You read the title of the episode, you know what we are talking about. It’s THE issue for so many people.

Aubrey Becker is our guest today and her role as an infant loss coordinator for a major hospital gives her the unique ability to weigh in on this conversation. You’ll hear in our conversation that before Aubrey started in this work, she would have easily identified her self as ‘Pro-Life’, but the lives that she has crossed paths with has given her pause to consider what being ‘Pro-Life’ actually means.

This conversation is hard. It’s nuanced. It’s complicated. It’s challenging to every line we want to draw and every stone we want to cast. And…as is the case in a lot of our episodes…we don’t solve the problem or walk away with answers. But we do get the incredible privilege of bringing ourselves a little closer to the people and the stories that are central to this conversation.

We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did.

As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Taylor’s Very Dope Shirt (just imagine you are seeing it and it’s VERY dope…so dope you might want one): https://thehappygivers.com

GOD IS BETTER THAN YOU THINK:
Instagram/TikTok - @godisbetterpod 
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@godisbetterthanyouthink6143
Thoughts? Email us at godisbetter.podcast@gmail.com

Thank you to:
Mountaineer for our music
Ryan Lipman for sound mixing

Buckle Up. Your in for a wild ride with this one!

Josh and Taylor are flying solo! There’s no guest on this week’s episode, and we are talking about ‘the church.’

This is a conversation Josh and Taylor have as friends on a semi-regular basis, and while we have shared values we disagree quite a bit. This is a messy topic but a very important one. It’s a topic that has floated around in several of our other episodes and we are here to flesh it out a bit.

We talk about, systems, structures, empire, leadership, “the early church” (with air quotes), diversity, belonging, bad HR practices, and how old Josh is. 

We didn’t cover everything, and we didn’t come to a conclusions, but we feel like the wrestling is necessary. It’s not always easy to have conversations when you disagree, but it’s those conversations that just might lead us to something different.

We’d love to hear your thoughts as well, in the comments, via email, send us a message on social, or whatever works! 

Taylor’s Very Dope Shirt (just imagine you are seeing it and it’s VERY dope…so dope you might want one): https://thehappygivers.com


Our Coffee for this Episode: https://proudmarycoffee.com/

GOD IS BETTER THAN YOU THINK:
Instagram/TikTok - @godisbetterpod 
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@godisbetterthanyouthink6143 
Thoughts? Email us at godisbetter.podcast@gmail.com

Thank you to:
Mountaineer for our music
Ryan Lipman for sound mixing

We could not be more excited about this episode as we had the incredible opportunity to talk to Carlos Rodriguez, Founder and Director of The Happy Givers.

Carlos made an unusual journey from author and megachurch pastor in the US to the founder and director of a non-profit in Puerto Rico where he is originally from and now lives with his family. His story is filled with self-reflection, action, humility, and change and we could not be more here for it!

In this conversation we ask uncomfortable questions and Carlos gives a lot of uncomfortable answers—in the best way!! We talk about justice, privilege, oppression, colonization, advocacy, charity, platform, brown Jesus and so much more! But the beauty of the way Carlos first challenges his own way of thinking and living before extending a challenge to the rest of us is something that gave us a lot to think about.

We hope this episode is as much of a gift to you as it has been to us!

Carlos Rodriguez:
Personal Cell: (919)809-4353
Email: carlos@thehappygivers.com
Instagram/Threads: @carloshappynpo 


The Happy Givers:
Clothing/Merch Line: https://thehappygivers.com/
Non-Profit Information: https://www.happynpo.com/
Email: info@thehappygivers.com
Instagram: @thehappygivers
Instagram Spanish Account: @lafundacionhappy 

THE CAVE in Puerto Rico near The Happy Givers
AirBnB Link

GOD IS BETTER THAN YOU THINK:
Instagram/TikTok - @godisbetterpod
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@godisbetterthanyouthink6143
Thoughts? Email us at godisbetter.podcast@gmail.com

Thank you to:
Mountaineer for our music
Ryan Lipman for sound mixing

*TW: This episode discusses themes and experiences of spiritual abuse. There are no graphic descriptions or details, however there is conversation around living in a culture of abuse and accounts of individual experiences in abusive systems.

Our conversation with this episode’s guest—Jenai Auman—brings a deep discussion on the reality of spiritual abuse in church settings. Jenai shares some of her personal journey, her research and study, and portions of her newly released book to address why abuse of this nature is often minimized and overlooked.

We talk about cycles of trauma, poor methods of church training, self-doubt and self-compassion, what we do with our wounds, a little bit of theology stuff…and possibly Bigfoot.

It sounds like a heavy conversation, but Jenai is a vibe and the laughs are plenty.

Jenai has been bravely and compassionately sharing her journey through social media channels and is now the published author of the book ‘Othered: Finding belonging with the God who pursues the hurt, harmed, and marginalized.’ So if you enjoy listening to this episode, you should go follow her socials (DO NOT follow her around Huston), and purchase a copy of ‘Othered’!

Jenai Auman: https://www.jenaiauman.com/
Substack - https://jenaiauman.substack.com/
Instagram/Threads - @jenaiauman

Othered: Finding belonging with the God who pursues the hurt, harmed, and marginalized https://www.jenaiauman.com/otheredbook
Amazon 

Taylor’s Very Dope Shirt (just imagine you are seeing it and it’s VERY dope…so dope you might want one): https://thehappygivers.com


GOD IS BETTER THAN YOU THINK:
Instagram/TikTok - @godisbetterpod
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@godisbetterthanyouthink6143
Thoughts? Email us at godisbetter.podcast@gmail.com

Thank you to: 
Mountaineer for our music
Ryan Lipman for sound mixing

This week’s powerful episode is with Terry Wildman—lead translator of the FNV (First Nations Version) and really beautiful human.

Our conversation with Terry walks through his personal journey with Native faith in Jesus and how that lead him to start the FNV project. He shares about the collision of evangelical christianity and many indigenous people’s experience with the message of Jesus. We also discuss what it looks like to practically be a follower of Jesus when it comes to understanding the history of Native peoples in North America (Turtle Island).

If you haven’t spent a lot of time learning from Indigenous voices, this is a great episode to use as your launch point. Terry shares books and other resources that can guide us toward living a life that longs for ‘conciliation’ (which we also talk about in the show). 
This episode was very personal for us (Josh and Taylor) because the FNV has been a gift to our faith journey, and we are excited to share it with you. We hope you enjoy and take that next step to order the FNV.

First Nations Version - Terry Wildman:
https://firstnationsversion.com
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/FirstNationsVersion)
Amazon 
InterVarsity Press

Twitter (X): @TerryMWildman 


Taylor’s Very Dope Shirt (just imagine you are seeing it and it’s VERY dope…so dope you might want one): https://thehappygivers.com


GOD IS BETTER THAN YOU THINK:
Instagram/TikTok - @godisbetterpod
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@godisbetterthanyouthink6143
Thoughts? Email us at godisbetter.podcast@gmail.com

Thank you to the Mountain People (Mountaineer) for our music!

Our conversation with guest Nathan Daniel Blake (aka just ‘Nathan’), is one that reaches deep into the wrestlings. Nathan identifies himself in this way:

“I’m steel town Appalachian.
I’m Anglican leaning Anabaptist (or maybe it’s the other way around).
I’m Abbot to a new monastic Appalachian Order.
I’m husband and father.
I’m friend and foe.
I’m sinner striving to be saint.”

When we first learned this about Nathan, it intrigued us enough to invite him on the show. We spend a lot of this episode unpacking these things…and in that unpacking we ended up having a lot of conversation about the tensions so many of US hold in following Jesus.

There’s not only a lot of cool and interesting knowledge Nathan shares in this episode, but there is a lot of deep thoughtfulness for all of us to wade in. Also a cat shows up. You'll notice. 

If you enjoyed this conversation as much as we did, you should definitely check out Nathan’s Substack and his social media.

Nathan Daniel Blake:
Substack: The Laurel Hells 
Instagram/Twitter/TikTok/Threads: @storyofndblake

Taylor’s Very Dope Shirt (just imagine you are seeing it and it’s VERY dope…so dope you might want one): https://thehappygivers.com

GOD IS BETTER THAN YOU THINK:
Instagram/TikTok: @godisbetterpod
Youtube
Thoughts? Email us: godisbetter.podcast@gmail.com

*correction*: Thank you to 'Mountaineer' (not 'Monument') for our music. Not that 'Monument' music isn't cool if they are a thing...they just didn't write our music.

*TW: This episode discusses themes and experiences of abuse. There are no graphic descriptions or details, however there is conversation around living in a culture of abuse and accounts of individual experiences of sexual abuse.

In this episode, Josh and Taylor talk with guest Charis Barker. Charis bravely left an upbringing in an abusive religious environment and in years following came forward to tell her story, pursued legal action, and has been a part of several articles and podcasts as a way to ensure others are seen and protected when faced with circumstances such as her own. Charis shares some of these experiences with us in this episode, and then we dive into what it’s like for her to follow Jesus in the reality she exists in now.

With any of our guests, we want to honor their stories, vulnerability, and honesty in our space, AND when it comes to accounts of surviving abuse, we want to give extra care to those that are shared here. Speaking those experiences out loud and publicly is no small thing and often comes at a great cost to our guests. We ask that you as listeners also commit to honoring Charis’ story as you listen, reflect, comment, and share.

THE [Main] ACRONYMS:
IBPL - Institute in Basic Life Principles
ATI - Advanced Training Institute 

Article written by Charis (mentioned in this episode)

Taylor’s Very Dope Shirt: https://thehappygivers.com

GOD IS BETTER THAN YOU THINK:
Instagram/TikTok - @godisbetterpod
Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@godisbetterthanyouthink6143
Thoughts? Email us at godisbetter.podcast@gmail.com

*The audio quality for the intro of this episode…is less than ideal…stick with us. It gets better when our guest joins us!* 

Our first Season 2 guest is the renown theologizer of the twittersphere—Trey Ferguson. Trey is the Executive Pastor at Refuge Church in FL, author of Theologizin’ Bigger, and podcast host of Three Black Men and New Living Treyslation. Trey is out here stretching our minds and our imaginations as he invites us to reassess how we think about the Bible, church, and our approach to theology! We LOVED this conversation!

If you also loved this conversation, you for sure want to get his book THEOLOGIZN’ BIGGER! 

Trey Ferguson: https://www.pastortrey05.com
Substack: https://pastortrey05.substack.com
Instagram/Twitter/TikTok/Threads: @pastortrey05

Taylor’s Very Dope Sweatshirt: https://thehappygivers.com

GOD IS BETTER THAN YOU THINK: 
Instagram/TikTok - @godisbetterpod
Youtube - HERE

Thoughts? Email us at godisbetter.podcast@gmail.com

The pod is back, and now with double the host! Taylor Bluebaugh and her multidimensional hair flips are joining Josh Pease (non-haired, no-flips) for the relaunch. This ep details why this pod started, & what it'll look like moving forward. Be on the lookout for new episodes dropping every other Wednesday! 

Why are there so many narcisstic leaders in churches? Why do so many churches cover up scandal? Wade Mullen is an expert on crisis management in Christian organizations, and one of the ONLY people in the world who has actual research about the problem. There is a five minute run in this podcast that might be the most important moment on this podcast series so far. I really hope you listen.

Love this podcast? Donate here! It gives me permission to take time out to keep doing it and also feed my family! https://venmo.com/Josh-Pease

Also, buy Wade's book! https://www.amazon.com/Somethings-Not-Right-Decoding-Abuse/dp/1496444701

O. Alan Noble, hat-wearer, professor, author, and all around smart person, talks about mental health, our increasing disconnect from each other, and what being a "disruptive witness" looks like. We also laugh a lot.  Buy Alan's book! https://www.ivpress.com/disruptive-witness   Support this YouTube channel:https://venmo.com/Josh-Pease

Did you know the religious left was instrumental in passing the affordable care act? Did you know the predate the religious right by decades? All this and more with the amazing Jack Jenkins.  Donate here: https://venmo.com/Josh-Pease  Buy Jack's book: http://www.jackjenkins.me/american-pr...  Find Jack on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jackmjenkins

The internet reception in this audio gets a little spotty, and there are a couple brief musical interludes while Becky bribes her kids to stay upstairs while she records. Apologies!   Fresh off a move back to the U.S., Becky talks with me about how Christianity has misunderstood the science AND theology of emotions and has harmed many people in the process. BUT, the good news is that God is way more interested in our emotional world than we think.

Sheila talks about purity culture, how the book "Love and Respect" is harming people, how women can have more orgasms, whether sex toys are a good idea, and uses the "c" word more than a few times (no not that one, the other one). If you want to learn more about how to have a healthy sex life in your marriage, make sure you don't miss this episode! 5:00 - How Sheila got her start as the "sex lady." 7:45 - "We had terrible sex when we first got married."    11:40 - How we see God impacts our view of sex (complete with in detail discussion of women's anatomy) 18:55 - the prosperity gospel roots of purity culture   21:17 - what purity culture does to a women's self-image   25:00 - how the church stifles women's orgasms   31:00 - Christians have double the rates of involuntary vaginal spasming   35:00 - Equating sex with obligation and duty   37:00 - a better definition of sex   40:00 - the penis is a multitool, but the clitoris isn't   42:25 - the popular Christian marriage books that harm women   46:00 - And, normalize marital rape   50:00 - Christian male entitlement   55:00 - what to do if your sex life SUCCCCKKKS    58:30 - Vibrators: good or bad?    1:00:10 - When the guy has the lower libido   1:03:40 - Why is God better than we think?    1:08:00 - Calling out the church and feeling spiritually homeless

From an early age Bridget knew there was something different about her, but it wasn't until college she realized what that difference was: she was gay. This is her story of reconciling her sexuality, spirituality, and religious upbringing, and wherever you *think* this story is going ... you're probably wrong. This is a must watch interview for anyone who has been wrestling publicly or privately with human sexuality and Christianity. Bridget is almost certain to challenge your position, no matter what that position is.

Kaitlyn talks about the power of understanding both sides (even if you disagree), a theology of politics, and how the church needs to tell better stories.   SHOW NOTES:  1:00 - Kaitlyn's debate team roots 9:15 - the cutthroat world of seminary, and the transition to full time ministry  13:14 - "it's not that churches are TOO political, it's that they are insufficiently political." 18:22 - the impossibility of being "separate from the world." 22:00 - churches need to learn to tell better stories  26:45 - the stories our worship songs tell us  28:00 - "our church's statement on race relations was that we baptized a black man"  32:17 - confession as political activism 35:50 - the stories our news, shows, podcasts, and preaching tell us  42:00 - churches are priming people to believe conspiracy theories(!)  43:13 - why is God better than we think?  48:00 - how to pray for Kaitlyn

The super smart, funny, and inspiring Kat Armas sits down to talk about how the Bible is more nuanced than we think, and the faith of desperate, overlooked people can change nations.    LINKS: The Protagonistas Podcast: https://katarmas.com/theprotagonistaspodcast Kat on Twitter: twitter.com/kat_armas Kat on IG: instagram.com/kat_armas   SHOW NOTES:  Kat's background: 2:52  When you're perpetuating and protesting abusive power structures:  6:05 The Bible talks often about systemic oppression. 9:04 The Bible is more nuanced than you think. 12:02 America has a lack of nuance baked into its cultural DNA 15:40 What to do when God tells you to go seduce a man 19:09 Why understanding the Bible's complicated subtlety matters 24:10 Abeulita theology & the famine stopping power of desperate faith 31:35 The anonymous heroes of the faith we never talk about 38:25 Why Gen Z is our world's best hope

Jemar talks about racism, evangelicalism, and Christianity's historical complicity in white supremacy. 

A church Chad helped plant and lead had become one of the most influential megachurches in the greater Denver area. He'd arrived at the pinnacle of success. When all of a sudden, questions he'd dodged asking for years began to surface, ultimately leading to him stepping away from his role at the church to de-and-reconstruct his faith. If you've ever felt like the questions you have about Christianity are too big or too scandalous for the churches around you, I REALLY hope you watch this interview. SHOW NOTES:    0:01 - Unlike J. Lo, we ain't hustlers 4:00 - Ego isn't all bad, actually 9:01 - Cognitive dissonance and repressed questions 14:30 - the mysterious side of God  20:00 - Questions pastors aren't supposed to ask  25:00 - an angry God who kills his son so he can put up with us  29:20 - space, grace, and reconsidering the prodigal son  33:15 - how to doubt well  39:04 - When the Jesus who all of a sudden feels new and exciting is also a Jesus your not sure your church community can accept  51:30 - Why is God better than we think?