In this Touchy Subjects Podcast episode, Sex, Love, and Relationship Coach Amanda Testa shares her deconstruction journey from a conservative Southern Baptist upbringing to becoming a sex coach. The conversation explores the impact of purity culture on self-worth, relationships, and societal expectations, emphasizing the importance of embracing a positive and informed approach to sexuality.

Key Takeaways:

• Purity culture sucks: It messes with self-worth, objectifies people, and puts unfair pressure on women.
• Let's talk about sex, baby: The podcast encourages relearning how we view and discuss sexuality, focusing on understanding our bodies and prioritizing our own needs and desires.
• Sexy growth: Embracing a positive attitude towards sexuality can lead to personal growth and stronger connections, so let's ditch the old, outdated narratives.

About Amanda Testa:

Amanda Testa is a trusted healer, coach, and guide who’s served hundreds of clients over the years with masterful skills in coaching, pleasure embodiment, and somatic trauma resolution.  Her clients tenderly heal their relationship with their sexuality, shamelessly embrace pleasure, own their sexy confidence, and cultivate deeply connected relationships with my fiercely loving support. 

When she is not leading transformative sessions, you can find her snuggling her spunky 10 year old, flirting with her sexy hubs, playing in nature, enjoying live music, and having epic conversations about sex with fellow experts on her Find Your Feminine Fire podcast.  

After thousands of hours of training in trauma informed sex and relationship coaching, tantric sex coaching, sacred sexuality, energy healing, somatic trauma resolution, and more, Amanda has seen time and time again the magic and wisdom of our bodies. We all have the ability to return to our blueprint of health, aliveness, pleasure and sovereignty, and you can too.   

With Amanda's powerful, loving and gentle support, her clients find their desire and pleasure again, find safety and bliss in their bodies, and remember they are enough just as they are. Check out her free resources here.

Connect with Erin and the Touchy Subjects Podcast:

Check out our website and follow us on Instagram @letstalktouchysubjects

In this episode, Erin and guest, Hope Pedraza, explore the intersection spirituality and religion. Hope shares her journey breaking away from conservative Southern Baptist beliefs, emphasizing the transformative power of recognizing individual opinions.

The discussion challenges Christian narratives around sacrifice and delves into the contrasting mindsets between conditioned beliefs and an abundance mindset in spirituality. Additionally, Hope sheds light on Reiki and Human Design, highlighting its roots in light energy, divine source healing and science, while addressing common misconceptions.

Key Takeaways:

Deconstruction and Spiritual Evolution:

• Hope's journey from conservative roots to personal deconstruction.
• Recognition of individual opinions as transformative in late twenties.

Challenging Christian Narratives:

• Erin questions Christian narratives around sacrifice and suffering.
• Contrast between conditioned beliefs and abundance mindset in spirituality.

Reiki and Intention in Healing:

• Hope introduces Reiki's roots in light energy and divine source healing, as well as Human Design.
• Addressing misconceptions, emphasizing the role of intention in spiritual tools.

Connect with Hope Pedraza:

Hope Pedraza is a Functional Diagnostic Nutrition Practitioner, Certified Holistic Nutritionist, Reiki Practitioner, Human Design guide, as well as the founder of inBalance, a pilates based fitness franchise and the host of the Hopeful and Wholesome podcast. She helps female entrepreneurs heal chronic symptoms, create balance and ease in the body in the with a combination of functional medicine and energy medicine so they can live a life of joy, fulfillment and impact.

Learn more about Hope and her offerings here.

Connect with Erin and the Touchy Subjects Podcast:

Check out our website and follow us on Instagram @letstalktouchysubjects

In this episode, we dive deep into the touchy subject of money within the church. Dr. Severine Bryan, an accredited financial counselor, shares her personal journey from divorce to rebuilding her finances.

The conversation explores the intersection of faith, finances, and church practices. Discover the harmful effects of guilt-inducing tactics, the difference between tithing and giving, and the need for a cultural shift in how churches approach financial matters.

Key Learnings:

Money as a Tool: Understand the true nature of money as a tool for improving your life, and learn to use it wisely.

Generous Giving: Explore the concept of giving generously and its positive impact on personal finances and the community.

Cultish Practices: Recognize and question coercive practices in churches, such as linking tithing to membership and volunteering.

Stewardship Over Giving: Shift the focus from giving to stewardship, teaching individuals how to manage their entire paycheck effectively.

Toxic Culture: Address the toxic culture of guilt and shame around giving, encouraging a more open and compassionate approach.

About Dr. Severine Bryan

Dr. Severine Bryan is an Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC®), speaker, and host of the Dr. Sev Talks Money podcast. She has been teaching personal finance concepts for over 20 years, but in 2020 she founded Bryan Financial Empowerment LLC to further her mission of serving women. Dr. Sev helps busy women take command of their basic personal finances so they can reach their financial goals and gain peace of mind. An active member of the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education®, she believes that anything is possible with a plan.

Connect with Dr. Sev on LinkedIN here

Connect with Erin Billings and the Touchy Subjects Podcast:

Check out our website and follow us on Instagram @letstalktouchysubjects

In this unfiltered and authentic conversation, we dive into the often overlooked aspects of Diversity within the Church. The guests share personal experiences, addressing the challenges of diversity, bias, and leadership roles. From the impact of cultural identities to the struggles faced in predominantly white churches, the discussion uncovers the need for healing and understanding before achieving true inclusivity.

In this episode, we discussed:

• Observations of Racism, Discrimination, and Biases in the Church
• Social Justice
• How to approach diversity when it comes to leadership in the Church

About our Guests:

Eric Ellis, President and CEO of Integrity Development Corp., is an award-winning entrepreneur, thought leader, author, and keynote speaker with over thirty years of experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Named one of the Top 100 DEI Experts in the World by the Society for Human Resources Management and "Cincinnati's Diversity Fixer" by The Cincinnati Enquirer, Eric is an innovative leader who helps transform organizational cultures into people-centered workplaces that inspire employee engagement and a sense of belonging.

Eric is a singer/songwriter, and the author of Diversity Conversations. He hosts a weekly podcast named after his book.

Uwem Ward is a Recovery & Resurgence Coach who guides women through Spirit-Led Deconstruction and is affectionately known as The #HolyHotHead for a reason. She is the author and visionary behind “Unapologetically WorthyAF”, a journaling program designed to promote fiery self-love within Christian women who have been led to doubt their worth. Coach Uwem is a writer, a heartfelt public speaker and podcast guest, a domestic abuse survivor advocate, and a trained ministry leader for Celebrate Recovery and the California Black Women's Health Project. With over 25 years of experience in church ministry, she is now a new church planter and has recently launched a microchurch with her husband called WE ARE THE REFUGE in Sacramento, CA. Besides all that she does in the community, Coach Uwem is also a formerly homeschooling mother of 4 and has been married to her high school sweetheart for 17 years!

Coach Uwem is also the founder and CEO of ALL MADE WELL Recovery Programs —providing the church and its leaders with EMOTIONAL x SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT initiatives to disrupt & reimagine church culture. AMW offers private and group coaching, as well as churchwide programs that specialize in betrayal trauma recovery from childhood experiences, domestic abuse, and sex addiction as well as racial and spiritual trauma rooted in hierarchy.

Bishop Anthony Pelt is a native Floridian, who has respectively received his B.A. in Political Science and his Masters in Public Administration at the University of Central Florida.

Bishop Pelt is an ordained Bishop and the Founding Senior Pastor of Radiant Living Worship Center. He has served on several local, state & International Boards; Including Youth and Christian Education, Seminary Board of Theology and also on the General Assembly Cabinet for the Church of God.

Bishop Pelt is a man who really loves the Lord, serves the Lord with gladness and is committed to implementing solid biblical teaching in ministry to elevate the people in everyday living outside of the church walls with strong belief that Christian Education is the key to Church Elevation for the total man". Bishop Pelt has preached throughout the States, Canada, and the Caribbean Islands.

Bishop Anthony Pelt was recently appointed, by the Church of God International Headquarters, as the Administrative Bishop for Florida-Cocoa. Bishop Pelt is married to (Millicent), has three...

Welcome back to the Touchy Subjects Podcast! After a hiatus, Erin returns with a deeply personal reflection on the complexities of life, deconstruction, and the need for reconstruction in beliefs.

In this episode, we navigate through the metaphor of Jenga, comparing it to the process of deconstruction and reconstruction of beliefs. Emphasizing how events, trauma, and personal growth prompt a reevaluation of ingrained beliefs, highlighting the necessity of this ongoing process.

Erin challenges the misconception that deconstruction signifies an abandonment of faith, expressing a desire for a more nuanced understanding within Christianity. She stresses the importance of active listening and seeking understanding instead of judgment in conversations about faith and deconstruction.

Exploring the dynamics within church communities, Erin identifies cultural problems affecting congregations. Cliques, leadership issues, and unkind behaviors hinder a church's growth and acceptance.

Looking ahead, Erin shares plans for a non-profit aimed at fostering healthy churches. She envisions a collaborative effort, involving experts and passionate individuals, to bring about positive change within church structures.

• Deconstruction as Growth: Deconstruction is portrayed as a vital aspect of personal growth and spiritual maturity, not a departure from faith.
• Cultural Challenges in Churches: Issues within church cultures, including cliques and leadership problems, hinder growth and inclusivity.
• Vision for Change: The host outlines plans for a non-profit endeavor aimed at cultivating healthy church environments.
• Call for Collaboration: Emphasizes the need for collective effort and hopes for a grassroots movement to initiate positive changes in churches.

Connect with Erin Billings and the Touchy Subjects Podcast:

Check out our website and follow us on Instagram @letstalktouchysubjects

In this eye-opening episode, our three guests—Bre, Dr. Jan, and Hillary—bravely share their personal journeys within various cults, shedding light on the dark corners of manipulative environments. Bre, raised in a non-denominational cult in Canada, discusses the toxic religious aspects and her subsequent venture into coaching to aid others in their recovery. Dr. Jan, a former school psychologist, provides insights into the damaging effects of the shepherding movement, exposing the perils of authoritarianism and control. Hillary's story unveils her experiences in the Twin Flames Universe, an online spiritual group, detailing emotional manipulation, financial exploitation, and the pressure to conform.

The heart of the episode explores the theme of high-control environments, commonly associated with cults. Bre emphasizes power dynamics and the coercion to serve and tithe within religious communities, revealing a lack of autonomy in decision-making. Instances where seeking permission from pastors for personal choices was the norm, especially for women, illustrate the extent of control. Hilary contributes her perspective from the Twin Flame universe, delving into how the group leader manipulated relationships and influenced gender transitions to fit prescribed unions.

This insightful conversation brings attention to the red flags indicative of cult-like control in various environments, urging listeners to recognize and navigate these warning signs. Join us as we delve into the shared struggles of autonomy, manipulation, and the quest for freedom within the diverse experiences of our guests.

Connect with Erin Billings and the Touchy Subjects Podcast:

Check out our website and follow us on Instagram @letstalktouchysubjects

About our Guests:

Dr. Jan Fox-Peterson practiced school psychology for many years for a large, urban k-12 school district until she became a consultant in restorative practices and a Supreme Court approved mediation/dispute resolution provider. In a nutshell, in the last decades, Dr. Jan has focused on coaching people in relationship wellness, compassionate communication, transforming conflict, and discovering their inner strength to persevere through trials in life.

Bre Hamilton is trained through an ICF accredited coach training, as well as utilizing her own methodology, Awareness to Action Method™️. She works with Folx who have escaped toxic religion to heal and deconstruct their beliefs in order to live the life they truly intend to live through tapping back into their intuition, primarily through community focused programs.

Hillary Dahl is a trauma sensitive coach that has a passion and desire to guiding others to get out of their heads and into their lives. Hillary works with you in a loving and compassionate way to guide you to a solution to bring you more peace and ease.

In this episode, we dive deep into the complex world of spiritual narcissism with Stacy Sanderson, a registered psychotherapist with expertise in narcissism and narcissistic recovery. Stacy shares her personal experiences and insights on these topics, shedding light on the distinctions between regular narcissism and spiritual narcissism. She also provides valuable advice on dealing with toxic situations and finding healing and recovery.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Narcissism as a trait vs. Narcissism as a personality disorder
• The misuse of diagnostic language in everyday conversations
• The red flags of Narcissistic Abuse
• How to recognize Spiritual Narcissism, with examples in different contexts
• How to handle toxic situations
• What the recovery and healing process looks like for someone that has experienced narcissistic abuse

More about Erin Billings and the Touchy Subjects Podcast:

Follow the Touchy Subjects Podcast on Instagram @letstalktouchysubjects or check out our website for more information.

About our Guest:

Stacey Sanderson is a Registered Psychotherapist, author, facilitator and teacher taking a holistic approach to healing narcissistic wounding in individuals, families, groups and organizations. She is passionate about helping people be empowered, embrace their spiritual gifts and live their mission - because the world needs them! Stacey is married and the mother of two amazing adult children, and some rescued fur babies!

Follow Stacey on Facebook and subscribe to her YouTube channel

In this episode of the Touchy Subjects Podcast, Erin Billings engages in a thought-provoking conversation with David Hayward, also known as Naked Pastor, shedding light on the crucial topic of spiritual abuse within religious institutions. David shares his journey from being a pastor for three decades to becoming a full-time artist and community leader, emphasizing the importance of transparency within the Church.

We Discussed:

• What Spiritual Abuse is and what it looks like
• The red flags of Spiritual Abuse
• Deconstructing after Spiritual Abuse
• How to report Spiritual Abuse
• Accountability in the Church

Connect with Erin Billings and the Touchy Subjects Podcast:

Follow @letstalktouchysubjects on Instagram or check out our website for more information.

About our Guest:

David Hayward served the church for about 30 years, then left the ministry in 2010.

He’s been running the nakedpastor blog since 2005 where he posts his provocative cartoons and articles, as well as his artwork.

He launched an online community called The Lasting Supper, a place for people to change without being judged or instructed, and where they can learn to become spiritually independent.

He’s been cartooning, making art, writing, and speaking around his core passions: personal authentic freedom, the power to change our own lives, community, and the creative spirit to make our world a better place.

He and his wife live in eastern Canada. They have three adult children.

Connect with NakedPastor David Hayward:

Website: www.nakedpastor.com

Instagram: @nakedpastor