Back in 1997, a book swept through Evangelical youth groups and college ministries like wildfire: I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris. Hailed as a roadmap for Christian romance, courtship, sexuality, and “purity culture,” the book became a seminal text for countless young Christians. Though the book has since been disowned by its author, who apologized for the lasting harm it caused, its impact still shapes the lives and beliefs of millions of young evangelicals in America and beyond.

This podcast dives into that world—through the host's own perspective as someone who once studied to be a pastor at an evangelical Christian college—and alongside friends (co-hosts) with little to no exposure to it, but who have strong opinions. Together, they discuss the book, share listener experiences, as well as the host's own stories, and invite guests to help them unpack just how wild, absurd, and formative that culture can be. 

Some conversations will lean funny, others thoughtful, and all will wrestle with the question: how do you form healthy relationships or live in the world once you “kiss church(ing) goodbye?"

Contributors:

• Gabe  (Host)
• Morgan  (Co-Host)
• Ellie  (Co-Host)
• Mack (Co-Host)

Gabe (he/him) is an California-based atheist, author, tech worker, and podcaster. He is an ex-Evangelical with two advanced degrees in Religious Studies from the University of Leeds and the University of Bristol. In a past life, he studied to be a Pentecostal minister, played music in traveling worship bands, was an RA at a strict Evangelical Christian college, and was an intern/staffer for various well-known, highly-publicized ministries.

Morgan (she/her) is a Chicago based YouTuber (on a channel with over 54M views), music venue hag, and service industry lifer. Depending on the night, she has anywhere from 15-100 children. Morgan is an expert bouncer, PdD in gentle bartending, and gave George R.R. Martin his first shot of Malört. Long ago, Morgan was a minor villain on 4chan's /tv/ and is basically living out her dreams within the darkest possible timeline.

Ellie (she/her) is a British clothing shop owner and educator with a BA Hons & Master of Philosophy degree from the University of Bristol, where she studied the intersection of theology, gender studies, and cultural narratives with a particular emphasis on women's experiences.  She wrote extensively about the association between menopause, fairytales, and women's spirituality within theological discourse. She is also a prolific dater with strong, often salty opinions that showcase her proclivity for chaos, fashion, and unhinged online shopping. 

Katie MACK (she/her) is a queer, nomadic, failed stunt girl turned performance artist and currently cosplaying as a gay cowgirl in Austin, Texas. As a professional creative and disappointment to her parents, she has never had a normal lifestyle and she has found herself making art in many mediums from traveling the world with an immersive phones-on solo show #UGLYCRY, to writing and producing Webby Award Winning podcast “fcking sober: the first 90 days,” to stupidly being on reality TV show “Fit2Fat2Fit.” If you’re a lover who has slighted her, check out her “For Ex’s” section on her website, www.mackstage.com