Episode 19 - Breaking Out Of The Cage: Rebellion, Misplaced Loyalty and Authentic Faith - Part 2 of 3 (Featuring Pastor/Chaplain Kristy Hodson)
Description
What parts of yourself have you cut off to fit into someone else's spiritual mold? In this raw and revealing conversation, Pastor Kristy Hodson shares her journey through a high-control religious environment where authenticity was often sacrificed on the altar of conformity.
Drawing from Brené Brown's powerful distinction—"Fitting in is about becoming who you need to be to be accepted. Belonging doesn't require us to change who we are; it requires us to be who we are"
Kristy explores how religious systems can demand we amputate essential parts of ourselves to belong. Using the Brothers Grimm version of Cinderella as a striking metaphor, she describes how the stepsisters literally cut off toes to fit into the glass slipper, paralleling how believers are sometimes asked to cut away authentic pieces of themselves to fit religious expectations.
The seemingly trivial battles over jewelry, coffee drinking, and social media posts mask deeper control mechanisms that stifle critical thinking and personal expression. Kristy's powerful question—"How much about myself do you want me to lie about?"—challenges us to consider the spiritual cost of conformity.
Through her story, we witness the exhausting cycle of trying to change a system from within, only to discover that true freedom comes not from rebellion but from creating your own existence from scratch.
This conversation isn't about abandoning faith but finding authentic expression within it. Whether you've experienced spiritual abuse, felt like an outsider in religious spaces, or simply question whether you can be fully yourself while maintaining your faith, this episode offers healing perspectives on belonging without conforming. Join us as we explore how to embrace our whole selves—questions, uniqueness, and authentic expression—in our spiritual journeys.
"Be Human, Be Kind, Be Both."
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