Broken to Beloved Podcast

Did you know that much of the advice Christian parents have been taught over the years doesn’t align with what we know about child development? In this episode, I speak with therapist and author Meaghan Hampton about parenting from a Christian and psychology-informed approach. We address how much of our stories of spiritual trauma are rooted in how we were raised, and why it’s important to explore...

Can we have a conversation about intimacy in the church and have it not be...weird? In this week's episode, I speak with college chaplain Rev. Erin Moniz about her book, Knowing and Being Known . She proves that, yes, we can talk about intimacy in a way that feels approachable, inclusive, and inviting to all without making it awkward. You will love Erin's framework that defines healthy i...

Is there a part of you that feels like you’re in trouble, or you're about to be? If so, this episode will help you understand what message those feelings might be telling you. In my conversation with emotion coach and PhD student Becky Castle Miller, we discuss the differences between feelings, emotions, and trauma responses, as well as practical ways to regulate your body when you're ha...

How can we resist the overwhelming loneliness and despair of our time? In this episode, I speak with author and poet David Gate about his debut collection of poems and essays titled Rebellion of Care. In a world that feels bent on individualism, capitalism, and fundamentalism, he suggests that it’s going to take some rebellion to create a new way of living—a life that’s full of radical care, beaut...

What happens at church camp? And what happens when what happens at church camp doesn't stay there, but follows us for the rest of our lives? Most people think of campfires, silly songs, skits, deep talks, and spiritual awakenings. But for many, this is also a place mixed with emotional manipulation, toxic theology, purity culture, exclusion, and abuse. In this episode, I speak with Cara Mered...

What is spiritual trauma? How is it different from religious trauma? And what can I do if I, or someone I know, experienced it? In this episode, we delve into the complexities of spiritual trauma and the healing process. Hillary and I discuss the importance of understanding spirituality, the role of the body in healing, and the challenges of naming traumatic experiences. And, we'll close with...

In his Summit session, Christopher Stewart shares his profound journey of faith and life after disability, exploring themes of grief, healing, and the sacredness of the disabled experience. He reads his original psalms, reflecting on his struggles and insights learned from wrestling with God, and emphasizes the importance of processing emotions honestly before God. Christopher also highlights the...

We’re getting ready to celebrate one year of the Podcast and start Season 3 next week! I can’t wait to share these incredible conversations with some of the guests you just heard like Monica DiCristina, Cara Meredith, David Gate, Megan Febuary, Becky Castle Miller, and lots more. This season, we’re talking about finding ways to name our pain, better ways to read the Bible, working through our stor...

This conversation is from our 2024 Annual Summit. Get 30% OFF  an All Access Pass from any of our Annual Summits now through the end of June. Use code PODCAST30 to take advantage of this offer today! In this session, Brian, Geoff, and Cyd discuss the concept of embodied faith and the importance of integrating our bodies, emotions, and relationships in our spiritual lives. They explore the differen...

For the month of June, I'm re-airing some of our favorite episodes. This one originally aired on August 13, 2024. TW/CW: references to sexual assault Have you ever had Matthew 18 used against you? Far too often, the forgiveness passage in Matthew 18:15–17 is weaponized against those who experience hurt and harm. Victims are forced to face their abusers, and there is no real reconciliation. Th...

This conversation is from our 2024 Annual Summit. Get 30% OFF  an All Access Pass from any of our Annual Summits now through the end of June. Use code PODCAST30 to take advantage of this offer today! In this session, Suzanne shares her surprise at the number of people willing to talk about trauma and her concern about the misuse of the term. She also highlights the subtle nature of religious manip...

For the month of June, I'm re-airing some of our favorite episodes. This one originally aired on September 24, 2024. Trauma fundamentally disconnects us. It can disconnect our brains from our bodies. It can sever relationships and entire communities. Those of us familiar with trauma know it can have a real impact on our faith or beliefs. It warps our understanding of others, our sense of safe...

This conversation is from our 2025 Annual Summit. Get 30% OFF  an All Access Pass from any of our Annual Summits now through the end of June. Use code PODCAST30 to take advantage of this offer today! In this session, Pete shares how the investigative process works for all forms of abuse in spiritual contexts. He breaks down the process of how they investigate abuse reports and misconduct and the o...

For the month of June, I'm re-airing some of our favorite episodes. This one originally aired on July 2, 2024. Have you ever wondered how to find your way back into healthy relationships after abuse and trauma? By providing clear steps to Name, Frame, and Brave our experiences, Dr. Alison Cook offers practical wisdom to move toward healing and wholeness. We talk about the unique challenges of...

In this final episode of Season 2, I'm "opening up my office," which is currently covered with my kids' toys and an interesting but good smell of fresh-cut peonies and coffee. Have a seat and get cozy as I share what’s next for the Broken to Beloved podcast and respond to a few questions I received from the audience. During our break, you can look forward to tuning in to some o...

Very few victims of abuse seek out a lawyer for money—most are looking for something else. They want safety, justice, and agency over an impossible situation. In this episode, I speak to Melissa J. Hogan, attorney, advocate, and author in the field of trauma and abuse, about the legal options available for survivors. She shares where her passion for medical and spiritual trauma comes from, along w...

How do you restore a relationship with God after spiritual abuse? It makes sense that you might struggle with the idea of being held and loved by God after experiencing spiritual abuse, or any other form of abuse, for that matter. In this episode with Michael Cusick, author of Sacred Attachment: Escaping Spiritual Exhaustion and Trusting in Divine Love , helps us understand the safe love available...

CW/TW: This episode is centered largely around the topic of Clergy Sexual Abuse (CSA) and its effects. Please be gentle with yourself. If it feels like too much at any point, please feel free to stop, take a break, or skip this episode altogether. What happens when those in church leadership become the ones who harm—and the institution covers it up? Where does one go to hold these abusers accounta...

Ever wonder what it’s like to run a community solely focused on spiritual abuse? From dealing with the regular stream of scandals and stories to the practicalities of managing the business, it helps to hear how others navigate this field. In this episode, I talk with my friend Amy Fritz, creator and host of the Untangled Faith podcast. We get really honest and a little bit vulnerable about our tho...

Many people who have read The Parable of the Sower interpret it as: You have to be the “good soil”, or else. However, in my conversation with Jeff Chu, he reframes what good soil actually means and how it’s made. Pulling from his latest book, Good Soil: The Education of an Accidental Farmhand , Jeff guides us through a beautiful discussion on the theology of compost, returning to cultural roots, e...

Are there communities that support survivors of religious trauma without being…religious? Spiritual abuse doesn’t only happen in churches. It can happen anywhere and to anyone, but there’s rarely space for all voices and experiences to be heard. I recently spoke with the four founders of the newly launched Religious Trauma Network. These four are creating a place that proves you can have a communi...

When your true face has been hidden for so long, what is it like to finally reveal it? In this episode, we dive into connection, community, relationships, and what happens when it all falls apart. How do you save face in the presence of such incredible loss? We explore memory and story work, and how it helps us to unveil present realities by examining our history. Join us for a more introspective...

CW: marriage and sex (not explicit) If you grew up in the evangelical Christianity of the 80s and 90s like me, we likely hear or read much of the same marriage advice. What if it was bad advice? Most of the popular marriage books are written by those with no relevant education or professional credentials and include no research, data, or peer-reviewed evidence for their claims. Sheila Gregoire and...

How can the Church transform from a place of harm to a sanctuary of healing and truth? How do we learn to recognize the wolves among the sheep when it's hard to tell the difference? How can anyone hold on to faith and find hope after witnessing so much trauma? From recognizing a real-life parable of an observing how a body that does not follow its head is very sick, to systems that preserve t...

How have harmful religious teachings about gender reinforced sexism and silenced women's voices in Christian communities? Dr. Andrew Bauman discusses his extensive research on the impact of sexism and abuse on women in churches, challenging misinterpretations of biblical texts that have been used to justify inequality. Bauman shares insights from his book Safe Church , exploring different for...