In episode 82 of the Moral Combat Podcast, hosts Nathaniel and Zachary Blaustone interview Autumn Fesler, who bravely shares her journey of healing from religious trauma after growing up in an Independent Fundamental Baptist (IFB) church. Autumn reflects on the psychological toll of constant fear, strict rules, and control within her religious upbringing, including traumatic experiences like being shamed for immodest clothing and the emotional trauma of her mother's public expulsion from the church. She explains the liberating process of reclaiming her identity and finding peace outside of religion, while also discussing the struggle with "fawning" behavior and setting boundaries with her family and former religious community. The episode delves into larger issues of race, gender, and deconstructing deeply ingrained beliefs. Autumn's resilience shines through as she shares her desire to become a religious trauma therapist, offering advice to others on the healing power of self-worth, autonomy, and embracing discomfort to foster growth. The conversation is a deeply human exploration of how to rebuild after leaving a restrictive faith and offers hope for those navigating similar journeys.

Autumn Fesler

Moral Combat, hosted by siblings Nathan and Zach Blaustone, is a heartfelt exploration of life's complexities, with a primary focus on healing from religious trauma. Step into their world as they navigate the realms of music production, confront the lingering echoes of religious trauma, and embrace laughter as a universal healer. With each episode, Nathan and Zach weave together their unique perspectives, seasoned with dynamic personalities that make every discussion an engaging adventure. From unraveling the complexities of personal growth to fostering open communication, healing the scars of religious indoctrination, and embracing the unfiltered authenticity of siblinghood, Moral Combat is your passport to thought-provoking conversations, heartfelt insights, and the pure joy of shared moments. Join us in the combat for morality, one conversation at a time.

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In episode 81 of the Moral Combat Podcast, hosts Nathaniel Blaustone Faust and Zachary Blaustone dive into a wide-ranging conversation that blends personal reflections with broader discussions on religious trauma, relationships, and healing. They explore how their podcast has been a therapeutic tool for working through issues rooted in their hyper-evangelical upbringing, even as they rebuild their relationship as brothers. A particularly moving segment includes Nathan sharing his son's fear of hell for not being Christian, underscoring the importance of unconditional love and open communication. The episode also touches on more challenging topics, such as the long-term impacts of sexual assault in religious settings and the role of psychedelics in spiritual awakening and healing from trauma. With humor and sincerity, they discuss listener stories and controversial Reddit posts, from the missteps of trying to convert others to navigating family dynamics after leaving religion. As they wrap up, they announce their plans to start streaming on Twitch, expressing their deep appreciation for their audience's support and encouraging everyone to stay strong on their own healing journeys.

Moral Combat, hosted by siblings Nathan and Zach Blaustone, is a heartfelt exploration of life's complexities, with a primary focus on healing from religious trauma. Step into their world as they navigate the realms of music production, confront the lingering echoes of religious trauma, and embrace laughter as a universal healer. With each episode, Nathan and Zach weave together their unique perspectives, seasoned with dynamic personalities that make every discussion an engaging adventure. From unraveling the complexities of personal growth to fostering open communication, healing the scars of religious indoctrination, and embracing the unfiltered authenticity of siblinghood, Moral Combat is your passport to thought-provoking conversations, heartfelt insights, and the pure joy of shared moments. Join us in the combat for morality, one conversation at a time.

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In episode 80 of the Moral Combat Podcast, hosts Nathan and Zachary Blaustone engage in an intimate, reflective conversation set in a tranquil outdoor environment under a fig tree, diverging from their usual interview format to focus on personal experiences. They explore the deep-seated impacts of their radical Christian upbringing, discussing repressed memories, chronic pain, and feelings of victimhood tied to their religious past. Zachary delves into the resurfacing of trauma and the struggles it has triggered, while Nathan opens up about the resurfacing of sexual trauma and the toxic shame that the church instilled in him. Together, they navigate these difficult emotions, offering each other support and finding solace in the healing journey they've embarked on through the podcast. Their discussion also touches on the relationship between their religious upbringing and their perspectives on work, money, and personal aspirations, all while hinting at exciting future plans for the podcast, including the possibility of a Patreon, more interviews, and even livestreams.

Moral Combat, hosted by siblings Nathan and Zach Blaustone, is a heartfelt exploration of life's complexities, with a primary focus on healing from religious trauma. Step into their world as they navigate the realms of music production, confront the lingering echoes of religious trauma, and embrace laughter as a universal healer. With each episode, Nathan and Zach weave together their unique perspectives, seasoned with dynamic personalities that make every discussion an engaging adventure. From unraveling the complexities of personal growth to fostering open communication, healing the scars of religious indoctrination, and embracing the unfiltered authenticity of siblinghood, Moral Combat is your passport to thought-provoking conversations, heartfelt insights, and the pure joy of shared moments. Join us in the combat for morality, one conversation at a time.

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In episode 79 of the Moral Combat Podcast, hosts Nathan and Zach dive into a wide-ranging discussion that starts with a reintroduction of themselves and their backgrounds as sons of evangelical Christian pastors. They express excitement about returning to solo episodes, reflecting on their past interviews with various religious guests and sharing their distinct approaches to social media. The main topic centers on "Christian outrage," sparked by a viral Instagram reel featuring Nathan's provocative statement, "I am God, you are God, we are God," which garnered over 2,600 comments. The hosts humorously read and react to the outraged responses, including accusations of blasphemy and threats of divine punishment, while reminiscing about their own experiences with fear-based religious teachings. They transition to discussing the backlash against the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, criticizing the organizers for apologizing and lauding France's secular traditions. The conversation shifts to potential civil unrest in the US, which they believe would manifest as isolated incidents rather than a full-scale war, driven by fear-mongering rhetoric. They also touch on political commentary, expressing support for Kamala Harris despite her controversial past, and discussing her stance on abortion rights and the Israel-Gaza conflict. The hosts emphasize the importance of holding all leaders accountable, likening political performance to their podcast. Briefly, they address the underpayment of Olympic athletes before engaging in a playful game of Mario Kart 64, where Zach emerges victorious. Wrapping up, they seek listener feedback on their political discussions, mention upcoming merchandise, outline their guest interview approach, and explain their podcast schedule, all while maintaining a casual, humorous tone filled with personal anecdotes.

Moral Combat, hosted by siblings Nathan and Zach Blaustone, is a heartfelt exploration of life's complexities, with a primary focus on healing from religious trauma. Step into their world as they navigate the realms of music production, confront the lingering echoes of religious trauma, and embrace laughter as a universal healer. With each episode, Nathan and Zach weave together their unique perspectives, seasoned with dynamic personalities that make every discussion an engaging adventure. From unraveling the complexities of personal growth to fostering open communication, healing the scars of religious indoctrination, and embracing the unfiltered authenticity of siblinghood, Moral Combat is your passport to thought-provoking conversations, heartfelt insights, and the pure joy of shared moments. Join us in the combat for morality, one conversation at a time.

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In Episode 78 of the Moral Combat Podcast, hosts Nathaniel and Zachary welcome Lyn Smith Gregory, who brings a unique perspective on religious trauma from her experiences with Mormonism. Lyn, a descendant of Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormon church, shares insights from her memoir, detailing the hierarchical structure and beliefs of Mormonism, including tithing, polygamy, and financial success. She recounts her journey of questioning her faith during college, leading to atheism at age 19, and the subsequent impact on her family relationships. Lyn discusses the ingrained guilt and shame she struggled with, eventually seeking therapy at age 28. She delves into her fascination with brainwashing and groupthink, her triggers when watching "The Book of Mormon '' play, and Mormon beliefs about the afterlife. Lyn highlights the growing trend of millennials and Gen Z leaving the Mormon Church, particularly over LGBTQ+ issues, and emphasizes the importance of finding common ground in family estrangement. She reflects on whether complete healing from religious trauma is possible, suggesting that wounds can be transformed into compassion. Lyn's advice to those struggling includes seeking support, being patient, and finding like-minded individuals and professionals for help.

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Moral Combat, hosted by siblings Nathan and Zach Blaustone, is a heartfelt exploration of life's complexities, with a primary focus on healing from religious trauma. Step into their world as they navigate the realms of music production, confront the lingering echoes of religious trauma, and embrace laughter as a universal healer. With each episode, Nathan and Zach weave together their unique perspectives, seasoned with dynamic personalities that make every discussion an engaging adventure. From unraveling the complexities of personal growth to fostering open communication, healing the scars of religious indoctrination, and embracing the unfiltered authenticity of siblinghood, Moral Combat is your passport to thought-provoking conversations, heartfelt insights, and the pure joy of shared moments. Join us in the combat for morality, one conversation at a time.

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In episode 77 of the Moral Combat Podcast, hosts Zachary and Nathaniel welcome Shea Quinn, who traveled from Medford, Oregon, to share her transformative journey. Shea, host of the podcast "Grow with Shea" and co-host of "The Waiting Table," opens up about her weight loss surgery in 2022, which sparked profound self-discovery and a reevaluation of her Baptist upbringing. She recounts how reconnecting with her body and emotions led her to question her faith and confront the discomfort she felt regarding the treatment of LGBTQ+ individuals within her religious community. Shea reflects on her marriage to Dylan, their shared deconstruction process, and the pivotal moment they considered divorce. Drawing a vivid parallel to the film Pleasantville, she describes her awakening from a "black and white" existence to one full of color and emotion. Throughout the conversation, themes of self-love, intuition, and spiritual openness emerge, as Shea shares a significant encounter with the angel Gabriel and her ability to sense and name emotional blockages in others. The hosts resonate with Shea's experiences, touching on their own spiritual and psychedelic journeys, and participate in a prayer experiment to release their blockages. The episode concludes with Shea offering heartfelt advice to those deconstructing their faith, emphasizing the importance of self-acceptance and the freedom in acknowledging one's own limitations. The hosts express gratitude for Shea's genuine insights and encourage listeners to explore her podcast and workshop on blockages.

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Moral Combat, hosted by siblings Nathan and Zach Blaustone, is a heartfelt exploration of life's complexities, with a primary focus on healing from religious trauma. Step into their world as they navigate the realms of music production, confront the lingering echoes of religious trauma, and embrace laughter as a universal healer. With each episode, Nathan and Zach weave together their unique perspectives, seasoned with dynamic personalities that make every discussion an engaging adventure. From unraveling the complexities of personal growth to fostering open communication, healing the scars of religious indoctrination, and embracing the unfiltered authenticity of siblinghood, Moral Combat is your passport to thought-provoking conversations, heartfelt insights, and the pure joy of shared moments. Join us in the combat for morality, one conversation at a time.

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In episode 76 of the Moral Combat Podcast, hosts delve into a rich tapestry of personal experiences and reflections with their special guest, Jordan Dolby, a longtime family friend and tattoo artist. They fondly reminisce about childhood memories, from playing video games and watching movies like The Princess Bride at church gatherings to participating in dramatic religious plays and mission trips. Jordan shares his unique perspective on growing up with what he describes as a "punk rock religion," highlighting both the positive and challenging aspects of his upbringing. The conversation touches on substance use, with Jordan's limited experiences with marijuana and alcohol contrasting with the hosts' more extensive encounters and subsequent sobriety journeys. Personal growth and struggles are candidly discussed, including dealing with anger issues, the impact of ADHD on focus, and the dynamics of family relationships shaped by religious differences. Jordan's career as a tattoo artist, motivated by his need to focus and quiet mental noise, adds another layer to the dialogue. Amidst these deep discussions, lighter moments surface, such as an engaging game of Mario Kart, which Nathan wins, marking the first time a guest joins them on the "game cam." The episode seamlessly blends introspective conversations about religious trauma and personal growth with moments of joy and connection, offering listeners a heartfelt and multifaceted exploration of life within and beyond a tight-knit religious community.

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Moral Combat, hosted by siblings Nathan and Zach Blaustone, is a heartfelt exploration of life's complexities, with a primary focus on healing from religious trauma. Step into their world as they navigate the realms of music production, confront the lingering echoes of religious trauma, and embrace laughter as a universal healer. With each episode, Nathan and Zach weave together their unique perspectives, seasoned with dynamic personalities that make every discussion an engaging adventure. From unraveling the complexities of personal growth to fostering open communication, healing the scars of religious indoctrination, and embracing the unfiltered authenticity of siblinghood, Moral Combat is your passport to thought-provoking conversations, heartfelt insights, and the pure joy of shared moments. Join us in the combat for morality, one conversation at a time.

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In episode 75 of the Moral Combat Podcast, Stacey shares her journey from a sporadically religious upbringing to a deep involvement in evangelical Christianity, and eventually to deconstructing her faith. Stacey's early experiences included accepting Jesus at age six without fully understanding it and feeling pressured by her mother to make "good choices." In middle school, she found a sense of belonging in a small Church of God congregation but also felt the burden of being the "good Christian girl." College life intensified these pressures with purity culture teachings and conservative doctrines. Despite international mission trips and a long-distance relationship with her now-husband Forrest, Stacey struggled with the colonialist aspects of evangelism and the oppressive expectations placed on women. After returning to the US and marrying Forrest, Stacey began questioning her faith, spurred by political events and the church's stance on LGBTQ+ issues. Her healing journey has included therapy, plant medicine, and EMDR, leading her to reclaim her voice and identity. Stacey advises listeners to trust their inner voice, embrace the hard work of self-discovery, and live authentically.

Stacie Benedict: https://www.instagram.com/staciebenedict76/

Moral Combat, hosted by siblings Nathan and Zach Blaustone, is a heartfelt exploration of life's complexities, with a primary focus on healing from religious trauma. Step into their world as they navigate the realms of music production, confront the lingering echoes of religious trauma, and embrace laughter as a universal healer. With each episode, Nathan and Zach weave together their unique perspectives, seasoned with dynamic personalities that make every discussion an engaging adventure. From unraveling the complexities of personal growth to fostering open communication, healing the scars of religious indoctrination, and embracing the unfiltered authenticity of siblinghood, Moral Combat is your passport to thought-provoking conversations, heartfelt insights, and the pure joy of shared moments. Join us in the combat for morality, one conversation at a time.

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