In this episode, Sam chats with Katie about what it actually looks like to rebuild life after religious trauma, especially coming out of a strict Catholic environment. Katie shares how growing up in rigid faith shaped her identity, leaving her stuck in perfectionism, people-pleasing, and constantly second-guessing herself. Together, they unpack the idea of redefining spirituality outside organised religion; shifting it from rules and performance into something personal, embodied, and genuinely life-giving. The conversation also gets practical, exploring small ways people can reconnect with themselves through hobbies, rituals, and everyday choices, reminding listeners that recovery isn’t about having it all figured out; it’s about slowly learning to trust your own voice again.

Who Is Katie?

Katie Krier is a Spiritual Wellness Coach who helps people rebuild identity and personal sovereignty after religion. Her work supports those disentangling from religious conditioning and learning to live from their own inner authority.

Connect with us

1. Katies website - https://katiemkrier.com/start-here
2. Connect via Facebook, LinkedIn & Instagram

1. You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
2. To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
3. Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
4. Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

For the 100th story episode, the roles flip a little as Sam steps into the guest seat and hands the hosting mic over to Matt, creating space to share more of her own lived experience of religious trauma. Together, they reflect on the complicated grief that comes with leaving high-control faith communities, not just losing beliefs, but losing belonging, identity, and sometimes entire support systems through shunning and judgment. The conversation moves through the emotional weight of trying to re-enter those spaces, the loneliness that can follow choosing authenticity, and the slow process of finding connection again with people who truly understand. At its heart, this milestone episode is about loss, resilience, and what it looks like to rebuild a sense of home after everything familiar falls away.

Connect With Us

1. You can find Matt over at https://mgacounselling.com.au/ or on Facebook

1. You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
2. To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
3. Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
4. Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective

Stacy shares her long and complicated relationship with fundamentalism and evangelical Christianity, starting with a childhood shaped by strict values rather than overt religiosity, and moving into a born-again faith she found as a teenager while searching for belonging. What initially felt like connection and purpose slowly became transactional, where her worth was measured by how much she served, showed up, and stayed in line. She talks openly about the mental health toll of living under constant religious expectation, and the quiet ways doubt began to creep in long before she felt able to name it. The unraveling accelerated through experiences of betrayal in her church and the broader disruptions of COVID, forcing her to reckon with a faith that was no longer sustainable. This episode is about listening to that inner knowing, grieving what’s lost, and finding the courage to choose yourself when the system you trusted starts to fall apart.

Who Is Stacy?

Stacy is a 64 year old woman who grew up in the 60’s and 70’s with a fundamental non religious upbringing who then got involved at 19 with fundamental evangelical Christianity and stayed for 40 years! Left it all 3 years ago.

Connect

1. Connect with Stacy over on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/stacy_singledecker/

1. You can find out more about Sam on her website - www.anchoredcounsellingservices.com.au
2. To connect with Sam on Instagram - @anchoredcounsellingservices
3. Want to contact with Sam about the podcast or therapy? Use this contact form.
4. Also check out The Religious Trauma Collective