In this episode, we talk with Alex Zamușinski, a PhD Candidate at the University of California, Riverside. Alex stops by to tell us about his research on the Clergy Project, an organization which provides peer support for clergy members who have begun questioning their faith. In addition to the scope and scale of the project, Alex teaches us about what causes religious leaders to lose faith, the risks they face, and why they sometimes stay in their roles. We also ask whether a True Clergy Project Member can still enjoy their job despite their nonbelief.

In the bonus section, available exclusively for Patreon supporters, we talk about Alex’s YouTube channel, Religiolog, and his thoughts on religion in the former Soviet bloc.

Check out Alex’s YouTube channel, Religiolog: https://www.youtube.com/@religiologEng

More on the Clergy Project: https://clergyproject.org/

Listen to the first episode of the Lifestances Podcast, “Being Nonreligious: Matters of Life and Death”: https://open.spotify.com/show/5YBUeYlwr9ePAg4NYgxNzE

Follow Nathan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NathGAlexander
Nathan’s website: https://www.nathangalexander.com/

If you find the podcast valuable and want to support it, check out our Patreon page, where you will also find bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/beyond_atheism We are grateful for every contribution.

Beyond Atheism is produced and distributed by Atheists United Studios: https://www.atheistsunited.org/au-studios