In this week’s Safe Home Podcast, Beth talks with Rev. Bobbi Becker, the Senior Minister and Spiritual Director at Namasté Center for Spiritual Living in Long Beach, California. In this episode, Bobbi tells her story of  being a gay New Thought minister who grew up in the Mormon church and whose whole family was touched by addiction and mental health issues. You will be inspired by her commitment to her own spiritual growth which included the acceptance of her sexual orientation. She is not afraid to speak out and take action within social structures about women’s rights and LGBTQ+ rights. You will find out what saved her from the addiction route that many of her family members took.

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RESOURCES:

Bobbi’s information:

• Bobbi’s email: [email protected]
• Bobbi’s church’s website: https://namastecsl.org/

Resource mentioned in the episode:

• Nacho Kids - support group for step parents: https://nachokids.com/

Other Resources:

• Other Parents Like Me -  https://www.facebook.com/other.parents.like.me
• Heather Ross - Life Coaching for Parents of Addicted Teens: https://heatherrosscoaching.com/
• Find a Tele-Therapist: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/online-counseling

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Safe Home is created by Joseph Nakao and Beth Syverson

Music written and performed by Joseph Nakao

Cover art by Joseph Nakao, photo by Beth Syverson

Email questions or comments to Safe Home at [email protected]

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Support Safe Home on Patreon: Patreon.com/SafeHome

www.SafeHomeFamilies.com

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TIME STAMPS:

1:18 Bobbi’s unique childhood

2:44 Being raised in the Mormon church

5:00 Bobbi’s excommunication

10:36 Coming out as gay and getting involved in diversity training

13:46 Bobbi’s mother’s mental health trifecta and family secrets

20:01 How Bobbi escaped her family’s dysfunction

22:36 Where Bobbi found support as a young adult

25:30 What are you giving power to?

26:25 Bobbi lost 2 brothers to addiction and mental illness

30:18 How Bobbi’s 2 surviving siblings are doing

33:54 How Bobbi avoided addiction to substances

37:25 Bobbi’s transition from corporate executive to minister

39:05 How Bobbi’s life has affected her parenting

44:59 Dealing with family trauma

47:06 The best thing parents of struggling teens can do

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