Finding My Religion
We're a podcast that asks the question, "What do you believe?" We talk with people to find out how they grew up, what they think about today, and where they think they'll be in the future. Faith, religion, and spirituality are all such personal journeys. We're honored to be able to tell people's stories, no matter the belief.
Episodes
55 episodes
Don Phelps: Finale
In the final episode of Season 3, we flip the script. My dad takes the mic to ask me the tough questions — the ones I’ve been dodging or quietly wrestling with since this project began. From growing up in the church to breaking away from its fr...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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40:40
Don Phelps: Don't Pigeonhole Yourself
In this episode, I talk with my dad about where he is today—years after stepping away from the church, years into recovery, and miles into a quieter, more mindful life. What started as a story about leaving religion has become something much mo...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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44:51
Bonus Episode: Conversations Around the Campfire
On a quiet night around the campfire during a family camping trip, I sit down with my wife, sister, brother-in-law, and dad for an honest, unfiltered conversation about the podcast—and the personal truths it’s brought to light.Together, ...
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Season 3
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25:45
Don Phelps: Faith Unraveling
In this episode, Myles and his dad Don continue their open and honest discussion about Don's faith journey. After leaving the ministry, Don struggled to find meaning and purpose, as his identity had been so wrapped up in being a pastor. He disc...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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41:17
Don Phelps: The Fire
In episode four, we talk to my dad about a pivotal moment in his life as a pastor: his church burning to the ground. This moment sparked a fundamental change in his life, his faith, and his career. If you are someone you know is str...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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58:25
Don Phelps: Becoming a Pastor
In episode 3, my Dad and I discuss his life as a pastor. What goes into it? How did he come to that decision?
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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54:05
Don Phelps: Faith After Family
In episode 2, we dive into my dad's faith journey after marriage and kids. How did his interest in the Lutheran Church and Christianity grow so fast? What drew him in? And what was the moment he knew he wanted to be a pastor?
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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34:59
Don Phelps: Life Before Ministry
In this season of FMR, we are focusing on my Dad's faith journey. In the first season we heard from him at a time in life when he was still figuring things out. Three years later, we focus our entire season on his religious path.Episode ...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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40:32
Leslie Carnahan: "Faith, Health, and Skepticism"
Join us as my sister-in-law, Leslie Carnaghan, PhD, takes us through her personal odyssey from a church-going youth to an atheist with a deep understanding of the human quest for community and spiritual fulfillment. Her insights, shaped by a ri...
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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46:53
Phil Haslanger: "Faith and the Future of Churches"
When faith meets personal evolution, it's a story worth telling. Our latest episode features Phil Haslinger, a retired pastor and journalist whose spiritual journey took him from the roots of Catholicism to the embracing arms of the United Chur...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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40:41
Becky Malke: "Embracing Wicca"
When Becky stepped away from her Catholic upbringing, she didn't just step into the unknown; she danced into the embrace of Wicca with a spirit of curiosity and a thirst for understanding. This episode takes you on a journey through her transfo...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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52:54
Rida Ali: "Tolerance"
Rida, a senior from the University of Wisconsin and an Interfaith Fellow, talks about growing up in the Muslim faith. As a practicing Muslim originally from India, she offers a unique perspective on the complex tapestry of her homeland's religi...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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56:43
Libby Cohen: "Cultural Pieces"
Libby Cohen – a University of Wisconsin senior, talks about her Jewish community. Libby offers a personal lens into how her Jewish heritage shapes her world, from the roots of her Minnesota upbringing to her aspirations in speech pathology. Her...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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51:22
Jaden Schultz: "At War with God"
Join us in the latest installment of Finding my Religion, where we take you on a raw, soul-searching journey through the labyrinth of faith. This episode features Jaden Schultz, a brave, Lutheran Protestant Christian sharing an intimate account...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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49:54
James Pillay: "Problem of Hiddenness"
Guest, James Pillay of the Center for Interfaith Dialogue at the University of Wisconsin, talks about his experiences as a recent Catholic convert. We also talk about his work in the fellowship program and why it's important to talk about the d...
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Season 2
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Episode 11
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1:03:28
John Mathey: "Unearned Wisdom"
John Mathey joins the podcast to talk about everything from teenage pregnancy, mental health and spirituality, to faith crisis. We talk about the role of critical thinking in shaping our ideologies and the lasting effects of key historica...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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1:13:18
David Zama: "Atheist"
What happens when a staunch Catholic upbringing leads not to unwavering faith, but to thoughtful questioning and a journey toward atheism? Join us as we sit down with David, a former Catholic turned atheist, who guides us through his transforma...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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49:26
Katie Pyles: "Frankie"
Have you ever considered how faith and spirituality shape our capacity for healing and resilience in the face of trauma? Join us in an intimate conversation with Katie Pyles - a devout Catholic, grief-stricken mother, and social worker with a d...
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Season 2
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Episode 8
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1:18:57
Heidi Phelps: "Struggling with Faith"
What happens when an embedded faith clashes with inner values? As we delve into this riveting conversation with our guest, Heidi Phelps, we grapple with questions about faith, Christianity, and the societal expectation to conform to a particula...
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Season 2
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Episode 7
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1:09:40
Christina Ward: "The Culinary Impact of Religiosity"
Ever wondered how religion influences our food habits and day-to-day life? This week, we sat down with Christina Ward, author of Holy Food: How Colts, Communes, and Religious Movements Influenced What We Eat in American History to unravel this ...
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Season 2
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Episode 6
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54:38
Shea Quinn: "A Faith Journey"
Ever pondered the intriguing complexities of faith and religion? This episode, we're privileged to host Shay Quinn, a dog trainer and hunting guide whose unique spiritual journey will challenge your perspectives. From early skepticism of tradit...
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Season 2
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Episode 5
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56:37
Rev. Preston Fields: "Churchy Kid"
Join the spiritual journey of Reverend Preston Fields, pastor of Salem Lutheran Church in Sycamore, Illinois, as he navigates his path from a Roman Catholic upbringing in Tennessee to the acceptance found in the Lutheran Church.
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Season 2
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Episode 4
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1:08:13
Joe Ross: "Leaving Jehovah"
Ever felt the tug and pull of faith, the quest for identity in spirituality? You are not alone! Join us as we navigate the faith journey of Joe Ross, a man whose spirituality has taken various forms and directions. From Jehovah to Jesus, we jou...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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1:14:12
Tim Whitaker: "The New Evangelicals"
Tim’s personal story continues as we delve into the impact of Christian Nationalism, the power dynamics within white evangelicalism, and the looming shadow of social media on faith. His courage in founding 'The New Evangelicals', despite fearin...
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Season 2
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Episode 2
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56:38