MindShift Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Profiles of the Christian Right 2: Jerry Falwell Sr and the Moral Majority Feb 26, 2021

Show notes

In this second episode in my new 2021 series "Profiles of the Christian Right," I'm following up on last week's chat with Frank Schaeffer and doing a very deep dive into the legacy of Jerry Falwell Sr and his Moral Majority organization, which ran from 1979-1989.

Not only do I do a thorough investigation into Falwell himself, I'll conclude by analyzing the many and varied through-lines from what he and other far-right evangelical political activists were up to decades ago, and how that laid the groundwork for the overwhelmingly white, evangelical Trump base.

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Bonus Episode - An Industry of Hate: Analyzing the Legacy of the Christian Right (with Frank Schaeffer) Feb 22, 2021

Show notes

In this very informative and educational episode, returning guest Frank Schaeffer and I break down not only some of the early movers and shakers of the Christian Right--like Falwell Sr., Pat Robertson and others--we move on to discuss the legacy of what that movement has led us to today.

Frank and his famous dad, Francis Schaeffer, were there when so much of this was all happening--and of course, we know that the Schaeffers helped promote the anti-abortion issue to the front and center of both Christian identity politics, as well as the Republican Party.

What is the legacy that we see all around us today from the Christian Right? An industry of hate that can do nothing less than to try and dress up its core message in an effort to salvage itself.

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Follow Frank on Twitter @Frank_Schaeffer

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From Pastor to Atheist to Religious Trauma Therapist (with Thomas Hanna) Feb 12, 2021

Show notes

This week's guest features Thomas Hanna, who's had a very interesting path indeed--he's gone from being a pastor to embarking on a journey of discovery that led him to becoming an atheist. He is now a therapist who specializes in helping clients deal with religious trauma syndrome and other issues from their time in religion.

Thomas and I reminisce about our time as pastors, why that career so often leads to burnout and other issues, and also examine religious trauma and belief systems that cause many problems within evangelicalism.

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Find Thomas at the Tempest Counseling site

Follow Thomas on Twitter @TSicarii

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Bonus Episode - Inside NXIVM: Cult Tactics & Influence Mechanisms (with Dr Janja Lalich) Feb 08, 2021

Show notes

This special bonus episode features returning guest, sociologist and cult expert, Dr Janja Lalich.

I reached out to her once again to talk about the NXIVM cult and how specifically it worked from a cult psychology point of view. As someone who not only has been in a cult herself, but has also researched and written a tremendous amount of material about cults, Dr Lalich is an invaluable resource. In addition, she was also heavily involved in the trial and has been filmed for at least 2 documentaries about NXIVM.

I think that not only will you find this episode fascinating about Raniere and NXIVM itself, as we describe cult psychology in general it will prove to be a helpful resource in terms of your own reconstruction--if you come out of controlling religions or groups with undue influence.

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Leaving Toxic Charismatic Christianity & Learning to Forgive Yourself (with Janeen Puckett) Jan 29, 2021

Show notes

This week's incredible conversation features Janeen Puckett, host of the Deconstruction Stories website--a place where you can share your journeys deconstructing out of religion, anonymously and safely.

Janeen herself has an absolutely incredible story of deconstruction too--she comes out of a prophetic, charismatic version of Christianity that had an unbelievably damaging effect on not just her life, but that of her family too. I'll let her share this amazing story--and please, let us know your thoughts, comments and questions!

And if you want to post your story--here's the link to her site!

Deconstruction Stories site link

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Profiles of the Christian Right 1: Examining Pastor Doug Wilson (with Mark Potok) Jan 25, 2021

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I finally got a chance to edit and release my first episode of my new series for 2021, "Profiles of the Christian Right." For this inaugural episode, I reached out to Mark Potok, who worked at the Southern Poverty Law Center for 20 years and is an expert on the radical Right and the Christian Right.

Mark wrote an article for the SPLC in 2004 exposing, perhaps for the first time publicly, Pastor Doug Wilson and his growing cult-like empire located in Moscow, Idaho. In this chat, we not only break down aspects of Wilson's theology and influence of Christian Reconstructionism on his worldview, we look at the expanding influence Wilson has currently even in mainstream evangelical and Christian homeschooling households.

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Mark Potok's Website

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Bonus Episode: Inside the Cult Psychology of QAnon Jan 18, 2021

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In this special bonus episode, given the events of the recent Capitol Riots and the prominence of QAnon-branded diehard Trump loyalists who took part in the insurrection, I figured it was time to take a deep dive into the cult psychology behind this rapidly-spreading online conspiracy theory.

Is it merely a harmless belief system that rational folks can dismiss? I think we all know now that this is no longer an option...we've seen that beliefs in conspiracy theories can drive people to acts of violence, destruction of property, sedition, and even murder.

QAnon played a major role. What is it exactly, and how can we understand it better? Find out more in this bonus episode!

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Walking Away from Your Former Religion (with Paul James Caiden) Jan 15, 2021

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This week's episode features Paul James Caiden, host of the Mind's Eye Podcast. I was a recent guest on his show and now I'm returning the favor and having him on the show--from Mind's Eye to MindShift!

In this chat we cover not only Paul's story of his faith deconstruction, we focus on the issues surrounding the various traumas that accompany the decision to walk away from one's former faith. In addition, we finish the chat by discussing the dark side of dominion theology, Trumpism and look ahead in terms of what's in store for the American evangelical movement today.

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Follow Paul on Twitter @PaulJamesCaide1

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Bonus Episode: Christian Nationalism + Trumpism = The Capitol Riots Jan 11, 2021

Show notes

In this inaugural episode of 2020, I figured something needed to be said about the recent, highly disturbing events in the US Capitol building. An angry mob of Trumpists laid waste to the building, resulting in 5 deaths and the widespread destruction of property. But beyond the headlines, I wanted to explore two additional aspects of the story: one, the draw of conspiracy theories, and two, the Christian nationalist piece to the whole story. Let's take a deep dive into this topic and see what we can uncover! Help Support MindShift Podcast on Patreon in 2021! Contact Information Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018 Subscribe to the MIndShift Podcast YouTube Channel

Racism + Church Hurt = Deconstruction (with Seven) Jan 01, 2021

Show notes

This final episode of 2020 features an eye-opening and informative interview with Seven, a rapper and former megachurch pastoral staff member from Jacksonville, Florida.

Seven and his wife experienced not just church hurt during their time as part of the congregation, the situation became much worse as he transitioned into a position on the church staff. Turns out that the only reason the church wanted him on staff was for him to be the "face of diversity" at what was actually an organization with deep and systemic racism at its core. How can this all be reconciled with both a supposedly loving God, and a loving church?

As a result of his experiences, Seven walked away from it all...and is now speaking out.

Support Seven! Order "Sunday Mourning" at WinLoseorMaybe

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Follow Seven on Twitter @SevenJ_SJM

Follow me on Twitter @MindShift2018