Shows
The Unlearning Podcast89: LUKE: 9:28-36 | Listen to ChristLiving in a Trump 2.0 world can be incredibly difficult. On today’s episode, Ashley unpacks the transfiguration moment in the life of Christ to offer some insight on how we might cope with our challenging political climate. For more information, check out Ashley’s work at ashleylhengst.com2025-03-1916 minThe Unlearning Podcast88: LUKE 21:25-36 | God with usOn today’s episode, Ashley begins the advent season by helping us to prepare for Christmas while deconstructing an apocalyptic passage. To learn more about Ashley, visit her on ashleylhengst.com2024-12-0117 minThe Unlearning Podcast87: Christian Mysticism (Original Goodness)On today’s episode, Ashley deconstructs the doctrine of Original Sin by offering up Richard Rohr’s theology around our “Original Goodness.” To learn more about Father Rohr, please visit the Center for Action and Contemplation website.To learn more about Ashley’s work, visit her at ashleylhengst.com2024-11-1919 minThe Unlearning Podcast86: Christian Mysticism (False Self)On today's episode, Ashley continues her series on Christian Mysticism by exploring the topic of sin or the false self. To learn more about Ashley you can find her on Instagram or Threads at @ashleylhengst or online at ashleylhengst.com2024-08-0222 minThe Unlearning Podcast85: Myths & Stereotypes of BisexualityOn today's episode, Ashley deconstructs the myths and stereotypes that many people hold, even in the queer Christian community, about bisexual people. Ashley deconstructs those myths helping listeners understand how their roots of patriarchal and purity culture thinking. To learn more about Ashley you can visit her on Instagram or Threads at @ashleylhengst or online at ashleylhengst.com2024-06-2418 minThe Unlearning Podcast84: PRIDE 2024 - The Sacred Rebellion of ChristThis sermon was originally preached at the Altadena PRIDE Spiritual Exploration event on Saturday, June 8th at the Altadena Baptist Church. Check out these links for more information about the Altadena PRIDE and the Baptist Church. You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Threads at @ashleylhengst or online at ashleylhengst.com2024-06-1920 minThe Unlearning Podcast83: Christian Mysticism (Everything & Everywhere)On today's podcast, Ashley provides a brief introduction to Christian mysticism and contemplative spirituality through unpacking Vincent Pizzutto's wonderful book "Contemplating Christ: The Gospels and the Interior Life." To learn more about Ashley's work, you can find her on Instagram and Threads at @ashleylhengst and online at ashleylhengst.com2024-06-1619 min
Queer Consciousness: LGBTQ+ Mindset Empowerment PodcastDiving into Curious Intimacy: Ashley Lynn HengstMy guest this episode, and the first one for Pride Month, is Ashley Lynn Hengst.
Ashley Lynn Hengst (She/Her) is a Cuban American lesbian from Miami and the host of "The Unlearning Podcast" - a gentle deconstruction podcast focused on thinking critically about life-limiting theology in the Christian faith. Ashley is a graduate of Claremont School of Theology and works in pastoral care at All Saints Church in Pasadena. Ashley is a parishioner at St. Mark's Altadena, where she worships with her wife Jen and their one year old baby girl, Ruth Ellen.
We talked about all things...2024-06-031h 02The Unlearning Podcast82: Friday Field Notes: Real AuthorityOn today's Friday Field Notes, Ashley offers a critical examination on how we define authority as Christians. Who has authority over our lives? How do they exercise that authority? Is authority that is demanding and forceful God's will? This episode is another episode in her series on sexual theology, unpacking Carter Heyward's ground breaking book "Touching Our Strength: Erotic as Power and the Love of God." To learn more about Ashley, you can find her on Instagram and Threads @ashleylhengst or online at ashleylhengst.com2024-05-2413 minThe Unlearning Podcast81: Love & Respect?On today's podcast, Ashley unpacks Emmerson Eggerich's book "Love & Respect: The Love She Most Desires and the Respect He Desperately Needs." She deconstructs the theology around Eggerichs' work and offers up a different definition of love inspired by Cater Heyward's book "Touching Our Strength: The Erotic as Power and the Love of God." In Heyward's book, she defines love as being rooted in mutual respect and discovery. Ashley offers Heyward's definition of love as a healthy alternative to Eggerich's patriarchal theology. To learn more about Ashley's ministry, visit ashleylhengst.com or connect with her on Istagram @ashleylhengst.2024-05-0110 minThe Unlearning Podcast80: Sexual ConfusionOn today's episode, Ashley unpacks the term "sexual confusion" and offers up a more positive way of understanding mystery in sex and romance using Episcopal Priest, Carter Heyward's book "Touching Our Strength: The Erotic as Power and the Love of God." Instead of being ashamed of what we don’t understand, instead of being frustrated we ought to embrace the lack of clarity, embrace the mystery and the unknowing. Because It is in embracing what is concealed, being open to what we don’t understand or cant explain that we begin to open ourselves up to the work of God...2024-04-1913 minThe Unlearning Podcast79: Friday Field Notes: Love Without JudgementOn today's episode, Ashley discusses the idea of loving others (and yourself) without judgement. To learn more about Ashley's work you can find her at @ashleylhengst or on Instagram at @ashleylhengst.2024-04-1411 minThe Unlearning Podcast78: Audre Lorde - The Erotic as PowerAfter a brief hiatus, Ashley is back with another episode on renewing sex, helping listeners to build a sexual theology that is healthy and life giving. Today's episode features a clip from an interview with Audre Lorde from 1982 and highlights her essay "Uses of the Erotic: The Erotic as Power." To learn more about Ashley's work, visit her website at ashleylhengst.com or follow her on Instagram @ashleylhengst.2024-04-1020 minThe Unlearning Podcast77: Renewing Sex: A New Way of Looking at Sex and IntimacyOn today's episode, Ashley records what she shared at her break out session at this past January at the annual Queer Christian Conference 2024 in Albuquerque, NM. To learn more about a healthy understanding of sex and intimacy, be sure to check out Carter Heyward's book "Touching Our Strength: The Erotic as Power and the Love of God" and Audre Lorde's essay "Uses of the Erotic" found online and in her book "Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches." You can also check out Ashley's series of episodes on sexual ethics starting with episode 22 called "Healthy Christian Sexual Ethics." To learn more a...2024-01-2134 minThe Unlearning Podcast76: Compassion & San Suu KyiOn today's episode, Ashley unpacks compassion by looking at the life of San Suu Kyi and the writings of John Philip Newell. Ashley refers to the book "The Rebirthing of God" by Newell and explores what compassion means in light of Jesus' teachings to love our enemies. You can learn more about Ashley's work at ashleylhengst.com or follow her on Instagram @ashleylhengst2023-11-0812 minThe Unlearning Podcast75: LUKE 5:1-11 | Callings: The Dark Blossoming of ChaosOn today's podcast, Ashley unpacks Jesus' call of the first disciples and helps listeners reimagine their own calling upon their lives. She deconstructs how we understand the Great Commission and talks through passages from Gregg Levoy's book "Callings: Finding and Following an Authentic Life." For more information about Ashley and her work visit ashleylhengst.com2023-09-2617 minThe Unlearning Podcast74: "The Grown-Woman Theology" of Brittney CooperOn today's episode, Ashley unpacks Brittney Cooper's womanist theology in her book "Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower." Cooper's analysis of the evangelical purity culture of the 1990s and the "True Love Waits" campaign provides readers with an understanding of how evangelicalism specifcally harms black women. Cooper's analysis and theology is a call to wholeness as it is a call to reject the white supremacist values found in the Christian religion. To learn more about Cooper's work, check out her Instagram page.Ashley Lynn Hengst is the host of "The Unlearning Podcast." To learn more...2023-08-0319 minThe Unlearning Podcast73: JEN HENGST: On Pregnancy & Becoming a MotherOn today's episode, Ashley sits down with her lovely wife, Jen Hengst, to talk about their pregnancy journey and all of our dreams for the future. To learn more about Ashley, you can connect with her on Instagram and Twitter at @ashleylhengst or online at ashleylhengst.com2023-06-0534 minThe Unlearning Podcast72: The Feminist Eros of Carter HeywardCarter Heyward is an American feminist theologian and priest in the Episcopal Church who has is known as one of the Philadelphia Eleven, eleven women whose ordinations eventually paved the way for the recognition of women as priests in the Episcopal Church in 1976. Heyward has written extensively on feminist theology and what she calls a "feminist eros," teaching us to embrace the divinity of our sensual power. On today's episode, Ashley walks us through the journey of Heyward's life and encourages ex-evangelicals to consider Heyward's theology on sexuality and the divine. To learn more about Heyward's life an...2023-04-1220 minThe Unlearning Podcast71: Parenting After Deconstruction with Sarah SwartzendruberOn today's episode, Ashley sits down with Sarah Swartzendruber, creator of "Parenting After Deconstruction" and co-pastor of Cascade Church in Portland, OR. Sarah is passionate about empowering parents in deconstruction to create spiritual practices for their kids. You can learn more about Sarah's work by heading to her website or by following her ministry on Instagram.Ashley Lynn Hengst is the host of "The Unlearning Podcast." You can learn more about Ashley by visiting her website and by following her on Instagram and Twitter at @ashleylhengst.com2023-04-1040 minThe Unlearning Podcast70: DAMON GARCIA: The God Who Riots - Taking Back the Radical JesusOn today's episode, Ashley sits down with Damon Garcia, a writer, video essayist, and public theologian. His work is centered around the intersection between liberation and faith. He is the author of The God Who Riots: Taking Back the Radical Jesus . He lives in Santa Maria, California. Follow Damon’s work on Twitter and Instagram @whoisdamon and at damongarcia.com.Ashley Lynn Hengst is the host of the Unlearning Podcast. To learn more about her work, you can find her on Instagram and Twitter at @ashleylhengst or on her website at ashleylhengst.com 2023-04-0750 minThe Unlearning Podcast70: Parenting After Deconstruction with Sarah SwartzendruberOn today's episode, Ashley interviews Sarah Swartzendruber of "Parenting After Deconstruction." Sarah's essential ministry helps parents to navigate the Christian life after a season of unlearning with the evangelical church. In our conversation, Sarah talks about her own personal unlearning journey and how that fueled her calling to create her ministry. You can learn more about Sarah's work check out her website, Parenting After Deconstruction, her church Cascade Church in Portland and her Instagram channel. by following the links. Ashley Lynn Hengst is the host of the Unlearning Podcast. To learn more about Ashley you can...2023-04-0640 minThe Unlearning Podcast69: Friday Field Notes: Psalm 51: Born in Sin?Lent is finally here and with the lenten season comes a lot of wonderful opportunities for personal examination and introspection. David's Psalm 51 is often used to guide people into a spirit of repentance but we hardly ever think about the context or what David's words truly mean. On today's episode, Ashley deconstructs the idea that we are "born in sin" and helps listeners to consider healthy ways to practice and experience lent. You can connect with Ashley Lynn Hengst on Twitter and Instagram at @ashleylhengst or online at ashleylhengst.com2023-03-2413 minThe Unlearning Podcast68: Oriented to Love: Side B ConversationsOn today's episode, Ashley talks about a recent Oriented to Love panel that she attended at Evergreen Baptists church were the panelists discussed a Side B theology. To learn more about Ashley and to find more of her work, you can connect with her on Instagram and Twitter @ashleylhengst or online at ashleylhengst.com2023-03-2213 minThe Unlearning Podcast67: Five Things the Bible Does NOT Say About SexOn today's episode, Ashley unpacks 5 common misconceptions about sex and romance from Paul Carter's article in the Gospel Coalition. She unpacks the term "biblical sexuality" and helps listeners to understand the danger of misleading interpretations of Scripture. You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter at @ashleylhengst or online at ashleylhengst.com2023-02-0917 minThe Unlearning Podcast66: My Coming Out Journey, Advice & "The L Word"On today's episode, Ashley shares the ups and downs of her own coming out journey. She also describes the powerful impact "The L Word" (2004-2009) show had on her own life and offers encouraging advice for Queer Christians seeking wisdom on how to come out safely.You can connect with Ashley at ashleylhengst.com or on Instagram and Twitter at @ashleylhengts.2023-02-0322 minThe Unlearning Podcast65: Friday Field Notes: Breaking the RulesOn today's episode, Ashley helps deconstruct toxic cultural rules given to us by society and the church. Instead, she offers up Melody Beattie's rules for healthy living found in her book "Beyond Codependency." Below is her list of rules:1. It’s okay to feel my feelings and talk about them when it is safe and appropriate, and I want to.2. I can think, make good decisions, and figure things out.3. I can have, talk about, and solve my problems.4. It’s okay for me to be who I am.5. I can make mistakes...2023-01-2011 minThe Unlearning PodcastSeason 1: Trailer - Pleasure & PurityFor the next few months, all of the episodes on the Unlearning Podcast will be dedicated to the deconstruction of the evangelical purity culture while reconstructing a healthy Christian sexual ethic. Be sure to hit the subscribe button so that you never miss any episodes on the Unlearning Podcast season of Pleasure and Purity. You can connect with Ashley Lynn Hengst on Instagram and Twitter @ashleylhengst or on her website at ashleylhengst.com2023-01-1901 minThe Unlearning Podcast64: Queer Christian Conference & Bishop O.C. AllenEarlier this month I had the privilege of attending the Queer Christian Conference in Washington, DC. where I heard Bishop O.C. Allen preach for the first time. Check out more information on the conference and on Bishop Allen here.Here is a link to the Bishop Allen's commandments for 2023. For more information on Ashley Lynn Hengst you can reach out to her on Instagram and Twitter at @ashleylhengst or on her website ashleylhengst.com2023-01-1917 minThe Unlearning Podcast64: Queer Christian Conference & Bishop O.C. AllenEarlier this month I had the privilege of attending the Queer Christian Conference in Washington, DC. where I heard Bishop O.C. Allen preach for the first time. Check out more information on the conference and on Bishop Allen here. Here is a link to the Bishop Allen's commandments for 2023. For more information on Ashley Lynn Hengst you can reach out to her on Instagram and Twitter at @ashleylhengst or on her website ashleylhengst.com2023-01-1825 minThe Unlearning PodcastTrailer: Pleasure & PurityFor the next few months, all of the episodes on the Unlearning Podcast will be dedicated to the deconstruction of the evangelical purity culture while reconstructing a healthy Christian sexual ethic. Be sure to hit the subscribe button so that you never miss any episodes on the Unlearning Podcast season of Pleasure and Purity. You can connect with Ashley Lynn Hengst on Instagram and Twitter @ashleylhengst or on her website at ashleylhengst.com2023-01-1825 minThe Unlearning Podcast63: How To Respond When Your Child Comes Out As LGBTWhat is the best, most-Christ-like way to respond to your child when they come out as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered? As evangelicals we’ve been taught to believe that love and judgement go hand in hand and to love the sinner but hate the sin. This kind of theology is incredibly dangerous. On today's episode, Ashley walks evangelical parents through the coming out process, unpacking distorted beliefs around sin and gender. She also gives listeners 5 ways to help process the coming out experience that provide parents with a healthy way to learn and grow.Thi...2022-11-1822 minThe Unlearning Podcast62: Christ-Centered Pastoral CareDoes the purpose and function of pastoral ministry change the more theologically progressive we become? On today's episode, listeners are invited to consider the meaning of pastoral care. Ashley makes the case for a Christ-centered pastoral ministry, a ministry that reflects attending to the needs and the concerns of the people under your care in a way that reflects the teachings of Jesus Christ. This January, Ashley will be presenting a break-out session on "Healthy Christian Sexual Ethics" at the Queer Christian Conference. You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter at @ashleylhengst or o...2022-11-1116 minThe Unlearning Podcast61: Friday Field Notes | Resistance and FundamentalismThe Friday Field Notes segment of "The Unlearning Podcast" is here to help you reconstruct your faith after a season of deconstruction. On today's episode, Ashley reads the chapter "Resistance and Fundamentalism" from Steven Pressfield's book "The Art of War." Ashley will be leading a break out session at the Queer Christian Conference this January 5-8th in Washington DC. For more information, check out: https://www.qchristian.org/You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter @ashleylhengst or visit her website at ashleylhengst.com2022-10-2813 minThe Unlearning Podcast60: A Literal Resurrection?Did Jesus really resurrect from the dead? Do we have to believe in a literal resurrection in order to go to heaven? On today's episode, Ashley unpacks all of the toxic thinking surrounding the doctrine of the resurrection of Christ. In this episode, she features the opening line of Rev. Mike Kinman's Easter sermon. She also shares John Piper's reading of Romans 8. To hear Piper read the full chapter, click here.Ashley will be leading a break out session at the Queer Christian Conference this January 5-8th in Washington DC. For more information, check out: https://www...2022-10-2628 minThe Unlearning Podcast59: Friday Field Notes | The Power of Detachment As we go through our deconstruction journey, we sometimes feel guilty in leaving communities and friend groups that no longer serve us. As we unlearn toxic theology, we sometimes feel guilty over no longer being friends with people who still hold onto evangelical beliefs. And because we’ve taken Scripture so literally, we feel like we are sinning when we upset people and make them mad. On today’s episode, I want to briefly unpack that and introduce to you the power of detachment.You can connect with Ashley Lynn Hengst on Instagram or Twitter @ashleylhengst or visit he...2022-10-2113 minThe Unlearning Podcast58: LUKE 4:38-41 | Healing & the Well- Being of Middle-Aged WomenLuke could have begun his gospel narrative with the healing of a very important Roman centurion or of a rich young ruler. But instead of choosing the most respected people in society, Luke described Jesus as moving to the margins, particularly when it came to the intersectional realities of age and gender. On today's episode, Ashley walks us through the healing of Peter's mother-in-law in Luke 4:38-41. You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter at @ashleylhengst or visit her website at ashleylhengst.com2022-10-1911 minThe Unlearning Podcast57: Dealing with Emotions (No Bad Parts)As evangelicals, we’ve been taught to believe that our heart and our emotions and even our very minds cannot be trusted. Evangelicals have used a variety of bible verses to support this idea, that we are inherently evil and that we should "crucify" the bad parts of ourselves or our flesh. On today's episode, Ashley deconstructs toxic theology around emotions. She then, offers up internal family systems as a healthy way of understanding emotions.Ashley references "Boundaries" and "The Gifts of Imperfection" as well as Dr. Richard Schwartz's book "No Bad Parts: Healing Trauma and Restoring Wh...2022-10-1029 minThe Unlearning Podcast56: LUKE 4:31-37 | Forces Hidden in MysteryMany of us received our understanding of demons from the (1973) move "The Exorcist." We believe demons to be part of a moral army of oppressive spirits that recruit humans into an evil force, possessing them with an evil energy, not unlike the death eaters in Harry Potter. But bible scholar Fred B. Craddock paints a different picture of demons, that might shed some light on our next passage in Luke. Join Ashley for another episode on the Gospel of Luke. You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter @ashleylhengst or online at @ashleylhengst.com.2022-09-1620 minThe Unlearning Podcast55: THE BRIEFING | August 2022 Edition with Dr. Tracey Shenell & Pastor Hannah SimsWelcome to our monthly on the Unlearning Podcast called “The Briefing: News and Events from a Progressive Christian world view.” In our August episode, I interview Dr. Tracey Shenell and Pastor Hannah Sims on all of their thoughts concerning recent news and events. The Briefing on the Unlearning Podcast is here to help you think critically about the world around you AND to demonstrate what it’s like to have healthy, respectful conversations about politics, news, and Christianity.On today’s episode, we are going to talk about freedom of speech and the recent stabbing of author Salman R...2022-09-091h 03The Unlearning Podcast54: What is "liberation theology"?When thinking about Christianity as a religion, Cuban theologian Miguel De La Torre explains that we must define our religion from the point of view of people on the margins and not people in wealth and in power. That’s a big change in point of view for a lot of us because for many of us, all we do is follow and like and invest in the point of view of the rich, famous and powerful. But Christ is calling us to fix our gaze on the liberation of the poor and the oppressed, on the people living on...2022-09-0214 minThe Unlearning Podcast53: Friday Field Notes | Lex Orandi, Lex CrendendiLex Orandi, Lex Crendendi "the law of prayer is the law of belief" or you are what you pray. On this week's Friday Field Notes, Ashley talks about prayer and invites listeners to incorporate the beautiful tradition of the Book of Common Prayer into their prayer lives. You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter @ashleylhengst or on her website at ashleylhengst.com2022-08-2710 minThe Unlearning Podcast52: THE BRIEFING | July 2022 EditionTHE BRIEFING is a monthly segment by Ashley Lynn Hengst on the "News and Events from a Progressive Christian Point of View." This past July, we saw the exquisite images from NASA’s James Webb Telescope, continuation of the midterm elections, the passing of the Inflation Reduction act , and former President Trump’s Margo Island fiasco. Check out the New York Times article that Ashley mentions on the James Webb Space Telescope. You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter at @ashleylhengst or on her website at ashleylhengst.com2022-08-2517 minThe Unlearning Podcast51: Friday Field Notes | Coffee & CookiesAs we make our way back to church and look for a church and look for a pastor and begin to reconstruct our faith, it is so important that we begin to take part in Christian fellowship. Staying after church for cookies and coffee to talk with people, to catch up on their week, to encourage other people and to be encouraged by them is good for your soul On today's episode, Ashley talks about the importance of "fellowship" and staying after church for "coffee and cookies. You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter @ashleylhengst o...2022-08-1306 minThe Unlearning Podcast50: The Problem with DeconstructionWhenever people go on an unlearning journey, on a journey of deconstructing their Christian faith, it’s often necessary to take a break from attending church and to take a break from reading Scripture and sometimes to take a break, even from praying. And that’s okay. Religious trauma is a REAL THING and sometimes you cannot heal from trauma until you separate yourself from the situation or context in which that trauma occurred. But in the process of taking a break and unpacking some of these toxic, unhealthy beliefs, we often tempted to let go of our r...2022-08-1310 minThe Unlearning Podcast48: LUKE 4:14-30 | Jesus' Gospel of LiberationThis gospel that Jesus proclaimed is a gospel of liberation – not a gospel of hell fire and brimstone. This is why liberation theologies are so important. Liberation theologies like black theology or feminist theology or womanist theology or queer theology are theologies of liberation, ways of looking at Scripture and at the character of God that support spiritual and physical freedom from oppressive forces.On today's episode, Ashley takes a look at Luke chapter 4:14-30 and focuses on aspects of Jesus' rejection at Nazareth that many pastors ignore, primarily Jesus' focus on liberation.You can co...2022-08-1220 minThe Unlearning Podcast49: Friday Field Notes | Reading Scripture through the Lens of your own LiberationIt doesn’t matter what evangelical pastors say – Scripture is for everyone. We can all approach the Bible using our own context or through the lens of our own liberation and allow God to strengthen us, fill up our soul and strengthen our connection to the Divine no matter who we are or what context we find ourselves in. On today's Friday Field Notes, Ashley talks about how to read the Bible through your own experience of liberation. You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter at @ashleylhengst or visit her website at ashleylhengst.com2022-08-1214 minThe Unlearning PodcastTrailer: The Unlearning Podcast with Ashley Lynn HengstWelcome to the Unlearning Podcast – a gentle deconstruction podcast dedicated to helping you learn to love Jesus and your neighbor through healthy life-giving theology. I am your host, Ashley Lynn Hengst and I’m so grateful you are checking out the show. I am a graduate of Claremont School of Theology and I’m passionate about helping people understand and practice the Christian faith in a healthy way. On this show we cover everything from the wrath of God to healthy Christian sexual ethics. I share interviews with pastors, bible teachers and wonderfully ordinary people of faith whose lives have b...2022-07-2101 minThe Unlearning Podcast47: Friday Field Notes | Cultivating HobbiesYour life is so much more than what you give and do for other people. The abundant life that Christ talked about is not limited to service of others. It’s about living joyfully in your spirit and enjoying the healthy pleasures of life knowing you are unconditionally loved. What would you love to do if time and money were not a problem? What would you love to do if you were in the best physical shape you could be in? What would you want to try? What might be fun?The more you take car...2022-07-1909 minThe Unlearning Podcast46: LUKE 4:1-13 | Jesus & The Devil"Man does not live by bread alone but by every word from the mouth of God." This was Jesus' response to the Devil when he presented him the temptation to use God's power for selfish gain. On today's episode, Ashley walks us through some of the questions that come up for progressive Christians when looking at the temptation of Jesus. Is the Devil real? Is there evil in the world? How do we reconcile the presence of evil if we reject the doctrine of the depravity of man? Are people inherently good?Ashley Lynn Hengst i...2022-07-1621 minThe Unlearning Podcast45: Friday Field Notes | Spiritual Location ExercisesToday marks the very first Friday Field Notes segment : a *new* weekly segment dropping every Friday dedicated to help[ing you reconstruct a healthy Christian faith experience. How do we build our faith? What are some healthy faith practices (or spiritual disciplines) that we can adopt? What are some healthy Christian living books that we can read? How do you find a healthy church? Why is serving your faith community so important? For those of you who don’t have a lot of time to listen to podcasts but want short bite-size episodes on healthy Chris...2022-07-0108 minThe Unlearning Podcast44: LUKE 3 | Healthy RepentanceIn this episode, Ashley continues her series on the Gospel of Luke walking listeners through the beauty of baptism and repentance. Healthy repentance is not rooted in shame or despair but hope in the grace of a loving God. Ashley Lynn Hengst is the host of the Unlearning Podcast. You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter @ashleylhengst or on her website at ashleylhengst.com2022-07-0133 minThe Unlearning Podcast42: Part 1 - Pleasure & PurityIn this sermon, Ashley talks about "Pleasure & Purity: Healthy Christian Sexual Ethics" as part of a two part talk given at Central Avenue Church in Glendale, CA on June 19th.You can connect with Ashley on Instagram & Twitter @ashleylhengst or on her website at ashleylhengst.com2022-06-2935 minThe Unlearning Podcast43: Part 2 - Pleasure & PurityIn this sermon, Ashley gives her second talk "Pleasure & Purity: Healthy Christian Sexual Ethics" at Central Avenue Church in Glendale, CA on June 26th. You can connect with Ashley on Instagram & Twitter @ashleylhengst or on her website at ashleylhengst.com2022-06-2953 minThe Unlearning Podcast41: Prayerfully Pro-ChoiceToday's episode is in response to the recent Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe vs. Wade. In this episode, Ashley outlines the importance of being "prayerfully pro-choice." She talks about the history of Roe vs. Wade, recent statistics on abortion and what Scripture has to say about the issue. Ashley also shares Episcopal Bishop Michael Curry's statement as well as a statement posted on Instagram by former First Lady Michelle Obama. To learn more about how you can get involved with advocating for reproductive rights, you can visit the website of Planned Parenthood and The U...2022-06-2420 minThe Unlearning Podcast40: ANDRE JACINTO | On Fatherhood, Coming Out, & the Power of God's LoveOn today's episode, I sit down with Andre Jacinto, a wonderful man of God in the Los Angeles area. Andre talks about his coming out journey and experiencing God's love at a tent revival in the '60s. Andre also shares about his journey with fatherhood and offers encouraging words for parents struggling with coming out. Andre speaks at length about the amazing ministry of Pastor Jerrell Walls of Christ Chapel of the Valley and his beloved friend, Kathy Baldock - a trailblazing evangelical woman who advocates for the full inclusion of LGBTQ+ people. You can find th...2022-06-1958 minThe Unlearning Podcast39: THE BRIEFING with Andrew Janey | June 2022 EditionWelcome to a *new segment* on the Unlearning Podcast called "The Briefing: News and Events from a Progressive Christian world view. Joining me this month is Andrew Janey. Andrew is a poet, preacher, actor and a beloved Christian leader in the LGBT community in the Los Angeles area. On today’s episode, we talk about Abbott Elementary, Amber Heard, the recent shootings, the War in Ukraine and what will happen if Roe vs. Wade is overturned. You can connect with Andrew on Instagram @andrew_janey and the host, Ashley Lynn Hengst @ashleylhengst.Stay tuned next month...2022-06-1743 minThe Unlearning Podcast38: BRIAN GAETA-SYMONDS | On Fatherhood & Pastoral MinistryOn today's episode, Ashley interviews Rev. Brian Gaeta-Symonds of the Presbyterian Church, USA. Pastor Brian is the Associate Pastor for outreach at Claremont Presbyterian Church in California. On this episode we learn about Brian's coming out journey, his call to ministry and his journey with fatherhood. You can learn more about Brian's ministry at:https://www.pastorbgs.com/https://www.claremontpres.org/brian-gaeta-symonds2022-06-1552 minThe Unlearning Podcast37: Graduating Seminary, Traveling to Mexico, and a Podcast UpdateOn today's episode, Ashley shares about her trip to Guadalajara, graduating from Claremont School of Theology and two new segments she hopes to add to the line of up episodes on the Unlearning Podcast. In the coming weeks, Ashley is launching a segment on the show called "Friday Field Notes" which will be specifically on reconstruction - how to rebuild your life and your faith after leaving the evangelical church. Ashley is also launching a monthly segment called "The Briefing: News and Events from a Progressive Christian World View." Be sure to subscribe to stay tuned to a...2022-06-1414 minThe Unlearning Podcast36: Part 4 - God is a Black Woman | White Women & Evangelicalism's Tiny Terrifying Circle of AcceptabilityOn today's episode, Ashley completes her 4 part series on Christena Cleveland's essential book "God is a Black Woman." In this episode Ashley talks about evangelicalism's tiny terrifying circle of acceptability, Tim Wise's book "Between Barack and a Hard Place" and how white women use their femininity to silence the needs and concerns of black women.This podcast is in no way a replacement for purchasing Cleveland's book and reading it yourself. Ashley believes Cleveland's book is essential reading for anyone deconstructing toxic evangelical theology. For more on Christena's work you can find her at christenacleveland.co...2022-06-1430 min
The TalkThe Talk with Ashley Lynn HengstAshley Lynn Hengst, recent graduate of Claremont School of Theology and new staffmember at All Saints Church, talks to us about her journey from conservative Evangelicalism to affirming theology, deconstructing harmful faith and reconstructing a healthy faith, taking with us the things that helped us in otherwise toxic spaces, and the importance of not ignoring the Evangelical church in the battle for abortion rights. Originally recorded in May 2022. Find Ashley on Twitter @ashleylhengst, and on Instagram @ashleylhengst, and find The Unlearning Podcast wherever you get your podcasts! Follow the All Saints LGBTQ+ Ministry on Instagram @lgbtq_as...2022-05-1650 minThe Unlearning Podcast35: Part 3 - God is a Black Woman | The Beauty Shame GameIn today's episode, Ashley continues her series on examining key concepts in Dr. Christena Cleveland's new book "God is a Black Woman." Be sure to purchase a copy of her book and to support Dr. Cleveland work by visiting her website: https://www.christenacleveland.com/In this episode, Ashley unpacks what Cleveland describes as the "beauty shame game" of white supremacy and the whitemalegod. In efforts to be free from the beauty shame game, Cleveland had to change her belief system about her body and her blackness. She wrote many affirmations to provide for herself a liberating m...2022-05-1424 minThe Unlearning Podcast34: Part 2 - God is a Black Woman | whitemalegod's Disgust of Human NeedIn today's episode, Ashley continues her series on examining key concepts in Dr. Christena Cleveland's new book "God is a Black Woman." Be sure to purchase a copy of her book and to support Dr. Cleveland work by visiting her website: https://www.christenacleveland.com/According to Dr. Cleveland, the whitemalegod of the evangelical Church has "adopted toxic masculinity’s idols of knowledge: logic, reason, tradition, certainty, and consensus." But when we see God as a Black Woman, we are invited to reject these idols and to trust our intuition. With God as a Black Woman we are...2022-05-0822 minThe Unlearning Podcast33: Part 1 - God is a Black Woman | The Toxic Masculinity of GodOne of the best ways to maintain that healthy understanding of God is to understand God as a Black woman, who, as Christena Cleveland powerfully explains: "declares that all living beings are sacred. She is the God who smashes white patriarchy and empowers us to join in her liberating work. She is the God who has a special love for the most marginalized because she too has known marginalization. She is the God who cherishes our humanity and welcomes our fears, vulnerabilities and imperfections.” What a wonderful, healthy vision of God. In this new series, we...2022-04-3033 minThe Unlearning Podcast32: LUKE | Growing in Wisdom"And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." - Luke 2:52. In today's episode, Ashley walks us through two moments in the life of young Jesus. She also unpacks Luke 2:52 and offers a new way of looking at "spiritual disciplines."You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter @ashleylhengst and through her website at ashleylhengst.com2022-04-2815 min
Speaking In Church67 - Our Unlearning with Ashley Lynn Hengst Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices2022-04-2854 minThe Unlearning Podcast31: Another View of the Cross (Sunday is Coming)In today's podcast, Ashley talks about the beauty of Holy Week and the hope of Easter. She walks us through the traditional theology of substitutionary atonement and offers another way to think about the cross of Christ. You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter @ashleylhengst or reach out through her website at ashleylhengst.comTo check out Pastor Jerrell's church visit https://christchapel.com/2022-04-1524 minThe Unlearning Podcast30: Hillsong: Megachurch Exposed (2022)On today's episode, Ashley reviews the new documentary "Hillsong: Megachurch Exposed" (2022), a three part documentary on the scandals and cover ups of the Hillsong megachurch empire. In this episode, Ashley mentions this New York Times article on how the recent scandals have affected the American Hillsong church plants.You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter at @ashleylhengst or visit her website at ashleylhengst.com. She always enjoys hearing from you.2022-04-1516 minThe Unlearning Podcast29: AARON VAN VOORHIS | Pastor, Radical Theologian & LGBT AllyThis week, I have the privilege of interviewing pastor Aaron Van Voorhis of Central Avenue Church in Glendale, CA. To learn more about Aaron's ministry, you can visit Central, listen to "The Central Cast" podcast and check out his book "A Survival Guide for Heretics."2022-03-2654 minThe Unlearning Podcast28: Luke | The Creed Behind All CreedsIn today's episode, Ashley unpacks theological gems within what we call "the infancy narratives." She explores the similarities between the nativities of John the Baptist and Jesus and deconstructs how we understand sexuality among the elderly and with the "virgin" Mary. The phrase "creed behind all creeds" comes from the theological work of Fred B. Craddock. Craddock was a Disciples of Christ minister, a professor and progressive theologian with compelling and liberating understanding of Scripture.Connect with Ashley Lynn Hengst on Instagram and Twitter at @ashleylhengst and on her website at ashleylhengst.com2022-03-1726 minThe Unlearning Podcast27: Luke | What Your Pastor Will Never Tell YouOn today's episode, Ashley begins her series on the Gospel of Luke and talks about the composition of the gospel itself. She discusses the "Two Source Hypothesis" and how the ethnicity of Luke influences certain themes in his gospel. This will be a wonderful series for anyone who has been hurt by the use of Scripture as a sacred weapon.You can contribute to Ashley's St. Baldrick's fundraiser or connect with Ashley on Instagram or Twitter at ashleylhengst.com2022-03-0918 minThe Unlearning Podcast26: HANNAH SIMS | Pastor, Feminist, & Good ShepherdOn today's episode, Ashley sits down with Pastor Hannah Sims to discuss a healthy understanding of pastoral ministry. Pastor Hannah shares about her own unlearning journey, her view on developing a healthy sexuality and the importance of authentic leadership. She also reads a #metoo lament that she shared with New City Church during the height of the #metoo movement. Subscribe to hear more powerful stories about unlearning and discovery in the Christian faith. You can connect with Ashley on both Twitter and Instagram at @ashleylhengst or on her website at ashleylheng.com2022-03-031h 01The Unlearning Podcast25: Part 4 - Healthy Christian Sexual EthicsIn this last episode on a 4 part series on Healthy Christian Sexual Ethics, Ashley unpacks Margaret Farley's last four norms. Farley's norms for a just sexual ethic are:1. Do no unjust harm.2. Free consent.3. Mutuality.4. Equality (of power).5. Commitment.6. Fruitfulness.7. Social Justice.Ashley also walks listeners through bell hooks' definition of love. If Farley's norms provide a foundation for just love, bell hooks' provides the building blocks for healthy, romantic love. According to hooks, love is spiritually nourishing yourself and nourishing someone else. We express that spiritual nourishment through 6...2022-03-0132 minThe Unlearning Podcast24: Part 3 - Healthy Christian Sexual EthicsOn today's episode, we take a short break from Margaret Farley's 7 norms of "just sex" to talk about the gray matters around our Christian faith and sexual intimacy. When is it the right time to have sex? Should sex be saved until marriage? What does the bible say about casual sex and hook ups? How does that fit into Farley’s 7 norms for just sex?In this episode, Ashley refers to Nadia Bolz-Weber's book "Shameless: A Sexual Reformation." Ashley walks through these questions and more as she deconstructs toxic Christian theology around sex and intimacy. Yo...2022-02-1727 minThe Unlearning Podcast23: Part 2 - Healthy Christian Sexual EthicsThere has been a lot of criticism of the evangelical purity culture and not a lot of discussion on a possible alternative. Using the writings of catholic feminist theologian Margaret Farley's book "Just Love" and black feminist bell hooks' book "All About Love," this four part series will help Christians develop a sexual ethics that is both healthy and life-giving. In this second episode, Ashley goes through the first 3 norms of Margaret Farley's 7 norms of sexual ethics and talks about how bell hooks describes self-love. You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter at @ashleylhengst. You can also c...2022-02-1024 minThe Unlearning Podcast22: Part 1 - Healthy Christian Sexual EthicsThere has been a lot of criticism of the evangelical purity culture and not a lot of discussion on a possible alternative. Using the writings of catholic feminist theologian Margaret Farley's book "Just Love" and black feminist bell hooks' book "All About Love," this four part series will help Christians develop a sexual ethics that is both healthy and life-giving. In this first episode, Ashley unpacks what justice looks like in romantic relationships and deconstructs some of the toxic theology around sex and marriage. You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter at @ashleylhengst. You can also check...2022-02-0424 minThe Unlearning Podcast21: ANDREW JANEY | Poet, Preacher, & LGBT Christian LeaderOn today's episode of the Unlearning Podcast, Ashley interviews her friend Andrew Janey, a poet, preacher, actor and LGBT Christian leader in the Los Angeles area. Andrew shares his coming out story, his unlearning journey, the importance of grace in church conflict and what he looks for in a pastor and in a church. To learn more about Andrew, you can follow him on Instagram at @andrew_janey.You can support this podcast on Ashley's new patreon account. You can also connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter at @ashleylhengst or visit her website at ashleylhengst.com2022-01-2248 minThe Unlearning Podcast20: The Gospel & HealingThe experience of healing can be really elusive. What do we mean when we talk about healing? Is healing from trauma really possible? Is healing from religious trauma possible? In today's episode, Ashley draws from the theological reflections of G. Lloyd Rediger to walk listeners through a healthy understanding of the gospel and how the gospel can be a means of healing. To connect with Ashley, you can find her at @ashleylhengst on Twitter or Instagram or you can visit her website at ashleylhengst.com2022-01-2128 minThe Unlearning Podcast19: How to Have a Quiet Time with GodOn today's episode, Ashley Lynn Hengst provides many ways for listeners to experience the "daily pause" - a daily time a of stillness with the Divine. In this episode, Ashley recommends the work of Dr. Joy Harden Bradford, Melodie Beattie's "The Language of Letting Go" and Ryan Holiday's "The Daily Stoic." For more information about Ashley's ministry, check out her website at ashleylhengst.com and connect with her on Instagram and Twitter at @ashleylhengst.2022-01-2018 minThe Unlearning Podcast18: Blue ChristmasMerry Christmas! For anyone going through a difficult season this holiday, Ashley wants to encourage you to have faith in God, even when God is silent. Today's podcast episode is on trusting in God's love, even when God seems silent. This episode was adapted from a sermon Ashley gave at a Blue Christmas service on December 21, 2021. You can connect with Ashley on Instagram or Twitter at @ashleylhengst or head to her website at ashleylhengst.com2021-12-2511 minThe Unlearning Podcast17: Blessing in the StormIn today's episode, Ashley continues her two part series on the sovereignty of God. She encourages listeners to check out Rachel Hollis' book "Didn't See that Coming" and to download Kirk Franklin's Nu Nation album as resources for spiritual comfort in the midst of hard seasons. You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter at @ashleylhengst or check out her website at ashleylhengst.com.2021-12-2324 minThe Unlearning Podcast16: Letting Go of WHYIn today's podcast, Ashley unpacks a healthy understanding of the sovereignty of God in suffering. At the end of the episode, Ashley plays a clip from Kirk Franklin's incredible album called "The Nu Nation Project." You can listen to the entire song "Hold Me Now" on any streaming platform. To connect with Ashley, you can find her on Instagram and Twitter at @ashleylhengst or check out her website at ashleylhengst.com2021-12-0230 minThe Unlearning Podcast15: Martyrdom SyndromeOn today's episode, Ashley deconstructs the toxicity around martyrdom in evangelical theology and how pastors use martyrdom to manipulate people into staying in toxic relationships. At the end of the episode, Ashley recommended Melody Beattie's book "The Language of Letting Go: Daily Meditations for Codependency." Be sure to check out your own copy of the devotional and to join Ashley each week for another episode of the Unlearning Podcast. You can sign up for Ashley's newsletter at ashleylhengst.com and you can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter @ashleylhengst.2021-10-2725 minThe Unlearning Podcast14: Why I Love John MacArthurIn today's episode, Ashley explains her love for one of her favorite pastors. John MacArthur is the lead pastor at Grace Community Church in Los Angeles. For more information on Ashley's ministry, you can head to her website at ashleylhengst.com. You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter @ashleylhengst.2021-10-2128 minThe Unlearning Podcast13: The Wrath of God?In today's episode, Ashley deconstructs our theology around the wrath of God and the idea of hell. Ashley mentions a quote by feminist author bell hooks found in her book "All About Love." You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter @ashleylhengst.2021-09-1536 minThe Unlearning Podcast13: The Wrath of God?In today's episode, Ashley deconstructs our theology around the wrath of God and the idea of hell. Ashley mentions a quote by feminist author bell hooks found in her book "All About Love." You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter @ashleylhengst.2021-09-1558 minThe Unlearning Podcast12: Rethinking ChurchIn this episode, Ashley guides listeners through rethinking and reimagining the Church. She also discusses church hurt and offers up ideas on what to look for when you are looking for a new church home. You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter @ashleylhengst.2021-08-1134 minThe Unlearning Podcast11: The PastorIn this episode, Ashley deconstructs pastoral ministry and offers up things to look for if you are looking for a pastor. You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter @ashleylhengst.2021-08-0633 minThe Unlearning Podcast10: PRIDE - Ruth & NaomiThe story of Ruth and Naomi is the fourth episode of a four-part series on PRIDE. You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter @ashleylhengst.2021-07-2934 minThe Unlearning Podcast9: PRIDE - Jonathan & DavidThe story of Jonathan and David is the third episode of a four-part series on PRIDE. You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter @ashleylhengst.2021-07-0730 minThe Unlearning Podcast8: PRIDE - Gay Church HistoryThank you for listening to the second episode of our PRIDE series on "The Unlearning Podcast." The Christians whose ministries are mentioned in this episode are:Rev. Troy Perry of the Metropolitan Community Church. You can visit the original Founders MCC church in Los Angeles, CA.Bishop Yvette Flunder and her City of Refuge ChurchBishop Karen Oliveto of the United Methodist ChurchAnd Matthew Vines and his "Reformation Project" annual conference.You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter @ashleylhengst.2021-06-2422 minThe Unlearning Podcast7: PRIDE: Aunt Lydia Syndrome (Purity Culture)This week, Ashley begins a four-part series on LGBT PRIDE by deconstructing the purity culture. Check out the full ABC segment on purity balls from 2014 and the full interview of Margaret Attwood on her book "The Handmaid's Tale" from the View in 2019. You can connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter at @ashleylhengst.2021-06-1447 minThe Unlearning Podcast6: Adam and "Biblical" Masculinity?This week, Ashley talks about Adam and the gender roles prescribed in "biblical" masculinity and femininity. She discusses the "The Danvers Statement" and "The Nashville Statement" drawn up by the evangelical organization, The Council of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood. After unpacking how pastors use rhetoric or a narrow view of Scripture to shame people into gender roles, Ashley finishes the show highlighting sections of Nadia Bolz Weber's "The Denver Statement" - a theologically sound and liberating document on gender and sexuality. Connect with Ashley Lynn Hengst on Instagram and Twitter @ashleylhengst.2021-05-3130 minThe Unlearning Podcast5: All About EveThis week, Ashley helps deconstruct "complementarianism" and how the story of Eve was used to subjugate women. Ashley talks about the Greek mythology of Persephone and references Beth More's speech at the 2019 Southern Baptist convention. To watch Beth Moore's full speech - click here. Connect with Ashley Lynn Hengst on Instagram and Twitter @ashleylhengst.2021-05-2133 minThe Unlearning Podcast4: Two Creation Stories?On the fourth episode of "The Unlearning Podcast," Ashley walks us through the two creation stories found in Genesis 1 -2 and deconstructs what we have been told about evolution, climate change, and God's sovereignty. This is an episode you do not want to miss. Connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter.2021-05-1233 minThe Unlearning Podcast3: New Way of Looking at ScriptureIn the third episode of "The Unlearning Podcast," Ashley explains the history of "Biblical Inerrancy" within the evangelical church and offers up the Wesleyan Quadrilateral as well as "The Fruit Test" as alternative ways of interpreting Scripture. Connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter. 2021-05-0630 minThe Unlearning Podcast2: How to Begin DeconstructionThis week, Ashley walks through how to begin the unlearning journey. Connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter.2021-04-2824 minThe Unlearning Podcast1: Welcome to the Unlearning PodcastWelcome to the Unlearning Podcast where we pursue freedom and self-discovery by unlearning toxic evangelical theology. Tune in each week for another episode by Ashley Lynn Hengst. Connect with Ashley on Instagram and Twitter.2021-04-1912 min