Best Kyle Whitaker Podcasts (2024)

1
The Bible, Evangelicalism, and Propaganda with Scott Coley 1:17:21

5d ago1:17:21

1:17:21

Text us your questions! Good, Bible-believing Christians should just automatically be Republicans. Everybody knows this. Have you heard that sort of argument or been led to believe that this is just the "biblical" way? If so, that probably means you've been given a hearty serving of propaganda. Our friend and philosopher Scott Coley wrote Ministers…

1
Pastors Behaving Badly with Sheila Gregoire 59:26

23d ago59:26

59:26

Text us your questions! Evangelical megachurch pastors saying cringe things is nothing new, right? However, there's a point when cringe turns destructive and abusive. That's what this episode is about. Dallas/Ft. Worth megachurch pastor Josh Howerton said some very ugly and destructive things, and then doubled down with a weak (plagiarized) apology…

1
God, Goodness, and Choice: A Conversation with Bruce Reyes-Chow 1:02:53

1M ago1:02:53

1:02:53

Text us your questions! We speak with Bruce Reyes-Chow about his recent book Everything Good about God Is True, a primer on what it means to choose faith in the midst of a bleeding world and an often broken church. We discuss the Christian ethic of loving enemies, listening, having compassion across ideological division, embodying faith in the publ…

1
Q&A Bonus Episode: Corporate Deconstruction 47:58

1M ago47:58

47:58

Text us your questions! Jeff Cook is back with us to dive deeper into deconstruction, inspired by our interview with Keri Ladouceur, the Executive Director of the Post-Evangelical Collective. We discuss the nature of deconstruction, its corporate, personal, and ethical dimensions, and what it implies about what's next. And because we're nerds, we a…

1
Recovering Enchantment in a Secular Age: Interview with Richard Beck 1:24:06

2M ago1:24:06

1:24:06

Text us your questions! Psychologist and author Richard Beck joins us to discuss his recent book Hunting Magic Eels: Recovering an Enchanted Faith in a Skeptical Age. Richard is an engaging critic of some forms of contemporary "disenchanted" spirituality. He's also a fun dialogue partner and a good sport, who was willing to roll with Kyle's annoyin…

1
You Shouldn't Have To Celebrate Your Wife On Mother's Day: Moshe Kasher 49:25

2M ago49:25

49:25

**RERELEASE!!** Taylor (9 months pregnant) is joined by comedian/author Moshe Kasher (The Honeymoon Special, Kasher In The Rye) to debate the celebration of motherhood to the death. Blood is shed over veterans, mom group think tanks, and being a child of divorce. RIP Moshe!By Taylor Cox

1
Is American Democracy in Danger? Interview with David Gushee 1:17:34

2M ago1:17:34

1:17:34

Text us your questions! David Gushee is back on the show to discuss his book Defending Democracy from Its Christian Enemies, an erudite, timely, and disturbing take on American democracy, its struggles with authoritarianism, and its place on the global political stage. We discuss such questions as: How are government and morality related? What does…

1
Making Sense of Negative Theology: Peter Rollins, Part 2 1:28:50

3M ago1:28:50

1:28:50

Text us your questions! Believe it or not, this is our 100th episode! And what better way to spend it than diving back in with Peter Rollins, a guest who is unusually suited to the regular themes of our show, while also throwing some wrenches into pretty much everything we do. :-) Picking up with where we left off in Part 1, we explore the sense in…

1
Disillusionment, Pyrotheology, and the Death of God: Peter Rollins, Part 1 1:05:38

3M ago1:05:38

1:05:38

Text us your questions! Break out your dictionaries folks, this one got in the weeds a bit. But if you're familiar with Peter Rollins, you're probably not too surprised by that. Peter is a philosopher, public intellectual, and self-described anti-guru who writes and speaks extensively about concepts like the death of God, negative theology, "pyroth…

1
Is Your Theology Too Small? A Conversation with Trey Ferguson 1:27:47

4M ago1:27:47

1:27:47

Text us your questions! Trey Ferguson of the New Living Treyslation and Three Black Men podcasts joins us to discuss his new book Theologizin' Bigger: Homilies on Living Freely and Loving Wholly. We talk about the Bible, the difference between "theologizin'" and theology, the racial dynamics of deconstruction, why evangelicals are so obsessed with …

1
Is There a Soul? 1:06:32

4M ago1:06:32

1:06:32

Text us your questions! In this episode, Kyle and Randy discuss the philosophy of the soul and its implications for religious belief, the lived experience of faith, and even ethics. Kyle is a materialist, which means he thinks humans are physical objects, and Randy leans towards dualism, which involves belief in a soul or non-physical part of a hum…

1
Randy Quit 1:01:12

4M ago1:01:12

1:01:12

Text us your questions! ... drinking. This is a more personal episode for us, particularly for Randy. As you know, we like alcohol around here, especially whiskey. In this episode, we chat about that and the presence it's had on our podcast and in our lives. Can we have a "healthy relationship" with alcohol? What does that look like? How does that …

1
Changing Our Mind with David Gushee 1:19:49

5M ago1:19:49

1:19:49

Text us your questions! David Gushee is an influential Christian ethicist who famously changed his mind about LGBTQ Christians. His 2014 book Changing Our Mind (now in its third edition) has been celebrated and widely recommended as an honest and forceful reckoning with the ethical issues surrounding LGBTQ Christians and the church's complicity in …

1
Philosophy in the Wild: Aaron Simmons 1:20:34

5M ago1:20:34

1:20:34

Text us your questions! Philosopher Aaron Simmons joins us to discuss his new book Camping with Kierkegaard. It's all about living life in a way that is "worthy of your finitude," avoiding becoming an "asshole capitalist," and learning how to value the things in your life with the help of folks like Kierkegaard and Simone de Beauvoir. We discuss li…

1
After Evangelicalism with Keri Ladouceur 1:21:31

6M ago1:21:31

1:21:31

Text us your questions! Where do we engage when we're done with evangelicalism, but we don't want to be done with the church? Thanks be to God, there are new signs of life springing up in the post-evangelical wasteland, and we're so here for it. Keri Ladouceur leads one of those hopeful spaces called the Post Evangelical Collective. Keri is the Exe…

1
William Paul Young & Brad Jersak: Judgment, Wrath, Hell, and the God Who Is Love (Re-Release from S01E11) 1:14:51

6M ago1:14:51

1:14:51

Text us your questions! For New Year's, we're re-airing an episode from Season 1 in which we discuss God and love in the context of suffering, abuse, betrayal, and addiction with William Paul Young and Brad Jersak. It remains one of our most popular episodes to date, and we hope re-airing it will introduce it to new listeners. Enjoy! We'll be back …

1
The Worst Way To Hit On Someone Is With Cards Or A Guitar: Felicia Day 1:14:22

7M ago1:14:22

1:14:22

Taylor is joined by actor/writer Felicia Day (Supernatural, The Guild) to discuss flirting etiquette. Blood is shed over trapping a love interest in a commercial audition, playing guitar at your coworkers, and the best/worst ways to pick up a date. RIP Felicia!By Taylor Cox

1
The Other Side of Advent with Brian Zahnd 1:16:54

7M ago1:16:54

1:16:54

Text us your questions! Merry Christmas! Brian Zahnd is back on the show to discuss his Christmas devotional The Anticipated Christ. We talk about why he's "trying to be religious," the difference between Christmas and Advent, the book of Isaiah, the Magnificat, what nonviolence has to do with Advent, the current Israel–Hamas war, and more. We also…

1
We Should Make Santa Real: Kyle Mack 1:01:24

7M ago1:01:24

1:01:24

We've been lying to our children about Santa for centuries. Taylor is joined by comedy writer Kyle Mack (American Auto, Mythic Quest) who believes it's time we right our wrongs by making Santa real. Kyle has a business proposal to make this happen. Taylor tries to hate it. Get in the REAL Christmas spirit as they debate how, why, and whether or not…

1
Space Is Stupid / Doritos Are Bad: Teresa Hsiao & Cherry Chevapravatdumrong 1:02:41

7M ago1:02:41

1:02:41

Taylor is joined by comedy writer/producers Teresa Hsiao & Cherry Chevapravatdumrong (JOY RIDE) to debate space and snacks. Blood is shed over NASA nerds, tastebuds, and choosing your own on screen vagina double. RIP Teresa & Cherry!By Taylor Cox

1
Theology, Race, and Inclusion: An Interview w/ Dr. Willie James Jennings 1:14:55

7M ago1:14:55

1:14:55

Text us your questions! This is such a rich conversation. Dr. Willie James Jennings is an incredible theologian who teaches Systematic Theology and Africana Studies at Yale Divinity School. Dr. Jennings has written influential books like, The Christian Imagination: Theology and Origins of Race, After Whiteness: An Education in Belonging, and a grou…

1
No One Should Talk At The Gym: Matt Whitaker 58:22

7M ago58:22

58:22

Taylor is joined by comedy writer Matt Whitaker (Girls5eva, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt) to discuss gym etiquette to the death. Blood is shed over voice over actor exercise gangs, gym dates, and what to do if you see Shawn Mendes working out.By Taylor Cox

1
Theology from the Margins: An Interview w/ Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim 1:15:43

8M ago1:15:43

1:15:43

Text us your questions! How do you process your identity and theology if you feel invisible as a person? What if your story, history, and experience are largely rejected and excluded from the culture you're a part of? How does that shape the way you see God and the world? Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim is a Korean-American theologian who works in liberation …

1
You Can't Watch Reality TV By Yourself: Matt Lieberman 1:00:31

8M ago1:00:31

1:00:31

Taylor is joined by writer/actor/host Matt Lieberman (SourceFed, AfterBuzz TV) to debate reality TV to the death. Blood is shed over having the same name as famous people, the lost episode of HIDO, and how to get the most out of your reality TV experience. RIP Matt!By Taylor Cox

1
Q&A Bonus Episode: The Problem of Evil 57:23

8M ago57:23

57:23

Text us your questions! Jeff joins us to ask some questions about evil and get into the philosophical weeds a bit. What is the connection between God's nature and suffering? Can we say that suffering is meaningless? What was up with Leibniz? And a lot more. If you'd like to ask a question about a recent episode to be featured on one of these bonus …

1
How Liberals, Progressives, Feminists, and Black and LGBTQ People Got Kicked Out of Evangelicalism 1:07:45

8M ago1:07:45

1:07:45

Text us your questions! We discuss the history of evangelicalism with Isaac B. Sharp. Or rather, the alternative history of evangelicalism, for it differs in some significant ways from what you may have heard about how evangelicalism in America developed, and how most of us understand what it is today. Would it surprise you to learn there were once…

1
The Problem of Evil (Part 2) 43:18

9M ago43:18

43:18

Text us your questions! We wrap our discussion of evil and suffering with a look at some other sorts of responses to the problem and a reflection on where we land personally. If you haven't heard part 1, start there first. Due to the subject and the tone of this conversation, these episodes do not include a beverage tasting. Content note: this conv…

1
The Problem of Evil (Part 1) 1:06:06

9M ago1:06:06

1:06:06

Text us your questions! How can people who believe in a good God account for the existence of pervasive suffering and evil? This is the oldest and most powerful objection to both belief in God's existence and religious practice, and it has been the subject of philosophical discussion and theological speculation spanning many religious traditions fo…

1
Q&A Bonus Episode: AI and God 27:47

9M ago27:47

27:47

Text us your questions! Elliot has a few more questions about AI following our conversation with Derek Schuurman. Is AI a Tower of Babel moment? Is there any real reason for concern? Will it go so great that it makes us all soft? If you could live forever, would you? What about the end of the world? Big questions! We do our best for answering on th…

1
Cats Are Snakes: Natalie Morales 32:58

10M ago32:58

32:58

Rerun Day! Today we say goodbye to actor/director/writer Natalie Morales (No Hard Feelings, Parks & Rec, Bojack Horseman) who died on the hill of "Cats are Snakes." Blood is spilled over animal science, conspiracy theories, and feline espionage. RIP Natalie! Art: Mackenzie Moore Editor: Mike Carrier Music: Hayden Coplen…

1
The AI Takeover: A Conversation w/ Dr. Derek C. Schuurman 1:22:49

10M ago1:22:49

1:22:49

Text us your questions! The rise of artificial intelligence has happened at a startlingly rapid rate, and it seems like it's only accelerating by the month. Whether it's AI writing (plagiarizing) college papers and lazy pastors' sermons, potentially curing horrific diseases, making fake humans, or taking over the world, we all have an endless amoun…

1
Tonya Harding Is An American Hero: Kimia Behpoornia 58:23

10M ago58:23

58:23

Taylor is joined by actor/writer Kimia Behpoornia (REBOOT, HACKS, ATYPICAL) to debate the 1994 winter olympic games to the death. Blood is shed over being motivated by your haters, the art of accepting zero responsibility, and the true definition of AMERICAN. RIP Kimia!By Taylor Cox

1
Q&A Bonus Episode: Evangelicals, Nationalism, Guns, and Masculinity 34:41

10M ago34:41

34:41

Text us your questions! Our friend Jeff Cook joins us for a new Q&A segment to reflect on our conversation with Rob Schenck (see parts 1 and 2 of that conversation here and here). This is our second installment of what will become a regular bonus segment with Jeff unpacking the content of certain episodes. You can hear the first installment, on LQB…

1
Christians and Guns: A Conversation with Rob Schenck (Part 2) 53:23

10M ago53:23

53:23

Text us your questions! In the second part of our interview with Rob Schenck, a former Washington insider and heavy hitter in the evangelical pro-life lobbying industry, we discuss gun culture among American Christians and how asking questions about it ultimately cost him the organization he built and led for decades and led to him being ostracized…

1
Smart People Watch Reality TV: Hailey Chavez 1:10:27

10M ago1:10:27

1:10:27

Taylor is joined by writer/comedian Hailey Chavez (SUPERSTORE, UNSTABLE) to debate reality TV to the death. Blood is shed as Taylor and Hailey play the ultimate reality TV bracket to determine which viewers of which reality show are the smartest of them all.By Taylor Cox

1
Working Is Better Than Relaxing: Stephen Schneider 1:03:08

10M ago1:03:08

1:03:08

Taylor is joined by actor/writer Stephen Schneider (Righteous Gemstones, Broad City, You're The Worst) to debate work and leisure to the death. Blood is shed over preparing your penis for its first on camera appearance and the importance of having a side gig. RIP Stephen! Editor: Rainie Toll Art: Mackenzie Moore Music: Hayden Coplen…

1
Abortion and American Nationalist Religion: A Conversation with Rob Schenck (Part 1) 53:17

11M ago53:17

53:17

Text us your questions! Season 4 is here! To kick it off, we've got a 2-parter for you with Rob Schenck, a former Washington insider and heavy hitter in the evangelical Christian lobbying industry. Rob was an influential voice in the pro-life movement for decades, but lost his position, and his funding, when he began to question the consistency of …

1
Bullying Is Fine: Patty Guggenheim 50:15

11M ago50:15

50:15

Taylor is joined by actor/comedian Patty Guggenheim (She Hulk, Florida Girls, Groundlings) to debate all things bullying to the death. Blood is shed over mean girls, relationship teasing, and pranking Ron Perlman. RIP Patty!! Editor: Will Witwer Art: Mackenzie Moore Music: Hayden CoplenBy Taylor Cox

1
Summer Sucks: Honora Talbott 52:51

11M ago52:51

52:51

Taylor is joined by writer/director/actor Honora Talbott (JFL, Tribeca, AFI Fest) to debate all things summer to the death. Blood is shed over heat waves, beach time, and competing against babies in commercial auditions. RIP Honora!By Taylor Cox

1
January 6, White Christian Nationalism, and How We Got Here, with Bradley Onishi 1:20:57

11M ago1:20:57

1:20:57

Text us your questions! We speak with Dr. Bradley Onishi, a religion scholar whose latest book, Preparing for War: The Extremist History of White Christian Nationalism and What Comes Next, explores the rise of the extremist religious right in America and its evolution from the 1960s through the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6, 2021. We dis…

1
Jennifer Aniston Is The Greatest Comedian Of All Time: Mariah Smith 1:01:44

11M ago1:01:44

1:01:44

Taylor is joined by writer/comedian/podcaster Mariah Smith (Grownish, Smith Sisters Live, Outmatched) to debate the best living comedians of our time. Blood is shed over leading ladies of the 90's/2000's that deserve more respect in the comedy space. RIP Mariah!By Taylor Cox

1
Spoilers Are Not A Thing: Laci Mosley 1:05:19

11M ago1:05:19

1:05:19

Taylor is joined by actor/comedian/podcast host Laci Mosley (iCarly, The Outlaws, Scam Goddess) to debate spoilers to the death. Blood is shed over twitter discourse, group thread etiquette, and hiding from social media until you've watched it all. RIP Laci!By Taylor Cox

1
The Meeting That Changed the Church 1:21:47

12M ago1:21:47

1:21:47

Text us your questions! Many Protestants don't understand or appreciate how transformational Vatican II was for the Catholic Church and the whole global Christian Church in general. Our friend and Catholic theologian Shaun Blanchard co-wrote a book called Vatican II: A Very Short Introduction. In this episode, we chat with Shaun about the size, sco…

1
Vanderpump Rules Should Be Studied In School: Jen D'Angelo 57:47

12M ago57:47

57:47

Taylor is joined by writer/actor/director Jen D'Angelo (Hocus Pocus 2, Solar Opposites, Workaholics) to debate Vanderpump Rules to the death. Blood is shed as Jen lays out a full sociology class curriculum that we sincerely hope she teaches from the grave. RIP Jen!By Taylor Cox

1
The AI apocalypse is fine, everybody chill 44:58

12M ago44:58

44:58

Taylor is joined by writer/director David Jenkins (creator of OUR FLAG MEANS DEATH and PEOPLE OF EARTH) for a fight to the death over AI. Blood is spilled over the end of the world with + a little sneak peak as to when we can expect the new season of OFMD.By Taylor Cox

1
Arguing About the Enneagram 1:16:57

12M ago1:16:57

1:16:57

Text us your questions! If you're an American evangelical or used to be, there's a good chance you've heard of the Enneagram. You may have even run into it in another context or heard about it from friends who are really into personality tests. We've discussed it briefly on the show before, and we've wanted to eventually give it its own episode bec…

1
Every Holiday Should Be Dress Up Themed: Jana Schmieding 48:05

12M ago48:05

48:05

Taylor is joined by actor/writer/comedian Jana Schmieding (Rutherford Falls, Reservation Dogs) for a fight to the death over holidays. Blood is shed as the two transform each holiday into a theme party built for America. RIP Jana!By Taylor Cox

1
Shoes Should Be Off In The House: Sherry Cola 37:36

1y ago37:36

37:36

Throwback ep! Taylor is joined by actor/comedian Sherry Cola (Joy Ride, Good Trouble, Turning Red) to debate shoe culture, germaphobes, and a sexually active lady bug epidemic that's sweeping the nation. Art: Mackenzie Moore Music: Hayden Coplen Editor: Will WitwerBy Taylor Cox

1
Why the Church Should Be LGBTQ+ Affirming With Tom and Alexa Oord 1:19:58

1y ago1:19:58

1:19:58

Text us your questions! Tom Oord is back! Dr. Thomas Oord and his daughter Alexa compiled and edited a book called Why the Church of the Nazarene Should be Fully LGBTQ+ Affirming." We wanted to talk to them about the book because everyone in the church (not just the Church of the Nazarene) is talking about human sexuality and whether or not the chu…

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