CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes brief references to marital abuse and potentially dangerous situations. Listener discretion is encouraged. Please seek support if any of this resonates with you or someone you love. Watch today’s conversation on our brand new Unhinged YouTube channel! Here’s the spicy Facebook post Michele referenced at the beginning of this episode. Check out Martin’s Deconstruction → Reconstruction Challenge on Skool. Check out Martin’s books: Victorious Eschatology, Eyes Wide Open, and Secrets of Spiritual Growth. Follow Michele and Martin on Facebook Follow Michele and Martin on Instagram Follow Michele and Martin on TikTok Michele Kus, M.A. on Linktree Dr. Martin Trench on Linktree Why do so many smart, capable, life-experienced adults feel unsure making basic decisions without checking with a pastor first — and what does the Bible actually say about that? In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele Kus and Martin Trench name and explore a rarely acknowledged reality in modern church culture: the ways church systems can unintentionally infantilize adults by discouraging independent thought, personal conviction, and spiritual maturity. Together, they unpack how well-meaning leadership can slide into spiritual micromanagement, creating dependence rather than formation. The conversation touches on learned helplessness, pastoral overreach, and why reliance on permission often gets mistaken for devotion. Grounded in Scripture, Michele and Martin point listeners back to Romans 14 and Colossians 2, which emphasize personal conscience, freedom from manmade rules, and a mature faith rooted in Christ rather than external control. They explore questions such as: Does the New Testament actually support pastors managing people’s personal decisions? What role does community play versus pastoral counseling? What does it look like to grow into spiritual adulthood — a faith marked by maturity, agency, discernment, and trust in God rather than pastoral approval or permission? This episode includes thoughtful, compassionate discussion around marriage, pastoral counseling, and the real-world dangers of oversimplified spiritual advice in complex situations. This is not an anti-church or anti-pastor episode! It’s a pro-maturity, pro-freedom, pro-formation invitation. If you’re ready for a faith that equips you rather than manages you, this episode is for you. Follow Unhinged on your favorite podcast platform. Fresh, new episodes drop every Friday!   Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction! 02:13 Why Are Adults Treated Like Children in Church? 07:18 Spiritual Micromanagement & Learned Helplessness 15:48 Pastoral Counseling vs. Spiritual Community (“One Another”) 20:07 Marriage, Abuse, Divorce, & Honoring Human Agency 23:58 The Third Stage of Spiritual Growth: Adulthood 27:42 The Purpose of Church: Equip, Inform, Inspire 29:02 Final Thoughts, Resources, & Next Steps 30:45 Bloopers & Outtakes!

Check out our brand new Unhinged YouTube channel! Check out Martin’s Deconstruction → Reconstruction Challenge on Skool. Check out The Star of Bethlehem documentary mentioned on today’s episode. Check out Martin’s books: Victorious Eschatology, Eyes Wide Open, and Secrets of Spiritual Growth. Follow Michele and Martin on Facebook Follow Michele and Martin on Instagram Follow Michele and Martin on TikTok Michele Kus, M.A. on Linktree Dr. Martin Trench on Linktree Was Christmas really a one-night event in a lonely stable? Or have we oversimplified one of the most radical moments in human history? In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele Kus and Dr. Martin Trench bring you “A Very Unhinged Christmas” by dismantling common nativity myths and recovering the deeper historical, cultural, and cosmic meaning of the incarnation. You’ll discover why the Christmas story actually unfolds over nearly two years, how ancient betrothal customs reshape our understanding of Mary and Joseph, why the Magi were Zoroastrian priest-astronomers watching the stars, and how celestial signs, Old Testament prophecy, and political upheaval all collide in the birth of Jesus. It’s a cosmic drama like none other in history! Our deep-dive conversation explores: Why the incarnation should be celebrated daily — not just annually The cultural and biblical context of ancient pregnancy and betrothal Who the Magi really were and why constellations and the zodiac matter in the Christmas story Why the “three kings” were stars, not people The connection between Virgo, Leo, Judea, and Revelation 12 Where Mary and Joseph likely stayed when Jesus was born How Christmas reveals a God who is fully present, not distant This is not sentimental Christmas-card theology. This is incarnation as divine union, cosmic disruption, and embodied presence. Hallelujah! Follow Unhinged on your favorite podcast platform. Fresh, new episodes drop every Friday!

Check out Martin’s learning community called The Gathering on Skool. Check out Martin’s books: Victorious Eschatology, Eyes Wide Open, and Secrets of Spiritual Growth. Follow Michele and Martin on Facebook Follow Michele and Martin on Instagram Follow Michele and Martin on TikTok Michele Kus, M.A. on Linktree Dr. Martin Trench on Linktree In Part 1, we explored the historical context of tithing — Abraham’s one-time gift, Jacob’s conditional vow, the Mosaic Law, and how Christians accidentally inherited a covenant that was never meant to be theirs. Now in Part 2, Michele and Martin turn from context to practice and ask: What does generosity actually look like in the New Covenant — for real, grown-up adults who are led by the Holy Spirit? This episode confronts the fear- and guilt-based messaging so many believers were taught around money and giving. We talk about why 10% can be a helpful starting point — not a one-size-fits-all rule — how generosity shifts across life seasons, and why believers must be trusted to make their own decisions with God instead of being treated like spiritual children who must be told what to do. We challenge manipulative language, bless those who’ve felt guilted or pressured in the past, and cast a vision for giving as an adventure with God — joyful, Spirit-led, and rooted in freedom rather than obligation. If Part 1 untangled the misconceptions, Part 2 empowers you to walk in maturity, confidence, and New Covenant freedom — trusting yourself to hear God, make wise decisions based on your unique life, and give generously from a place of genuine freedom and cheerfulness. Right heart.New freedom.This is generosity the way Jesus intended. Follow Unhinged on your favorite podcast platform. Fresh, new episodes drop every Friday!

Check out Martin’s learning community called The Gathering on Skool. Check out Martin’s books: Victorious Eschatology, Eyes Wide Open, and Secrets of Spiritual Growth. Follow Michele and Martin on Facebook Follow Michele and Martin on Instagram Follow Michele and Martin on TikTok Michele Kus, M.A. on Linktree Dr. Martin Trench on Linktree In Part 1 of our two-part series on tithing and New Covenant generosity, Michele and Martin revisit the Mosaic Law and ask a crucial question: Why are Christians still following laws that were never theirs to begin with? We unpack how tithing functioned as a taxation system under ancient Israel’s covenant, why the Law was always temporary, and what was actually going on in the Abraham and Jacob tithe stories in Genesis. Spoiler: neither of them were setting a precedent for Christians. To be clear, this episode isn’t anti-tithing. It’s anti-compulsion and anti-wrong covenant. If you want to tithe, awesome. But under the New Covenant, generosity should flow from freedom and cheerfulness, not obligation. Next week in Part 2, we’ll explore what Spirit-led giving looks like when it’s rooted in grace instead of guilt, and why some people should actually give nothing. Don’t miss it! Follow Unhinged on your favorite podcast platform. Fresh, new episodes drop every Friday!

CONTENT WARNING: This episode openly discusses sexuality, purity culture, and harmful messages around intimacy that some listeners may have experienced in church settings. If you have children nearby or prefer to engage with these topics privately, consider using headphones. Check out Martin's video referencing household hierarchy in Ephesians here. Connect with Allison Metcalfe for healing and coaching around purity culture issues. Check out Martin’s learning community called The Gathering on Skool. Check out Martin’s books: Victorious Eschatology, Eyes Wide Open, and Secrets of Spiritual Growth. Follow Michele and Martin on Facebook Follow Michele and Martin on Instagram Follow Michele and Martin on TikTok Michele Kus, M.A. on Linktree Dr. Martin Trench on Linktree In this episode, Michele and Martin peel back the layers of fear, shame, distortion, and “biblical roles” to explore what Scripture really teaches about sex, relationships, and marriage. No purity culture baggage. No evangelical clichés. Just a fresh, grace-centered, historically grounded look at passages we’ve been misled about for years. We talk about: Why the Bible is not uni-vocal about sex (and why that matters) How purity culture distorts desire, bodies, and relationships The evangelical “story” we’ve been handed of exactly how and when sex should happen A healthier, integrated, truly biblical way forward If you’ve ever felt confused, ashamed, or spiritually fragmented because of church teachings around sex, purity, and intimacy, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and a path back to wholeness. Follow Unhinged on your favorite platform. Fresh, new episodes drop every Friday!

  Grab the FREE PDF Companion Guide to enhance your learning! Check out Martin’s learning community called The Gathering on Skool. Purchase & download Michele’s song “Beautifully Human” on Bandcamp or stream on Spotify. Check out Martin’s books: Victorious Eschatology, Eyes Wide Open, and Secrets of Spiritual Growth. Follow Michele and Martin on Facebook Michele Kus, M.A. on Linktree Dr. Martin Trench on Linktree In this episode, Michele and Martin dive into the spiritual disease of dualism — the mental framework that tears us in two and trains us to see the world as ‘us’ versus ‘them.’ They explore how dualistic thinking has shaped Western Christianity, fueling fear, shame, and harmful labels like “ungodly” or “wicked.” Together they trace the roots of separation-thinking all the way back to the Eden story and unpack how Jesus’ teachings consistently move us back toward union, not distance and separation. Their conversation hits on: How dualistic beliefs impact your mental and physical health How fear-of-punishment theology can promote disease Calvin’s Geneva and the dangers of legalism Why Jesus never treated people as impure — only unhealed God’s perfect love as the antidote to fear If you’ve ever felt trapped by dualistic, fear-based Christianity, this episode offers clarity, compassion, and a breath of fresh air. Be made whole!

Text us your question! Purchase & download Michele’s song “Beautifully Human” on Bandcamp! Check out Martin’s books: Victorious Eschatology, Eyes Wide Open, and Secrets of Spiritual Growth, and his learning community on Skool Follow Michele and Martin on Facebook Michele Kus, M.A. on Linktree Dr. Martin Trench on Linktree What if the most “spiritual” thing you could do… is actually be fully human? In this episode of Unhinged, Michele and Martin dismantle the Christian dualism that pits your body against your spirit — and explore why embodied, integrated faith is not only biblical, but essential for human flourishing. Together, we unpack: Why “sarx” doesn’t mean “sinful nature” How mistranslations created a war inside people that the Gospel never intended Why emotions, imagination, and physicality belong in prayer How purity culture rewired countless people’s view of sex, pleasure, and their own bodies Why God becoming human is the ultimate death blow to disembodied spirituality What it means to live freely, fully, and beautifully integrated Heads up! We hit on some adult topics, so if you’re listening with littles around, you may want to grab an AirPod or some headphones. If you’ve ever tried to become “spiritual enough” by shrinking or denying your humanity, this episode will give you the freedom you’ve been waiting for. Learn, laugh, and be liberated. You were made to be beautifully human.

Text us your question! Check out Martin’s books: Victorious Eschatology, Eyes Wide Open, and Secrets of Spiritual Growth, and his learning community on Skool Follow Michele and Martin on Facebook Michele Kus, M.A. on Linktree Dr. Martin Trench on Linktree In this behind-the-mic episode, Michele spills the origin story of Unhinged — how a Chicago doctoral student and a Scottish theologian went from mentorship Zoom calls to co-hosting a refreshingly honest (and fun!) podcast about faith, freedom, and flourishing, with a side of spicy chili. Stick around to the end of the episode… you won’t be disappointed!

Check out Martin’s books, Eyes Wide Open and Secrets of Spiritual Growth, and his learning community on Skool Follow Michele and Martin on Facebook Michele Kus, M.A. on Linktree Dr. Martin Trench on Linktree Growing up in your faith isn’t about losing God — it’s about losing your fear of God. In this episode, Michele and Martin unpack the spiritual hero’s journey: deconstruction, reconstruction, and the freedom to outgrow old assumptions — even your own! Discover how Jesus blew up tired religious paradigms, why context and idioms matter, and what mature, love-centered spirituality really looks like. If your faith is evolving and you’re brave enough to question what you’ve been told, this one’s for you.

In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele Kus and Dr. Martin Trench dive into 1 John 2 to unpack the three stages of spiritual maturity: Childhood — grounded in the Father’s love and forgiveness. Youth — wrestling with doctrine and overcoming temptation. Parenthood — living from a deep experiential knowledge of and intimacy with God. They explore why so many churches stall out at the second stage, the vital difference between teaching and spiritual parenting, and how true maturity allows you to explore mystery without losing your foundation (or your head!). Along the way, they touch on the psychology of resistance to change, the freedom that comes from knowing God personally, and how deconstruction and reconstruction are both part of a lifelong journey of growing in faith. Whether you’re questioning, growing, or rebuilding your faith — this conversation will remind you that the Father loves you, He is yours, and you are His. End of story!

Welcome to the first episode of Unhinged — where faith refuses to stay polite or predictable. Michele sits down with Dr. Martin Trench as he shares his dramatic conversion story: a supernatural encounter sparked by a pastor’s prayer after a night of heavy partying. Spoiler alert: the miracle hit before the hangover. Michele joins the conversation with her own surprising story — a search for meaning that collided with a friend’s Bible in the middle of a psychedelic trip. Their stories may be different, yet both reveal the same theme: spiritual curiosity, divine interruptions, and a grace that sneaks up on you in the least religious places. This is how two unlikely people ended up passionately following Christ. This is where Unhinged begins.

What if the version of God you were handed in church isn’t the whole story? Join Michele Kus and Dr. Martin Trench on a freedom-focused journey of real faith, real growth, and real grace. Welcome to Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction!