Reconnect Pod

Deedra and Megan sit down with public theologian and author Brian Recker to unpack his new book, Hellbent: How the Fear of Hell Holds Christians Back from a Spirituality of Love. Brian shares his journey from fundamentalism and eight years in the evangelical pastorate to a more inclusive way of following Jesus—one that replaces fear, punishment, and gatekeeping with curiosity, reclamation, and love. Together they explore how doctrines of eternal torment shape our image of God, our bodies, and our communities—and why removing hell from the center can actually deepen faith and free us to do the work of justice and mercy now.Listen as we discuss:Growing up fundamentalist (yes, Bob Jones University) and the first “mini-deconstruction”Why fear of hell quietly programs our spirituality (and our church cultures)How punitive atonement stories make God the “bad guy” and stunt real transformationThe demonic as forces that split us from God, self, and neighbor (not cartoon villains)Reclaiming practices, language, and church life after deconstructionCentering the margins: why Jesus starts with the last, lost, least, and left outLiving the good news here and now vs. selling fire insurance for the afterlifeBrian Recker, M.Div, is a public theologian, speaker, and writer on Christian spirituality without exclusionary dogma. The son of a Baptist preacher and an alum of the fundamentalist Bob Jones University, he spent eight years as an evangelical pastor before deconstructing his faith to find a more inclusive spirituality. He now speaks about following Jesus without fear of hell on his popular Instagram account and his Substack, Beloved. He lives in Raleigh, North Carolina, and has four children and a rescue pup named Maev.

Deedra and Megan sit down with Jennie Bellinger, certified professional coach and host of the Badass Direct Sales Mastery Podcast, for an honest, funny, and wide-ranging conversation about faith, spirituality, and living authentically. Jennie shares her journey from growing up in a “love like Jesus” home to questioning organized religion, redefining spirituality, and finding purpose in love, connection, and energy.In this episode, we discuss:Jennie’s evolving faith—from devoted churchgoer to agnostic seekerThe difference between “God Christians” and “Jesus Christians”How she finds connection and meaning through “the universe” and energyWhy she still finds herself drawn to Jesus’ example of love and inclusionA new definition of love inspired by The Ohana Way:“I want the best for you. I want to be the best for you. I want you to have transcendent joy.”Journaling, introspection, and self-awareness as spiritual practiceHumor, authenticity, and finding grounding in curiosity rather than certaintyConnect with our guest:🎙️ Badass Direct Sales Mastery Podcast — badassdirectsalesmastery.com💡 Follow Jennie for coaching, leadership, and entrepreneurial growth resources.Jennie Bellinger is a certified professional coach, international best-selling author, and award-winning podcast host. Top direct sales leaders hire her to gain both financial and time freedom through effective leadership coaching. Known as the “Direct Sales Dom,” Jennie brings humor, candor, and strategy to everything she does. She’s also a two-time business owner, mom of two, and advocate for showing up authentically in every space. Her personal motto: “I don’t half-ass anything — I badass everything.”Guest Bio

Megan and Deedra sit down with spiritual directors Wendy Shuffett and Sarah Anderson to demystify spiritual direction and contemplative practice. From breath prayer to the Examen, they unpack why “hospitality for the soul” matters, how to slow a hurried life, and what safe, trauma-aware accompaniment can look like when you’re reconnecting with God.In this episode, we discuss:What spiritual direction is (and isn’t): invitation over advice, presence over performance“Hospitality for the soul”: creating safe, confidential space to listen for the SpiritContemplative practices explained: breath prayer, Lectio Divina, Imaginative Prayer, the Examen, and visual journalingCommon barriers (busyness, fear, control) and how the body helps us prayUsing tools like the Enneagram wisely (to tailor practices, not label people)Navigating pushback—from inside and outside the church—and keeping Jesus at the centerA guided breath prayer you can practice anytimeConnect with our guests:Sarah Anderson — Spiritual Direction & retreats: hospitalityforthesoul.com • Space & Grace retreats: spaceandgraceretreats.comWendy Shuffett — Spiritual Direction: [email protected] • Space & Grace retreats: spaceandgraceretreats.comSarah Anderson is a Spiritual Director, contemplative retreat leader, and Pastor of Spiritual Formation in the Free Methodist Church. Over the past 23 years, she has served in various roles in ministry, including living overseas as a missionary with her family of six. She loves serving alongside her husband, who serves as lead pastor. In this phase of ministry, she feels called to offer hospitality to the soul through means such as spiritual direction, writing, retreats, teaching, prayer, and occasionally preaching.Sarah has been married to her college sweetheart for the past 23 years and has four amazing daughters. If she's not serving in one of her roles, you can find her either in the garden tending to her plants, writing, spending time with her family, or redecorating her home.Wendy Shuffett is an ordained minister and spiritual director who became aware of human trafficking in 2010. Her education includes an M.A. in Education and an M.A. in History. As a college instructor, Wendy created and led an anti-trafficking movement in her school where she trained students and staff to recognize the signs of trafficking, created and hosted Freedom Days, and helped raise awareness in the community through events. She has worked with Eden’s Glory for the last several years and co-pastors a Free Methodist church with her husband. She enjoys walking with others as we encounter Jesus together. Wendy loves her husband and family deeply, enjoys traveling, and cherishes open spaces to meet with God and enjoy His Presence.

This week, Megan and Deedra sit down with Kimberly Beckley, owner of Simplifying Beauty in O’Fallon, Illinois, for a conversation about faith, trauma, motherhood, and rediscovering connection. From navigating childhood wounds to parenting two adult sons with special needs, Kimberly shares how her relationship with God has shifted through heartbreak, healing, and unexpected grace.In this episode, we discuss:Finding faith amid childhood abuse, control, and religious confusionThe complexity of trusting God through profound parenting challengesHow grief and purpose can coexist for special needs parentsReparenting the inner child through compassion and authenticityLearning to approach God as love instead of performanceWhat self-care and reconnection look like in real, imperfect faithKimberly Beckley is a licensed cosmetologist, lash artist, and salon owner with over 15 years of experience in the beauty industry. As the founder of Simplifying Beauty Salon & Academy, she’s passionate about empowering women through self-care, education, and authentic leadership. Beyond her business, she’s a community connector, Chamber of Commerce ambassador, and advocate for making self-care a guilt-free priority.

This week, Megan and Deedra sit down with Pastor Morgan Goymer from The Gathering to talk about what it really means to reimagine faith and reclaim church as a space of belonging. From unpacking harmful traditions to redefining God’s attributes beyond gender and fear, this conversation invites listeners into a more expansive, loving view of the divine.In this episode, we discuss:What it means to “plant” a church and why inclusive, innovative communities still matterHealing from church hurt and rediscovering abundance over fearSeeing God in love, justice, and creation—not just within church wallsReframing gendered language for God and embracing the divine feminineHow open theology makes space for LGBTQ+ inclusion, curiosity, and belongingWhy reconnecting to God is inseparable from reconnecting to ourselves and othersAbout Pastor Morgan Goymer:Pastor Morgan Goymer is a pastor with The Gathering church in St. Louis, Missouri. Originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, she grew up in the church and felt a call to ministry at 15 years old. Inspired to be close to family and learn about ministry from clergy colleagues nearby, she attended Louisiana State University (LSU) for Communication Studies and Business. Then, she completed her graduate program at Duke Divinity School, studying pastoral ministry, innovative church, and community development. Now, she’s living with her husband in O’Fallon, IL as a church planter with The Gathering. She’s starting a new site of the church, focused on new people and the next generation asking questions about life, faith, and God.

Season Two kicks off with Megan and Deedra naming the hesitation, honesty, and healing that come with talking about faith after years of certainty. From rethinking church and language to rediscovering peace in the presence of God, they open up about what it means to belong, breathe, and believe again.In this episode, we discuss:Why this season focuses on Reconnecting with God and what delayed its releaseHow language, politics, and church culture have complicated the way we talk about faithThe shift from striving toward God to resting in withnessFinding spacious, authentic communities that invite belonging over performanceSeeing God beyond church walls—in theater, nature, and everyday moments of aweThe freedom of curiosity, surrender, and love over certainty and fear

After a week off, Megan and Deedra return from a transformative trip to Mexico, where they stayed steps from the Pacific and shared space with a group of wise, hilarious women. In this episode, they reflect on what it was like to travel with people they didn’t know well—and how the deep work of internal reconnection made space for joyful, authentic connection with others.From morning coffee on the patio to laughter-soaked dinners under the stars, they share how presence, self-awareness, and Internal Family Systems (IFS) language allowed for true ease and trust in community. They also unpack the parts that tried to lead on the trip—and how honoring those parts without letting them take over became an act of healing in itself.Come for the ocean waves and mountain views, stay for the story of healing, laughter, and being deeply seen—birthday beets and all.In this episode, we explore:The transformative power of traveling with mostly strangersHow internal reconnection fosters authentic external connectionUtilizing IFS language to navigate group dynamicsIdentifying and honoring the parts that surfaced during the tripMoments of joy, presence, and deep connection in a communal setting

In this episode of re[connect], Megan and Deedra reflect on their recent trip to New York City, where they encountered powerful stories of immigration, identity, and belonging. As they share their experiences, they explore what it means to step beyond our assumptions and move toward deeper understanding.Through candid conversation, they discuss the complexities of immigration, the role of fear in shaping our perspectives, and how storytelling can bridge the gaps between us. They also examine how travel—both physical and emotional—can expand our empathy and challenge our ingrained beliefs.Key Points:Insights from their time in NYC and the communities they encountered.The power of personal stories in shifting perspectives on immigration.How fear and misinformation influence our approach to those who are different.The importance of intentional engagement and listening with curiosity.Join Megan and Deedra as they unpack their experiences and invite us all to move beyond the borders—both literal and figurative—that keep us from deeper connection.

In this episode of re[connect], Deedra and Megan shift the conversation from internal healing to how Internal Family Systems (IFS) helps us engage with others. They explore how fear-driven self-protection keeps us divided—whether in personal relationships, politics, or culture—and how curiosity and compassion can lead to true connection. Drawing from insights by IFS expert Jenna Riemersma, they discuss how moving toward rather than against others creates space for understanding, healing, and unity.They explore:How our internal fears shape the way we engage with the worldWhy self-protection often keeps us stuck in division and disconnectionThe role of IFS in navigating conflict with more curiosity and less reactivityHow systemic issues mirror our personal protective mechanismsThe challenge of advocating for justice from a place of love instead of fearWith cultural references (including Wicked and Zootopia), personal reflections, and a deep dive into how our self-protective instincts impact relationships, this episode is an invitation to pause, reflect, and choose connection over division.

In this episode of re[connect], Deedra and Megan continue exploring Internal Family Systems (IFS) and how it helps us move from striving to wholeness. They reflect on how faith, culture, and internalized expectations shape our behaviors—and why true healing requires acknowledging all parts of ourselves with compassion. Through the lens of IFS, they unpack the struggle of untangling evangelical beliefs about goodness, striving, and shame, and how reconnecting with ourselves allows for deeper healing.They explore:How childhood beliefs and faith culture impact our self-perceptionWhy striving to “be good” often leads to disconnection and shameThe role of IFS in understanding conflicting desires within ourselvesHow healing happens when we acknowledge, rather than suppress, our strugglesUntangling evangelical messages about sin, worth, and identityThe difference between striving for worth and living from wholenessWith honest reflections, a few grammar debates, and insights from experts like Tammy Sollenberger and Dr. Alison Cook, this episode offers a powerful invitation to embrace all parts of yourself with curiosity and compassion.

In this episode of re[connect], Deedra and Megan explore the journey from fragmentation to wholeness through the lens of Internal Family Systems (IFS). They discuss how our protective parts develop in response to early wounds and how healing requires reconnecting with the exiled parts of ourselves. Drawing from the work of Dr. Dan Siegel and IFS founder Dr. Richard Schwartz, they highlight how this powerful framework can lead to deep transformation.They explore:Why our lifelong search for wholeness is rooted in our earliest experiencesHow IFS helps us understand the protective roles our inner parts playThe difference between managing behaviors and true healingWhy self-compassion is essential when working with wounded partsHow integration brings us closer to our authentic selves and deeper connection with othersWith personal reflections, Pixar references, and insights from neuroscience, this episode offers a practical and compassionate approach to self-reconnection.

In this episode of re[connect], Deedra and Megan dive deeper into the journey of self-awareness and transformation through the Enneagram. Drawing from wisdom shared by renowned teachers Suzanne Stabile, Joan Ryan, and Beth McCord, they explore how understanding our core patterns can help us break free from the unconscious cycles that keep us stuck.They explore:How our Enneagram type shapes the way we see the world and respond to itThe misconception that the Enneagram puts us in a box—when really, it helps us break out of oneThe role of shame in our personal growth and how self-awareness fosters self-compassionHow our thinking, feeling, and doing centers impact our decision-making and relationshipsWhy recognizing our ingrained patterns gives us the power to choose a different pathWith relatable stories (yes, even mistaking yourself for your best friend in emails), insights from neuroscience, and encouragement for the journey, this episode is all about reclaiming agency over our lives—one choice at a time.

In this episode of re[connect], Deedra and Megan dive into the journey of rediscovering their true selves beneath years of conditioning, expectations, and protective layers. They share how the Enneagram became a key tool in understanding their core motivations—Megan as a deeply introspective Four and Deedra as a principled, perfectionistic One—and how it helped them make sense of long-held patterns.They explore: How personality is shaped by protective mechanisms and survival strategies The Enneagram as a lens for self-awareness, not a box to fit into Recognizing self-sabotage and the fear of unmet longings Why naming our core desires leads to greater freedom and compassion The lifelong process of reconnecting with the parts of ourselves we’ve buriedWith honesty, humor, and a few relatable confessions (cleaning baseboards, anyone?), Deedra and Megan unpack what it means to truly reconnect—with ourselves and each other.

In this first episode of re[connect], Deedra and Megan reflect on their 14-year friendship, their evolving identities, and the shifts that led them to launch this new space for conversation. They discuss the expectations they carried in their early years—Deedra as the perfectionistic Enneagram One striving to hold it all together, and Megan as the introspective Enneagram Four wrestling with identity and belonging.They explore: How childhood messages and life experiences shape the stories we tell ourselves The moment they realized they didn’t have it all figured out The impact of midlife transformation (aka the invitation to reassess everything) Unpacking belief systems, church hurt, and the freedom of curiosity Why embracing imperfection and staying in process is the real goalWith humor, vulnerability, and a few pop culture references (yes, My Little Pony and Spider-Man both make appearances), Deedra and Megan set the stage for a season of reconnecting to self.

Welcome to re[connect], a podcast exploring who we are, who we love, and what we believe. Join hosts Megan and Deedra for honest conversations about personal growth, relationships, and meaning—because life changes, but connection makes it better.