Graceful Atheist Podcast

It was decades ago that I really needed to hear something like this! Daughter and granddaughter of Pentecostal preachers— even my mother was a traveling revival preacher and musician. Church was our whole life. Everyone I knew well was evangelical. Deconstruction ( a new term to me) began in childhood, though I outwardly went through all the motions enthusiastically, and tried really hard to mean it and usually did mean it. College and meeting people outside of my church, realizing they were good and not evil nor ignorant, was what really put me on the path to de conversion, although I would have called it “backsliding” or “leaving the fold”. I discovered the podcast a few weeks ago and am listening to another episode or two every day! So affirming!

I have been a faithful listener since 2019, I just just moved to a new town, struggling with my beliefs and the devastation (still) over the evangelical support of Trump. I was questioning everything and looking for answers. I somehow stumbled upon this podcast and heard stories of people leaving religion. I was immediately drawn to their stories and David’s gentle encouragement, I could relate to se many of them. This podcast became my lifeline as I moved through my deconstruction and ultimately my realization that I could no longer believe. I am grateful for this podcast and all the participants that do graciously shared their stories! Thank you.

This podcast has been a lifesaver for me. I’m a former missionary, pastor’s kid and committed Christian who built my identity around the church for the last 40 years, and I am now nearing the end of a prolonged and sometimes painful Deconversion. David’s guests reassure me that I am not alone, I am not crazy, and that there is hope on the other end! I especially enjoyed David’s interview with his wife, Michelle, and their poignant honesty about their own relationship. Deconversion in the context of married life and raising older/teenage kids is hard, and I really appreciate David’s wisdom and life experience in those areas. I have found a lack of deconstruction/Deconversion podcasts focused on adults in midlife with older kids, rather than only on people in their 20s, or with babies and toddlers who don’t yet understand spiritual principles! David does a great job bringing in a variety of ages and viewpoints, and pointing listeners to additional resources. Thank you and please keep up the good work!

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