In this episode, Brian Lee discusses the often-overlooked topic of spiritual abuse and its profound impact on individuals' lives. He shares his journey from being a pastor to creating the nonprofit Broken to Beloved, which aims to support survivors of spiritual abuse. The conversation delves into the definition of holistic masculinity, the importance of safety and trust in relationships, and the healing process that involves recognizing one's story and integrating all parts of oneself. Brian emphasizes the need for community support and grace in the journey of recovery, ultimately leading to a deeper understanding of faith and belonging.

Takeaways

• Holistic masculinity means integrating all parts of oneself.
• Spiritual abuse uses God's words to dehumanize individuals.
• Healing requires recognizing and naming trauma.
• Safety in relationships is foundational for trust.
• The journey of healing is often long and complex.
• Community support is vital for recovery from spiritual abuse.
• Understanding one's story is crucial for healing.
• Grace and compassion towards oneself are essential.
• The hierarchy of belovedness includes safety, connection, trust, vulnerability, and intimacy.
• Healing from spiritual abuse can lead to a deeper understanding of faith.

Check out more of Broken to Beloved:

Website - ⁠https://www.brokentobeloved.org/⁠

Donate - ⁠https://www.brokentobeloved.org/support⁠

Instagram - ⁠https://www.instagram.com/brokentobeloved⁠

Substack - ⁠https://brokentobeloved.substack.com/⁠

Broken to Beloved Podcast - ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/2RcmVVeoNVuaZ7VT37YKrc?si=38911bd34a8a48e0

Chapters

00:00 Brian's Background and Journey

04:35 Understanding Spiritual Abuse

07:26 The Impact of Spiritual Abuse

10:19 Cultural and Racial Influences

13:35 The Importance of Storytelling

16:21 The Hierarchy of Belovedness

26:56 Building Trust Through Vulnerability

31:16 Understanding Safety and Self-Regulation

37:14 The Connection Between Body Awareness and Safety

43:30 Navigating Faith and Safety in Church Spaces

46:56 Finding Safety in Curiosity and Healing

52:30 The Journey from Brokenness to Beloved

Keywords

masculinity, spirituality, Christian culture, identity, emotional health, storytelling, friendship, integrity, healing, mental health, empathy, grief, emotional health, community support, mental health resources, holistic masculinity, vulnerability, embodiment, fatherhood, childhood experiences, inner child, self-compassion, shame, self-contempt, workshops, mental health, spiritual abuse, trauma, community support, faith, recovery, emotional safety, holistic healing