Podcast Spotlight: Heresy Is Good

Teddy Lee Brown is a heretic and proud of it. Heresy is Good seeks to take the substantive right-wing evangelical Christian presence in the US to task with a mix of styles. Some episodes cover broader topics relevant to the evangelic right, while clothes focus in on a specific person who proselytizes for a living. The most recent example of the latter is a two part in-depth look at televangelist Pat Robertson’s broadcasts shortly before and after the January 6th Capitol insurrection.

The show’s pacing can occasionally drag as Brown revisits old concepts or flat-out replays clips that had already been used earlier on. Re-stating a point is not uncommon in podcasts of this type, but coupled with the show’s propensity to use longer clips from outside sources (e.g. extended sections of Pat Robertson’s radio broadcasts appear repeatedly in the two-parter) it can bloat runtime somewhat. What Heresy is Good lacks in polish it makes up for in passion and consistency. This is the output of one person with a goal to provide important context and counterarguments to a highly manipulative industry draped in the guise of spiritual leadership. One can easily forgive the lack of snappy professional editing.

We were fortunate to talk with Brown about the podcast, how they differentiate from other podcasts, and their future plans in podcasting. See below for our full Q&A.

DISCOVER PODS: How’d you get into podcasting?

BROWN: I was inspired by a podcast entitled “Philosophize This” by Stephen West. I’ve always had an interest in philosophy, but not enough hours in the day to follow up. Stephen West would do all the homework and I got all the benefits. I wanted to do the same for people who are concerned and want to be informed about the influence of the Christian Right on our society.

DISCOVER PODS: In your own words, why should listeners tune in to Heresy Is Good?

BROWN: In recent years, more people have come to understand the influence of religious zealots on our culture. And it has become all too obvious that they’re not just going to go away, and need to be confronted. To do so, people need to be informed on what they believe and how to go about checking them.

DISCOVER PODS: What kind of feedback have you heard from your listeners?

BROWN: Heresy Is Good is still in the process of building an audience, so we haven’t gotten a lot of feedback yet. What we have gotten has been pleasingly positive. In particular, some people of faith have told me they appreciate hearing a substantive critique of the evangelical right rather than a self righteous screed. And agreed that such matters aren’t talked about enough internally, which is one of the main themes of the podcast.

DISCOVER PODS: Describe your recording set up? What equipment are you using?

BROWN: I use Anchor for my recording, which has been especially helpful for its ability to sync my work between devices, and I record with a fairly simple headset. I may upgrade to a more elaborate system in the future, but for now my concern is the content of the podcast rather than polishing the chrome. My biggest actual audio problem at the moment is keeping my puppy from shredding stuff too loudly in the background while I’m recording.

DISCOVER PODS: What’s the biggest challenge you face as an indie podcaster?

BROWN: Finding my audience. With so many podcasts out there these days there’s tremendous competition for people’s attention. I know that there are a lot of people out there just as concerned about the disproportionate influence of the evangelical right as I am. All I can hope is that we find each other.  

DISCOVER PODS: Where do you want to take your podcast?

BROWN: Most people don’t realize that the word ‘heresy’ is simply defined as ‘thinking for oneself.’ You’re a heretic because you don’t believe in the orthodoxy, which is defined as the correct way to believe by the orthodox authorities. In the future I would like to interview heretics from all walks of life about what they believe.

DISCOVER PODS: What other podcasts are you listening to now?

BROWN: Still listening to “Philosophize This,” of course. Stephen West still does such a great job breaking down complicated subject matters and making it entertaining. My newest love is “Office Ladies.” I loved the TV show and the cast, and still have a crush on Jenna and Angela, and probably always will.

DISCOVER PODS: Anything else you’d like to add?

BROWN: The episode I’m presently working on is entitled ‘Why didn’t Jesus write a book?’ It’s about how dysfunctional the New Testament can be.