In this episode, we are joined by Susan Rogers, who transitioned from a nine-year career as an occupational therapist to founding and pastoring The Well at Springfield, a diverse faith community in Jacksonville, Florida. Over the past 13 years, The Well has become a home for individuals from various faith backgrounds, including agnostics and atheists, united by their curiosity, storytelling, and shared effort to practice the way of Jesus. Susan shares her journey, insights on fostering inclusivity in faith communities, and the power of asking questions and telling stories.

Susan also discussed how The Well prioritizes community and practical engagement over rigid doctrinal beliefs, fostering an inclusive environment for people from various faith backgrounds, including agnostics and atheists. She also discusses their innovative shift to holding gatherings at an outdoor community farm, reflecting their commitment to adaptability and inclusivity.

We discussed:

• Harm caused by high-control faith communities and the need for authenticity and vulnerability

• Practical advice for individuals seeking a safe and inclusive faith community

• The Well's unique approach of focusing on practices rather than a set of beliefs

• Challenges of holding space for individuals who have experienced spiritual trauma and the responsibility of creating a safe and welcoming environment

Learn more about Susan Rogers at:

Website: https://www.thewellatspringfield.org/

Learn more about the Unburdened podcast:

Instagram: @theunburdenedpodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Unburdened

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the Unburdened podcast, we have Mark Gregory Karris, a licensed marriage and family therapist based in San Diego, California. Dr. Karris specializes in religious trauma and couples therapy. He is also a bestselling author, known for his impactful books including The Diabolical Trinity: Healing Religious Trauma from a Wrathful God, Tormenting Hell, and Sinful Self.

Dr. Karris shared his personal journey through religious trauma, beginning with his upbringing in a highly dysfunctional family and his subsequent immersion in a fundamentalist Pentecostal church. He recounted the intense fear and anxiety he experienced due to the church's teachings on hell, demons, and salvation, which significantly impacted his mental and emotional well-being.

Mark explains the complexities of religious trauma and the power of self-compassion and experiential healing. By acknowledging the impact of harmful doctrines and seeking support, individuals can heal from religious trauma, overcome fear and anxiety, and find inner peace.

We discussed:

• Experiencing fear, anxiety, and shame due to teachings about hell, wrathful God, and sinful self.

• How mindfulness, kindness, and common humanity can help develop self-compassion and heal from religious trauma.

• Creating compassionate figures or using personal connections to foster self-compassion.

• Understanding the inner critic's intentions and befriending it.

• Having funerals for internalized Others and reclaiming self-compassion and self-identity.

Learn more about Dr. Mark Gregory Karris:

Website: https://markgregorykarris.com/

The Diabolical Trinity: Healing Religious Trauma from a Wrathful God, Tormenting Hell, and a Sinful Self: https://www.amazon.com/Diabolical-Trinity-Religious-Wrathful-Tormenting/dp/1948609886

Learn more about the Unburdened podcast:

Instagram: @theunburdenedpodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Unburdened

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of the Unburdened podcast, we welcome Andy Newman, a licensed professional counselor based in Gilbert Arizona, who specializes in helping individuals navigate faith transitions and religious trauma, particularly within the LDS (Mormon) and LGBTQ communities.

Grew up in a staunch Mormon family, Andy is adhering to the doctrines of the LDS Church from a young age. His journey within the church included typical milestones such as serving a mission and attending BYU-Idaho. However, Andy’s experience was marred by internal conflicts and cognitive dissonance, particularly around issues of LGBTQ inclusion and the church’s stance on these matters.

Andy first began to feel significant cognitive dissonance during his high school years when he wanted to support his LGBTQ friends but was constrained by the church’s teachings. This internal conflict deepened with the LDS Church’s 2015 policy excluding children of LGBTQ parents from baptism, which Andy cites as a pivotal moment in his faith journey.

Throughout the episode, Andy shares poignant stories from his life, such as the challenge of giving a blessing to a choir member struggling with same-sex attraction and the transformative journey of visiting the exMormon subreddit. These experiences highlight the profound impact of personal and systemic conflicts within the LDS Church on his life and the lives of others.

We discussed:

• Andy’s decade-long journey of deconstructing his faith within the LDS Church, focusing on the challenges posed by the church’s 2015 LGBT policy.

• Cognitive dissonance experienced by Andy as he tried to reconcile his love for LGBTQ friends within the church’s teachings and policies.

• LDS Church’s 2015 policy that barred children of LGBTQ parents from baptism and its subsequent reversal.

• The complexities of post mission life, including the pressure to marry quickly and start a family.

• Challenges and nuances of maintaining a mixed-faith marriage amidst evolving beliefs.

• Andy’s transformative journey through a faith crisis, emphasizing the significance of finding support systems, validating concerns and the emotional impact of leaving the church.

• Support systems like Unburdening Groups and online communities such as the exMormon subreddit are crucial for those navigating faith transitions and seeking validation and community.

Learn more about Andy Newman:

https://www.tiktok.com/@deconstruction_therapy

Learn more about the Unburdened podcast:

Instagram: @theunburdenedpodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Unburdened

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.