Atheistville with Mike Smithgall
Hosted by Mike Smithgall, Atheistville explores atheism, deconversion, and secular life through open, respectful conversation. The channel features two signature shows:
Mike Drop – weekly commentary on religion, politics, and culture from a reasoned, secular perspective.
Breakfast with a Heathen – a relaxed Sunday Q&A that tackles listener and Reddit questions about belief, honesty, and living without faith.
Together, they create a space for candid dialogue about leaving belief behind, thinking for yourself, and building a meaningful life grounded in evidence, empathy, and ethics rather than dogma.
Podcast Creator Bio: Mike Smithgall
Mike Smithgall is the creator and host of Atheistville, a podcast and YouTube series exploring atheism, deconversion, and secular life through real conversation instead of confrontation. Drawing on his background as a financial professional and lifelong skeptic, Mike focuses on how people think, what leads them to question faith, and how they rebuild meaning without religion.
He interviews former believers, secular thinkers, and progressive voices to highlight shared values of empathy, critical thinking, and human connection. His mission is simple: belief should be personal, not political, and every story deserves to be heard.
Follow his work on YouTube (@Atheistville) or at Atheistville.com.
Atheistville with Mike Smithgall
From Pastor to Atheist: The Pain and Power of Deconstruction
🎙 Podcast Description
What happens when faith unravels? In this episode, former pastors and believers reflect on the loneliness of leaving religion, the emotional toll of deconstruction, and the importance of finding community.
You’ll hear stories of loss, resilience, and the shift from magical thinking to evidence-based reality. Whether you’re questioning, deconstructing, or supporting someone who is, this conversation highlights both the struggles and the strength in walking away from belief.
Former pastors and believers share what it feels like to lose faith, face isolation, and rebuild community. This episode tackles deconstruction, loss of belonging, and why reason and compassion matter more than belief. Subscribe for more voices navigating life beyond faith.
📑 Relevant Topics / Chapter Headings
The pain of leaving faith and community
Why deconstruction feels like loss
Magical thinking vs. reality-based living
The role of the internet in finding support
Conversations with believers and speaking past each other
Slavery, morality, and biblical contradictions
📚 Suggested Reading List
Godless by Dan Barker — Personal deconversion stories from a former evangelical preacher who became an atheist. https://amzn.to/3T0toY5
Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon by Daniel Dennett — Examines the psychology of religious experience and how natural processes explain belief. https://amzn.to/45JWYZf
Faith Versus Fact: Why Science and Religion Are Incompatible by Jerry A. Coyne — Sharp analysis of why religion and science clash on life’s biggest questions. https://amzn.to/3IUdXib
Visit us at www.Atheistville.com for more content from Mike Smithgall and the Atheistville team
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