Writings, interviews and letters pulling at the thread of what it means to be known and loved by the Divine
touchingtheelephant.substack.com (https://touchingtheelephant.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)
Nic Flores, host of the Collision Podcast, shares his journey of deconstruction and how it has shaped his view of God. He describes his evolving perspective of God from a distant figure to a presence that is everywhere. This shift has affected his sense of self, allowing him to feel worthy and loved without having to earn it. He also recognizes the sacred in everyday moments, such as the love and care he feels for his child. Through his podcast, Nic aims to create a space for questioning and self-reflection, encouraging listeners to reevaluate their own beliefs and experiences. In this conversation, Nic Flores shares his experiences of finding God in the connections and conversations with others. He discusses the importance of validation and understanding in these interactions and how they confirm the presence of God. Nic also opens up about the difficult decision he made to set boundaries with his parents due to childhood trauma, highlighting the need for safety and accountability. The conversation concludes with Nic reading a love letter he wrote to himself, emphasizing the themes of safety and self-love.
Takeaways
The major shift in perspective of God, from a distant figure to a presence that is everywhere.
Recognizing the divine within oneself can foster a sense of self-worth and love without the need for validation from external sources.
The sacred can be found in everyday moments and relationships, such as the love and care for a child.
Creating a space for questioning and self-reflection can help individuals reevaluate their beliefs and experiences. God can be found in the connections and conversations we have with others
Validation and understanding from others can confirm the presence of God
Setting boundaries is important for safety and healing, even with family
Nic's Links:
Collison Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/collision-with-nic-flores/id1697195560?ign-itscg=30200&ign-itsct=podcast_box)
Website (https://www.collisionpodcast.org/)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/collisionpodcast/)
5 May 2024
Allowing Ourselves to be Loved with Mike Maeshiro
Today's episode is with the wonderful Mike Maeshiro! Mike is the founder of Numa (https://www.mikemaeshiro.com/), an organization that supports people recovering from religious toxicity. Mike is gay, an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community, and a queer theology enthusiast.
On this episode we discuss Mike's evolving perception of God and how it has impacted his sense of self. He shares that his perception of God has shifted from a patriarchal authoritarian figure to a more loving and personal presence. This change has led him to reject the belief that he is inherently sinful and unworthy. Instead, he embraces the idea that he is inherently valuable and deserving of love. Mike also explores the sacredness of understanding and valuing the experiences and perspectives of others, as well as the importance of trust in relationships. In this conversation, Mike shares a personal experience of making an intuitive decision that didn't make logical sense but felt compelled to do it anyway. He talks about a moment when he heard a voice in his head telling him he was not supposed to be where he was and that there was something else for him. This led him to quit his job and move to Japan, which ultimately changed the trajectory of his life. The conversation also explores the vulnerability of writing a love letter and the importance of embracing unconditional love and acceptance.
Takeaways
Our perception of God deeply affects our perception of ourselves and our sense of identity.
Embracing a more loving and personal understanding of God can lead to a greater sense of self-worth and acceptance.
Valuing and understanding the experiences and perspectives of others is a sacred practice.
Trust is an essential component of meaningful relationships. Making intuitive decisions that don't make logical sense can lead to life-changing experiences.
Embracing vulnerability and listening to our inner voice can lead to personal growth and transformation.
Writing a love letter can be a powerful and therapeutic practice that allows for self-reflection and connection with the divine.
Unconditional love and acceptance are essential for personal and spiritual growth.
Mike's Links:
Website (https://www.mikemaeshiro.com/)
Instagram @mikemaeshiro (https://www.instagram.com/mikemaeshiro/)
Substack "God Made me Gay" (https://mikemaeshiro.substack.com/subscribe)
"Confessions of a Reformer" (https://mikemaeshiro.substack.com/subscribe) Podcast
28 Apr 2024
Sacred Dissonance with Liz Mall
Elizabeth Mall is on the podcast today! Liz is a mom of three young kids and host of the podcast 'Deconstructing the Myth.' (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deconstructing-the-myth/id1642091664) She recently completed her masters degree in Christian Apologetics not to defend her faith, but to search for what is good, true, and worth holding onto. Kendall and Liz explore the difference between deconstruction as a process of personal growth and deconstruction as a destructive act. Liz shares her experiences growing up in a Methodist church and finding sanctuary in the church building. She also discusses her current views on church and the sacredness she finds in deep conversations and connections with others.
This episode explores the importance of being present in the messy moments of life and finding meaning in the dissonance. Liz shares her journey of rediscovering faith and the shift in her understanding of God's grace. They also discuss the themes of acceptance, curiosity, and the power of lived experiences. Liz opens up about her struggles with body image and the impact of purity culture on her self-perception. The conversation concludes with a letter to love, reflecting on the need to love oneself and the importance of deep connection with others.
Takeaways
Deconstruction can be a personal journey of growth and self-discovery, rather than a destructive act.
Apologetics can be a tool for personal inquiry and searching for truth, rather than a means to prove one's faith to others.
Finding sanctuary in a church can be a personal and individual experience, but it can also be found outside of traditional church spaces.
Deep conversations and connections with others can be a sacred and transformative experience.
Seeing the goodness and love in others, regardless of their beliefs, can be a powerful and sacred experience. Deconstructing faith involves questioning and reevaluating beliefs, leading to personal growth and a deeper understanding of oneself and spirituality.
Being present in the messy moments of life and embracing the dissonance can lead to profound growth and a more meaningful experience.
Accepting the unacceptable and surrendering to life's circumstances can bring a sense of peace and allow for personal transformation.
Curiosity and a willingness to explore the unknown can lead to new insights and a deeper connection with oneself and others.
Purity culture and societal expectations can have a profound impact on body image and self-perception, requiring intentional work to cultivate self-love and acceptance.
Liz's links:
Deconstructing the Myth Podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/deconstructing-the-myth/id1642091664)
Here's the powerful episode (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/43-frank-rogers-jr-author-of-cradled-in-the/id1642091664?i=1000637512751) we talk about with Frank Rogers Jr
Liz's Instagram: @desconstructingthemyth
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