The Back Pew

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."

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.

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.

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.

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.

Days after the Atlanta shootings that took the lives of eight people, six of them Asian American Women, Dan and Colton reflect on the ways Christian purity codes and strict religious morality may contribute to men dehumanizing - or fetishizing - women.

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" is about something we both felt uniquely qualified to discuss - male intimacy (again, not a sex joke). Make sure you are tuned in, subscribed, and following for updates!

Hot Take Homilies are my (Colton Simmons) unfiltered reflections on Christianity & Culture. On this inaugural episode, I'll fire off a hot take on Carl Lentz's affair and the irony of Hillsong's Founder Brian Houston firing him and his wife since Brian is guilty of covering up his own father's pedophilia scandal. In case you didn't know, Brian created Hillsong on the foundation of his father's church and influence, and then quietly swept his indiscretions under the rug so he could lead one...

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 asking to be ignored! Has Colton become too open-minded? Is Dan going straight to Hell?! This week, every topic is kosher, on The Back Pew!

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 religious community. They discuss growing up in the faith, the links between culture and religion, and the taboo of asking hard questions. What do we mean when we say, “God is love?” Can belief evolve with a young person as they grow? Can the guys recover when Sarah is too young to remember one of the greatest boy bands of all time? This week, more unites than divides, on The Back Pew!

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 answer - Kenny G. Let's wrap up this season three intermission with some closing thoughts parishioners!

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

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 proof that faith can heal our bodies? How should one update social media in the face of the worst? And does your geography really determine your destiny? The guys are honored to have a deep talk about running on faith when luck runs out, this week on The Back Pew.

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 his neurobiology? Will Colton get Travis to reveal magic secrets? Black swans, brain science, and the observable world in between, all in this week's epsidoe of the Back Pew!

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? Can pop music save souls? Why does Davie like Chris Stapleton so much? Grab a seat and a paper fan, because we’re going to Church!

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 their story after Grace discovered an overwhelming community of ex-Mosaic attendees who say LGBTQ members are not fully affirmed at Mosaic despite their public message of universal acceptance. You can find the original story on Refinery29's YouTube channel, or by clicking the link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLuB7fvMlhc&t=544s

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.

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 & Hudson.

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.

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.