Praise Be To Pod
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.
Episodes
52 episodes
The Myth of a Christian Nation | Part 2: Trickle Down American Exceptionalism
This week, Ashley and Bailee continue their deep-dive into the myth of a “Christian nation,” shifting into the modern era and the forces that shaped evangelical political identity as we know it today.We explore the cultural and political...
The Myth of a Christian Nation | Part 1: Evangelical Revisionist History
This week, Ashley and Bailee kick off Part 1 of a deep-dive into one of the most widely accepted beliefs in evangelical culture: that the United States was founded as a Christian nation.From childhood teachings to political messaging, ma...
The Narrow Road | Part 2 | The Threat of Christian Nationalism with Joanna Whaley
In Part 2 of our conversation with Joanna Whaley, we continue unpacking Joanna’s journey from evangelical pastor to political candidate — diving into the intersections of faith, politics, and identity in a time when Christian values and nationa...
The Narrow Road | Part 1 | From Megachurch Pastor to Progressive Political Activist with Joanna Whaley
In Part 1 of our conversation with Joanna Whaley, candidate for Michigan House of Representatives, Ashley and Bailee sit down with Joanna to unpack her story as a former evangelical pastor navigating identity, faith, and institutional power.
The Evangelical Millennials to Social Justice Warrior Pipeline
This week, Ashley and Bailee engage in a discussion and cultural analysis of evangelical millennials — exploring why we are the way that we are. From the militarization of youth at Acquire the Fire to the push to dedicate your l...
The Woman's Place: Roles and Expectations in Evangelical Society
Ashley and Bailee explore the roles and expectations placed on women in evangelical culture, unpacking the theology behind complementarianism, headship, and the idea of women as “helpers.” They discuss how evangelical systems often frame these ...
Codependency: Enmeshment, the Savior Complex, and the Compulsive Need to Rescue
Ashley and Bailee critically examine the culture of codependency that runs deep in many Evangelical communities — reinforcing relationship dynamics of enmeshment, overfunctioning, and blurred boundaries. They unpack how the constant pressure fr...
Reconstructing Lent
Ashley and Bailee get candid about their complicated relationship with Lent and spiritual disciplines after deconstruction — calling out how evangelicals often pride themselves on rejecting liturgical traditions passed down through church histo...
Amish Made | Part 2: Inside America's Least Understood Society
Ashley and Bailee return for Part 2 of their Amish series — this time stepping into the present.They explore modern Amish life: gender roles, education, technology limits, rumspringa, and the qu...
Amish Made | Part 1: The History of America's Most Traditional Lifestyle
Ashley and Bailee turn their attention to a community often romanticized but rarely understood: the Amish.In Part 1 of this two-part series, they trace the movement’s origins in the Radical Reformation, unpacking Anabaptism, adult baptis...
The Conditional Unconditional LOVE of God
Were you obsessed with how much God Loves you? Our Evangelical upbringing taught us that God loves you unconditionally… unless you don’t believe correctly, behave correctly, or die at the wrong time.This week we’re unpacking the “conditi...
Villain Origin Stories: When Our (Past) Evangelical Selves Hurt Others
Ashley and Bailee turn the lens inward, reflecting on the moments they weren’t just harmed by evangelical culture—but actively upheld it.In this episode, they unpack their own “villain origin stories,” examining how fear-based theology, ...
The Hot Devil: Assistant Manager & Pop Culture Icon | Part 2
Ashley and Bailee continue their conversation on the devil, moving from the origins of the mythology to how it showed up in their evangelical upbringing, other religions, and the culture at large. They reflect on the stories they were told in c...
The Hot Devil Himself: History, Mythology, and Paradise Lost | Part 1
Ashley and Bailee explore the origins of the devil and how our modern idea of Satan was shaped less by scripture and more by history, culture, and literature.They trace the evolution of devil mythology through Jewish tradition, Persian d...
What the Hell? | Part 2 | Afterlife Anxiety, Eternal Punishment, & the Devil Himself
Ashley and Bailee continue their exploration of hell, this time reflecting on the personal impact of what they (and other evangelicals) were taught. They discuss how fear-based lessons shaped their beliefs, influenced their choices, and left la...
What the Hell? | Part 1 | Hell's Origins and Culture Shifts
Ashley and Bailee dive into the origins of hell and how it became one of the most powerful—and fear-driven—ideas in evangelical Christianity. They unpack where the concept comes from, how ancient cultures understood the afterlife, and what the ...
Conversations with Holy Ghosting | Living Authentically: Polyamory, Queer Identity, and Separate Bedrooms
In this episode, we join forces with Meg and Sarai from Holy Ghosting to discuss building community as podcast creators without competition. We dive into how we navigate life after religious upbringing, share personal experiences of unraveling ...
New Year, New You
Ashley and Bailee ring in the New Year by sharing what in 2026 they’re looking forward to and what they’re relieved to leave behind from 2025. Joined by their producer Jacob, they talk about the lessons, habits, and narratives that no longer se...
2025: Year in Review
Ashley and Bailee close out 2025 by reflecting on the year behind them—both personally and through the lens of Praise Be to Pod. Joined by their producer Jacob, they revisit the conversations, themes, and moments that shaped the podcas...
The Rise of Christian Homeschooling: When the Church Invades Home
Ashley and Bailee dive into the rise of Christian homeschooling in America. They unpack how homeschooling grew from a fringe alternative into a core strategy of the evangelical movement, shaped by fear of secularism, control, and political infl...
Body Image: A Civil War (Eating Disorder Recovery and Self-Hate)
Content Advisory: This episode includes conversation on eating disorders. Listener discretion is advised.Ashley and Bailee dive into Ashley’s personal journey with body image and eating disorder recovery, shaped by her experience...
Forgive Me Not: Toxic Forgiveness
Ashley and Bailee dig into the idea of toxic forgiveness — the way churches twist forgiveness into a tool for silencing people, protecting abusers, and keeping vulnerable members in line. They unpack how the language of grace, mercy, a...
The Puritans: The Religion That Built & Broke America
Bailee and Ashley take a historical detour—unpacking how the Puritans didn’t just influence early America, but laid the ideological groundwork for today’s alt-right evangelical movement. They trace the through-line from 1600s moral rigidity to ...
Thanksgiving in Exile, Part 2: The Radicalized Family Survival Guide
For part 2 of their Thanksgiving series, Ashley and Bailee move from tension to tactics — breaking down how to actually survive conversations with alt-right and evangelical family members. They share strategies for staying grounded, setting bou...
Thanksgiving in Exile: Love, Family, and Radical Hope
For part 1 of their Thanksgiving series, Ashley and Bailee dig into the tension of coming home to politically divided families. They explore how finding common ground has become harder as the right grows more radicalized — and what that means f...