Drunk Ex-pastors

We begin this episode of Drunk Ex-Pastors with an update on the D4VD concert as well as some stories from Las Vegas. We then continue our discussion of the murder of Charlie Kirk, as well as the fallout from last week’s conversation about the same topic. We talk about the issue of free speech and where Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension falls on the censorship spectrum, and then discuss the theory—from the left and the right—that Israel was involved in Kirk’s assassination.

We dedicate this entire episode to the life, thought, and assassination of right-wing political activist Charlie Kirk. We discuss his views on race, Israel, LGBT- and gender ideology (among other issues). We also cover the various ways people have responded to his murder (with everything from sadness to glee). We conclude with some thoughts on political violence more broadly, and when (or whether) it will ever stop.

We begin this episode of DXP with a heartwarming observation that everything is just getting worse with no signs of improvement. We hear from a caller with some thoughts on diet and exercise, from which we springboard to a discussion about money and energy, and what (if any) effect our attitude has on wealth and abundance. We then discuss the topic of ageing and the supposed decline in happiness people experience as they enter their fifties. We conclude with “Pastor Jack’s Off.”

On this episode of DXP we return to the topic of AI (which we talk about a LOT, but it is the most significant and potentially species-ending technology, like, ever). We then turn our attention to the disturbing trend of low birth rates, discussing whether certain cultures have already crossed the line where they cannot be sustained (not to mention the ramifications on things like the work force and social security). We also address whether some cultures deserve to be eliminated.

In this episode of DXP we hear Christian’s thoughts on the new Superman movie, after which we get an update on Coldplay-gate. We reflect on the recent American Eagle ad campaign as well as the fallout from it, which springboards into a conversation about masculinity and femininity. We hear from a caller about our recent discussion about public school standards, and we conclude with another edition of “Pastor Jack’s Off.”

After paying tribute to Hulk Hogan we revisit some old report cards from elementary school. We discuss Coldplay-Gate and the responses to it on social media, and then we turn our attention to the shirts the players wore at the WNBA All-Star Game. We play a TikTok about the death of the American dream, and hear from a caller with strong opinions on our coverage of AI.

We begin this episode by paying tribute to a friend of ours who took his own life recently, and then we hear from a caller who is curious about exactly how well we know one another. We revisit the topic of “Very Special Episodes” from the ‘80s, and then chat a bit about the Epstein case. We conclude by discussing a recent article about how anti-social young people are compared to a couple decades ago.

Despite some tech snafus, DXP is back with a single episode this week. We revisit the topic of artificial intelligence, suggesting that at the rate things are progressing, the entire paradigm of how we get money to pay for things (or just how we pay for things) is likely to change drastically, despite there being seemingly no plan to address this until it’s too late. Also, would you allow Grok to control your car?

This week we revert to our old format and tackle politics, culture, and religion in a single episode. We briefly touch upon various rule-changes we’d like to see in professional sports, and then give an update about the soon-to-be-released DXP Summer Playlist. We discuss celebrities, and Brad Pitt in particular, and then weigh in on Pope Leo’s recent thoughts on the pros and cons of A.I.

In our Religion Block we hear from a caller who asks why God can denounce empty and pious platitudes from Christians who refuse to actually help the needy, while he himself rarely seems to show up in times of trouble. In response we suggest that perhaps God only helps the poor by means of his people, and that he neither afflicts nor heals anyone directly (which is why Dietrich Bonhoeffer insisted that the best thing for a Christian to do is to live as though God does not exist).

In this week’s Politics Block we discuss Elon Musk’s claim that President Trump’s name is in the infamous Epstein files. Springboarding from there, we discuss the various blackmail operations that intelligence agencies such as the Mossad and C.I.A. regularly engage in, suggesting that the Diddy case may be such an example.

In this week’s Culture Block we talk about AI and its potential effects on Hollywood and the film industry, as well as the number of erstwhile human jobs it will make redundant. We then discuss a recent reel about The Wonder Years and whether something like that could be made today.

In our Religion Block we share a new “Pastor Jack’s Off” segment, this time hearing Jack Hibbs insist that all non-believers share a vehement hatred of evangelical Christians, but that the latter must endure that hatred out of love for God. Unfortunately for Pastor Jack, if he is in fact “hated,” it has absolutely nothing to do with his so-called faithfulness to Christ and everything to do with his politics.   

In this week’s Politics Block we discuss a new proposal by the San Francisco School District to drastically lower academic standards in an effort to create equity. We share our frustration with the school system as it currently stands, as well as highlight the systemic challenges that educators today face.

In this week’s Culture Block we consider Scott Galloway’s take on current dating statistics, particularly women’s standards for prospective male partners, as well as precisely how ideal a possible partner has to be in order to continue the relationship.   

In our Religion Block we talk about the propriety of the Christian waiting for a “Superbeing” to save him, and apply Bonhoeffer’s “Religionless Christianity” to this issue. We then hear from a caller asking for clarification on what “dogma” is and what it means to say that it cannot be changed.

In this week’s Politics Block we take a call from a listener asking about the Save Act and what, if any, restrictions should be placed on potential voters’ rights. We then discuss Trump’s “Big Beautiful Tax Bill,” seeking to determine just how progressive or regressive it actually is. We close with a brief teaser about the effect Modern Monetary Theory might have on the tax issue.

In this week’s Culture Block we hear from a listener expressing some doubts about the legitimacy of Deadbots, which springboards into a conversation regarding just how helpful AI really is. We discuss the potentially dangerous ramifications of outsourcing our mental skills to computers, and where this could potentially leave us if continued unchecked.  

In our Religion Block we hear from Pastor Jack Hibbs about how horrible it is for Muslims to create their own cultural and religious ghettos (even though when Christians and Jews do it it’s perfectly fine). We springboard to immigration and discuss the proper relationship of the one to the many.  

In this week’s Politics Block we engage with Bill Maher’s latest “New Rule” on the topic of liberals insisting on purity tests to judge how enlightened and woke their fellow Democrats are. We also apply this to the dating world, where a similar dynamic exists.