Life After God's tracks

This week I speak to Andy Stanley, senior pastor of North Point Community Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Andy founded the church over 20 years ago and today it is the largest congregation in America, according to Outreach Magazine.I talk to Andy about his experience growing up Christian, his interest in people's stories, including deconversion stories, and how Christians can be their own worst enemies. We even chat for a minute about politics and how evangelicals might be able to salvage their integrity after this election.While we differ on many issues, we agree that serving the needs of humanity is paramount and something religious and non-religious people can engage in together.LINKSPersonal website | www.andystanley.comNorth Point Community Church | www.northpoint.orgHelp me replace my computer | https://funds.gofundme.com/dashboard/help-replace-my-computer/Life After God | www.lifeaftergod.orgFacebook | www.facebook.com/ourlifeaftergodInstagram | www.instagram.com/ourlifeaftergodTwitter | www.twitter.com/ourlifeaftergod

This week I speak with speaker and podcaster, Mike McHargue, about his first book, "Finding God in the Waves: How I Lost My Faith and Found It Again Through Science," which came out yesterday.In both his book and this episode, Mike tells of his journey from fundamentalist Christianity to atheism to what he calls mystical Christianity. Mike is the host of two popular podcasts: Ask Science Mike and The Liturgists, which he co-hosts with musician, Michael Gungor.LINKSBuy Mike's book: http://amzn.to/2cs8Y6nVisit Mike's website: www.mikemchargue.comAsk Science Mike Podcast: http://mikemchargue.com/ask-science-mikeThe Liturgists Podcast: http://www.theliturgists.com

In this special update I speak with Gretta Vosper about the decision that just came down last week, declaring that she is "unfit for ministry in the United Church of Canada." This decision has come after a year and half of investigation into Gretta's beliefs after she said publicly that she does not believe in a theistic God.For more background on Vosper's work at West Hill United Church in Toronto and the United Church of Canada's investigation into her fitness for ministry, please listen to Episode 2: http://www.spreaker.com/user/lifeaftergod/2-interview-with-gretta-vosper"Flock sticks with atheist United Church minister," Toronto Star, Sept. 11, 2016https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2016/09/11/flock-sticks-with-atheist-united-church-minister.htmlGretta's personal website: http://www.grettavosper.caWest Hill United Church's website: http://www.westhill.net

On this episode of The Ex-Files, I speak Cierra Ramirez.Ciera is was born and raised in New Mexico but for the past couple of years has called Austin, Texas, her home. As you’ll see, she’s a thoughtful and articulate woman. She’s a theater actor currently puppeteering in a local puppet opera production! She loves hiking, kayaking, going to the movies, and good beer. We begin our conversation talking about Ciera’s early religious experiences, her conversation to Christianity, and her eventual growth out of religion.Ciera also speaks vulnerably about her lifelong struggle with depression. She’s recently taken some courageous steps toward her own well-being. I’m honored she was willing to share her story with all of us.

On the occasion of the one-year anniversary of the podcast I had the opportunity to visit with Brian Peck. Though Brian and I had never met until last weekend, we have become good friends over the past year. He has been volunteering for Life After God, making the thoughtful memes you see on Facebook and Twitter, and generally running our social media accounts.In this episode Brian and I talk briefly about some of our plans for the upcoming year, including new resources we plan to create as well as a new plan for brining on a few new coaches and expanding our coaching services significantly.We also run down the top 10 most listened to podcasts at the one-year mark. Here they are, in case you'd like to see them in print:10 — Ep 37 - Everyone's Agnostic with Cass Midgley9 — Ep 03 - Interview with David Hayward8 — Ep 19 - Interview with Bart Campolo7 — Ep 05 - Give Me Sex Jesus6 — Ep 01 - Introduction with Ryan Bell5 — Ep 30 - Jesus Before the Gospels: A Conversation with Bart Ehrman4 — Ep 02 - Interview with Gretta Vosper3 — Ep 40 - Excommunicating the Church with Jeremy Runnells2 — Ep 22 - Mormon Stories with John Dehlin1 — Ep 41 - The Ex-Files: Rachael Gunderson

This week I speak with Kile Jones, founder of Interview an Atheist at Church Day and activist at the intersection of atheism and progressive religion.LINKSInterview an Atheist at Church website | https://interviewatheists.wordpress.comKile's YouTube channel | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFk9VtCmdM7wHFR2mrRN__QInterview an Atheist at Church Facebook Page | https://www.facebook.com/InterviewAnAtheistAtChurchDayUnbelievable? with Justin Brierley | http://www.premierchristianradio.com/Shows/Saturday/Unbelievable

This week I speak with highly acclaimed author and speaker, Kester Brewin. Kester recently spent two weeks in Los Angeles, speaking to various audiences about his new book, Getting High: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the Dream of Flight. We recorded this conversation LIVE on Saturday, August 6, at the Level Ground Headquarters in Pasadena California.

This week I speak with Conor Robinson about the Humanist Service Corp that he created and directs as a part of the Foundation Beyond BeliefLINKSDonate to support Humanist Service Corps | https://foundationbeyondbelief.org/humanistservicecorps/donateFoundation Beyond Belief | www.foundationbeyondbelief.orgHumanist Service Corp | www.humanistservicecorps.orgHSC Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/humanistsinaction/Songtaba Facebook | www.facebook.com/songtaba/The Danger of a Single Story, by Chimamanda Adichie (YouTube) | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9Ihs241zegAmerican Grace, by Robert D. Putman and David E. Campbell | https://www.amazon.com/American-Grace-Religion-Divides-Unites/dp/1416566732/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1469604225&sr=8-1&keywords=american+grace

This week on The Ex-Files I speak with Rachael Gunderson. Rachael courageously shares her harrowing experience of being ensnared in a modern-day cult and how she eventually escaped.LINKSEva's Eden http://www.evaseden.orgIs There a Cult in Columbia, TN? https://www.facebook.com/IsThereACultInColumbiaTNTo learn more about Life After God please visit the website at www.lifeaftergod.org.If you appreciate this podcast please consider supporting our work by going to www.patreon.com/lifeaftergod.

This week I speak with ex-Mormon and author of the viral CES Letter, Jeremy Runnells. In April, the leadership of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held a heresy trial which Jeremy describes as a kangaroo court. In the end, he held a press conference and ex-communicated the church from his life.In our conversation we talk about his upbringing in the church, the genesis of his questions and doubts, and the process by which he came to be an ex-Mormon and an atheist.LINKSRead the CES letter at www.cesletter.org.FOX News coverage of Jeremy Runnells' disciplinary counsel and press conference: http://fox13now.com/2016/04/17/author-of-letter-to-a-ces-director-leaves-lds-church-after-disciplinary-council/

This week I speak with musicians Gabby and Ronen Gordon. Gabby is Danish-American singer/songwriter based in Los Angeles who, along with her husband and drummer, Ronen Gordon, make music together and travel the world performing.I first met Gabby and Ronen at Sunday Assembly Los Angeles in February 2014. At that event Gabby performed her original song, Power. I was deeply moved by it and I'm thrilled to introduce you to Gabby and Ronen, and their song, Power.Visit www.gabbygordon.com to hear more of Gabby's music.To learn more about Life After God, please visit www.lifeaftergod.org.

This week I speak with blogger, secular celebrant and activist, Galen Broaddus. Galen was raised in various Baptist churches in rural Illinois and was involved in music ministry in his 20s. A course at a Christian college, however, sparked an interest in philosophy and theology, and that began a journey of introspection and study which would ultimately lead him to reject Christianity and theism.His blog, Across Rivers Wide (http://patheos.com/blogs/rivers), describes his journey out of faith and the new waters he has navigated as an atheist as well as exploring avenues for dialogue across multiple perspectives.To learn more about Life After God, please visit www.lifeaftergod.org.

This week I speak with my dear friend and fellow podcaster, Cass Midgley. Cass is the host of the Everyone's Agnostic podcast, along with his co-host, Bob Pondillo. After 40 years of being a Christian and nearly 20 in ministry, today Cass is an atheist and a Humanist Chaplain in Tennessee.Check out the Everyone's Agnostic Podcast at http://everyonesagnostic.libsyn.comFor more information about Life After God, please visit our website at www.lifeaftergod.org.If you appreciate this show, please make a monthly contribution to keep it going. Visit www.patreon.com/lifeaftergod.

This week on The Ex-Files I speak with Nathan Cartel. Nathan, along with is wife, Sarah, and their five children was a pastor and church planter in their native Massachusetts before losing his faith in seminary. Nathan describes his Christian upbringing, his secular university education, and his eventual turn to Reformed evangelicalism and the Acts 29 Network founded by Mark Driscoll.Today, Nathan is a chef who owns his own business called Haven Foods which he describes as "paleo fine dining delivered to your door."I also check in with his wife to get her perspective on this very tumultuous time in their family's life.To learn more about Life After God please visit the website at www.lifeaftergod.org.If you appreciate this podcast please consider supporting our work by going to www.patreon.com/lifeaftergod.

**CN: Sexual Abuse**On this episode of The Ex-Files I speak to Marcia Wickham about her upbringing in a fundamentalist form of Christianity and how faith cloaked years of neglect and abuse. Marcia speaks frankly about her experience, the trauma she experience and the path to freedom and healing that she has been walking the past many years.Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or Spreaker!If you appreciate the Life After God podcast and would like to support our work, please visit our Patreon page at www.patreon.com/lifeaftergod