Brené with Sue Monk Kidd and Jen Hatmaker on Longing, Belonging and Faith
Apr 28, 2020
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Sue Monk Kidd, a renowned author and leader in exploring belonging and faith, and Jen Hatmaker, a courageous voice in faith discussions, share their experiences and insights. They reflect on self-discovery through literature and how personal narratives shape our identities. Their conversation touches on the humanity of Jesus, the humor in faith journeys, and the importance of community support. They emphasize the resilience needed to navigate personal struggles and celebrate the power of connection in their lives.
Personal exploration and questioning societal norms are essential for discovering one's true identity and faith.
Sharing personal narratives fosters connection and empathy, emphasizing that individual experiences can resonate as universal truths.
The struggle of balancing societal expectations with personal ambitions highlights the importance of community support in empowering women's journeys.
Deep dives
Empowerment Through Personal Growth
The podcast discusses how personal exploration often leads to empowerment, particularly in understanding one's faith and identity. The speakers reflect on their journeys, revealing how questioning the established norms of religion and society can be a pathway to finding one's true voice. Sue Monk Kidd's work is highlighted as a resource that illustrates the struggle of reconciling one's spiritual beliefs with personal truths, urging listeners to embrace their individuality. This theme is prevalent in both speakers' experiences, showcasing the importance of self-discovery and the courage to challenge societal expectations.
Finding the Universal in Individual Experience
Sue Monk Kidd emphasizes the concept that deeper individual experiences often resonate as universal truths for others, which is a central theme in her writing. She shares that the more one explores their own journey, the more relatable it becomes to others, creating a shared humanity in those struggles. This idea underlines the importance of authenticity in storytelling and how personal narratives can bridge the gap between different experiences. This collective journey of understanding fosters connection and empathy, validating the significance of sharing one's truth.
Courage in Storytelling
The courage to tell personal stories, especially those that challenge traditional norms, is discussed as a vital act of creative expression. Both Sue and Jen share their insights on the risks involved in such storytelling, as it often leads to scrutiny or backlash from established communities. Their commitment to authenticity exemplifies the broader struggle many face when deciding to embrace their realities in a world that often prioritizes conformity. This speaks to the transformative power of literature and narrative as tools for personal liberation and social change.
The Journey of Creative Collaboration
The discussion reveals the enriching experience of collaborating on creative works, particularly between Sue and her daughter. Their shared memoir, 'Traveling with Pomegranates', is highlighted as a testament to the mother-daughter bond and the challenges of navigating different life stages together. This experience emphasizes the depth of relationships that can deepen through collaborative creative processes, enriching both the product and the relationship itself. Such partnerships offer unique perspectives and foster understanding, highlighting the beauty of shared journeys.
Embracing the Complexity of Womanhood
A major insight from the conversation revolves around the multifaceted nature of womanhood, especially the balancing act between societal expectations and individual aspirations. Jen Hatmaker articulates the struggle that women face in pursuing their ambitions while fulfilling traditional roles, advocating for the right to want and achieve without guilt. This dialogue addresses the societal pressures that often stifle women’s voices and ambitions, encouraging listeners to embrace their desires and redefine success on their own terms. The importance of community support in nurturing personal growth and ambition is reinforced, as women uplift one another in their journeys.
In this episode, I talk to two women who provide wise counsel for those of us who have struggled with belonging and faith (and still do on occasion). Sue Monk Kidd and Jen Hatmaker are dissident daughters, brave leaders, and the very best companions for a contemplative journey.
