Just Came For The Tacos

Leigh and musician Britt Edwards talk about Britt's life in music. They discuss Britt's growing up as the son of a Southern Baptist Church pastor, his experience in the Christian music industry, his story of moving into a more authentic worldview, and leaving the church without bashing the church. You can find Britt's music at https://brittedwardsmedia.com/ Or find Britt on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/brittedwardsmedia/?hl=en Britt's new song, "At this Point" can be found on all streaming services. https://open.spotify.com/album/43FJfrg3CSmyY81j9BHwYO  

In this episode, Leigh and Jeff reflect on how they are currently feeling and their plans for Tacos over the summer. 

A discussion about the Kara Swisher's new memoir Burn Book inspires a deep conversation between Jeff and his friend Cory about Capitalism and the American Church. 

In this episode, Jeff and Leigh cover four semi-connected topics that have been on Jeff's mind. Teenagers using tech and the "Anxious Generation" Why do sex scandals keep happening in the church?  How narcissism ties to the idea of "mission" and "calling" The good things that come out of the "church" and why we can't just have those.   

In this episode, Leigh sits down with friends from childhood to discuss how they each deconstructed their evangelical upbringing in different ways. 

In this episode, Jeff and Leigh reflect on movies about Jesus and how those movies impacted them. They take a deep dive into the Book of Clarence and ask the question, "Why do evangelicals obsess over some things and reject others?" 

Warning: this episode contains conversation about suicide and violence. If you are thinking about hurting yourself, please call 988 now. Help is available. You can speak with someone today. In this episode, poet-teacher-police officer Edward Doyle-Gillespie teaches Jeff about poetry. Jeff and Ed talk about why Ed was drawn to poetry, how to experience poetry, and what is behind the words.   

In this episode, Jeff and Leigh take a deep dive into the book Wild at Heart by John Eldridge. They review it's core arguments, discuss it's impact on both of them in the past, and reflect on how their understanding of it has evolved. 

In this episode, Jeff and Leigh talk about songs that are giving them life right now. They laugh about the radically different songs they brought and talk about why the songs are so meaningful for them. 

In this episode, Leigh sits down with her mom to talk about faith, parenting, and deconstruction. In this intimate and vulnerable conversation, Leigh and her mom get real about the difficulties of parenting in the evangelical world. 

In this episode, Jeff and Leigh celebrate one year of doing the podcast. They reflect back on the past year and look to the future. 

In this episode, Jeff and Leigh talk about "Core Beliefs" they picked up as evangelicals and how those beliefs have continued to impact them after they've deconstructed their faith. 

In this episode, Jeff interviews his close friend Becky about what her life was like before, durning, and after deconstruction. 

In this episode, Leigh goes deep in her thoughts about Lent. She thinks about ways she's celebrated it and what it is to her now. 

In this episode, Jeff sits down with his best friend Cory Barnett to walk down memory road and process what happened when they left the institutional church and ventured out into teh spiritual wild.  

In this episode, Jeff reads an essay from his book about how his understanding of loving others has evolved over time. 

In this episode, Jeff and Leigh breakdown the classic book, Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. They talk about apologetics, how we connect with people we disagree with, and what it means to jump back into thinking that you may not agree with anymore. 

In this episode, Jeff and Leigh talk about the things they are doing, enjoying, and consuming that are bringing joy and grounding to their lives. It's a joyful episode of laughs and honesty. 

In this episode, Leigh is joined by her husband Sam. Together, they get vulnerable about what it was like to move out of evangelicalism as a couple. They talk about what their marriage was, what the change felt like, how they maintained a healthy partnership as they changed, and where they are now. It's a powerful, honest, and authentic episode about marriage during faith changes. 

In this episode, Jeff and Leigh talk about their family traditions, their struggles and successes over the holidays, and how they are both moving into 2024.

In this episode, Jeff talks with the wonderful Kevin Garcia. Kevin is the host of the podcast A Tiny Revolution, a spiritual coach, and the author of the upcoming book "What Makes You Bloom?" Get your copy of the book here: https://www.thekevingarcia.com/bloom Find more of Kevin's work or sign up for his coaching here: https://www.thekevingarcia.com/

In this episode, Leigh and Jeff talk with Dr. Matthew Taylor from the Institute of Islamic Christian Jewish Studies. They discuss the division in Christianity, the value of learning from others, the violence of Christian nationalism, the dream of a true multi-ethnic democracy, and how we can respond to violence with nonviolent dialogue. 

In this episode, Jeff and Leigh dive into their childhoods and talk about Psalty the Singing Songbook. They talk about how Psalty came to be, the themes Psalty covered, and how Psalty impacted their childhoods. 

In this episode, Leigh reflects on Christmas. She talks about the foundness she still holds for it, how it has changed for her, and in finding her priorities for the season. 

In this episode, Jeff is joined by his wife Wendy. They reflect on the holiday and talk about how they were able to have an amazing time in the face of hard things happening in life. 

In this episode, Leigh and Jeff sit down with Rob Bell. That's right.  THE Rob Bell.  In addition to talking about the evolution of spirituality and the Rob's history with the American Church, they go deep into the themes of Rob's first fictional novel, Where'd You Park Your Spaceship?  They talk about how the themes are present in Rob's life and in the world, what it's like to move from nonfiction to fiction, and they get a small glimpse of what Rob has prepared for the future.  Click here to get your copy. 

In this episode, Leigh and Jeff look at the areas of deconstruction they routinely get asked questions about: parenting, LGBTQ allyship, and approaching the Bible post deconstruction. For each category of questions, they talk through books they recommend that help them think through these issues.  Books they cover:  Inspired by Rachel Held Evans What is the Bible? by Rob Bell Blindness by Jose Saramago Torn by Justin Lee She Who Became the Son by Shelley Parker-Chan  God and the Gay Christian by Matthew Vines Parenting Forward by Cindy Wang Brandt Anxious People by Fredrik Backman Beartown by Fredrik Backman Shameless by Nadia Boltz Webber American Gods by Neil Gaiman God According to Jesus by Stephen Mitchell  To find Jeff and Leigh, go to https://justcameforthetacos.com/

In this episode, Jeff and Leigh talk about the classic Christian devotional, My Utmost for His Highest. They look at the life of Oswald Chambers (who never wrote a book), and then dive into the life of Biddy (BD) Chambers.  To find Leigh and Jeff, go to https://justcameforthetacos.com/

Jeff uses Chat GPT to build some games for Leigh to play. Leigh tries to determine which of Jeff's example was written by a famous pastor and which was written by Chat GPT. 

In this episode, Leigh opens up about difficult things she's experienced recently. She talks through ways she used to deal with trauma and how that has changed for her now that she is outside of her original faith community. 

In this episode, Jeff and Leigh look at the book The Wounded Healer by Henry Nouwen. They talk about Nouwen's view of the world, the idea of loniliness, and what it means to care for others. They discuss sacrifice and the Evangelical church's urge to be safe.  To let Jeff and Leigh know your thoughts on the podcast or the episode, find them at https://justcameforthetacos.com/

This week, Jeff pulls an interview with David Hayward the Naked Pastor from the archives of Jeff's other podcast. Jeff and David talk about creating art after and in Deconstruction.  You can find David on instragram at https://www.instagram.com/nakedpastor/ You can find all of his work at https://nakedpastor.com/ And don't forget to check out his YouTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/@nakedpastor

This week on the podcast, Leigh and Jeff interview Matthias Roberts about his new book, Holy Runaways. Matthias is a pyschotherapist specilizing in religious and spiritual trauma, the author of Beyond Shame: Creating a Healthy Sex Life on Your Own Terms, and the host of the podcast Queerology.  Holy Runaways speaks to people who are feeling ignored, oppressed, or rejected by their religious community and church, offering a path forward built on speaking truth, deep listening, and acting with compassion. Pick up your copy of Holy Runaways at https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506485652/Holy-Runaways You can find Matthias at his website: matthiasroberts.com Or on Instagram at @matthiasroberts

In this episode, Leigh brings three mantras she uses that have helped her process her deconstruction. She and Jeff talk through the mantras and work together to describe the different seasons and stages of deconstruction.  For more on Jeff and Leigh, go to https://justcameforthetacos.com/  

In this episode, Jeff and Leigh look at Dr. King's 6 Principles of Nonviolence. They look at the teachings of Dr. King not just as the backbone of the civil rights movement, but as a way of life and discuss how the principles empower them in life after deconstruction.  For more on King's teachings on nonviolence, check out https://thekingcenter.org/about-tkc/the-king-philosophy/

In this episode, Leigh and Jeff talk about four Biblical concepts that have changed for them. Leigh talks about the concepts of sin and mystery. Jeff talks about the concepts of Biblical hereos and God's thinking on the economy.  To contact Leigh or Jeff, go to https://justcameforthetacos.com/

In this episode, Jeff and Leigh talk about spiritual disciplines. After looking back on habbits they used to have, they discuss 10 spiritual disciplines they practice now and how they've reframed them post deconstructing their faith. 

In this episode, Leigh and Jeff talk about raising kids after deconstructing your faith. Specifically, they focus on what ideas and values they want their children to take with them into the world. 

Leigh and Jeff have the honor of sitting down with Don Golden. In addition to working for World Relief, Mars Hill Church in Grand Rapids, World Vision, and Red Letter Christians, Don Golden co-authored the book Jesus Wants to Save Christians with Rob Bell in 2008. In addition to discussing the book, Don explains why Jesus followers should be focused on the cries of the oppressed, his thoughts on the current state of the American Evangelical church, and the work he doing now to bring resources and change to the most dangerous problems humanity faces.  To find more about Don's work, check out https://www.justcapitalquotient.com/.  For more of the podcast, go to https://justcameforthetacos.com/ 

In this episode, Jeff and Leigh breakdown the anti-Rob Bell, Mark Driscoll. They talk about who Mark Driscoll is and then talk about his theology using the book Radical Reformission. 

In this episode, Jeff and Leigh talk about preaching. They give a behind the scenes look of what preaching was like and talk about how their opinions of it have changed since they began deconstructing their faith. 

After visiting Atlanta, Jeff returns to talk to Leigh about Louie Giglio, the Passion Movement, and what the Attractional Church should be as we recover from the Pandemic.  To connect with Leigh and Jeff, visit https://justcameforthetacos.com/

In this episode, Jeff and Leigh tackle 4 passages from the Bible that they now see differently after deconstruction: Abraham sacrificing Isaac, Elisha calling down the she-bears, God flooding the world, and Jesus telling the disciples to bring peace.  To send a message to Leigh or Jeff, ot to ask a general question, head over to https://justcameforthetacos.com/

In this episdoe, Leigh introduces Jeff to Barbara Brown Taylor. Leigh shares how her thinking and worldview were changed when she encountered Barbara Brown Taylor's work. Leigh leads Jeff through the book Holy Envy, and they discuss what it means to have a generous orthodoxy.  To find more of Barbara Brown Taylor's work, check out https://barbarabrowntaylor.com/ To leave a question or comment for Jeff and Leigh, go to https://justcameforthetacos.com/contact-us/

In this episode, Jeff and Leigh talk about the different types of small groups churches offer and what you can learn about the church based on the small group model they have adopted. This is a great episode for anyone in the midst of deconstruction who is trying out new churches, or anyone who has left and is thinking about going back. Jeff and Leigh pull back the curtain on decisions being made by church staff and how those decisions impact the congregation. 

In this episode, Leigh and Jeff share songs that have been important to each of them. First, they each share two songs that were important to them as evangelicals. Then, they share two songs that are important to them as post-evangelicals. Through discussing the songs, they talk about a wide range of topics, including the rapture, colonialism, the church's response to covid, and more. You can find them at https://justcameforthetacos.com/.

In this episode, Jeff and Leigh look at Alan Hirsch's book, The Forgotten Ways. The book was the backbone of the Missional Movement in the early 2000s. It is an exploration for a new way to structure the American Evangelical church that was never realized. Jeff walks Leigh through the aspects of the book and they diaganos how the book sits with them now 15 years later.  This continues Leigh and Jeff's look at the promised Reformation of the early 2000s that never came. 

After reflecting on how their families handled media growing up, Jeff and Leigh talk about things they are doing and consuming that are bringing them life. Leigh talks about alcoholic pickles, Jeff discusses an author he loves, they both laugh about Chat GPT, and they share movies they are finding freedom in. 

In this episode, Jeff and Leigh revisit Rob Bell's book Velvet Elvis. The book had a huge impact on both of their deconstructions (although Jeff may have taken his love for Rob Bell to an extreme). They talk through the principles laid out in the book and reflect on it almost 20 years later. 

In this episode, Leigh leads Jeff through a discussion about what to do when you have crossed a line and can't take it anymore. They talk about the three options you have at that moment: put your head down, decide to be a change agent, or leave. They then discuss how to leave in a way that will empower you on your way out.