In this episode, I talk with psychologist and author Hillary McBride about her powerful book Holy Hurt. We explore what spiritual trauma really is, how it shows up in our bodies and beliefs, and what healing can look like. We also talk openly about my own past as a pastor—how I once taught things that caused harm—and why I believe it’s so important to have these honest, healing conversations now.

Topics We Cover

• What makes something “spiritual trauma”

• Why it’s so hard to name trauma that’s systemic, not just event-based

• The cost of being told you're broken at the core

• How our bodies remember what our minds try to forget

• The difference between real healing and spiritual bypassing

• What leaders and former leaders can do when they realize they’ve hurt others
• Hope for anyone starting to rebuild after religious pain