Existential Happy Hour

I catch up with my friend Emily Maynard, a fellow surviver of religious bullshit who is now working to help other people live free and meaningful lives.
We talk about growing up in American fundamentalism and purity culture, why therapy matters, what we mean when we talk about God, and the everlasting bullshit of the Gospel Coalition, and why people are leaving toxic Churches. We also talk about how to have support as you move through deconstructing beliefs, how to talk to family when your family doesn't understand, and whether or not forgiveness is a good idea.
Emily Maynard is a California Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist No.115384, supervised by Emily Celis, LMFT and employed at S.A.G.E. Holistic Health and Wellness Center. Emily works with religious trauma survivors and people healing from spiritual abuse or difficult faith transitions.

Emily on Instagram: @emilymaynard_thx
Emily on the Web: sagewellnessctr.org/emily-maynard/

In this conversation, I talk with post-theist theologian / writer / educator Maria French about what it means to be a post-Christian person of faith. We share stories from our early years of childlike belief, our struggles to overcome indoctrination and find freedom, and our adventures in theology on the other side of belief in God.
I'm so glad I got to connect with Maria about these things; the way she approaches Christianity and belief is so helpful for those of us seeking authentic, grounded belonging. If you were raised Christian and have struggled to make sense of your own spirituality, you will resonate with much of what we discuss in this episode.
You can find more of Maria's work here:
Maria's Patreon: http://patreon.com/mariaffm

H&Co Website: https://www.handcogroup.com

Sacred Anarchies Podcast: https://www.handcogroup.com/podcast

Instagram: @francescafemme | @h_andco_ | @nomorecircles

Today I'm talking with Dr. Ursual Goodenough about cells, nature, religion, and God. As a scientist and a religious naturalist, she has so much wisdom and perspective on finding the sacred in the ordinary miracle of biological life. If you are curious about finding a way to think about divinity outside of traditional theistic God constructs, you're not going to want to miss this conversation.

Seven J is a speaker, a mentor, and artist. In this episode we listen to some tracks off of his latest album "Sunday Mourning" and hear his experience of racism and corruption and spiritual abuse in the name of the church.

I’ll give you a warning at the beginning, this is a painful story, and it may be difficult for those of us who have had abuse and trauma in our own lives. Seven speaks candidly and honestly about what he’s seen and experienced, including institutional religious abuse, racial violence, sexual exploitation of children, and suicidal ideation. So if you need to turn this off, or just take a break for a while, take it in chunks, I encourage you to listen to your body and give it what it needs to feel safe.

As you are able, I invite you to listen to this album, listen to this conversation, listen to this story. Bear witness to the sin of racism in the church. Listen to the evil done by Christianity in the name of God, in the name of Jesus. For many of us trying pick up the pieces and move on after betrayal in the church, there are parts of this story that will be very familiar, and as you listen I hope that you know that you are not alone.

This is Sunday mourning.
Links:
Spotify: Sunday Mourning Bandcamp: Sunday Mourning Soundcloud: Sunday Mourning Instagram: @sevenj_sjmTwitter: @sevenj_sjmCashApp: $SevenJSJMwinloseormaybe.com

I want to start a rumor about a place in Minnesota where the people know salvation not by confession or creed but by tomatoes and dirt and the light of the sun and the rhythms of the moon. I want to tell you a story about a village where people of all ages live in relationship with each other, and with the earth and with the river and with the trees. But before you can understand the story of this Village, first I need to tell you about the Gospel of Everything.
https://minnesotaecovillage.org