Shows
Unburdened"Leaving the Church Doesn't Mean I'm Not Spiritual" with Jim LarkinIn this episode of Unburdened, Trevor and Carey welcome Jim Larkin, a former minister who shares his journey of spiritual transformation. Growing up in a deeply religious family, Jim followed a conformist path, eventually entering ministry despite lingering questions about his faith. A pivotal moment during his ministry led him to reflect on his beliefs and step away from the church, finding a new spiritual expression through Kabbalah and interfaith work.Now a life coach, Jim helps others navigate transitions and heal from spiritual wounds, offering insights into reclaiming personal authenticity and spirituality. He also leads...
2024-12-1333 min
Unburdened“I guess I’ll just be celibate” with Jillian HoughtonOur conversation with Jillian Houghton, licensed psychotherapist, spiritual/intuition recovery coach, religious trauma consultant, and undue influence educator.In this episode of Unburdened, we welcome Jillian Houghton, a licensed trauma therapist who specializes in religious trauma. Jillian shares her personal journey of healing and faith deconstruction, including experiences with a high-control religious environment. She discusses the complexities of balancing her clinical work with her personal healing, especially around issues of identity and acceptance.They delve into the role of love and fear in navigating personal beliefs and boundaries, as well as her path...
2024-11-1647 min
Unburdened"Something More Intimate" with Trevor LittleHey friends it’s Trevor,I hope you enjoyed the first season of Unburdened. Carey and I are excited about doing a second season, but in the meantime, I wanted to invite you to something a little more intimate. On October 21st, I’ll be leading our first Unburdening group. Are you experiencing a faith transition, or have you stepped away from a high-control religious environment?Perhaps you’re feeling adrift without the familiar structure and support your faith once provided, or you’re grappling with the emotional scars of religiou...
2024-10-0201 min
Unburdened"Am I really safe here?" with Susan RogersIn 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...
2024-06-2843 min
Unburdened"Fear for breakfast" with Mark KarrisOn 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...
2024-06-2149 min
Unburdened"The Shame Tour" with Andy NewmanOn 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 sta...
2024-06-1451 min
Unburdened"Origin Story" with Carey and TrevorThis week you get Carey and Trevor all to yourself and a discussion about both the origin of this podcast and some of the reasons why reckoning with our own "origin stories" in high control religions can be so complex and messy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2024-06-071h 02
Unburdened“The Free Fall” with Laurie WeversOn this episode of the Unburdened podcast, we are joined by Laurie Wevers, a licensed marriage and family therapist and spiritual director who specializes in treating religious trauma and assisting individuals in connecting with their spirituality post trauma. Based out of the Washington DC area, Laurie has a deep personal connection to the work she does, rooted in her own experiences of growing up in a fundamentalist Christian community and navigating the complexities of embracing her queer identity within that context.However, her experiences in the church led her to question the institutional a...
2024-05-3141 min
Unburdened"Sometimes It's Important to be Angry" with Dr. Renea LynnOur conversation with psychologist and former evangelical Dr. Renea LynnOn this episode of the Unburdened podcast, we meet Dr. Renea Lynn, a psychotherapist based in the Bay Area since 2008. Specializing in ADHD and religious trauma recovery, she offers a unique perspective on mental health care, addressing depression, anxiety, and trauma. Dr. Lynn specializes in relational and religious trauma therapy for children and adolescents. Raised in the Assemblies of God Church, her path changed when she pursued a bachelor's in church leadership with the goal of becoming a pastor. Dr. Lynn bravely shares h...
2024-05-2432 min
Unburdened"My Mom Told Me Satan’s Not Real" with Jennifer BartleyJennifer Bartley talks about her transformative journey from Southern Baptist upbringing to healing after a profound shift in beliefs and complete deconversion.On this episode of the Unburdened podcast, we have Jennifer Bartley, a therapist from Nashville, Tennessee, who shared her profound journey through spiritual trauma and her subsequent healing process. Jennifer, originally deeply rooted in the Southern Baptist community, experienced a significant shift in her beliefs which led to a complete deconversion.Jennifer detailed her experiences at Southern Baptist Seminary, her intense involvement in church activities from a young...
2024-05-1749 min
Unburdened"The Long Surrender" with Brian McDonaldOur conversation with Brian McDonald about his book "The Long Surrender: A Memoir about Losing My Religion"On this episode of the Unburdened podcast, we have Brian McDonald. From his upbringing in Alabama to his 30-year career as a preacher, missionary, and pastor, including seven transformative years in Taiwan mastering Mandarin Chinese. With degrees from Liberty University and the College of William and Mary, Brian transitioned into counseling, teaching at prestigious universities like Johns Hopkins and George Mason.Brian discussed the complexities of leaving a rigid religious community, the isolation that often follows...
2024-05-1037 min
Unburdened"I believed something that hurt my child" with Wendy MontgomeryOur conversation with Wendy Montgomery on her efforts to make the LDS church safe for LGBTQ people and her eventual decision to leave.On this episode of the Unburdened podcast, we sat down with Wendy Montgomery, a certified life coach and Enneagram educator. As a mother of five children, four of whom identify as LGBTQIA+, Wendy co-founded Mama Dragons and has served on the board of directors for both Mama Dragons and Affirmation, the largest international Mormon LGBTQIA+ organization.After her son's coming out, Wendy's faith is tested as she confronts the Mormon...
2024-05-0341 min
Unburdened“They made you feel like a sinner” with Sue RichmondOur conversation with IFS lead trainer Sue Richmond.On this edition of the Unburdened podcast, we have Sue Richmond is a well-known therapist and one of the primary instructors of the Internal Family Systems Model. Sue does both private psychotherapy and IFS consultancy in Connecticut. She applies the IFS concept to both individuals and groups, using a kind and heart-centered approach.Sue's journey is not just her story—it's an exploration of the internal struggle many face when their personal truths clash with religious doctrine, especially within the LGBTQ+ community. Her powerful narrative of...
2024-04-2650 min
Unburdened“What do you mean, 'autonomy'?” with Erin Evanson-LassOur conversation with EMDR therapist Erin Evanson-LassIn another profound episode of the Unburdened podcast, we are privileged to have a chat with Erin Evanson-Lass, an LCSW, EMDR Certified Therapist and Approved Consultant with EMDRIA, a Maiberger Institute Certified EMDR Therapist, Consultant and Training Facilitator, and the owner of Waypoints Counseling - a small group practice of dedicated therapists trained in EMDR and support staff noted for its focus on treating trauma.Erin discusses the complex journey of healing from spiritual trauma, shedding light on the transformative power of EMDR therapy. She shares h...
2024-04-2035 min
Unburdened“That’s a trauma symptom?” with Anna Clark MillerOur conversation with Anna Clark Miller, trauma therapist, host of the Marytr. She Wrote podcast and author of the Religious Trauma Survival Guide.In this episode of the Unburdened podcast, we sat down with Anna Clark-Miller, a licensed counselor, trainer, and author who focuses on religious trauma and abuse. She hosts the podcast Martyr, She Wrote, providing education and support for religious trauma survivors. Anna is also the author of the Religious Trauma Survival Guide, offering practical help for healing from controlling religious experiences.Anna looks back to her childhood as a missionary...
2024-04-1237 min
Unburdened“Who said God had to be a man?” with Rev. Monica DobbinsOur conversation with Rev Monica Dobbins about her journey from fundamentalist Christianity to Unitarian UniversalismIn this episode of the Unburdened podcast, we’ll embark on a transformative journey with Reverend Monica Dobbins, assistant minister at Salt Lake City's First Unitarian Church. After growing up in a fundamentalist Christian environment, Monica traveled through several religious traditions, including Zen Buddhism, before discovering Unitarian Universalism to be her true home.Monica talks about the nuances of leaving a high-control religion and the culture shock that can ensue when transitioning to a more open and accepting fa...
2024-04-0532 min
Unburdened"You lied to me about God" with Dr. Jamie MarichOur conversation with trauma therapist Dr. Jaime Marich about her work, and her own journey through spiritual trauma, the topic of her upcoming book.In this episode of the Unburdened podcast, we have Dr. Jamie Marich – a trauma therapist and humanitarian aid worker, who delves into spiritual abuse, its profound impact on individuals' lives and belief structures. She is the founder of the Institute for Creative Mindfulness, known for creating the Dancing Mindfulness Approach to Expressive Arts Therapy and has authored numerous booksOpening up about her personal journey, she recalls her upbringing in...
2024-03-3136 min
Unburdened“The Grief” with Tiffany HarrisIn this episode LPC and yoga instructor Tiffany Harris talks with us about her journey stepping away from the LDS church and we explore religious trauma through the lens of trauma, grief, and bike racing!In this episode of the Unburdened podcast, we’ll navigate the treacherous yet enlightening path of healing from spiritual trauma with TIffany Harris. – a licensed professional counselor and yoga instructor as she unravels the complexities that come with questioning or leaving one's faith.Tiffany opens up about her own journey away from the LDS Church, sharing how the proc...
2024-03-3135 min
Unburdened"We got ALL the t-shirts" with Marcus LittleIn this episode of the Unburdened podcast, we are taken on a deeply personal journey withMarcus Little, who previously served as a pastor at a Baptist church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and now leads the Customized Workplace English program at the Literacy Center of West Michigan After stepping down from the pulpit, he found himself in a sea of introspection, questioning the inherited principles of his faith and the stark realities they often masked. His reflections brought forth critical considerations regarding social justice, gender roles, and poverty, especially as they are interpreted and a...
2024-03-3140 min