Fruitless

Josiah Sutton

A show about history, politics, faith, media, and the internet hosted by Josiah Sutton. Aiming for at least two free episodes per month. Artwork by Kipp Paulsen. More content can be found on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141

  1. 1d ago ·  Bonus

    [Preview] World Cup Recap (FSC #5)

    THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141 EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/u11922141/posts/fsc-5-166526203/ SPORTS!!! It's the fourth installment of the Fruitless Sports Corner (FSC): a semi-reoccurring series where Josiah, Nathan Thiessen, Chris Barker, and Jake the Lawyer talk about sports. On today's episode we discuss Nate meeting Pete Crow-Armstrong, the World Cup, Telemundo v. Fox, Nuts or Butts, the terrible soccer takes, the infamous Balogun red card, incredible goalkeeping, our favorite World Cup moments, Josiah fighting back his conspiratorial impulses, VAR, referees having mall cop psychology, a crazy MLB celebration, baseball ejections, Mr. Celery, the Savannah Bananas, Nate being an old guy purist about baseball, and Lebron. Music by Viagra Boys and SHADE08 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    [Preview] World Cup Recap (FSC #5)

  2. Aug 8

    Testifying to Love: Avalon (feat. Josh Boerman)

    Christian Rock Summer comes to a close with something a little softer, melodic, and worshipful. On today's episode, Josh Boerman (The Worst of All Possible Worlds, Ill Conceived) returns to testify to love and also cause some name confusion by joining Josiah and Josh Christianson for a conversation about the Christian vocal quarter, Avalon, and the state of CCM in the 90s. It turns out, it was pretty homophobic. Follow Josh on Bluesky @bosh.worstpossible.worldListen to The Worst of All Possible Worlds: worstpossible.worldListen to Ill Conceived: https://www.illconceivedpodcast.com/Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsuttonReferences Avalon Essentials, Spotify Playlist, https://open.spotify.com/playlist/55mkNaVTJ3mJJRevfFB1hiGod Gave Rock and Roll to You: A History of Christian Contemporary Music by Leah Payne"Michael Passons (Pt 1) Breaks Silence: His Truth About Avalon, Christian Music & 20‑Year Return," The Patrick Custer Show on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmWXtnECYP0"Michael Passons' Full Story (Pt 2): Forced Out of Avalon, Out of The Closet & Conversion Therapy," The Patrick Custer Show on YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZ9ctLW-2Yo"Michael Passons Says His Sexuality Was the Real Reason for Leaving Avalon," Joe Lynch in Billboard, https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/michael-passons-avalon-9447362/"Former Avalon singer on coming out, getting ousted and where he is today," Joey DiGuglielmo in Washington Blade, https://www.washingtonblade.com/2020/10/20/former-avalon-singer-on-coming-out-getting-ousted-and-where-he-is-today/"Former Avalon Member Melissa Greene to Jen Hatmaker: Christian Music Was Built on the ‘Back of So Many Queer People,’" Jessica Mouser in ChurchLeaders, https://churchleaders.com/news/2218790-avalon-melissa-greene-jen-hatmaker-christian-music-queer-people.htmlAudio credits Jesus Freak - DC TalkTestify to Love - AvalonAvalon on the Oxygen Tour in 2001, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIRRO1bswqcYesterday - bloom.Give It Up - AvalonTestify to Love, from Touched by an Angel, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvzaIUpo2RkKnockin' On Heaven's Door - AvalonCan't Live a Day - AvalonCan't Live a Day (DJ Tiesto Remix) - AvalonPart 2 of the Michael Passons interview on the Patrick Custer Show, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZ9ctLW-2YoTestify to Love - Michael Passons + Ty Herndon (feat. Melissa Greene)Bass - NoCopyrightMusic ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    Testifying to Love: Avalon (feat. Josh Boerman)

  3. Jul 29 ·  Bonus

    [Preview] Party Rocking in Heaven: Family Force 5

    THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141 EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/u11922141/posts/party-rocking-in-164986298 Christian Rock Summer 2026 continues! On today's episode, Alien, Caleb, Josh, and Josiah wrap up July by pledging allegiance to the U.S. Cray. We discuss some of the savviest goofs in CCM, and the only band that would ever dare to create "Christian crunkcore": Family Force 5.  Get ready, as we defeat our robot overlords with the power of dance and brotherhood. Music by SHADE08 and Family Force 5 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    [Preview] Party Rocking in Heaven: Family Force 5

  4. Jul 26 ·  Bonus

    [Preview] Nearly Successful Artistic Integrity: As Cities Burn

    THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141 EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/u11922141/posts/164840372 Christian Rock Summer 2026 continues! On today's episode, Josh, Josiah, and Nate discuss the prince (but never quite king) of Christian screamo/post-hardcore: As Cities Burn. Music by SHADE08 and As Cities Burn ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    [Preview] Nearly Successful Artistic Integrity: As Cities Burn

  5. Jul 25

    Woke Youth Group Ska: Five Iron Frenzy

    Christian Rock Summer 2026 continues! And this time, we're tackling Christian ska. On today's episode, James C. Liker, Josh, and Josiah go through the story of everyone's favorite woke youth group band, Five Iron Frenzy. Become a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsuttonReferences The Five Iron Frenzy Episode, YouTube Playlist, https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLWdQp6Z35FnIThe Rise and Fall of Five Iron Frenzy (2010), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDxNJ-omuw8"Five Iron Frenzy: An extensive oral history of the band straight from the members themselves," Tom Murphy in Westword, https://www.westword.com/music/five-iron-frenzy-an-extensive-oral-history-of-the-band-straight-from-the-members-themselves-5714595/"Our Newest Podcast Ever - Episode 18 - Reese Roper Interview," https://open.spotify.com/episode/5360LMumZ6LBa4gbSHDygY?utm_source=copy-link"To Change Your Mind: Christlikeness (Reese Roper) (#13)," You Have Permission, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/to-change-your-mind-christlikeness-reese-roper-13/id1448000113?i=1000432179616"Reese Roper: Five Iron Frenzy," The Black Sheep Podcast, https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reese-roper-five-iron-frenzy/id1224409460?i=1000507441077"An Interview With Reese Roper Of Five Iron Frenzy," Brandon James in Indie Vision Music, https://www.indievisionmusic.com/interviews/reese-roper-of-five-iron-frenzy/"Spotlight on Reese Roper and Five Iron Frenzy," French Davis in Yellowscene, https://yellowscene.com/2021/03/02/spotlight-on-reese-roper-and-five-iron-frenzy/"Reese Played Acquire the Fire. He Didn't Light It, But He Tried to Fight It," The Pickle and Boot Shop Podcast, https://open.spotify.com/episode/477hqRBYAviJNlaydHm6FiAudio credits Jesus Freak - DC TalkThe Old West - Five Iron FrenzyYesterday – bloom.Kamikaze - Five Iron FrenzyAmerican Kryptonite - Five Iron FrenzyZen and the Art of Xenophobia - Five Iron FrenzyEverywhere I Go - Five Iron Frenzy (originally by Amy Grant)Where Zero Meets 15 - Five Iron FrenzyA Flowery Song - Five Iron FrenzyHandbook for the Sellout - Five Iron FrenzyFistful of Sand - Five Iron FrenzyBlue Comb '78 - Five Iron FrenzyBanner Year - Five Iron FrenzyOh, Canada - Five Iron FrenzyEvery New Day - Five Iron FrenzyIntroduction - Five Iron FrenzyMy Evil Plan to Save the World - Five Iron FrenzyAll That Is Good - Five Iron FrenzyDandelions - Five Iron FrenzyWhen I Go Out - Five Iron FrenzyGet Your Riot Gear - Five Iron FrenzyThe Untimely Death of Brad - Five Iron FrenzyThese Are Not My Pants (The Rock Opera) - Five Iron FrenzyFahrenheit - Five Iron FrenzyFour-Fifty-One - Five Iron FrenzyGiants - Five Iron FrenzyA New Hope - Five Iron FrenzyFar, Far Away - Five Iron FrenzyThe Day We Killed - Five Iron FrenzyBlue Mix - Five Iron FrenzyVultures - Five Iron FrenzyRhubarb Pie - Five Iron FrenzyDog Food - Five Iron FrenzySo Far, So Bad - Five Iron FrenzyWizard Needs Food, Badly - Five Iron FrenzyThat's How the Story Ends - Five Iron FrenzyDay of Pigs - RoperIt Was a Dark and Stormy Night - Five Iron FrenzySomeone Else's Problem - Five Iron FrenzyI Am Jack's Smirking Revenge - Five Iron FrenzyBlizzards & Bygones - Five Iron FrenzyBattle Dancing Unicorns With Glitter - Five Iron FrenzyWhile Supplies Last - Five Iron Frenzy ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    Woke Youth Group Ska: Five Iron Frenzy

  6. Jul 20

    GWOT Church Rock (feat. Blood Work)

    Welcome to Christian Rock Summer 2026! We're kicking it off this year with an album about spiritual warfare that takes the war metaphor a bit too literally. On today's episode, Josh and Josiah were joined by Tom O'Mahony and Gregk Foley from Blood Work to discuss The Heart of War by Christian "hard rock" band Jonah33.  Follow Gregk on Bluesky @gregk.co.ukFollow Tom on Twitter @gotitatguineys or Bluesky @gotitatguineys.bsky.socialFollow Blood Work on Twitter @bloodworkshow or Bluesky @bloodwork.showListen to Blood Work: bloodwork.showListen to Lions Led By Donkeys and Beneath the SkinBecome a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsuttonReferences "Jonah33 Goes to War," New Release Today, https://www.newreleasetoday.com/article/jonah33-goes-to-war"Jonah33," Jesusfreakhideout, https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/Jonah33.asp"Jonah33," ChristianMusic.com, http://www.christianmusic.com/jonah33/jonah33.htm"Vince Lichlyter and Jonah33: An Arkansas-based rock veteran returns," Cross Rhythms, https://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/music/Vince_Lichlyter_and_Jonah33_An_Arkansasbased_rock_veteran_returns/53343/p1/Audio credits Jesus Freak - DC TalkYesterday – bloom.Faith Like That - Jonah33Last One Standing - Jonah33Desensitized - Jonah33Bullets - Jonah33Fire At Will - Jonah33Scream - Jonah33Brand New Way to Live - Jonah33No Song Left to Sing - Jonah33Never Alone - Jonah33Sample of a D beat from Wikipedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:D-beat_(candidate_2).oggWhite Flag - Jonah33Bass - NoCopyrightMusic ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    GWOT Church Rock (feat. Blood Work)

  7. Jun 30 ·  Bonus

    [Preview] Human = Knife Man (MX #25)

    THIS IS A PREVIEW. IF YOU WANT TO LISTEN TO THE FULL EPISODE, CHECK OUT FRUITLESS ON PATREON HERE: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141 EPISODE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/u11922141/posts/162468855 It's the June music exchange!! In this installment, Josh and Josiah discuss Human = Garbage by Dystopia and Knife Man by AJJ. Also the Reflecting Pool. Music by Dystopia, AJJ, and SHADE08 ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    [Preview] Human = Knife Man (MX #25)

  8. Jun 28

    God Hates Fred Phelps (feat. Joseph)

    Joseph joins Josiah to talk about Fred Phelps, the Westboro Baptist Church, and the weird politics of fringe fundamentalism.  Follow Joseph on Twitter @gross_online or Bluesky @grossonline.bsky.socialGo back and listen to the VLVC episode about Jack Chick here: https://share.transistor.fm/s/b01a24cfBecome a Fruitless Patron here: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141Check out Fruitless on YouTubeFind more of Josiah’s work: https://linktr.ee/josiahwsuttonFollow Josiah on Twitter @josiahwsuttonReferences God Hates: Westboro Baptist Church, American Nationalism, and the Religious Right by Rebecca Barrett-Fox"Conversion via Twitter," Adrian Chen in New Yorker, https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/11/23/conversion-via-twitter-westboro-baptist-church-megan-phelps-roperMusic & Audio credits Groove - NoCopyrightMusicBass - NoCopyrightMusicFunny - NoCopyrightMusicYesterday – bloom.A Pillar of Salt - The Thermals ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

    God Hates Fred Phelps (feat. Joseph)
See All (174)

5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

A show about history, politics, faith, media, and the internet hosted by Josiah Sutton. Aiming for at least two free episodes per month. Artwork by Kipp Paulsen. More content can be found on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/user?u=11922141

Information

  • Creator
    Josiah Sutton
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    174
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Josiah Sutton
  • Show Website
    Fruitless

You Might Also Like