Books With Your Besties: The Religion Episode – Detailed Summary

Release Date: August 1, 2025

Hosts: Emily and Ashley
Podcast Description: Dive into engaging, candid conversations with Emily and Ashley as they explore thrillers, true crime, and thought-provoking topics, all infused with humor and the chemistry of their 23-year friendship.

1. Addressing Home Safety: The Natural Gas Dilemma

Overview:
The episode begins with Emily sharing a personal anecdote about a safety issue at her home involving a covered gas meter. This segues into a broader discussion about the dangers of natural gas and the hosts' plans to transition to electric appliances.

Key Points:

• Gas Meter Incident: Emily recounts how her husband's DIY bar inadvertently covered their gas meter, triggering a report from Avista due to safety concerns.
  • Quote: “[00:33] Emily: ...I woke up in the night in, like, a sweat. Like, you can't do that.”
• Health Concerns: Emily cites a Stanford University study linking exposure to gas appliances with a doubled risk of cancer in children.
  • Quote: “[02:30] Emily: ...children raised in homes with gas appliances are twice as likely to develop cancer.”
• Transition to Electric: Discussing the financial and practical aspects, Emily and Ashley explore switching to induction stoves and other electric appliances to eliminate natural gas from their home.
  • Quote: “[03:56] Ashley: ...I have no idea why you have those? What have I done?”

Insights:

• The hosts emphasize the importance of home safety and the long-term health implications of relying on natural gas.
• Financial constraints are addressed, highlighting the challenges of upgrading home infrastructure.

2. Rising Extremism: Understanding Accelerationists

Overview:
Ashley introduces a critical topic on extremism, specifically focusing on "Accelerationists" — far-right groups aiming to destabilize societal systems to incite radical change.

Key Points:

• Accelerationists Defined: Individuals who believe in accelerating existing societal destabilizing forces to bring about swift, radical change.
  • Quote: “[07:00] Ashley: ...they believe the best way to bring about radical societal or political change is to accelerate the forces that are already destabilizing the system.”
• Boogaloo Day: A signal for Accelerationists to initiate violent actions against non-fascist individuals.
  • Quote: “[07:37] Ashley: ...Boogaloo Day... is like the same signal to the Accelerationists that like today is the day we are acting.”
• Personal Impact: Both hosts express their fear and the need to become preppers due to the increasing threat posed by these extremist groups.
  • Quote: “[08:09] Ashley: ...there are more of these people out there than I think we are aware of.”

Insights:

• The conversation underscores the real and present danger of extremist groups gaining traction through online platforms and the potential for widespread societal harm.
• The hosts advocate for personal preparedness and awareness as necessary responses to these threats.

3. Personal Reflections on Religion and Its Impact

Overview:
Transitioning from external threats, Emily and Ashley delve into their personal journeys away from organized religion, critiquing the negative aspects of religious doctrines and their influence on personal values and societal norms.

Key Points:

• Emily’s Journey:

  • Formerly a devout Christian, Emily shares her reasons for distancing herself from religion, focusing on the binary categorization of believers and non-believers.
  • Quote: “[14:00] Emily: ...the term non Christian was the very concept of a belief system where you are either in it or you're an outsider... I cannot stand when something is not safe.”
  • Discusses the lack of empathy and the judgmental nature of certain Christian doctrines.
  • Quote: “[18:00] Emily: ...any belief system that will have you pause or suspend your ability for sympathy or empathy... is not one I would want anything to do with.”

• Ashley’s Perspective:

  • Raised in a liberal church and a Catholic high school, Ashley identifies as agnostic and criticizes the self-righteous and shame-based aspects of religion.
  • Quote: “[14:00] Ashley: ...I have moved to a place where I can no longer support the systems that the church, capital C Church, all of it, currently supports.”

• Negative Experiences:

  • Emily recounts how her cousin's suicide and the pastor’s insensitive response contributed to her rejection of Christianity.
    • Quote: “[19:04] Ashley: Did you... when your cousin committed suicide and the pastor said that absolutely horrific thing...”
  • Discussions about the harmful impact of religious teachings on personal behavior, such as shame around premarital sex and the condemnation of LGBTQ+ individuals.
    • Quote: “[22:19] Emily: ...the shame piece... You don’t have good values if you're a non Christian.”

Insights:

• The hosts articulate a strong critique of how certain religious practices and beliefs can foster judgment, shame, and exclusion, impacting mental health and personal relationships.
• They emphasize the importance of empathy, compassion, and authentic values over rigid doctrinal adherence.
• The conversation highlights the struggle of reconciling personal beliefs with inherited religious teachings, advocating for a more inclusive and compassionate worldview.

4. The Broader Impact of Religion on Society and Individuals

Overview:
Emily and Ashley explore the societal implications of religious doctrines, particularly how they influence behavior, policy, and interpersonal relationships.

Key Points:

• Judgment and Hypocrisy:
  • Critique of the hypocrisy in condemning certain sins while ignoring others, leading to inconsistent and unfair judgments.
    • Quote: “[24:11] Emily: ...if you are Ted Bundy, but you got water sprinkled on your head...”
• Impact on Relationships:
  • Discussion on how religious condemnation affects familial and social relationships, particularly regarding sexuality and personal choices.
    • Quote: “[26:45] Ashley: ...because Glenn was in a loving relationship with a man...”
• Biblical Interpretation:
  • Criticism of selective and culturally biased interpretations of the Bible to justify discrimination and exclusion.
    • Quote: “[28:03] Ashley: ...they cherry-picked one verse to fit your narrative.”

Insights:

• The episode underscores the damaging effects of using religious texts to enforce discriminatory practices, leading to societal divisions and personal anguish.
• The hosts advocate for a reinterpretation of religious teachings, emphasizing context and compassion over literalism and exclusion.

5. Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

Overview:
As the episode winds down, Emily and Ashley briefly touch upon lighter topics, such as their experiences with audiobooks and the joy of contributing to the Creepy Book Club.

Key Points:

• Audiobook Experiences:
  • Emily expresses her frustration with Audible’s credit system, preferring to support authors directly through local purchases.
    • Quote: “[32:05] Ashley: ...I have no idea why you have those? What have I done?”
• Creepy Book Club Contributions:
  • Both hosts share their enthusiasm for their roles in designing and maintaining the Creepy Book Club’s offerings.
    • Quote: “[32:43] Emily: ...I worked on designing that box that it comes in, and I get so stoked when it comes every month.”

Insights:

• The hosts balance their intense discussions with personal anecdotes, showcasing the depth and breadth of their friendship.
• They maintain a positive outlook by highlighting their professional and creative endeavors outside of the more serious topics discussed.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Emily on Safety Concerns:

  • “[00:33] Emily: ...I woke up in the night in, like, a sweat. Like, you can't do that.”

• Ashley on Accelerationists:

  • “[07:00] Ashley: ...they believe the best way to bring about radical societal or political change is to accelerate the forces that are already destabilizing the system.”

• Emily on Losing Faith:

  • “[14:00] Emily: ...the term non Christian was the very concept of a belief system where you are either in it or you're an outsider...”

• Ashley on Religious Hypocrisy:

  • “[28:03] Ashley: ...they cherry-picked one verse to fit your narrative.”

• Emily on Empathy and Belief Systems:

  • “[18:00] Emily: ...any belief system that will have you pause or suspend your ability for sympathy or empathy... is not one I would want anything to do with.”

Conclusion

In "The Religion Episode," Emily and Ashley navigate through deeply personal and societal issues, from home safety and health concerns to the alarming rise of extremist groups and the profound impact of religion on individual lives. Their candid dialogue offers listeners an unfiltered look into the challenges of maintaining personal safety and authenticity in a world fraught with ideological extremism and rigid belief systems. Balancing serious discourse with personal anecdotes and humor, the hosts provide a comprehensive and engaging exploration of topics that resonate with many seeking understanding and change.

Support the Podcast:
For extra content, bonus episodes, and behind-the-scenes footage, consider supporting Emily and Ashley on Patreon.

Next Episode:
Stay tuned for more insightful discussions on "Books With Your Besties," where Emily and Ashley continue to blend depth, humor, and the enduring bond of friendship.