EP 59: Reclaiming Soul Work: Healing Religious Wounding Through Feminist Theology

In this solo episode, Kate goes deep into a part of recovery that rarely gets named — but quietly shapes everything: religious wounding, self-trust, and soul work.For years, Kate approached recovery through neuroscience alone — partly out of rebellion against rigid dogma and hierarchical systems that taught her she was broken, powerless, or unable to trust herself. But over time, both her own healing and her work with hundreds of women revealed something deeper:Many women aren’t just healing from alcohol.They’re healing from self-abandonment.From spiritual disconnection.From being taught not to trust themselves.This episode explores the powerful overlap between:Religious conditioningPatriarchal structuresRecovery dogmaNervous system dysregulationShame, perfectionism, and people-pleasingKate shares how discovering feminist theology — particularly the work of Meggan Watterson — helped repair deep spiritual and identity-level wounds. Through this lens, God is not an external authority or judging figure, but what Watterson calls “the Good” — love, wisdom, presence — something we are already connected to, not something we must earn.You’ll also hear Kate reflect on the reclamation of Mary Magdalene as a teacher, mystic, and leader rather than the distorted trope of a “fallen woman,” and how reconnecting with the divine feminine strengthened her confidence, softened her nervous system, and deepened her self-trust.At the heart of this episode is a redefinition of soul work — not as religion, but as:The practice of learning how to listen to your own inner knowingRebuilding trust in yourself after years of overrideConnecting with love rather than fearComing home to yourselfKate also unpacks how healing requires both science and soul, including:How the brain rewires after alcoholWhy emotions feel louder in early sobrietyHow stress, habit loops, and nervous system dysregulation drive behaviorWhy willpower burns people outWhy lasting change comes from safety + repetitionWhy healing must also include grief, identity work, emotional honesty, and self-trustThis episode is for anyone who has ever wondered:Why they struggle to trust themselvesWhy traditional recovery spaces felt shaming or disempoweringWhy spirituality felt wounding instead of supportiveWhether you can believe in neuroscience, intuition, feminism, and God all at onceWhether you’re allowed to be both grounded and messy, logical and emotional, human and sacredKate’s answer is clear:You don’t have to choose one version of yourself.You’re allowed to hold the paradox.You’re allowed to be whole.Key Themes in This EpisodeReligious wounding and its impact on women’s self-trustThe overlap between patriarchal spirituality and recovery dogmaFeminist theology and the work of Meggan WattersonMary Magdalene reclaimed as teacher, mystic, and leaderRebuilding inner authority after years of self-overrideThe connection between nervous system healing and self-trustRedefining soul work as intuition, love, and embodied truthBeing fully human and fully divineHealing as integration, not perfectionRewired Sober 1:1 Coaching Spots Are Open (But Fill Up Fast) Start anytime and get 3 months of guidance from Kate designed for women in sobriety. Book a discovery call to inquire: Connect with Kate @rewiredsober on all social media platforms:Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rewiredsober/Email: [email protected]