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.

Connect with Holy Ghosting:
📸 Instagram: @holyghostingclub
🎵 Tiktok: @holyghosting
▶️ YouTube: @holyghosting
💻 Web: holyghosting.com

Connect with Praise Be to Pod:
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▶️ YouTube: @praisebetopod
💻 Web: www.praisebetopod.com

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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📸 Instagram: @praisebetopod
💻 Web: www.praisebetopod.com

Ashley and Bailee close out 2025 by reflecting on the year behind them—both personally and through the lens of Praise Be to Pod. Joined by their producer Jacob, they revisit the conversations, themes, and moments that shaped the podcast, from unpacking evangelical doctrine to sharing stories that once felt too tender to say out loud.

From lessons learned while creating the show to the ways this past year challenged their beliefs, creativity, and sense of self, they explore what it’s been like to build something honest in public while still actively healing. Together, they reflect on how the podcast has evolved, how their perspectives have shifted, and how deeply meaningful this experience has been thus far.

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💻 Web: www.praisebetopod.com

Ashley and Bailee dive into the rise of Christian homeschooling in America. They unpack how homeschooling grew from a fringe alternative into a core strategy of the evangelical movement, shaped by fear of secularism, control, and political influence.

From the history of the movement to its impact on kids, they explore how homeschooling can shape social development, limit exposure to different viewpoints, and reinforce rigid belief systems. Together, they ask what these environments teach beyond academics—and how they can affect identity and autonomy long after childhood.

Sources:

• Bernstein, M., Beall, A., & Beall, C. (2023). Christian indoctrination in homeschooling [Audio podcast episode]. In A Bit Fruity with Matt Bernstein. <https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/christian-indoctrination-in-homeschooling/id1693739175?i=1000633981264>
• Green, E. (2022, March 24). The rise of the parental rights movement. The New York Times Magazine.
• Cooper, C. (2021). The changing face of homeschooling in America. Phi Delta Kappan, 102(7), 48–52.
• Kunzman, R., & Gaither, M. (2020). Homeschooling: An updated comprehensive survey of the research.

Connect with Us:
📸 Instagram: @praisebetopod
💻 Web: www.praisebetopod.com

Content Advisory: This episode includes conversation on eating disorders. Listener discretion is advised.

Ashley and Bailee dive into Ashley’s personal journey with body image and eating disorder recovery, shaped by her experience in the evangelical church. They unpack how small bodies were celebrated, larger ones exiled, and how church teachings fed shame, perfectionism, and severe restriction.
From subtle comments about appearance to the pressure to shrink oneself to fit a spiritual ideal, they explore the long-lasting impact of these messages — and why reclaiming self-worth and body acceptance is a radical act.

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💻 Web: www.praisebetopod.com

Ashley and Bailee dig into the idea of toxic forgiveness — the way churches twist forgiveness into a tool for silencing people, protecting abusers, and keeping vulnerable members in line. They unpack how the language of grace, mercy, and “moving on” gets weaponized to avoid accountability and pressure people into reconciling before they’re ready.

From the subtle emotional manipulation to the outright spiritual coercion, they explore what happens when forgiveness is treated as a demand instead of a choice. They talk about the guilt, the gaslighting, and how the pressure to “forgive quickly” often keeps the same harmful cycles running — and why genuine forgiveness, offered freely and safely, is something entirely different.

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Bailee and Ashley take a historical detour—unpacking how the Puritans didn’t just influence early America, but laid the ideological groundwork for today’s alt-right evangelical movement. They trace the through-line from 1600s moral rigidity to modern Christian nationalism, purity culture, and the political power structures we still feel today.

From the myth-making around the “First Thanksgiving” to the Puritans’ obsession with control, conformity, and divine exceptionalism, they break down how these roots continue to shape American evangelical identity.

Sources:

• Bradford, W. (1856). Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620–1647. Houghton, Mifflin and Company.
• Cave, A. A. (1996). The Pequot War. University of Massachusetts Press.
• Karr, R. D. (1998). The violence of the Pequot War. The New England Quarterly, 71(1), 26–49.
• Lincoln, A. (1863). Proclamation 103—Day of Thanksgiving, Praise, and Prayer. The American Presidency Project. Retrieved from https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/proclamation-103-day-thanksgiving-praise-and-prayer-august-6-1863
• Morison, S. E. (Ed.). (1967). Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620–1647. Houghton Mifflin.
• Winthrop, J. (1630). A Modell of Christian Charity. Retrieved from https://teachingamericanhistory.org/document/a-model-of-christian-charity-2/

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