The Joshua Tongol Podcast

What is the impact of religion on human sexuality? You see, growing up in the church, I was told all the dos and don'ts of sexuality for "Bible-believing" Christians. Yet, ironically, some of the preachers I'd listen to would contradict one another when it came to "how far" one can go sexually, both before and after marriage. And some would even commit the very "sins" they'd passionately condemn at the pulpit. Why was there so much hypocrisy going on in the church? And why were so many of my [natural] sexual desires considered "sinful" in the eyes of God? In this episode, I have an honest chat with psychologist and author, Dr. Darrel Ray. And let me tell ya, we don't shy away from any topics here. So put your kids to sleep (if you have any) ... and let's talk about sex, baby. IN THIS EPISODE, DARREL ANSWERED THE FOLLOWING: • Why are so many people afraid to talk about sex? • How has religion shaped our culture and sexual development? • How is religion often an excuse for bad behavior? • What's the difference between guilt and shame? • Why do even non-religious people struggle with guilt and shame when it comes to sexuality? • Talk about masturbation for a bit. Are there any benefits to it? • What are some ways parents can address the topic of sex to their kids? • What have you discovered in your research about porn and porn addiction? • What would you tell someone who's struggling with shame right now? LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE • Recoveringfromreligion.org • Sex and God: How Religion Distorts Sexuality (FREE when you try Audible for 30 days) • The God Virus: How Religion Infects Our Lives and Culture • Darrel’s Talk on “The Myth of Sex Addiction” • Sex Education For All Ages Interview With Dr. Melanie Davis • Kindle Countdown Promo for The Secret to Awesomeness (only for a limited time!) • Become a Patron and help support this podcast to keep it going (any amount helps!)

6 Sep 201554min

A Year Without God? Yup, at the end of 2013, former pastor Ryan Bell announced he was gonna "try on" atheism for a year. And boy, it didn't take too long for the media to take notice. So what made a life-long Christian, who pastored for nearly 20 years, do such a thing? Well, it's been over a year since his experiment began, and I had the opportunity to chat with him at his home in Pasadena, California. So get ready ... this episode is sure to get you thinking. IN THIS EPISODE, RYAN ANSWERED THE FOLLOWING: • What events led to your  "Year Without God"? • What difference does God make? • How do you respond to skeptics? • Did you ever "pray" during your atheist experiment? • Why not "A Year Without Christianity?" instead of God? • Why atheism? Why not deism? Pantheism? • How would you define the God you reject? • How did your "year without God" affect your family? • How did the atheist community influence your journey? • Do you ever miss the old notion of God you used to have? (e.g., a loving father, provider) • Do you ever feel like your religious years were all a waste? • What would it take for you to believe in God again? LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE • Ryan's Bell Blog "A Year Without God" • Ryan's Facebook • (FREE Audiobook Download) God Is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything  • Help support this podcast to keep it going (any amount helps!)

31 Aug 20151h 12min

What do you believe? Wait a minute, let me ask that question again. What do you really believe? In other words, have you ever claimed to “believe” in a particular idea or creed, yet in your heart, you really didn’t believe? Or have you ever tried to believe in something because you were supposed to believe in it, yet in your mind, it didn’t make any sense to you at all? IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL HEAR: • The senior project on “Christianity” that changed my life • Some possible reasons why we believe • Whether or not we choose our beliefs • How to recognize our blind spots • How our environment influences our beliefs? • Two powerful factors that impact a person’s belief • Is a God who demands you to “believe or burn” being unfair? LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE  • FREE audiobook download + 30 day free trial at Audible.com (any book of your choice!)  • Become a Patron and help support this podcast to keep it going (any amount helps!)

25 Aug 201526min

What is behind every message you hear? In other words, what drives a person to share what they wanna share? And once a person responds to a certain message, what motivates him or her to do what they do? IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL HEAR: • The sad (yet funny) story of when I was "left behind" • How much of organized religion is running things • The problem with the "good news" • Why the so-called "unconditional" love of God is really conditional • The different motivations for belief • Why the "Christian" God is schizophrenic Please support this podcast: https://www.patreon.com/JoshuaTongol

18 Aug 201522min

Religion. What's the first thing that comes to mind when you hear that word? God? Love? Faith? Have you ever had someone share their "religion" with you? If so, how was their approach? Have you ever shared your ideas with someone else? If so, how was your approach? Does a person's approach even matter? Or is it all about a person's content? IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL HEAR: • The incident of the two passionate men to who tried converting me • A discussion about passion, truth, and sincerity • Examples of ineffective approaches to conversations • Whether it's "right" or "wrong" to make judgments • If tolerance is always the answer to disagreements LINKS AND RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE • Brendon James' Artwork • Russell Brand Interviews Westboro Baptist Church Please support this podcast: https://www.patreon.com/JoshuaTongol

5 Aug 201518min

Yup, that's right! I created a new podcast called The Flipside. New title. New style. New everything. Why? Well, you gotta listen to find out! In this first episode you'll hear: • Why I decided to create a new podcast • A bit of my journey (for all the newbies) • Why I've been on the "down-low" these days • My goal for the show Links and Resources Mentioned in this Episode • My books So You Thought You Knew and The Secret to Awesomeness Please support this podcast: https://www.patreon.com/JoshuaTongol

29 Jul 201520min

I was recently interviewed by Coach Carla on the Vibrant Living Show. We discuss the laws of the universe, the power of our minds, and the ability to create reality. Listen in and be encouraged today!

24 Jun 201522min

We can spend a lot of time convincing ourselves that that "thing" we wanna do ... that "thing" that gets us "pumped up" and excited ... could wait. And we come up with a bunch of reasons of why we can't do it now. Procrastination. Here's how to beat it. (watch video)

8 Jun 20151min