Info

Losing Our Religion

A former megachurch pastor leaves religion behind to rid himself of the exclusivity created by its dogmas in order to open himself up to learn from the lives, stories, and experiences of everyone else. To prove we are more alike than we think and we can all get along no matter what we believe. Topics range via guest's experiences growing up in religious homes, where Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Secularism, Judaism, Hinduism, Tao, Heathenism, Satanism, Wicca and all forms of dogmas and ideologies programmed into the mind of a child. What happens when that child becomes an adult? What good things do they hold onto? What things do they lose? Where are they now, and in what ways are they finding the peace that we all desire, with or apart from the religions they were raised with? Losing Our Religion is a wild ride with a community of diverse humans each seeking their desired life away from dogma and exclusivity.
RSS Feed Subscribe in Apple Podcasts
2020
December
June
May
April
March
February
January


2019
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2018
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2017
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2016
December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February
January


2015
December
November
October
September
August


All Episodes
Archives
Now displaying: 2016

Losing Our Religion is a hilarious and candid look at religion and culture, with former pastor, now commune living lover of sinners, Zac Gandara.  As he has drinks with former religious freaks, and others he used to shun.  Gays, Anarchists, Queers, Atheists, Transsexuals, Punk Rockers, and the rest of us that are considered rejects on this island of misfit toys.

EPISODE 058: School to Prison Pipeline: CJ Smith 0
Aug 31, 2016

LISTEN ON

iTunes | Soundcloud | Stitcher | Google Play | TuneIn

CJ and I have a long overdue conversation about the "school to prison pipeline." The government's institution of the “zero tolerance policy” in schools and its effect on our students and teachers perspective of students.

Does it create a scenario where individual races are set up for failure? Can we change it? What will it take?

This conversation takes some sides roads from the intended conversation, but they're amazingly beautiful, scenic, side roads.

“Deep and simple is far more essential than shallow and complex."
— Fred Rogers

“When I say it’s you I like, I’m talking about that part of you that knows that life is far more than anything you can ever see or hear or touch. That deep part of you that allows you to stand for those things without which humankind cannot survive. Love that conquers hate, peace that rises triumphant over war and justice that proves more powerful than greed."
— Fred Rogers

 

JOIN US

I'M A LOSER: Producers, A Loser Lover, Dicks, and Money: Eddie Griffin 0
Aug 30, 2016

LISTEN ON

iTunes | Soundcloud | Stitcher | Google Play | TuneIn

I'm A Loser, happens every month, at the end of the month. You send us stuff, and we discuss it. 

 

We've got new producers, a note from a Co-Conspirator, and more...

LOSER LINE: An anonymous Loser finds a lover after going through a de-religious transformation.

PRODUCER: Thiago sends us a link to a powerful song by Iron & Wine called "Walking Far From Home".

LOSERS: Losers from Singapore and Ireland are joining the conversation! Is it Craic or Crack? Loser Tony sends a link to a hilarious comedy bit from Eddie Griffin about Christians, Muslims, the Bible, Jesus and Religion.

MUSIC FROM THE EPISODE: "Walking Far From Home" by Iron & Wine

 

JOIN US

 

EPISODE 057: Two White Guys Talk About #BlackLivesMatter: CJ Smith 0
Aug 24, 2016

LISTEN ON

iTunes | Soundcloud | Stitcher | Google Play

CJ is an ex-con with a knowledge of racial tension, a heart for social justice, and a desire to help end the school to prison pipeline.

We realize we're just a couple of white guys, experiencing white privilege, but the reality of police violence on Black Americans has reached us, and we gotta talk about it. I Zac have the proverbial, "Black Friends", but they've always entered my world on my terms, on my comfort level. When the tides are turned, I often wonder...

“Why do I feel uncomfortable around black people?”

It's far beyond the time we need to start stepping outside of our comfort zones, cause peace isn't possible without it.

 

JOIN US

EPISODE 056: Mom, Aliens, Jesus, Paul, and the Rastafari: Silas Lindenstein 0
Aug 17, 2016

Silas and I pick up right where we left off, with out of body experiences, close encounters, and visits from angels. We have some wonderful conversation about religion, Jesus, God, the universe, and wondering from where it all comes.

We spend an incredible amount of time discussing Silas life and marriage to a real, wonderful, Christian woman, his love for her and his kids. We also have some incredible talks regarding the Bible, our affection for Jesus, and our distaste for the canonization of Paul.

This is a fun conversation filled with quips, quotes, jokes, and laughter.

Silas Lindenstein – Comedian, Actor, and Ethnic Utility Player

MUSIC FROM THIS EPISODE

Music in this episode is from Silas' Album, Frozen In Carbonite.  All the songs from Frozen the Musical, but about Star Wars!

iTunes | Soundcloud | Stitcher | Google Play

JOIN US

EPISODE 055: A Star Wars Outta Body Experience: Silas Lindenstein 0
Aug 10, 2016

This episode, we begin by talking about Star Wars as a Religion, and we end by talking about Out of Body experiences and seeing an Angel!

Silas and I met through Facebook. He and I both drive for Uber/Lyft on the side to make some extra cash and a local Facebook group for "drivers" introduced us.

When asked what we all do for a living I mentioned the podcast, and Silas jumped at the opportunity to introduce himself and ask about being on the show, stating that we could talk about "Star Wars Religion."

The Silas story goes much deeper than that, and I am happy to introduce you to such a funny guy, with some amazing life stories.

Silas Lindenstein – Comedian, Actor, and Ethnic Utility Player

MUSIC FROM THIS EPISODE

Music in this episode is from Silas' Album, Frozen In Carbonite.  All the songs from Frozen the Musical, but about Star Wars!

iTunes | Soundcloud | Stitcher | Google Play

JOIN US

EPISODE 054: Vigilante Love: Bella Biagio 0
Aug 2, 2016

In this episode, we spend a significant amount of time discussing the depravity of humanity and how together, if we have the guts, we can stand up, stand out, and make a difference. But, dealing with corporations is another story altogether.

You remember Bella from the previous episode...

I met Bella through my friend Eddie. Eddie was hanging out in the CounterCulture Society Mad Lab one day and mentioned, "You know who you need to have on the podcast? BELLA BIAGIO!"

I immediately acted like I knew who she was because clearly, she was famous and I was just out of the loop. I gave Eddie some LOR stickers and asked him to give them to her, then immediately Facebook messaged her and introduced myself. Name dropping Eddie of course. Months later we finally got together to have drinks in the Lab, and now I'm in love with my new friend.

Bella is Italian, like MOB Italian. Don't fuck with her! She is a petite, but strong, woman, who came out at the age of 18, which was very early back then! She has amazing life stories. Little did I know when Eddie suggested I have her on the show, that she had worked at one of my favorite Seattle Restaurants for over a decade, (Mama's Mexican Kitchen). Which means, I am almost sure we met, but years ago, in my holy asshole days. I would not have left a lasting impression. In other words, assholes are easy to forget.

Bella is a performer, with characters such as Coach, Joey, Electra Snow, and Buck Reynolds. (Pictured on the landing page.)

I get the feeling that everyone loves her because she cares for and takes care of everyone around her. Even the fuck heads she encounters that she doesn't even know.

When I asked Bella for a BIO, here's what she gave me...

"Bio like I'm a human trying to be human with other humans, and hopefully, we see that this is just spiritual boot camp, and we all just need to pull our heads out of our asses, get our heads out of our phones and talk to someone? And for the love of God hold on to anyone like grim death that you can relate too...it doesn't happen often." - Bella Biagio

GREAT QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE
FROM BELLA

"If people would just stand up for what is right, care enough when things are really out of whack, and say something..."

"I just want people to stop thinking of themselves...I can't make it happen cause everyone does it."

"Phones are making us so disconnected."

"No one has ever died from being uncomfortable."

FROM ZAC

"The more pain I go through, that I embrace, the more loving, compassionate, open, and inclusive I have become."

WE CHAT ABOUT

  • Being questioned about your gender.
  • Coming out of the bubble of religion, culture, long term work, and corporations.
  • The changes in our neighborhood and world.
  • Going through life changes, career changes, mid-life transitions.
  • Vagina washing in the public bathroom! Who does this?
  • Helping humanity by speaking up, saying something, sticking up for others.
  • Vigilante Love Lessons.
  • Addiction to phones and social media. Escaping real life though our phones.
  • The market runs our world. Money makes the world go round.
  • No one is making music anymore; they're just sampling from actual musicians.
  • Are we just getting old?
  • Guns and Bella having a gun pointed at her.
  • There should be more Bella's on the planet and why.
  • Seattle City Light and their battle with THE Bella.
  • The frustrations of communicating with a corporation.
  • Releasing the poison of the American corporation.
  • There is magic when sitting one on one with human beings.

 

iTunes | Soundcloud | Stitcher | Google Play

 

JOIN US

BONUS: UNEDITED Live Podcast Recording West Hollywood: Therapeutic Hilarity 0
Jul 29, 2016

What happens when you get three ex-pastors together for a night of comedy and conversation?  Fill the room with a bunch of amazing people?  Well, you're about to find out...

RAW & UNCUT RECORDING OF THE WEST HOLLYWOOD LIVE SHOW

In March of 2016, we set out to have a fun little live podcast recording in West Hollywood, Los Angeles California.  We had no idea what the response would be, but we sold out tickets and embarked on a full Open Space Theater and it was wonderful.

Thanks everyone for coming and joining us on our first live event.  Thanks, Jonathan and Taylor for helping us laugh and lose religion and ideologies that divide us from loving each other.

Stand Up Comedy with Jonathan Bowles - The Slingshot Show

Stand Up Comedy and Illusions with Taylor Hughes - Taylor Hughes Magic

 

Give us a Rating & Review

👇🏼

BECOME A PRODUCER

DONATE

SHOP THROUGH OUR Amazon Portal

👇🏼

JOIN US

EPISODE 053: Being Human: Bella Biagio 0
Jul 27, 2016

LISTEN ON

iTunes | Soundcloud | Stitcher | Google Play | TuneIn | iHeart

This episode is about being human. Being human with other humans and learning to pull our heads out of our asses and away from our phones.

I met Bella through my friend Eddie. Eddie was hanging out in the CounterCulture Society Mad Lab one day and mentioned, "You know who you need to have on the podcast? BELLA BIAGIO!"

I immediately acted like I knew who she was because clearly, she was famous and I was just out of the loop. I gave Eddie some LOR stickers and asked him to give them to her, then immediately Facebook messaged her and introduced myself. Name dropping Eddie of course. Months later we finally got together to have drinks in the Lab, and now I'm in love with my new friend.

Bella is Italian, like MOB Italian. Don't fuck with her! She is a petite, but strong, woman, who came out at the age of 18, which was very early back then! She grew up all over the world and has amazing life stories. Little did I know when Eddie suggested I have her on the show, that she had worked at one of my favorite Seattle Restaurants for over a decade, (Mama's Mexican Kitchen). Which means, I am almost sure we met, but years ago, in my holy asshole days. I would not have left a lasting impression. In other words, assholes are easy to forget.

Bella is a performer, with characters such as Coach, Joey, Electra Snow, and Buck Reynolds. (Pictured on the landing page.)

I get the feeling that everyone loves her because she cares for and takes care of everyone around her. Even the fuck heads she encounters that she doesn't even know.

When I asked Bella for a BIO, here's what she gave me...

"Bio like I'm a human trying to be human with other humans, and hopefully, we see that this is just spiritual boot camp, and we all just need to pull our heads out of our asses, get our heads out of our phones and talk to someone? And for the love of God hold on to anyone like grim death that you can relate too...it doesn't happen often."

"Get your head out of your phone, look up and see that you are not the only person on the planet and talk to someone, a someone with a real body."
- Bella

WE CHAT ABOUT

  • I share my former pastoral photograph with a bewildered Bella.  (Keith Urban)
  • Buck Reynolds Match Game, a Chippendale with a huge dick.Bella Italian girl, moves to America via Australia.
  • Bella Italian girl, moves to America via Australia.
  • Beef fat on her face as a moisturizer?
  • Bella’s FOB (Fresh off the Boat) story…from Australia to America.
  • Her own body saved her from her appendix bursting
  • BELLA LIVED IN A CONVENT!
  • Her first female crush? Sister Catherine!
  • Italian American life.
  • Was my grandpa laundering Mob money in his furniture store?
  • Our parent's relationships.
  • Catholic backgrounds.
  • Bella gets me to talk about my faith healer experience with Benny Hinn, and what got me to love Jesus despite all the religious lies.
  • My mega-church life with Bob Moorehead and Casey Treat.
  • My rise to “power” in the American Mega-Church.
  • Getting deep with my dad.
  • The Orlando shootings and how we each process the grief and pain of the world's tragedies.
  • Dealing with pain.
  • Processing human emotion.
  • Bella grew up thinking something was wrong with her, so she sought out many different spiritual practices.
  • Bella shares her story about going to a spiritual “silent” retreat.
  • Religion and Ideologies keep us boxed in and keep us from living life and being human!

 

Give us a Rating & Review

👇🏼

BECOME A PRODUCER

DONATE

SHOP THROUGH OUR Amazon Portal

👇🏼

JOIN US

I'M A LOSER: Songs, Dictatorship, Democracy, Hypocrisy, Non's, and More Guns: Thomas Paine 0
Jul 26, 2016

LISTEN ON

iTunes | Soundcloud | Stitcher | Google Play | TuneIn | iHeart

I'm A Loser, happens every month, at the end of the month. You send us stuff, and we discuss it.

In America, we are in the midsts of another insane election season. One where our nation seems to be in the middle of internal turmoil, killing each other, and armchair politics running wild.

Let this Thomas Paine quote be a reminder to look past ourselves. Seek to live peaceably with one another, and to drop ideologies, politics, and religion that aim to divide us not strengthen us. We can love each other globally IF you, and I will do it locally.

The Losers bring a great song, articles, conversation, and gratitude to this episode!

 

RECOMMENDED LOSER READING: http://amzn.to/2a9MdQr

 

Give us a Rating & Review

👇🏼

BECOME A PRODUCER

DONATE

SHOP THROUGH OUR Amazon Portal

👇🏼

JOIN US

EPISODE 052: Leaving A-Holiness Behind: Christian Piatt 0
Jul 20, 2016

Author, editor, speaker, musician and spoken word artist Christian Piatt and I sit down to diagnose how big of an asshole I am.

"Let he who admits he's an asshole cast the first stone." - JESUS

Ok, Jesus didn't say that. But he did understand that change began at the acknowledgment of the problem. If Christian's are assholes, the only hope of that changing is the admittance of our own ass-holiness.

One of the reasons that I, Zac, have renounced my Christianity is because it made me into a person that I didn't like. The more authority I was given in the church, the more of a douche I found myself becoming. The more biblical knowledge I had, the more I had to correct others that didn't have it. The deeper I understood theology, the more arrogant I became, and the more distanced I felt from my humanity and experiencing the gritty, real, and beautiful humanity of others.

Christianity lead me to see myself as set apart, special, and different from others. It put me at odds with those that were different from me, and in my own mind made them the enemy, and me the hero. These disgusting, divisive, and arrogant beliefs became a heavy burden to bare. The more caged I felt from experiencing my humanity; I just wanted to be myself and drop this disgusting, divisive burden.

We spend time in this episode discussing these things and more.

 

FROM CHRISTIAN PIATT

My name is Christian, and I'm an asshole. There was a time when I was pretty sure all Christians were assholes, and based on the God they kept telling me about, I was pretty sure God might be kind of an asshole too.

It seemed to me that Christianity was about getting saved so you wouldn't be a jerk anymore. But the problem was, a lot of the most obnoxious, intolerant, hateful people I knew called themselves Christians. Then I heard a sermon by my friend which started with, "I'm a Christian because I'm an asshole." She didn't try to shrug it off; she embraced it. Not proudly, but fully and honestly. She needed what she found in Jesus every day, all over again because she was an asshole.
Why aren't more Christians like this?

Churches tend to feed peoples' sense of arrogance, superiority and entitlement by telling them they're right and everyone else is wrong. As if their faith was some kind of one-and-done spiritual plastic surgery. We're all screwed up at some basic level; the real problem comes when we think we're above the brokenness. And why bother, when we live in a world that venerates assholes to near sainthood status (see: Donald Trump, Jersey Shore, Charlie Sheen, The Bachelorette...need I go on?)?

I've heard tons of stories of redemption, but most of them end up bothering me more than encouraging me. Generally, it's because all of the bad stuff they talk about in their lives is always referred to in the past tense, and once they're "saved" (still not sure what that means), everything is sunshine and rainbows.

But if this was the case, and if becoming a Christian really cured us once and for all of being assholes, why do so many people in the world see us as judgmental, opportunistic, narrow-minded hypocrites?

 

JOIN US

1 « Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Next » 7
©© 2015-2020 CounterCulture Society™