Purity Culture with Jessica Brazeal

In this week's episode Jenny and Phil welcome Jessica Brazeal back to the podcast as the first time repeat guest. Jessica joins the conversation to discuss a sermon that recently went viral from a megachurch pastor in Rockwall, TX. Jenny, being from Rockwall, was deeply frustrated by the misogynistic words of this sermon and immediately emailed Phil and Jessica to set up a time to discuss. In the episode they discuss what purity culture is, how it impacted their adolescence, how it continues to harm people today, and so often results in abusive situations. They talk about purity culture from the perspective of being parents, but also parents who are healing from the harms of this movement, and their hopes for a better approach to a healthy sexuality for the next generation. As said in the episode, "Healthy conversations about sexuality should be free from shame and fear."Be aware this conversation does discuss sexual situations and talks of abuse.Jessica reference's Nadia Bolz-Weber's book Shameless: A Case For Not Feeling Bad About Feeling Good (About Sex) Chapters00:00 - (Re)Introducing Jessica Brazeal01:02- Reacting to a Harmful Sermon03:40 - The Destructive Nature of Purity Culture08:20 - The Objectification of Women in Purity Culture09:28 - The Link Between Purity Culture and Abuse11:42 - Explaining Purity Culture14:38 - The Need for Healthy Conversations16:14 - Navigating Sexuality as Parents21:46 - The Isolating and Ostracizing Nature of Purity Culture22:22 - The Long-lasting Impact of Shame and Trauma23:18 - Power Dynamics and Control in Purity Culture24:07 - The Importance of Consent and Agency24:38 - Therapy as a Path to Healing26:53 - Promoting Healthy Conversations about Sexuality