Recovering Church Girls *

And if you enjoyed this,  be sure to check out Marc's podcast, The Golden Mic - you'll be glad you did!

From her beginnings as a nomadic military child, to getting kicked out of Bible Camp, Chingi Love has long observed and documented daily life. From great food to great conversation, Chingi believes that everyday moments matter; how we live, what we find beautiful, how we treat each other, whether or not we answer the call of Wanderlust... it all matters. We couldn't agree more.

Plato says, "The unexamined life is not worth living." But how often do we prioritize this kind of self-examination? And what do we find when we do? How often do we allow shame to block our own spirituality? Meditations, affirmations and gratitude journals... tools of the trade, used by Rachel O’Rourke, co-host of the podcast “Flawed Females”, and founder of Spark. Listen in on our discussion of meditation, connection with oneself and delving deep into personal growth.

Check out Matthew's Get a F*cking Grip here - and if you can't get enough of the accent, scoop up the Audible version. ;) 

Pick up your copy of Refocusing My Family and Unashamed today!

This week, we are joined by the cheerful Sophia Remolde, as she discusses her work on the “pilgrim’s pilgrimage.” Leading pilgrimages (or, in her words, “hero’s journeys”) around the world to allow people to “understand their own spiritual path and their own connection with the divine” has become Sophia’s goal. How do we juggle the multifaceted world of the divine and community obligations or teachings? From an early childhood habit of questioning the “unquestionable” to finding herself, Sophia Remolde takes us through her journey, and perhaps teaches us something about deconstructing and reconstructing ourselves in the process.

Can we give ourselves permission to step out of life’s norms as prescribed by the ministry and society in general? This week, we are joined by Haylee Hines, founder of Soul Sparkle Living. Learn how to begin to think differently: following one’s “soul sparkle”, rather than what is inevitably taught in our everyday lives. How can we live by externalizing our inner light, and exercising only what comes with ease? Let Haylee Hines’ experiences kindle your soul spark, and begin to live for yourself, and not for others.

After a looooong season break, Season Three of Recovering Church Girls* (*all genders + faiths) returns! From personal family changes to coronavirus quarantines, there are (always) so very many layers to work through in our inner work. A quick look into what's in store for Season Three, a hint at the book and all that it holds, and a heartfelt thank you for you (and my kids!) If you haven't joined us for the "proof of concept" survey yet, you can do so here. (It can be completely anonymous if you choose, and can take as little as 3 minutes.) You can also opt to join the newsletter there and be the first to check out our new website when it's live.... (not quite yet. The equivalent of drywall dust all over the thing right now...) 

Want to add your voice to the conversation? Weigh in on the anonymous (if you so choose!) survey for the Recovering Church Girls* book currently in development here!

Join listener favorite Melody Spencer in an update to her life as she works thru her own divorce and processes the impact of church culture on the journey of divorce.

Chris & Trivinia Barber share about their love, their life, and their faith in this episode of Recovering Church Girls.* While Trivinia is newer to the faith, Chris grew up a bit of a rebel in the church (no judgement on either; we can all identify, right?!?) and they each bring a new perspective to the daily in and out of faith and love, both in and out of the home.

Love Your Neighbor, or Love Yourself? When did this become an either/or question?

Join us in our conversation with Carrie Hoffman, the co-founder of Bigger Life Adventures, as she shares her story of a childhood in church, to church leadership as a teenager and into college, thru her dark period of addiction and into the expansiveness of her spiritual life now.

Lisa Wade Berry, the author of Real Big Love, was a "spiritually curious" child and sought out religion and spirituality on her own. She shares the stories of her on again, off again, on forever journey with us, along with the truths and insights she experienced along the way. Lisa is one of our many guests who has bonus content available for those who join our newsletter. You can do that by completing our survey here and providing your name and email address on the last question.

Adam Hansen is the VP of Innovation at Ideas to Go and co-author of the book, "Outsmart Your Instincts: How the Behavioral Innovation™ Approach Drives Your Company Forward." How does someone who challenges assumptions for a living view his own faith? And when a marriage and family was then built on the shared belief system, what is the role of communication, religious pluralism, and grace in the process? It's a fascinating conversation to be had. (Especially if you like to geek out on Human Behavior and things like Group Theory like us....) ;) And if you haven't taken part in our completely anonymous (unless you don't want it to be!) 3 minute survey yet, we'd love to have you join us!

Sarai Johnson joins us in a beautiful, heart-wrenching, hope-giving conversation about the choices we make in becoming ourselves. Trigger warning at 42:00 re: Sexual Assault P.S. Did you know we're on [instagram][1] now? Come join us and be a part of the conversation!

I can't tell you how excited I am to be back for a second season with Recovering Church Girls* - we have so many things in store already. A short and sweet episode to say a giant THANK YOU for all who have been along for this adventure, especially those who sent me messages at the start of the break, "Hey, something's wrong... the next episode didn't download!" ;) Thank you for your patience; I'm confident you'll agree that it was worth the wait. One of the biggest developments during the hiatus is the progress in writing the Recovering Church Girls* book - and I'd love to hear more about your experience with the church. This is your invite to take the 4.5 question survey - completely anonymous (if you want it to be!) As we roll out Season 2 we have bonus content for those who want to go deeper in community; (just complete the survey with your email address at the link above to join) - totally optional and no pressure. We're here for the long haul, and we're all in this together.

Melody Spencer

Who defines "evil" anyway?

Philip Van Norstrand: College Pastor to Professional Photographer

If you felt like we left you hanging after the first conversation with Dan Gross, never fear - we refreshed our drinks and pick up exactly where we left off. Owning our past, intentional or otherwise, is a huge part of our collective healing. In this episode, we continue the conversation, specifically as it relates to the pervasive patriarchal structure within the church and the fallout as a result. From complicit and complacent to engaged, empathetic and dare I say, woke; we get an inside look at this transformation. Join us?

This episode is named with an homage to the following poem, written by Ansel Elkins, entitled Autobiography of Eve: Wearing nothing but snakeskin boots, I blazed a footpath, the first radical road out of that old kingdom toward a new unknown. When I came to those great flaming gates of burning gold, I stood alone in terror at the threshold between Paradise and Earth. There I heard a mysterious echo: my own voice singing to me from across the forbidden side. I shook awake— at once alive in a blaze of green fire. Let it be known: I did not fall from grace. I leapt to freedom.

Join us as Leah Carver, author of Undoing Hashimoto's, shares with us pieces of her past. From growing up with one parent attending church, the other not, and a wide array of spiritual influences, to then needing to find her way back to herself (and to health) with the diagnosis of Hashimoto's Disease. If you know your heart is full and expansive - and yet you still default to stoicism, you may find a soul sister here.

Community. It's a simple word with so many layers to it; and for those of us who are at varying levels of relationship with the church, we may have a bit of a love/hate relationship with the word, and more importantly, the concept of community. What if community is what you make of it? What if you intentionally chose to connect, deeply and for the long haul, with people of shared values and diverse perspectives? Could it be that this was the idea of church community all along? Join the conversation with Alexis Dean, founder of the Dovetail Summit and the upcoming Basecamp, to hear more of our thoughts on this - and a few more rabbit trails. ;)

Join Pamela Elaine Nichols, author of Muddy High Heels and founder of Divorced & Destined for Greatness, shares with us her bathroom breakdown moment. (And how many of us have had those moments, thinking we were the only ones?) She shares from the heart, not just the moment, but all that led up to it. Another special "crossover" episode with The Single Parent Summit podcast, Pamela Elaine takes us deeper than she's been on the SPS in the past and connects the dots between various points in her past. Join us for yet another very real, very raw, and very inspiring story of faith, hope, and love.

Something a bit more personal; why self-care is so important to me, and why it can be so very difficult for many Recovering Church Girls* to prioritize themselves - in any way, shape, or form. If you happen to be a single parent or building a business on the side of your day job, you might find a few more things we have in common. You are the glue that holds your world together; and self-care is what keeps you sticky.

Mark Kingsdorf, or as the wedding industry likes to call him (even years after his retirement,) The Guy in the Red Shirt, celebrates his love of his home church with us. What does it look like for a church to lead with love, and to serve the people in a greater way? Mark gives us an example. We also take a closer look at an industry we both spent multiple decades in; how our careers in weddings influenced our spiritual experiences, and vice versa. (Oh, the stories we could tell....)

Dan Gross, a writer and critical thinker, shares from his own experiences growing up as a Pastor's Kid in rural Ohio, in short-term missions as a teenager, and a leader in ministry in college and the work force. With a deep dive into both the philosophy and the personal experiences, Dan shows us the balance of gratitude, love and acceptance for family and foundation while still following our own journeys.

In this special episode that also crosses over with The Single Parent Summit podcast, August Spree connects the dots of her past and present with us. From growing up in a small community in downtown Pittsburgh, to decades in the youth ministry, and eventually to the present day of life as a single mom, we identify the patterns of beliefs that influenced her along the journey.

Maria Fuller is the founder of Raising Powerful Girls, and in short, is a powerhouse for change. Our conversation, once again, is personal and poignant; hitting on everything from body image to seeking external validation and the impact of raising children of our own on our faith and spirituality.

From her first missions trip as a young teen, to the commonalities we have available to us today, Tonia shares her thoughts and experiences in this mini episode.

Shane Snow, award-winning journalist, celebrated entrepreneur, and best-selling author, takes us on a journey with a story he's never shared publicly before. When you're a direct descendant of the pilgrims of the Mormon faith, certain things are just a given. And when those things conflict with the results of research from a scientific mind, where do you from there? Join in on Shane’s conversation to find out.

Sarah Nannen, author of Grief Unveiled, brings us into her own journey as a young military wife and mom, and then with a hard left turn onto a dark path no one wants to venture on, as a devastated widow with four young children. If you joined us for The Single Parent Summit, you’ll feel like we’re resuming a conversation with an old friend - but we go even deeper here. (And if you’re not familiar with The Single Parent Summit, look for the podcast to come soon and visit us here to learn more.) From the power of the diamond ring to what we’ve internalized over the year as our guiding principles, we uncover layer by layer. Join us. You can connect with Sarah at Grief Unveiled and find her book on Amazon.

Anna Jane Joyner takes us through the journey of her life, first as the daughter of a Megachurch pastor, and into her career as a social activist in climate change. From running in the church halls to crying herself to sleep from the anxiety created by the evangelical pressures Through her passion and life’s work, comparing the martyrdom in the Christian church with that in social activism. Following the rabbit trail of the impact the purity culture had on own body image and self-care struggle. Celebrating all that her family is, despite the differences. Identifying the twists and turns of her own spiritual journey. You can follow Anna Jane’s work at her podcast, No Place Like Home, and check out The Years Project, the documentary she filmed with her father on the topic of climate change and the church.

Carrie Saum, like so many of us, is more than just any one thing, any one label. She’s an author, a recipe creator, a cultivator of community for her project, Our Stable Table. She’s also a mom, a wife, and a survivor of the Purity Movement that swept the nation decades ago, which unfortunately, is still going strong in many circles. Carrie takes us right to the heart of the matter, her identity as a fellow “poster child” in the church, leading the way in the Purity Culture amongst her friends and community. From the body image issues, to the tangled web of lust and responsibility and the rape culture prevalent in so many Christian circles, we dive right into the conversations we’ve so desperately craved for all these years. You can connect with Carrie at Our Stable Table and read her work about the Purity Culture on Ravishly.

A sneak peek into what's to come with Recovering Church Girls* - not just those of us who grew up in the church, and not just those who identify as women in that environment. The stories that help us name the abuses we experienced, the kind of manipulation or control or fear-based thinking, and just as importantly, celebrate the good and find our way to healing; it's all here. From the isolation to the elitism, the striving to earn approval and the external validation we seek... by identifying the aspects of the religious constructs we can disarm the inner critic and reconnect with ourselves and our spirituality. Unpack all you were told to be, to think, to believe - in order to become who you already are.