Re-Creation is a podcast about trauma, faith, and mental health from an Orthodox Christian perspective. Every other episode, we step back from the darkness of trauma and explore a work of beauty. Hosted by Nicole Roccas, a trauma-informed coach and author, and Eleni Opperwall, a registered therapist. Drawing on Orthodox tradition, professional insights, and personal stories, they share reflections to support healing, wholeness, and spiritual growth.

Listen on Substack, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or RSS wherever you get podcasts.

In this episode, we talk about:

* “Diving into the Wreck,” a poem by Adrienne Rich (https://poets.org/poem/diving-wreck)

* The importance of stepping back from the intellectual work of healing and engage our creative, right-brain selves through story and beauty

* The tension between baptism/initiation/re-creation and death

* The parts of us that die when we begin to work through the past, and the parts that find new life

Resources and links mentioned:

* Adrienne Rich’s poem, “Diving into the Wreck”

* Quotes on baptism and recreation found in: Olivier Clément, Roots of Christian Mysticism: Texts from Patristic Era with Commentary (1995)

* Final quote from St. Isaac the Syrian about being at peace with your own soul was found in: Arent Jan Wensinck, trans., Mystic Treatises by Isaac of Nineveh (1923)

* All music featured on this podcast is used in accordance with Creative Commons licenses. For a full list of the tracks we use, visit https://recreationpodcast.substack.com/p/music-featured-in-our-episodes

Let’s Connect:

* Subscribe to our Substack for show notes + behind-the-scenes reflections:

* More about Nicole here

* More about Eleni here

Disclaimer:This podcast is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional mental health care.

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