Unburdened

"Your Identity Is The Problem" with Ryan Schuck Part 2

In this second part of Ryan’s journey on Unburdened, he and Trevor pick up where we left off—diving into ministry struggles, relational strain, and the unraveling of once-certain beliefs. From the loneliness of small-town church life to the devastation of losing community, Ryan shares how disillusionment pushed him to let go of everything he thought he knew about God. Through the challenges of early marriage, counseling, and the experience of becoming a father, Ryan came to realize that rebuilding from zero was the only way forward. His story offers both resonance and relief for anyone who’s had to walk away from certainty to find a more authentic path. We discussed: * Life in rural ministry and the collapse of a small church community * The personal cost of unmet expectations in marriage and ministry * Disillusionment with organized religion and walking away from church * The role of counseling and learning to reconnect with emotions * Becoming a father and the shift in understanding God as “Father” * Wrestling with fear of hell and choosing honesty over certainty * Navigating mixed-belief marriage dynamics * Rebuilding from zero and finding freedom in starting over Learn more about Unburdened Podcast: Website: https://www.unburdenedpodcast.com [https://www.unburdenedpodcast.com]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theunburdenedpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/theunburdenedpodcast] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

"Your Identity Is The Problem" with Ryan Schuck

In this first episode of Season 2 of Unburdened, Trevor Little welcomes his new co-host, Ryan Schuck. Ryan shares his journey of growing up in a conservative Christian home, immersing himself in scripture, and pursuing ministry. From wrestling with theological questions like free will to facing the pressure of doing “something great for God,” his story through Bible college and beyond reveals the weight of spiritual expectations and the cracks that emerge when certainty can’t be found. Now stepping into the role of co-host, Ryan reflects openly on this first chapter of his path toward authenticity and healing after spiritual trauma. This is part one of his story, with more to come in the next episode. We discussed: * Growing up in a conservative, homeschooled Christian family * Early passion for scripture and theological study * Wrestling with questions of free will and God’s plan * Disillusionment with Bible college and ministry training * The pressure to do “something great for God” * How friendship and community shaped his questioning years * Beginning the journey toward authenticity and healing Learn more about Unburdened Podcast: Website: https://www.unburdenedpodcast.com [https://www.unburdenedpodcast.com]  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theunburdenedpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/theunburdenedpodcast] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

"Leaving the Church Doesn't Mean I'm Not Spiritual" with Jim Larkin

In this episode of Unburdened, Trevor and Carey welcome Jim Larkin, a former minister who shares his journey of spiritual transformation. Growing up in a deeply religious family, Jim followed a conformist path, eventually entering ministry despite lingering questions about his faith. A pivotal moment during his ministry led him to reflect on his beliefs and step away from the church, finding a new spiritual expression through Kabbalah and interfaith work. Now a life coach, Jim helps others navigate transitions and heal from spiritual wounds, offering insights into reclaiming personal authenticity and spirituality. He also leads programs like Healing Your Spiritual Wounds, creating safe spaces for individuals to explore and redefine their spiritual paths.  We discussed:  * The pressure and expectations of being a minister’s child.  * Struggles with indecisiveness and people-pleasing. * The impact of leaving organized religion on personal identity.  *  Rediscovering spirituality outside traditional frameworks. *  Balancing personal desires with community expectations. Learn more about Jim Larkin at: Website:  https://jimlarkin.today/ [https://jimlarkin.today/]  Program: https://jimlarkin.today/the-hysw-journey/ [https://jimlarkin.today/the-hysw-journey/]  Learn more about the Unburdened podcast:  Instagram: @theunburdenedpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/theunburdenedpodcast/] Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Unburdened [https://www.patreon.com/Unburdened] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

“I guess I’ll just be celibate” with Jillian Houghton

Our conversation with Jillian Houghton, licensed psychotherapist, spiritual/intuition recovery coach, religious trauma consultant, and undue influence educator. In this episode of Unburdened, we welcome Jillian Houghton, a licensed trauma therapist who specializes in religious trauma. Jillian shares her personal journey of healing and faith deconstruction, including experiences with a high-control religious environment. She discusses the complexities of balancing her clinical work with her personal healing, especially around issues of identity and acceptance. They delve into the role of love and fear in navigating personal beliefs and boundaries, as well as her path toward self-acceptance and reconciling family dynamics. Finally, Jillian shares about her coaching practice, dedicated to guiding others in building a self-aligned life after deconstruction. We discussed:  * Jillian’s eye-opening journey of realizing her involvement in a religious cult and the mental toll of that environment.   * How some religious teachings can instill a pervasive sense of personal inadequacy or “badness” that clients bring into therapy.  * The challenges of reconciling her sexuality with religious teachings and her journey toward acceptance.  * Emotional complexity of setting boundaries with family members who maintain strict religious beliefs.  * How Jillian’s clinical techniques help clients reframe damaging beliefs and rediscover self-worth outside of rigid religious systems.  Learn more about Jillian Houghton at: Website: https://www.jillianhoughton.com/ [https://www.jillianhoughton.com/]  Learn more about the Unburdened podcast:  Instagram: @theunburdenedpodcast [https://www.instagram.com/theunburdenedpodcast/] Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Unburdened [https://www.patreon.com/Unburdened] ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

"Something More Intimate" with Trevor Little

Hey friends it’s Trevor, I hope you enjoyed the first season of Unburdened. Carey and I are excited about doing a second season, but in the meantime, I wanted to invite you to something a little more intimate. On October 21st, I’ll be leading our first Unburdening group. Are you experiencing a faith transition, or have you stepped away from a high-control religious environment? Perhaps you’re feeling adrift without the familiar structure and support your faith once provided, or you’re grappling with the emotional scars of religious trauma. Maybe you’ve been on this journey for a while but are still unpacking the complex emotions that continue to surface. Or you might still be part of your religious community, but certain beliefs or practices no longer feel aligned with your values, and you’re seeking a space where you can reflect without fear of judgment. If any of this resonates, this group is here for you. Over eight weeks, you’ll join a supportive cohort of 8-12 people who are walking a similar path. Each week, I'll will guide discussions and offer tools to help you heal, grow, and navigate this challenging season of life. This is a place where you can share your story, learn from others, and discover a hopeful path forward. Spots are limited so head over to https://www.unburdenedpodcast.com/faith-transition-support-group [https://www.unburdenedpodcast.com/faith-transition-support-group] today to register. I look forward to seeing you there. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.