From Pulpit to Peace: Ken Wortley's Story of Self-Discovery

A Fond Farewell from Dr. Tomi Bryan

Dr. Tomi Bryan is wrapping up the Sacred Gut Punch Podcast. It has been so much fun! Thank you for listening to these stories of resilience and for making this journey with me.

Krista Meinert: Take the First Step and Trust the Journey

In this episode, Krista Meinert shares the devastating story of losing her son Jake, a U.S. Marine killed in action in Afghanistan in January 2010. She describes her long journey through grief — from burying her emotions in "task mode" to eventually finding healing through yoga, nature, climbing mountain high points across the country, and participating in a psilocybin study for long-term grief. Inspired by her experience, Krista is now pursuing her license under Colorado's Natural Medicine Health Act to facilitate psilocybin journeys for others, guided by her mantra: "Take the first step and trust the journey."

From Pulpit to Peace: Ken Wortley's Story of Self-Discovery

Ken Wortley shares his journey from Baptist preacher to authentic self-acceptance after decades of suppressing his sexual orientation to please God and meet religious expectations. Married with two children and serving multiple churches, his carefully constructed life unraveled when his wife confronted him with the question: "How long have you known you were gay?" Through therapy, journaling, and a process he calls "unlearning," Ken deconstructed limiting religious beliefs, eventually finding peace, love with a Brazilian partner, and the grace to live authentically. You can connect with Ken via email at createsome81@gmail.com.

Ben and Megan Russell: Fearfully and Wonderfully Brave

This podcast episode features Ben and Megan Russell sharing their journey through multiple devastating challenges in their early marriage. Three weeks after their 2019 wedding, Megan's sister died suddenly from a brain aneurysm, followed by a pregnancy during COVID isolation, where Megan hemorrhaged after delivery and nearly died. Their greatest challenge came when their daughter, Brooklyn, was diagnosed at just eight weeks old with a softball-sized brain tumor that required emergency surgery, partial brain removal, and chemotherapy. Yet today, Brooklyn is thriving as a resilient four-year-old. Throughout these trials, the couple demonstrates remarkable partnership and resilience, emphasizing the importance of leaning on community support, maintaining open communication, and choosing to fight through adversity together rather than letting it divide them.

Radical Faith: I'm Going to Be Okay with Alicia M. Rodriguez

Alicia Rodriguez's sacred gut punch came in waves. First: an electrical charge when she met Napo, a sixth-generation shaman in Ecuador, recognizing him as the figure from a dream decades earlier. She uprooted everything to build a healing retreat center with him. Second punch: he turned dark, aggressive, and dangerous. Third: fleeing with only a backpack and her dog, her life on the line. The final blow that became salvation: landing in Portugal with nothing, starting over in a new country. Each gut punch was a sacred intervention, forcing her to trust herself completely — wisdom discerned from the stillness.