Coming Out In The Pentecostal Church: A Story of Cultural Heritage, Hope, & Faith in What Matters | David Gallegos-Roybal

This week's drop is a very special 'cult'ure series bonus convo with friend of the pod, David Gallegos-Roybal. David is a Mestizo Native of New Mexico who some loyal listeners of the pod (particularly former 'Org' members) may recognize. David's husband, Mark Frossard, was features in Ep.60 & Ep.61 of the 'cult'ure series when we did a deep-dive into his painful separation from 'the Org' back in 2018. In this episode, David shares his own...

The Science of ‘Hope’ & How to Hold Onto It in the Face of Anxiety

It's only six days until the U.S. Presidential Election and I don't know about y'all, but this week I've been nibbling at my nails quite a bit. So I decided to share what's in my heart + offer up what I hope will be an uplifting, impromptu examination of the relationship between this thing we call 'hope' and the anxiety of living in uncertain times. This is a really special episode for me because I'm circling back to lessons that I learned...

MAGA-Cult Mentality & The Fascist Playbook that Shapes It

This Patreon-exclusive drop was born out of my current preoccupation with the upcoming election here in the United States. I share my growing understanding of the MAGA-cult dynamics at work in the hopes that both you and I might respond to supporters from a place that is more grounded and informed.  October 18, 2024 >> MAGA-Cult Mentality & The Fascist Playbook that Shapes It In this episode, I share: Brief reference to the MAHA...

Goldilocks Complex: High Arousal or Electoral Sobriety? | Solo Episode

In the latest episode of Subject To Change, I'm incorporating listener contributions and taking a closer look at high-arousal states and groupthink landmines. September 6, 2024 - Goldilocks Complex: High Arousal or Electoral Sobriety? To open, I examine: Are high-arousal states inherently problematic? When is psychosocial sobriety of existential importance? What factors contribute to when and where the collective high goes wrong? And then: In...

Criticism Without Cruelty: Democrats ‘Poke The Bear’ | Solo Episode

I recorded this unscripted episode after Day 3 of the DNC. It's a reflection on how Democratic leaders are 'clapping back' and why I feel it's critical to be critical during these challenging times. There's a lot more I could say today, so I'll be back with you sooner rather later this time around. In the meantime, I look forward to your comments. August 2024 - Criticism Without Cruelty: Democrats Poke The Bear To open things up: I take a...

Jumping Back In: Dialogue vs. Discourse & The Upcoming U.S. Election | Solo Episode

In this episode I talk U.S. Politics - sharing why I'm going there & where I'm willing to draw hard lines when it comes to discussing 'the issues'. I tell you about my red-state neighborhood & how the timing of my most recent move might just be a blessing in disguise. What I'm learning about why is it that so many Americans are entirely willing to embrace authoritarianism. Dialogue - what is it really? & what differentiates it...

Ep.82 – Smokescreen: Christian Dominionism & The ‘Pro-Life’ March on Washington | Nikki G – Part 2

Welcome to the second half of a two-part exposé on the NAR movement in America. Candice continues her conversation with former insider, Nikki G, who shares more about the strategic aims of this belief system and how dominion theology has long been carving out a space in US politics. They touch a bit more on the Heritage Foundation’s presidential playbook (Project 2025), specifically its focus on unitary executive theory; in other words, the...

Ep.81 – Trojan Horse: The NAR Movement, Christian Nationalism, & The Cult of Trump | Nikki G

American democracy is hanging on by a thread. But how did we get here? Today's episode offers an insider's peek into Christian nationalism. You may remember Nikki G from Ep.77; she was on the pod back in January, sharing about her work as a Certified Trauma Recovery Coach who specializes in spiritual and religious abuse. In early March, Candice invited her to sit down again for this two-part conversation. Nikki is a former devotee in the...

Ep.80 – Bully Backlash & Tinderbox Truths: Speaking Up When It Matters Most (Solo Episode)

Welcome to a brand new chapter in the ‘cult’ure series. We'll be moving away from the wellness world and onto broader culture war topics in the coming weeks. To kick things off, Candice is showing up solo. Opening with an anecdote about an awkward interpersonal interaction from a few weeks ago, she then continues in the vein of storytelling, pulling from the pages of her unpublished memoir. Through a series of intimate flashbacks, she...

Ep.79 – The Flying Monkey ‘High Road’ & Sugar-Coated Shame | DD #52 | Candice & Tracy

Beginning next week, we'll be shifting the conversation here on the main feed away from wellness 'cult'ure convos. But first, back in early February, Candice invited Tracy Stamper to record a last-minute Deconstructing Dogma release for Patreon, and it soon after became one of this pod's most downloaded bonus episodes to date. Flying monkey is a term popularized in cult recovery spaces.  Borrowed from the storyline of the Wizard of Oz, it...