notes
the first time i read john macarthur
a teenage me sent away for “free christian stuff.” one envelope taught me how blunt some theology can be
religious-trauma
harm inside church systems
notes
processed pain to make it holy
kept trying to make it mean something
references
the wisdom of trauma
watching gabor maté talk about trauma, addiction, and survival made a lot of my story make more sense – especially the parts i’ve mostly tried to outrun.
the night i got told to run at a revival barn
summer 2018, felt “sent,” drove past the river to a saturday-night revival service, & got yelled at by a visiting prophet with an eye patch.
press
instagram live w brad klausman
in march 2023 i did an instagram live with brad klausman about leaving high-intensity church spaces, burning out during covid, naming adoption trauma, and deconstruction. watch: instagram live — march 2023 we talked about how i grew up in pentecostal/charismatic settings and then went all-in on ministry, how
press
divorcing religion - janice selbie × tot
conversation with janice selbie on divorcing religion - adoptee grief, leaving ministry, and rebuilding without fear (video)
religious-trauma
underground church
a youth-group “game” designed to teach loyalty through fear. not play. it was training.
press
religion news service - adoptee remembrance day
rns covered adoptee remembrance day and why many adoptees push back on glossy, spiritualized adoption narratives. i’m quoted on voice, language, and why this day matters.
press
my gay church days - season 2 premiere
george azar invited me to open season 2 of my gay church days. we ended up talking adoption, ministry, leaving faith, queerness, and the songs that turned into second half.
press
telegraph-journal (2022)
a 2022 telegraph-journal feature on my album second half — about leaving ministry, rebuilding, and turning that story into songs.
music
second half - album
11 songs from the second half of my life - leaving church, rebuilding identity, and finding room for joy.
deconstruction
conditional “freedom” isn’t freedom
why the “you’re free to do X” script isn’t freedom: lawmaking, supremacy, and conditional love.