In this episode of In The Waves, I talk with my friend Michael McRay about the ways shame has been a constant companion in our lives. He shares the impact of sexual assault and purity culture on his experience of sexuality and what it has looked like for him to live into a healthier, freer story. We also explore the powerful connection between peacemaking and our own inner healing work, how learning to live a better story for ourselves is part of healing the world.

Trigger warning: In this episode we discussion sensitive topics including sexual assault, bullying, and a suicide attempt, so please care for yourself well.

Michael is a Nashville-based facilitator, mediator, and story-practitioner. He’s the author of multiple books, including I Am Not Your Enemy, which won the 2020 Best Book Award in Social Change from the American Book Fest. His story-work has taken him the world over, including places like Northern Ireland, South Africa, Rwanda, Israel and Palestine, and U.S. prisons. He’s the founder of Becoming Restoried, a community helping people identify their stories and live into new ones.

As you listen to this and other episodes, be sure to send questions and comments to inthewavespodcast@gmail.com, so we can explore them together in the final episode.