
I was a Teenage Fundamentalist. An Exvangelical podcast.
by Brian McDowell, Troy Waller
Is this your podcast?Insights from recent episode analysis
Audience Interest
Podcast Focus
Publishing Consistency
Platform Reach
Insights are generated by CastFox AI using publicly available data, episode content, and proprietary models.
Total monthly reach
Estimated from 12 chart positions in 12 markets.
By chart position
- 🇦🇺AU · Religion#44100K to 300K
- 🇬🇧GB · Religion#1645K to 30K
- 🇺🇸US · Religion#1685K to 30K
- 🇨🇦CA · Religion#1795K to 30K
- 🇳🇱NL · Religion#4830K to 100K
- Per-Episode Audience
Est. listeners per new episode within ~30 days
137K to 442K🎙 Weekly cadence·137 episodes·Last published 8mo ago - Monthly Reach
Unique listeners across all episodes (30 days)
275K to 883K🇦🇺34%🇷🇴34%🇳🇱11%+9 more - Active Followers
Loyal subscribers who consistently listen
82K to 265K
Market Insights
Platform Distribution
Reach across major podcast platforms, updated hourly
Total Followers
—
Total Plays
—
Total Reviews
—
* Data sourced directly from platform APIs and aggregated hourly across all major podcast directories.
On the show
Recent episodes
132 - Goodbye, Farewell & Amen
Oct 17, 2025
Unknown duration
131 - The Secret History of Speaking in Tongues
Oct 2, 2025
Unknown duration
130 - Sharon Joins the Podcast
Sep 19, 2025
Unknown duration
129 - Let's Talk About Sects with Sarah Steel
Sep 6, 2025
Unknown duration
128 - From Pastor to Comedian with Jeremy Alder
Aug 22, 2025
Unknown duration
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| Date | Episode | Description | Length | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/17/25 | ![]() 132 - Goodbye, Farewell & Amen | 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. | — | ||||||
| 10/2/25 | ![]() 131 - The Secret History of Speaking in Tongues | Join Brian, Troy, and Sharon as they delve into the fascinating and often unknown history of the modern speaking in tongues phenomena. From personal experiences to Church history insights, this episode explores the significance of tongues in Christian practices and its impact on believers. Whether you're a sceptic or a believer, this conversation promises to challenge your perspectives and deepen your understanding. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that goes beyond the usual church explanations. | — | ||||||
| 9/19/25 | ![]() 130 - Sharon Joins the Podcast | 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. | — | ||||||
| 9/6/25 | ![]() 129 - Let's Talk About Sects with Sarah Steel | Troy and Brian welcome Sarah Steel, the brilliant host and creator of the award-winning podcast Let's Talk About Sects. Sarah delves into the complex world of high control groups and cults, sharing insights from her extensive research and personal interviews. Together, they explore the psychological impact of cults, the challenges of leaving such groups, and the importance of storytelling in understanding these experiences. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion that sheds light on the hidden dynamics of coercive control and the resilience of those who break free. | — | ||||||
| 8/22/25 | ![]() 128 - From Pastor to Comedian with Jeremy Alder | 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. | — | ||||||
| 8/8/25 | ![]() 127 - From Pastor to Deconstruction with Tracy | Brian and Troy sit down with Tracy, a former pastor turned psychologist, to explore her transformative journey from religious leadership to a life of authenticity and self-discovery. Tracy shares her experiences of grappling with faith, the challenges of deconstructing long-held beliefs, and the empowering path to finding her true identity. Join us as we delve into Tracy's story of resilience, the power of community, and the pursuit of living a life true to oneself. Don't miss this insightful conversation that touches on themes of faith, identity, and personal growth. | — | ||||||
| 7/25/25 | ![]() 126 - Sexuality, Shame, and Identity with Cara Flame | 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. | — | ||||||
| 7/11/25 | ![]() 125 - Let's Go to Hillsong! | In this episode, we visit Hillsong's mothership in Baulkham Hills so you don't have to! We unpack the atmosphere, the music, the offering, the supposed miracles, the sermon and the continued exploitation of volunteers. Join us as we reflect on the evolving, yet somehow still familiar landscape of the 'new' Hillsong and its diminishing impact on those of us who have left the faith. | — | ||||||
| 6/27/25 | ![]() 124 - Amy Semple McPherson, the First Evangelical Megastar with Claire Hoffman | 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. | — | ||||||
| 6/14/25 | 2025 Trailer: I was a Teenage Fundamentalist | Brian & Troy used to be loyal megachurch leaders. They’re not anymore. This podcast explores life in and after Christian Fundamentalism. | — | ||||||
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| 6/13/25 | ![]() 123 - Shame Sex Attraction with Dr Luke Wilson | 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. | — | ||||||
| 5/30/25 | ![]() 122 - The Continuing Story of Jonas James | In this episode, Troy welcomes Ryan James, and together they tell the story of his brother Jonas James and his struggles with identity, music, drugs and Christianity. They explore the complexities of family dynamics, childhood trauma, and the impact of mental health on Jonas' journey. The conversation explores a complex individual who navigated various phases of spirituality, community, and personal struggles. Ultimately, it reflects on Jonas, his journey, the lessons learned, and the legacy he almost left behind. | — | ||||||
| 5/16/25 | ![]() 121 - Gutsy Girls with Josie McSkimming | 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. | — | ||||||
| 5/2/25 | ![]() 120 - Apostate with Sarah Bacaller | In this episode, Troy and Brian engage with Sarah Bacaller, editor of the book, 'Apostate: Stories of Deconversion'. They explore Sarah's background in fundamentalism, her academic pursuits in philosophy, and her reflections on the ethical implications of church authority. The discussion delves into personal narratives of deconversion, the impact of evangelical theology on mental health, and the importance of critical thinking in faith contexts. Sarah shares her complex relationship with faith, shaped by her upbringing in a minister's family and the trauma associated with it. She reflects on her journey through academia, transitioning to a secular environment, and the motivations behind her book 'Apostate,' which collects diverse stories of deconversion. | — | ||||||
| 4/18/25 | ![]() 119 - Called a Witch & Kicked Out! with Cath McKinney | 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. | — | ||||||
| 4/4/25 | ![]() 118 - Revisiting Our Conversion Stories | Kicking off the first episode of 2025, Troy and Brian revisit their conversion stories...after four years of Exvangelical podcasting. They explore their early lives, the vulnerabilities that led them to embrace fundamentalist Christianity, and the roles of community and belonging in their experiences. The conversation delves into the impact of identity, and the emotional manipulation often present in Christian environments. They reflect on the long-term effects of their conversions, emphasising the importance of vulnerability and belonging at the very beginning of their Christian journeys. | — | ||||||
| 3/28/25 | ![]() S01E02 - Troy‘s Christian Conversion Story (2025 hiatus repeat) | 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. | — | ||||||
| 3/21/25 | ![]() S01E01 - Brian‘s Christian Conversion Story (2025 hiatus repeat) | Let's go right back to the beginning. In Season 1 Episode 1, Brian recounted his conversion story. "No bibles, no preaching, no god-bothering!" These were the conditions he put upon his two brothers, who had recently converted to Pentecostal Christianity, if he were to visit them while on holidays. What happened next would change the course of his life and still continues to impact who he is today. 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. | — | ||||||
| 12/27/24 | ![]() 117 - The Season 5 Finale with Brian & Troy | 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! | — | ||||||
| 12/20/24 | ![]() 116 - From Loss to Purpose with Desiree Richter | We think you'll really connect with this episode. In 2000, Desiree Richter's two-year-old son Elijah died in a tragic domestic accident. The world as she knew it was dismantled along with her understanding of her place in it, leaving her to figure out how to parent her remaining children and how the fundamentalist Christian faith she'd practiced all her life fit into her new reality. We talk with Desi about her Fundamentalist upbringing, the death of her son, leaving the faith, and rediscovering purpose after so much loss. | — | ||||||
| 12/6/24 | ![]() 115 - Star-Spangled Jesus with April Ajoy | 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.” | — | ||||||
| 11/22/24 | ![]() 114 - Some Standing Here Shall Not Taste Death - The Failed Return of Jesus | Did Jesus predict his own return in the lifetime of his disciples and first century Christians and get it wrong? Was he simply one of many failed first-century Jewish apocalyptic preachers? Did Paul and other writers of the New Testament share Jesus' view and get it wrong too? In this episode, Troy and Brian unpack some of the reasons why many scholars, progressive Christians, Exvangelicals and Atheists give a resounding, 'Yes!' to these questions. | — | ||||||
| 11/8/24 | ![]() 113 - Armageddon Isn’t Coming with Bart Ehrman (repeat) | 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. | — | ||||||
| 10/25/24 | ![]() Neurodivergence In and Out of Church with D.L. & Krispin Mayfield Part 2 | Following on from Part 1, we continue our chat about neurodivergence with podcast faves Danielle (D.L.) & Krispin Mayfield. | — | ||||||
| 10/18/24 | ![]() Neurodivergence In and Out of Church with D.L. & Krispin Mayfield Part 1 | 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'. | — | ||||||
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Chart Positions
12 placements across 12 markets.
Chart Positions
12 placements across 12 markets.


