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Content Advisory: religious trauma, physical and sexual abuseToday on The Ex-Files I speak with Alexis Record. Alexis is a former Christian, raised in a fundamentalist home. In our conversation she recounts her experiences of profound loss, her harrowing encounters with fundamentalism in Christian missions, brushes with death, extreme shaming, and misadventures in Christian education.Today, Alexis the mother of two remarkable children, a volunteer leader at Sunday Assembly San Diego, an the author of the chapter, Women v. Indoctrination, in the book, Women v. Religion: The Case Against Faith—and for Freedom, edited by Karen Garst, and published by Pitchstone Publishing. Elements of Alexis’ story are being told here for the very first time and may be difficult listening, especially if you have survived abuse of any kind, but especially religious abuse.Women v. Religion, edited by Karen Garst | https://goo.gl/gcoiX6#Exvangelical#ExposeChristianSchools

On this episode I speak with philosopher and author, John Gray, about humanism, secular utopianism, and his new book, Seven Types of Atheism. Professor Gray is the author of numerous books, including False Dawn: The Delusions of Global Capitalism, Straw Dogs: Thoughts on Humans and Other Animals, Black Mass: Apocalyptic Religion and the Death of Utopia, and, most recently, Seven Types of Atheism, which is not so much a strict typology of atheism. Indeed, what would such a project entail since atheism is one thing and one thing only. Rather, it’s a fascinating, enlightening, sometimes irritating survey of the various schools of thought into which atheists have fallen in the past several centuries.LINKSOrder "Seven Types of Atheism" | https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374261092Book review by Terry Eagleton | https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/apr/11/seven-types-atheism-john-gray-review-atheist-believer-material-worldBook review in New Humanist by Ralph Jones | https://newhumanist.org.uk/articles/5328/book-review-seven-types-of-atheismBook review in The Humanist by Peter C. Grosvenor | https://thehumanist.com/magazine/january-february-2019/arts_entertainment/seven-types-of-atheismSupport the Life After God podcast at www.patreon.com/lifeaftergodLife After God website | www.lifeaftergod.orgRyan Bell's Twitter | www.twitter.com/ryanjbellLife After God's Twitter | www.twitter.com/ourlifeaftergod

The podcast launches a news season with this short New Year's Eve reflection. In this episode, host Ryan Bell looks ahead to the new year and his hopes and dreams for the Life After God community.Support the Life After God community on Patreon: www.patreon.com/lifeaftergodVisit the website: www.lifeaftergod.org

On this episode I speak with scholar and writer, Christopher Stroop. As an ex-evangelical himself, Chris has been instrumental in galvanizing the ex-evangelical voice online with the hashtags #EmptyThePews, #Exvangelical, and #HowToEvangelical. His mission is to foster community for those harmed by and alienated from conservative religious communities. His recent writing has appeared in Religion Dispatches and Playboy.LINKSChris's website | www.chrisstroop.comChris's Twitter | www.twitter.com/C_Stroop#Exvangelical Twitter hashtag | www.twitter.com/search/?q=%23exvangelicals#EmptyThePews Twitter hashtag | www.twitter.com/search/?q=%23emptythepewsWhy I Am Not an Atheist | www.chrisstroop.com/2018/02/11/why-i-am-not-an-atheist/The Spectacular Nadir of American Evangelicalism | www.playboy.com/read/the-spectacular-nadir-of-american-evangelicism-1Support the Life After God podcast at www.patreon.com/lifeaftergodLife After God website | www.lifeaftergod.org

Brian Peck, Carolyn Golden, and James Connelly explore how beliefs impact the deconversion process and create challenges for relationships.This episode is part two of a conversation recorded on March 13, 2018. You can listen to part one here:http://www.lifeaftergod.org/059-how-and-why-we-believe-part-1/or read the transcript here:https://www.roomtothrive.com/blog/2018/3/24/how-and-why-we-believeIn this episode, James talks about going through a deconversion when your partner is still a believer. Mixed-faith relationships are common and can be maintained but they often test the strongest of bonds as a couple renegotiates the essential elements of their relationship.By focusing on HOW we believe we can more easily unite around the shared human experience of living with a believing brain. Of course, WHAT we believe will continue to be important but perhaps understanding the HOW and WHY will allow us to relax our grip a little bit on the WHAT.In addition to discussing how divergent beliefs impact relationships, the guests offer practical things you can do to support more meaningful human connections._____Brian Peck, LCSW is a clinical social worker who specializes in religious-based trauma in his private practice and guides individuals through their deconversions with evidence-based practices online. Brian loves discovering and adopting new and healthier ways to be human on the other side of religious belief.Carolyn Golden, Psy.D. is a clinical psychologist, who, in addition to her clinical practice, teaches psychology at Boise State University. Carolyn’s interest in how we create and maintain beliefs resulted in her developing and teaching The Psychology of Belief.James Connelly, Psy.D. is a clinical psychologist with and an infectious curiosity about how our brains work and a fascination with WHY and HOW we believe. James is currently writing a book in which he explores the psychology of religious belief through the lens of his LDS background.LINKSRoom to Thrive | https://www.roomtothrive.com

Guest host, Brian Peck, shares a fascinating conversation about HOW and WHY we believe. Not surprisingly, we humans care a great deal about WHAT we believe but we're often unaware of the underlying conditions and psychological processes that give rise to our beliefs.On this episode, Brian talks with two of his close friends and trusted colleagues about how beliefs are formed and how they function for us individually and within relationships.A former Catholic, an ex-Mormon, and a post-Evangelical walk into a bar......and geek out about psychology and the human experience.Carolyn Golden, Psy.D. is a clinical psychologist, who, in addition to her clinical practice, teaches psychology at Boise State University. Carolyn's interest in how we create and maintain beliefs resulted in her developing and teaching The Psychology of Belief.James Connelly, Psy.D. is a clinical psychologist with and an infectious curiosity about how our brains work and a fascination with WHY and HOW we believe. James is currently writing a book in which he explores the psychology of religious belief through the lens of his LDS background.Brian Peck, LCSW is a clinical social worker who specializes in religious-based trauma in his private practice and guides individuals through their deconversions with evidence-based practices online. Brian loves discovering and adopting new and healthier ways to be human on the other side of religious belief.You will not want to miss PART 2 of our conversation where we discuss how divergent beliefs impact relationships and offer practical things we can do to support more meaningful human connections.TRANSCRIPT:https://www.roomtothrive.com/blog/2018/3/24/how-and-why-we-believeLINKS:Room to Thrive | https://www.roomtothrive.comLife After God website | https://www.lifeaftergod.orgLife After God Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/ourlifeaftergod/Life After God Twitter | https://twitter.com/ourlifeaftergod

*Content advisory: sexual abuse, rape, and violence*On this episode I speak with Anais Chartschenko about her experience of extreme abuse in the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Her experience is tragic but not uncommon. In the second chapter I speak with Brian Peck and Gretchen Meader about the subject of forgiveness. Those of us who grew up in the church know that forgiveness is a central virtue. But post-Christianity, Christian appears much more sinister. Building on my conversation with Anais, I ask Gretchen and Brian to reflect on the subject of forgiveness from their personal experience and expertise as therapists.LINKSRoom to Thrive | www.roomtothrive.comBooks by Anais Chartschenko | www.amazon.com/Anais-Chartschenko/e/B00J4QSO7CLife After God website | www.lifeaftergod.org#metoo #churchtoo

On this episode I speak with Dean of Religious Life at University of Southern California, Dr. Varun Soni. Varun's rich and varied background and experience growing up in Southern California as child of one Hindu parent and one Buddhist parent makes him a unique voice in the academic and interreligious spheres.LINKSLearn more about Varun Soni and his work at his personal website: www.varunsoni.com.Office of Religious Life at USC: www.orl.usc.eduRoom to Thrive: https://www.roomtothrive.com/

On this episode I speak with former pastor and fellow podcaster, Luke King, about his deconversion and future plans to cultivate community for former Christians. You can hear Luke's podcast and learn more about his community at www.youratheistpastor.orgLearn more about Life After God at www.lifeaftergod.orgSupport the Life After God at www.patreon.com/lifeaftergod

On this episode I speak with author and leadership coach, Dauv Evans, about his book, Emancipation of a Black Atheist.Learn more about Life After God: www.lifeaftergod.orgSupport the Life After God: www.patreon.com/lifeaftergodBuy the book here: http://amzn.to/2CuahAD

On this episode I speak with photographer and filmmaker, Chris Johnson, about his book and documentary project, A Better Life, which tells the stories of 100 atheists who have found joy and meaning in a world without God. Chris is just completing a long season of touring with the film. You can learn more the links below.Learn more about Life After God: www.lifeaftergod.orgSupport the Life After God: www.patreon.com/lifeaftergodMentioned in this episodeA Better Life website: www.theatheistbook.comChris Johnson Twitter: www.twitter.com/theatheistbook

On this episode I speak with comedian and survivor of the Quiverfull cult, Brooke Arnold. Mentioned in this episode: Brooke Arnold's website || www.brookearnold.comI could've been a Duggar wife (Salon) || https://goo.gl/dl787lKurt Metzger || https://www.facebook.com/KurtMetzgerComedy

On this episode of The Ex-Files I speak to Matthew Faraday.Matthew lives with in Michigan with his wife and two kids. He is a nurse, an avid cyclist, and a lover of craft beer. Unbeknownst to either of us, Matthew and I started a journey to get to the bottom of the claims of Christianity around the same time. We began corresponding in Nov 2014. We finally talked about our overlapping experiences.

This week I speak with theoretical physicist (Caltech), Sean Carroll. We talk about his new book entitled, The Big Picture: On the Origins of Life, Meaning, and the Universe Itself. The author of two previous books on physics for popular audiences (From Eternity to Here, The Particle at the End of the Universe), Sean now turns his attention to questions of meaning, purpose and ethics, weaving this subjects together with his understanding of physics.Mentioned in this episode:Sean Carroll's Website: www.preposterousuniverse.comSean Carroll's Twitter: www.twitter.com/seanmcarrollThe Big Picture, by Sean Carrollhttp://amzn.to/2nMb1pjScale, by Geoffrey Westhttp://amzn.to/2oDHIJA

In this episode, Ryan returns from a 6 month hiatus and explains where he's been and what's next. Mentioned in this episode:--Mary Oliver, *Upstream: Selected Essays*--Room to Thrive, the coaching and counseling practice of Brian Peck, LCSW (http://www.roomtothrive.com)