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In this thought-provoking and grace-filled conversation, Josh speaks with theologian Léon Van Ommen about his book Autism and Worship. Together we explore what autistic ways of being offer the spiritual community, the value of embodiment, and the possibility of a Church where all can truly belong.

We talk about:
– dismantling the “tyranny of the normal” in worship spaces
– autistic theology as a gift to the Church
– real-life communities reimagining liturgy
– hope for those who’ve been marginalized or hurt

This episode is an invitation—to notice, to listen, and to wonder what worship could become when we make room for every kind of body, brain, and way of being.

MORE RESOURCES:

https://www.autismchurch.com (Research on autism, sensory challenges, and the church)

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/events/podcasts/autism-theology/ (Autism + Theology podcast)

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/dhpa/research/centres/centre-for-autism-and-theology/ (Centre for Autism + Theology)

cat@abdn.ac.uk (Sign up for Centre for Autism and Theology newsletter)

#NeurodivergentFaith #AutismAndWorship #DisabilityTheology #Neurodivergence #ActuallyAutistic #TheTyrannyOfTheNormal

To connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: justjosuedavis@gmail.com. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

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Sometimes the places that are meant to be sanctuary feel like war zones instead—especially for neurodivergent people navigating unspoken expectations, sensory overload, and shifting social norms. In this honest solo episode, Josh shares the story of a recent autistic shutdown: the days of emotional buildup, the weight of masking in church spaces, the crash into silence, and the surprising moments of care that brought glimmers of repair.

With poetic words and a pastor's heart, Josh invites us to reflect on what it means to honor our bodies, communicate our needs, and build spaces where people don’t have to pretend to be okay.

Whether you’ve lived this experience yourself, or want to learn how to better accompany those who have, this episode is an offering of gentleness, insight, and hope.

#NeurodivergentFaith #AutisticShutdown #WhenChurchHurts #HonoringNeurodivergence #NeurodivergentVoices #AutisticMasking #AutisticShutdown #AutisticInChurch #ActuallyAutistic

To connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: justjosuedavis@gmail.com. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.

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What if “no” wasn’t seen as rebellion, but a nervous system seeking regulation? What if belonging in the church didn’t hinge on meeting expectations, but on being met with grace?

In this rich and poetic conversation, I’m joined by Sunita Theiss—an autistic, ADHD, PDA’er and parent coach—who offers profound insight into demand avoidance and its impact on relationships, parenting, and spiritual formation. We explore the invisible weight of expectations in church spaces, how demand avoidance is often misunderstood, and what it might mean to create faith communities centered more around relationships than requirements.

This episode is for the ones who’ve been labeled resistant, the parents walking the path with PDA kids, and the leaders who long to shepherd with more compassion than control.

To check out Sunita's upcoming workshop entitled Parenting PDA Children with Grace & Hope: A Christian Perspective on Understanding, Supporting, and Raising PDA Children, use promo code NDFAITH and visit: https://sunitatheiss.com/resources/p/parenting-pda-children-with-grace-hope-a-christian-perspective-on-understanding-supporting-and-raising-pda-children

To connect with Sunita for 1:1 low demand parent coaching or schedule a free intro call, visit: https://www.amandadiekman.com/coaching (Promo code: SUNITA15)

#DemandAvoidance #PDAProfile #NeurodivergentFaith #ParentingPDA #SpiritualFormation #SafeChurch #TraumaInformedChurch #AutisticChristian #ADHDAndFaith #GentleFaith

To connect further, find Josh on Facebook, Instagram or email at: justjosuedavis@gmail.com. Or, for personal encouragement on your own journey of neurodivergence, consider booking a spiritual direction session with Josh through Patreon.