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All Episodes - Pulling Threads

Each episode of Pulling Threads is a conversation about what happens when we start tugging at the threads of our metaphorical sweaters, the sweaters that compose our various belief systems. By discussing the journey of deconstructing our worldviews, we hope to create a safe place for our listeners and maybe even connect with each other through our common threads.

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21 Episodes

Finale for Now thumbnail

Finale for Now

03/05/2023 56 min 11 sec Explicit

This is the last thread...for now.Join Cliff, Megan, and Nathan for some final thoughts on Pulling Threads: where we are now; what have we learned; where are we headed.Thanks for listening.

The Floppy Disk: Jeff's Sweater thumbnail

The Floppy Disk: Jeff's Sweater

03/06/2022 48 min 19 sec Explicit

When Jeff's parents find a certain floppy disk in his closet, it's time for the whole family to get more serious about the faith. Gaining friendship in the youth group and getting slain in the spirit opened Jeff's eyes to a more real faith, at least for a while. Join us for Jeff's journey as he explores what it's like to come to terms with personal identity and personal faith. Common Threads: LGBTQ+, Family, PentecostalPodcast Pairings (TM):Coming SoonDisclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests. They do not reflect the opinions or views of their employers.

Family Ties: Amber's Sweater thumbnail

Family Ties: Amber's Sweater

01/30/2022 70 min 1 sec Explicit

Family dynamics and faith take center stage in this week's episode. We'll hear about how Amber's family relationships helped her grow and start to see her faith in a new light.Common Threads: Family, Siblings, LGBTQIA, Podcast Pairings(TM): This week's episode can best be enjoyed with a Cherry Coke and Cool Ranch Doritos.Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests. They do not reflect the opinions or views of their employers.

There's So Much Freedom to be Had: Becky's Sweater thumbnail

There's So Much Freedom to be Had: Becky's Sweater

01/23/2022 44 min 50 sec Explicit

Spending her early life hiding her true emotions sent Becky on a journey of self-discovery, therapy, and ultimately, healing. Join us as Becky shares how she came to realize that she deserved to have a say in her own life.Common Threads: Mental Health, Feelings, Therapy, Spirituality, 12 Step ProgramPodcast Pairings(TM): This week's episode is best enjoyed with some good coffee and a cinnamon roll.Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests. They do not reflect the opinions or views of their employers.

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Holiday Hiatus

12/19/2021 3 min 12 sec Explicit

Ho! Ho! Ho! It's time for a little holiday hiatus.Whether it's baking, hanging with family, or possibly even Netflix and chilling, we hope you take some time to rest, relax, and restore for a few weeks. See you in the new year to wrap up Season 2!

Am I a Bad Person? Heather's Sweater thumbnail

Am I a Bad Person? Heather's Sweater

12/12/2021 53 min 15 sec Explicit

Growing up in a loving home, Heather enjoyed life with her friends and family. But as she started searching for answers and acceptance in the local church, she began to feel a sense of guilt that hadn't registered before. Was she a bad person? Join us this week, as Heather shares how she came to understand her own faith and beliefs apart from organized religion. Common Threads: Family, Humanism, Goodness, Higher Power, KarmaPodcast Pairings(TM): This week's episode is best enjoyed with anything alcoholic.Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests. They do not reflect the opinions or views of their employers.

Baby's First Atheist: Jake's Sweater thumbnail

Baby's First Atheist: Jake's Sweater

12/05/2021 54 min 35 sec Explicit

What do homeschool, Bible Quiz, and YouTube have in common? Meet Jake the Atheist. There's no denying that the term atheist often has a negative connotation, but Jake is here to offer a different perspective. Former home-schooled fundamentalist, Jake's fervor for his faith led to questions with no easy answers. A YouTube video sparked a search for truth that he's continuing on his own YouTube channel today.Join us this week for Jake's Episode.Common Threads: Home School, YouTube, Atheism, The BiblePodcast Pairings(TM): This week's episode is best enjoyed with a cold beer and good old-fashioned cheeseburger.Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests. They do not reflect the opinions or views of their employers.

It's All Arbitrary: Stephanie's Sweater thumbnail

It's All Arbitrary: Stephanie's Sweater

11/28/2021 65 min 4 sec Explicit

Growing up in an alcoholic home, Stephanie craved structure, rules, and belonging. So, what she found in the church was initially a cozy and reassuring sweater. But as the years passed, Stephanie realized that putting others on a spiritual pedestal, was creating yet another unhealthy atmosphere. What happens when you've spent your life trusting other people rather than yourself? Join us this week for Stephanie's episode.Common Threads: Mental Health, Alcoholism, Politics, TherapyPodcast Pairings(TM): This week's episode is best enjoyed with some leftover pumpkin roll and a homemade latte.Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests. They do not reflect the opinions or views of their employers.

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Remnants: Nathan

11/21/2021 13 min 51 sec Explicit

Join us during our break as we reflect on some remnants from season 1. Season 2 coming November 28th.

Remnants: Megan thumbnail

Remnants: Megan

11/14/2021 11 min 55 sec Explicit

Join us during our break as we reflect on some remnants from season 1. Season 2 coming November 28th.

Remnants: Cliff thumbnail

Remnants: Cliff

11/07/2021 13 min 28 sec Explicit

Join us during our break as we reflect on some remnants from season 1. Season 2 coming November 28th.

The Church Kid: Carter's Sweater thumbnail

The Church Kid: Carter's Sweater

10/10/2021 55 min 23 sec Explicit

When you're considered a "church kid," you can have a lot of responsibilities: learning, teaching, leading, music. But what happens when your responsibility to truth becomes greater than your responsibility to your religion? Join us for Carter's sweater.Common Threads: Church of Christ, Atheism, Marriage, Intellectualism, Church KidPodcast Pairings(TM): This week's episode is best enjoyed with some Oreos and milk.Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests. They do not reflect the opinions or views of their employers.

You're Already There: Carleigh & Daniel's Sweaters thumbnail

You're Already There: Carleigh & Daniel's Sweaters

10/03/2021 52 min 38 sec Explicit

When two young kids grow up thinking that they'll never measure up, it takes time and healing before they realize they're already there. On a journey through self-doubt and the treacherous waters of purity culture, two travelers end up finding each other on the road to redemption. Common Threads: Purity Culture, Adoption, Anxiety, Marriage, Redemption StoriesPodcast Pairings(TM): This week's episode is best enjoyed with some Bloody Marys.Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests. They do not reflect the opinions or views of their employers.

The Family that Deconstructs Together: Sean & Juli's Sweater thumbnail

The Family that Deconstructs Together: Sean & Juli's Sweater

09/26/2021 42 min 15 sec Explicit

Being ordained as a teenager, having a minister for a dad, going to Bible college, losing your mom to cancer...all of these things contributed to the pulling of threads for Sean and Juli. Join us this week as we hear from the Cooleys. They'll share what it's like to deconstruct as individuals and as a family. Common Threads: Family, Parenting, Southern Baptist, Christian collegePodcast Pairings(TM): This week's episode is best enjoyed with boxed wine & Cheezits or craft beer and pretzels.Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests. They do not reflect the opinions or views of their employers.

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The Music Thread

09/19/2021 68 min 48 sec Explicit

Join us this week as we pause for a musical interlude if you will. Music has been a huge thread in each of our sweaters, so this week, we're breaking down some of the songs that helped shape us, for better or for worse. Common Threads: Music, Personal RevelationsPodcast Pairings(TM): This week's episode is best enjoyed with your favorite 90s sip and snack.Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests. They do not reflect the opinions or views of their employers.

For the Love: Jeff's Sweater thumbnail

For the Love: Jeff's Sweater

09/12/2021 56 min 56 sec Explicit

When a glam rocker, champion weight-lifter turned police officer starts a family, his world gets changed forever. In today's episode, we learn how one man decided to choose love over his religious beliefs.Common Threads: Parenting, Music, Family, Kids, LGBTQ+Podcast Pairings(TM): This week's episode is best enjoyed with donuts and coffee.Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests. They do not reflect the opinions or views of their employers.

Where are the Marginalized? Kara's Sweater thumbnail

Where are the Marginalized? Kara's Sweater

09/05/2021 67 min 7 sec

When a southern beauty queen traverses the path before her, she ends up circling back, trying the path again, and ultimately choosing a new one. Kara's journey explores what it's like to come to terms with small town ideas. When reality doesn't match everything she's been taught, she's forced to expand her perspective.Common Threads: Divorce, LGBTQ+, Interfaith family, Small Town, ChristianityPodcast Pairings (TM):This week's episode is best enjoyed with red wine and chocolate.Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests. They do not reflect the opinions or views of their employers.

The Perfectionist: Megan's Sweater thumbnail

The Perfectionist: Megan's Sweater

08/29/2021 45 min 35 sec Explicit

When a stubborn little kid finally decides to become a Christian, she's all in. In this week's episode, Megan shares what it was like when a tendency for perfectionism blended with faith, eating, dating, and all the other joys of young adult life. Common Threads: Southern Baptist, Eating Disorders, Perfectionism, Music, Youth Ministry, Universalism, Interfaith RelationshipsPodcast Pairings(TM): This week's episode is best enjoyed with a spicy margarita and a homemade pizza. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests. They do not reflect the opinions or views of their employers.

The Contract: Nathan's Sweater thumbnail

The Contract: Nathan's Sweater

08/22/2021 61 min 46 sec Explicit

What happens when a Southern Baptist preacher's kid decides he doesn't want a piece of the family business after all? Join us this week for Nathan's episode. We'll hear about embarrassing youth group memories, being asked to sign arbitrary contracts, and life on the mission field.Common Threads: Southern Baptist, Preacher's Kid, Missionaries, TheologyPodcast Pairings(TM): Bourbon with an IPA chaser and a loaded baked potato!Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests. They do not reflect the opinions or views of their employers.

The Text: Cliff's Sweater thumbnail

The Text: Cliff's Sweater

08/15/2021 89 min 3 sec Explicit

In today's episode, we find out why Cliff wore a huge wooden cross around his neck as a teen, and what it's like to spend 39 years trying to hide in plain sight. We'll also learn how one text led to both freedom and this podcast. Join us for our first episode of Pulling Threads. Common Threads: LGBTQ+, Catholicism, Coming OutPodcast Pairings: This episode pairs well with mac & cheese, wine, and a hanky.Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests. They do not reflect the opinions or views of their employers.

How's your sweater? thumbnail

How's your sweater?

08/08/2021 9 min 46 sec

Get a sneak peak into our podcast, Pulling Threads. Join hosts Cliff, Megan, and Nathan as they explore what happens when we start tugging at the threads of our our belief systems.This teaser pairs well with Hot Cheetos and Kombucha.Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests. They do not reflect the opinions or views of their employers.