The Deconstructionists

In Part 2 of our conversation with grief coach, author, and podcaster Shelby Forsythia, we dive deeper into her brand-new book, Of Course I'm Here Right Now.Most of us want to help when someone we love is grieving. The problem is that we've never been taught how. Instead, we fall back on clichés, platitudes, and well-meaning advice that often leaves grieving people feeling even more isolated.Shelby argues that what grieving people need most isn't fixing, solving, or explaining. They need presence.In this episode, we explore why grief makes people uncomfortable, how our culture's lack of grief literacy creates secondary losses, and the surprisingly simple phrases that can help someone feel seen and supported during life's hardest moments.Whether you've experienced profound loss yourself or want to be a better support for someone who has, this conversation offers practical wisdom, compassion, and a fresh way of understanding grief.In This EpisodeWhy grief isn't a problem to solveThe hidden ways people become isolated after lossWhat NOT to say to someone who is grievingWhy "at least..." statements often do more harm than goodThe difference between helping and fixingHow grief changes friendships and relationshipsThe role of presence versus adviceThe importance of grief literacy in modern culturePractical phrases anyone can use to support a grieving friendWhat inspired Shelby to write Of Course I'm Here Right NowWhy grief can become one of life's greatest teachersAbout Shelby ForsythiaShelby Forsythia is a grief coach, author, podcast host, and founder of Life After Loss Academy. After losing her mother at a young age, she became what she calls a "student of grief," dedicating her work to helping people navigate life after devastating loss. She is the author of Permission to Grieve, Your Grief, Your Way, and her newest book, Of Course I'm Here Right Now: Three Actually Helpful Things to Say to Someone Grieving. Connect with ShelbyWebsite: Shelby Forsythia Official WebsiteBook: Of Course I'm Here Right NowPodcast: Coming Back Podcast ArchiveSupport The DeconstructionistsIf you're enjoying these conversations, consider supporting our newly relaunched Patreon. Members receive:Ad-free episodesExtended conversations and bonus contentVideo versions of select interviewsEarly access to new episodesExclusive Patreon-only contentJoin us at:The Deconstructionists PatreonFollow The DeconstructionistsWebsite: www.thedeconstructionsits.org Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/thedeconstructionistspodcastIf you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and review wherever you listen to podcasts. It helps others discover the show and supports independent creators.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

What if one of the most influential ideas in modern Christianity… didn’t actually come from Jesus?In this episode of The Deconstructionists Podcast, we explore the history and impact of dualism — the ancient belief that spirit is good while matter, bodies, and the physical world are somehow lesser, corrupt, or evil.From Plato and Greek philosophy to Gnosticism and modern evangelical culture, we trace how dualistic thinking quietly shaped theology, sexuality, purity culture, views of the body, the afterlife, politics, and even the way many Christians understand salvation itself.We ask questions like:Why have so many Christians viewed the body with suspicion?Did the Bible actually teach a sharp divide between “spiritual” and “physical”?How did Greek philosophy influence early Christianity?Why do some forms of Christianity focus so heavily on “escaping the world”?What happens when faith becomes disconnected from embodiment, justice, and humanity?And what might a more holistic, integrated spirituality look like?Along the way, we discuss:Plato and the influence of Greek metaphysicsGnosticism and the material/spiritual divideThe Hebrew understanding of embodied humanityPaul’s writings and common misunderstandings about “flesh”Heaven, resurrection, and the renewal of creationPurity culture and body shameThe lasting influence of dualism on modern evangelicalismDeconstruction, embodiment, and recovering wholenessThis conversation explores how ideas developed historically — and how those ideas still shape people’s lives today, often in ways they don’t even realize.Whether you come from an evangelical background, are in the middle of deconstruction, or are simply interested in theology, philosophy, and history, this episode offers a deeper look at one of the hidden frameworks underneath modern Christianity.Topics CoveredDualism in ChristianityPlato and Greek philosophyGnosticismEmbodiment and spiritualityResurrection theologyPurity cultureBiblical anthropologyEvangelical theologyDeconstruction and reconstructionMind/body divideSpiritual formationSupport The DeconstructionistsIf you enjoy the show and want to support independent conversations like this, consider joining us on Patreon for:Ad-free episodesBonus contentExtended interviewsEducational deep divesCommunity discussionsLink: https://www.patreon.com/cw/TheDeconstructionistsPodcast You can also grab merch and find all of our links here:www.thedeconstructionists.org Follow The DeconstructionistsInstagramFacebookYouTubeIf this episode resonated with you, leaving a review and sharing the episode helps more than you know.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this deeply moving conversation, John sits down for part two with Valentyn Syniy, a Ukrainian pastor, theologian, and author whose life and ministry have been profoundly shaped by the reality of war.This interview was recorded under extraordinary circumstances. Scheduling had to account for the very real possibility of Russian airstrikes and power outages. Valentyn’s wife graciously joined the conversation to assist with translation at moments, helping ensure that everything Valentyn wanted to communicate was conveyed with clarity and care.Together, we explore:What it means to live, pastor, and hold onto faith in the midst of active warHow violence and trauma test long-held theological assumptionsThe difference between discussing war and surviving itWhere hope, honesty, and spiritual resilience are found when everything familiar is under siegeSome stories shared in this episode may be difficult to hear, but they are necessary—and deeply human.About the BookValentyn is the author of God Under Siege, a powerful and unflinching reflection on faith, suffering, and God’s presence amid the devastation of war. Drawing from lived experience rather than distant theology, the book challenges easy answers and invites readers into a more honest, grounded faith.Get the book:AmazonMajor booksellersWherever books are soldThe Music For this Episode: Forrest Clay "Child of War" Support the Show — Join Our PatreonWe’ve just launched a brand new Patreon, and it’s packed with content many of you have been asking for.Subscribers get access to:Brand new exclusive videos on requested topicsStudy guides for deeper reflection and group useReference materials and sources to support further learningBehind-the-scenes content and extended conversationsIf you value thoughtful, well-researched conversations like this one—and want tools to keep exploring—Patreon is the best way to support the work and dive deeper.Support: https://patreon.com/TheDeconstructionistsPodcast👉 Join us on Patreon and help make conversations like this possible.For all things Deconstructionists check out: www.thedecontructionists.orgAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This episode dismantles the most persistent myths surrounding immigration and replaces them with how the system actually works.We walk through immigration policy historically and in real time—naming the racial roots of U.S. immigration law, explaining why “just do it legally” is not a serious policy position, and breaking down the real costs, timelines, and barriers people face today.We also look at crime data, benefits myths, economic contributions, and the very real impact current enforcement strategies are having on American farmers and food systems.Topics coveredWhy immigration law has always been shaped by racePolicies that restricted Italians, Asians, and other groupsObama-era deportations vs. today’s enforcement tacticsWhy deportation numbers vary depending on who’s countingReal immigration pathways, timelines, and costsWhy asylum is slow—and dangerous to wait throughCrime data vs. fear narrativesTaxes, benefits, and economic contributionFarm labor shortages and food supply impactsWhy immigration reform is urgent—not theoreticalKey historical policies referencedChinese Exclusion Act (1882)Immigration Act of 1917Emergency Quota Act (1921)Immigration Act of 1924 (Johnson–Reed Act / National Origins Act)Immigration system & policy resourcesU.S. State Department — Visa Bulletinhttps://travel.state.gov/visa-bulletinU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services — Asylum & Work Authorizationhttps://www.uscis.gov/asylumhttps://www.uscis.gov/i-765Migration Policy Institutehttps://www.migrationpolicy.orgCrime & data resourcesNational Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine — Immigration & Crime Summaryhttps://nap.nationalacademies.org/resource/21746/issue_brief_crime.pdfPNAS peer-reviewed study (Texas arrest data)https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2014704117Cato Institute — Incarceration Rates by Immigration Statushttps://www.cato.org/policy-analysis/illegal-immigrant-incarceration-rates-2010-2023Benefits, taxes & economyNational Immigration Law Center — Benefits Eligibilityhttps://www.nilc.org/resources/overview-immeligfedprograms/Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP)https://itep.org/undocumented-immigrants-taxes-2024/Agriculture & labor impactWisconsin Public Radio — Farm labor shortageshttps://www.wpr.org/news/deportations-worry-farmers-labor-shortage-harvestDairy Herd Management — ICE raids and dairy workforce losshttps://www.dairyherd.com/news/labor/overnight-exodus-how-ice-raid-cut-dairys-workforce-more-halfReflection questionIf the system looked then the way it looks now—who would have been allowed in at all?Support the Show — Join Our PatreonWe’ve just launched a brand new Patreon, and it’s packed with content many of you have been asking for.Subscribers get access to:Brand new exclusive videos on requested topicsStudy guides for deeper reflection and group useReference materials and sources to support further learningBehind-the-scenes content and extended conversationsIf you value thoughtful, well-researched conversations like this one—and want tools to keep exploring—Patreon is the best way to support the work and dive deeper.Support: https://patreon.com/TheDeconstructionistsPodcast👉 Join us on Patreon and help make conversations like this possible.For all things Deconstructionists check out: www.thedecontructionists.orgSpecial music provided by: Forrest Clay from the Recover EP. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

When Fear Becomes PolicyIn this episode, we address what’s happening right now in the United States as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations escalate in visibility, intensity, and violence.This is not a political episode.It’s a human one.We examine verified facts, video evidence, and legal realities surrounding recent enforcement actions, including documented cases involving American citizens, the failure to follow established protocols after lethal force, and the growing pattern of intimidation, escalation, and public spectacle.We also talk about confirmation bias—how fear and identity shape what we’re willing to see—and why Christians and the spiritually curious alike have a responsibility to trust evidence over narratives.Topics coveredWhat ICE can and cannot legally doWhy due process matters even when immigration law is involvedThe danger of pre-justifying violenceConfirmation bias and moral shortcutsWhy “order” is not the same thing as justiceThe role of witnesses, neighbors, and alliesKey resources & linksAmerican Civil Liberties Union — Know Your Rights (Immigrants & Bystanders)https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/immigrants-rightsNational Lawyers Guild — Legal Observers & Recording Rightshttps://www.nlg.org/legal-observers/Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC Immigration)Independent reporting on ICE enforcement and immigration court datahttps://tracreports.org/immigrationReflection questionWhen fear is loud and authority is visible, how do we decide what we’re willing to accept—and what we’re willing to question?Support the Show — Join Our PatreonWe’ve just launched a brand new Patreon, and it’s packed with content many of you have been asking for.Subscribers get access to:Brand new exclusive videos on requested topicsStudy guides for deeper reflection and group useReference materials and sources to support further learningBehind-the-scenes content and extended conversationsIf you value thoughtful, well-researched conversations like this one—and want tools to keep exploring—Patreon is the best way to support the work and dive deeper.Support: https://patreon.com/TheDeconstructionistsPodcast👉 Join us on Patreon and help make conversations like this possible.For all things Deconstructionists check out: www.thedecontructionists.orgSpecial music provided by Forrest Clay from his Recover EP. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A Holiday Conversation with Dr. Alexander Shaia — Part 1For many people, the holiday season isn’t filled with joy and nostalgia — it’s filled with grief, loneliness, exhaustion, and complicated memories. This episode is especially for those who find this time of year difficult.In Part One of this two-part holiday conversation, we’re joined by our dear friend Alexander Shaia for a reflective, unhurried dialogue about meaning, presence, and the wisdom found in honoring seasons rather than fighting them.Rather than offering platitudes or quick fixes, Dr. Shaia invites us to slow down — to consider what it looks like to live faithfully and humanely when certainty feels thin and the world feels overwhelming. Drawing from ancient Christian wisdom, lived experience, and deep compassion, this conversation offers space to breathe, reflect, and feel less alone.This is not a teaching session or a debate. It’s a pastoral, contemplative conversation — meant to be received gently, especially by those who are carrying more than they can name this season.Part Two will continue the conversation, moving deeper into themes of hope, transformation, and what it means to move forward without rushing resolution.🕯️ About Dr. Alexander ShaiaDr. Alexander Shaia is a theologian, speaker, author, and Quadratos-trained scholar best known for his work on the ancient Christian fourfold Gospel model, a framework that predates modern linear approaches to Scripture and spiritual formation.His work focuses on helping individuals and communities rediscover cyclical wisdom, spiritual maturity, and transformative faith — especially for those who feel disillusioned, wounded, or worn down by rigid or overly simplistic expressions of Christianity.Dr. Shaia is widely respected for his ability to bridge scholarship, spirituality, and real human experience, offering language for faith that is honest, compassionate, and deeply grounded in history.📚 Learn More & Connect with Dr. ShaiaOfficial Website:https://www.alexandershaia.com & https://www.quadratos.org/Books by Dr. Shaia:Heart and Mind: The Four-Gospel Journey for Radical TransformationReturning From Camino Speaking & Teaching:Information about events, workshops, and courses can be found on his website.Education:Ph.D., Clinical Psychology, California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francisco, CA, 1991Graduate Certificate, Pastoral Psychotherapy, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA, 1982Master of Religious Education, Seattle University, Seattle, WA, 1981M.A., Counseling Education, University of Alabama in Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, 1976B.A., Cultural Anthropology, University of Notre Dame du lac, Notre Dame, IN, 1974Jungian and Sandplay Studies, 1973 - Current; month intensive with Dora M. Kalff – Jungian analyst & originator of Sandplay, Zollikon, Switzerland, July/August 1989Psychosynthesis Certificate, Psychosynthesis Training Institute, San Francisco, CA, Two year training, 1986-1988 🎧 Coming Up Next➡️ Part Two of this holiday conversation continues with deeper reflection on wisdom, hope, and what it means to live faithfully in uncertain times.If this episode resonates with you, consider sharing it with someone who might need a quieter, gentler voice this season.Follow us:www.thedeconstructionists.orgor on social media!Support: https://patreon.com/TheDeconstructionistsPodcastAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode Summary:In this long-awaited return to the podcast, philosopher, storyteller, and longtime friend of the show Peter Rollins joins us for a rich, mind-bending conversation about faith, identity, and the transformative potential of doubt. Peter was one of our earliest guests and someone who understood the heart of this podcast from day one. After far too much time away, he’s back — and this conversation does not disappoint.In Part 1, we dig into some of the themes Peter has become known for: embracing uncertainty, challenging religious narratives that promise certainty or comfort, and exploring how belief functions psychologically and communally. One of the biggest takeaways in this episode is Peter’s insight into Communion vs. community — a deeply fascinating reframing of what spiritual connection actually is and what it isn’t.Whether you’ve been following Pete’s work for years or you’re encountering him for the first time, this episode is packed with ideas that will challenge, encourage, and maybe even unsettle you (in the best way).Resources & References:Peter Rollins’ official website: https://peterrollins.comBooks by Peter Rollins, including The Idolatry of God, The Divine Magician, and How (Not) to Speak of GodPyrotheology community and eventsConnect With Us:Website: www.thedeconstructionists.orgInstagram: @deconstructionistspodcastEmail: deconstructionistspodcast@gmail.comStay tuned for updated Patreon tiers launching soon!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode SummaryIn this deep-dive episode, we explore one of the most influential — and controversial — doctrines in the history of Christianity: Original Sin.For many of us, Original Sin was presented as a foundational truth. We were told it explained everything wrong with humanity: our impulses, our desires, our bodies, our failures. But where did this idea actually come from? How did early Christian communities understand human nature? And how did one interpretation, shaped by the life and worldview of Augustine, grow into a theological framework that still impacts psychology, sexuality, gender, and modern Christian identity?This episode unpacks the text, the history, the cultural influences, and the lasting consequences of the doctrine — and invites listeners to reconsider what it means to be human, good, flawed, and beloved.In This Episode, We Explore:📜 1. What Is Original Sin?The doctrine as many of us inherited itWhy it came to dominate Western ChristianityHow it differs from concepts of sin in early Jewish and early Christian thought👤 2. Augustine’s InfluenceAugustine’s life, trauma, and worldview — and how each shaped his theologyHow his readings of Paul became the backbone of Original SinWhere he diverges from earlier Christian writers and the Greek Fathers📖 3. The Biblical Passages Used to Support Original SinRomans 5 and its contested interpretationsGenesis 3 as story versus doctrineHow translation choices influenced meaningWhy Jewish interpretations of the same texts are radically different🔍 4. The Theology Behind the TheologyHow ideas about sex, bodies, and desire shaped the doctrineShame vs. guilt — and how Western Christianity confused the twoThe psychological cost of believing we are “born broken”⛪ 5. What Early Christians Actually BelievedA look at diversity in early Christian thoughtEastern Christian views on sin, growth, and human potentialHow the doctrine evolved over centuries, not overnight💔 6. The Modern ImpactHow Original Sin shaped purity cultureHow it influenced sermons, parenting, and “Christian counseling”Its role in reinforcing fundamentalism’s fear-based frameworksWhy many of us internalized shame as spirituality🌱 7. Reclaiming a Healthier View of HumanityAlternatives rooted in scripture and traditionWhy many theologians argue the doctrine is not essentialWhat happens when we start from belovedness rather than brokennessWhy This Episode MattersSo many deconstruction journeys begin with questions like:“Am I really this messed up, or did I just inherit a harmful framework?”“Is the human story fundamentally about failure?”“Why does the church talk about sin more than love?”Understanding where the doctrine of Original Sin came from — and how historically recent and culturally shaped it actually is — can be freeing. It opens the door to new ways of understanding ourselves, our bodies, our past, and our future.It also challenges the narrative that progressive or post-evangelical Christians are the ones “not taking the Bible seriously.” In reality, reassessing the doctrine through context, language, and scholarship is exactly what taking scripture seriously looks like.Resources Mentioned / Recommended ReadingThe Birth of Satan – Pagels & B. McGinnThe Sin of Certainty – Peter EnnsThe Evolution of Adam – Peter EnnsThe Story of Original Sin – John E. ToewsSin: A History – Gary A. AndersonWritings of Augustine, especially Confessions and On the Merits and Forgiveness of SinsConnect & Share Your ThoughtsHave a topic you’d love to hear explored in 2026?Reach out anytime:Website: www.thedeconstructionists.orgEmail: deconstructionistspodcast@gmail.comInstagram/TikTok: @deconstructionistspodcast Want to support the show?The Patreon relaunch is coming early next year with new tiers and some returning favorites. Thank you to everyone already supporting — it truly makes the work possible.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy