What happens when a devoted pastor of 20 years suddenly questions everything he's preached? Aaron Tomlinson's journey from Christianity to authentic spirituality offers a roadmap for anyone navigating the confusing terrain of religious deconstruction.

 In our conversation, he courageously unpacks how the doctrine of original sin creates harmful distrust of our bodies and intuition, while explaining how biblical texts about sexuality have been weaponized far beyond their original context.

With compassion and clarity, Aaron reveals why the common understanding of Jesus's purpose may have missed the point entirely. "Christ in you, the hope of glory" suggests we're inherently divine, not fallen beings needing salvation from eternal torment based on historical beliefs. This perspective offers liberation from fear-based religion while honoring authentic spiritual connection.

Drawing from his expertise as a licensed professional counselor, Aaron explains why midlife spiritual questioning isn't a crisis but a neurologically-supported developmental phase. Those who embrace rather than resist this transformation consistently report more fulfilling lives. His insights bridge psychological understanding with spiritual wisdom, offering hope to those who feel caught between worlds.

Whether you're deconstructing your faith, exploring new spiritual paths, or simply curious about different perspectives, this conversation offers profound insights on trusting your authentic self. As Aaron reminds us, "At your core you're divine," and recognizing this truth might be the most liberating spiritual journey of all.

Ready to trust your own spiritual intuition? Listen now and discover why your midlife spiritual awakening might be exactly what your soul ordered.

Aaron Tomlinson is a licensed professional counselor and former pastor who deeply understands the challenges of leaving organized religion and stepping into authentic spirituality. After surviving a life-threatening heart crisis—where both medical care and profound spiritual guidance played a vital role—Aaron now shares his journey of integrated healing: mind, body, and spirit. His story offers hope and practical wisdom for those navigating the often confusing and painful path beyond religious dogma toward a healing, empowering spirituality. Aaron gently bridges the gap between evidence-based psychology and real spiritual experience, helping listeners move from fear and anger into faith, peace, and renewed purpose. If listeners are wondering, “What’s next after religion?” Aaron’s compassionate guidance shows the way forward to wholeness without judgment or pressure.

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Monica Rodgers joins the Halfway to Dead podcast to shatter the "trance of unworthiness" that keeps women from embracing their full power. A catalyst for awakening women, Monica shares how her own dark night of the soul at age 39 transformed her life, pushing her to question everything she'd been conditioned to believe about success, spirituality, and her own worth.

The conversation explores how patriarchal conditioning creates what Monica calls "death by a thousand tiny paper cuts" – subtle messages that teach women they're either too much or not enough. This conditioning leads many women to disconnect from their bodies, suppress their emotions (especially rage), and dim their light to fit in. Monica and host Jen Lovell dive into practical ways women can reclaim their authentic selves, from processing suppressed emotions through "swamping" to celebrating rather than criticizing themselves and other women.

At the heart of this powerful discussion is Monica's "Revelation to Revolution" framework – seven transformative steps that guide women from radical honesty about their current reality to fully activating their truth in the world. The steps include reckoning with one's part in patterns, reflecting on dying identities, recovering through new storytelling, reauthoring with boundaries, and reclaiming one's inner heroine. Monica emphasizes that while most women will move through all these steps, there's no prescribed timeline – each woman's journey unfolds in its own way.

The episode takes a fascinating turn when Monica shares how creativity and art became vital tools in her healing journey. After being told as a young woman that art school wasn't a legitimate path, she returned to art in her 50s, discovering how creative expression bypasses the analytical mind to access deeper wisdom. This connection between creativity, spirituality, and authentic self-expression reveals how women can access their innate power through multiple channels.

Ready to disrupt your own trance of unworthiness? This episode offers both the validation and practical guidance needed to reclaim your right to shine without dimming anyone else's light. Download Monica's Women's Bill of Rights from her website as your first step toward living life on your own terms.

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Terry Tateossian's journey from struggling with emotional eating to shedding 80 pounds in her forties isn't just inspiring—it's a blueprint for anyone feeling defeated by midlife health challenges. The former immigrant who once found herself 80 pounds overweight and still wearing pregnancy clothes at age 37 now helps women reclaim their vitality through evidence-based approaches to nutrition and fitness.

The conversation takes a surprising turn when Terry challenges our most common excuse: "It's my hormones." While acknowledging that hormonal changes play a role (about 20%), she emphasizes that the bigger culprit is our accumulated decades of habits. This perspective shift feels both confronting and liberating—we have more control than we've been led to believe.

Perhaps most eye-opening is Terry's passionate clarification about resistance training. Those daily walks, yoga sessions, and swimming laps? Wonderful for health, but not resistance training. The distinction matters because only true resistance training builds the muscle mass critical for metabolism, bone density, and preventing falls (the number one cause of hospitalization for older adults). Studies show quad strength is more predictive of longevity than many other health markers—a compelling reason to start incorporating chair squats, wall push-ups, and other accessible strength moves into our routines.

The emotional eating discussion resonates deeply as Terry describes her former nightly pint of Häagen-Dazs and the neural pathways that make sugar "more addictive than cocaine." Her practical approach to breaking these cycles—observing without judgment, preparing protein-rich alternatives, and addressing the emotional needs behind cravings—offers a compassionate framework for those struggling with similar patterns.

 

At 42, Terry embarked on a profoundly life-altering journey, successfully shedding over 80lbs in her mid-forties, overcoming emotional eating and discovering an untapped source of incredible physical and emotional strength. However, her journey was much more than a physical one. It was an experience thatchallenged and transformed her at every level, reinforcing her belief in the potential for renewal, growth and change, regardless of life's stage or the roles one is juggling. Terry's journey is particularly relevant for women in the peri-menopausal and post-menopausal phases, a time when the body undergoes significant changes that can often feel insurmountable.Her success story is a testament to the fact that with the right mindset, tools, and support, it is possible to reclaim one's health and vitality during and after these transitional years.

Currently, Terry has completely transitioned into the health & wellness industry. Her passion for fitness and newfound love of helping mid-life women regain their health and vitality has compelled her to start a new career path in health coaching as the founder of THOR. THOR is an exclusively curated experiential brand focusing on fitness, wellness and whole body health. We blend in-person retreats, a wellness community for women over 40, ongoing 1:1 fitness and nutrition coaching & support and world-class wellness & longevity products to empower women to take back their health.

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Have you ever yearned for a place where spiritual connection isn't just accepted—it's the very foundation of the community? Tucked away on the shores of Cassadaga Lake in Western New York sits Lily Dale, America's oldest continuously operating spiritualist community and quite possibly the most energy-rich small town you'll ever experience.

In this deeply personal episode, I take you with me through my recent three-day journey to this remarkable spiritual haven. The moment you pass through Lily Dale's gates, something shifts—the veil between worlds feels paper-thin, and synchronicities abound. I'll guide you through the charming neighborhood of colorful Victorian cottages where mediums conduct readings on welcoming porches, and share my unexpected first experience channeling for a complete stranger during a spirit art workshop (spoiler: it was surprisingly accurate!).

You'll discover the sacred spaces that make Lily Dale special—from Inspiration Stump where twice-daily message services connect visitors with loved ones who've passed, to the Healing Temple where energy practitioners facilitate profound healing experiences. Some of my most transformative moments happened spontaneously, like the impromptu ceremony on a coffee shop porch where passing a crown of fallen leaves led our group to tears as we shared our deepest truths.

Whether you're a seasoned spiritual seeker or simply curious about expanding your awareness, Lily Dale offers accessible entry points to spiritual exploration. The entire experience is remarkably affordable—just $15 daily admission includes access to numerous services and sacred spaces. I share practical tips for planning your visit, from accommodation options (including the famously haunted Maplewood Hotel) to what to expect during readings and group experiences.

As we navigate midlife, finding communities that nurture our spiritual growth becomes increasingly precious. My time in Lily Dale reminded me that sometimes the most profound healing happens when we least expect it. Have you visited a place that shifted your spiritual perspective? I'd love to hear about your experiences—or perhaps you'll join me on a future Halfway to Dead meetup in this magical spiritual community.

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When was the last time you truly celebrated your birthday? Not just with cake and presents, but with a deep recognition of its spiritual significance? In this enlightening conversation, I sit down with Tamar Hurwitz-Fleming, birthday coach and author of "How to Have a Happy Birthday," who reveals why our birthdays are far more than just annual milestones—they're powerful spiritual portals.

Tamar explains that our birthday represents the sacred marriage between our soul and physical body—the day we chose to incarnate into this human experience. Astrologically, it's the one day each year when the sun aligns perfectly with where it was when we were born, creating a unique energetic opportunity for transformation and manifestation. Yet many of us, especially in midlife, have complicated relationships with our birthdays. We may dread the reminder of aging or sabotage our joy through what Tamar calls the "upper limits problem"—our discomfort with experiencing too much positive energy.

Throughout our conversation, Tamar offers practical wisdom for reclaiming your birthday as a sacred personal holiday. From creating a birthday altar and celebrating "Birthday Eve" to starting your day with spiritual rituals and making intentional birthday wishes, she outlines a framework for meaningful celebration that honors your journey. We also explore how to overcome common birthday pitfalls, including society's negative messages about aging and the mistake of outsourcing our birthday joy to others.

This episode isn't just about having better birthdays—it's about recognizing that your birth was a profound spiritual choice, and each year you get to celebrate that choice. As Tamar beautifully puts it, "It's a privilege to age," especially when we consider those who didn't get the opportunity. Whether your birthday is tomorrow or months away, this conversation will transform how you approach this special day and perhaps even how you view your entire life journey.

Tamar Hurwitz-Fleming is a birthday aficionado who is dedicated to helping people harness the transformational power of their birthdays so they can experience more joy, meaning, and fulfillment in their lives. Growing up, Tamar had a string of happy, sad, and terrible birthdays until she realized that having a fulfilling birthday was entirely up to her. In her new book, “How to Have a Happy Birthday,” Tamar explores why birthdays matter, why they can be hard for many of us, and what we can do to fully put ourselves in the center of our day. 

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Barbara is back!!!

Have you ever felt that your spiritual journey doesn't fit neatly into the boxes others have created? You're not alone. In this deeply moving conversation, Barbara Burgess takes us on a breathtaking tour through decades of spiritual exploration, from her rigid Catholic upbringing to her transformative experiences at sacred sites across the globe.

Barbara's story begins with childhood questions about divine appearances and evolves through college encounters that shattered her religious framework. But it's her experiences on spiritual pilgrimages—standing in a mosque in Morocco, connecting with Sikh teachings in India, and discovering Celtic Christianity's earth-centered wisdom—that reveal how different faiths contain universal truths when approached with genuine curiosity rather than judgment.

What makes this episode extraordinary is Barbara's practical wisdom about incorporating diverse spiritual elements into everyday life. She explains how she communicates with angels through journaling, surrounds herself with meaningful symbols from various traditions, and uses gratitude practices to shift her energetic frequency. Her understanding of multiple realities draws from quantum physics while remaining refreshingly accessible: "I think of it as like a video game adventure—I signed up for this one and tuned my radio to this frequency."

The conversation takes fascinating turns into unexpected territories—the spiritual significance of octopuses (with their autonomous yet connected tentacles), the communication abilities of elephants, and the special connection neurodivergent individuals may have to spiritual realms. Throughout, Barbara emphasizes that authenticity creates our highest vibrational state, explaining why being genuinely ourselves matters more than adhering to rigid spiritual frameworks.

Whether you're questioning your religious upbringing, curious about different spiritual traditions, or simply feeling called to something beyond material existence, this episode offers permission to explore the mystery with an open heart. As Barbara suggests, "We don't have to conform to any belief system—we get to share, explore, and discover." Your spiritual journey is uniquely yours. Where might it take you?

Barbara Burgess is an author, mother, executive, and unapologetic dark-chocolate lover who’s embraced the beautiful messiness of life. She founded Corluma (cor = heart, luma = light), a Chicago-based consulting firm, wrote and performed a one-woman show “The Extraordinary Experience of Being Ordinary” and most recently wrote her first book, Enough: Finding Peace in a World of Distractions, Hustle, and Expectations.

Known for her humor, vulnerability, and practical wisdom, Barbara shares simple shifts to help people remember they are enough and have enough. Her ego is kept in healthy check by two teenage children and career adventures that included selling candy bars for Nestle Foods, launching Grainger into internet commerce, a brief marketing stint at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, and most recently overseeing operations, marketing, and finances as the COO of a non-profit. Like all of us, Barbara says, she’s still figuring it out.

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What happens when a devoted Christian missionary who graduated from Moody Bible Institute discovers tools that transform his understanding of mind, belief, and spirituality? In this captivating conversation, Daryl Carlson shares his remarkable journey from religious devotion to spiritual liberation through neuro-semantic NLP.

Daryl's story begins with a childhood commitment to Christianity that led him to missionary work spanning 15 years. Despite his dedication and service, he found himself struggling with the same emotional patterns and limitations. His quest for healing introduced him to neuro-linguistic programming, which offered practical tools for transformation that would ultimately challenge his religious framework.

At the heart of this episode is the fascinating concept that "the map is not the territory" - we all navigate life through mental maps formed in childhood, yet mistakenly believe we're experiencing reality directly. Daryl explains how our brains filter information through deletion, distortion, and generalization to maintain these maps, and why this process creates our automatic reactions and behaviors. The liberating truth? We aren't broken when we struggle - we're simply running outdated mental programs that can be updated.

The conversation delves into practical techniques for changing beliefs, healing trauma, and finding authentic spiritual connection beyond religious constraints. Daryl's vulnerable account of "coming out" to his family about his spiritual shift highlights the challenges and rewards of living authentically. His perspective on Jesus evolves from worship to respect, viewing him as a mystic master whose teachings transcend religious boundaries.

Whether you're questioning your spiritual path, healing from religious trauma, or simply fascinated by how our minds create meaning, this episode offers compassionate insights and practical tools for transformation. As Daryl reminds us: your brain works perfectly - it's just following the map it was given. What outdated maps might you be ready to redraw?

Daryl Carlson graduated from Moody Bible Institute, was a missionary for over 15 years, and then rejected Christianity for something better.  He is a master practitioner of Neuro-Semantic NLP, a certified Meta-Coach, and currently works for a secular non-profit organization.  He is on this journey of life with his patient wife, Laura; three wonderful kids, and one rambunctious mini-goldendoodle.  "I'm an old white guy who knows that life is best lived by empowering others!"

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1 Year Anniversary Episode...PART 2

We explore the fascinating world of connecting with spirit and discovering our authentic selves through conversations with spiritual experts. This episode compiles wisdom from mediums, angel channels, and soul guides who reveal how developing intuition and embracing our spiritual gifts can transform our lives.

• Heather Daniel explains spirit guides, angels, and the concept of oneness
• Evidence-based medium Laura Marie provides proof that consciousness continues beyond physical death
• Nicole Bigley teaches how to connect with angels by "dating" them one at a time
• Brittany Wittig channels Pleiadians and shares that feeling difficult emotions is essential for raising vibration
• Hillary Young discusses her near-death experiences and connection with "the great universal spirit"
• Experts share insights on finding purpose through intuition, human design, and astrology
• Soul journey often begins with "two-by-four moments" that force us to reevaluate our path
• Living authentically requires setting boundaries and honoring our "small no's"
• Dr. Tyler Lovell discusses the veterinary profession and importance of compassion
• CASA program statistics show how volunteers drastically improve outcomes for children in foster care

If this podcast resonates with you, please hit that subscribe or follow button so you never miss an episode. If you have 30 seconds more, leave a five-star rating and a review to help others find us too.

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1 Year Anniversary Episode...PART 1

We're celebrating one year of the Halfway to Dead podcast with a look back at the profound conversations and insights that have emerged from our exploration of a midlife spiritual awakening. From healing modalities to physical wellness approaches, we've covered significant ground together while building a community across 76 countries.

• Doing the work is non-negotiable on a spiritual journey, requiring honest confrontation of past traumas
• Various therapeutic approaches discussed include traditional therapy, QHHT, RTT, Theta Healing, and psychedelic-assisted therapy
• Meditation emerged as the most essential tool recommended by virtually all our guests
• Yoga in various forms (especially Kundalini and Yin) helps process emotions stored in the body
• Physical healing approaches included parasite cleansing, cannabis for menopause symptoms, and visualization techniques
• Healing isn't just for ourselves—it breaks generational patterns of trauma
• Creative expression serves as a direct channel to divine connection

Don't miss part 2 of our anniversary special where we'll explore connecting with spirit, finding purpose, and discovering our soul's path! If this podcast resonates with you, please hit that subscribe or follow button and leave a five-star rating and review.

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BONUS CONTENT!!! Listen to what 2 AI (artificial intelligence) hosts have to say about Jen and her podcast.

Stayed tuned...the 1 year anniversary episode drops tomorrow!

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