Podcast thumbnail for You Still Belong

You Still Belong

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by Dr. Nathan McWherter

5.0(2 reviews)
13 episodes
Updated Daily
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Podcast Overview

I’m a pastor taking responsibility for what we got wrong. If you walked away feeling heart-sick or crazy, this is your proof that you weren't wrong to leave. You Still Belong is a podcast for the survivors of church hurt, spiritual gaslighting, and the "visceral glitch" of modern religion. Hosted by Dr. Nathan McWherter, this show is a safe harbor for those who are done with the institution but still hungry for Jesus. We explore the intersection of neuroscience, theology, and spiritual recovery. From the biology of disgust to the "boxes of belonging" that create others instead of co

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Publishing Since

3/4/2026

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Recent Episodes

Episode thumbnail for The Season Finale: From Disgust to Delight

May 18, 2026

The Season Finale: From Disgust to Delight

<p>&quot;You are delightful.&quot;</p><p>In the Season 1 finale of You Still Belong, Nathan McWherter tackles the ultimate remedy for the &quot;rot&quot; of disgust: curiosity and the image of God. We explore how the church has often traded its mission for tribalism, and why the path back to Jesus requires us to stop being victims and start being &quot;detectives of beauty.&quot;</p><p>Nathan shares the story of a life changing retreat where he had to face his own self-disgust (the stake in his chest) and learn to hear God’s true name for him. If you have ever felt like a &quot;contaminant&quot; or an &quot;enemy&quot; in religious spaces, this episode is your invitation to walk in the garden with God again.</p><p><strong>In This Episode:</strong>(0:00) The Final Episode: Dealing with the sickness in the body(2:55) Victim vs. Victor: Choosing to step back with intention(7:27) The Skunk &amp; The Blackjack Gum: Why disgust feels so real(10:43) The Detective: Looking for the image of God in others(12:03) The Stake: Nathan’s battle with self-hatred(15:47) Delightful: Believing what God says about you(18:45) Looking Ahead: Season 2 and the &quot;You Still Belong&quot; book</p><p><strong>Live Q&amp;A &amp; Resources:</strong>We want to hear from you! We are preparing a special Live Q&amp;A episode to answer your hardest questions.</p><ul><li><p>Submit questions at: <a href="https://www.nathanmcwherter.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.nathanmcwherter.com</a></p></li><li><p>Download free guides on forgiveness and identity at the website.</p></li></ul><p><strong>Support the Show:</strong>Please rate and review the podcast on Spotify. It is the best way to help other &quot;misfits&quot; find this community. Season 2 is coming soon, but for now, remember: You are loved, you are seen, and you still belong.<strong>Terr</strong></p>

Episode thumbnail for Episode 11 | Sweet Sorrow: The Grief of Leaving and the Power of Boundaries

May 11, 2026

Episode 11 | Sweet Sorrow: The Grief of Leaving and the Power of Boundaries

<p>What do you do when the church you grew up in is no longer a safe place? In this episode, Nathan McWherter explores the heartbreak of being ostracized and the specific pain of watching friends choose the "tribe" over the relationship.</p><p>We discuss how to reach out to those who have been pushed out, how to love difficult people from a distance, and why trading one "against" tribe for another only leads to more harm. This episode is a call to move past disgust and back toward a kingdom focused on grace and truth.</p><p><strong>In This Episode:</strong>(0:00) Sweet Sorrow: The reality of church displacement(2:38) To the Sideline People: Why your presence matters(4:58) Reaching Out: How to be a safe place for the ostracized(9:23) A Room Divided: A story of honesty and humanity(11:11) Forgiveness vs. Reconciliation: Letting go for your own freedom(13:01) Boundaries: Loving people from afar(18:21) Identity and Sexuality: Why "Hate the sin, love the sinner" often fails(22:54) The Misfits: Finding authenticity in unexpected places(29:07) Love and Truth: Ending the false dichotomy</p><p><strong>Articles &amp; Resources:</strong>Download free guides on forgiveness and processing church hurt at <a href="https://www.nathanmcwherter.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">www.nathanmcwherter.com</a>.</p><p><strong>Support the Show:</strong>Please follow and rate the podcast to help us share this message. We are heading into our Season 1 finale soon, and we want you to be part of the Live Q&amp;A!</p>

Episode thumbnail for Episode 10 | Green Flags and Lobby Exits: How To Find a Safe Church

May 4, 2026

Episode 10 | Green Flags and Lobby Exits: How To Find a Safe Church

<p>How do you move forward when the place that was supposed to be a sanctuary became a source of pain? In this episode, Nathan McWherter provides a roadmap for reintegrating into community without sacrificing your safety.</p><p>We discuss the &quot;vulnerability tax,&quot; the power of curiosity, and why &quot;us versus them&quot; language is a major red flag for anyone seeking healing. Whether you are ready to walk into a church this Sunday or you need another six months to grieve, this episode will equip you with the tools to listen to your body and set healthy boundaries.</p><p><strong>EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS</strong></p><ul><li><p>The Church Audit: Detecting &quot;bounded set&quot; thinking through online messages.</p></li><li><p>Green Flags: Why curiosity is the ultimate sign of a healthy leader.</p></li><li><p>Cognitive Dissonance: The neurological struggle between your past wounds and your future hope.</p></li><li><p>Practical Boundaries: The &quot;Slow Walk&quot; and the &quot;Lobby Exit&quot; strategies.</p></li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>VISIT THE BLOG</strong>Read more about these concepts and sign up for the newsletter at <a href="http://www.nathanmcwherter.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">http://www.nathanmcwherter.com</a>. You can find resources on forgiveness, processing church hurt, and understanding the &quot;disgust&quot; response.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>SUPPORT THE MISSION</strong>If this podcast is helping you find your way back to Jesus, please follow the show and share this episode with a friend. We heal in community, and you still belong.</p><p><br></p><p>Since Spotify now supports clickable timestamps in the show notes (similar to YouTube), here is the breakdown for your Spotify description.</p><p>I have formatted these to be clean and clickable so your listeners can jump straight to the specific &quot;Audit&quot; tools you discussed.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>In This Episode:</strong></p><p><strong>(0:00)</strong> Come What Come May: Facing the future after hurt<strong>(1:06)</strong> Setting Non-Negotiables: What must be true for you to stay?<strong>(2:30)</strong> Auditing the Church: Listening for &quot;Us vs. Them&quot; language<strong>(4:45)</strong> The Curiosity Test: How healthy leaders handle dissent<strong>(6:47)</strong> Behave: Lessons from Sapolsky and Steve Cuss<strong>(8:20)</strong> Rigid vs. Fluid Communicators: Identifying the law and the heart<strong>(10:50)</strong> Cognitive Dissonance: Staying open when your body is triggered<strong>(12:55)</strong> The Choice: Will you become curious or willfully ignorant?<strong>(18:51)</strong> Practical Tips: The &quot;Slow Walk&quot; back into community<strong>(23:45)</strong> The Lobby Exit: Why you have full permission to leave<strong>(25:47)</strong> The Vulnerability Tax: Protecting your story until you find trust</p><p><br></p>

13 total episodes available

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Frequently asked questions

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What is You Still Belong?

I’m a pastor taking responsibility for what we got wrong. If you walked away feeling heart-sick or crazy, this is your proof that you weren't wrong to leave.

You Still Belong is a podcast for the survivors of church hurt, spiritual gaslighting, and the "visceral glitch" of modern religion. Hosted by Dr. Nathan McWherter, this show is a safe harbor for those who are done with the institution but still hungry for Jesus.

We explore the intersection of neuroscience, theology, and spiritual recovery. From the biology of disgust to the "boxes of belonging" that create others instead of co

How often does this podcast release new episodes?

This podcast updates daily.

Where can I listen to this podcast?

This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.

Does this podcast accept guests?

No, this podcast does not typically feature guests.

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