Today's episode is with the wonderful Mike Maeshiro! Mike is the founder of Numa, an organization that supports people recovering from religious toxicity. Mike is gay, an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, and a queer theology enthusiast.  On this episode we discuss Mike's evolving perception of God and how it has impacted his sense of self. He shares that his perception of God has shifted from a patriarchal authoritarian figure to a more loving and personal presence. This change has led him to reject the belief that he is inherently sinful and unworthy. Instead, he embraces the idea that he is inherently valuable and deserving of love. Mike also explores the sacredness of understanding and valuing the experiences and perspectives of others, as well as the importance of trust in relationships. In this conversation, Mike shares a personal experience of making an intuitive decision that didn't make logical sense but felt compelled to do it anyway. He talks about a moment when he heard a voice in his head telling him he was not supposed to be where he was and that there was something else for him. This led him to quit his job and move to Japan, which ultimately changed the trajectory of his life. The conversation also explores the vulnerability of writing a love letter and the importance of embracing unconditional love and acceptance.TakeawaysOur perception of God deeply affects our perception of ourselves and our sense of identity.Embracing a more loving and personal understanding of God can lead to a greater sense of self-worth and acceptance.Valuing and understanding the experiences and perspectives of others is a sacred practice.Trust is an essential component of meaningful relationships. Making intuitive decisions that don't make logical sense can lead to life-changing experiences.Embracing vulnerability and listening to our inner voice can lead to personal growth and transformation.Writing a love letter can be a powerful and therapeutic practice that allows for self-reflection and connection with the divine.Unconditional love and acceptance are essential for personal and spiritual growth.Mike's Links:WebsiteInstagram @mikemaeshiroSubstack "God Made me Gay""Confessions of a Reformer" Podcast

Elizabeth Mall is on the podcast today!  Liz is a mom of three young kids and host of the podcast 'Deconstructing the Myth.' She recently completed her masters degree in Christian Apologetics  not to defend her faith, but to search for what is good, true, and worth holding onto. Kendall and Liz explore the difference between deconstruction as a process of personal growth and deconstruction as a destructive act. Liz shares her experiences growing up in a Methodist church and finding sanctuary in the church building. She also discusses her current views on church and the sacredness she finds in deep conversations and connections with others. This episode explores the importance of being present in the messy moments of life and finding meaning in the dissonance. Liz shares her journey of rediscovering faith and the shift in her understanding of God's grace. They also discuss the themes of acceptance, curiosity, and the power of lived experiences. Liz opens up about her struggles with body image and the impact of purity culture on her self-perception. The conversation concludes with a letter to love, reflecting on the need to love oneself and the importance of deep connection with others.TakeawaysDeconstruction can be a personal journey of growth and self-discovery, rather than a destructive act.Apologetics can be a tool for personal inquiry and searching for truth, rather than a means to prove one's faith to others.Finding sanctuary in a church can be a personal and individual experience, but it can also be found outside of traditional church spaces.Deep conversations and connections with others can be a sacred and transformative experience.Seeing the goodness and love in others, regardless of their beliefs, can be a powerful and sacred experience. Deconstructing faith involves questioning and reevaluating beliefs, leading to personal growth and a deeper understanding of oneself and spirituality.Being present in the messy moments of life and embracing the dissonance can lead to profound growth and a more meaningful experience.Accepting the unacceptable and surrendering to life's circumstances can bring a sense of peace and allow for personal transformation.Curiosity and a willingness to explore the unknown can lead to new insights and a deeper connection with oneself and others.Purity culture and societal expectations can have a profound impact on body image and self-perception, requiring intentional work to cultivate self-love and acceptance.Liz's links:Deconstructing the Myth PodcastHere's the powerful episode we talk about with Frank Rogers JrLiz's Instagram: @desconstructingthemyth

In this episode, Kendall interviews Lizz Enns Petters, co-host of the Deconstructing Mamas Podcast, about her journey of faith deconstruction amidst parenting. Lizz shares her experiences growing up in a religious environment and questioning certain Bible stories. She also discusses how she navigates healing from religious trauma and mental health issues while parenting. Lizz emphasizes the importance of finding sacredness in small moments and creating a Sunday routine outside of church that works for her and her family. In this conversation, Liz discusses her journey of deconstructing her faith and the impact it has had on her identity. She shares how she started questioning her beliefs in college and rebelled against the expectations of her evangelical Christian upbringing. Liz also talks about the challenges she has faced in being public about her deconstruction journey and the loss of friendships. She emphasizes the importance of finding a community of like-minded individuals and the power of sharing one's story. The conversation concludes with Liz reading a heartfelt and vulnerable letter to herself, expressing self-acceptance and resilience.TakeawaysGrowing up in a religious environment can lead to questioning certain Bible stories and feeling unsettled by them.Healing from religious trauma and managing mental health while parenting can be challenging but important work.Finding sacredness in small moments, such as warm baths and quiet reading time, can be a source of comfort and grounding.Creating a Sunday routine that aligns with personal needs and values can be a healthy way to navigate faith shifts and prioritize self-care. Being public about one's deconstruction journey can lead to misunderstandings and the loss of friendships.Finding a community of like-minded individuals can provide support and a sense of belonging during the deconstruction process.Follow Lizz Here: Lizz's InstagramLizz's FacebookDeconstructing Mamas PodcastFollow Kendall for podcast updates:Unsilenced Hearts on IG Subscribe to The Unsilenced Hearts Club on Substack for more love letters and a sweet community!

In this episode, Kendall interviews Esther Joy Goetz, co-host of The Deconstructing Mamas podcast.  They delve into Esther's early church memories (or her curious lack thereof) as a missionary kid growing up in Ethiopia, and her journey in finding community after leaving the church she had been deeply involved in as an adult. The conversation explores how we can embrace and lean into challenging beliefs and how doing so results in a more expansive, evolving faith. Esther also talks about the sacredness of nature and her journey of rewilding her soul. She shares her experience of connecting with nature in a seasonal way and the importance of embracing each season fully. She explores the concept of freedom and how her faith shift has allowed her to let go of certainty and embrace personal growth and change. Esther emphasizes the importance of viewing oneself and others as inherently good and wounded, rather than inherently bad and broken. She also discusses her current projects, including writing books of meditations and offering spiritual direction.TakeawaysEsther's early church memories are limited due to her missionary kid background, but she later attended church and eventually left due to shifting beliefs.After leaving the church, Esther found community in various spaces, including online communities, small groups, and one-on-one connections.Esther's faith journey was influenced by her son's questions and her shift from certainty to curiosity and humility.Love and relationships became more important to Esther than holding onto dogma and beliefs, leading her to prioritize love in her parenting and other relationships.Nature can be a sacred space for connecting with oneself and the world.Embracing freedom is more important than seeking safety or certainty.Shifting from a belief in inherent evilness to inherent goodness can change one's self-perception and view of others.Compassion and understanding can be extended to those who harm, recognizing their woundedness.Engaging in practices that foster self-love and personal growth can lead to a deeper connection with oneself and the divine.The Deconstructing Mamas Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6vblpLhhENqKYBbscfWnIZ?si=e59918fd172f4658Esther's Website: https://www.estherjoygoetz.com/Esther's Book, "Wit, Wisdom and Whimsy" https://a.co/d/eRitHyo1000 Hours Outside Challenge: https://www.1000hoursoutside.com/

In this conversation, Kendall  interviews Josh Scott, the lead pastor of GracePointe, a progressive Christian church in Nashville, TN. They discuss Josh's journey as a pastor whose faith has evolved right beside his congregations, and his efforts to create a safe and inclusive space for people who have been hurt by traditional church spaces. Josh shares his early memories of church and the fear and confusion he felt about God's love. He also talks about the importance of questioning and reimagining faith, and the need for a more expansive view of God's love and grace. The conversation highlights the power of community and the sacredness of human experiences and explores the themes of wonder, curiosity, and the process of renegotiating faith. Josh and Kendall delve into the losses and gains experienced in this journey, including the grief of lost relationships and the freedom to embrace difference and mystery. The scars of the risen Christ are seen as a reflection of commitment to not inflicting pain on others. The conversation also highlights the importance of self-compassion, self-acceptance, and the joy of being fully oneself. Josh's letter from Love emphasizes the gift of being alive and the reminder to be grateful and present in each moment.TakeawaysCreating a safe and inclusive space in church is essential for people who have been hurt by traditional church spaces.Questioning and reimagining faith is important for personal growth and a deeper understanding of God's love and grace.The Bible is a guide, but it is not the ultimate authority. It should be interpreted in a way that promotes human flourishing and love for all.Recognizing and embracing sacred moments in everyday life can lead to a deeper connection with God and a sense of wonder. Curiosity and wonder are essential qualities that should be nurtured and celebrated.The process of renegotiating faith can involve losses, such as relationships, but also brings gains, such as freedom and curiosity.Self-compassion and self-acceptance are crucial for personal growth and a healthy sense of identity.The scars of the risen Christ symbolize a commitment to not inflicting pain on others.Being fully oneself and embracing difference and mystery can lead to more meaningful relationships and a deeper understanding of the world.The journey of faith is unique for each individual, and it is important to honor and respect diverse perspectives and experiences.Links: Josh's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/josh_a_scott/Josh's Substack, Re:Imagining Faith: https://www.joshscott.online/Bible Stories for Grown-ups: https://a.co/d/5tnyJ8tContext: Putting Scripture in it's Place: https://a.co/d/73GxgxUGracePointe Church Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/gracepointe-church-nashville-tn/id966363890?app=podcast

In this conversation, Kendall is joined by Jenny Vanderberg Shannon to discuss their shared experiences as mothers, lovers of words and food, and their journeys of faith. They explore the importance of finding community and support outside of traditional church settings, the power of authenticity and storytelling, and the impact of poetry on their lives. They also reflect on their childhood memories of church and the process of renegotiating their faith. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize the sacredness of feeding others, the role of music in their spiritual journeys, and the significance of water as a source of grounding and healing. Jenny talks candidly and vulnerably about the journey of being untethered and the search for meaning, and emphasizes the importance of being one's own first priority and finding inspiration from guideposts on the journey.  Most importantly, Jenny shares her letter from Love at the end, and it will bring you to your knees. TakeawaysFinding community and support outside of traditional church settings can be essential in navigating the process of faith deconstruction and reconstruction.Authenticity and storytelling have the power to create meaningful connections and ignite the imagination.Renegotiating faith can be both liberating and challenging, requiring a reevaluation of beliefs and a process of self-discovery.Links: Jenny's Substack, Eat My Words: https://eatmywords.substack.com/Jenny's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennyvanderbergshannon/Jenny's Website: https://bio.site/jennyvanderbergshannon

April Ajoy is known for her satirical videos on the evangelical church- not because she loathes the church, but because she believes that it can be better.  In this episode, she discusses her faith journey and the process of deconstructing her beliefs. She also shares her good and not-so-great childhood memories, (including a traumatic experience related to the rapture which can't be missed). April talks about attending church nowadays and the challenges of finding an affirming community. She encourages holding grace for others and embracing the freedom to be oneself. In this conversation, Kendall and April discuss the importance of radical love and grace in relationships. They explore the challenge of truly loving people with different perspectives and maintaining boundaries. They also touch on the concept of complicating harmful beliefs in a loving way.   The episode concludes with April's beautiful letter from Love.TakeawaysDeconstructing faith involves questioning and challenging harmful beliefs and behaviors in the evangelical church.Traumatic experiences related to religious teachings can have a lasting impact.Finding an affirming community can be challenging, but alternative sources of community, such as protests, can provide a sense of belonging.The process of renegotiating faith can lead to a greater sense of authenticity and self-acceptance.Holding grace for others and recognizing their humanity is essential in the process of deconstruction. Loving people with different perspectives requires radical love and grace.Maintaining boundaries while loving others is a delicate balance.Complicating harmful beliefs can be done in a loving way.LinksApril's tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@aprilajoyApril's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprilajoy/Evangelicalish Podcast: https://evangelicalish.podia.com/The Non-Binary Marriage Podcast: https://pod.co/thenon-binarymarriage

SummaryIn this episode, Kendall Lamb interviews David Hayward, also known as the 'Naked Pastor,' an author, speaker, and artist. They discuss David's journey of faith and deconstruction, his artistic process, and the importance of love and authenticity. David shares childhood memories, his experiences with different denominations, and the creation of his online community. He also emphasizes the need for self-awareness and the exploration of one's authentic self. The conversation concludes with David's perspective on the interconnectedness of different spiritual disciplines and his ongoing personal growth and exploration. The conversation concludes with David sharing a poignant, vulnerable letter from the voice of unconditional love.TakeawaysAuthenticity and self-awareness are essential in the journey of faith and deconstructionLove and acceptance of one's authentic self are crucial for personal growth and fulfillment.Community and belonging can be found outside traditional places of worship.Exploring different spiritual disciplines can lead to a deeper understanding of interconnectedness and unity. The letter from the voice of unconditional love reminds David of his impact and encourages him to keep loving and helping others.Chapters00:00 Introduction02:05 Distilling Truth through Art and Communication04:06 Childhood Memories and Nostalgic Food06:32 Swapping Lives with a Fictional Character08:00 Growing Up and Early Church Memories12:55 Attending a Place of Worship and Alternative Community18:59 People Who Challenged Beliefs and Encouraged Faith Evolution24:30 What Feels Sacred Right Now26:19 What the Faith Journey Has Given and Taken Away37:12 Embodiment of Aspired Faith and Spirituality41:27 Working on Personal Growth and Exploration41:47 The Challenge of Writing a Children's Book43:30 The Importance of Children's Books44:12 David's Rainbow Sheep44:55 A Letter from the Voice of Unconditional Love48:23 Gratitude and Support Links:David's IG: (@nakedpastor)  https://www.instagram.com/nakedpastorDavid's Website (Purchase his art HERE!) : www.https://nakedpastor.comThe Lasting Supper Community:  www.https://thelastingsupper.com

In the first episode of the Unsilenced Hearts podcast, host Kendall Lamb introduces herself and her mission to create a community for those on a journey of deconstruction within Christianity. Kendall shares her personal background and experiences with faith, including a mystical encounter with God at a young age. She discusses the concept of deconstruction and offers alternative metaphors to describe the process. Kendall also explains the practice of writing love letters from the voice of unconditional love and how it relates to deconstructing one's faith. The episode concludes with Kendall sharing a love letter she wrote on the topic of being liked.TakeawaysThe Unsilenced Hearts podcast aims to create a community for those on a journey of deconstruction within Christianity.Deconstruction is a process of examining and reevaluating one's beliefs and values within a religious context.Writing love letters from the voice of unconditional love is a practice that can help individuals connect with their inner wisdom and navigate the process of deconstruction.The practice of deconstruction can be likened to restoring a house or untangling a knot, focusing on preserving what is good and shedding what is harmful.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Unsilenced Hearts Podcast00:29 Kendall's Background and Faith Journey01:26 Mystical Encounter with God at a Young Age03:24 Quiet Discernment and Challenging Theologies04:48 The Radical Act of Sharing Beliefs07:21 Introducing the Deconstruction Community08:42 Deconstruction as a Metaphor09:35 The Practice of Writing Love Letters19:20 The Connection Between Deconstruction and Love Letters30:17 Kendall's Love Letter on Being LikedLinks: Letters from Love with Elizabeth Gilbert (Substack): https://elizabethgilbert.substack.com/Original Blessing, by Daniel Shroyer: https://www.amazon.com/Original-Blessing-Putting-Rightful-Place/dp/1451496761

Host Kendall Lamb shares a trailer for her upcoming podcast, Unsilenced Hearts.  Transcript: Hello, this is Kendall Lamb, host of the Unsilenced Hearts podcast. I'm a mystic, a scientist, a world traveler, a mother, and a lady with a very well -loved library card who has spent the last 20 years trying to untangle my Christian faith from unloving, toxic theology. This podcast is meant to be a safe place, a soft landing for anyone out there wrestling with their faith and wondering if there's a place in our shared tradition for their empathetic, inclusive, loving hearts- hearts that were at some point silenced by a machine that told them that they could not be trusted and that love should take a backseat to fear. Every week, I will be interviewing guests from the deconstruction community who have bravely asked the same questions and have, against all odds, found their way back home to themselves. In the midst of their questions and doubts, they have found a faith that is richer and freer than they ever knew possible. They have found the sacred in the mess and community and true belonging.At the end of each episode, my guests will be bravely, vulnerably sharing letters that they have written to themselves from the voice of unconditional love. This is a practice that I was introduced to by Elizabeth Gilbert, but has been around for a very long time, sometimes called two -way prayer. In allowing love or God or the divine or my higher self to speak to me, I have discovered that not only can I trust my heart, but that this mystical wisdom is available to everyone, everywhere. I'm here to offer hope. Hope that there is room for you at the big messy table of Christianity if you still want a place there. And also this, even if you decide that label no longer fits, there is a seat for you here. There will always be a place for you because you are loved just exactly as you are with no fine print attached.If this sounds like a conversation that you'd like to be a part of, please like and follow this podcast and also follow me over @unsilencedhearts on Instagram for weekly updates and inspiration. I'm so excited for you to join us every week at this big, beautiful, messy table.