CW: marriage and sex (not explicit)

If you grew up in the evangelical Christianity of the 80s and 90s like me, we likely hear or read much of the same marriage advice. What if it was bad advice?

Most of the popular marriage books are written by those with no relevant education or professional credentials and include no research, data, or peer-reviewed evidence for their claims.

Sheila Gregoire and her team are committed to work that is healthy, evidence-based, and biblical, and her latest book, co-written with her husband, Keith, is proof of that. Packed with data, research, graphs, and stories, this book debunks much of what we were taught with clear and correct information.

If you're looking for ways to improve your marriage without a side of guilt or shame, this may be the episode for you.

Guest Spotlight ✨ 

Sheila is an author, podcaster, and researcher into evangelicalism and sex. The founder of BareMarriage.com, together with her team she has surveyed over 32,000 people for her books The Great Sex Rescue, She Deserves Better and her latest book, The Marriage You Want. Her goal is to change the evangelical conversation about sex to be healthy, evidence-based, and rooted in Christ. A graduate of Queen's University, she's married to her husband Keith, a pediatrician, who writes and speaks with her.

Links & Resources 🔗

Website  |  Instagram

• The Marriage You Want  on Amazon | Bookshop

—————
Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube
—————
Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.
—————
Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.
—————
As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

How can the Church transform from a place of harm to a sanctuary of healing and truth? How do we learn to recognize the wolves among the sheep when it's hard to tell the difference? How can anyone hold on to faith and find hope after witnessing so much trauma?

From recognizing a real-life parable of an observing how a body that does not follow its head is very sick, to systems that preserve themselves instead of obeying Christ, Dr. Langberg addresses these questions and much more. We also get into the complexities of forgiveness and repentance, the transformative power of facing our own brokenness, and the courage required to speak truth to power.

What can I say? It's Diane Langberg—we should just all take some time to listen and learn from her years of expertise and wisdom. Join me?

Get the full show notes and links here. 📄

Guest Spotlight ✨ 

Dr. Diane Langberg is a globally recognized psychologist with 53 years of clinical experience working with trauma patients. She has trained caregivers from six continents in responding to trauma and to the abuse of power. For 29 years she directed her own practice in Jenkintown PA .

She is the author of several books, including, When the Church Harms God's People: Becoming Faith Communities that Resist Abuse, Pursue Truth, and Care for the Wounded and Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church. 

Dr. Langberg is the recipient of the Distinguished Alumna Achievements from Taylor University, the American Association of Christian Counselors Caregiver Award, The Distinguished President’s award, and the Philadelphia Council of Clergy’s Christian Service Award.

Links & Resources 🔗

Website  |  Instagram  |  YouTube  | X/Twitter

• When the Church Harms God's People  on Amazon | Bookshop
• Redeeming Power  on Amazon | Bookshop

—————
Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube
—————
Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.
—————
Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.
—————
As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

How have harmful religious teachings about gender reinforced sexism and silenced women's voices in Christian communities? Dr. Andrew Bauman discusses his extensive research on the impact of sexism and abuse on women in churches, challenging misinterpretations of biblical texts that have been used to justify inequality.

Bauman shares insights from his book Safe Church, exploring different forms of sexism, the weaponization of forgiveness, and how churches often fail abuse victims through "cheap grace." Drawing from interviews with over 2,800 women, he reveals how Christian leaders frequently gaslight and silence those who experience harm rather than holding perpetrators accountable.

Moving beyond criticism to offer a path forward, we emphasize the importance of ethical leadership, personal healing work, and creating genuinely safe church environments.

Get the full show notes and links here. 📄

Guest Spotlight ✨ 

Founder & Director of the Christian Counseling Center: For Sexual Health & Trauma (CCC), Dr. Andrew J. Bauman is a therapist with a Doctorate from Northeastern University. His dissertation was on studying the impact of sexism and abuse on women in the Protestant Church. Andrew is the author of seven books, including his newest book, SAFE CHURCH: How to Guard Against Sexism & Abuse in Christian Communities.

Website  |  Instagram  |  Facebook 

• Safe Church  on Amazon | Bookshop

Links & Resources 🔗

• Christian Counseling Center
• Episode 7: Forced Forgiveness with Scot McKnight

—————
Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube
—————
Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.
—————
Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.
—————
As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

What if the church has been telling women the wrong story about their spiritual gifts for centuries? Historian and author Beth Allison Barr and I dive deep into the forgotten narratives of women's ministry, uncovering a rich and powerful history that challenges everything we've been taught.

From the abbesses who wielded more authority than most modern pastors to the prophetic voices systematically silenced throughout church history, this episode explores how women have always been central to spreading the gospel. We'll journey through medieval monasteries, examine biblical texts with fresh eyes, and confront the power structures that have limited women's spiritual leadership.

Discover how women supervised crucial church councils, how early Christian communities celebrated diverse spiritual gifts, and why the current restrictions on women's ministry say more about maintaining control than following calling.

Get the full show notes and links here. 📄

Guest Spotlight ✨ 

Beth Allison Barr is James Vardaman Endowed Chair of History at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, where she specializes in medieval history, women’s history, and church history. She is the author of the USA Today bestseller The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth. Barr lives in Texas with her husband, a Baptist pastor, and their two children.

Website  |  Instagram  |  Substack

• Becoming the Pastor's Wife  on Amazon | Bookshop

Links & Resources 🔗

• get your "extraordinary" shirt here 👚
• Tell Her Story by Nijay Gupta  on Amazon | Bookshop
• The Hidden History of Women’s Ordination by Gary Macy  on Amazon

—————
Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube
—————
Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.
—————
Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.
—————
As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

What if the key to understanding your present lies buried in the stories of your past?

In this episode, I talk with Adam Young about his new book Make Sense of Your Story and the transformative power of story work. We explore how desires and disappointments reveal who we are, why self-contempt must be replaced with kindness, and how the path through trauma leads to connection. Adam provides practical guidance on recognizing when someone is safe to share your story with, how to notice what your body is telling you, and why blessing your deepest desires—even when they led to painful outcomes—is essential for healing. This episode offers hope that engaging your story with curiosity and compassion can lead not just to understanding yourself better but to profound transformation and freedom.

Get the full show notes and links here. 📄

Guest Spotlight ✨ 

Adam Young is a therapist who focuses on trauma and abuse, and the host of The Place We Find Ourselves podcast. Adam is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with a Master degree in Social Work (Virginia Commonwealth University) and Divinity (Emory University).

Adam is the author of Make Sense of Your Story: Why Engaging Your Story with Kindness Changes Everything. He currently serves as a Fellow and Instructor at The Allender Center. Adam lives in Fort Collins, CO, with his wife and two children.

Website  |  Instagram  |  The Place We Find Ourselves podcast

• Make Sense of Your Story  on Amazon | Bookshop

Links & Resources 🔗

• The Allender Center
• Confessional Communities (Center for Being Known with Curt Thompson, MD)
• THROUGH Cohort (Broken to Beloved)

—————
Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube
—————
Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.
—————
Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.
—————
As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

What if pushing harder isn't the answer? Author and trauma therapist Aundi Kolber shares how the surprising path to healing often means doing the opposite of what we've been taught.

In our conversation, she shares her own journey of complex trauma and her work with clients, she reveals why disconnecting from our bodies might have once saved us, but now could be keeping us stuck.

Learn why the smallest acts of compassion toward ourselves might be more powerful than all our striving, and discover what happens when we dare to believe our pain might actually be telling us something important. This conversation offers hope for anyone who's tired of white-knuckling their way through life and yearns to find a gentler way forward.

Get the full show notes and links here. 📄

Guest Spotlight ✨

Aundi is a licensed professional counselor and the best selling author of the critically acclaimed Try Softer™ and Strong like Water.

She has received additional training in her specialization of trauma- and body-centered therapies and is passionate about the integration of faith and psychology.

As a survivor of trauma, Aundi brings hard-won knowledge about the work of change, the power of redemption, and the beauty of experiencing God with us in our pain.

Website  |  Instagram

• Take What You Need  on Amazon | Bookshop
• Strong Like Water  on Amazon | Bookshop
• Try Softer  on Amazon | Bookshop

Links & Resources 🔗

• Episode 10: A New Look at Fawning and our Survival Strategies with Aundi Kolber
• Get the 2024 Conference & Gathering recordings

—————
Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube
—————
Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.
—————
Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.
—————
As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

In this episode, we dig into how most men never got a proper "sex talk"— just rules about staying pure and anatomical basics, without any guidance on how to handle feelings, desires, and attraction in a healthy way. Jolman shares how men can learn to appreciate beauty (whether it's a sunset or steak) without spiraling into shame or lust, and explains the important difference between arousal and desire.

Jolman pushes back against the fear-based messages many people got from purity culture. Instead of seeing all sexual feelings as dangerous, he suggests we can be "lovers" in a broader sense—people who know how to enjoy life's pleasures, from good food to meaningful relationships. We talk about what this means for single folks, people healing from sexual trauma, and anyone trying to move past shame toward a healthier view of sexuality. It's a refreshingly honest conversation that acknowledges both the physical side of sex (the "mechanics") and the deeper emotional and spiritual aspects (the "poetics").

Get the full show notes and links here. 📄

Episode Resources and Links

• Episode 18 with Dr. Camden Morgante
• Get a 2025 All Access Pass
• The Sex Talk You Never Got by Sam Jolman   Amazon | Bookshop

Bio

Sam Jolman (MA LPC) is a trauma therapist with over twenty years of experience specializing in men’s issues and sexual trauma recovery. Being a therapist has given him a front row seat to hear hundreds of men and women share their stories. His writing flows out of this unique opportunity to help people know and heal their stories, and find greater sexual wholeness and aliveness. He received his master’s in counseling from Reformed Theological Seminary and was further trained in Narrative Focused Trauma Care through the Allender Center at The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology. Sam lives in Colorado with his wife and three sons. Together, they enjoy exploring the best camping spots in Colorado in a pop-up camper. Sam goes to therapy, loves fly fishing and can often be found trying to catch his breath on the floor of his local CrossFit gym.

Website |

—————
Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube
—————
Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.
—————
Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.
—————
As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Ever wondered what happens when a birth doula becomes a biblical scholar? In this episode, I chat with Liz Charlotte Grant, whose fascinating path includes helping deliver babies before diving deep into writing about Genesis. She shares how working with birthing families taught her about letting go of control and making space for people to find their own way—something that completely transformed how she reads and writes about the Bible.

Liz talks about seeing the Bible with fresh eyes, especially when it comes to characters like Hagar who often get pushed to the sidelines. She digs into why silence matters (God's first creative act!), and why it's okay to question things we've always been told about scripture. Drawing from science, Jewish tradition, art, and her own experience, she's created what she calls an "illumination" of Genesis - a way of looking at these ancient stories that makes room for questions and mystery. For anyone who's ever felt hurt by religion or unsure about the Bible, Liz offers a gentle reminder that it's okay to find your own path to faith.

Get the full show notes and links here. 📄

Episode Resources and Links

Website | Instagram | Threads | Substack

• Knock at the Sky by Liz Charlotte Grant   Amazon | Bookshop

Bio

Liz Charlotte Grant is an award-winning writer whose work has been published in The Revealer, Sojourners, Christianity Today, Religion News Service, the Huffington Post, and elsewhere. She also writes The Empathy List, a popular newsletter that has been recognized by the Webby Awards and the Associated Church Press Awards. Her debut book is Knock at the Sky: Seeking God in Genesis after Losing Faith in the Bible.

—————
Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube
—————
Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.
—————
Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.
—————
As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

"Burn it all down." It's a common cry heard from many who have experienced spiritual abuse or find themselves disentailing from the disorienting process of deconstruction. And for those who have been asking the hard questions, wrestling with our beliefs, and navigating complicated relationships, it can be a very real, cathartic, and terrifying thought.

But what if burning it down isn't destructive? What if it's actually restorative? What if questioning and wrestling with God is part of our spiritual birthright?

Join me as I talk with Erin about her first book, I've Got Questions: The Spiritual Practice of Having It Out With God. We'll talk about the role of grief, lament, wrestling, curiosity, science, and so much more as part of our faith journey (drink!) as we look for hope.

Get the full show notes and links here. 📄

Episode Resources and Links

Get I've Got Questions on Amazon | Bookshop

• Get the 2025 Summit All Access Pass
• Apply for the THROUGH Cohort
• Join the Book Club

Guest Spotlight 

Erin Hicks Moon is a writer, podcaster, and storyteller who helps people disentangle faith by creating a kind and curious community that welcomes honest doubt and questions. She is the Resident Bible Scholar and host of the Faith Adjacent podcast, and senior creative at Podcast Media Group. A homesick Texan, she lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with her husband and three children, where she bravely tries to live without yellow queso every day.

Website  |  Instagram  | Substack  |  Faith Adjacent Podcast

—————
Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube
—————
Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.
—————
Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.
—————
As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The 2025 Annual Summit is over!

This episode is part 2 of our live Q&A session from Wednesday, January 22 with Amy Fritz and Colby Wilkins, hosted on YouTube Live. We responded to emails sent in with the biggest struggles and questions sent in from over 300 Summit attendees. 

If you missed the Summit or want to watch any of the sessions, you can still get an All Access Pass. It's still available for $117 through the end of the month. Price goes up to $129 on February 1.

Links & Resources

• Get the full show notes and links here 📄
• Get your All Access Pass here
• Apply for the THROUGH Cohort (starts Feb 6)

—————
Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube
—————
Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.
—————
Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.
—————
As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The 2025 Annual Summit is over!

This episode is part of our live Q&A session from Wednesday, January 22 with Amy Fritz and Colby Wilkins, hosted on YouTube Live. We responded to emails sent in with the biggest struggles and questions sent in from over 300 Summit attendees. 

If you missed the Summit or want to watch any of the sessions, you can still get an All Access Pass. It's still available for $117 through the end of the month. Price goes up to $129 on February 1.

Links & Resources

• Get the full show notes and links here 📄
• Get your All Access Pass here
• Apply for the THROUGH Cohort (starts Feb 6)

—————
Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube
—————
Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.
—————
Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.
—————
As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Our third Annual Summit starts today!

Be sure to register for the Summit to get over 15 sessions packed with practical tools to help name, process, and navigate our experiences of spiritual abuse and religious trauma to move toward healing and wholeness.

We have an incredible lineup for you this year, including speakers like Kate Boyd, Ben Cremer, Becky Castle Miller, Christopher Stewart, Colleen Ramser, and lots more. You'll get a link to 3-4 sessions each day, plus access to live Bonus Sessions and Community calls throughout the week.

If you can't watch it in time or just want to have the recordings, you can get an All Access Pass for lifetime access to the full library of session recordings, along with session transcripts, bonus resources, and more. Plus, you get it a day early!

And it's ALL FREE. Click here to find more info and to get your free ticket today!

—————
Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube
—————
Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.
—————
Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.
—————
As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Our third Annual Summit is happening next week from January 21–25, 2025, and I can't wait to share it with you.

Today, I'm sharing a sneak peek at some of our incredible sessions, including excerpts from my conversations with Adam Young, Jenai Auman, Curt Thompson, MD, and Kayleigh Clark.

You'll hear about story work, finding our identity and sense of self, navigating shame, and finding trustworthy and trauma-informed pastors.

Be sure to register for the Summit to get over 15 sessions packed with practical tools to help name, process, and navigate our experiences of spiritual abuse and religious trauma to move toward healing and wholeness.

We have an incredible lineup for you this year, including speakers like Kate Boyd, Ben Cremer, Becky Castle Miller, Christopher Stewart, Colleen Ramser, and lots more. You'll get a link to 3-4 sessions each day, plus access to live Bonus Sessions and Community calls throughout the week.

If you can't watch it in time or just want to have the recordings, you can get an All Access Pass for lifetime access to the full library of session recordings, along with session transcripts, bonus resources, and more. Plus, you get it a day early!

And it's ALL FREE. Click here to find more info and to get your free ticket today!

—————
Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube
—————
Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.
—————
Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.
—————
As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

It's here! 

Our third Annual Summit is happening January 21–25, 2025, and I can't wait to share it with you.

We have an incredible lineup for you this year, including speakers like Curt Thompson, MD, Adam Young, Jenai Auman, Dr. Janyne McConnaughey, and lots more. Over 5 days, you'll get 15+ sessions, plus live Bonus Sessions and Community calls throughout the week. 

And it's ALL FREE. Click here to find more info and to get your free ticket.

—————
Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube
—————
Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.
—————
Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.
—————
As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

This is a special episode swap with my friend Steve Carter and his Craft and Character podcast. This episode was originally released in September 2024.

In this episode of the Craft & Character podcast, Steve Carter interviews pastor and thought leader Brian Lee about healing from church hurt.

Brian has a heart for those who feel like wanderers looking for a safe place to land. He has created an incredible community for anyone who has felt cast aside, betrayed, or hurt from religious institutions.

Get the full show notes and links here. 📄

Get the Conference & Gathering Session Recordings here.

—————
Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube
—————
Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.
—————
Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.
—————
As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

This is a special episode swap with my friend Amy Fritz at the Untangled Faith podcast. This episode was originally released in August 2023.

Dr. Karen Swallow Prior joins Amy Fritz on the Untangled Faith podcast to talk about how Stories, Metaphors, and Images have influenced the Evangelical imagination.

We should always be trying to be aware of cultural influences and think about how they shape us as humans. - Karen Swallow Prior

In this episode we:

• Discuss the cultural forces that drive evangelical norms.
• Learn some context and origin and development of the evangelical faith.
• Contend with sentimentality issues complicating the evangelical landscape.
• Grapple with the issues of incongruence between the message and the messenger.

Episodes you might enjoy:

Untangled Faith Episode 86: Shiny Happy People: The Impact of IBLP and Bill Gothard on the Evangelical Church

Resources:

Find Dr. Karen Swallow Prior on Substack
Buy Karen's book on Amazon | Bookshop
Subscribe to the Untangled Faith Substack

Get the full show notes and links here. 📄

—————
Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube
—————
Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.
—————
Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.
—————
As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

This is a special episode swap with my friends at the "Why God Why" podcast. This episode was originally released in February 2024.

In this raw and poignant episode of Why God Why, we delve into the delicate and often painful topic of church harm and the credibility of Christianity. Hosts Amanda D'Angelo and Peter Englert are joined by returning guest Brian Lee, who bravely shares his personal experiences of spiritual abuse and his journey toward healing and advocacy.

Brian, a seasoned voice on the subject and founder of the nonprofit Broken to Beloved, offers a candid look at the darker side of church life, addressing the critical question: "Why does it feel like churches cause more harm than good?" With vulnerability and insight, Brian discusses the power dynamics and control issues that can lead to toxic church environments, and how these experiences have shaped his mission to support others through similar struggles.

Listeners will be invited into a space of reflection and empathy as Amanda, Peter, and Brian navigate the complexities of reconciling faith with the reality of church-induced wounds. This episode is not just an exploration of the problems but also a beacon of hope for those seeking to create healthier, more compassionate faith communities.

For anyone who has felt the sting of spiritual betrayal or is grappling with the imperfections of religious institutions, this conversation offers solace and a reminder that you are not alone. Your story matters, and there are paths to healing and redemption within and beyond the walls of the church.

If you or someone you know has been affected by church harm, visit brokentobeloved.org for resources and support. And remember, your voice is crucial to this ongoing dialogue—reach out with your questions and stories to Peter@browncroft.org. Your contributions are invaluable as we confront these challenging issues together.

Listen in for a heart-wrenching yet hopeful examination of faith, hurt, and the relentless pursuit of a church that truly embodies the love and grace it preaches.

Get the full show notes and links here. 📄

—————
Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube
—————
Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.
—————
Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.
—————
As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

This is the last episode in our series on what we value at Broken to Beloved. You can also listen to our previous values, Curiosity over Certainty, Goodness over Wickedness, and People over Position.

This week, I'm presenting our final three values as a work in progress:

• Connection over Isolation
• Wholeness over Brokenness
• Agency over Prescription

Given the choice, I want to include and welcome people into community and connection. We resist the act of othering and excluding.

We want to live with integrity, bringing our whole selves wherever we go.

We recognize that abuse so often strips us of our voice and choice. We want to equip you to rediscover and reclaim your voice, and to empower you to make your own choices. We want to avoid telling you what to do or how to do it, and prefer to offer options that have worked for us and others. As our friend Aundi Kolber often says, "take what you need."

I'll also provide some updates on the Giving Tuesday campaign (thank you!!), our 2024 Annual Report for donors, a preview of the upcoming 2025 Summit, and wrap up the podcast for this season.

Thank you again for being here. I'll see you again in the new year.

If you’d like to donate to support our work at Broken to Beloved, you can give at our website today.

Get the full show notes and links here. 📄

—————
Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube
—————
Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.
—————
Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.
—————
As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Broken to Beloved has been officially operating for just over a year now, and I'm proud of the way we've made a difference for thousands across the world. We've worked with individuals in 49 states and 55 countries. We've heard and held your stories, and offered practical tools to move toward healing and wholeness through our Summit, Cohort, Book Club, Podcast, Conference, and Gathering.

In this week's episode, learn about the vision we set last year, how we did, and what we're looking forward to.

You'll hear a few stories from some of you who have participated in our programs, and a few words from some old and new friends.

This Giving Tuesday, will you help us reach our goal of raising $10,000? We're looking for individuals to join us in monthly, annual, or one-time giving anywhere from $5 up to whatever you're able. We've already received gifts of $5 and $7 up to $500 and $1,000 and more!

I'm humbled and grateful for each of you, and thankful you're part of this community.

If you’d like to donate to support our work, you can give at our website today.

Get the full show notes and links here. 📄

—————
Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube
—————
Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.
—————
Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.
—————
As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

We're continuing our series on what we value at Broken to Beloved. You can also listen to our previous values, Curiosity over Certainty and Goodness over Wickedness.

This week, I want to talk about how we want to view people.

We believe that all of humanity is created in the image of God, and is therefore crated with intention, purpose, and beauty. Beloved. We believe that we are created for community and for each other. If the Body of Christ is meant to fit together perfectly with each person purposefully made, then none of us can say to the other that we don’t fit or belong.

We will be a community that moves toward others, preferring proximity over polarization. We seek to see and understand others, hearing to listen and not to speak.

We will avoid a posture of othering and affirm and acknowledge our common humanity and the divine diversity. We will work to be good neighbors as the Samaritan was to the Jewish man.

We were made to be different on purpose, and we were made to be together. Community is part of our design, and it does harm to those around us when we dismiss, demean, and diminish anyone else because of something we call faith.

If it comes down to choosing to see and recognize someone’s humanity over what I believe to be true, I’m going to choose to see someone as Beloved, made in the image of God, and designed to be in community with me in some way.

How about you?

If you’d like to donate to support our work at Broken to Beloved, you can give at our website today.

Get the full show notes and links here. 📄

—————
Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube
—————
Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.
—————
Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.
—————
As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

This the second episode in a short series on our values. You can listen to our first shared value, "Curiosity over Certainty" in Episode 20 here.

By choosing goodness over wickedness, we affirm the original goodness of every human being and reject a theology that shames, demeans, and devalues. We choose a view of humanity rooted in Genesis 1, not Genesis 2. We reject a “worm theology” that declares our wretchedness and depravity, clinging instead to the truth of the gospel, freedom from condemnation in Christ, and our redemption to God.

Your default nature is not sinfulness, wickedness, and depravity. It is created for beauty, co-creation, and goodness.

“Though we are prone to sin and stray from God, it is important to remember that before original sin, we were clothed with original glory. God longs for humankind to experience the full restoration of our original glory, which we enjoyed at the beginning of creation.” (Ken Shigematsu, Now I Become Myself)

“Self-rejection is the greatest enemy of the spiritual life because it contradicts the sacred voice that calls us the “Beloved.” Being the Beloved constitutes the core truth of our existence.” (Henri Nouwen, Life of the Beloved)

—————
Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube
—————
Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.
—————
Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.
—————
As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

CW/TW: This episode includes references to some child physical abuse and to overtly Christian language.

How does our story and theology impact our identity? How do the stories we tell ourselves or are reminded of change the way we see ourselves? How much do they keep us from seeing and embracing our inherent belovedness?

In this week’s episode, I speak with Broken to Beloved board member Brett Deal about his own story and journey from brokenness to belovedness. We talk about following the example of Jesus in walking away from situations and relationships, and the significance of understanding our own stories.

When our unexamined stories are carried forward throughout our lives, how can we begin to understand their meaning? What kind of healing can we find when we address deeper wounds that exacerbate current ones?

Healing and wholeness can be found when we find places and people who offer safety, vulnerability, and an opportunity to be heard, believed, and known. We hope you find that here.

If you’d like to donate to support our work at Broken to Beloved, you can give at our website today.

Get the full show notes and links here. 📄

Episode Resources and Links

• Support Broken to Beloved
• Episode 15 with Chuck DeGroat
• When to Walk Away by Gary Thomas on Bookshop | on Amazon
• Escaping the Maze of Spiritual Abuse by Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys on Bookshop | on Amazon
• What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo on Bookshop | on Amazon
• Truth and Repair by Judith Herman on Bookshop | on Amazon

Guest Spotlight

Brett serves in Richmond, VA, at Eternity Church. Over the last 20 years, he has pastored churches in America and Africa, teaching and training new pastors, planting churches as well as revitalizing others recovering from spiritually abusive leadership. He

—————
Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube
—————
Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.
—————
Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.
—————
As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Can you really ever know when you’ve experienced spiritual abuse by church leaders and organizations? Victims and survivors are so often manipulated and gaslit that they question their own memories and experiences.

This is the work Organizational Psychologist Lianna Chong is setting out to complete. Through her work with the Spiritually Abusive Leadership & Climate Survey, she is hoping to have quantifiable and scientifically validated research and hard data.

The survey measures areas like abuse of power, emotional manipulation and abuse, defend and attack (based on DARVO and gaslighting), and psychological safety.

This research will be completed in two rounds, with the first running from Nov–Dec 2024, and a second round in early 2025. The minimum goal is 300 completed surveys, with a full goal of 600.

Would you be willing to complete the survey? It’s all scaled multiple choice (strongly agree – strongly disagree), and takes about 10-15 minutes to complete. It’s fully anonymous (with a few demographic questions), and all online. You can complete it on your phone or computer.

[ take the Spiritually Abusive Leadership & Climate Survey ]

Get the full show notes and links here. 📄

Guest Spotlight 

Lianna is an organizational psychologist with experience in ministry and secular organizations. She is passionate about helping teams and leaders create environments where people can bring their best self to work. She provides training and consultation on compassion fatigue, burnout, organizational change, and psychological safety. Recently, Lianna has pivoted her focus to helping people recognize spiritually abusive leadership and promote healthier church cultures.

Lianna has a Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology, a Master of Theological Studies, and is a Certified Fearless Organization Scan (FOS) practitioner. In addition to consulting, she has served as Adjunct Faculty at William James College teaching quantitative and qualitative assessment.

Website | Substack | Instagram

—————
Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube
—————
Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.
—————
Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.
—————
As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Deconstruction has become a polarized term in the past few years. Added to the arsenal of pastors and church leaders, it’s most often used to to dismiss or demean those who have walked away from their church, or to stoke fear into the hearts and spirits of those asking hard questions.

What was once a word meant to invite conversation or to indicate an desire to learn more and grow deeper has been weaponized.

There is little that it sexy about deconstruction. It’s difficult work, and requires courage and humility. And according to research, most who are deconstructing aren’t walking away from their faith, they’re on the way to deepening and strengthening it.

In this conversation with Scot McKnight and Tommy Phillips, we discuss why so many have left the church in search of the Jesus they hear talked about but don’t see in their own churches. We talk about why theology is a cover for leaving, individuating and spiritual formation, and much more.

Get the full show notes and links here. 📄

Guest Spotlight
Scot has been a professor of NT for more than four decades. He is the author of more than 90 books, including the award-winning The Jesus Creed as well as A Church Called TOV.

Tommy Preson Phillips is a pastor at Watermark Church in Tampa, FL. He is also a songwriter and recording artist with his band Preson Phillips. He holds an MA in NT from Northern Seminary. 

Scot: Website | Instagram | Twitter/X | Threads

Tommy: Substack | Instagram | Threads | Preson Phillips band

Get your copy of Invisible Jesus on Amazon | on Bookshop

—————
Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube
—————
Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.
—————
Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.
—————
As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Here’s the first in a short series on our core values. They’re a work in progress, but I want to share them so you have an idea of our guiding principles.

This week, I’m starting with our desire to show curiosity over certainty.

How many times have we found ourselves in harm’s way for asking a question? How many times have you been met with absolutes, principles, or fundamental truths with no room for comment? Maybe you’ve felt dismissed or demeaned for questioning the way a doctrine seems out of line with the lived practices of many within the very body that professes it.

At Broken to Beloved, we want to approach faith, relationships, and life with a sense of curiosity over certainty. With awe, wonder, and mystery. Certainty leaves no room for faith, which by its very nature is an un-knowing.

If you have questions about what you believe, why you believe it, or any number of other things, you’re welcome here. And we’re glad you’re here.

—————
Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube
—————
Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.
—————
Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.
—————
As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.