エピソード

  • Are You Spiritually Malnourished? The 3 Spiritual Vitamins Every Christian Needs | Ep35

    Are You Spiritually Malnourished? The 3 Spiritual Vitamins Every Christian Needs | Ep35
    2026/07/31
    What if you’ve been spiritually malnourished... not because you didn’t love God, but because you were fed the wrong spiritual diet early in your Christian life? Download this episode’s beautiful Companion Study Guide (with key points, scriptures, journal prompts, reflection questions, notable quotes, a guided meditation, small group discussion questions & more). ⎯ READY TO GO DEEPER? ⎯ If this stirred something in you, don’t just watch — take the next step. Join Michele’s online community, New Creation Academy Join Martin’s online community, The Gathering ⎯ SUPPORT THE PODCAST ⎯ Love our free content and want to support the show? Grab some fabulous, custom-designed, snarky Unhinged merch, t-shirts, mugs, and other digital resources from our Fourthwall shop! Your purchase helps keep our podcast free and ad-free for everyone. Thank you! ⎯⎯ ABOUT THIS EPISODE ⎯⎯ What if the foundation of a healthy Christian life isn’t striving harder… but feeding on the right spiritual nutrients? In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele and Martin continue their Simply Jesus series by exploring what Peter called the pure spiritual milk of the gospel. Together they unpack three essential “spiritual nutrients” every believer needs from the very beginning: Vitamin K — the Kindness of the Father Vitamin F — the complete Forgiveness of the Father Vitamin L — the unconditional Love of the Father Along the way, they discuss what Jesus meant when he declared, “Tetelestai” (“It is finished”), why God’s kindness — not fear, shame, or condemnation — is what truly transforms us, and how many Christians have unknowingly been raised on “spoiled milk” instead of the nourishing goodness of the real gospel. If you’ve ever struggled with guilt, performance, fear-based religion, or wondering whether God is quietly disappointed in you, this conversation offers a refreshing invitation to rediscover the heart of the Father — and to experience the freedom that comes from knowing you are already fully loved, completely forgiven, and forever welcomed into His arms. ⎯⎯ BINGE THE VIDEOS ⎯⎯ Pt 1: What If You Never Had a Spiritual Childhood? | Ep31 Pt 2: The Spiritual Vaccine Against Toxic Theology | Ep32 Pt 3: Stop Eating Dove’s Dung: Developing Your Spiritual Taste Buds | Ep33 Pt 4: The Kindness of God Leads to a Higher Mind | Ep34 Pt 5: Are You Spiritually Malnourished? The 3 Spiritual Vitamins Every Christian Needs | Ep35 Full Series: Simply Jesus (full playlist on YouTube) ⎯⎯ ABOUT OUR SHOW ⎯⎯ Michele Kus, M.A. is a Chicago-based life coach, spiritual formation teacher, DJ, and music producer who is passionate about helping people rediscover the beauty of God. Blending theology, neuroscience, creativity, and personal growth, she creates spaces where people can let go of fear-based religion and discover the freedom, wholeness, and joy of a grace-filled life with God. Dr. Martin Trench, originally from Scotland, is a spiritual teacher, inspiring speaker, author, coach, and self-described part-time theologian with more than 40 years of ministry experience. He has authored several books and is passionate about helping people break free from toxic religion and discover a life-giving, liberating relationship with God. Together they host Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction — a teaching-forward podcast for spiritual rethinkers who want thoughtful and honest conversations, plenty of laughter, and a fresh look at faith. If you enjoy Unhinged and want to help spread our message, remember to LIKE, COMMENT, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE the love! Take us along when you’re on-the-go! Follow this podcast on your favorite podcast player! ⎯⎯ FIND OUR STUFF ⎯⎯ Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Spotify Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Apple Music Martin’s books on Amazon ⎯⎯ CONNECT WITH US ⎯⎯ Michele’s YouTube (New Creation Meditations) Michele’s YouTube (Grace Remixed) Martin’s YouTube Michele’s Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | website Martin’s Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | website Thanks for getting Unhinged with us! We’ll see you again on the next one! ⎯⎯ CHAPTERS ⎯⎯ 00:00 He Is a Father Who Loves His Children 03:12 ALL of Your Sins Are Forgiven 11:45 The Three Nutrients Every New Believer Needs 14:07 When VBS Serves Spoiled Spiritual Milk 19:58 Kindness, Forgiveness, and a Loving Father
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    24 分
  • The Kindness of God Leads to a Higher Mind | Ep34

    The Kindness of God Leads to a Higher Mind | Ep34
    2026/07/24
    If your journey with Jesus began with fear instead of kindness, this conversation may just change the way you experience God forever. Download this episode’s beautiful Companion Study Guide (with key points, scriptures, journal prompts, reflection questions, notable quotes, a guided meditation, small group discussion questions & more). ⎯ READY TO GO DEEPER? ⎯ If this stirred something in you, don’t just watch — take the next step. Join Michele’s online community, New Creation Academy Join Martin’s online community, The Gathering ⎯ SUPPORT THE PODCAST ⎯ Love our free content and want to support the show? Grab some fabulous, custom-designed, snarky Unhinged merch, t-shirts, mugs, and other digital resources from our Fourthwall shop! Your purchase helps keep our podcast free and ad-free for everyone. Thank you! ⎯⎯ ABOUT THIS EPISODE ⎯⎯ Many Christians have been taught that the goal of spiritual growth is to leave the “milk” behind and move on to the “meat” of the Word as quickly as possible. But what if we’ve misunderstood what the pure spiritual milk actually is? In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele and Martin continue their Simply Jesus series by exploring one of the most overlooked themes in the New Testament: spiritual childhood. Together they unpack why Peter tells believers to crave the pure spiritual milk of the Word, why so many Christians were spiritually malnourished from the very beginning, and why the kindness of God — not fear, shame, or performance — is meant to be the foundation of every healthy spiritual life. If you’ve ever wondered why fear-based religion leaves people exhausted, anxious, or constantly striving to earn God’s approval, this conversation offers a radically different vision of the gospel — one rooted in safety, trust, and the goodness of God. ⎯⎯ BINGE THE VIDEOS ⎯⎯ Pt 1: What If You Never Had a Spiritual Childhood? | Ep31 Pt 2: The Spiritual Vaccine Against Toxic Theology | Ep32 Pt 3: Stop Eating Dove’s Dung: Developing Your Spiritual Taste Buds | Ep33 Pt 4: The Kindness of God Leads to a Higher Mind | Ep34 Full Series: Simply Jesus (full playlist on YouTube) ⎯⎯ ABOUT OUR SHOW ⎯⎯ Michele Kus, M.A. is a Chicago-based life coach, spiritual formation teacher, DJ, and music producer who is passionate about helping people rediscover the beauty of God. Blending theology, neuroscience, creativity, and personal growth, she creates spaces where people can let go of fear-based religion and discover the freedom, wholeness, and joy of a grace-filled life with God. Dr. Martin Trench, originally from Scotland, is a spiritual teacher, inspiring speaker, author, coach, and self-described part-time theologian with more than 40 years of ministry experience. He has authored several books and is passionate about helping people break free from toxic religion and discover a life-giving, liberating relationship with God. Together they host Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction — a teaching-forward podcast for spiritual rethinkers who want thoughtful and honest conversations, plenty of laughter, and a fresh look at faith. If you enjoy Unhinged and want to help spread our message, remember to LIKE, COMMENT, SUBSCRIBE, and SHARE the love! Take us along when you’re on-the-go! Follow this podcast on your favorite podcast player! ⎯⎯ FIND OUR STUFF ⎯⎯ Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Spotify Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Apple Music Martin’s books on Amazon ⎯⎯ CONNECT WITH US ⎯⎯ Michele’s YouTube (New Creation Meditations) Michele’s YouTube (Grace Remixed) Martin’s YouTube Michele’s Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | website Martin’s Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | website Thanks for getting Unhinged with us! We’ll see you again on the next one!
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    37 分
  • Ep33 | Stop Eating Dove’s Dung: Developing Your Spiritual Taste Buds

    Ep33 | Stop Eating Dove’s Dung: Developing Your Spiritual Taste Buds
    2026/07/10
    What if bad theology isn’t something you have to debate on social media … but something you naturally learn to recognize the taste of? And what if the pure spiritual milk of the gospel develops spiritual taste buds that recognize fear, shame, and manipulation before they ever take root in you? In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele Kus and Martin Trench continue their Simply Jesus series by exploring what happens when you’re firmly established in the goodness of God. They unpack why a healthy spiritual foundation changes everything. When you’re deeply rooted in God’s unconditional love, forgiveness, union, kindness, and acceptance, unhealthy teaching simply doesn’t fit anymore. It doesn’t sound like Jesus… and it doesn’t taste right. Through stories, humor, colorful analogies, and honest conversation, Michele and Martin explore discernment, union with Christ, the Father’s heart toward us, trusting your God-given discernment, and why people established in grace become much harder to manipulate. If you’ve ever questioned teachings that left you feeling anxious, ashamed, exhausted, or afraid of God — or if you’re rebuilding your faith after leaving unhealthy religious systems — this episode offers hope that you can learn the difference between true spiritual nourishment and spiritual junk food. Let’s become so deeply rooted in the love and kindness of God that anything inconsistent with the character of Jesus simply doesn’t taste right. If you enjoyed this third part of our Simply Jesus series, FOLLOW the show and SHARE this episode with a friend! Hey! Jump into Martin’s July challenge called “Simply Jesus” here inside his online community! Purchase Martin’s books on Amazon. Don’t miss the FULL VISUAL EXPERIENCE with scripture references, definitions, funny pics, random small animals, and of course our beautiful faces! Watch this episode or binge the entire series on our awesome Unhinged YouTube channel. And remember to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE while you’re there! -- READY TO GO DEEPER? -- If this stirred something in you, don’t just listen — take the next step. Join Michele’s online community, New Creation Academy Join Martin’s online community, The Gathering -- SUPPORT THE PODCAST -- Love our free content and want to support the show? Grab some fabulous, custom-designed snarky Unhinged merch or send us a donation (thank you!) -- ABOUT OUR SHOW -- Unhinged is the podcast that helps you break free from toxic religion, rediscover the beauty of God, faith, and yourself — and laugh along the way. Let’s get Unhinged! -- RESOURCES -- Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Spotify Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Apple Music Martin’s books on Amazon -- CONNECT WITH US! -- Michele’s YouTube (meditations), YouTube (grace-based dance music), Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website Martin’s YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website CHAPTERS 00:00 Best Intro Ever :) 01:42 Welcome to Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction! 02:10 Listener Comments: The Spiritual Milk We Never Received 05:23 Union Changes Everything 08:32 One Spirit with God: No Distance and No Separation 12:32 You Are Loved, Safe, Valuable, & Lovable 17:37 When Bad Theology Doesn’t Fit 21:40 Stop Eating Dove’s Dung 23:32 Trusting Your God-Given Discernment 27:44 Developing Your Spiritual Taste Buds
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    30 分
  • Ep32 | The Spiritual Vaccine Against Toxic Theology

    Ep32 | The Spiritual Vaccine Against Toxic Theology
    2026/06/26
    What if the best protection against bad theology isn’t learning more ... but returning to the pure spiritual milk of the gospel? And what if that pure spiritual milk permanently inoculates you against fear, manipulation, and toxic preaching? In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele Kus and Martin Trench continue their Simply Jesus series by exploring what they call the spiritual vaccine against bad theology. They unpack why true spiritual maturity is built on a healthy foundation. They explain why the simple truths of God’s unconditional love, forgiveness, kindness, union, and acceptance are the pure spiritual milk that establishes us so deeply in Christ that unhealthy or toxic theology naturally tastes “off.” Through stories, humor, and honest conversation, Michele and Martin explore why one-size-fits-all discipleship often falls short, the importance of understanding progressive revelation, how Jesus continually reshapes our picture of God, the problem with biblical “inerrancy,” and why returning to the simplicity of Christ can inoculate us against fear-based religion, performance, legalism, and manipulation. If you’ve ever wondered why some teachings leave you anxious while others bring peace and freedom, or if you’re trying to rebuild a healthier faith after unlearning toxic beliefs, this episode offers a hopeful invitation to become deeply rooted in the goodness of God. Because the healthiest Christians aren’t the ones who know the most — they’re the ones who have been nourished by the right kind of spiritual milk. If you enjoyed this second part of our Simply Jesus series, FOLLOW the show and SHARE this episode with a friend! Hey! Jump into Martin’s July challenge called “Simply Jesus” here inside his online community! Purchase Martin’s books on Amazon (3 of them were mentioned on today’s episode!) Don’t miss the FULL VISUAL EXPERIENCE with scripture references, definitions, funny pics, random small animals, and of course our beautiful faces! Watch this episode or binge the entire series on our awesome Unhinged YouTube channel. And remember to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE while you’re there! -- READY TO GO DEEPER? -- If this stirred something in you, don’t just listen — take the next step. Join Michele’s online community, New Creation Academy Join Martin’s online community, The Gathering -- SUPPORT THE PODCAST -- Love our free content and want to support the show? Grab some fabulous, custom-designed snarky Unhinged merch or send us a donation (thank you!) -- ABOUT OUR SHOW -- Unhinged is the podcast that helps you break free from toxic religion, rediscover the beauty of God, faith, and yourself — and laugh along the way. Let’s get Unhinged! -- RESOURCES -- Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Spotify Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Apple Music Martin’s books on Amazon -- CONNECT WITH US! -- Michele’s YouTube (meditations), YouTube (grace-based dance music), Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website Martin’s YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction! 04:13 Why Martin Doesn’t Teach a One-Size-Fits-All Curriculum 09:02 The Atonement: Milk vs. Meat 10:16 Your Theology Shapes Your View of God 11:27 Pure Spiritual Milk Protects You from Toxic Theology & Bad Preaching 17:00 What is Progressive Revelation and Why Does It Matter? 18:30 The Problem with the Doctrine of Inerrancy of Scripture 22:02 The Spiritual Vaccine Against Bad Theology 25:23 This Week’s Reflection Question (Leave Us a Comment!)
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    27 分
  • Ep31 | What If You Never Had a Spiritual Childhood?

    Ep31 | What If You Never Had a Spiritual Childhood?
    2026/06/19

    What if the thing missing from your faith isn’t more theology... but a simple spiritual childhood?

    And what if some of the questions keeping you exhausted don’t need answers right now — they just need to be left on the shelf?

    In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele Kus and Martin Trench launch their new Simply Jesus series by exploring what happens when believers grow up too fast spiritually.

    After hearing many listeners say, “I never had a spiritual childhood,” they unpack why so many Christians were rushed into doctrine, performance, ministry, and having all the right answers before they ever learned the simple foundations of faith.

    Through stories, humor, and honest conversation, Michele and Martin discuss spiritual milk versus spiritual meat, inherited beliefs versus integrated beliefs, catechism versus altar calls, the problem with constant correction, and why healthy spiritual growth requires space to wonder, question, and … gasp! … even get stuff wrong!

    If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by religion, exhausted by theological debates, or pressured to have everything figured out, this episode is your invitation to slow down, return to the basics, and rediscover the simple goodness of God.

    Sometimes the healthiest thing you can do is LEAVE IT ON THE SHELF!

    If you enjoyed this first episode in our Simply Jesus series, FOLLOW the show and SHARE this episode with a friend!

    Purchase Martin’s book, Secrets of Spiritual Growth.

    Don’t miss the FULL VISUAL EXPERIENCE with scripture references, definitions, funny pics, random small animals, and of course our beautiful faces! Watch this episode or binge the entire series on our awesome Unhinged YouTube channel.

    And remember to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE while you’re there!

    -- READY TO GO DEEPER? --

    If this stirred something in you, don’t just listen — take the next step.

    Join Michele’s online community, New Creation Academy

    Join Martin’s online community, The Gathering

    -- SUPPORT THE PODCAST --

    Love our free content and want to support the show?

    Grab some fabulous, custom-designed snarky Unhinged merch or send us a donation (thank you!)

    -- ABOUT OUR SHOW --

    Unhinged helps you unlearn toxic religious thinking, rediscover a freer and healthier way of understanding God, faith, and yourself… and laugh a little along the way.

    -- RESOURCES --

    Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Spotify

    Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Apple Music

    Martin’s books on Amazon

    -- CONNECT WITH US! --

    Michele’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website

    Martin’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website

    CHAPTERS

    00:00 Systematic Theology Show-and-Tell

    00:44 Welcome to Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction!

    03:02 What If You Never Had a Spiritual Childhood?

    08:30 Why Constant Correction Hurts Spiritual Growth

    11:57 Inherited Beliefs vs. Integrated Beliefs

    13:33 Catechism vs. Altar Calls: Two Different Approaches to Conversion

    14:23 Which Beliefs Should We Examine?

    17:47 Leave It on the Shelf!

    19:51 What’s one thing you wish someone had told you during your spiritual childhood?
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    21 分
  • Ep30 | Spiritual Parenthood: The Journey Home

    Ep30 | Spiritual Parenthood: The Journey Home
    2026/06/12
    What if spiritual maturity isn’t about learning more... but about coming home? And what if the final stage of spiritual growth looks surprisingly similar to the first? In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele Kus and Martin Trench conclude their Secrets of Spiritual Growth series by exploring the often-overlooked stage of spiritual parenthood — the stage where faith becomes less about information, certainty, doctrine, and striving, and more about relationship, rest, wisdom, trust, and helping others grow. Drawing from Martin’s three-stage framework of spiritual growth from 1 John 2, they unpack how the spiritual journey often comes full circle. Spiritual childhood begins with trust, wonder, dependence, and being loved. Spiritual youth is marked by learning, searching, wrestling, overcoming, and growing stronger. But spiritual parenthood isn’t simply more of the same — it represents a profound return to simplicity, peace, trust, and love but this time, with the wisdom of lived experience. Through scripture, stories, humor, and honest conversation, Michele and Martin explore the difference between knowing about God and truly knowing God, the meaning of the Greek word gnosis, why relationship ultimately matters more than ideology, and why spiritual maturity is less about accumulating answers and more about learning to live from a place of deep rest and trust. They also discuss why many people who deconstruct their faith may actually be operating from a place of spiritual maturity rather than immaturity, why spiritual parents often feel disconnected from youth-focused church culture, and why many churches struggle to address the needs of believers who have moved beyond the spiritual youth stage. If you’ve ever felt like you’ve outgrown religious arguments, endless doctrinal debates, or the need to have all the answers — and instead find yourself longing for something simpler, deeper, and more relational — this episode may feel a lot like coming home. If you enjoyed this episode, FOLLOW the show and SHARE this episode with a friend! Purchase Martin’s book, Secrets of Spiritual Growth. Don’t miss the full visual experience! Watch this episode or binge the entire series on our awesome Unhinged YouTube channel. And remember to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE while you’re there! -- READY TO GO DEEPER? -- If this stirred something in you, don’t just listen — take the next step. Join Michele’s online community, New Creation Academy Join Martin’s online community, The Gathering -- SUPPORT THE PODCAST -- Love our free content and want to support the show? Grab some fabulous, custom-designed snarky Unhinged merch or send us a donation (thank you!) -- ABOUT OUR SHOW -- Unhinged helps you unlearn toxic religious thinking, rediscover a freer and healthier way of understanding God, faith, and yourself… and laugh a little along the way. -- RESOURCES -- Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Spotify Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Apple Music Martin’s books on Amazon -- CONNECT WITH US! -- Michele’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website Martin’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction & Recap of the Spiritual Growth Stages 03:04 What Is Spiritual Parenthood? 03:29 Gnosis: Knowing About God vs. Knowing God 06:29 The Parenthood Stage Is about Relationship 08:35 Why Spiritual Parents Often Feel Out of Place in Church 10:42 The Hero’s Journey: How Healthy Spiritual Growth Comes Full Circle 17:32 Every Stage Has Value: No Need To Rush! 20:26 Raised in Church vs. Finding Faith Later in Life 26:13 Final Thoughts: Coming Back Home
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    29 分
  • Ep29 | Spiritual Youth: Why Churches Rush You There... and Then Keep You There

    Ep29 | Spiritual Youth: Why Churches Rush You There... and Then Keep You There
    2026/06/05
    What if the real battle isn’t the one you’ve been fighting? And what if your biggest spiritual problem isn’t the devil at all? In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele Kus and Martin Trench continue their Secrets of Spiritual Growth series by exploring the spiritual youth stage — the stage of growth characterized by strength, passion, conviction, spiritual warfare, wrestling with scripture, and learning to overcome personal challenges. Together, they unpack why many churches rush believers into this stage as quickly as possible — and then unintentionally build entire church cultures around it. As a result, many Christians spend years or decades focused on fighting external enemies, resisting temptation through willpower, and endlessly searching for deeper spiritual “meat” without ever discovering what comes next. Through scripture, stories, humor, and honest conversation, Michele and Martin explore the difference between “fighting the devil” vs finding inner healing, why becoming whole weakens temptation more effectively than willpower, and how spiritual maturity involves learning to recognize when the real battle is happening within. They also tackle the idea of “real meat vs fake meat” — how some doctrines are constructed from stitched-together verses rather than from healthy interpretation, and they examine why spiritual parents sometimes feel disconnected from church culture when it’s aimed primarily at spiritual youth. If you’ve ever wondered why church sometimes feels obsessed with battles, enemies, growing stronger in the Word, and overcoming the devil — this episode may shed some light on that! Purchase Martin’s book, Secrets of Spiritual Growth. If you enjoyed this episode, FOLLOW the show and SHARE this episode with a friend! Don’t miss the full visual experience! Watch this episode or binge the entire series on our awesome Unhinged YouTube channel. And remember to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE while you’re there! -- READY TO GO DEEPER? -- If this stirred something in you, don’t just listen — take the next step. Join Michele’s online community, New Creation Academy Join Martin’s online community, The Gathering -- SUPPORT THE PODCAST -- Love our free content and want to support the show? Grab some fabulous, custom-designed snarky Unhinged merch or send us a donation (thank you!) -- ABOUT OUR SHOW -- Unhinged helps you unlearn toxic religious thinking, rediscover a freer and healthier way of understanding God, faith, and yourself… and laugh a little along the way. -- RESOURCES -- Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Spotify Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Apple Music Martin’s books on Amazon -- CONNECT WITH US! -- Michele’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website Martin’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction! 01:31 The Spiritual Youth Stage Explained 03:53 Are Demons Really Your Biggest Problem? 05:54 Why Spiritual Parents Often Drop Out of Church 07:20 Temptation: Fighting It or Healing It? 08:45 Wrestling with Scripture: Learning & Healing 14:14 Real Meat vs Fake Meat Doctrines 16:34 Why Most Pastors Are Still in the Spiritual Youth Stage 18:00 Final Thoughts on the Spiritual Youth Stage
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    19 分
  • Ep28 | Spiritual Childhood: Did the Church Push You to Grow Up Too Quickly?

    Ep28 | Spiritual Childhood: Did the Church Push You to Grow Up Too Quickly?
    2026/05/29

    Why do so many Christians feel pressured to become “spiritually mature” before they’ve even learned to rest in God’s love?

    In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele Kus and Martin Trench continue their Secrets of Spiritual Growth series by unpacking why many churches unintentionally rush believers past the foundational childhood stage of spiritual growth — creating pressure, confusion, fear, and performance-based Christianity in the process.

    Together, they unpack how churches often rush new believers past the “milk” stage of spiritual development and into pressure-filled teachings about spiritual warfare, end times, tithing, performance, and more — trying to get them “caught up” spiritually.

    Through scripture, stories, humor, and honest conversation, Michele and Martin explore why healthy spiritual growth cannot be forced — and why skipping the foundational childhood stage of trust and love can create confusion, fear, exhaustion, spiritual striving, and unhealthy views of God that affect believers over the long haul.

    Real spiritual growth is not about becoming hyper-spiritual as quickly as possible… but about allowing our connection with God to gradually transform us over time.

    If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by church expectations, pressured to spiritually “grow up” too quickly, or like you skipped over the foundational stage of simply learning to trust God’s love — this episode is for you.

    Purchase Martin’s book, Secrets of Spiritual Growth.

    If you enjoyed this episode, FOLLOW the show and SHARE this episode with a friend!

    Don’t miss the full visual experience! Watch this episode on our awesome Unhinged YouTube channel.

    And remember to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE while you’re there!

    -- READY TO GO DEEPER? --

    If this stirred something in you, don’t just listen — take the next step.

    Join Michele’s online community, New Creation Academy

    Join Martin’s online community, The Gathering

    -- SUPPORT THE PODCAST --

    Love our free content and want to support the show?

    Grab some fabulous, custom-designed snarky Unhinged merch or send us a donation (thank you!)

    -- ABOUT OUR SHOW --

    Unhinged helps you unlearn toxic religious thinking, rediscover a freer and healthier way of understanding God, faith, and yourself… and laugh a little along the way.

    -- RESOURCES --

    Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Spotify

    Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Apple Music

    Martin’s books on Amazon

    -- CONNECT WITH US! --

    Michele’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website

    Martin’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website

    CHAPTERS

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

    02:46 1 John 2 and the “Milk, Meat & Bread” Stages of Spiritual Growth

    08:40 The Three Stages in 1 John 2: Childhood, Youth, Parenthood

    10:16 The Problem With Skipping the “Milk” of Spiritual Childhood

    12:55 What Spiritual Children Need Most

    16:31 Why New Christians Feel Pressured to “Catch Up”

    21:26 Don’t Rush Through Spiritual Childhood

    24:13 Final Thoughts on Healthy Spiritual Growth
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    27 分