Content Warning: this episode is going to mention specific biblical scriptures and examples of self-harm, shame, and trauma from purity culture, specifically in the Christian faith tradition. Take care of yourself while listening to this episode. If you need to, skip it and come back later, or leave this episode in the archives. Trust your body to know whether it's a worthwhile topic to dive into.

Let's talk about a purity culture belief in the Christian tradition that it's more important to be holy than happy and what it can look like to reverse this notion. In my effort to follow a more "holy" path around sex and sexuality, all I received was shame and terrible hatred for myself and others. Body shame, even body dysmorphia, hiding sexual exploration, and judgement, or even punishment, for a private thought life is often what people received in an abstinence only world around sex.

What does it look like to seek happiness instead? I share some of my own insights and experiences around this topic, so buckle up. We're going on a wild ride this February!

Please rate and review the podcast on Apple podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

Follow me on Bluesky! @marcus-spaur.bsky.social

Have questions you'd like discussed on the podcast, or people to interview/research for future hero studies? Send me an email! You can reach me at questions (dot) btcpod (at) gmail (dot) com.

Website: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/

Interested in working with me? Schedule a free discovery call: https://calendly.com/marcus-spaur/discovery-call

Free Recovery Resources: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/free-resources

"Nonstop" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Let's talk about changing our air and water, something that came to mind when I heard others refer to our upbringing as "the air we breathe" or "the water we swim in." You can think of it also as it's all been a part of the zeitgeist. In my work, having someone with an outside perspective can help to shed a light on what we deemed as "normal" when it could be better and healthier. We often are unaware of the influences in our lives until we step away from them. This can be challenging as it forces us to take a look at our preconceived notions and beliefs to look at them from a new perspective. Let's get into what can happen when we change the air we breathe and the water we swim in.

Please rate and review the podcast on Apple podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

Follow me on Bluesky! @marcus-spaur.bsky.social

Have questions you'd like discussed on the podcast, or people to interview/research for future hero studies? Send me an email! You can reach me at questions (dot) btcpod (at) gmail (dot) com.

Website: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/

Interested in working with me? Schedule a free discovery call: https://calendly.com/marcus-spaur/discovery-call

Free Recovery Resources: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/free-resources

"Nonstop" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Let's talk about broadening our sources that we take in. In a recent experience, I had a spiritual guide challenge me on some of the doom and gloom I've been experiencing thanks to all the political garbage going on, mental health struggles, and despair for the future. Thanks to Rob Bell and his Robcast, he broadened my perspective with his own insights and it helped me get out of a slump.

Please rate and review the podcast on Apple podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

Follow me on Bluesky! @marcus-spaur.bsky.social

Have questions you'd like discussed on the podcast, or people to interview/research for future hero studies? Send me an email! You can reach me at questions (dot) btcpod (at) gmail (dot) com.

Website: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/

Interested in working with me? Schedule a free discovery call: https://calendly.com/marcus-spaur/discovery-call

Free Recovery Resources: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/free-resources

"Nonstop" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/