The Backslider Diaries

Hymns, Hooks, and Head Games: The Psychology of Church Music

From saccharine choruses to mind-bending repetition, discover how church music worms its way into your brain… and keeps you coming back for more. 🎵 Opening music by The

Are You Man Enough For God

What does it mean to "be a man" in evangelical culture? In this episode, T and Lance unpack the suffocating gender expectations placed on boys and men in the church—where

Deconstrucing And It Feels So Good

T, J, and Lance — three former Pentecostal preacher’s kids — unpack how religious upbringing still shapes their lives today. From trust issues and emotional avoidance to

The First Time

The Backslider Diaries – The First Time In this episode, we dive headfirst into all our firsts — first concert, first kiss, first drug, first time getting in trouble, and

Spare The Rod

In this raw and necessary episode of The Backslider Diaries, T , J, and Lance sit down to unpack the difficult reality of abuse within faith communities. From personal ex

Miracles, Money & Manipulation

They promised healing. They delivered a show. In this episode, we dive into the dark underbelly of faith healing—where staged miracles, emotional exploitation, and spirit

Families Divided-MAGA & the Cult of Personality

In this one, we dive into how political polarization—especially the rise of MAGA ideology—has created rifts in families across the U.S., and how it's become closely tied

Coming Out

Growing Up LGBTQ+ in a Pentecostal Church In this episode of The Backslider Diaries, our guest shares their powerful story of growing up queer in a strict Pentecostal ho

Narcissists in the Pulpit. A look at the "God Told Me" Complex

In this episode, we unpack the dangerous blend of narcissism and spiritual authority often found in evangelical pulpits. What happens when a leader claims divine directio

Deconstructing Belief

In this episode of the Backslider Diaries, hosts T and J delve into their experiences growing up in a Pentecostal environment, exploring themes of religious trauma, purit

From Tongues to Truth: A Preacher's Kid Journey Begins

In our very first episode, we introduce ourselves — two preacher’s kids who grew up deep in the world of Pentecostalism. We share our personal stories of faith, fear, and