102 episodes

Brian and Troy used to be loyal Christian megachurch leaders. They’re not anymore. This podcast explores life after fundamentalism.

I was a Teenage Fundamentalist. An Exvangelical podcast‪.‬ Brian McDowell & Troy Waller

    • Religion & Spirituality
    • 4.2 • 5 Ratings

Brian and Troy used to be loyal Christian megachurch leaders. They’re not anymore. This podcast explores life after fundamentalism.

    099 - What about Secular Buddhism? with Ted Meissner

    099 - What about Secular Buddhism? with Ted Meissner

    If there's one religious sounding label that Troy is willing to wear, it's 'Buddhist'. In this episode we speak with Ted Meissner, the Executive Director of the Secular Buddhist Association, and the host of The Secular Buddhist Podcast. Ted explains Secular Buddhism and how it contrasts with the more traditional forms of Buddhism.
    Ted's links:
    Secular Buddhist Association
    The Secular Buddhist Podcast
    The Mindfulness Network
    Mindfulness-based stress reduction - Wikipedia
    --
    Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here. 
    Transcript of this episode is here.
    Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
    Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

    • 57 min
    098 - What About Progressive Judaism? with Michel Laloum

    098 - What About Progressive Judaism? with Michel Laloum

    In this episode, we explore Progressive/Reformed Judaism with Michel Laloum, Cantor at Temple Beth Israel Synagogue in Melbourne, Australia. He was ordained as a Cantor at the Progressive Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion and completed Rabbinic studies at the Academy for Jewish Religion, Jewish Theological Seminary and New York University.
    Temple Beth Israel Melbourne
    World Union for Progressive Judaism
    --
    Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here. 
    Transcript of this episode is here.
    Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
    Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

    • 1 hr 5 min
    097 - What about Progressive Christianity? with Tim Costello

    097 - What about Progressive Christianity? with Tim Costello

    Tim Costello is an Australian social justice advocate, community leader, and a prominent figure in the Christian faith, albeit a progressive form. He is known in Australia for his public commentary on political and ethical matters, often offering a perspective informed by his Christian faith and commitment to social justice. In this episode we talk to Tim about his commitment to his faith, and what that looks like now, having left fundamentalism decades ago.
    Tim's links:
    Tim Costello - Wikipedia
    Tim Costello/ X (twitter.com)
    --
    Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here. 
    Transcript of this episode is here.
    Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
    Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

    • 1 hr 4 min
    096 - What About Near-Death Experiences? with Dr Eben Alexander

    096 - What About Near-Death Experiences? with Dr Eben Alexander

    In this episode, we talk with Dr Eben Alexander, an American neurosurgeon and author. In 2008, he suffered a coma caused by a rare and mysterious bacterial meningo-encephalitis of unknown causes. We talk with him about his own near-death experience and his book, Proof of Heaven: A Neurosurgeon's Journey into the Afterlife.
    Dr Alexander's links:
    Eben Alexander
    Division of Perceptual Studies - University of Virginia School of Medicine
    Home - Scientific and Medical Network
    Home - The Galileo Commission
    Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies
    Inner Sanctum Center
    Sacred Acoustics
    After our recording, we came upon three articles in particular that make some serious allegations against Dr Alexander. One is from Esquire Magazine and another from writer, Sam Harris. These were both quite hostile. The third is from the Harvard Crimson, and while it is certainly not hostile, it does echo many of the allegations made in the Esquire article.
    Dr. Eben Alexander Proof of Heaven Investigation (esquire.com)
    This Must be Heaven by Sam Harris
    To Do No Harm | The Harvard Crimson (thecrimson.com)
    We contacted Dr Alexander about these articles and the allegations they make, and his assistant replied with the following links:
    First, Robert Mays, an NDE researcher and longtime leader of IANDS.org, wrote a thorough article criticizing the journalism of Esquire's author: JNDS_ Winter 2016 2PP.indd (unt.edu) 
    A peer-reviewed article published in the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease (flagship journal for physicians in neurology & psychology), by Bruce Greyson et al. It is about Eben's personal case, from the standpoint of a lifelong NDE researcher and colleagues: nmd50598 744..747 (virginia.edu) and more about the professors in the department, so you know their calibre of work and background: Faculty and Staff - Division of Perceptual Studies (virginia.edu)
    A reply from Eben during another interview, re: Sam Harris' allegations: Eben Alexander answers skeptics' criticisms (iands.org) 
    A valuable set of essays about consciousness, several of which cite Eben's case study in their work: Essay Contest - Bigelow Institute for Consciousness Studies. Start with the winning entry by Jeff Mishlove and then peruse other topics. 
    --
    Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here. 
    Transcript of this episode is here.
    Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
    Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 
    Deconversion Therapy Podcast

    • 1 hr 10 min
    Bonus: Sexvangelicals - The Sex Ed We Wish We Had: Consent, Part 1 of 2,

    Bonus: Sexvangelicals - The Sex Ed We Wish We Had: Consent, Part 1 of 2,

    We recently stumbled upon a podcast we thought you'd love. Sexvangelicals is a sexual health podcast and education platform with the mission to support relationships in reclaiming sexuality following adverse religious experiences. This is one of their episodes, The Sex Ed We Wish We Had: Consent, Part 1 of 2. We hope you enjoy it.
    If you want to connect with Sexvangelicals then find them here:
    Sexvangelicals (website)
    Sexvangelicals (podcast)
    --
    Want more IWATF? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here. 
    Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
    Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 

    • 51 min
    095 - What About Progressive Islam? with Ani Zonneveld

    095 - What About Progressive Islam? with Ani Zonneveld

    We talk with Ani Zonneveld about Progressive Islam and the life she lives as a Progressive Muslim. Ani is a writer, singer/songwriter, and founder & President of Muslims for Progressive Values, an international human rights organization that advocates for social justice and equality for all, a strong supporter of freedom of expression and of conscience, women’s rights and as an ally, LGBTQ rights. 
    --
    Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here. 
    Transcript of this episode is here.
    Podcast links: https://linktr.ee/iwatf 
    Doubting your beliefs? Have questions about changing or leaving your faith? You are not alone and Recovering from Religion is here to help. Please visit: https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org/ 
    Deconversion Therapy Podcast

    • 1 hr 16 min

Customer Reviews

4.2 out of 5
5 Ratings

5 Ratings

LoganW_NZ ,

Cathartic listening.

Listening to Brian and Troy and their guests telling their stories has been both fascinating and cathartic. Doesn’t matter if you left fundamentalism in 1993 or 2023, the stories are familiar, and it’s both helpul and entertaining to hear them told from the distance of a decade or two, with the added perspective that that brings

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