The Woods

What if attaching to others is a matter of life and death? For Lauren it was. Our need for relationships starts the moment we leave the womb. Not everyone attaches the same way and we find this fascinating. We are talking about three main attachment styles today: Anxious, Avoidant, and Secure. We'll share how these play out in childhood and in our adult romantic relationships. We'll also share our experiences trying to attach to God and how relationships and attachment change if you jump over the village wall and into the woods. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thewoods/message

Motherhood is one of the highest sources of shame for women. Whether you grow up in the Village and live by the religious rules or you run wild in the Woods, Motherhood is tricky to navigate. In this episode, we'll share our own experiences of raising kids in the wild after leaving the almost impossible expectations found in the church. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thewoods/message

Happy Pride! We used to live in the religious village, where PRIDE month was difficult because our churches taught us that everything LGBTQ+ related was perverted, wrong, and unhealthy. YIKES! There are phrases that we used to hear (and say ourselves!) that still make us cringe. In this episode, we explore the intention behind them and how they hit us now that we are out and Queer. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thewoods/message

Remember the pressure to volunteer in the village? What if there's a time to receive and recover? Is that okay? We have had to change our understanding of ourselves, our emotional and physical capacity, and what it means to truly “give back” while living in the woods. Join us: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thewoodspodcast --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thewoods/message

Christian Therapy is an oxymoron. In this episode we explore our experiences in Christian therapy and secular therapy. We'd love to hear your stories of jumping the village wall and walking into the Woods! Join us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thewoodspodcast --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thewoods/message

Deconstruction: We'll share what made us doubt what we've always been taught, and what started our deconstruction journey. How about the core belief that we are wicked at our core? Yikes! What if instead we believed that intuition and our own inner alignment is a good thing? The village is fearful of deconstruction and The Woods welcomes it. Join us in the journey and share your story at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thewoodspodcast --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thewoods/message

This episode is a broad conversation about the church experience and addictive behaviors. All views are from our own personal experience and perspective and we want to hear your experiences so we can learn from each other. You can join us at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thewoodspodcast Religious addiction questions: https://psmag.com/news/the-god-drug-when-religion-becomes-an-addiction Gabor Mate's Website: https://drgabormate.com/ Tim Ferris interviews Gabor Mate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9B5mYfBPlY --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thewoods/message

Welcome to Season 2! Lindsay and Lauren kick off the next chapter with thoughts and stories about safe (and not so safe) places, and what it really means to provide support for LGBTQ+ members inside the church. --- Have you ever found yourself in a village, secured by its walls but not feeling safe? Maybe you've felt judged, ashamed, or like there's ulterior motives behind every action. Sometimes, we hold tight to our instincts and end up getting kicked out of the village for being an outcast. Other times, we look over the wall, and decide for our own good, we have to leave. We have to journey into the unknown, the darkness, The Woods we've been told to avoid our entire lives. You approach the undergrowth with caution, hearing scary noises, seeing red eyes glowing between the trees. You might feel cold and alone at first, but before hope is lost, stumble upon a glimmer of light. You wander toward it, and are relieved to find a roaring fire, tended by people just like you. You're shocked to find they invite you, they care for you, and they're always willing to help you through the things that you were previously told to be ashamed of. Welcome to The Woods. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thewoods/message

Beware…it's the self-help episode. This subject is often taboo from a fundamentalist perspective, but Lindsay and Lauren take another look at what it really means to improve yourself. --- Have you ever found yourself in a village, secured by its walls but not feeling safe? Maybe you've felt judged, ashamed, or like there's ulterior motives behind every action. Sometimes, we hold tight to our instincts and end up getting kicked out of the village for being an outcast. Other times, we look over the wall, and decide for our own good, we have to leave. We have to journey into the unknown, the darkness, The Woods we've been told to avoid our entire lives. You approach the undergrowth with caution, hearing scary noises, seeing red eyes glowing between the trees. You might feel cold and alone at first, but before hope is lost, stumble upon a glimmer of light. You wander toward it, and are relieved to find a roaring fire, tended by people just like you. You're shocked to find they invite you, they care for you, and they're always willing to help you through the things that you were previously told to be ashamed of. Welcome to The Woods. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thewoods/message

Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy, and...if you don't tithe your washing machine will break? This episode is all about beliefs that were drilled into us in the village, but don't seem to fit into the modern world. --- Have you ever found yourself in a village, secured by its walls but not feeling safe? Maybe you've felt judged, ashamed, or like there's ulterior motives behind every action. Sometimes, we hold tight to our instincts and end up getting kicked out of the village for being an outcast. Other times, we look over the wall, and decide for our own good, we have to leave. We have to journey into the unknown, the darkness, The Woods we've been told to avoid our entire lives. You approach the undergrowth with caution, hearing scary noises, seeing red eyes glowing between the trees. You might feel cold and alone at first, but before hope is lost, stumble upon a glimmer of light. You wander toward it, and are relieved to find a roaring fire, tended by people just like you. You're shocked to find they invite you, they care for you, and they're always willing to help you through the things that you were previously told to be ashamed of. Welcome to The Woods. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thewoods/message

Society, the church, our parents, and we ourselves have been telling a story about our bodies our entire lives. What does it look like to truly listen to your body and celebrate it as it carries you through life? --- Have you ever found yourself in a village, secured by its walls but not feeling safe? Maybe you've felt judged, ashamed, or like there's ulterior motives behind every action. Sometimes, we hold tight to our instincts and end up getting kicked out of the village for being an outcast. Other times, we look over the wall, and decide for our own good, we have to leave. We have to journey into the unknown, the darkness, The Woods we've been told to avoid our entire lives. You approach the undergrowth with caution, hearing scary noises, seeing red eyes glowing between the trees. You might feel cold and alone at first, but before hope is lost, stumble upon a glimmer of light. You wander toward it, and are relieved to find a roaring fire, tended by people just like you. You're shocked to find they invite you, they care for you, and they're always willing to help you through the things that you were previously told to be ashamed of. Welcome to The Woods. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thewoods/message

Lauren and Lindsay discuss the dynamics of a traditional church community, versus a community in The Woods. --- Have you ever found yourself in a village, secured by its walls but not feeling safe? Maybe you've felt judged, ashamed, or like there's ulterior motives behind every action. Sometimes, we hold tight to our instincts and end up getting kicked out of the village for being an outcast. Other times, we look over the wall, and decide for our own good, we have to leave. We have to journey into the unknown, the darkness, The Woods we've been told to avoid our entire lives. You approach the undergrowth with caution, hearing scary noises, seeing red eyes glowing between the trees. You might feel cold and alone at first, but before hope is lost, stumble upon a glimmer of light. You wander toward it, and are relieved to find a roaring fire, tended by people just like you. You're shocked to find they invite you, they care for you, and they're always willing to help you through the things that you were previously told to be ashamed of. Welcome to The Woods. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thewoods/message

Do you ever second guess yourself because you feel like you're not allowed to do something? Or maybe you've felt like you have to go through with something even though your gut is telling you you shouldn't? This episode is all about learning to trust and act on those gut feelings (they're usually right!). --- Have you ever found yourself in a village, secured by its walls but not feeling safe? Maybe you've felt judged, ashamed, or like there's ulterior motives behind every action. Sometimes, we hold tight to our instincts and end up getting kicked out of the village for being an outcast. Other times, we look over the wall, and decide for our own good, we have to leave. We have to journey into the unknown, the darkness, The Woods we've been told to avoid our entire lives. You approach the undergrowth with caution, hearing scary noises, seeing red eyes glowing between the trees. You might feel cold and alone at first, but before hope is lost, stumble upon a glimmer of light. You wander toward it, and are relieved to find a roaring fire, tended by people just like you. You're shocked to find they invite you, they care for you, and they're always willing to help you through the things that you were previously told to be ashamed of. Welcome to The Woods. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thewoods/message

Surprise, we're dating! Also, we talk boundaries. When is it okay to stand up for yourself and let others know how you're feeling? --- Have you ever found yourself in a village, secured by its walls but not feeling safe? Maybe you've felt judged, ashamed, or like there's ulterior motives behind every action. Sometimes, we hold tight to our instincts and end up getting kicked out of the village for being an outcast. Other times, we look over the wall, and decide for our own good, we have to leave. We have to journey into the unknown, the darkness, The Woods we've been told to avoid our entire lives. You approach the undergrowth with caution, hearing scary noises, seeing red eyes glowing between the trees. You might feel cold and alone at first, but before hope is lost, stumble upon a glimmer of light. You wander toward it, and are relieved to find a roaring fire, tended by people just like you. You're shocked to find they invite you, they care for you, and they're always willing to help you through the things that you were previously told to be ashamed of. Welcome to The Woods. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thewoods/message

In this episode, hosts Lauren and Lindsay talk about "quiet times", a church-backed practice that usually involves reading the Bible, journaling, praying, and repenting your sins to God. They discuss their own experiences with quiet times, and propose that it shouldn't be shameful, but totally human to share your struggles and needs with others. --- Have you ever found yourself in a village, secured by its walls but not feeling safe? Maybe you've felt judged, ashamed, or like there's ulterior motives behind every action. Sometimes, we hold tight to our instincts and end up getting kicked out of the village for being an outcast. Other times, we look over the wall, and decide for our own good, we have to leave. We have to journey into the unknown, the darkness, The Woods we've been told to avoid our entire lives. You approach the undergrowth with caution, hearing scary noises, seeing red eyes glowing between the trees. You might feel cold and alone at first, but before hope is lost, stumble upon a glimmer of light. You wander toward it, and are relieved to find a roaring fire, tended by people just like you. You're shocked to find they invite you, they care for you, and they're always willing to help you through the things that you were previously told to be ashamed of. Welcome to The Woods. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thewoods/message

In this introductory episode, hosts Lauren and Lindsay tell their personal stories of their choice to leave the village, and what has kept them in The Woods ever since. --- Have you ever found yourself in a village, secured by its walls but not feeling safe? Maybe you've felt judged, ashamed, or like there's ulterior motives behind every action. Sometimes, we hold tight to our instincts and end up getting kicked out of the village for being an outcast. Other times, we look over the wall, and decide for our own good, we have to leave. We have to journey into the unknown, the darkness, The Woods we've been told to avoid our entire lives. You approach the undergrowth with caution, hearing scary noises, seeing red eyes glowing between the trees. You might feel cold and alone at first, but before hope is lost, stumble upon a glimmer of light. You wander toward it, and are relieved to find a roaring fire, tended by people just like you. You're shocked to find they invite you, they care for you, and they're always willing to help you through the things that you were previously told to be ashamed of. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thewoods/message

Have you ever found yourself in a village, secured by its walls, but not feeling safe? Maybe you've felt judged, ashamed, or like there's ulterior motives behind every action. Sometimes, we hold tight to our instincts and end up getting kicked out of the village for being an outcast. Other times, we look over the wall, and decide for our own good, we have to leave. We have to journey into the unknown, the darkness, The Woods we've been told to avoid our entire lives. You approach the undergrowth with caution, hearing scary noises, seeing red eyes glowing between the trees. You might feel cold and alone at first, but before hope is lost, stumble upon a glimmer of light. You wander toward it, and are relieved to find a roaring fire, tended by people just like you. You're shocked to find they invite you, they care for you, and they're always willing to help you through the things that you were previously told to be ashamed of. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/thewoods/message