Deconstructing the Myth

Welcome to Season 4 of Deconstructing the Myth! Liz Mall (MA of Christian Apologetics, Biola) and Jenny White (MA of Museum Studies, Harvard) join forces again to bring you another research season to help you on your deconstruction journey. This season is all about deconstructing the doctrines that have shaped the American Evangelical experience by looking closely at the historical, cultural, and Biblical context behind each one. For a compilation of this season's show notes in one place, check out Patreon.com/deconstructingthemyth and consider supporting us there financially to help keep the lights on (and for additional perks and opportunities!)

How can being present impact our deconstruction? Today I share my personal experience with cultivating presence in this season of life. I reference the podcast Mindfulness+ with Thomas McConkie that you may enjoy checking out!
Thank you for joining me for a season 3 bonus episode! These episodes are a sampling of the weekly solo episodes I provide at Patreon.com/deconstructingthemyth and I hope you will consider joining us there for more content like this and exclusive community opportunities.

Nondualism is one of my favorite concepts that I’ve gleaned during deconstruction. Today I share my own story of embracing this concept over the past few years and I share its ongoing importance in my deconstruction journey and life. Thank you for joining me for a season 3 bonus episodes! These episodes are a sampling of the weekly solo episodes I provide at Patreon.com/deconstructingthemyth and I hope you will consider joining us there for more content like this and exclusive community opportunities.

Recently I was asked how to have "fruitful dialogue with Evangelicals" as I navigate my own deconstruction. I think it is absolutely possible and beautiful when it happens! Today I share what that dialogue looks like for me personally. Thank you for joining me for a season 3 bonus episodes! These episodes are a sampling of the weekly solo episodes I provide at Patreon.com/deconstructingthemyth and I hope you will consider joining us there for more content like this and exclusive community opportunities.

On today’s bonus episode I chat with Trey Ferguson—a pastor, author, and “theologizer” who writes and speaks publicly about faith and race. He provides such a refreshing view of Christianity, a curious faith, the intersection of technology and religion, and a reframing of what the Good News of Christ might be about after all. Website: https://www.pastortrey05.com Twitter: @PastorTrey05 Instagram: @pastorytrey05 Amazon Link to “Theologizin’ Bigger: Homilies on Living Freely and Loving Wholly” https://www.amazon.com/dp/1957687363?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_5V6NJ1XQXG7Q0NDP552Z

Today’s guest and I chat about her book “Giving Up God,” her journey of deconstructing, and then finding herself on the other side of Christianity as an awe-filled agnostic-atheist who sees life as full of opportunity and wonder now. Connect with Sarah on Instagram at @shayward writes and at her website sarahhennhayward.com Find her book “Giving Up God” at all major online book sales spots!

Thanks everyone for being a part of Season 3! In today’s episode I answer listener questions

Today's guest is spiritual director and professor Frank Rogers Jr. who, as a young adult, begin to be deeply tormented by the trauma of suppressed childhood sexual abuse. Wracked by depression, he was on the cliff edge of suicide. From intense despair, he set off on a quest—for answers, for sanity, for a credible God to see him through. We discuss his new book, Cradled in the Arms of Compassion, which details his life story and how he found truly transformational power in the practice of compassion. Rogers shows how he found recovery through a combination of reflective retreats, therapy, creative expression, and an extraordinary application of imaginative meditation, which spiritual seekers and practitioners will find utterly fascinating. The ensuing discovery evolved into the uniquely self-restorative process known as the Compassion Practice. This one made my cry DTM fam! Such a powerful story. Book: https://www.lakedrivebooks.com/books/cradled-in-the-arms-of-compassion/ Website: thecenterforengagedcompassion.org Email: frogers@cst.edu

Today I chat with Catherine Quiring, a licensed trauma therapist, self-trust coach, and exvangelical who helps exvangelicals learn to trust their desires and reconnect to their inner wisdom. She is the creator of the Trust Yourself Again Program: Reclaim your Inner Compass after Leaving Evangelical Subculture. Instagram @catherinequiring Courses: Trust Yourself Again: Reclaim Your Inner Compass After Leaving Evangelical Subculture https://www.cqcounseling.com/trust-yourself Covert Narcism in Religious Subculture https://catherine-quiring.mykajabi.com/offers/RWwjHSJY/checkout

What an inspiring chat I had with author and pastor Kevin Sweeney about his latest book “The Joy of Letting Go.” Kevin shares the various aspects of his spiritual journey, from the point of coming to God after mushrooms, to pursuing seminary yet feeling confined by the rigid parameters he found there set before him. We talk about how so much of the spiritual journey is really composed of the simple but difficult work of letting go. Instagram: @kevinsweeney1 Podcast: The Church Needs Therapy Books: The Joy of Letting Go The Making of a Mystic