Faith, Dinosaurs, and Finding Themself in Vienna with Emry Kettle

In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone speaks with Emry Kettle about the wild, winding journey from evangelical upbringing to a major adult awakening in Austria. Emry shares their experience of growing up in a turbulent, religious household in the Pacific Northwest, finding safety in church while missing out on some pretty big scientific facts (dinosaurs!), and how moving overseas led to questioning, self-discovery, and a total shift in identity and beliefs.About the Guest:Emry Kettle is a Child Behavior & Family Support Specialist helping overwhelmed parents break harmful cycles and build relationships rooted in connection, boundaries, and self-trust. Based in Austria, they bring humor, warmth, and lived experience to the messy, meaningful work of raising kids and healing ourselves.Main Topics Covered:How unstable family life and the search for connection can draw kids (and adults) into religious communitiesWhat it’s like to discover—as an adult—that dinosaurs are, in fact, realThe process of unraveling childhood indoctrination, questioning faith, and redefining personal valuesNavigating family systems, belonging, and the grief/joy of losing and building communityEmry’s radical self-discovery around sexuality, gender, and the importance of values-based parentingThe practical work of helping parents shift away from inherited dogma and write their own family storiesQuote from the Episode:“It was like the Truman Show. Like, you guys are all freaking lying to me this entire time. Are you kidding me? And now I have to figure it out in my 30s. How dare you.” — Emry KettleTimestamps: [00:00:05] Emry calls in from Vienna, Austria & self-care confessions[00:04:23] Discovering the “truth” about dinosaurs—and biblical alternatives[00:09:23] Turbulent family life, church as a safe haven, and Sunday school[00:18:26] Science vs. faith at public school in Washington State[00:20:36] Moving to Austria and the start of deconstruction[00:29:53] Sex, values, and how research and relationships changed everything[00:35:21] “Plinko” moment: connecting the dots and a trip to the Natural History Museum[00:40:52] The freedom of letting go, the betrayal of indoctrination, and processing anger[00:48:12] Emry’s work helping parents define values after leaving religion[00:54:10] Rapid-fire questions: the Sound of Music, dogs, and outer spaceSpecial Offer from the Guest:Defining Your Parenting Values Guide. A self-paced guide that can help you uncover the values that actually matter to you—so you can parent with more confidence, clarity, and connection. Normally €19 50% off for the audience of Imperfect Adulting.Use code IMPERFECT at checkout: https://payhip.com/b/pUubj Note from the show: guest offers are almost always limited-time and limited quantity. If you have an issue redeeming this offer please reach out directly to the guest.Join the conversation on social. Find the Art of Imperfect Adulting on Instagram @theartof_imperfect_adulting YouTube @imperfectadulting and TikTok @imperfectadulting If you love the show and you'd like to support it directly you can tip the host here https://imperfect-adulting.captivate.fm/supportNever Miss a Moment of Imperfect AdultingWe invite you to join our email community and let us bring the podcast directly to you! As a subscriber, you'll receive notifications about new episodes, exclusive offers from our amazing guests, and easier access to any of the important links mentioned on the show—no more scrambling to write down websites or remember special codes.Why subscribe?Stay up-to-date without checking your podcast appGet guest offers delivered straight to your inboxAccess all important links in one convenient placeCatch the highlights even when you don't have time to listenAre you ready? Join us at https://www.imperfectadulting.com If you have a story to share and you'd like to be a guest on The Art of Imperfect Adulting, here are the steps for how you can make that happen. Pitch yourself at https://www.imperfectadulting.com/be-a-guestHere are a few resources that Amy uses to make all this great content. These are affiliate links :-)For livestreaming and recording ECamm https://www.ecamm.com/mac/ecammlive/?fp_ref=amy69Podcast hosting and distribution: Captivate FM https://www.captivate.fm/signup?ref=ntczmwi Website hosting with Siteground https://www.siteground.com/?referrer_id=9115590Ai Transcription Tool: Castmagic https://get.castmagic.io/ugrmjjrt8ofjFor Email I recently switched to Beehiiv https://www.beehiiv.com?via=Amy-Stonebefore that I used Kit. Books I like and books written by show guests on Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/lists/podcast-guest-authors