Holy Ghost Preacher Boy

In this deeply personal episode, Scot Loyd reflects on growing up Pentecostal under the watchful eyes of his grandmother, who lived every day with the unshakable belief that Jesus might return at any moment. Through stories filled with nostalgia, dread, and wonder, Scot unpacks the emotional complexity of believing you’re both chosen and never quite good enough. But he doesn’t stop there. With his signature blend of tenderness and critique, Scot confronts the theology of escape that shaped so many evangelical imaginations. What happens when rapture thinking becomes an excuse to abandon responsibility—for people, for justice, for the planet? This episode is an invitation to stay, to love, and to build the kind of world that wouldn’t be afraid to meet Jesus face to face.

In this episode, Heavenly Languages and Earthly Questions, Scot Loyd delves into the mysterious and electrifying world of early Pentecostalism—where heavenly tongues danced across dirt floors and revival tents, and where belief felt like fire in the bones. With a blend of eyewitness accounts, compelling scholarly analysis, and a heartfelt conversation with his mother, Scot traces the roots of this movement and its powerful pull on generations of believers, including his own family. Through stories of ecstatic prayer and divine healing, we hear how Pentecostalism promised a direct line to the divine—and how that promise came with both gifts and grief. Scot reflects on what his primal religion gave him: a sense of wonder, belonging, and purpose. But he also reckons with what it took: certainty, simplicity, and the ability to ask questions without fear. Not to mention missing out on a movie or two. Holy Ghost Preacher Boy is more than memory—it’s a spiritual archaeology. Join us as we think critically about the God we were given, listen with our hearts, and search for faith that can hold the weight of our questions. Check out these links for more content: Azusa Awakening Documentary Pt. 1 Dr. Kerri Day's lecture on Pentecostalism Full Conversation with Mom

I grew up thinking my Pentecostal experience was unique—until I traced it back to Azusa Street. In this prologue episode, I reflect on going to church with my mom on Easter Sunday, years after leaving, and how that service brought back memories, stirred old questions, and reminded me that the faith I was given is part of a much larger story.