Praise Be To Pod

Bailee and Ashley

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. 1d ago

    Oh, Heavens! Part 1: The History, Mythology, and the Afterlife

    This week, Ashley and Bailee kick off a two-part conversation exploring the origins of heaven and revisiting one of the foundational beliefs they were taught growing up in evangelical Christianity. Together, they reflect on the version of heaven they inherited from the church, and explore how that picture was shaped by centuries of history, theology, and cultural influence. They discuss the historical evolution of beliefs about the afterlife, the surprising impact of Dante's Divine Comedy on modern Christian imagination, and what Jesus may have actually meant when he proclaimed that "the kingdom of heaven is at hand."  What we talk about: War crimesAshley visit to Azusa StreetHow “All Dogs Go to Heaven” saved Ashley’s lifeOrigins of the Christian belief in heavenDante’s influence on Heaven imageryWhat does “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” actually mean? References:  Alighieri, D. (1308–1321). The Divine Comedy [Poem]. (R. Kirkpatrick, Trans.). Penguin Classics.Blue Letter Bible. (n.d.). H8064 – shamayim – Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (KJV). https://www.blueletterbible.org/lexicon/h8064/kjv/wlc/0-1/Champlin, E. (2003). Nero. Harvard University Press.Christianity.com. (2023, February 24). Who are the four living creatures in Revelation? https://www.christianity.com/wiki/end-times/who-four-living-creatures-revelation.htmlDeMars, D. (2020, September 22). Who are the elders and living creatures in Revelation 4? Theology Pathfinder. https://derekdemars.com/2020/09/22/who-are-the-elders-and-living-creatures-in-revelation-4/Hebrew for Christians. (2026). Shamayim (שָׁמַיִם): How to say heaven in Hebrew. https://learnhebrewforchristians.com/hebrew-words/heaven-shamayimJewish Virtual Library. (n.d.). Sadducees, Pharisees, and Essenes. https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.orgMy Jewish Learning. (n.d.). Jewish views on the afterlife. https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/afterlife/Religion Wiki. (n.d.). Heaven in Judaism: Shamayim. https://religion.fandom.com/wiki/Heaven_(Judaism)Walls, J. L. (2002). Heaven: The logic of eternal joy. Oxford University Press.Wright, N. T. (2008). Surprised by hope: Rethinking heaven, the resurrection, and the mission of the church. HarperOne.Connect with Us: 📸 Instagram: @praisebetopod 🎵 TikTok: @praisebetopod ▶️ YouTube: @praisebetopod 💻 Web: www.praisebetopod.com 💸 Patreon: patreon.com/praisebetopod

  2. Jul 19

    Church Skit Nepo Baby with Katherine Scipioni

    This week, Ashley and Bailee continue their conversation with their friend Scip as she reflects on growing up in 90s evangelical culture and her journey through deconstruction. Together, they explore Scip’s upbringing in the Assembly of God church, her experience attending an evangelical Bible college, and the ways those environments shaped (and challenged) her faith. They unpack the unique culture and politics of evangelical higher education, revisit the unforgettable world of puppet teams and human video competitions, and reflect on what it means to untangle the traditions, beliefs, and communities that shaped you while finding your own way forward. What we talk about: - Special guest Katherine Scipioni - The gatorade wars - Being embarrassingly earnest - Church skit human video competitions - Going to a conservative Bible College - Lying for fun - Tricky timing with purity culture Connect with Us: 📸 Instagram: @praisebetopod 🎵 TikTok: @praisebetopod ▶️ YouTube: @praisebetopod 💻 Web: www.praisebetopod.com 💸 Patreon: patreon.com/praisebetopod

  3. Jul 12

    If everyone's gay, who will bear children? Sage Advice with Special Guest, Katherine Scipioni

    This week, Ashley and Bailee are joined by their friend Katherine Scipioni “Scip” to respond to a parishioner question about navigating family relationships when faith and identity collide. Together, they discuss the pain of conditional acceptance, responding to a parishioner’s story about her conservative Christian family members choosing not to fully support her upcoming wedding to her fiancée. They explore how evangelical beliefs about marriage shape these responses, the role complementarian marriage can play in reinforcing harmful dynamics, and the complicated work of maintaining relationships with conservative family while honoring your own boundaries. What we talk about:  - Ronald Reagan therapy intervention - We were given a Free Mason bible - Boston Hagus - Fake recipe rage bait - Parishioner write-in - Trying to reach people who are committed to misunderstanding you Connect with Us: 📸 Instagram: @praisebetopod 🎵 TikTok: @praisebetopod ▶️ YouTube: @praisebetopod 💻 Web: www.praisebetopod.com 💸 Patreon: patreon.com/praisebetopod

  4. Jul 5

    UNLEARNING: Are We Still Evangelizing?

    This week, Ashley and Bailee explore the lingering ways evangelical Christianity continues to shape their thinking, even after deconstruction. Together, they reflect on how certain patterns don’t automatically disappear when beliefs change…they often shift form. From over-functioning in relationships to carrying a sense of moral urgency into political spaces, they examine how old frameworks can quietly persist beneath new language and identities—and how unlearning them has been harder than they expected. What we talk about: Coach (Ashley’s dog) goes to Camp CourageBailee’s 4th grade crush Aperol spritz o’clockCouple’s TherapyHow Evangelicalism f*cked up our relationshipsIs Leftism Bailee’s new gospel?References: Post by @thekindred.space on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/DYH8wp-FHNe/ Connect with Us: 📸 Instagram: @praisebetopod 🎵 TikTok: @praisebetopod ▶️ YouTube: @praisebetopod 💻 Web: www.praisebetopod.com 💸 Patreon: patreon.com/praisebetopod

  5. Jun 28

    Mental Health: Spiritual Bypassing

    This week, Ashley and Bailee unpack one of evangelicalism's most enduring coping mechanisms: spiritual bypassing. Together, they explore the pressure to "choose joy" when life is falling apart, the expectation to stay positive no matter the circumstances, and the ways difficult emotions are often treated as spiritual failures rather than normal parts of being human. Along the way, they discuss Word of Faith theology, the fear of "speaking things into existence," and what it means to hold onto hope without denying reality. Connect with Us: 📸 Instagram: @praisebetopod 🎵 TikTok: @praisebetopod ▶️ YouTube: @praisebetopod 💻 Web: www.praisebetopod.com 💸 Patreon: patreon.com/praisebetopod

  6. Jun 21

    Boys Will Be Boys: The Modern Exvangelical Manosphere

    This week, Ashley and Bailee fail the Bechdel Test for the very first time with an all-new episode on one of humanity's oldest and most infamous subjects: men. Together, they unpack some of the dynamics they've noticed in progressive spaces and relationships, exploring the ways patriarchal patterns can persist even as people deconstruct old beliefs and embrace new values. From emotional labor to accountability, they reflect on the ways these systems continue to shape how we relate to one another. Along the way, they discuss feminism, self-awareness, and what it actually means to do the ongoing work of unlearning the messages we've all inherited. References:  American Institute for Boys and Men. (2024). Male loneliness and isolation: What the data shows. American Institute for Boys and MenBernstein, M. (Host). (2026, May 15). Is Tucker Carlson your friend now? (with Naomi Klein) [Audio podcast episode]. In A Bit Fruity with Matt Bernstein. iHeartPodcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-tucker-carlson-problem-with-naomi-klein/id1693739175?i=1000767917217Gallup. (2025, April 3). Rise in young men’s religiosity realigns gender gaps. GallupNational Public Radio. (2025, February 17). The men’s loneliness epidemic might not exist in the way we think. NPRPew Research Center. (2025, January 16). Men, women and social connections. Pew Research CenterThe Week. (2024, September 12). The rise of the performative male. The WeekWorthen, M. (2025, March 24). Are we actually experiencing a Christian revival? New York Magazine. New York MagazineCigarette Post Connect with Us: 📸 Instagram: @praisebetopod 🎵 TikTok: @praisebetopod ▶️ YouTube: @praisebetopod 💻 Web: www.praisebetopod.com 💸 Patreon: patreon.com/praisebetopod

  7. Jun 14

    The Gospel According to White Evangelicalism: Bekha's Story

    This week, Bailee and Ashley are joined by a very special guest: Bailee’s childhood best friend, Bekha.  Bekha and Bailee first met as children when Bekha's family began attending the charismatic evangelical church that Bailee's parents planted and pastored in their small rural community.  While Bekha and Bailee share many memories and experiences from their upbringing in the church, Bekha was also navigating evangelicalism as a biracial, second-generation Honduran American. Together, they reflect on growing up in the same religious environment, the ways their experiences overlapped and diverged, and the journeys that eventually led them both to deconstruct their faith. Along the way, they discuss identity, belonging, race, church culture, and the lasting impact of evangelicalism long after leaving it behind. Check Out Bekha’s Children’s Book! Connect with Us: 📸 Instagram: @praisebetopod 🎵 TikTok: @praisebetopod ▶️ YouTube: @praisebetopod 💻 Web: www.praisebetopod.com 💸 Patreon: patreon.com/praisebetopod

  8. Jun 7

    One Year of Praise Be to Pod: Stages of Deconstruction

    This week, Ashley and Bailee celebrate one year of Praise Be to Pod, reflecting on the journey that brought them here. After a year of conversations about evangelicalism, spirituality, culture, power, and healing, they take stock of how their deconstruction has evolved—and where it might be leading next. Along the way, they discuss the different stages of deconstruction they've experienced, beliefs they've let go of and reclaimed, and the ways their understanding of faith and identity has shifted. They also explore how their focus has expanded beyond religious systems to broader conversations about history, Christian nationalism, patriarchy, white supremacy, and power. Finally, they reflect on what surprised them most over the past year, what they've learned from creating the podcast, and what they're looking forward to as they enter year two. Connect with Us: 📸 Instagram: @praisebetopod 🎵 TikTok: @praisebetopod ▶️ YouTube: @praisebetopod 💻 Web: www.praisebetopod.com 💸 Patreon: patreon.com/praisebetopod

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5
out of 5
23 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
    64
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Praise Be To Pod
  • Show Website
    Praise Be To Pod

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