16 | Church Hurt, Cringey Photoshoots & Bingeworthy Shows: A Conversation with Elizabeth Hert

Send us Fan MailWhat happens when church trauma shatters your faith, but motherhood calls you to rebuild something authentic for your children? Today's raw conversation with my high school friend Elizabeth Hurt dives into exactly this tension.Elizabeth, now a mom of three spirited girls (Holland, Lennon, and Iverson), opened her heart about the devastating spiritual trauma her family experienced. The aftermath had her and her husband questioning everything they thought she knew about faith. But rather than abandoning belief altogether, she found herself becoming what she calls a "spiritual newborn" – stripping away the performance of religion to rediscover what genuine faith actually looks like."I just want my life to be the proof of Your love," Elizabeth shares, explaining how she's moved away from the checklist Christianity of her past toward simply loving like Jesus. This transformation hasn't been quick or easy, especially while raising three young daughters who need their own foundation.What resonated most powerfully was Elizabeth's approach to protecting her children while nurturing their spirituality. Having experienced "church hurt" firsthand, she's intentional about empowering her daughters with agency over their bodies and teaching them their voice matters. "That is your body," she tells them firmly, ensuring they know they can always speak up if something feels wrong.The conversation takes a beautiful turn when we discuss how motherhood itself becomes a path back to authentic faith. Elizabeth shares how seeing her cousin live out genuine Christianity without judgment became more healing than any sermon could be. Between motherhood chaos, rebuilding faith, and finding herself through creativity with her business Wooden Okie, Elizabeth reminds us that healing isn't linear but it is possible. Sometimes, the very things that broke us – in her case, religion twisted by human failure – can be reclaimed in healthier, more authentic ways.Whether you've experienced church hurt, are questioning your faith while raising children, or simply need to know you're not alone in the messy journey of motherhood, this conversation offers both validation and hope. Join us for this heart-to-heart that proves sometimes our deepest connections come through our most vulnerable struggles.Follow Wooden Okie by Elizabeth ⬇️https://www.instagram.com/woodenokie?igsh=MXM4a3cybTN3YWl6🎥When Christians let you down- Craig Groeschel  https://youtu.be/mzpzMCLfuv4?si=H3amcu7zEdG8t5IJ🎥Why Do We Need the Church- Matt Thomason https://youtu.be/Agydv4QYdPs?si=htfokS3A-i5iR_rXIt would mean the world to me if you would like, subscribe leave a review and/or share with a friend if you enjoyed this episode! Please find me on Instagram, tag me, comment, or DM me. Let me know what you enjoyed and what you’d like to hear next. I love hearing from you!✨FOLLOW MAMA OF THE WILD CREW ON INSTAGRAM ⬇️https://www.instagram.com/mamaofthewildcrew_podcast?igsh=dGd1Z2dkZnBneHhj&utm_source=qrXO, Alexis SchmokerMama of the Wild Crew 📸: A heartfelt thank you to Jordan Allen of Cr00ked Teeth Photography for capturing this stunning cover photo.