Kirk Cameron Discusses Being a “Recovering Atheist” + Professional Drummer Phil Leavitt on Scorsese

Actor Kirk Cameron joins Adam as they enthusiastically deliberate on a diverse range of subjects including homeschooling vs public school, the Colorado wedding cake controversy, government censorship, hippies and global warming. We learn about Kirk’s clashes with the American Library Association concerning his children’s books. In addition, Kirk refers to himself as a, “Recovering Atheist”, and they both agree the world would be a better place if we all followed The Golden Rule. Both Adam and Kirk also discuss growing up in the San Fernando Valley.
Next, Professional Drummer, Phil Leavitt joins Adam to review Phil’s music and we hear about an epic career highlight as he remembers his music being featured in a spicy scene from the movie, “The Wolf Of Wall Street”.
PLUGS:
See Phil Leavitt play live with 7Horse plus a featured set by DADA and special guests Mike Dawson and the Smokin Kills at The Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood, CA August 19th
Listen to 7Horse’s album ‘The Last Resort’ wherever you find music
And learn more at 7HorseMusic.com
Check out Kirk Cameron’s new children’s book ‘Pride Comes Before the Fall’ wherever you find books
THANKS FOR SUPPORTING TODAY’S SPONSORS:
This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp
BetterHelp.com/CAROLLA
Turo.com
LearAdam.com or call 800-489-6450
Trust Us Documentary on KZbin
Angi.com
OReillyAuto.com
Executive Producers: Chris Laxamana & Mike August
Audio Engineer: Mike Dawson
Writer: Mike Lynch
Technical Director: Emi Funes
Producer: Ben Hayes
Assistant Producer: Byron Perez

[@FSUBrando]

I think we can all agree Kirk Cameron looks fucking FANTASTIC

[@Twobarpsi]

Gina always looked FAT-tastic 😃

[@DesignRhythm]

Kirk was more entertaining than 90% of comedians on this show -this episode was just great.

[@Twobarpsi]

Especially with no Gina.

[@actownsend7288]

I respectfully disagree because Kirk is not a comedian.

[@JCSAXON]

I really appreciate you guys having Cameron on today. The more anyone is attacked by the “big dogs”, the more I & so many wish to hear from them & puts you in the true lead. Thanks

[@user-ct4fd7qw2i]

When my youngest was acting up in grade 1 in Ontario, Canada and we were trying to work with the teachers to help him they called us I to a meeting with the teacher, principal, and the guidance counselor. Met them all 10 minutes before and they tried telling us they were Co- Parents with us! I looked at them in the eye and politely pointed out that my wife was the only co parent in this room..... patronizing and creepy.

[@IMDunn-oy9cd]

Kirk Cameron is a good man. He's doing it right.

[@jethro1963]

What Cameron said was true, there is an audio recording telling libraries how to screw him (mentioning his name).

[@jethro1963]

The audio of the ALA director telling libraries how to screw Cameron is from Megyn Kelly's interview with Cameron (on KZbin, title below) and starts at five minutes sixteen seconds if anybody wants to hear it. "Kirk Cameron on the American Library Association Attempting to Ban and Censor His New Book on Pride"

[@ghhm2705]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3LMfaFvjr50hNE

[@ghhm2705]

@@jethro1963thank you. I looked it up. Unbelievable.

[@CHolt-vb3nq]

You need another hour w/Kirk to continue talking about life in the SFV ❤🙌🏼

[@brothernature7147]

I love that Kirk squints his eyes like Adam.

[@aprilrawls5162]

This was a spectacular episode. I could have listened to Kirk and Phil talk forever. Adam was wonderful as always. ❤

[@erlstone]

Adams' sense of fair play and ethics mixed with his pragmatic "can do" mentality is why I'm a fan... this kind of attitude is what made America and what made CA.... it's the place of possibilities but probably not so much anymore

[@jjgeoffphhcinkkllee]

Belief in leftism AND in god/gods are both anti-America to me.

[@BulldogLady347]

Awesome discussion. Loved the walk down memory lane of the Valley in the 70’s and 80’s. We went to That Farrell’s off Topanga!!! I loved the candy section on the way out. 😊

[@rickandteribedell4350]

This is one of the best segments Adam has had in awhile. Kirk Cameron is great

[@Gzoratto]

Kirk Cameron seems to believe America should be a Christian theocracy. I defend his right to declare that, but the constitution recognizes no religion test. In stead of the ten commandment at the court house, how about text from the Koran or the Hindu, Veda?

[@rickandteribedell4350]

@@Gzoratto I get that....but if you listen he's not much pushing but showing what is happening. Our country is in big trouble with all of this bullshit trans rights and pronoun bullshit.

[@Gzoratto]

@@rickandteribedell4350 There are 530 thousand athletes in the NCAA. 36 are trans. One of them is competitive. If this is your big concern, America is truly out of problems.

[@B1055BH]

@@Gzoratto I think the main problem with the whole issue is kids are being offered a bill of goods saying “maybe you’re actually a girl!” And then said kid goes “well maybe I am…” and then they go on to make irreversible changes that ruin their life. The social contagion aspect of it. The athlete issue is just the easiest one to argue against because it’s the most common sense.

[@rickandteribedell4350]

@@Gzoratto no not my concern....problem with this country is exactly your comment. Belittle anyone who thinks different than you.

[@dudefromtheearth]

More independence is what this country needs to shoot for! On after talking about politics and power I really enjoyed hearing Kirk and Adam taking trips down memory lane. It was amazing to learn about Phil playing a role musically in a Scorsese film too. I enjoyed hearing some of the music.

[@jjgeoffphhcinkkllee]

Neither side wants independence.

[@kathybuis4368]

Great episode! I hope you have Kirk on again.

[@richb313]

Great Show Adam from growing up in Hollywood to the music industry.

[@marcialavine1272]

I grew up in rural Minnesota, but remember all the same things - Ferrell's, Schwinn, A & W, etc. You didn't mention the local public pool, Tonka trucks and making huge "cities" in any sufficiently large space in a lot where a dirt pile either existed or could be made; listening to that prized transistor radio- preferrably while one was riding that Schwinn/Huffy (and later it was my off-brand Japanese Vista Sport ten speed) no-handed. I could even take the jumps we made in the ditches on either side of a road crossing no-handed by the time I was 12. A few years later, it was record shops (head shops) like the Electric Fetus where we'd go and browse, even if we couldn't afford a thing. I miss those days- and I think today's youth are really missing out on experiences that can't be approached, approximated, or equalled by the technology which has replaced them.

[@CommieGobbledygook]

Cameron figured out these problems early on. Much respect to him.

[@bobsheppard8773]

My absolute favorite interview thus far!! Thank you!

[@lynnettapierce1741]

Wow. I had to turn off yesterday's show because it was so sexually explicit, to Kirk Cameron today. No one can accuse Adam of being monotonous.

[@ghhm2705]

😂

[@adamantiumbomb]

Farell's Ice Cream was referenced in the movie 'Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure' (1989 Film)...that's the place they took Napolean for Ice Cream, ...or at least a nod to the real place! 🐷

[@WhoBeSilly]

I grew up in NorCal, but those guys waxing nostalgic about Southern California eateries and stomping grounds around the Valley make me think about when my family took trips down to Disneyland or Knotts Berry Farm or Dodger games. We always stayed in the Valley and when I got to college at UCSB I always went down to my roommate's house in Chatsworth and cruised around the Van Nuys head shops and went over the hill to Sunset and partied all the time at the Roxy. We always hit up the Foster's Freeze they were talking about (I believe it's still there). Those chocolate-dipped cones were fuckin' awesome!

[@brothernature7147]

I really enjoy this conversation.

[@mikehansen6807]

Have Kirk on more. Thanks for you Adam.

[@mrsg3772]

I grew up in So Cal with a similar childhood to Adam except I was in the poor part of Glendora. This was a fun episode!

[@Acujeremy]

Did you go to Junior College?

[@mrsg3772]

No.

[@richardolivarez2214]

Same here, except I was in the poor part of Azusa,.....which, I think may have been all of Azusa.

[@Nostalgia9478]

Mike Seaver was a great character and role model!!!

[@jjgeoffphhcinkkllee]

I watch shows for entertainment.

[@Nostalgia9478]

@@jjgeoffphhcinkkllee ok

[@cutndry4165]

I raced mx and I remember that poster.Thanks for the memories.

[@Somegirl51]

Adam Carolla is spot on and his beliefs are so similar (except Im not an atheist) to mine. This is an upside down world.

[@cutndry4165]

Schicklers Cigars,Magazine and hobby shop Elgin illinois in the 60s was my favorite place.

[@jaymeswheeler]

Kit craft a floral canyon was awesome. The guy behind the counter was always putting together a model.

[@kylep.3632]

I hope Kirk Cameron asks Adam if he thinks he is a good person; then goes through the moral law like full Ray Comfort. I love you Kirk.

[@jjgeoffphhcinkkllee]

That whole thing is so silly because it assumes we agree on most of the ridiculous ten commandments. And the ones I DO agree with I agree with for completely independent reasons from supernaturalism. AND, even if we get to the good/bad person - forgiveness part of Comfort's li'l street performance schtick, I DENY that forgiveness from a deity is a good thing, or that listening to prophets/saviors and accepting their wisdom/sacrifice is of ANY importance, even if they are real figures. I find the idea of being "saved" to be awful, and heaven would be heII to me.

[@MG-rj8sj]

Doing the Lord's work Aceman

[@acedegenerate2254]

Why can't the Lord do his own work? Oh yeah, doesn't exist

[@tonywolfe9513]

@@acedegenerate2254dude, you are super funny and unbelievably clever. Any tips on how to create such mind-blowingly insightful commentary? What an absolute genius…

[@acedegenerate2254]

@@tonywolfe9513 pick up a different book than the bible and actually educate yourself as to how the world works???

[@randb4865]

Get it on! Got to get it on! No choice but get it on! Mandate: Get it on! Thanks for tuning in. Thanks for telling a friend. We love that about you!

[@kellykonoske91]

No Way! I grew up 20 miles outside Eugene, Or. and we had a Farrells back in the day. I thought that was the only one until hear these stories.

[@geraldhugley3618]

We went to the Ferrells in Portland.

[@katevand]

Kirk and Adam on the same page, never knew.

[@mexicanspec]

Farrell's was on canoga near Ventura Blvd. I think it was on Canoga.

[@ezreality]

Pride goes before the fall!

[@thepartyofone9329]

Oh my goodness that Lord of the Rings reference absolutely killed me that was soooooo funny 🤣🤣🤣 but I know…it’s also true too!! Thank you Kirk for having a heart that lets you say things like that, it is awesome! ♥️

[@LN-Lifer]

If I could do construction and had a podcast I would be Adam Dude literally speaks my mind

[@Jon-cg3df]

Yes😂😊

[@olskoolshinobi5103]

that's not the flex you think it is

[@keeganshigh]

So you're just like Adam minus the knowledge and talent? Okay buddy.

[@ACME_knockoffs]

You guys talked about cobra the movie. He does have a badass car! And he wears a trench coat in LA weather lol

[@user-kg6zn3db3x]

Kirk Cameron. What a nice guy.

[@libertarian100]

We kill to live and live to die.If we stay here we die. We have nothing to lose. We must explore the lands beyond the ice wall and center of our Plane directly under Polaris at Magnetic North to see if Hyperborea exists and if there is a portal out of this no win situation.

[@sherrythomas8149]

Zots! One of my favorite candies!

[@JohnDoe-ff2fc]

There was a Ferrals in Hunt. Bch. that we'd go to from time to time, usually for someone else's B-Day. We'd compete to see who could collect the most monkeys. I don't recall ever seeing stretcher being carried around. I'm surprised that they haven't reappeared. I don't think that In-N-Out Burger was in OC back in the day, so Naugles (they opened a new one several years ago w/ the same menu, they're tucked away amidst an industrial section of Costa Mesa or Fountain Valley) was the place to hit after a night of downing a few too many beers. Macho Egg Bean Burrito was a great way to end the night.

[@scottmac3539]

Nice change of pace from the usual comedic guests

[@furmanodell]

"Screw your freedoms!" Arnold Schwartnegger

[@MrWhiskybreath]

How's Adam able to even hang out with Jimmy.

[@Kokomadeta]

My guess is by avoiding numerous topics.

[@aficio63]

Roscoe and Shoup...that's where I grew up.

[@LN-Lifer]

I'm with Adam Atheist but stand with Christian values They are human values

[@acedegenerate2254]

Wtf are you talking about? They're human values. You don't have to believe a bullshit story to treat people right

[@DesignRhythm]

Without God, there is no basis for morals / values. The Nazi's & Maoist had "human" values.

[@LN-Lifer]

@@DesignRhythm I disagree I don't need God to know right from wrong. In fact it's my belief that we have only one life to live that makes me strive to make the most of it. I also do not want to hurt others as they have only one life as well. If you need the promise of heaven or fear of hell to shape your behavior then you are devoid of any real morals already That said I do wish religion would make a huge comeback in this nation because a lot of mother fuckers need God!

[@LN-Lifer]

@@DesignRhythm FTR the Nazis Commies and today's Dem party do not have human values. They have no conscience at all. A conscience is what separates humans from animals so you cannot say the lack of it is a human value

[@Val_Halla777]

@DesignRhythm Not true in my opinion. The ancient religious books simply still needed to use ’God’ to help those gullible people in the times they were written…simply due to the level of understanding. Many of those rules written were for both health reasons and to tame the savages and help civilize, bring order. Today, with our advancements we can still follow proper moral values and principles extracted from those early teachings but without all the “magic belief”and belief of a devine creator or metaphysical being existing. I still go to church occasionally …but I do so with the understanding that the Bible stories are metaphorical…and when God is mentioned, I translate it internally as either universal life force or innermost consciousness and love. Going to Church for my family is like going to Tony Robbins motivational speech and has great social benefits also. I think more people would attend if they were straight about much of the ‘magic’ aspects. It’s 2023.

[@tomdelaney419]

I'm Dada's biggest fan!!

[@JOB1925pk]

I used to cruise the Schwinn shop when I was a kid same as Adam...only got the free brochures...never a bike

[@mexicanspec]

Law Dogs was owned by an attorney that got tired of the rat race and the hot dogs were really good.

[@defundisrael]

Campfire Kirk Thanks fir the commitment ❤Brother Revival Buddy🎉🎉🎉!!!!

[@pittsky]

Most folks could learn a lot from Kirk Cameron. Good man.

[@MarkFillmore]

Amazing interview with Kirk - very insightful. I have to say though my favorite part though was at 51:30 - I have the same memories Adam! Marty's Hobbies in Thousand Oaks for me. I can remember the smell right now. Wonderous place with remote control race cars I never had the $ to buy. OMG - thank you for that memory just now!!!

[@TheHrtatac1]

Adam will eventually come around on the Beastie Boys. They have an entire instrumental album.

[@Kokomadeta]

Maybe he'd be more of a Latch Brothers kind of guy.

[@BC_VORTEX_CHANNEL]

We had Ferrell's here in Michigan. If you finished the super extra large root beer float, you would get another one for free. After eating two of them, everybody was throwing up.

[@ghhm2705]

😂had one in Seattle too. Great memories!

[@RobbieBEISBOL]

Absolutely brilliant conversation with Kirk Cameron.

[@jlownes2179]

Phil!!!! Hope you are well old friend.

[@Zac-ls6hn]

I didn't know Alan Thick was a public school teacher.... Interesting 😂

[@thesamo360]

Haven't listened to this yet. Did Adam ask Kirk about the "banana" video?

[@Kokomadeta]

Kirk Cameron has a good movie out called The Homeschool Awakening. It's great and I highly recommend it. I'd like to be a little more like him. Adam has had some great guests recently including Kirk Cameron and Donny Osmond.

[@ghhm2705]

Thank you! Just looked it up in our library. I’m shocked the Seattle library has 8 copies. 😂 But there’s a waiting list, so I placed a hold.

[@dirtymike1274]

Anyone else think kirk cameron sounds like Vivek Ramaswamy??

[@troycantrell1549]

Having Kirk on is a good strategy move,plus he is pretty kool.Good job Ace.

[@jaymeswheeler]

Why doesn't chris guess the Adam Carollla signs behind him on his screen? Fix the screen

[@toddperkins2232]

One of the best interviews and conversations I’ve ever heard

[@Cletus_the_Elder]

I had Adam's Toughskins and Huffy childhood. There was something magical about retail back in the day, whether it was the Schwinn store, the hobby store, or the pet store.

[@happydog6537]

Adam has it right. You take the practical messages and lessons from the stories, and it makes a better society. You don’t take the fairytale literally that’s where we lose each other. Traditional is traditional even many agnostics and atheists. Agree on that we just can’t come along with you with the supernatural. You keep that but we can all get along, we don’t need to throw the proverbial baby of Christ out with the bathwater. Take the good leave the bad. Stop trying to tell people they can’t be good people if they don’t believe in a story. That’s offensive and extremely untrue.

[@jjgeoffphhcinkkllee]

Anyone who is actually religious will laugh at your paper-thin parody of actual robust religion (I am an atheist).

[@happydog6537]

@@jjgeoffphhcinkklleehat’s your point people that read all the harry potter books as opposed to the movies no more about it doesn’t change that it’s a story. But go ahead and push back whatever makes you feel better in the end. None of us know and that’s where it begins and ends. It’s all paper thin it’s vapor it’s faith. i’m actually putting thought and reason into this not emotion and what I wish was true. Again just because they want something to be true doesn’t mean it is that’s how children think that’s what Santa Claus is. That’s what the farm where all the dogs that you lost when you were a little girl. It’s childish and ridiculous. Grow up act accordingly, this is not a dress rehearsal. This is all that there is be a good friend to be a good neighbor now go to work.

[@happydog6537]

@@jjgeoffphhcinkkllee I reread my initial comment. What I said was good and true, and would make for a good society. So strange to me and you call yourself an atheist. So strange to me that you would push back on what I said. What I said, was basically whatever we believe we kind of agree on the same stuff and we love each other. Is that not divisive enough for you or what I’m confused?

[@jjgeoffphhcinkkllee]

@@happydog6537 You are delusional. You must only hang out with Blue State big city Episcopalians who hang rainbow flags on their churches HAHA. Fine people, I suppose, but if you think that Kumbaya stuff is typical religion, you are in a weirder bubble than even the affluent denizens of modern Williamsburg, Brooklyn.

[@jjgeoffphhcinkkllee]

@@happydog6537 I don't wish for division, by the way, but the FACT is that REAL religious people find your "COEXIST" mentality beyond ludicrous. That's just the way the situation on the ground is.

[@whosbehindthedoor8788]

Phil Leavitt the best !!!

[@acebragg5559]

Dog N' Suds wasn't a one off. They have them in the midwest.

[@nathankenyonpattillo7548]

30:30 fucking exactly

[@CommieGobbledygook]

Also the Ace Man predicted this and also was right.

[@mexicanspec]

As a kid I raised rats and sold them to the pet store in Topanga Plaza.

[@WayneMarion]

He's atheist to every other religion but his own.

[@bradleysmall2230]

I GREW UP NEAR BALBOA AND MISSION PLUS BALBOA AN D WOODLEY IN SF VALLEY__HOW ABOUT YOU

[@wuhaninstituteofvirology]

because kirk cameron has never had a drop of alcohol (or any drug) in his life, he has to replace that vice with sugar & junk food (*works for the mormons, too)

[@Paul-dw2cl]

16:21

[@mkatepaski9947]

Adam, crate training? You can home school your kids.

[@peppergrand1072]

Yes ,the people escaping the old land,Europe's laws and religious values. These people who made it over to the new land that in time became America,these people who slaughtered the native people, who had their pilgrim values and beliefs that couldn't be argued against. These escapees have not left England with an open mind just their interpretation of what's right and wrong These new citizens of the occupied land ,occupied by people who did not relate to the pilgrims way of life. The native people's way of life was more foreign to the new people, the pilgrims, than anything that they escaped from in England. So, after the domination of the native people and the few that survived the genocide agenda made the agreement under stress to live on reservations. So,this is the birth of the morals we refer to as the golden years, the birth of liberty and justice for all? The right to pursue happiness? It's all distorted to make believe that this was the beginnings of a constitution that was created that all men are equal. This after killing and forcing the humans ,not men ,but creatures that had feathers in their head dress and leather for their underwear, a loan cloth, and had sticks with a rock point attached to it and was launched with a bow. The Judaic Court system that was based in Christian Biblical Standards, oh yes this was a freedom of Religion that we Americans brag so much about. It's bias as Hell to believe that our America was based out of freedom to believe what you wanted and freedom to speak the words you thought best or opposite of your neighbors, good luck with that.

[@antlerking69]

No government tacos...

[@jimkoch66]

Kirk is AWESOME!

[@mexicanspec]

Does it bother anybody else watching people talk with their eyes closed?

[@happydog6537]

Please stop with the gaslighting. Drew Got everything wrong. Told us to do what we were told not ask any questions we can trust them. They’ll take care of us. That was drew long Covid drew. He thought he was going to die he said. Give me a break.

[@r.c.7762]

Adam was born in PA, raised in Calif.

[@john-by9xj]

I hate how Chris gets to chime in with zero contributing to the conversation!

[@kathrynbaker8215]

As Adam says “everyone who has 2 brain cells” agrees with his common sense approach. Again, this makes me so glad Elon Musk bought Twitter.

[@colephelps6202]

...and as in Communist societies, the Government is God, religion is illegal, and the dictator is father and mother of the people.

[@jjgeoffphhcinkkllee]

there is no god, whether literal OR the state. Anyone who thinks there is a purpose to anything is delusional, and the right and left teleologies are by definition BS.

[@Exodus26.13Pi]

Wait till they discover that Hebrew Cosmology is true too. It was good enough for Moses.

[@Zac-ls6hn]

Not to mention Hebrew National is a pretty dern good hot dog too

[@jjgeoffphhcinkkllee]

LOL wut?

[@shawn7283]

Trump flipped that on its head!

[@nathankenyonpattillo7548]

15:03. All engineered by design, this al came out of think tanks, paid for by who?

[@user-ll4tw9xp7h]

Wow. Over a decade ago, I was thinking what an idiot Kirk Cameron was, loved Jon Stewart, and hated Fox News(perhaps O’Reilly had a lot to do with it). Now I see Kirk Cameron as much more sensible and decent, am disgusted with what Jon Stewart has done recently, and like Tucker originally due to Fox.Just about a complete 180.

[@mkatepaski9947]

Republicans were always smaller government, not bigger

[@Theo_Skeptomai]

Neither party wants a small government. When is the last time the scope of the Federal government been reduced?

[@mkatepaski9947]

​@@Theo_Skeptomaireqgen and hw bush ran on this premise.

[@Theo_Skeptomai]

@@mkatepaski9947 Yes, they promised a smaller government. But did either of them actually reduce the scope of the Feredal government?

[@jonrendell]

Talk about the blind leading the blind...

[@Acujeremy]

Hey Kirk, you still talk to Boner?

[@EightPieceBox]

Andrew Koenig died in 2010.

[@SuperApe3030]

Didn't covid still spread among the kids even tho they didn't get sick?

[@darthnihiluz5305]

Kirk freaks me out.

[@duhmez]

Adam oez not know the Ten commandments and should not be pushing for them. 4 of them are all about worshiping god. None of them are love thy neighbor. Adam shuould really read them if he thinks they should be on court house buildings.

[@LN-Lifer]

Wish I could believe...but it's not a choice

[@mrsg3772]

I've said this about the lefty narrative. sometimes I think my life would be easier if I could believe it but I can't.

[@mexicanspec]

Adam, don't use Audi as an example of a good car please.

[@joe_higachi]

Don’t trust em as far as I can throw em

[@Jason.Davis.]

Kind of lost him when he brought up the ten commandments…I wonder if he even knows what say are and how bizarre and useless most of them are.

[@jjgeoffphhcinkkllee]

In religion (and I include weird irreligious utopian lefty ideology) the bizarre-ness is often the point. It forces difficult decisions to be made, chiefly in favor of irrationality, and it shows the leaders who the true believers are, because ANYBODY can follow a "religion" that just confirms tested science and common sense. Nutty rules and doctrines ensure commitment and even fanaticism, which perpetuates a robust and cohesive cult/faith.