x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

The Deconstructionists

John Williamson

A podcast about building new faith. Its all about construction, but sometimes that means you have to deconstruct a little. Questions, exploration, mystery...

religion & spirituality religion

All Episodes

33:18

Ep. 236 - Lillian Daniel "Defrocked: Good News from a...

The Deconstructionists ·

2026/04/09

📝 Episode SummaryDrawing from her new book, Defrocked: Good News from a Bad Pastor for a Better Church, Lillian shares her journey through ministry, the unexpected challenges she encountered, and the moments that forced her to rethink long-held assumptions about leadership, faith, and belonging.This episode is an honest look at what happens when certainty begins to crack—and why that might not be the end of faith, but the beginning of something more real.📚 About the BookDefrocked: Good News from a

en

39:24

Ep. 235 - Dr. Cristy Carr "Reclaiming the Forgotten...

The Deconstructionists ·

2026/04/01

What happens when the version of you that survived… isn’t the version of you that’s whole?In Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Cristy Carr, we move deeper—beyond awareness and into the work of healing. Together, we explore what it looks like to reconnect with the parts of ourselves that were silenced, shaped, or suppressed by trauma, religious systems, and the need to belong.This episode isn’t about quick fixes or easy answers. It’s about the slow, often uncomfortable process of becoming whole

en

31:13

Ep. 234 - Dr. Cristy Carr "The Forgotten Self" pt. 1

The Deconstructionists ·

2026/03/26

🧭 Episode SummaryWho were you… before you were told who to be?For many of us—especially those shaped by religious systems—identity isn’t something we discovered. It’s something we inherited.Beliefs. Roles. Expectations.All layered over time until the line between who we are and who we were told to be becomes hard to see.In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, we sit down with Cristy S. Carr to explore the core ideas behind her book The Forgotten Self—and what it means to lose connection with

en

29:32

Ep. 233 - Violence and the Bible

The Deconstructionists ·

2026/03/18

Episode: Violence and the Bible – What Do We Do With It?🧭 Episode SummaryViolence is everywhere in the Bible—and for many, it’s one of the most difficult aspects of scripture to reconcile with the idea of a loving God.In this episode, John explores one of the most pressing and personal questions facing modern readers of the Bible:What do we do with the violence in scripture—and what does it mean for us today?Prompted by a recent discussion group and unfolding global events, this episode wrestles

en

32:29

Ep. 232 - Dr. Michelle Keener "Comfort in the Ashes"...

The Deconstructionists ·

2026/03/09

The Deconstructionists PodcastGuest: Dr. Michelle KeenerIn Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Michelle Keener, we go deeper into the themes of her book, Comfort in the Ashes: Explorations in the Book of Job to Support Trauma Survivors, and what it means to engage scripture after certainty has cracked.If Part 1 explored how harmful interpretations take root, this episode focuses on what comes after—especially for those navigating trauma, deconstruction, and the loss of familiar frameworks.In this

en

36:18

Ep. 231 - Dr. Michelle Keener "Comfort in the Ashes"...

The Deconstructionists ·

2026/03/02

In this first part of our conversation, we’re joined by Dr. Michelle Keener, author of Comfort in the Ashes: Explorations in the Book of Job to Support Trauma Survivors.The Book of Job is often cited in conversations about suffering—but just as often, it’s been used to minimize pain, rush people toward answers, or reinforce harmful ideas about God, blame, and endurance. In Comfort in the Ashes, Dr. Keener offers a different approach: one that reads Job through the lens of trauma, care, and lived

en

50:55

Ep. 230 - John Dominic Crossan & Michael...

The Deconstructionists ·

2026/02/24

In Part Two of our conversation with John Dominic Crossan and Michael Okinczyc-Cruz, we move from historical foundations to present-day consequences.Once Jesus is understood within the realities of Roman imperial power, the implications become unavoidable — especially in a moment when Christianity in the United States is increasingly entangled with political authority, violence, and domination.In this episode, we explore:The meaning of the “Kingdom of God” in contrast to imperial powerNonviolence,

en

40:13

Ep. 229 - John Dominic Crossan & Michael...

The Deconstructionists ·

2026/02/18

In this episode of The Deconstructionists Podcast, we’re joined by John Dominic Crossan and Michael Okinczyc-Cruz for the first part of a wide-ranging conversation about Jesus, empire, and why historical context matters now more than ever.As religion, power, and nationalism continue to collide in the United States, this conversation feels remarkably timely — not because it’s reacting to current events, but because it’s rooted deeply in history.In Part One, we focus on setting the foundation:The

en

18:39

Ep. 228 - Valentyn Syniy - "God Under Siege: How War...

The Deconstructionists ·

2026/02/09

In this deeply moving conversation, John sits down for part two with Valentyn Syniy, a Ukrainian pastor, theologian, and author whose life and ministry have been profoundly shaped by the reality of war.This interview was recorded under extraordinary circumstances. Scheduling had to account for the very real possibility of Russian airstrikes and power outages. Valentyn’s wife graciously joined the conversation to assist with translation at moments, helping ensure that everything Valentyn wanted to

en

41:18

Ep. 227 - Valentyn Syniy - "God Under Siege: How War...

The Deconstructionists ·

2026/02/02

In this deeply moving conversation, John sits down with Valentyn Syniy, a Ukrainian pastor, theologian, and author whose life and ministry have been profoundly shaped by the reality of war.For many of us—especially those who have never served or lived in a war-torn region—war can feel abstract. Something debated from a distance. Should troops be sent? Should they not? But for Valentyn and millions of others, war is not theoretical. It is daily life. It is uncertainty, fear, loss—and for many, hell

en

19:56

Ep. 226 - Immigration "Process, Not Performance" pt. 3

The Deconstructionists ·

2026/01/30

This episode dismantles the most persistent myths surrounding immigration and replaces them with how the system actually works.We walk through immigration policy historically and in real time—naming the racial roots of U.S. immigration law, explaining why “just do it legally” is not a serious policy position, and breaking down the real costs, timelines, and barriers people face today.We also look at crime data, benefits myths, economic contributions, and the very real impact current enforcement

en

23:18

Ep. 225 - Immigration "When Power Asks for Blessing"...

The Deconstructionists ·

2026/01/28

This episode steps back and asks a harder question:What has the church done in moments like this before—and what does faithfulness actually require now?We begin with church history, tracing how Christians have repeatedly been asked to bless state violence in the name of order and safety. We examine how labels like “criminal,” “terrorist,” and “threat” have historically been used to short-circuit moral responsibility.We then turn to Scripture—not as proof texts, but as story—allowing the biblical

en

33:47

Ep. 224 - Immigration "When Fear Becomes Policy" pt. 1

The Deconstructionists ·

2026/01/26

When Fear Becomes PolicyIn this episode, we address what’s happening right now in the United States as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations escalate in visibility, intensity, and violence.This is not a political episode.It’s a human one.We examine verified facts, video evidence, and legal realities surrounding recent enforcement actions, including documented cases involving American citizens, the failure to follow established protocols after lethal force, and the growing pattern of

en

34:00

Ep. 223 - Dr. Alexander Shaia "A Holiday...

The Deconstructionists ·

2026/01/12

Episode DescriptionIn Part Two of our conversation with Alexander Shaia, we move beyond theory and into practice—exploring what spiritual transformation actually looks like in real life.In Part One, we traced the foundations of Dr. Shaia’s work and why his approach to the Gospels resonates so deeply with people navigating faith, doubt, and deconstruction. In this episode, we go deeper—into lived experience, inner change, and the courage it takes to move forward when certainty falls away.Dr. Shaia

en

34:13

Ep. 222 - Dr. Alexander Shaia

The Deconstructionists ·

2025/12/23

A Holiday Conversation with Dr. Alexander Shaia — Part 1For many people, the holiday season isn’t filled with joy and nostalgia — it’s filled with grief, loneliness, exhaustion, and complicated memories. This episode is especially for those who find this time of year difficult.In Part One of this two-part holiday conversation, we’re joined by our dear friend Alexander Shaia for a reflective, unhurried dialogue about meaning, presence, and the wisdom found in honoring seasons rather than fighting

en

43:29

Ep. 221 - Peter Rollins - "Communion, Community, and...

The Deconstructionists ·

2025/12/15

Episode Summary:Part 2 of our conversation with philosopher and friend of the show Peter Rollins goes even deeper into the psychological, existential, and communal dynamics of faith and identity. If Part 1 set the stage, Part 2 pulls the curtain all the way back.This is one of those conversations that lingers. It’s dense, it’s provocative, and it’s full of the kind of insights that Pete has become known for all around the world.Resources & References:Peter Rollins’ official website:

en

32:04

Ep. 220 - Peter Rollins - "Communion, Community, and...

The Deconstructionists ·

2025/12/08

Episode Summary:In this long-awaited return to the podcast, philosopher, storyteller, and longtime friend of the show Peter Rollins joins us for a rich, mind-bending conversation about faith, identity, and the transformative potential of doubt. Peter was one of our earliest guests and someone who understood the heart of this podcast from day one. After far too much time away, he’s back — and this conversation does not disappoint.In Part 1, we dig into some of the themes Peter has become known for:

en

2:13

Brand New Patreon!

The Deconstructionists ·

2025/12/05

🎉 We’ve Launched a Brand New Patreon!After years of letting our old Patreon quietly collect dust, we’re excited to officially announce that The Deconstructionists Podcast now has a fully rebuilt Patreon — with brand new tiers, fresh content, and one beloved classic perk we kept just for you.This podcast has always been — and still is — 100% independent. We cover the costs out of pocket, not because it’s easy, but because we believe in the conversations we’re having and in the community that’s grown

en

26:21

Ep. 219 - Original Sin or Original Blessing?

The Deconstructionists ·

2025/12/01

Episode SummaryIn this deep-dive episode, we explore one of the most influential — and controversial — doctrines in the history of Christianity: Original Sin.For many of us, Original Sin was presented as a foundational truth. We were told it explained everything wrong with humanity: our impulses, our desires, our bodies, our failures. But where did this idea actually come from? How did early Christian communities understand human nature? And how did one interpretation, shaped by the life and

en

31:16

Ep. 218 - Joe Ingle "God behind bars: Dignity,...

The Deconstructionists ·

2025/11/28

Episode OverviewIn this second half of John’s conversation with Pastor Joe Ingle, we continue exploring the deeply human, often heartbreaking realities of prison ministry — particularly Joe’s decades of work with individuals on death row.If Part 1 introduced the calling and contours of his work, Part 2 steps fully into the emotional, spiritual, and ethical complexities of walking with people whom society has condemned and often forgotten. Joe shares stories from his time working with incarcerated

en

269 results

Similar Podcasts

Jeff Haygood, Pastor

PodPoint

PASTOR ALVARO VALENCIA

Pastor Alvaro Valencia

Grace Life Church CT.

Joseph Levesque

Pleasant View Church

Ted Nance

Christian Heritage Church"s Podcast

PodPoint