“This Doesn’t Feel Blessed": Purity Culture & Painful Sex | ft. Meg Cowan

“This Doesn’t Feel Blessed": Purity Culture & Painful Sex | ft. Meg Cowan

You were told if you waited, sex would be blessed… so what happens when it hurts instead? In this episode, I sit down with sexologist Meg Cowan to unpack the real impact of purity culture on our bodies, relationships, and sex lives. Meg shares her story of growing up in purity culture, waiting until marriage, and then realizing—sex was painful and anything but “blessed.” That experience led her to question everything and step into the work she does today: helping people heal from shame-based teachings and build healthier relationships with their bodies and sexuality. We talk about purity culture myths, painful sex, shame, and the conversations the church often avoids—like consent, pleasure, chronic illness, and real relationship dynamics. If you’ve ever felt confused, disconnected, or let down by what you were taught about sex, this episode is for you. Learn more from Meg! Instagram: @megccowan Website: www.megcowan.com

Dear Church: Stop Promising Great Sex After Marriage

The church taught us that if we waited until marriage, sex would be amazing. No shame. No regret. Just blessings. But what happens when your body doesn’t cooperate? In this episode, I unpack the damage of purity culture’s biggest promise — that obedience guarantees great sex — and why that theology falls apart in real bodies, real marriages, and real lives. We talk about sexual shame, chronic pain, endometriosis, and why guilt and regret aren’t natural consequences of sex — they’re learned responses. I read directly from Loveology and challenge the authority of male pastors who confidently preach about sex outcomes they’ve never lived, all while ignoring bodies, illness, disability, and lived experience. This isn’t an anti-sex or anti-abstinence episode. It’s a call to stop weaponizing sex, stop moralizing bodies, and stop promising sexual rewards that can’t be guaranteed. If you grew up in purity culture, feel confused about sex and faith, or were told your body would “work” if you just obeyed — this episode is for you.

What the Rapture, a 22-Year-Old, and My Podcast Taught Me

What do the rapture, a 22-year-old who swears she’s running out of time, and my inconsistent podcast schedule have in common? More than you’d think. In this episode of The Rebel In Me, I talk about the latest rapture buzz, a conversation that made me feel like I time-traveled back to my twenties, and the reminder that at 34, I still have time—and so do you. I also share honestly about struggling with health issues, feeling silly for not being consistent, and my rebellion against the pressure to always produce and perform. This is your permission slip to slow down, breathe, and stop hustling like the world is ending tomorrow and remember you are a baby. Instagram @jessicadmoore_ @becomingyou.journey Becoming You | Religion Recovery  [http://www.jessicamoorecoaching.com]

Lesbihonest, I'm Still a Prophet: Same Vibe, Different Branding

In this episode of The Rebel in Me, I’m diving into my experience with Christian prophecy, spiritual gifts, and the wild things people once declared over my life—like how I’d “call forth identity” and make lesbians straight (spoiler: I did not). Now, years later and no longer in church, I’m drawing unexpected parallels between prophetic words and the woo-woo world of energy healing, intuition, and spiritual awakening. From nervous system releases that felt like Jesus to discovering new forms of connection through therapy, crystals, and “witchy” rituals—I might’ve left religion, but maybe I’m still a prophet? Same calling. Different language. Becoming You | Religion Recovery Coaching [http://www.jessicamoorecoaching.com] Instagram @jessicadmoore_ @becomingyou.journey

The Courage to Leave: Bryn on Walking Away from 'Fine'

What makes a woman leave a stable marriage when there’s nothing obviously wrong? In this episode, I’m joined by Bryn, who shares her raw, vulnerable story of choosing to walk away from a life that looked good on paper—but didn’t feel right in her soul. We talk about the quiet buildup that led to her decision, the emotional unraveling that followed, and the powerful journey of reclaiming her life on her own terms. From rediscovering her identity outside of a relationship to embracing a nomadic lifestyle with her now-fiancé, Bryn opens up about who she had to become in order to feel truly alive—and deeply loved. We also explore the idea of "life magic"—what happens when we stop controlling and start surrendering. Whether you’re in the middle of a personal awakening, questioning your relationship, or seeking courage to choose yourself, this conversation is for you. Becoming You | Religion Recovery Coaching [http://www.jessicamoorecoaching.com] Instagram: @jessicadmoore_ @becomingyou.journey  Bryn Daylor: https://bryndaylor.co/ [https://bryndaylor.co/] @bryndaylor