408. I Used to Work For Turning Point. Here's How I Got Out

In today's episode, Tim Whitaker speaks with Caroline Stout, a former employee of Turning Point USA, about her journey from evangelical fundamentalism to a more nuanced understanding of faith and politics. Caroline shares her experiences growing up in a mega church, her involvement with Turning Point USA, and the evolution of the organization over the years. Caroline on Instagram | @Babyblue.tx Caroline on TikTok | @Babyblue.tx Chapters 05:10 Growing Up in Evangelical Culture 15:02 The Evolution of Turning Point USA 24:45 The Impact of Media and Propaganda 35:06 Navigating Complexities of Faith and Politics 40:05 Conclusion and Future Directions ____________________________________________________ TNE Podcast hosts thought-provoking conversations at the intersection of faith, politics, and justice. We’re part of the New Evangelical’s 501c3 nonprofit that rejects Christian Nationalism and builds a better path forward, rooted in Jesus and centered on justice.  If ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠you'd like to support our work or get involved, visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thenewevangelicals.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Follow Us On Instagram @thenewevangelicals  Subscribe On YouTube @thenewevangelicals This show is produced by Josh Gilbert Media | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joshgilbertmedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, Tim Whitaker engages in a candid conversation with Monte Mader, a musician turned content creator. They explore the challenges and transformations in their personal and professional lives, discussing the impact of Christian nationalism, the journey of deconstruction, and the pursuit of authenticity in faith and life. Monte's Website | Montemader.com Monte's Podcast | Flipping Tables Chapters 03:00 Impact of Christian Nationalism 09:00 Navigating Faith and Politics 15:00 Authenticity and Personal Beliefs 21:00 Challenges of Deconstruction 27:00 Community and Hope for the Future ____________________________________________________ TNE Podcast hosts thought-provoking conversations at the intersection of faith, politics, and justice. We’re part of the New Evangelical’s 501c3 nonprofit that rejects Christian Nationalism and builds a better path forward, rooted in Jesus and centered on justice.  If ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠you'd like to support our work or get involved, visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thenewevangelicals.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Follow Us On Instagram @thenewevangelicals  Subscribe On YouTube @thenewevangelicals This show is produced by Josh Gilbert Media | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joshgilbertmedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, Tim Whitaker engages engages in an enlightening conversation with public theologian and digital pastor, Kristian A. Smith. The discussion spans various critical themes such as the dangers of Christian nationalism, the importance of economic justice, and the moral imperative to address societal inequities. Kristian's Website | Kristianasmith.com Chapters 03:46 Discussing Christian Nationalism 09:11 The Complexity of Christianity and Social Justice 24:36 Racial Injustice and Historical Context 39:46 Power of Collective Action 40:57 Challenges of Class Solidarity 57:55 Whiteness and Identity Crisis 01:03:42 Biblical Perspectives on Wealth and Morality 01:09:26 Final Thoughts and Call to Action ____________________________________________________ TNE Podcast hosts thought-provoking conversations at the intersection of faith, politics, and justice. We’re part of the New Evangelical’s 501c3 nonprofit that rejects Christian Nationalism and builds a better path forward, rooted in Jesus and centered on justice.  If ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠you'd like to support our work or get involved, visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thenewevangelicals.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Follow Us On Instagram @thenewevangelicals  Subscribe On YouTube @thenewevangelicals This show is produced by Josh Gilbert Media | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joshgilbertmedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, Tim Whitaker engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Josh Porter, author of 'How to Die: Chaos, Mortality, and the Scandal of Christian Discipleship.' They explore the complexities of Christian discipleship, the rejection of Christian nationalism, and the importance of inclusivity within the faith. Josh's Website | Joshuasporter.com Chapters 06:14 The Premise of 'How to Die' and Christian Discipleship 11:44 Navigating Christian Nationalism and Cultural Contexts 20:41 Understanding Christian Discipleship in Modern Times 27:52 The Complexity of Queer Inclusion in Christianity 34:13 Orthodoxy and the Evolution of Beliefs 51:43 Bringing Heaven to Earth: A Call to Action ____________________________________________________ TNE Podcast hosts thought-provoking conversations at the intersection of faith, politics, and justice. We’re part of the New Evangelical’s 501c3 nonprofit that rejects Christian Nationalism and builds a better path forward, rooted in Jesus and centered on justice.  If ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠you'd like to support our work or get involved, visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thenewevangelicals.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Follow Us On Instagram @thenewevangelicals  Subscribe On YouTube @thenewevangelicals This show is produced by Josh Gilbert Media | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joshgilbertmedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, Tim Whitaker engages in a conversation with Billie and Paul Hoard about their new book Eucontamination. The discussion dives into the theory of disgust and the innovative concept of 'good contamination,' describing how Jesus is seen as a transformative contaminant for good. They explore how disgust influences societal behaviors, particularly within evangelical circles, and how Jesus' embrace of those considered 'impure' subverts traditional notions of purity. Billie and Paul's Book | ⁠Eucontamination⁠ Chapters 08:13 Understanding Disgust from a Psychological Perspective 14:52 Sociological and Political Implications of Disgust 18:29 Jesus as the Good Contaminant 34:23 The Paradox of Holiness and Worldly Contamination 35:21 The Role of the Church in Spreading Goodness 35:41 Personal Reflections on Faith and Community 43:32 The Challenge of Embracing New Experiences 57:56 Final Thoughts and Theological Insights____________________________________________________ TNE Podcast hosts thought-provoking conversations at the intersection of faith, politics, and justice. We’re part of the New Evangelical’s 501c3 nonprofit that rejects Christian Nationalism and builds a better path forward, rooted in Jesus and centered on justice.  If ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠you'd like to support our work or get involved, visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thenewevangelicals.com⁠⁠⁠⁠  Follow Us On Instagram @thenewevangelicals  Subscribe On YouTube @thenewevangelicals This show is produced by Josh Gilbert Media | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joshgilbertmedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, Tim Whitaker engages in a conversation with Dr. Brandon Ambrosino, author of 'Is It God's Will? Making Sense of Tragedy, Luck, and Hope in a World Gone Wrong.' They explore Brandon's journey from Pentecostalism to Catholicism, the complexities of the problem of evil, and the implications of Christian nationalism on faith. Brandon on X | @BrandonAmbro Chapters 01:54 Brandon's Journey: From Pentecostalism to Catholicism 16:50 Exploring the Problem of Evil 42:09 The Intersection of Faith and Christian Nationalism 51:51 Rethinking Theology and Community Engagement ____________________________________________________ TNE Podcast hosts thought-provoking conversations at the intersection of faith, politics, and justice. We’re part of the New Evangelical’s 501c3 nonprofit that rejects Christian Nationalism and builds a better path forward, rooted in Jesus and centered on justice.  If ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠you'd like to support our work or get involved, visit our website: ⁠⁠⁠www.thenewevangelicals.com⁠⁠⁠  Follow Us On Instagram @thenewevangelicals  Subscribe On YouTube @thenewevangelicals This show is produced by Josh Gilbert Media | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joshgilbertmedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, Tim Whitaker engages in a conversation with Dr. Kip Davis, a biblical scholar specializing in the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Hebrew Bible. They explore the complexities of interpreting the Hebrew Bible, the nature of God in ancient texts, and the implications of biblical narratives in modern society especially in regard to interpreting genocide depicted in the biblical account. Kipp on YouTube | @Dr KippDavis Chapters 04:26 Understanding the Hebrew Bible's Complexities 11:40 The Bible as a Conversation: Context and Interpretation 26:14 Genesis: Authorial Intent and Modern Interpretation 43:24 God's Role in the Garden: Good or Bad? 57:33 Political Propaganda in Biblical Narratives ____________________________________________________ TNE Podcast hosts thought-provoking conversations at the intersection of faith, politics, and justice. We’re part of the New Evangelical’s 501c3 nonprofit that rejects Christian Nationalism and builds a better path forward, rooted in Jesus and centered on justice.  If ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠you'd like to support our work or get involved, visit our website: ⁠⁠www.thenewevangelicals.com⁠⁠  Follow Us On Instagram @thenewevangelicals  Subscribe On YouTube @thenewevangelicals This show is produced by Josh Gilbert Media | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joshgilbertmedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, Tim Whitaker engages in a conversation with Dr. Nola Haynes discussing the critical aspects of space security, emphasizing the need for ethical diplomacy in national security. The conversation delves into the implications of Christian nationalism, the role of media in shaping public discourse, and the security concerns posed by extremism. https://www.cnas.org/people/nola-haynes Chapters 05:27 The Ethics of Diplomacy in National Security 12:32 The Role of Media in Shaping Public Discourse 21:30 The Cult-like Nature of Political Ideologies 36:32 The Intersection of Technology and Social Media 42:18 The Global Impact of Nationalism and Racism ____________________________________________________ TNE Podcast hosts thought-provoking conversations at the intersection of faith, politics, and justice. We’re part of the New Evangelical’s 501c3 nonprofit that rejects Christian Nationalism and builds a better path forward, rooted in Jesus and centered on justice.  If ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠you'd like to support our work or get involved, visit our website: ⁠www.thenewevangelicals.com⁠  Follow Us On Instagram @thenewevangelicals  Subscribe On YouTube @thenewevangelicals This show is produced by Josh Gilbert Media | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joshgilbertmedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, Tim interviews John Fugelsang, author of 'The Separation of Church and Hate.' They discuss John's upbringing in a Catholic household, the hijacking of Christianity by fundamentalists, and the challenges of engaging with those who hold extremist views. The conversation also touches on the role of media in shaping perceptions of Christianity, the impact of Trump on evangelicalism, and the importance of shared values in combating Christian nationalism. John emphasizes the need for Christians to return to the teachings of Jesus and to advocate for love and compassion in society. John's Book | Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person's Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds John on Twitter | @Johnfugelsang Chapters 02:45 John's Background and Early Influences 08:29 Engaging with Fundamentalism 14:47 Cognitive Dissonance in Evangelicalism 20:42 The Challenge of Critical Thinking in Faith 38:30 The Role of Media in Shaping Narratives ____________________________________________________ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you'd like to support our work, you can DONATE here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Us On Instagram @thenewevangelicals  Subscribe On YouTube @thenewevangelicals The New Evangelicals exists to support those who are tired of how evangelical church has been done before and want to see an authentic faith lived out with Jesus at the center. This show is produced by Josh Gilbert Media | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joshgilbertmedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We are committed to building a caring community that emulates the ways of Jesus by reclaiming the evangelical tradition and embracing values that build a better way forward. If you’ve been marginalized by your faith, you are welcome here. We’ve built an empathetic and inclusive space that encourages authentic conversations, connections and faith. Whether you consider yourself a Christian, an exvangelical, someone who's questioning your faith, or someone who's left the faith entirely, you are welcome here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, comedian Jeremy Alder shares his journey from a conservative evangelical upbringing to navigating the complexities of faith, community, and politics. He discusses the challenges of growing up in a sheltered environment, the process of deconstructing his beliefs, and the role of humor in coping with trauma. Jeremy's Website | ⁠Jeremyalder.com Chapters 06:31 The Journey of Deconstruction 14:17 Exploring the New Monasticism Movement 27:18 The Role of Comedy in Processing Trauma 34:04 The Role of Comedy in Healing 40:23 The Betrayal of Evangelical Values 48:31 The Challenge of Truth in Disinformation 53:09 Finding a Path Forward Through Humor ____________________________________________________ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠If you'd like to support our work, you can DONATE here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Us On Instagram @thenewevangelicals  Subscribe On YouTube @thenewevangelicals The New Evangelicals exists to support those who are tired of how evangelical church has been done before and want to see an authentic faith lived out with Jesus at the center. This show is produced by Josh Gilbert Media | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joshgilbertmedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We are committed to building a caring community that emulates the ways of Jesus by reclaiming the evangelical tradition and embracing values that build a better way forward. If you’ve been marginalized by your faith, you are welcome here. We’ve built an empathetic and inclusive space that encourages authentic conversations, connections and faith. Whether you consider yourself a Christian, an exvangelical, someone who's questioning your faith, or someone who's left the faith entirely, you are welcome here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices