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
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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.

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Content © Leah Payne and Andrew Gill. All pre-released media is used under fair use provisions. Music
Episodes
  • Fire Acquired: Shiny Happy People (ft. Krispin Mayfield)

    Fire Acquired: Shiny Happy People (ft. Krispin Mayfield)
    Aug 6 2025

    In season two of Shiny Happy People, the Amazon Prime Original docu-series turns its focus to Teen Mania Ministries, the organization that made Acquire The Fire stadium events. These events are described in the series as "youth group Coachella." But Christian music was just the tip of the iceberg with Teen Mania.

    To unpack the series, Andrew is joined by Krispin Mayfield, a fellow podcaster and licensed therapist who specializes in helping people with religious trauma.

    Learn more about Krispin at krispinmayfield.com and his current podcast project, Strongwilled, at Substack: strongwilled.substack.com

    Do you have a Christian rock story to tell? Leave us a message at (629) 777-6336.

    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)

    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 to keep up with show developments.

    Buy RTDR merch here.
    Show More Show Less
    54 mins
  • Cornerstone, Communes and Chicago Blues (ft. Glenn Kaiser)

    Cornerstone, Communes and Chicago Blues (ft. Glenn Kaiser)
    Jul 30 2025

    Glenn Kaiser has had a huge influence on Christian music as a musician, a festival co-founder and an outspoken thought leader. He was our top guest choice for our live taping in January of 2025 in Chicago.

    While Glenn Kaiser is a singular figure in the world of Christian music, we are aware that Jesus People USA is a triggering topic for some listeners. For a more thorough examination of Jesus People USA check out the book Grey Sabbath or for the perspective of abuse survivors from JPUSA, the film No Place To Call Home.

    This interview does not go into the topic of abuse, but we gave Glenn the opportunity to address it via email. He said,

    "The sad reality is sins of abuse, etc. happen and how to best respond to such regardless is a long work that has progressed for us. Over the past decade we've established several professional safeguards to ensure the safety of children and policies to address it. All in leadership and most in the wider fellowship have completed courses re. abuse and are mandated reporters."


    Do you have a Christian rock story to tell? Leave us a message at (629) 777-6336.

    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)

    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 to keep up with show developments.

    Buy RTDR merch here.
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 20 mins
  • The Deconstructed Memelord Theologian (ft. Mason Mennenga)

    The Deconstructed Memelord Theologian (ft. Mason Mennenga)
    Jul 23 2025

    Mason Mennenga is really good at social media. You've probably seen his posts about evangelical culture, Christian music or VeggieTales. But he does a lot more than just that. He hosts two podcasts: A People's Theology and The BlackSheep Podcast. He has a YouTube channel. He writes academic papers on music. And he works in the admissions office of a seminary. His social media bio was once "Skillet's Wario" and last year he interviewed the lead singer of Skillet. We were excited to talk with the internet's crass youth pastor earlier this year.

    Do you have a Christian rock story to tell? Leave us a message at (629) 777-6336.

    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)

    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 to keep up with show developments.

    Buy RTDR merch here.
    Show More Show Less
    52 mins
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