Episodes
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What happens when your worldview crashes, but your soul keeps whispering?
In this raw and intimate episode of Rettals Pub, we wander down the winding paths of Norse paganism, atheism, deconstruction, and the quiet ache for meaning in suffering.
We’re not here for tidy answers. This is a spiritual sleepover—Kentucky coffee in hand, laughter in the background, and a heartfelt reckoning with what it means to be human, divine, and something in-between.
Inside this episode:
🌟 Why Odin’s demand for growth may resonate more deeply than salvation 🌟 The haunting question: Are our choices free, or are they part of a sacred unfolding? 🌟 What it feels like to not see visions or hear voices, and still crave the mystery 🌟 Whether running out of gas is divine orchestration or just bad planning 🌟 Honest reflections on pain, purpose, and the children we can’t save 🌟 The ocean-wave metaphor: Are we droplets of God exploring matter?Themes include spiritual maturity, mystical vs. practical faith, manifesting vs. surrender, and what it means to ascend without needing to escape.
This one’s for the seekers who have left religion but still find God in the cracks. It’s for the ones wrestling with fate, free will, and the gnawing ache of unanswered prayers.
🪑 Pull up a seat. The pub’s open.
🗣️ Drop your thoughts in the comments—what resonated, what challenged you? And if you’re journeying too, subscribe for more soul-deep dives.
📜 Referenced Wisdom Sources
✅ Rainn Wilson – Soul Boom: humor-infused blueprint for spiritual evolution. (@rainnwilson) ✅ The Bible – reference to “The steps of a righteous man are ordered” (Psalm 37:23) ✅ Buddhist teaching – life’s purpose is to ascend through experience 🛠️ Concepts, Metaphors, or Frameworks ✅ Odin vs. Jesus Archetype: divine figures as mirrors of inner growth vs. outer salvation ✅ Road to Damascus: metaphor for sudden spiritual awakening ✅ “Wave in the ocean” – we are not God, but of God ✅ Vision Board Manifestation: the tension between free will and fate ✅ Dallas Metaphor: multiple paths, same destination, but who chose the route?📖 6. Scriptures or Teachings Referenced
🔸Psalm 37:23 — “The steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord”🔸Philippians 2:13 — Implied: “It is God who works in you to will and to act…”🔸 Buddhist Concept — The soul incarnates to experience suffering as part of liberation#RettalsPub #SoulVsSpirit #SpiritualAwakening #OdinVsJesus #MysticalRealTalk #DeconstructionJourney #InnerWork
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Welcome back to Rettals Pub — where spirituality flows like bourbon and truth is chased, not preached.
In this soulful and unscripted episode, we dive into what it really means to love deeply, embrace emotional honesty, and find sacred meaning in the messy parts of life — without the baggage of religion. This one’s for anyone who's ever felt "too much" or not enough. You’re not alone.
Topics we explore:
Why emotional openness isn't a weakness but a spiritual strengthLetting go of people’s opinions — and holding onto compassionHow everyday conversations can "minister" without the pulpitThe misunderstood word “love” and its many layersSoul reflections, spontaneous wisdom, and laughing through the awkwardThe spirituality of breath, being, and friendshipFruit trees, reincarnation, and why existence itself is holyGrab a drink. Settle in. Let’s be real.
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Sometimes it's subtle, sometimes it's a Damascus experience and you get "knocked the f*ck out". And you realize everything you thought was 'real', was merely a production. Think The Truman Show.
Music & Bands we mentioned on the show:
It's Been A While, StaindAmon AmarthFinger Eleven3 Doors DownCreedWhat we drank on the show:
Kentucky Coffee: Bulleit Rye, coffee, brown sugar, waterSupport the show
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The soul moves from one life to the next, wearing different 'spacesuits' each time, and death becomes equivalent with taking off a tight shoe.
Resources mentioned:
Soul Boom, Rainn WilsonBecoming Nobody, Ram DassTribes, Seth GodinSupport the show
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Does the body have a soul, OR does the soul have a body?
Resources mentioned:
Soul Boom, by Rainn WilsonThe Tibetan Book of the Dead on Amazon GaiaSupport the show
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We continue discussing the journey through life, and how each step leads to the next. And when your beliefs and ideology change, and seem to be in direct conflict with an earlier premise, it's best viewed as merely an evolution vs a contradiction.
We also talk gifts and how we were taught they are only tied to your religion. However, we believe when you're no longer in said religion, you STILL have your gift(s).
Resources mentioned:
Tony Robbins, I Am Not Your Guru on NetflixSupport the show
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In this episode, we welcome our new co-host, Billy Keene, who was a recent guest on the show!
We talk spirituality, kindness, and serving...(shout out to one of our favorite local joints, El Gordo Taqueria, with our favorite waitress, Michelle!)
What we drank on the show:
Bulleit Rye
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Nothing major - just a channel update. Cliff notes:
2 Year Birthday (Anniversary)New Co-HostNew StudioWe want to let all our listeners know that we appreciate you and hope to continue to provide content that is helpful for all of you.
Thank you!
Nate and the Rettals Pub team
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We all have gifts, regardless of whether religion plays a role in your life or not. Accept yourself as you are. Love people. Show compassion. Have grace.
Ram Dass Becoming NobodyAlan WattsThe Highly Sensitive Person: How to Thrive When the World Overwhelms You, by Elaine N Aron
"Some people were not put here to evolve. They are here to remind you what it looks like if you don't."
Resources mentioned on the show:Support the show
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Billy's journey continues after leaving the Pentecostal organization, including his struggles with his sexuality, which were in direct conflict with Christianity.
He shares being divorced, then being a single dad, to finding new love with his husband, his continuing search for spirituality, and his favorite 3 R's: reconciliation, resilience, resolve.Support the show
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We talk with a long-time friend as he shares his journey out of the Pentecostal church. It began when he saw the greed, the focus and priority placed on constant fundraising, and the comparison to just another multi-level-marketing business.
Man-mosa (beer-mosa) made with orange juice & Blue Moon
What we drank on the show:Support the show
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We wrap up our interview with Tai and talk about people having "spiritual" gifts and being able to choose how and when they use them. And maybe there's a bigger reason why "God" doesn't answer our prayers...and it's not because we're unworthy or are being punished.
TikTok @taideconstructedwww.taigoodwin.com
You can find Tai online here:Support the show
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We continue our discussion with Tai, and how our purpose and mission is to be the highest version of ourselves.
Messy Spirituality, by Mike Yaconelli
Resources mentioned on the show:Support the show
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"I'm talking to those people who are struggling, who've not gotten your questions answered, who when they've asked questions have been told to be quiet, who have suffered mistreatment, abuse, and all other kinds of horrible things in the name of church and the bible and god and gotten no relief. And I'm also talking to those of us who felt like they had to slice pieces of ourselves off to fit in a baptismal pool, but still feel broken, feeling rejected, feeling lost."
YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@TaiGoodwin23
We speak with Tai Goodwin about being raised in the church, but finding her way "out" later in life. And just what it meant during meditation to hear the question, "What if we never saw you as anything other than whole?"
You can find Tai here:Resources mentioned:
Anne Lamott, Bird by BirdSupport the show
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Nate delivers a brief state of the channel, including the departure of host, Mason. Stay tuned, because good things are ahead, even in the midst of change!
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Did you know?? The pagan order of worship includes 'greeters', prayer, song service, announcements, offering, sermon, post sermon activities (pastor-led prayer, altar call, more singing, the Lord's Supper, prayer for the sick, benediction). Sound familiar??
Pagan Christianity by Frank Viola 13 month calendar
"Christianity did not destroy paganism...it adopted it." Will Durant, prominent historian
Resources mentioned:
Banana Pudding Sipping Cream by Sugarlands DistillingSonic Diet Dr. Pepper with Vanilla (Dear Sonic, you need to carry Dr. Pepper Zero!)
What we drank on the show:Support the show
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"It doesn't bother me when people practice their faith. It's only when their practice negatively affects someone else that it's a problem."
We wrap up our interview with Robert, and discuss healing from trauma, anxiety, and periodic breakdowns.
Want to contact Robert for freelance graphic design? [email protected]
Robert's YouTube channel: @SacredCowDinerSupport the show
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We discuss how many passages in scripture aren't original and were copied from older texts, and how many seem to be out of alignment with what's considered right/wrong today by modern religion.
Tribes, by Seth GodinMessy Spirituality, by Mike Yaconelli
Resources mentioned:Support the show
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We continue the conversation with Robert and discuss fundamentalism and the fact that it's found everywhere: work, home, politics, etc.
Tribes, by Seth Godin
It draws a line in the sand that leads to division and violence, and a sense of "I'm better than you", and "I'm right and you're wrong".
Resources mentioned:Support the show
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We interview Robert Williams, who shares his long time experiences within the Apostolic church, and what ultimately led to his exodus.
Later, with the help of a therapist, he was able to identify the unrealized spiritual abuse that had occurred, and work to heal those traumas.Support the show
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