Share

I Hate James Dobson
Episode 2: Dare to Discipline
Ep. 2
•
In this episode, Jake and Brooke dive into Dobson's first book, Dare to Discipline, aka the reason you were spanked as a kid. And oh boy, Dobson comes out swinging in this one.
Content warning for: child abuse, violence, and overly long explanations of operant conditioning.
References and further reading:
- APA Resolution on Physical Discipline of Children By Parents (2019)
- "Physical discipline is harmful and ineffective" by Eve Glicksman for the APA's Monitor on Psychology, explaining the Resolution of Physical Discipline (2019)
- "The case against spanking" by Brendan L. Smith for the APA's Monitor on Psychology (2012)
- "The Research on Spanking and Its Implications for Intervention" by Elizabeth Gershoff, Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin
- "Fractioning Human Intelligence" by Adam Hampshire et al. (2012) in Neuron, complicating the oversimplistic understanding of intelligence as a singular variable (IQ)
- "The Bell Curve" by Shaun on Youtube (2020), analyzing how IQ has been, and continues to be, used by people to perpetuate white supremacy
- Engle v. Vitale explainer, and why it doesn't ban prayer in public schools the way Dobson claims it does.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter
License code: 9OT2MTBHWWSRZP5S
More episodes
View all episodes

46. Episode 46: Love Must Be Tough
01:30:33||Ep. 46Thank goodness we don't care about being demonitized because this episode goes places advertisers wouldn't go anywhere near. Jake and Brooke talk about the toxic sludge that is Love Must Be Tough, another book that defines his legacy. At least you can hear Brooke's cat purring at points - that counts for something!Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/abbynoise/get-that-thingLicense code: CJC8J8D177SDPEA3https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetterLicense code: 9OT2MTBHWWSRZP5S
45. Episode 45: Jesus Camp
01:33:57||Ep. 45Step into the imagination station and rewind all the way back to 2006 to join Jake and Brooke as they talk about the definitional documentary "Jesus Camp" - as well as the legacy of it now almost 20 years later. If you're playing IHJD Bingo at home, I think this episode gets you a full run.References:Fundie Fridays. (2021, May 14). Jesus Camp | A Post 9/11 Evangelical Fever Dream [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gam6PfrW4ZA&t=1sHesse, J. (2016, July 6). The kids of Jesus Camp, 10 years later: 'Was it child abuse? Yes and no'. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/jul/06/jesus-camp-christian-documentary-kids-10-years-laterJeGaysus - THE Gay Jesus. (2023, November 5). Jesus Camp Where Are They Now? | Levi from Documentary - Interview [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oF2SqG8aQQI&t=5sSamuel Young. (2012, June 4). Jesus Camp -- Levi five years later [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XoLUSK_hrAIMusic from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetterLicense code: 9OT2MTBHWWSRZP5S
44. Episode 44: Dare 2 Share
01:29:32||Ep. 44We've read the book, now it's time to look at the world around Dare 2 Share. In this episode, Brooke and Jake talk about Greg Stier, Dare 2 Share events, Promise Keepers, Skillet, and (as a treat) Propaganda.Trigger Warning for depictions of hell 31:00 - 33:15Check out Propaganda's work: @prophiphop on social media and wherever you get your musicReferences:Anthony, D. & Reynolds, G. (2020, August 4). 441 - Promise Keepers [Audio Podcast]. Onmy Studio.Ashely, F. Interrogating Gender-Exploratory Therapy. Perspect Psychol Sci. 2023 Mar;18(2):472-481. doi: 10.1177/17456916221102325. Epub 2022 Sep 6. 36068009; PMCID: PMC10018052Dare 2 Share Ministries. (2021, April 27). The Greg Stier Ministry Podcast - The Power of the Gospel with Skillet's John Cooper. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3EUm-F2XcI&t=790sFocus on the Family. (2022, November 16). How a Dysfunctional Street Kid Became a Radical Disciple of Jesus (Part 1) - Greg Stier. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GFh2h6pgUgGraham, R. (2024, August 11). The All-Male Christian Group Seeking a Resurrection in the Trump Era. New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/11/us/promise-keepers-evangelical-christians.htmlMatt Clayberg Ministries. (2013, August 24th). A Letter from Hell. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oGXPRjk1HI&t=325sNameless Christian. (2013, October 19). Dare2Share 2013. [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0SavotwEZ0&t=33sn.a. (2023). Moving Beyond Change Efforts: Evidence and Action to Support and Affirm LGBTQI+ Youth. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). https://archive.org/details/httpsstore.samhsa.govsitesdefaultfilespep22-03-12-001/page/n21/mode/2upPetty, J. (2021, May 21). ALLOW ME TO REINTRODUCE MYSELF [Audio Podcast]. Cool Zone MediaStier, G. (2016, September 1). 25 milestones during 25 years of Dare 2 Share. GregStier.com. https://gregstier.org/25-milestones-during-25-years-of-dare-2-shareStier, G. (2024, July 23). The Power of the Gospel and the Potential of Teens. Dare2Share.org. https://www.dare2share.org/blog/the-power-of-the-gospel-and-the-potential-of-teensWidaman, D. (2020, August 29). Skillet lead singer John Cooper armed self to protect family against Kenosha rioters. Metro Voice News. https://metrovoicenews.com/skillet-lead-singer-john-cooper-armed-self-to-protect-family-against-kenosha-riotersMusic from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetterLicense code: 9OT2MTBHWWSRZP5S
43. Episode 43: Dare 2 Share
01:29:32||Ep. 43Strap in, friends, we've got a live one on our hands today. Coming at you straight from 2006/Jake's personal trauma: "Dare 2 Share" by Greg Stier. This episode, Jake and Brooke dissect the book's... imaginative uses of the English language and discuss its potential impact on a young person's relationship to Wellbutrin.Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetterLicense code: 9OT2MTBHWWSRZP5S
42. Episode 42: The 5 Love Languages
01:16:02||Ep. 42This episode is about the 5 love languages! Get ready to hear Jake nerd out about couples therapy and why this book is... fine. Jake and Brooke made this gift as an act of service to spend some quality time with you, readers, so be sure to give them words of affirmation in the reviews. I wasn't able to make "physical touch" fit in this joke.References:Cook, M., Pasley, J., Pellarin, E., Medow, K., Baltz, M., & Buhman-Wiggs, A. (2013). Construct validation of the five love languages. Journal of Psychological Inquiry, 18(2), 50-61.Egbert, N., & Polk, D. (2006). Speaking the language of relational maintenance: A validity test of Chapman's Five Love Languages. Communication Research Reports, 23(1), 19-26.Eisen, K. (2025, July 16). Is The Origin of Love Languages Problematic? Coveteur.com. https://coveteur.com/love-languagesFlicker, S. M., Sancier‐Barbosa, F., Clemons‐Castanos, C., Field, S., Jackson‐Zambon, S., Phelan, M., & Impett, E. A. (2025). How Many Love Languages Are There? Examining Chapman's Five Love Languages Using a Bottom‐Up Approach. Journal of marital and family therapy, 51(4), e70072.Impett, E. A., Park, H. G., & Muise, A. (2024). Popular psychology through a scientific lens: Evaluating love languages from a relationship science perspective. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 33(2), 87-92.Surijah, E. A., & Kirana, C. T. (2020). Five love languages scale factor analysis. Makara Human Behavior Studies in Asia, 24(1), 56-72.Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetterLicense code: 9OT2MTBHWWSRZP5S
41. Episode 41: James Dobson Isn't The (Only) Problem
01:26:31||Ep. 41Oh boy there's nothing I love more on a Monday morning than a heaping helping of context! On this episode, Jake and Brooke take a journey through the forces that are bigger than Dobson, to focus on the real problem. Spoilers, it's capitalism again. References:Lakhani, N. et al., (2021, July 14). Revealed: the true extent of America’s food monopolies, and who pays the price. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/environment/ng-interactive/2021/jul/14/food-monopoly-meals-profits-data-investigationn.a. (n.d.) National Christian Charitable Foundation. SourceWatch. https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/national-christian-charitable-foundation/Stein, C. (2025, September 11). Charlie Kirk in his own words. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/11/charlie-kirk-quotes-beliefsMusic from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetterLicense code: 9OT2MTBHWWSRZP5Shttps://uppbeat.io/t/richard-bodgers/bingo-crazyLicense code: XRE0PJJK46DUNEK6
40. Episode 40: Dungeons & Dragons
01:06:10||Ep. 40Make a constitution saving throw, readers, or else you might take some psychic damage as Jake, Brooke, and Boyfriend talk about Dungeons and Dragons! Focus on the Family made a very special episode of Adventures and Odyssey that Jake forces their loved ones to experience and talk about why people were so bothered about Dungeons and Dragons. It gets nerdy.Read David Griffin's Blog "The Prodigal" here: https://davegriffin.me/2022/05/the-prodigal/References:60 Minutes. (1985, September 15). Dungeons and Dragons [Video]. CBS News. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cm_2S8E_UOI&t=2sJones, S. (2022, Spring). Castles & Capitalists. Dissent Magazine. https://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/castles-capitalists/McCusker, P. (1990, August 4). Castles and Cauldrons, Part 1. [Radio Broadcast]. Focus on the Family.McCusker, P. (1990, August 11). Castles and Cauldrons, Part 2. [Radio Broadcast]. Focus on the Family.n.a. (2014, April 11). The great 1980s Dungeons & Dragons panic. BBC.com. https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26328105Nowakowski, T. (2023, March 31). 14 Fun Facts About Dungeons & Dragons. Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/14-fun-facts-about-dungeons-dragons-180981905/Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetterLicense code: 9OT2MTBHWWSRZP5S
39. Episode 39: Life on the Edge
01:11:39||Ep. 39On this episode, Jake and Brooke are joined by Boyfriend to discuss a smorgasbord of Dobsonisms as they discuss his book and video series "Life on the Edge". If you can't traumatize the ones you love for the sake of #content, you are a better person than I.Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetterLicense code: 9OT2MTBHWWSRZP5S
Bonus: Dead Dob Day
19:21|Does the air smell a little sweeter today? Do you find yourself with a little extra pep in your step? Did every person you know text you about the death of an almost 90-year-old man? Yeah me too.In this bonus, emergency episode, Jake and Brooke are joined by Corina to process the news of the death of Dr. James Dobson. Not to speak ill of the dead, but thank goodness. What a jerk. Say hi to Ted for us, Dobby boy!Listen to "Lessons from the Couch" wherever you get your podcasts!Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetterLicense code: 9OT2MTBHWWSRZP5S