What a great conversation!
Dana brings such wonderful insight into her life experiences. It was a pleasure hearing her fascinating story.
We discuss some difficult, but important topics today. Child abuse, mental illness, substance abuse, abusive relationships and the fixation on sex by male church authorities.
Dana was raised in a evangelical baptist church and home in California. She was homeschooled from Kindergarten though 6th grade and survived child abuse until she left her hometown to pursue academic training for missionary work. She completed several mission trips in preparation for full time ministry before concluding she could not participate in the field. She de-converted from Christianity in her 20’s and began working to help others do the same by hosting a support group in Chicago and being outspoken about her experiences on social media and in an interview with the Chicago Tribune in 2013. Dana has a Biblical Studies degree from New Tribes Bible Institute and a B.A. in Applied Linguistics from Moody Bible Institute. She received her Masters in Special Education from University of Illinois Chicago. She is a political activist in her community and a teacher, tutor and therapist to children with diverse needs. She actively seeks to help abolish white supremacy and misogyny. She is currently writing a book on de-conversion, specifically from the view of intersectional feminism.
@somestarstuff on twitter
dana.m.smith85@gmail.com
065 Oklahoma Fire Fighter Wiley Gabehart: As a Marine Became an Aggressive Christian. Faith is Tested with Tough Questions. He Looks at Faith & Mental Health Transparently. He's Now an Atheist.
064 Amanda Holloway: Impacted by Sexual Abuse and Mental Illness She Turns to God. She Gets a Bachelors Degree in Youth Ministry. God Does Not Help During a Mental Health Crisis. She's Now an Ex-Chris
063 Jeremy: As a Child He Preached & Gave Altar Calls. Raised Apostolic Pentecostal Christian. When God Doesn't Heal a Blind Man, His Faith is Challenged. He's Now an Atheist.
062 Dying Out Loud with Dave Warnock: ALS Diagnosis and Carpe the F*****g Diem!
060 Catholic Raised. Selective Mutism Prepares Her to be a Nun. Mom Gets Cancer. Grieving without God's Help
059 Timoree Branson: Church was Life. Faith Starts Fracturing. Difficult Talks with Her Christian Husband & Children
058 Janice Selbie of Divorcing Religion: Raised Evangelical. Showed Submission w/a Head Covering. She's now Agnostic Atheist.
057 Firing God author Cheryl Abram. Family of Ministers & Church 6 Days a Week. Tells God to F*** Off
056 Joy Unspeakable: Toxic Faith and Rose-Colored Glasses. Joy Hopper's Memoir
055 Cass Midgley: Everyone's Agnostic Podcast Host/Oklahoma Born/Christianity Gave Purpose & Hope/Earns Masters in Theology at Vanderbilt as an Atheist
054 April Choi: Korean Immigrant/Seminary Student/Teacher in Georgia Public Schools/Eyes Opened by Church History.
053 Stars from Streetlights: Musicians Austrian & Steve Discuss Deconversion & Their New Song "Heathen"
052 Emancipation of a Black Atheist. Author D.K. Evans Shares His Journey out of Christianity
051 Leah Nitcher: Fundamentalist to Atheist-Back & Forth. Mental Health Battle (she's a fighter). Giving God an Ultimatum.
050 Andrew Jasko: Minister Prepping for Missions to India/Bible Caused Mental Distress/Quits Ministry/Starts Over as an Atheist.
049 Gary Hogue: Endures Homelessness, Jail and Tragedy. An Ex-Mormon's Inspiring Story!
048 Richard (Tales from the Church): Satanic Panic, Indoctrinating Kids and Being Raised Southern Baptist with a Pentecostal Twist
047 Objectively Dan: Methodist Raised, He Loved Camp Ministry. Wanted Good Reasons to Believe. He Encounters Street Epistemology!
046 Nicki: Grew up Charismatic & Loved It! Learns to Read People. She Rebels, Then Returns. Her Mom's a Prophet. Doubts Persist, Atheism Follows.
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