Rock That Doesn't Roll: The Story of Christian Music cover art

Rock That Doesn't Roll: The Story of Christian Music

Rock That Doesn't Roll: The Story of Christian Music

By: Andrew Gill and Leah Payne
Listen for free

About this listen

Rock That Doesn’t Roll looks at how Christian music shaped the world we're living in now by telling individual stories from the peak era of the contemporary Christian music industry. In the 80s, 90s and early 2000s CCM grew into a billion dollar business that affected millions of evangelical young people. Through interviews with artists, industry players and average fans Dr. Leah Payne and Andrew Gill trace the long-lasting personal, cultural and political impact of sometimes cringe-worthy music. Expect hilarious moments and heartfelt yearning, purity culture and conservative politics- all in equal measure. Whether you’ve deconstructed, come out or renegotiated your faith, we hope you feel seen. If you’ve never given Christian music any thought beyond a punchline, we hope you’ll gain a deeper understanding of a subculture that’s shaping the world around us now.

Join our Patreon or Buy Us A Coffee.

Content © Leah Payne and Andrew Gill. All pre-released media is used under fair use provisions. Music
Episodes
  • Big Freedia: Is Twerking Next to Godliness? (From The Sam Sanders Show)

    Big Freedia: Is Twerking Next to Godliness? (From The Sam Sanders Show)
    Jan 7 2026

    Introducing The Sam Sanders Show from KCRW

    This episode is a perfect fit for Rock That Doesn't Roll.

    Big Freedia is best known as the Queen of Bounce, but her new album Pressing Onward showcases her gospel choir roots.

    She tells Sam about growing up as a young gay church kid in New Orleans, what moved her to make a gospel album, and how twerking and praising God go hand in hand. Plus, she breaks down her iconic feature on Beyoncé’s 2016 hit single “Formation.”

    Follow Sam Sanders on Instagram.

    ---

    Do you have a Christian rock story to tell? Want to respond to this episode? Leave us a message at ‪(629) 204-4264‬.

    If Rock That Doesn’t Roll is important to you, support us on Patreon. https://www.patreon.com/rtdr (join via the website, not the iOS app for a 30% discount)

    Or make a one-time donation: https://coff.ee/rtdr

    If you can't afford a donation, please tell five friends about the show.

    You can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing RTDRpod@gmail.com

    Sign up for our Substack where I recently reviewed each episode in Season 3.

    Buy RTDR merch here.
    Show More Show Less
    49 mins
  • The Christmas Special 2025 (ft. Kelsey McGinnis and Daniel Gill)

    The Christmas Special 2025 (ft. Kelsey McGinnis and Daniel Gill)
    Dec 19 2025

    It's our third annual Christmas special! Leah and Andrew are joined by returning guests Kelsey Kramer McGinnis and Daniel Gill. Everyone brought a Christmas song or two to celebrate and we even hear some picks from listeners. We've survived 2025. That's reason to celebrate.

    Daniel's 23 hour Christmas Playlist.

    Leave us a message at ‪(629) 204-4264‬.

    To join our Patreon community who make this show possible, go to https://patreon.com/rtdr

    You can always make a one-time donation: https://coff.ee/rtdr

    You can connect with us on Instagram or by emailing RTDRpod@gmail.com

    Sign up for our Substack to keep up with show developments.

    Buy RTDR merch here.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 3 mins
  • John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats on Sound Opinions

    John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats on Sound Opinions
    Dec 10 2025

    Co-host and producer Andrew Gill's day job is with Sound Opinions. He recently interviewed John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats, so we're doing a feed drop here of that episode.

    To share a song pick for the Rock That Doesn't Roll Christmas Special, call ‪(629) 204-4264‬ and leave a message.

    To join our Patreon community who make this show possible, go to https://patreon.com/rtdr

    --

    John Darnielle of The Mountain Goats discusses his new book, "This Year: 365 Songs Annotated: A Book of Days" and his new album "Through This Fire Across From Peter Balkan" with Sound Opinions producer Andrew Gill.

    Find out more about Sound Opinions at Soundopinions.org


    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 6 mins
No reviews yet
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.