112 episodes

An ex-Christian (Lauren O’Neal) and a nonbelieving sort-of Jew (Niko Bakulich) read the entire Bible, cover to cover, so you don’t have to. If you’ve ever been curious about what’s actually in the bestselling book in history but never found the time to read it, we’ve got you covered. Sunday School Dropouts is kind of like Mystery Science Theater 3000 for the Bible, or like listening to a recap of your favorite show, if your favorite show was about polygamous shepherds on very strict diets. The weird, the wacky, the wonderful—we’ll clue you in on everything they didn’t teach you in Sunday school.

Sunday School Dropouts Recorded History Podcast Network

    • Arts
    • 4.6 • 551 Ratings

An ex-Christian (Lauren O’Neal) and a nonbelieving sort-of Jew (Niko Bakulich) read the entire Bible, cover to cover, so you don’t have to. If you’ve ever been curious about what’s actually in the bestselling book in history but never found the time to read it, we’ve got you covered. Sunday School Dropouts is kind of like Mystery Science Theater 3000 for the Bible, or like listening to a recap of your favorite show, if your favorite show was about polygamous shepherds on very strict diets. The weird, the wacky, the wonderful—we’ll clue you in on everything they didn’t teach you in Sunday school.

    Heaven and Hell

    Heaven and Hell

    It’s the season 3 finale! Niko and Lauren discuss a variety of underworlds, Dante’s Inferno, The Good Place, and why everything you thought you knew about heaven and hell is wrong. Plus: medieval hellmouths, and ancient Coltons Burpo!
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    • 1 hr 24 min
    Hanukkah

    Hanukkah

    Lauren, Niko, and special guest Sarah Michael (Niko's mom) discuss the Maccabees, dreidel disasters, all nine candles including the shamash, and everything else in the story of Hanukkah. Plus: growing up Jewish in 1960s Flint, Michigan, and Niko doesn't like sour cream on his latkes please!
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    • 1 hr 5 min
    Masada

    Masada

    Niko and Lauren discuss the Zealots, the Sicarii, Flavius Josephus and the destruction of the second temple, and everything else in the story of the siege of Masada. Plus: 20th century Israeli poetry, and Niko wants a taste of those ancient dates!
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    • 1 hr 5 min
    The Life of Flavius Josephus

    The Life of Flavius Josephus

    Lauren and Niko discuss the siege of Jotapata, the destruction of the second temple at Jerusalem, Essene internships, and everything else in The Life of Flavius Josephus. Plus: John and Jesus! But not that John and Jesus!
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    • 1 hr 10 min
    The Dead Sea Scrolls

    The Dead Sea Scrolls

    Niko and Lauren discuss Bedouin goatherds, John the Baptist, a mysterious sect of Judaism called the Essenes, and everything else about the Dead Sea Scrolls. Plus: life in an ancient commune, and why archaeologists shouldn’t use Scotch tape.
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    • 1 hr 5 min
    3 Baruch

    3 Baruch

    Lauren and Niko discuss the phoenix, the angel Phamael, a heavenly ascent, and everything else in the apocryphal book of 3 Baruch. Plus: the thickness of doors is discussed, and what's the poop situation?
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    • 50 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
551 Ratings

551 Ratings

skinnpuppy ,

love it

This is great to binge, I love the hoasts’ interactions, theyre great for each other.
Podcast is similar to Myths and Legends podcast, but with commentary about what they just read. Just give the first 20 minutes of episode 1 a listen, and if youre like me at all, this will be enough to hook you.

I only wish they got a little more detailed with the stories. This podcast is a fantastic overview of each book in the bible, but a podcast that does more detailed stories with a similar attitude is “Bible Stories for Blasphemers”.
Give both a listen!

kristen w 92 ,

Therapeutic podcast for former Christian

I grew up going to a reformed Presbyterian church where everything in the Bible was to be taken literally and considered historically accurate. I was always afraid to question the things that seemed a little wacky or down right messed up. As a former evangelical Christian and now atheist, I find Lauren’s perspective to be very relatable. Niko and Lauren are really fun to listen to and this podcast has been a therapeutic way for me to refresh my memory and dig a little deeper into all this crazy Bible stuff.

Maryfran129 ,

Missing the whole point of Scripture

And making a mockery of many peoples faith. 💔

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