please take a moment to rate and review our show on your podcasting platform of choice. It really does help spread the word about our podcast and help new listeners find us.

If you’d like to support the podcast and keep new episodes coming, you can donate via Cash App at $messyspirituality and Venmo at @messyspirituality.

Thank you!

Season 02 Episode 08: Reconstructing Your Mind with Todd Vick

In this conversation, I talk to my friend, Todd Vick, about his continuing spiritual journey and how we set about reconstructing our mind after deconstruction. 

Todd Vick is an author, podcaster, and former pastor. His latest book is entitled "The Reconstructing of Your Mind" and it was published by Quoir.

You can connect with Todd on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

If you haven't already, be sure to check out Todd's podcast, The Reconstruction Rebel.

If you enjoy the conversations that we're having here on The Messy Spirituality Podcast, please rate and review the show on your podcast platform of choice. That really does help new folks find their way to our show. THANK YOU!