Sunday School Rejects

Is the Bible Still Relevant? With Jeremy Williams

In the season’s sixth episode, Jonathan, Katie and Annie ask some hard questions about what the Bible really is. Annie then interviews New Testament scholar Jeremy Williams about the Bible and power. Jeremy L. Williams is Assistant Professor of New Testament and Director of the Center for Theology and Justice at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, Texas. He holds a bachelor of arts from Vanderbilt University, a master of divinity from Yale Divinity School, and a doctor of philosophy from Harvard University. Resources for this episode: “Criminalization in Acts of the Apostles” by Jeremy L. Williams ~ https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/criminalization-in-acts-of-the-apostles/CA598B2A581AF1C5DD944EE1042BC876 [https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/criminalization-in-acts-of-the-apostles/CA598B2A581AF1C5DD944EE1042BC876] “Wisdom Ways: Introducing Feminist Biblical Interpretation” by Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza ~ https://orbisbooks.com/products/wisdom-ways?srsltid=AfmBOopsON8f8JxOpnVnqZ13kNB3xVC7eG7TWBi3F_x6YNDqyWyOnt1v [https://orbisbooks.com/products/wisdom-ways?srsltid=AfmBOopsON8f8JxOpnVnqZ13kNB3xVC7eG7TWBi3F_x6YNDqyWyOnt1v] “Womanist Midrash, Volume 1: A Reintroduction to the Women of the Torah and the Throne” by Wilda C. Gafney ~ https://www.wjkbooks.com/bookproduct/066423903x-womanist-midrash-volume-1/ [https://www.wjkbooks.com/bookproduct/066423903x-womanist-midrash-volume-1/] “What Is the Bible?” by Rob Bell ~ https://robbell.com/book/what-is-the-bible/ [https://robbell.com/book/what-is-the-bible/] Jeremy Williams ~ https://brite.edu/staff/jeremy-williams About the podcast: The first season of “Sunday School Rejects” delivers nine episodes on the topic of purity culture, which partly defined the Christian youth experiences of the Rejects. From pledge cards and rings to ceremonies and conferences, the purity culture of conservative Christianity left its mark on these three friends from Texas, who went on to earn advanced degrees in theology and related fields. The season’s first four episodes drop together as they offer a foundation for what’s to come. After that, episodes drop weekly and take deeper dives into purity culture. The Rejects tell their own stories and also solicit the expertise of Amy Butler, Matthew Paul Turner and Jeremy Williams. Episodes start dropping Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.  About the Rejects: Jonathan Greer is a professional choral singer and private voice teacher who has dabbled in the hospitality industry. He is also a homemade ice cream slinger. He holds a bachelor of arts in church music and a master of music from Baylor University, as well as a master of divinity with a certificate in women and gender studies from Brite Divinity School. Katie Valenzuela lives her life by two values: kindness and curiosity. She believes every human being should be treated with their souls acknowledged (kindness), and contrary to the popular saying—while it's thought that curiosity killed the cat, she believes curiosity saves her every single day. Generally, Katie thinks of herself as a bit much, but in the best way. As Lyndsay Rush (aka @MaryOliversDrunkCousin on Instagram) says, she is "like a bonus french fry in the bottom of the bag," "like a champagne shower," "like triple texting good news." She works in marketing at a university. She holds a bachelor of arts in mass communication / public relations from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and a master of science in human resources with an emphasis in diversity and technology from Excelsior University. She is pursuing a doctorate in leadership, equity, and inquiry from Illinois State University.  Annie Wilde is the creative operations manager and senior graphic designer at Sendero Provisions Co., a western wear brand. She likes to say she’s a full-time designer and a part-time theologian. In her free time she plays tennis, hangs out with her cat, and delivers the occasional sermon. She holds a bachelor of fine arts in graphic design from Baylor University and a master of theological studies from Brite Divinity School. Contact the Rejects at ssr@goodfaithmedia.org [ssr@goodfaithmedia.org] or on Instagram @sundayschoolrejects Episode release date: May 20, 2026. Hosts / Producers: Jonathan Greer, Katie Valenzuela, Annie Wilde. Executive Producer: Mitch Randall. Editor: Cliff Vaughn. Music: Jude Krall (78000 Ants). Links: Good Faith Media: https://goodfaithmedia.org/ The podcast page: https://goodfaithmedia.org/sunday-school-rejects/ A news release about the show: https://goodfaithmedia.org/good-faith-media-announces-sunday-school-rejects-podcast/

Our Purity Culture Stories

In the season’s fifth episode, Jonathan, Katie and Annie share their personal experiences with purity culture, including signing "True Love Waits" cards and wearing purity rings. They explore the psychological effects of purity culture, such as shame and fear, and the lack of proper sex education. They also offer resources to address the harm caused by purity culture and a sex-obsessed church. Resources for this episode: “Beyond Shame: Creating a Healthy Sex Life on Your Own Terms” by Matthias Roberts ~ https://matthiasroberts.com/beyondshame/ [https://matthiasroberts.com/beyondshame/] “You Made It Weird, With Pete Holmes” podcast ~ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/you-made-it-weird-with-pete-holmes/id475878118 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/you-made-it-weird-with-pete-holmes/id475878118] “Shameless: A Sexual Reformation” by Nadia Bolz-Weber ~ https://nadiabolzweber.com/shameless/ [https://nadiabolzweber.com/shameless/] About the podcast: The first season of “Sunday School Rejects” delivers nine episodes on the topic of purity culture, which partly defined the Christian youth experiences of the Rejects. From pledge cards and rings to ceremonies and conferences, the purity culture of conservative Christianity left its mark on these three friends from Texas, who went on to earn advanced degrees in theology and related fields. The season’s first four episodes drop together as they offer a foundation for what’s to come. After that, episodes drop weekly and take deeper dives into purity culture. The Rejects tell their own stories and also solicit the expertise of Amy Butler, Matthew Paul Turner and Jeremy Williams. Episodes start dropping Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.  About the Rejects: Jonathan Greer is a professional choral singer and private voice teacher who has dabbled in the hospitality industry. He is also a homemade ice cream slinger. He holds a bachelor of arts in church music and a master of music from Baylor University, as well as a master of divinity with a certificate in women and gender studies from Brite Divinity School. Katie Valenzuela lives her life by two values: kindness and curiosity. She believes every human being should be treated with their souls acknowledged (kindness), and contrary to the popular saying—while it's thought that curiosity killed the cat, she believes curiosity saves her every single day. Generally, Katie thinks of herself as a bit much, but in the best way. As Lyndsay Rush (aka @MaryOliversDrunkCousin on Instagram) says, she is "like a bonus french fry in the bottom of the bag," "like a champagne shower," "like triple texting good news." She works in marketing at a university. She holds a bachelor of arts in mass communication / public relations from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and a master of science in human resources with an emphasis in diversity and technology from Excelsior University. She is pursuing a doctorate in leadership, equity, and inquiry from Illinois State University.  Annie Wilde is the creative operations manager and senior graphic designer at Sendero Provisions Co., a western wear brand. She likes to say she’s a full-time designer and a part-time theologian. In her free time she plays tennis, hangs out with her cat, and delivers the occasional sermon. She holds a bachelor of fine arts in graphic design from Baylor University and a master of theological studies from Brite Divinity School. Contact the Rejects at ssr@goodfaithmedia.org [ssr@goodfaithmedia.org] or on Instagram @sundayschoolrejects Episode release date: May 13, 2026. Hosts / Producers: Jonathan Greer, Katie Valenzuela, Annie Wilde. Executive Producer: Mitch Randall. Editor: Cliff Vaughn. Music: Jude Krall (78000 Ants). Links: Good Faith Media: https://goodfaithmedia.org/ The podcast page: https://goodfaithmedia.org/sunday-school-rejects/ A news release about the show: https://goodfaithmedia.org/good-faith-media-announces-sunday-school-rejects-podcast/

Start Here: Resources for Being Alive

In the season’s fourth episode, Jonathan, Katie and Annie share various resources like books and podcasts that have informed their own faith journeys. The hosts highlight how these resources can help with personal growth in the wider context of a concern for justice for all.  Resources for this episode: “The Liturgists” podcast ~ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-liturgists-podcast/id903433534 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-liturgists-podcast/id903433534] “The RobCast” podcast ~ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-robcast/id956742638 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-robcast/id956742638] “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” book by Isabel Wilkerson ~ https://www.isabelwilkerson.com/ [https://www.isabelwilkerson.com/] Judy Heumann ~ https://judithheumann.com/ [https://judithheumann.com/] The Power Flower ~ https://werise-toolkit.org/en/system/tdf/pdf/tools/Power-Flower-Our-Intersecting-Identities_0.pdf?file=1&force= [https://werise-toolkit.org/en/system/tdf/pdf/tools/Power-Flower-Our-Intersecting-Identities_0.pdf?file=1&force=] “Immortal Diamond: The Search for Our True Self” book by Richard Rohr ~ https://cac.org/ [https://cac.org/] Wil Gafney ~ https://www.wilgafney.com/ [https://www.wilgafney.com/] About the podcast: The first season of “Sunday School Rejects” delivers nine episodes on the topic of purity culture, which partly defined the Christian youth experiences of the Rejects. From pledge cards and rings to ceremonies and conferences, the purity culture of conservative Christianity left its mark on these three friends from Texas, who went on to earn advanced degrees in theology and related fields. The season’s first four episodes drop together as they offer a foundation for what’s to come. After that, episodes drop weekly and take deeper dives into purity culture. The Rejects tell their own stories and also solicit the expertise of Amy Butler, Matthew Paul Turner and Jeremy Williams. Episodes start dropping Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.  About the Rejects: Jonathan Greer is a professional choral singer and private voice teacher who has dabbled in the hospitality industry. He is also a homemade ice cream slinger. He holds a bachelor of arts in church music and a master of music from Baylor University, as well as a master of divinity with a certificate in women and gender studies from Brite Divinity School. Katie Valenzuela lives her life by two values: kindness and curiosity. She believes every human being should be treated with their souls acknowledged (kindness), and contrary to the popular saying—while it's thought that curiosity killed the cat, she believes curiosity saves her every single day. Generally, Katie thinks of herself as a bit much, but in the best way. As Lyndsay Rush (aka @MaryOliversDrunkCousin on Instagram) says, she is "like a bonus french fry in the bottom of the bag," "like a champagne shower," "like triple texting good news." She works in marketing at a university. She holds a bachelor of arts in mass communication / public relations from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and a master of science in human resources with an emphasis in diversity and technology from Excelsior University. She is pursuing a doctorate in leadership, equity, and inquiry from Illinois State University.  Annie Wilde is the creative operations manager and senior graphic designer at Sendero Provisions Co., a western wear brand. She likes to say she’s a full-time designer and a part-time theologian. In her free time she plays tennis, hangs out with her cat, and delivers the occasional sermon. She holds a bachelor of fine arts in graphic design from Baylor University and a master of theological studies from Brite Divinity School. Contact the Rejects at ssr@goodfaithmedia.org [ssr@goodfaithmedia.org] or on Instagram @sundayschoolrejects Episode release date: May 6, 2026. Hosts / Producers: Jonathan Greer, Katie Valenzuela, Annie Wilde. Executive Producer: Mitch Randall. Editor: Cliff Vaughn. Music: Jude Krall (78000 Ants). Links: Good Faith Media: https://goodfaithmedia.org/ The podcast page: https://goodfaithmedia.org/sunday-school-rejects/ A news release about the show: https://goodfaithmedia.org/good-faith-media-announces-sunday-school-rejects-podcast/

Start Here: Ethical Storytelling

In the season’s third episode, Jonathan, Katie and Annie explore how storytelling is inherent in human nature and crucial in faith contexts. They stress the importance of understanding and respecting boundaries, being reliable, owning mistakes, and sharing only one's own stories.  Resources for this episode: Brené Brown’s “The BRAVING Inventory” ~ https://brenebrown.com/resources/the-braving-inventory/ About the podcast: The first season of “Sunday School Rejects” delivers nine episodes on the topic of purity culture, which partly defined the Christian youth experiences of the Rejects. From pledge cards and rings to ceremonies and conferences, the purity culture of conservative Christianity left its mark on these three friends from Texas, who went on to earn advanced degrees in theology and related fields. The season’s first four episodes drop together as they offer a foundation for what’s to come. After that, episodes drop weekly and take deeper dives into purity culture. The Rejects tell their own stories and also solicit the expertise of Amy Butler, Matthew Paul Turner and Jeremy Williams. Episodes start dropping Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.  About the Rejects: Jonathan Greer is a professional choral singer and private voice teacher who has dabbled in the hospitality industry. He is also a homemade ice cream slinger. He holds a bachelor of arts in church music and a master of music from Baylor University, as well as a master of divinity with a certificate in women and gender studies from Brite Divinity School. Katie Valenzuela lives her life by two values: kindness and curiosity. She believes every human being should be treated with their souls acknowledged (kindness), and contrary to the popular saying—while it's thought that curiosity killed the cat, she believes curiosity saves her every single day. Generally, Katie thinks of herself as a bit much, but in the best way. As Lyndsay Rush (aka @MaryOliversDrunkCousin on Instagram) says, she is "like a bonus french fry in the bottom of the bag," "like a champagne shower," "like triple texting good news." She works in marketing at a university. She holds a bachelor of arts in mass communication / public relations from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and a master of science in human resources with an emphasis in diversity and technology from Excelsior University. She is pursuing a doctorate in leadership, equity, and inquiry from Illinois State University.  Annie Wilde is the creative operations manager and senior graphic designer at Sendero Provisions Co., a western wear brand. She likes to say she’s a full-time designer and a part-time theologian. In her free time she plays tennis, hangs out with her cat, and delivers the occasional sermon. She holds a bachelor of fine arts in graphic design from Baylor University and a master of theological studies from Brite Divinity School. Contact the Rejects at ssr@goodfaithmedia.org [ssr@goodfaithmedia.org] or on Instagram @sundayschoolrejects Episode release date: May 6, 2026. Hosts / Producers: Jonathan Greer, Katie Valenzuela, Annie Wilde. Executive Producer: Mitch Randall. Editor: Cliff Vaughn. Music: Jude Krall (78000 Ants). Links: Good Faith Media: https://goodfaithmedia.org/ The podcast page: https://goodfaithmedia.org/sunday-school-rejects/ A news release about the show: https://goodfaithmedia.org/good-faith-media-announces-sunday-school-rejects-podcast/

Start Here: Rediscovering Scripture

In the season’s second episode, Jonathan, Katie and Annie share how their childhood experiences with Scripture, particularly biblical literalism, shaped their faith. They also explore more liberating ways of reading the Bible through lenses like feminist, queer and liberation theology. About the podcast: The first season of “Sunday School Rejects” delivers nine episodes on the topic of purity culture, which partly defined the Christian youth experiences of the Rejects. From pledge cards and rings to ceremonies and conferences, the purity culture of conservative Christianity left its mark on these three friends from Texas, who went on to earn advanced degrees in theology and related fields. The season’s first four episodes drop together as they offer a foundation for what’s to come. After that, episodes drop weekly and take deeper dives into purity culture. The Rejects tell their own stories and also solicit the expertise of Amy Butler, Matthew Paul Turner and Jeremy Williams. Episodes start dropping Wednesday, May 6, 2026. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.  About the Rejects: Jonathan Greer is a professional choral singer and private voice teacher who has dabbled in the hospitality industry. He is also a homemade ice cream slinger. He holds a bachelor of arts in church music and a master of music from Baylor University, as well as a master of divinity with a certificate in women and gender studies from Brite Divinity School. Katie Valenzuela lives her life by two values: kindness and curiosity. She believes every human being should be treated with their souls acknowledged (kindness), and contrary to the popular saying—while it's thought that curiosity killed the cat, she believes curiosity saves her every single day. Generally, Katie thinks of herself as a bit much, but in the best way. As Lyndsay Rush (aka @MaryOliversDrunkCousin on Instagram) says, she is "like a bonus french fry in the bottom of the bag," "like a champagne shower," "like triple texting good news." She works in marketing at a university. She holds a bachelor of arts in mass communication / public relations from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and a master of science in human resources with an emphasis in diversity and technology from Excelsior University. She is pursuing a doctorate in leadership, equity, and inquiry from Illinois State University.  Annie Wilde is the creative operations manager and senior graphic designer at Sendero Provisions Co., a western wear brand. She likes to say she’s a full-time designer and a part-time theologian. In her free time she plays tennis, hangs out with her cat, and delivers the occasional sermon. She holds a bachelor of fine arts in graphic design from Baylor University and a master of theological studies from Brite Divinity School. Contact the Rejects at ssr@goodfaithmedia.org [ssr@goodfaithmedia.org] or on Instagram @sundayschoolrejects Episode release date: May 6, 2026. Hosts / Producers: Jonathan Greer, Katie Valenzuela, Annie Wilde. Executive Producer: Mitch Randall. Editor: Cliff Vaughn. Music: Jude Krall (78000 Ants). Links: Good Faith Media: https://goodfaithmedia.org/ The podcast page: https://goodfaithmedia.org/sunday-school-rejects/ A news release about the show: https://goodfaithmedia.org/good-faith-media-announces-sunday-school-rejects-podcast/