Healthy Relationships & Religion episode artwork

EPISODE · Apr 15, 2026 · 1H 1M

Healthy Relationships & Religion

from Kinda Religious · host Eli Zaffirini

Therapist and relationship coach Karen Gwaltney shares her journey through an evangelical upbringing, her crisis of faith, and her work in therapy focusing on religious trauma, spiritual abuse, and healthy relationships. Discover how a shift in spiritual perspective can foster greater self-trust, acceptance, and relational health.Resources: Karen’s Website - https://www.karengwaltney.comKaren’s Gentle Approach to Sex Talks - https://www.karengwaltney.com/parent-coachingFacing Codependence by Pia Melody - https://www.amazon.com/Pia-Melody/e/B001LHF4UOThe Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck, M.D. - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0743243153Topic Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to Karen Gwaltney and Her Background02:54 Exploring Evangelical Upbringing and Its Impact05:21 Transitioning Between Different Church Denominations07:34 Theological Interests and Crisis of Faith10:07 Understanding Religious Trauma and Spiritual Abuse12:15 The Role of Therapy in Healing14:54 Deconstructing Faith and Rebuilding Identity17:15 Near-Death Experiences and Their Influence on Faith28:58 Exploring Near-Death Experiences and Consciousness33:31 Embracing Humanity and the Human Experience40:24 Understanding Boundaries in Religious Practice46:09 The Importance of Comprehensive Sexuality Education51:48 Reconstructing Faith and Spiritual Practices

Therapist and relationship coach Karen Gwaltney shares her journey through an evangelical upbringing, her crisis of faith, and her work in therapy focusing on religious trauma, spiritual abuse, and healthy relationships. Discover how a shift in spiritual perspective can foster greater self-trust, acceptance, and relational health.Resources: Karen’s Website - https://www.karengwaltney.comKaren’s Gentle Approach to Sex Talks - https://www.karengwaltney.com/parent-coachingFacing Codependence by Pia Melody - https://www.amazon.com/Pia-Melody/e/B001LHF4UOThe Road Less Traveled by M. Scott Peck, M.D. - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0743243153Topic Timestamps:00:00 Introduction to Karen Gwaltney and Her Background02:54 Exploring Evangelical Upbringing and Its Impact05:21 Transitioning Between Different Church Denominations07:34 Theological Interests and Crisis of Faith10:07 Understanding Religious Trauma and Spiritual Abuse12:15 The Role of Therapy in Healing14:54 Deconstructing Faith and Rebuilding Identity17:15 Near-Death Experiences and Their Influence on Faith28:58 Exploring Near-Death Experiences and Consciousness33:31 Embracing Humanity and the Human Experience40:24 Understanding Boundaries in Religious Practice46:09 The Importance of Comprehensive Sexuality Education51:48 Reconstructing Faith and Spiritual Practices

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Healthy Relationships & Religion

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Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch of Stephen Wise Free Synagogue Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch Podcast of sermons by Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, senior rabbi at Stephen Wise Free Synagogue in New York City. Rabbi Hirsch is recognized internationally for his leadership in Jewish affairs and was named by the New York Observer among “New York’s Most Influential Religious Leaders.” The coauthor of the acclaimed One People Two Worlds: A Reform Rabbi and an Orthodox Rabbi Explore the Issues that Divide Them, he previously served as executive director of the Association of Reform Zionists of America. Unshamed & Unchained: Carving Space For Self-Healing & Habit Transformation Danny Poelman Welcome to "Unshamed & Unchained: Carving Space For Self-Healing & Habit Transformation", the podcast where we break the chains of shame and societal expectations to create a safe space for self-healing, habit transformation, and personal growth. Hosted by a seasoned life coach, Danny Poelman DDS, with years of hands-on experience, this podcast is your guide to reclaiming your voice, embracing your story, and living life on your terms.In each episode, we dive deep into the topics that matter most to you—whether it's:-breaking free from unwanted habits like pornography-excessive people-pleasing-healing from past trauma-recovering from narcissistic abuse or religious/relational trauma-anxiety/depression-money mindset blocks-overcoming limiting beliefsWe’re not afraid to talk about the things that are often considered taboo, because we believe that through honest, unfiltered conversations, real transformation happens.You’ll hear real Wisdom's Proof JesusLifeTogether In a world of religion, ritual, hierarchy, control, money, marketing, and more flavors than 10,000 Baskin Robbins — how can we know what is Right and True? Some just give up. Bad move. JESUS LIVES and REIGNS! Some simply "go along to get along" to conform to culture and biological family. Really bad move, unless you are a lemming and don't care about the destiny someone else has chosen for you. But then JESUS, knowing this day would come, said, "By their fruit you shall know them" and "Wisdom is PROVED RIGHT by all her CHILDREN." Luke 7:35 Find some random offspring from whatever you wish you knew more about, look carefully at the second generation, and see if the gates of Hell are prevailing — as they would in a "mere words" and "mere ceremonies" attendance-based religious organization. OR, is satan getting busted in the mouth by that second generation? What is the fruit and the quality of LIVES of the children - once they can make their own choices? Then you'll Know. Wisdom is PROVED Fall of Rome Podcast Ibnul Jaif Farabi / Light Knot Studios What does the collapse of history's greatest superpower tell us about our own world? Was it barbarian invasions, economic decay, religious change, or a fatal cocktail of systemic failures? "Fall of Rome Podcast" delivers a compelling, daily narrative that dissects the epic unraveling of the Western Roman Empire, moving beyond simple myths to explore the complex, human-driven causes of one of history's most pivotal transformations.This show chronicles the dramatic centuries from the crisis of the third century to the final eclipse of imperial power in the West. Each concise episode tackles a specific event, theme, or figure: from the reforms of Diocletian and Constantine's conversion, to the Gothic migrations, the sacks of Rome, and the rise of barbarian kingdoms. We examine military decay, bureaucratic bloating, economic collapse, and the profound cultural shift from paganism to Christianity, weaving political drama with social and economic realities.Listeners will gain a nuanced, co

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This episode was published on April 15, 2026.

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Therapist and relationship coach Karen Gwaltney shares her journey through an evangelical upbringing, her crisis of faith, and her work in therapy focusing on religious trauma, spiritual abuse, and healthy relationships. Discover how a shift in...

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