33 episodes
We Were Christian Kids with Justin Randall and Calvin Arsenia Justin Randall, Calvin Arsenia
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- Comedy
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4.8 • 155 Ratings
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Comedian Justin Randall and musician Calvin Arsenia dive into their pasts as super Christian kids — we’re talking wild times at church camp, speaking in tongues, and LOTS of sexual frustration — and explore how they’ve wrestled with their ideas of religion and deconversion in adulthood as queer entertainers. They also chat with other former Christian Kids and get the scoop on their journeys with Christ himself.
Have a similar story or questions to share? Call and leave a message at 913-283-4616 or email us at wewerechristiankids@gmail.com!
@imjustinrandall
@calvinarsenia
@christiankidpod
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Ep. 33: Christ's Supernatural Vacuum Cleaner!
Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) take a look back on the entire We Were Christian Kids journey since beginning the podcast in December. They reflect on why they started, what they've learned and where they are now. And they also have an announcement to make. We love you all!
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Ep. 32: Ralph Lauren Not Frankincense! (with Mark Manning)
Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) are joined by Mark Manning (@wednesday_midday_medley)! Mark is a radio DJ and producer for KKFI 90.1 FM, queer advocate, theatre artist and performer. He also leads a community garden program for schools in Kansas City, Kansas. They discuss both growing up in and leaving the church, creating art that directly counters bigotry, coming out of the closet and being an advocate for queer youth. We love this episode and you will too!!
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Ep 31: Miracle Cannibalism! (with Marley Allenbrand and Anna Dimmel)
Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) are joined by amazing guests Marley Allenbrand (@marleyann) and Anna Dimmel (@annadimmel). We talk about -- naturally -- Christian upbringings, both evangelical and Catholic. We also discuss coming out, doing it safely, and working toward healing internalized homophobia. Best of all, we hear all about Marley and Anna's beautiful relationship!!! AND (bonus) -- Anna interprets a dream for Calvin. This episode is very special!!!
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Ep 30: Gayvangelical!
Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) discuss being "gayvangelical," a term Calvin coined (we think, we didn't Google it). How is the coming out process, the finding of new community and the attempt to bring others into your understanding similar to the conversion experience for evangelicals? And can we be PROUD gayvangelicals? Maybe -- we might make shirts!!! We also dive into some emails and voicemails from our listeners. Yay!
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Ep 29: Cringey Christian Facebook Posts from 2008!
Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) do the cringiest thing ever: they dive back into their super-Christian Facebook statuses from 2008, when they were seniors in high school and deeply brainwashed. This episode is hilarious if you like hearing what two nerds sound like!! They also dig into the background around each post... what they were probably thinking when they wrote each status. Praise God!
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Ep 28: What Was The Question? (with Max Crumm)
Justin Randall (@imjustinrandall) and Calvin Arsenia (@calvinarsenia) are joined by the hilarious Max Crumm (@maxcrumm) in this delightful interview. They hear a new perspective: being a Christian kid but knowing it wasn't a good fit all along. Also! Worship leading, coming out, and what the church needs to do right now. This is fun!!!
Customer Reviews
Illuminating!
I so appreciate the honesty and nuance you bring to all these conversations. Even though it makes me suuuuper concerned about the future of our democracy 😬 Republican state legislatures are laying the groundwork to overturn election results in 2024 if they don’t like the results, all based on the Big Lie. S1, the For the People Act and HR4 the John Lewis Voting Rights Act would safeguard against this, but are stalled in Congress because Manchin and Sinema care more about an arbitrary loophole than protecting democracy. How do you two feel about the future of American democracy?
So good.
Love listening to you two.
Feels like hanging out with friends, just casual and easy.
Justin-would love to hear about why you chose to be sober and that journey
Calvin-would love to hear about what forms of spirituality have replaced Christianity for you (if that’s the case)
Life changing - a must listen
Great podcast! Thoughtful, funny, meaningful, and honest discussions about being a evangelical christian kid and now being an adult putting it all together. Thanks for creating the podcast guys, it has been so helpful!