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PODCAST · religion

FreedHearts

Freeing hearts to love and be loved! Love. Inclusion. Affirmation. Susan Cottrell is the Mom of two LGBTQ+ children; the founder of FreedHearts; an international speaker with a viral TEDx talk; a pastor and theologian; an acclaimed author; and a fierce advocate and ally. In her unique tender, relatable style, Susan is a prominent voice of unconditional love and lavish inclusion. Powerful, authentic, and relevant in today’s society, Susan has a lot to say. The Advocate calls her their “Favorite Affirming Matriarch.” OutSmart magazine calls her "The Mother of all MamaBears!" Reverend Ashley Harness from Auburn Seminary says, “Susan has this fierce, loving, don’t mess with me, Mom vibe.” If you have been excluded, or if someone close to you has been excluded because of who they are or who they love - or maybe you have been the one doing the excluding - the FreedHearts podcast is for you. Join Susan, along with her husband Rob, on the journey. You are not alone. Welcome home! 

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Sep 20, 2026 · Source feed

  1. 230

    The Top 5 Questions from Parents of LGBTQ+ Children

    This episode is for parents of LGBTQ+ children; or LGBTQ+ people with parents; or those allies and friends who know parents. In other words, this is for you!In our work with hundreds of thousands of parents of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer children, there are 5 questions that almost always come up. Things they are concerned about; things they wonder and worry about. This episode answers those questions, and we thought it was time to share it again! Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  2. 229

    Christian Myth Busters: The 7 Biggest Shockers!

    I went to seminary as an evangelical. I had no idea it was going to hold so many surprises. Here are the top 7 shockers that change the entire game of Christianity. Knowing these will help us continue to unravel the hurtful, destructive teachings that, in truth, really have nothing to do with Jesus, God or the Bible. It was the beginning of the deconstruction of my faith, and the beginning of a much deeper, more beautiful, more satisfying spirituality.A special encore presentation. Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  3. 228

    Is Jesus Different than Christianity?

    So much pain has been inflicted in the name of God. We have been deeply hurt, we get triggered and, understandably, we want nothing to do with any of it - even Jesus. But, let’s be clear, what has been used to hurt us has been absolute lies, false teachings and is not about God or Jesus!One of the worst things that ever happened to Jesus was the religion of Christianity, and non-affirming Christians have largely gotten him totally wrong. Jesus is still one of the best-kept secrets because his truth has been grossly distorted by people who claim to speak for him.There is a religion-free Jesus who belongs to all of us!Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  4. 227

    False Teachings & Lies That Cause Us to Reject Our Kids and Ourselves

    Why do parents struggle with loving their LGBTQ+ children? Why do LGBTQ+ struggle with internalized homophobia, and with loving themselves? Often, it's because of the lies, false teachings and faulty arguments coming from the Christian church. It's time to set the record straight. We share again this important information; and give you a tender, powerful message on how to respond to those who use these false teachings to hurt us. An encore episode to help set your heart free!Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  5. 226

    Infuriating fanatics who just so happen to be family!

    Today, we talk about all the things you hear from radical Christians - anti-gay, and anti-trans hate and lies, Christian nationalism, hypocrisy. It can be maddening and infuriating. We ask if those are real thoughts and questions, real concerns, or are they just repeating what they have been programmed to say??We even have some fun ask if they are real people or are they just bots??   And, most importantly, we talk about how to respond, especially when they just so happen to be family members. Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  6. 225

    PRIDE! It's a celebration, not a sin!

    June is Pride Month — a time dedicated not just to parades and rainbow flags but to profound affirmation and resistance against discrimination. The skewed Christian view of pride involves a self-centered attitude, placing oneself above others. But the LGBTQ+ community is not declaring themselves above anyone else. Pride Month was born from a necessity to stand against oppression and claim a rightful place in society — not out of a desire to dominate, but a need to exist openly and safely! Let's set the record straight: It’s about love, not arrogance. We talk about what Pride really is and how it’s a powerful expression of love’s triumph over shame. It’s a celebration – not a sin!Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  7. 224

    Is this the deadliest teaching in human history?

    Is this the deadliest teaching in human history?An encore presentation of our most-listened-to episode ever — and maybe our most powerful. And honestly? It feels even more urgent now than when we first released it.In this episode, we unpack one of the most destructive ideas humanity has ever embraced — a belief system at the root of division, oppression, shame, and violence for centuries.It has fueled the mistreatment of ethnic groups, religious minorities, women, LGBTQ people, and so many others. And right now, it’s everywhere again.What is this teaching? How does it still shape our world? And how do we break free from it?This conversation matters.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  8. 223

    The Common-Sense Truth About LGBTQ Love: Why It's Not Sinful - And Never Was

    We’ve walked through the theology, the scripture, the Greek and Hebrew — but today we’re doing something refreshingly simple: Common sense.We explore the everyday wisdom that makes it absolutely clear: being LGBTQ — and loving who you love — is not sinful. Not even close.No clobber passages. No theological gymnastics. Just real life, real love, and real clarity.We break down:🌈 Why love that harms no one can never be sin 🌈 Why you can’t “repent” of being who you are 🌈 Why the fruit of LGBTQ lives disproves the fear 🌈 Why God wouldn’t wire people for love and then punish them for it 🌈 Why authenticity always leads toward compassion, not away from itIf you need a breath of fresh air… If you want language to counter harmful teachings… If you simply want to hear truth spoken plainly and lovingly…This one’s for you. 💛✨Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  9. 222

    The absolute truth about how God sees you: Religion is wrong, you are NOT broken.

    Religion is wrong, you are not broken. You are beloved. A viral meme claimed your smallest sin is “infinitely offensive” to a holy God — but don’t worry, Jesus covers you.We’re calling that what it is: spiritual shame dressed up as devotion.In this episode, we dismantle the idea that you’re a cosmic disappointment and reclaim a deeper truth:You were never vile.You were never a liability.You are already beloved.The truth is, when God looks at you, when God sees you, you are perfect.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  10. 221

    5 Things You Can Do to Help LGBTQ+ People Right Now

    So many people are asking the same question right now:What can I actually do that makes a difference?In this episode, we slow things down and get practical.Not perfect. Not performative. Not someday. Now.We share five real, tangible ways you can show up for LGBTQ+ people — as an ally, a parent, a friend, a neighbor, and a human being. From advocacy andvoting, to supporting queer creators and businesses, to getting involved locally,listening deeply, and sharing affirming resources that change lives.You don’t have to do everything. You just have to do something. And the best time to start—or to ramp it up—is now.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  11. 220

    We are NOT the Resistance. We are the River!

    We’ve been told for years: be the resistance.But what if that’s why so many people fighting for love and inclusion feel exhausted?Inspired by a talk from Glennon Doyle, this episode flips the whole idea:We are not the resistance. We are the river.The current of belonging has always been moving — widening across history no matter who tried to stop it. Our role isn’t just to argue or brace against the world… it’s to step into that flow, find our place in it, and live the kind of life that invites others into the water too.Joy isn’t a distraction from advocacy. It’s one of its most powerful tools.Because fear can demand compliance — but only love creates movement.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  12. 219

    Breaking Free from the Approval of Others

    People can't give what they don't have, and many people simply don't have approval to give. But remember, this has nothing to do with you.   When faced with the rejection and disapproval of others, it’s important to separate your well-being from someone else’s approval. It's just their opinion, and it doesn’t have to mean anything to you.   It's not about your worth in any way whatsoever, it is about but their lack of approval, and the fears and false teachings that fuel that.How can we break free from the approval of others?Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  13. 218

    Loving Queer Kids in a Hostile World

    Loving queer kids today requires honesty: they are growing up in a world that actively questions their right to exist, to be safe, and to belong. In this episode, we speak plainly to parents, caregivers, and allies about what LGBTQ+ kids need — not someday, but right now — in a cultural and political climate that is increasingly hostile.We confront the real harm caused by silence and “good intentions,” challenge adults to move beyond private support into public protection, and name advocacy as a non-negotiable part of love. This episode is a call to action for anyone who claims to care about queer kids.Because love that doesn’t protect is not love — it’s abandonment.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  14. 217

    When “Just Disagreeing” Becomes Dangerous

    “We can disagree and still love each other” is often framed as maturity or respect — but what happens when that disagreement puts real people at risk? In this episode, we confront how “just disagreeing” about LGBTQ+ lives, identities, and inclusion stops being neutral and starts becoming dangerous.We examine the real-world consequences of polite harm, the myth of neutrality, and the cost of silence when injustice is dressed up as belief or civility. This is a call to move beyond comfort and into responsibility — for families, allies, and anyone who claims to love LGBTQ+ people.Because love that refuses to protect is not love at all.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  15. 216

    Valentine’s Day Isn’t for Everyone — And That’s Okay

    Valentine’s Day can be beautiful for some — and deeply complicated for others. In this episode, we make space for those who feel unseen, pressured, or left out by traditional narratives of love.We explore why romantic love is often treated as the ultimate measure of worth, how that harms LGBTQ+ people and their families, and what it means to reclaim a broader, more honest definition of love. This is an invitation to opt out of shame, redefine belonging, and remember that your life, your timing, and your way of loving are already enough.Because love was never meant to be narrow — it was meant to make room.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  16. 215

    The Myth of "Traditional Marriage" and The "Perfect" Family

    You’ve heard the false teachings. You’ve read the posts. You’ve seen the statements of faith declaring, “Marriage is between one man and one woman.”This episode is for every LGBTQ+ person harmed by those words — and for every Christian parent who affirms their child, yet still hears that sentence reverberating through their church, their family, and their faith.Let’s be clear: no one should believe the Bible condemns them — or their child — because of that claim.Because it isn’t biblical. It isn’t historical. And it isn’t truth.In today’s episode, we expose the lie and shatter the myth of “traditional marriage” and the fantasy of the "perfect" family — replacing it with what Scripture actually reveals: love, covenant, justice, and grace.Beloved, this truth belongs to you!Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  17. 214

    The Myth of “Traditional” Values

    You’ve heard it repeated by nonaffirming Christians and right-wing politicians: “traditional values.”But listen closely — and notice what’s missing.Honesty. Fidelity. Compassion. Justice. Kindness.So what are “traditional values,” really? Whose tradition are we talking about? From which era? From which culture? From which Bible — and whose Christianity?In this episode, we expose the myth of “traditional values,” how the phrase became a political weapon instead of a moral compass, and what real, Jesus-shaped values actually demand of us.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  18. 213

    The State of LGBTQ Lives: Where We Are, What’s Coming, and How We Love Forward in 2026

    As we step into a new year, we name the truth of this moment for LGBTQ+ lives and rights — without panic, without denial, and without losing hope. We talk about what’s happening now, what 2026 may bring, and how we respond with courage, clarity, and love.This episode is for LGBTQ+ people, parents, allies, and anyone who refuses to let fear dictate the future.We unpack the political landscape, the shifts happening inside faith communities, the fierce resilience of LGBTQ+ youth, and the real, practical ways each of us can show up — for ourselves, for our families, and for the generations coming next.This is not a warning. It’s a roadmap.A reminder that you are not powerless — and an invitation to love boldly in 2026.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  19. 212

    Do Christians know it's Christmastime at all?

    This Christmas, we ask a haunting question: Do Christians know it’s Christmas time at all?When the loudest voices in Christianity celebrate the birth of Jesus while ignoring everything he taught — feeding the hungry, welcoming the immigrant, loving without condition — something’s gone terribly wrong.In this episode, we take an honest, sometimes snarky, always heartfelt look at how Christian nationalism and ultra-right beliefs miss the very heart of Christmas. We’ll talk about the hypocrisy, the fruit of those beliefs, and what it really means to live out the radical love of Jesus in our world today.Because Christmas isn’t about power, control, or culture wars. It’s about love. Real, Jesus-shaped love.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  20. 211

    Christmas Lemon Trees & Blackberries

    Today, since Christmas is coming up, we will talk about lemons and blackberries.I know, I know – what does THAT have to do with Christmas?I want to tell you a couple of stories from my life that involved lemons and blackberries, and what I learned about abundance.At this time of year, when we all make our lists of things we want, and of things to give, maybe it is the perfect time to really understand abundance.This is going to be fun and sweet... cause, you know, blackberries! Yum.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  21. 210

    Jesus, the Stand-Up Comedian!

    Was Jesus kind of a stand-up comedian?I mean think about it... A priest, a rabbi, and Jesus walked into a bar. Only Jesus recognized the setup for a joke. I never really thought about Jesus being funny or not. I mean, we’ve heard the stories 1000 times and... I usually smile at the funnier parts, but I never exactly said, Jesus is really funny!Then I found a little book that really opened my eyes.I will share that with you today as we talk about how funny, profoundly funny, Jesus was. We sure could use a few laughs right now.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  22. 209

    Transgender Day of Remembrance

    This episode is different. It’s sacred. The Transgender Day of Remembrance is a day to honor and remember the transgender people whose lives were stolen by violence, hatred, and neglect. We wish we didn’t need a day like this. We wish the world were already safe and affirming for our trans family and friends. But the reality is, many lives are lost each year—and too often, those lives are ignored, erased, or dismissed. So today, we stop. We pause. We remember. We honor. Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  23. 208

    What the Bible Does & Does Not Say About Transgender People

    You are talking about this and then it happens: someone pulls out a Bible verse and declares that God is against transgender people.You’ve heard it from pulpits, from politicians, maybe from your own family.But, Beloved, here’s the truth: the Bible does NOT say what these people claim it does. In fact, what the Bible does say about this is actually fully affirming!So today, we dig in and set the record straight about what the Bible doesn’t say, what it does say, and why this matters so much right now!Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  24. 207

    How Anti-Transgender Rhetoric Harms Everyone

    Politicians and pundits have made trans rights one of their top wedge issues. They stir up outrage, and push legislation designed to divide, distract, and control.We’ve all seen it: bills banning gender-affirming care, bathroom access, policing pronouns, especially in state legislations. Leaders pushing them claim it’s about “protecting children” or “upholding values.” But, it’s not! This is about consolidating power through fear.And while trans people feel the sting of this, the harm doesn’t stop with them. It ripples outward, touching every one of us.Because when anti-trans rhetoric spreads, it erodes compassion, truth, and freedom—for everyone.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  25. 206

    Is God Really Alfred Hitchcock??

    Let’s talk about God! Our favorite subject… Or is it?? It would be—or could be—if we hadn’t been lied to about God. Well, our job at FreedHearts is to make you feel better about God — or have no feelings about God, that’s fine. But what we DON’T want is for you to have bad feelings about God because they’re usually connected to bad feelings about yourself – and none of that is true! Today we tell you a story as a contrast to God—about Alfred Hitchcock. Hitchcock is known as the Master of Suspense. Just in time for Halloween!This is going to be fun!Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  26. 205

    Are Christians Following Paul Instead of Jesus?

    Jesus’ message was clear: the kingdom of God is here and now. His anger burned toward those in power who oppressed the vulnerable. His focus was justice, compassion, and service — NOT personal salvation formulas.Yet so much of today’s theology on LGBTQ issues, sin, salvation, and authority doesn’t come from Jesus at all — it comes from Paul.So we ask: are Christians really following Paul instead of Jesus?Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  27. 204

    Why Christians Don't Have to Be Afraid to Support LGBTQ

    Today’s episode is a heartfelt message to non-affirming Christians — or one you can share with them.It’s a message of hope and courage: you do NOT need to be afraid to support LGBTQ+ people and same-sex relationships.Yes, the climate feels hostile. Yes, fear is loud. But truth is louder. Prejudice is crumbling. Walls are falling. Pastors are rethinking long-held beliefs. Parents are choosing their child over false doctrine.This is what faith is meant to be. Not about fear. Not about control. But about love — radical, unstoppable love.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  28. 203

    Is National Coming Out Day Different This Year?

    Today’s episode is both deeply personal and powerfully relevant to the moment we’re living in.We’re talking about coming out — as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer — in a time when hostility and attacks are escalating. This isn’t just theory — it’s raw, real, and urgent.All of this in honor of National Coming Out Day on October 11th! Plus, we’re sharing a major announcement about a bold new chapter for FreedHearts — one we can’t wait for you to hear.This conversation is about courage, truth, and love in the face of fear. You don’t want to miss it.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  29. 202

    Fortifying Ourselves in Challenging Times

    Last week, we talked about healing—the kind that doesn’t just change us, but changes the world. The healing that makes us more kind, more loving, more empathetic.But here’s the truth: while we’re doing this sacred work, there is a battle raging around us. A relentless stream of fear, attacks, and psychological warfare designed to wear us down, to make us give up hope.So how do we stand strong in the middle of all that? How do we keep our hearts from breaking under the weight of it?Today, I have a story for you. It’s not just powerful—it’s one of the most powerful stories I’ve ever heard about finding courage, resilience, and unshakable love in the face of fear. You do not want to miss this.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  30. 201

    If We Can’t Save the World, What Can We Do?

    How are you doing? Many of us are wondering, with the barrage of news and developments, what do we do? Beloved, our job is really not to save the world because we can't do that, not in the way we think. So, what CAN we do?We can help save the world in a different way. We can do our own work and move ourselves into more spiritual openness and maturity, to grow and do the healing work that's inside of us to do. And that's no small thing! Collectively, that's the best thing we can do to save the world because it helps us be more kind, more empathetic, more loving. Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  31. 200

    Our 200th Episode! Fears of the Next Generation. A Special Visit with our Asher!

    It's our 200th episode, and we have something very special for you!We visit with our Asher - the one who started it all for us, the one Susan talked about in her viral TED talk. Now a transgender man, with a transgender wife, and a child... what a journey it has been!We talk about that today, and especially about the fears of this generation. From the financial crisis to the housing crisis to COVID to the current administration to AI... their worldview and their fears have been deeply impacted.What are they afraid of? Where do they find hope - for them and for those who come after? And how we can best understand and help?You don't want to miss this very special episode!Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  32. 199

    Affirmations. Do They Really Work?

    Have you tried affirmations where you look in the mirror and say the things that you want in your life, or say the things you want to believe about yourself - and maybe gotten mixed results? You probably heard about the power of affirmations but in practice find the results not what you’d hoped. Why?We talk all about that today. If affirmations are real, if they have power, how can we make them work for us?Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  33. 198

    Simply Put: The Bible Does NOT Condemn Homosexuality!

    Actually, it is NOT complicated, or confusing, or nuanced. It is really simple. The Bible IS clear: There is NO condemnation against people who are LGBTQ+ or against same-sex relationships. You are NOT the ones who need to defend your beliefs. The non-affirming church is. They ignore the truth of Scripture, and they ignore the devastating, deadly impact of their false teachings.  In this encore presentation of one of our most popular episodes, we give you a clear, simple explanation of why the Bible does NOT condemnation homosexuality.  Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  34. 197

    Changing the Minds of NonAffirming Christians

    What does and does not work when talking to evangelical Christians about LGBTQ issues? It can certainly be tough and frustrating. We are dealing with patriarchal, moral-majority driven false teaching. All taught with God’s name attached to it – and grave consequences if you don’t just fall in line. But we, like a growing number of people, were surprised when we opened that box we had God in. In this encore presentation, we talk about truly effective ways to change the hearts and minds of non-affirming Christians.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  35. 196

    "Love the Sinner, Hate the Sin??" We're Calling Bullsh*t!

    Love the sinner, hate the sin?? Wait, what?? It sure doesn't feel like love to those on the receiving end. You know why? It’s not! It’s homophobia disguised as love. Is it from the Bible or any religious text? Nope. In this encore presentation, we dive into this and set the record straight. Because "love the sinner, hate the sin" is total bullsh*t!Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  36. 195

    One of the deadliest teachings in all of humanity!

    An encore presentation of our most popular episode ever, and maybe our most powerful! And wow, it’s more needed and timely than ever. We talk about one of the two deadliest teachings in all of humanity. It is at the heart of our division.  It is responsible for some of history’s most brutal treatment of ethnic groups, religious groups, women, LGBTQ; and it is rampant right now. What is it and what can we do?Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  37. 194

    Take Your Power Back!

    Do you feel a bit powerless? Overwhelmed? Exhausted? There are lots of ways this disempowerment can show up. It’s important to practice finding your power, because the truth is, we STILL have our power. It’s beautiful and it’s limitless.  Beloved, today, I have three stories for you about taking your power back!It’s time!Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  38. 193

    How to Spot Fake News & Misinformation

    We know you see it. We know you feel it. Social media is being used more and more as a tool for radicalization. Extremists exploit platforms to spew propaganda and recruit followers. Beloved, it is easy for individuals to fall prey to manipulation.Fake news has become a real threat, affecting everything from our health to our relationships to our institutions. The very features that make social media so powerful, are also what can make it so dangerous.Today, we want to talk about how to spot fake news and misinformation, and how to stop sharing it, so we can help stop it from hurting people. Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  39. 192

    Hypnotherapy: The Gift of a New Narrative

    I recently had a session of hypnotherapy and I want to share with you because it was so empowering for me and I think it can empower you too. In fact, I asked the Universe, Spirit for a message JUST for you (because I’m always thinking of you!) and you know what?  I got one! You’re gonna love this. I’m eager to share it all with you. Let’s do this.  Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  40. 191

    Selfcare. Staying Positive In Times Like These

    We’ve been through a lot of deconstruction, many of us, and have been finding a lot of freedom. It’s so easy to look outside ourselves, and point at what needs to change in the world — and no doubt it does! I would bet that virtually every person listening is wanting to help rebuild the world into better shape than it is right now. But how can we do selfcare in all of this? How can we stay positive? This may look different because the problems may seem so big, insurmountable, but that’s even MORE reason to make our own changes, not less.There is a way to shift US that can shift the whole. A way to regain our power to create something more than we thought was possible.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  41. 190

    How Do We Save America?

    We hear this question a lot lately: How do we Save America? Whispered in grief and shouted in frustration. From parents afraid for their trans kids, from exhausted teachers, from faith leaders trying to hold shattered communities together. We hear it from the hearts of people who love this country—not so much for what it has been, but for what it could be.Saving America is not about taking it back. It’s about bringing it forward. Into love. Into justice. Into healing. Where do we begin?Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  42. 189

    For Dads of LGBTQ+ Children – A Special Episode

    Just Rob today - in time for Father’s Day - with a very special episode talking to Dads. But this is good for all parents, for LGBTQ+ kids, for allies. It helps us better understand and support. So, Dads, your child is gay or bisexual or transgender. Your love for your child seems to somehow conflict with your faith - at least according to what you may hear from Christian friends.Like it or not, you are on this journey. What do you do? What kind of Dad will you be?This is NOT a choice for your child. YOU are the one who has the choice - to unconditionally love, accept and affirm your child, or not.  I am the father of five children, two of whom are part of the LGBTQ+ community. In this encore episode, I share three real responses from other Dads. And I ask you to think about which one is the most like you?Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  43. 188

    PRIDE! It's a Celebration, Not a Sin

    June is Pride Month—a time dedicated not just to parades and rainbow flags but to profound affirmation and resistance against discrimination.The skewed Christian view of pride involves a self-centered attitude, placing oneself above others and, most critically, above God. But the LGBTQ+ community is not declaring themselves above anyone else.Pride Month was born from a necessity to stand against oppression and claim a rightful place in society—not out of a desire to dominate but a need to exist openly and safely. It’s about love, not arrogance.Today, we share an encore presentation about what Pride really is and how it’s a powerful expression of love’s triumph over shame. It’s a celebration – not a sin!Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  44. 187

    Should I Stay or Should I Go? Evaluating Safety

    I know you feel it. So much fear. So much worry. We see it everywhere, we see it in our own family.Many are considering whether to stay in their state, or even stay in the country. Or whether it is time to go.We asked several people we respect in this community about the topic and their answers could not be more varied.Beloved, what is the right thing to do for your own safety, for those you love, for the communities you care about?Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  45. 186

    To Christian Parents of LGBTQ+ Children

    Your child says, “Mom, I’m Gay!”You want to shove those words back in and put the lid on. But you can't. Your child is gay or bisexual or transgender. This goes against everything you've been taught. It was not what you had in mind, and you instantly wonder where you went wrong.When you become a parent, you know to expect the unexpected. But for many Christian parents, nothing can prepare them to hear this from their child. I invite you to sit down, relax, maybe get a cup of tea, and soak in what we talk about today. My hope is to guide you as we walk for a bit through this maze of confusion, to help you find your way to wholeness.Whether you have been on this journey for days or decades, this is a wonderful episode for you. Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  46. 185

    What Is This Mom Supposed To Do?

    We heard from a Mom who loves her daughter but does not accept her being gay, understanding but not really understanding, embracing but letting her daughter know she does not approve.And this Mom could not understand why that was wrong, and why her heart need to be set free.She represents many on this journey of deconstruction who are in limbo – so overwhelmed by the voices coming from the church, Christian friends, old false teachings, that they cannot hear the still small voice of Spirit. What is this Mom supposed to do? Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  47. 184

    Moms, You Are Not a Disappointment!

    Today, a beautiful episode focused on Moms.Mother’s Day will come and go. Maybe you’ll do brunch with family, get a call from the kids, maybe open a card or a present. Or not. If you get a card, it is quite likely that reading those words of appreciation will bring simultaneous joy and guilt! Seems to be the nature of motherhood.Sit with me… I would like to talk with you today as a Mom.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  48. 183

    My Transgender Child: A Mother's Tender Story

    With all that has been going on to attack, condemn, and erase our precious transgender community, we thought it was the perfect time for this. In this very special, intimate episode, we share something that came from a mom of transgender daughter.She wrote it for her pastor, for anyone, who is trying to sort out transgender, gender nonconforming, nonbinary—trying to understand what transgender people and their families go through.This is an incredibly powerful story. It is beautifully written and conveys so well the heart of what it is to parent a transgender child.An encore presentation, perfect for all that is happening today.Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  49. 182

    Don’t You Dare Deny the Beauty of Being Transgender!

    Today, we continue to focus on the transgender community with an encore broadcast of a very popular FreedHearts Podcast episode from January 2022. Our trans children, family members and friends are beautiful. And beloved. Living their authentic lives.Oh my goodness, that is an amazing truth. Amazing stories. Amazing beauty. False teachings, binary thinking, denial can cause us to miss it all – and cause great harm to those we love.With all that has been going on, it is the perfect time for this episode. “Don’t Deny the Beauty of Being Transgender!”Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

  50. 181

    How the Bible AFFIRMS Transgender & Nonbinary People!

    Christians mistakenly suggest that if you take the Bible seriously, you must stand against the existence – as well as the health and even humanity of transgender people.Actually, the OPPOSITE is true!In this episode, we talk about how the Bible AFFIRMS transgender and gender non-conforming people. And, how misinterpretations and binary thinking cause people to follow false teachings that are causing so much harm, especially today! A special encore presentation of one of our most popular episodes ever about the transgender community. Send us a private message. *Note: INCLUDE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS if you'd like us to answer. :-) Support the show

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Freeing hearts to love and be loved! Love. Inclusion. Affirmation. Susan Cottrell is the Mom of two LGBTQ+ children; the founder of FreedHearts; an international speaker with a viral TEDx talk; a pastor and theologian; an acclaimed author; and a fierce advocate and ally. In her unique tender, relatable style, Susan is a prominent voice of unconditional love and lavish inclusion. Powerful, authentic, and relevant in today’s society, Susan has a lot to say. The Advocate calls her their “Favorite Affirming Matriarch.” OutSmart magazine calls her "The Mother of all MamaBears!" Reverend Ashley Harness from Auburn Seminary says, “Susan has this fierce, loving, don’t mess with me, Mom vibe.” If you have been excluded, or if someone close to you has been excluded because of who they are or who they love - or maybe you have been the one doing the excluding - the FreedHearts podcast is for you. Join Susan, along with her husband Rob, on the journey. You are not alone. Welcome home!

HOSTED BY

Susan & Rob Cottrell, FreedHearts

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does FreedHearts have?

FreedHearts currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is FreedHearts about?

Freeing hearts to love and be loved! Love. Inclusion. Affirmation. Susan Cottrell is the Mom of two LGBTQ+ children; the founder of FreedHearts; an international speaker with a viral TEDx talk; a pastor and theologian; an acclaimed author; and a fierce advocate and ally. In her unique tender,...

How often does FreedHearts release new episodes?

FreedHearts has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to FreedHearts?

You can listen to FreedHearts on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts FreedHearts?

FreedHearts is created and hosted by Susan & Rob Cottrell, FreedHearts.
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