Shows
This FireEp27: In The World, Not Of The World (1/1989)This week, it’s a whole NEW YEAR as Steve and Alec take a look at the January 1989 episode of Fire By Nite, titled “In the World, Not of the World”. About 10 years before NOTW would become a clothing brand that defined fashion for a generation of adolescent believers, Blaine and crew would reveal the SHOCKING truth of our extra-terrestrial origins, letting FBN’s teen audience know that when you are a Christian, you truly are 'Not Of This World'. You are an alien ambassador sent by President Jesus to reach out to the people of Earthrealm, and offer the...2025-07-281h 47This FireQuibi: How CCM Conquered the Mainstream in Summer 2025We’re back with another break from our regularly scheduled programming as we take a look at the state of pop music in 2025, and how the CCM industry has struck back, influencing the very mainstream it used to so desperately ape. With the dulcet tones of KLOVE all over the Billboard Hot 100, Steve and Alec are here to make sense of it all and figure out why all of a sudden mainstream audiences are so enthusiastically embracing the not quite country, not quite hip-hop, not quite pop mélange that has become a staple of Christian contemporary music over the pas...2025-07-181h 13This FireEp26: Strife?! Who Needs It!! (12/1988)It’s a real Family Feud on today’s episode of This Fire, as the Fox Bros. take a look at 2 chilling tales of interpersonal conflict, watching the December 1988 episode of Fire By Nite: “Strife! Who Needs It?!” It’s Family vs Family. Friend vs. Friend. The Church vs. Itself! Ever wondered why the evangelical world can be SO good at suppressing anything remotely resembling conflict in the church body, that it lets it fester until inevitably erupting into a massive scandal? Boy do we have some bible verses for YOU! All this, plus the dulcet t...2025-06-222h 02This FireThe 1988 Geraldo Rivera Special: Devil Worship - Exposing Satan's UndergroundWe’re channel surfing this week as we take a break from our usually scheduled programming, and find ourselves in late October of 1988, as we watch The Geraldo Rivera Special: Devil Worship - Exposing Satan’s Underground. While Fire By Nite was serving up the Satanic panic to teens already in the fold, we discover what the panic looked like to a mainstream audience, broadcast in PRIMETIME on NBC. Folks - this special was seen in the homes of over 19 million Americans when it broadcast. So if all of a sudden your otherwise secular parents took away y...2025-05-021h 33This FireEp25: These Last Days (11/1988)It’s the end of the world as we know it, and we feel......well, not great tbh……thanks for asking! This month we time travel to November of 1988, and return to the battlefield of the end times, as Blaine and crew decide to turn up the rapture anxiety dial to 11, on this very special episode of Fire By Nite - ‘These Last Days’. This episode’s got it all! DeGarmo & Key! Live (well…in 1988) updates from Israel! A wild, non-canonical installment of Family First! Hit that download button now! You never know if you’ll have the c2025-04-112h 38This FirePaula White: Profiles in Christian NationalismOn today’s episode of This Fire, we’re switching things up a bit, and profiling the blondest grifter on the block. That’s right it’s our new White House Faith Office head, Paula White! Join us as we chart Paula’s rise to political prominence. From her humble beginnings preaching out of a tent, all the way to her political zenith as a hyper-wealthy property gospel televangelist that now finds herself working out of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue…or should we call it: The Paula White House? PLUS, learn how Paula was INSTRUMENTAL in laundering billionaire playboy Donald...2025-02-281h 15This FireEp24: The Power of Prayer (10/1988)On this month’s This Fire, it’s all about putting those hands together and leaving them locked in a secure, upright position until the big man in the sky gives you what you asked for, as Steve and Alec watch the October 1988 episode of Fire By Nite - The Power of Prayer. Learn all sorts of neat tricks to maximize the effectiveness of YOUR prayers! From prayers of worship and praise, to prayers of intercession on behalf of your country, that one day enables a fascist coup that transforms the very fabric of modern society!…Sorry, we’re clearly...2025-02-071h 53This FireBook Burning: Turmoil in the ToyboxLooking for an escape from your relatives this week? Why not spend the holiday with This Fire, as Steve & Alec go on a little bit of a detour, and take an in depth look at the legendary Satanic Panic book: Turmoil in the Toybox. That’s right! It’s finally time to expose the demonic influence of He-Man, Star Wars, GI Joe, the CareBears…(wait, that can’t be right. The CareBears?), The Smurfs…ET…..ok, so they literally just hated everything going on in 1980s pop culture. Got it. So join us! On this nostalgic look back at t...2024-12-242h 18This FireEp23: Are We Not All Missionaries? (9/1988)Today on This Fire, it’s a road show! As the Fox Bros. take a look at the September 1988 episode of Fire By Nite, “Are We Not All Missionaries?”, coming to you LIVE from sunny Guatemala! Well…I mean, WE’RE not in Guatemala, but Blaine and crew sure are; & no impoverished neighborhood is left un-evangelized to (or un-videotaped!) as we learn how teenagers should go about expanding God’s kingdom in these last days.All that, PLUS the debut of one of the most iconic praise and worship songs of all time (not even being sarcastic her...2024-11-222h 23This FireQuibi: What Now?...Evangelical Churches React to the 2024 US ElectionTurns out nightmares really do come true! As a certain puppet of the Christian Nationalist movement heads back to the White House, in this special Election 2024 episode of This Fire. We talk about the reaction to the news from our local evangelical churches, look at some of the expected cabinet appointments, and oh! Steve has a shocking admission that you won’t want to miss. They say misery loves company, so why not sit down with the Fox Bros. and process what comes next…2024-11-1431 minThis FireEp22: Satanism Unmasked - Part 2 (8/1988)This Fire is BACK to finish what we started, as the Fox Bros. take on Part 2 or Fire By Nite’s Satanism Unmasked special. We’re turning over ALL the Satanic cornerstones, to uncover the truth, and finally unmask Satan HIMSELF. Heavy metal music. Dungeons & Dragons. LARPers in the woods doing graffiti….you know. It’s starting to feel like these so-called Satanists might just be a bunch of misunderstood nerds, doing geek stuff? No, that can’t be it… Get ready for MAXIMUM PANIC, as Blaine and crew take us on a whirlwind tour of everyth...2024-11-032h 18This FireEp21: Satanism Unmasked - Part 1 (7/1988)It’s July 1988, and fear of “Satanic Ritual Abuse” is reaching fever pitch, and has broken evangelical community quarantine and into the mainstream. Talk show hosts from Oprah to Geraldo are inviting on “Former Satanists” to tell their audiences the “truth” about the “dangers” of rampant Satanism, taking over America. And against this backdrop, Blaine Bartel and crew adapt these lurid (and largely made up!) stories about abuse, murder, and animal sacrifice for their teenage audience, as Fire By Nite officially tackles the Satanic Panic of the 1980s. You’ve waited long enough, its finally time for This Fire to tackl...2024-10-192h 17This FireEp20: Discipline To Win (6/1988)Are you having trouble hearing the voice of God in your life? Have you…considered that you’re just not trying hard enough, and that you lack the discipline required to carry on a quality convo with your almighty Father? That’s what we’re discussing today as Steve and Alec watch the June 1988 episode of Fire By Nite, “Discipline to Win”. We’ve got all sorts of terrific advice on how to be more disciplined in your biblical life - sometimes taking lead from the military industrial complex! And not just that! But - THE RUSSIANS ARE HER...2024-10-011h 45This FireQuibi: January 6th Part II, and the Pastors Cheering It OnWe’re back with another quick bite, and this time we’re talking pastors (both local and national) that are determined to politicize their flocks, and quite frankly, lead the United States down the path to January 6th part deux…so you know, just some casual, fun weekend conversation.Election season is heating up, and Steve and Alec are here monitoring what’s going on in their community churches. And it. Is. Terrifying!2024-09-2232 minThis FireEp19: The Call of God (5/1988)‘Our name is This Fire and we’re here to say, this eps about rap in a major way!’ That’s right! On today’s episode of This Fire, the Christian Contemporary Music world FINALLY recognizes rap and hip-hop as a cultural force that’s taking the nation’s youth by storm! It only took them until May of 1988 to do so, but hey! Better late than never we suppose. Come to see Christians learning about hip-hop in the waning days of the Reagan administration, but STAY for a very special message that will (in theory) let YOU hear God...2024-09-182h 18This FireEp18: If God Is For You (4/1988)Everyone is always looking for that sure thing. That personal victory. That dub with the immaculate vibes. Well, if you’re interested - Steve and Alec may have discovered just such a thing, as the bros. sit down and watch the April 1988 episode of Fire By Nite, titled “If God is For You (Who Can Be Against You?)”. You’ll see that with the power of God, you’ve already attained victory over any trials and tribulations that may come into your life. All you have to do is claim it!!……oh, and by the way, while you’re enj...2024-08-292h 11This FireSummertime Special: Kingdom Bound 2024On today’s episode, we take a break from our regularly scheduled programming, to bring you something a little different:Steve and Alec get out of the studio, and head down to Six Flags over Darien Lake, where they are live ON LOCATION broadcasting from Christian music festival - Kingdom Bound 2024!They take in the sights, ride some roller coasters, go to seminars, and try to get perspective into just what’s happening in the CCM world today. Does Alec (a neophyte to the evangelical world) feel like a fish out of water? Does the festival live...2024-08-131h 21This FireEp17: Conquering Temptation (3/1988)TEMPTATION! Ever since Eve took that first bite way back in the Garden of Eden 6000 years ago, it’s been something humanity has ceaselessly struggled with.Lucky for us, we have Blaine Bartel and Fire By Nite to give us the 411 on how to break the demonic bonds of temptation, and in just under an hour! Imagine if Eve had had a VCR/TV combo back in the garden. Could have saved us some trouble, eh? OH! And you’re not gonna wanna miss this, as Blaine starts going full televangelist, and heals his diabetic viewers of th...2024-07-292h 38This FireEp16: Don't Say Suicide (2/1988)Content Warning: This episode contains discussion about suicide & self-harm. Listener discretion is advised. On today’s episode of This Fire, Steve and Alec tackle Fire By Nite’s first ever VERY SPECIAL episode - ‘Don’t Say Suicide’. Join us as we explore the evangelical community’s surprisingly thoughtful take on just what caused the suicide epidemic of the 1980s…..just kidding. They blame it all on rock music and secular movies. But at least we get to enjoy the dulcet tones of musical guest Rick Cua (finally!). As you can imagine, this is a heavy...2024-07-083h 06This FireEp15: Being Truly Committed (1/1988)Hey girl (or boy). We here at This Fire just want you to know that (*bites lip*) we’re ready to finally settle down and be truly committed to you, the listener. What is it that gave us the courage to make such a grown up decision about our pod/pod-ee relationship? Why it was none other than having watched Fire By Nite’s January 1988 episode, all about ‘Being Truly Committed’. With the help of Blaine and crew we’ve gained a whole new perspective on how to demonstrate commitment. With great strategies like: Pray more. And “submit totall...2024-06-091h 55This FireEp14: How to Raise Your Parents (12/1987)This month, we look at Fire By Nite’s guide to ‘raising’ your parents. What do you think ‘raising’ means in this context? We guarantee you didn’t guess correctly! This episode is about honoring your parents in all things, even when said parents fall...shall we say, woefully short of being worthy of said honor…its complicated, and to be honest a little depressing. But hey! We also find out the fate of one Clarence Stanley, after his brush with death in last month’s Family First segment. So there’s something to look forward to, that totally won’t disap...2024-04-302h 06This FireBook Burning: Michelle Remembers (Part 2)This week, we’re back in therapy with a 2nd round of the (fraudulent) 1980 epic ‘Michelle Remembers’! This time we learn more about the depths of depravity that incel prince of darkness Malachi is willing to stoop to. We feel the sizzle as Michelle and Dr. Lawrence’s relationship gets….cozier. AND we reveal the answer to the question that’s been on everyone’s mind: ‘What is “The Lump”?’CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains descriptions of child abuse, sexual assault, and (supposed) Satanic ritual abuse. Listener discretion is advised.2024-04-171h 45This FireQuibi: Total Eclipse of the HerdTurn around bright eyes! Its another This Fire Quibi! This time we're turning our eyes to the skies, as the impending total solar eclipse, and prophesies being fulfilled world wide, potentially herald THE END! So I guess what we're saying is that this may be our last episode? I guess if we don't see you next week, then thanks for being a listener! Oh, and this episode features some adorable red haired cows! Which I'm sure won't have anything inhumane happen to them...no sir-ee-bob...2024-04-0615 minThis FireEp13: Real Friendship (11/1987)“Friends. How many of us have them? Ones we can depend on? Before we go any further, let’s be friends.” - Whodini This month, Steve and Alec take a little sociology advice from Blaine and crew, as they explore Fire By Nite’s guide to cultivating REAL Friendships. Not like those FAKE friendships that The World™ wants to sell you. Plus a special visit from musical guest, CCM guitar hero Phil Keaggy. And look, if none of that floats your boat? In this month’s episode of resident sit-com Family First, Clarence takes a bullet for HIS best friend D...2024-03-301h 49This FireEp12: Overcoming Fear (10/1987)Boo! Did I get you? Because it’s time for an unseasonably spooky episode of the pod, as Steve and Alec take a deep dive into Fire By Nite’s guide to Overcoming Fear. Join us, explore the truly macabre! Such as…kids not being allowed to pray in public school…wait, that’s what this episode is about? And they use holocaust imagery to compare the plight of Christians in America to…..no, that can’t be right. I guess we’re just going to have to listen and discover the truth together. If you DARE!! MwaHaHa! (*lightningcrash...2024-03-092h 03This FireBook Burning: Michelle Remembers (Part 1)This week, we’re turning back the clocks to November of 1980, to explore something truly scary. Nope, not the election of Ronald Reagan, its the release of foundational Satanic Panic text - ‘Michelle Remembers’!Join Steve and Alec as they take a deep dive into the controversial (and widely discredited) tome, as they plumb the depths of Michelle’s “memories”, and find out just how the lies spread about Satanic Ritual Abuse in the 1980s, are STILL hurting people today. A real uplifting one this time folks! CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains descriptions of child abuse, sexual assau...2024-02-161h 32This FireQuibi: Taylor Swift Hearts Anton LaVeyIt's the very first This Fire Quibi! (or Quick Bite if ya nasty) As Steve and Alec (very) briefly discuss Taylor Swift and her supposed involvement in the Satanic Church. Will she summon a literal demon on the field this Super Bowl Sunday? Or is all this Satan talk just rampant misogyny disguised as moral outrage? Find out today on this special extra short episode of This Fire!2024-02-0908 minThis FireEp11: Nobody's Purfekt (9/1987)They say “to err is human”. But if we were made in God’s own image, does that mean he himself is prone to making mistakes? This week Steve and Alec ponder the imperfection of mankind, as they review the September 1987 (1st Anniversary!) episode of Fire By Nite, ‘Nobody’s Purfekt’. Come for the insufferable outtakes, but stay for the hard right turn into discussion of broken homes, coercive relationships, and sin. It's just a good ol' fashioned laugh riot, celebrating one full year of FBN. We'll save you a slice of cake!2024-01-312h 03This FireEp10: Honesty vs. Lying (8/1987)This month, we find out if honesty truly is the best policy, as Fire By Nite illustrates for us the pitfalls and perils brought on by lies and coverups. Join Steve and Alec as they discuss the wages of sin, the music of special guest Mr. Bryan Duncan, and even the communist origins of the Christian church….wait, no…that can’t be right, can it? Are WE the ones lying now? Only one way to find out for sure! Hit that play button and join us, on this very special holiday edition of This Fire!2023-12-202h 13This FireEp09: The Pursuit of Happiness (7/1987)C’mon get happy!Join Steve and Alec as they learn the secret behind attaining true, actual-factual, happiness by avoiding the glitz and glamour of showbiz and focusing on what’s really important. I’m not going to mince words here folks. Without the knowledge contained within this episode of Fire By Nite, you yourself might end up a streetwalker, a drug addict, or WORSE! Someone that works in the entertainment industry. *shudder*2023-11-301h 51This FireEp08: Sex, Dating, & Relationships (6/1987)SEX!!Now that we've got your attention, this week's episode of This Fire is all about that which is most awkward to discuss in a church setting - 'Sex, Dating, & Relationships'. Join Steve and Alec as they attempt to navigate the messy relationship Fire By Nite (and by proxy the evangelical church) has to that most delicate of subjects. Marvel as Blaine and crew are able to steer skit after skit into deeply homophobic territory. Recoil in horror at the transformation of resident sit-com 'Family First's' main character, into a chauvinist, controlling psychopath. It's everything you've ever needed...2023-10-161h 51This FireEp07: The Power of Faith (5/1987)We’re back, and ready to PUMP. YOU. UP. With “The Power of Faith”! On today’s episode of This Fire, Steve and Alec take a look at Fire By Nite’s manual for harnessing the power of prayer for fitness and fortune. With strong enough faith, you TOO can defeat debilitating illness, have stolen property returned to you, and learn to manifest miracles with ease. We also visit with evangelical bodybuilder John Jacobs and The Power Team, as we start to slide headlong into the satanic panic proper, and learn that even with all the evil and suffering in the world...2023-09-302h 30This FireEp06: Evangelism/Soulwinning (4/1987)We. Are. Back. After a short break Alec and Steve are in the saddle once more and ready to win some souls, as Fire By Nite (and by proxy This Fire) takes a look at everyday techniques YOU can use to save your friends from an eternity of sulfur and brimstone. Plus, did we mention skiing?! Because on this week's episode the FBN crew, and special musical guest Russ Taff, take over beautiful Winter Park Colorado for Youth Express '87! Which absolutely, positively in no way was just an excuse to shoot at a location where Blaine could get his...2023-07-031h 58This FireEp05: The Truth About Rock and Roll (3/1987)ITS ROCK ’N’ ROLL BAY-BAY!Wearing head to toe leather. Chopping out tunes on the ol’ axe. Shreddin’ hot licks trying to impress the girl working the register at the Guitar Center. For some it’s just background music, for others it’s the only way of life. But did you know that if you’re not careful, those sick solos and drum fills can take over, and lead you down a path of degeneracy and Godlessness?On today’s episode of This Fire, punk out with Steve and Alec as they trip the light fantastic and sample some...2023-05-061h 43This FireEp04: How to Face the Future (2/1987)THE END IS HERE!…..Uh, I meant NEAR. I mean, SOON right? On this super-sized episode of This Fire, Steve and and Alec examine Fire By Nite’s first crack at the end times, and discover “How to Face the Future”. It’s an episode that’s chock full of useful information: How to make sure your car doesn’t mow down pedestrians if you happen to be raptured while driving. What to do if the rapture happens and it turns out you weren’t on the guest list. Plus, discover the perfect amount of anxiety you should carry with you e...2023-04-182h 33This FireEp03: Beating the Blues (1/1987)Feeling low? Down in the dumps? Depressed? This Fire has got you covered! Join Steve and Alec as they subject themselves to episode 5 of ‘Fire By Nite’, and some of the…best…mental health advice the evangelical church of 1987 had to offer. Spoiler alert, your depression MAY be caused by direct influence from the Prince of Darkness™️ himself. Big yikes! But it’s not all bad news, we also sample the musical stylings of preeminent Christian rock band Petra, and even a music video from a little known artist, one Ms. Amy Grant. If that’s not reason to smile I don’t know wha...2023-03-271h 55This FireEp02: Rebellion (11/1986)Them Fox boys are back with a look at Fire By Nite episode 3 (wait, isn't this supposed to be episode 2?): REBELLION! Join us as we learn that the kids aren't alright and are rebelling....against something...by doing...um, you know what? I'm not exactly sure, and I'm not sure the show does either. Regardless, let's hop in the wayback machine and experience the absolute pinnacle of Christian teen comedy and culture from November of 1986!2023-03-111h 41This FireEp01: Peer Pressure (9/1986)On the premiere episode of This Fire, Steve and Alec crack into a refreshing ice cold bottle of Fire By Nite, and discuss the perils of Peer Pressure. Do the violent whims of an authoritarian government count as "peer" pressure? Why exactly are we talking about this almost 40 year old show aimed at Christian teens? Did Steve in fact peer pressure Alec into recording this show in the first place? All questions are answered inside!2023-02-251h 19