Have you ever walked away from church feeling heavy and confused—then immediately told yourself, "I'm probably just being too sensitive?"

If you've ever felt that spiritual discomfort but didn't have words for it, this episode is your gentle awakening call.

In this foundational conversation, Debra shares her own powerful story of finally finding language for her experience—that life-changing moment when her daughter sent a video that made everything click. Through tender storytelling and compassionate teaching, you'll discover why one in three adults carry religious trauma, yet most Christian women don't even recognize it's what they're experiencing.

This isn't about extreme cases you see on the news. It's about the subtle, quiet ways spiritual harm can happen—and why your sensitivity might actually be picking up on something that really was wrong.

In this episode, you'll discover: → What religious trauma actually looks like for faithful Christian women → Why we've been taught to blame ourselves instead of recognizing harmful patterns → The difference between God's loving conviction and the voice of condemnation → How to start trusting your inner compass again—without fear → Why questioning doesn't make you rebellious (it makes you brave)

The truth that will change everything: You can't heal what you can't name. Once you have language for your experience, everything can start to shift.

Action Step: Pay attention to how different spiritual messages make you feel in your body. Does this make you feel closer to God or farther away? Does it leave you with hope or with shame?

Healing Truth: Your confusion isn't rebellion. Your questions aren't lack of faith. Often, it's your soul recognizing that something claiming to represent God was actually misrepresenting Him.

🎧 Ready to go deeper? → Take the free quiz at ReligiousTraumaQuiz.com to discover your personalized healing path and get a bonus 3-part audio series → Grab your copy of He Is Enough at HeIsEnoughBook.com — your redemptive memoir and healing guide plus audiobook, mini-course, weekly reading circles, and support community for just $17

Have questions or want to connect? Email Debra at debra@healingreligioustrauma.org

Listener Love: If this episode helped you feel less alone, would you share it with someone who needs this gentle truth? And a quick review on Apple Podcasts is like a virtual hug that helps more women find their way here.

This isn't surface-level faith advice. It's soul-level restoration—designed for Christian women healing from religious trauma who long for inner peace, true connection with God, and the freedom to ask honest questions without fear.

Research Referenced: Slade, D., Smell, A., Wilson, E., & Drumsta, R. (2023). Percentage of U.S. adults suffering from religious trauma: A sociological study. Socio-Historical Examination of Religion and Ministry, 5(1), 1-28.

Have you ever felt like healing made you the problem?

Like setting a boundary, asking a question, or even just taking a breath for yourself meant you were somehow being disloyal—to your church, your family, or even to God?

If so, this episode was made for you.

In today’s conversation, Debra shares a personal story of what it felt like to begin healing in an environment that didn’t make space for her needs, her grief, or her voice—and how she overcame the fear that her healing would cost her everything. Through heartfelt storytelling and gentle teaching, you’ll discover why this tug-of-war between guilt and growth is so common for women of faith… and why it’s not a sign that you’re falling away—but a sign that you’re waking up.

You’re not betraying your roots. You’re returning to the truth of who God created you to be.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

→ Why obedience was often equated with silence—and how to reclaim your voice → How “faithfulness” was distorted into self-abandonment → Why healing doesn’t mean dishonoring the people you love → What Jesus actually modeled about restoration, boundaries, and love → How to begin trusting your own inner compass—without fear

Journal Prompt: What part of me is afraid that healing will cost me love or approval?

🎧 Mentioned in this episode: → Take the free quiz at ReligiousTraumaQuiz.com to discover where you are in your healing journey and what’s been holding you back → Grab your copy of He Is Enough at HeIsEnoughBook.com — and get instant access to the audiobook, healing mini-course, weekly reading circles, and our support community for just $17

Listener Love: If this episode spoke to your heart, would you share it with someone else who needs it? And if you’re willing, a quick review on Apple Podcasts helps more women find this space and feel a little less alone. 💛

This isn’t surface-level faith advice. It’s soul-level restoration — designed for Christian women healing from religious trauma who long for inner peace, true connection, and a safe, loving relationship with God.

What do you do when the very place that taught you to trust God… is also the place that made you afraid of Him?

If you’ve ever felt torn between your love for God and your fear of being hurt again — this episode is for you.

In today’s conversation, we’re stepping into one of the most tender questions: Can I trust God again… after what happened?

You’ll hear a deeply personal moment from my own journey — a time when I couldn’t pray, couldn’t open my Bible, and didn’t know who I was anymore. But it was in that quiet wilderness that something sacred began to shift. One raw, honest prayer became the doorway to restoration.

You’ll learn:

– Why spiritual trauma doesn’t mean you’ve lost your faith — but it may have damaged your sense of safety with God – The 3 gentle steps that helped me begin rebuilding trust without pressure, performance, or pretending – How to create space for spiritual connection that honors your emotions, your pace, and your healing – A journal prompt to help you begin separating God’s true voice from the voices that wounded you

Then we’ll explore three key steps for rebuilding trust in God after spiritual harm:

Step 1: Separate God from those who misrepresented Him Step 2: Reconnect through safe, non-performative rhythms Step 3: Let your emotions become part of your faith — not barriers to it

This isn’t about returning to old patterns or forcing belief you no longer feel. It’s about creating a new foundation — one rooted in truth, tenderness, and spiritual safety.

And by the end, I’ll share three healing truths to carry into your week:

✨ You don’t have to rush trust. ✨ You’re allowed to bring your grief into your faith. ✨ God never asked you to shrink to be loved.

🎧 Mentioned in this episode:

→ Take the free quiz at ReligiousTraumaQuiz.com to discover where you are in your healing journey and what’s been holding you back

→ Grab your copy of He Is Enough at HeIsEnoughBook.com — and get instant access to the audiobook, healing mini-course, weekly reading circles, and our support community for just $17

This isn’t surface-level faith advice. It’s soul-level restoration — designed for Christian women healing from religious trauma who long for inner peace, true connection, and a safe, loving relationship with God.