The Awakening Podcast

Unlearning The Code: From Missionary Kid To Mental Health Therapist With Josh

⚠️ Content Note: This episode includes discussion of religious indoctrination, missionary culture, pastor's kid experience, and religious trauma. This week on The Awakening, Tamara and I sit down with Josh Foster — licensed mental health therapist, coach, and someone who knows from the inside out what it means to be shaped by an all-consuming religious system. Josh's story starts at age five, when his family converted to conservative evangelicalism. By seven, they had given away everything they owned and moved overseas as missionaries. For the next five years — including three spent living on ships sailing the world — Josh's entire reality was the evangelical missionary machine. When his family returned to the States, his dad went to seminary, making Josh both a missionary kid and a pastor's kid. Ministry wasn't just expected. It was all he knew. He spent 23 years in it before the accumulated weight of religious trauma finally broke something open — and he walked away from evangelicalism for good. Today, Josh works as a licensed mental health therapist specializing in religious trauma and indoctrination recovery. He helps people identify and unlearn the programming that high-control systems leave behind — the code that keeps running long after people have left the building. And this June, he's launching an 18-month course he built specifically for that work. This is a conversation about what it really takes to get free. In This Episode, We Discuss: • Growing up in the evangelical missionary machine • What it's like to be both a missionary kid and a pastor's kid • How indoctrination shapes every decision — even after you've left • 23 years in ministry and what finally broke it open • The work of unlearning old programming code • Josh's new course launching June 3rd for indoctrination recovery Connect with Josh Foster: 🌐 Website: https://www.fosteringhopes.com 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fosteringhopescounseling/ Connect with Your Hosts: Heather: https://linktr.ee/Happyheathersmiles Tamara: TikTok @feralatheistjezebel321 | Instagram @tamarajo321 🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAwakeningPodcast-w6s 📩 Be a guest: theawakeningpod@gmail.com If Josh's story stirred something familiar — the sense that you left but the leaving isn't finished — you're not alone. Unlearning takes time. The fact that you're still asking questions, still reaching toward something true, is not weakness. That's the work. You belong here. If you like what you here, check out other great pods on the BIG Media LLC [https://bigmediallc.com/] Podcast Network! Barrett [https://linktr.ee/barrettgruber] and Zac [https://linktr.ee/aanzac] host The All About Nothing: Podcast [https://theallaboutnothing.com/], discussing everything from news and politics to entertainment and sports! All About Nothing, but All About Something too! Zac [https://linktr.ee/aanzac] and Barrett [https://linktr.ee/barrettgruber] host What The Pod Was That [https://whatthepodwasthat.com/] with Cari Simmons [https://twitter.com/cari_simmons], available everywhere you listen to podcasts. Take a deep dive down the rabbit hole with Amii [https://twitter.com/chicamii] on the pod Welcome to Wonder Land [https://wtwlpod.com/]. Check out Black White and Blue In the South [https://blackwhitebluesouth.captivate.fm/], With Dr. Jumelle Brooks and Bill Kimler! Politically Speaking [https://linktr.ee/politicallyspeakingsc] with Erica Sampson, Kirsten Pruitt, and Emily Mayer is a sharp, engaging podcast breaking down politics with insight, wit, and a fresh perspective. The Preach Jacobs Podcast [https://the-preach-jacobs-podcast.captivate.fm/] is hosted by Columbia South Carolina's very own Ambassador, Hiphop Artist, Columnist and Owner of SoulHAUS Art Gallery, Preach Jacobs! All of these fantastic podcasts can be found on the BIG Media LLC [https://bigmediallc.com/] Podcast Network! FAIR USE COPYRIGHT NOTICE The Copyright Laws of the United States recognize a "fair use" of copyrighted content. Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act states: NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF SECTIONS 106 AND 106A, THE FAIR USE OF A COPYRIGHTED WORK, INCLUDING SUCH USE BY REPRODUCTION IN COPIES OR PHONO RECORDS OR BY ANY OTHER MEANS SPECIFIED BY THAT SECTION, FOR PURPOSES SUCH AS CRITICISM, COMMENT, NEWS REPORTING, TEACHING (INCLUDING MULTIPLE COPIES FOR CLASSROOM USE), SCHOLARSHIP, OR RESEARCH, IS NOT AN INFRINGEMENT OF COPYRIGHT. This Video/Audio in general may contain certain copyrighted works that were not specifically authorized to be used by the copyright holder(s), but which we believe in good faith are protected by federal law and the fair use doctrine for one or more of the reasons noted above. If you have any specific concerns about this usage, or our position on the Fair Use Defense, please contact us at preachjacobs@gmail.com so we can discuss amicably. Thank you. Mentioned in this episode: BIG Media LLC Copyright 2026 BIG Media [https://the-awakening-podcast.captivate.fm/bigmediallc]

From The Pulpit To Transition, Shelia's Journey Through Faith, Gender, and Freedom

Episode 33: From the Pulpit to Transition Shelia’s Journey Through Faith, Gender, and Freedom Content Note This episode includes discussion of religious deconstruction, gender identity, trans experience, leaving pastoral ministry, and spiritual harm. Please care for yourself as you listen. Episode Description This week on The Awakening, Tamara and I sit down with Sheila Chappelle — host of the Hurricane Girls Podcast — for one of the most honest and wide-ranging conversations we’ve had on this show. Sheila’s story is remarkable. She came into our world as a cis het pastor, steeped in baptist culture and church leadership. Today she stands on the other side of that life — a deconstructed trans woman and pagan witch who has found her way to something truer and freer than anything the institution offered her. We talk about the layers of that journey: what it cost, what it opened, and how she navigated identity, faith, and gender at the same time. This is a conversation about courage — the kind that doesn’t ask permission. We also dig into some powerful resources that shed light on the systems that shape us, including the documentary God & Country and the books Jesus and John Wayne by Kristin Kobes Du Mez and Star-Spangled Jesus by April Ajoy. This conversation is raw, real, and a powerful reminder that liberation rarely looks the way we were taught it would. In This Episode, We Discuss • Sheila’s journey from cis het pastor to trans woman and pagan witch • What it’s like to deconstruct faith and gender identity at the same time • The cost and the freedom of leaving institutional ministry • How Christianity shapes culture — and how to name it • Recommended resources for understanding religious harm and deconstruction Resources Mentioned God & Country (2024 documentary, dir. Dan Partland, prod. Rob Reiner) — an examination of Christian nationalism and its threat to democracy and faith Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith an Fractured a Nation — Kristin Kobes Du Mez Star-Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian Nationalism and Finding a True Faith — April Ajoy About Our Guest Sheila Chappelle is the host of the Hurricane Girls Podcast and a voice for authenticity, liberation, and life after institutional religion. Her journey — from pastor to deconstructed trans woman and pagan witch — is a testament to what becomes possible when we stop performing and start living. Connect with Sheila TikTok: @sheilachappelle Facebook: facebook.com/share/1BD8Eo1enL Podcast: Hurricane Girls on YouTube Why This Episode Matters So many people inside religious systems are carrying identities they’ve never been allowed to name. Sheila’s story is a reminder that deconstruction isn’t just theological — it’s personal, it’s embodied, and for some of us, it’s the difference between surviving and truly living. If you’ve ever felt like the institution was asking you to disappear into a role that wasn’t yours, this episode is for you. About the Show The Awakening is a podcast centered on religious deconstruction, survivor stories, and rebuilding life after faith. We create space for honesty, healing, and community beyond fear-based systems. Intro/Outro Music Your Poison by Rox Knox Connect with Your Hosts Heather — linktr.ee/Happyheathersmiles Tamara — TikTok @feralatheistjezebel321 | Instagram @tamarajo321 Follow on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@TheAwakeningPodcast-w6s Be a guest by sending us an email: theawakeningpod@gmail.com Listener Care Reminder If Sheila’s story touched something in you — whether around faith, identity, or both — give yourself permission to sit with it. Deconstruction is not a crisis. Discovering who you actually are is not a betrayal of who you were. You are allowed to change. You are allowed to become. You belong here exactly as you are. If you like what you here, check out other great pods on the BIG Media LLC [https://bigmediallc.com/] Podcast Network! Barrett [https://linktr.ee/barrettgruber] and Zac [https://linktr.ee/aanzac] host The All About Nothing: Podcast [https://theallaboutnothing.com/], discussing everything from news and politics to entertainment and sports! All About Nothing, but All About Something too! Zac [https://linktr.ee/aanzac] and Barrett [https://linktr.ee/barrettgruber] host What The Pod Was That [https://whatthepodwasthat.com/] with Cari Simmons [https://twitter.com/cari_simmons], available everywhere you listen to podcasts. Take a deep dive down the rabbit hole with Amii [https://twitter.com/chicamii] on the pod Welcome to Wonder Land [https://wtwlpod.com/]. Check out Black White and Blue In the South [https://blackwhitebluesouth.captivate.fm/], With Dr. Jumelle Brooks and Bill Kimler! Politically Speaking [https://linktr.ee/politicallyspeakingsc] with Erica Sampson, Kirsten Pruitt, and Emily Mayer is a sharp, engaging podcast breaking down politics with insight, wit, and a fresh perspective. The Preach Jacobs Podcast [https://the-preach-jacobs-podcast.captivate.fm/] is hosted by Columbia South Carolina's very own Ambassador, Hiphop Artist, Columnist and Owner of SoulHAUS Art Gallery, Preach Jacobs! All of these fantastic podcasts can be found on the BIG Media LLC [https://bigmediallc.com/] Podcast Network! FAIR USE COPYRIGHT NOTICE The Copyright Laws of the United States recognize a "fair use" of copyrighted content. Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act states: NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF SECTIONS 106 AND 106A, THE FAIR USE OF A COPYRIGHTED WORK, INCLUDING SUCH USE BY REPRODUCTION IN COPIES OR PHONO RECORDS OR BY ANY OTHER MEANS SPECIFIED BY THAT SECTION, FOR PURPOSES SUCH AS CRITICISM, COMMENT, NEWS REPORTING, TEACHING (INCLUDING MULTIPLE COPIES FOR CLASSROOM USE), SCHOLARSHIP, OR RESEARCH, IS NOT AN INFRINGEMENT OF COPYRIGHT. This Video/Audio in general may contain certain copyrighted works that were not specifically authorized to be used by the copyright holder(s), but which we believe in good faith are protected by federal law and the fair use doctrine for one or more of the reasons noted above. If you have any specific concerns about this usage, or our position on the Fair Use Defense, please contact us at preachjacobs@gmail.com so we can discuss amicably. Thank you. Mentioned in this episode: BIG Media LLC Copyright 2026 BIG Media [https://the-awakening-podcast.captivate.fm/bigmediallc]

Deconstruction, Art and Honesty with David Hayward

EPISODE 32: DECONSTRUCTION, ART AND THE MINISTRY OF HONESTY CONTENT NOTE This episode includes discussion of religious deconstruction, spiritual harm, LGBTQIA+ religious trauma, and leaving high-control church environments. EPISODE DESCRIPTION This week on The Awakening, Tamara and I sit down with David Hayward — known around the world as The Naked Pastor — artist, author, and one of the most recognized voices in the deconstruction space. David’s work has given language and image to experiences that are often too painful for words. His art has resonated deeply with those walking away from harmful religious systems, and particularly with members of the LGBTQIA+ community who have carried wounds inflicted by the very institutions that claimed to love them. In this conversation, David opens up about his own journey out of institutional ministry, how art became his ministry, and why honesty — even when it’s uncomfortable — is one of the most sacred things we can offer one another. We also dive into Philip Zimbardo’s The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil and what it illuminates about how ordinary people within religious systems can participate in — and perpetuate — real harm. This conversation is moving, thought-provoking, and a beautiful reminder that deconstruction can be its own form of devotion. IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS * David’s journey out of institutional ministry * Art as a ministry of honesty and healing * How religious harm uniquely impacts the LGBTQIA+ community * Deconstruction as a courageous and creative act * The Lucifer Effect and what it teaches us about harm within systems * Finding community and voice on the other side of faith ABOUT OUR GUEST David Hayward, known as The Naked Pastor, is an artist and minister whose work has reached hundreds of thousands of people navigating deconstruction, spiritual abuse, and life after institutional religion. His cartoons and art have become a touchstone for those who have felt unseen, unwelcome, or wounded by the church — particularly within the LGBTQIA+ community. David’s work is honest, prophetic, and deeply human. 🎨 Connect with David & get custom artwork: NakedPastor — David Hayward [https://share.google/JSXM7e6sZoPb4iVGA] 📚 Book mentioned: The Lucifer Effect: Understanding How Good People Turn Evil — Philip Zimbardo | Get the book here [https://a.co/d/00vrv59L] WHY THIS EPISODE MATTERS For too long, the church has asked people to make themselves smaller — to silence their questions, suppress their identities, and perform a faith that was never truly theirs. David Hayward has spent years refusing to do that, and in doing so, has created space for countless others to refuse it too. Whether you’re in the thick of deconstruction or years into your own rebuilding, this conversation will meet you where you are. ABOUT THE SHOW The Awakening is a podcast centered on religious deconstruction, survivor stories, and rebuilding life after faith. We create space for honesty, healing, and community beyond fear-based systems. 🎶 Intro/Outro Music: Your Poison by Rox Knox CONNECT WITH YOUR HOSTS Heather — linktr.ee/Happyheathersmiles [https://linktr.ee/Happyheathersmiles] Tamara — TikTok @feralatheistjezebel321 | Instagram @tamarajo321 🎥 Watch on YouTube: The Awakening Podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@TheAwakeningPodcast-w6s] 📩 Be a guest: theawakeningpod@gmail.com [theawakeningpod@gmail.com] LISTENER CARE REMINDER If this episode stirred something in you — whether it’s grief, recognition, or the first flicker of permission to be honest — let yourself feel it. Your questions are not a crisis. Your doubts are not a betrayal. And your identity was never something that needed to be fixed. Take your time. You belong here. If you like what you here, check out other great pods on the BIG Media LLC [https://bigmediallc.com/] Podcast Network! Barrett [https://linktr.ee/barrettgruber] and Zac [https://linktr.ee/aanzac] host The All About Nothing: Podcast [https://theallaboutnothing.com/], discussing everything from news and politics to entertainment and sports! All About Nothing, but All About Something too! Zac [https://linktr.ee/aanzac] and Barrett [https://linktr.ee/barrettgruber] host What The Pod Was That [https://whatthepodwasthat.com/] with Cari Simmons [https://twitter.com/cari_simmons], available everywhere you listen to podcasts. Take a deep dive down the rabbit hole with Amii [https://twitter.com/chicamii] on the pod Welcome to Wonder Land [https://wtwlpod.com/]. Check out Black White and Blue In the South [https://blackwhitebluesouth.captivate.fm/], With Dr. Jumelle Brooks and Bill Kimler! Politically Speaking [https://linktr.ee/politicallyspeakingsc] with Erica Sampson, Kirsten Pruitt, and Emily Mayer is a sharp, engaging podcast breaking down politics with insight, wit, and a fresh perspective. The Preach Jacobs Podcast [https://the-preach-jacobs-podcast.captivate.fm/] is hosted by Columbia South Carolina's very own Ambassador, Hiphop Artist, Columnist and Owner of SoulHAUS Art Gallery, Preach Jacobs! All of these fantastic podcasts can be found on the BIG Media LLC [https://bigmediallc.com/] Podcast Network! FAIR USE COPYRIGHT NOTICE The Copyright Laws of the United States recognize a "fair use" of copyrighted content. Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act states: NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF SECTIONS 106 AND 106A, THE FAIR USE OF A COPYRIGHTED WORK, INCLUDING SUCH USE BY REPRODUCTION IN COPIES OR PHONO RECORDS OR BY ANY OTHER MEANS SPECIFIED BY THAT SECTION, FOR PURPOSES SUCH AS CRITICISM, COMMENT, NEWS REPORTING, TEACHING (INCLUDING MULTIPLE COPIES FOR CLASSROOM USE), SCHOLARSHIP, OR RESEARCH, IS NOT AN INFRINGEMENT OF COPYRIGHT. This Video/Audio in general may contain certain copyrighted works that were not specifically authorized to be used by the copyright holder(s), but which we believe in good faith are protected by federal law and the fair use doctrine for one or more of the reasons noted above. If you have any specific concerns about this usage, or our position on the Fair Use Defense, please contact us at preachjacobs@gmail.com so we can discuss amicably. Thank you. Mentioned in this episode: BIG Media LLC Copyright 2026 BIG Media [https://the-awakening-podcast.captivate.fm/bigmediallc]

From The Worship Stage To Freedom Wiith Joshua & Prez Colburn

EPISODE 31: FROM WORSHIP STAGE TO AUTHENTIC VOICE CONTENT NOTE This episode includes discussion of religious deconstruction, spiritual harm, and leaving high-control church environments. EPISODE DESCRIPTION This week on The Awakening, Tamara and I sit down with Joshua and Prez Colburn — artists, musicians, and voices in the deconstruction space. Joshua shares his experience as a former megachurch worship leader and what it was like to step away from a role that once defined his identity. Prez walks us through her own journey of deconstruction alongside him, and how their relationship evolved as their beliefs began to shift. Together, they open up about what it looks like to leave behind performance-based faith and rediscover authenticity — not just personally, but creatively. We also talk about their work as influencers and artists in the deconstruction space, and Prez shares about her upcoming song Fence Sitter, a piece that captures the tension of questioning, uncertainty, and standing in the in-between. This conversation is honest, creative, and a powerful look at what happens when you choose truth over performance. IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS * Life as a megachurch worship leader * Deconstructing as a couple * Identity beyond church roles * Healing from performance-based faith * Creativity and expression after deconstruction * The story behind Fence Sitter ABOUT OUR GUESTS Joshua and Prezleigh Colburn are artists and musicians who share their journey of deconstruction through music, storytelling, and online presence. Their work centers around authenticity, healing, and creating space for others navigating life after faith. 🎧 Connect with Joshua https://linktr.ee/Originalsinfluencer [https://linktr.ee/Originalsinfluencer] 🎶 Connect with Prezleigh https://linktr.ee/prezmoymusic [https://linktr.ee/prezmoymusic] WHY THIS EPISODE MATTERS For many, deconstruction isn’t just internal — it impacts relationships, identity, and creative expression. Joshua and Prezleigh’s story highlights what it looks like to walk that path together, navigating uncertainty while choosing honesty over expectation. It’s a reminder that there is life — and even beauty — on the other side of performance. ABOUT THE SHOW The Awakening is a podcast centered on religious deconstruction, survivor stories, and rebuilding life after faith. We create space for honesty, healing, and community beyond fear-based systems. 🎶 Intro/Outro Music Your Poison by Rox Knox CONNECT WITH YOUR HOSTS Heather — https://linktr.ee/Happyheathersmiles [https://linktr.ee/Happyheathersmiles] Tamara — TikTok @feralatheistjezebel321 | Instagram @tamarajo321 🎥 Watch the show on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@TheAwakeningPodcast-w6s [https://www.youtube.com/@TheAwakeningPodcast-w6s] 📩 Interested in being a guest? theawakeningpod@gmail.com LISTENER CARE REMINDER If this episode brings up parts of your own journey, take your time with it. You’re allowed to question, to evolve, and to create a life that feels true to you — even if it looks nothing like what you were taught. If you like what you here, check out other great pods on the BIG Media LLC [https://bigmediallc.com/] Podcast Network! Barrett [https://linktr.ee/barrettgruber] and Zac [https://linktr.ee/aanzac] host The All About Nothing: Podcast [https://theallaboutnothing.com/], discussing everything from news and politics to entertainment and sports! All About Nothing, but All About Something too! Zac [https://linktr.ee/aanzac] and Barrett [https://linktr.ee/barrettgruber] host What The Pod Was That [https://whatthepodwasthat.com/] with Cari Simmons [https://twitter.com/cari_simmons], available everywhere you listen to podcasts. Take a deep dive down the rabbit hole with Amii [https://twitter.com/chicamii] on the pod Welcome to Wonder Land [https://wtwlpod.com/]. Check out Black White and Blue In the South [https://blackwhitebluesouth.captivate.fm/], With Dr. Jumelle Brooks and Bill Kimler! Politically Speaking [https://linktr.ee/politicallyspeakingsc] with Erica Sampson, Kirsten Pruitt, and Emily Mayer is a sharp, engaging podcast breaking down politics with insight, wit, and a fresh perspective. The Preach Jacobs Podcast [https://the-preach-jacobs-podcast.captivate.fm/] is hosted by Columbia South Carolina's very own Ambassador, Hiphop Artist, Columnist and Owner of SoulHAUS Art Gallery, Preach Jacobs! All of these fantastic podcasts can be found on the BIG Media LLC [https://bigmediallc.com/] Podcast Network! FAIR USE COPYRIGHT NOTICE The Copyright Laws of the United States recognize a "fair use" of copyrighted content. Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act states: NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF SECTIONS 106 AND 106A, THE FAIR USE OF A COPYRIGHTED WORK, INCLUDING SUCH USE BY REPRODUCTION IN COPIES OR PHONO RECORDS OR BY ANY OTHER MEANS SPECIFIED BY THAT SECTION, FOR PURPOSES SUCH AS CRITICISM, COMMENT, NEWS REPORTING, TEACHING (INCLUDING MULTIPLE COPIES FOR CLASSROOM USE), SCHOLARSHIP, OR RESEARCH, IS NOT AN INFRINGEMENT OF COPYRIGHT. This Video/Audio in general may contain certain copyrighted works that were not specifically authorized to be used by the copyright holder(s), but which we believe in good faith are protected by federal law and the fair use doctrine for one or more of the reasons noted above. If you have any specific concerns about this usage, or our position on the Fair Use Defense, please contact us at preachjacobs@gmail.com so we can discuss amicably. Thank you. Mentioned in this episode: BIG Media LLC Copyright 2026 BIG Media [https://the-awakening-podcast.captivate.fm/bigmediallc]

Episode 30: Grief, Deconstruction, and Healing Forward, With Kayna Chappell

EPISODE 30: GRIEF, DECONSTRUCTION, AND HEALING FORWARD CONTENT NOTE This episode includes discussion of grief, loss, traumatic brain injury, and religious deconstruction. EPISODE DESCRIPTION This week on The Awakening, Tamara and I sit down with author Kayna Chappell for a deeply moving and honest conversation about grief, faith, and what it means to rebuild after everything changes. Kayna shares the story of losing her husband and how that loss became a turning point in her spiritual life. In the aftermath, she found herself questioning long-held beliefs and navigating a path of deconstruction while also supporting her son, who was living with the effects of a traumatic brain injury. We talk about what it looks like to hold grief and growth at the same time — how healing isn’t linear, how belief systems can shift under the weight of real life, and how love continues to evolve even in the face of profound loss. Kayna’s story is one of resilience, honesty, and learning to move forward without bypassing the pain. This conversation is tender, real, and a reminder that healing doesn’t mean going back — it means finding a way forward. IN THIS EPISODE, WE DISCUSS * Grief and the loss of a partner * Deconstruction after life-altering events * Parenting through trauma and recovery * Supporting a child with a traumatic brain injury * Redefining faith, meaning, and healing * Moving forward without bypassing pain ABOUT OUR GUEST Kayna Chappell is an author and storyteller who shares her journey through grief, deconstruction, and healing. She creates space for honest conversations around loss, resilience, and rebuilding life after trauma. 🎙 Podcast with her son https://tr.ee/80BJKJE8lk [https://tr.ee/80BJKJE8lk] 🔗 Connect with Kayna https://linktr.ee/heretikayna [https://linktr.ee/heretikayna] RESOURCES MENTIONED (Add here if anything comes up in your conversation) WHY THIS EPISODE MATTERS Grief has a way of unraveling everything we thought we knew — about life, about faith, and about ourselves. Kayna’s story speaks to the reality that deconstruction isn’t always a choice; sometimes it’s something life brings to your doorstep. Her journey reminds us that even in the midst of loss and uncertainty, there is still space for healing, connection, and meaning — even if it looks different than before. ABOUT THE SHOW The Awakening is a podcast centered on religious deconstruction, survivor stories, and rebuilding life after faith. We create space for honesty, healing, and community beyond fear-based systems. 🎶 Intro/Outro Music Your Poison by Rox Knox CONNECT WITH YOUR HOSTS Heather — @happyheather | @happyheathersmiles Tamara — TikTok @feralatheistjezebel321 | Instagram @tamarajo321 🎥 Watch the show on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@TheAwakeningPodcast-w6s [https://www.youtube.com/@TheAwakeningPodcast-w6s] 📩 Interested in being a guest? theawakeningpod@gmail.com LISTENER CARE REMINDER If this episode feels heavy or close to home, take your time with it. You’re allowed to pause, to feel, and to process at your own pace. There’s no right way to move through grief or healing — only your way. If you like what you here, check out other great pods on the BIG Media LLC [https://bigmediallc.com/] Podcast Network! Barrett [https://linktr.ee/barrettgruber] and Zac [https://linktr.ee/aanzac] host The All About Nothing: Podcast [https://theallaboutnothing.com/], discussing everything from news and politics to entertainment and sports! All About Nothing, but All About Something too! Zac [https://linktr.ee/aanzac] and Barrett [https://linktr.ee/barrettgruber] host What The Pod Was That [https://whatthepodwasthat.com/] with Cari Simmons [https://twitter.com/cari_simmons], available everywhere you listen to podcasts. Take a deep dive down the rabbit hole with Amii [https://twitter.com/chicamii] on the pod Welcome to Wonder Land [https://wtwlpod.com/]. Check out Black White and Blue In the South [https://blackwhitebluesouth.captivate.fm/], With Dr. Jumelle Brooks and Bill Kimler! Politically Speaking [https://linktr.ee/politicallyspeakingsc] with Erica Sampson, Kirsten Pruitt, and Emily Mayer is a sharp, engaging podcast breaking down politics with insight, wit, and a fresh perspective. The Preach Jacobs Podcast [https://the-preach-jacobs-podcast.captivate.fm/] is hosted by Columbia South Carolina's very own Ambassador, Hiphop Artist, Columnist and Owner of SoulHAUS Art Gallery, Preach Jacobs! All of these fantastic podcasts can be found on the BIG Media LLC [https://bigmediallc.com/] Podcast Network! FAIR USE COPYRIGHT NOTICE The Copyright Laws of the United States recognize a "fair use" of copyrighted content. Section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Act states: NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF SECTIONS 106 AND 106A, THE FAIR USE OF A COPYRIGHTED WORK, INCLUDING SUCH USE BY REPRODUCTION IN COPIES OR PHONO RECORDS OR BY ANY OTHER MEANS SPECIFIED BY THAT SECTION, FOR PURPOSES SUCH AS CRITICISM, COMMENT, NEWS REPORTING, TEACHING (INCLUDING MULTIPLE COPIES FOR CLASSROOM USE), SCHOLARSHIP, OR RESEARCH, IS NOT AN INFRINGEMENT OF COPYRIGHT. This Video/Audio in general may contain certain copyrighted works that were not specifically authorized to be used by the copyright holder(s), but which we believe in good faith are protected by federal law and the fair use doctrine for one or more of the reasons noted above. If you have any specific concerns about this usage, or our position on the Fair Use Defense, please contact us at preachjacobs@gmail.com so we can discuss amicably. Thank you. Mentioned in this episode: BIG Media LLC Copyright 2026 BIG Media [https://the-awakening-podcast.captivate.fm/bigmediallc]