Welcome to the NO BS BISHOP, where we're tackling the fine print we often attach to the most important thing in the world: love. On this episode, I'm calling for a no-holds-barred conversation about what it truly means to love without conditions. This isn't about some cheesy ideal; it's about the real, hard work of getting rid of our excuses and embracing a pure, unfiltered love.

Today, I want to talk about getting rid of the fine print of love. It’s time to burn the conditions and live in a world where we simply love. We're often adding conditions to love, like saying, "I'll love you, but I don't approve of your lifestyle." This is nothing but fine print, and it creates speed bumps on our road to loving one another. Jesus commanded us to love, and by this, all people will know we are His disciples. But we, especially us church folks, have gotten in the way with all our rules.

Inspired by a friend, I'll share a profound quote from Les Misérables: "To love another person is to see the face of God." This applies to everyone—even those whose appearances or choices might challenge us. We are all made in the image of God. So, what are you going to do when you see someone with purple hair, piercings, or tattoos? Will you dare to love them and see the face of God, or will you let your fine print get in the way? I'll also share a personal story from a recent trip to Texas, where my wife and I faced a scary moment on the highway. This experience forced me to confront how I respond to fear and whether my actions truly align with the unconditional love I preach. This isn't about easy answers; it's about doing the heavy lifting of love.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things—that's what 1 Corinthians 13:7 tells us. There's no fine print there. So, join me as we learn to shed our conditions, build healthy boundaries, and practice a genuine, beautiful, and sometimes challenging kind of love. It's time to get rid of the "buts" in our love and simply love, because the biggest mistake we make is thinking we have time. Until next time, be present, be kind, and love more. Love now. Happy trails, y'all.

I'm here with Scott Morfitt, a former parishioner, a "stray sheep" that I love dearly, and the producer of this very show. We're talking about spiritual refugees, the 40 million people who have exited the brick and mortar church since the turn of the century. This is a significant shift in the spiritual season of the United States, and we need to have an exit interview. I'm not here to judge or crack a whip, but to listen and love.

Scott and I get into the real reasons behind this exodus, from the rote "three songs, a money ask, and a speech" routine that lost its appeal, to the church's historical failure to reconcile its message with loving the entire world, especially our LGBTQ+ brothers and sisters. We tackle the uncomfortable truth that the church has often found itself on the wrong side of history, hanging on too tight to what it knows while the world moves on.

This is an adult conversation about the heavy lifting of love, the toxicity of claiming "empathy is woke," and the surprising hope found in some liturgical traditions that are learning to adapt. We also get real about the cost of doing ministry and what it takes to keep these vital conversations going.

Join us for a no BS discussion about leaving a legacy that's more than just hanging on tight to what was evaporating. This is about finishing the work so we can genuinely express the heart of the fellow we call Jesus.

In this episode, I share a word that’s been on my heart about identity, healing, and the kind of freedom that changes everything.

Not long ago, I had the privilege of connecting with Gene Morfitt from the Spiritual Program Retreat, a long-standing community rooted in the original spiritual principles of the 12 steps.

Since 1981, thousands have come through the Spiritual Program Retreat and walked away changed. It’s not about surface-level solutions it’s about facing truth, working the steps, and finding a new way to live.

If you're feeling stuck, burdened, or just ready for something different, this episode and the story of this retreat may be exactly what you need to hear.

In this episode, I’m not just talking about love — I’m talking about why real love is a high-risk, high-reward endeavor. We’re not sugarcoating it. Love, when it's genuine, puts you out there. It demands courage, vulnerability, and the willingness to be misunderstood, rejected, or even hurt. That’s why so many people back away from it, settle for less, or hide behind excuses like “righteousness” or “truth.” But I’m telling you — love is the truth.

You’ll hear stories from real-life tragedy where love became the last thing spoken — in the floods of Texas, the tornado in Joplin, and even the final moments aboard 9/11 flights. We'll explore why those words, “I love you,” rise to the surface when everything else is stripped away. I also pull in wisdom from Thomas Merton and Maya Angelou to help us confront how love must adapt and thrive in today’s complicated world.

This isn’t some soft, sentimental ideal. This is brave love — love that climbs mountains, runs marathons, and faces rejection without folding. I’ll also lead you in The Lord’s Prayer and Love’s Creed — because that’s our grounding.

If you’ve ever struggled with how to love in a world that often makes it dangerous or costly, this one’s for you.

Find the podcast, donate, or grab Love’s Creed at: https://linktr.ee/nobsbishop
Want a copy of the creed? Email me at randydeanministries@gmail.com

Well, friends, this one jumps right in. No fluff. No fanfare. Just two pastors mid-stream, wrestling out loud about the sacred, the cosmic, and the painfully personal. This week on No BS Bishop, I sit down with Pastor Justin Arnold in the church basement—with coffee in hand and hearts wide open—to talk about what it means to follow Jesus in 2025.

We get raw. We get real. We discuss the atomic interconnectedness of Christ and the crash test dummy wall that the church has hit. We unpack racism, LGBTQ+ inclusion, tribalism, Constantine, and even yard signs—yes, literal signs in the front lawn—and how our kids can sometimes see the Gospel better than we do.

Pastor Justin doesn't hold back. He talks about the real cost of love: not love as cheap sentiment or easy slogans, but the kind of love that incarnates. That walks across the chasm. That listens. That suffers. That lays down its life. You know—the Jesus kind.

And yeah, we talk about truth. But not the weaponized version that gets flung in Facebook DMs with all-caps and no context. We’re talking about truth rooted in mercy. Truth

Pastor Justin reminds me why I have hope. He’s doing the work. The hard, slow, relational, incarnational work. And in this episode, I pass him the torch and ask what will you do with it?

This one’s not a period, it’s a dot. Just a continuation. So pour a cup of something warm and settle in. Because the way forward isn’t through shouting across the void. It’s through eye contact. Coffee. And a little No BS.

And if this kind of conversation stirs your spirit and your soul, consider supporting the show so we can keep bringing these voices to the table:paypal.me/randydeanministries

Until next time,
I’m the No BS Bishop—alive to love.
Because all lesser values than love?
They devolve into BS. Let’s not go there.

Let’s do something beautiful.
Ugly has had its day.

"You say you want a revolution? Well, love is the only revolution worth fighting for."

Beloveds, this is Bishop Randy—your no-BS, straight-talking, love-obsessed friend—and I’m here to tell you: we’ve been wasting our time.

We argue. We post. We debate. We scream into the void. And for what? More noise. More division. More BS.

Enough.

In this episode, I’m calling for a bloodless coup of the heart—a revolution where love isn’t just a nice idea, but the oxygen in your lungs, the fire in your bones, the non-negotiable rule of your life.

I’ll take you through Love’s Creed—words I’ve lived by for over a decade—not because I’ve mastered them, but because I’m desperate for them. You’ll pray the Lord’s Prayer with me and feel it fresh, like it’s the first time you ever dared to mean it.

And yeah, we’ll even talk about the Beatles. (Because if John Lennon could imagine a world without religion but couldn’t shake the need for love, maybe we should listen.)

Here’s the truth: Love isn’t weak. It’s the hardest work you’ll ever do. It’s easier to hate, to judge, to scroll and snarl. But hate never healed a wound. Never fed a soul. Never changed a damn thing.

So let’s cut the crap. Let’s be dangerously kind, recklessly compassionate, and stubbornly tender in a world that rewards the opposite.

This is your invitation.
This is your rebellion.
This is the only way out.

"Love alone is my walk. Love alone is my thought. Love alone is how I measure my days."

Join me. The revolution starts now.

Alright, folks, get ready for Part 2 of my powerful conversation with the brilliant historian, Dr. Selika Ducksworth-Lawton. We're not just talking about history here; we're grappling with where we're headed in 2025, examining the entire "circumnavigation" of history. Selika lays out her deep concerns about violence and the tough truth about non-violence in the face of authoritarianism. You know, history doesn't just repeat itself; it rhymes, and we're seeing those echoes right now.

We ain't holding back as we dive into the corruption that can creep into institutions, from our police forces to even our churches. Selika reminds us that these are human-made, and if we're honest, they can get twisted. I'm with her when she challenges us to look at the Bible through a historian's eyes, stripping away the comfort that makes us twist truth. You'll hear how even Paul used rhetorical devices, and why getting to the real meaning of ancient texts is crucial for our faith today.

My goodness, this conversation gets real as we confront the enduring patterns of prejudice and that deep "psychological tug of war" that shapes our society. Selika shares some truly poignant personal stories, from seeing Jim Crow signs as a child to facing stereotypes as a Black Catholic. She pulls back the curtain on how anti-immigrant rhetoric from generations past is the "exact same rhetoric we see today." It's a stark reminder of why we must see individuals beyond stereotypes and embrace the non-violent call to understand even those who cause pain.

So, how do we bring it home in a world that's so polarized? We discuss the importance of "adult conversations" and how to provide genuine, constructive feedback rather than merely playing "gotcha." Selika and I stress the critical importance of being discerning about the media we consume and, most importantly, our ongoing obligation to "bend the arc of the universe towards justice," just like Dr. King taught us. This episode is a challenge to get uncomfortable, seek genuine connection, and actively push for a more just and loving world. You don't want to miss this.

Join Bishop Randy Dean as he explores love, urging you to engage with Love's Creed and make it your legacy. This episode addresses the 21st-century loneliness epidemic, distinguishing between digital noise and genuine human connection, while offering practical tools such as setting boundaries and diaphragmatic breathing for stress management. Drawing from addiction recovery, Bishop Dean emphasizes that "the opposite of addiction is connection," highlighting the essential role of self-love. Discover how simply vocalizing "I love you" daily, both to yourself and others, can strengthen connections and foster a more loving mindset.