Hello Deconstructionists! This podcast is a place to collectively share our stories and experiences of leaving high control religion, along with what it’s been like for us to find new practices that help us feel good and confident in ourselves. The title is a greeting and an invitation to join the conversation, especially to those of you who thought you were alone on this journey. Welcome to this big, wonderful community! You are good, you are loved, you are worthy. All my love, -M
What better way to kick off the year than an episode with Marla Taviano! Check out her first episode on the podcast here to hear the backstory behind living wholeFARTedly, and about her amazing trilogy: unbelieve, jaded, and whole. In this episode Marla and I talk about being creative as a way to heal, looking back at our past selves, and Marla's cool goal of being on 50 podcasts for her 50th year! Check her out on Instagram(s) or her website, and most of all, go buy read and ENJOY her cool cool books
Not again… Right? That's what we're all thinking over at the Dauntless Media Collective. So we got together to talk about our grief, our anger, and our sadness about the election results on November 5th. We don't have answers, but grieving together can feel better than grieving alone. So, come sit in your uncomfortable feelings with us. Connect with Nate and Gail: Full Mutuality Podcast Full Mutuality website Instagram Connect with Scott Scott's Website Chapel Probation Podcast Horny Chapel Podcast Connect with Jessica Leaving the Village Podcast Learn more about Content Warning Event and register here! And check out the list of amazing collaborators here. Connect with Maggie: Instagram Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Join the conversation on discord Visit dauntless.fm for more content Learn more about Amy's music: Website Foray Music Instagram This is a Dauntless Media Collective Podcast. Visit dauntless.fm for more content.
Nate co-hosts the Full Mutuality podcast with his wife Gail, and he co-founded the Dauntless Media Collective with their friend Jessica, who hosts the Leaving the Village podcast. In this episode we talk about: Liquid Church Rock God and Pop God (What?!? I know, just listen to the episode.) Some other cool churches Hillsong NY… and the downfall of Hillsong NY Asian erasure Biracial identity Connect with Nate: Full Mutuality on the Dauntless website Full Mutuality website Instagram Learn more about Content Warning Event and register here! And check out the list of amazing collaborators here. Connect with Maggie: Instagram Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Join the conversation on discord Visit dauntless.fm for more content Learn more about Amy's music: Website Foray Music Instagram This is a Dauntless Media Collective Podcast. Visit dauntless.fm for more content.
Nate co-hosts the Full Mutuality podcast with his wife Gail, and he co-founded the Dauntless Media Collective with their friend Jessica, who hosts the Leaving the Village podcast. In this episode we talk about: IFB (Independent Fundamentalist Baptist) Churches Bob Jones University Weird fundamentalist music standards The weird dating scene at BJU Connect with Nate: Full Mutuality on the Dauntless website Full Mutuality website Instagram Learn more about Content Warning Event and register here! And check out the list of amazing collaborators here. Connect with Maggie: Instagram Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Join the conversation on discord Visit dauntless.fm for more content Learn more about Amy's music: Website Foray Music Instagram This is a Dauntless Media Collective Podcast. Visit dauntless.fm for more content.
Gail (she/her) is an EXvangelical who is passionate about processing religious trauma and creating spaces to help people heal, deconstruct and decolonize harmful beliefs. She wants to be as determined in her dismantling as she was in her dissonance. She is a Canadian who just assumed American citizenship ready to move and roll up her sleeves to make a difference. Trigger warning: childhood abuse and domestic abuse In this episode we talk about: Foster care Positive aspects of the church Cognitive dissonance Emotional abuse Embracing autonomy and agency Setting boundaries and prioritizing mental health Divorce and leaving unhealthy marriages Letting go of the need to forgive Listen to Nate and Gail's Ash Valentine's Day episode here, and check out my episode on Full Mutuality here! Connect with Gail: Full Mutuality on the Dauntless website Full Mutuality website Facebook Instagram Learn more about Content Warning Event and register here! And check out the list of amazing collaborators here. Connect with Maggie: Instagram Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Join the conversation on discord Visit dauntless.fm for more content Learn more about Amy's music: Website Foray Music Instagram This is a Dauntless Media Collective Podcast. Visit dauntless.fm for more content.
Janice Lagata (she/her) is a writer, musician and matron saint of cats who is passionate about using humor to tell the truth about heavy things. Her work consistently laces themes of race, religion and gender with threads of witty wordplay and hopeful skepticism. In her capacity as an “exvangelical” person, she is known for being a vocal critic of evangelical megachurch culture in general and the hillsong brand specifically because she believes (almost) everyone involved deserves better. In this episode we talk about: White theology Hillsong College… and Hillsong NY Lack of diversity in church leadership Claiming christianity Revangelicalism Making new connections in deconstruction Better things to come! Connect with Janice: Website God Has Not Given Podcast Bad Words Podcast Read her Substack Or connect with Janice in person at Content Warning! Learn more about Content Warning Event and register here! And check out the list of amazing collaborators here. Connect with Maggie: Instagram Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Join the conversation on discord Visit dauntless.fm for more content Learn more about Amy's music: Website Foray Music Instagram This is a Dauntless Media Collective Podcast. Visit dauntless.fm for more content.
April Ajoy (she/her) is a content creator and podcast host who uses humor to shine light on harmful, toxic, and sometimes just weird traits of American Evangelicalism. After growing up an evangelist's kid entrenched in Christian Nationalism and working in conservative Christian media, she saw the harm caused firsthand. Still a Christian, she uses her platform to expose the dangers of Christian Nationalism while promoting a more inclusive faith. She's been married to Beecher for 10 years and they have two daughters together. In this episode we talk about: April's book Star-Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian Nationalism and Finding a True Faith (which you can pre-order here!) America Say Jesus Tour Her father's death and her brother coming out as gay sparked her shifting beliefs and deconstruction Being Christian and voting Democrat (and how voting Republican doesn't actually save babies…) If you're coming out of Christian Nationalism, look back at the words of Jesus Connect with April: Instagram TikTok Listen to her America Say Jesus clip here Pre-order April's book: Star-Spangled Jesus Learn more about Content Warning Event and register here! And check out the list of amazing collaborators here. Connect with Maggie: Instagram Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Join the conversation on discord Visit dauntless.fm for more content Learn more about Amy's music: Website Foray Music Instagram This is a Dauntless Media Collective Podcast. Visit dauntless.fm for more content.
Daniella Mestyanek (she/her) Young, scholar of cults, extreme groups and extremely bad leadership. Daniella is the author of Uncultured, a critically acclaimed memoir of growing up in the children of god cult and then going into the cult of US Army. Daniella holds a masters in organizational psychology from Harvard, and is working on a second book called The Culting of America In this episode we talk about: Children of God Cult Joining and leaving the US Army Control, sexual assault, and preparation for the apocalypse Wearing wacky clothes as a form of expression Finding joy and happiness after deconstruction Connect with Daniella: Instagram Listen to her TedTalk Join her Deconstruction Book Club Buy and autographed copy of her book TikTok Some delightfully disrespectful merch Connect with Maggie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello_deconstructionists/ Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Discord Server: https://discord.gg/C3DUZdF3HJ Visit dauntless.fm for more content Learn more about Amy's music: Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/ This is a Dauntless Media Collective Podcast. Visit dauntless.fm for more content.
Nick Vallentino (he/him) has experienced 30 years of religious trauma and abuse and has since figured out how to be happy and take his own life back. Now he's helping you do the same as a religious trauma coach and by sharing his own story on the podcast today. In this episode we talk about: Religious trauma and anxiety Church leaders perpetuating harm Cognitive dissonance Meditation Encouragement for Enneagram 3s! Connect with Nick Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickvallentino/ Connect with Maggie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello_deconstructionists/ Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Discord Server: https://discord.gg/C3DUZdF3HJ Visit dauntless.fm for more content Learn more about Amy's music: Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/ This is a Dauntless Media Collective Podcast. Visit dauntless.fm for more content.
Sarah McCammon is an NPR Correspondent and author of “The Exvangelicals: Loving, Living, and Leaving the White Evangelical Church.” In this episode we talk about: Growing up evangelical in the midwest Shifting views on LGBTQ+ people Growing up in the evangelical bubble The evangelical support of Donald Trump Alternative facts and misinformation Connect with Sarah Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahmccammon_journalist/?hl=en Substack: https://sarahmccammon.substack.com/p/misogyny-from-the-pulpit Connect with Maggie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello_deconstructionists/ Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Discord Server: https://discord.gg/C3DUZdF3HJ Visit dauntless.fm for more content Learn more about Amy's music: Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/ This is a Dauntless Media Collective Podcast. Visit dauntless.fm for more content.
Katrina Ford grew up in a missionary family in Africa. She is now a motivational speaker and life coach that specializes in religious trauma, academic sabotage and good girl syndrome. In this episode we talk about: Religious an spiritual abuse Academic sabotage Good-girl syndrome Transitioning from life as a missionary kid, to life in the US White, Christian Patriarchy Connect with Katrina Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katrinaford_speaker/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@katrina.ford Connect with Maggie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello_deconstructionists/ Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Discord Server: https://discord.gg/C3DUZdF3HJ Visit dauntless.fm for more content Learn more about Amy's music: Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/ This is a Dauntless Media Collective Podcast. Visit dauntless.fm for more content.
D.L. Mayfield (they/them) is a writer who authored 3 books in christian publishing. Their current project is a substack and podcast centered on helping survivors of religious authoritarian parenting called STRONGWILLED. They also have a newsletter focused on late diagnosed neurodivergence called healing is my special interest. In this episode we talk about: James Dobson Religious Authoritarian Parenting Gender Essentialism Being a Silly Billy Connect with D.L. Website: https://www.dlmayfield.com/ Substack (Healing is My Special Interest): https://dlmayfield.substack.com/ Substack (STRONGWILLED): https://strongwilled.substack.com/ Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1LSuQIznxAibRU8NFWz8o0?si=fdbc468e237040de Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/d_l_mayfield/?hl=en and https://www.instagram.com/strongwilledproject/?hl=en Connect with Maggie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello_deconstructionists/ Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Discord Server: https://discord.gg/C3DUZdF3HJ Visit dauntless.fm for more content Learn more about Amy's music: Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/ This is a Dauntless Media Collective podcast. Visit dauntless.fm for more content.
Janice Lagata is a Black exvangelical girl, shaking off a white evangelical world. She is a writer, musician, side hustler, cat/person, and christian REVENGELICAL. Janice shares her thoughts and reflections on the current political happenings in the US. Namely, Joe Biden stepping down as the presidential nominee and Kamala Harris stepping in. Connect with Janice on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godhasnotgiven/?hl=en Other Black content creators to follow: Elizabeth Booker Houston: https://www.instagram.com/bookersquared/?hl=en Luuvie Ajayi Jones: https://www.instagram.com/luvvie/?hl=en Dara Starr Tucker: https://www.instagram.com/daratuckerb/?hl=en Ijeoma Oluo: https://www.instagram.com/ijeomaoluo/?hl=en Amanda Seales: https://www.instagram.com/amandaseales/?hl=en Kristian A. Smith: https://www.instagram.com/thekristianasmith/?hl=en Join the Conversation on Discord: https://dauntless.fm/discord Connect with Maggie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello_deconstructionists/ | Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Learn more about Amy's music: Amy's Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ | Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ | Amy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/
Jayne Sugg is a fourth grade teacher by day and a recording artist by night. She is part of the Good Shepherd Music Collective, a group of musicians based out of New York City who write and record songs about God, peace, and acceptance. Listen to Jayne Sugg on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1oV0JYpKkMGtfFXZhUF7CP?si=12hqdCLQTDmSie2J5C6jfA Episode with Marla Taviano: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0GLzWh0JAiDPOjjDJU9rpP?si=YhtznsbASceefBL_9Fa0fg Connect with Maggie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello_deconstructionists/ | Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Learn more about Amy's music: Amy's Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ | Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ | Amy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/
Dr. Laura Anderson–a licensed psychotherapist, trauma resolution coach, religious trauma consultant, speaker, author, and educator. I am on a mission to provide religious trauma-informed support and resources to survivors of and those helping survivors of religious trauma, adverse religious experiences (AREs), faith deconstruction, cults, spiritual abuse, and leaving high demand/high control systems. Connect with The QUEEN: Website: https://drlauraeanderson.com/ | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drlauraeanderson/ Get your copy of When Religion Hurts You here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/when-religion-hurts-you-healing-from-religious-trauma-and-the-impact-of-high-control-religion-laura-e-phd-anderson/19692233?ean=9781587435881 Connect with Maggie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello_deconstructionists/ | Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Learn more about Amy's music: Amy's Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ | Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ | Amy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/
Moriah (they/she) is a psychologist-in-training who specializes in working with LGBTQIA+ individuals, young adults, and healing from trauma (relational, religious, medical, etc). They utilize a relational psychodynamic approach to therapy, along with feminist psychology and LGBTQIA+ affirming psychology. She is passionate about making mental healthcare and information about mental health accessible and equitable. They are currently completing their training through a placement at a university counseling center. You can follow Moriah on Instagram @mconantpsychology. Connect with Moriah: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mconantpsychology/?hl=en Connect with Maggie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello_deconstructionists/ | Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Learn more about Amy's music: Amy's Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ | Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ | Amy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/
Sarah Hunt (she/her) is a mental health and sex therapist based in West Michigan. She loves helping others recover from purity culture and sexual shame and learn how to access and trust their intuition. She is a queer exvangelical who is passionate about access to sex education, sleeping in, and her cat. Connect with Sarah: Website: https://www.youbloomtherapy.com/ | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youbloomtherapy/ Connect with Maggie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello_deconstructionists/ | Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Learn more about Amy's music: Amy's Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ | Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ | Amy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/
Naveh Riles (she/her) is a 27 year old from Arizona who is passionate about healing, and helping others heal from religious trauma. And today she's doing that by sharing her own experience here on the podcast! Connect with Maggie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello_deconstructionists/ | Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Learn more about Amy's music: Amy's Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ | Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ | Amy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/
Four Jennifer Knapp fans review the Kansas 25 album! Holly Daly, Holly Collins, Bethanee Riddle, and Maggie share their thoughts on the Kansas album then and now. We talk through our previous understandings of the music, some of the ways we've reimagined it, and of course Jennifer Knapp's glorious vocals! *Music shared with permission* Connect with Jennifer Knapp: The Dot Com: https://jenniferknapp.com/ | Patreon: https://jenniferknapp.com/patreon/ | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferknappmusic/?hl=en Connect with Maggie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello_deconstructionists/ | Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Learn more about Amy's music: Amy's Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ | Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ | Amy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/
Jennifer Knapp is a Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter, author, speaker and advocate. In her rich musical career, she has earned four Dove Awards and two Grammy nominations. With a considerable fan base and critical and commercial success, Knapp walked away from music in 2002 at the height of her career. After a seven-year hiatus she returned in 2010 with a renewed passion for music. As the first major artist in the Christian music world to speak openly about LGBTQ identity, her unique position created opportunities for national dialogue. In 2012 Knapp founded the non-profit organization Inside Out Faith, through which she continues to speak and perform nationally as an advocate for LGBTQ & faith issues. A true Renaissance woman, Knapp recently completed a Master's Degree in Theological Studies at Vanderbilt Divinity School. *Music shared with permission* Connect with Jennifer Knapp: The Dot Com: https://jenniferknapp.com/ | Patreon: https://jenniferknapp.com/patreon/ | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferknappmusic/?hl=en Connect with Maggie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello_deconstructionists/ | Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Learn more about Amy's music: Amy's Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ | Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ | Amy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/
My guest today is Kristi (she/her) who shares about her faith journey on her instagram account: @kristiannhyde. Kristi is a late blooming bi woman in a hetero-passing marriage with two beautiful children. She has a love for reading, writing, and home renovation shows. And her favorite thing to do is laugh. Connect with Kristi: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristiannhyde/ Connect with Maggie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello_deconstructionists/ | Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Learn more about Amy's music: Amy's Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ | Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ | Amy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/
Sam is a Queer Aussie Therapist, specialising in religious trauma. She is a religious trauma survivor, a wife, mama to cavoodle Naya and lover of stories. In her work she is equal parts compassion, sarcasm and humour, providing a welcoming and non-judgemental space where you can laugh, cry, scream or all three in the one session. She has her own podcast called Beyond the Surface where she amplifies the voices and stories of those navigating religious trauma and deconstruction. Connect with Sam: Website: https://anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au/welcome-to-inside-the-therapy-room/ | Beyond the Surface Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4m4UsUynYaRYX11xn5FKgX?si=f257b17640c74768 | Inside the Therapy Room Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0IpgYhIfPqljHr0c6fv5go?si=b5e4916490a6453a | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anchoredcounsellingservices/ Connect with Maggie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello_deconstructionists/ | Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Learn more about Amy's music: Amy's Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ | Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ | Amy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/
Megan (she/her) is a Licensed Psychotherapist and Religious Harm Recovery Coach who was indoctrinated into fundamentalist evangelical christianity at an early age. Her work in the mental health field eventually helped her begin to make sense of her complicated family history and the way the patriarchal religious groups of her childhood supported harmful, authoritarian systems of control. She now draws from both her personal experience and professional expertise to help others recover from religious harm and reclaim their authentic selves. Connect with Megan: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/religious.harm.recovery/ | Website: https://meganvonfricken.com/about-me/ Connect with Maggie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello_deconstructionists/ | Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Learn more about Amy's music: Amy's Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ | Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ | Amy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/
Sarah Henn Hayward has been writing since she cracked open her first “quiet time” devotional journal. Sarah grew up in the Chicago suburbs, went to Marquette University for physical therapy, and moved to Spokane, WA, where she met her husband and grew their family. They love camping in the Pacific Northwest and take advantage of their beautiful surroundings as much as possible. After her deconstruction and departure from the faith of her youth, Sarah felt lost and adrift. Being a Christian was the foundation of her identity, giving her life purpose and meaning. She turned to books for comfort. When the progressive Christian voices fell flat and the atheistic approaches to life couldn't relate to her grief, she began writing her own spiritual memoir. Connect with Sarah: Website: https://sarahhennhayward.com/ | Giving Up God: https://bookshop.org/p/books/giving-up-god-resurrecting-a-spirituality-of-love-and-wonder-sarah-henn-hayward/20691053?ean=9781957687308 | Blog: https://sarahhennhayward.com/blog | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shaywardwrites/ Connect with Maggie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello_deconstructionists/ | Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Learn more about Amy's music: Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ | Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/
Brandon Flanery (he/him) is an ex-pastor, ex-missionary, exvangelical who writes about the intersection of faith, sexuality and their consequences. He has research and writings published with the Colorado Springs Indy, the University of Colorado, and Baptist News Global, and his debut book: Stumbling: a sassy memoir about coming out of evangelicalism debuted last year. Connect with Brandon: Website: BrandonFlanery.com | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flanbran/ The Book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/stumbling-a-sassy-memoir-about-coming-out-of-evangelicalism-brandon-flanery/20237753?ean=9781957687278 Audio Version: https://www.audible.com/pd/Stumbling-Audiobook/B0CPTPJBR5?action_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdp Connect with Maggie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello_deconstructionists/ | Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Learn more about Amy's music: Amy's Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ | Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ | Amy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/
Marla Taviano is into books, love, anti-racism, blue, gray, rainbows, and poems. She reads and writes for a living, wears her heart on her t-shirts, and is on a journey to live wholefarted (not a typo). She's the author of unbelieve, jaded, and whole and lives in South Carolina with her four awesome kids and two cats. Connect with Marla: Website: https://itsmemarla.com/ | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marlataviano/ | White Girl Learning Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whitegirllearning/ Unbelieve: https://bookshop.org/p/books/unbelieve-poems-on-the-journey-to-becoming-a-heretic-marla-taviano/20575654?ean=9781957687285 Jaded: https://bookshop.org/p/books/jaded-a-poetic-reckoning-with-white-evangelical-christian-indoctrination-marla-taviano/19618877?ean=9781957687162 Whole: https://bookshop.org/p/books/whole-poems-on-reclaiming-the-pieces-of-ourselves-and-creating-something-new-marla-taviano/21026319?ean=9781957687414 Connect with Maggie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello_deconstructionists/ | Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Learn more about Amy's music: Amy's Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ | Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ | Amy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/ Transcript found here.
Scott is a former English professor turned writer and podcaster. His first book, Asian American Apostate: Losing Religion and Finding Myself at an Evangelical University came out last year. Scott is also the host of the Chapel Probation podcast and a co-host of the Asians in Baseball podcast. Connect with Scott: Website: https://www.rscottokamoto.com/ | Axis Mundi Media: https://www.axismundi.us/about/ | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rsokamoto/?hl=en | Book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/asian-american-apostate-losing-religion-and-finding-myself-at-an-evangelical-university-r-scott-okamoto/19875468?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-_mvBhDwARIsAA-Q0Q6PjKkp9IvqmGwSeJ7mvCdmGp6fsnvfzZwcfdPrcI5TXd3ELpjuC6waAi9WEALw_wcB Connect with Maggie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello_deconstructionists/ | Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Learn more about Amy's music: Amy's Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ | Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ | Amy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/
Cait West is a writer and editor based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is the author of Rift: A Memoir of Breaking Away from Christian Patriarchy (Eerdmans). Her work has been published in The Revealer, Religion Dispatches, Fourth Genre and Hawai'i Pacific Review, among others. As an advocate and a survivor of the Christian patriarchy movement, she serves on the editorial board for Tears of Eden, a nonprofit providing resources for survivors of spiritual abuse, and co-hosts the Survivors Discuss podcast. Connect with Cait: Website: https://www.caitwest.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caitwestwrites Tears of Eden: https://www.tearsofeden.org/ Connect with Maggie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello_deconstructionists/ | Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Learn more about Amy's music: Amy's Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ | Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ | Amy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/
Erica Smith is an award winning sexuality educator and consultant with over 20 years of experience. Throughout her career, she has provided comprehensive sex education and advocacy to young women and LGBTQ+ youth in Philadelphia's juvenile justice system, worked in abortion care, and supported HIV+ and transgender adolescents and their families. In 2019, she developed the Purity Culture Dropout™️ Program to help people learn all of the sex education that they missed growing up in purity culture- sex ed that is accurate, queer inclusive, trauma informed, compassionate, and comprehensive. She has since worked with hundreds of people to help them learn about healthy sexuality after high control religion. Erica lives in Philadelphia with her partner and house full of rescue animals. Connect with Erica: Website: https://www.ericasmitheac.com/ | Purity Culture Dropout Program: https://purity-culture-dropout-community.mn.co/landing?from=https%3A%2F%2Fpurity-culture-dropout-community.mn.co%2Fevents%3Futm_campaign%3Ddiscover_page-find_network%26utm_medium%3Dwebsite%26utm_source%3Ddiscover_page | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericasmith.sex.ed/?hl=en Resources: Planned Parenthood: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/ Bedsider: https://www.bedsider.org/ Hello Clue: https://helloclue.com/ Scarleteen: https://www.scarleteen.com/ OMG Yes (Paid Subscription): https://start.omgyes.com/join Come as You Are by Emily Nagoski: https://bookshop.org/p/books/come-as-you-are-revised-and-updated-the-surprising-new-science-that-will-transform-your-sex-life-emily-nagoski/15822177?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwncWvBhD_ARIsAEb2HW9HB-cyzFheJ9ndi9QixgvEhf1nDLcKBeNOnIW3SM6loJolcMxJsMYaAgNFEALw_wcB Learn more about Amy's music: Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ | Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/ Connect with Maggie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello_deconstructionists/ | Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Transcript found here.
Jess, a former Christian, is a host of the podcast You Can't Get to Heaven in a Miniskirt. In her podcast, hosted with her best friend Sarah, they delve into the nuances of purity culture and shared experiences within Christianity. With over 20 years of friendship, their podcast explores the depths of their past in church-related activities, deconstructing aspects of their former faith while sharing memories, stories, and laughter from opposite sides of the country. Connect with Sarah and Jess: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heaveninaminiskirt/?hl=en | TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heaveninaminiskirt?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc | Email: heaveninaminiskirt@gmail.com | Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5SCBHEPveS9FhWfl61cK84?si=595d5c0602914b65 | Website: https://www.heaveninaminiskirt.com/ Connect with Maggie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello_deconstructionists/ | Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Learn more about Amy's music: Amy's Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ | Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ | Amy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/ Transcript found here.
Sarah, a former Christian, is a host of the podcast You Can't Get to Heaven in a Miniskirt. In her podcast, hosted with her best friend Jessica, they delve into the nuances of purity culture and shared experiences within Christianity. With over 20 years of friendship, their podcast explores the depths of their past in church-related activities, deconstructing aspects of their former faith while sharing memories, stories, and laughter from opposite sides of the country. Connect with Sarah and Jess: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heaveninaminiskirt/?hl=en | TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@heaveninaminiskirt?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc | Email: heaveninaminiskirt@gmail.com | Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/5SCBHEPveS9FhWfl61cK84?si=595d5c0602914b65 | Website: https://www.heaveninaminiskirt.com/ Connect with Maggie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello_deconstructionists/ | Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Learn more about Amy's music: Amy's Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ | Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ | Amy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/ Transcript found here.
Angela is a faith deconstruction coach and host of The Deconstructing Faith Summit. She helps people break free from toxic religious culture & empowers them to recover from #churchhurt. She's a firstborn, Enneagram 8, Gen Xer who loves to question everything. She holds a BA from Indiana Wesleyan and a Master's in Leadership from Wesley Seminary. Her graduate research project focused on leadership development and opportunities for Gen X women in the US church. Connect with Angela: Website: https://angelajherrington.com/ | Book: https://bookshop.org/p/books/deconstructing-your-faith-without-losing-yourself-angela-j-herrington/20274838 Connect with Maggie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello_deconstructionists/ | Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Learn more about Amy's music: Amy's Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ | Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ | Amy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/ Transcript found here.
Emily Maynard is a licensed therapist in southern California focusing on helping people heal from religious trauma and dysfunctional families. She loves reading books, baking, and swearing. Connect with Emily: Website: https://emilymaynardtherapy.com/ | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emilymaynardlmft/ | Threads: https://www.threads.net/@emilymaynardlmft Connect with Maggie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello_deconstructionists/ | Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Learn more about Amy's music: Amy's Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ | Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ | Amy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/ Transcript found here.
Welcome to our first Bonus Episode with Kate Harrigan, which I've decided to call an “Emery Board Episode.” Think, filing your nails with a glass of wine and throwing a little shade at the church. I'm channeling that painting your nails emoji we all love to use when we get a little sassy. My conversation with my sister was too much fun to cut off at the normal “just under an hour” mark, So I'm giving you some of the extras here. There's a few serious questions, but mostly it's just reminiscing about our church experience, the music we loved, the sermons we hated, and some funny childhood stories in between. Connect with Maggie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello_deconstructionists/ | Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Learn more about Amy's music: Amy's Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ | Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ | Amy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/ Transcript found here.
Kate (she/her) grew up in a fundamentalist, evangelical church. She did her best to make religion fit in her life, but after leaving high school, she began to explore and enjoy life outside of the church with less guilt and shame. She is now a professor of linguistics at William & Mary, where she helps her students learn how to think critically, a skill that helped her in her own journey out of church. She is one of the smartest people I know, and I'm honored to call her both my friend, and my sister! Connect with Maggie: https://www.instagram.com/hello_deconstructionists/ | Email: hello.decons@gmail.com Learn more about Amy's music: Amy's Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ | Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ | Amy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/ Transcript found here.
Jeremy Schumacher is a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist with 15 years of experience in the mental health field. Jeremy has expertise in relationship counseling, religious trauma, and sports performance. While Jeremy spent much of his career in private practice, he has also worked in higher education as an instructor, a successful volleyball coach, and as a Director of Student Athlete Mental Wellness. He is currently back in private practice in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as the owner and operator of Wellness with Jer, and he is the host of the podcast Your Therapist Needs Therapy. Website: https://wellnesswithjer.com/ | Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2178713 | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wellnesswithjer/ | YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9e-UQjNZl7TE8VFRTcs-Qw Learn more about Amy's music: Amy's Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ | Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ | Amy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/ Transcript found here.
Jhenna is from the Philippines but now lives in Wellington, New Zealand. She is currently studying Sociology, Gender and Sexuality Studies, and intercultural communications. She is a huge cat lover and enjoys writing songs and chatting with people about deep things. Learn more about Amy's music: Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ | Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/ Transcript found here.
Katie Kuntz-Wineland (she/her) is a queer, neurodivergent, post-denominational minister and the founder of @thebelongingtable. As someone whose identities and spiritual truths don't fit neatly into boxes, Katie loves supporting others on their authentic, unboxed, and surprising journeys of self-acceptance, healing, liberation, and wholeness. Katie holds a B.A. in biblical studies and peace & conflict studies from Bluffton University, a Master of Divinity from the Methodist Theological School in Ohio, and professional certifications in mediation and adult sexuality education. Connect with Katie: Instagram: @thebelongingtable | Website: thebelongingtable.org Book: Radical Love by Patrick Cheng Learn more about Amy's music: Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ | Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/ Transcript found here.
Stacey is a recovering fundamentalist holding space for themself and others working to reclaim themselves from what religion taught them. They are a massage therapist and Rosen method bodywork practitioner. Stacey holds space for people who feel othered, especially queer folks, people who have undergone top surgery, and people working to heal from religious harm. Connect with Stacey: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stacey.l.schultz/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D | Website: https://www.staceylschultz.com/ Learn more about Amy's music: Amy's Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ | Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ | Amy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/ Transcript found here.
Christina Carlson (she/they) is a career coach for passionate people who care about building a better world. They are also an international speaker, facilitator, and the host of the podcast Bitches, Witches, and Queers. Christina works with those who feel like they have had to hide who they are to belong, supporting them to create lives and careers with internal safety, community, belonging, and confidence. Connect with Christina: Instagram: @careercoachingwithchristina | Website: www.careercoachingwithchristina.com | Podcast: Bitches, Witches and Queers Learn more about Amy's music: Amy's Website: https://www.amyazzara.com/ | Foray Music: https://www.foraymusic.com/ | Amy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyazzara/ Transcript found here.
Emilee Crowder is a therapist who works with clients experiencing religious trauma. She grew up in the Mormon church & feels eager to help others learn how to trust themselves, since reclaiming her authenticity & autonomy has been everything to her. Connect with Emilee: Website: https://www.therapywithemilee.com/ | Instagram: https://instagram.com/religious.trauma.with.emilee and https://www.instagram.com/therapy.with.emilee/ | List of Needs: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ppA5YrtkdsrVHFqoDXPXEm-xVDk4DKrH/view?usp=drive_link Merch: "God is a woman and that woman is me" Sweathshirt: https://www.redbubble.com/i/sweatshirt/God-is-a-woman-with-image-by-hellodecons/151188057.73735 Transcript found here.
Kari Fillian is a trauma psychotherapist, trauma sensitive yoga facilitator, and a podcaster with a therapy practice on the traditional and ancestral unceded land of the Wampanoag People, also known as Sagamore Beach, Massachusetts. She specializes in using body-centered and nature-based practices to support folks who have experienced complex trauma, including religious abuse and spiritual trauma. In her free time, Kari loves to spend time with her dog, practice hot yoga, write poetry, and go on solo trips around the world. Connect with Kari: Website: https://www.karifillian.com/ | Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karifillianpsychotherapy/ | Your Friend the Therapist Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0kXByhhCd0cv7efP0uu3Z3?si=ba720914e13244fc Books: A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson | The Sunny Nihilist by Wendy Syfret Merch: "God is a woman and that woman is me" Sweathshirt: https://www.redbubble.com/i/sweatshirt/God-is-a-woman-with-image-by-hellodecons/151188057.73735 Transcript found here.
Hello Deconstructionists! This podcast is a place to collectively share our stories and experiences of leaving high control religion, along with what it's been like for us to find new practices that help us feel good and confident in ourselves. The title is a greeting and an invitation to join the conversation, especially to those of you who thought you were alone on this journey. Welcome to this big, wonderful community! You can find me on Instagram: @hello_deconstructionists https://www.instagram.com/hello_deconstructionists/?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D Full transcript available here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/19xMkgn7tUwL3sTwRIFXJXs4UeRqNo2q63Se_kOfYF5Q/edit?usp=sharing
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