Still Unbelievable!

EP148 - Tiffany Yecke Brooks - To Rebehold the Stars

In this episode Matthew is in conversation with Tiffany Yecke Brooks, author of To Rebehold the Stars — a book that doesn’t shy away from the hardest questions about faith, silence, identity, and the stories we tell ourselves about God. Tiffany invites us into a space where certainty dissolves, where divine silence feels indistinguishable from absence, and where the work of knowing one’s authentic self can be both unsettling and necessary.

She challenges us to interrogate our assumptions: about spirituality, about the body’s role in emotion and trauma, about whether mystical experiences require anything supernatural at all. This is a book that pushes us out of our comfort zones — not to destroy faith, but to examine it honestly. We're grateful to have Tiffany here to explore these tensions, and to talk about what it means to rebuild meaning when the old frameworks no longer hold.

1) To Rebehold the stars
https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802884367/to-rebehold-the-stars/
https://www.tiffanyyeckebrooks.com/books

2) 2014 Aalto University Study
https://www.aalto.fi/en/news/finnish-research-team-reveals-how-emotions-are-mapped-in-the-body

3) The Body Keeps The Score
https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/
https://www.simplypsychology.org/the-body-keeps-the-score-summary.html

4) Apocrypha
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocrypha

5) The Maccabees
https://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/10216-maccabees-books-of

Still Unbelievable! book: https://amzn.eu/d/fmsN1Cw
Apostate book: https://amzn.eu/d/9RIUZYx

To contact us, email: [email protected]
our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reasonpress2901

Our Theme Music was written for us by Holly, to support her and to purchase her music use the links below:
https://hollykirstensongs.com/
https://hollykirsten.bandcamp.com/

Episode 147 James McGrath - Beyond Deconstruction.

In this episode of Still Unbelievable! Matthew is in conversation with James McGrath about his book, Beyond Deconstruction. James extolls us all to be kind and considerate when facing the deconstruction of cherished beliefs. In a world where the extremes are becoming more fractured and the calm middle seems to no longer exist, James reminds us that progress is only made when we actually stop and consider our fellow humans and appreciate beauty and the nuance of existence.

1) Beyond Deconstruction - Building a More Expansive Faith - James F. McGrath
https://www.eerdmans.com/9781467468817/beyond-deconstruction/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beyond-Deconstruction-Building-Expansive-Faith/dp/0802884598

2) James F. McGrath
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/religionprof/2025/03/are-you-losing-your-faith.html
https://www.patheos.com/blogs/religionprof/
https://blue.butler.edu/~jfmcgrat/

3) Walter Wink
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Wink

4) James with Alex on John the Baptist
https://youtu.be/WqkkfnlttOI?si=3xCBb_t5LIk8D6sw

5) YouTube Interview with James on Deconstruction
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4lG6QtDF3Q

6) Ryan Burge, Scholar of Religion and Politics
https://www.drburge.com/

7) Deconstruction & Support Communities
- Recovering From Religion — https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org
- The Clergy Project — https://clergyproject.org
- Reclamation Collective — https://www.reclamationcollective.com
- Religious Trauma Institute — https://www.religioustraumainstitute.com
- The Liturgists Community — https://theliturgists.com
- Exvangelical (Podcast + Community) — https://exvangelicalpodcast.com
- Almost Heretical (Podcast + Discord) — https://almostheretical.com
- The Deconstructionists Podcast — https://thedeconstructionists.com
- Oasis Network (Secular community gatherings) — https://www.oasisnetwork.com

United Kingdom
- Humanists UK — [https://humanists.uk]
- Faith to Faithless (Humanists UK) — [https://faithtofaithless.com]
- The Sea of Faith Network — [https://www.sofn.org.uk]

United States
- Recovering From Religion — [https://www.recoveringfromreligion.org]
- The Clergy Project — [https://clergyproject.org]
- Oasis Network — [https://www.oasisnetwork.com]
- Reclamation Collective — [https://www.reclamationcollective.com]
- Religious Trauma Institute — [https://www.religioustraumainstitute.com]

Canada
- Centre for Inquiry Canada — [https://centreforinquiry.ca]
- Canadian Unitarian Council — [https://cuc.ca](https://cuc.ca)
- Local Humanist Groups (via Humanist Canada) — [https://www.humanistcanada.ca]

Australia
- Humanists Australia — [https://humanistsaustralia.org]
- Rationalist Society of Australia — `https://rationalist.com.au` - Atheist Foundation of Australia — `https://atheistfoundation.org.au`

Still Unbelievable! book: https://amzn.eu/d/fmsN1Cw
Apostate book: https://amzn.eu/d/9RIUZYx

To contact us, email: [email protected]
our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reasonpress2901

Our Theme Music was written for us by Holly, to support her and to purchase her music use the links below:
https://hollykirstensongs.com/
https://hollykirsten.bandcamp.com/

Episode 146 - Suicide and the Communion of Saints. In this episode of Still Unbelievable! Matthew is joined by wife Sarah to talk with priest and author Rhonda Mawhood Lee. She writes compassionately about suicide in her book, Suicide and the Communion of Saints see the show notes for further information, where there are additional mental health and suicide resources.
If you wish to send feedback on this collaboration contact us at [email protected].

1) Suicide and the Communion of Saints
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Suicide-Communion-Saints-Rhonda-Mawhood/dp/0802884717
https://www.eden.co.uk/christian-books/theology-books/liberation-theology/suicide-and-the-communion-of-saints/

2) more about Rhonda
https://faithandleadership.com/authors/rhonda-mawhood-lee
https://www.eerdmans.com/author/rhonda-mawhood-lee/
https://thrivinginministry.org/authors/

3) Alexander Murray - Suicide in the Middle Ages: Volume 2: The Curse on Self-Murder
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=trene_8DY10C&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false
https://academic.oup.com/book/1711

4) the catholic view on suicide and why it changed
https://christianfaithguide.com/what-is-the-catholic-churchs-view-on-suicide-the-catholic-position-on-suicide/

5) suicide by proxy
https://daily.jstor.org/suicide-by-proxy/

6) Elizabeth Antus
https://gufaculty360.georgetown.edu/s/contact/003Hp00002jNaqrIAC/elizabeth-antus
https://www.ncpd.org/events/where-god-when-somebody-dies-suicide-updated-consideration-divine-mercy-and-justice
https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/centers/boisi-center/events/archive/spring-2019/Elizabeth-Antus.html
https://theologicalstudies.net/articles/the-silence-of-the-dead-remembering-suicide-victims-and-reimagining-the-communion-of-saints/
https://philpapers.org/s/Elizabeth%20L.%20Antus

7) biblical references and thoughts
Ahithophel’s suicide - 2 Samuel 17:23.
Samson’s death - Judges 16:30
Hagar going into the wilderness known death would come - Genesis 21:16
did Paul consider suicide?

8) Hamlet, Act 5, Scene 1 — Laertes at Ophelia’s funeral
https://www.folger.edu/explore/shakespeares-works/hamlet/read/5/1/

9) suicide and mental health resources
UK:
Samaritans
- 24/7 phone: 116 123
- Email: [email protected]
NHS 111 (Option 2 in some regions)
- Phone: 111
Shout Crisis Text Line
- Text: “SHOUT” to 85258
Childline
- Phone: 0800 1111
- Website: childline.org.uk
YoungMinds Crisis Messenger
- Text: “YM” to 85258
Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline
- Phone: 0300 330 0630
Papyrus (for under 35s)
- HOPELINE247: 0800 068 4141
- Text: 07860 039967

USA:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
- Call: 988
- Text: 988
- Chat: 988lifeline.org
Crisis Text Line
- Text: “HOME” to 741741
The Trevor Project (LGBTQ+ Youth)
- Call: 1‑866‑488‑7386
- Text: “START” to 678678
- Chat: thetrevorproject.org
Trans Lifeline
- US: 877‑565‑8860
Mental Health America
- Website: mhanational.org

Canada:
988 Suicide Crisis Helpline (Canada)
- Call or Text: 988
Talk Suicide Canada
- Call: 1‑833‑456‑4566
- Text: 45645 (evenings)
Kids Help Phone
- Call: 1‑800‑668‑6868
- Text: “CONNECT” to 686868
Trans Lifeline (Canada)
- Canada: 877‑330‑6366

Australia:
Lifeline Australia
- Call: 13 11 14
- Text: 0477 13 11 14
- Chat: lifeline.org.au
Suicide Call Back Service
- Call: 1300 659 467
13YARN (for Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples)
- Call: 13 92 76
Kids Helpline
- Call: 1800 55 1800
- Chat: kidshelpline.com.au
QLife
- Call: 1800 184 527
- Chat: qlife.org.au

Still Unbelievable! book: https://amzn.eu/d/fmsN1Cw
Apostate book: https://amzn.eu/d/9RIUZYx

To contact us, email: [email protected]
our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reasonpress2901

Our Theme Music was written for us by Holly, to support her and to purchase her music use the links below:
https://hollykirstensongs.com/
https://hollykirsten.bandcamp.com/

Episode 145 Downsizing: Letting Go of Evangelicalism’s Nonessentials.

In this episode of Still Unbelievable Matthew is in conversation with Michelle Van Loon, a writer with a Jewish upbringing who converted to evangelical Christianity as a teen. She gives her perspective on both traditions. Hear what drew her towards Christianity, what she carried from Judaism, and what she thinks people often misunderstand about Jewish identity and practice.

They discuss:
- her experiences inside evangelicalism, including patterns of spiritual abuse. Are these isolated situations or symptoms of deeper issues around evangelism and revival culture, that protect harmful behaviour.
- religious trauma, what led Michelle to seek counselling, and how others might identify and recover from similar experiences.
- What churches might need to let go of, how “downsizing” can compliment deconstruction and how a downsized community might look.
- And of course her favourite bible character

1) Downsizing: Letting Go of Evangelicalism’s Nonessentials
https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802884626/downsizing/
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/224465982-downsizing
https://bobonbooks.com/2025/09/15/review-downsizing/
https://amzn.eu/d/6VE2CxW

2) Follow Michelle
https://michellevanloon.substack.com/
https://thesageforum.com/about-us

3) Michelle's other books
https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/383322.Michelle_Van_Loon

4) Deconversion Anonymous
https://www.facebook.com/groups/deconversion

5) Religious Trauma
https://www.empathyparadigm.com/religioustrauma
https://therapist.com/trauma/religious-trauma/
https://resilientmindcounseling.com/10-signs-you-may-be-experiencing-religious-trauma/

6) Jewish Chosenness
https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-quot-chosen-people-quot

Still Unbelievable! book: https://amzn.eu/d/fmsN1Cw
Apostate book: https://amzn.eu/d/9RIUZYx

To contact us, email: [email protected]
our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reasonpress2901

Our Theme Music was written for us by Holly, to support her and to purchase her music use the links below:
https://hollykirstensongs.com/
https://hollykirsten.bandcamp.com/

Episode 144 - Angela J. Herrington - Embracing the Old Witch in the Woods

In this episode of still Unbelievable! Matthew interviews Angela Herrington author of Embracing the Old witch in the woods. Angela has written another book, Deconstruct your faith without losing yourself. She is a beautiful human being who puts enormous effort and thought into affirming others and guiding them into being validated versions of themselves. We found her book thought provoking and challenging as well as heart warming and helpful. When you've listened to this, please support her by buying her books. Links below.

Angela, is the first of several author conversations that we will publish in 2026. This year is going to be a busy year here at Still Unbelievable!

1) Embracing the Old Witch in the Woods
https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9798889835233/Embracing-the-Old-Witch-in-the-Woods

2) Angela's website
https://angelajherrington.com/about/
https://angelajherrington.com/press/
https://angelajherrington.com/books-by-angela-j-herrington/

3) The Relentless Indigenous Woman
https://relentlessindigenouswoman.ca/
https://relentlessindigenouswoman.ca/pages/podcast

4) intersectionality explained
https://www.britannica.com/topic/intersectionality

5) perpetual virginity of mary
https://www.catholic.com/magazine/print-edition/how-to-explain-the-perpetual-virginity-of-mary

6) Mary did not have consent
https://blakehereth.com/uploads/1/2/7/5/127509046/w_mary_did_you_consent_.pdf

7) Wilda Gafney
https://www.holytroublemakers.com/revgafney
https://www.wilgafney.com/

8) Wounds into Wisdom by Tirzah Firestone
https://amzn.eu/d/8GeBkgp
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tirzah_Firestone

9) other trauma healing resources
It Didn’t Start with You - https://amzn.eu/d/3kL8uaZ
My Grandmother’s Hands - https://amzn.eu/d/3Y6C8FC
The Body Keeps the Score - https://amzn.eu/d/iS56mLX
Healing Collective Trauma - https://amzn.eu/d/85L1mM6
Break the Cycle - https://amzn.eu/d/bVJObFT
Survivor Café - https://amzn.eu/d/8iYALqB

https://www.balancedmindstherapy.com/blog/healing-intergenerational-trauma
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-flourishing-family/202107/breaking-the-chains-generational-trauma
https://thepsychologycompany.co.uk/unraveling-the-threads-understanding-and-healing-intergenerational-trauma/

Still Unbelievable! book: https://amzn.eu/d/fmsN1Cw
Apostate book: https://amzn.eu/d/9RIUZYx

To contact us, email: [email protected]
our YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@reasonpress2901

Our Theme Music was written for us by Holly, to support her and to purchase her music use the links below:
https://hollykirstensongs.com/
https://hollykirsten.bandcamp.com/