PODCAST · religion
Unfeigned Christianity
by Asher Witmer
Becoming Christians who are theologically anchored, emotionally healthy, and loving others well.
Episodes
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Awareness Fatigue, Abuse, and the Courage to Investigate
Why is it that when someone raises a concern, we so quickly start looking for what's wrong with them? In this solo episode, Asher looks at that very human reflex and what happens when it shows up in church leadership, especially around abuse. He takes the critique of "awareness fatigue"…
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Don't Forget About Us: A Nurse's Story from Ukraine
My sister Kristi is a registered nurse. Last fall she went to Ukraine with a Christian humanitarian organization to teach Stop the Bleed, a course that trains ordinary people to keep someone alive long enough for help to arrive. In a country where medics and first responders are targets, that...
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Made to Work: AI, Toil, and Being Human | Stuart Mullet
AI can write a passable paper in thirty seconds. It can edit your podcast, draft your emails, and brainstorm your strategy. So why do so many of us feel busier and more burned out than ever? In this episode, Asher talks with his coworker Stuart Mullet, a former literature teacher who now works...
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Savings Groups, Business as Mission, and Money as Fuel for Shalom | Joe Kuepfer
Joe Kuepfer grew up in Kenya in the nineties watching people he knew die of AIDS and watching people he knew go hungry. He also watched a bicycle taxi driver put a little money into a co-op every week and start to climb. That second memory has shaped his life's work. Joe served eleven and a half...
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30 Years of Hiding: A Story of Sexual Sin and Slow Healing w/ Bob Kulp
Bob Kulp hid pornography, and eventually paid sex, through most of three decades of marriage. He thought marriage would fix his lust. He thought confessing would heal it. Both were wrong. In this honest conversation, Bob walks us through the long road toward wholeness: white-knuckling that never...
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Parts Work, Porn, and the Wound Underneath w/ Rick Manabat
I'd written a whole book about overcoming pornography before I ever sat across from a counselor and got asked the one question that changed everything: what is that part of you actually trying to do for you? My guest is Rick Manabat, a licensed therapist and the founder of Pneuma Counseling, who...
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Becoming the Kind of Man Porn Can't Hold
A small comment from my wife about picking peaches set off a soundtrack I'd carried for years. In this episode I show you exactly how I worked through it, why our old wounds resurface in new seasons, and what it looks like to take our whole selves to Jesus instead of managing the shame or numbing...
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The Emotional Root of Porn Addiction (And How to Start Healing It)
Confession is where healing starts — but it's not where it ends. In this episode, I dig into why so many men experience a cycle of confession, temporary freedom, and failure, and what's actually going on underneath the surface. Drawing on the Internal Family Systems (IFS) framework, I walk…
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Porn Is Like an Old Friend: What's Really Driving Sexual Temptation (And How to Find Real Freedom)
Have you ever found lasting freedom from pornography — only to find it creeping back years later? You're not alone, and it doesn't mean you've failed. In this first episode of the Free for Real series, I open up about his own experience returning to temptation after more than a decade of genuine...
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The Card Game That Gets You Talking About Emotions | Pathos Review
(Paid review — full disclosure.) Have you ever wanted to connect more deeply with the people around you but didn't know how to get the conversation there? I review Pathos, the emotional card game, in this episode — walking through how it works, what makes it different from other conversation…
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What Leaders Owe the People They Lead | Cliff Stoltzfoos
I had the honor of interviewing my boss, Cliff Stoltzfoos, on what it looks like to do business while living like Jesus and what leaders actually owe the people they're responsible for. We get into: Why having authority over someone calls you to greater transparency, not less What it means to…
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The First Black Suburb in America — and the Day Its Magic Ended | Keith Smith
Keith Smith grew up on Montford Street in Pacoima — in the San Fernando Valley — during one of the most culturally distinct decades in American history. His grandfather was a Tuskegee Airman who helped build what became the first African-American suburb in the United States. His grandmother was a...
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Is Your Faith Biblical — or Just Victorian? Karen Swallow Prior on the Evangelical Imagination
Karen Swallow Prior spent 21 years teaching English at Liberty University. She has a PhD in English literature, has taught at a Southern Baptist seminary, and has written extensively about evangelicalism — as an insider who both loves the movement and refuses to look away from its problems. Her...
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Bill Johnson, People Pleasing & the Emotional Health of Leaders
By now you've likely heard about what's been coming out around Bethel Church in Redding, California — Sean Bowles, the cover-up, the repentance service, Bill Johnson's public comments. Mike Winger and others have done significant work exposing the timeline and the failure of leadership. I'm not...
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Making Disciples Who Actually Reproduce | Brian Dye
Brian Dye grew up in one of Chicago's more impoverished neighborhoods — Puerto Rican and African-American community, a mentally ill mom, an alcoholic dad, and a grandmother who was the spiritual anchor of the whole family. What changed the trajectory of his life wasn't a conference, a program, or…
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What 10 Years of Teaching Underserved Kids Taught My Sister About the Gospel | Carita Witmer
Carita Witmer has been teaching elementary school in Lancaster City, PA for 10 years. Her school serves a student body that's 50% non-white — kids from immigrant families, unchurched homes, and backgrounds very different from the predominantly white Anabaptist staff that teaches them. She didn't...
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What’s Really Happening in Minneapolis? A Firsthand Conversation
It’s easy to react to headlines. It’s harder to listen. In this episode, I talk with my cousin Sonya, who lives and works in Minneapolis, about the recent ICE activity and what it looks like from someone actually there. We discuss immigration enforcement, fear within immigrant communities, how...
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7 Dangerous Teachings Shaping the Church Today
Some teachings sound biblical. They use Scripture. They feel familiar. They often come from trusted voices. But when you look closely… they aren’t rooted in Jesus as revealed through the Scriptures. In this episode, I walk through seven dangerous teachings quietly shaping the church right…
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Why I Almost Quit—and Why I’m Beginning Again
I almost quit. After a long season of health challenges, burnout, and disillusionment, I came close to walking away from writing, podcasting, and this work altogether. In this episode, I share what brought me to that edge—and what pulled me back. This episode marks a reset for Unfeigned...
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You Weren’t Meant to Heal Alone: The Live Free Mentorship Journey
After Rewiring Desire, one question remains: Can I really change—and can I do it alone? In this episode, Asher shares an important announcement: enrollment is now open for the Live Free Mentorship Community—a 5-month guided journey toward sexual and spiritual wholeness. This isn’t another...
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From Escape to Connection: How to Heal Porn Patterns (Biblical + Practical)
Freedom isn’t about a flawless record. It’s about connection in the moment of pain. In Part 3, we get practical: unblending from Exile/Manager/Firefighter, using simple daily practices to calm your nervous system, and building secure attachment with God and safe people. Learn why willpower fails,...
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What If the Part of You That Runs to Porn Is Actually Trying to Help?
What if porn is an emergency strategy—a frantic part of you chasing relief? In Part 2, Asher unpacks Internal Family Systems (Exile, Manager, Firefighter) alongside Romans 7 and Galatians 5 to name the war you feel inside—and to show how Jesus meets every part with safety, truth, and love. You’ll...
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What If Your Struggle with Porn Isn’t About Lust?
Most men think their problem is lust. But what if it’s pain? In this opening episode of Unfeigned Christianity, Asher talks about the hidden shame beneath pornography—the exhaustion, the self-protection, and the ache for connection we rarely admit. You’ll hear: Why porn is more about pain than...
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Exiles, Not Emperors: Jeremiah 29:7, Christian Nationalism, and the Way of Jesus
We’re not called to win an empire. We’re called to make disciples. In this episode, I respond to an email about Charlie Kirk, “common sense” politics, and whether America was founded on Christian values. We unpack Jeremiah 29:7 in context, ask what actually reduces harm (from abortion to gender...
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Love Is a Battlefield: How to Fight for Intimacy in Your Marriage
In this episode, I discuss the recent scandal involving two executives from the company Astronomer who were caught in an affair at a Coldplay concert. The conversation explores the implications of infidelity, the public's reaction on social media, and the importance of maintaining intimacy in...
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Why Christians Need a Better Response to Immigration
Many people wonder why I speak out about immigration. Some ask, “Why didn’t you speak up about abortion or LGBTQ+ issues?” Here’s the truth: I believe in legal immigration. I care deeply about obeying Jesus. And I’ve spent most of my adult life among immigrants—so this isn’t just politics to me....
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3 Truths Your Children Need to Know Every Day for Strong Mental Health #mentalhealth
As a dad of five, I've been thinking a lot about how to nurture strong mental health in my kids. In this video, I share three essential truths that children need to hear every day—truths that shape their identity, sense of belonging, and purpose. These insights come from my own journey, my…
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One Year Later: What Happened & Where We Go from Here
Hello friends! It's been nearly a year since I published anything. Today, I share my personal journey through a mysterious health crisis and the challenges of seeking medical help for it. I reflect on the impact of this experience on my life, work, and relationships, which has helped me realize…
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God Is Good (Another health update)
Hey friends, I just wanted to pop in here and say "Thank you!" to all of you who've reached out and expressed that you're praying for me and my family with the health issues that have come up in the last couple of months. I'm grateful that I am feeling better. My energy is recovering and the last...
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Health Update + Live Free Video Series Launch Delay
Hello friends, This month has been a pretty difficult month for us as a family. I've been hit with some fairly significant health issues and it has led us to put pretty much everything on hold as we seek out some answers. Here's an update on everything. We envy your prayers and thank you for your...
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The Bible Is Not about You - It's about God and His Partnership with Humanity
Sometimes we mistakenly center ourselves in the story of the Bible, as though the Bible is all about answering our questions and giving us direction for life. But the Bible is not simply about helping us navigate through life successfully. It could be said the Bible is about God—who he is, what…
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What Does Asher Actually Believe about Gender?? (Responding to Questions)
I recently published an article, Is It Sinful to Use “Transgender Pronouns”? In the article, I explored how Rosaria Butterfield recently “repented” from using what she calls, “transgender pronouns.” Why is she doing that? Should you feel the same way? A few people responded with some questions…
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#100 - Jesus Sees Himself As Embedded within a Large Story
How does the rest of the world view the Christianity that comes from the West? David Swartz does a wonderful job giving us reminding us that evangelical networks not only go out to, but also come from, the ends of the earth as he shares stories of resistance, accommodation, and cooperation in his...
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#099 - The Bible Is a Collection of Writings by Various Authors
God Doesn't Waste a Thing! That's the book I talk about at the beginning of this episode. Even when life has changed in inconvenient ways, God will use it to further his purposes, as Luke Chance shares in his beautiful testimony of redemption. After the blurb about the book, we dive into the…
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#098 - The Bible Is a Story: Everything That Does and Doesn't Mean
This week I discuss two books I've been reading, Counting the Cost by Jill Duggar Dillard and Becoming Free Indeed by Jinger Duggar Vuolo, and an important lesson I was reminded of as I've read them. Then, we dive into everything it does and doesn't mean that the Bible is a story. Does the fact...
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#097 - God Gave Us His Word Through Story -- A Paradigm Shift
Hey friends! Welcome to 2024! To kick things off, I'm going to be sharing a series of episodes with you that addresses how we ought to interact with scripture. It'll be a paradigm shift for many of us: the Bible is a story, not a reference book. Today's episode introduces it all. Enjoy! How does...
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#096 - End of Year Reflections + My Five Favorite Reads
As an end of year roundup, I discuss the interviews I did in 2023 that were highlights to me plus share my top 5 reads of the year. Here are some time-stamps for the episode: The birth of our daughter (0:32). My three favorite conversations from the last year (1:56). Quarterly guided studies…
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#095 - Three Lessons about Spiritual Abuse I Learned the Hard Way
This episode is exclusively for our valued patrons on Patreon. In this episode, I dive into three valuable lessons I've learned the hard way about spiritual abuse. These lessons aren't just "failures vs. successes," but rather insights gained through challenging experiences that can benefit us…
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#094 - The Church Is Not As Bad Off As We May Think
In this episode, I share some reflections on being a part of the Christian community, particularly relating to my experiences with the challenges of maintaining faith within flawed institutions. I opened up about my previous experiences with panic attacks, depression, and dealing with some…
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#093 - Unfeigned Christianity Update: Where I’ve Been and Where We’re Going
It's been three months since I released an update. I share why in this personal update. What would you like to see from this channel going forward?? You can send your feedback to [email protected]. If you'd like to check out the Dwell App, click here. Be sure to rate and review the podcast…
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#092 - A Conversation about Parenting, Women's Roles in the Church, & Participation in Broken Systems with Dorcas Smucker
It was a pleasure to sit down with Dorcas Smucker and discuss all kinds of things, not the least of which included parenting. We spent a good bit of time in the expanded version reflecting on some of the broken systems we've been a part of and talking about what to do when we realize we are...
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#091 - Why Women Should Get Theological Training w/ Kristi Mast
I had the honor of talking with Kristi Mast about her experience in Bible college, discovering the whole scope of Scripture more in-depth, and the importance of women getting this sort of Bible training. Kristi serves on staff with Sattler College, and has recently published a Bible study...
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#090 - Discover Your Place in God's Story
I am SO EXCITED to tell you that we've opened enrollment once again to Finding My Place in God's Story. I share the full scoop in today's episode of Unfeigned Christianity. Finding My Place in God's Story walks you through a 5-part process for understanding scripture and discovering your life's...
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#089 - What It Looks Like to Live Out God’s Story
"If the Bible is story and not a reference book where we find answers to theological questions, moral guidance for navigating ethical issues, or inspiration for the day, what are we to do when we face ethical struggles? Are you telling me not to go to the Bible for answers? What do we do with the...
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#088 - How to Read the Bible As Story
As we continue our series on how to connect with God and your purpose through His story, we take a deep dive into what God's story is and how to read the Bible as story. Just like all good stories, in God's story there are many moving pieces and it can be easy to miss the story unless we take…
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#087 - Connect with God and Your Purpose Through His Story
Do you long to be close with God and have a deeper confidence that you know why you exist? I think many people feel distant from God and unclear about life because they haven't gotten a good grasp of His story. In this episode, we're beginning a three-part series on finding connection with God…
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#086 - Reading the Bible As Story w/ Ricky Miller
My friend, Ricky Miller, joins me to discuss reading the Bible as story. Discovering the story nature of scripture has radically changed the way Ricky views the Bible. While this approach can feel modern, it's actually a more historically accurate approach to scripture. We've simply grown...
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#085 - Reading Scripture As Literature w/ Dru Lattin
Dru joins me once again to dive deep into reading scripture as literature. How does this shape the way we interpret the Bible? Listen and find out! You can hear more from Dru on his own podcast, That Jesus Podcast, where he explores what it means to be a radical apprentice of King Jesus. If you'd...
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#084 - Responding to Questions about Spanking, Same-Sex Attraction, and Sheila Wray Gregoire
In this episode, I take some time to respond to feedback I've gotten over the last couple of months about my interviews on spanking, same-sex attraction, and Sheila Wray Gregoire. If you'd like to check out the Dwell App, click here. Be sure to rate and review the podcast to let us know what you...
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#083 - Using Data Responsibly (w/ Byran Smucker)
How can statistics demonstrate the attributes of God? What does it look like for Christians to engage data honestly? I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with Byran Smucker on using data responsibly. Byran lives in Hamilton, OH (close to Cincinnati) with his wife, Amy, and their four children. He...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Becoming Christians who are theologically anchored, emotionally healthy, and loving others well.
HOSTED BY
Asher Witmer
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Unfeigned Christianity have?
Unfeigned Christianity currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Unfeigned Christianity about?
Becoming Christians who are theologically anchored, emotionally healthy, and loving others well.
How often does Unfeigned Christianity release new episodes?
Unfeigned Christianity has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
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You can listen to Unfeigned Christianity 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 Unfeigned Christianity?
Unfeigned Christianity is created and hosted by Asher Witmer.
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