The Tim & April Show — Episode 67: “Thanksgiving”

Podcast: The Tim & April Show
Hosts: Tim Whitaker & April Ajoy
Network: The New Evangelicals
Date: November 27, 2025
Theme: Gratitude, Navigating Holidays, and Reflections on Faith, Politics & Community

Episode Overview

In this short, pre-recorded Thanksgiving episode, Tim and April reflect on the journey and growth of their show, share gratitude for their audience, and offer thoughtful discussion for those navigating difficult family gatherings during the holidays—especially for listeners engaged in faith deconstruction, political divides, or the progressive Christian community. The episode features personal stories, behind-the-scenes show history, and encouragement for building healthy boundaries and finding community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. A Year of Growth & Gratitude

• [03:35-04:26] Tim introduces the episode as a brief message of thanks, noting how the show evolved from a segment under The New Evangelicals podcast to its own successful entity in less than a year.
• April comments on how much they've experimented with formats: “We've kind of thrown a bunch of noodles at the wall to see what sticks… We’re still figuring out what works best for us and for everybody.” (05:04)
• Audience feedback is encouraged via comments and email.

2. Embracing Community Feedback

• [05:53-06:39] Tim acknowledges expanding their audience through a recent partnership with Lincoln Square Media, seeking perspectives from those outside their usual “bubble.”
• April suggests a future episode defining “Christianese 101” to break down common evangelical terminology.
  • April: “Like, give it to God. What does that mean? What that means? Ignore your problem.” (06:39)

3. Navigating Family and Boundaries at Thanksgiving

• [06:55-10:06] Both hosts discuss the complexities of holidays for those with family members having starkly different political or religious beliefs.

  • Tim: “You are allowed to enforce boundaries and not have conversations that you don’t want to have.” (07:38)
  • April shares her personal journey of moving from a Republican family background to a more progressive one, emphasizing that change can happen over time.

• April’s Advice for Dialogue:

  • Ask questions to family, especially rooted in faith (“How do you reconcile Jesus saying ‘I was a stranger and you did not welcome me’ with what ICE is doing?”) to prompt reflection, even if minds don’t change in the moment.
  • “You plant those little seeds. I kind of feel like I’m a missionary to Christian nationalists.” (10:46)

4. Safety and Self-Care for the Holidays

• [10:46-11:54] Tim stresses the importance of personal safety, affirming those who may need to completely avoid unsafe family situations.
  • Tim: “You have to use wisdom and discernment. We don’t know your situation.”
• They both stress that change—personal and familial—is possible, but often slow and complex.

5. Hosts Expressing Gratitude for Each Other and the Show

• [12:22-13:08] Tim turns heartfelt:
  • “I am really grateful for doing this show with you... Out of all the people in the world, I can’t think of a better co-host.”
• April reciprocates, noting how the show has been “therapeutic” for processing heavy topics.

6. Mental Health, Balance, and Family Life

• [13:14-15:09] Tim explains how he’s carved out clear boundaries between work and home for better mental health, especially since the organization has grown.
  • He lauds Melinda Hale’s leadership and mentions the supportive (and now larger) New Evangelicals team.
• April shares her practices for staying centered: prioritizing her children and “reading a lot of fantasy books… so I disassociate.” (15:36)

7. Origin Story: How The Tim & April Show Began

• [19:59-29:40] The hosts tell the story of how their partnership started:
  • They first met in person at a live event in Chattanooga in December 2022, forming instant rapport.
  • April’s spouse Beecher immediately saw the chemistry and encouraged the pair to collaborate.
  • The first version was as a “recap” segment on The New Evangelicals podcast; it later spun off into their independent show.
  • “We hit 10,000 subs on YouTube… our show at one point hit number four in the podcast charts for religion/spirituality, which was amazing.” (29:46)

8. Audience Appreciation & Community Impact

• [30:20-33:02] The hosts repeatedly thank their listeners, attributing the show’s success to their engagement.
  • April: “Truly, we would not have this show without you all.” (30:27)
  • Tim: “We hear all the time—‘you make me feel not crazy or not alone.’ I’m so glad. Same, also. Same.” (31:30)
  • Both hosts underscore the reciprocal nature of encouragement between themselves and the audience.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Navigating Difficult Family Gatherings:
  • Tim: “Who wants to go to your family’s house and argue and bicker and fight over things that, you know they’re never going to change their mind on?” (07:45)
• On Changing Minds:
  • April: “People’s minds… it can happen. I changed my mind.” (09:19)
• On Planting Seeds for Change:
  • April: “You plant those little seeds. I kind of feel like I’m a missionary to Christian nationalists.” (10:46)
• On Audience Support:
  • Tim: “It is like the privilege of my life that I get the opportunity to do this for a living.” (32:12)
• On the Show’s Title:
  • April jokes about potential names: “A ‘Witta Bit of Joy’—like a wit (Whitaker) and a joy (Ajoy).” (29:03)
  • Tim comments on the order of the show’s naming: “It just rolls off the tongue easier.” (29:06)
• On Being Thankful Despite Complex Histories:
  • April: “I don’t love Thanksgiving and the history of Thanksgiving for varying reasons... But I do believe in being thankful and finding time to say thanks.” (33:02)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Start | End | |----------------------------------------|----------|----------| | Host Banter & Show Introduction | 03:09 | 04:26 | | Reflections on the Show’s Growth | 04:26 | 05:53 | | Audience Feedback & Christianese 101 | 05:53 | 06:39 | | Holidays, Boundaries & Political Divides| 06:55 | 10:46 | | Advice on Changing Minds and Dialogue | 09:17 | 10:46 | | Appreciation Between Hosts | 12:22 | 13:07 | | Mental Health & Finding Balance | 13:14 | 15:09 | | The Origin Story of the Show | 19:59 | 29:40 | | Audience Appreciation & Closing Thanks | 30:20 | 33:37 |

Tone & Style

The hosts maintain a warm, candid tone—punctuated by humor, camaraderie, and sometimes irreverent in-jokes—grounded in genuine care for their community and listeners. The conversation is accessible, supportive, and rooted in the lived experience of progressive Christians navigating faith and politics in a polarized era.

Final Thoughts

This episode offers both a window into the behind-the-scenes evolution of The Tim & April Show and a source of encouragement and solidarity for listeners—especially those wrestling with deconstruction, Christian nationalism, and family dynamics during the holidays. Through gratitude, honesty, and humor, Tim and April reinforce the power of community and the importance of holding onto hope, boundaries, and each other.