Zack Lambert: Better Ways to Read the Bible, Ask Hard Questions & Build a Faith That Heals | ep 88

Zack Lambert: Better Ways to Read the Bible, Ask Hard Questions & Build a Faith That Heals | ep 88

Episode 88 of *What the Hell Do I Know with JB* welcomes pastor, author, and thought leader **Zack Lambert**, founder and lead pastor of Restore Austin. Zack joins Jason Becker for a powerful and honest conversation about faith, church culture, biblical interpretation, inclusion, doubt, and what it means to follow Jesus in today's world. Drawing from his book *Better Ways to Read the Bible: Transforming a Weapon of Harm into a Tool of Healing*, Zack shares why so many people are walking away from the church, how harmful interpretations of scripture have impacted generations, and why asking difficult questions may actually strengthen faith rather than destroy it. Together, Jason and Zack discuss: • Why millions of Americans have stopped reading the Bible • Church growth, Christian nationalism, and the future of faith communities • LGBTQ+ inclusion and what scripture actually says • Women in leadership and the history of patriarchy in the church • Why curiosity, doubt, and questioning should be welcomed • How Jesus consistently expanded the circle of belonging • The difference between religion that harms and faith that heals • Raising kids who can think critically about faith • Finding safe spaces to ask difficult spiritual questions Whether you're deeply religious, spiritually curious, deconstructing your faith, or simply searching for a better understanding of scripture, this conversation offers wisdom, compassion, and hope. 📖 Learn more about Zack Lambert: https://www.restoreaustin.org 📸 Follow Zack: @zackwlambert 🌐 Visit Jason Becker: https://www.vintagewisdom.org 📸 Follow Jason: @_jason_becker Special thanks to our sponsors: 🏠 Floorzz Premium flooring solutions for homes and businesses. 🧭 TruNorth Helping individuals and organizations navigate growth, leadership, and purpose. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who could use a little more hope, curiosity, and grace in their journey. #WhatTheHellDoIKnowWithJB #ZackLambert #JasonBecker #WhatTheHellDoIKnowWithJB #BetterWaysToReadTheBible #ProgressiveChristianity #FaithDeconstruction #BibleStudy #ChristianPodcast #Jesus #ChurchHurt #LGBTQInclusion #RestoreAustin #FaithAndCulture #SpiritualGrowth #Christianity #Theology #PodcastLife #VintageWisdom #FaithJourney #ReligionAndCulture

Did Feminism Destroy Western Civilization? | Dr. Vishal Mangalwadi & Jason Becker ep 87

In this episode of What The Hell Do I Know with JB, I sit down with renowned author, philosopher, and cultural commentator Dr. Vishal Mangalwadi for what started as a fascinating conversation about Christianity, Western civilization, truth, freedom, and the Bible's influence on culture. But somewhere along the way, the conversation took a turn neither of us expected. What began as a discussion about faith, history, and the future of the Church became a spirited debate about feminism, marriage, authority, equality, and whether modern Western culture has been strengthened—or weakened—by the pursuit of gender equality. Dr. Mangalwadi argues that feminism has contributed to the decline of the family and weakened the foundations of Western civilization. I wasn't convinced. What followed was an honest exchange between two people who share many of the same values, yet see some of the most important cultural questions of our time very differently. As always, the goal wasn't to win an argument. The goal was to pursue truth. The Definition of Feminism Referenced in the Opening Feminism is the belief in and advocacy for the social, political, economic, and cultural equality of all genders, especially focusing on addressing the historical and ongoing inequalities faced by women. At its core, feminism argues that people should have equal rights, opportunities, and treatment regardless of gender. Topics We Discuss • Is the Bible responsible for shaping Western civilization? • Did Christianity create the foundations of freedom and democracy? • Has the American Church lost its influence? • Why Dr. Mangalwadi believes evangelicalism has been defeated culturally • The role of marriage and family in building strong societies • Can equality and authority coexist? • Has feminism strengthened or weakened women? • The future of Christianity in America • Why disagreement can be healthy when truth matters About Dr. Vishal Mangalwadi Dr. Vishal Mangalwadi is an Indian philosopher, social reformer, theologian, and bestselling author known for exploring the relationship between biblical ideas and the development of modern civilization. 🔗 Website: https://revelationmovement.com [https://revelationmovement.com/] 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vishalmangalwadi [https://www.instagram.com/vishalmangalwadi] Connect With Jason Becker 🌐 https://vintagewisdom.org [https://vintagewisdom.org/] 📸 https://www.instagram.com/_jason_becker [https://www.instagram.com/_jason_becker] Sponsors This episode is brought to you by: 🏠 Floorzz Premium flooring solutions that help transform houses into homes. 🐜 TruNorth Pest Control Protecting homes, families, and businesses with professional pest management services. Join The Conversation This episode touches on topics that matter deeply to many people. Whether you agree with Dr. Mangalwadi, agree with me, or think we're both wrong, I'd love to hear your thoughts. Can a society pursue equality without losing stability? Has feminism helped women, hurt women, or both? What role should faith play in shaping culture? Drop your thoughts in the comments. Let's disagree thoughtfully and pursue truth together. #WhatTheHellDoIKnow #JasonBecker #VishalMangalwadi #Christianity #Feminism #FaithAndCulture #WesternCivilization #BiblicalWorldview #Marriage #Family #CultureWar #Religion #Podcast #ChristianPodcast #Truth #Democracy #Faith #Church #Culture #Freedom

MTV Fame, Addiction & Redemption | Nathaniel Blackburn (Real World Seattle) | Episode 86

From MTV Fame to Rock Bottom to Redemption. In Episode 86 of What the Hell Do I Know with JB, Jason Becker sits down with Nathaniel Blackburn (@nathanielwblackburn), best known as Nathan from MTV's iconic Real World Seattle season and one of the original stars of The Challenge. Nathaniel opens up like never before about life after reality TV fame, the pressure of sudden success, addiction, alcoholism, homelessness, suicidal thoughts, and the painful search for identity that followed his years in the spotlight. What started as a dream of fame quickly became a battle for survival. This conversation goes far beyond reality television. Nathaniel shares the childhood trauma that shaped him, the internal voices that drove his addiction, the moment he hit rock bottom, and how faith, recovery, vulnerability, and purpose ultimately transformed his life. Today, Nathaniel is the Founder and Executive Director of True North Retreats, helping men find healing, freedom, purpose, and authentic community through transformational retreats and mentorship. Topics include: ✔️ MTV's Real World Seattle ✔️ The infamous "Slap Heard Around the Real World" ✔️ Early reality TV vs today's reality television ✔️ The rise of The Challenge ✔️ Addiction and alcoholism ✔️ Recovery and sobriety ✔️ Faith and spirituality ✔️ Trauma and healing ✔️ Men's mental health ✔️ Vulnerability and masculinity ✔️ Marriage, family, and forgiveness ✔️ Why so many men are silently struggling ✔️ Building True North Retreats This is one of the most raw, vulnerable, and powerful conversations we've had on the podcast. Connect with Nathaniel Blackburn: 📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nathanielwblackburn 🌐 True North Retreats: https://trunorthretreats.org Follow Jason Becker: 📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_jason_becker Whether you're building a new home or remodeling an existing one, Floorzz has everything you need—from hardwood and tile to luxury vinyl and laminate. Their team of designers can help you find the perfect flooring solution and ship it directly to your door. 🌐 https://floorzz.com Family-owned, family-operated, and committed to doing the job right the first time. If you're dealing with pests, termites, mosquitoes, or general pest prevention, call the team that JB trusts. 🌐 https://trunorthpestcontrol.com #NathanielBlackburn #RealWorldSeattle #MTV #TheChallenge #AddictionRecovery #Sobriety #Faith #MensMentalHealth #Recovery #Podcast #JasonBecker #TrueNorthRetreats #MentalHealth #Redemption #WhatTheHellDoIKnow

I Was Married to an Abuser for 10 Years... and Didn't Know It | Quinn Padilla

For years, Quinn Padilla believed she was simply married to a difficult man. What she didn't realize was that she was trapped in a cycle of emotional abuse, manipulation, control, and trauma bonding that would keep her stuck for nearly a decade. In this powerful conversation, Quinn shares the raw truth about surviving an abusive marriage to a Green Beret, the hidden forms of abuse that often go unnoticed, the threat of suicide that kept her trapped, and the heartbreaking aftermath that followed. Today, Quinn is a Trauma Therapist and Abuse Recovery Coach helping women identify abusive patterns, heal their nervous systems, and reclaim their lives. We dive deep into: • Why strong, intelligent women stay in abusive relationships • The psychology of trauma bonds • Gaslighting, manipulation, and emotional abuse • Red flags most people miss early in relationships • How abuse impacts children • PTSD, nervous system healing, and recovery • Brainspotting therapy and trauma treatment • Life after abuse and finding healthy love This is one of the most important conversations we've had on the show. If you know someone struggling in a toxic or abusive relationship, share this episode with them. 🎙️ Guest: Quinn Padilla 📲 Instagram: @itsquinnpadilla 🎙️ Host: Jason Becker 📲 Instagram: @_jason_becker If this conversation helped you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. #QuinnPadilla #TraumaTherapy #AbuseRecovery #TraumaBond #EmotionalAbuse #MentalHealth #HealingJourney #PTSDRecovery #Brainspotting #DomesticAbuseAwareness #WhatTheHellDoIKnow #Podcast #RelationshipAdvice #Gaslighting #TraumaHealing

Elle Unbound on Megachurches, Deconstruction, Mental Health & Faith | Ep. 84

Elle Unbound joins JB for one of the most honest conversations we’ve had about faith, church culture, deconstruction, mental health, and the modern American church. Elle opens up about: • Growing up in church • Moving to America to work in megachurch ministry • Why church culture started feeling performative • Mental health struggles inside ministry • Faith, doubt, and living without certainty • Politics and Christianity becoming intertwined • LGBTQ+ exclusion in church spaces • Why curiosity matters more than certainty This episode is not about attacking faith. It’s about asking hard questions, examining unhealthy systems, and figuring out what love, grace, and authenticity actually look like. Whether you’re deeply involved in church, deconstructing, frustrated with religion, or simply curious — this conversation is for you. FOLLOW ELLE: Instagram: @ellieunbound FOLLOW JB: Instagram: @_jason_becker SPONSORS: TruNorth Pest Control [www.trunorthpest.com](http://www.trunorthpest.com) Floorzz [www.floorzz.com](http://www.floorzz.com) WATCH • LISTEN • SUBSCRIBE #ElleUnbound #Deconstruction #Faith #Megachurch #MentalHealth #Christianity #Podcast #ChurchCulture #Exvangelical #WhatTheHellDoIKnow