Inception
In 2017 I was listening to podcasts promiscuously. My interests ranged from theology, politics, economics, and even random trivia. I considered myself unworthy and incapable of my own podcast production. But I learned from podcasters like Jason Stapleton that it’s something you have to try to be any good. Once I realized that, I decided to just start and hone my skills through experience.
I still approached it with timidity, though. I decided to do an interview podcast, featuring one guest per week so I could lean on their expertise. All I had to be was a halfway decent interviewer, and I didn’t have to be brilliant to do that.
Preparation and Branding
I was trying to name the podcast while I was reading John Owen’s The Death of Death in the Death of Christ. Right then and there I knew this had to be the name of the show. From an early age, the macabre fascinated me, and later in life the topic of death in reformed theology was a bottomless well to which you could never reach the bottom.
During a year long bible study through Romans with some friends from my old church, we spent eight weeks going through chapters five and six—the chapters that talk about death. We had endless conversations about the concept of considering yourself dead to sin, while also being baptized into Jesus’ resurrection.
Having this optimistic view with a very dark aesthetic was the perfect direction for the show. I created a mission statement for the show: “proclaiming Christ’s victory over sin, death, and everything else.” The first part—his victory over sin and death, would be a great source of material for the show, while the latter part—his victory over everything else—would give me license to talk about (pretty much) anything I wanted.
My sister, Alyson, designed the original logo for me (pictured above). I was ecstatic.
I even re-recorded an old song of mine I thought would suit the tone of the show well. It’s still the theme song to this day. It’s a very 80’s goth-sounding track inspired by T.S.O.L. and Christian Death.
The Lost Episodes
I got a few episodes recorded with some friends, and some of these have been released on the show:
Unfortunately, I was headed for a season of life changes. This led to a lack of focus, and for nearly two years the show was put on hold.
The Dark Times
During this time, I transitioned out of my job and into barber school, and I also met my wife, Ashley. At the time, she was getting her master’s degree in theology and philosophy from Biola University. Our relationship would lead to a renewed focus on theological discourse and content creation on my part. At the time, I also had a burgeoning obsession with a movement that has been branded “edutainment.” Educational content that’s fun to listen to.
So badly I wanted to contribute to the world of edutainment. I knew I couldn’t be an “educator” because I wasn’t educated beyond high school. I wasn’t a PHD like my heroes, I never even went to Bible college like some of my heroes. Because of that, I knew I would never be writing the bestsellers in reformed theology or standing behind a collegiate podium. I could, however, package what I know into an entertaining podcast.
I decided to revisit the launch of the ill-fated podcast from yesteryear. No more preparation. No more detailed plans. It was time to do something, or do nothing. It would be better to put out something imperfect than to never put anything out at all.
Do Something or Do Nothing
I had always been against doing a solo podcast. What even is that? Me? Just talking to nobody? I didn’t think I could carry a show like that. But what was the alternative? The alternative was to do nothing, and I had done enough of that. It was time to jump and build the parachute on the way down.
On January 21st, 2020, the first episode dropped. It was the first in a series on Romans 5 and 6. Despite what was right around the corner, namely government totalitarianism in a fashion never before seen on American soil. Since working was illegal, I had all the time in the world to focus on the show and expand it in ways I would have otherwise put off for months.
And the work continues…
In April 2021, The Death of Death finally became a video podcast, and there’s much more planned for the future!