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PODCAST · religion

No Prize From God

by PopCurse

Conversations with creative people about belief, unbelief, and everything in between. Hosted by Ryan J. Downey (MTV News, MSNBC, Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter).

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Feb 1, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. Max Cavalera (Soulfly)

    SOULFLY. Max Cavalera talks about getting baptized at the Vatican; his mother’s deep immersion into the Candomblé religion; witnessing rituals and believers "possessed" by saints and deities in his childhood household; the death of his father, and the loss of his stepson, Dana; the spiritualism…

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  2. Mark Heylmun (Suicide Silence)

    Suicide Silence guitarist Mark Heylmun on psychedelics, Catholicism, the occult, creative hiatuses, the making of the band’s self-titled album with Ross Robinson, losing a close friend in high school, the death of frontman Mitch Lucker, the band's subsequent rebirth, the ego, and much more.…

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  3. Karl Sanders (Nile)

    NILE frontman Karl Sanders talks ancient Egypt, his meditative and transcendental solo work, several of the books and ideas that shaped him, and more. "A lot of the [religious] options available to us are restrictive by nature," he explains. "I gravitated to the [ancient] Egyptians because you…

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  4. Bill Fisher (Church Of The Cosmic Skull)

    Church Of The Cosmic Skull founder Bill Fisher's seven-piece, vocal-harmony-and-Hammond-organ heavy, English prog/psych/rock outfit fashions itself as a spiritual organization dedicated to “The Seven Objects,” which includes instructions to “recognize the hallucinatory nature of reality,”...

  5. Haela Ravenna Hunt-Hendrix (Liturgy)

    Haela Ravenna Hunt-Hendrix's band, Liturgy, is a platform for both fine art and theology, delivered in waves of transcendental black metal possessed by the spirit of classical music and the energetic urgency of punk and indie rock. An unapologetic Christian with a love of the Orthodox Church and…

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  6. Hasan Oswald (Higher Love)

    Hasan Oswald started his professional career as a cameraman for National Geographic’s film Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS. His verité style caught the eye of award-winning filmmakers Nick Quested & Sebastian Junger (Restrepo). His directorial debut, Higher Love, about the...

  7. Dara Molloy (Celtic Monk)

    Dara Molloy is a Celtic Monk, Priest, and Druid who lives on Inis Mor, the largest of the three islands that make up the Aran Islands in Ireland. He talks about his journey from Catholicism to the Celtic spiritual tradition. Follow No-Prize From God, Ryan J. Downey, and check out Downey's other...

  8. Sergio Navarretta (The Cuban)

    Sergio Navarretta directed Looking for Angelina (2005), The Colossal Failure of the Modern Relationship (2015), and The Cuban (2020), about Mina (Ana Golja), a naive pre-med student who strikes up an unlikely friendship with Luis (Louis Gossett Jr.), an elderly Cuban musician. Navaretta talks…

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  9. Devin Townsend

    "Making peace with who you are inevitably leads to the recognition that who you are is an illusion." In this revealing and in-depth conversation, Devin Townsend talks about music, meditation, collective unconscious, imposter syndrome, perfect happiness, emotional balance, and "a certain amount of...

  10. Satyr Wongraven (Satyricon) II

    SATYRICON frontman Satyr Wongraven returns to No-Prize From God. The Norwegian black metal musician talks about the spiritual and creative connections between nature, music, and visual arts, anchored specifically around the Satyricon & Munch - Munchmuseet exhibition, which ran for several months…

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  11. Aaron Weaver (Wolves In The Throne Room)

    WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM drummer Aaron Weaver talks about the deep-rooted spirituality of the American black metal band he co-founded with his brother, Nathan. WITTR make iconoclastic (even for black metal) and often ritualistic music meant to evoke the forests and mountains around them in the...

  12. Otrebor (Botanist)

    BOTANIST is a post-black metal band from San Francisco founded on the principle of "worship of the Natural world." A distorted hammered dulcimer stands in for guitars in Botanist, with drums free from editing in order to capture Otrebor at the "edge" of his ability. Otrebor channels an alter-ego...

  13. Brian D. McLaren (Faith After Doubt)

    Author and public theologian Brian D. McLaren is a former college English teacher whose newest book is Faith After Doubt (January 2021), and his next release, Do I Stay Christian? will be available Spring 2022. In 2004, he was awarded a Doctor of Divinity Degree (honoris causa) from Carey...

  14. Dan Koch (You Have Permission)

    You Have Permission podcast host Dan Koch is a doctoral student in counseling psychology, the former co-host of the Reconstruct and Depolarize! podcasts, and member of the band Sherwood. Listen to No-Prize From God: Playlist For the Podcast on Spotify. Follow No-Prize From God on Twitter,...

  15. Daniel G. Karslake (For They Know Not What They Do)

    For They Know Not What They Do filmmaker Daniel G. Karslake deals with the intersection of religion, sexuality, gender identity, and social justice in his work. Every Three Seconds (2014), which he began as a visiting scholar at Stanford University, amplified practical solutions to global poverty...

  16. Liam Wilson (The Dillinger Escape Plan)

    THE DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN bassist Liam Wilson is a warm-hearted, thoughtful, and fascinating individual. A longtime yoga practitioner, animal advocate, and freethinker, he's the consummate "seeker," with a firm moral compass and spiritual grounding. Liam made several groundbreaking albums with...

  17. Adam Morris (American Messiahs)

    American Messiahs author Adam Morris joins No-Prize From God to talk about the book NPR called "sharp and entertaining." American Messiahs: False Prophets of a Damned Nation argues that, far from aberrant blips on the historical radar, false prophets and saviors are an essential part of the...

  18. Darren Lynn Bousman (Saw II, III, IV)

    Filmmaker Darren Lynn Bousman (Saw II, III, IV) is the first writer/director to come on No-Prize From God. The wide-ranging discussion includes: strange occurrences on the set of 2011’s 11-11-11; the quasi-religious story of 2012’s The Devil’s Carnival; his fascination with “the strange,” the...

  19. Stephen Christian

    ANBERLIN frontman Stephen Christian talks about his formative years with music and faith; moving from city to city as a kid; and gives a fascinating run-down of the arc of Anberlin's career. It's an excellent guide that should be required listening for anyone in any professional band. Stephen...

  20. Spencer Chamberlain (Underoath)

    UNDEROATH vocalist Spencer Chamberlain goes deep, with topics including: his religious upbringing; the challenges and pressures of fronting one of the most successful Christian hard rock/metal bands ever; the responsibility of the artist to the audience; struggling with addiction in the public…

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  21. Ryan Clark (Demon Hunter) II

    DEMON HUNTER frontman and Grammy Award-nominated designer Ryan Clark returns. Panic attacks, health scares, weight loss; cold showers; the breathing and cold therapy exercises of the Wim Hof Method; an examination of the phrase "the Fear of God"; reverence; iconography; symbolism; reflecting on…

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  22. Eric July (Rippaverse)

    BACKWORDZ. Reason Magazine described Eric July as “America’s top black Christian anarcho-capitalist rap-metal artist.” Eric has been on right-leaning media outlets like Fox News and The Blaze, but he doesn’t "cape" for any political party or elected official; he’s not even an official member of…

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  23. Dustin Kensrue (Thrice)

    THRICE frontman Dustin Kensrue on his journey with life's big questions; his personal evolution; the relationship (or lack thereof) between Thrice and the so-called Christian Music genre; how toxic mismanagement caused the dissolution of the church where he served as worship leader; inerrancy in...

  24. Mina Caputo (Life Of Agony)

    LIFE OF AGONY. Singer Mina Caputo, whose band is responsible for the metallic hardcore classic River Runs Red, talks about culture, spirit, human history, religion, transgender issues, connectivity, social media, psychedelics, and the inspiration she's drawn from writers, thinkers, and mystics…

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  25. Blackie Lawless (W.A.S.P.)

    W.A.S.P. Heavy metal frontman and target (of the PMRC, Blackie Lawless talks about witnessing the birth of KISS; his Baptist upbringing; heavy metal’s obsession with faith, the devil, and God; how the church flourished under persecution; retracing Paul’s steps in ancient cities; predestination;...

  26. Nergal (Behemoth)

    BEHEMOTH. Adam Darski talks about the religious atmosphere of his upbringing; discovering radical spiritual ideas; black metal music; legally changing his middle name to Nergal; formally leaving the Catholic Church; the onstage performance and more recent Instagram post that led to a charges of...

  27. Peterson Toscano (Beyond Ex-Gay)

    BEYOND EX-GAY. Playwright, Bible scholar, and activist Peterson Toscano on his personal experience with so-called "conversion therapy"; what Scripture says about gender identity; climate change; comedy and social issues; changing hearts and minds within the church and without; and much more.…

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  28. Kellin Quinn (Sleeping With Sirens)

    SLEEPING WITH SIRENS. Kellin Quinn talks about his early childhood experiences with the church; getting into bands like Showbread and Underoath; his issues with certain practices and failures of organized religion; life's big questions and prayer with his own children; overbearing musical...

  29. Ihsahn (Emperor)

    EMPEROR is almost without equal in the black metal music scene. As frontman for the legendary Norwegian band and an accomplished solo artist, Ihsahn is uniquely qualified to speak with authority about the subculture. He talks about the evolution of his personal philosophy; the importance of...

  30. Myles Kennedy (Alter Bridge)

    ALTER BRIDGE. Alter Bridge and Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators vocalist Myles Kennedy lost his father when he was just four years old. His dad's undiagnosed appendicitis was likely treatable, but due to his devout Christian Scientist beliefs, he refused medical care. In this...

  31. Chad Johnson (Come & Live!)

    COME & LIVE! As A&R at Tooth & Nail Records, Chad Johnson helped guide the careers of Underoath, Anberlin, Haste The Day, and mewithoutyou, among others. He abruptly left the traditional music business in 2009, launching a radical new venture called Come&Live!, which gave music away and donated...

  32. Sister Kate (Sisters Of The Valley)

    SISTERS OF THE VALLEY. The Weed Nuns! Made famous by a viral video featuring the actress Aubrey Plaza smoking out with them, the Sisters Of The Valley represent so much more than getting baked. Sister Kate talks about the Central California sisterhood's commitment to service, sacrifice, and...

  33. Karyn Crisis (Gospel Of The Witches)

    GOSPEL OF THE WITCHES. A self-described Spirit Medium, Karyn Crisis gives classes, workshops, private readings, and demonstrations about the "Mediumship" system of channeling and communicating with the spirit world. Her work also focuses on the legacy of the "witches" of the past. She sings in...

  34. Patrick McKinney (Soldiers For Jesus MC)

    SOLDIERS FOR JESUS MC. Patrick "Slo-Roll" McKinney is a National Officer with Soldiers for Jesus Motorcycle Club and author of the book Unchained Rebel: An Outlaw Biker's Toughest Fight. A retired Army veteran, Slo-Roll preaches at a small Biker Church in the Sandhills region of North Carolina…

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  35. Ryan Clark (Demon Hunter)

    DEMON HUNTER frontman and Grammy nominated designer Ryan Clark talks about growing up the son of a pastor; the obstacles and misconceptions that come with the phrase "Christian music"; creative inspiration; artistic credibility; his health scare and subsequent lifestyle changes; Western food and...

  36. Michelle Tea (Modern Tarot)

    MODERN TAROT. Michelle Tea joins No-Prize From God to discuss her book, Modern Tarot. Michelle is an author, poet, and literary organizer whose books include Valencia (adapted into a 2013 film costarring Angelina Jolie), How to Grow Up (currently in development with Amazon Studios), and the Young...

  37. Satyr Wongraven (Satyricon)

    SATYRICON frontman Satyr Wongraven tells Ryan J. Downey about the early days of Norwegian black metal; his mother and father; discovering bands like Metallica, Slayer, Venom, and Bathory; whether Norway is a historically Christian nation; and about his deep appreciation and sense of connection…

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  38. Tim McTague (Underoath)

    UNDEROATH guitarist Tim McTague tells Ryan J. Downey about the evolution of his personal faith; how his present worldview informs his relationships with his family, his neighbors, and his band; Underoath’s encounters with NOFX frontman Fat Mike during the 2006 Warped Tour; why the band stopped...

  39. Dwid Hellion (Integrity)

    INTEGRITY. Dwid Hellion joins his old friend Ryan J. Downey for a conversation that touches on isolation, late night horror hosts, domestic violence, skateboarding, the origin of the phrase “metalcore,” the occult, Chet Baker, Glenn Danzig, Anton LaVey, Boyd Rice, the Process Church of Final...

  40. Broderick Greer (Episcopal Priest)

    EPISCOPAL PRIEST. The Rev. Broderick Greer joins Ryan J. Downey for an in-depth discussion. Broderick offers lectures and facilitates conversations at the intersection of social media, American history, queer theory, black theology, human rights, and racial justice. His byline has appeared in The...

  41. Jesse Leach (Killswitch Engage)

    KILLSWITCH ENGAGE. Jesse Leach joins Ryan J. Downey for an in-depth conversation about the singer’s father, a highly educated theologian who went from hippie to biker to Buddhist, before finding Jesus in the ‘70s; the juxtaposition between living in inner city Philadelphia and rural Wisconsin;...

  42. Matty Mullins (Memphis May Fire)

    MEMPHIS MAY FIRE. Matty Mullins on anxiety, depression, panic disorder, psychotherapy, getting married to his high school sweetheart, growing up a pastor’s kid, modern evangelism, his journey from playing in local bands to Memphis May Fire, and his personal relationship with the Christian faith....

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Conversations with creative people about belief, unbelief, and everything in between. Hosted by Ryan J. Downey (MTV News, MSNBC, Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter).

HOSTED BY

PopCurse

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does No Prize From God have?

No Prize From God currently has 42 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is No Prize From God about?

Conversations with creative people about belief, unbelief, and everything in between. Hosted by Ryan J. Downey (MTV News, MSNBC, Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter).

How often does No Prize From God release new episodes?

No Prize From God has 42 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to No Prize From God?

You can listen to No Prize From God on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts No Prize From God?

No Prize From God is created and hosted by PopCurse.
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