PODCAST · health
I Hate James Dobson
by Jake & Brooke
Dr. James Dobson is a clinical psychologist, founder of Christian media empire Focus on the Family, a spiritual advisor to every Republican President since Reagan, and a paragon in the Evangelical Christian movement. And he's a massive dick. Join therapists Jake (a former Evangelical) and Brooke (who knows almost nothing about Evangelical culture) as they read and tear apart Dobson's works. Get ready to laugh, cry, and rip your hair out as we explore the very many reasons why I Hate James Dobson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
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Episode68: Is JD Vance an Evangelical?
So like the answer is clearly no, because Vance is Catholic. Right? Jake and Brooke dig into the truth - and, more interestingly, the propaganda. Warning: we talk about American politics. This is as close to a "midterm" episode as we will get I promise. Check out our patreon!...
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Episode 67: The Weird World of Christian Kids Media
Good morning/afternoon/evening to you, dear reader. Today, Jake and Brooke take a step back, take a breath, and laugh at the weird world of Christian Kids Media. Come for the nostalgia, stay for the donut man song. It's an unironically fun one today, I think we all deserve it. Watch "You Can't…
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Episode 66: The Death of the Pastor's Wife
Howdy pardners! Today, Jake and Brooke take a dip into the world of true crime as they discuss the recent Netflix Documentary "The Death of the Pastor's Wife", and how it ties in to Love & Respect, and the extended Dobson-verse more broadly. Spoilers for the documentary contained within. Go watch...
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Episode 65: I Have Hate and Contempt For This Book
We are so back, everyone. And this might be the episode that breaks Jake, or at least one where they find a new opp. Today, Jake and Brooke talk about the putrid publication "Love & Respect". It gets really dark and Jake "full Muppet" (their own description). This may be your favorite - or least...
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Episode 64: James Dobson Wrote A Third Eugenics Novel That Isn't Nearly As Horny But Somehow That Makes It Worse
This third and final novel puts Jake and Brooke's mental fortitude to the test. We finally get the answers to questions no one was asking, like "What happens to Kevin Tolbert?" (nothing) and "Will Matthew Adams finally face justice?" (kind of). All that and more in this episode. Check out our...
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Episode 63: James Dobson wrote an Even Hornier Eugenics Novel
We're unfortunately back, back, back, again with another Dobson novel. It's a sequel to his first novel, "Fatherless", and it's somehow even hornier than last time. It's also a poorly written mystery, and entirely ineffective social critique - all in 1! Wow! Check out our patreon!...
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Episode 62: James Dobson Wrote a Horny Eugenics Novel
I feel like the title really says it all on this one, folks. Dobson wrote a novel about eugenics. It's wildly horny. It's pretty bad. Jake and Brooke will tell you all about it - and also a lot about sandwiches. That's mostly unrelated. Check out our patreon! patreon.com/ihatejamesdobson Or go to...
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Episode 61: The Strong-Willed Adults (feat. Kevin & Kelly)
Wowza! We have guests! Today, Jake is joined by Kevin and Kelly to talk about what comes after James Dobson. You know, ironically, James Dobson did bring my family closer together - through shared hatred. Talk about family values. Check out our patreon! patreon.com/ihatejamesdobson Or go to...
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Episode 60: Joseph Nicolosi
Happy Pride part 2! Today, Jake and Brooke dive back into the tragic world of Bringing Up Boys to talk about the rot under the hood. While they tear apart conversion therapy and its proponents, there are also big laughs and lots of silliness. The two genders. Check out our patreon!...
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Episode 59: The John Paulk Story
Happy Pride, Readers! This is an episode Jake has been waiting to make for a second now, so get ready as Jake and Brooke talk about the story of John Paulk, first told in Bringing up Boys and then re-examined 25 years later in the podcast "Atonement: The John Paulk Story". It's a story of pain,...
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Episode 58: What Wives Wish Their Husbands Knew About Women
Howdy ho, readers! On this episode, Jake and Brooke discuss the finale of the Focus on the Family Film series, a movie with a title so obnoxious it was one of the first running jokes of the blog: What Wives Wish Their Husbands Knew About Women. Brooke and Jake discuss the content, as well as just...
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Episode 57: Preparing for Adolesence
Hi there readers! Ready to hear James Dobson talk about the birds and the bees? No? Too bad, that's what today's episode is. Jake and Brooke (and very special guest Josh Boerman from The Worst of All Possible Worlds) to talk about the next two videos in Dobson's classic "Focus on the Family" film...
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Episode 56: The Strong-Willed Child Part 4
Hi! Today, Jake and Brooke conclude their conversations on "The Strong-Willed Child" a series that feels like it's been going on since these books were first published. They talk about the 2004 reprint, how Dobson's views did (not) evolve over time, and what the legacy of this collection of trash...
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Episode 55: The Strong-Willed Child Part 3
Welcome back, readers, to another installment in everyone's least favorite Dobson work, the one that just won't end - The Strong-Willed Child. Today, Jake and Brooke watch Dobson's 2-part lectures on raising the so-called Strong-Willed Child and take a walk down memory (traumatic flashback) lane…
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Episode 54: Twice Pardoned
Break out your tie dye shirts and make sure your latch key kids have snacks in the fridge because today, Jake & Brooke travel back to the 1980s to discuss the life and legacy of Harold Morris - and how that legacy was coopted by James Dobson to... mixed results. We talk about prison, DARE, and...
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Episode 53: Emotions: Can you trust them?
Hello! Welcome and welcome back! Today, Jake and Brooke discuss an early Dobson work, back when he was still a working psychologist. What a horrifying thought. There's time to talk about Freud, Middlemarch, and too many checklists. Check out our Patreon! www.patreon.com/ihatejamesdobson Music…
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Episode 52: Is It Illegal to Hate James Dobson?
Howdy readers! Today, Jake and Brooke start with an extra-exciting announcement: the launch of the official I Hate James Dobson Patreon! Then they get into less exciting things, like the rise of Christian Nationalism and so-called "counter-terrorism" directives. Important and interesting, but…
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Episode 51: What Dads Need to Know About Fathering
Hi! Today, Jake and Brooke discuss one of Dobson's very first films "What Dads Need to Know About Fatherhood", a movie that is truly... nothing. At least we will always have Cats in the Cradle, I suppose. This is a silly one, readers. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):...
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Episode 50: You Don't Hate the ADF Enough
Put on your best Elle Woods cosplay, readers, because today Jake and Brooke discuss the legal organization called the Alliance Defending Freedom. This Dobson creation continues to wreak havoc on all of our lives in big and small ways. Even if you've seen the John Oliver segment on it, you still...
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Episode 49: Sex, Lies & ... The Truth
Put on some scrunchies and hairspray with CFCs because today Jake and Brooke time travel back to 1993 to talk about a VHS classic: "Sex, Lies & ... The Truth!". You'll be shocked to hear that this film is full of lies. Misleading? I prefer to think of it as irony. Mostly because that makes me…
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Episode 48: Focus on My Family
On this very special start to 2026, Jake is joined by their parents to talk about healing and reconciliation. Eat your heart out, Esther Perel (We love you, Esther Perel). Stick around til the end for a special word from Tyler. Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):...
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Episode 47: Holly Bone Secular Christmas Spectacular
Merry Secular Holidays, readers! Today, Brooke is in charge and we actually get to have fun! Join us for some Q&A, some gift giving, some surprise guests, and plans for 2026 :) Check out our friends! The Worst of All Possible Worlds Lessons from the Couch Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):...
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Episode 46: Love Must Be Tough
Thank goodness we don't care about being demonitized because this episode goes places advertisers wouldn't go anywhere near. Jake and Brooke talk about the toxic sludge that is Love Must Be Tough, another book that defines his legacy. At least you can hear Brooke's cat purring at points - that...
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Episode 45: Jesus Camp
Step into the imagination station and rewind all the way back to 2006 to join Jake and Brooke as they talk about the definitional documentary "Jesus Camp" - as well as the legacy of it now almost 20 years later. If you're playing IHJD Bingo at home, I think this episode gets you a full run....
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Episode 44: Dare 2 Share
We've read the book, now it's time to look at the world around Dare 2 Share. In this episode, Brooke and Jake talk about Greg Stier, Dare 2 Share events, Promise Keepers, Skillet, and (as a treat) Propaganda. Trigger Warning for depictions of hell 31:00 - 33:15 Check out Propaganda's work:...
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Episode 43: Dare 2 Share
Strap in, friends, we've got a live one on our hands today. Coming at you straight from 2006/Jake's personal trauma: "Dare 2 Share" by Greg Stier. This episode, Jake and Brooke dissect the book's... imaginative uses of the English language and discuss its potential impact on a young person's...
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Episode 42: The 5 Love Languages
This episode is about the 5 love languages! Get ready to hear Jake nerd out about couples therapy and why this book is... fine. Jake and Brooke made this gift as an act of service to spend some quality time with you, readers, so be sure to give them words of affirmation in the reviews. I wasn't...
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Episode 41: James Dobson Isn't The (Only) Problem
Oh boy there's nothing I love more on a Monday morning than a heaping helping of context! On this episode, Jake and Brooke take a journey through the forces that are bigger than Dobson, to focus on the real problem. Spoilers, it's capitalism again. References: Lakhani, N. et al., (2021, July 14)....
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Episode 40: Dungeons & Dragons
Make a constitution saving throw, readers, or else you might take some psychic damage as Jake, Brooke, and Boyfriend talk about Dungeons and Dragons! Focus on the Family made a very special episode of Adventures and Odyssey that Jake forces their loved ones to experience and talk about why people...
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Episode 39: Life on the Edge
On this episode, Jake and Brooke are joined by Boyfriend to discuss a smorgasbord of Dobsonisms as they discuss his book and video series "Life on the Edge". If you can't traumatize the ones you love for the sake of #content, you are a better person than I. Music from #Uppbeat (free for…
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Bonus: Dead Dob Day
Does the air smell a little sweeter today? Do you find yourself with a little extra pep in your step? Did every person you know text you about the death of an almost 90-year-old man? Yeah me too. In this bonus, emergency episode, Jake and Brooke are joined by Corina to process the news of the…
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Episode 38: Creationism, Ken Ham, and Kevin
It's a family affair on this episode of I Hate James Dobson, as Jake and Brooke are joined by Kevin - Jake's older brother, a rocket scientist*, and one cool guy. It's exciting! What's less exciting is that they are talking about creationism. Boo. A family that laughs about shared trauma together...
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Episode 37: Shiny Happy People Season 2
This episode is a case study in going with the flow as both Jake and Brooke made last-minute pivots to cover the new season of Shiny Happy People. It's like a greatest hits of I Hate James Dobson - and Brooke learns the real reason for the season. Plus, the episode is just a vibe, really. Works...
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Episode 36: Duggars Part 2
Welcome back, readers! It's good to see you again! It's less good to get back to talking about the Duggars though. In this episode, Jake tells Brooke about the history of the Duggars as political figures, and weaves the story of their cult leader, Bill Gothard. They do not have particularly kind...
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New Episode Next Week
As my mom says, hug your babies Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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Episode 35: Duggars Part 1 (& Counting)
Hey readers, speeders, and pizza eaters! Today, Brooke is taking the lead to explore just who the heck the Duggars are and how the broader, secular world understands them. Next episode, Jake will be a usual nerd and talk about the theology, psychology, and politics related to the Duggars, so…
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Episode 34: The Ballad of Jack Chick
Things sure are bleak out there, huh? Thankfully, Jake and Brooke are here to lighten it up by talking about furries, conspiracy theories, and cartoons. That's right, distinguished listeners, today we are going to be talking about the life and times of the one and only Jack Chick. Get ready to...
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Episode 33: LGBTQFOTF
Gay! For this year's Pride Month extravaganza, Jake and Brooke look at the stories of queer people who knew James Dobson. Since we aren't talking about Dobson directly, there's at least 50% less trauma attached to it. Also: we have merch now! Check it out at ihatejamesdobson.printful.me :)...
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Episode 32: Parenting Isn't For Cowards
As you can tell by this very normal episode length, today's episode is... a lot. Today, Jake goes through a Dobson Heavy-Hitter "Parenting Isn't For Cowards" with Corina and Brooke. This book takes us to places, well exactly where you'd expect honestly. And yet somehow it's still surprising and...
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Episode 31: 5 Essentials for Lifelong Intimacy (feat. Corina)
Happy Monday, readers! Today, Jake and Brooke are joined by Corina (host of "Lessons from the Couch") to talk about love, intimacy, marriage - and how James Dobson gets it all wrong. Things get wild when 3 therapists talk shit about another clinician. You know us, famous for getting wild on this...
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Episode 30: Dobson v. Public Education
Public education was nice while we had it, too bad it's being lit on fire (like everything else). And yes, it is James Dobson's fault (also like everything else). Today, Jake and Brooke explore Dobson's influence in the homeschooling movement - and hear from the big D himself. So, you have that…
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I Hate James Dobson (Trailer)
If the name "James Dobson" sends a chill down your spine, or if you just like listening to two friends read horrible books, do we have the show for you! Welcome to I Hate James Dobson, a podcast where two therapists break down the works of clinical psychologist/child abuse advocate James Dobson....
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Episode 29: Straight Talk to Men
James Dobson has like 4 topics he writes about, so let's talk about masculinity again! Jake and Brooke go through Dobson's book "Straight Talk to Men" published in the year of our Lord Y2K. Surprisingly, Dobson gets a bunch of stuff wrong. Let's find out together! Benny Bingo and the…
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Episode 28: Deconstruction Part 2
Welcome back, here's what you missed on I Hate James Dobson: Jake was a closeted evangelical kid, which was like really cringe but also bad for them. Then they left the church and found stability but still had a bad horrible fashion sense. Brooke cried as Jake read Defying Gravity because two...
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Episode 27: Deconstruction Part 1
Happy 1 year anniversary everyone! This episode, Jake and Brooke get personal and explore Jake's journey of deconstructing from Evangelical Christianity. Ever thought you'd have someone discuss Skillet and Wicked in the same hour? That's the kind of ground-breaking, high quality content you can...
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Episode 26: Marriage Under Fire
Love is in the air - and crosshairs. Today, Brooke and Jake take a dive into the mailbag, and then discuss Dobson's hateful and unhinged 2004 book "Marriage Under Fire". It's bad, y'all. It is bigoted, dumb, and full of a surprising amount of WWII references for some reason. To quote Lana Ja'Rae,...
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Episode 25: Hide and Seek
It's back to the Dobson literature this episode and today we are talking about psychology and therapy! Jake and Brooke read through (an updated version of) Dobson's second-ever book. We see again how Dobson is not only a bad person, but he's also lazy and wrong as he takes us through his greatest...
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Episode 24: I Respect Talia Lavin
Quick, go vacuum and make your bed - because today we have a guest! Jake is joined by Talia Lavin, author of "Wild Faith: How the Christian Right is Taking Over America". They talk about Talia's book, deconstructing from fundamentalist religions, surviving fascism, and sandwiches. Links to find...
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Episode 23: Wild Faith
Well today sucks! But you're not alone. Join Jake & Brooke as they read Talia Lavin's incredible book: "Wild Faith: How the Christian Right is Taking Over America" and discuss how we got here, what comes next, and what to do about it. It's a good time! Well, not good. It's a fun time! No, fun…
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Episode 22: Left Behinder
We now return to our regularly scheduled sadness as Jake and Brooke examine 3 different adaptations of "Left Behind" to see what they tell us about Evangelicalism's evolving relationship to the end of the world. Also, Nicholas Cage. References: Mendoza, Francisco G. III (2021) "The End of the…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Dr. James Dobson is a clinical psychologist, founder of Christian media empire Focus on the Family, a spiritual advisor to every Republican President since Reagan, and a paragon in the Evangelical Christian movement. And he's a massive dick.
Join therapists Jake (a former Evangelical) and Brooke (who knows almost nothing about Evangelical culture) as they read and tear apart Dobson's works. Get ready to laugh, cry, and rip your hair out as we explore the very many reasons why I Hate James Dobson.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
HOSTED BY
Jake & Brooke
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does I Hate James Dobson have?
I Hate James Dobson currently has 73 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is I Hate James Dobson about?
Dr. James Dobson is a clinical psychologist, founder of Christian media empire Focus on the Family, a spiritual advisor to every Republican President since Reagan, and a paragon in the Evangelical Christian movement. And he's a massive dick. Join therapists Jake (a former Evangelical) and Brooke...
How often does I Hate James Dobson release new episodes?
I Hate James Dobson has 73 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
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Who hosts I Hate James Dobson?
I Hate James Dobson is created and hosted by Jake & Brooke.
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