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In this final episode of the Masking and Spiritual Formation series, Josh is joined by Sunita Theiss for a thoughtful and deeply honest conversation about masking as performing belonging—especially within faith and community spaces.

Together, they explore masking as a survival strategy shaped by culture, neurodivergence, and the longing to be safe and included. Sunita reflects on her own experience of masking as constant internal recalibration in environments not designed for her, and how this effort—often mistaken for extroversion—came at the cost of exhaustion and diminished authenticity. They also name how cultural context can complicate the recognition of neurodivergence and normalize over-functioning.

The conversation turns toward faith spaces, where masking can take the form of performing spirituality: suppressing bodily needs, hiding stims, or conforming to unspoken expectations of how devotion, participation, or “maturity” should look. When belonging is tied to performance, faith can quietly become conditional—experienced as something we must earn rather than receive.

Josh and Sunita reflect on the spiritual costs of this dynamic: compartmentalization, shame, and the erosion of grace. They invite listeners to consider the difference between fitting in and truly belonging, and to imagine communities shaped not by productivity or sameness, but by enoughness, care, and ordinary faithfulness.

To connect with Sunita: https://www.instagram.com/sunitatheiss/  https://sunitatheiss.substack.com/ https://sunitatheiss.com/

#MaskingAndSpiritualFormation  #NeurodivergentFaith #Neurodivergent #AutisticAdults #ADHDFaith #ActuallyAutistic #NeurodiversityAffirming #EnoughAsYouAre #DisabilityAndFaith #ChurchBelonging

To connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: [email protected]. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.