936
Downloads
48
Episodes
Welcome to Spiritual AF Sundays, the podcast that explores the spiritual side of everything! Join your host, Jessica Karels (aka The Mystic Geek), a witch with 20+ years of experience in both the corporate and magical worlds, as we dive into a wide range of topics that go beyond the surface-level talking discussed by pundits and on social media. Queer, polyamorous, and neurodivergent - Jessica is no stranger to challenging the status quo. Designed for the slightly geeky and curious souls who seek a deeper understanding, Spiritual AF Sundays invites you to join our exploration of spirituality, religion, and politics. We go beyond the shallow back-and-forth on social media and provide thought-provoking insights that inspire personal growth and transformation. In each episode, we challenge societal norms and assumptions, tackle hot-button topics like politics and artificial intelligence, and delve into subjects like magic and witchcraft, self-improvement, and more. We believe that spirituality and real-world issues are intertwined, and are not afraid to ask the difficult questions about how one affects the other. With weekly episodes, each around 30 minutes, we bring you engaging discussions and interviews with guests from diverse backgrounds. Whether you’re a seasoned spiritual seeker or just starting your journey, this podcast offers a fresh perspective and invites you to expand your horizons. Join us on this transformative journey, and don’t forget to leave a review to let us know your thoughts. Let’s dive deep into the spiritual realms and challenge the status quo.
Episodes
Sunday Feb 18, 2024
Sunday Feb 18, 2024
This week, we talk about the darker side of religious practices, exploring emotional, psychological, and even financial abuses that can occur in religious contexts. Join us as we discuss the process of deconstruction, the path to recovery, and the importance of a safe healing space. Whether you've faced religious trauma or are keen on understanding this uncharted area, this episode is a key resource.
This week, we invite counselor, teacher, researcher, and podcaster Paula Swindle to discuss the sensitive subject of religious trauma or when spirituality is weaponized instead of used as a healing tool. Swindle, who works at the Center for Healing Religious Harm, dives deep into the aspects of religious abuse and explains three broad categories of such trauma. She further highlights the importance of self-examination and transparency in her roles as a counselor, teacher, and podcaster.
00:00 Guest Quote
00:24 Opening Music
01:19 This Week's Topic
03:25 Introduction and Guest Background
04:07 Studying Religious Trauma
08:36 Understanding Religious Trauma
15:22 Counselor, Teacher, Podcaster - Navigating Power and Transparency
22:25 Final Thoughts
25:41 Recap
27:44 Closing Music
About our guest:
Paula Swindle is a licensed clinical mental health counselor in North Carolina who maintains a private practice called the Center for Healing Religious Harm. She is also an associate professor of counseling at Lenoir-Rhyne University in Hickory, North Carolina, where she trains new counselors. Last but not least, she and her pastor co-host Sacred Intersections, a podcast about navigating the twisty roads of harmful theology, mental health, and religious abuse.
Find Paula Online
Support our show:
Subscribe to this channel to receive notifications of upcoming episodes
Share this episode with your friends
Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts so that more people find us: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/spiritual-af-sundays/id1660473504
More about the host (The Mystic Geek)
Connect with me on social - themysticgeek.com/social
Check out my gemstone bracelets at crafted.themysticgeek.com
Book an online session with me at bookings.themysticgeek.com
Comments (0)
To leave or reply to comments, please download free Podbean or
No Comments
To leave or reply to comments,
please download free Podbean App.