Drunk Ex-Pastors

Podcast #330: Old Timey Lesbians and Rugged Individualism

After a quick debrief about 2020, we turn our attention to the all-important question of whether old-timey cowboys were turned on by lesbians or not (it’s complicated, lotta ins lotta outs). We talk about our Christmas haul, and then turn our attention to the (very American) notion of rugged individualism and its political consequences, especially during a pandemic. We touch upon the FX series A Teacher and discuss the power dynamics involved, after which we share biebers involving rap songs...

Podcast #329: Pardons, White Rappers, and the Afterlife

Podcast #328: Death, the Afterlife, and the Biden Administration

Podcast #327: TikTok, Extramarital Sex, and Technophobia

Podcast #326: Kids, Agnosticism, and Failing at Life

Podcast #325: Intersex People and Erectile Dysfunction

Podcast #324: Psychedelic Sacraments and Twitter for Morons

Podcast #323: Our Election Erection

Podcast #322: Death and a Living Wage

Podcast #321: The Final Debate, Da 5 Bloods, and Gullible Giuliani

Podcast #320: Moral Authority and Communal Living

Podcast #319: Getting Old and the White House Virus

Podcast #318: Deism, Asia, and the Presidential Debate

Podcast #317: The Constitution, Parenthood, and a Pre-Election Vaccine

Podcast #316: Montana, Fed-Ex, and Screen Time

Podcast #315: QAnon and Nuclear Families

In this episode of Drunk Ex-Pastors we banter a bit about some new TV shows, and then relay an unfortunate incident involving a cigar. We then dig into the issue of Qanon: what is it, why do its adherents think what they think, etc. After the break we discuss a recent article by David Brooks on the nuclear family and whether it was a bad idea after all. Biebers involve politicians’ tweets and paper towel dispensers.

Podcast #314: Divorce & Christian Politics

Podcast #313: DNA, Extroverts, and Censorship

Podcast #312: Katherine Stewart

In this episode of Drunk Ex-Pastors we had the pleasure of chatting with Katherine Stewart, author of the recent book Power Worshipers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism. We discuss the rise of religious fundamentalism in this country, as well as attempt to get inside the heads of Christian Nationalists in order to see what makes them tick. We close with a debrief about the interview and with biebers involving foggy glasses and annoying patrons.

Podcast #311: Demon Semen, Authority, and Elon Musk

Podcast #310: Kidney Stones & End Times

Podcast #309: First Love, Rock Shows, and Hamilton

Podcast #308: The Grand Canyon and the ER

Podcast #307: Quarantine and Racist Statues

Podcast #306: Angry Callers and Slogan Precision

Podcast #305: You Say You Want a Revolution?

Podcast #304: Politicking, Voter Fraud, and Police Brutality

Podcast #303: I Can’t Breathe (Again)

Podcast #302: Tech, Psychedelics, and Hypocrisy

In this episode of DXP we talk a bit about the FX series Devs, which leads us into a discussion about the future of tech and whether something is more possible if Hollywood makes a show or movie about it. We discuss the potential impact of psychedelics on society in general and atheists in particular, after which we touch upon the nature of hypocrisy and intellectual growth. Biebers involve “family” and poor online arguing skills.

Podcast #301: Ojo Taylor

In this episode of Drunk Ex-Pastors we chat with ex-Christian punker Ojo Taylor about his experience in the ministry, his band Undercover, and his more recent spiritual deconstruction. Biebers involve elevators and media mispronunciations. Follow Ojo on his blog at ojotaylor.com and on Twitter @ojotaylor! Photo of Ojo by Rich Brimer.

Podcast #300: Evangelicalism, Conspiracy Theories, and “Alarmist” Progressives

  We begin our 300th episode of DXP with a suggestion  for how we might be able to reintroduce the word “retarded” to the cultural lexicon, after which we give updates on how we’re holding up under quarantine. We discuss what effect, if any, one’s religion has on whether he believes in conspiracy theories, and then touch upon the issues of consciousness, humanity, and free will. We spend the bulk of the second half of the show discussing whether progressive activists are alarmist, and then...

Podcast #299: Coldplay, the Beatles, and #NeverBiden

In this episode of DXP we reminisce a bit about our favorite music from the ‘00s, and Christian floats a theory about Stones vs. Beatles fans. We then disagree pretty strongly about the best path forward for this country (as in, is refusing to vote for Biden a self-destructive idea?). We hear a caller’s thoughts on the possible cause of Jason’s pessimism, after which we discuss Bill Maher’s recent China-shaming. Biebers involve autocorrect, Zoom meetings, and passive aggressive Facebook post...

Podcast #298: COVID Freedom Fighters and Artificial Intelligence

In this episode of Drunk Ex-Pastors we debrief a bit about how we’re holding up under quarantine, and do our best to climb inside the minds of those who are protesting the social distancing mandate under the guise of being some freedom fighter (as though Paul Revere and Patrick Henry had NO idea what tyranny and oppression were really like). We spend a while discussing the issue of Artificial General Intelligence, which leads to topics like the hard problem of consciousness, scientific mater...

Podcast #297: Southern Mockery and Sexual Assault

In this episode of DXP we debrief about the joys and struggles of quarantining (hint: One of us likes it more than the other). We spend some time answering a caller’s challenge to us about why we mock conservatives from the South, the answer to which should be obvious: Because it’s fun and super easy. We discuss the issue of sexual assault on Survivor and the intricacies of the MeToo movement, after which we share our biebers involving coat hangers and ear buds.  

Podcast #296: COVID & Conservatism

In this episode of DXP we debrief once again about our respective experience of social distancing, and it turns out we love it. We spend some time discussing the refusal on the part of many (virtually all conservatives) to self-quarantine, and break down the reasons and pathology behind such dismissal of authority (and it turns out that, according to us at least, this is mostly a unique American posture). Biebers involve Amazon reviews and iPhones.

Podcast #295: Quarantine is Pretty Awesome

In this episode of DXP we debrief about what it’s like to shelter in place. Turns out, binge-watching TV shows and drinking all day are pretty awesome. We do recognize, though, that this can be very isolating and difficult for many people, and so we do our best to lighten the mood and offer hope, as well as envision the ways that this protracted period of quarantining will change what we consider “normal” in the future. Biebers involve fat people and alcohol mixers.

Podcast #294: Quarantined Ex-Pastors

DXP #294 gives us all a glimpse into what is by all accounts the “new normal.” But although we are separated by a few miles, we still take a deep dive into all thing COVID-related. Topics we explore include the lengths to which we are self-quarantining, the effects this is having on our lives and relationships, whether it’s racist to refer to this as the “Chinaman Virus,” as well as whether this is really the end of life on earth as we have known it. Biebers involve autocorrect and stabbing ...

Podcast #293: The Trolley Problem, Political Pastors, and Coronavirus

In Episode 293, we take a moral sense test, delving into numerous variations of “The Trolley Problem”, a thought experiment in ethics, which pits utilitarianism against deontological ethics. We then bid a fond farewell to one of the major contributors to our Feeding Friendzy segment over the years. We then talk about the Coronavirus, and whether or not it’s something people need to worry about if they’re relatively young and healthy. Biebers involve loud cover music and overly cautious web b...

Podcast #292: Molly, Mushrooms, and MDMA: A Chat with Bruce Sanguin

Episode #292 of Drunk Ex-Pastors features our interview with former pastor and current psychedelics apologist Bruce Sanguin. We discuss the healing effects of mushrooms, psilocybin, and LSD, as well as the well-known propaganda and War-on-Drugs rhetoric surrounding these medicines (as Sanguin calls them). Bruce opens up about his own childhood trauma and explains how his guided therapy sessions using psychedelics have brought about true health and healing.

Podcast #291: Proust and Prowess

We begin episode #291 of Drunk Ex-Pastors by explaining how vaginas work to a girl caller (you’re welcome) and we then get berated by another listener for spoiling a film that came out six years ago. We finish taking the Proust Questionnaire, delving into topics like who our real-life heroes are, which historical figures we most relate to (which stumped us both), and what our greatest regret in life has been.

Podcast #290: Penultimate Proust

In DXP #290 we discuss the film I Origins and its implications for our (ongoing) debate about science vs. spirituality (as in, is a purely scientific worldview reductionistic? Is there an afterlife?). We talk a bit about the Netflix series Narcos: Mexico, as well as other media we’ve been consuming lately. We then turn our attention back to the Proust Questionnaire, delving into such topics as our most treasured possessions, our lowest depth of misery, and what we most value in one another (...

Podcast #289: A Scooter, a Surgery, and a bit of Proustian Vulnerability

DXP #289 begins with a harrowing account of what happens when you (1) go out drinking with a bunch of DXP fans, (2) rent an electric scooter, and (3) attempt to make it back to your hotel unharmed (hint: The answer is surgery. Surgery is what happens.) We debrief about our recent DXP Cruise, after which we resume taking the Proust Questionnaire, answering personal questions about our greatest achievements, our most wished-for talent, as well as what we would most like to change about ourselv...

Podcast #288: Dan Koch

In this special episode of Drunk Ex-Pastors we sit down and chat with theologian/musician Dan Koch. Our discussion focuses on our own spiritual deconstruction and the challenges we faced as we let go of many of our prior-held spiritual beliefs. We touch a bit on the relationship of science and faith, as well as on the role that fear plays in spiritual development.

Podcast #287: Drunk Ex-Prousters Part II

After finally figuring out how to pronounce the word “psychopathy,” we try to figure out the age-old question of who would last longer in a sudden drought: the well-hydrated person who is always drinking water or the person who rarely drinks water and is used to being dehydrated. We then move on to the Proust Questionnaire where we get through questions 10-16 answering questions such as “What do you most dislike about your appearance?” and “Which living person do you despise the most?” Biebe...

Podcast #286: Drunk Ex-Prousters Part I

After some Star Wars banter and a voicemail offering us serious money if we review the film Cats (something we are actually considering because we are whores), we spend the bulk of the episode taking the famous Proust Questionnaire (we only get about 1/3 of the way through it), answering questions like “What is your idea of true happiness?”, “What quality do you most deplore in yourself?”, and “Which living person do you most admire?” Biebers involve popcorn and philistines who don’t even kn...

Podcast #285: Dying Out Loud with Dave Warnock

In this episode of Drunk Ex-Pastors we chat with Dave Warnock, an ex evangelical pastor turned atheist. We discuss the factors that led to his spiritual deconstruction and “apostasy,” as well as how the non-Christians in his life have turned out to be much more Christlike than the believers ever were. Dave was recently diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and has been given only a few years to live. We talk about his “Dying Out Loud” tour, and the effects his mortality have had on his d...

Podcast #284: Self-Love and Star Wars

Episode #284 of DXP begins with a voicemail criticizing us (gasp!) for our poor pronunciation skills, after which another caller explains how big mountains are. We discuss the mechanics of masturbation as well as how far into puberty it should take before a boy figures out how to do it. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of The Rise of Skywalker, after which we share our biebers (which have to do with turning left and stupid sayings).

Podcast #283: Christmas Gifts and Psychedelics

We begin this episode of DXP by revisiting the topic of the inevitability of death (but not inconsequential deaths, deaths that actually matter). We then choose the meanest, drunkest, and funniest voicemails we have received over the past few months and turn the tables by calling these listeners live on the air. We discuss the therapeutic use of psychedelics, which leads to the issue of how much mistrust of traditional western medicine is appropriate. Biebers involve verbiage and stop sign e...

Podcast #282: Optimistic Nihilism

In this episode of Drunk Ex-Pastors we play a listener’s voicemail about death, which leads us into a discussion about so-called “Optimistic Nihilism,” a view that says that we can still find beauty in the world despite everything being pointless and destined to ruin. We then turn our attention to a recent study suggesting that people living in red states have worse—and significantly shorter—lives than their blue-state-dwelling superiors. Biebers involve search engines and fatty nuts.

Podcast #281: Memento Mori

DXP #281 begins with a voicemail from an old friend, after which we give an update about whether both of us will actually be on our upcoming cruise. We debate about which ‘80s films are the most iconic, and then weigh in a bit on the new (and controversial) Peloton ad. After discussing the 2020 election we muse a bit on the topic of mortality and death, and then talk about which animals are OK to eat, if any. Biebers involve towels and gunshots.