Reviews
Rate ShowThis is not my culture
I am not an exvangelical; however, I am the pastor of a mainline denomination and the stories of pain and trauma I hear from those who have left or are trying to leave the evangelical culture remind of the stories I hear from those who have been traumatized in other ways - physically or emotionally. I am grateful to this Podcast for the insight it gives me as I try to be a better minister, to be available to a hurting people in a hurting world.
- Priesty Gal
- Jan. 30, 2018
Excellent
Whether you're evangelical and wondering what the fuss is about these apostates calling themselves exvangelical, or you're in the middle of deconstructing yourself, or you have no familiarity with the evangelical faith tradition at all and wondering what all the fuss is about people leaving, this very conversational podcast is a must listen.
- WxJAK
- Jan. 20, 2018
Exvangelical is excellent!
Exvangelical is an excellent and much needed podcast. It functions to allow voices in an important and growing population to be heard. Blake Chastain accomplishes this by asking pointed questions and allowing his guests to simply talk and share their stories. This podcast should and will be interesting to anyone who experienced evangelicalism from the inside, or seeks to have a more profound understanding of our current political, social, and religious climate.
- BJ Karlik
- Jan. 20, 2018
You’re not alone
Fantastic interviews with exvangelicals. The interviewees are all from different evangelical situations currently heading in different directions. You’ll surely hear your own story in their words and find guidance for what’s ahead. You’re not alone!
- BigZeeZed
- Nov. 27, 2017
Thank You
I’m still in a time of realization that the way the evangelical church has taught me isn’t the only way to believe in God. Listening to others who grew up evangelical and have since distanced themselves has helped me legitimize my doubts about this way of believing. Thank you for creating this Podcast and for having such wonderful speakers.
- EmilyMc21
- Nov. 25, 2017
Breath of fresh air
This. We need more of this. Honest conversation, limited production, and the exploration of the dark side of evangelical culture in America. Guests are allowed to detail their journeys, in all their humanness. It is life-giving to hear and experience. Keep it up, Blake Chastain.
- seantkirkland
- Sept. 25, 2017
You're not alone
As I started my journey out of legalism, and conservative Christianity, I felt terribly alone. My evangelical circle of family and friends don't understand the changes in me, and this podcast is filled with people like me, doubters asking questions, and it's okay! And the host and interviewees understand the weirdness and quirks of growing up evangelical, and I can listen and say, me too!
- MeltheWarrior
- Sept. 25, 2017
Great Perspectives on Leaving Evangelicalism
This podcast has introduced me to so many powerful voices, I don't know where to begin. As an ex-evangelical myself, I can relate to so many of the stories shared by Blake's guest. Blake also does a really good job of not dominating the conversation and, instead, letting the guests speak. Highly recommend subscribing to this podcast!
- Doug Rice in Cleveland
- Sept. 25, 2017
One of My Faves
This podcast is possibly one of my favorites on the topic of leaving the evangelical subculture. While I’m a fan of almost all the interviews a few that are near and dear to my heart are the interviews with Jamie Lee Finch, Emily Joy & Hannah Paasch, and Samantha Field. These women’s voices are role models for all of us trying to pursue are true selves. What I enjoy most about this podcast, is that it provides for a new space of healing, community, and story telling, for those who are leaving this subculture. Blake Chastain’s heart, humility, and interview style, allows it to seem like you’re sitting in with the interview. It’s very intimate. It asks the question, how do we move forward, and create something good?
- SpencerVaughnWA
- July 27, 2017
Love It
Leaving evangelicalism can seem like a solitary journey, but this podcast shows those of us who left that we're not alone and our stories need and deserve to be told. That there is an outlet that tells us exvangelicals that it's ok to leave, it's ok when your beliefs change, it's ok to want to talk about these things, well, it's a gift. So many of us have to keep so much to ourselves in order to keep the peace at home or at work, so it's nice to listen to conversations in which someone who left evangelicalism is asked to tell their story, to say what they think. I recommend this podcast to anyone who has evolved away from evangelicalism, it really doesn't matter what into.
- NotThat_JC
- July 15, 2017
Amazing show
This show speaks to me and my experiences in a way no other podcast does. At first I was a little suspicious about another cisgender hetero male-hosted Christianity podcast, but Blake Chastain's affect and approach perfectly fits the show. I love that he tries to find women, LGBTQ folks, and people of color as guests. I appreciate that he always seems to be speaking from a place of humility and curiosity, whereas so many male Christian podcast hosts try to dominate conversations and charm guests with their insecure humor. Keep up the good work, Blake.
- NanSLP
- May 28, 2017
Recommended for All Ex-Evangelicals
I stumbled across this podcast while looking for resources and support for ex-Evangelicals, and ended up binge-listening to the whole backlog in under two weeks. Each episode features an interview with a former Evangelical. Some of the interviewees have maintained their faith but gone in a different direction (such as the Catholic or Episcopal church), while others have left the world of faith altogether. These stories all share the common thread of growing up to realize much of what we were raised to believe was misguided at best and grossly abusive at worst. In these days, as we're all reeling from the US election and the role white Evangelicals played in it, this podcast has never been more needed.
My favorite episode was Episode #6, the interview with Kyle Barton, but all of it is good stuff.
- Rckjones
- May 9, 2017
Living with Cognitive Dissonance
After living for 60 years in the evangelical community and experiencing the world altering dysphoria of the 2016 election, Blake Chastain's interviews are thought provoking guides to alternative world views and fresh ways to look at Christianity. I particularly thought the interview with Peterson Toscano was mind blowing. If the current cognitive dissonance in Christian culture has assaulted your faith, then these interviews may provide a touchstone for a more authentic faith experience or a guide out of the morass of guilt that often plagues the evangelical experience.
- Deborah Nystrom
- April 24, 2017
Great exploration
Blake's work explores the personal stories of people who have come through the evangelical movement and decided to leave it behind. It's an honest take that puts faces on the stats you read in the paper. The diversity of people and beliefs is a great strength of the show.
(Disclosure: I was a guest on an episode of the show)
- R2789
- April 17, 2017
Understanding Evangelical Subculture
I've only heard three episodes so far (Science Mike, Samantha Field, and Morgan Guyton), but I have found the conversations very refreshing. Though I haven't considered myself an evangelical for years (now an Episcopalian), I'm still reckoning with the world I grew up in and so much of my family still inhabits. I appreciate finding voices and conversations that reckon with the evangelical subculture as I continue to wrestle with and come to terms with my formative years.
- StrangerExtant
- March 17, 2017
Great guests and stories!
First rate podcast exploring the full range of fundagelical experiences from ex/formers, de/reconverts, nones, and the frustrated faithful who remain -- in the age of Trump.
- dpknauss
- March 6, 2017
Much needed
I never listen to podcasts. I'm not an auditory person. I even struggle with audiobooks. But I've been listening to Exvangelical every time I get a chance for the past three days. It's exactly what I and many others who grew up in evangelical circles need right now.
- Joi_the_Artist
- Feb. 23, 2017
- MoreIdeasFaster
- Jan. 9, 2017
Very Interesting
Great to listen to such thoughtful conversation. Can't wait to listen for the next episode.
- cneuk
- Nov. 1, 2016
Needed more than ever
I’m grateful for a forum to hear about life after the evangelical experience. It’s incredibly encouraging to hear such an informed critique of a worldview that needs rebalancing.
- Closet Erika fan
- Sept. 12, 2016
Great Stuff
I was honored to be part of an episode. What Exvangelical is doing is bringing necessary critique and ways forward. It's great.
- Aftrish
- Aug. 18, 2016
Exciting new podcast
I'm so glad to find voices speaking up for new/ancient forms of Christianity. On behalf of the legions of millennials who grew up in conservative evangelicalism and have seen its shortcomings, we need new voices like this to speak for a radical Christianity that thinks critically and offers alternatives. I have high hopes that Exvangelical will contribute to this growing conversation.
- Grc2003
- July 27, 2016