Unburdened

In this second part of Ryan’s journey on Unburdened, he and Trevor pick up where we left off—diving into ministry struggles, relational strain, and the unraveling of once-certain beliefs. From the loneliness of small-town church life to the devastation of losing community, Ryan shares how disillusionment pushed him to let go of everything he thought he knew about God.

Through the challenges of early marriage, counseling, and the experience of becoming a father, Ryan came to realize that rebuilding from zero was the only way forward. His story offers both resonance and relief for anyone who’s had to walk away from certainty to find a more authentic path.

We discussed:

• Life in rural ministry and the collapse of a small church community
• The personal cost of unmet expectations in marriage and ministry
• Disillusionment with organized religion and walking away from church
• The role of counseling and learning to reconnect with emotions
• Becoming a father and the shift in understanding God as “Father”
• Wrestling with fear of hell and choosing honesty over certainty
• Navigating mixed-belief marriage dynamics
• Rebuilding from zero and finding freedom in starting over

Learn more about Unburdened Podcast:

Website: https://www.unburdenedpodcast.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theunburdenedpodcast

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In this first episode of Season 2 of Unburdened, Trevor Little welcomes his new co-host, Ryan Schuck. Ryan shares his journey of growing up in a conservative Christian home, immersing himself in scripture, and pursuing ministry. From wrestling with theological questions like free will to facing the pressure of doing “something great for God,” his story through Bible college and beyond reveals the weight of spiritual expectations and the cracks that emerge when certainty can’t be found.

Now stepping into the role of co-host, Ryan reflects openly on this first chapter of his path toward authenticity and healing after spiritual trauma. This is part one of his story, with more to come in the next episode.

We discussed:

• Growing up in a conservative, homeschooled Christian family
• Early passion for scripture and theological study
• Wrestling with questions of free will and God’s plan
• Disillusionment with Bible college and ministry training
• The pressure to do “something great for God”
• How friendship and community shaped his questioning years
• Beginning the journey toward authenticity and healing

Learn more about Unburdened Podcast:

Website: https://www.unburdenedpodcast.com 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theunburdenedpodcast

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In this episode of Unburdened, Trevor and Carey welcome Jim Larkin, a former minister who shares his journey of spiritual transformation. Growing up in a deeply religious family, Jim followed a conformist path, eventually entering ministry despite lingering questions about his faith. A pivotal moment during his ministry led him to reflect on his beliefs and step away from the church, finding a new spiritual expression through Kabbalah and interfaith work.

Now a life coach, Jim helps others navigate transitions and heal from spiritual wounds, offering insights into reclaiming personal authenticity and spirituality. He also leads programs like Healing Your Spiritual Wounds, creating safe spaces for individuals to explore and redefine their spiritual paths. 

We discussed: 

• The pressure and expectations of being a minister’s child. 

• Struggles with indecisiveness and people-pleasing.

• The impact of leaving organized religion on personal identity. 

•  Rediscovering spirituality outside traditional frameworks.

•  Balancing personal desires with community expectations.

Learn more about Jim Larkin at:

Website:  https://jimlarkin.today/ 

Program: https://jimlarkin.today/the-hysw-journey/ 

Learn more about the Unburdened podcast: 

Instagram: @theunburdenedpodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Unburdened

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Our conversation with Jillian Houghton, licensed psychotherapist, spiritual/intuition recovery coach, religious trauma consultant, and undue influence educator.

In this episode of Unburdened, we welcome Jillian Houghton, a licensed trauma therapist who specializes in religious trauma. Jillian shares her personal journey of healing and faith deconstruction, including experiences with a high-control religious environment. She discusses the complexities of balancing her clinical work with her personal healing, especially around issues of identity and acceptance.

They delve into the role of love and fear in navigating personal beliefs and boundaries, as well as her path toward self-acceptance and reconciling family dynamics. Finally, Jillian shares about her coaching practice, dedicated to guiding others in building a self-aligned life after deconstruction.

We discussed: 

• Jillian’s eye-opening journey of realizing her involvement in a religious cult and the mental toll of that environment.  

• How some religious teachings can instill a pervasive sense of personal inadequacy or “badness” that clients bring into therapy. 

• The challenges of reconciling her sexuality with religious teachings and her journey toward acceptance. 

• Emotional complexity of setting boundaries with family members who maintain strict religious beliefs. 

• How Jillian’s clinical techniques help clients reframe damaging beliefs and rediscover self-worth outside of rigid religious systems. 

Learn more about Jillian Houghton at:

Website: https://www.jillianhoughton.com/ 

Learn more about the Unburdened podcast: 

Instagram: @theunburdenedpodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Unburdened

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey friends it’s Trevor,

I hope you enjoyed the first season of Unburdened. Carey and I are excited about doing a second season, but in the meantime, I wanted to invite you to something a little more intimate. On October 21st, I’ll be leading our first Unburdening group.

Are you experiencing a faith transition, or have you stepped away from a high-control religious environment?

Perhaps you’re feeling adrift without the familiar structure and support your faith once provided, or you’re grappling with the emotional scars of religious trauma. Maybe you’ve been on this journey for a while but are still unpacking the complex emotions that continue to surface. Or you might still be part of your religious community, but certain beliefs or practices no longer feel aligned with your values, and you’re seeking a space where you can reflect without fear of judgment.

If any of this resonates, this group is here for you. Over eight weeks, you’ll join a supportive cohort of 8-12 people who are walking a similar path. Each week, I'll will guide discussions and offer tools to help you heal, grow, and navigate this challenging season of life. This is a place where you can share your story, learn from others, and discover a hopeful path forward.

Spots are limited so head over to https://www.unburdenedpodcast.com/faith-transition-support-group today to register.

I look forward to seeing you there.

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In this episode, we are joined by Susan Rogers, who transitioned from a nine-year career as an occupational therapist to founding and pastoring The Well at Springfield, a diverse faith community in Jacksonville, Florida. Over the past 13 years, The Well has become a home for individuals from various faith backgrounds, including agnostics and atheists, united by their curiosity, storytelling, and shared effort to practice the way of Jesus. Susan shares her journey, insights on fostering inclusivity in faith communities, and the power of asking questions and telling stories.

Susan also discussed how The Well prioritizes community and practical engagement over rigid doctrinal beliefs, fostering an inclusive environment for people from various faith backgrounds, including agnostics and atheists. She also discusses their innovative shift to holding gatherings at an outdoor community farm, reflecting their commitment to adaptability and inclusivity.

We discussed: 

• Harm caused by high-control faith communities and the need for authenticity and vulnerability

• Practical advice for individuals seeking a safe and inclusive faith community

• The Well's unique approach of focusing on practices rather than a set of beliefs

• Challenges of holding space for individuals who have experienced spiritual trauma and the responsibility of creating a safe and welcoming environment

Learn more about Susan Rogers at:

Website: https://www.thewellatspringfield.org/

Learn more about the Unburdened podcast: 

Instagram: @theunburdenedpodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Unburdened

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Unburdened podcast, we have Mark Gregory Karris, a licensed marriage and family therapist based in San Diego, California. Dr. Karris specializes in religious trauma and couples therapy. He is also a bestselling author, known for his impactful books including The Diabolical Trinity: Healing Religious Trauma from a Wrathful God, Tormenting Hell, and Sinful Self.

Dr. Karris shared his personal journey through religious trauma, beginning with his upbringing in a highly dysfunctional family and his subsequent immersion in a fundamentalist Pentecostal church. He recounted the intense fear and anxiety he experienced due to the church's teachings on hell, demons, and salvation, which significantly impacted his mental and emotional well-being.

Mark explains the complexities of religious trauma and the power of self-compassion and experiential healing. By acknowledging the impact of harmful doctrines and seeking support, individuals can heal from religious trauma, overcome fear and anxiety, and find inner peace.

We discussed: 

• Experiencing fear, anxiety, and shame due to teachings about hell, wrathful God, and sinful self.

• How mindfulness, kindness, and common humanity can help develop self-compassion and heal from religious trauma.

• Creating compassionate figures or using personal connections to foster self-compassion.

• Understanding the inner critic's intentions and befriending it.

• Having funerals for internalized Others and reclaiming self-compassion and self-identity.

Learn more about Dr. Mark Gregory Karris: 

Website: https://markgregorykarris.com/

The Diabolical Trinity: Healing Religious Trauma from a Wrathful God, Tormenting Hell, and a Sinful Self: https://www.amazon.com/Diabolical-Trinity-Religious-Wrathful-Tormenting/dp/1948609886

Learn more about the Unburdened podcast: 

Instagram: @theunburdenedpodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Unburdened

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Unburdened podcast, we welcome Andy Newman, a licensed professional counselor based in Gilbert Arizona, who specializes in helping individuals navigate faith transitions and religious trauma, particularly within the LDS (Mormon) and LGBTQ communities. 

Grew up in a staunch Mormon family, Andy is adhering to the doctrines of the LDS Church from a young age. His journey within the church included typical milestones such as serving a mission and attending BYU-Idaho. However, Andy’s experience was marred by internal conflicts and cognitive dissonance, particularly around issues of LGBTQ inclusion and the church’s stance on these matters. 

Andy first began to feel significant cognitive dissonance during his high school years when he wanted to support his LGBTQ friends but was constrained by the church’s teachings. This internal conflict deepened with the LDS Church’s 2015 policy excluding children of LGBTQ parents from baptism, which Andy cites as a pivotal moment in his faith journey.

Throughout the episode, Andy shares poignant stories from his life, such as the challenge of giving a blessing to a choir member struggling with same-sex attraction and the transformative journey of visiting the exMormon subreddit. These experiences highlight the profound impact of personal and systemic conflicts within the LDS Church on his life and the lives of others. 

We discussed: 

• Andy’s decade-long journey of deconstructing his faith within the LDS Church, focusing on the challenges posed by the church’s 2015 LGBT policy.

• Cognitive dissonance experienced by Andy as he tried to reconcile his love for LGBTQ friends within the church’s teachings and policies. 

• LDS Church’s 2015 policy that barred children of LGBTQ parents from baptism and its subsequent reversal.

• The complexities of post mission life, including the pressure to marry quickly and start a family. 

• Challenges and nuances of maintaining a mixed-faith marriage amidst evolving beliefs.

• Andy’s transformative journey through a faith crisis, emphasizing the significance of finding support systems, validating concerns and the emotional impact of leaving the church.

• Support systems like Unburdening Groups and online communities such as the exMormon subreddit are crucial for those navigating faith transitions and seeking validation and community. 

Learn more about Andy Newman:

https://www.tiktok.com/@deconstruction_therapy   

Learn more about the Unburdened podcast: 

Instagram: @theunburdenedpodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Unburdened

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of the Unburdened podcast, we are joined by Laurie Wevers, a licensed marriage and family therapist and spiritual director who specializes in treating religious trauma and assisting individuals in connecting with their spirituality post trauma. 

Based out of the Washington DC area, Laurie has a deep personal connection to the work she does, rooted in her own experiences of growing up in a fundamentalist Christian community and navigating the complexities of embracing her queer identity within that context.

However, her experiences in the church led her to question the institutional approach to spirituality and seek a path that prioritized genuine connection and inclusion. This ultimately propelled her toward spiritual direction, a transformative process that she now advocates for, especially for those seeking a non-religious path to spirituality. 

Throughout the episode, Laurie provides insight into the complexity of navigating religious trauma and finding solace on a non-religious spiritual path. Her story is a testament to the idea that it is possible to find peace, authenticity, and a sense of belonging outside the structure of organized religion. 

We discussed: 

• Laurie’s experience of growing up in a fundamentalist Christian community and the challenges she faced in reconciling her queer identity with her spiritual beliefs.

• The practice of spiritual direction, where Laurie uses rituals, intuitive listening and heart centered questions to help individuals reconnect with their true selves after leaving structured faith systems.

• Fear and isolation one may feel when stepping away from a religious belief system. 

• Concept of freefall and the courage it takes to trust in oneself or the universe during this transition.

• Laurie’s personal struggle with coming out later in life and the subsequent estrangement from family.

• Importance of boundaries, the value of a chosen family, and the transformative power of hope and love in embracing one’s true self.

• How language can be triggering for those healing from spiritual trauma and the importance of creating supportive spaces that allow for healing without re-traumatization.

Learn more about Laurie Wevers:

https://laurie-wevers.clientsecure.me/ 

Learn more about the Unburdened podcast: 

Instagram: @theunburdenedpodcast

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Unburdened

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.