Praise Be To Pod

Bailee and Ashley
  • 5.0 (19)
  • COMEDY

Ashley and Bailee are reclaiming their spirituality after leaving the evangelical church behind. Join them for candid conversations about the twists and turns of deconstruction, spirituality, pop culture, mental health, astrology, self-care, and all the things that make life interesting after the altar call. Together, we’ll laugh, reflect, and discover what we still believe in.

  1. 2D AGO

    The Myth of a Christian Nation | Part 2: Trickle Down American Exceptionalism

    This week, Ashley and Bailee continue their deep-dive into the myth of a “Christian nation,” shifting into the modern era and the forces that shaped evangelical political identity as we know it today. We explore the cultural and political shifts surrounding the presidencies of Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan, and how the rise of the Moral Majority helped cement the alliance between evangelical Christianity and conservative power. From there, we trace how events like 9/11, the War on Terror, and the Obama era fueled fear, urgency, and a deepened sense of “us vs. them” within evangelical spaces. As the timeline moves closer to the present, we look at how these narratives evolved through the Tea Party and into the Trump era—examining how the idea of America as a “Christian nation” became not just a belief, but a driving force in politics, culture, and identity. References:  National Public Radio. (2018, February 24). Billy Graham walked a line—and regretted crossing into politics. https://www.npr.org/2018/02/24/587809173/billy-graham-walked-a-line-and-regretted-crossing-over-it-when-it-came-to-politiPublic Broadcasting Service. (n.d.). Reaganomics. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/commandingheights/shared/minitext/ess_reaganomics.htmlVirginia Commonwealth University, Social Welfare History Project. (n.d.). The conservative transition in American social policy. https://socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/eras/1980s-beyond/the-conservative-transition-in-american-social-policy/Add to Bailee’s summer floating playlist Fact Check:  Billy Graham Quote: "I told him [Falwell] to preach the Gospel. That's our calling. I want to preserve the purity of the Gospel and the freedom of religion in America. I don't want to see religious bigotry in any form. Liberals organized in the '60s, and conservatives certainly have a right to organize in the '80s, but it would disturb me if there was a wedding between the religious fundamentalists and the political right. The hard right has no interest in religion except to manipulate it." — Billy Graham  Source: February 1, 1981, cover story of Parade magazine, titled "Billy Graham: America Is Not God's Only Kingdom". Hijackers in the September 11 attacks hailed from four countries: 15 of them were citizens of Saudi Arabia, two were from the United Arab Emirates, one was from Egypt, and one from Lebanon. Source:"A Review of the FBI's Handling of Intelligence Information Prior to the September 11 Attacks". Office of the Inspector General. Chapter Five: Two September 11 Hijackers: Khalid Al-Mihdhar and Nawaf Al-Hazmi. U.S. Department of Justice. June 2005.Connect with Us: 📸 Instagram: @praisebetopod 🎵 TikTok: @praisebetopod ▶️ YouTube: @praisebetopod 💻 Web: www.praisebetopod.com 💸 Patreon: patreon.com/praisebetopod

    1h 21m

  2. APR 26

    The Myth of a Christian Nation | Part 1: Evangelical Revisionist History

    This week, Ashley and Bailee kick off Part 1 of a deep-dive into one of the most widely accepted beliefs in evangelical culture: that the United States was founded as a Christian nation. From childhood teachings to political messaging, many of us were told that America’s identity is inherently tied to Christianity — but as we started asking questions, that narrative began to unravel. In this episode, we trace the roots of that belief — from the Founding Fathers and the realities of America’s founding, to the Civil War, where both sides claimed God, to the rise of Reagan-era politics and the Moral Majority. Along the way, we explore how Christianity and nationalism became intertwined, and how the idea of a “Christian nation” was built over time. Correction:  Pat Robertson built CBN (not Jerry Fallwell), later creating CBN University (now Regent University) and the Christian Coalition. While Robertson and Falwell were both giants of the Religious Right, their primary organizations were separate.Recommendations:  “Jesus and John Wayne” (Kristin Kobes Du M ez) — Analyzes the development of a particularly masculine strain of evangelicalism that influenced Christian nationalist culture (commonly recommended alongside Stewart).“Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States” (Samuel Perry & Andrew Whitehead) — Sociological research on Christian nationalist beliefs and how they correlate with political identity.Episode 29: The Puritans: The Religion That Built & Broke AmericaReferences: Balmer, R. (2006). Thy kingdom come: How the religious right distorts the faith. Basic Books.Balmer, R. (2014). The real origins of the religious right. Politico Magazine.Biag, L. (2025). Race, religion, and reproductive rights: Understanding the conservative anti-abortion movement in America. Imagine: A Promise & McNair Scholars Undergraduate Journal. University of California, Santa Barbara. ucsb.eduFea, J. (2016). Was America founded as a Christian nation? Westminster John Knox Press.Frazer, G. (2012). The religious beliefs of America’s founders. University Press of Kansas.Holmes, D. L. (2006). The faiths of the founding fathers. Oxford University Press.Jefferson, T. (1820). The Life and Morals of Jesus of Nazareth (The Jefferson Bible).Madison, J. (1785). Memorial and Remonstrance Against Religious Assessments.McKeegan M. The politics of abortion: a historical perspective. Women's Health Issues. 1993 Fall;3(3):127-31. doi: 10.1016/s1049-3867(05)80245-2. PMID: 8274866.Noll, M. A. (2002). America’s God. Oxford University Press.Rakove, J. N. (2010). Revolutionaries: A new history of the invention of America. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Wald, K. D., & Calhoun-Brown, A. (2018). Religion and politics in the United States. Rowman & Littlefield. Connect with Us: 📸 Instagram: @praisebetopod 🎵 TikTok: @praisebetopod ▶️ YouTube: @praisebetopod 💻 Web: www.praisebetopod.com 💸 Patreon: patreon.com/praisebetopod

    1h 1m

  3. APR 19

    The Narrow Road | Part 2 | The Threat of Christian Nationalism with Joanna Whaley

    In Part 2 of our conversation with Joanna Whaley, we continue unpacking Joanna’s journey from evangelical pastor to political candidate — diving into the intersections of faith, politics, and identity in a time when Christian values and nationalism collide. Join us as we dive into Joanna’s campaign for the Michigan House of Representatives, how she confronts Christian nationalism in American politics, and the ways the MAGA movement leverages fear and deception to gain power. We also reflect on our grief for family and friends who have been lost to MAGA ideology… and what it looks like to maintain love and hope for our reconciliation. Follow and support Joanna’s work: SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/joannawhaleySOCIALS:https://www.tiktok.com/@joannawhaleyofficialhttps://www.instagram.com/joannawhaleyofficial/https://www.facebook.com/joannawhaleyofficialhttps://bsky.app/profile/joannawhaley.bsky.socialRecommended to View on Netflix:  Boy Erased, Edgerton, J. (Director). (2018). Boy Erased [Film]. Focus Features. Pray Away, Stolakis, K. (Director). (2021). Pray Away [Film]. Multitude Films; Netflix. References:  Robb, A. (2025, October 30). The truth about IFS, the therapy that can break you. The Cut. https://www.thecut.com/article/truth-about-ifs-therapy-internal-family-systems-trauma-treatment.html Connect with Us: 📸 Instagram: @praisebetopod 🎵 TikTok: @praisebetopod ▶️ YouTube: @praisebetopod 💻 Web: www.praisebetopod.com 💸 Patreon: patreon.com/praisebetopod

    56 min

  4. APR 12

    The Narrow Road | Part 1 | From Megachurch Pastor to Progressive Political Activist with Joanna Whaley

    In Part 1 of our conversation with Joanna Whaley, candidate for Michigan House of Representatives, Ashley and Bailee sit down with Joanna to unpack her story as a former evangelical pastor navigating identity, faith, and institutional power. After being outed as a transgender woman by a congregant, Joanna was dismissed from one of Michigan’s largest megachurches—an event that upended every aspect of her life. She candidly shares her experiences surviving conversion therapy, confronting transphobia within the church, and reclaiming her faith and understanding of God in the aftermath. Join us next week for Part 2! Follow and support Joanna’s work: SUPPORT THE CAMPAIGN: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/joannawhaleySOCIALS:https://www.tiktok.com/@joannawhaleyofficialhttps://www.instagram.com/joannawhaleyofficial/https://www.facebook.com/joannawhaleyofficialhttps://bsky.app/profile/joannawhaley.bsky.socialRecommended to View on Netflix:  Boy Erased, Edgerton, J. (Director). (2018). Boy Erased [Film]. Focus Features. Pray Away, Stolakis, K. (Director). (2021). Pray Away [Film]. Multitude Films; Netflix. References:  Robb, A. (2025, October 30). The truth about IFS, the therapy that can break you. The Cut. https://www.thecut.com/article/truth-about-ifs-therapy-internal-family-systems-trauma-treatment.html Connect with Us: 📸 Instagram: @praisebetopod 🎵 TikTok: @praisebetopod ▶️ YouTube: @praisebetopod 💻 Web: www.praisebetopod.com 💸 Patreon: patreon.com/praisebetopod

    1h 3m

  5. APR 5

    The Evangelical Millennials to Social Justice Warrior Pipeline

    This week, Ashley and Bailee engage in a discussion and cultural analysis of evangelical millennials — exploring why we are the way that we are. From the militarization of youth at Acquire the Fire to the push to dedicate your life to global missions with YWAM, the evangelical church bombarded us with messages that we were the generation called to “change the world.” Now that we’re older, we reflect on coming of age during that period of American history — the empty promises we were given, the fading pipe dream of financial prosperity, and the sometimes contentious relationship between millennials and the generations that raised us. We also explore how those formative messages from the evangelical church primed many of us to seek meaning and purpose in social justice movements, channeling the same moral urgency we were taught as kids into new forms of activism and advocacy. Connect with Us: 📸 Instagram: @praisebetopod 🎵 TikTok: @praisebetopod ▶️ YouTube: @praisebetopod 💻 Web: www.praisebetopod.com 💸 Patreon: patreon.com/praisebetopod

    53 min

  6. MAR 29

    The Woman's Place: Roles and Expectations in Evangelical Society

    Ashley and Bailee explore the roles and expectations placed on women in evangelical culture, unpacking the theology behind complementarianism, headship, and the idea of women as “helpers.” They discuss how evangelical systems often frame these roles as divine design, placing obedience on a pedestal, establishing marriage and proximity to men as the ultimate metric of a woman’s value, and demonizing dissent as a “Jezebel Spirit.” The conversation examines the archetype of the “ideal evangelical woman,” the rise in female pastors using their platform to reinforce patriarchal structures, and the ways the church often assumes entitlement to the labor, energy, and resources of women. Connect with Us: 📸 Instagram: @praisebetopod 🎵 TikTok: @praisebetopod ▶️ YouTube: @praisebetopod 💻 Web: www.praisebetopod.com 💸 Patreon: patreon.com/praisebetopod

    53 min

  7. MAR 22

    Codependency: Enmeshment, the Savior Complex, and the Compulsive Need to Rescue

    Ashley and Bailee critically examine the culture of codependency that runs deep in many Evangelical communities — reinforcing relationship dynamics of enmeshment, overfunctioning, and blurred boundaries. They unpack how the constant pressure from the church to “save people” and “expose their sin” is often used as a tool to maintain control, the ways having a savior complex primes you for self righteousness and resentment, and what unchecked self-sacrifice costs our relationships and sense of self. The conversation explores how these patterns formed in our own lives and what we’re doing to unlearn them — reclaiming agency, healthier boundaries, and relationships built on mutual respect rather than spiritual obligation. Connect with Us: 📸 Instagram: @praisebetopod 🎵 TikTok: @praisebetopod ▶️ YouTube: @praisebetopod 💻 Web: www.praisebetopod.com 💸 Patreon: patreon.com/praisebetopod

    1h 8m

  8. MAR 15

    Reconstructing Lent

    Ashley and Bailee get candid about their complicated relationship with Lent and spiritual disciplines after deconstruction — calling out how evangelicals often pride themselves on rejecting liturgical traditions passed down through church history, while still emphasizing self-denial and moral performance. They discuss how practices like fasting were framed through shame and sacrifice, why Lent was often dismissed as “too Catholic,” and whether spiritual disciplines can be reclaimed in a way that feels life-giving rather than guilt-driven. Connect with Us: 📸 Instagram: @praisebetopod 🎵 TikTok: @praisebetopod ▶️ YouTube: @praisebetopod 💻 Web: www.praisebetopod.com 💸 Patreon: patreon.com/praisebetopod

    46 min
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5
out of 5
19 Ratings

About

Ashley and Bailee are reclaiming their spirituality after leaving the evangelical church behind. Join them for candid conversations about the twists and turns of deconstruction, spirituality, pop culture, mental health, astrology, self-care, and all the things that make life interesting after the altar call. Together, we’ll laugh, reflect, and discover what we still believe in.

Information

  • Creator
    Bailee and Ashley
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Praise Be To Pod
  • Show Website
    Praise Be To Pod

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