This podcast made me very emotional every time I tuned in. It has probably been the most impactful one I’ve heard in my 40 years of life. It helped me separate my love for Jesus from the actions of today’s Church, and instead of turning away from my faith, it encouraged me to grow in it. I’ve felt so much anger (and still do), so alone, and have questioned what I believe. This podcast reminded me that I’m not alone in my confusion about how the modern-day Church is handling the political climate. Most importantly, it reminded me that God is still good, and it impowered me to speak up, challenge those around me, and not be afraid. Thank you!

I didn’t want to like or even listen to this podcast (husband is a friend of the host) but I’m hooked. Thanks Jonathan and Eric for talking about many of the topics that have rubbed me the wrong way in the church (overall) but I couldn’t quite put my finger on why something seemed off.

This podcast is so timely! The modern day church has been so harmful to my faith, but having kind and compassionate Christian leaders like Jonathan and Eric, has helped me not only salvage but grow my faith. I am so thankful to them and their work on this podcast.

I grew up in a Baptist church and evangelical circles, my dad was a pastor, went to a Christian college and while I still attend church pretty regularly now in my mid 30’s and am a person of faith (although describe myself as non-denominational) this podcast resonates with me. I’ve been disillusioned with churches and evangelical circles/denominations for probably the last 9 years but especially since 2020. The identification of “cultural Christianity” as a counterfeit is well analyzed by the hosts and I totally agree with. I share many of the feelings of the hosts, have had some of the same questions and think this podcast is sorely needed. Unfortunately, I feel the people who most need to hear the thoughtful hard truths that are discussed here will just get defensive and not much will change. However, that doesn’t change the importance of this podcast as a place for thoughtful people of faith to try and figure out where we fit in. To the hosts—keep up the good work and thank you!

I love this podcast so much! I have always felt like an outsider in the evangelical faith but it’s nice to know there are others like me that are living in this Tension.

Just discovered this and have been listening to the podcasts from the most recent to the oldest. So happy to have found these views articulated so clearly!

Tension is a great podcast where both podcasters look at both sides of the coin about social and spiritual issues in Christianity. They are thoughtful, honest, and fun. They touch of controversial topics and discuss how we as Christian can navigate these cultural roadways. I cannot get enough:)

I’ve been listening to the podcast (faithfully) since 2021, and I’ve always enjoyed the honest discussions around subjects that affect my life. I don’t believe I’ve missed an episode since I started listening. Unfortunately, I believe I’ve listened to my last Tension podcast. I understand, coming from a youth group background, that some of the humor drifts that way. I get it. The last episode contained some humor that made me feel like this podcast wasn’t geared for female audiences. For a few seconds, it felt like I stepped into a locker room. I felt instantly out of place. Not all things that come to mind need to be spoken, and not all things spoken need to be left in the podcast. I hope you both continue to have a successful podcast. The discussions you have are important, but I encourage you to get to know your audience a bit better.

I started listening to Tension when it was originally Unlearning Youth Group. I found the podcast a few seasons after it started and was instantly hooked! I went back and listened to previous episodes and couldn’t wait for the new episodes to release. I even shared the podcast with my best friend, who went to youth group with me during junior high and high school. We both couldn’t stop talking about how much we could relate to the issues brought up in the podcast and how encouraging it was to find a space that speaks to those issues. Tension has been no different and I’ve enjoyed the transition away from solely youth group issues to overall church issues and tensions we encounter as Christians. I constantly struggle with the tensions between my small hometown evangelical beliefs and the deconstruction that’s happened throughout my adulthood. Thank you for creating a space for those of us who love Jesus, but are trying to figure out how to live within the two extremes. It’s truly such a struggle to deconstruct and hold onto faith, when so many people leave the faith altogether. I’m forever grateful for your wisdom, compassion, and dedication to living the truth in the tensions of life.

Thanks for tackling both current issues and historic challenges of applying Christian principles to American cultural practices. I’m sure there is tension in every cultural context, but the current divide in America is bringing out the worst at both ends of the spectrum. Jesus says to love your fellow believers, and also love your enemies. Weirdly today we Christians are both. Keep keeping it real. Thanks!

Thank you Jonathan and Eric for these podcast. In some spaces of American Christianity it can feel very lonely if you don’t always agree with the “thought leaders”. You guys don’t shy away from controversial topics and you all are always thoughtful in your responses. Keep up the great work!

I love the rebrand and the new name. Tension is the perfect word for what Christians and people of faith are feeling in the current culture that we live in. This podcast does a great job of discussing the difficult topics that we all face today. Excellent work.

Straight up drama, an super annoying

I’m especially appreciating the focus on taking a new look at the Bible with an understanding of Christian identity as a community (collectivism). The congregation I’m a part of has also been examining this for a long time. Eastern cultures would have read the scriptures with a very different understanding.

I liked the podcast when it was just Unlearning Youth Group, but I feel like the episodes have drifted over time to be less enjoyable for me. It feels like the hosts are trying too hard to teach. I feel like the audio balance has taken a step back as well. When I’m driving I can’t hear Eric half the time and Jonathan is way too loud. Then when I switch to another podcast my speakers are so loud because the mastering on the Tension podcast is so quiet. Not for me right now, but I hope others still stay tuned and get something out of it.

The content is good but the hosts need to learn to share the mic better. Jonathan interrupts Eric seemingly constantly, and a lot of the times the thoughts he interjects are lacking anything substantive. Let Eric finish his thought before you add a comment🙏🏻

A friend recently shared an episode with me and now I’m listening to them all in order. I appreciate the nuanced approach they take to difficult/controversial topics and how they point out the good but explain the harm that could have been done by certain approaches. As someone who recently left a church that taught far too many absolutes where I saw gray while reading the Bible, I am thankful for this podcast!

I’ve only listened to one episode so far and I am SUPER excited that I found this podcast and I can’t wait to listen to more! I’m so happy I caught the first episode in season 5 because it was such a great intro to what they’ll be discussing, and I won’t be far behind. Jonathan and Eric are so brave to take on this topic and they are such an inspiration to me personally because this is a passion of mine as well; Unlearning all of the bad things I was taught growing up in youth group, particularly as it relates to politics! Anyway, 5 stars. Bravo. Hallelujah and Amen 🤣. This podcast is dope. 🙌🏽

If you were ever in youth group… if you were ever a youth minister… if you ever dream of having kids who grow up in Christian activities… if you ever think you might want to work with youth in your area… this is worth your time. Thank you for calling out our failures. Thank you for recognizing the heart behind the failure. Thank you for offering a way forward. Most of all, thank you for honoring the church.

This podcast is awesome! At 17 I gave my life to Christ and immediately started the path to being a pastor. After failing out of liberty university and having multiple mentors tell me I wasn’t built for leadership I felt like an absolute failure. I’m currently a truck driver and podcast make my day better. This podcast has helped me make some peace with the stupid things I would say to make myself seem intelligent as an “up an coming pastor”. I’ve had a hard time believing in myself and forgiving myself for my mistakes. The stories shared on the podcast have really resonated with me. I also love how the show doesn’t lean to conservative or progressive and focuses on just finding the truth.

I am a newly appointed youth director who was in youth groups in the late 90s. This podcast has been a joy to listen to. It has brought back memories and also helped me with my current leadership.

If you grew up in church or went to church camps, this pod will hopefully bring back some great memories and make you laugh. Very creative and well done.

Too many of these topics I've either experienced personally in my past as a student in high school and/or have cropped up in my own leadership as a Youth Pastor and as a parent. Thankful that God uses weak vessels like me to advance His kingdom even in spite of my blunders. I promise, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll relate. Give it a listen!

I can’t begin to tell you how much I relate to this show. As a pastor’s kid, I couldn’t take a passive role in youth group leadership, and looking back, sometimes I want to cringe at the theology presented in these settings. But what I love is that this show isn’t a “blame fest.” Context matters, many of the things we were taught were done with good intentions. This show focuses on growing out of those experiences, not looking back so we can simply criticize, but so that we can grow and do a little better by our kids. Love it!

Just because I sleep with the host, doesn’t mean I always like his projects. But this one is awesome! 😉 This show makes you laugh and is full of really good content. It makes you feel less alone and helps you move forward in your life or when teaching your kids.

It’s not always easy to call out and deal with the unhealthy things in church culture, but what I think sets this podcast apart is the way in which they do it. They do not just go all in on an issue and tear the church to shreds and move on. They acknowledge the issue (most of the time with a funny story illustrating said issue) and then process how we as believers can heal and avoid these mistakes in the future. always a day brightener!!

I love when people are honest with how we can be better. It’s one thing to say we stink at something and move on but to offer solutions and celebrating the good but looking to do better is welcomed. It’s a fun and eye opening 30 minutes of my day!

If you grew up in youth group and/or have ever been a leader in a youth group, this podcast will remind you that you are not alone! I love that these guys tackle the awkward, uncomfortable and downright absurd topics and ideas that we learned in youth group in the 90s and 00s (and beyond). I also love that it’s not just all the bad. There were some good intentions in those misguided Wednesday night talks and this extracts those nuggets to leave you with the hope of truth and able to shake off the shame and confusion that came from all the extra rules.

Jonathan and Eric tackle some tough aspects of growing up in the youth group era of the church. They masterfully navigate a plethora of topics that, as someone who grew up in the peak of the youth group era, I am looking back on with fresh eyes as a dad. They manage to address the things that our parents and leaders did wrong in love recognizing that they were doing the best and point out not only the bad but the good behind things like dating, cussing, evangelism, and many more. It’s hard to put into words how relatable Jonathan and Eric are in the stories they tell and the heart behind this podcast. I’ve gleaned a lot from this podcast and I feel that it’s perfect for those of us who were raised in the church youth group craze who are now becoming parents.

I love that this podcast isn’t scared to dialogue about the crazy things the church used to do in the past, especially when it came to youth and kids ministry. They’re revisiting the trends, themes, and practices all for the sake of learning from it so we can move forward and be better. I appreciate the hosts’ perspectives and emphasis on God’s goodness and grace, even when we mess up and do dumb things. This is a great listen if you’re serving with youth… or even if you just lived through youth group and want some solidarity!

It’s hard to find a conversation today that tows the line between either wholly accepting something or fully rejecting it. This is one of those exceptions. The reality is I both cringe and am thankful for my experience with youth group. This is the conversation that helps unpack that very nuanced topic.