… I’m done. The episode on libertarianism was a dealbreaker for me. Buying into the 60 years of lies from megalomaniacal billionaires and corporations that large societies with large problems don’t need communal action — rather, that government is the *cause* of our problems — is not just insane, but sinister. A hypercapitalist one-value nation needs a strong counterweight, and ours is being summarily butchered. “Overreach.” Give me a break. Neutered, more like. WPIWRUJLO? (What private island would rich, untaxed Jesus live on?)

Meh

Really? 🙄 As a Christian not represented by anti-LGBTQ Christian fascists, I request that you re-title your most recent episode from “Why Are Christians So Bad With Queer People” to “Why Are Some Christians…”

Loved the first episode about the Chosen. Have many people in my life wanting me to watch that and probably get me saved again. I am always intrigued about movies and documentaries about Jesus but growing up in a fundamental charismatic church I am very hesitant to spend my time watching them unless it is from a Jewish perspective or something from someone like a John Dominick Crossan. Long time listener and love the diversity of thought on your show. Even though I would not be considered a Christian in most circles I appreciate your openness of your journey and respect your thoughtfulness. Would also love to hear a Jewish Rabbis perspective also on the Chosen. Keep it going and take care. Matt

Of all the deconstructionist podcasts I listen to, this one is the best. Dan has a thoughtful and wide-ranging choice of guests and topics and he is a gifted and compassionate host and interviewer. This podcast has really helped me in my deconstruction journey.

Appreciate the conversations - insightful and well designed

Quoting Aaron Weiss is an auto five star review as I see it!

I recently found this podcast and I totally agree with a lot of the other reviews: interesting and helpful conversations, and I wish the host talked a bit less during the interviews. I can’t blame him because there’s so much to say about the topics. And I do enjoy his reflections as well. I’d suggest a longer debrief from him at the end instead of throughout the conversation. I haven’t listened to many of the later episodes so maybe he’s already taken the critiques to heart. Kudos if so.

I love this show, would give it more than 5 stars if I could! Thank you Dan for opening the door to conversations and thoughts that I needed to hear to make me own journey of de-constructing my Assemblies of God upbringing and re-constructing my own faith. That said, stop conflating people who voted for Trump with thoughtless religious and political right-wing robots. Some people voted for Trump because they saw him as the less of two unfavorable options for many reasons. They did not vote for him because they loved him or were caught up in some thoughtless cult of follower-ship. Also de-constructing doesn’t equal left wing liberal. De-constructing can be for all the registered independents like me who want to think and vote and have a faith of their own. It’s a beautiful albeit scary journey that anyone can take.

I have listened to a large number of deconstruction/ exvangelical podcasts, and I find that this one tends to have a significant amount of research done before the dialogue, which is helpful because it means that the conversations will generally be constructive instead of simply bashing. Dan does a good job of connecting with guests that are well versed in their area of study. The criticisms of him interrupting are fair, though having been a part of this journey for a bit I can see the growth! I especially love that Dan has his own particular area of expertise with spiritual abuse, that generally always helps enhance the conversations. I am grateful for this podcast.

These are some of the deepest probing conversations on faith, deconstruction and formation I’ve heard anywhere. Unhurried and thoughtful and as long as two hours, Dan’s background in ministry and current study in psychological bring a well-rounded perspective to each topic. The time and attention are worth it. I really respect his approach and find these conversations enriching and challenging.

Really loved a lot of the episodes and it helped me through my journey with my faith. The reason I can’t listen anymore is because the polyamory episode lacked a lot of productive ways to speak about the conversation and topic. There wasn’t anyone on there to interview who was polyamorous and although I understood the hesitations that the host has with polyamory, it was full of the assumptions with a relationship orientation that isn’t typically accepted. I felt like he did such a great job researching topics on other episodes, and then this episode didn’t have all of his attention and insight. I’m appreciative for how former episodes healed me in my faith journey, and no longer want to listen after having a topic discussing a part of who I am be poorly represented. So I leave taking the good from it and hope that polyamory will be better understood one day.

Provides insight into lifeless dead faith religion with the hope of being an authentic follower of Jesus. Genuine faith and truth can stand up to hard questions and endure to show the way.

I love all the topics discussed on this podcast but I find myself always frustrated because I feel like the host talks more than the guests do! Why have guests that are experts on things and not let them talk?!

This podcast is always thought provoking. It's so important to listen to people with different perspectives and not live in a bubble. I'm so grateful for everything I've learned.

I love your episode with the autistic woman Erin. Really appreciate you highlighting an autistic perspective on church etc. I also enjoy your episodes with Tony Jones. So interesting.

Not just a criticism of his progressive beliefs, but the arguments supporting blatant sinful acts. Sin shouldn’t be glorified, or watered down. Sin is evil.

I really enjoy this podcast for several reasons. Firstly, because of how kind and genuine the host is. He is discussing difficult topics and yet he remains kind and open to hearing others opinions. Secondly, as a Believer and someone who doesn’t agree with a lot of what is said on this podcast, I greatly appreciate this podcast because it challenges me and helps me question what I believe and even the Bible itself. God can withstand our questions and doubts as our Creator, so I’ve never worried when I’ve had them, and I don’t understand why questions and doubts are so shamed and hush hush in most evangelical circles. I am lucky to have a church that is open to my questions and helps me find answers in the Word of God, but so many aren’t. I am glad this podcast tries to poke holes and asks so many difficult questions many people don’t want to discuss. Quality podcast, Dan :)

A friend recommended this show to me and I’m quickly becoming a big fan. The conversations are valuable and really fill the gap for conversations that are lacking in American Christian society.

More people & podcasts are talking these days about the things Jesus taught (in the 4 gospels), but there are a few of his teachings that almost never get serious coverage. Several references (EXCLUDING the “rich young ruler”) are made in Luke about selling all of one’s possessions & giving to the poor and then this teaching is shown to be taken seriously by the time we get to the book of Acts (end of chapters 2 & 4). Another powerful & often neglected paradigm-changing (IF taken at face value) teaching of Jesus is found in Mt. 6:24; Lk. 16:13-14). This has been called the “Two Masters teaching”, one being God/Love and the other/opposite one being money. What would Christianity look like, both inside its confines and to the world at large, if these teachings were given much more serious consideration and application? Take a leap of faith and dive deep into these teachings! ✌🏼

Been listening to Dan for a few years. Great interviewer and humble intellectual with a great curiosity towards his guests; a unique gift

I love this podcast every time. Well done, Dan.

Shows up at church. “Hey guys, what are we doin’?” “I’ll tell you what we’re NOT doing!” Lol! I’m still belly laughing from that one.

I was introduced to Dan Koch from his Depolarized podcast and am so glad to have found this. I may not agree 100% with everything he or his guests believe, but the conversations are very intellectually honest and coming from a place of genuine attempt to be faithful to the Christian faith. Dan is a great guy. He’s a little rough around the edges at interviewing his guests (can interrupt them too much), but I’ve appreciated the diversity of guests he brings on, as well as his own thoughts each episode. Lastly, I appreciate that his goal is explicitly to help people take their Christian faith tradition seriously—not to just poke holes and leave them to deconstruct what they grew up being told.

This podcast always blows my mind wide open and reminds me why I still believe. Phenomenal.

I really enjoy listening to this podcast most of the time, but I’m going to second some reviewers who have called in Dan for his tonal arrogance, especially when he is talking to guests who are not cis men. It can be pretty alienating to listeners.

Man I love this podcast a lot and have listened to most of them up to this point, But this one had mad sexist energy. I’d love to see the time per comment chart on the five participants I’ll bet it’s like 10% Sari and Sarah, Blake

I really like this podcast but I have two main criticisms: - Dan interrupts people A LOT, which is frustrating for listener and guest (and pretty rude) - The introductory tone of the podcast tries to come off as unbiased/rational, but it seems that Dan isn’t actually as willing to listen as much as he wants the other side to be. Strong biases coming into many of the conversations. Side note, some of the reviews made me lol about this being heresy. Haha.

I love this podcast - the guests and topics are superb, and the host asks deep questions. Unfortunately it is sometimes hard to listen without getting annoyed at the host's CONSTANT interruptions/talking over of the guests. I feel like some of the guests can't fully elucidate their points because of this, and it's leaving good information on the table.

An incredible tool in my deconstruction journey. Thank you for doing hard work for those of us doing hard work.

First I want to say that I feel compelled to listen to this podcast despite finding some of the mannerisms of the host extremely white, male, egocentric, annoying. It seems unfair of me to be so critical of personality, but as an aspiring therapist, maybe Dan can learn to practice a little less self disclosure with his clients... I mean guests. (I think I’ve heard his plate analogy in at least 4 different episodes...) I feel this podcast (and host) has so much potential!! Dan is spot on, and super insightful in his assessment of the content spoken - but as a regular listener, I often find myself wanting to here more the thoughts of the guest, and not so much the opinions of the host that I’ve heard multiple times. Dan is the best when he sticks to reflective listening and unpacks what his guests have to say without getting on a soapbox of his own ideas.

Except episode #100. Interesting and knowledgeable guest constantly interrupted by the host. A frustrating listen.

Dan speaks in layman’s terms, but he can link his thinking to various theologians and other experts. He is open-minded and straightforward, but also cares and believes that something matters. His guests are interesting, and the conversations are a great sharpener for my own journey.

I look forward to listening every week and have been working my way though the backlog, same with the Patreon exclusive pod. Tons of nuanced and insightful discussion. It’s been a massive help in my deconstruction/reconstruction process. The people with low star reviews seem to be missing the entire concept of the pod, which is quite literally in the title - You Have Permission. Dan isn’t trying to force views on anyone, with each episode he lays out a different topic and has multiple perspectives on how an issue can be viewed.

I am so glad that I found this podcast. Past the gnarlier parts of my deconstruction, I appreciate YHP’s thoughtful explanation of and discussion of thought streams in the greater world of Christianity, as I reconstruct my faith. It is titled perfectly. So many of needed permission to explore ideas and ask questions, but weren’t given it in our faith environments. Thanks for providing a space like this, Dan!

Excited to listen to this podcast to think about different perspectives!

How does this podcast claim to be Christian? I’m open to discussion surrounding Scripture but this is like some guys personal cope. The amount of white guilt and borderline cuckoldry is so hard to listen to. The church would not exist if men like this existed when Paul went West. I will pray for this guy. It obvious he has significant confusion, and likely a bit of childhood trauma. This is a far left, anti white(truly), anti conservative, collection of opinions.

This podcast addresses many theological ideas and questions, radical and traditional. Yes, Dan Koch has episodes on topics such as there being multiple ways to enter heaven. That’s the point! This podcast does not intend to convert you to a certain thinking of the Christian Faith, but to expand your view of it and hear how other people think about God, faith, and life. If you’re listening thinking this podcast is trying to convert you to a progressive Christian, you’re gonna have a bad time. If you’re listening with eagerness to learn about different perspectives of the faith, you’re gonna have a great time.

Just a heads up to anyone listening. I’ve listened to a few of the episodes of this podcast, and have heard some things that are against the Bible. Namely the ideas that there are many multiple ways to heaven (through different religions even) as well as the idea that the Bible is not inerrant and that some ideas can be excused or excluded. There is also good information and teacher here, but I would be certain you have a strong scriptural foundation prior to listening.

Dan has been a lodestar for me over the past several years: I cannot overstate his influence on my faith and my intellect.

I’m binging this podcast as I move out of my evangelical upbringing and into a more progressive type of faith. The topical episodes are specifically designed for someone moving in that direction like I am and I appreciate the attention to detail and fair approach that Dan provides

I love the content of this podcast. The topics of conversation mirror my own walk in life, and I have found value in nearly every episode. I also think Dan is incredibly articulate, easy to listen to, and relatable. He speaks in a way that makes me lean in and listen. I’m impressed with the guest list that Dan has accumulated throughout the life of the podcast. I assume his musical endeavors as well as his academic and theological pursuits have led him to make meaningful connections with experts across a wide spectrum of ideas. Seems to have paid off. Keep doing what you’re doing.

Dan offers a candid, humorous, and vulnerable environment to ask serious questions about faith. I’ve learned a lot from his work over the last three years or so. Dan, keep up the good work!

The topics covered in this podcast and incredibly informative and engaging. I appreciate that Dan brings enough of his story in the mix to be relatable, but is also rather humble in presenting these things as topics to be considered, not necessarily the only truth out there.

I really enjoy this podcast. Dan is a blessing. He is doing good work. I wish he would make more podcasts on his other show Depolarize. I want to depolarize myself, but it will take some work. I haven’t figured it out yet, but I’m trying, and still seeking. Thank you Dan for the good work you do 🖖🏿🕊💐

One of the best ex-vangelical-type podcasts I’ve found! Especially for those who find the need to nail down a new understanding of their faith or the Bible after deconstructing.

I really like Dan’s willingness to be open to listening and considering a variety of views in seeking to understand God.

I come from a very fundamentalist, conservative, evangelical background that preaches a very experiential-to-achieve-truth message while simultaneously being theologically warped (Oneness Pentecostal). It’s very much a tradition that believes if you read it in the Bible, your first intuition is essentially how God intended it to be read. Needless to say, once the experiences stopped, everything went out the window due to my reliance on having an experience to receive truth. For roughly half-a-decade now, I have been on this faith journey and multiple times I have just about given up. I’ve cried out angrily at God, I’ve bitterly told people I love that there’s no way this God I was taught to believe in can exist. To put it mildly, it has been troubling. However, that was prior to stumbling across podcast’s like You Have Permission and The Bible for Normal People by Pete Enns. As I’ve become more exposed to the intellectual side of Christianity that acknowledges there are some things we just can’t grasp and isn’t looking to answer every single question due to some overarching objective truth that is preached to exist or be found through an experiential means, I have found a degree of peace that allows me to ask questions or say I don’t know or even say things that I used to repent for because it was blasphemous to speak in that way against God. So if your story is anything like mine, podcast’s like this will be a release for you as you begin to understand that the shell you were taught to never stray away from is just an illusion meant to comfort or even control those that want a definite answer. Give this podcast a shot, you’ll thoroughly enjoy it.

A lot of heresy masquerading as “open conversations”.

Dan does a great job of bringing on a mix of people with differing perspectives/views - and while this may challenge some, I think for many of us it gives us a place to explore ideas and consider positions we may have not taken into account before. If you are looking for a podcast that covers a wide variety of topics from a broad range of views, You Have Permission is the right place!