S1E5: A New Kind of Faith, with Brian Recker

Today, Heather McG and Brian Recker explore their shared experiences growing up in fundamentalist Christianity and the journey of deconstructing their faith. While Heather became and atheist, Brian has forged the path to a kinder, more universal faith. They discuss the challenges of navigating identity, shame, and the impact of evangelicalism on their lives. Brian shares his personal journey of leaving the pastorate, the struggles of divorce, and the importance of finding a supportive community. They also delve into the intersection of spirituality and politics, emphasizing the need for love and compassion in faith practices.
TAKEAWAYS

• Evangelicalism can rebrand fundamentalism without changing core beliefs.
• The journey of deconstruction can lead to a more authentic self.
• Shame is a pervasive issue in evangelical culture.
• Leaving the pastorate was a liberating yet challenging experience for Brian.

• Community support is crucial during times of change.
• Spirituality should focus on love and acceptance, not punishment.
• Politics and spirituality are intertwined in meaningful ways.
• Healing from shame takes time and self-compassion.

CHAPTERS00:00 Journey Through Fundamentalism09:22 The Awakening: Questioning Beliefs18:16 The Impact of Identity and Community Loss26:50 Embracing Change and Personal Growth28:58 The Politics of Jesus35:46 Finding the Genuine: A Journey to Self-Discovery
ABOUT BRIAN RECKERBrian Recker, M.Div, is a public theologian, speaker, and writer on Christian spirituality without exclusionary dogma. The son of a Baptist preacher and an alum of the fundamentalist Bob Jones University, he spent eight years as an evangelical pastor before deconstructing his faith to find a more inclusive spirituality. He now speaks about following Jesus without fear of hell on his popular Instagram account and his Substack, Beloved. He lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, and has four children as well as a rescue pup named Maev. He is also the author of Hell Bent, scheduled for release in Fall 2025.
ABOUT THE HAPPILY NEVER AFTERThe Happily Never After is a podcast that features stories of big endings that led to personal breakthroughs. While endings can hurt, they also provide opportunities to heal and grow, and sometimes, they even set us free. Endings can offer an opportunity to begin anew, in a better way, and that’s what we’re here to talk about.

• New episodes every Tuesday.
• Follow ⁠@thatheathermcg⁠ on IG for related content and discussion.
• Read The Happily Never After on Substack at ⁠https://thehappilyneverafter.substack.com/⁠
• Learn more about Heather McG at ⁠https://heathermcg.com/