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Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction

Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction

By: Michele Kus M.A. & Dr. Martin Trench
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What if the version of God you were handed… isn’t the whole story?

Welcome to Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction — a bold, grace-filled, sometimes wild and wacky exploration of what happens when real faith breaks free from fear, performance, burnout, and outdated religious assumptions.

Hosts Michele Kus, M.A. and Dr. Martin Trench aren’t afraid to question what we’ve been taught, rethink common church narratives, and wrestle honestly with scripture, spirituality, emotional health, and what it actually means to become more like Jesus.

If you’re tired of churchy clichés, spiritual jargon, and performative “Church-ianity” that leaves you more anxious instead of more whole… you’re not alone.

Each episode separates what’s authentic from what’s manmade, helping listeners rediscover a faith rooted in freedom, grace, honesty, humanity, and authentic spiritual maturity.

Because the truth really does set you free — and it might be far better than you were told.

New episodes drop (almost) every Friday. Follow the show so you don’t miss any!

Copyright ©️ 2026. All rights reserved. Christianity Spirituality
Episodes
  • Ep33 | Stop Eating Dove’s Dung: Developing Your Spiritual Taste Buds

    Ep33 | Stop Eating Dove’s Dung: Developing Your Spiritual Taste Buds
    Jul 10 2026
    What if bad theology isn’t something you have to debate on social media … but something you naturally learn to recognize the taste of? And what if the pure spiritual milk of the gospel develops spiritual taste buds that recognize fear, shame, and manipulation before they ever take root in you? In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele Kus and Martin Trench continue their Simply Jesus series by exploring what happens when you’re firmly established in the goodness of God. They unpack why a healthy spiritual foundation changes everything. When you’re deeply rooted in God’s unconditional love, forgiveness, union, kindness, and acceptance, unhealthy teaching simply doesn’t fit anymore. It doesn’t sound like Jesus… and it doesn’t taste right. Through stories, humor, colorful analogies, and honest conversation, Michele and Martin explore discernment, union with Christ, the Father’s heart toward us, trusting your God-given discernment, and why people established in grace become much harder to manipulate. If you’ve ever questioned teachings that left you feeling anxious, ashamed, exhausted, or afraid of God — or if you’re rebuilding your faith after leaving unhealthy religious systems — this episode offers hope that you can learn the difference between true spiritual nourishment and spiritual junk food. Let’s become so deeply rooted in the love and kindness of God that anything inconsistent with the character of Jesus simply doesn’t taste right. If you enjoyed this third part of our Simply Jesus series, FOLLOW the show and SHARE this episode with a friend! Hey! Jump into Martin’s July challenge called “Simply Jesus” here inside his online community! Purchase Martin’s books on Amazon. Don’t miss the FULL VISUAL EXPERIENCE with scripture references, definitions, funny pics, random small animals, and of course our beautiful faces! Watch this episode or binge the entire series on our awesome Unhinged YouTube channel. And remember to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE while you’re there! -- READY TO GO DEEPER? -- If this stirred something in you, don’t just listen — take the next step. Join Michele’s online community, New Creation Academy Join Martin’s online community, The Gathering -- SUPPORT THE PODCAST -- Love our free content and want to support the show? Grab some fabulous, custom-designed snarky Unhinged merch or send us a donation (thank you!) -- ABOUT OUR SHOW -- Unhinged is the podcast that helps you break free from toxic religion, rediscover the beauty of God, faith, and yourself — and laugh along the way. Let’s get Unhinged! -- RESOURCES -- Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Spotify Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Apple Music Martin’s books on Amazon -- CONNECT WITH US! -- Michele’s YouTube (meditations), YouTube (grace-based dance music), Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website Martin’s YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website CHAPTERS 00:00 Best Intro Ever :) 01:42 Welcome to Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction! 02:10 Listener Comments: The Spiritual Milk We Never Received 05:23 Union Changes Everything 08:32 One Spirit with God: No Distance and No Separation 12:32 You Are Loved, Safe, Valuable, & Lovable 17:37 When Bad Theology Doesn’t Fit 21:40 Stop Eating Dove’s Dung 23:32 Trusting Your God-Given Discernment 27:44 Developing Your Spiritual Taste Buds
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    30 mins
  • Ep32 | The Spiritual Vaccine Against Toxic Theology

    Ep32 | The Spiritual Vaccine Against Toxic Theology
    Jun 26 2026
    What if the best protection against bad theology isn’t learning more ... but returning to the pure spiritual milk of the gospel? And what if that pure spiritual milk permanently inoculates you against fear, manipulation, and toxic preaching? In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele Kus and Martin Trench continue their Simply Jesus series by exploring what they call the spiritual vaccine against bad theology. They unpack why true spiritual maturity is built on a healthy foundation. They explain why the simple truths of God’s unconditional love, forgiveness, kindness, union, and acceptance are the pure spiritual milk that establishes us so deeply in Christ that unhealthy or toxic theology naturally tastes “off.” Through stories, humor, and honest conversation, Michele and Martin explore why one-size-fits-all discipleship often falls short, the importance of understanding progressive revelation, how Jesus continually reshapes our picture of God, the problem with biblical “inerrancy,” and why returning to the simplicity of Christ can inoculate us against fear-based religion, performance, legalism, and manipulation. If you’ve ever wondered why some teachings leave you anxious while others bring peace and freedom, or if you’re trying to rebuild a healthier faith after unlearning toxic beliefs, this episode offers a hopeful invitation to become deeply rooted in the goodness of God. Because the healthiest Christians aren’t the ones who know the most — they’re the ones who have been nourished by the right kind of spiritual milk. If you enjoyed this second part of our Simply Jesus series, FOLLOW the show and SHARE this episode with a friend! Hey! Jump into Martin’s July challenge called “Simply Jesus” here inside his online community! Purchase Martin’s books on Amazon (3 of them were mentioned on today’s episode!) Don’t miss the FULL VISUAL EXPERIENCE with scripture references, definitions, funny pics, random small animals, and of course our beautiful faces! Watch this episode or binge the entire series on our awesome Unhinged YouTube channel. And remember to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE while you’re there! -- READY TO GO DEEPER? -- If this stirred something in you, don’t just listen — take the next step. Join Michele’s online community, New Creation Academy Join Martin’s online community, The Gathering -- SUPPORT THE PODCAST -- Love our free content and want to support the show? Grab some fabulous, custom-designed snarky Unhinged merch or send us a donation (thank you!) -- ABOUT OUR SHOW -- Unhinged is the podcast that helps you break free from toxic religion, rediscover the beauty of God, faith, and yourself — and laugh along the way. Let’s get Unhinged! -- RESOURCES -- Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Spotify Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Apple Music Martin’s books on Amazon -- CONNECT WITH US! -- Michele’s YouTube (meditations), YouTube (grace-based dance music), Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website Martin’s YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome to Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction! 04:13 Why Martin Doesn’t Teach a One-Size-Fits-All Curriculum 09:02 The Atonement: Milk vs. Meat 10:16 Your Theology Shapes Your View of God 11:27 Pure Spiritual Milk Protects You from Toxic Theology & Bad Preaching 17:00 What is Progressive Revelation and Why Does It Matter? 18:30 The Problem with the Doctrine of Inerrancy of Scripture 22:02 The Spiritual Vaccine Against Bad Theology 25:23 This Week’s Reflection Question (Leave Us a Comment!)
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    27 mins
  • Ep31 | What If You Never Had a Spiritual Childhood?

    Ep31 | What If You Never Had a Spiritual Childhood?
    Jun 19 2026

    What if the thing missing from your faith isn’t more theology... but a simple spiritual childhood?

    And what if some of the questions keeping you exhausted don’t need answers right now — they just need to be left on the shelf?

    In this episode of Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction, Michele Kus and Martin Trench launch their new Simply Jesus series by exploring what happens when believers grow up too fast spiritually.

    After hearing many listeners say, “I never had a spiritual childhood,” they unpack why so many Christians were rushed into doctrine, performance, ministry, and having all the right answers before they ever learned the simple foundations of faith.

    Through stories, humor, and honest conversation, Michele and Martin discuss spiritual milk versus spiritual meat, inherited beliefs versus integrated beliefs, catechism versus altar calls, the problem with constant correction, and why healthy spiritual growth requires space to wonder, question, and … gasp! … even get stuff wrong!

    If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by religion, exhausted by theological debates, or pressured to have everything figured out, this episode is your invitation to slow down, return to the basics, and rediscover the simple goodness of God.

    Sometimes the healthiest thing you can do is LEAVE IT ON THE SHELF!

    If you enjoyed this first episode in our Simply Jesus series, FOLLOW the show and SHARE this episode with a friend!

    Purchase Martin’s book, Secrets of Spiritual Growth.

    Don’t miss the FULL VISUAL EXPERIENCE with scripture references, definitions, funny pics, random small animals, and of course our beautiful faces! Watch this episode or binge the entire series on our awesome Unhinged YouTube channel.

    And remember to LIKE, COMMENT, and SUBSCRIBE while you’re there!

    -- READY TO GO DEEPER? --

    If this stirred something in you, don’t just listen — take the next step.

    Join Michele’s online community, New Creation Academy

    Join Martin’s online community, The Gathering

    -- SUPPORT THE PODCAST --

    Love our free content and want to support the show?

    Grab some fabulous, custom-designed snarky Unhinged merch or send us a donation (thank you!)

    -- ABOUT OUR SHOW --

    Unhinged helps you unlearn toxic religious thinking, rediscover a freer and healthier way of understanding God, faith, and yourself… and laugh a little along the way.

    -- RESOURCES --

    Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Spotify

    Michele’s music (Grace Remixed) on Apple Music

    Martin’s books on Amazon

    -- CONNECT WITH US! --

    Michele’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website

    Martin’s Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Linktree, & website

    CHAPTERS

    00:00 Systematic Theology Show-and-Tell

    00:44 Welcome to Unhinged: Separating Faith from Fiction!

    03:02 What If You Never Had a Spiritual Childhood?

    08:30 Why Constant Correction Hurts Spiritual Growth

    11:57 Inherited Beliefs vs. Integrated Beliefs

    13:33 Catechism vs. Altar Calls: Two Different Approaches to Conversion

    14:23 Which Beliefs Should We Examine?

    17:47 Leave It on the Shelf!

    19:51 What’s one thing you wish someone had told you during your spiritual childhood?
    Show More Show Less
    21 mins
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