MIDDLE GROUND - Real Conversations on Faith, Identity & Becoming — Through Brynne's LDS Lens of Curiosity, Love and Doubt

My Faith Journey, My Family, and Why Your Worth Was Never Up for Debate: Brynne Erickson Interviewed

In this episode the tables turn and my guest Jennifer Roskelly interviews me about my own faith journey and the heart behind Middle Ground. I share how the name came from being in the messy middle of my early thirties, navigating new beliefs while still wanting to stay connected to my church community and culture. The pivotal moment came when my brother came out as gay and my other brother stepped away from the church. I took it to God and felt overwhelming peace that my family was loved exactly as they were. I talk about how the atonement means Jesus already took care of it all, not you do everything and then he covers the rest. We discuss trusting your own intuition, the difference between the gospel and the organization, and why love supersedes every rule ever taught. My three words to the world: you are enough. Brynne’s Social: Facebook: @Brynne Erickson - my public page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573316550355 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573316550355] Instagram: @brynne_erickson https://www.instagram.com/brynne_erickson/ [https://www.instagram.com/brynne_erickson/] Threads: @brynne_erickson https://www.threads.com/@brynne_erickson?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== [https://www.threads.com/@brynne_erickson?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==] Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Context of the Conversation 03:59 Exploring Personal Journeys and Faith 06:42 Navigating Beliefs and Community Dynamics 09:30 The Essence of the Gospel and Personal Growth 12:43 Trusting the Process and Embracing Change 15:30 Understanding Individual Purpose and Agency 18:26 The Importance of Connection and Shared Experiences 21:36 Questions of Self-Discovery and Spirituality 24:15 The Birth of 'Middle Ground' Podcast 27:05 Advice for Navigating Faith and Relationships 30:40 The Primacy of Love in Faith 33:37 Redefining Family and Spirituality 36:34 Teaching Love to the Next Generation 38:25 Meeting the Savior: A Personal Reflection 41:15 Embracing Divine Identity and Worth 44:12 The Power of Vulnerability and Connection

Choosing Yourself AND Family in a Mixed-Faith Marriage: Faith Expansion & Finding Your Voice — Heather Campbell

In this episode, I sit down with Heather Campbell to talk about her faith expansion journey. Heather shares struggling with the LDS church since primary age, feeling the lack of love in certain teachings and not feeling safe to ask questions as a child. She faked it through her teenage years and into marriage, terrified her husband wouldn't marry her after his mission if she didn't attend. Her tipping point came in her thirties when asked to teach Young Women and realizing she was betraying herself every week, choosing the comfort of others over what was best for her. Heather discusses navigating a mixed-faith marriage where her husband takes their four kids to church every Sunday while she stays home, attending only for special events. She talks about the shame that resurfaces at baptisms, teaching values without religion, and choosing yourself while still honoring loved ones. Her advice: listen to your intuition, find safe people, and lead with love. Brynne’s Social: Facebook: @Brynne Erickson - my public page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573316550355 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573316550355] Instagram: @brynne_erickson https://www.instagram.com/brynne_erickson/ [https://www.instagram.com/brynne_erickson/] Threads: @brynne_erickson https://www.threads.com/@brynne_erickson?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== [https://www.threads.com/@brynne_erickson?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==] Chapters 00:00 Journey of Faith and Expansion 06:04 Childhood Struggles with Religion 10:33 Tipping Point and Personal Transformation 15:39 Navigating Family Dynamics and Church Involvement 20:32 Teaching Values Beyond Religion 26:13 Empowering Questions and Open-Mindedness 28:53 Guidance Through Love and Spirituality 30:14 The Weight of Leaving Organized Religion 32:12 Finding Your Own Beliefs 35:07 Choosing Yourself While Honoring Others 37:27 Compassion in Difficult Conversations 40:11 The Purpose of Life: Love and Growth 41:39 Advice for Navigating Doubts and Questions 43:20 Finding Safe Spaces and Support

You Don't Quit, You Start Again: Being Your Own Cheerleader Through Every Season — A Pep Talk

In this Pep Talk, I pulled over in my car to tell you something important. I've started a new health and wellness phase again, and that's the whole point. You don't quit. You start over and over and over again. Life gets hard, complicated, busy, messy. There will be seasons when you pause. But you keep trying again and again. Find people who support you through it all, and when someone says "you've already tried this," you say "yeah, and I'm going to try it again." You know who can be there for you unconditionally? You. You can be your biggest cheerleader 100% of the time. You've got your entire life to work on this. The person you already are is enough, worthy, lovable. You don't have to change a single thing. But discovering who you want to be and taking the next step makes life more invigorating. I'm on your team. You've got this. Brynne’s Social: Facebook: @Brynne Erickson - my public page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573316550355 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573316550355] Instagram: @brynne_erickson https://www.instagram.com/brynne_erickson/ [https://www.instagram.com/brynne_erickson/] Threads: @brynne_erickson https://www.threads.com/@brynne_erickson?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== [https://www.threads.com/@brynne_erickson?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==]

You're Not Beyond Help: Whole Person Change After Addiction & Homelessness — Jackie & Jeff

In this episode, I sit down with Jackie and Jeff from the Other Side Academy and Village, a nonprofit helping people coming out of incarceration, homelessness, or addiction through a two and a half year program focused on whole person behavioral change. Jackie shares 25 years of on and off homelessness, introduced to drugs young, losing her daughter, and finding relief when arrested because she'd have a bed and meals. Jeff talks about living in canyons for six years after getting stabbed, calling cops on himself to go to jail, and writing a letter to the Academy. They explain real community means people holding you up while also expecting your best, not accepting you as lesser. They discuss misconceptions like homeless people don't want help or are dangerous. Both are now coaches helping others discover who they want to become. The Academy is self-sustaining through Other Side Moving, thrift stores, and donuts. Brynne’s Social: Facebook: @Brynne Erickson - my public page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573316550355 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573316550355] Instagram: @brynne_erickson https://www.instagram.com/brynne_erickson/ [https://www.instagram.com/brynne_erickson/] Threads: @brynne_erickson https://www.threads.com/@brynne_erickson?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== [https://www.threads.com/@brynne_erickson?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==] The Other Side Academy and Village Donate - https://www.theothersideacademy.com/donate [https://www.theothersideacademy.com/donate] https://theothersidevillage.com/donate-now/ [https://theothersidevillage.com/donate-now/] More information - https://www.theothersideacademy.com/ [https://www.theothersideacademy.com/] https://theothersidevillage.com/ [https://theothersidevillage.com/] Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Other Side Academy and Village 04:34 Understanding Real Community 10:34 The Journey to Acceptance and Change 16:30 Personal Stories of Transformation 24:12 The Impact of Upbringing on Life Choices 30:08 Reflections on Drug Use and Recovery 33:52 Embracing Mistakes and Unlearning Behaviors 37:24 Focusing on the Present and Building Foundations 39:19 Roles and Responsibilities in the Community 39:40 Common Misconceptions About Homelessness 42:11 Understanding Fear and Misunderstanding 44:54 The Balance of Acknowledging and Embracing Brokenness 46:17 Reframing Regrets and Learning from the Past 49:39 Redefining Purpose and Self-Discovery 55:35 The Goodness of People and the Power of Change 57:17 The Importance of Love and Compassion 59:27 Social Enterprises and Community Outreach

Feelings Are Information, Not Identity: Processing Emotions Without Shame

In this mini episode, I talk about how feelings are just information. Having a hard day doesn't mean you're failing. Crying in your car doesn't mean you're falling apart. Feeling angry, sad, or overwhelmed does not mean something has gone wrong. It means you're alive and paying attention. I share a story from my guest Mindy Cope who got a spider bite that made her foot swell up purple and black. Instead of spiraling, she wrote a poem about the spider and found gratitude in the colors. Her husband walked in and offered to help beautifully. What she thought was happening to her was actually happening for her. Negative thoughts and feelings are like an alarm bell signaling you've started believing something untrue about yourself. The alarm is a gift from your inner knowing saying let's get curious. Your affirmation: I can feel this and still be okay. My feelings are information, not my identity. Brynne’s Social: Facebook: @Brynne Erickson - my public page https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573316550355 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573316550355] Instagram: @brynne_erickson https://www.instagram.com/brynne_erickson/ [https://www.instagram.com/brynne_erickson/] Threads: @brynne_erickson https://www.threads.com/@brynne_erickson?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== [https://www.threads.com/@brynne_erickson?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==] Chapters 00:00 Understanding Feelings as Information 03:46 Reframing Negative Emotions 05:00 Embracing the Complexity of Emotions