Unholier Than Thou

Jennifer Bartlett-Smith
  • 4.6 (9)
  • Religion & Spirituality

Unholier Than Thou is for anyone who has ever questioned the beliefs they were told they weren't allowed to question. We unpack religion, religious trauma, deconstruction, cult dynamics, purity culture, spiritual abuse, and the cultural beliefs that shape how we see ourselves and the world around us. Through raw conversations, personal stories, and thought provoking interviews, we explore what happens when you stop accepting inherited beliefs as unquestionable truth. We talk to survivors, former believers, therapists, authors, pastors, spiritual seekers, and people who have walked away from the systems that once defined them. This isn't about telling you what to believe. It's about giving you permission to ask better questions. Question the narrative. Challenge the paradigm. Expand your perspective. If you're ready to think for yourself, you're in the right place. Welcome to the conversations you weren't supposed to have. #exvangelical #deconstruction #religioustrauma #SpiritualAbuse  #FaithDeconstruction  #MentalHealthMatters  #CrimeAndConsequences

  1. 1d ago

    DEMONIC OR DIVINE? The Controversial World of Psychic Mediums

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when the things you've been taught to fear become the very things you're curious about exploring? This week, I'm sitting down with Kirsten, a psychic medium and spiritual intuitive, for a conversation that goes beyond the usual debate about whether mediumship is real. We get into what a reading actually looks like, how Kirsten describes connecting with those who have crossed over, and what it means when people experience signs, messages, or encounters they can't easily explain. We also get into some territory that might ruffle a few feathers: religious interpretations of the spiritual world, the idea of demonic influence, and whether the line between prayer, intention, and spiritual practice is as clear-cut as we've been led to believe. And here's a question worth sitting with: If you believe in prayer, divine intervention, and the power of intention, what makes someone else's spiritual practice fundamentally different? You might agree with Kirsten, disagree with her entirely, or find yourself questioning a few things along the way. Either way, this one is sure to get you thinking. Want to experience a reading with Kirsten? Kirsten offers in-person and virtual readings through Revive Wellness Spa. Visit Revivemindbodysoul.com to learn more and book your session. http://www.revivemindbodysoul.com Part 1 with Kirsten - https://youtu.be/GJWkQ_36Gdg?si=LCpTj00qdv_AI53h Support the show https://www.tiktok.com/unholier_pod https://www.instagram.com/unholier_podcast https://www.facebook.com/UhholierPodcast

  2. Oct 27

    Nobody Trusts Anything Anymore: And Maybe There’s a Reason

    Send us Fan Mail Who do you trust when the government, mainstream media, healthcare institutions, and even religious organizations seem to be giving us reasons not to? In this episode of Unholier Than Thou, we're throwing caution to the wind and diving headfirst into one of the biggest questions of our time: Why has trust in our institutions taken such a hit, and are people becoming too skeptical...or are we finally asking the right questions? From government narratives and media bias to healthcare controversies, religious authority, manipulation, and the fine line between healthy skepticism and full-blown conspiracy territory, we're sharing our opinions, challenging conventional thinking, and asking questions that might make a few people uncomfortable. Fair warning: this episode is packed with hot takes, strong opinions, and a healthy dose of humor. You might agree with us, disagree with us, or find yourself somewhere in the middle. We're not here to tell you what to believe, and we're certainly not claiming to have all the answers. We're here to encourage you to think critically, question assumptions, examine the evidence, and consider perspectives that might challenge what you've always believed. Because blindly trusting everything is just as dangerous as blindly distrusting everything. And sometimes, the most important question isn't who's telling the truth? It's how do we figure that out for ourselves? So grab your favorite beverage, bring your best arguments, and prepare for a conversation that may challenge your perspective, push a few buttons, and hopefully make you laugh along the way. Agree with us? Disagree with us? We want to hear about it. Just bring more than a Facebook screenshot to the debate. 😉 Welcome to Unholier Than Thou...where questioning the narrative is encouraged, disagreement is welcome, and nobody gets a free pass from a good question. Support the show https://www.tiktok.com/unholier_pod https://www.instagram.com/unholier_podcast https://www.facebook.com/UhholierPodcast

  3. Oct 20

    The Beliefs We Inherit, the Truths We Question | Heather Foy

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when the beliefs you were raised with no longer make sense? In this episode of Unholier Than Thou, I'm joined by Heather Foy, host of The Awakening Podcast and a former pastor's daughter who grew up in the Pentecostal church. Together, we explore the complicated process of questioning the beliefs, expectations, and narratives that shape how we see ourselves and the world around us. What happens when you begin to challenge the things you were taught never to question? How do our inherited beliefs influence the way we view identity, morality, personal autonomy, and other people's experiences? And what does it really mean to keep an open mind when a conversation challenges everything you thought you knew? This is an honest conversation about the power of questioning, the courage it takes to examine our own assumptions, and the importance of making room for perspectives that differ from our own. We also touch on sensitive and deeply personal subjects that may challenge some listeners or bring up strong emotions. You don't have to agree with every perspective shared here. But I do encourage you to listen with curiosity, compassion, and a willingness to consider a different point of view. And just when you think the conversation is over, there's more! Heather and I continued talking after we officially wrapped up recording, and we decided that conversation was too good not to share. Stick around for the bonus discussion at the end of the episode. Because this isn't about telling you what to believe. It's about giving you permission to ask questions, think critically, and decide for yourself. 🎧 Connect with Heather: Check out The Awakening Podcast for more of Heather's conversations and insights. https://www.youtube.com/@TheAwakeningPodcast-w6s If this episode makes you think, challenges your perspective, or sparks a question you've never considered before, share it with someone who loves a good conversation. Stay curious. Question the narrative. Think for yourself. Support the show https://www.tiktok.com/unholier_pod https://www.instagram.com/unholier_podcast https://www.facebook.com/UhholierPodcast

  4. Oct 16

    Welcome to Unholier Than Thou

    Send us Fan Mail New here? Start here. Welcome to Unholier Than Thou — a podcast for the curious, the questioning, and anyone who's ever felt like they weren't allowed to think outside the box. This is a space to challenge inherited beliefs, question the narratives we've been handed, and explore perspectives that may challenge everything we thought we knew. Through honest conversations with guests from different backgrounds and areas of expertise, we'll ask the questions others might avoid and make room for ideas that deserve a closer look. You don't have to agree with everything you hear. You just have to be willing to think for yourself. Come curious. Leave questioning. Support the show https://www.tiktok.com/unholier_pod https://www.instagram.com/unholier_podcast https://www.facebook.com/UhholierPodcast

  5. Oct 13

    Part 4 | Hidden History of Humanity | Tim Kelly — AI & the Fight for Our Sovereignty

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when the pursuit of progress becomes a question of control? In the final installment of my four-part conversation with Tim Kelly, we explore the intersection of ancient narratives, emerging technology, concentrated power, and the future of human autonomy. Could the technologies being developed today fundamentally change what it means to be human? What are the implications of connecting our brains to computers? And why do theories about secret bloodlines, global elites, and a one-world system continue to capture people's attention? We get into Neuralink, artificial intelligence, Project Blue Beam, and the controversial idea that biblical prophecy and ancient texts may offer clues to the ambitions of those seeking global power. We also explore the possibility of extraterrestrial influence on humanity and the growing debate over who gets to shape our collective future. Beyond the theories, this conversation raises a more personal question: How much of your freedom are you willing to trade for convenience, security, and technological advancement? From control over our food and water to bodily autonomy, independent thought, and the nature of consciousness itself, we examine what it means to reclaim personal sovereignty in a rapidly changing world. Tim also shares his perspective on the pineal gland, higher consciousness, and the importance of breaking free from habitual ways of thinking. This episode explores controversial theories and interpretations that should be examined critically rather than accepted as established fact. Some ideas challenge conventional explanations; others invite serious questions about evidence, credibility, and the difference between possibility and proof. If you're interested in alternative history, hidden power structures, emerging technology, biblical mysteries, and the future of human freedom, this conversation is an invitation to look deeper. A note for YouTube viewers: Tim's identity is concealed for safety reasons. Four conversations. Bigger questions. No demand for blind agreement. Welcome to Unholier Than Thou...where questioning the narrative is only the beginning. Tim's homepage: http://polytope.www1.50megs.com Hidden History of Humanity: http://polytope.www1.50megs.com/history.html The Math Wizard: http://polytope.www1.50megs.com/science.html Natural Healing Self Empowerment: http://polytope.www1.50megs.com/health3.html Nature of Energy booklet: http://polytope.www1.50megs.com/tech.html #hiddenhistory #artificialintelligence #deconstruction #thinkforyourself #conspiracytheories #religioustrauma #exvangelical  Support the show https://www.tiktok.com/unholier_pod https://www.instagram.com/unholier_podcast https://www.facebook.com/UhholierPodcast

  6. Oct 6

    Part 3 | Hidden History of Humanity | Tim Kelly — Noah, Atlantis & the Origin of Species

    Send us Fan Mail What if the stories we’ve been told about our origins aren’t the whole story? Tim Kelly is BACK for Part 3 of our deep dive conversation, and this time we’re going even further down the rabbit hole... In this episode, we explore fascinating and controversial theories surrounding the Origin of Species, Noah and the Great Flood, Atlantis, ancient civilizations, and the possibility that our understanding of human history may be missing some important pieces. Where do these stories come from? Are they mythology, history, distorted memories of real events... or something else entirely? As always, this episode is about exploring ideas, asking questions, and challenging assumptions... not presenting speculation as fact. Some of the theories discussed are highly debated and controversial, so take what you hear as an invitation to investigate for yourself. Do your own research. Don't simply take my word for it, and don't simply take Tim's word for it. Follow the evidence, question the narrative, and come to your own conclusions. And if you're watching this episode on YouTube, you'll notice that Tim has concealed his identity. That's intentional and is being done for safety purposes. This is Part 3 of my conversation with Tim Kelly... and we're not done yet. If you enjoy conversations that challenge the narrative, question what we've been taught, and encourage you to think for yourself, like, subscribe, follow, and share Unholier Than Thou. And as always... stay curious. Links: Tim Kelly Website homepage: http://polytope.www1.50megs.com Hidden History of Humanity: http://polytope.www1.50megs.com/history.html The Math Wizard: http://polytope.www1.50megs.com/science.html Natural Healing Self Empowerment: http://polytope.www1.50megs.com/health3.html Nature of Energy booklet: http://polytope.www1.50megs.com/tech.html Support the show https://www.tiktok.com/unholier_pod https://www.instagram.com/unholier_podcast https://www.facebook.com/UhholierPodcast

  7. Sep 29

    The Pastor Was an Addict: What His Wife Couldn't Tell the Church

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when the man standing in the pulpit every Sunday is secretly battling alcoholism...and his wife is the one carrying the weight of it behind closed doors? In this powerful conversation, I sit down with Sam, a former pastor’s wife, to talk about what it was really like to be married to a pastor struggling with addiction while living in full-time ministry. To the congregation, they were a ministry family. But behind the scenes, Sam was navigating the reality of loving someone with an addiction while also dealing with the expectations, pressure, and image that can come with being a pastor’s family. When an unexpected event eventually brought her husband’s struggle into the light, everything changed. We talk honestly about addiction, marriage, faith, ministry, shame, forgiveness, and the complicated reality of loving someone you cannot simply save. Sam also shares the story behind her book, The Prodigal's Son: Crackhead to Jesus Freak...a deeply personal account she wrote from the conversations and interviews she had with her husband during the final months of his life. This conversation is about more than addiction. It’s about the people who love addicts, the secrets families carry, and what happens when the life people see on Sunday doesn't tell the whole story. If you've ever loved someone struggling with addiction...or wondered what happens behind the doors of a ministry family...this conversation is for you. #Addiction #Alcoholism #Deconstruction #Pastorswife #Exvangelical #AA #Recovery https://linktr.ee/lovesamevans Support the show https://www.tiktok.com/unholier_pod https://www.instagram.com/unholier_podcast https://www.facebook.com/UhholierPodcast

  8. Sep 22

    Their Pastor Controlled Who They Could Talk To | Paul & Toby's Story

    Send us Fan Mail How much authority should a pastor have over your life? Paul and Toby spent years inside an Independent Fundamental Baptist church where loyalty, obedience, and spiritual authority were deeply intertwined. What they experienced was not one dramatic event. It was a gradual realization that something they had trusted for years was no longer sitting right with them. In their first ever public telling of their story, Paul and Toby open up about growing up IFB, the subtle ways control can enter a church community, the cost of questioning leadership, and the painful impact it can have on family relationships. We also talk about what happened when they began developing relationships outside their church, seeing their former beliefs through a different lens, and realizing that faith and fear do not have to be the same thing. This conversation raises some uncomfortable questions. When does spiritual leadership become control? What happens when questioning your pastor feels like questioning God? And what do you do when following your conscience means disappointing the people you've trusted for years? Paul and Toby's story is ultimately about learning to think for themselves, reclaiming their voices, and discovering what faith can look like when fear is no longer driving the conversation. If you've ever experienced religious control, fundamentalism, spiritual abuse, family estrangement, or the complicated process of deconstructing your faith, this is a conversation you will not want to miss. Follow Unholier Than Thou Podcast and share this episode with someone who might need to hear it. https://wegotout.org/ #Deconstruction #Exvangelical #ReligiousTrauma #SpiritualAbuse #Estrangement #IFB #Religion  Support the show https://www.tiktok.com/unholier_pod https://www.instagram.com/unholier_podcast https://www.facebook.com/UhholierPodcast

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4.6
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Unholier Than Thou is for anyone who has ever questioned the beliefs they were told they weren't allowed to question. We unpack religion, religious trauma, deconstruction, cult dynamics, purity culture, spiritual abuse, and the cultural beliefs that shape how we see ourselves and the world around us. Through raw conversations, personal stories, and thought provoking interviews, we explore what happens when you stop accepting inherited beliefs as unquestionable truth. We talk to survivors, former believers, therapists, authors, pastors, spiritual seekers, and people who have walked away from the systems that once defined them. This isn't about telling you what to believe. It's about giving you permission to ask better questions. Question the narrative. Challenge the paradigm. Expand your perspective. If you're ready to think for yourself, you're in the right place. Welcome to the conversations you weren't supposed to have. #exvangelical #deconstruction #religioustrauma #SpiritualAbuse  #FaithDeconstruction  #MentalHealthMatters  #CrimeAndConsequences

Information

  • Creator
    Jennifer Bartlett-Smith
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    88
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Unholier Than Thou
  • Show Website
    Unholier Than Thou

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