One Year of Praise Be to Pod: Stages of Deconstruction

Mental Health: Spiritual Bypassing

This week, Ashley and Bailee unpack one of evangelicalism's most enduring coping mechanisms: spiritual bypassing. Together, they explore the pressure to "choose joy" when life is falling apart, the expectation to stay positive no matter the circumstances, and the ways difficult emotions are often treated as spiritual failures rather than normal parts of being human. Along the way, they discuss Word of Faith theology, the fear of "speaking things into existence," and what it means to hold onto hope without denying reality. Connect with Us: 📸 Instagram: @praisebetopod 🎵 TikTok: @praisebetopod ▶️ YouTube: @praisebetopod 💻 Web: www.praisebetopod.com 💸 Patreon: patreon.com/praisebetopod

Boys Will Be Boys: The Modern Exvangelical Manosphere

This week, Ashley and Bailee fail the Bechdel Test for the very first time with an all-new episode on one of humanity's oldest and most infamous subjects: men. Together, they unpack some of the dynamics they've noticed in progressive spaces and relationships, exploring the ways patriarchal patterns can persist even as people deconstruct old beliefs and embrace new values. From emotional labor to accountability, they reflect on the ways these systems continue to shape how we relate to one another. Along the way, they discuss feminism, self-awareness, and what it actually means to do the ongoing work of unlearning the messages we've all inherited. References:  * American Institute for Boys and Men. (2024). Male loneliness and isolation: What the data shows. American Institute for Boys and Men [https://aibm.org/research/male-loneliness-and-isolation-what-the-data-shows/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Bernstein, M. (Host). (2026, May 15). Is Tucker Carlson your friend now? (with Naomi Klein) [Audio podcast episode]. In A Bit Fruity with Matt Bernstein. iHeartPodcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-tucker-carlson-problem-with-naomi-klein/id1693739175?i=1000767917217 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-tucker-carlson-problem-with-naomi-klein/id1693739175?i=1000767917217] * Gallup. (2025, April 3). Rise in young men’s religiosity realigns gender gaps. Gallup [https://news.gallup.com/poll/708410/rise-young-men-religiosity-realigns-gender-gaps.aspx?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * National Public Radio. (2025, February 17). The men’s loneliness epidemic might not exist in the way we think. NPR [https://www.npr.org/2025/02/17/1263527043/its-been-a-minute-male-loneliness-epidemic-real?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Pew Research Center. (2025, January 16). Men, women and social connections. Pew Research Center [https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2025/01/16/men-women-and-social-connections/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * The Week. (2024, September 12). The rise of the performative male. The Week [https://theweek.com/culture-life/the-rise-of-the-performative-male?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Worthen, M. (2025, March 24). Are we actually experiencing a Christian revival? New York Magazine. New York Magazine [https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/religious-gen-z-christian-revival.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Cigarette Post [https://www.instagram.com/p/DYR27u8DU_m/?hl=en] Connect with Us: 📸 Instagram: @praisebetopod 🎵 TikTok: @praisebetopod ▶️ YouTube: @praisebetopod 💻 Web: www.praisebetopod.com 💸 Patreon: patreon.com/praisebetopod

The Gospel According to White Evangelicalism: Bekha's Story

This week, Bailee and Ashley are joined by a very special guest: Bailee’s childhood best friend, Bekha.  Bekha and Bailee first met as children when Bekha's family began attending the charismatic evangelical church that Bailee's parents planted and pastored in their small rural community.  While Bekha and Bailee share many memories and experiences from their upbringing in the church, Bekha was also navigating evangelicalism as a biracial, second-generation Honduran American. Together, they reflect on growing up in the same religious environment, the ways their experiences overlapped and diverged, and the journeys that eventually led them both to deconstruct their faith. Along the way, they discuss identity, belonging, race, church culture, and the lasting impact of evangelicalism long after leaving it behind. Check Out Bekha’s Children’s Book [https://www.amazon.ca/Different-Wings-Rebecca-Marie-Scepaniak/dp/B0GSKFDKF3]! Connect with Us: 📸 Instagram: @praisebetopod 🎵 TikTok: @praisebetopod ▶️ YouTube: @praisebetopod 💻 Web: www.praisebetopod.com 💸 Patreon: patreon.com/praisebetopod

One Year of Praise Be to Pod: Stages of Deconstruction

This week, Ashley and Bailee celebrate one year of Praise Be to Pod, reflecting on the journey that brought them here. After a year of conversations about evangelicalism, spirituality, culture, power, and healing, they take stock of how their deconstruction has evolved—and where it might be leading next. Along the way, they discuss the different stages of deconstruction they've experienced, beliefs they've let go of and reclaimed, and the ways their understanding of faith and identity has shifted. They also explore how their focus has expanded beyond religious systems to broader conversations about history, Christian nationalism, patriarchy, white supremacy, and power. Finally, they reflect on what surprised them most over the past year, what they've learned from creating the podcast, and what they're looking forward to as they enter year two. Connect with Us: 📸 Instagram: @praisebetopod 🎵 TikTok: @praisebetopod ▶️ YouTube: @praisebetopod 💻 Web: www.praisebetopod.com 💸 Patreon: patreon.com/praisebetopod

The Hollywood Fall from Grace to Evangelical A$$hole with Husband of the Pod, Danny

Content Advisory: This episode explores themes of domestic violence, sexual assault, and violence against LGBTQ+ people This week, Ashley and Bailee are joined by Ashley’s husband Danny to discuss the infamous pipeline of powerful men who conveniently find God in the middle of public scandal and accountability. Using Shia LaBeouf, Kanye West, and Russell Brand as case studies, we explore why celebrity conversion narratives are so compelling—and why religious communities are often eager to embrace them. Along the way, we unpack the difference between genuine accountability and performative self-deprecation, the cultural appeal of the redemption arc, and whether reconciliation and inner transformation are possible when significant harm has been caused. References: * Kanye’s “A Jewish Doctor” Clip: https://www.instagram.com/reels/DBu3o0AtpP9/ [https://www.instagram.com/reels/DBu3o0AtpP9/] * Lights out Kid: https://www.instagram.com/light4079/ [https://www.instagram.com/light4079/] * https://www.vogue.com/article/russell-brand-troubling-rebrand [https://www.vogue.com/article/russell-brand-troubling-rebrand] * https://www.ncronline.org/opinion/guest-voices/conversion-catholicism-shouldnt-be-right-wing-power-play [https://www.ncronline.org/opinion/guest-voices/conversion-catholicism-shouldnt-be-right-wing-power-play] Fact Check:  * Russell Brand has not yet gone to trial, but he has appeared at London’s Southwark Crown Court for several preliminary hearings and to formally enter his not guilty pleas. His full trial—which will combine seven charges of rape, sexual assault, and indecent assault relating to six women—is scheduled to begin at the Southwark Crown Court on October 12, 2026 Connect with Us: 📸 Instagram: @praisebetopod 🎵 TikTok: @praisebetopod ▶️ YouTube: @praisebetopod 💻 Web: www.praisebetopod.com 💸 Patreon: patreon.com/praisebetopod