Praise Be To Pod

UNLEARNING: Are we still Evangelizing?

This week, Ashley and Bailee explore the lingering ways evangelical Christianity continues to shape their thinking, even after deconstruction. Together, they reflect on how certain patterns don’t automatically disappear when beliefs change…they often shift form. From over-functioning in relationships to carrying a sense of moral urgency into political spaces, they examine how old frameworks can quietly persist beneath new language and identities—and how unlearning them has been harder than they expected. What we talk about: * Coach (Ashley’s dog) goes to Camp Courage * Bailee’s 4th grade crush  * Aperol spritz o’clock * Couple’s Therapy * How Evangelicalism f*cked up our relationships * Is Leftism Bailee’s new gospel? References: Post by @thekindred.space on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/DYH8wp-FHNe/ [https://www.instagram.com/p/DYH8wp-FHNe/] Connect with Us: 📸 Instagram: @praisebetopod 🎵 TikTok: @praisebetopod ▶️ YouTube: @praisebetopod 💻 Web: www.praisebetopod.com 💸 Patreon: patreon.com/praisebetopod

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