Podcasts about freedhearts

In this heartfelt episode, Susan Cottrell, Co-Host of Freedhearts Podcast, shares her personal journey of prioritizing love and acceptance over traditional evangelical beliefs upon her child's coming out as LGBTQ. Susan discuss the challenges faced within the church, the need for adults and children to learn anti-bullying behavior, and the courage it requires to step away from judgmental ideologies. This narrative emphasizes embracing a God much larger than religious confines, valuing authentic relationships, and the dynamic nature of faith and understanding. It encourages viewers to love openly, challenge doctrinal constraints, and see God's love beyond institutional walls.To watch Susan's TedX talk, click here!To find out more about Freedhearts' work and podcast, visit this website.To listen to Susan and Robert on Freedhearts Podcast, click here!Please leave a review if you enjoy the podcast!   Honoring the Journey is hosted, produced and edited by Leslie Nease and the artwork for the show is also created by Leslie Nease.Interested in working with Leslie as your Life/Faith Transitions Coach? Check out her website and learn more about what she offers! https://www.leslieneasecoaching.comIf you'd like to be a part of the Honoring the Journey Team as a Patreon Supporter, please check it out at this link!If you are looking for community as you deconstruct or just a place to go and enjoy the company of people who are seekers, learners and who are looking to connect with the Divine without religious baggage, please join the Private Facebook Community! Leslie is very passionate about connection and community, so if that sounds like you, please come join us!

This Quoircast episode it brought to you by The Seeds of De(con)stuction by Nat Turney. he book is published by Quoir and is available now.In this episode we chat with Susan Cottrell.SUSAN COTTRELL is an international speaker whose TEDx talk has 1.5 million views. OutSmart magazine called her “The Mother of All MamaBears.” The Advocate dubbed her “our favorite affirming matriarch.” She is a prominent voice for the LGBTQ community and their faith parents who has been featured on ABC's 20/20, Nightline and Good Morning America, on NBC News Out, and as a contributor on the Our Bible app. She is a public theologian and through her nonprofit organization—FreedHearts—Susan expresses her authentic love for the LGBTQ+ community and families; and she sees love as the healing foundation of family, faith, and community. She spent 20+ years in the nonaffirming Evangelical church, has a Master of Arts in Theological Studies, and served as the Vice-President of PFLAG Austin. Her FreedHearts Blog and YouTube videos have millions of viewers, and her books “Mom, I'm Gay”—Loving Your LGBTQ Child and Strengthening Your Faith; True Colors: Celebrating the Truth and Beauty of the Real You; Radically Included: The Biblical Case for Radical Love and Inclusion; and Be the Love You Want to See in the World are critically acclaimed. She and her husband Rob have been married for 34 years and have five children, two of whom identify as queer.You can follow Susan on:Facebook     Instagram     Check out FreedHearts on there websiteLike, follow and listen to Susan's podcastYou can purchase Susan's books on Amazon.comYou can connect with This Is Not Church on:Facebook     Instagram      Twitter     TikTok     YouTubeAlso check out our Linktree for all things This Is Not Church relatedPlease like and follow our Quoircast Partners:Heretic Happy Hour     Messy Spirituality     Apostates Anonymous    Second Cup with Keith     The Church Needs TherapyIdeas Digest     The New Evangelicals     Snarky Faith Podcast     Wild Olive     Deadly FaithJonathan Foster     Sacred Thoughts     Holy Heretics     Reframing Our StoriesEach episode of This Is Not Church Podcast is expertly engineered by our producer The Podcast Doctor Eric Howell. If you're thinking of starting a podcast you need to connect with Eric!

SUSAN COTTRELL is an international speaker whose TEDx talk, for a crowd of 5,000 at TedxMileHigh in Denver, has 1.6 million online views. OutSmart magazine calls her “The Mother of All MamaBears.” The Advocate dubs her “our favorite affirming matriarch.” She is a prominent voice for the LGBTQ+ community & their faith parents; allies; and others who are marginalized and in the midst of deconstructing from harmful, false, religious teachings. Susan has been featured on ABC's 20/20, Nightline and Good Morning America, on NBC News Out, and as a contributor on the Our Bible app. She is a public theologian and through her nonprofit organization—FreedHearts.org—Susan challenges people to love as the foundation of their faith. She spent 20+ years in the nonaffirming Evangelical church, has a Master of Arts in Theological Studies, and served as the Vice-President of PFLAG Austin. Her FreedHearts Blog and YouTube videos have millions of viewers; the top-rated FreedHearts Podcast has more than 100,000 downloads and is heard in nearly 150 countries; and her books “Mom, I'm Gay”—Loving Your LGBTQ Child and Strengthening Your Faith; True Colors: Celebrating the Truth and Beauty of the Real You; Radically Included: The Biblical Case for Radical Love and Inclusion; and Be the Love You Want to See in the World are critically acclaimed. She and her husband Rob have been married for 36 years and have five children, two of whom identify as queer, as well as one grandchild and another on the way. “Susan has this fierce, loving, don't mess with me, Mom vibe.”—Rev Ashley Harness, Auburn Seminary “What impresses me about Susan is that she's not someone who argues and strongarms people into seeing things her way. She's someone who listens and cares for others really well. Her presence challenges Christians who reject our friends in the LGBTQ community to understand the love of God.”—Michael Hidalgo, Lead Pastor, Denver Community Church --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/latiska-powell9/message

Embracing sexual orientation is one of the leading factors and catalysts for faith shifts and deconstruction. Susan Cottrell tells her own story that began when one of her children came out as queer. This launched a radical reevaluation of her theology, leading to discover the overriding principle of love over rules. Susan and her husband, Robert, founded FreedHearts, whose mission is to promote love, inclusion, belonging and hope for all. They provide educational resources and support for those who identify as queer, their parents and churches. Susan's work can be found on social media platforms, YouTube and Ted Talks. Find out more at www.freedhearts.org. 

Welcome to the show.  Today, I have special guest, Susan Cottrell.SUSAN COTTRELL is an international speaker whose TEDx talk has 1.6 million views. OutSmart magazine called her “The Mother of All MamaBears.” The Advocate dubbed her “our favorite affirming matriarch.” She is a prominent voice for the LGBTQ community and their faith parents who has been featured on ABC's 20/20, Nightline and Good Morning America, on NBC News Out, and as a contributor on the Our Bible app. She is a public theologian and through her nonprofit organization—FreedHearts—Susan champions the LGBTQ community and families with her authentic love; and she challenges people to love as the foundation of their faith. She spent 20+ years in the nonaffirming Evangelical church, has a Master of Arts in Theological Studies, and served as the Vice-President of PFLAG Austin. Her FreedHearts Blog and YouTube videos have millions of viewers, the FreedHearts Podcast has more than 50,000 downloads, and her books “Mom, I'm Gay”—Loving Your LGBTQ Child and Strengthening Your Faith; True Colors: Celebrating the Truth and Beauty of the Real You; Radically Included: The Biblical Case for Radical Love and Inclusion; and Be the Love You Want to See in the World are critically acclaimed. She and her husband Rob have been married for 34 years and have five children, two of whom identify as queer.  ————————————www.FreedHearts.orgTo connect with me, learn more about services, or get some good free tools, simply visit:To connect with me on Instagram, visit here."Create Your Calm:" Guided Meditation DownloadForgive to Heal: 10 Steps to get you there (Digital Course)"Jumpstart Your Healing" Single Session Coaching for ClarityChurch Trauma Package (1-1, 6-week coaching for LGBTQ+)Coaching for the Parent of a LGBTQ+ Child of any ageBoundary Setting 101: Single Coaching SessionSupport the show with a $5 gift.To visit my website and get all my freebies and learn more!Visit www.jkeithbrown.com and look at the top of the landing page to grab your FREE copy of this .pdf worksheet. Then, simply go through the steps and you will be better interpreting Scripture immediately. If you need more help, consider joining one of my Rainbow Champions group coaching journey. I think we all suffer stress in the crazy days. I wanted to offer you a FREE copy of my Create Your Calm guided meditation. Just click HERE to grab your copy.

In this episode we chat with Susan Cottrell. SUSAN COTTRELL is an international speaker whose TEDx talk has 1.5 million views. OutSmart magazine called her “The Mother of All MamaBears.” The Advocate dubbed her “our favorite affirming matriarch.” She is a prominent voice for the LGBTQ community and their faith parents who has been featured on ABC's 20/20, Nightline and Good Morning America, on NBC News Out, and as a contributor on the Our Bible app. She is a public theologian and through her nonprofit organization—FreedHearts—Susan expresses her authentic love for the LGBTQ+ community and families; and she sees love as the healing foundation of family, faith, and community. She spent 20+ years in the nonaffirming Evangelical church, has a Master of Arts in Theological Studies, and served as the Vice-President of PFLAG Austin. Her FreedHearts Blog and YouTube videos have millions of viewers, and her books “Mom, I'm Gay”—Loving Your LGBTQ Child and Strengthening Your Faith; True Colors: Celebrating the Truth and Beauty of the Real You; Radically Included: The Biblical Case for Radical Love and Inclusion; and Be the Love You Want to See in the World are critically acclaimed. She and her husband Rob have been married for 34 years and have five children, two of whom identify as queer. Yo can follow Susan on: Facebook     Instagram Check out FreedHearts on there website Take a listen to Susan's podcast You can purchase Susan's book on Amazon.com You can connect with us on    Facebook     Instagram      Twitter Want to help us with our future episodes of This Is Not Church Podcast? Join us on Patreon where you will get access to exclusive patron content such as early access to episode, videos of upcoming episodes, and live Q&A sessions. Also check out our website for upcoming interviews and blog posts Each episode of This Is Not Church Podcast is expertly engineered by our producer The Podcast Doctor Eric Howell. If you're thinking of starting a podcast you need to connect with Eric!

In this episode, we commune with Susan Cottrell.She is considered the Mama Bear of the LGBTQ+ community. She is a  powerful and profound voice reminding us to always choose love and inclusion.She shared with us that the height of spiritual abuse is to take God away.She taught us how to decolonize God!Susan explains how we are called to be radically included and- yep- that means radically inclusive of others.  We discover that Jesus does NOT want to you throw out your child because of who they love!Find out if your convicted or conditioned.  If you are confused, ask God to show you how you are loved.A freed heart won't take it if it feels like fear but, most of all...if it feels like love it's God!Personal Websitewww.FreedHearts.orgSocial Media linkhttps://www.facebook.com/FreedHearts/------Support Caravan of the HeartMore about Caravan of the HeartA podcast...a blisscast by Troubadours of Divine Bliss, Aim Me Smiley & Renee Ananda, a touring folk music duo, inspirational speakers, retreat leaders, and advocates for this planet and its people.On this podcast, we have heart-to-heart conversations around freeing our dreams and amplifying love in all things. Enjoy an exhilarating melange of exchanges where the arts meet awareness to champion and elevate the love of yourself, others, and the Earth.Join this caravan of seekers sharing what they find that empowers love in every part of the journey. Summon a revolution of Love through devotion, purpose, creation, Earth care, and community."Come, come, whoever you are. This is not a caravan of despair."  RumiLove is Spoken HereLearn MoreSupport Caravan of the HeartSupport the show (https://ko-fi.com/caravanoftheheart)

In this episode, we pay another visit to the FreedHearts Podcast Inbox!We answer questions from our listeners like…  “How can someone be transgender when God doesn't make mistakes?”  “Why do you say the LGBTQ issue is a dealbreaker in church?”  “If I deconstruct my faith, can I still keep some things I believe in?”  “Can I love and follow Jesus and not be a Christian?”  and “Why do you have to be so irreverent?”  Wait, what??  Are we?  Yeah, well… maybe a little. But, actually, that's okay. :-) Let's talk about all of this. Support the show (https://www.freedhearts.org/donate)

Today is a very powerful, important episode. We talk about how to deal with abusive people. How do we love people who are tough to love? Is a toxic relationship worth fighting for? Is it unloving to step away from abusive people?How can we get what we need? And so many of you are not getting what you need from your faith communities and even your families, which is really, really hard. We need love and encouragement, as we are for who we are. Unconditionally. It's what you deserve. Really. And we hope this episode helps you get that. 

Paul has been pulled from context, and misused to shame, reject, condemn and bring great harm to those in the LGBTQ+ community, and people who support them.In this episode we discuss whether Paul is about legalism, law and bondage? Or is he about love, life and freedom? Or does it all depend?We will take a closer look at the perils of Paul, and the particularly puzzling place of Paul as paramount… instead of Jesus.  Peculiar! Perplexing!  :-) 

Being the Dad of an LGBTQ Child! This is a very special episode for Dads of LGBTQ kids - or about your Dad, or about the Dad of someone you love. Today, I talk about the core issues unique to being the Father of an LGBTQ child. I'll give some tools you can use to understand your kids, deepen your relationships, strengthen your faith, and deal with non-affirming friends, family and those at church. Dads, it's just me and you today. Bring your fears, bring your hearts, and let's talk.

What About Anti-Gay Religious Leaders? The Pope, evangelicals, denominations...  What about anti-gay religious leaders? With such deeply-held beliefs and traditions, how do we respond? How do we free our hearts from the impact of these religious leaders, who come from flawed oppressive systems, speaking to us about moral issues? How can we change the influence they have in our lives?

The Deconstruction Journey: What About Sin?  Have you been told you are in sin? Called a sinner? When you question this – you are often immediately labeled a heretic or an apostate or maybe someone who was never really a Christian to begin with.  All of that attack and defensiveness instead of just having an open conversation.  But when you question these – when you open your box, all heaven breaks loose and you start to deconstruct your faith and reconstruct a spirituality that is deeper and richer and more satisfying.

Love That Feels Like Love!What does it mean to love? We’re told to love, and many people will treat others horribly and claim they are loving. Many of you have been on the receiving end of terrible treatment and then been told that they are loving you. You know what? That just does not work and today we are going to talk about how to recognize it and what to do. 

“Dealing with Dysfunctional Family Rejection”If you are part of the LGBTQ community - or an affirming parent - and you are experiencing rejection from family, we are so sorry. It has nothing to do with you. It reveals everything about them and nothing whatsoever about you. And you certainly don’t deserve it.In this episode, we talk about how you can respond to non-affirming, dysfunctional family. Important counsel on how to protect yourself and your heart. 

Continuing our conversation about broken family relationships, today we talk about what it is costing our LGBTQ kids. What is the cost when parents have broken with them? What does it cost your child when you withhold love or limit the relationship, simply because you are not okay, for whatever reason, with them being gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender? Mom, Dad… they are paying a price much greater than we can ever imagine. Today, we talk about all of this and what we, as parents, can do.

This is a very special episode for parents wanting to improve your relationship with your LGBTQ child. If you are not a parent, this would be a great episode to send TO your parents. :-) Mom & Dad, maybe you are struggling to understand your child. They may have told you they’re gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, or other words that may not make sense to you.  Your faith community is telling you to reject them, to not accept them as they are. And you know, in your heart, that something is just not right with that.Today, we talk about broken family relationships, what the cost is to us as parents, and what we can do next. 

SUSAN COTTRELL is an international speaker whose TEDx talk has 1.5 million views. OutSmart magazine called her “The Mother of All MamaBears.” The Advocate dubbed her “our favorite affirming matriarch.” She is a prominent voice for the LGBTQ community and their faith parents who has been featured on ABC’s 20/20, Nightline and Good Morning America, on NBC News Out, and as a contributor on the Our Bible app. She is a public theologian and through her nonprofit organization—FreedHearts—Susan champions the LGBTQ community and families with her authentic love; and she challenges Christians to love as the foundation of faith. She spent 20+ years in the nonaffirming Evangelical church, has a Master of Arts in Theological Studies, and served as the Vice-President of PFLAG Austin. Her FreedHearts Blog and YouTube videos have millions of viewers, and her books “Mom, I’m Gay”—Loving Your LGBTQ Child and Strengthening Your Faith; True Colors: Celebrating the Truth and Beauty of the Real You; Radically Included: The Biblical Case for Radical Love and Inclusion; and Be the Love You Want to See in the World are critically acclaimed. She and her husband Rob have been married for 33 years and have five children, two of whom identify as queer.  
“Susan has this fierce, loving, don’t mess with me, Mom vibe.”—Rev Ashley Harness, Auburn Seminary www.FreedHearts.org and @freedhearts on social media @deconstruct.pod @laurendeleary @officialadamfrost

We are very fortunate to have a unique relationship, and we think we have a lot to offer about on how to have a great relationship. But, we had to work to get here. We went through some hardships that threatened everything, but we were always committed to wholeness. We always sought love and healing, even when it was hard.Many of you have great relationships too. Many of you don’t. Today we want to share some of our keys and hope that is has something to offer to you, wherever you are.

Okay, let’s talk about sex! Did you know that term “unnatural sex” that we read about in the Bible is any sex that's not procreative?! One theme emerged that shifted our view of the nonaffirming church and drove our deconstruction. That theme is the motivation to protect the institution even as it diminishes and even destroys the people within. So today, we’ll look at patriarchy and misogyny, and how harmful and endemic they are.

Abuse is basically someone in power using, misusing those without power. Whether it’s emotional, spiritual, physical, or sexual. It’s someone with more power abusing someone with less power. Is your church spiritually abusive? Today, we give you ways to know for sure. To discover this can be troubling, depressing. But it is so beautifully freeing. 

What Does it Really Mean to Deconstruct My Faith?When you leave your previous understanding of your faith, it may feel as if you lost your entire identity because of how tightly you held those beliefs. In this episode, we talk about what it really means to deconstruct your faith. What affirms our deconstruction is realizing that God is in all the places we were told not to go. 

Do you wish you could get away from that internalized voice of disapproval and shame? This is one of the hardest issues to face for LGBTQ+ people on their path to acceptance, and for families and loved ones — especially those with a faith background. Today, we talk about the enemy within: internalized queerphobia. 

What a time it is! I’ve had to pull myself back from living in a constant state of fight or flight. How about you? Fight or flight is meant to be a temporary state, a brilliant way to protect us from that proverbial tiger. But that should be a very small portion of our lives. If we find ourselves stuck in fight or flight - what’s the alternative? What is the ideal state look like?

This episode is for parents of LGBTQ children; or LGBTQ people with parents; or those allies and friends who know parents. In other words, this is for you!In our work with tens of thousands of parents of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer children, there are 5 questions that almost always come up. Things they are concerned about; things they wonder and worry about. In this episode, we answer those questions! We help set hearts free to fully affirm and accept; to love and be loved. 

It’s common in today’s non-affirming church teaching to talk about the Bible as “the inerrant, unchanged word of God,” meaning, if you even question what you’ve been taught about the Bible or what it says, you are labeled a heretic!But, as we have discovered on our own deconstruction journey, there are a lot of problems with that!In this episode, we talk about what to do with the Bible in the midst of a deconstructing faith.

I went to seminary as an evangelical. I had no idea it was going to hold so many surprises. Here are the top 7 shockers that change the entire game of Christianity. Knowing these will help us continue to unravel the hurtful, destructive teachings that, in truth, really have nothing to do with Jesus, God or the Bible. It was the beginning of the deconstruction of my faith, and the beginning of a much deeper, more beautiful, more satisfying faith and spirituality.

The teaching of contempt, the teach of “us vs them,” has seeped into our culture and thinking. There’s no magic answer to fix it, and it has taken root in our lives, in society. So, what can we do? In this powerful episode, we discover how to recognize and deal with contempt in our lives - that we are receiving and that we are giving. This episode is about beginning to truly see ourselves and each other.

If you could write a love letter to your past self - to little Susie Q or little Bobby - what would you say? And if you could write a love letter to your future self - in 10, 20, 30 years - what would you say?In this episode, we talk about the thread of love running through your life, what may be hindering that, and how we can free our hearts to love and be loved - as we deserve. The most important love you will give or receive is the love you give to, and receive from yourself.

How often do you find yourself responding to the same old questions and hurtful comments from non-affirming people?In this episode, we discuss why you should never waste your time, never waste your heart debating with, or explaining yourself to someone who is committed to misunderstanding you. It can be toxic!You don't deserve it, and we'll talk about how we can respond instead.

By the time Susan turned 24, both her parents and three brothers had died! She had been relentlessly bullied; and was married and divorced.This personal, intimate episode is for those of us who have experienced pain and heart-breaking loss, and how to turn that into heart-freeing love.Susan opens up and shares her heart and her incredible story in this special episode.

So much pain has been inflicted in the name of God. We have been deeply hurt, we get triggered and we want nothing to do with Jesus. But what has been used to hurt us has been absolute lies and is not really about God or Jesus!One of the worst things that ever happened to Jesus was the religion of Christianity, and non-affirming Christianity has largely gotten him wrong. Jesus is still one of the best-kept secrets because his truth has been grossly distorted by people who claim to speak for him.There is a religion-free Jesus who belongs to all of us. This episode will help set our hearts free.

In this beautiful, intimate episode, Susan talks openly about her decision to have her breasts and ovaries removed as part of her battle with cancer, and how it impacted her femininity. "I learned the power of loving my body. I learned how much I took my body for granted and how much more I wanted to love it. We have tied our femininity so much to our body -- our shape, our size, our sexiness -- a lot about how others see us. And it's so much more than that. It's about confidence, which really is self-love." - Susan

In a beautiful, very special holiday episode, we share three stories - one from Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple; one from Sandra Cisneros; and a unique retelling of the Biblical story for us outliers, the rest of us. I hope these unwrap the way we see and celebrate this Christmas holiday season. It is about reconstructing Christmas in the midst of a deconstructing faith. Celebrating for the rest of us.

Why do parents struggle with loving their LGBTQ children? The false teachings and faulty arguments that lead parents to reject their LGBTQ children. Why do LGBTQ struggle with internalized homophobia, with loving themselves? The false teachings and faulty arguments that lead LGBTQ people to reject themselves. Important information; and a tender, powerful message on how to respond to those who use these false teachings to hurt us. An episode to help set your heart free!

Our first visit to the FreedHearts Podcast Inbox! In this special episode we answer questions we have received from our listeners. I am pretty sure you have heard them, or even asked them yourself!Questions about supporting an LGBTQ person who is in the middle of a very non-affirming environment; talking to anti-gay pastors and church leaders; the difference between a welcoming and a truly affirming church; microaggressions; when is it time to leave a church; dealing with internalized homophobia; and more.

“My child is walking away from God!” “I know I don’t believe what I used to but I don’t know what I believe now!”“How can I believe in God at all anymore?”What happens when your faith starts to change? Deconstructing our faith is letting go of any part of whatever you believe that does NOT tell you that you are absolutely, unconditionally acceptance, included, loved and beloved.It can be scary and feel overwhelming. But it is one of the most beautiful things you will ever do. What remains is real and pure and celebrates who you are, without condition.

Have you been uninvited to a holiday or family gathering? Is that kind of event the last place you would want to be because of things that are said or just because of how you are made to feel? Let’s talk about how to navigate difficult family situations, and also about options for when you can’t, or don’t want to go home for the holidays.

How do we deal with infuriating family fanatics? When we are afraid, angry, and even hurt, how do we love people we don’t even like that much? What does that mean, and what does it not mean?

What a time it has been! We have been through a lot, almost like going through a war together. Many of us are exhausted! And for a lot of you, all of this is in addition to the daily rejection and hurt we receive from family and friends - just because you are LGBTQ. Now is the perfect time for self care. Now is the perfect time for a love letter… to ourselves.

Even the most optimistic people, this year is doing a number on us. It seems as if every day something else is happening – wildfires, floods, protests, politics, racial tension, and deaths and suffering on so many levels from COVID.Our emotional and mental health is fragile. We just can’t seem to get our footing. And it just keeps piling up.We are stressed, afraid, angry. The present is overwhelming and unbelievably painful and difficult for so so many. The future is uncertain. In this episode, we talk about how fear is impacting us, and especially about something we can do that is powerful and profoundly simple.

There has been so much hurt justified “in the name of love.” We all think we’re loving, so why do so many people feel unloved? What is love, really? The answer may surprise you. We will give you the definition of love in 14 beautiful, powerful words.

Welcome to Have a Blessed Gay, your weekly spiritual-comedy podcast! Join holy host, Tyler Martin, as he critically discusses social norms, current events, mental health, religion, and spirituality from an outcast's perspective. In this touching episode, Tyler talks with Susan Cottrell, an international speaker, who you might know from her amazing TEDx Talk that went viral in 2019. Named “Our favorite affirming matriarch” by the Advocate, she is a prominent voice for the LGBTQ+ community. She has been featured on ABC’s 20/20, Nightline, and Good Morning America. She is a public theologian, and through her nonprofit organization, FreedHearts, Susan champions the LGBTQ+ community and families with her authentic love; and she challenges Christians to love as the foundation of faith. She spent 20+ years in the non affirming Evangelical church, has a Master of Arts in Theological Studies, and served as the Vice-President of PFLAG Austin. But she didn’t stop there -- she has written several books, and her newest endeavor is a wonderful podcast called FreedHearts, which is available on all podcast platforms. It is about changing the human conversation on love and inclusion, so if you enjoy her on here, definitely check out her and her hubby Rob on their new podcast. This episode also features an excerpt from the new extremely special article for The B Word read by the incredible author herself, actor, professor, and writer Dr. Paige Martin Reynolds. The article, called “Our Sensory Sanctuary,” revolves around the importance of having a space for everyone, including people with certain sensory needs. Paige tells the journey of creating a space for her child who has autism at their church (a sensory room). A very poignant, much needed conversation surrounding inclusion. The entire article is also now available on the Have a Blessed Gay website haveablessedgay.com/thebword. Read it and subscribe to the newsletter to know when new articles drop! Guest: Susan Cottrell FreedHearts: www.freedhearts.org IG/Facebook: @freedhearts YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/stcottrell TEDx Talk (Why I chose my LGBTQ daughter over the Evangelical Church): www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP01bH9Ljf4 FreedHearts Podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/freedhearts/id1533444664 The B Word: www.haveablessedgay.com/thebword Our Sensory Sanctuary by Dr. Paige Martin Reynolds Website: www.paigemartinreynolds.com/ Sponsored by BetterHelp! Get 10% Off BetterHelp therapy by using my code! www.betterhelp.com/blessedgay Your Host: Tyler Martin Instagram: @tylerisaacmartin Follow Have a Blessed Gay and Reach Out! Instagram/Twitter/Facebook: @haveablessedgay www.haveablessedgay.com Email: hello@haveablessedgay.com U.S. Helplines National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 Trevor Project Helpline (LGBTQ+ Youth): 1-866-488-7386 Trans Helpline: 877-565-8860

In this episode, we talk about one of the two deadliest teachings in all of humanity. It is at the heart of our division. It is responsible for some of history’s most brutal treatment of ethnic groups, religious groups, women, LGBTQ; and it is rampant today. What is it and what can we do?

World renowned co-founder of FreedHearts Foudation, and an original member of the power rotation, the amazing Susan Cottrell returns in the Pews with aplomb. The episode commences with Glenn discussing the fact that Kiersty arrived safely from Ohio to Tampa and is currently enjoying her first professional massage since she was 17 years old. Then we learn: why Susan and Robert started their own podcast, how her ongoing recovery from breast cancer is progressing, some of the new health modalities she has embraced, of the plans to still do the “Beloved Weekends”, the Cottrells’ daughter’s music, how she defines deconstructing from religion, the meaning of the word “respect”, what calling other beautiful humans hateful names reveals about the caller, societal pendulum swings, plus so much more! The Post Game Show includes music from Saint Sinner and Angel Gabriel. It ain’t going to be boring.   Powerful and poignant adult content, insight, humor and spirituality. NSFW or children. A portion of all proceeds donated to combat human sex slave trafficking and genital mutilation.

We have gone from being leaders in the evangelical church to fully affirming parents of two LGBTQ children, as well as fierce advocates and allies. Our faith evolved without asking our permission. What can you expect on a journey that asks you to deconstruct your faith? How does that impact our core beliefs and our community?

Our first daughter came out more than 10 years ago. We started FreedHearts in 2013 and have reached millions of parents and LGBTQ. After all this time, why a podcast and why now? Who are we, why we are doing a podcast, and who is this podcast for? Our focus is to change the human conversation on love and inclusion - so what does that mean?

Many people don’t like the word authority because sadly it has been used by some to cause harm. But as believers in Jesus Christ our authority is meant to be used to administer love to the people around us. Love is an important element of the authority placed in us by Christ as his representatives here on Earth. But with authority comes great responsibility. Very shortly we are going to experience a cross over moment. A time when we cross over from lockdown and isolation back into freedom. We have an opportunity for the church to come out differently than when we went into lockdown. May the church use the authority granted by Christ to do away with hate and exclusion and to welcome all who would come with love and kindness.Melbourne Inclusive Church boldly and proudly proclaims Christ’s equal love for all people regardless of their ability, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, age, gender or culture. To support the ministry of Melbourne Inclusive Church go to: https://www.michurch.org.au/your-gift Join us live on Facebook on Sundays at 11:30 am (Melbourne): https://www.facebook.com/MIChurch.org.au

Many people don’t like the word authority because sadly it has been used by some to cause harm. But as believers in Jesus Christ our authority is meant to be used to administer love to the people around us. Love is an important element of the authority placed in us by Christ as his representatives here on Earth. But with authority comes great responsibility. Very shortly we are going to experience a cross over moment. A time when we cross over from lockdown and isolation back into freedom. We have an opportunity for the church to come out differently than when we went into lockdown. May the church use the authority granted by Christ to do away with hate and exclusion and to welcome all who would come with love and kindness.Melbourne Inclusive Church boldly and proudly proclaims Christ’s equal love for all people regardless of their ability, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, age, gender or culture. To support the ministry of Melbourne Inclusive Church go to: https://www.michurch.org.au/your-gift Join us live on Facebook on Sundays at 11:30 am (Melbourne): https://www.facebook.com/MIChurch.org.au

FreedHearts founder, Susan Cottrell, joins Michael sharing her story choosing her bisexual daughter over conservative Christianity. Her organization helps those in the LBGTQ community deal with family, religious, and community wounds and find a chosen family. They help the non-affirming church be more inclusive and help parents understand their lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender children, keep their kids safe, and their family strong.  Michael and Susan have a illuminating conversation on what it's like to come out of evangelicalism when forced to choose between a religion and a child. Susan shares how she came to realize something was terribly wrong with the Rulebook approach to interpreting homosexuality in the Bible and what she learned in her research. Rejected by many family and friends, she evolved into a voice for the wounded, developing courses and content that help people in the LGBTQ community deal with rejection, bullying, and gay bashing. Her work also helps parents, when entrenched in religiously-motivated judgmentalism, to find a new love-affirming paradigm that accepts, includes, and cherishes their gay children.  Visit Susan's FreedHearts to learn more and Michael's Spiritual Brewpub to learn about getting help with deconstructing fundamentalist and evangelical Christianity. 

As we continue celebrating the milestone of 200 episodes and welcoming back some of the major members of the power rotation, Susan Cottrell (renowned Ted-X Speaker and Co-Founder of FreedHearts.org,) makes her victorious return in the Pews at the Alicia Lopez Pure Romance Studios. It all commences with Susan rehearsing her and husband Robert’s story of how FreedHearts began when they had to make a choice between their queer daughter and their church. Then a fascinating discussion ensues which includes: why some parents may choose their religion over their children (perhaps because as Susan says “they’re afraid to lose their tribe”), Glenn’s story of being abused at summer camp and Susan’s suggestion for him and others when considering confronting their assailants, Christianity’s misunderstanding of the Bible, God and the Gospel, why not protecting your home and child from an institution is “reprehensible”, about the importance of “following the money”, why religion is a form of mental illness, the lesson her daughter learned while being continually yelled at on her job, how she invites members of the LGBTQ community to respond when being disrespected, the future of Beloved Weekends and FreedHearts, plus so much more! The Coach’s “Postgame Wrap-Up Show” includes music from Lady Gaga.  It ain’t going to be boring. Powerful and poignant adult content, spirituality, insight, and humor.  A portion of all proceeds donated to combat human sex slave trafficking and genital mutilation.  

012 - This episode is the conclusion of Heather Hester's interview with Susan Cottrell, founder of Freedhearts.org. More incredible information is waiting for you! Susan's message crosses all faiths, as every one of us regardless of church or cultural tradition has received messaging in our lives about LGBTQ people.Listen in with an open mind and open heart! Here are the links mentioned in the show:www.freedhearts.orgTedx TalkI would be so grateful if you would subscribe to, rate and review Just Breathe. AND, as always, please share with anyone who needs to know they are not alone!Click here for more resources!Support the show (https://paypal.me/ChrysalisMama?locale.x=en_US)

011 - In this episode, Heather Hester shares an insightful interview with Susan Cottrell, founder of Freedhearts.org, mother of 5 (2 of whom are queer), advocate, and beautiful human being. Susan shares stories with authenticity and depth of knowledge that makes you want to learn more! Susan's message crosses all faiths, as every one of us regardless of church or cultural tradition has received messaging in our lives about LGBTQ people.Listen in with an open mind and open heart! Here are the links mentioned in the show:www.freedhearts.orgTedx TalkI would be so grateful if you would subscribe to, rate and review Just Breathe. AND, as always, please share with anyone who needs to know they are not alone!Click here for more resources!Support the show (https://paypal.me/ChrysalisMama?locale.x=en_US)

A typical Christian family, Susan and Rob raised their five children in the Evangelical Church. Then, two of their daughters, Annie and Hannah, came out causing Susan and Rob to rethink life, primarily their relationship with religion. When Annie was twenty, she called Susan; their conversation was lifechanging. Annie was struggling with a same sex attraction towards women. She had prayed about it, resisted it. Yet her feelings persisted. Despite feeling terrified of rejection, Annie came out to Susan. Touched that Annie shared the most intimate part of herself, Susan was grateful for their closeness and the gift of Annie’s truth. Yet, Susan was afraid. For Annie. Their family. She wondered “What now? What does this mean?” Susan shared Annie’s coming out with her friends and her bible study. Their reaction? “It’s a sin and you can’t accept it.” Shocked and disheartened by their reaction, Susan struggled to understand how a parent could reject their child in their moment of need. Susan and Rob withdrew from their church and moved to a new community. Never once did they consider withdrawing from Annie. Susan and Rob re-examined their relationship with religion, church, faith, and God. Susan began researching, reading everything she could find, watching videos, and relying on her faith. Not finding what she was looking for, she created the resources she needed. Because so many parents reject their LGBTQ children (primarily out of fear), Susan wrote, “Mom, I’m Gay.” “Love is the foundation. Always press into love.” Love of family and God paved the way for Susan and Rob to found their nonprofit, Freedhearts. They created community to unconditionally love and affirm, to connect individuals to loving and embracing community, and to share resources. Their greatest vision is that no one is left alone and unloved. What Brené Brown did for shame and vulnerability, Susan works to do for love and inclusion. Everyone deserves love and inclusion—simply because they are human. “My heart longs to set people free.” Two years after Annie came out, Susan’s daughter Hannah said, “I think I’m like Annie. I think I’m gay too.” “No, you can’t be,” was Susan’s first response. Thinking – in that moment – that if two of her children were gay, it was something Susan and Rob did. But they quickly realized that is not true, and they moved forward in continued love and inclusion. She says to parents who may be struggling after their child has come out, look for the love. Find the love in yourself. Love means to embrace, accept, and be with someone along the journey. Love will overpower the fear. Go have coffee with your child and talk about your lives, not their orientation or identity. That child coming out is facing more than we could imagine. LGBTQ children want their parents to know “It’s just me. I’m the person you cuddled when I was little, that you sang songs to. I’m that same person. I’m good-hearted, loving, and kind.” Susan’s strength throughout her journey is rooted in loving herself, her family, and God. We are all filled with love, beauty, and wisdom. Susan has laid aside judgment and instead discovered a depth of love, compassion, tenderness she didn’t know was possible. She sees and loves people as they are. Resources TedTalk: Susan shares choosing her daughter over the church Freedhearts PFLAG

Susan Cottrell, “The Mother of All Mama Bears”, is a prominent voice for faith parents of LGBTQI children. She has been featured on ABC’s 20/20, Nightline, NBC News and is an international speaker. Susan’s TED talk now has been viewed over one million times, and now Susan makes her triumphant return in the Pews. The episode commences with Glenn expressing the importance of people not being judged or punished for being open about their respective sexuality. Susan tells of her recent victorious response to breast cancer, a double mastectomy, why she chose not to have reconstructive surgery, how she and her husband Robert handled it and why she called the experience “the gift of cancer”. The importance of living in the present is emphasized and discussed as is the history of FreedHearts (the Cottrells’ foundation) which was birthed when their daughter came out to them and they chose her over their church. The true meaning of homosexuality in the Bible, why it became society’s “scapegoat”, the “command” to love and FreedHeart’s approach to the politics are highlighted, plus so much more. It ain’t going to be boring! NSFW or children. Strong Sexual Content, Language, Humor, Insight and Condemnation of Religion. A portion of all proceeds donated to combat human sex slave trafficking and genital mutilation.

In today's special episode, we speak with Susan Cottrell of FreedHearts, an incredible organization that helps parents (especially religious parents) embrace their LGBTQ+ children. Susan discusses choosing her daughter over her church, and offers invaluable tips on approaching parents who have not yet been able to do the same. She also talks about reframing faith in the most loving terms imaginable, and debunks the infamous Bible passages that are often used against the LGBTQ+ community. freedhearts.org

Special Pride Month edition of "What Would Jesus Pod?" where we dig deep into issues surrounding faith, sexuality, freedom from religious bondage and being an LGBTQ Christian with three leaders: author, speaker and founder of Freedhearts, Susan Cottrell, author and speaker Amber Cantora and AZ nominee for governor and activist, Kelly Fryer. Susan Cottrell is an author,

On this episode of Beyond Boundaries I sit down with Susan Cottrell of FreedHearts.org and hear her story. She wrote a book titled, "Mom I’m Gay." She supports, educates, and encourages many parents who have LGBTQIA children. She is primarily working with parents in faith communities who are struggling with how to respond to their LGBTQIA children. Find out more about FreedHearts https://www.freedhearts.org Susan Cottrell Ted Talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP01bH9Ljf4&feature=youtu.be Mom I’m Gay Book https://www.amazon.com/Mom-Gay-Revised-Expanded-Strengthening/dp/0664262228/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1549059237&sr=8-2&keywords=mom+i%27m+gay

On this episode of Beyond Boundaries I sit down with Susan Cottrell of FreedHearts.org and hear her story. She wrote a book titled, "Mom I’m Gay." She supports, educates, and encourages many parents who have LGBTQIA children. She is primarily working with parents in faith communities who are struggling with how to respond to their LGBTQIA children. Find out more about FreedHearts https://www.freedhearts.org Susan Cottrell Ted Talk https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rP01bH9Ljf4&feature=youtu.be Mom I’m Gay Book https://www.amazon.com/Mom-Gay-Revised-Expanded-Strengthening/dp/0664262228/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1549059237&sr=8-2&keywords=mom+i%27m+gay

Susan Cottrell is a prominent voice for faith parents of LGBTQIA+ kids.  We chat about our least favorite expression: Love the sinner. Hate the sin. That message is equivalent to an insincere apology, and the only message received is HATE. We talk about alternatives for parents and also deep down what that expression really means.  "I love you, but I don't understand you." This is an episode for parents of LGBTQIA+ youth and also for anyone who wants to show true love to a gay family member or friend. For more info: www.freedhearts.org Susan Cottrell, the prominent voice for faith parents of LGBTQI children, was featured on ABC's 20/20, Nightline and Good Morning America, on NBC News Out, on The Advocate Magazine’s National Coming Out Day videos, on The Advocate’s Out in Left Field with Dana Goldberg, and as a devotional contributor on the Our Bible app. She is an international speaker, author, and consultant. Through her nonprofit organization—FreedHearts—Susan champions the LGBTQI community and families with her authenticity and tender-hearted zeal. She challenges Christians to love as the foundation of faith. She spent 25 years in the non-affirming Evangelical church, is the Founder and President of FreedHearts, has a Master of Arts in Theological Studies, and served as the Vice-President of PFLAG Austin (Texas). Her books “Mom, I’m Gay”—Loving Your LGBTQ Child and Strengthening Your Faith, True Colors - Celebrating the Truth and Beauty of the Real You, Radically Included - The Biblical Case for Radical Love and Inclusion, and the soon-to-be-released Be Love - What the World Needs Now, and My Coffee with the Pastor: Building the Vision for Lavish Christlike Inclusion, are endorsed by The Human Rights Campaign, PFLAG, The Gay Christian Network and many others. She and her husband Rob have been married for 30 years, have five children, two of whom are in the LGBTQI community, and live in Austin, Texas.

Kate talks with Susan Cottrell about calling, her experience of God, and her leadership journey as the founder of FreedHearts, a ministry for families of LGBTQI individuals.

Susan Cottrell, is the prominent voice for faith parents of LGBTQ children. Her story is born out of her loving heart as a mom. We explore what it looks like to take our next step in wholeheartedly loving, including and embracing the LGTBQ Community - with the wild, expansive love of God. We also learn about her organizatin FreedHearts you can learn more about Susan and FreedHearts here: FreedHearts.org

Robert Cottrell and his wife Susan are the co-founders of FREEDHEARTS.ORG, one of the best online resources for parents, children, and pastors connecting the LGBTQIA+ and faith communities. He is the father of five kids, two of whom identify as queer. In 2010, his oldest daughter came out as bisexual, and in 2012, his youngest daughter came out as lesbian. On this episode, Robert shares advice for parents of LGBTQIA+ kids and spills the secret on the "secret weapon" God has placed in conservative evangelical churches. For more information, www.freedhearts.org. 

On this 13th episode, I speak with Susan Cottrell, the mother of two kids in the LGBTQ community. She became a devout Christian at the age of 14 and was a women's ministry leader at her church. But after her kids came out, she realized that her family would never have a place in their church again. She is a proud Mama Bear and the founder of a ministry for families of LGBTQ individuals, called FreedHearts. Her mission is to free hearts to love, heal and affirm. Susan has a Master of Arts in Theological Studies, and we dive deep into the Bible, talking about Genesis 2 and complementarity, the "purity culture" and how it's not good for us to be alone. I solicit advice from Susan on how to heal from the wounds inflicted by the faith community, and she offers tips on how to be your own best friend. For outstanding resources for Christian parents and LGBTQ kids, please see her website www.freedhearts.org.