God is Better Than You Think

Josh Pease & Taylor Bluebaugh
  • 4.9 (10)
  • Christianity

A weekly interview podcast with someone who takes following Jesus seriously, but has found that leading them in surprising directions! Each week co-hosts Taylor Bluebaugh and Josh Pease invite us to see that maybe "true Christianity" is a bigger tent than we thought, and that God really might be better than we think!

  1. 10/23/2024

    Aubrey Becker asks whether Jesus is in the space between "pro life" and "pro choice"

    You read the title of the episode, you know what we are talking about. It’s THE issue for so many people. Aubrey Becker is our guest today and her role as an infant loss coordinator for a major hospital gives her the unique ability to weigh in on this conversation. You’ll hear in our conversation that before Aubrey started in this work, she would have easily identified her self as ‘Pro-Life’, but the lives that she has crossed paths with has given her pause to consider what being ‘Pro-Life’ actually means. This conversation is hard. It’s nuanced. It’s complicated. It’s challenging to every line we want to draw and every stone we want to cast. And…as is the case in a lot of our episodes…we don’t solve the problem or walk away with answers. But we do get the incredible privilege of bringing ourselves a little closer to the people and the stories that are central to this conversation. We hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did. As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts! Taylor’s Very Dope Shirt (just imagine you are seeing it and it’s VERY dope…so dope you might want one): https://thehappygivers.com GOD IS BETTER THAN YOU THINK: Instagram/TikTok - @godisbetterpod  Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@godisbetterthanyouthink6143 Thoughts? Email us at godisbetter.podcast@gmail.com Thank you to: Mountaineer for our music Ryan Lipman for sound mixing

  2. 09/11/2024

    Josh & Taylor ask is there a better way to structure churches?

    Buckle Up. Your in for a wild ride with this one! Josh and Taylor are flying solo! There’s no guest on this week’s episode, and we are talking about ‘the church.’ This is a conversation Josh and Taylor have as friends on a semi-regular basis, and while we have shared values we disagree quite a bit. This is a messy topic but a very important one. It’s a topic that has floated around in several of our other episodes and we are here to flesh it out a bit. We talk about, systems, structures, empire, leadership, “the early church” (with air quotes), diversity, belonging, bad HR practices, and how old Josh is.  We didn’t cover everything, and we didn’t come to a conclusions, but we feel like the wrestling is necessary. It’s not always easy to have conversations when you disagree, but it’s those conversations that just might lead us to something different. We’d love to hear your thoughts as well, in the comments, via email, send us a message on social, or whatever works!  Taylor’s Very Dope Shirt (just imagine you are seeing it and it’s VERY dope…so dope you might want one): https://thehappygivers.com Our Coffee for this Episode: https://proudmarycoffee.com/ GOD IS BETTER THAN YOU THINK: Instagram/TikTok - @godisbetterpod  Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@godisbetterthanyouthink6143  Thoughts? Email us at godisbetter.podcast@gmail.com Thank you to: Mountaineer for our music Ryan Lipman for sound mixing

  3. 08/28/2024

    Carlos Rodriguez says God is Better Than White Jesus

    We could not be more excited about this episode as we had the incredible opportunity to talk to Carlos Rodriguez, Founder and Director of The Happy Givers. Carlos made an unusual journey from author and megachurch pastor in the US to the founder and director of a non-profit in Puerto Rico where he is originally from and now lives with his family. His story is filled with self-reflection, action, humility, and change and we could not be more here for it! In this conversation we ask uncomfortable questions and Carlos gives a lot of uncomfortable answers—in the best way!! We talk about justice, privilege, oppression, colonization, advocacy, charity, platform, brown Jesus and so much more! But the beauty of the way Carlos first challenges his own way of thinking and living before extending a challenge to the rest of us is something that gave us a lot to think about. We hope this episode is as much of a gift to you as it has been to us! Carlos Rodriguez: Personal Cell: (919)809-4353 Email: carlos@thehappygivers.com Instagram/Threads: @carloshappynpo  The Happy Givers: Clothing/Merch Line: https://thehappygivers.com/ Non-Profit Information: https://www.happynpo.com/ Email: info@thehappygivers.com Instagram: @thehappygivers Instagram Spanish Account: @lafundacionhappy  THE CAVE in Puerto Rico near The Happy Givers AirBnB Link GOD IS BETTER THAN YOU THINK: Instagram/TikTok - @godisbetterpod Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@godisbetterthanyouthink6143 Thoughts? Email us at godisbetter.podcast@gmail.com Thank you to: Mountaineer for our music Ryan Lipman for sound mixing

  4. 08/14/2024

    Jenai Auman says God is better than the churches that harm us

    *TW: This episode discusses themes and experiences of spiritual abuse. There are no graphic descriptions or details, however there is conversation around living in a culture of abuse and accounts of individual experiences in abusive systems. Our conversation with this episode’s guest—Jenai Auman—brings a deep discussion on the reality of spiritual abuse in church settings. Jenai shares some of her personal journey, her research and study, and portions of her newly released book to address why abuse of this nature is often minimized and overlooked. We talk about cycles of trauma, poor methods of church training, self-doubt and self-compassion, what we do with our wounds, a little bit of theology stuff…and possibly Bigfoot. It sounds like a heavy conversation, but Jenai is a vibe and the laughs are plenty. Jenai has been bravely and compassionately sharing her journey through social media channels and is now the published author of the book ‘Othered: Finding belonging with the God who pursues the hurt, harmed, and marginalized.’ So if you enjoy listening to this episode, you should go follow her socials (DO NOT follow her around Huston), and purchase a copy of ‘Othered’! Jenai Auman: https://www.jenaiauman.com/ Substack - https://jenaiauman.substack.com/ Instagram/Threads - @jenaiauman Othered: Finding belonging with the God who pursues the hurt, harmed, and marginalized https://www.jenaiauman.com/otheredbook Amazon  Taylor’s Very Dope Shirt (just imagine you are seeing it and it’s VERY dope…so dope you might want one): https://thehappygivers.com GOD IS BETTER THAN YOU THINK: Instagram/TikTok - @godisbetterpod Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@godisbetterthanyouthink6143 Thoughts? Email us at godisbetter.podcast@gmail.com Thank you to:  Mountaineer for our music Ryan Lipman for sound mixing

  5. 07/31/2024

    Terry Wildman says God is better than America's treatment of Indigenous people

    This week’s powerful episode is with Terry Wildman—lead translator of the FNV (First Nations Version) and really beautiful human. Our conversation with Terry walks through his personal journey with Native faith in Jesus and how that lead him to start the FNV project. He shares about the collision of evangelical christianity and many indigenous people’s experience with the message of Jesus. We also discuss what it looks like to practically be a follower of Jesus when it comes to understanding the history of Native peoples in North America (Turtle Island). If you haven’t spent a lot of time learning from Indigenous voices, this is a great episode to use as your launch point. Terry shares books and other resources that can guide us toward living a life that longs for ‘conciliation’ (which we also talk about in the show).  This episode was very personal for us (Josh and Taylor) because the FNV has been a gift to our faith journey, and we are excited to share it with you. We hope you enjoy and take that next step to order the FNV. First Nations Version - Terry Wildman: https://firstnationsversion.com Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/FirstNationsVersion) Amazon  InterVarsity Press Twitter (X): @TerryMWildman  Taylor’s Very Dope Shirt (just imagine you are seeing it and it’s VERY dope…so dope you might want one): https://thehappygivers.com GOD IS BETTER THAN YOU THINK: Instagram/TikTok - @godisbetterpod Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@godisbetterthanyouthink6143 Thoughts? Email us at godisbetter.podcast@gmail.com Thank you to the Mountain People (Mountaineer) for our music!

  6. 07/17/2024

    Nathan Daniel Blake says God is better than the rich man's gospel

    Our conversation with guest Nathan Daniel Blake (aka just ‘Nathan’), is one that reaches deep into the wrestlings. Nathan identifies himself in this way: “I’m steel town Appalachian. I’m Anglican leaning Anabaptist (or maybe it’s the other way around). I’m Abbot to a new monastic Appalachian Order. I’m husband and father. I’m friend and foe. I’m sinner striving to be saint.” When we first learned this about Nathan, it intrigued us enough to invite him on the show. We spend a lot of this episode unpacking these things…and in that unpacking we ended up having a lot of conversation about the tensions so many of US hold in following Jesus. There’s not only a lot of cool and interesting knowledge Nathan shares in this episode, but there is a lot of deep thoughtfulness for all of us to wade in. Also a cat shows up. You'll notice.  If you enjoyed this conversation as much as we did, you should definitely check out Nathan’s Substack and his social media. Nathan Daniel Blake: Substack: The Laurel Hells  Instagram/Twitter/TikTok/Threads: @storyofndblake Taylor’s Very Dope Shirt (just imagine you are seeing it and it’s VERY dope…so dope you might want one): https://thehappygivers.com GOD IS BETTER THAN YOU THINK: Instagram/TikTok: @godisbetterpod Youtube Thoughts? Email us: godisbetter.podcast@gmail.com *correction*: Thank you to 'Mountaineer' (not 'Monument') for our music. Not that 'Monument' music isn't cool if they are a thing...they just didn't write our music.

  7. 07/03/2024

    Charis Barker says God is better than Bill Gothard & abusive leaders

    *TW: This episode discusses themes and experiences of abuse. There are no graphic descriptions or details, however there is conversation around living in a culture of abuse and accounts of individual experiences of sexual abuse. In this episode, Josh and Taylor talk with guest Charis Barker. Charis bravely left an upbringing in an abusive religious environment and in years following came forward to tell her story, pursued legal action, and has been a part of several articles and podcasts as a way to ensure others are seen and protected when faced with circumstances such as her own. Charis shares some of these experiences with us in this episode, and then we dive into what it’s like for her to follow Jesus in the reality she exists in now. With any of our guests, we want to honor their stories, vulnerability, and honesty in our space, AND when it comes to accounts of surviving abuse, we want to give extra care to those that are shared here. Speaking those experiences out loud and publicly is no small thing and often comes at a great cost to our guests. We ask that you as listeners also commit to honoring Charis’ story as you listen, reflect, comment, and share. THE [Main] ACRONYMS: IBPL - Institute in Basic Life Principles ATI - Advanced Training Institute  Article written by Charis (mentioned in this episode) Taylor’s Very Dope Shirt: https://thehappygivers.com GOD IS BETTER THAN YOU THINK: Instagram/TikTok - @godisbetterpod Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@godisbetterthanyouthink6143 Thoughts? Email us at godisbetter.podcast@gmail.com

  8. 06/19/2024

    Trey Ferguson says God is better than the way we read the Bible

    *The audio quality for the intro of this episode…is less than ideal…stick with us. It gets better when our guest joins us!*  Our first Season 2 guest is the renown theologizer of the twittersphere—Trey Ferguson. Trey is the Executive Pastor at Refuge Church in FL, author of Theologizin’ Bigger, and podcast host of Three Black Men and New Living Treyslation. Trey is out here stretching our minds and our imaginations as he invites us to reassess how we think about the Bible, church, and our approach to theology! We LOVED this conversation! If you also loved this conversation, you for sure want to get his book THEOLOGIZN’ BIGGER!  Trey Ferguson: https://www.pastortrey05.com Substack: https://pastortrey05.substack.com Instagram/Twitter/TikTok/Threads: @pastortrey05 Taylor’s Very Dope Sweatshirt: https://thehappygivers.com GOD IS BETTER THAN YOU THINK:  Instagram/TikTok - @godisbetterpod Youtube - HERE Thoughts? Email us at godisbetter.podcast@gmail.com

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Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

A weekly interview podcast with someone who takes following Jesus seriously, but has found that leading them in surprising directions! Each week co-hosts Taylor Bluebaugh and Josh Pease invite us to see that maybe "true Christianity" is a bigger tent than we thought, and that God really might be better than we think!

Information

  • Creator
    Josh Pease & Taylor Bluebaugh
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2024
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Josh Pease
  • Show Website
    God is Better Than You Think