Worldwide: The Unchosen Church

Bobby Fischer was the Muhammad Ali of chess. He became the youngest person to ever win the US chess championship at the age of 14 and the only American-born player to ever win the World Chess Championship. But after defeating the Soviet Boris Spassky in 1972, Bobby Fischer never played another professional match for over twenty years. Instead, he became a recluse, preferring privacy over prize money. Not much is known about Bobby’s life after his 1972 win, but this episode premieres newly discovered tapes of Fischer, discussing his time in the Worldwide Church of God – the doomsday apocalyptic cult this series is devoted to.

In these tapes, which were made in Dec 1976 and Jan 1977, Bobby discusses his views on god, sex, and chess and, especially, how he came to resent Herbert W. Armstrong and his son Garner Ted, the church’s leaders. These tapes provide a riveting snapshot of Bobby’s mental state during the time when he had essentially disappeared from public view and has great crossover appeal between those interested in cults and those interested in chess. The original tapes were about 5 hours long, and the best highlights are featured in this 30+ minute episode, which also features commentary from David Edmonds, co-author of Bobby Fischer Goes to War.
I would like to extend a special thank you to David Edmonds, Bill Hughes, and Dixon Cartwright for their commentary in this episode, and to Hughes and Margaret and Len Zola for speaking to me on background about these tapes.
If you would like to read the Ambassador Report interview with Bobby that is mentioned in this episode online, you can check it out here: https://hwarmstrong.com/ambassador.report/ambassador/ar2.html

If you would like to support Worldwide: The Unchosen Church, you can tell us to host it or toast it. Support will go to either hosting this show on Buzzsprout so others can find it for years to come (host it), or if you just want to appreciate the show, tell us to toast it and our team will gladly drink a beer and cheers to you. You can support us at: www.buymeacoffee.com/worldwidepod

Hosted, written and produced by Dr. Tricia Jenkins. Sound design and editing by Thirteen Media.
Instagram @worldwidepod
Facebook and Twitter: @worldwidepod11
Email: Worldwidepod11@gmail.com

In 2022, Armstrongism isn't dead. It's alive and well, and in Wadsworth, Ohio, it's on steroids. Meet The Restored Church of God, headed by new cult leader Dave Pack. In this explosive episode, we talk with Kevin Denee, Pack's son-in-law and a former high-ranking member in the RCG who left the church in 2016. He talks publicly for the first time about Pack's church, ready to blow the whistle on its nefarious nature. You definitely don't want to miss this one!
While this podcast is a labor of love, if you'd like to support Worldwide: The Unchosen Church, we would gladly accept a coffee or beer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/worldwidepod

Hosted, written and produced by Dr. Tricia Jenkins. Sound design and editing by Thirteen Media.
Instagram @worldwidepod
Facebook and Twitter: @worldwidepod11
Email: Worldwidepod11@gmail.com

DJ Grothe is the former host of the Point of Inquiry and For Good Reason podcasts and the past president of the James Randi Educational Foundation. While he has interviewed hundreds of skeptic and scientific leaders, he rarely tells his own story of how he attended a little Bible college in the piney woods of East Texas, called Ambassador University. In this episode, I sit down to ask DJ why he joined the Worldwide Church of God - a biblical cult - when he was 14 years old - the same year that he came out as gay and the same year he started getting into magic. We also talk about how his background in magic and a magazine housed in Ambassador University's library helped to lead him out of the doomsday apocalyptic cult he had once joined, and why today, he says he's grateful for the entire experience.
While this podcast is a labor of love, if you'd like to support Worldwide: The Unchosen Church, we would gladly accept a coffee or beer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/worldwidepod

Hosted, written and produced by Dr. Tricia Jenkins. Sound design and editing by Thirteen Media.
Instagram @worldwidepod
Facebook and Twitter: @worldwidepod11
Email: Worldwidepod11@gmail.com

In this brief bonus interview, we're joined by American religion scholar Dr. J. Gordon Melton.

In this episode, we talk with Heather, Dawn and Lisa about how the expectations set for women by the WCG and its offshoots affected their future careers, marriages, parenting, and relationship to sex. An honest and authentic look at how conservative churches often affect women, this show is not to be missed.

While this podcast is a labor of love, if you'd like to support Worldwide: The Unchosen Church, we would gladly accept a coffee or beer: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/worldwidepod

Hosted, written and produced by Dr. Tricia Jenkins. Sound design and editing by Thirteen Media.
Instagram @worldwidepod
Facebook and Twitter: @worldwidepod11
Email: Worldwidepod11@gmail.com

A special thanks to these women for contributing to this episode.