No Prize From God

DEMON HUNTER frontman and Grammy Award-nominated designer Ryan Clark returns. Panic attacks, health scares, weight loss; cold showers; the breathing and cold therapy exercises of the Wim Hof Method; an examination of the phrase "the Fear of God"; reverence; iconography; symbolism; reflecting on the sheer volume of album artwork he's created; and more. Check out several of Ryan's album covers from over the years at RyanClarkRecordCovers.com.  Keep up with Demon Hunter and Invisible Creature. Follow No-Prize From God on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Follow Ryan J. Downey on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Check out other PopCurse network podcasts: PopCurse, Speak N' Destroy, and Hoosier Illusion.

BACKWORDZ. Reason Magazine described Eric July as “America’s top black Christian anarcho-capitalist rap-metal artist.” Eric has been on right-leaning media outlets like Fox News and The Blaze, but he doesn’t "cape" for any political party or elected official; he’s not even an official member of the Libertarian Party. As he told the Dallas Observer, his beliefs don’t boil down to wanting “to smoke weed, conspiracy theories, and inside jobs.” A self-described Voluntaryist, Christian Anarchist, and commentator, Eric is a former member of the band Fire From The Gods and has detailed many of his beliefs in BackWordz songs like “Self Ownership,” “Elitist,” and “Statheist.”  The Black Libertarian economists Eric mentions in the episode are Thomas Sowell and Walter E. Williams.  Learn more about Eric at EricDJuly.com.  Follow No-Prize From God on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Follow Ryan J. Downey on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Check out other PopCurse

THRICE frontman Dustin Kensrue on his journey with life's big questions; his personal evolution; the relationship (or lack thereof) between Thrice and the so-called Christian Music genre; how toxic mismanagement caused the dissolution of the church where he served as worship leader; inerrancy in scripture; theologian Peter Enns, Alfred North Whitehead and process theology; transitioning from interviewee to interviewer; and his podcast, Carry The Fire. Keep up with Dustin on Twitter and check out his podcast, Carry The Fire. For background on the Mars Hill Church controversy we touch on in this episode, here's an in-depth piece in the Seattle Times.  Follow No-Prize From God on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Follow Ryan J. Downey on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Check out other PopCurse network podcasts: PopCurse, Speak N' Destroy, and Hoosier Illusion.

LIFE OF AGONY. Singer Mina Caputo, whose band is responsible for the metallic hardcore classic River Runs Red, talks about culture, spirit, human history, religion, transgender issues, connectivity, social media, psychedelics, and the inspiration she's drawn from writers, thinkers, and mystics like Terence McKenna, Alan Watts, Graham Hancock, Ram Dass, and Florence Scovel Shinn.  Follow No-Prize From God on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Follow Ryan J. Downey on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Check out other PopCurse network podcasts: PopCurse, Speak N' Destroy, and Hoosier Illusion.

W.A.S.P. Heavy metal frontman and target of the PMRC, Blackie Lawless talks about witnessing the birth of KISS; his Baptist upbringing; heavy metal’s obsession with faith, the devil, and God; how the church flourished under persecution; retracing Paul’s steps in ancient cities;  predestination; Calvinism; spiritual warfare; why he won’t perform certain songs anymore; and indoctrination vs. thinking for yourself. Follow No-Prize From God on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Follow Ryan J. Downey on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Check out other PopCurse network podcasts: PopCurse, Speak N' Destroy, and Hoosier Illusion.

BEHEMOTH. Adam Darski talks about the religious atmosphere of his upbringing; discovering radical spiritual ideas; black metal music; legally changing his middle name to Nergal; formally leaving the Catholic Church; the onstage performance and more recent Instagram post that led to a charges of blasphemy in the Polish courts; whether or not his battle with leukemia altered his views toward the bigger picture; and more.  

BEYOND EX-GAY. Playwright, Bible scholar, and activist Peterson Toscano on his personal experience with so-called "conversion therapy"; what Scripture says about gender identity; climate change; comedy and social issues; changing hearts and minds within the church and without; and much more.  Follow No-Prize From God on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Follow Ryan J. Downey on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  Check out other PopCurse network podcasts: PopCurse, Speak N' Destroy, and Hoosier Illusion.

SLEEPING WITH SIRENS. Kellin Quinn talks about his early childhood experiences with the church; getting into bands like Showbread and Underoath; his issues with certain practices and failures of organized religion; life's big questions and prayer with his own children; overbearing musical missionaries on the road; and where he's at in his personal journey today.  Follow No-Prize From God on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Follow Ryan J. Downey on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Check out other PopCurse network podcasts: PopCurse, Speak N' Destroy, and Hoosier Illusion.

EMPEROR is almost without equal in the black metal music scene. As frontman for the legendary Norwegian band and an accomplished solo artist, Ihsahn is uniquely qualified to speak with authority about the subculture. He talks about the evolution of his personal philosophy; the importance of meaning, purpose, and confrontation in art; Friedrich Nietzche; and much more.  Follow No-Prize From God on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Follow Ryan J. Downey on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Check out other PopCurse network podcasts: PopCurse, Speak N' Destroy, and Hoosier Illusion.

ALTER BRIDGE. Alter Bridge and Slash Featuring Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators vocalist Myles Kennedy lost his father when he was just four years old. His dad's undiagnosed appendicitis was likely treatable, but due to his devout Christian Scientist beliefs, he refused medical care. In this episode, the singer talks about that experience, his own journey through belief and unbelief, and how it all informs his debut solo album, Year of the Tiger.  Follow No-Prize From God on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Follow Ryan J. Downey on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  Check out other PopCurse network podcasts: PopCurse, No Prize From God, and Hoosier Illusion.

COME & LIVE! As A&R at Tooth & Nail Records, Chad Johnson helped guide the careers of Underoath, Anberlin, Haste The Day, and mewithoutyou, among others. He abruptly left the traditional music business in 2009, launching a radical new venture called Come&Live!, which gave music away and donated 100% of proceeds to mission work and humanitarian causes. C&L! staffers, like Chad (who has a wife and two children), relied solely on fundraising to pay their bills. His new book is One Thousand Risks: Fighting Fear for an Awkward, Awesome Life with Jesus. Follow No-Prize From God on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Follow Ryan J. Downey on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  Check out other PopCurse network podcasts: PopCurse, No Prize From God, and Hoosier Illusion.

SISTERS OF THE VALLEY. The Weed Nuns! Made famous by a viral video featuring the actress Aubrey Plaza smoking out with them, the Sisters Of The Valley represent so much more than getting baked. Sister Kate talks about the Central California sisterhood's commitment to service, sacrifice, and justice; their vows; the Beguines of the Middle Ages; the "me too" movement (her take may be different than expected); and more. Follow No-Prize From God on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Follow Ryan J. Downey on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  Check out other PopCurse network podcasts: PopCurse, No Prize From God, and Hoosier Illusion.

GOSPEL OF THE WITCHES. A self-described Spirit Medium, Karyn Crisis gives classes, workshops, private readings, and demonstrations about the "Mediumship" system of channeling and communicating with the spirit world. Her work also focuses on the legacy of the "witches" of the past. She sings in occult metal band Gospel Of The Witches, whose debut album, Salem's Wounds, is available on Century Media Records. Follow No-Prize From God on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Follow Ryan J. Downey on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  Check out other PopCurse network podcasts: PopCurse, No Prize From God, and Hoosier Illusion.

SOLDIERS FOR JESUS MC. Patrick "Slo-Roll" McKinney is a National Officer with Soldiers for Jesus Motorcycle Club and author of the book Unchained Rebel: An Outlaw Biker's Toughest Fight. A retired Army veteran, Slo-Roll preaches at a small Biker Church in the Sandhills region of North Carolina and ministers to secular MCs. Follow No-Prize From God on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Follow Ryan J. Downey on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  Check out other PopCurse network podcasts: PopCurse, No Prize From God, and Hoosier Illusion.

DEMON HUNTER frontman and Grammy nominated designer Ryan Clark talks about growing up the son of a pastor; the obstacles and misconceptions that come with the phrase "Christian music"; creative inspiration; artistic credibility; his health scare and subsequent lifestyle changes; Western food and medicine; and much more. Follow No-Prize From God on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Follow Ryan J. Downey on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  Check out other PopCurse network podcasts: PopCurse, No Prize From God, and Hoosier Illusion.

MODERN TAROT. Michelle Tea joins No-Prize From God to discuss her book, Modern Tarot. Michelle is an author, poet, and literary organizer whose books include Valencia (adapted into a 2013 film costarring Angelina Jolie), How to Grow Up (currently in development with Amazon Studios), and the Young Adult fantasy trilogy, Chelsea. She tells Ryan J. Downey about Catholic school in Massachusetts; discovering the occult and magic; the spirituality of 12 Step Programs; and of course, Tarot cards. Other topics include Generation X subculture; ‘80s goth-rock supergroup The Lords of the New Church; Alejandro Jodorowsky; David Lynch; astrology; and the connections between Norse mythology, Kabbalah, and Star Wars. Follow No-Prize From God on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Follow Ryan J. Downey on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  Check out other PopCurse network podcasts: PopCurse, No Prize From God, and Hoosier Illusion.

SATYRICON frontman Satyr Wongraven tells Ryan J. Downey about the early days of Norwegian black metal; his mother and father; discovering bands like Metallica, Slayer, Venom, and Bathory; whether Norway is a historically Christian nation; and about his deep appreciation and sense of connection with nature. He speaks candidly about the benign brain tumor that remains inside of him: the prognosis, the impact the tumor has had on his daily life, and watching a friend of his battle cancer. Follow No-Prize From God on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Follow Ryan J. Downey on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  Check out other PopCurse network podcasts: PopCurse, No Prize From God, and Hoosier Illusion.

UNDEROATH guitarist Tim McTague tells Ryan J. Downey about the evolution of his personal faith; how his present worldview informs his relationships with his family, his neighbors, and his band; Underoath’s encounters with NOFX frontman Fat Mike during the 2006 Warped Tour; why the band stopped performing at Christian music festivals; the roots of extremism, from fundamentalism to white supremacy; and the need to constantly challenge our assumptions. Follow No-Prize From God on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Follow Ryan J. Downey on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  Check out other PopCurse network podcasts: PopCurse, No Prize From God, and Hoosier Illusion.

INTEGRITY. Dwid Hellion joins his old friend Ryan J. Downey for a conversation that touches on isolation, late night horror hosts, domestic violence, skateboarding, the origin of the phrase “metalcore,” the occult, Chet Baker, Glenn Danzig, Anton LaVey, Boyd Rice, the Process Church of Final Judgement, and more. Follow No-Prize From God on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Follow Ryan J. Downey on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  Check out other PopCurse network podcasts: PopCurse, No Prize From God, and Hoosier Illusion.

EPISCOPAL PRIEST. The Rev. Broderick Greer joins Ryan J. Downey for an in-depth discussion. Broderick offers lectures and facilitates conversations at the intersection of social media, American history, queer theory, black theology, human rights, and racial justice. His byline has appeared in The Guardian, The Washington Post, Teen Vogue, and Huffington Post. Broderick is a graduate of the Virginia Theological Seminary and Curate at Grace-St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and School in Memphis, TN. Follow No-Prize From God on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Follow Ryan J. Downey on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.  Check out other PopCurse network podcasts: PopCurse, No Prize From God, and Hoosier Illusion.