Episodes

  • 312. BROTHELS FOR SINGS with Lauren

    312. BROTHELS FOR SINGS with Lauren
    Jul 30 2025
    In this episode of Bad Words, guest host Lauren joins Janice and Melanie to take apart chapters 31-32. They discuss Angel's struggles, Michael's motives, and the problematic depictions of sex work, gender roles, and racial themes. The conversation expands into the broader implications of purity culture and evangelical teachings. They also reflect on the harmful effects of guilt and shame instilled by such narratives and provide a critical and insightful examination of the book, questioning its lasting impact and Francine Rivers' stance on her work. 00:00 Introduction and Recap 00:18 Angel's Christmas Crisis 00:47 Angel's Escape and New Beginnings 01:07 Back to Rock Bottom 01:29 Meet the Hosts 04:15 Religious Trauma and Therapy 06:09 Purity Culture and Personal Stories 09:45 Book Analysis: Redeeming Love 11:33 Paul and Miriam's Story 11:53 Angel's Struggles and Rescues 16:20 Angel's New Mission 18:07 Critique and Discussion 58:42 The Portrayal of Angel: Victim or Sinner? 59:30 The Role of God in Angel's Journey 01:00:05 The Hypocrisy of Redemption 01:01:04 Angel's Struggle with Identity and Redemption 01:01:38 The Absurdity of Character Names 01:02:40 The Symbolism of Milk and Food 01:04:50 Paul's Misogyny and Double Standards 01:09:24 The Dark Reality of Duke's Character 01:20:17 The Racism and Sexism in Evangelical Teachings 01:33:40 The Impact of Purity Culture on Women 01:46:13 Final Thoughts and Reflections
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 51 mins
  • 311. PEE SOUP FOR THE SOUL with Stephanie

    311. PEE SOUP FOR THE SOUL with Stephanie
    Jul 16 2025
    In this episode of Bad Words, hosts Janice, Melanie, and Stephanie delve into the problematic aspects of chapters 28-30 of Redeeming Love. The conversation highlights key plot points, including Angel's traumatic past and her current struggles with identity and self-worth. The hosts critique the portrayal of Michael as a supposedly virtuous man despite his manipulative and controlling behavior, and they address the book's disturbing themes of child abuse, victim-blaming, and evangelical beliefs. The episode also explores the problematic representation of sex work and trafficking, and how the novel perpetuates harmful stereotypes and unhealthy dynamics. The hosts question Francine Rivers' choices in depicting trauma and scrutinize the underlying messages about women's roles and value in evangelical ideology. 00:00 Introduction and Recap 01:30 Meet the Hosts 03:42 Stephanie's First Encounter with the Book 05:54 Revisiting the Book in 2024 15:26 Angel's Journey and Struggles 18:15 Critique of Francine's Writing and Themes 52:59 Women Hating Women 53:20 Francine's Hatred for Angel 54:01 Angel's Father's Tragic End 54:15 Duke's Manipulation and Angel's Guilt 54:55 The Disturbing Story of Angel's Father 55:14 Angel's Struggle with Guilt and Blame 56:54 Biblical References and Twisted Morals 58:55 The Cycle of Abuse and Trafficking 01:08:05 Evangelicalism and Trauma Porn 01:28:22 The Church's Failure and Evangelical Hypocrisy 01:36:40 Final Thoughts and Critique of Francine Rivers
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 45 mins
  • 310. THE BATS AND THE BEES with Marlaina

    310. THE BATS AND THE BEES with Marlaina
    Jul 4 2025
    In this episode Janice Lagata & Melanie, tackle chapters 25 through 27 of Redeeming Love and reflect on the broader cultural implications of the story with guest host Marlaina . The trio discusses the book's portrayal of gender roles, purity culture, and the dehumanizing nature of evangelical influences. They explore the convoluted relationships, historical inaccuracies, and the challenges of dealing with a narrative that intertwines romance with indoctrination.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 40 mins
  • 309. FOREHEAD OF A WHORE with Cheyanne

    309. FOREHEAD OF A WHORE with Cheyanne
    May 21 2025
    In this episode of Bad Words, hosts Janice (janicelagata.com) and Melanie (@climbholamel), along with guest Cheyenne, dive deep into Francine Rivers' 'Redeeming Love'. They unpack the toxic relationships, patriarchal themes, and misinterpretations of biblical stories that permeate the novel. Through thoughtful critique and personal insights, they discuss how the novel mishandles issues of trauma, redemption, and agency, paying special attention to the misrepresentation of biblical characters like Gomer and Mary Magdalene. This episode provides a critical lens on Christian romance novels and their impact on readers. 00:00 Introduction: Contrasting Lives 00:19 Angel's New Life on the Farm 00:48 Angel's Confession and Michael's Response 01:13 Angel's Escape and Return 01:30 Welcome to Bad Words 02:08 Meet the Hosts and Guest 02:58 Packing and Moving Stories 07:18 Diving into Redeeming Love 09:09 Chapters 22-24: Angel's Second Departure 10:44 Analyzing Michael's Behavior 16:26 Theological Reflections on Hosea 50:49 Angel's Forced Marriage and Lost Choices 52:08 The House of Magdalene Controversy 54:21 Michael's Questionable Actions and Angel's Insecurities 57:09 Miriam's Secret and Angel's Struggles 01:02:30 Angel's Redemption and Francine's Narrative 01:18:36 Christian Romance and Its Audience 01:31:55 Final Thoughts and Reflections
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 39 mins
  • 308. FATHERS, DAUGHTERS AND THE WORKS with Leslie

    308. FATHERS, DAUGHTERS AND THE WORKS with Leslie
    May 7 2025
    Join Janice (@godhasnotiven), Melanie (@climbholamel) and Leslie (@leslie_delman) as they dive into chapters 19 -21 of ‘Redeeming Love’. This episode captures the ongoing drama of Michael and Angel's tumultuous relationship, the arrival of the sickeningly wholesome Altman family, and the deep-rooted issues stemming from Angel's dark past. The hosts hilariously scrutinize the depiction of Angel, Michael's misguided saintliness, and Francine's problematic portrayal of female sexuality. They also discuss personal stories about evolving perspectives on relationships, body autonomy, and raising kids in today's world. Tune in for a blend of humor, critique, and genuine moments of reflection. 00:00 Introduction: Contrasting Lives 00:12 Recap of Previous Events 00:17 Michael and Angel's Journey 00:42 Angel's Revelation and Miriam's Reaction 00:51 Angel's Internal Struggles 01:30 Welcome to Bad Words 01:36 Hosts' Banter and Bird Talk 03:18 Discussion on Flamingos 04:35 Reflecting on 'Redeeming Love' 05:22 Leslie's Introduction and Bird Metaphor 06:34 Leslie's Experience with 'Redeeming Love' 15:55 Angel's Emotional Journey 16:57 Summary of Chapters 19-21 26:48 Critique of 'Redeeming Love' 33:58 God's Intervention and Story Pacing 34:26 Character Dynamics and Plot Twists 34:55 Family Drama and Tragic Backstories 36:08 Exploring Themes of Guilt and Redemption 40:06 Disturbing Revelations and Author Critique 49:42 Purity Culture and Its Impact on Women 01:02:56 Parenting and Teaching Body Autonomy 01:14:52 Balancing Safety and Freedom in Parenting 01:15:51 Healing Trauma and Raising Kids 01:16:46 Personal Growth and Marriage 01:18:15 Influence of Parents and Boundaries 01:19:04 Acceptance and Family Dynamics 01:21:13 Evangelicalism and Personal Beliefs 01:34:45 Book Recommendations and Final Thoughts
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 53 mins
  • 307. DECENT TO THE SLAVES with Karla

    307. DECENT TO THE SLAVES with Karla
    Apr 2 2025
    Join hosts Janice (@godhasnotgiven) and Melanie (@climbholamel), with guest Karla (@holasoykarla), as they dive deep into chapters 16 to 18 of 'Redeeming Love' by Francine Rivers. They unmask the underlying themes about misogyny, autonomy, and the persistent stigmatization of women, while also discussing how the characters endure chaotic and undeserved challenges. The episode also covers the cultural and personal implications that stem from reading such works, tackling topics like purity culture, power dynamics, and the struggle for self-redemption amidst judgmental environments. The conversation is unfiltered, emotional, and sprinkled with humor. Tune in for an in-depth critique and a fresh perspective on this controversial classic. 00:00 Introduction: Contrasting Lives 00:18 Angel's Desperate Escape 01:01 Michael's Chaotic Rescue 01:30 Meet the Hosts: Bad Birds of Paradise 04:13 Karla's Journey with Redeeming Love 13:50 Michael and Angel's New Companions 14:53 Discussing the Book's Themes and Characters 38:23 The Burden of Purity Culture 41:53 Society's Double Standards 45:38 Power Dynamics and Evangelicalism 48:12 The Struggle for Female Autonomy 57:56 The Insidious Nature of Patriarchy 01:11:15 Questioning Evangelical Beliefs 01:18:28 Final Thoughts and Reflections
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 22 mins
  • 306. GAY FOR MICHAEL with Lo

    306. GAY FOR MICHAEL with Lo
    Mar 19 2025
    In this episode of Bad Words, Janice (@godhasnotgiven) Melanie (@climbholamel), and guest host Lo (@lmoshwhipp) dive deep into chapters 13-15 of Francine Rivers' 'Redeeming Love.' The hosts discuss the troubling portrayals of relationships, victim-blaming, and the problematic theology underlying the narrative. They analyze the characters' actions, particularly the disturbing dynamics between Angel and Michael, as well as Paul’s reprehensible behavior. The conversation also touches on how the book reflects evangelical views on love and trauma, highlighting the harmful messages and poor writing that make 'Redeeming Love' a godawful read. 00:00 Introduction and Recap 01:28 Hosts Introduction 03:35 Discussion on 'Redeeming Love' 07:20 Analyzing Characters and Themes 09:29 Paul's Return and Reactions 11:23 Angel's Trauma and Responses 41:54 Curiosity About the Author's Intentions 43:22 Analyzing Angel's Desire for Freedom 44:03 Trauma Responses and Evangelical Love 52:31 Paul's Assault and Its Implications 01:04:29 Angel's Return to Paradise 01:15:14 The Works: A Romance Novel Critique 01:15:23 Goodreads Reviews and Censorship 01:16:59 The Big Rescue: A Violent Escape 01:19:14 Michael's Heroic Violence 01:24:26 Angel's Trauma and Fear 01:26:12 Paul's Betrayal and Michael's Assumptions 01:28:12 Michael's Misguided Love 01:34:32 Evangelical Love Bombing 01:39:18 Francine Rivers' Writing and Critique 01:51:41 Final Thoughts and Reflections
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 56 mins
  • 305. SAY MY NAME with Marla

    305. SAY MY NAME with Marla
    Feb 24 2025
    In this episode of Bad Words, Janice (@godhasnotgiven) and Melanie (@climbholamel) are joined by Marla Taviano (@marlataviano) to delve into the deeply flawed narrative and characters of Francine Rivers' 'Redeeming Love'. They revisit Chapters 10 -12, discussing Angel's traumatic recuperation, the problematic character of Michael Hosea, and the inconsistencies in Rivers' portrayal of evangelical values and marriage. With personal anecdotes, humorous critique, and serious analysis, they explore how the book's toxic themes reflect a broader evangelical mindset. The episode is a blend of insightful discussion, personal reflections, and comedic moments, giving audiences a comprehensive critique of the so-called 'Christian Romance'. 00:00 Introduction and Recap 00:16 Angel's Recovery and Resentment 01:16 Meet the Hosts 02:56 Marla's Journey with Evangelical Christianity 04:13 Rediscovering 'Redeeming Love' 05:32 Critique of Christian Romance Novels 14:30 Angel's Struggle for Independence 18:29 Theological Reflections and Personal Stories 25:19 Questioning God's Love and Intentions 41:23 Exploring Free Will and Divine Choices 42:43 Questioning God's Insecurity 44:14 Analyzing Love and Awareness 44:49 Michael's Misguided Actions 47:09 Critique of Francine's Writing 48:35 The Problematic Portrayal of Angel 49:54 Michael's Control and Intimacy Issues 01:07:04 The Racism in the Book 01:12:27 Final Thoughts and Reflections
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 18 mins