145: Holy Hurt: Spiritual Trauma and Paths to Restoration, Guest: Hillary McBride

Hillary McBride joins Amy Fritz on the Untangled Faith podcast to unpack spiritual trauma, healing, and how we can create faith communities that avoid replicating unhealthy patterns.

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In this episode we:

• Explore who McBride's new book, Holy Hurt: Understanding Spiritual Trauma and the Process of Healing, is for and how different groups relate to spiritual trauma.

• Define spiritual abuse and spiritual trauma, and unpack the common misconceptions surrounding these terms.

• Discuss how curiosity and hope can bridge the gap between those who have and haven't experienced spiritual trauma.

• Address the accusation that spiritual trauma is a "fad" and reflect on the history and reality of spiritual harm, especially for marginalized communities.

• Consider the ethical complexities of sharing stories—both for survivors of spiritual trauma and those hosting podcasts or creating resources.

• Talk through practical ways new communities and organizations can avoid recreating harmful power dynamics and foster safety and agency.

• Reflect on the role of conflict, repair, and personal healing in faith spaces and survivor communities.

• Touch on generational differences in openness to processing and naming spiritual harm and why resources matter for healing.

Featured Guest

• Hillary McBride

Resources mentioned

• Faithful Counseling BetterHelp - Get Started & Sign-Up Today

• Holy Hurt: Understanding Spiritual Trauma and the Process of Healing

• Hillary L McBride - Therapist, Researcher, Speaker and Writer

• Hillary L McBride (@hillaryliannamcbride) • Instagram photos and videos

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