In this raw and deeply honest episode of the Pastor to High Priestess podcast, host Reed gathers with friends Amanda, Erin, and Gabriel to share their personal journeys out of Pentecostal and fundamentalist Christian traditions. United by experiences of religious trauma, they recount stories from their childhoods in churches like Church of God, Assemblies of God, and Southern Baptist congregations—places where fear, shame, and spiritual pressure shaped their lives in profound ways. The conversation moves through vivid memories of altar calls, rapture anxiety, speaking in tongues, and the complicated intersection of faith, sexuality, and mental health. The group opens up about the challenges and healing of deconstruction: how leaving behind old beliefs is both liberating and grief-filled, and how community and therapy have been essential to their ongoing journeys. They reflect on the triggers that linger, the humor that helps them cope, and the new forms of spirituality, embodiment, and belonging they are building. Through laughter, vulnerability, and hard-won wisdom, this episode offers both solidarity and hope to anyone questioning their faith or seeking healing from religious trauma. Whether you grew up in a similar tradition or are just curious about the process of deconstructing faith, you’ll find compassion, candor, and plenty of unforgettable stories.
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