Dispelling one stigma at a time.
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Comedian Justin Randall and musician Calvin Arsenia dive into their pasts as super Christian kids — we’re talking wild times at church camp, speaking in tongues, and LOTS of sexual frustration — and explore how they’ve wrestled with their ideas of religion and deconversion in adulthood as queer entertainers. They also chat with other former Christian Kids and get the scoop on their journeys with Christ himself. Have a similar story or questions to share? Call and leave a message at 913-283-4 ...
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Ep. 33: Christ's Supernatural Vacuum Cleaner!
46:52
46:52
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Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) take a look back on the entire We Were Christian Kids journey since beginning the podcast in December. They reflect on why they started, what they've learned and where they are now. And they also have an announcement to make. We love you all!…
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Ep. 32: Ralph Lauren Not Frankincense! (with Mark Manning)
1:14:32
1:14:32
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Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) are joined by Mark Manning (@wednesday_midday_medley)! Mark is a radio DJ and producer for KKFI 90.1 FM, queer advocate, theatre artist and performer. He also leads a community garden program for schools in Kansas City, Kansas. They discuss both growing up in and leaving the chur…
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Ep 31: Miracle Cannibalism! (with Marley Allenbrand and Anna Dimmel)
1:00:17
1:00:17
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Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) are joined by amazing guests Marley Allenbrand (@marleyann) and Anna Dimmel (@annadimmel). We talk about -- naturally -- Christian upbringings, both evangelical and Catholic. We also discuss coming out, doing it safely, and working toward healing internalized homophobia. Best of …
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Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) discuss being "gayvangelical," a term Calvin coined (we think, we didn't Google it). How is the coming out process, the finding of new community and the attempt to bring others into your understanding similar to the conversion experience for evangelicals? And can we be PROUD gayv…
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Ep 29: Cringey Christian Facebook Posts from 2008!
28:51
28:51
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Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) do the cringiest thing ever: they dive back into their super-Christian Facebook statuses from 2008, when they were seniors in high school and deeply brainwashed. This episode is hilarious if you like hearing what two nerds sound like!! They also dig into the background around eac…
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Ep 28: What Was The Question? (with Max Crumm)
1:07:48
1:07:48
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Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) are joined by the hilarious Max Crumm (@maxcrumm) in this delightful interview. They hear a new perspective: being a Christian kid but knowing it wasn't a good fit all along. Also! Worship leading, coming out, and what the church needs to do right now. This is fun!!!…
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Ep 27: It's Pretty Cool To Be Queer! (with Helmut Domagalski)
1:15:26
1:15:26
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Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) sit down with host of The Gayly Dose podcast, Helmut Domagalski (@helmut_smile)! They talk about his youth in the Church of Christ, his journey to coming out, and what it's like being a gay dad in 2021. We also discuss the beauty of being queer and the unique gift it affords us!!…
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It's Pride month!!! So Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) are sharing their coming out stories in all their Christian-kid detail! They also discuss what "pride" means to them and how being their authentic selves has changed how they see the world. They are glad to be gay, baby!!!…
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Ep 25: Trauma Porn! (with Anna Joy Walker)
1:08:04
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Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) are joined by Anna Joy Walker, who grew up in a number of charismatic churches and went on to be a leader in ministry at an internationally-known 24/7 house of prayer and worship. She discusses trauma - largely religious - and the journey to recovering from traumatic experiences.…
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Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) talk about allll the things they were forbidden to do as Christian kids. Some were self-imposed (in Calvin's case) and some were off-limits by parental mandate. Harry Potter, Aladdin, Halloween, all non-Christian music and of course anything SEX related... we go down the list. Se…
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Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) react to the 2006 documentary, "Jesus Camp," which focuses on a charismatic Christian summer camp for kids. It's, uh... triggering, because they identify with so much in the film. From teaching kids to evangelize, leading them in worship and speaking in tongues, and compelling th…
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Ep 22: The Bible Doesn't Say Anything About Being Gay! (with Brandan Robertson)
1:04:08
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Well, this episode is amazing. Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) talk with author, minister and activist Brandan Robertson (@brandanrobertson), and boy do they learn a lot. They discuss the Bible and homosexuality (and how it's not actually mentioned!), progressive Christianity, and being willing to embrace uncer…
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Ep 21: Bibleman's Daughter! (with Harleigh Ellsworth)
1:01:44
1:01:44
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Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) are joined by long-time pal and amazing human Harleigh Ellsworth (@dearharleigh)! They talk about coming out, purity rings, spiritual experiences (gold dust!) and what it was like to grow up in the spotlight of church ministry. They also, OBVIOUSLY, discuss what it was like being…
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Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) go through an actual LIST of crazy shit their pastors said in the past. From talking about Brokeback Mountain mid-sermon to telling crowds of millennials they are the "chosen generation," things got weird. Let's review! Also, write in and tell us crazy shit YOUR pastors have said…
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Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) talk about family stuff! Relating to still-Christian family members and friends, maintaining relationships when you fundamentally disagree, creating art and content that your loved ones don't approve of, and staying sane through it all. All that and more! Follow us at @christiank…
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Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) read emails and listen to voicemails from their beloved listeners once again! They discuss growing up gay in the church and unwiring the teachings that were instilled at a young age. This is a particularly heartfelt episode. We are a community! We love you guys. Please write in a…
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Ep 17: I Don't Believe in Jesus Saves!
1:00:20
1:00:20
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Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) talk with Enrique Chi and Diego Chi (@iamdiego) from the band Making Movies (@mkngmvs). They discuss leaving the church, creating music and connecting with audiences, as well as the harm Christianity has wrought on humanity. Stream their new single, "Listening Wind" now!!…
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Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) talk about sex positions! Wait, no, they talking about actually BEING a missionary. Youth group mission trips, extended stays as a missionary, and just generally trying to convert people around the world. They also discuss how problematic that is! Yikes! We know more now! Follow …
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Ep 15: The Pelican Flies to the Moon! (with Zach Zimmerman)
1:13:45
1:13:45
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Comedian and writer Zach Zimmerman (@zzdoublezz) joins Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) to talk about devouring the Bible as a youth, the vast idea of eternity, and he even does a MAGIC TRICK. This is a fun one!!! Find Zach's comedy album "Clean Comedy" on iTunes and Spotify!…
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When the pastor says your eternity hangs in the balance, that it's heaven or hell, and to come down to the stage if you want to get saved -- that's what we're talking about! Altar calls, man. The fear tactics they employ and how the effects of them can linger years later. Calvin also discusses a "salvation play" he saw as a child, and how it scared…
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Ep 13: High-Key Psychological Warfare! (with JJ Bozeman)
1:05:57
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Actor and Renaissance man JJ Bozeman (@jjbozeman) joins Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) to talk about his journey as a Christian Kid. They get into psychological warfare in the church, being both gay and Christian -- and gay and NOT Christian, and how being queer led them to more deeply examine and question the…
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This episode is alllllll about the listeners. Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) tune into listener voicemails and emails and it is an amazing time. They talk about being a kid in church, gay marriage and original sin, just to name a few things. If you're a listener, call in or write us!! We love hearing from you!…
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Ep 11: A Better Place for Our Younger Selves! (with Grace Semler Baldridge)
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1:00:04
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Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) are joined by Grace Semler Baldridge (@gracebaldridge) who recently spent four days at the top of the iTunes Christian music chart with her new EP "Preacher's Kid." They talk about Grace's upbringing in the church, an emergence of queer music in the Christian music industry, and …
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Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) reminisce on times of singing worship music in church. They chat about different music styles, raising hands while singing (or not), and also -- Calvin sings for us! Like four different songs! If worship music ever got you in your FEELINGS, this episode is for you. Follow us! @ch…
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Ep 9: I Can Be Completely Who I Am! (with Brian Falduto)
59:37
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Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) are joined by actor, singer-songwriter and life coach Brian Falduto (@brianfalduto)! They discuss questioning religion in college, searching for who you really are, and developing your own spirituality in adulthood. Brian also shares the inspiration behind his song "God Loves Me …
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Justin Randall and Calvin Arsenia go deep in this episode. They discuss what "purity culture" was to them, how sex was often presented as an entirely "bad" and sinful thing, and whether they still feel the lasting effects of that conditioning. Plus Calvin tells the tale of his purity ring. And the episode is funny too, don't worry!…
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Ep 7: Three Best Friends! (with Kasey Hammeke)
1:14:02
1:14:02
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Best friend of the pod, Kasey Hammeke, joins Justin Randall and Calvin Arsenia to talk about their high school days together (largely spent in prayer). She shares her story of deconversion, having children, and how a church program she gave years of her life to turned out to be manipulative and destructive in many ways. They also talk about how BOT…
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Justin Randall and Calvin Arsenia explore the end of the world! They discuss the "Left Behind" series (both hilarious and terrifying), praying for Jesus to return and how the rapture was taught to them since they were tiny children. They also listen to a caller's experience with End Times teachings. Also: Jesus in space!…
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Ep 5: Sober from Jesus! (with Aaron Goldenberg)
59:29
59:29
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Justin Randall and Calvin Arsenia have their first guest! Aaron Goldenberg is an actor, comedian, content creator and TikTok star and he comes on the pod to talk about his history with the church. They discuss the stigma of switching churches/denominations, coming out of the closet, and what life is like after the structure and security of religion…
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Justin Randall and Calvin Arsenia get REAL in this one, and open up about their high school evangelism, telling people they were going to hell, a disastrous morning at Bible study, and other things they regret. They also take a call from a listener in their first "Testimony Time!" segment and discuss their experience with the coming out process. Li…
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It's a Christmas episode of We Were Christian Kids! Justin Randall and Calvin Arsenia talk about MARIAH CAREY, childhood Christmas traditions, Santa Claus (and more importantly "Santa Daddy"), and having to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus. They also discuss how their family Christmas dynamic shifted as they grew up and came out, and how they feel abou…
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Justin Randall and Calvin Arsenia get INTO their church camp experiences, from "naked night" (see: homoerotic) and falling victim to pranks, to prayer and worship and spiritual experiences. They also discuss hell (fun!) and the fear of going there, as well as prayer lists filled with the names of their peers. As always, they talk about sexual confu…
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Justin Randall and Calvin Arsenia talk speaking in tongues, fasting, getting saved, family dynamics, being sheltered, trying to *pray the gay away* and much more in this week’s (very first!) episode of We Were Christian Kids.
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In the wake of George Floyd, I revisited an interview from MLK Day 2020. I talk with Dr. Stefan Bradley about the history of young people at the forefront of political revolutions, the Ferguson uprising, and remembering the lives of those who have been taken by the police. #BlackLivesMatter
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"It's Just Grit, Gratitude, & Goal-Setting
25:42
25:42
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In this episode I talk to Life Coach & Motivational Speaker, Sarahn Sankofa. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Sarahn brings a fresh perspective on what self-satisfaction is really about.
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In this episode I travel to New York City to interview my friend, author, and journalist Akintunde Ahmad to talk about his article "The Bleak Truth Behind My ‘Inspiring’ Path From Oakland to Yale."
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In this episode I interview my dear friend, Char Baluyot. After meeting randomly on the streets of Brooklyn, New York we found ourselves moving through life simultaneously. We talk about what it was like leaving our comfort zone and what we learned on our journeys from Sunny L.A. to the Big Apple.
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In this episode, I sit down with actress, singer and friend, Shanice Williams.
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In this episode, I take a trip to Skid Row to visit my friend, Elias Loera at the Midnight Mission. He shares his story of sorrow, regret, and change.
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In this episode, I fly to Salt Lake City to talk with Dr. Rachel Alicia Griffin, an associate professor at the University of Utah, Department of Communication. We talk about the epistemological realm of Black Feminist Thought in her essay, "I AM an Angry Black Woman."
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In this episode, I give up my mic for various women to share their stories on abortion and sexual violence. #VoicesAgainstAlabama
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In this episode I explore the conflicting identities of black people, with the help of two recent Loyola Marymount University grads. We talk about black fluidity; double consciousness; being black at a predominantly white institution (PWI); and the love for our communities.
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After eight months of going to therapy myself, I've noticed a huge improvement in my mental stability. Mental health is often something so stigmatized that it's standing in the way of people getting the treatment they deserve. I invited my therapist Ashley Crisp to join me on today's show. We discuss ways to overcome these stigmas and different typ…
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I dedicate my first episode of "It's Just a Podcast" to late rapper, activist, and entrepreneur Nipsey Hussle. This episode is the ice breaker of "It's Just a Podcast" aiming to dispel stigmas'. Individuality to me, is the ability to set yourself apart from the crowd. That means showing up as fully and as authentically you as possible. For some, fi…
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