Nick Valentino shares his journey of religious trauma and spiritual abuse, stemming from his upbringing in a fundamentalist Christian family and his experience as a pastor. He discusses the challenges of questioning his faith, facing resistance and shaming, and the rift it created in his relationship with his parents. Nick also talks about his struggle with mental health, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts, and how therapy helped him heal. He shares his deconstruction process, letting go of certainty and focusing on reality and personal values. Nick also recounts his experience with a pastor who struggled with depression and the toxic dynamics within the church. In this conversation, Nick V shares his experience of feeling inadequate and not living up to his father's expectations as a pastor's kid. He talks about falling in love with a Christian girl and his father's disapproval of their relationship. Nick also discusses the impact of his father's words on his mental health, including insinuations of bipolar disorder. He reflects on the complexity of his relationship with his father as both a pastor and a parent, and the confusion it caused in his faith. Nick offers advice to those experiencing religious abuse and trauma, emphasizing the importance of healing and finding joy on the other side.

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