The most played episodes among Podcast App listeners.

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   Number 1: Sara: Former Orthodox Jewish

   What does it mean to build a spiritual life grounded in the body rather than in fear? Sara joins Shalom to explore her journey through an Orthodox upbringing, marriage and divorce, trauma recovery, and an evolving relationship with Jewish practice. Together, they examine how communities shaped by anxiety can disconnect people from their own needs, instincts, and inner knowing. Sara shares how therapy, IFS, movement, art, nature, and emotionally safe relationships helped her reconnect with herself. The conversation explores communal silence around addiction and struggling marriages, the difficulty of being seen outside familiar religious categories, sexuality as life force, and the possibility of creating rituals that make room for movement, connection, honesty, and joy. Rather than exchanging belief for disbelief, Sara describes an ongoing process of listening to her body, trusting her experience, and developing a spirituality capable of holding complexity. About Sara Sara Katzoff is a Somatic IFS and Craniosacral Therapist and Breathwork Facilitator based in Jerusalem. If something from this conversation touched you, she would love to hear from you. Instagram: @simplehealings Website: simple-healings.com Timestamps 00:00 — Embodied spirituality and using the body as a compass 06:13 — Distinguishing religious devotion from anxiety and fear 16:49 — Seeking guidance during a struggling marriage 21:59 — Isolation, addiction, and unmet emotional needs 26:39 — The vulnerability of speaking honestly and being misseen 32:02 — Releasing rules through small acts of self-trust 36:09 — Sexuality, intimacy, and reconnecting with one’s life force 40:16 — Reclaiming spiritual teachings from systems shaped by trauma 54:14 — Reimagining ritual through nature, movement, fire, and song 1:02:18 — Safe witnesses, creativity, and learning to trust yourself

   September 06, 2026·1h 10min
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   Number 2: Chantal: Exposing Abuse in the Episcopal Church

   In this episode of Beyond Belief: Tales of Religious Exodus, host Shalom interviews Chantal, an Episcopal priest from North Carolina who grew up with both traditional church life and expansive spirituality, felt a clear call to priesthood, and was ordained at 24. While serving in an affluent parish, she experienced sexual harassment by a senior rector and, after reporting it with email evidence, faced a traumatizing canonical process that shamed her, led to PTSD, and involved repeated psychological evaluations she felt were aimed at institutional self-protection. She later planted a multicultural, bilingual church in a lower-income neighborhood and became a coaching consultant, then publicly shared her story at a women’s clergy conference, prompting many others to disclose harm. Chantal discusses her book, Following Jesus Beyond Church Walls, her expanded spirituality, calls for “future church” without harm or hierarchy, and her Water and Light network supporting healing cohorts and advocacy. Website: https://www.chantalmckinney.com Chapters00:00 Welcome to Beyond Belief01:23 Chantal’s Spiritual Upbringing02:03 Called to the Priesthood03:35 Harassment and Threats05:30 Seeking Justice and Betrayal06:04 Systemic Cover-Up and PTSD10:11 Building a Scrappy Church Plant11:52 Speaking Out and Others Come Forward15:16 What Episcopalians Believe16:52 Faith Beyond the Denomination20:08 Church Leadership Response and Silence24:28 Life After Payroll and New Communities26:47 Patriarchy and Empire29:03 Church Noise and Silence30:41 Women Leaders and Power33:02 Book and Healing Trauma38:04 Divine Feminine and Scripture41:04 God and Suffering42:30 Vision for Future Church45:11 Episcopal Values and Inclusion46:00 Water and Light Network47:05 Closing Thanks and Outro

   August 02, 2026·48min
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   Number 3: Aviva: Former Haredi Jewish

   In the 21st episode of the Beyond Belief podcast series, Aviva shares her deeply personal journey of leaving an ultra-Orthodox Jewish upbringing. The episode delves into her upbringing in Israel, her intellectual and emotional struggles with religious beliefs, her process of dealing with deeply ingrained notions of morality and individuality, and the gradual and challenging transition out of religion. The conversation touches on her relationship with her parents, especially her father, who was a significant influence on her beliefs, and her path towards finding new meaning and identity post-religion. Aviva offers unique insights and advice for others undergoing similar experiences, emphasizing the importance of trusting one's innate goodness and internal guidance mechanisms.00:00 Introduction to Beyond Belief00:54 Aviva's Religious Upbringing02:54 Parental Influence and Religious Practices06:45 Questioning and Early Signs of Doubt11:30 The Turning Point: Leaving Religion14:35 Navigating Life After Religion17:54 Finding Meaning and Healing27:33 Reflections and Advice for Others43:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

   March 15, 2025·47min
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   Number 4: Esther: Former Mennonite Missionary

   In this episode of 'Beyond Belief: Tales of Religious Exodus,' we follow Esther's compelling journey from spending her childhood in China and Canada as a missionary child in Pentecostal and Mennonite communities, to her deconversion during the pandemic. Esther shares the challenges of navigating contrasting religious environments, her experience of missionary work, the conflicting teachings on purity, and how the political climate and her sister's coming out influenced her path to identifying as spiritual but not religious. Along her journey, she finds healing through therapy, a supportive relationship with her husband, and the courage to embrace a life beyond entrenched religious dogma. 00:00 Introduction to Beyond Belief 00:19 Esther's Early Life and Religious Background 01:56 Missionary Work and Cultural Contrasts 06:18 Pentecostal and Mennonite Beliefs 09:02 Family Dynamics and Personal Struggles 14:06 Transition to Life in Canada 24:12 Navigating Relationships and Personal Growth 27:43 Shared Values and Deconstructing Christianity 28:26 Pandemic Conversations and Personal Revelations 29:22 Questioning Sin and Social Justice 29:43 Political Disillusionment and Church Attendance 32:43 Struggles with Purity Culture 36:50 Leaving Religion and Finding Support 40:03 Therapy and Self-Compassion 41:57 Cultural Contexts and Hypocrisy 48:06 Final Reflections and Advice

   November 05, 2024·50min
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   Number 5: Alex: Former Breslov Jewish

   This episode of Beyond Belief: Tales of Religious Exodus features Alex, who shares his compelling journey of leaving Orthodox Judaism. Alex discusses his upbringing in a culturally Jewish family, his deep involvement with 12-step recovery programs, and his extensive exploration of various Orthodox sects. He describes a pivotal moment in December 2022 that led him to leave the community and begin a profound deconstruction process. Alex explores the practices and communities that helped him heal, including meditation, trauma-informed therapy, and unconventional 12-step meetings. The episode delves into the complexities of finding authenticity and meaning beyond rigid religious boundaries. 00:00 Introduction to Beyond Belief 01:43 Alex's Early Life and Religious Upbringing 03:06 Struggles with Addiction and Recovery 05:58 First Encounter with Orthodox Judaism 10:59 Immersion in Orthodox Study and Community 25:35 Conflicts and Doubts about Orthodox Beliefs 29:04 Struggles with Gender and Faith 29:47 Meditation and Jewish Practices 30:46 Gender Roles and Responsibilities in Judaism 31:48 Questioning Jewish Ancestry and Practices 32:43 Critique of Religious Texts and Leaders 35:25 Journey Through Different Jewish Sects 38:40 The Final Straw and Deconstruction 42:58 Finding New Paths and Healing 53:13 Advice for Others in Deconstruction 54:13 Closing Thoughts and Future Plans

   September 09, 2024·57min
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