Ashley and Bailee dive into the origins of hell and how it became one of the most powerful—and fear-driven—ideas in evangelical Christianity. They unpack where the concept comes from, how ancient cultures understood the afterlife, and what the Bible actually says when you look beyond modern translations.

From Sheol and Gehenna to Dante and revival-era preaching, they explore how the idea of hell evolved over time—shaped by politics, power, and control—into the version many evangelicals are taught today. Together, they ask how a loosely defined theological concept became a central tool for enforcing belief, behavior, and obedience, and what happens when that framework starts to unravel.

Timeline Sources:
- Bernstein, A. E. (1993). The formation of hell: Death and retribution in the ancient and early Christian worlds. Cornell University Press.
- Ehrman, B. D. (2020). Heaven and hell: A history of the afterlife. Simon & Schuster.
- Segal, A. F. (2004). Life after death: A history of the afterlife in Western religion. Doubleday.
- Wright, N. T. (2003). The resurrection of the Son of God. Fortress Press.

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In this episode, we join forces with Meg and Sarai from Holy Ghosting to discuss building community as podcast creators without competition. We dive into how we navigate life after religious upbringing, share personal experiences of unraveling faith, and discuss how to challenge what it looks like for each of us to live authentically. Discussing polyamory, queer identity, marriage, motherhood, and separate bedrooms, this conversation celebrates connection, curiosity, and the ways we support each other in reimagining our beliefs and creative spaces.

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Ashley and Bailee ring in the New Year by sharing what in 2026 they’re looking forward to and what they’re relieved to leave behind from 2025. Joined by their producer Jacob, they talk about the lessons, habits, and narratives that no longer serve them, as well as the things they’re genuinely excited to nurture in the year ahead—both personally and with Praise Be to Pod.

From complicated feelings about New Year’s resolutions to the quiet relief of letting go of old expectations, they unpack what it means to set intentions without falling back into shame, perfectionism, or spiritualized self-improvement.

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