Podcast Summary: RISK! Episode "Parental Advisory"

Release Date: June 26, 2025

Introduction

In the "Parental Advisory" episode of RISK!, host Kevin Allison delves into deeply personal and transformative stories that explore the complexities of family relationships, belief systems, and personal identity. This episode features poignant narratives from two storytellers, Andy Livinggood and Julie Threlkeld, who courageously share experiences that challenged their familial bonds and shaped their understanding of themselves.

Andy Livinggood: "The Rift" [05:04 – 16:55]

Andy Livinggood opens his story by painting a vivid picture of his upbringing in a "very conservative Christian household." Raised as a Methodist and later as a Southern Baptist, Andy's early life was deeply intertwined with religious practices. He recounts how his parents fostered a "personal relationship with Jesus Christ," portraying God as an ever-present friend who knew every detail of their lives.

Key Points:

• Religious Upbringing: Andy was deeply involved in church activities from a young age, attending worship services multiple times a week and actively participating in church camps.

• Initial Faith: His unwavering belief in Christianity persisted well into his twenties until he encountered significant doubts.

• Seeds of Doubt: The pivotal moment for Andy was grappling with the story of Job in the Bible. He questioned the morality depicted, particularly the idea of God allowing suffering to test faith:

  "The thing that immediately stuck out was like, wait a minute. It wasn't that he just, like, took his cattle... But he allowed Job's family to die. They were the sacrificial bait to prove a point." [09:30]

• Embracing Atheism: After confronting his doubts privately, Andy found relief in admitting his disbelief in God, despite fearing rejection from his family:

  "The first time in my entire life that I saw disappointment on his face." [14:20]

• Strained Relationship: Coming out as an atheist created an emotional distance between Andy and his parents. Conversations became superficial, and seeking advice became challenging as his parents defaulted to religious explanations:

  "I can't talk to them about anything. I have nothing to say to them." [12:45]

• Reconciliation: A turning point came during a shared experience at a movie theater where both Andy and his father expressed disappointment—Andy over the unexpected change in the film's version and his father over its poor quality. This moment of shared vulnerability led to laughter and a subtle reconnection:

  "I told them, you've had such a shitty night." [15:10]

Insights and Conclusions: Andy’s narrative underscores the profound impact that personal belief systems can have on familial relationships. His journey from devout faith to atheism highlights the struggle between personal authenticity and the desire for parental acceptance. The story culminates in a fragile reconciliation, suggesting that shared human experiences can bridge even the deepest ideological divides.

Julie Threlkeld: "Red Diaper Babies" [37:09 – 50:32]

Julie Threlkeld takes listeners back to 1953, sharing her upbringing in a Jewish family residing in a predominantly white, Irish Catholic neighborhood. Her story delves into themes of identity, political ideology, and the strain of secret lives on family dynamics.

Key Points:

• Childhood Innocence: Julie describes idyllic childhood moments, such as waiting eagerly for her parents to return home and enjoying simple pleasures like her father hiding raspberry chocolate candies:

  "We would go charging down. He'd be scooped up into his arms... searching for raspberry chocolate candies." [38:00]

• Early Signs of Conflict: The family's harmony is disrupted when Julie's best friend, Kathleen, accuses her of killing Jesus Christ—a metaphorical incident that leaves Julie confused and seeking guidance from her mother:

  "I didn't know the man. I was crying. I didn't kill Jesus Christ." [40:15]

• Secret Lives: As the years progress, Julie reveals the family's covert involvement with the Communist Party, driven by a desire to advocate for workers' rights, racial equality, and other progressive ideals:

  "For my parents, being members of the Communist Party was about working-class people, about putting unions in place and the rights of people in place." [45:50]

• FBI Intrusion: The tension reaches a peak when the FBI intervenes, leading to a profound shift in the family's dynamic. Her father's vehement rejection of the FBI agents signals the beginning of the family's unraveling:

  "We were against the wall and they were being pushed out and the door was being closed on them." [43:30]

• Identity Realization: Growing up as "Red Diaper Babies," Julie and her siblings grapple with understanding their family's place in a broader socio-political context. Conversations with her sister later in life allow for reflection and acceptance:

  "I can see that they just wanted to embrace what all of us here today want to embrace. The ideals of being an American citizen." [49:10]

Insights and Conclusions: Julie's account sheds light on the complexities of maintaining political beliefs within a familial setting, especially during a time of intense scrutiny and societal pressure. Her story emphasizes the personal costs of ideological commitment, including familial estrangement and internal conflict. Ultimately, Julie finds a sense of pride and understanding toward her parents' intentions, recognizing their struggle to align their ideals with their American identity.

Conclusion

The "Parental Advisory" episode of RISK! masterfully captures the intricate dance between personal beliefs and familial expectations. Through Andy Livinggood and Julie Threlkeld's compelling narratives, listeners are invited to reflect on the resilience required to navigate and reconcile differing ideologies within close relationships. These stories serve as a testament to the human capacity for growth, understanding, and the enduring quest for authenticity.

Notable Quotes:

• Andy Livinggood:

  "I just stopped believing. And I remember the first time that I said it out loud that there is no God. I don't believe in God, and there's nobody else around. I was by myself, and I said it, and I was waiting for that moment of just, like, crushing guilt and shame. And I didn't feel that. I felt relief." [14:00]

• Julie Threlkeld:

  "I always thought we were a normal family, but we weren't. And I had to make peace with, are we bad?" [48:35]

Final Thoughts

This episode of RISK! not only entertains but also provokes meaningful conversations about faith, identity, and the bonds that hold—or sometimes break—families together. By sharing these raw and honest stories, the podcast provides a platform for listeners to find solace and perhaps recognize their own experiences mirrored in Andy and Julie's journeys.