You Have Permission

Dan Koch
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You Have Permission

So many of us have been given bad answers to good questions -- questions about God, suffering, prayer, fate, science, justice, and more -- often by people with pure intentions. But we needn't stop with those pat answers. You have permission to take both Christianity and the modern world very seriously, and this podcast will introduce you to people from across the Christian spectrum engaging these timeless and difficult questions in various ways.

  1. 3 DAYS AGO

    Wonder As an Antidote to Religious Trauma (#298)

    Writer Sarah Southern joins me to share her deconstruction journey from fundamentalism to freedom. Sarah shares how her initial process was paralyzed by the infinite stakes of questioning faith, until wonder—particularly through Colorado's mountains—offered an unexpected path forward. Drawing on Abraham Heschel's wisdom about wonder as the foundation of religious experience, Sarah found that direct encounters with natural beauty provided a way to remain spiritually engaged while processing religious trauma. Rather than requiring doctrinal certainty, this approach created space for authentic exploration through direct experience of the sacred. For Patrons, our conversation continues with Sarah's travels to Salzburg and Japan, exploring how different cultural and religious traditions can expand our spiritual horizons even further. Sarah's Instagram | sarahbsouthern Sarah's Substack | @sarahsouthern Sarah's Article | Embracing Violence Highlights: 02:01 Navigating Deconstruction and Crises of Belief 05:50 The Impact of Fear and Violence in Faith 10:05 Cultural Evolution and Human Connection 15:55 Traveling Through Faith and Diversity 22:07 The Balance of Wonder and Fear in Faith 25:58 Finding Beauty in New Landscapes Dan's New Substack | Religion on the Mind ___________________________________________ Follow Dan on IG: www.instagram.com/dancoke/ Or Twitter: twitter.com/DanKoch Faith deconstruction resources: www.soyouredeconstructing.com/ Edited by Josh Gilbert (joshgilbertmedia.com -- he is accepting more work!) Join the Patreon for exclusive episodes (and more) every month: patreon.com/dankoch Email about the "sliding scale" for the Patreon: youhavepermissionpodcast@gmail.com YHP Patron-only FB group: tinyurl.com/ycvbbf98 Website: www.dankochwords.com/yhp.html Join Dan's email list: www.dankochwords.com/ Artwork by sprungle. co/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    35 min

  2. 12 NOV

    Psychedelics & Corporate BS with Comedian Tom Fell (#297)

    We're back with another comedian episode of YHP, this time featuring Tom Fell, whose brilliant social media videos skewer corporate speak and existential themes with painful accuracy. Our conversation centers on psychedelics and consciousness, where Tom demonstrates what I'd call "materialist wonder" - particularly in his story about encountering a whale shortly after taking mushrooms. Rather than viewing it through a supernatural or New Age lens, Tom finds deeper meaning in understanding the scientific factors that make this coincidence possible. This approach, which sees wonder in natural causes rather than divine intervention, reflects the same balance found in his comedy: a critical yet playful perspective that serves as a pressure release valve for processing life's profound and absurd aspects. And yes, we laugh a lot! Tom's Linktree | linktr.ee/tomfell Highlights: 09:11 Truth in Comedy: The Power of Humor 29:58 Existential Themes in Comedy 42:16 Navigating Drug Culture and Personal Choices 53:18 The Intersection of Science and Spirituality 01:05:10 Spirituality Beyond Religion: Personal Revelations Dan's New Substack | Religion on the Mind ___________________________________________ Follow Dan on IG: www.instagram.com/dancoke/ Or Twitter: twitter.com/DanKoch Faith deconstruction resources: www.soyouredeconstructing.com/ Edited by Josh Gilbert (joshgilbertmedia.com -- he is accepting more work!) Join the Patreon for exclusive episodes (and more) every month: patreon.com/dankoch Email about the "sliding scale" for the Patreon: youhavepermissionpodcast@gmail.com YHP Patron-only FB group: tinyurl.com/ycvbbf98 Website: www.dankochwords.com/yhp.html Join Dan's email list: www.dankochwords.com/ Artwork by sprungle. co/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 27m

  3. 7 NOV

    Election Processing (#296)

    The You Have Permission team of Dan Koch, Josh Gilbert and Joy Vetterlein sit down to process the election a day later. Dan puts on his therapy hat and offers some general coping mechanisms and how to deal with the catastrophizing thoughts blue voters might have around a Trump presidency. We also discuss listener comments and questions, and talk through what we’re learning and taking away from the experience. Listen if you could use some friends to process with and find a bit of hope, but skip this one if you’re looking for detailed political analysis or if you just need to stay in your anger a little longer. Sharon McMahon's Podcast | Here's Where It Gets Interesting Robert Wright's Election Video | Nervous About the Election? Watch This. The NonZero Substack | NonZero Newsletter Dan's New Substack | Religion on the Mind ___________________________________________ Follow Dan on IG: www.instagram.com/dancoke/ Or Twitter: twitter.com/DanKoch Faith deconstruction resources: www.soyouredeconstructing.com/ Edited by Josh Gilbert (joshgilbertmedia.com -- he is accepting more work!) Join the Patreon for exclusive episodes (and more) every month: patreon.com/dankoch Email about the "sliding scale" for the Patreon: youhavepermissionpodcast@gmail.com YHP Patron-only FB group: tinyurl.com/ycvbbf98 Website: www.dankochwords.com/yhp.html Join Dan's email list: www.dankochwords.com/ Artwork by sprungle. co/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 42m

  4. 4 NOV

    Is Dan a “Christian Agnostic”? (#295)

    Take a break from election coverage and enjoy this thoughtful conversation with Brandan Robertson, a pastor in Queens, NY, about "Christian agnosticism" and navigating faith with intellectual honesty. We explore how embracing uncertainty about religious claims can actually deepen rather than diminish faith, moving beyond the rigid certainty of our evangelical backgrounds toward a more nuanced approach. We share our experiences of finding value in Christian traditions while holding space for doubt, and discuss how this approach resonates with both religious and non-religious people alike. The conversation expands to cover selective Christianity, religious commitment, trends in progressive faith communities, and even Joel Osteen's effective use of simple religious messaging. It’s a refreshing perspective on how faith can remain relevant and authentic in an increasingly complex world! Brandon's Website | brandanrobertson.com Highlights: 02:43 Christian Agnosticism: Embracing Mystery and Wonder 25:51 The Limits of Human Knowledge and Religious Pragmatism 33:08 The Tension Between Deconstruction and Faith 54:11 Challenges in Building Lasting Change in Progressive Religious Movements Dan's New Substack | Religion on the Mind ___________________________________________ Follow Dan on IG: www.instagram.com/dancoke/ Or Twitter: twitter.com/DanKoch Faith deconstruction resources: www.soyouredeconstructing.com/ Edited by Josh Gilbert (joshgilbertmedia.com -- he is accepting more work!) Join the Patreon for exclusive episodes (and more) every month: patreon.com/dankoch Email about the "sliding scale" for the Patreon: youhavepermissionpodcast@gmail.com YHP Patron-only FB group: tinyurl.com/ycvbbf98 Website: www.dankochwords.com/yhp.html Join Dan's email list: www.dankochwords.com/ Artwork by sprungle. co/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 26m

  5. 28 OCT

    Dan, Josh & Kristen Get Personal with The Iron Claw (#294)

    Today I'm joined by frequent podcast collaborators Josh Gilbert and Kristen Tideman to discuss "The Iron Claw" (2023), a film that chronicles the tragic story of the Von Erich wrestling family during the territorial wrestling era of the 1980s. At its core, the film explores how patriarch Fritz Von Erich projects his unrealized wrestling ambitions onto his sons through conditional love and emotional suppression while his sons form intense bonds supporting each other through their shared pursuit of wrestling excellence. We share our personal reactions to the film's heavy themes and explore our own boundaries with difficult content. For our Patron-only segment, we dive deep into the film's haunting afterlife scene, leading to vulnerable conversations about faith, mortality, family tragedy, and questions of legacy. I even talk about crying! Like all impactful films, "The Iron Claw" opened up avenues of conversation we might not have reached otherwise, revealing how this portrait of a family trapped in cycles of ambition, loyalty, and tragedy resonates with our own experiences. Highlights: 12:40 Personal Reflections on Film and Emotional Impact 20:05 The Intersection of Film and Personal Experience 30:12 The Movie Method: A Therapeutic Approach to Film Movie | The Iron Claw Episode with Jenny Hamelton | Using Movies in Therapy (#265) Jenny's Website | jennyhamiltoncounselling.wordpress.com The Movies Could Be Good For You Article | https://theconversation.com/watching-movies-could-be-good-for-your-mental-health-214325 Dan's New Substack | Religion on the Mind ___________________________________________ Follow Dan on IG: www.instagram.com/dancoke/ Or Twitter: twitter.com/DanKoch Faith deconstruction resources: www.soyouredeconstructing.com/ Edited by Josh Gilbert (joshgilbertmedia.com -- he is accepting more work!) Join the Patreon for exclusive episodes (and more) every month: patreon.com/dankoch Email about the "sliding scale" for the Patreon: youhavepermissionpodcast@gmail.com YHP Patron-only FB group: tinyurl.com/ycvbbf98 Website: www.dankochwords.com/yhp.html Join Dan's email list: www.dankochwords.com/ Artwork by sprungle. co/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    51 min
  6. God & Love in “Nobody Wants This” (YHP After Hours) (#293)

    24 OCT

    God & Love in “Nobody Wants This” (YHP After Hours) (#293)

    Join Dan Koch and Joy Vetterlein for another "After Hours" episode of You Have Permission as they dive into Netflix's hit series "Nobody Wants This." While a rom-com might seem like an unexpected choice for YHP, this show about an agnostic podcaster (Kristen Bell) falling for a progressive rabbi (Adam Brody) offers surprisingly rich material for exploring faith, doubt, and relationships. Dan and Joy unpack several fascinating themes from the first episode: the Jewish approach to wrestling with religious uncertainty, refreshingly honest relationship dynamics that buck typical rom-com tropes, the complex dynamics of religious authority and spiritual interpretation, and thoughtful discussion of how Jewish audiences are receiving the show's cultural portrayal. While lighter than our usual fare, this episode demonstrates how pop culture can open doors to deeper conversations about faith, psychology, and human connection. Let us know if you'd like to see more episodes in this casual evening format and/or more discussion of current shows and movies! Highlights 15:05 Cultural Reflections on Judaism and Christianity 19:58 Faith, Doubt, and Spirituality in Relationships 30:12 Attachment Theory and Relationship Patterns 52:47 Cultural Stereotypes in Relationships 01:02:14 Near-Death Experiences and Life Changes Joy's Website | joyvetterlein.com The Attachment-Based Romance Video Dan Mentions | Why We Pick Difficult Partners Dan's New Substack | Religion on the Mind ___________________________________________ Follow Dan on IG: www.instagram.com/dancoke/ Or Twitter: twitter.com/DanKoch Faith deconstruction resources: www.soyouredeconstructing.com/ Edited by Josh Gilbert (joshgilbertmedia.com -- he is accepting more work!) Join the Patreon for exclusive episodes (and more) every month: patreon.com/dankoch Email about the "sliding scale" for the Patreon: youhavepermissionpodcast@gmail.com YHP Patron-only FB group: tinyurl.com/ycvbbf98 Website: www.dankochwords.com/yhp.html Join Dan's email list: www.dankochwords.com/ Artwork by sprungle. co/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 19m

  7. 21 OCT

    Complex Religious Trauma with Hillary McBride & Preston Hill (#292)

    Therapists Hillary McBride and Preston Hill joined me discussing their Spiritual First Responders Project and the complexities of religious trauma. We explored how religious trauma uniquely impacts one's sense of meaning and community, often occurring over extended periods and becoming deeply ingrained in a person's worldview. Hillary highlighted how religious environments can inadvertently reinforce traumatic experiences, while Preston offered theological insights on how certain concepts can create conditions for spiritual abuse. We delved into their innovative project, which provides support groups for individuals renegotiating their spiritual identities. As a fellow practitioner in this field, I'm excited about their work and its potential impact. Highlights 12:56 Understanding Complex Religious Trauma 24:08 Moral Gaslighting and Spiritual Helplessness 30:16 Cognitive vs. Embodied Therapy 34:35 Spiritual First Responders Project Overview 43:33 Creating Healing Spaces Spiritual First Responder's Project | sfrproject.org Hillary's Website | hillarylmcbride.com Hillary's New Book | Practices for Embodied Living Preston's Website | drprestonhill.com Dan's New Substack | Religion on the Mind ___________________________________________ Follow Dan on IG: www.instagram.com/dancoke/ Or Twitter: twitter.com/DanKoch Faith deconstruction resources: www.soyouredeconstructing.com/ Edited by Josh Gilbert (joshgilbertmedia.com -- he is accepting more work!) Join the Patreon for exclusive episodes (and more) every month: patreon.com/dankoch Email about the "sliding scale" for the Patreon: youhavepermissionpodcast@gmail.com YHP Patron-only FB group: tinyurl.com/ycvbbf98 Website: www.dankochwords.com/yhp.html Join Dan's email list: www.dankochwords.com/ Artwork by sprungle. co/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 1m

  8. 14 OCT

    Creativity After Deconstruction (#291)

    Musician Jayne Sugg joins the podcast to discuss her journey through faith deconstruction and its profound impact on her creative process. Raised in a charismatic, Pentecostal church where her family led worship, Jayne's faith and music were deeply intertwined from a young age. This deconstruction process resulted in a significant creative crisis as Jayne struggled to find authentic artistic expression outside the familiar framework of worship music. Her story illustrates the deep connection between belief systems and artistic expression, and how personal crises can catalyze artistic growth. Tune in to hear how Jayne ultimately rediscovered her musical voice by exploring new genres and perspectives. Jayne Sugg | Spotify Jayne's Website | jaynesugg.com Chapters: 05:21 Navigating Post-Evangelical Christian Artistry 33:27 Deconstruction in Worship Music 53:24 Nurturing Creativity in Religious Communities 01:10:30 The Impact of Disillusionment on Musical Development 01:31:05 Cultural Influences on Musical Expression Dan's new Substack | Religion on the Mind ___________________________________________ Get Tickets for the PREGAME EVENT before Theology Beer Camp! Get Tickets for Theology Beer Camp 2024 Use Code ReturnofYHP for $50 off your ticket! ___________________________________________ Follow Dan on IG: www.instagram.com/dancoke/ Or Twitter: twitter.com/DanKoch Faith deconstruction resources: www.soyouredeconstructing.com/ Edited by Josh Gilbert (joshgilbertmedia.com -- he is accepting more work!) Join the Patreon for exclusive episodes (and more) every month: patreon.com/dankoch Email about the "sliding scale" for the Patreon: youhavepermissionpodcast@gmail.com YHP Patron-only FB group: tinyurl.com/ycvbbf98 Website: www.dankochwords.com/yhp.html Join Dan's email list: www.dankochwords.com/ Artwork by sprungle. co/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 32m
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About

So many of us have been given bad answers to good questions -- questions about God, suffering, prayer, fate, science, justice, and more -- often by people with pure intentions. But we needn't stop with those pat answers. You have permission to take both Christianity and the modern world very seriously, and this podcast will introduce you to people from across the Christian spectrum engaging these timeless and difficult questions in various ways.

Information

  • Creator
    Dan Koch
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2024
  • Episodes
    319
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    You Have Permission

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