Mike Smithgall and Mike Gonzalez respond to the tragic mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis. With early reports identifying the suspect as a trans woman, this discussion tackles how narratives form in the aftermath of tragedy, why scapegoating marginalized groups misses the bigger picture, and the uncomfortable reality that most mass shootings in…
In this episode, we discuss the tragic Catholic school shooting and the way media outlets are framing the story. From Fox News fixation on the suspect’s identity to broader questions about bullying, mental health, and accountability, we look at how narratives are shaped in real time. Viewer Question Do you think the media focuses too…
Can “God told me to do it” excuse a crime? Penn Jillette once noted that while the law allows “not guilty,” “guilty,” and “not guilty by reason of insanity,” it never allows “not guilty because God said so.” In this episode, Mike breaks down why: the secular foundation of the justice system, the legal role…
In this Mike Drop episode, Mike Smithgall discusses Penn Jillette’s observation about the law’s treatment of insanity versus divine claims in court. He emphasizes that reliance on evidence over revelation is crucial for fairness and accountability. The episode critiques the influence of religion on the justice system and advocates for secularism.
What if leaving Christianity isn’t about the devil’s tricks, but about asking honest questions? In this roundtable, we tackle Pascal’s Wager, the idea of being “deceived by Satan,” and the absurdities of faith claims like Noah’s Ark. From critical thinking to rejecting authoritarian voices that claim to speak for God, we dig into what it…
In this candid conversation, we explore the tension between prayer and real-world action when lives are at stake. From personal stories about faith-based medical decisions to the dangers of homeschooling without proper preparation, we examine how evidence-based choices can save lives, and how blind reliance on prayer can cost them. Thought-provoking, sometimes uncomfortable, but always…
“I’m not rejecting God. I’m rejecting YOU.” That’s the core idea in this episode of Mike Drop. Host Mike Smithgall breaks down why most atheists aren’t denying the existence of a god, they’re questioning the authority of those who claim to speak for one. From televangelists to politicians invoking divine will, this episode explores how…
A grieving mother explains why religious platitudes like “your child is in a better place” can be deeply painful. We discuss how these well-intentioned words can invalidate grief, harm surviving siblings, and reveal contradictions in Christian teaching. This raw conversation explores the emotional cost of mixing tragedy with theology, the limits of prayer, and why…
Why do conservative Christians and other faith traditions condemn women in porn while ignoring the men involved? In this candid conversation, we dig into the historical, cultural, and religious roots of sexual double standards. From Abrahamic views of women as property to wedding traditions and purity myths, we unpack why women are held to stricter…
Kim Davis is back, and this time she’s asking the Supreme Court to overturn marriage equality. Legal experts say it’s a long shot, but the case reveals a deeper, ongoing strategy to chip away at secular rights using religious liberty claims. In this Mike Drop episode, we look at why the odds are low, the…
