The Mighty Philbert Podcast

Phil Barksdale
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Welcome to The Mighty Philbert — the channel where we dig deep, ask hard questions, and refuse to smile politely at bad theology. Whether you're crawling out of evangelicalism, recovering from purity culture, or just wondering why your Sunday school teacher thought dinosaurs rode the Ark, you're in the right place.Hosted by a proud GenX survivor of church trauma and theological gaslighting, this channel serves up weekly doses of counter-apologetics, Christian deconstruction, and cultural commentary with a heavy side of sarcasm and '90s nostalgia. We’re talking real talk about religion, belief, and how to rebuild your worldview without all the baggage.New episodes every week. Bring your questions, bring your doubts — and maybe your flannel.Because sometimes faith needs a second opinion.

  1. 6h ago

    S03E41 There Are Monsters Outside

    Send us Fan Mail Growing up in the 1970s and 1980s, Gen X was warned about everything from nuclear war and killer bees to razor blades in Halloween candy. But while we were worrying about those things, America was experiencing something genuinely terrifying: a dramatic rise in serial murders. Ted Bundy. John Wayne Gacy. David Berkowitz, the Son of Sam. Richard Ramirez, the Night Stalker. It seemed like every time we turned on the evening news, another serial killer was making headlines. But was it really as bad as we remember? In this episode of The Mighty Philbert, we're kicking off our new series, THE CHILDHOOD WE SURVIVED: THE DARK SIDE OF GROWING UP GEN X, by investigating the era of serial killers that haunted the 1970s and 1980s. And we'll ask a question that goes beyond the statistics: How did growing up during this era affect the way Gen X learned to trust—or distrust—the world around us? This isn't about glorifying murderers. It's about understanding the history, remembering the victims, and examining the fears that shaped our generation. THE CHILDHOOD WE SURVIVED — CHAPTER ONE: THE MONSTERS AMONG US JOIN THE CONVERSATION Do you remember hearing about these cases when you were growing up? Was there a particular serial killer whose story frightened you? Did the news change the way your parents let you play outside? Share your memories in the comments! RESEARCH AND SOURCES The following reports, historical records, and law-enforcement resources informed this episode. Radford University / Florida Gulf Coast University — Annual Report on Serial Killer Statistics (2023). Historical statistics on known serial killers, victims, and trends across decades. https://scholarscommons.fgcu.edu/espl... FBI — Serial Murder: Multi-Disciplinary Perspectives for Investigators (2008). Definitions, investigative challenges, and common misconceptions about serial killers. https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-lib... FBI — Crime and Corruption Across America, 1972–1988. Historical developments in criminal profiling, forensic science, and federal investigations. https://www.fbi.gov/history/history-o... FBI — Behavioral Analysis. Historical timeline and the development of behavioral analysis and the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program. https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-investigat... Cook County Sheriff's Office — Unidentified Victims of John Wayne Gacy. Continuing efforts to identify victims through DNA technology. https://www.cookcountysheriff.org/dep... National Institute of Justice — Cold Cases and Serial Killers (2023). Discussion of serial-murder investigations and factors associated with the decline in identified serial killers. https://nij.ojp.gov/library/publicati... A NOTE ABOUT THE STATISTICS The historical figures discussed in this video come from databases of identified serial killers. They are retrospective counts, not a complete accounting of every offender active during those years. Definitions, identification rates, and available records can influence historical comparisons. If you enjoy thoughtful, sometimes sarcastic conversations about Gen X history, nostalgia, culture, and the things that shaped our generation, subscribe to The Mighty Philbert! #GenX #SerialKillers #TrueCrime #1970s #1980s

    S03E41 There Are Monsters Outside

  2. Oct 25

    S03E40 Finding Meaning After Loss

    Send us Fan Mail Grief doesn't follow a schedule. It doesn't come with an expiration date, and nobody gets to tell you when you should be over it. Join me LIVE on Saturday, October 24, at 7 PM as we explore David Kessler's book Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief. We'll discuss the five familiar stages of grief, Kessler's proposed sixth stage, the different ways people cope with loss, and why finding meaning doesn't necessarily mean finding a reason someone died. I'll also share some experiences from my years in ministry and grief counseling, and how my changing beliefs about death and the afterlife have changed the way I appreciate life. This will be an open, respectful conversation. You're welcome to share your experiences, ask questions, or simply listen. This discussion is educational and personal, not a substitute for professional grief counseling. #TheMightyPhilbert #FindingMeaning #DavidKessler #Grief #GriefSupport #LifeAfterLoss

    S03E40 Finding Meaning After Loss

  3. Oct 21

    S03E39 Halloween TV that Traumatized Gen X

    Send us Fan Mail Remember when a black-and-white television show could scare the living hell out of you? For Gen X, Halloween wasn't just about costumes and candy. It was about late-night monster movies, creepy television specials, horror hosts, and the nightmares that followed us to bed. In this second episode of our Gen X Halloween trilogy, we're revisiting The Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, Tales from the Darkside, Amazing Stories, Tales from the Crypt, and the horror movies that helped define our childhoods. I'll also share how one Halloween-night viewing of The Howling Man had eleven-year-old me hiding behind the couch whenever somebody knocked at the door! We'll talk about Rod Serling's influence, the surprising Donna Douglas connection to Eye of the Beholder, why black-and-white horror felt so frightening, and the golden age of VHS rentals. What TV show or horror movie scared you the most as a kid? Tell me in the comments! This is Part 2 of our three-part Gen X Halloween series, right here on The Mighty Philbert. Subscribe for more Gen X nostalgia, history, humor, and the occasional childhood trauma. #GenX #HalloweenNostalgia #TheTwilightZone #RodSerling #80sNostalgia

    S03E39 Halloween TV that Traumatized Gen X

  4. Oct 18

    S03E38 Behind Closed Doors

    Send us Fan Mail Growing up Gen X, many of us heard the same warning: "What happens in this house stays in this house." But what happened when the family secrets weren't simply embarrassing? What happened when the things children were told to keep quiet about were the very things they needed help with? In Episode 2 of Things We Never Talked About, But Should Have, we're examining the culture of family secrecy during the 1970s and 1980s—and how attitudes toward child abuse, domestic violence, discipline, and family reputation affected the children growing up in those households. We'll explore the changing recognition of child abuse, the emergence of domestic violence shelters, the impact of television movies like The Burning Bed and Something About Amelia, and the long-term effects of adverse childhood experiences. This isn't about blaming an entire generation of parents. It's about understanding the attitudes we inherited, the people who challenged them, and what we can do differently today. Because privacy and secrecy aren't always the same thing. And a family's reputation should never matter more than someone's safety. Support resources (United States): National Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-799-7233 https://www.thehotline.org/ Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline: 800-422-4453 https://www.childhelphotline.org/ If you or someone else is in immediate danger, contact emergency services. Historical and research sources: Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA): https://www.congress.gov/ Family Violence Prevention and Services Act: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/fysb CDC — Adverse Childhood Experiences: https://www.cdc.gov/aces/ Things We Never Talked About, But Should Have is a Mighty Philbert series examining the uncomfortable subjects that shaped Generation X—and the conversations we still need to have. #GenerationX #GenX #MightyPhilbert #1980s #1970s #FamilySecrets #ChildAbuseAwareness #DomesticViolenceAwareness

    S03E38 Behind Closed Doors

  5. Oct 10

    S03E37 The Gen X Crisis Nobody Talked About

    Send us Fan Mail Growing up in the 1970s and 1980s wasn't always the carefree adventure we remember. While Generation X was riding bicycles, watching MTV, and surviving the Satanic Panic, America was confronting a growing teenage suicide crisis. Television movies, after-school specials, public-service announcements, and songs like Rick Cua's "Don't Say Suicide" attempted to address the problem. But there was something many of us struggled with: we were told to ask adults for help, even when we didn't trust those adults enough to tell them what we were going through. In the first episode of Things We Never Talked About, But Should Have, we examine the history of teenage suicide during the Gen X years, the cultural response, the stigma surrounding mental health, and why so many young people felt safer talking to their friends than to parents, teachers, or religious leaders. I'll also share a personal memory of a friend I lost, and reflect on what our generation can learn from the conversations we wish we'd had. This isn't about blaming an entire generation of parents. It's about understanding the world that shaped us—and asking how we can do better for the generations coming after us. If this episode resonates with you, I'd love to hear your thoughts. What subjects were difficult or impossible to discuss with adults when you were growing up? Please keep the conversation compassionate and respectful. Support resources: If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 in the United States, or visit https://988lifeline.org. If someone is in immediate danger, contact emergency services. Research and further reading: CDC — Suicide Among Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults, 1980–1992 https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/00031525.htm CBS television's response to teenage suicide (1984) https://www.upi.com/Archives/1984/10/08/TV-WorldTwo-CBS-movies-look-at-teenage-suicides/9802466056000/ The Trevor Project — Acceptance From Adults and LGBTQ Youth https://www.thetrevorproject.org/research-briefs/acceptance-from-adults-is-associated-with-lower-rates-of-suicide-attempts-among-lgbtq-young-people-sep-2023/ #GenerationX #GenX #MentalHealthAwareness #TeenSuicidePrevention #1980s #MightyPhilbert

    S03E37 The Gen X Crisis Nobody Talked About

  6. Oct 10

    S03E36 Halloween Was Our Night

    Send us Fan Mail Halloween was different when we were kids! We had homemade popcorn balls, caramel apples, school costume contests, pillowcases full of candy, and the freedom to roam all over town. Today, Halloween often means organized events, trunk-or-treat festivals, costume restrictions, and curfews. But has Halloween really changed for the worse, or are we just remembering the magic of childhood? Join The Mighty Philbert as we revisit Halloween in the '70s and '80s, explore how the traditions changed, and remember one unfortunate dentist who learned why it's called TRICK or treat. What was Halloween like when you were a kid? Share your favorite memories in the comments! #GenX #Halloween #1980s #1970s #Nostalgia #TheMightyPhilbert

    S03E36 Halloween Was Our Night

  7. Oct 3

    S03E35 Did Our Childhoods Change How Gen X Loves

    Send us Fan Mail We grew up alone. We watched the American family change. Now it's time to talk about what happened when Gen X grew up and started relationships of our own. In the first episode of this series, we explored the latchkey generation and the independence so many Gen X kids learned growing up. In Episode 2, we looked at the divorce boom of the 1970s and '80s and asked why so many families were changing while we were kids. Tonight, we're bringing those stories together—and we're doing it LIVE. Did watching our parents divorce change the way we approached marriage? Did growing up independent make it harder to depend on someone else? Why did living together without marriage go from “living in sin” to increasingly normal? And what about those whose parents stayed together—sometimes happily, and sometimes when perhaps they shouldn't have? I'll bring the research and share some of my own experiences, but tonight I especially want to hear from you. Did your childhood shape the way you approach love, marriage, commitment or divorce? Join the conversation and tell me your story. #GenerationX #GenX #GenXRelationships #Marriage #Divorce #LatchkeyKids #GenXChildhood #MightyPhilbert

    S03E35 Did Our Childhoods Change How Gen X Loves

  8. Oct 2

    S03E34 Christa Pike Survived Her Execution-Can Tennessee Try Again

    Send us Fan Mail On September 30, 2026, Tennessee attempted to execute Christa Gail Pike by lethal injection. She survived. As of this video, Pike is reportedly in critical condition, Governor Bill Lee has halted Tennessee's remaining 2026 execution and ordered a third-party investigation into what went wrong. But what happens legally when someone survives an execution? Can the state simply try again? The answer takes us back nearly 80 years to Willie Francis, a Louisiana teenager who survived the electric chair and became the subject of the landmark Supreme Court case Louisiana ex rel. Francis v. Resweber. In this episode, we examine the myth that surviving an execution means you're set free, the history of failed executions, problems surrounding lethal injection, Idaho's struggle to obtain execution drugs, the failed executions of Thomas Creech and Tony Carruthers, and what we currently know—and DON'T know—about Christa Pike. We'll also sort through some of the rumors already spreading online, from expired drugs and redheaded resistance to anesthesia to claims of...demonic interference. This isn't about forgetting Pike's victim, 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer. It's about a larger constitutional question: If the government has the authority to take a human life, what happens when it tries—and fails? #ChristaPike #DeathPenalty #LethalInjection #Tennessee #WillieFrancis #TrueCrime #MightyPhilbert

    S03E34 Christa Pike Survived Her Execution-Can Tennessee Try Again
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About

Welcome to The Mighty Philbert — the channel where we dig deep, ask hard questions, and refuse to smile politely at bad theology. Whether you're crawling out of evangelicalism, recovering from purity culture, or just wondering why your Sunday school teacher thought dinosaurs rode the Ark, you're in the right place.Hosted by a proud GenX survivor of church trauma and theological gaslighting, this channel serves up weekly doses of counter-apologetics, Christian deconstruction, and cultural commentary with a heavy side of sarcasm and '90s nostalgia. We’re talking real talk about religion, belief, and how to rebuild your worldview without all the baggage.New episodes every week. Bring your questions, bring your doubts — and maybe your flannel.Because sometimes faith needs a second opinion.

Information

  • Creator
    Phil Barksdale
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    134
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Mighty Philbert Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Mighty Philbert Podcast