Cate & Ty Break It Down

The Uncomfortable Awakening: Redefining Worldviews with Monte Mader (Part 2)

Date: November 19, 2025 | Host: PodcastOne
Guests: Monte Mader with Catelynn & Tyler Baltierra

Episode Overview

In this honest, wide-ranging conversation, Catelynn and Tyler are joined by writer and educator Monte Mader (returning from Part 1) for a deep dive into deconstructing fundamentalist worldviews, especially those shaped by religion and nationalism. The trio explores the discomfort—and liberation—of challenging inherited beliefs, the rise of political and religious activism in younger generations, and the hard but healing work of personal transformation. The episode moves fluidly between political trends, intergenerational trauma, spiritual curiosity, and practical advice for listeners daring to question their own worldviews.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Deconstruct Worldviews?

• Monte’s Approach: She avoids talking about her personal faith on her public platform, instead encouraging curiosity:
  • “Let’s just look at the information. What do you think? Can you be curious? Can you sit with the question even if it makes you uncomfortable?” — Monte (01:14)
• Fundamentalism & Control: All fundamentalist groups, regardless of religion, share the subjugation of women as a core trait.
  • “The only common element that every single fundamentalist group has...is the subjugation of women.” — Monte (01:32)
• Danger of Apathy: Monte stresses that apathy, particularly in democracies threatened by theocratic or nationalistic movements, is extremely dangerous.

2. The Rise of Youth Participation & Faith-Driven Progressives

• Recent elections have seen increased youth turnout and participation, with younger candidates and progressives gaining ground—a hopeful sign for guests.
• James Talarico (Texas) & Zohran Mamdani (New York): Both highlighted as examples of faith-based progressives resisting culture war baiting (03:32–06:23).
• “He refuses to be baited into, like, culture war topics...We should be mad at the top 1%.” — Monte (05:19, 06:06)

3. Deconstructing "Scapegoat Anger" & Economic Injustice

• Redirecting Anger: Conservative anger over “scammers” is righteous, but misdirected toward poor/vulnerable people instead of billionaires/corporations.
  • “The biggest welfare queen in this country is Elon Musk…Walmart has the most people on SNAP benefits because it does not pay a livable wage.” — Monte (06:48–07:02)
• SNAP statistics: Over 70% of beneficiaries work; some are active military.

4. Historical Context: Lessons from Economic History

• Guests discuss the “golden era” myth (11:21–12:38), highlighting real economic drivers—strong unions; high tax rates on the wealthy; redistribution.
• Trickle-down economics and large wealth transfers are dissected as failed policies repeatedly tried.

5. Religion, Gaslighting, and the Cost of Worldview Change

• Religion as a Weapon: Panelists describe being told by fundamentalists, “I only tell you this because I love you”—Monte likens this to emotional manipulation.
  • “You’re gaslighting me…If your lifestyle was as compelling as you say it is, you wouldn’t have to enact it by force.” — Monte (17:39, 19:32)
• Fear at the Root: People unwilling to question their beliefs are often driven by existential fear.

6. The Power—and Challenge—of Curiosity

• Monte encourages sitting with uncomfortable questions as central to deconstruction and spiritual maturity.
  • “Curiosity is important. I have ‘curious’ tattooed on my arm…Don’t believe me because I say it. Fact check me.” — Monte (23:50–24:07)
• “Organized religion has caused us to outsource our faith to another person instead of developing it…and that's why so many people that deconstruct from religion are still very spiritual.” — Monte (24:18)

7. Healing, Forgiveness, and Boundaries

• Monte shares about reconciling complicated family relationships, especially with her late father:
  • “It’s like I can hold him accountable for his behavior and also see his humanity.” — Monte (33:23)
  • Forgiveness requires anger and accountability first:
    • “Forgiveness does not mean tolerance. I can forgive you and also want nothing to do with you.” — Monte (36:08)

8. Practical Deconstruction & Community

• “Sitting with the Question” as Practice: Monte’s “Coven of Curiosity” community encourages questioning over blind belief.
• Building New Communities: Emphasis on local, real-life connection; Monte is working with the American Humanist Organization to organize support events (44:49).

9. Social Media, Information, and Staying Informed

• Monte recommends the Ground News app for bias-checked news curation:
  • “Go to sources. Social media is not governed by laws of factuality…Fox News reclassified as entertainment, so they're not accountable.” — Monte (51:00–52:18)

10. Resources & Where to Find Monte

• Podcast: “Flipping Tables” — covers American history, deconstruction, theology.
• Scholarly Bible Studies: Free, live, via Crowdcast (link in Monte’s Instagram/linktree).
• Newsletter: Weekly, actionable items for civic engagement.
• Social: @montemader on all platforms.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Participation:
  • “Participate in the system because democracy falls when we agree to cede it.” — Monte (02:01)
• On Hope:
  • “The win was important because people needed to see that there’s hope.” — Monte (08:36)
• On Deconstruction:
  • “Deconstruction is simply breaking down an ideology or worldview into its pieces and seeing if they hold up to the truth.” — Monte (25:46)
• On Self-Love After Deconstruction:
  • “My body’s not a sin…If I could gift that healing to people, oh my god…It’s totally different now.” — Monte (39:48)
• On Advice for Deconstructing Listeners:
  • “Wherever you’re at on the spectrum, we can sit with each other in real time with real humanity.” — Monte (44:49)
  • “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free. Man, am I so much more free than I was.” — Monte (42:51)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:10] — Monte’s approach to discussing faith and the importance of curiosity
• [02:22] — Generational shifts in activism; youth voting and protests
• [03:32] — Progressive younger faith leaders as political models
• [06:06] — Discussing anger/focus on economic exploitation over culture wars
• [11:21] — The economic reality of the “golden era” and why unions mattered
• [17:39] — Gaslighting and emotional manipulation in religious contexts
• [24:07] — Curiosity, questioning, and the problem with outsourcing faith
• [33:23] — Monte on her father, generational trauma, and forgiveness
• [44:49] — How to build new community and support around deconstruction
• [51:00] — Media bias, social media, and fact-checking news
• [53:54] — Where to find Monte’s resources, studies, and podcast

Tone & Takeaways

Cate, Ty, and Monte’s discussion leans candid, empathetic, and often blunt, but never hopeless. Monte embodies “tough love” for institutions and deep compassion for individuals wrestling with change. The conversation presses listeners to be uncomfortable, to be curious, to channel righteous anger into useful directions, and to remember that “sitting with the question” is itself transformative.

Final Thought

This episode will resonate with anyone questioning what they’ve inherited—be it faith, politics, or traditions. With practical advice, personal stories, and an invitation to community, it sparks both thought and hope for the “uncomfortable awakening.”