S01E23 The Televangelist Circus episode artwork

EPISODE · Aug 25, 2025 · 17 MIN

S01E23 The Televangelist Circus

from The Mighty Philbert Podcast · host Phil Barksdale

Send us Fan MailStep into the neon-soaked, Aquanet-fueled world of 1980s televangelism — where God’s “anointed” weren’t just preachers, they were TV stars, salespeople, and scandal magnets.In this episode of The Mighty Philbert, we dive into the golden age of Christian TV — the PTL Club, TBN, CBN — and the televangelists who turned religion into a billion-dollar business. From Jim Bakker’s fraud and sex scandal, to Jimmy Swaggart’s infamous “I have sinned” meltdown, Robert Tilton’s prayer-trash-and-cash scheme, and Tony Alamo’s cult empire of abuse, we’re unpacking the circus that shaped Gen X’s view of faith.This isn’t Sunday school — it’s a trip back to the Jesus Shopping Network, where mascara ran as freely as the donation hotlines.👉 If you grew up with Tammy Faye’s tears, Swaggart’s gospel crooning, or Pat Robertson blaming hurricanes on feminists — this one’s for you.#PTLClub #TBN #CBN #GenX #Exvangelical #CultExposed #ChristianHypocrisy #FaithAndFraud #HolyRollers

Send us Fan Mail Step into the neon-soaked, Aquanet-fueled world of 1980s televangelism — where God’s “anointed” weren’t just preachers, they were TV stars, salespeople, and scandal magnets. In this episode of The Mighty Philbert, we dive into the golden age of Christian TV — the PTL Club, TBN, CBN — and the televangelists who turned religion into a billion-dollar business. From Jim Bakker’s fraud and sex scandal, to Jimmy Swaggart’s infamous “I have sinned” meltdown, Robert Tilton’s prayer-t...

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S01E23 The Televangelist Circus

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Send us Fan MailStep into the neon-soaked, Aquanet-fueled world of 1980s televangelism — where God’s “anointed” weren’t just preachers, they were TV stars, salespeople, and scandal magnets.In this episode of The Mighty Philbert, we dive into the...

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