

I Hate James Dobson
Jake & Brooke
Dr. James Dobson is a clinical psychologist, founder of Christian media empire Focus on the Family, a spiritual advisor to every Republican President since Reagan, and a paragon in the Evangelical Christian movement. And he's a massive dick.Join therapists Jake (a former Evangelical) and Brooke (who knows almost nothing about Evangelical culture) as they read and tear apart Dobson's works. Get ready to laugh, cry, and rip your hair out as we explore the very many reasons why I Hate James Dobson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 30, 2026 • 1h 23min
Episode 54: Twice Pardoned
Break out your tie dye shirts and make sure your latch key kids have snacks in the fridge because today, Jake & Brooke travel back to the 1980s to discuss the life and legacy of Harold Morris - and how that legacy was coopted by James Dobson to... mixed results. We talk about prison, DARE, and Punky Brewster, among other salacious topics. Check out our patreon! patreon.com/ihatejamesdobsonMusic from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetterLicense code: 9OT2MTBHWWSRZP5S Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 16, 2026 • 1h 24min
Episode 53: Emotions: Can you trust them?
Hello! Welcome and welcome back! Today, Jake and Brooke discuss an early Dobson work, back when he was still a working psychologist. What a horrifying thought. There's time to talk about Freud, Middlemarch, and too many checklists. Check out our Patreon! www.patreon.com/ihatejamesdobsonMusic from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetterLicense code: 9OT2MTBHWWSRZP5S Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 2, 2026 • 46min
Episode 52: Is It Illegal to Hate James Dobson?
Howdy readers! Today, Jake and Brooke start with an extra-exciting announcement: the launch of the official I Hate James Dobson Patreon! Then they get into less exciting things, like the rise of Christian Nationalism and so-called "counter-terrorism" directives. Important and interesting, but less exciting. This episode has it all!Check out our Patreon! www.patreon.com/ihatejamesdobsonReferences:Hundley, M. (2021). A Moral Crusade: The Preservation fo Segregation by Southern Baptists in Alabama. The Crimson Historical Review. University of Alabama. https://crimsonhistorical.ua.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Moral_Crusade_Final.pdfKlippenstein , K. (2025). Trump's NSPM-7 Labels Common Beliefs As Terrorism "Indicators". KenKlippenstien.com. https://www.kenklippenstein.com/p/trumps-nspm-7-labels-common-beliefsn.a. (2025). New immigration Crackdown: Where Americans Stand. Public Religion Research Institute. https://prri.org/research/the-new-immigration-crackdown-where-americans-stand/Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetterLicense code: 9OT2MTBHWWSRZP5S Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 16, 2026 • 56min
Episode 51: What Dads Need to Know About Fathering
Hi! Today, Jake and Brooke discuss one of Dobson's very first films "What Dads Need to Know About Fatherhood", a movie that is truly... nothing. At least we will always have Cats in the Cradle, I suppose. This is a silly one, readers.Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetterLicense code: 9OT2MTBHWWSRZP5S Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Feb 2, 2026 • 1h 2min
Episode 50: You Don't Hate the ADF Enough
Put on your best Elle Woods cosplay, readers, because today Jake and Brooke discuss the legal organization called the Alliance Defending Freedom. This Dobson creation continues to wreak havoc on all of our lives in big and small ways. Even if you've seen the John Oliver segment on it, you still don't hate them enough.References:Bragman, W. (2026, Jan 5). Experts Warn U.S. in Early Stages of Genocide Against Trans Americans. ImportantContext.com. https://www.importantcontext.news/p/experts-warn-us-in-early-stages-ofLast Week Tonight. (2025, May 12). Alliance Defending Freedom [Video]. HBO & YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCAuHH5EYnELIttlefield, A. (2021, November 30). The Christian Legal Army Behind the Ban on Abortion in Mississippi. The Nation. https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/alliance-defending-freedom-dobbs/Ward, I. (2024, march 25). The Group Behind Dobbs Does Not Want to Talk About What Comes Next. Politico. https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/03/25/head-of-alliance-defending-freedom-Kristen-Waggoner-speaks-on-mifepristone-00148565Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetterLicense code: 9OT2MTBHWWSRZP5S Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 19, 2026 • 1h 41min
Episode 49: Sex, Lies & ... The Truth
Put on some scrunchies and hairspray with CFCs because today Jake and Brooke time travel back to 1993 to talk about a VHS classic: "Sex, Lies & ... The Truth!". You'll be shocked to hear that this film is full of lies. Misleading? I prefer to think of it as irony. Mostly because that makes me feel better about humanity.Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetterLicense code: 9OT2MTBHWWSRZP5S Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jan 5, 2026 • 1h 11min
Episode 48: Focus on My Family
On this very special start to 2026, Jake is joined by their parents to talk about healing and reconciliation. Eat your heart out, Esther Perel (We love you, Esther Perel). Stick around til the end for a special word from Tyler.Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetterLicense code: 9OT2MTBHWWSRZP5S Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 22, 2025 • 1h 10min
Episode 47: Holly Bone Secular Christmas Spectacular
Merry Secular Holidays, readers! Today, Brooke is in charge and we actually get to have fun! Join us for some Q&A, some gift giving, some surprise guests, and plans for 2026 :)Check out our friends!The Worst of All Possible WorldsLessons from the CouchMusic from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetterLicense code: 9OT2MTBHWWSRZP5S Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 8, 2025 • 1h 31min
Episode 46: Love Must Be Tough
Thank 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 24, 2025 • 1h 34min
Episode 45: Jesus Camp
Step 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


