Broken to Beloved Podcast

Ever wondered what happens when a birth doula becomes a biblical scholar? In this episode, I chat with Liz Charlotte Grant, whose fascinating path includes helping deliver babies before diving deep into writing about Genesis. She shares how working with birthing families taught her about letting go of control and making space for people to find their own way—something that completely transformed how she reads and writes about the Bible.Liz talks about seeing the Bible with fresh eyes, especially when it comes to characters like Hagar who often get pushed to the sidelines. She digs into why silence matters (God's first creative act!), and why it's okay to question things we've always been told about scripture. Drawing from science, Jewish tradition, art, and her own experience, she's created what she calls an "illumination" of Genesis - a way of looking at these ancient stories that makes room for questions and mystery. For anyone who's ever felt hurt by religion or unsure about the Bible, Liz offers a gentle reminder that it's okay to find your own path to faith.Get the full show notes and links here. 📄Episode Resources and LinksWebsite | Instagram | Threads | SubstackKnock at the Sky by Liz Charlotte Grant   Amazon | BookshopBioLiz Charlotte Grant is an award-winning writer whose work has been published in The Revealer, Sojourners, Christianity Today, Religion News Service, the Huffington Post, and elsewhere. She also writes The Empathy List, a popular newsletter that has been recognized by the Webby Awards and the Associated Church Press Awards. Her debut book is Knock at the Sky: Seeking God in Genesis after Losing Faith in the Bible.—————Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube—————Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.—————Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.—————As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

"Burn it all down." It's a common cry heard from many who have experienced spiritual abuse or find themselves disentailing from the disorienting process of deconstruction. And for those who have been asking the hard questions, wrestling with our beliefs, and navigating complicated relationships, it can be a very real, cathartic, and terrifying thought.But what if burning it down isn't destructive? What if it's actually restorative? What if questioning and wrestling with God is part of our spiritual birthright?Join me as I talk with Erin about her first book, I've Got Questions: The Spiritual Practice of Having It Out With God. We'll talk about the role of grief, lament, wrestling, curiosity, science, and so much more as part of our faith journey (drink!) as we look for hope.Get the full show notes and links here. 📄Episode Resources and LinksGet I've Got Questions on Amazon | BookshopGet the 2025 Summit All Access PassApply for the THROUGH CohortJoin the Book ClubGuest Spotlight Erin Hicks Moon is a writer, podcaster, and storyteller who helps people disentangle faith by creating a kind and curious community that welcomes honest doubt and questions. She is the Resident Bible Scholar and host of the Faith Adjacent podcast, and senior creative at Podcast Media Group. A homesick Texan, she lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with her husband and three children, where she bravely tries to live without yellow queso every day.Website  |  Instagram  | Substack  |  Faith Adjacent Podcast—————Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube—————Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.—————Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.—————As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The 2025 Annual Summit is over!This episode is part 2 of our live Q&A session from Wednesday, January 22 with Amy Fritz and Colby Wilkins, hosted on YouTube Live. We responded to emails sent in with the biggest struggles and questions sent in from over 300 Summit attendees. If you missed the Summit or want to watch any of the sessions, you can still get an All Access Pass. It's still available for $117 through the end of the month. Price goes up to $129 on February 1.Links & ResourcesGet the full show notes and links here 📄Get your All Access Pass hereApply for the THROUGH Cohort (starts Feb 6)—————Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube—————Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.—————Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.—————As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

The 2025 Annual Summit is over!This episode is part of our live Q&A session from Wednesday, January 22 with Amy Fritz and Colby Wilkins, hosted on YouTube Live. We responded to emails sent in with the biggest struggles and questions sent in from over 300 Summit attendees. If you missed the Summit or want to watch any of the sessions, you can still get an All Access Pass. It's still available for $117 through the end of the month. Price goes up to $129 on February 1.Links & ResourcesGet the full show notes and links here 📄Get your All Access Pass hereApply for the THROUGH Cohort (starts Feb 6)—————Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube—————Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.—————Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.—————As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Our third Annual Summit starts today!Be sure to register for the Summit to get over 15 sessions packed with practical tools to help name, process, and navigate our experiences of spiritual abuse and religious trauma to move toward healing and wholeness.We have an incredible lineup for you this year, including speakers like Kate Boyd, Ben Cremer, Becky Castle Miller, Christopher Stewart, Colleen Ramser, and lots more. You'll get a link to 3-4 sessions each day, plus access to live Bonus Sessions and Community calls throughout the week.If you can't watch it in time or just want to have the recordings, you can get an All Access Pass for lifetime access to the full library of session recordings, along with session transcripts, bonus resources, and more. Plus, you get it a day early!And it's ALL FREE. Click here to find more info and to get your free ticket today!—————Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube—————Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.—————Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.—————As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Our third Annual Summit is happening next week from January 21–25, 2025, and I can't wait to share it with you.Today, I'm sharing a sneak peek at some of our incredible sessions, including excerpts from my conversations with Adam Young, Jenai Auman, Curt Thompson, MD, and Kayleigh Clark.You'll hear about story work, finding our identity and sense of self, navigating shame, and finding trustworthy and trauma-informed pastors.Be sure to register for the Summit to get over 15 sessions packed with practical tools to help name, process, and navigate our experiences of spiritual abuse and religious trauma to move toward healing and wholeness.We have an incredible lineup for you this year, including speakers like Kate Boyd, Ben Cremer, Becky Castle Miller, Christopher Stewart, Colleen Ramser, and lots more. You'll get a link to 3-4 sessions each day, plus access to live Bonus Sessions and Community calls throughout the week. If you can't watch it in time or just want to have the recordings, you can get an All Access Pass for lifetime access to the full library of session recordings, along with session transcripts, bonus resources, and more. Plus, you get it a day early!And it's ALL FREE. Click here to find more info and to get your free ticket today!—————Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube—————Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.—————Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.—————As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

It's here! Our third Annual Summit is happening January 21–25, 2025, and I can't wait to share it with you.We have an incredible lineup for you this year, including speakers like Curt Thompson, MD, Adam Young, Jenai Auman, Dr. Janyne McConnaughey, and lots more. Over 5 days, you'll get 15+ sessions, plus live Bonus Sessions and Community calls throughout the week. And it's ALL FREE. Click here to find more info and to get your free ticket.—————Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube—————Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.—————Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.—————As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

This is a special episode swap with my friend Steve Carter and his Craft and Character podcast. This episode was originally released in September 2024.In this episode of the Craft & Character podcast, Steve Carter interviews pastor and thought leader Brian Lee about healing from church hurt.Brian has a heart for those who feel like wanderers looking for a safe place to land. He has created an incredible community for anyone who has felt cast aside, betrayed, or hurt from religious institutions.Get the full show notes and links here. 📄Get the Conference & Gathering Session Recordings here.—————Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube—————Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.—————Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.—————As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

This is a special episode swap with my friend Amy Fritz at the Untangled Faith podcast. This episode was originally released in August 2023.Dr. Karen Swallow Prior joins Amy Fritz on the Untangled Faith podcast to talk about how Stories, Metaphors, and Images have influenced the Evangelical imagination.We should always be trying to be aware of cultural influences and think about how they shape us as humans. - Karen Swallow PriorIn this episode we:Discuss the cultural forces that drive evangelical norms.Learn some context and origin and development of the evangelical faith.Contend with sentimentality issues complicating the evangelical landscape.Grapple with the issues of incongruence between the message and the messenger.Episodes you might enjoy:Untangled Faith Episode 86: Shiny Happy People: The Impact of IBLP and Bill Gothard on the Evangelical ChurchResources:Find Dr. Karen Swallow Prior on SubstackBuy Karen's book on Amazon | BookshopSubscribe to the Untangled Faith SubstackGet the full show notes and links here. 📄—————Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube—————Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.—————Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.—————As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

This is a special episode swap with my friends at the "Why God Why" podcast. This episode was originally released in February 2024.In this raw and poignant episode of Why God Why, we delve into the delicate and often painful topic of church harm and the credibility of Christianity. Hosts Amanda D'Angelo and Peter Englert are joined by returning guest Brian Lee, who bravely shares his personal experiences of spiritual abuse and his journey toward healing and advocacy.Brian, a seasoned voice on the subject and founder of the nonprofit Broken to Beloved, offers a candid look at the darker side of church life, addressing the critical question: "Why does it feel like churches cause more harm than good?" With vulnerability and insight, Brian discusses the power dynamics and control issues that can lead to toxic church environments, and how these experiences have shaped his mission to support others through similar struggles.Listeners will be invited into a space of reflection and empathy as Amanda, Peter, and Brian navigate the complexities of reconciling faith with the reality of church-induced wounds. This episode is not just an exploration of the problems but also a beacon of hope for those seeking to create healthier, more compassionate faith communities.For anyone who has felt the sting of spiritual betrayal or is grappling with the imperfections of religious institutions, this conversation offers solace and a reminder that you are not alone. Your story matters, and there are paths to healing and redemption within and beyond the walls of the church.If you or someone you know has been affected by church harm, visit brokentobeloved.org for resources and support. And remember, your voice is crucial to this ongoing dialogue—reach out with your questions and stories to Peter@browncroft.org. Your contributions are invaluable as we confront these challenging issues together.Listen in for a heart-wrenching yet hopeful examination of faith, hurt, and the relentless pursuit of a church that truly embodies the love and grace it preaches.Get the full show notes and links here. 📄—————Subscribe using your favorite podcast app:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube—————Spread the Word. Leave a Rating and Review. It would mean the world if you would leave us a rating and review on Apple or on Spotify. They’ll help us share these conversations and resources with more people, and let us know how we can better serve you.—————Broken to Beloved is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works to provide those wounded by spiritual abuse and religious trauma with practical resources moving toward healing and wholeness, and to provide pastors and church leaders with resources to grow in trauma awareness and implement safeguarding practices. Get more information or give a tax-free donation here.—————As an Amazon and Bookshop.org affiliate, I may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.