these 10 shows are a must-listen!"

1. Brian Recker is Back to Discuss "Hell Bent" on Honoring the Journey!

Follow Play Sep 28, 2025 53:42
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About Episode In this episode, Leslie welcomes back Brian Recker to discuss his new book, "Hell Bent: How the Fear of Hell Holds Christians Back from a Spirituality of Love." Together, they dive into Brian’s journey from a strict evangelical upbringing to a more open, love-focused faith, exploring how fear-based teachings—especially the concept of hell—shape personal beliefs, relationships, and community dynamics. The conversation is honest, empathetic, and often humorous, offering practical tools for deconstructing harmful beliefs and encouraging listeners to embrace a spirituality rooted in love rather than fear. Whether you’re questioning your faith or just curious about new perspectives, this episode provides both thought-provoking insights and a sense of hope. Bullet Points of Interest: Brian’s background: Raised evangelical, former pastor, and now an author challenging traditional views on hell. The main theme of the book: How fear of hell distorts Christian spirituality and relationships. The paradigm shift: Moving from a punishment-based faith to one centered on love and acceptance. Personal stories: Both Brian and the host share their experiences of deconstructing faith and the emotional toll it takes. The impact of fear: How fear of hell shapes parenting, self-worth, and community dynamics. Practical tools: Brian introduces reflective questions (inspired by Byron Katie) to help listeners interrogate their beliefs. The metaphor of hell: Exploring hell as a spiritual and psychological experience, not just an afterlife destination. The importance of community: Encouragement to process these questions with others, and info about a free study guide for group discussion. Humor and empathy: Lighthearted moments about rapture predictions and the shared experience of spiritual anxiety. A message of hope: It’s possible to move beyond fear and find a more loving, authentic faith. Find Brians book on Amazon or Audible, available 9/30/25 Honoring the Journey is hosted, produced and edited by Leslie Nease and the artwork for the show is also created by Leslie Nease. Want to get updates/announcements and a FREE Deconstruction Journaling Prompt PDF? Sign up for Leslie's Monthly Newsletter! You can do that HERE. Pick up Leslie's new book, Honoring the Journey: The Deconstruction of Sister Christian here. Interested in working with Leslie as your Life/Faith Transitions Coach? Check out her website and learn more about what she offers! https://www.leslieneasecoaching.com If you'd like to be a part of the Honoring the Journey Team on Substack, click here! You can find her work and also support her financially if you desire. Would you like to leave a voicemail for Leslie? Click here! If you are looking for community as you deconstruct or just a place to go and enjoy the company of people who are seekers, learners and who are looking to connect with the Divine without religious baggage, please join the Private Facebook Community!  Leslie is very passionate about connection and community, so if that sounds like you, please come join us!   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising. MORE Podcast Title Honoring the Journey
Podcast Description Life is a journey, and we’re all walking our own unique path. But every now and then, we get the chance to step onto someone else’s path, to see the world from their perspective, and to learn from their experiences. That’s what we do here on Honoring the Journey. We walk alongside others, explore their stories, and then step back onto our own path—hopefully with new insights, deeper understanding, and a broader perspective for the journey ahead. Honoring the Journey is hosted by Leslie Nease, a former Christian Radio Host, Speaker & Writer and Contestant on Survivor China known as "Sister Christian". Leslie has since deconstructed her Evangelical beliefs, but is still deeply connected to God and is seeking to understand faith from every perspective. Let's journey together!MORE Guest Brian Recker
Producer/Network Leslie Nease
Apple Rating 5.0/5 Avg Length 60 min Format Long form Get Email Contact Get access to full database of 2.7M podcastsCreate podcast lists, export in spreadsheet or CSV file with email contacts and start your podcast outreach in minutes.Sign Up for Free with Email Continue with Google

2. Brian Recker: Reframing Hell, Exchanging Fear for Love

Follow Play Sep 27, 2025 1:04:53
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About Episode Brian Recker used to be an evangelical pastor. Growing up fundamentalist, hell was always core to his experience of Christianity. But when he started questioning the doctrine as a pastor, it unraveled more than he expected. His new book 'Hell Bent' argues that fear of hell fundamentally distorts Christian spirituality, disconnecting us from God, ourselves, and others. We discuss the power of hell-based religion, how it shapes our politics and relationships, and what a love-centred spirituality looks like when you're no longer afraid of punishment. Check out the book, 'Hell Bent' here. Connect with more of Brian's work here.  Want to reach out and let us know your thoughts or suggestions for the show? Send us a message here; we’d love to hear from you. The Spiritual Misfits Survival Guide (FREE): https://www.spiritualmisfits.com.au/survivalguide Sign up to our mailing list: https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/ Join our online Facebook community: https://www.facebook.com/groups/spiritualmisfitspodcast Support the pod: https://spiritualmisfits.com.au/support-us/ View all episodes at: https://spiritualmisfits.buzzsprout.com MORE Podcast Title Spiritual Misfits Podcast
Podcast Description If you’ve ever felt on the fringes of Christian faith this is a safe space for you. Your questions, doubts and hopes are all welcome here. We’re creating conversations, affirmations, meditations and other resources to support you on your spiritual journey and let you know that even if you feel like a misfit, you don’t have to feel alone. MORE Host Will
Guest Brian Recker
Producer/Network Meeting Ground
Email ****@leadbystory.com.au
Apple Rating 5.0/5Instagram 982 Avg Length 57 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

3. Hell Bent (with Brian Recker) | Ep. 56

Follow Play Sep 24, 2025 1:23:06
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About Episode What happens when Christians start rethinking the very idea of hell? In this episode of Cabernet and Pray, we sit down with Brian Recker to ask the questions many of us were told we weren’t allowed to ask. Is hell really eternal conscious torment? What about annihilation? Could universalism actually be more faithful to Jesus? And how do history, culture, and scripture all play into the pictures we’ve inherited? We pour a glass of wine, get honest about our doubts, and wrestle with what kind of God we actually believe in. If good theology is theology that looks like Jesus, then what does that mean for our view of hell? If you’ve ever felt the tension between fear-based religion and the radical love of Jesus, this conversation might be the permission you’ve been waiting for. Want to find out why so many Christians are hell-bent on rethinking hell? Listen in. Click here to watch the episode on video. ----------------- Join the online community and get access to exclusive content and experiences: https://www.jeremyjernigan.com/patron-sign-ups Trying to make sense of faith? There's something better waiting for you. Download my free Deconstruction Field Guide. It's a ten-page resource to help you navigate what's next so you don't have to do it alone. https://www.jeremyjernigan.com/opt-in  Links: Order Brian's book: Hell Bent Brian on Substack Brian on Instagram MORE Podcast Title Cabernet and Pray
Podcast Description Sip the wine, shake your faith.
Guest Brian Recker
Producer/Network Jeremy Jernigan
Apple Rating 5.0/5 Avg Length 67 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

4. 185: Rethinking Hell, a Spirituality of Fear, and a God of Radical Love..

Follow Play Sep 15, 2025 1:16:11
Website Apple Spotify
About Episode It's been a crazy week, so the show notes will be short and sweet. Brian Recker is a public theologian, has a new book on Hell coming out at the end of the month, and I had a great time talking with him. In our conversation we cover: Our mutual love of movies (and solo theater visits) The extremely conservative colleges we attended Hell as a foundational principle Coercive, fear based spirituality Keeping up relationships with family with whom we disagree Progressive purity tests Men's Fall fashion And MORE! We hope you enjoy the episode. If you do, tell a friend! Pre-Order Hell Bent (and DM your receipt to Brian for some cool preorder bonuses!) Shoutouts: Splitsville A Rebellion of Care Wrong Turns podcast Grave Conversations Andor Follow Brian: Instagram TikTok Substack Follow Us: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Philip's Letterboxd⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BlueSky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Share Your Questions/Suggestions/Feedback With Us: Email: thesubstancepod@gmail.com DM on Instagram Support Us: Support the show with an individual donation on CashApp to $TheSubstancePod or become a monthly Patreon supporter at patreon.com/TheSubstancePod MORE Podcast Title The Substance
Podcast Description A podcast starting conversations that aim to help us all better appreciate Goodness, Truth, and Beauty. Engaging the culture without the Culture War™. Kansas City based! Socials: www.facebook.com/thesubstancepod www.twitter.com/thesubstancepod www.instagram.com/thesubstancepod Support: Click the button below, or you can hit us up on the Cash App at $thesubstancepodMORE Hosts Philip Marinello, Trevor Akin, Vincent
Guest Brian Recker
Producer/Network The Substance Team
Email ****@gmail.com
Apple Rating 4.8/5 Avg Length 78 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

5. Real Spirituality: A Conversation with Ex-Evangelical Pastor Brian Recker

Follow Play Sep 14, 2025 1:03:01
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About Episode Brian Recker is a former Marine Officer, the son of a Baptist preacher, and an alum of the fundamentalist Bob Jones University. Brian spent eight years as an evangelical pastor before deconstructing his faith to find a more inclusive spirituality. He now speaks about following Jesus without the fear of hell, and has written about this in his new book, HellBent: How the Fear of Hell Holds Christians Back from a Spirituality of Love. We talk about why he deconstructed his faith and what spirituality looks like to him now. He shares why he believes that hell isn’t real and that love should be radically inclusive, as demonstrated through the life and teachings of Jesus. The conversation also covers why men need an authentic spirituality, why the Western world has “an empathy problem”, why a spirituality of hell creates a divided self, and why the Sears catalogue made him question his faith as a teenager. As someone who also grew up in an evangelical church and used to be a pastor, I found this conversation–and Brian’s book, HellBent–to be a very refreshing and liberating take on what true spirituality is and what’s really important in this life, not just as a man, but as a society. Find Brian Recker & 'HellBent' Here: Website: https://www.brianrecker.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/berecker TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@berecker87 Find The Akkeri Here: Website: TheAkkeri.com Facebook: Facebook.com/theakkeri Instagram: Instagram.com/the.akkeri YouTube: YouTube.com/theakkeri MORE Podcast Title The Akkeri
Podcast Description What makes a good man? Through stories, interviews, and social commentary, The Akkeri podcast highlights how men and masculinities are portrayed, the challenges modern men face, and how to chart a better way forward. ‎‏‏‎ ‎ Why? Because we need a conversation about men and masculinity that is deeply spiritual, profoundly vulnerable, and, with any luck, personally and culturally transformative.MORE Guest Brian Recker
Producer/Network Matt Howlett
Avg Length 53 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

6. Hell Bent: How the Fear of Hell Holds Christians Back from a Spirituality of..

Follow Play Aug 12, 2025 1:00:17
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About Episode Description In this episode, Shadow Mike interviews Brian Recker about his highly anticipated book, Hell Bent: How the Fear of Hell Holds Christians Back from a Spirituality of Love. Hell Bent s available for pre-order (link below), and hits the shelfs officially September 30th. Links Pre-order Hell Bent: https://www.amazon.com/Hell-Bent-Holds-Christians-Spirituality/dp/0593853199/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0 Brian's Substack: https://brianrecker.substack.com Brian's website: https://www.brianrecker.com Mike's Substack: https://substack.com/@shadowmike Mike's Website: https://www.shadowmike.com/ Top Takeaways Reclaiming Christianity involves a new paradigm focused on personal spirituality rather than a collective 'should'. Deconstructing the concept of hell is essential for a positive spirituality. Many Christians struggle with the idea of spirituality being rooted in punishment and fear. The journey from fundamentalism to a broader understanding of Christianity can be complex and challenging. Fear of hell often distorts relationships and spirituality, leading to alienation from loved ones. The Good Samaritan story illustrates that those we often reject may be our greatest teachers. A spirituality of love emphasizes connection and community over fear and punishment. The macro impact of a hell-centered spirituality can lead to neglect of social justice issues. Reimagining Jesus involves seeing him as a model for love and connection rather than a punitive figure. True spirituality is about flourishing in this life, not just avoiding punishment in the next. Chapters 00:00 Spirituality and Language 01:45 Deconstructing Hell: A New Paradigm 05:48 Personal Experiences of Fear and Punishment 08:50 The Impact of Early Spiritual Conditioning 11:37 The Journey of Deconstruction 14:57 The Role of Love in Spirituality 17:36 Fear-Based Spirituality and Its Effects 20:24 The Alienation of Relationships 23:30 The Complexity of Family Dynamics 26:39 The Struggle for Authenticity in Faith 29:21 The Impact of Spirituality on Relationships 31:35 Colonization of Spirituality and Learning from Others 40:54 Reimagining Christianity and the Path Forward 50:41 Finding Authenticity and Love in Spirituality MORE Podcast Title Shadow Mike Podcast
Podcast Description The Shadow Mike Podcast aims to provide you with language, tools, and guidance in your journey toward personal and relational wholeness. We’ll discuss topics ranging from psychology, spirituality, tantra, leadership, sexuality, polyamory and more! You'll hear from expert practitioners who have a thing or two to share about living an integrated and whole-making life. This is a safe yet challenging space to explore and live your hidden life!MORE Guest Brian Recker
Producer/Network Dr. Michael Simmons
Apple Rating 5.0/5 Avg Length 48 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

7. #21 - "I'm being paid to not change my mind" with Brian Recker

Follow Play Apr 23, 2025 1:02:54
Website Apple Spotify
About Episode In this episode we sat town with Brian Recker, an ex-pastor and author of the forthcoming book Hell Bent to talk about ​his journey into and out of ministry, ​the pressure pastors face to not change their minds, ​and the ways that disappointment can become our greatest teacher. MORE Podcast Title Holy Shift
Podcast Description Nobody goes to seminary to become an ex-pastor. It wasn't a part of the plan, and there's no roadmap. We’re rebuilding our lives and careers from scratch. No one should have to take that journey alone… and that's why we're building Holy Shift. Holy Shift is a podcast for ex-pastors and ministry leaders navigating life and work after ministry. Tune in every other week for honest stories, experiences, and advice from ex-pastors who've made the career jump. Hosted by Collin MayjackMORE Guest Brian Recker
Producer/Network Holy Shift with Collin Mayjack
Apple Rating 4.7/5 Avg Length 58 min Format Long form Get Email Contact