Understanding the Connection Between OCD and Religious Trauma with Juliet Gustafson

Gentrification and The Strategic Coming Out of Pete Buttigieg

In this episode of the Liberated Porch Podcast, host Kit Morgan explores the complex intersections of religious trauma, LGBTQIA+ identity, systemic oppression, and politics through deeply personal and societal lenses. Kit dives into topics like the impact of systemic failures, the politics of being queer and religious, and critically examines the recent controversy involving Mayor Pete Buttigieg's personal life and political actions. Main topics: * The political nature of queer and religious trauma work * Systemic failures in policing and child protective services, especially relating to Black and brown communities * Critical analysis of Pete Buttigieg’s political career, personal disclosures, and adoption practices * The weaponization of social services against marginalized communities * The importance of advocacy, ethics, and liberation-oriented social work Resource: Pete Buttigieg's story about his family being directly impacted by Child Protective Services. [https://substack.com/@petebuttigieg/note/p-203734900?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=5j0p71] To learn more about religious trauma, subscribe to @theliberatedporch on Substack, Instagram, and TikTok

Queer Religious Trauma Therapy is Political with Liz Rhea

In this episode of The Liberated Porch Podcast, Kit Morgan sits down with queer therapist and content creator Liz Rhea, LCSW, for a candid conversation about religious trauma, queer identity, deconstruction, and what it means to practice therapy with integrity. Liz shares what it was like growing up in a deeply conservative evangelical environment shaped by purity culture, Southern Baptist influence, and intense church involvement. Together, Kit and Liz unpack how religion can provide community and purpose while also enforcing silence, control, and shame — especially for women, queer people, and anyone who doesn’t fit the mold. The conversation also explores grief, especially how the loss of a parent can crack open long-held beliefs and make harmful theology impossible to ignore. From there, Kit and Liz dive into the politics of therapy, the reality of conversion therapy and “gender identity change efforts,” and the pressure many therapists feel to stay neutral in a deeply political field. They close with practical advice for early-career therapists and students who want to stay values-aligned while navigating supervision, licensure, and institutional pressure. A thoughtful, validating, and necessary conversation for anyone interested in religious trauma, queer mental health, and deconstructing harmful systems. Resources: * Liz on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/lizrheatherapy/?hl=en] * Liz on TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@lizrheatherapy] * Liz Website [https://www.lizrheatherapy.com/] To learn more about religious trauma, check out @theliberatedporch on Substack, Instagram, and TikTok

Queering and Decolonizing Religious Trauma Therapy with Sam Sellers

In this episode, Kit Morgan sits down with religious trauma expert, Sam Sellers, to explore the nuanced intersections of religion, colonization, and mental health. They discuss how religious trauma impacts queer communities, decolonizing therapeutic practices, and building trauma-informed spaces by confronting harm and dogma. In this episode: * The origins of the term "religious trauma" and its personal significance * How colonization influences religious trauma across borders * The importance of queer-centric religious trauma education * Challenges of applying traditional trauma therapies like EMDR with religious trauma survivors * The systemic issues in assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic approaches * Strategies for creating affirming, autonomy-respecting environments * The vital role of deconstructing patriarchy, white supremacy, and misogyny in religious trauma healing * Practical advice for new therapists entering this specialized space Resources: Religious Trauma Collective [https://www.thereligioustraumacollective.com/] Anchored Counselling Services [https://anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au/meet-sam-new/] Beyond the Surface Podcast [https://open.spotify.com/show/4m4UsUynYaRYX11xn5FKgX] Sam on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/anchoredcounsellingservices/] To learn more about religious trauma, check out @theliberatedporch on Substack, Instagram, and TikTok

Connecting to the World Outside of Religious Fundamentalism's Isolation with Dr. Sara Glass

Explore the intersections of Orthodox Judaism and fundamentalist Christianity in this episode with religious trauma therapists, Kit Morgan and Dr. Sara Glass. Kit, the host of The Liberated Porch Podcast, dives into how high-control religious groups impact mental health, identity, and personal autonomy with the author of Kissing Girls on Shabbat, Dr. Sara Glass. In this episode: * The shared experiences of religious trauma across different faith backgrounds * How religious control influences mental health and personal identity * The parallels between religious trauma and narcissistic or abusive relationships * Strategies for recognizing and naming religious and cultural trauma * The importance of boundaries and self-compassion in recovery * Reframing language around high-control religions and cults * Generating safe spaces for dissent and dialogue online and in therapy * Practical ways to support clients in exploring beyond their religious confines * The lifelong journey of healing and self-discovery after leaving high-control groups Resources: * Kissing Girls on Shabbat [https://amazon.com/s?k=Kissing+Girls+on+Shabbat+Sarah+Glass] * Dr. Sarah Glass on Instagram [https://instagram.com/DrSarahGlass] * Ex-Mormon Stories by Martha Beck [https://marthabeck.com/ex-mormon-stories] To learn more about religious trauma, check out @theliberatedporch on Substack, Instagram, and TikTok

Understanding the Connection Between OCD and Religious Trauma with Juliet Gustafson

Join us as we delve into the nuanced intersections of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), religious trauma, and their impact on queer individuals. Kit Morgan, trans and queer religious trauma educator and therapist sat down with Juliet Gustafsson, a queer social worker and OCD expert for this episode. Juliet shares her lived experiences, professional insights, and innovative approaches for understanding and treating OCD within the context of religious and sexual identity. In this episode: * Juliet’s definition of OCD and common misconceptions * How OCD attaches to core values, identity, and religious beliefs * The interplay between religious trauma, moral scrupulosity, and OCD symptoms * Strategies for addressing shame, trust, and uncertainty in therapy * Exposure therapy techniques for OCD, including unorthodox and humorous examples * Navigating sexual identity doubts, obsessive thoughts about attraction, and sexual behaviors * The importance of compassion, validation, and partner communication in OCD treatment * Breaking down myths about certainty, empirical evidence, and religious indoctrination * Creative and playful approaches to confronting fears about death and mortality You can find Juliet's work on Instagram @ocd_therapist_juliet, the Intrusive Plots Podcast, or julietgustafson.com [http://julietgustafson.com] To learn more about religious trauma, please subscribe to @theliberatedporch on Substack, Instagram, and TikTok