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PODCAST · religion

The Back Pew

by Dan Prevette & Colton Simmons

For those heading out of or wandering into the Church, we’re here for you. We host conversations not often talked about but universally experienced by the spiritually curious and/or restless.Hosted by Dan Prevette, a storytelling barkeep, & Colton Simmons, a recovering seminary grad.

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Episodes

  1. Friendship & Mental Health [Fireside Chats]

    In this episode, Colton share's his struggles with mental health in the years after losing his father-in-law to suicide. They cover how to deal with anxiety, depression and helping friends in the midst of their "dark night of the soul."

  2. Conflict with Friends [Fireside Chats]

    Do you fight with your friends? If so, is it a death sentence for the relationship or is friction a sign of doing intentional life together? Dan & Colton discuss their differing experiences with friendships won and lost through conflict.

  3. 5 Years of Spiritual Deconstruction [Fireside Chats]

    Dan & Colton discuss their spiritual journey since starting The Back Pew five years ago. They discuss what beliefs they've kept, lost, or altered over the years especially in regards to their exodus from the mainstream evangelical culture.

  4. Friends & Money [Fireside Chats]

    Is money the biggest divider between friendship circles? We discuss what it's like to be broke friends and what it's like when one friend is much better off financially.

  5. Relationship Boundaries [Fireside Chats]

    Would you ever end a friendship with someone you've known for years? What would it take? We talk about our experience drawing a hard line with people we love, but can't be friends with anymore. We also share what keeps a friend in our circle through even the toughest of times.

  6. Male Intimacy [Fireside Chats]

    We had the chance to hide away in a cabin in the mountains for a couple days, and while we were there, we had a few very intimate “Fireside Chats” (not a sex joke). Obviously, due to current events (😷) this season will have a different flavor, but we are stoked to share it! In this first "chat"…

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  7. The Jewish Tradition of Wrestling and Wandering w/ Sean Thibault

    Shalom Backsliders! This week, the boys kick it old school and get a lesson in their biblical roots with good friend and hilarious Jewish practitioner, Sean Thibault! Sean and the Gentiles talk about the importance of interpretation, what to make of our dude JC, and the possibility God may be...

  8. A Modern Muslim’s Spiritual Wilderness

    As-salāmu ʿalaykum, Back-Sliders! This week, the guys sit down for a great chat with Sarah, a bright, curious, educated young woman, who sounds like your ordinary Southern California 20-year-old. Except for the fact she's about to run away from her Syrian, Muslim parents and their tight knit...

  9. Intermission Part II: Pastor's Awkward Conclusion to Christmas Eve Sermon

    Pastor Jeffrey Draine is back at it again! Trying to the land the plane as best he can, Pastor Draine hits some turbulence on the way down in this bumpy conclusion to the big Christmas Eve sermon. How do you make enough contemporary references to let people know they're always welcome here? The...

  10. Intermission Part I: Worship Leader Attempts Spontaneous Worship for the First Time

    Season three of The Back Pew breaks for intermission as Worship Leader Jeffrey Draine leads us through his first attempt at spontaneous worship. #WWJD #SoulDraine #PraiseBe

  11. Pancreatic Cancer & Medicinal Faith w. Ryan Ditty

    The fellas sit down for a heart-to-heart with a devoted and inspiring man of faith, Ryan Ditty. They discuss the realities of fighting stage 4 pancreatic cancer, the perils of a bad HMO, accepting miraculous generosity, and other "ethereal" topics like true love & eternity. Is there scientific...

  12. Generous Atheism & Magical Brains w. Travis Sentell

    The Fellas welcome magician, writer, and benevolent non-believer Travis Sentell to The Back Pew! They discuss being a gracious atheist, respecting faiths you don’t hold, and the cold, hard psychology behind catching the Holy Ghost! Will Dan determine his spiritual life has just been a result of…

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  13. Prophets v. Profits: True Prosperity in Pentecostalism w. Davie

    The dudes welcome up-and-coming musician (and Matthew McConaughy collaborator), Davie to the congregation! They discuss shared Pentecostal roots, the pressures of being a preacher's son, and whether or not the prosperity gospel is as harmful as you may have heard. Can Colton and Dan be prophets?...

  14. A True Mosaic: Megachurch Transparency w. Grace Baldridge

    Dan & Colton welcome Grace Baldridge, host of Refinery29's "State of Grace" docuseries, to the podcast in their premiere episode of season three. This interview is a follow-up to State of Grace's episode on megachurch transparency, in which Mosaic Church in Hollywood, CA became a central focus of...

  15. Introduction to the Enneagram

    Colton Simmons briefly introduces the new Enneagram series by addressing some of the common misconceptions about the Enneagram, the power of personalities, and a few disclaimers about how the Enneagram should & will be utilized by us at The Back Pew.

  16. The Enneagram: History, Structure, and Purpose

    Danielle Bennett returns to The Back Pew to explain the origins of the Enneagram, how it's shape informs it's function, and the deeper purpose behind learning these nine personality types. Enneagram references from: The Wisdom of the Enneagram and The Enneagram Institute all created by Riso &...

  17. Enneagram 2 : The Helper : The Heart Triad

    Audrey Smith breaks down the Enneagram Type 2: "The Helper" and shares her personal experience as a 2. Enneagram references from: The Wisdom of the Enneagram and The Enneagram Institute all created by Riso & Hudson.

  18. Enneagram 3 : The Achiever : The Heart Triad

    Danielle Bennett breaks down the Enneagram Type 3: "The Achiever" and shares her personal experience as a 3. Enneagram references from: The Wisdom of the Enneagram and The Enneagram Institute all created by Riso & Hudson.

  19. Enneagram 4 : The Individualist : The Heart Triad

    Dan Prevette breaks down the Enneagram Type 4: "The Individualst" and shares his personal experience as a 4. Enneagram references from: The Wisdom of the Enneagram and The Enneagram Institute all created by Riso & Hudson.

  20. Enneagram 5: The Investigator: The Head Triad

    Robin Lommori breaks down the Enneagram Type 5: "The Investigator" and shares her personal experience as a 5. Enneagram references from: The Wisdom of the Enneagram and The Enneagram Institute all created by Riso & Hudson.

  21. Enneagram 6: The Loyalist: The Head Triad

    Erica de los Reyes breaks down the Enneagram Type 6: "The Loyalist" and shares her personal experience as a 6. Enneagram references from: The Wisdom of the Enneagram and The Enneagram Institute all created by Riso & Hudson.

  22. Enneagram 7: The Enthusiast: The Head Triad

    Jake Viramontez and Travis Lutz tag team a break down of the Enneagram Type 7: "The Enthusiast" and share their personal experience as 7s. Enneagram references from: The Wisdom of the Enneagram and The Enneagram Institute all created by Riso & Hudson.

  23. Enneagram 8: The Challenger: The Gut Triad

    Jacob Patrick breaks down the Enneagram Type 8: "The Challenger" and shares his personal experience as an 8. Enneagram references from: The Wisdom of the Enneagram and The Enneagram Institute all created by Riso & Hudson.

  24. Enneagram 9: The Peacemaker: The Gut Triad

    Jess Ream breaks down the Enneagram Type 9: "The Peacemaker" and shares her personal experience as a 9. Enneagram references from: The Wisdom of the Enneagram and The Enneagram Institute all created by Riso & Hudson.

  25. Enneagram 1: The Reformer: The Gut Triad

    Colton Simmons breaks down the Enneagram Type 1: "The Reformer" and shares his personal experience as a 1. Enneagram references from: The Wisdom of the Enneagram and The Enneagram Institute all created by Riso & Hudson.

  26. [LIVE SHOW] Relationships

    Dr. Kutter Callaway, Danielle Bennett, Dan Prevette, and Colton Simmons tackle the idolatry of marriage in the Christian Church, bad dating advice, and much more at The Back Pew's first ever LIVE show! Special thanks to our host David Magidoff and the Backyard Hang crew. If you're in the Los...

  27. The Female Body...of Christ w. Alex Gervasi

    The fellas talk misogyny, fragile masculinity, and Mars Attacks! with professional radio personality Alex Gervasi.

  28. The Power of Words, Women, & Warrior Poets w. Danielle Bennett

    Danielle Bennett is a poet, educator, and true sage of a woman who has journeyed through a diverse collection of both pulpits and pews. She drops wisdom on everything from transcending the racial divide in America, to women in leadership, to leaving then cultivating spiritual communities. You can...

  29. An African's Guide to Gratitude & Grumbling w. Rev Gideon Mbui

    The fellas sit down with Rev. Gideon Mbui to hear about his experiences navigating American culture, figure out who in the world is leading the way - spiritualy speaking, and get a rural African's perspective on what Church is & should be.

  30. Father, Son, & Holy Skeptic w. Dr. Bill Prevette

    The fellas get deep into the future and foibles of modern day religious movements around the world with a member of the mafia turned international missionary, aka Dan's dad aka Dr. Prevette aka Oxford Seminary Professor and Back Pew Lifetime Acheivement Award Winner.

  31. God, The First Transgender Surgeon w. Staley Munroe

    Staley Jophiel Munroe is a front pew kind of Christian with a back pew kind of story. She’s a gorgeous transgender woman who has experienced being on the fringe of both religious and LGBTQ communities. In this episode, the fellas take some bullets for the “cisnormative community” as they stumble...

  32. Purity Lusting & Virginity Busting w. Johan Khalilian

    Sex. Everybody has a story about their first time, or lack there of. In this episode, the fellas get real intimate about the way purity culture has shaped their lives for the good or the bad with special guest Johan Khalilian, who shares the story of his transition away from being the...

  33. Scarlet Letters & Guided Good w. Janet Wood

    The dudes talk to transformational life coach Janet Wood about jumping in, flailing around, and learning the hard way that sometimes the love we need the most is our own. Key Topics: Christian Marriages, Affairs, Divorce, Life Coaching, Healing, and True Vulnerability.

  34. Finding Faith Where Christianity Fails w. Barry Taylor

    The guys get raw and real about the modern millennial church, why feelings aren't everything, and why be Christians at all. Barry Taylor found his faith on The Highway To Hell working as the sound engineer for AC/DC. Since then, his journey through Christian culture has led him to Fuller...

  35. Queer Eye for the Church Guy w. Dei & Tawanna

    We bring Dei & Tawanna back for PART II to talk about the complex differences between seemingly parallel civil rights movements rooted in race, gender, religion and sexuality. We also take a deep dive into what the Bible says about homosexuality and examine the historical persecution of the LGBTQ...

  36. Black Lives & White Lies w. Dei & Tawanna

    In PART I of our time with Dei Thompson & Tawanna Benbow, we sit down for cocktails to discuss racial tension between black & white people, the Christian faith within an African American context, and how earnest white folks should respond to the current civil rights movement. In PART II [coming...

  37. Losing & Choosing My Religion w. Joe Quint

    Comedian, podcaster, and transcendental question asker Joe Quint sits down with us to discuss Zen Buddhism, hallucinogenics, and why any of us need Jesus at all. Mysticism Matcha & Social Activism rooted in spiritual practices are also of primary concern in this episode. Enjoy!

  38. The Luxury of Existential Crisis w. David Greco

    We sit down with musician, husband, and former worship leader David Greco to discuss church leadership, crisis of faith, and just what the hell three white, male Americans have to be so darn bummed out about.

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

For those heading out of or wandering into the Church, we’re here for you. We host conversations not often talked about but universally experienced by the spiritually curious and/or restless.Hosted by Dan Prevette, a storytelling barkeep, & Colton Simmons, a recovering seminary grad.

HOSTED BY

Dan Prevette & Colton Simmons

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does The Back Pew have?

The Back Pew currently has 38 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is The Back Pew about?

For those heading out of or wandering into the Church, we’re here for you. We host conversations not often talked about but universally experienced by the spiritually curious and/or restless.Hosted by Dan Prevette, a storytelling barkeep, & Colton Simmons, a recovering seminary grad.

How often does The Back Pew release new episodes?

The Back Pew has 38 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to The Back Pew?

You can listen to The Back Pew 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 The Back Pew?

The Back Pew is created and hosted by Dan Prevette & Colton Simmons.
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