New bible-themed podcast with odd couple hosts
making waves while reaching across divides
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Data Over Dogma, the groundbreaking new podcast featuring two co-hosts with vastly different beliefs, has become an unexpected hit.
The show brings together Dr. Dan McClellan, whose no-nonsense Bible scholarship made him an unlikely TikTok star, and Dan Beecher, co-host of the popular Thank God I’m Atheist and The How-To Heretic podcasts. But it may not be what people expect.
“This is not a debate show,” Beecher explains, “We were never interested in who was right and who was wrong. As our title indicates, we’re just trying to get at what’s actually going on in the Bible.”
McClellan agrees. “The Bible is the single most influential text in existence,” he says, “but almost all of the public discourse about it is focused on structuring the power of one group over another. We need discussions that change that framework.”
This unique approach seems to have struck a chord. The first episode shot Data Over Dogma to the top of the charts of both Spotify and Apple podcasts, rocketing ahead of perennial giants in the religion category like Joel Osteen and the stars of Duck Dynasty.
What sets the show apart is its commitment to presenting biblical scholarship without bias. McClellan, who earned advanced degrees in biblical studies from Oxford and Exeter universities, is committed to using his online platform to combat misinformation and democratize the scholarly study of the Bible.
For his part, Beecher is just fascinated. “When I first started seeing Dan’s TikToks, I couldn’t get a bead on him,” he says of McClellan. “Most content about the Bible is either trying to promote faith or point out its faults. Dan was neither. He was just clear-eyed and unflinching about what it actually says and what it actually means, and I found that exhilarating.”
Beecher says that the show is for anyone who’s interested in the Bible, regardless of their personal beliefs, though he warns that some may find it scandalous. “We are always deeply respectful of belief, but we will pull no punches on this show. A lot of people have no idea what’s actually in their book, and it can be a real shock when they hear stories they thought they knew unpacked in such an unvarnished way.”
He then added, “but hopefully it’s super fun and entertaining, too!”
Listeners can expect in-depth discussions on a wide range of topics related to the Bible, including the origins of Bible stories, biblical linguistics, common misconceptions, and the beliefs of the ancient cultures who wrote and read the text originally. The podcast also features notable guests like BBC presenter Francesca Stavrakopoulou and bestselling author and scholar Bart Ehrman.
The sudden success of Data Over Dogma is a testament to the hunger for reliable and unbiased biblical scholarship. Listeners can look forward to weekly episodes that provide a deeper understanding of the Bible from two hosts who bring their unique perspectives to the discussion.
Data Over Dogma can be found on all major podcast apps, YouTube, or at dataoverdogmapod.com
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Contact:
Daniel Beecher
Data Over Dogma Media, LLC
801-635-6503
[email protected]
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Religion News Service or Religion News Foundation.
