We explore how space and time form a single fabric, testing our daily beliefs through questions about free-fall, black holes, speed, and momentum to reveal what models get right and where they break. To help us, we’re excited to have our friend David Theriault, a science and sci-fi afficionado; and our resident astrophysicist, Rachel Losacco, to ta…

In the first episode of our series on metaphysics, Michael Herman joins us from Episode #14 on “What is consciousness?” to discuss reality. More specifically, the question of objects in reality. The team explores Plato’s forms, Aristotle’s realism, emergence, and embodiment to determine whether AI models can approximate from what humans uniquely ex…

This is it, the final episode of IWATF! Join us as we reflect on five transformative years of storytelling, growth, and community. In this farewell episode, we share our personal journeys, the impact of the podcast, and our plans for the future. With gratitude and a touch of nostalgia, we say goodbye, leaving behind a legacy of connection and under…

โดย Dr. Andrew Clark & Sid Mangalik

Join Brian, Troy, and Sharon as they delve into the fascinating and often unknown history of the modern speaking in tongues phenomena. From personal experiences to Church history insights, this episode explores the significance of tongues in Christian practices and its impact on believers. Whether you're a sceptic or a believer, this conversation p…

In this episode, we talk about practical guardrails for LLMs with data scientist Nicholas Brathwaite. We focus on how to stop PII leaks, retrieve data, and evaluate safety with real limits. We weigh managed solutions like AWS Bedrock against open-source approaches and discuss when to skip LLMs altogether. • Why guardrails matter for PII, secrets, a…

In this episode, Troy and Brian welcome new co-host Sharon Madere, discussing her background and experiences with Last Days Ministries. The conversation explores the evolution of the Jesus People Movement, the financial dynamics of Keith Green's ministry, and the shift from idealism to conservatism within evangelicalism. They delve into the impact …

Troy and Brian welcome Sarah Steel, the brilliant host and creator of the award-winning podcast Let's Talk About Sects. Sarah delves into the complex world of high control groups and cults, sharing insights from her extensive research and personal interviews. Together, they explore the psychological impact of cults, the challenges of leaving such g…

We’re excited to have Adi Ganesan, a PhD researcher at Stony Brook University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Vanderbilt, on the show. We’ll talk about how large language models LLMs) are being tested and used in psychology, citing examples from mental health research. Fun fact: Adi was Sid's research partner during his Ph.D. program. Discussi…

In this episode, we delve into the unique upbringing of comedian Jeremy Alder, who was raised in a fundamentalist Christian household. Jeremy shares his experiences of being homeschooled in Texas by missionary parents who distrusted mainstream culture, leading to a childhood without TV or the internet. He reflects on the challenges and unexpected b…

The release of OpenAI GPT-5 marks a significant turning point in AI development, but maybe not the one most enthusiasts had envisioned. The latest version seems to reveal the natural ceiling of current language model capabilities with incremental rather than revolutionary improvements over GPT-4. Sid and Andrew call back to some of the model-buildi…

Brian and Troy sit down with Tracy, a former pastor turned psychologist, to explore her transformative journey from religious leadership to a life of authenticity and self-discovery. Tracy shares her experiences of grappling with faith, the challenges of deconstructing long-held beliefs, and the empowering path to finding her true identity. Join us…

Troy and Brian engage in a deep conversation with Cara Flame, an Australian experiential and creative arts therapist, about her journey from being a teenage fundamentalist to becoming an advocate for those recovering from religious trauma. Cara tells of her experiences in the Esther Foundation, a Christian Fundamentalist organisation, and how it sh…

Episode 200 - THE END. I can’t believe I’m even writing those words. What started as three guys with microphones and a shared burden has grown into something far bigger than we could’ve ever imagined — a movement of freedom, healing, and truth for thousands of people who dared to ask, “Is this really what Jesus intended?” And now… this chapter come…

Sid Mangalik and Andrew Clark explore the unique governance challenges of agentic AI systems, highlighting the compounding error rates, security risks, and hidden costs that organizations must address when implementing multi-step AI processes. Show notes: • Agentic AI systems require governance at every step: perception, reasoning, action, and lear…

Episode 199 – Leave a Legacy “Legacy isn’t about what you leave behind. It’s about what you build into others while you’re still here.” As we approach the final chapter of the RFP journey, Episode 199 hits deep. JC Groves sits down with long-time friend and Word of Life missionary Caleb Cody for a powerful conversation on what it truly means to lea…

In this episode, we visit Hillsong's mothership in Baulkham Hills so you don't have to! We unpack the atmosphere, the music, the offering, the supposed miracles, the sermon and the continued exploitation of volunteers. Join us as we reflect on the evolving, yet somehow still familiar landscape of the 'new' Hillsong and its diminishing impact on tho…

Episode #198: "Narcissism in the name of the Lord - The real church scandal" Not everyone who says “God told me” is hearing from God. Not every “pastor” is a shepherd. Some are narcissists in church clothes—manipulating, gaslighting, and controlling people in the name of Jesus. In this raw, unfiltered episode, JC breaks down: How to spot narcissist…

We continue with our series about building agentic AI systems from the ground up and for desired accuracy. In this episode, we explore linear programming and optimization methods that enable reliable decision-making within constraints. Show notes: Linear programming allows us to solve problems with multiple constraints, like finding optimal flights…

Troy and Brian chat with journalist and author Claire Hoffman about her book Sister Sinner, which explores the life and mysterious disappearance of Aimee Semple McPherson, a pioneering figure in American evangelicalism and Pentecostalism. The discussion covers Claire's own upbringing in a transcendental meditation community and then explores the co…

EPISODE #197 — “Sonship” with Lynn Gibson Before you were a husband, a pastor, a provider, a screw-up, or a success… You were a son. And that identity hasn’t changed. In this powerful episode, JC sits down with Lynn Gibson — author of “ENOUGH: One Man’s Search for Adequacy” and founder of Wild Heart Adventures — to talk about what it means to live …

Brian & Troy used to be loyal megachurch leaders. They’re not anymore. This podcast explores life in and after Christian Fundamentalism. --- We're on YouTube here. Want more? Check out our exclusive Patreon episodes here. Our blog is here. Join the conversation and connect with others here. The transcript of this episode is here. All our other link…

We engage in a deep conversation with Luke Wilson, a Canadian scholar, about his experiences growing up in a fundamentalist environment and the impact of conversion therapy on LGBTQ+ individuals. Luke shares his journey from being a teenage fundamentalist to confronting his sexuality, his time at Liberty University, and the harrowing experiences of…

On this weeks episode, Host JC Groves welcome Daniel Winn to the show and we hear the powerful journey of hope, healing and beloning. This episode explores Daniel's transition from a rigid religious upbringing to finding true belonging in grace and freedom. Discover how Daniel's story resonates with themes of leaving legalism behind to embrace a de…

The hosts look at utility functions as the mathematical basis for making AI systems. They use the example of a travel agent that doesn’t get tired and can be increased indefinitely to meet increasing customer demand. They also discuss the difference between this structured, economic-based approach with the problems of using large language models fo…

Episode 195: “Just Be Normal, Bro” with Christiana Miller In this episode of the Recovering Fundamentalist Podcast, JC is joined by the hilarious and deeply insightful Christiana Miller — singer, songwriter, comedian, and social media influencer — who’s using her platforms to help people break free from the chains of legalism… one reel at a time. C…

In this episode, Troy welcomes Ryan James, and together they tell the story of his brother Jonas James and his struggles with identity, music, drugs and Christianity. They explore the complexities of family dynamics, childhood trauma, and the impact of mental health on Jonas' journey. The conversation explores a complex individual who navigated var…

In this episode of the Recovering Fundamentalist Podcast, Host, JC Groves sits down with Dr. Marcus Merritt, Director of the Doctor of Ministry program at Luther Rice Theological Seminary, for an honest and eye-opening conversation about accreditation in Christian education. Whether you’re considering Bible college, seminary, or guiding the next ge…

EPISODE 193: The Power of Prayer (with Danny Hesterly of Pray Chattanooga) What if prayer isn’t about performance—but about presence? In this episode of the Recovering Fundamentalist Podcast, host JC Groves sits down with Danny Hesterly, founder of Pray Chattanooga, to talk about reclaiming the beauty, honesty, and power of prayer. For many recover…

What if we've been approaching AI agents all wrong? While the tech world obsesses over larger language models (LLMs) and prompt engineering, there'a a foundational approach that could revolutionize how we build trustworthy AI systems: mechanism design. This episode kicks off an exciting series where we're building AI agents "the hard way"—using pri…

In this episode, Troy and Brian welcome Josie McSkimming, and discuss her new memoir, 'Gutsy Girls: Love, Poetry and Sisterhood.' The conversation delves into Josie's experiences growing up in a volatile family environment, her journey through fundamentalism, and the influence of her sister, renowned poet Dorothy Porter. They explore themes of resi…

Episode #192 we dive deep into the topic of "Healthy Churches - What to Look For." Our special guest, Chris Goeppner, pastor of Riverbank Church in Vermont. Chris brings invaluable insights on identifying signs of health and vitality in church communities. From leadership transparency to genuine community engagement, we explore practical markers th…

Episode 191: The Weight of Perfectionism in the IFB and Legalistic Churches In this powerful episode, Host JC Groves is joined by Sarah Vick, founder of A-mom-logetics—a ministry dedicated to equipping moms to defend a rock-solid faith in a shifting-sand culture and communicate deep truths to their kids in age-appropriate ways. Together, we unpack …

Dr. Michael Zargham provides a systems engineering perspective on AI agents, emphasizing accountability structures and the relationship between principals who deploy agents and the agents themselves. In this episode, he brings clarity to the often misunderstood concept of agents in AI by grounding them in established engineering principles rather t…

In this episode, Troy and Brian engage with Sarah Bacaller, editor of the book, 'Apostate: Stories of Deconversion'. They explore Sarah's background in fundamentalism, her academic pursuits in philosophy, and her reflections on the ethical implications of church authority. The discussion delves into personal narratives of deconversion, the impact o…

On this episode we dive into all things Word Of Life with our special guest Jonathan Bubar. Whether you're familiar with their ministry or new to their impact, this episode is packed with insights and stories that will inspire and challenge. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation! wol.org recoveringfundamentalist.org hopechurchcatoosa.com…

In this episode Host JC Groves welcomes Joey Presutti — a church planter and pastor who’s helping reshape the way we think about starting new churches in a post-COVID world. As two new church planters ( Joey @ the Gather Church - 4 months old. Me @ Hope Church - 2 years old) we talk about the new challenges, the unexpected opportunities, and what’s…

Dr. Cath McKinney is the Professional Supervision Program Director at the University of Divinity in Australia. Her background includes extensive experience as a group relations consultant, a prison chaplain and inner-city minister. In this episode, Cath shares her journey from a complex religious upbringing to her experiences in church leadership, …

"REDEEMED FROM A BROKEN IDENTITY - GODS REDEMPTION STORY” Because for so many of us, recovery isn’t just about what we’ve walked away from—it’s about what we’re walking toward. Healing. Wholeness. Freedom. And not just living in recovery, but moving forward as someone who’s been recovered. I’m joined today by Sam Jones—a longtime listener of the sh…

Episode Title: The Pain of Betrayal / The Power of Redemption – Part 2 (with Jacob Kesling) In Part 2 of our conversation, Jacob Kesling joins host JC Groves to unpack the deep wounds of betrayal and the relentless hope found in redemption. From the raw realities of failure to the beauty of restoration, Jacob shares his journey with honesty, grace,…

Kicking off the first episode of 2025, Troy and Brian revisit their conversion stories...after four years of Exvangelical podcasting. They explore their early lives, the vulnerabilities that led them to embrace fundamentalist Christianity, and the roles of community and belonging in their experiences. The conversation delves into the impact of iden…

Episode #186 we’re diving into a topic that’s at the core of what we do here—the power of storytelling. We all know that stories have a way of breaking down barriers, making truth relatable, and reminding us that we’re not alone in our experiences. And we’ve got a great guest with us today—Tommy from This is My Story. If you’ve ever wondered about …

In our second episode back in 2021, troy talked a little about his pre-conversion home life and his experience of two Christian camps. It was at the second camp where he found himself speaking in tongues and started to wear the label, 'born-again'. As part of our 2025 Down Under Summer Series, we're replaying our best episodes. We hope you enjoy th…

Part 2 of this series could have easily been renamed "AI for science: The expert’s guide to practical machine learning.” We continue our discussion with Christoph Molnar and Timo Freiesleben to look at how scientists can apply supervised machine learning techniques from the previous episode into their research. Introduction to supervised ML for sci…

Machine learning is transforming scientific research across disciplines, but many scientists remain skeptical about using approaches that focus on prediction over causal understanding. That’s why we are excited to have Christoph Molnar return to the podcast with Timo Freiesleben. They are co-authors of "Supervised Machine Learning for Science: How …

Let's go right back to the beginning. In Season 1 Episode 1, Brian recounted his conversion story. "No bibles, no preaching, no god-bothering!" These were the conditions he put upon his two brothers, who had recently converted to Pentecostal Christianity, if he were to visit them while on holidays. What happened next would change the course of his …

Episode #185: The Pain of Betrayal This is part one of a two part conversation. Part one is a deeply personal episode, as we explore the profound impact of betrayal on our lives. Through candid story and heartfelt reflections, JC takes us on a journey of his life and ministry over the last 20 years. Together we delve into the raw emotions and chall…

JC, Matt, and Nate are all back together for a new episode in a new year! This episode focuses on the Peace of God which passes all understanding. Peace is the fruit of the Spirit that defines the life of the believer. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is leading His church into His will for us and He gives His peace to those who follow Him. Is our local…

Unlock the secrets to AI's modeling paradigms. We emphasize the importance of modeling practices, how they interact, and how they should be considered in relation to each other before you act. Using the right tool for the right job is key. We hope you enjoy these examples of where the greatest AI and machine learning techniques exist in your routin…

In this episode, Elliott and Pete discuss a recent dream in which Elliott was rude to JD Vance, how to find your "tree" of thinkers, and what the heck Elon Musk was doing during the Inauguration! We'll be back next episode to discuss the "recent" debate between Jordan Peterson and Richard Dawkins! **The Fundamentalists** is available here: iTunes: …