The Unlearning Curve

Karl Forehand
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Copyright 2025 - Stuart Deloney & Karl Forehand While many of us yearn for truth and understanding, the systems we participate in often prevent us from attaining genuine freedom in our everyday lives. As we move away from organized religion, we begin to recognize patterns. We believe that addressing many of these challenges requires us to examine all aspects of our lives, including: * Toxic Leaders * Toxic/Dangerous Organizations * Our Mental Well-Being * The Things We Learn on the Journey Regardless of your belief system, we encourage you to unlearn anything that doesn’t benefit you. This will lead to healing and uncover a new way forward! JD Forehand is the son of a preacher and an overseas educator. Stuart Deloney is a former pastor who is currently a podcaster and blogger at the Snarky Faith community. Karl Forehand is a former pastor who runs The Desert Sanctuary, a home for spiritual nomads, with his wife, Laura. Disclaimer: We view ourselves as practitioners on a journey of discovery rather than as experts. While we strive to transparently share our experiences and the lessons we’re unlearning, we will also refer you to professionals when necessary. Trusted guides will arrive when you need them. Feel free to convey your thoughts, concerns, and necessary corrections to Karl (karl4hand@gmail.com) or Stuart (stuartdelony@gmail.com). Additionally, visit our Facebook page, The Unlearning Curve.

  1. 6d ago

    70 - Copied Faith

    70 — Copied Faith Faith was never supposed to be a copy machine. In this episode of The Unlearning Curve, Stuart, JD, and Karl use the idea of cloning to talk about inherited beliefs, religious conformity, and what happens when people keep reproducing systems they never seriously questioned. The conversation moves from science to church culture, examining how copies of copies can become weaker, stranger, and less connected to the original. The same can happen with faith. Traditions get repeated. Slogans get memorized. Certainty gets inherited. And eventually, people are defending beliefs that may not even belong to them. The group digs into how churches often reward conformity over honesty, size over substance, and control over actual growth. They also talk about the people most often harmed by these systems, including women, LGBTQ+ people, and others pushed to the margins by communities more interested in preserving power than practicing love. This episode is about moving beyond cloned belief and asking harder, better questions: What do I actually believe? What was handed to me? What needs to die? And what, if anything, is still alive? Topics include: Cloning as a metaphor for inherited faith Copy-paste spirituality and church dysfunction Why simple formulas fail complex people Conformity, control, and religious performance Marginalized voices in faith communities Small, honest community over big religious machinery The Unlearning Curve Podcast Copyright 2025 - Stuart Delony & Karl Forehand theunlearningcurvepodcast@gmail.com While many of us yearn for truth and understanding, the systems we participate in often prevent us from attaining genuine freedom in our everyday lives. As we move away from organized religion, we begin to recognize patterns. We believe that addressing many of these challenges requires us to examine all aspects of our lives, including: * Toxic Leaders * Toxic/Dangerous Organizations * Our Mental Well-Being * The Things We Learn on the Journey Regardless of your belief system, we encourage you to unlearn anything that doesn’t benefit you. This will lead to healing and uncover a new way forward! JD Forehand is the son of a preacher and an overseas educator. Stuart Delony is a former pastor, podcaster, and blogger for the Snarky Faith community. Karl Forehand is a former pastor who runs The Desert Sanctuary, a home for spiritual nomads, with his wife, Laura. Disclaimer: We view ourselves as practitioners on a journey of discovery rather than as experts. While we strive to share our experiences and the lessons we’re unlearning transparently, we will also refer you to professionals when necessary. Trusted guides will arrive when you need them. Feel free to convey your thoughts, concerns, and necessary corrections to Karl (karl4hand@gmail.com) or Stuart (stuartdelony@gmail.com). Additionally, visit our Facebook page, The Unlearning Curve.

  2. Jul 14

    69 - The Church is not a Skinner Box

    69 — The Church is not a Skinner Box Many systems don’t help people grow. They train people to comply and then call it transformation. In this episode of The Unlearning Curve, Stuart, Karl, and Jordan discuss behaviorism, Skinner boxes, operant conditioning, and how schools, churches, workplaces, families, and algorithms shape behavior through rewards, punishment, shame, and repetition. The group looks at how “carrot and stick” methods often miss what is actually happening underneath the surface. Compliance is not the same thing as maturity. Obedience is not the same thing as healing. And getting someone to behave the way you want does not mean you have helped them become whole. From classroom management to church discipline to social media dopamine loops, this episode asks a better question: are we trying to help people thrive, or just make them easier to manage? Topics include: Skinner boxes and operant conditioning Behaviorism in schools, churches, and parenting Why compliance is not emotional regulation Shame, punishment, rewards, and control Algorithms and modern conditioning What real growth requires beneath the behavior The Unlearning Curve Podcast Copyright 2025 - Stuart Delony & Karl Forehand theunlearningcurvepodcast@gmail.com While many of us yearn for truth and understanding, the systems we participate in often prevent us from attaining genuine freedom in our everyday lives. As we move away from organized religion, we begin to recognize patterns. We believe that addressing many of these challenges requires us to examine all aspects of our lives, including: * Toxic Leaders * Toxic/Dangerous Organizations * Our Mental Well-Being * The Things We Learn on the Journey Regardless of your belief system, we encourage you to unlearn anything that doesn’t benefit you. This will lead to healing and uncover a new way forward! JD Forehand is the son of a preacher and an overseas educator. Stuart Delony is a former pastor, podcaster, and blogger for the Snarky Faith community. Karl Forehand is a former pastor who runs The Desert Sanctuary, a home for spiritual nomads, with his wife, Laura. Disclaimer: We view ourselves as practitioners on a journey of discovery rather than as experts. While we strive to share our experiences and the lessons we’re unlearning transparently, we will also refer you to professionals when necessary. Trusted guides will arrive when you need them. Feel free to convey your thoughts, concerns, and necessary corrections to Karl (karl4hand@gmail.com) or Stuart (stuartdelony@gmail.com). Additionally, visit our Facebook page, The Unlearning Curve.

  3. Jul 7

    68 - Who Taught You That?

    68 — Who Taught You That? Religious certainty often presents itself as humility, but a lot of the time it functions more like control with a Bible verse taped to it. In this episode of The Unlearning Curve, Stuart, Karl, and Jordan dig into the shaky foundations beneath loud religious confidence: biblical inerrancy, inherited assumptions, groupthink, fear, ego, and the systems that reward people for not asking too many questions. The conversation moves through the origins of religious authority, the way scripture gets used to create false certainty, and how churches and political movements benefit when people mistake compliance for conviction. Along the way, they unpack how slogans, echo chambers, and spiritual-sounding confidence can keep people anxious, obedient, and easy to manage. This one is for anyone who has ever wondered why the people most certain about God often seem the least curious about truth. Topics include: Biblical inerrancy and inherited certainty How religious authority protects itself Groupthink, echo chambers, and fear Why certainty can become ego disguised as faith The difference between conviction and control The Unlearning Curve Podcast Copyright 2026 - Stuart Delony & Karl Forehand theunlearningcurvepodcast@gmail.com While many of us yearn for truth and understanding, the systems we participate in often prevent us from attaining genuine freedom in our everyday lives. As we move away from organized religion, we begin to recognize patterns. We believe that addressing many of these challenges requires us to examine all aspects of our lives, including: * Toxic Leaders * Toxic/Dangerous Organizations * Our Mental Well-Being * The Things We Learn on the Journey Regardless of your belief system, we encourage you to unlearn anything that doesn’t benefit you. This will lead to healing and uncover a new way forward! JD Forehand is the son of a preacher and an overseas educator. Stuart Delony is a former pastor, podcaster, and blogger for the Snarky Faith community. Karl Forehand is a former pastor who runs The Desert Sanctuary, a home for spiritual nomads, with his wife, Laura. Disclaimer: We view ourselves as practitioners on a journey of discovery rather than as experts. While we strive to share our experiences and the lessons we’re unlearning transparently, we will also refer you to professionals when necessary. Trusted guides will arrive when you need them. Feel free to convey your thoughts, concerns, and necessary corrections to Karl (karl4hand@gmail.com) or Stuart (stuartdelony@gmail.com). Additionally, visit our Facebook page, The Unlearning Curve.

  4. Jun 23

    67 - JD Forehand - Fahrenheit 451

    67 - JD Forehand - Fahrenheit 451   The Unlearning Curve Podcast Copyright 2025 - Stuart Delony & Karl Forehand theunlearningcurvepodcast@gmail.com While many of us yearn for truth and understanding, the systems we participate in often prevent us from attaining genuine freedom in our everyday lives. As we move away from organized religion, we begin to recognize patterns. We believe that addressing many of these challenges requires us to examine all aspects of our lives, including: * Toxic Leaders * Toxic/Dangerous Organizations * Our Mental Well-Being * The Things We Learn on the Journey Regardless of your belief system, we encourage you to unlearn anything that doesn’t benefit you. This will lead to healing and uncover a new way forward! JD Forehand is the son of a preacher and an overseas educator. Stuart Delony is a former pastor, podcaster, and blogger for the Snarky Faith community. Karl Forehand is a former pastor who runs The Desert Sanctuary, a home for spiritual nomads, with his wife, Laura. Disclaimer: We view ourselves as practitioners on a journey of discovery rather than as experts. While we strive to share our experiences and the lessons we’re unlearning transparently, we will also refer you to professionals when necessary. Trusted guides will arrive when you need them. Feel free to convey your thoughts, concerns, and necessary corrections to Karl (karl4hand@gmail.com) or Stuart (stuartdelony@gmail.com). Additionally, visit our Facebook page, The Unlearning Curve.

  5. Jun 16

    66 - Stuart - The Problem with God's Plan

    66 - Stuart - The Problem with God's Plan   Stuart discusses inconsistencies in the “God’s Plan” narrative   The Unlearning Curve Podcast Copyright 2025 - Stuart Delony & Karl Forehand theunlearningcurvepodcast@gmail.com While many of us yearn for truth and understanding, the systems we participate in often prevent us from attaining genuine freedom in our everyday lives. As we move away from organized religion, we begin to recognize patterns. We believe that addressing many of these challenges requires us to examine all aspects of our lives, including: * Toxic Leaders * Toxic/Dangerous Organizations * Our Mental Well-Being * The Things We Learn on the Journey Regardless of your belief system, we encourage you to unlearn anything that doesn’t benefit you. This will lead to healing and uncover a new way forward! JD Forehand is the son of a preacher and an overseas educator. Stuart Delony is a former pastor, podcaster, and blogger for the Snarky Faith community. Karl Forehand is a former pastor who runs The Desert Sanctuary, a home for spiritual nomads, with his wife, Laura. Disclaimer: We view ourselves as practitioners on a journey of discovery rather than as experts. While we strive to share our experiences and the lessons we’re unlearning transparently, we will also refer you to professionals when necessary. Trusted guides will arrive when you need them. Feel free to convey your thoughts, concerns, and necessary corrections to Karl (karl4hand@gmail.com) or Stuart (stuartdelony@gmail.com). Additionally, visit our Facebook page, The Unlearning Curve.

  6. Jun 9

    65 - Karl Forehand - Spiritual Atrophy

    65 - Karl Forehand - Spiritual Atrophy   Karl talks about having a stroke and how religion can cause spiritual atrophy   The Unlearning Curve Podcast Copyright 2025 - Stuart Delony & Karl Forehand theunlearningcurvepodcast@gmail.com While many of us yearn for truth and understanding, the systems we participate in often prevent us from attaining genuine freedom in our everyday lives. As we move away from organized religion, we begin to recognize patterns. We believe that addressing many of these challenges requires us to examine all aspects of our lives, including: * Toxic Leaders * Toxic/Dangerous Organizations * Our Mental Well-Being * The Things We Learn on the Journey Regardless of your belief system, we encourage you to unlearn anything that doesn’t benefit you. This will lead to healing and uncover a new way forward! JD Forehand is the son of a preacher and an overseas educator. Stuart Delony is a former pastor, podcaster, and blogger for the Snarky Faith community. Karl Forehand is a former pastor who runs The Desert Sanctuary, a home for spiritual nomads, with his wife, Laura. Disclaimer: We view ourselves as practitioners on a journey of discovery rather than as experts. While we strive to share our experiences and the lessons we’re unlearning transparently, we will also refer you to professionals when necessary. Trusted guides will arrive when you need them. Feel free to convey your thoughts, concerns, and necessary corrections to Karl (karl4hand@gmail.com) or Stuart (stuartdelony@gmail.com). Additionally, visit our Facebook page, The Unlearning Curve.

  7. Jun 1

    64 - Bob Minor - What Makes Us Human

    64 - Bob Minor - What Makes Us Human Bob Minor brings his expertise in world religions to the show.   The Unlearning Curve Podcast Copyright 2025 - Stuart Delony & Karl Forehand theunlearningcurvepodcast@gmail.com While many of us yearn for truth and understanding, the systems we participate in often prevent us from attaining genuine freedom in our everyday lives. As we move away from organized religion, we begin to recognize patterns. We believe that addressing many of these challenges requires us to examine all aspects of our lives, including: * Toxic Leaders * Toxic/Dangerous Organizations * Our Mental Well-Being * The Things We Learn on the Journey Regardless of your belief system, we encourage you to unlearn anything that doesn’t benefit you. This will lead to healing and uncover a new way forward! JD Forehand is the son of a preacher and an overseas educator. Stuart Delony is a former pastor, podcaster, and blogger for the Snarky Faith community. Karl Forehand is a former pastor who runs The Desert Sanctuary, a home for spiritual nomads, with his wife, Laura. Disclaimer: We view ourselves as practitioners on a journey of discovery rather than as experts. While we strive to share our experiences and the lessons we’re unlearning transparently, we will also refer you to professionals when necessary. Trusted guides will arrive when you need them. Feel free to convey your thoughts, concerns, and necessary corrections to Karl (karl4hand@gmail.com) or Stuart (stuartdelony@gmail.com). Additionally, visit our Facebook page, The Unlearning Curve.

  8. May 26

    63 - JD Forehand - The Politics of Looking Away

    63 - JD Forehand - The Politics of Looking Away JD talks about the current climate of supporting evil within our own groups.   The Unlearning Curve Podcast Copyright 2025 - Stuart Delony & Karl Forehand theunlearningcurvepodcast@gmail.com While many of us yearn for truth and understanding, the systems we participate in often prevent us from attaining genuine freedom in our everyday lives. As we move away from organized religion, we begin to recognize patterns. We believe that addressing many of these challenges requires us to examine all aspects of our lives, including: * Toxic Leaders * Toxic/Dangerous Organizations * Our Mental Well-Being * The Things We Learn on the Journey Regardless of your belief system, we encourage you to unlearn anything that doesn’t benefit you. This will lead to healing and uncover a new way forward! JD Forehand is the son of a preacher and an overseas educator. Stuart Delony is a former pastor, podcaster, and blogger for the Snarky Faith community. Karl Forehand is a former pastor who runs The Desert Sanctuary, a home for spiritual nomads, with his wife, Laura. Disclaimer: We view ourselves as practitioners on a journey of discovery rather than as experts. While we strive to share our experiences and the lessons we’re unlearning transparently, we will also refer you to professionals when necessary. Trusted guides will arrive when you need them. Feel free to convey your thoughts, concerns, and necessary corrections to Karl (karl4hand@gmail.com) or Stuart (stuartdelony@gmail.com). Additionally, visit our Facebook page, The Unlearning Curve.

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About

Copyright 2025 - Stuart Deloney & Karl Forehand While many of us yearn for truth and understanding, the systems we participate in often prevent us from attaining genuine freedom in our everyday lives. As we move away from organized religion, we begin to recognize patterns. We believe that addressing many of these challenges requires us to examine all aspects of our lives, including: * Toxic Leaders * Toxic/Dangerous Organizations * Our Mental Well-Being * The Things We Learn on the Journey Regardless of your belief system, we encourage you to unlearn anything that doesn’t benefit you. This will lead to healing and uncover a new way forward! JD Forehand is the son of a preacher and an overseas educator. Stuart Deloney is a former pastor who is currently a podcaster and blogger at the Snarky Faith community. Karl Forehand is a former pastor who runs The Desert Sanctuary, a home for spiritual nomads, with his wife, Laura. Disclaimer: We view ourselves as practitioners on a journey of discovery rather than as experts. While we strive to transparently share our experiences and the lessons we’re unlearning, we will also refer you to professionals when necessary. Trusted guides will arrive when you need them. Feel free to convey your thoughts, concerns, and necessary corrections to Karl (karl4hand@gmail.com) or Stuart (stuartdelony@gmail.com). Additionally, visit our Facebook page, The Unlearning Curve.

Information

  • Creator
    Karl Forehand
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    70
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 All rights reserved by Karl Forehand
  • Show Website
    The Unlearning Curve

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