I Hate James Dobson
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
This 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-W...
Oh 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/...
Make 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...
On 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/trendsetter
License code: 9OT2MTBHWWSRZP5S
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 "Lesso...
It's a family affair on this episode of I Hate James Dobson, as Jake and Brooke are joined by Kevin - Jake's older brother, a rocket scientist*, and one cool guy. It's exciting! What's less exciting is that they are talking about creationism. Boo. A family that laughs about shared trauma together stays together?
References:
Answers in Genesis. (2014, February 4). Bill Nye Debates Ken Ham - HD (Official) [Video]. YouTube. https://...
This episode is a case study in going with the flow as both Jake and Brooke made last-minute pivots to cover the new season of Shiny Happy People. It's like a greatest hits of I Hate James Dobson - and Brooke learns the real reason for the season. Plus, the episode is just a vibe, really.
Works Cited:
Crist, O. et al. (Directors). (2025, July 23). Shiny Happy People Season 2: A Teenage Holy War. [Docuseries]. Amazon Prime Video. ...
Welcome back, readers! It's good to see you again! It's less good to get back to talking about the Duggars though. In this episode, Jake tells Brooke about the history of the Duggars as political figures, and weaves the story of their cult leader, Bill Gothard. They do not have particularly kind things to say about that man - or really anyone in power in these stories. Turns out staying under their umbrellas leads to destruction! (...
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Hey readers, speeders, and pizza eaters! Today, Brooke is taking the lead to explore just who the heck the Duggars are and how the broader, secular world understands them. Next episode, Jake will be a usual nerd and talk about the theology, psychology, and politics related to the Duggars, so enjoy this nice break while you can. Also, Brooke was very very excited for this one :)
Citations:
Crist, O. & Nason, J. W. (Directors)....
Things sure are bleak out there, huh? Thankfully, Jake and Brooke are here to lighten it up by talking about furries, conspiracy theories, and cartoons. That's right, distinguished listeners, today we are going to be talking about the life and times of the one and only Jack Chick. Get ready to laugh at awful things.
Buy merch! ihatejamesdobson.printful.me or ihatejamesdobson.com
References:
Alberto Rivera. (2025, March 23). In...
Gay! For this year's Pride Month extravaganza, Jake and Brooke look at the stories of queer people who knew James Dobson. Since we aren't talking about Dobson directly, there's at least 50% less trauma attached to it.
Also: we have merch now! Check it out at ihatejamesdobson.printful.me :)
References:
Cantorna, A. (2017). Refocusing My Family: Coming Out, Being Cast Out, and Rediscovering the True Love of God. Fortress Press.
C...
As you can tell by this very normal episode length, today's episode is... a lot. Today, Jake goes through a Dobson Heavy-Hitter "Parenting Isn't For Cowards" with Corina and Brooke. This book takes us to places, well exactly where you'd expect honestly. And yet somehow it's still surprising and upsetting. Yay.
Listen to "Lessons from the Couch" wherever you get your podcasts!
References:
Happy Monday, readers! Today, Jake and Brooke are joined by Corina (host of "Lessons from the Couch") to talk about love, intimacy, marriage - and how James Dobson gets it all wrong. Things get wild when 3 therapists talk shit about another clinician. You know us, famous for getting wild on this blog.
Listen to "Lessons from the Couch" wherever you get your podcasts!
Book referrals:
Public education was nice while we had it, too bad it's being lit on fire (like everything else). And yes, it is James Dobson's fault (also like everything else). Today, Jake and Brooke explore Dobson's influence in the homeschooling movement - and hear from the big D himself. So, you have that to look forward to in this episode I guess.
References:
Campbell, F. A., Pungello, E. P., Burchinal, M., Kainz, K., Pan, Y., Wasik...
If the name "James Dobson" sends a chill down your spine, or if you just like listening to two friends read horrible books, do we have the show for you! Welcome to I Hate James Dobson, a podcast where two therapists break down the works of clinical psychologist/child abuse advocate James Dobson. It's a good time about a terrible person. Thanks for listening to our show :)
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat....
James Dobson has like 4 topics he writes about, so let's talk about masculinity again! Jake and Brooke go through Dobson's book "Straight Talk to Men" published in the year of our Lord Y2K. Surprisingly, Dobson gets a bunch of stuff wrong. Let's find out together!
Benny Bingo and the Evangelikids: https://www.theannoyance.com/show/the-evangelikids
References:
DeAngelis, T. (2001, December 1). Are men emotional mummies?&...
Welcome back, here's what you missed on I Hate James Dobson: Jake was a closeted evangelical kid, which was like really cringe but also bad for them. Then they left the church and found stability but still had a bad horrible fashion sense. Brooke cried as Jake read Defying Gravity because two theater kids are just like that sometimes. And also they talked about the band Skillet (flop). And that's what you missed on I Hate James Dob...
Happy 1 year anniversary everyone! This episode, Jake and Brooke get personal and explore Jake's journey of deconstructing from Evangelical Christianity. Ever thought you'd have someone discuss Skillet and Wicked in the same hour? That's the kind of ground-breaking, high quality content you can expect from I Hate James Dobson.
Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter
License code: 9OT2MT...
Love is in the air - and crosshairs. Today, Brooke and Jake take a dive into the mailbag, and then discuss Dobson's hateful and unhinged 2004 book "Marriage Under Fire". It's bad, y'all. It is bigoted, dumb, and full of a surprising amount of WWII references for some reason. To quote Lana Ja'Rae, at this point all you can do is laugh.
References:
Canada Bill C-16 (2016): https://www.parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/42-1/bill/c-16/royal...
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