Videos

Pope Francis was a bridge of trust for me during an intense period of interior deconstruction that I went through.

In this deeply personal episode, I explore the impact of Pope Francis' recent passing, especially how he became a bridge of trust during my period of intense interior deconstruction. Over the past decade, I've grappled with my Catholic faith, my relationship with the church, and undergone a profound journey of…

In this special bonus episode for Holy Week, I share a deeply personal and vulnerable story about my journey through spiritual trauma and healing. Last year, I wrote an open letter on my personal blog, disclosing the challenges I've faced and continue to face as a complex trauma survivor within…

To violate someone's freedom is to violate their infinite dignity. So many survivors have experienced love and spiritual authority - no matter how well intentioned - in ways that infringe on or outright violate our dignity but we did not have the language to name our experiences. Listen to EP…

In this heartfelt conversation, I sit down with Paul Fahey, a limited licensed professional counselor, retreat leader, and catechist from Michigan, USA. Paul shares insights from his work in pastoral counseling for Catholics who have been spiritually abused and his efforts to educate ministers to be more equipped in their…

Putting family or Church (or even God) above Truth will result in idolatry, for even our image of God in such a situation will be our own projection rather than the true God who reveals himself to us on his own terms as Truth.

In this episode, I delve into the unique challenges that Catholic and Christian trauma survivors face in their healing journeys. Drawing from my own experiences and observations, I outline five specific reasons why faith can often complicate trauma recovery for believers. From the difficulty of accepting abuse within 'good' religious…

Have you experienced when healing itself becomes overwhelming for your nervous system? Why might that be? Listen to or watch EP 148 | What Do We Do When the Healing Journey Overwhelms Us?

In this episode, I address a profound question from a long-time podcast listener and religious sister in Southeast Asia regarding her healing journey. We explore the intricacies of feeling productive and empowered at times, facing moments of deep uncertainty and doubt at others, and when questions of authenticity, accountability, and…

In this episode, I discuss a common challenge faced by complex trauma survivors: the notion that those who harmed us did the best they could. I emphasise why it's crucial not to accept this idea too early in the healing process. We need to focus on acknowledging the harm and…

Part of the journey of complex trauma recovery is interrogating assumptions that we had accepted uncritically in the past because now we can see injustice and harm which we had not before.

In this episode, I delve into the challenging and often misunderstood topic of deconstruction, especially for those of us healing from complex trauma as persons of faith. I share my own journey and how deconstruction has been an essential part of my healing process. We'll define what deconstruction means in…

Healing from complex trauma isn’t a linear journey — setbacks happen. Sometimes it feels like I’ve regressed, but I’m reminding myself that it’s actually a normal part of the process. That it also means I’m growing more attuned to my pain and the things that trigger me. That I’m able…

What Happens when Setbacks Happen? In this episode, I open up about the challenges of experiencing setbacks in the healing journey. I share a recent personal experience that triggered a significant emotional response and discuss the importance of recognizing and managing these setbacks. By acknowledging the dynamics of our internal…

A message for those of you feeling this right now!

The Painful Realization: Faith Practices Alone Cannot Heal Our Deep Wounds In this episode, I share a deeply personal story about the painful moment when I realized that having faith and spiritual practices alone couldn't save me from the dysfunctional patterns in my life. I discuss the inadvertent impact of…

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Learning about spiritual abuse is an important part of accountability and responsibility as leaders, whether we are parents, ministry leaders, spiritual directors, catechists etc.

Understanding Spiritual Abuse: A Time-Sensitive Resource In this video, I briefly discuss the importance of understanding spiritual abuse, particularly if you're on a healing journey from trauma and its effects on your relationship with God. I emphasise how spiritual abuse can distort our view of God and create obstacles in…

The fullness of our relationship with God cannot happen apart from our relationship with others and with ourselves. While we can distinguish between our relationship with God, others, and ourselves, these connections are deeply intertwined. Complex trauma affects all of them. It impacts our connection with God, our relationship with…

I've learned so much about love and attunement through my experiences with my dog. Every moment of truly connecting with her reveals something new—something that heals my nervous system and brings me closer to understanding God's love. When I attune to her, when I give and receive love without conditions,…

God transcends us—He's beyond us—but He's also incredibly immanent and present within us. When God draws close to us, how does He connect with us except through the very person, the very body, the very being He has given us? He speaks to us not only through our thoughts but…