Drunk Ex-pastors

In DXP #290 we discuss the film I Origins and its implications for our (ongoing) debate about science vs. spirituality (as in, is a purely scientific worldview reductionistic? Is there an afterlife?). We talk a bit about the Netflix series Narcos: Mexico, as well as other media we’ve been consuming lately. We then turn our attention back to the Proust Questionnaire, delving into such topics as our most treasured possessions, our lowest depth of misery, and what we most value in one another (awww, right?).

DXP #289 begins with a harrowing account of what happens when you (1) go out drinking with a bunch of DXP fans, (2) rent an electric scooter, and (3) attempt to make it back to your hotel unharmed (hint: The answer is surgery. Surgery is what happens.) We debrief about our recent DXP Cruise, after which we resume taking the Proust Questionnaire, answering personal questions about our greatest achievements, our most wished-for talent, as well as what we would most like to change about ourselves.

In this special episode of Drunk Ex-Pastors we sit down and chat with theologian/musician Dan Koch. Our discussion focuses on our own spiritual deconstruction and the challenges we faced as we let go of many of our prior-held spiritual beliefs. We touch a bit on the relationship of science and faith, as well as on the role that fear plays in spiritual development.

After finally figuring out how to pronounce the word “psychopathy,” we try to figure out the age-old question of who would last longer in a sudden drought: the well-hydrated person who is always drinking water or the person who rarely drinks water and is used to being dehydrated. We then move on to the Proust Questionnaire where we get through questions 10-16 answering questions such as “What do you most dislike about your appearance?” and “Which living person do you despise the most?” Biebers include unnecessary spellings and conference room/bathroom proximity.

After some Star Wars banter and a voicemail offering us serious money if we review the film Cats (something we are actually considering because we are whores), we spend the bulk of the episode taking the famous Proust Questionnaire (we only get about 1/3 of the way through it), answering questions like “What is your idea of true happiness?”, “What quality do you most deplore in yourself?”, and “Which living person do you most admire?” Biebers involve popcorn and philistines who don’t even know Greek.

In this episode of Drunk Ex-Pastors we chat with Dave Warnock, an ex evangelical pastor turned atheist. We discuss the factors that led to his spiritual deconstruction and “apostasy,” as well as how the non-Christians in his life have turned out to be much more Christlike than the believers ever were. Dave was recently diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and has been given only a few years to live. We talk about his “Dying Out Loud” tour, and the effects his mortality have had on his day to day life.

Episode #284 of DXP begins with a voicemail criticizing us (gasp!) for our poor pronunciation skills, after which another caller explains how big mountains are. We discuss the mechanics of masturbation as well as how far into puberty it should take before a boy figures out how to do it. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of The Rise of Skywalker, after which we share our biebers (which have to do with turning left and stupid sayings).

We begin this episode of DXP by revisiting the topic of the inevitability of death (but not inconsequential deaths, deaths that actually matter). We then choose the meanest, drunkest, and funniest voicemails we have received over the past few months and turn the tables by calling these listeners live on the air. We discuss the therapeutic use of psychedelics, which leads to the issue of how much mistrust of traditional western medicine is appropriate. Biebers involve verbiage and stop sign etiquette.

In this episode of Drunk Ex-Pastors we play a listener’s voicemail about death, which leads us into a discussion about so-called “Optimistic Nihilism,” a view that says that we can still find beauty in the world despite everything being pointless and destined to ruin. We then turn our attention to a recent study suggesting that people living in red states have worse—and significantly shorter—lives than their blue-state-dwelling superiors. Biebers involve search engines and fatty nuts.

DXP #281 begins with a voicemail from an old friend, after which we give an update about whether both of us will actually be on our upcoming cruise. We debate about which ‘80s films are the most iconic, and then weigh in a bit on the new (and controversial) Peloton ad. After discussing the 2020 election we muse a bit on the topic of mortality and death, and then talk about which animals are OK to eat, if any. Biebers involve towels and gunshots.

In this episode of DXP Jason selflessly volunteers to do the drinking for both himself and Christian (we’ll let you decide if this was a good idea or not). Jason gives Christian his birthday present, and then we get a brief stroke update. We discuss the conservative pathology that always needs an enemy to fight against, then we debate about just how pessimistic we should be about the world. We address some listeners’ questions about veganism, after which we share our biebers about annoying containers.

Episode #279 begins with a voicemail mocking us because of Veterans’ Day (well, one of us in particular). We talk a bit about our new studio and then touch upon the latest impeachment developments, after which we turn our attention to the various health benefits of being vegan (which Christian promises he is not). We hear from a caller who singlehandedly solves the bee population problem with science, and are treated to another listener’s rendition of a relevant ‘80s TV theme song.  

In this somewhat shortened episode of Drunk Ex-Pastors we share the real reason for last week’s hiatus (and no, it wasn’t just because we are remodeling our studio). This is a must-hear episode….  

In DXP #277 we are again reminded of our “guilty pleasure” status for our evangelical listeners. We take a voicemail about whether churchgoers are aware of their pastors’ salaries, and then learn from another listener that we may be in significant legal peril. We talk about Kanye and that dead ISIS guy, and then are joined by Seth Taylor to discuss whether the demons that live inside of us are the kinds with horns and forked tongues, or are some other kind of Satanic underlings.  

DXP #276 begins with more woes about a certain online course, after which we wax semi-serious about our desire to be remembered after we die. We take calls about whether our president is actually mentally handicapped, whether the whole pronoun thing is a bigger deal than we realized, and whether God could have just created us already in heaven in order to skip all the hassle. We revisit the issue of rising tides, and then make another unannounced call to a random listener.

DXP #275 begins with a voicemail arguing that “America the Beautiful” actually has a point. We then revisit the topics of alien life and the nature of reality itself, bringing recent books and documentaries to bear on the discussion. We call a butt-dialer, and then turn the conversation to The Great Hack and the issue of digital data mining. We take a call about using Venmo to get more tips, and then listen to Ben Shapiro threaten to kill people. Biebers involve spelling and online courses.

In this episode of DXP we hear some more valet woes and then listen to all the reasons why traveling through America is a big waste of time. We discuss a recent documentary about Robert Lazar and his claim to have reverse-engineered a flying saucer at Area 51, which leads to a conversation about science and so-called paranormal phenomena. We do our first-ever live interview with a lucky patron, and then share our biebers involving boarding planes and hyperlinks.

We begin episode #273 of DXP by recounting the events that led one of us to be whisked away from a concert in Seattle to the hospital in an ambulance. We then share a couple voicemails demonstrating how speaking in tongues works, after which we discuss racism against Asians. We pose a question to the scientific community that they have clearly never thought to consider, we discuss the recent impeachment proceedings, and then share our biebers involving courtesy and talking outside.

In this episode of DXP we begin by discussing Bieber and Lambos, after which we ponder whether there really is such a thing as the “science” of nutrition (mainly because we’re mad that we’re not thinner than we are). Jason shares some fresh frustration at his workplace and the people who frequent the place, which leads to a conversation about the difference between making judgments and judgmentalism (as in, does the cover actually reveal a lot about the book itself?). Biebers involve zippers and lotion.

Episode #271 of Drunk Ex-Pastors begins with a voicemail from a very inebriated caller pledging to pull his support from another popular podcast and giving it to us. We then address another listener’s comments about the charismatic movement and explore the nature of our own early faith, after which we spend some time reflecting on Bill Maher’s recent controversial statements in favor of fat-shaming. Biebers involve pushing buttons and careless maids.