Sorrow to Joy

In this episode of Becoming Whole, we explore the third spiritual movement: the journey from sorrow to joy. Recognizing that sorrow is an unavoidable part of life, particularly for LGBT+ and same-sex attracted individuals, Josh and Sarah Claire discuss how deep pains—both personal and collective—impact our spiritual lives. S Through reflections on clean and dirty pain, grief practices, and the transformative power of mourning, they chart a path toward resilient joy. CHAPTERS00:00 | Introduction01:20 | Lesli on the Unique Sorrows of Queer Christians07:31 | Defining Sorrow: Loss, Pain and the Brokenness of the World09:24 | Specific Griefs and Coping Mechanisms of Queer People17:15 | Clean Pain vs. Dirty Pain: Moving Toward Healing22:53 | Redefining Joy: Life After Pain, Not Absent of It27:35 | How Mourning Leads to Joy32:04 | Spiritual Practices for Joy43:20 | Closing Conversations with Henry and Lesli 49:50 | CreditsFOOTNOTESGuest Contributors: Lesli Hudson-Reynolds, Spiritual Director, Whispers in the Wind (whispersinthewind.org) | 01:26 and 44:57Henry Abuto, Co-host of the Life on Side B Podcast | 43:20Referenced Works:Case Study 2, Interviewed by Josh Proctor, October 2023 | 00:33Resmaa Menakem, My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized trauma and the pathway to mending our hearts and bodies. (Central Recovery Press, 2017) | 17:50Julia Sadusky, interviewed on the Life on Side B Podcast, “S2E4 | Dr. Julia Sadusky on Mental Health and Loneliness” | 02:37Peter A. Levine, In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness (North Atlantic Books, 2010) | 35:23Music Featured: Why Does Everybody Leave by Ben Parks | 00:00The Doxology by Clayton Waller | 50:00Read the full Research Document here.