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Heretic Happy Hour

Quoir
Christianity
Christian Nationalism
Spirituality
Donald Trump
Deconstruction
Progressive Christianity
Social Justice
The Last Of Us
Religious Trauma
Fascism
Evangelicalism
Theology
Quantum Theology
Mental Health
Empathy
Community
Reading Romans Right
Kendrick Lamar
Racism
Trump

Heretic Happy Hour is an unapologetically irreverent, crass, and sometimes profound conversation about the intersection of culture and the Christian faith. Hosts Keith Giles and Matthew J. Distefano, alongside a rotating panel of guest hosts that include theologians and therapists, professors and prophets, mystics and misfits, pull no punches and leave no stones unturned. For some serious sacred c... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes491Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ChristianityReligion & SpiritualitySpirituality

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Artwork for Heretic Happy Hour

Latest Episodes

In this week's main episode, Matthew and Keith bring back Pastor Evan McClanahan to argue whether a Christian can and should support the current authoritarian regime.

If you want to call in to the Bonus Show, leave a voicemail at (530) 332-8020. We'... more

In this week's bonus show, Matthew and Keith take a bunch of calls and texts into the hotline and prepare for their discussion with Pastor Evan on his support for the president.

If you want to call in to the Bonus Show, leave a voicemail at (530) 33... more

In this week's main episode, Matthew and Keith bring on a returning panel of Brandy Anderson, Gil Stafford, and Gregory Smith to discuss demons, exorcisms, and the satan in light of our recent episode on Jung, the Tao, and mysticism.

If you want to ... more

In this week's bonus show, Matthew and Keith debrief about the Philip K. Dick festival and unveil a new sponsor, The Iron Closet Gym - a male only, lust-free workout center.

If you want to call in to the Bonus Show, leave a voicemail at (530) 332-80... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Angela Harger Thompson
Actor, creator, filmmaker, storyteller; founder of Angela Harger Productions
Angela Harger Productions
Episode: #291: Forgiving God with Angela Thompson and Halley Kim
John Shirley
American writer known for horror, fantasy, sci-fi; Pink Beam Press author
John Shirley
Episode: #290: Quantum Theology and (Philip K.) Dick Theology with John Shirley and Ted Hand
Ted Hand
Philip K. Dick scholar, PKD Tarot collaborator, teacher
PKD expert; Pink Beam Press projects
Episode: #290: Quantum Theology and (Philip K.) Dick Theology with John Shirley and Ted Hand
Greg Smith
Writer, former pastor, and social services professional
Quoir
Episode: #289: Jesus, Tarot, Jung, and the Tao with Gregory Smith, Gil Stafford, and Brandy Anderson
Gil Stafford
Author and life coach; practitioner of Tarot; former priest and educator
Quoir
Episode: #289: Jesus, Tarot, Jung, and the Tao with Gregory Smith, Gil Stafford, and Brandy Anderson
David Morris
scholar of psychology and religion; author of Lost Faith and Wandering Souls
Lake Drive Books; Publishing Disrupted (co-host)
Episode: #288: Freud and Deconstruction with David Morris
Nat Turney
Co-host of This Is Not Church
This Is Not Church
Episode: BONUS SHOW: Checking In from Hawaii
John Turney
Co-host of This Is Not Church
This Is Not Church
Episode: BONUS SHOW: Checking In from Hawaii
Pastor Evan
Pastor, discussed on the episode about blasphemy laws
Houston, Texas-based pastor
Episode: BONUS SHOW: Blasphemy Laws? Find Out This Coming Tuesday

Host

Keith Giles and Matthew J. Distefano
Co‑hosts driving irreverent conversations at the intersection of culture and Christian faith, often with guest theologians and practitioners.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 519 ratings
  • Came across this just a few months ago and love it! Great content, conversion, humor, and rooted in love and the desire for spirituality to change our world for the better!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    ebodnaruk
    8 months ago
  • Heretics Galore

    A foul mouth farmer and a washed up minister combined their talents to present alternative truths to already corrupted exvangelical heretics and deconstructing Bible believers. Both were contributors to Patheos and have written and published books directed toward an audience of seekers of truth in this era of lying politicians and oligarchs seeking to win the rigged zero sum game of all for me and none for you. Their podcast is the perfect wake-up tonic on bleak winter mornings when even the sun... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Atamaganai
    United States8 months ago
  • Making fun of Charlie Kirk getting shot

    Real loving and Christlike example in Episode 254 when you make a joke about tpusa and the irony of them selling turtle neck shirts. Keep showing your true character, while you claim otherwise. You are exactly who you claim to hate.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    nepower
    United States10 months ago
  • Seven mountains Heresy

    A fascinating discussion featuring a panel of progressive Christian leaders and teachers on the emergence of fundamentalist doctrine as the primary governing authority principle in the United States. What does the white evangelical Christian faction fear? What is the founding principle regarding religion in the Constitution? How can progressive citizens stop the Christian nationalists from turning the USA into a narrow sectarian nation? Be a part of the discussion by calling in your questions an... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Atamaganai
    United Statesa year ago
  • Dave in New Mexico

    Can’t believe it took me so long to discover you guys. Better late than never, right! I always have some great takeaways after every episode. Keep bringing the knowledge. Much respect

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    dcpruyn
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Mixed reviews on historical accuracy in some episodes, but overall high engagement and value for serious listeners.
A refreshing blend of humor and rigor that keeps complex topics engaging.
Accessible yet deeply researched discussions with surprising guests.
Thoughtful, challenging conversations that push beyond easy answers.
Provocative takes that aren't afraid to question orthodoxy, though some episodes attract strong critics.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#285: Love Unrelenting with Steven Hause, Amory Ewerdt, and Ravi Holy
Q: Is there a moment or finding that pushed you over the edge into universalism, and what was it for you?
Guests describe personal moments—from reading transformative books to encounters with teachers and experiences in rehab—that shifted their view toward universal reconciliation, highlighting God's character as unconditionally loving and the insufficiency of eternal punishment as a framework.
#279: The Gospel of Lies with Promise Backlund
Q: What is the title of your book and what is it about?
The book is Gospel of Lies, Surviving and Resisting Evangelical Extremism, a blunt yet compassionate exploration of evangelical extremism, written to help both believers and skeptics question dogma and find a path forward.
#280: Red State Update with Jackie Broyles and Dunlap
Q: So I want to introduce our guests here. We have Trump Hating Rednecks, Jackie Broyles and Dunlap from the Red State Update. How did you get started and what was the original idea for the show?
They explain that the project began during Bush-era blogs, with the idea of parroting conservative talking points back in a more candid, homegrown voice, which evolved into character-driven satire as they leaned into political critique.
#274: The Order of Berrigan and Day with Danny Bryant and Flo Oakes
Q: Is the Order of Berrigan and Day open to individuals or churches, and what would they have to do to join?
The order is open to individuals and churches alike, with a flexible process to join and contribute, including involvement in funds for mercy work and interfaith collaboration.
#274: The Order of Berrigan and Day with Danny Bryant and Flo Oakes
Q: So Flo, what is your involvement with this?
Flo Oakes describes her role focusing on children's spirituality within the movement, emphasizing ethical, trauma-informed approaches and the empowerment of caregivers in nurturing faith.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Heretic Happy Hour

What is Heretic Happy Hour about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Irreverent, candid conversations explore culture, spirituality, and Christian faith with a rotating panel that includes theologians, therapists, and scholars. Episodes mix provocative takes on religion, philosophy, and current events with guest perspectives across theology, Jungian psychology, mysticism, and sci‑fi culture, often challenging orthodox assumptions and inviting deeper inquiry. Noteworthy are the recurring cross‑discipline debates, book and publishing projects, and a fearless habit of tackling controversial topics with humor and nuance. Potential listeners who enjoy rigorous discussion that blends theology, culture, and personal storytelling will likely find this show engaging and provocative.

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How many listeners does Heretic Happy Hour get?

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What are the audience demographics for Heretic Happy Hour?

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How many subscribers and views does Heretic Happy Hour have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Heretic Happy Hour has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Heretic Happy Hour?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Heretic Happy Hour:

1. The New Evangelicals Podcast
2. The Bible For Normal People
3. Misquoting Jesus with Bart Ehrman
4. Data Over Dogma
5. The RobCast

How many episodes of Heretic Happy Hour are there?

Heretic Happy Hour launched 9 years ago and published 491 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Heretic Happy Hour?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Heretic Happy Hour?

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What guests have appeared on Heretic Happy Hour?

Recent guests on Heretic Happy Hour include:

1. Angela Harger Thompson
2. John Shirley
3. Ted Hand
4. Greg Smith
5. Gil Stafford
6. David Morris
7. Nat Turney
8. John Turney

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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