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Faith & Institution
EP 028 feat. Wild Maven Wellness (pt 1)
Annie Mesaros [Spiritual Counselor]
Baltimore, MD
How does one rebuild after their foundational beliefs collapse? Annie traces her path from a rule-based Presbyterian upbringing, through a devastating crisis of faith known as the "Dark Night of the Soul," to her current work helping others shed shame and rediscover their own inner authority and intuition.
EPISODE OUTLINE
Foundation of Faith
(00:03:30 - 00:09:00)
Annie describes her childhood in a Seattle mega-church, which served as a vibrant second family. She recounts sacred, positive rituals like receiving her first Bible in fourth grade, which established a foundational belief in a loving, personal God and a strong sense of community.
Unlearning A Legacy of Shame & Control
(00:13:42 - 00:23:03)
The conversation shifts to the rigid doctrine of her adolescence, specifically the purity movement. Annie details how its teachings instilled deep shame, demonized sexuality and LGBTQ+ identities, and systematically taught her to distrust her own body, desires, and intuition, creating a profound inner conflict.
Finding a New Path
(00:24:48 - 00:29:31)
Annie recounts her "Dark Night of the Soul"—a terrifying period where she felt God's absence. This crisis became the catalyst for her deconstruction. She concludes by connecting her past to her present work as an "emotional support witch," explaining how she now guides others through "spiritual exfoliation" to shed external dogma and trust their inner wisdom.
RESOURCES
[Episode] Aubrey & Molly: Dandelion Salon & Apothecary
[Episode] Elyse: Be More Connected
If you liked this episode, I highly recommend listening to my chat with Sarah Knight, a chef turned educator and activist who shares with us her commitment to ethical and sustainable living practices. You'll find it linked in the show notes.
SUPPORT THE SHOW
Explore our bookshelf on Bookshop.org
Follow/Leave a review on Spotify
Follow/Leave a review on Apple Podcast
Check out our Merch
WHERE TO FIND US
Wild Maven Wellness
Wild Maven Wellness on Instagram
Golden Approach Instagram
Aubrey Shaffner on Instagram
View all episodes
By The Golden Approach PodcastEP 028 feat. Wild Maven Wellness (pt 1)
Annie Mesaros [Spiritual Counselor]
Baltimore, MD
How does one rebuild after their foundational beliefs collapse? Annie traces her path from a rule-based Presbyterian upbringing, through a devastating crisis of faith known as the "Dark Night of the Soul," to her current work helping others shed shame and rediscover their own inner authority and intuition.
EPISODE OUTLINE
Foundation of Faith
(00:03:30 - 00:09:00)
Annie describes her childhood in a Seattle mega-church, which served as a vibrant second family. She recounts sacred, positive rituals like receiving her first Bible in fourth grade, which established a foundational belief in a loving, personal God and a strong sense of community.
Unlearning A Legacy of Shame & Control
(00:13:42 - 00:23:03)
The conversation shifts to the rigid doctrine of her adolescence, specifically the purity movement. Annie details how its teachings instilled deep shame, demonized sexuality and LGBTQ+ identities, and systematically taught her to distrust her own body, desires, and intuition, creating a profound inner conflict.
Finding a New Path
(00:24:48 - 00:29:31)
Annie recounts her "Dark Night of the Soul"—a terrifying period where she felt God's absence. This crisis became the catalyst for her deconstruction. She concludes by connecting her past to her present work as an "emotional support witch," explaining how she now guides others through "spiritual exfoliation" to shed external dogma and trust their inner wisdom.
RESOURCES
[Episode] Aubrey & Molly: Dandelion Salon & Apothecary
[Episode] Elyse: Be More Connected
If you liked this episode, I highly recommend listening to my chat with Sarah Knight, a chef turned educator and activist who shares with us her commitment to ethical and sustainable living practices. You'll find it linked in the show notes.
SUPPORT THE SHOW
Explore our bookshelf on Bookshop.org
Follow/Leave a review on Spotify
Follow/Leave a review on Apple Podcast
Check out our Merch
WHERE TO FIND US
Wild Maven Wellness
Wild Maven Wellness on Instagram
Golden Approach Instagram
Aubrey Shaffner on Instagram