I was a Teenage Fundamentalist. An Exvangelical podcast.

This is it, the final episode of IWATF! Join us as we reflect on five transformative years of storytelling, growth, and community. In this farewell episode, we share our personal journeys, the impact of the podcast, and our plans for the future. With gratitude and a touch of nostalgia, we say goodbye, leaving behind a legacy of connection and understanding. Thank you for being part of our story.

In this episode, Troy and Brian welcome new co-host Sharon Madere, discussing her background and experiences with Last Days Ministries. The conversation explores the evolution of the Jesus People Movement, the financial dynamics of Keith Green's ministry, and the shift from idealism to conservatism within evangelicalism. They delve into the impact of Trump on American politics, the role of nationalism, and the importance of leadership transitions. The episode also touches on the global reaction to American politics, the need for economic change, and the historical context of current events, concluding with a discussion about the future of the podcast.

In this episode, we delve into the unique upbringing of comedian Jeremy Alder, who was raised in a fundamentalist Christian household. Jeremy shares his experiences of being homeschooled in Texas by missionary parents who distrusted mainstream culture, leading to a childhood without TV or the internet. He reflects on the challenges and unexpected benefits of such a sheltered upbringing, and how it shaped his worldview and comedic voice. Join us as Jeremy candidly discusses his journey from a deeply religious environment to finding his own path in comedy and life.

Troy and Brian engage in a deep conversation with Cara Flame, an Australian experiential and creative arts therapist, about her journey from being a teenage fundamentalist to becoming an advocate for those recovering from religious trauma. Cara tells of her experiences in the Esther Foundation, a Christian Fundamentalist organisation, and how it shaped her views on sexuality, shame, and identity. Cara shares her ongoing struggles with the remnants of purity culture and emphasises the importance of listening to one's body and desires. The conversation also touches on the significance of activism in the deconstruction space and Cara's aspirations for the future, including her writing and performance endeavours.

Troy and Brian chat with journalist and author Claire Hoffman about her book 'Sister Sinner,' which explores the life and mysterious disappearance of Aimee Semple McPherson, a pioneering figure in American evangelicalism and Pentecostalism. The discussion covers Claire's own upbringing in a transcendental meditation community and then explores the complexities of McPherson's life, her scandalous disappearance, and the impact of fame on religious figures. The conversation also reflects on the nature of celebrity, the challenges of historical narratives in religion, and the importance of embracing the complexities of human experience.

We engage in a deep conversation with Luke Wilson, a Canadian scholar, about his experiences growing up in a fundamentalist environment and the impact of conversion therapy on LGBTQ+ individuals. Luke shares his journey from being a teenage fundamentalist to confronting his sexuality, his time at Liberty University, and the harrowing experiences of conversion therapy. The discussion highlights the psychological and emotional toll of these practices, the importance of community support, and the need for awareness and advocacy against conversion therapy. Luke's book, 'Shame Sex Attraction: Survivor Stories of Conversion Therapy,' serves as a powerful testament to the resilience of survivors and the continuing but urgent need for change in church attitudes towards LGBTQ+ individuals.

In this episode, Troy and Brian welcome Josie McSkimming, and discuss her new memoir, 'Gutsy Girls: Love, Poetry and Sisterhood.' The conversation delves into Josie's experiences growing up in a volatile family environment, her journey through fundamentalism, and the influence of her sister, renowned poet Dorothy Porter. They explore themes of resistance, creativity, and the complexities of family dynamics, particularly in the context of trauma and fundamentalist Christianity. Josie shares insights on the importance of self-acceptance and offers advice for women navigating their own paths after leaving fundamentalist backgrounds.

Dr. Cath McKinney is the Professional Supervision Program Director at the University of Divinity in Australia. Her background includes extensive experience as a group relations consultant, a prison chaplain and inner-city minister. In this episode, Cath shares her journey from a complex religious upbringing to her experiences in church leadership, motherhood, and academia. She discusses the challenges her expulsion from a church community aligned with the God Squad Christian Motorcycle Club due to her advocacy for inclusivity. Through her experiences, she highlights the need for compassion and understanding in the face of religious trauma and the ongoing struggle for social justice within faith communities.

In our second episode back in 2021, troy talked a little about his pre-conversion home life and his experience of two Christian camps. It was at the second camp where he found himself speaking in tongues and started to wear the label, 'born-again'. As part of our 2025 Down Under Summer Series, we're replaying our best episodes. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did.

We'd love you to tune in as we say goodbye to 2024 and look forward to 2025. We look back on some of our best episodes of the year, and even a couple of our worst. We'll definitely be back later in 2025, so see you then!

We're excited to welcome April Ajoy back to our show. April is an influencer, content-creator, podcaster, and all-around troublemaker for the Christian right. She grew up in the heart of American Evangelicalism as an Evangelist’s kid and she is insightful and astute at illuminating the ways Christian Nationalism has infiltrated churches and political arenas, shaping not only modern Evangelical culture but also American public policy and international relations. Her new book is called “Star Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian Nationalism & Finding a True Faith.”

In preparation for our upcoming episode on the failed second coming of Jesus, we decided to replay this interview with one of our Exvangelical heroes, Bart Ehrman. If you haven't yet heard this interview then you're in for a treat, and if you have heard it before, we know you'll love it all over again.

On the back of Troy's recent ADHD diagnosis, we talk about neurodivergence with podcast faves Danielle (D.L.) and Krispin Mayfield. Danielle's tells of their own Autism diagnosis and Troy opens up about how ADHD impacted him in the Church and now that he's deconstructed. The Mayfield's also talk about their latest project, 'Strongwilled'.