It was decades ago that I really needed to hear something like this! Daughter and granddaughter of Pentecostal preachers— even my mother was a traveling revival preacher and musician. Church was our whole life. Everyone I knew well was evangelical. Deconstruction ( a new term to me) began in childhood, though I outwardly went through all the motions enthusiastically, and tried really hard to mean it and usually did mean it. College and meeting people outside of my church, realizing they were good and not evil nor ignorant, was what really put me on the path to de conversion, although I would have called it “backsliding” or “leaving the fold”. I discovered the podcast a few weeks ago and am listening to another episode or two every day! So affirming!

I have been a faithful listener since 2019, I just just moved to a new town, struggling with my beliefs and the devastation (still) over the evangelical support of Trump. I was questioning everything and looking for answers. I somehow stumbled upon this podcast and heard stories of people leaving religion. I was immediately drawn to their stories and David’s gentle encouragement, I could relate to se many of them. This podcast became my lifeline as I moved through my deconstruction and ultimately my realization that I could no longer believe. I am grateful for this podcast and all the participants that do graciously shared their stories! Thank you.

This podcast has been a lifesaver for me. I’m a former missionary, pastor’s kid and committed Christian who built my identity around the church for the last 40 years, and I am now nearing the end of a prolonged and sometimes painful Deconversion. David’s guests reassure me that I am not alone, I am not crazy, and that there is hope on the other end! I especially enjoyed David’s interview with his wife, Michelle, and their poignant honesty about their own relationship. Deconversion in the context of married life and raising older/teenage kids is hard, and I really appreciate David’s wisdom and life experience in those areas. I have found a lack of deconstruction/Deconversion podcasts focused on adults in midlife with older kids, rather than only on people in their 20s, or with babies and toddlers who don’t yet understand spiritual principles! David does a great job bringing in a variety of ages and viewpoints, and pointing listeners to additional resources. Thank you and please keep up the good work!

I appreciate your work

This podcast saves my sanity on a daily basis. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

This podcast is fantastic for where I am in life. I’m enjoying learning how to be a graceful atheist - as opposed to the angry, obnoxious one I’ve been, haha.

A great podcast that has helped me to feel less along in this world. The sincerity and earnestness of the host fosters a respectful environment while still acknowledging the crazy and traumatizing experiences many of us have had with religion. I am sure I’ll continue listening for a long time to come.

I find this podcast extremely helpful in my life. David has a ton of interesting guests who share their stories of moving from the shackles of religion into a truly open, loving space. David really focuses on the human connections we all need, and can all have, regardless of belief or non-belief. Thanks to all that make this podcast possible. It’s a “warm fuzzy” in my life 😁

David does a wonderful job giving space to his guests to share their story. The over all theme isn’t to do anything but just that, allow them to share. He really is showing grace in a way that most of the listeners need during their “deconversion.” Fabulous job!

David does an excellent job of letting people tell their stories, both of deconstruction and deconversion. People wrestling with leaving their faith will find this podcast helpful and comforting.

I started listening to this podcast at the beginning of my deconstruction and it has been my favorite so far. I’m thankful to have this podcast to make sense of what I’m going through!

I have listened to many podcasts over the years, and The Graceful Atheist is one of the few I come back to often. It is focused, well-produced and judiciously edited. David speaks well, provides a nice spectrum of guests, and definitely epitomizes what it means to be a graceful atheist.

Hearing other people on the deconstruction journey share their stories has been comforting and reassuring at a time when everything feels upside down. This podcast has been a huge boost for my mental health and I find something in common with every guest’s story.

Refreshingly honest and graceful. The space David holds for people to share their stories is so wonderful. This podcast is one of a kind and I’m sure glad to have found it. It’s like a giant hug during a lonely time and reassurance that we’re not alone! Thank you David

First time listening and this is WONDERFUL! Assembly of God background, attendee, church staff & some Bible college. I know! Nothing is more freeing than enjoying life without some bizarre guilt constantly buzzing in the background.

I can see why these stories of deconstructed atheists are so important for those of us who are deconstructing. We were taught to believe through the testimonies of others. Now we can learn to think for ourselves and figure out all the harm and trauma we’ve gone through by hearing the stories of others. In all the ways that our minds have been manipulated to think, testimonies help give us steppingstones on the way out.

Love this podcast. Insightful, kind, interesting. Love all the interesting interviews.

David is one of the best interviewers in the post-Christian space. He does a good balance of driving the show by asking thoughtful questions while also allowing the interviewee to respond in full. My favorite thing about the show is the focus on being genuine and having an 'honesty contest.'

I look forward to listening to this podcast each Sunday evening after it drops. I went through a decade long period of doubt and clinging to my faith and ultimately deconverted in early 2020 (right before the pandemic hit). I relate to so many people’s stories on this podcast and it helps me know I’m not alone on this journey. It’s refreshing to listen to an atheist podcast that isn’t angry or combative.

Anyone who has gone through a deconversion experience of “loosing their faith” can attest to the myriad of emotions and challenges that come with it. David takes the time to talk through those stories with guests. If you’ve doubted your faith or lost it completely and would like to find some common ground with others by hearing about their journeys, this is the podcast for you.

Fairly new to the show, but it immediately grabbed me. It is encouraging to hear deconstruction stories from all different walks of faith. As someone who is deconstructing myself, it helps to hear such stories! David is a great interviewer and you can tell he really listens to his guests!

I left my religion/belief a couple of years ago and my long time friends didn't like it at all, so I have been pretty lonely. I love this podcast because David has great and interesting interviews that I can relate to in one way or another and at the same time learn something new and helpful. Listening to others' stories helps me feel less alone. David is a gracious host and relatable interviewer.

I really enjoy this podcast. I appreciate how fair and humble David is and how intellectually stimulating the conversations are, while allowing each guest to truly be themselves and tell their stories. Every episode leaves me feeling validated in some way that I didn’t know I needed.

It’s been a lonely journey for me post-religion (evangelical Christian), so hearing these personal stories has been a real boost. A much-needed kind voice in an often conflictive space!

I’m glad I found this podcast. It’s so comforting to know we are not alone in what can be a very difficult journey. David’s compassion and non-judgmental attitude make him graceful indeed. His guests come from a variety of life and religious backgrounds. Thank you David, along with production assistants and guests; this ‘good work’ is most appreciated.

No anger and hateful disrespect that you find on some other atheist podcasts. Just thoughtful regard and appreciation for the guests and their journeys, wherever they may have landed.

I’ve been deconverting for the past couple of years. I’m lucky to be going through this process with so many amazing resources like this one! Thank you David!

I’m really grateful for this podcast. It’s been very affirming to listen and relate to other people’s stories of deconversion and I appreciate David’s empathy and perspective of secular grace.

This is an amazing podcast. Great guests and interviews. Keep up the great work.

I came across this podcast during the end of my deconversion process, and it really helped me to feel more at home and grounded in my secular views, hopes, values, morality, community…I can’t affirm this podcast enough! Thank you, David, and thank you to all the people telling their stories and uplifting the values of Humanism and secular grace!

I’ve been going through the deconversion process over the past few years and I love how you take non-belief in a different direction than the norm.

This podcast is an awesome resource for those who no longer believe but want to live a life full of secular grace. So well done!

As I’m deconverting myself, this is one of the podcast that has been very helpful for me. With diverse and interesting guests, the host asks great questions and I’m consistently impressed with it each week.

I am learning so much from listening to this podcast. It has given me a deeper understanding of my experience of losing my faith. The podcast has given me greater insight into what I believe and how to communicate that to others.

I look forward to these episodes so much. David is such a great podcast host and I can relate to so many of the guests and their stories. I highly recommend this podcast!!

I love what Dave is doing! He has a great attitude and is a skillful host at navigating people's stories gracefully.