Touchy Subjects Podcast

In this episode, we delve into the topic of spiritual bypassing and its impact on individuals dealing with chronic health issues. Our guests, Brooke and Tay, share their personal experiences and insights on how well-intentioned but misguided spiritual responses can affect those who are struggling with serious health conditions.

We discuss:

• How people with chronic illness has impacted our personal lives, as well as our deconstruction
• The need for boundaries and self-care rituals when you have a chronic illness
• What Spiritual Bypassing is, sounds like, and how it affects people
• How to create a supportive environment for someone with a chronic illness

About our Guests:

Tay Francis is more than a brand consultant - she is also an award-winning researcher and a human design expert. A Caribbean native with advanced degrees in psychology and population statistics, Tay has dedicated her career to understanding how people behave and communicate.

During the global pandemic, Tay left corporate market research and launched her own consulting firm: The Empowerment Axis Consultancy. Today, she uses her unique background and human design expertise to help coaches and entrepreneurs build better relationships with their clients and themselves.

Brooke Gurrad is a liver transplant recipient, wife, mom, and chronically ill human. After a diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis in 2005, she received a life-saving liver transplant that same year. She has a Bachelor's in Music, Vocal Performance from Lee University and a Masters in Teaching from St. Martin’s University.

Brooke has accumulated quite the repertoire of jobs, but they all come back to teaching, coaching, and helping people. With experience using tools of EQi (emotional intelligence), Strengths Finder, Myers-Briggs, and Enneagram, she developed a 2-year Self Awareness curriculum to coach clients as they go through job transitions, discover new dreams, navigate relationships, and dig into emotional health. Brooke is now honored to use those same tools to support my community with chronic illness, focusing on transplant patients.

In this episode, Erin shares her personal healing journey, focusing on letting go of traumas and finding a path to a healthier and happier life.

Through her transparent storytelling, Erin delves into the importance of awareness, seeking healing modalities, and taking steps towards self-discovery. She emphasizes that healing is not always instantaneous, but a continuous journey that requires patience and self-compassion.

Erin discusses various healing techniques, including energy work, NLP, Reiki, and more. Tune in to learn how healing is possible through different tools and modalities, and how acknowledging the need for healing is the first step towards self-growth.

Connect with the healers Erin mentioned in the episode:

• Elizabeth Knittel
• Amanda Steadman
• Maria Afouxenides

For more information, visit the Touchy Subjects podcast website at www.letstalktouchysubjects.com or follow them on Instagram at @LetsTalkTouchySubjects.

In this episode, Erin has a candid conversation with Andrew Blaylock, Brad Klausman, and Christopher Richardson, who share their experiences and perspectives on deconstruction within the church.

We explore the stigma around deconstruction, the importance of fostering safe spaces for questions, and ways the church can better support those navigating this journey.

Key Takeaways:

Deconstruction and Church Stigma:

• Deconstruction within the church is often stigmatized, but it's important to recognize that even pastors undergo periods of questioning and deconstruction.
• The conversation aims to break down the stigma surrounding deconstruction and encourage an open dialogue.

Embracing Questions:

• The Bible encourages asking questions, seeking, and knocking, suggesting that it's okay not to have all the answers.
• Distinguishing between the teachings of Jesus and the teachings of the church is essential to address discrepancies and misconceptions.

Relevant Resources for Deconstruction:

• Personal experiences with deconstruction have led to the discovery of resources that aid in the process, such as books like Rob Bell's "What is the Bible?" and Andy Stanley's "Irresistible."
• The Liturgist podcast, which features honest discussions on deconstruction, offers comfort to those going through similar experiences.

Creating a Safe Space:

• The church can foster a safe environment for deconstruction by embracing doubts, providing a platform for open conversations, and acknowledging that faith journeys vary.
• A balance is needed between affirming core beliefs and allowing room for diverse perspectives.

Truth Telling and Accountability:

• A crucial step toward creating a safe space is for the church to be transparent about its history, acknowledging past mistakes and abuse.
• Accountability and honesty are key to rebuilding trust within the congregation.

Support and Love Throughout Deconstruction:

• Deconstruction is a natural part of growth, and individuals going through it should know they are loved and supported, regardless of where their journey takes them.
• Deconstruction can lead to personal growth and an enhanced understanding of faith.

Conclusion:

Deconstruction within the church should be met with compassion, support, and a commitment to truth. Creating safe spaces for questions and doubts is crucial for personal growth and strengthening the church community.

For more information about the Touchy Subjects Podcast, check out our website or follow us on Instagram @letstalktouchysubjects.

In this episode of the Touchy Subjects Podcast, we delve into the sensitive topics of spiritual abuse, religious trauma, and church hurt. Erin shares her personal experiences and observations from her extensive work in various churches, shedding light on the need for change in church culture to create a safe space for everyone. The episode emphasizes the importance of education around mental health for church leaders and the necessity of building a more inclusive and affirming church culture.

Key Takeaways from this episode:

• Understanding Church Hurt: Erin clarifies that church hurt is not merely about petty disagreements but rather religious trauma and spiritual abuse, which affects many church leaders as well.
• Addressing Mental Health Education: The lack of education around mental health in theological programs is discussed, highlighting the need for church leaders to be trained in recognizing and supporting people's mental health needs.
• Volunteers and Staff Burnout: Erin emphasizes the importance of treating volunteers with care, providing proper training and tools to avoid burnout. She also addresses the issue of staff members being used and abused due to high production demands.
• Setting Healthy Boundaries: Encouragement is given to establish boundaries to protect mental well-being and avoid church hurt. Erin shares her personal journey of realizing she didn't have to tolerate abuse in her church position.
• Building a Welcoming Church Culture: The episode emphasizes the significance of a church being a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone, regardless of their background, gender identity, or sexuality. Church leaders are urged to foster a culture of kindness and affirmation.
• Embracing Change for a Better Future: To stop the mass exodus of people leaving the church, the episode emphasizes the need for churches to change their culture and become more accepting, encouraging, and open to questions.

For more information about the Touchy Subjects podcast and how to get involved, visit their website at www.letstalktouchysubjects.com or follow them on Instagram at @LetsTalkTouchySubjects.

Welcome to Season 2 of the Touchy Subjects Podcast!

In this episode, Erin opens up about her healing journey from religious trauma and how embracing deconstruction changed her life. She shares personal stories and insights into the toxic culture within the church, the importance of recognizing pastors as flawed humans, and the need to prioritize mental health and well-being.

Content Warning: This episode contains discussions around spiritual abuse, religious trauma, and sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised.

In this episode, Erin discusses:

• Her upbringing in a Church of God family and the conditioning and legalism they faced.
• The impact of unhealed child trauma on her emotional, mental, and physical well-being.
• Her struggle with an unhealthy attachment to work, finding worth through productivity, and the need to embrace self-worth independent of achievements.
• The importance of deconstructing belief systems and conditioning to become better humans.
• The need to prioritize humans over institutions in the church for positive change and healing.

If you want to learn more about our work and stay connected, visit our website at www.letstalktouchysubjects.com or follow us on Instagram @LetsTalkTouchySubjects.

• Their personal experiences with Anti Semitism and discrimination
• Their fears surrounding the current social and political climate and how it impacts Jews everywnere
• Why pacifying Anti Semitic rhetoric can be dangerous