The Yours Truly Podcast

Midwest, Miracles, and Meaning: A Conversation with Free Rilian | Yours Truly Podcast

In this episode of Yours Truly, I sit down with Nick—better known as Free Rilian—for a longform conversation about growing up in small-town Illinois, navigating revival culture, and trying to find God in the middle of depression, disappointment, and spiritual confusion.Nick shares his deeply personal story—from early days in a charismatic church and the soul-numbing pressures of purity culture, to chasing identity through performance, ministry, and eventually the promise of healing at Bethl’s School of Supernatural Ministry. Along the way, we talk about Jordan Peterson, fatherhood, the haunting beauty of old family land, and the surprising grace of Anglican liturgy.This isn’t a hot take. It’s a testimony. Honest, funny, raw, and full of the ache for something real.Timestamps:00:00 – Intro & Who is Free Rilian?03:20 – Growing up in revival-town Illinois06:45 – Pentecostal roots, prophetic women, and family salvation stories13:50 – The quiet wound of an absent father in church19:00 – Porn, shame, and the moralistic trap29:00 – “What if she breaks up with me?” – High school heartbreak and the descent34:00 – “God, I want to do this your way” – prayer and a slow climb back36:00 – Worship as David’s harp in the dark40:00 – Years at Bethl: chasing healing in the charismatic machine48:00 – Discovering Peterson, truth-telling, and deconstruction54:00 – Making the leap in a St. Louis restaurant58:00 – Working as a janitor, listening to every Peterson lecture1:03:00 – Sacraments, symbols, and the real presence of God1:08:00 – Why Nick became Anglican1:14:00 – Apostles Creed & Chill1:18:00 – Local life, home, family, and the death of small towns1:27:00 – On Midwest estuary and the TLC subculture1:32:00 – Holding onto land, family legacy, and resisting fragmentation1:40:00 – What we lose when everything becomes fair1:50:00 – From synths to sacraments: reclaiming tradition1:58:00 – Final reflectionsMentioned:– Jordan Peterson– Jonathan Pageau– Paul VanderKlay– Matt C– Bethel Redding / BSSM– Apostles Creed Bar & Chill– Midwestuary 2025https://www.midwestuary.com/📍 Stay connected:☕ Support the channel & become a member: youtube.com/@christianbaxter_yt/join🐦 Follow me on X: https://x.com/chrbaxter_yt🎧 Podcast on Spotify/Apple: The Yours Truly Podcast

Always Somewhere Else: Chronic Displacement, Faith, and Coming Home | Yours Truly Pod

🎙 Episode 118 — Always Somewhere Else: Chronic Displacement, Faith, and Coming Home🎧 DESCRIPTIONIn this deeply personal episode, Christian and Meg Baxter reflect on the emotional toll of chronic travel, the impact of arrested development, and the long road home—to marriage, family, and faith. Prompted by a quote from a Chris Williamson interview with members of the band Underøath, they explore how Christian's past in touring worship bands and recent years as a travel nurse have shaped their relationship and spiritual life.From NICU trauma to marriage fatigue, from fan culture in Christian music to the quiet pain of disconnection, this conversation is as raw as it is redemptive. It’s a love story shaped by absence and return, confession and rebuilding—a testimony of grace that can only come from living it all the way through.Whether you're wrestling with your own version of "chronic displacement," or trying to abide more fully where you are, we invite you into this honest space.⏱️ Episode ThemesThe Quote That Hit Us – Chronic displacement, fight-or-flight, and life on the roadTouring, Marriage, and Arrested Development – How early ministry shaped usThe Cost of Absence – Travel nursing, disconnection, and placelessnessComing Full Circle – Returning to the NICU where our daughter was bornPostpartum and the Fog of Shame – Meg’s honest reflection on bonding and griefConfession and Collapse – When truth shattered everything and became the path to healingLearning to Come Home – Reintegration, small talk, and invisible laborFaith After Failure – Why Christian still believes after betrayal, burnout, and brokennessPeace in the Valley – Meg on unshakable peace and the presence of God in darknessThe Practice of the Better – Ending with poetry, presence, and a vision for wholeness👥 PEOPLE MENTIONED– Chris Williamson (Modern Wisdom) @ChrisWillx – Underøath (Spencer Chamberlain & Aaron Gillespie) @underoathmusic – Jordan Peterson @JordanBPeterson – Esther Perel– Michael Tate (DC Talk / Newsboys)– Jonathan Pageau @JonathanPageau 📌 JOIN THE COMMUNITY🕊️ Become a channel member: Join Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5SNBfTo4umhjYz6M0Jsmg/join Follow on X: 📝 Subscribe to the Substack: https://substack.com/@christianbaxteryt🎧 Listen to Yours Truly wherever you get podcasts🌐 Website: [Coming Soon]

Monoculture Is Dead, and So Is the Consensus: Kale Zelden on Rebuilding Meaning | Yours Truly Pod

Become a channel member to support the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5SNBfTo4umhjYz6M0Jsmg/joinMidwestery 2025 and the “Fellowship of the Spirit”event link: https://www.midwestuary.com/🧑‍💻 Guest:Kale ZeldenCatholic educator, writer, and cultural commentator📰 UnHerd Author Page: https://unherd.com/author/kale-zelden/?us🧠 YouTube Channel: @thekalezelden on X: https://x.com/kalezelden

The Peterson Pipeline: How the Internet Is Reshaping Evangelical Theology

A conversation on "The Meaning of Things" myth, and the search for an embodied, symbolic faith.📺Jordan Peterson and the Gospel: Where Evangelicals Are Headed NextWhat happens when archetypes meet the altar? In this longform conversation with Eric Benjamin @meaningofthings we trace how Jordan Peterson's symbolic lens is influencing evangelical theology, confession, and spiritual formation. From the rise of internet spirituality to in-the-trenches church leadership, we explore the hunger for meaning reshaping the evangelical imagination — and why the gospel must remain more than myth, but not less than one. We wrestle with the question: Is the future of evangelicalism symbolic, sacramental, or something deeper still?🔔 Subscribe and become a channel member to support more conversations like this.channel membership link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5SNBfTo4umhjYz6M0Jsmg/join⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Intro + The Symbolic World Summit and Evangelical CrosscurrentsChristian reflects on the emerging overlap between Peterson’s ideas and evangelical influencers like Ruslan and “What Do You Meme.”12:30 – Confession, Collapse, and Archetypal AwakeningA personal story of failure, sacrifice, and how ancient symbols can become painfully real.24:10 – Are Stories Just Symbols? Evangelical Bible Reading ReconsideredEric and Christian examine the difference between moral lessons and spiritually participatory narratives.34:55 – Jordan Peterson, Ladder Theology, and the Limits of Self-Help ChristianityA critique of archetypal religion that tries to climb to God rather than receiving grace from Him.46:40 – From Worship Teams to Embodied Faith: Can the Church Recover Participation?Why worship isn’t just music — and how structure and liturgy create space for real presence.58:15 – The Role of Communion in Non-Sacramental ChurchesWhat does it mean when even low-church pastors admit “our communion sucks”?1:10:20 – Discipleship, Gardens, and the Fractals of WorshipFrom prayer journals to baking bread, how small, embodied acts shape a whole theology.1:22:40 – Can Peterson Ever Walk Through the Door?Peterson holds the door open for seekers — but can he ever fully step through?1:33:15 – Hell, Healing, and Rebuilding Self-Respect After SinChristian shares how telling the truth didn’t fix everything — but started the path back.1:42:30 – The Archetype and the Flesh: Why Jesus Must Be More Than a PatternThe gospel isn’t just a model to imitate — it’s a person to follow, trust, and be saved by.🧠 Guests & Mentions:Eric Benjamin @meaningofthings Paul VanderKlayJonathan PageauJordan PetersonTim Mackie (BibleProject)Michael HeiserJohn VervaekeRuslanWhat Do You Meme📌 Join the conversation:🔗 Become a channel member: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5SNBfTo4umhjYz6M0Jsmg/join🎙️ The Yours Truly Podcast → https://www.youtube.com/@christianbaxter_yt🐦 Twitter/X → https://x.com/chrbaxter_yt📬 Substack → https://substack.com/@christianbaxteryt

Cory Kobel: Bridging Tradition and Modern Faith Practices | The Yours Truly Pod

Ever felt the pull of something ancient in the middle of modern life? In this episode, Cory shares his journey from a Baptist upbringing into the deep tradition of Catholicism. We talk about how the Eucharist became a turning point for him, why liturgy isn’t just ceremony, and what it means to recover sacred rhythms in a world that rarely slows down.Key Topics Covered:Understanding Liturgy: How liturgical practices shape our worship experiences.The Eucharist Explained: Why the Eucharist holds a central role in Catholic worship and its impact on faith.Tradition vs. Modernity: Balancing age-old practices with contemporary spiritual needs in today’s world.Community in Faith: The importance of connecting with others and fostering a sense of belonging in diverse Christian denominations.Whether you're a lifelong Christian, exploring your faith, or curious about the dialogue between different traditions, this conversation offers valuable insights into how we can navigate our faith journeys together.Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more enlightening conversations about faith, worship, and community!Connect with Christian:X: https://x.com/chrbaxter_ytBecome a Channel Member! --- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5SNBfTo4umhjYz6M0Jsmg/joinJoin the conversation in the comments!#CoryKobel #Christianity #Liturgy #Eucharist #FaithJourney #Catholicism #Tradition #Community #ModernFaith

Is Jordan Peterson Enough? Gen Z’s Search for Truth, Power, and Meaning | YTP Studio Hangout

In this late-night studio hangout, Payton joins me in person for an unscripted conversation about Gen Z disillusionment, the spiritual hunger behind the return to tradition, and the fading influence of the post-WWII liberal consensus.We trace our shared history through early encounters with Jordan Peterson, meme culture, and ideological rabbit holes—from RCIA and Seventh-Day Adventist door-knockers to Bronze Age Pervert and Redeemed Zoomer. Together we wrestle with hard questions:– Is Jordan Peterson’s ambiguity enough in an age craving clarity?– Why is nihilism so normal among Gen Z men?– Can order and power be reclaimed without collapsing into authoritarianism?– What role do symbols, memes, and institutions play in the spiritual landscape ahead?Plus, we get personal about the search for truth, the hunger for embodied tradition, and the weird reality of doing this in the “TLC” digital corner.Timestamps:00:00 – Intro + Studio Banter02:20 – Art, Culture Wars & Meeting Jordan Hall05:45 – Reaction Content & Payton's Catholic Journey10:00 – Thoughts on TLC & Digital Ecumenism13:00 – Who Are the New Sensemakers?15:40 – Bronze Age Pervert, Redeemed Zoomer & Gen Z Ferocity20:00 – Tech, AI, & the Death of Cool Church™24:00 – Are Roagan & Russell Brand Just Grifting Christianity?28:00 – Vibe Shift & Return to Order32:00 – Nihilism as the Norm? Gen Z's Crisis36:00 – Peterson's Gospel Problem: Abstract vs Absolute42:00 – Power, Violence & the Two-Headed Eagle47:00 – Post-WWII Consensus Breakdown51:00 – Symbolism, Swastikas & Jonathan Pageau56:00 – Wrap-up + MidwestEstuary 2025 PreviewMentions:Jordan Peterson, Jonathan Pageau, Redeemed Zoomer, Bronze Age Pervert, Justin Brierley, Jordan Hall, Chris Williamson, Russell Brand, Joe Rogan, Paul VanderKlay, Nate Hile, Kanye WestLinks & Support:🕊️ MidwestEstuary 2025Aug 22–24 | Elmhurst, ILUpdates: https://midwestuary.com🎙️ Yours Truly Podcast → @christianbaxter_yt💬 Join the conversation: X: https://x.com/chrbaxter_yt🙏 Support the channel:▸ Become a member: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5SNBfTo4umhjYz6M0Jsmg/join▸ Subscribe & share if this corner feels like home.

From Megachurch to Parish: Sacredness, Roots & the Evangelical Shift | The Yours Truly Podcast

Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5SNBfTo4umhjYz6M0Jsmg/joinfollow me on X: https://twitter.com/chrbaxter_yt📍 About this episode:In this impromptu and deeply personal roundtable, I’m joined by Ethan Caughey, Skankenstein (Matt), and Luke Freeman for a rich conversation on Ross Byrd’s “Parish Manifesto”, the soul of evangelicalism, and what it means to recover roots, sacredness, and tradition in an age of digital disembodiment.We talk about:- Parish churches vs. megachurches- The tension between broadcast and participation- How modern worship aesthetics form (and deform) us- Sacred spaces, candles, cross, and communion by name- What the Church looks like if the internet disappeared tomorrowThis is a wide-ranging conversation about the future of the Church, spiritual formation, and reclaiming the slow, human pace of parish life.🧠 Topics Covered:Ross Byrd’s Parish ManifestoEvangelical identity & embodimentGnosticism, orthodoxy, and modern liturgyBroadcast vs participation in worshipThe roots/fruit metaphor and church techWhat the emergent church got right—and wrongSeminary, tradition, and the work of the people👥 Guests:@ethan.caughey @lukefreeperson Matt / Skankenstein📌 Mentioned:Ross Byrd, Chad the Alcoholic, Jonathan Pageau, John Vervaeke, Jordan Peterson, Robert Webber, Mike Cosper, Ian McGilchrist, Paul Kingsnorth, Wendell Berry, Neil DeGraide, and Redeemed Zoomer.🙏 Support the Channel:If this conversation resonated with you, consider subscribing, liking, and sharing it with someone in your own “parish.”▶️ Become a member: https://www.youtube.com/channel/YOURS/join📡 Follow Christian Baxter / Yours Truly:Twitter → @theCBaxterInstagram → @theCBaxterPodcast → yourstrulypodcast.net🎧 Available on YouTube Music | Apple Podcasts

From Exodus to Arrival: Derek Fiedler’s Journey Through Symbolic Narratives | Yours Truly Podcast

**Episode Description:**In this episode of "Yours Truly," host Christian Baxter sits down with Derek Fiedler, a dynamic voice in the realm of digital storytelling and community building. Together, they explore the exciting transformation of creators who have begun their journeys on platforms like YouTube and have evolved into influential authors, speakers, and filmmakers. Derek shares his insights on how these interconnected stories are shaping the way we understand ourselves and our communities.🎧 **What You'll Learn:**- The rapid growth of creative communities and their significance in today’s digital landscape.- How various creators are crafting meaningful narratives that resonate with audiences.- The importance of fostering creativity and storytelling within our families and professional lives.Derek discusses his journey, the projects he's involved in, including his collaboration with Symbolic World, where he delves into themes of language and symbolism in film and literature. Listeners will gain a deeper appreciation for the art of storytelling and how it can be used to cultivate purpose and connection.**Resources Mentioned:**- [Midwestuary 2025 Conference](https://www.midwestuary.com) (August 22-24, 2025, in Elmhurst, Illinois)- Explore more about Derek and his work: - [Derek's Website](https://derekjfiedler.substack.com/p/arrival-exodus-book?triedRedirect=true) - [Derek on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@DerekJFiedler) - [Derek on X](https://x.com/derekjfiedler) - [Symbolic World Projects](https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/team/derek-j-fiedler)**Subscribe and Connect:**Don't miss out on future episodes! Subscribe to "Yours Truly" for more engaging discussions on storytelling, creativity, and community. Join us on social media and participate in the conversation!Become a Channel Member!https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5SNBfTo4umhjYz6M0Jsmg/join**Listen, Share, and Join Us on this Journey of Exploration!**

Why the Future Is Local: Truth, Tradition & the Artist’s Role in Culture | Yours Truly Podcast

"...if I lose sight of the tradition, if I lose sight of what we built and I'm not standing on anything when I'm doing that... you lose the utility of what it means to be conservative or liberal and how these things are functioning together.""...there's all kinds of ways to be, but there's only one truth. And you will never know what those ways to be are and how they could be beautiful in the world if it's not attached to the truth."- Neil DeGraide @dirtpoorrobins In this episode, Christian Baxter sits down with musician and filmmaker Neil DeGraide of Dirt Poor Robins for a rich and reflective conversation on creativity, truth, and the cultural imagination. From the front porch to the public square, Neil unpacks why the adventure you're called to might not look like the world's version of success—and why that’s exactly the point.Together they explore:The tension between progress and traditionWhy our best cultural critiques start in the home and communityThe dangers of a purely merit-based systemHow artists and "nobodies" alike shape the spirit of an ageAnd why grounding your life in truth—not just ideology—is essentialStick around to hear thoughts on the ARC conference, Oliver Anthony, and why Neil believes the soul grows when it doesn't get everything it wants.👥 Mentioned in this episode:@oliveranthonymusic @arc_conference @JonathanPageau @PaulVanderKlay @johnvervaeke @thesacredpodcast Rod Dreher🔗 Follow & Support📍 Join the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5SNBfTo4umhjYz6M0Jsmg/join🐦 Follow Christian on X: https://twitter.com/chrbaxter_yt🎧 Listen to Dirt Poor Robins: https://www.youtube.com/@dirtpoorrobinshttps://open.spotify.com/artist/16lGevDffmuRakKVvdJ983✝️ Yours Truly is a podcast for those learning to think out loud. We wrestle with truth, beauty, and belief—without skipping the mystery in between.

Hyperreal Landscapes: Engaging with Belief in the Modern World | Yours Truly Podcast

In this episode of the Yours Truly Podcast, host Christian Baxter engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Substack writer James Taylor Foreman. Together, they explore the intersections of language, technology, and storytelling, examining how the evolution from oral traditions to digital media shapes our understanding of reality and creativity.Join us as we delve into topics such as the impact of written language on cultural narratives, the rise of AI in the storytelling landscape, and the potential for personal expression in an era of hyper-connectivity. With insights on the return of intuitive communication and the significance of community in creative pursuits, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of storytelling and its implications for personal and collective meaning.Tune in for a rich dialogue that challenges conventional thoughts on creativity, technology, and the essence of our shared human experience. Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share your thoughts in the comments below!00:00 - Intro to the Episode and Guest Introduction10:30 - Exploring the Concept of "Hyper Landscapes" in Culture21:00 - The Impact of Written Language on Indigenous Cultures31:30 - Comparing Language with the Movie "Arrival"42:00 - The Effects of the Printing Press on Theology and Worship52:30 - The Shift from Written to Oral Storytelling in Modern Media1:03:00 - The Role of AI in Storytelling and Creative Expression1:13:30 - Discussing the Future of Content Creation and Self-Publishing1:24:00 - Navigating Copyright and Creative Freedom in a Digital Age1:35:00 - Closing Thoughts and Future Projects from James Taylor ForemanLinks:Follow James Taylor Foreman on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/taylorforeman?r=433pnb&utm_medium=iosYours Truly Podcast Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVdyuKdUJ45CuLY-O7c5ADb9e96YkCvPB&si=BKejBP69mnu4fiLMConnect with us on social media: https://x.com/chrbaxter_yt?s=21#YoursTrulyPodcast #Storytelling #Language #Technology #AI #CreativeExpression