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Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction

Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction

Written by: Michele Kus M.A. & Dr. Martin Trench
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What if the version of God you were handed… isn’t the whole story?

Welcome to Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction — a bold, grace-filled, sometimes wild and wacky exploration of what happens when real faith breaks free from fear, performance, and outdated religious assumptions.

Hosts Michele Kus and Dr. Martin Trench aren’t afraid to question what we’ve been told, dig into what Scripture really says, and rediscover a faith that leads to emotional, relational, and spiritual maturity — the kind of transformation that brings freedom and wholeness, not burnout.

If you’re hungry for truth, tired of churchy clichés, and ready for a vibrant faith that actually looks like Jesus… you’re in the right place.

Each episode uncovers what’s authentic and what’s man-made, helping you know the truth — and experience the freedom Jesus promised. It might be far better than you ever thought possible!

Copyright ©️ 2025. All rights reserved.
Christianity Ministry & Evangelism Spirituality
Episodes
  • Ep14: Why Fear-Based Theology Creates Anxious Christians
    Jan 16 2026

    This episode features a live group conversation reflecting on Week One of the Deconstruction / Reconstruction Challenge hosted by Martin Trench.

    In this candid conversation, we explore how fear-based theology — especially around the end times, the rapture, and hell — shapes not just beliefs, but anxiety, mental health, physical health, and relationships.

    You’ll hear honest reflections from participants as they process what happens when fear begins to loosen its grip on faith:

    • How fear became a foundational ingredient in their Christian faith
    • The emotional and relational costs of deconstruction
    • Why bad eschatology often produces bad fruit
    • The difference between tearing faith down and rebuilding it wisely
    • Why healing the heart matters just as much as reconstructing theology
    • How spiritual maturity allows room for different conclusions

    Martin shares insights on the unity of the early Church, progressive revelation, and why Jesus never used fear as a formation tool — along with a powerful metaphor for deconstruction and reconstruction using “red bricks” and “blue bricks.”

    If you’ve ever felt anxious, unsettled, or disoriented after questioning long-held beliefs, this episode offers validation, perspective, and a reminder that you’re not alone in the process.

    SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel and FOLLOW Unhinged on your favorite podcast player. Fresh, new episodes drop every Friday!

    Watch this conversation on our brand new Unhinged YouTube channel!

    Check out Martin’s Deconstruction → Reconstruction Challenge on Skool.

    Check out Martin’s books: Victorious Eschatology, Eyes Wide Open, and Secrets of Spiritual Growth.

    Follow Michele and Martin on Facebook

    Follow Michele and Martin on Instagram

    Follow Michele and Martin on TikTok

    Michele Kus, M.A. on Linktree

    Dr. Martin Trench on Linktree

    Chapters:

    00:00 Why Fear-Based Theology Creates Anxious Christians

    03:02 Rapture Theory & Being “Left Behind”

    05:40 The Fear of Hell & Anxiety

    07:08 The Damage of Purity Culture & the Benefits of Meditation

    09:01 When Doctrine Costs You Community

    14:07 When Beliefs Divide Instead of Unite

    16:58 When Beliefs Change but Wounds Remain

    19:30 When Truth Brings Healing & Wholeness

    20:20 Progressive Revelation: Red Bricks & Blue Bricks

    24:21 Different Journeys, Different Conclusions

    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • Ep13: Why Thinking for Yourself Is a Spiritual Maturity Issue
    Jan 9 2026

    Why is thinking for yourself such a big deal in spiritual maturity?

    This is Part 2 of our conversation on why churches sometimes create dependency instead of discernment, and what it actually looks like to grow up spiritually.

    In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele Kus and Martin Trench explore personal agency, inner conviction, and why real Christian maturity isn’t about following rigid rules or groupthink, but learning how to discern, decide, and live from the inside out.

    We talk about why Jesus describes the path that leads to life as narrow — not because it’s restrictive, but because it’s custom-made for each person. Faith was never meant to be one-size-fits-all.

    In this episode, we cover:

    • Why churches often teach WHAT to think instead of HOW to think
    • The role of personal conscience in Christian decision-making
    • Why fear-based and shame-based teaching undermines spiritual maturity
    • Inner conviction vs. external rules
    • Becoming un-indoctrinated, living in freedom, and guarding your heart
    • What it actually means to grow into spiritual adulthood

    Drawing from scripture, lived experience, and wisdom from voices like Meister Eckhart, this episode invites you to stop outsourcing your discernment and begin trusting the relationship God has with you.

    “To be born again is not to become a different person, but to become the person God always intended you to be.”

    If you haven’t listened to Part 1 yet, start here: Episode 12

    This episode completes the conversation and points toward a healthier, more mature way forward.

    SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube channel and FOLLOW Unhinged on your favorite podcast player. Fresh, new episodes drop every Friday!

    Watch today’s conversation on our brand new Unhinged YouTube channel!

    Here’s the spicy Facebook post that started this conversation.

    Check out Martin’s Deconstruction → Reconstruction Challenge on Skool.

    Check out Martin’s books: Victorious Eschatology, Eyes Wide Open, and Secrets of Spiritual Growth.

    Follow Michele and Martin on Facebook

    Follow Michele and Martin on Instagram

    Follow Michele and Martin on TikTok

    Michele Kus, M.A. on Linktree

    Dr. Martin Trench on Linktree

    Chapters:

    00:00 Welcome to Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction

    03:42 The Missing Adult Stage of Spiritual Growth

    06:27 “Narrow Is the Path” — It’s Custom-Made

    09:59 We’ve Designed Churches as One-Size-Fits-All

    11:58 Groupthink and the Fear of Other Opinions

    14:59 “The Way He Should Go” — Proverbs 22:6

    18:50 Inner World Conviction Over Outer World Rules

    21:18 Undoctrination, Fear, Rules, and Waking Up

    30:43 This Is the Core Issue

    31:46 Freedom, Discernment, and Living Your Own Life

    33:16 Outtakes & Unhinged Moments

    Show More Show Less
    34 mins
  • Ep12: Why Do Grown Adults Often Feel Like Children in Church?
    Jan 2 2026

    Why do so many smart, capable adults feel anxious making major life decisions without first checking with their pastor — or making sure the Bible gives them permission?

    In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele Kus and Martin Trench name and explore a rarely acknowledged reality in modern church culture: the ways church systems can unintentionally infantilize adults by discouraging independent thought, personal conviction, and spiritual maturity.

    Together, they unpack how well-meaning leadership can slide into spiritual micromanagement, creating dependence rather than formation. The conversation touches on learned helplessness, pastoral overreach, and why reliance on permission often gets mistaken for devotion.

    Grounded in Scripture, Michele and Martin point listeners back to Romans 14 and Colossians 2, which emphasize personal conscience, freedom from manmade rules, and a mature faith rooted in Christ rather than external control.

    They explore questions such as:

    • Does the New Testament actually support pastors managing people’s personal decisions?
    • What role does community play versus pastoral counseling?
    • What does it look like to grow into spiritual adulthood — a faith marked by maturity, agency, discernment, and trust in God rather than pastoral approval or permission?

    This episode includes thoughtful, compassionate discussion around marriage, pastoral counseling, and the real-world dangers of oversimplified spiritual advice in complex situations.

    This is not an anti-church or anti-pastor episode! It’s a pro-maturity, pro-freedom, pro-formation invitation.

    If you’re ready for a faith that equips you rather than manages you, this episode is for you.

    Follow Unhinged on your favorite podcast platform. Fresh, new episodes drop every Friday!

    CONTENT WARNING: This episode includes brief references to marital abuse and potentially dangerous situations. Listener discretion is encouraged. Please seek support if any of this resonates with you or someone you love.

    Watch today’s conversation on our brand new Unhinged YouTube channel!

    Here’s the spicy Facebook post Michele referenced at the beginning of this episode.

    Check out Martin’s Deconstruction → Reconstruction Challenge on Skool.

    Check out Martin’s books: Victorious Eschatology, Eyes Wide Open, and Secrets of Spiritual Growth.

    Follow Michele and Martin on Facebook

    Follow Michele and Martin on Instagram

    Follow Michele and Martin on TikTok

    Michele Kus, M.A. on Linktree

    Dr. Martin Trench on Linktree

    Chapters:

    00:00 Welcome to Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction!

    02:13 Why Are Adults Treated Like Children in Church?

    07:18 Spiritual Micromanagement & Learned Helplessness

    15:48 Pastoral Counseling vs. Spiritual Community (“One Another”)

    20:07 Marriage, Abuse, Divorce, & Honoring Human Agency

    23:58 The Third Stage of Spiritual Growth: Adulthood

    27:42 The Purpose of Church: Equip, Inform, Inspire

    29:02 Final Thoughts, Resources, & Next Steps

    30:45 Bloopers & Outtakes!

    Show More Show Less
    31 mins
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